By Taylor Smith 

Located at 33 Bridge Street in historic Frenchtown, Early Bird Espresso has grown into a beloved coffee stop, particularly among the cycling community. With long daily hours (7 a.m. to 7 p.m.), Early Bird is seemingly always open for a quick pick-me-up. Early Bird’s roaster, Counter Culture (a very chocolate-driven, nutty brew), is complemented by Trickling Springs Creamery, a premium organic and non-GMO dairy in Chambersburg, Pa.

 Iced coffees, mocha, chai, matcha, and iced tea are the perfect choice for hotter days. Organic loose leaf teas include everything from Peach Blossom White to Jade Cloud Green, Mystic Mint, and Turmeric Ginger. Hot chocolate is made with ground chocolate from The Fudge Shoppe in Flemington. In season, the aromatic spiced cider draws a crowd. 

Early Bird is also known for its affogatos (espresso over ice cream) and root beer floats, featuring inventive, small-batch ice cream from the bent spoon in Princeton. The fresh-baked muffins, croissants, quiche, cookies, bars, fruit pie, and bread are baked by Sweet Melissa Patisserie in Lebanon. Other great breakfast choices are the grass-fed yogurt with granola, breakfast burritos, and buttermilk biscuits served warm with organic butter and raspberry rose jam. Homemade Velvet Red Lentil Soup was a recent lunch option. The yearly Bastille Day celebrations in downtown Frenchtown are almost always accompanied by delicious baguette sandwiches. 

Also of note, Early Bird Espresso sells unique home goods such as local maple syrup, handwoven tea towels, high-quality kitchen appliances, gentle cleaning products, and coffee brewing equipment. 

For more information, call 908.628.3183 or visit http://www.earlybirdespresso.com.