As much as our routine, consistent coffee orders from Starbucks and Dunkin’ Donuts usually hit the spot. State College has a variety of local cafes that are well worth a trip outside of your comfort zone. Between Allen Street and Hetzel, multiple hidden gems offer all kinds of beverages and cafe bites you’ll be happy to know about. After all, students only have so much time to discover everything State College has to offer. Exploring local businesses will brighten your experience and benefit the town supporting you in your journey to adulthood.
Elixr Coffee Roasters
Elixr Coffee Roasters is a cute, quaint cafe that offers some of the highest quality coffee in town. Located on West Beaver Avenue, Elixr serves superb specialty lattes and supplies fresh plain, chocolate, and almond croissants that usually sell out within the first few hours of opening. Due to their great success, in addition to their State College storefront, they now operate in five different Philadelphia locations and one in Nashville. According to the official Elixr Coffee Roasters website, their national accomplishments include “2018 2nd Place United States Barista Championship 2015 and 2017, 2018 US Roasting Competition top 10, Coffee Champs Reno Roasters Quals 1st place, 2018 Americas Best Espresso Baltimore 2nd Place”. These accomplishments truly reflect the quality and deliciousness of every product they serve.
Sowers Harvest Café
Sowers Harvest Café is in the heart of downtown, providing the freshest ingredients and a warm welcoming space to catch up with friends. Aside from the delectable food selection, a Sowers standout is the fresh macadamia milk they offer for their caffeinated and decaf drinks. You can truly taste the quality of the ingredients they locally source, and it makes for an incredible coffee experience that will correctly fuel your days. According to State College Downtown, Sowers products are made “With ingredients sprouted from the farm less than three miles away” and therefore “customers can be assured that their food is as fresh as possible.”
Irving’s
Although Irving’s is no secret to State College locals or students, it would be a disservice to exclude it from a list of the greatest local breakfast spots. Irving’s has been serving coffee and bagels to the Penn State community since 1988 and has everything you need to start your day off on the right foot. From almost two years of experience working for Irving’s, it’s clear that their dirty chai latte, which consists of chai and espresso, is one of a kind. Its perfectly sweet and creamy and so fitting for a drink that gives you that fall feeling. Additionally, their “really good coffee” lives up to its name and is even better partnered with any of their baked goods for a quick pick me up. Stopping by Irving’s before, in between, or after class is a trip you will simply never regret.
Idou Coffee Co.
Walking through the State College market on Tuesdays and Fridays is a treat in itself, but when partnered with matcha from the Idou Coffee Co. cart, it’s even better. Mikala and Mike Swanson started Idou Coffee Co. in 2020 because of their shared love and passion for “exploring coffee, whether as a part of the morning ritual to get you out the door, a pick-me-up midday, or as the centerpiece between friends catching up.”. In addition to their own products, they sell fresh sourdough loaves produced by their business partner Nut Tree Bakery’s freshness and flavor are simply indescribable. If sourdough is up your alley, a Nut Tree Bakery loaf is something you absolutely need to try for yourself.
Chew Chew Bun
Chew Chew Bun is an Asian bakery and cafe that’s recognized for their Taiwanese-inspired authentic pastries. Although they’re known for their sweet and savory buns, their coffee and matcha deserve the same amount of hype. Everything from their brown sugar oat milk latte to their lavender matcha latte is incredible. If you’re ever walking down East Beaver Avenue, VALLEY encourages you to do yourself a favor and stop inside.
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