Whether I am out shopping the farmer’s markets or dining with friends, my mission is to highlight all the incredible small businesses around our region that make the area so vibrant. I spend quite a bit of time in the Hampstead area as this small, residential community continues to grow. There is so much to love from the family-oriented neighborhoods to all the great views from the Intracoastal. 

Here are five of my can’t-miss Hampstead places:

Oval and Ale

Come for the pinsa and stay for the atmosphere. There are beers on tap, craft cocktails, pinsa (very similar to pizza), live music and lots of outdoor dining space. Oval and Ale is just what Hampstead needs — a place for the community to come together and relax. 

Leaf & Barrel Provision Co.

This place also shows off the laid back lifestyle of living by the coast. Leaf & Barrel Provision Co. is a wine and cigar shop the owners want you to loiter around. There are outdoor spaces, food trucks throughout the week, live music and plenty of locals to talk to. 

Burry Chocolates

If you are a chocolate lover run, don’t walk, but run to Burry Chocolates. This family-owned and operated business began in New Jersey and now the younger generation of the family moved to Hampstead along with the famous recipe. You’ll find all sorts of decadent little chocolates, covered fruits and my favorite — The Figaro Truffle. 

Miss Carla’s Oldies and Goodies

I love shopping vintage furniture and we have a wealth of options to do so in our area. In Hampstead, Miss Carla’s Oldies and Goodies is a true treasure with pieces from a number of different eras and styles, plus decor and some locally made crafts.

Salty Turtle Beer Co.

Technically this brewery is in Surf City, but as far as I’m concerned this is Hampstead’s brewery too. At Salty Turtle they were the first brewery in the state to initiate a six-pack ring that can decompose and even be ingested by animals in the ocean if it makes its way there. The brewery gives a portion of proceeds to the nearby sea turtle hospital if you needed another excuse to drink good beer.