There’s a moment when you walk into a coffee shop and immediately feel like you’re somewhere else. That’s exactly what happened to me the first time I stepped into California Cold Co. Sun-bleached photography on the walls, warm wood tones, and the kind of menu creativity you’d expect from a hip Santa Monica café — not a strip mall off Route 9 in Manalapan, New Jersey.

But that’s the whole point. And honestly? It works beautifully.

I cover California travel for CA Travel Times, and when a coffee shop name lands in my inbox with the word “California” in it, I take notes. This place earns that name — not just as branding, but as a real philosophy behind every cup they pour.

What Is California Cold Co?

California Cold Co is an independent, family-owned craft coffee shop with two locations in New Jersey — Manalapan and Brick Township. It is not a chain and not a franchise. It opened its first location in June 2018 off Route 9 in Manalapan, and added a second location in Brick’s Town Hall Shoppes in February 2024.

The shop holds a 4.7-star rating across hundreds of reviews as of 2026 — a number that has stayed steady since its early days. That kind of consistency is rare for any local café.

The Vibe and the Look

The interior feels like someone distilled Southern California into a small, welcoming room. The brand was later refreshed by designer Michael Baron, who built out a full brand identity system for California Cold Co — giving it a vintage modern aesthetic that feels polished without losing the warmth. The result is a space that looks good, feels good, and makes you want to stay longer than you planned.

Free WiFi, outlets at most seats, and plenty of seating make it a legit remote work spot. It’s been featured in the Working from a Coffee Shop series on New Jersey Isn’t Boring, and for good reason — the setup is genuinely remote-work-friendly.

California Cold Co Full Menu With Prices (2026)

The mission here is simple: serve craft espresso and creative drinks that people want to come back to every day. Everything is made to order. Many ingredients — like the fruity pebbles-infused milk and vanilla syrup — are made in-house. Lavender buds and other specialty ingredients are sourced from local vendors, including Pleasant Valley Lavender Farm in Marlboro, NJ.

Note on prices: California Cold Co does not publish a live price list online. The prices below are sourced from verified customer reviews, third-party food platforms, and press coverage as of 2026. Prices may vary slightly by location or season — confirm at the counter or via their online ordering portal.

Espresso & Signature Lattes

These are the drinks that made California Cold Co famous. Every latte is named after a California location — a small detail that tells you a lot about how intentional this menu is.

Drink	Key Ingredients	Price (Est.)
Coronado Latte	Espresso, cookie butter, choice of milk	~$7–$8
Pebble Beach Latte	Espresso, housemade Fruity Pebbles-infused milk	~$7–$8
La Jolla Latte	Espresso, sweet milk, cinnamon, vanilla syrup	~$7–$8
Monterey Bay Latte	Espresso, chocolate, coconut	~$7–$8
Caramel Latte	Espresso, caramel, vanilla syrup	~$6–$7
Alcatraz	House specialty — customizable sweetness	~$7–$8
Blueberry Matcha Latte	Matcha, blueberry, milk	~$7–$8
Oat Milk Latte	Espresso, steamed oat milk	~$6–$7
Classic Iced Latte	Espresso, milk, ice	~$5–$6
Pumpkin La Jolla (seasonal)	Espresso, pumpkin, sweet milk, cinnamon	~$7–$8
Lavender Honey Latte	Espresso, lavender syrup, honey, milk	~$7–$8
Melrose	Matcha, honey, green tea	~$6–$7

The Pebble Beach Latte consistently appears as the most-ordered drink across reviews. The fruity pebbles milk is made in-house and delivers a nostalgia-hit that’s hard to explain until you try it.

Coffee Ice Cubes — The Upgrade Worth Getting

One of the most talked-about features of the menu is the option to add dark coffee ice cubes to any iced drink, for an additional ~$0.75. Instead of regular ice watering down your latte, these frozen coffee cubes keep the drink cold while actually intensifying the flavor as they melt. Reviewers consistently flag this as one of their favorite details.

Cold Brew & Drip Coffee

Item	Details	Price (Est.)
Cold Brew	House blend, bottled or over ice	~$5–$6
Cold Brew Float	Cold brew + something sweet	~$6–$7
Kona Growler Refill	Take-home Kona blend refill	~$20
Drip Coffee / Hot Coffee	Classic, fresh brewed	~$3–$4

The Kona growler refill is a standout value for regulars. Their coffee beans are locally roasted, with the house roast sourced from Kona, Hawaii, and the espresso blend made exclusively for the shop.

