When out-of-towners picture Lancaster, many things come to mind — mostly revolving around the Amish or farming — but few think of the plethora of coffee shops and cafes held within the city. It’s time to explore the exciting Starbucks alternatives that call Lancaster City their home.
With summer right around the corner, when’s a better time to discover a new location to satisfy your growing caffeine addiction? Nothing says the beginning of summer like a Prince Street Cafe smoothie, so start the warm season with a caffeinated bang by ordering a green tea or coffee smoothie! These delicious treats will help kick start the carefree summer attitude we all desire. The list does not end with the Prince Street Cafe; there are quite a few other Lancaster establishments just waiting to further encourage your caffeine addiction (mild addiction, of course) during this summer season.
SQUARE ONE COFFEE
On North Duke Street, a welcoming micro-roaster waits to introduce the Lancaster area to its assortment of award winning, global coffees. The cozy, brick row house coffee shop offers a huge spectrum of coffees that are sure to get anyone addicted; with flavors that range from dark chocolate and caramel to peach and papaya, this cafe is sure to add sweetness to your summer.
THE RABBIT & THE DRAGONFLY
For anyone who appreciates fantasy characters and literary knowledge alongside their coffee, The Rabbit and the Dragonfly welcomes you with open arms. This literature-loving coffee shop/used bookstore/community space is sure to sprinkle creativity into your summer season by offering open mic nights, movie screenings, artistic discussions, and daily doodling sessions. This little gem on North Market Street, along with its peaceful outdoor courtyard, will undoubtedly bring magic and relaxation to your warm season.
COMMONWEALTH ON QUEEN
The close proximity to Lancaster County’s farmland allows this cafe to flourish and keep its ‘farm to fork’ promise. Along with an amazingly fresh — and tasty — menu, this cheery coffee shop eagerly offers Lancaster County’s oldest coffee roaster (Gerhart Coffee Company) and a large variety of other deliciously caffeinated options. As the name suggests, this socially conscious and locally sourced cafe can be found on Queen Street.
THE SEED
Winning the award for the most unique cafe is The Seed; as the first worker-owned and collectively managed cafe in Lancaster City, this community space takes employee devotion to a whole new level. At The Seed, a truly caring environment can be found and this atmosphere carries over into their drink options; this North Queen Street cafe offers coffees and teas that are both organic and fair trade. The Seed is sure to guide a more sustainable way of life into your summer.
PASSENGER COFFEE ROASTERS
The newest coffee shop to declare Lancaster City home is Passenger Coffee. As a cafe that used to offer coffee and espresso solely out of a converted Airstream trailer, Passenger is no stranger to being on-the-go and is ready to help make your summer as convenient — and caffeinated — as possible. Due to their goal to remain authentic, accessible, and simplistic, Passenger Coffee offers elegantly bottled cold brew for the on-the-go coffee enthusiast. Located right in the heart of downtown Lancaster, East King Street, Passenger is ready to help you celebrate a summer of coffee.
Any coffee enthusiast looking to branch out from Starbucks can find a relaxing environment, and a new home for their caffeine fix, at any of these Lancaster coffee shops. Each cafe offers a welcoming atmosphere and a large variety of options to continue your caffeine addiction throughout this summer season. So grab a friend or your favorite book and get ready for a summer overflowing with caffeine.
