Every Monmouth County town seems to have that one bakery where the line forms early on Sunday and the box gets tied with string. Some of these shops lean old-school Italian, with rainbow cookies and lobster tails in the case.
Others are newer, built around cupcakes, croissants, or one famous cookie. What they share is a loyal crowd that keeps coming back for birthdays, holidays, and plain old Tuesday mornings.
This list covers six bakeries from the shore towns to Route 35, with the specialties, hours, and parking details you need before you go. Some open at 6 AM, a couple stay open late, and one closes early on Mondays, so the timing notes are worth a look.
If you have a party coming up, or you just want a box of something good, this is a solid list to save and share.
1. Del Ponte’s Bakery, Bradley Beach, NJ
Few bakeries at the Jersey Shore keep doors open from 6 AM until 10 PM on weekends. Del Ponte’s does, which makes it as handy for a morning coffee run as it is for an after-dinner dessert grab.
The family-owned shop on Main Street keeps the decor simple and lets the cases do the talking. Expect cookies, cakes, bread, and a long lineup of Italian pastries made on the premises.
Lobster tails, cannoli donuts, and crumb cake are the standouts. Peanut butter bars, chocolate mousse pie, strawberry shortcake, and rainbow cookies round things out, and cookies are sold by the pound.
Custom and birthday cakes are part of the business too. Next door, a brick oven pizzeria and restaurant share the family name, so dinner and dessert can happen on one block.
Friday and Saturday evenings bring the biggest crowds. Monday morning is the quiet window, and free street parking is available nearby.
2. J & M Bakery, Middletown Township, NJ
Walk into J & M and it has the look of an old-fashioned Brooklyn Italian bakery dropped onto Route 35. The shop is small, but the case is packed.
Handmade cookies are a big draw here. Orange sprinkle cookies dipped in chocolate, rainbow sprinkle cookies, and classic rainbow cookies all share space on the trays.
Cake by the slice is another reason regulars stop in. German chocolate, peanut butter, and 7-layer cake are on the lineup, along with cream puffs, chocolate mousse cream puffs, apple strudel, lobster tails, and cannoli.
I like this one for picking up a mixed box, since the staff is patient with indecisive customers. Custom cakes are available for bigger occasions.
There is a free parking lot. Hours run 8 AM to 9 PM on weekdays, with earlier 7 AM openings on weekends and a 6 PM close on Sundays.
3. Sweet!, Belmar, NJ
Mermaid cupcakes in a beach town just make sense. Sweet! on 10th Avenue in Belmar leans fully into fun flavors, and the menu reads like a dessert wish list.
Churro, salted caramel, and Nutella cupcakes sit alongside the mermaid version. Chocolate-covered strawberries and cannoli cake add more options for anyone who wants a break from frosting.
The family-run shop also stocks assorted candies, so it works for kids on a summer afternoon. Custom cakes for special events are a big part of the business, and service is personal and efficient.
Hours are 11 AM to 6 PM every day. That later start means this is an afternoon stop rather than a breakfast one.
4. The Baker’s Grove, Shrewsbury, NJ
Not every beloved bakery needs a century behind it. The Baker’s Grove on Broad Street in Shrewsbury has built a steady following with a modern, homey space and a menu that changes with the seasons.
Croissants and cookies are the backbone. The salted chocolate chip cookie is a favorite, and pastry puffs come in both savory and sweet forms, like potato and Granny Smith apple.
Key lime pie also shows up on the menu, and coffee is available to go with it. Outdoor seating makes it easy to linger on a nice day.
Timing matters here. Monday hours are just 9 AM to 1 PM, while Tuesday through Saturday runs 7 AM to 5 PM and Sunday closes at 2 PM.
Saturday mornings get busy, so earlier is better. A free parking lot helps, and the shop welcomes everyone as an LGBTQ+ friendly space.
5. Normandie Bakery, Hazlet, NJ
Pignoli cookies are the quiet test of any Italian-style bakery, and Normandie sells them by the half pound. That tells you a lot about where this Hazlet shop puts its focus.
The space has an old style bakery look, with a wide spread of Italian pastries, cookies, and cupcakes. Fresh bread and layer cakes fill out the counters.
Custom cakes are the specialty. The menu includes Natalie cake, mocha cake, carrot cake, and a rainbow cannoli cake that stands out on any party table.
Sugar-free options are available, which is helpful for mixed crowds. Prices are fair for the quality.
Hours are 7:30 AM to 6 PM Monday through Saturday and 7:30 AM to 2 PM on Sunday. There is a free lot, plus coffee and delivery.
6. The Macaroon Shop, Avon-By-The-Sea, NJ
A bakery that names itself after one treat had better nail it. The Macaroon Shop in Avon-By-The-Sea does, and the macaroons are what most people come for.
The Main Street bakeshop goes well beyond its namesake, though. Shelves carry an array of baked goods, plus custom cakes that have earned a strong local reputation.
Gluten-free cakes are offered too, a useful detail for anyone planning a party with dietary needs. Coffee is available, and delivery is an option.
Open 7 AM to 6 PM every day, it fits easily into a beach morning or a drive along the shore. Saturdays stay busy from morning through evening.
Parking is free on the street, and the shop has no restroom, so plan accordingly. Grab a box of macaroons for the ride home.
From Bradley Beach to Hazlet, these six bakeries prove that a good cookie box never goes out of style in Monmouth County.
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