Teas & Non-Coffee Drinks

California Cold Co uses Stash Tea, an Oregon-based supplier known for quality blends.

Drink	Details	Price (Est.)
Berry Hibiscus Iced Tea	Stash tea, cold-brewed, served over ice	~$4–$5
Lavender Mint Lemonade	House lavender syrup, fresh lemonade	~$5–$6
Lemonade	Classic or flavored	~$4–$5
Strawberry Matcha	Matcha, strawberry, milk	~$6–$7

The Secret Menu

The secret menu at California Cold Co is one of the most Googled things about this shop — and it delivers.

Secret Drink	What’s In It
The 405	Espresso + cookie butter + Nutella — named after the LA freeway

Ask for it by name at the counter. The staff will know exactly what you mean.

Avocado Toasts

Built on Dave’s Killer Bread, the toast menu at California Cold Co has grown into its own thing — owner Samantha Romano told local press that toast has “grown into its own” as a menu category.

Toast	Toppings	Price (Est.)
The Presley	Peanut butter, banana, almond slices, chia seeds, honey drizzle	~$8–$10
The Monroe	Mascarpone, fig butter, crushed pistachios, balsamic glaze	~$8–$10
The Dean	House avocado base, spiced toppings	~$8–$10
Nutella Toast	Nutella, strawberry, banana, coconut flakes	~$8–$10
Hummus Toast	Hummus, cucumbers, shredded carrots, Sriracha	~$8–$10

The Monroe — mascarpone with fig butter and crushed pistachios — is the one people come back for specifically. It hits a savory-sweet balance that is genuinely hard to forget.

Acai Bowls

Item	Details	Price (Est.)
Acai Bowl	Acai base, no added juices, fresh toppings	~$10–$12

The acai bowls at California Cold Co are made without added juices — just a clean, dense acai base topped with fresh fruit. Reviewers consistently call them some of the best they’ve found locally.

Breakfast & Bakery

Item	Details	Price (Est.)
Oatmeal	Classic, warm, customizable	~$5–$6
Brown Sugar Pop-Tart	Housemade, frequently praised by visitors	~$3–$4
Scones	Rotating flavors	~$3–$4
Macarons	French-style, rotating flavors	~$2–$3
Cookies	House baked	~$2–$3
Muffins	Rotating flavors	~$2–$3
Crumb Cake	Classic NJ staple	~$3–$4

The brown sugar homemade pop-tart gets called out in reviews by name more than almost anything else on the bakery menu. It’s the kind of item that surprises people who didn’t expect to order it.

Nutrition, Allergens & Dietary Notes

California Cold Co does not currently publish a full nutrition chart online. However, based on menu ingredients and verified customer information, here is what we know:

General Nutrition Estimates

Item	Approx. Calories	Notes
Signature Latte (12 oz, whole milk)	180–260 kcal	Varies by syrup/add-in
Classic Iced Latte	120–160 kcal	Base, no syrups
Avocado Toast (The Monroe)	300–380 kcal	Est. based on ingredients
Avocado Toast (The Presley)	350–420 kcal	Peanut butter adds protein + fat
Acai Bowl	280–380 kcal	No added juice, fruit-forward
Cold Brew (black)	~5 kcal	No sweetener or milk

These are estimates. For precise nutrition info, contact the shop directly.

Allergen & Dietary Information

Ingredient / Category	Details
Dairy	Present in most lattes; oat milk and other milk alternatives available
Gluten	Toast is served on Dave’s Killer Bread (contains wheat/gluten)
Tree Nuts	Pistachios in The Monroe, almonds in The Presley
Peanuts	Peanut butter present in The Presley toast
Soy	May be present depending on milk choice
Eggs	Not listed in standard menu items
Organic Options	Yes — Yelp attributes confirm organic dietary options are offered
Vegan-Friendly	Some items with plant-based milk swaps; check at counter
Gluten-Free	Menu not fully GF; request modifications at counter

Anyone with severe food allergies should speak directly with staff before ordering. The shop is a small kitchen environment where cross-contact is possible.

