Passenger Coffee

Lancaster, PA

Tucked away in a quiet alley behind a bustling farmers' market, Passenger Coffee in Lancaster, Pennsylvania is a coffee-snob’s dream.

In the early morning and late afternoon hours, ethereal light washes over the white tiled floor. Patrons sit in leather booths sipping cappuccinos, paging through the New York Times. Etta James resonates through a Sonos system. A small legion of cold-brew-loving, tattooed young men pull shots of espresso while pulling back their man buns. A glass case covers an assortment of homemade baked goods: almond croissants, buttery biscuits the size of softballs, cinnamon-sugar-crusted morning buns, muesli-filled mason jars.

The baristas can tell you the story of the beans from crop to cup, as well as the best places in town to knock back a few rounds. Stay engaged and they may even tell you the folklore behind their sleeve tattoos. Electric outlets dot each bench, but Millennials beware: Passenger does not offer Wi-Fi. Come equipped to set up your own hotspot if your plans include ordering that 64oz bottle of Sriracha on Amazon Prime. If you want to brew your own beans, Passenger sells them by the pound. Loyalists can even don a USA-made, organic cotton-blend t-shirt with the shop’s logo.

For those with an eye for detail and a palate for coffee, Passenger is a must-stop.