The Wise Bean
The coffee house provides us with a place to fuel up with productive energy, but also, paradoxically, a place to relax with friends or a date, sipping lattes and nibbling treats in good company. Whether you’re snagging that essential morning cup on the way to work or settling in to study, the Valley is brimming with cute and cozy coffee shops where you’ll feel right at home.
The Wise Bean is a comfy little spot on the north side of Bethlehem. Family-run by friendly people, this is a great grab-and-go stop for the commuter who wants a quick and fresh fair trade brew, and maybe a tasty pastry on the way to work. Seating beneath the warm light of the crystal chandelier is limited, but anyone staying for a spell will come to feel they’re at a companionable gathering with the rest of the room. Outlets are in great supply for the laptop lover (along with, naturally, free WiFi), and a selection of handmade jewelry for sale shows off the other talents in the family. Lest you somehow feel that this delightful nook lacks edge, you need only admire the Johnny Cash and Ramones posters adorning the walls. For a wholesome breakfast, you can snag a banana and hit up the cereal bar—unusual in the Lehigh Valley’s coffee shops and evidence that The Wise Bean is intent on starting your day right!
There can be no denying the timeless romance between coffee and books. The two complement each other like wine and cheese, and nowhere in the Valley more delightfully than at Quadrant Book Mart & Coffee House. As soon as you walk in the door, beautiful old antiques and rare used books present themselves in a glorious jumble. Housed in one of the gorgeous old buildings of Downtown Easton, Quadrant is a shop with character: creaky floorboards and all. But the ambiance is perfect for perusing shelves stuffed with old and newer tomes, with local art and peeling vintage fruit crate labels adorning the walls. Strange literary surprises await the intrepid. Find a nook by the window to read or bring your book to the café and warm up by the fireplace. The luscious coffee flavors include hazelnut mocha, mandarin cinnamon and chocolate raspberry, and the breakfast and lunch menus are filled with fresh local produce. The location couldn’t be better for shopping and sightseeing in town—it’s in the middle of everything yet holds all the reclusive charm of an old bookshop.
One of very few locally-owned coffee shops in Allentown, Hava Java is located right across from Allentown’s historic Civic Theatre, making it a natural place for a post-film or theatre discussion over a hot cup of joe, or a refreshing handcrafted Boylan soda. Exhibiting local artwork and hosting regular open mic nights, Hava Java is a strong supporter of the arts community, and it shows. This colorful space boasts unique café tables painted by local artists, along with rafters bedecked with a motley assortment of hanging mugs, creating the artsy atmosphere that regulars love. With a couple shelves full of classic and modern books for the spontaneous reader, it’s a welcoming spot for a little solitude, while the more sociable customer will enjoy the hospitality of the gregarious owner. Beckoning from the countertop are huge homemade brownies covered in crumbled candy bars and mouthwatering cookies in unusual flavors, including the delightful green pistachio. For something more substantial, try a sandwich or the spicy spinach pie with hummus. The view of the Civic Theatre’s stunning art deco facade couldn’t provide better ambiance, and shoppers will be happy to hear that BOUTIQUETOGO is just a stroll away.
Despite the clever coffee pun in the name, De’ja Brew is much more than a java joint. Lehigh University students love it not just for the caffeinated beverages, but as a deli with a considerable menu. Hamburgers, salads, soups and sandwiches named for local figures and locales grace the menu, including the Bethlehem Steel, the Asa Packer (Lehigh University’s founder), and the too-cute Kaiser Söze, a reference to the cult classic film The Usual Suspects. The owner’s connection with the SouthSide Film Institute is abundantly obvious in the decor: indie movie posters and film reels decorate the walls, along with charming murals of pop culture icons like Calvin and Hobbes and The Beatles. There’s ample seating at mismatched chairs around small and cozy tables, and a friendly, comfortable atmosphere that might make you feel more like you’re at a friend’s house than out and about.
When you walk through the door of Vargtimmen King Koffee you might feel like you’ve just stepped into someone’s scruffy living
room, complete with a hodgepodge of well-worn chairs and scarred tables. It’s a hipster haven, frequented since 1997 by those who would prefer the comfort of informality to more polished premises. Art lovers will appreciate the community-oriented gallery on the walls and the shop’s genial owner is happy to pass the time of day or leave you to your sipping from a random collection of mugs. For a mildly amusing anecdote, ask him about the time the actor William Sadler of The Shawshank Redemption stopped in to this odd little place on his way to California. Wander toward the back and you’ll find the tea shelves, replete not only with the tried and true chai, Earl Grey and green loose-leaf teas, but a wealth of unusual blends and herbal flavors like green almond, jackfruit, vanilla mint and red peach, which you can drink there or take home by the ounce for your infuser.
A favorite of Lafayette College students and the denizens of College Hill, The Cosmic Cup introduces a subtle outer space theme. The walls are hung with the eye-catching art of Lafayette students, and little red flying saucers illuminate the counter from above. That t-shirts, mugs and hats emblazoned with the rocket ship logo are sold inside should tell you something about the loyalty this shop inspires. As a student hangout, the Cup offers a few extra choices to sustain any study session: frappes, spicy hot chocolate and fruit smoothies, along with a wealth of syrup flavors for the sweet tooth. You’ll find that the Cup has a definite conscience: the coffee here is sustainably sourced, organic and fair trade. It’s also delicious, and a friendly staff will grace your cup with that extra touch of dainty latte art. This is a good stop if you’re craving a little sustenance. Perfectly toasted bagels can be outfitted with a scrumptious array of spreads, among them sun dried tomato cream cheese, white cheddar jalapeño and garlic hummus. Yum!
SAVOR: COFFEE HOUSES
The Cosmic Cup | 520 March St., Easton610.438.3211 | cosmiccupcoffee.com De’ja Brew | 101 W. 4th St.Bethlehem | 610.865.2739 Hava Java | 526 N. 19th St.Allentown | 610.432.3045 Quadrant Book Mart & Coffee House20 N. 3rd St., Easton | 610.252.1188 Vargtimmen King Koffee506 Chestnut St. Emmaus | 610.965.3257 The Wise Bean | 634 N. New St., Bethlehem610.867.5010 | wisebean.biz
