By Jacqueline G. Goodwin, Ed.D. • Photos By Danielle Debley
Harrisburg is among the cities that takes its caffeine intake seriously. When it comes to coffee shops, the Harrisburg area is rife with options to please java snobs and those just looking to hunker down with a laptop. Sure, sometimes a coffee shop is all about the coffee. But the best coffee shops are also built on friendly staff, great food, comfy seating, free wi-fi, a plethora of available power outlets, or all of the above. Here are eight area coffee shops that deserve their status as local “best.”
Little Amps Coffee Roasters
With two locations and a kiosk in Strawberry Square, coffee fanatics can feel reassured that they can get a great cup of coffee when they want it. Little Amps has a cool vibe and both locations are decorated in a modern and minimalist approach. Little Amps combines all things coffee—roasting, whole bean distribution, coffee making equipment and gadgets and a variety of coffee drinks. The baristas at Little Amps are super attentive and know what they are doing. Try the Cold Jar and the Nitro Cold Brew. www.littleampscoffee.com
133 State Street
Harrisburg, PA
(717) 635-9870
1836 Green Street
Harrisburg, PA 17102
(717) 695-4882
Strawberry Square Kiosk
320 Market Street
Harrisburg, PA 17101
Midtown Scholar Bookstore-Café
Midtown Scholar Bookstore-Café offers organic, single-origin and direct-trade coffees and espresso drinks from the award-winning importers and roasters Counter Culture Coffee, as well as over 30 varieties of loose-leaf organic and fair-trade teas from Rishi Tea. Housed in a renovated 1920’s movie theater, Harrisburg’s first split-level 1950s department store, Midtown Scholar Bookstore-Café extends over two buildings.
Select one of the over 200,000 used, new, and discounted books and settle back into a comfy chair with the coffee beverage of your choice and the hours will fly by. www.midtownscholar.com
1302 North 3rd Street
Harrisburg, PA 17102
(717) 236-1680
Elementary Coffee
Located at the historic Broad Street Market in Midtown Harrisburg, this small but welcoming coffee stand is a great option if you’re checking out the market and need a coffee fix. With welcoming and knowledgeable baristas behind the counter, Elementary Coffee offers a good mix of single-origin coffee and espresso-based beverages such as nitro and cold brew. Besides offering freshly roasted and crafted coffee, Elementary Coffee also offers wholesale custom orders. www.elementarycoffee.co
1233 N. 3rd St.
Harrisburg, PA
(717) 236-7923
Cornerstone Coffeehouse
Cornerstone Coffeehouse offers a comfortable, friendly atmosphere, a selection of baked fresh daily pastries, and a variety of hot and cold brews. It also has an events calendar with musical guests and cooking classes are offered in their on-site kitchen. With free wi-fi, ample patio seating and easy parking, no wonder Cornerstone Coffeehouse is a year-round gem. www.thecornerstonecoffeehouse.com
2133 Market St.
Camp Hill, PA
(717) 737-5026
BCB Coffee
Established in 2017, BCB Coffee’s two shops, one in Mechanicsburg and the other in New Cumberland, embrace quality, convenience, and community as a way of life. The shops offer high-quality coffee and fresh baked home-made pastries. With attentive customer service their motto, the shops’ family-friendly atmosphere is a must-go-to if you want top-notch custom coffee blends and Laure’s unique creations, made fresh daily. Not a coffee lover? BCB has you covered. Both shops offer loose leaf tea, hot chocolate, fruit smoothies, Chai Latte, Italian soda and assorted juices to those not wanting a cup of Joe.
BCB Rossmoyne
4902 Louise Dr.
Mechanicsburg, PA 17055
(717) 697-1500
Brew Cumberland’s Best
1903 Bridge St.
New Cumberland, PA
(717) 774-6511
The Cracked Pot Coffee Shop
At the Cracked Pot Coffee Shop, a unique coffee shop in Mechanicsburg that gives back to the community, you can pick from a simple menu of light bites like classic avocado toast, pastries and paninis or the quiche of the week. Picking what to eat is a tough call–but the shop’s selections are delicious no matter what you choose. The coffee here is smooth and flavorful as is the Chai Tea Latte. www.thecrackedpotcoffeeshop.com
130 Gettysburg Pike
Mechanicsburg, PA
(717) 458-8189
Capital Joe Coffee
You can find Capital Joe Coffee in downtown Harrisburg near the Capital on Forster Street and in quaint downtown Mechanicsburg along Main Street. Capital Joe is about good coffee to make your day better! Both locations serve coffee from Square One Coffee Roasters, loose-leaf teas from New England, local fresh baked goods, and a great view of the Capitol! Offering free wi-fi and cozy seating, it’s a great spot to meet with co-workers and clients, study, or simply unwind. www.capitaljoe.com
416 Forster St.
Harrisburg, PA
(717) 857-6922
36 West Main Street
Mechanicsburg, PA 17055
(717) 691-1350
St. Thomas Roasters
A must-visit destination for any coffee pilgrimage, St. Thomas Roasters roasts coffee every day using its prized Diedrich roaster, allowing the most unique and fresh coffee around. In addition to over twenty blends of the finest whole coffee beans from all over the world, the shop also offers twenty blends of the freshest teas, tasty pastries, mouth-watering luncheon items and some of the best quiche ever. Whether you want your coffee brewed, or as a Latte or Espresso, you will find them all at St. Thomas Roasters. And, of course, you can take home the freshest beans in town or shop online. www.stthomasroasters.com
5951 Linglestown Rd.
Harrisburg, PA 17112
(717) 526-4171