Here are 17 spots for great coffee in central PA

For some of us coffee drinkers, every day is national coffee day.

And as the weather cools down, the sweet, nutty smell of a freshly brewed cup of joe in the morning is a perfect way to jump- start your morning.

Celebrate National Coffee Day this Thursday, Sept. 29, or sooner, with a cup of java. Some places, including Rutter's and Sheetz, are offering a free cup. Rutter's offer is for VIP members, and Sheetz's is free with a purchase.

Here are some places to check out:

York

Prince Street Café, York - 2 W. Market St., York

If you're walking through the bustling streets of downtown York in search of a cozy and aesthetically pleasing space to enjoy a cup of coffee, Prince St. Café might just be that spot.

The café offers handcrafted espresso drinks, smoothies, and even all-day breakfast and lunch — not to mention an assortment of pastries and sweets.

Harmony Café - 46 W. Philadelphia St., York

Formerly Molly's Courtyard Café, Harmony Café offers handcrafted espresso beverages, brewed coffee, smoothies and more.

If you're going to stay a while, ask for a mug and sit back and enjoy a cup of coffee in the comfy café space, or take a seat outside in the courtyard space.

Buttercream Dream Bakery - 1510 W. Market St., York

When you walk into the bakery, you're greeted by sweet aroma of freshly brewed coffee, and owner Tony Rathosky himself, or a member of his family at the espresso bar.

His menu offers a variety of freshly brewed coffee and espresso blends, as well as over 40 different flavor add-ins, and he's always eager to customize a drink for his customers. Stop in for a coffee and a cupcake, or two.

Read more about Buttercream Dream BakeryThis bakery brings boozy cupcakes and 'Golden Girls'-inspired lattes to West York

More on Harmony Café in YorkCaffeine Scene: Molly's Courtyard Café to become Harmony Café, run by longtime barista

The Green Bean Roasting Co. - 100 S. Beaver St., York

On the corner of Beaver street, stop by the Green Bean for a coffee made with house-roasted beans, in their colorful, and cozy café. The Green Bean also offers espresso beverages, specialty lattes and pastries.

i-ron-ic Coffee Shop and Art Boutique - 256 W. Philadelphia St., York

This quirky coffee shop offers coffee and espresso beverages, as well as breakfast and lunch, and plenty of art and unusual handmade objects. Go in for a cup of coffee, and you might just come out with a sandwich, piece of art or some handmade jewelry.

Belmont Bean Co. - 18 S. Belmont St., York

Voted Best Coffee in York County in 2021, and known for their "wicked good coffee," try an americano, cappuccino or latte. Enjoy it in a mug and feel at home, at Belmont Bean Co.

Take Five Expresso Bar - 34 W. Philadelphia St., York

Located in Central Market, stop by and try a variety of brewed coffee, and espresso beverages, a menu that extends to over 20 different at-home coffee bean flavors.

After strolling the market, stop by Take Five and help yourself to the self-serve coffee, have a seat at the bar and read the morning paper or strike up a conversation with owner Phyllis DeStephano.

The Hive Coffee House and Café - 3665 Bull Road, York

This family-owned coffee shop offers coffee, espresso beverages and smoothies. Try a hot coffee, or latte with one of their seasonal flavors including pumpkin pie, butter pecan, or caramel apple butter.

The Hive offers indoor and outdoor seating, as well as a variety of handmade jewelry, art and accessories for sale made by local artists.

Try the Coffee Crawl

Explore York is partnering with 15 coffee shops for the second annual week-long York County Coffee Crawl.

Going on now through Oct. 1, the event is designed to showcase local, independent coffee shops in York County.

"This year, we're asking as many people as possible to post a 'selfie' to social media enjoying their favorite coffee beverage from participating shops," said Melissa Beaverson, Explore York's director of Destination Marketing. Prizes are being offered for those who tag them in their posts @ExploreYorkPA.

Check out this Hanover coffee shopThe Caffeine Scene: Holiday-flavored coffee and South African inspired-desserts in Hanover

Lebanon

Ancestor Coffee House & Creperie - 119 Springwood Drive, St. 500, Lebanon

Enjoy a variety of coffee beverages such as a traditional espresso macchiato, French press coffee, frozen coffee and more, while enjoying either a sweet or savory homemade crepe.

Harrisburg

Little Amps Coffee - 133 State St., Harrisburg

This brick-walled corner coffee shop in downtown Harrisburg features coffee and espresso drinks with house-roasted beans such as brewed coffee, americano, and cortado as well as breakfast and pastry options. Stop by for a hot cup of coffee, and hang out with the Little Amps team.

Hanover

Ikigai Coffee - 11 York St., Hanover

Right on York Street in the heart of downtown Hanover, a few steps below ground will lead you to Ikigai Coffee.

By the second or third step, your senses will instantly be taken over by the smell of freshly brewed coffee and espresso, which pairs well with their baked cheesecake, cinnamon buns and muffins. On occasional Saturday mornings, Ikigai even offers coffee flights that feature four different specialty flavored beverages.

Britton Coffee Co. - 2633 Baltimore Pike, Hanover

Britton Coffee Co. started out as a coffee trailer, operating in the parking lot outside an old gas station along Baltimore Pike. As their clientele increased, owner Jordan Britton knew it was time to expand the business into a storefront.

This shop offers homemade doughnuts daily and tons of coffee beverages including specialty lattes. In addition to coffee and espresso drinks, Britton Coffee Co. offers coffee beans for sale in a variety of flavors, including caramel, tiramisu and coconut cream.

Ghouls and Grinds - 455 Carlisle St. B, Hanover

A town that enjoys Halloween as much as Hanover would not be complete without a café like Ghouls and Grinds.

While there aren't cobwebs hanging from the ceiling, or eerie music played in the background, this coffee shop showcases the spooky theme through creative beverages, and locally made artwork.

Their fall flavors include caramel pumpkin, apple pie chai, and a white pumpkin latte, among others. They also offer tons of at-home coffee beans with flavors such as Maple French Toast, Snickerdoodle and Chocolate Raspberry.

Merlin's Coffee - 10 S Franklin St., Hanover

At Merlin's Coffee in Hanover, enjoy a hot cup of coffee brewed with beans they roast in-house. As you walk in the door, the smell of freshly roasted coffee beans immediately will take over your senses.

Each week they offer a light roast, dark roast, flavored roast and decaf brewed coffee to choose from. Merlin's offers espresso beverages as well, and beans for sale by the half or full pound.

Three Arrows Coffee - 1649 Broadway, Hanover

Located inside the Markets at Hanover, Three Arrows Coffee is a family-owned coffee stand offering over 15 different coffee beverages.

Stop by and try a brewed coffee, or a latte, flavored with flavors such as tiramisu, English toffee, or coconut.

Gettysburg

Ragged Edge Coffee House - 110 Chambersburg St., Gettysburg

Next time you're in Gettysburg, stop by Ragged Edge and try a cup of coffee from their extensive beverage menu, which also offers juice and smoothies.

Enjoy some breakfast, lunch, or a homemade pastry in their café seating area, or outside in their garden dining area.

Lancaster

Café One Eight - 18 W. Orange St., Lancaster

Nestled in downtown Lancaster, Café One Eight serves coffee and espresso drinks as well as smoothies and breakfast plates, salads and sandwiches.

This article originally appeared on York Daily Record: celebrate national coffee day in central Pennsylvania