Coffee connoisseurs can get their caffeine fix and recharge as they sip aromatic and delectable drinks made with stellar java. Take time to slowly sip your drink while enjoying an amazing array of pastries or a delicious meal at these cozy cafes. You'll find all your favorites -- mochas, lattes, cold brews, macchiatos, and more, plus a variety of seasonal drinks with unique flavor combinations.
Carlisle
Carlisle's stops are all within easy walking distance of each other making it the perfect place to start savoring the delightful flavors of the Coffee & Chocolate Trail. In between stops, enjoy the tree-lined streets of this historic downtown where you'll find a diverse assortment of shops, galleries, and restaurants.
Photo: Denim Coffee
Coffee
Square Bean (25 W. High Street): Located next to the Cumberland Valley Visitors Center in the heart of historic Carlisle, Square Bean’s food and drink menu provides the nourishment you need before exploring downtown. There is a full lineup of drip coffees and a wide selection of flavored, regional, and dark roast blends. Their specialty EuroStyle drinks are served in demi-tasse cups and are designed for guests to experience espresso the way it was intended -- without the extreme amounts of milk and sugar popular in America. Or try their NitroBrew. Square Bean’s nitro system allows the baristas to fine-tune the nitrogen content for each brew based on various roasts and flavors. Still can’t find what you are looking for? The baristas will customize a hand-crafted drink to meet your tastes.
Denim Coffee (1 S. Hanover Street): All coffee drinks feature Denim's own coffee beans roasted fresh weekly at their headquarters in Shippensburg. They roast each individual coffee uniquely to showcase the beauty and character of the beans. The welcoming space features large windows that bring in the sunlight and allow guests to enjoy a full view of the Square. Denim offers a full espresso & specialty coffee menu plus a small selection of breakfast sandwiches, panini sandwiches, and baked goods.
Photo: Mummert Chocolates
Chocolate
Exquisite Chocolates (35 S. Hanover Street): Just down the block from Denim, Exquisite Chocolates offers gourmet confections that are a work of art. Visitors to this boutique chocolate shop can experience the wonderful aromas and exquisite tastes of some of the finest chocolates in the world. Here you will find
- creative chocolates and pastries from Ghyslain Chocolatier, Inc
- handmade small-batch chocolates from John Kelly Chocolates
- decadent chocolates with fresh flavors of the Pacific Northwest and beyond from Moonstruck Chocolate Co.
- beautifully-packaged fine chocolates from DeBrand, a family business located in Indiana
- rich truffles with inventive flavors and textures from Mayana, based in Wisconsin
- the quintessential Belgian chocolate from Neuhaus
- chocolates created with only premium, all-natural, organic, kosher, non-GMO, sustainably sourced, fair-trade ingredients from Amore di Mona
The friendly staff is happy to share more information about these artisanal chocolates and help you choose the best selection to enjoy on-site, save for later, or give as a gift.
Mummert Chocolates (21 W. Pomfret Street): Mummert Chocolates specializes in both handmade milk and dark Swiss chocolates and is located just around the corner from Exquisite Chocolates. The 25-year-old family business moved into its retail space on fun and funky Pomfret Street in 2016. Before that, the owner made her confections in a commercial kitchen at home. Now made on-site at the store from family recipes, the shop features a display case with 36 varieties of assorted chocolates that will tempt the taste buds and satisfy any sweet tooth cravings. Purchase these delicious treats by the piece or buy a pre-boxed set of chocolates packaged for the season or the holiday. In addition, the store also sells pre-packaged nonpareils (the dark chocolate variety is a customer favorite), chocolate-covered pretzels, chocolate-covered graham crackers, and other molded chocolates appropriate for the season or holiday.
