5 Coffee Shops for Studying in Erie, PA

5 Coffee Shops for Studying in Erie, PA

We know what time of year it is. Finals week is quickly approaching and end of the semester projects are due. Knowing there are many colleges in the Erie area, we wanted to highlight a few coffee shops students may want to stop by to have a cram session or work on a project while taking in some much needed caffeine, and maybe even grab a bite to eat!

Pressed

If you’re looking for a place to not only grab a coffee and study, but do a little shopping for books and gifts too, Pressed is a super cool place to visit. Head into the bookstore first and pick up some new reading material (or bring your own) and then walk through the doors into the coffee shop to grab a drink and a snack to enjoy while you read. Hightops, tables, and a couch provide different locations for you to relax while you indulge (in studies or coffee, or both). You can also sit outside, right in front of the shop. This is a great option for Gannon and Mercyhurst students, as it isn’t a very far drive from either. Open from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturdays, and 10:00 a.m.-3 p.m. on Sundays, convenient for those of you who may have evening classes.

Above: Seating in Coffee Shop
Interested in more info? Click the picture above.
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The Crick Coffeehouse & Eatery

Although it is a small drive from most colleges in the area, we think The Crick is worth it. With seating indoors and outdoors, you can choose your atmosphere. This is a great place to go if you’re looking for a place to study while eating breakfast or lunch. The Crick is great for students who enjoy studying earlier in the day, as it is open from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. every day except Monday, when they are closed.

Outdoor Seating
Some Indoor Seating
More info? Click the photo above.

The Mainstreet Cakery Cafe: 2 Locations

Either location (Fairview or Millcreek) of The Mainstreet Cakery Cafe would be great for studying while grabbing a bite to eat. While both locations offer indoor and outdoor seating, you will find a wonderful atmosphere to dive into your studies while enjoying a coffee, eating a meal, or even indulging in a bakery treat or some ice cream. The tables are spaced well, and it’s a great place to meet up with a group for dinner as you dive into your studies. Open from 7 a.m.-8 p.m. every day except for Sunday, this is for studiers at any time of day.

Outdoors: Fairview Location
Indoors: Millcreek Location
Want more info? Click the picture above.
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Javamango’s Outpost

A quaint coffee shop and small eatery as a pass-through inside of an office building, Javamango’s Outpost offers a few tables and a hightop bar that are perfect for posting up while hitting the books and enjoying some much needed caffeine. Enjoy the calm atmosphere of a quiet space while you get your study on. Open from 6:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Monday-Friday, and 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays, this is for morning and early afternoon studiers.

Want more info? Click the picture above.

Romolo Chocolates

Studying while drinking coffee in a candy store? Initially, it sounds like a bad idea, and quite unattainable. But if you’ve ever been to Romolo Chocolates, you would understand why it’s a good idea. With a quiet atmosphere in the ice cream and coffee shop, you’ll find couches and tables set up for social interactions or some time to yourself. If you’re more of an outside person, you’ll find several tables outdoors in front and to the side of the building, and even heaters available to warm you in the colder months. Enjoy the provided scenery of a fictional alleyway well lit with many Instagram worthy spots to snap a picture in between cramming for your classes. And added to all of that, you can induldge in some amazing sponge candy! Romolo Chocolate is open from 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturdays, and 10:00 a.m.-5 p.m. Sundays.

Above: Seating inside of the shop
Beside: Seating in front of the shop

[Editors Note: We know there are several other coffee shops in Erie, some we have yet to visit and post on our site. We are not trying to be selective, simply offering choices from our current blog posts. If you have any suggestions of other places we could visit and highlight, please comment and let us know! We want to make sure we mention as much of what Erie has to offer as we can! All business hours are current as of 4/18/2022, please check the hours on their Facebook pages or Google Search if you are reading this at a much later date.]

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[Editor’s note: Please be aware that we are not affiliated with any of these businesses in any way. This is true of all of our posts. We simply enjoy wandering around Erie as we know finding what to do in Erie, PA area can be hard.]

Serendipity Sweets

Serendipity Sweets

**WE’RE SORRY TO SAY THAT SERENDIPITY SWEETS HAS CLOSED THEIR LOCATION ON EAST 38TH STREET. THEY ARE CURRENTLY LOOKING FOR A NEW LOCATION, AND WE WILL UPDATE YOU AS SOON AS WE HAVE MORE INFORMATION**

Summer is leading into Fall, and we haven’t brought you all of the amazing ice cream stands in Erie just yet. However, we did recently visit Serendipity Sweets, and we think it’s worthy of being added to your lists of places to visit in the summer, and in the colder months as well!

Location:

Serendipity Sweets is located at 861 East 38th Street, Erie, PA 16504.

If you are looking for things to do by Mercyhurst College, Serendipity Streets is a quick walk away from the college.

Property Description:

Serendipity Sweets is a very colorful, uplifting space that definitely makes you feel like a kid in a candy store, or in this case, a kid in an ice cream and bake shop! We loved all of the colorful tiles on the floor and the bright blue bubbly walls that made us almost feel like we were underwater.

There are plenty of tables set up inside, and there are also benches available outside if you want to enjoy the nice weather.

What to Do:

Serendipity Sweets was different than any other ice cream bar we’ve ever been to. You will start at the left of the counter and make your way down towards the right. You choose your flavor, and then choose toppings from the sundae bar that will be put on for you. Or, you can choose a specific sundae and they will just make it as it is on the menu. Once you pass through the bar, you can make your way to the topping wall. There are dispensers with several different toppings, such as sprinkles, Reese Puffs, Skittles, and snickerdoodle cookies that you can “dump” onto your ice cream or non dairy ice cream. Each topping will cost you an additional fifty cents.

Not only does Serendipity Sweets offer ice cream, frozen yogurt, and non dairy ice cream, but they also offer baked goods as well. Grab a brownie, cake slice, or even an entire pie when you stop in! They even offer froyo pies! Yum!

We are always on the lookout for menu items for those who have food allergies or need vegetarian or vegan foods, and Serendipity Sweets was so accommodating for those of us who have food restrictions. They have several gluten free options, not only in ice cream but baked goods as well. They also have non dairy ice cream choices, which is actually what one of us got, and it was really, really good!

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Who Can Go:

This is a really cool ice cream shop and bakery that anyone can come to. It is very easily accessible for a wheelchair or a stroller. If you’re limited on time, you can go to their website and place an order to be picked up at their drive through window! You can find the link to order by clicking here.

They do offer private parties in their dining area, which I believe are held on the weekends before their normal hours of operation.

And for those of you who go to Mercyhurst College, Serendipity Sweets would make for a great quick date or even a place to study at, given the tables and the small barstool area as well as the booth area in the corner.

Final Thoughts:

We thought this was a really cool place to grab a DIY sundae. The atmosphere was really fun and bright, and you just feel happy as you walk in. As far as finding ice cream in Erie, PA, this is a very fun and different location!

Serendipity Sweets is open from 4 p.m.-9 p.m. Thursday through Sunday.

Like what you read? Subscribe below and be notified of new things to do in Erie County whenever we post!

[Editor’s note: Please be aware that we are not affiliated with Serendipity Sweets in any way. This is true of all of our posts. We simply enjoy wandering around the Erie area as we know finding what to do in Erie, PA can be hard.]