Have You Been to Sweetwaters in Asbury Park?

I have been wanting to try this new coffee & tea shop ever since it opened, and I finally had a chance to stop by.

I'll admit it...when I go to Asbury Park in the summer it's mostly to the beach and boardwalk, and I usually don't like to have to move my car and search for a second parking spot near the Cookman Ave shops and restaurants (and pay a second time for a space.)

But I am much more likely, once the tourists leave and the summer season is over, to spend time in the city center...and I have been wanting to check out Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea.

First of all, I love it when a coffee and tea house stays open into the evening hours (until 10 pm on Friday and Saturday) because some of us love to top off our evening meal with a stroll for a little dessert and warm drink. It irks me when a  coffee house closes mid-afternoon. So bonus points for staying open 'til night.

Secondly, the atmosphere inside Sweetwaters is hip. And there's free wifi. Art on the walls, quite a few tables, and just a really nice vibe is going on inside...plus friendly staff welcomed me, which I loved.

Located at 521 Cookman Ave., at the corner of Bangs, there is a lot of parking just across the street along the park next to Toast and down along the lake (and it's not nearly as expensive as the beach zone parking.)

In addition to a fabulous selection of coffee and teas (both hot and iced) they have  frozen drinks, desserts, and pastries.

They have their own roasted house blends of coffee (dark roasted French chicory, bold house espresso, and a superb collection of daily brews), signature and premium teas and,  when you want a smoothie-type drink, Ice Dragons -- frozen perfection, made with real ingredients (strawberries, lemons, chocolate, matcha, cream and ice all blended into a fierce thirst-quencher.)

This coffee & tea company was founded by a husband and wife, Wei and Lisa, inspired by their love of food, drink, and creativity, as a place that celebrates globally influenced coffees and teas.  And it has taken off in several spots.

Wei's favorite drink is the Dragon Eye and favorite dessert is the OMG Chocolate Cake, and Lisa's favorite drink is the Napaali Brew and favorite snack is the Strawberry Bliss Ice Dragon.

There are also locations at Ocean County Mall and one coming to Edge at Freehold on Rt. 9, but I don't know if the vibe and atmosphere are anything like the Asbury Park location.