Georgie Lou's Retro Candy (56 W. High Street): From Pomfret Street, head back to West High Street and immerse yourself in nostalgia at this shop that specializes in childhood favorites from the past alongside candy kids love today. Among the jelly beans, lollipops, taffy, gummies, and more, you'll find an amazing selection of chocolate, including favorites such as malted milk balls, dark chocolate marshmallow twists, chocolate-covered espresso beans and nuts, and gourmet candy bars from a variety of brands. Georgie Lou's also makes its own delicious fudge, barks, chocolate pretzels, and other specialty treats.
Other Notable Locations: Helena's Chocolate Cafe & Creperie, Sage Cafe; Lindt Chocolate Factory Outlet
Mechanicsburg
You won't be disappointed by the many locations in the Mechanicsburg area. With two stops located in the heart of downtown and the others on the outskirts of town, you'll always find a nearby location where you can relax during a busy day of exploring Cumberland Valley.
Photo: Capital Joe Coffee
Coffee
Capital Joe Coffee (36 W. Main Street): This coffee shop is located in a historic building dating back to 1888 in the heart of downtown Mechanicsburg (with a second location in Harrisburg). Capital Joe proudly serves coffee from Square One Roasters, an award-winning micro-roaster from Lancaster, PA, offering high-quality coffee from around the world that is “responsibly farmed, sustainably sourced, and honestly traded.” The result – delightful hot and cold beverages, including a seasonal selection of drinks. The menu also includes a small selection of pastry items made fresh daily. During the winter months, settle in with your drink by the fireplace.
The Cracked Pot Coffee Shop (130 Gettysburg Pike): Located in a renovated farmhouse, guests will be delighted by the warm and welcoming environment that encourages you to linger. The large wraparound covered porch invites you to breathe easy and unwind. Starting in January 2022, Cracked Pot began serving Necessary Coffee, a sister company of Passenger Coffee Roasters in Lancaster. Necessary Coffee “offers accessible, everyday flavors that are ideally suited to a more developed roast profile” and is BCorp certified. Your visit to Cracked Pot also supports its mission to employ and develop children who are approaching or have aged out of foster care.
IDEA Coffee at Walden (121 Walden Way) & IDEA Coffee at Arcona (1430 Market House Ln.): Idea Coffee has two locations in Mechanicsburg. Both serve Lonely Monk Coffee, hand-crafted locally (Lemoyne) on a unique fluid bed roasting system that brings out exceptional flavors without bitterness. The coffee is sustainably-sourced and Lonely Monk donates a percentage of the profits to causes dedicated to fighting human trafficking. Idea Coffee’s tasty beverages, combined with a small selection of pastries and breakfast burritos, promises to provide a perfect morning or afternoon pick-me-up.
Juice & Java (5258 Simpson Ferry Road): Locally owned and operated in Mechanicsburg since 2001, Juice & Java invites guests to take a break during their busy day and unwind. The drink menu includes seven varieties of small-batch roasted coffee, rich, enticing lattes, mochas, frappes, and more. Their extended hours make it easy to stop by for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
Photo: Brittle Bark
Chocolate
Brittle Bark (50 W. Main Street): Brittle Bark was started in 2003 when the owner perfected her peanut brittle recipe and began selling it at craft shows and other stores. After being selected as the "Snack of the Day" by Rachael Ray on her nationally syndicated show, the owner opened a retail location in 2008 in downtown Mechanicsburg, offering customers more than 15 varieties of gourmet brittle, which is still handmade a single batch at a time year-round. This confectionery shop also features seasonal varieties of its signature Brittle Bark and artisan chocolates; Sweet Jubilee Fudge; chocolate-covered pretzels, pretzel rods, cookies, and licorice; and award-winning handmade chocolate from several other chocolate artisans. You'll find Brittle Bark located just a few steps away from Capital Joe.
Camp Hill
You'll need a chocolate and caffeine fix after shopping to your heart's content at all of Camp HIll's unique local shops. If you over-indulge, Camp Hill is also bursting with spas and salons that will leave you feeling refreshed and inspired.
