Steady Hand Cafe & Collective is a human-first cafe. Our focus is on creative, friendly, and informative coffee service. Our mission is to create an inclusive space that invites our community to explore their creativity, and make coffee accessible to all.
Drink coffee less ordinary!
Steady Hand Cafe & Collective is a creative, community-rooted coffee company founded by Ashley Burk, a Culinary Institute of America graduate with a deep background in both culinary and visual arts. We started in 2020 as a pop-up cafe, setting up shop at markets, residencies, and seasonal events throughout the Jersey Shore and Philadelphia. Over the years, we built a following through intentional service, playful and nostalgic drinks, and genuine connections.
In 2025, after five years of growing alongside our community, we opened our first brick-and-mortar cafe in Bradley Beach, NJ. Today, we operate two seasonal locations: our main cafe in Bradley Beach, NJ and a poolside cafe at The St Laurent Social Club in Asbury Park, NJ. Everything we serve is made with care—from our thoughtfully sourced coffee to our barista-crafted syrup line, The Good Good, which brings culinary technique and flavor storytelling into every cup.
The “Collective” side of our name honors our creative roots. We collaborate with artists, host workshops, feature locally made goods, and create space for connection between makers, guests, and the wider creative community.
Steady Hand Cafe is run by Ashley Burk, a chef-turned-barista with a background in culinary arts, fiber art, and sign painting. After graduating from the Culinary Institute of America, Ashley built Steady Hand Creative, a visual arts business that led to pop-ups, markets, and eventually, her first coffee cart. She spent three years living and working in Philadelphia—most notably with Rival Bros.—before returning to the Jersey Shore to grow what is now Steady Hand Cafe & Collective.
Ashley brings a steady hand (and a deeply steady heart) to everything she does—from drink development to team culture to collaborations that support the broader creative community.
Our menu is built on espresso-forward drinks, seasonal specials, and nostalgic flavor pairings that blend culinary inspiration with creativity. We don’t do blended drinks, but you’ll find things like:
House-made syrups with flavor notes like burnt orange, c, or spiced fig
Rotating seasonal drinks inspired by global flavors and childhood snacks
Cold drinks including iced espresso concoctions, sparkling refreshers, and bottled lattes
Classics like americanos, lattes, cappuccinos, and cold brew—done our way
We also sell The Good Good—our house syrup line—online and in-store for folks who want to bring a little bit of Steady Hand home.
We also offer a mobile cafe cart that can be hired for your own special events and weddings. To inquire further, please visit our Inquiry Page here.
The Good Good started as an extension of our drinks menu—house-made syrups crafted with real ingredients and rooted in culinary technique, cocktails, and memory. Customers kept asking to buy them, so we turned it into a full offering. Every syrup is made in small batches in Asbury Park and reflects our playful, well-crafted approach to flavor. You can find them in our drinks, on our shelves, or online.
Yes! Our mobile cafe cart is available for private events, weddings, brand activations, and other creative partnerships. We bring the same quality, care, and visual presence from our cafe to your event space. Whether you’re planning something intimate or high-impact, we’ll work with you to tailor the menu and experience to your needs.
Learn more or submit an inquiry on our Mobile Cafe Cart Event Rental page.
We’re a small, independently owned business and your support truly means the world. Here’s how you can help:
Come by the cafe — nothing beats seeing your faces in real life.
Shop The Good Good — our syrup line helps you bring the Steady Hand experience home.
Spread the word — tell your friends, post about your favorite drinks, and leave a kind review.
Collaborate — are you a maker, artist, or event planner? Let’s team up.