For full menu and online ordering, visit californiacoldco.com.

Seasonal and Limited Menu Items

California Cold Co rotates seasonal drinks throughout the year. Confirmed seasonal offerings include:

Pumpkin La Jolla — fall season
Lavender Lemonade — spring/summer
Lavender Honey Latte — sourced with lavender from Pleasant Valley Lavender Farm, Marlboro, NJ

Check their Instagram (@californiacoldco) for the latest seasonal drops. They post new offerings regularly.

Merchandise and Shop Extras

Beyond the menu, both locations carry:

T-shirts and hats — branded California Cold Co gear
La Jolla Scented Candle — named after the latte
Pebble Beach Scented Candle — named after their most popular drink
Bottled Cold Brew — to-go, sold in-shop
Bottled Lattes — select lattes are available bottled for takeaway

Locations, Hours & Contact (2026)

Location	Address	Phone	Parking
Manalapan, NJ	520 Route 9 North, Fashion Center, Manalapan, NJ 07726	(848) 233-9199	Shared lot, 2 grab-and-go spots
Brick Township, NJ	990 Cedarbridge Ave, Town Hall Shoppes, Brick, NJ 08723	(732) 853-8892	Large shopping plaza, easy access

Hours (both locations):

Day	Hours
Monday – Friday	7:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Saturday – Sunday	8:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Online ordering is available at californiacoldco.square.site. Both locations offer takeout and delivery through select platforms. In-person or direct online ordering is recommended for the best experience.

Is California Cold Co Dog-Friendly?

Yes. California Cold Co is listed as a pet-friendly location, with outdoor seating available (weather-dependent). The Manalapan location also has some outdoor seating. If you’re planning to bring a dog, the Brick location’s large plaza setup gives you more space to relax outside.

Is It Good for Remote Work?

Both locations were designed with the working visitor in mind. Free WiFi is available at both shops. The Manalapan location has outlets under most tables and a comfortable lounge-style seating area.

The Brick location is noted for having plenty of room, power access, and a quieter weekday atmosphere. If you need a solid half-day work setup, either spot delivers. For more local spots worth knowing about across the region, browse our California Local Guides.

How to Order Like a Regular?

A few things worth knowing before your first visit:

Ask for coffee ice cubes on any iced drink — they cost about $0.75 extra and make a real difference.
Try the 405 — it’s the secret menu latte with cookie butter and Nutella. Just ask at the counter.
Go early on weekends — the shop gets busy by mid-morning, especially on Saturdays.
Order online ahead of time — there are two grab-and-go parking spots at Manalapan specifically for online orders. It makes the whole stop faster.
Follow their Instagram — seasonal specials appear there first and sometimes sell out quickly.

What Customers Are Saying in 2026

The shop holds a 4.7-star rating on both Google and Joe Coffee as of 2026, with 400+ reviews across platforms.

Here is what comes up most often in recent feedback:

What people love most:

The Pebble Beach Latte is mentioned by name in review after review as a drink people drive out of their way for.
The coffee ice cubes are called out as a “unique” and thoughtful touch that almost no other shop offers.
Staff are described consistently as warm, welcoming, and patient — even with first-time visitors who take a few minutes to figure out the menu.
The atmosphere — both locations — earns praise for being spacious, cozy, and easy to work in.
The Monroe avocado toast is a standout food item that keeps people coming back.

What to know before you go:

Matcha can occasionally be unavailable depending on supply. Calling ahead for seasonal or specialty items is always a smart move.
Online delivery through third-party apps has had mixed results for some customers. Visiting in person or ordering directly through their Square site gives you the most reliable experience.
Oat milk and other milk alternatives cost a small upcharge, typically pushing a drink from under $10 to around $10–$15 with food.

Final Thoughts

California Cold Co is the kind of shop that earns every single one of those 4.7 stars. It’s not flashy. It’s not trying to be a concept. It’s a well-run, beautifully stocked local coffee shop that takes its craft seriously — from the Kona blend in the espresso to the fig butter on the toast.

Kristine Annunziata and Eric Coleman built something honest here. And Samantha Romano brought that same spirit to Brick. If you’re anywhere near Manalapan or Brick Township, it’s worth every minute of the drive.