Photo: Cornerstone Coffeehouse
Coffee
Cornerstone Coffeehouse (2133 Market Street): A local favorite since 1994, this is a must-stop location if you are Camp Hill. The extensive menu reflects their "Coffee Before Anything" motto and their appetizing pastries – made in-house -- include gluten-free, vegan, and dairy-free options. Classic staples, signature drinks, and a changing selection of monthly specials are made with fair trade/organic single origins and blends and Swiss Water Process decafs. If you have time, check out the schedule for cooking classes offered through the Cornerstone Culinary Kitchen.
Photo: Cocoa Creek Chocolates
Chocolate
Cocoa Creek Chocolates (18 S. 18th Street): Seeing a growing interest in specialty sweets, the owner of Brittle Bark went to school to become a chocolatier, learning and experimenting with mixing different types of national and international chocolates with interesting fruits, spices, and spirits to create unique and mouthwatering chocolate delights. In 2017, she premiered Cocoa Creek Chocolates, delicious micro-batch chocolate truffles, and bars based on the belief that "every chocolate tells a story." Surprisingly distinct chocolate flavors from France, Italy, Belgium, Africa, South America, the Caribbean, and the US, are combined with carefully chosen natural flavors to bring out the unique personality of each piece. In addition, some offerings are plant-based, dairy-free, and gluten-free. To highlight this new line of artisan chocolates, the owner opened Cocoa Creek Chocolates as a boutique shop in Camp Hill. Grab one of their themed truffle collection boxes (featuring 4 or 12 pieces) for a decadent treat. Each box comes with a story card describing the inspiration for each truffle flavor.
Other Notable Locations: One Good Woman; Pennsylvania Bakery; Market Cafe
West Shore (New Cumberland & Lemoyne)
You will only have a short two-mile drive between these two stops in our West Shore communities of New Cumberland and Lemoyne. We suggest you combine these stops with your visit to Camp Hill, which is adjacent to Lemoyne.
Coffee
Brew Crumberland's Best (1903 Bridge Street, New Cumberland): Owned and operated by a brother & sister duo, Brew Crumberland's Best features locally-sourced coffee and pastries made by the owner, a graduate of the Escoffier School of Culinary Arts. There is a convenient drive-thru for when you are on the go, but we encourage you to relax and refuel with indoor dining. The drink menu features seasonal specialties as well as a variety of hot and cold coffee options. Their brewed coffee is made from beans roasted locally by Lancaster County Coffee Roasters and they teamed up with Elementary Coffee Co. in Harrisburg for their signature espresso blend. In addition to pastries and desserts, there’s a breakfast and lunch menu as well as a small selection of vegan and gluten-free options.
Photo: Macris Chocolates
Chocolate
Macris Chocolates (1200 Market Street, Lemoyne): At Macris Chocolates, the family tradition of making chocolate goes back to 1919, when the owner's grandfather created Philadelphia Candies. The chocolate recipe, which uses only the highest quality ingredients, has been passed down through the generations and is still used to make the store's candy from scratch at their factory north of Pittsburgh. The elegantly-designed store welcomes you with the alluring scent of chocolate. You will find a large selection of boxed chocolates and gift baskets, including holiday-themed favorites. However, the real allure is the bulk showcase offering more than 100 varieties of chocolates, including nougats, jellies, toffees, truffles, specialty items, and their signature croquettes with either a made-from-scratch buttercream or peanut butter center. As a bonus, Macris serves Penn State Berkey Creamery Ice Cream with a constantly changing selection of delicious flavors, including Death by Chocolate. Macris Chocolates received a 2021 Catalyst Award for Small Business of the Year from the Harrisburg Chamber and CREDC. Catalyst Awards are presented to those who demonstrate a commitment to making a difference in their communities, creating more business opportunities, and building a brighter future in our region.
Other Notable Locations: Valley Bistro
TIP: Before visiting any of these locations, please check their social media pages for current hours of operation.
