Pumpkin is out, and peppermint is in! Thanksgiving is officially over, and it’s time to start preparing for the holidays. If you are anything like me, you are constantly searching for the best seasonal items on any menu, so definitely check out these places to not miss out on the holiday cheer:
Merry Hot Cocoa Bar
Merry Hot Cocoa Bar is back for the 2023 holiday season and is a must-try for cocoa lovers. This place is a pop-up cocoa bar at the seasonal kiosk at Pier A Park in Hoboken and can only be tracked through their Instagram: @merryhotcocoa. They attract lines going down the block, and it is best to get there early. Their menu ranges from original hot cocoa to s’mores flavored. Even if you are not a cocoa lover, they serve different flavored ice cream, cookies, smoothies, and shakes to spread the holiday love.
Carlo’s Bakery
It is no shock that Carlo’s Bakery made it onto this list! They are already well-known for having been featured on TLC’s Cake Boss, and we have the original bakery right here on Washington Street. Every December, they come out with the best-themed cakes and pastries! They have creative snowman cupcakes and penguin cookies. They even have peppermint cannolis! Who doesn’t love cannolis?
Gong Cha
I am a boba tea lover, and the minute I heard Gong Cha released a limited-edition gingerbread man bottle, I had to go get it myself. You can choose to have any kind of tea in the bottle and obviously have to Instagram it. They even released Gingerbread Milk Tea which pairs perfectly with the gingerbread man. I personally love their Creme Brulee Brown Sugar Milk Tea, which never fails to get me into the holiday spirit.
Empire Coffee and Tea Co.
If you prefer to make coffee yourself, Empire Coffee and Tea Co. gives you the best roasts to make holiday-flavored drinks. They have Vanilla Macadamia Nut coffee beans, which I have been waiting to try, and Eggnog coffee beans, which are made especially for the winter season. If you don’t want the beans and want freshly brewed coffee instead, they have a little cafe where you can order “funky lattes” which include gingerbread and candy cane flavors!
Shake Shack
Shake Shack is notorious for their seasonal shakes, and I was so excited to try Branch’s Chocolate Peppermint Shake. This season they have peppermint, sugar cookie, and cinnamon roll shakes which are all sponsored by the new Trolls movie, Trolls Band Together. I loved their peppermint shake and have to go back to try the rest!
Joey No Nuts
If you are afraid to go and explore holiday treats because of food allergies, this is the place for you! This is the cutest mom-and-pop shop that opened up in 2020 and is one of the best nut-free cafes in the area. I absolutely love their Oh Snap Espresso Latte, which includes gingerbread and maple flavors. They even have the most delicious muffins that pair perfectly with their holiday specials. It is a little farther from campus but definitely worth the walk.
There are so many more places to explore in Hoboken, these are just some of my favorites. As we get closer to the holidays, more places will release seasonal items and I am sure this list will get longer. Don’t be a grinch and go out and explore! Happy Holidays!
