A Coffee Lover’s Guide to Lancaster
In my experience, there are a handful of things that Lancastrians do better than anyone else in the world. They include frequenting new restaurants, supporting small galleries and local artists, and… drinking coffee. Buckets and buckets of coffee.
When I lived in other cities, there were always plenty of things that I missed about Lancaster. But my first stop on any visit home will always be to one of our many local coffee shops. There is truly a perfect vibe, flavor profile, and destination for any sort of coffee lover (even, like… tea lovers) in downtown Lancaster. FLL set out with the (obviously very difficult and very demanding) job of tasting them all for you — and we’ve compiled that guide right here. Enjoy! (Okay, but trust us from experience: take it easy on the caffeine.)
Does it even count as a full coffee tour of Lancaster if you don’t visit Passenger Coffee and post a photo of your visit on Instagram? This is certainly one of the most aesthetically pleasing spots in all of downtown Lancaster — coffee shop or otherwise. You might be tempted to think that because the space is so beautiful, their coffee is an afterthought. But, that is 100-percent untrue. In fact, they take their coffee very seriously. Like, very seriously.
Passenger roasts its own coffee — all ethically sourced — and encourages visitors to think of their W. King Street location as a showroom for their products, rather than simply as a café. Stop by to take a quiet moment for yourself; one cool aspect of Passenger’s place in the Lancaster coffee scene is that they do pour-over, which builds in a few extra minutes for rest and reflection before you enjoy a mug of their super high quality, small batch roast. Note: their bags of roasted coffee make excellent gifts for the far-away coffee lovers in your life.
Just around the corner, you’ll find a classic in the Lancaster coffee shop world: Prince Street Cafe. Established in 2006, Prince Street feels like an institution at this point. From early morning business meetings to low-key nights out for local college students, it has always felt that there’s a space for everyone here. For fans of the Passenger roast who are also looking for a full meal alongside your cup o’ joe, Prince Street Cafe is an excellent choice, as they serve Passenger Coffee, as well as plenty of breakfast, lunch, and dinner options. I fully endorse their delicious fruit and yogurt parfait — they use baked oatmeal instead of granola, and it is SO GOOD.
If you find yourself on the campus of Franklin & Marshall and are looking for a quick cup, head over to Blue Line, which opened recently in the summer of 2017. They serve Passenger roast, as well as Passenger’s full drink menu and a variety of sandwiches. Also on the menu? Delicious acai bowls and matcha tea. Blue Line is the ultra cool, yet super welcoming coffee shop you always saw in classic college movies, but—it’s real and right here in Lancaster. Plus, the students are so welcoming that you won’t even feel weird about being (maybe) a bit older than some of the regulars.
If you’re looking for a great place to spend some time while nursing your caffeinated beverage of choice, head over to Mean Cup’s central location on Harrisburg Pike. Plenty of space means that you never feel crowded or rushed. This cafe is great for enjoying anything from a simple cup of coffee (they brew Chauvin Coffee, from a roastery located in St. Louis) to something a little fancier, like the Meanie Mocha (a slightly spicy take on the traditional chocolate and espresso combo). If you like a little spice in your life, check out their similarly named — and super popular — Meanie brownie. You can also find Mean Cup at their Central Market stand and grab a drink before your weekly shopping trip.
If you’re looking for a second caffeine-fix while at Central Market, you can also stop by Lancaster County Coffee Roasters. Truly an institution in the Lancaster coffee scene, this Ross Street roastery has been around for almost 15 years. They pride themselves on their focus on coffee — don’t expect to order a sandwich or pick up a croissant at this stand. From their bottled classic cold brew to one of their rotating specials (um… peanut butter and hazelnut mocha, anyone?), you won’t be left wanting after visiting the Lancaster County Coffee Roaster’s market stand. Even better? Though they take their coffee seriously, they’ll never talk down to you on the topic (because who hasn’t felt a little judged while ordering a PSL? No? Just me? Well, then).
Around the corner on W. Orange Street, a sign hangs above the register at Cafe One Eight that says, “A good day starts with coffee.” Obviously, I agree. Cafe One Eight is the perfect spot when you want a meal to go along with your joe (they brew Square One’s roast). With its bright and airy vibes and rustic wooden benches, it’s lovely to sit and enjoy a latte (complete with lovely foam art) or a fruit and yogurt parfait (the standard recipe uses blueberries and strawberries, but they also offer seasonal varieties—the summer peach is always a fan favorite). Every person I’ve met who works at or regularly frequents Cafe One Eight is so friendly and happy to be there. Good vibes (and coffee) abound.
A long-time Lancaster favorite (they opened their N. Duke Street location’s doors nearly 18 years ago!), Square One is both a cafe and a micro-roaster based in our city, with cafe/retail locations here and in Philadelphia. Square One has won many accolades for their brew, including being a Good Food Awards Winner in 2014, 2015, and 2016. During the warmer months, their Lancaster location offers a lovely, spacious courtyard to enjoy a latte with friends or sip a coffee on your own.
One relatively new addition to the Lancaster City coffee scene is Copper Cup Coffee, located on Columbia Avenue. The shop is not new to Lancaster County at large, however, as the original location in Lititz has been open and pleasing caffeine-seekers since spring 2016. What’s really special about this cafe — beyond the lovely, bright aesthetic of the shop featuring small succulents, marble walls, and (of course!) copper accents — are the delicious lattes, available both hot and iced. Year round, my choice is an iced copper latte, made of espresso and (your choice of whole, skim, almond, or coconut) milk with notes of honey and cinnamon. But there’s really no wrong choice when you order something off their specialty or seasonal menus.
And there you have it: Lancaster is truly a special place...and that includes our abundant, unique, and ever popular coffee scene. Go forth and caffeinate!
By: Madison Pontz
