Love heading to a café? These three locations are flavor-rich proof that café life thrives in Berks County!
1. The Bagel Bar Café
214 W. Main St., Kutztown
Is it the round shape, their texture, or that substantial feeling bagels deliver whether they’re buttered, slathered with cream cheese or loaded with eggs, bacon and cheese that makes them stand-outs? Bagels definitely have personality. And Kutztown’s Bagel Bar Café founder-owner Christine Kreisher was sure her bagel-focused business would succeed. In 2024, this happy café celebrates its 30th anniversary!
“We get our New York-style bagels fresh every day. They’re amazing!” says Kreisher. “We carry 23 varieties and have 14 different flavors of locally made gourmet cream cheese.” Breakfast-bagel combinations and lunch “bagelwiches” are main menu items while the coffee and tea crowd loves sweets from local vendors like Anita’s Biscotti and French macarons by Walley’s Treats and Sweets.
“The Goat is a number 1 best-selling item, served open-faced with housemade goat cheese spread, fresh tomatoes, feta crumbles and balsamic drizzle,” says Kreisher. Another fave: the N.Y. Lox ’n Cream Cheese Special. She adds, “We’re also known for The Pink Flamingo: egg, meats, cheeses and strawberry cream cheese — sweet, salty and savory.”
People love to experiment here. With a peanut butter bagel, patrons might put peanut butter on it, toast it, butter it, and add cream cheese, jelly or Nutella. As for coffee and other hot and cold drinks, “People love our monthly drink specials,” says Kreisher. “They get so excited!”
She credits her staff, husband Jim, and sons, who’ve all been involved in the business. “It’s like a New York City café in a small town.”
bagelbarcafe.com | 610.683.5440
2. Cloud 9 Café & Catering
84 Commerce Dr., Wyomissing
Inviting, classy and comfortable, Cloud 9 Café & Catering is well named. It’s a heavenly locale for solo writing, reading and thinking but equally appealing for twosomes, friends and business pals to catch up over coffee, scones and convo. Co-owners Stephanie Karli and Steve Heebner delight in providing a cozy atmosphere with their custom house blend Cloud 9 coffee and superior foods. Says Karli, “We do a lot of craft coffee and lattes, cappuccinos, iced and hot, smoothies and more.”
And then there’s the quiche. As Karli says, “Our customers say it’s the best quiche around.” Try a quiche du jour, Roasted Roma Mozzarella, Bacon Cheddar and especially the Spinach Feta Quiche. The latter is served warm, enhancing an elegant, tasty crust with soft, near-sweet, custardy egg infused with fresh spinach and feta cheese. Positively addictive. Add a side of yummy tater tots or a bowl of fresh-cut fruit.
All the scrumptious scones and muffins are made in-house daily. The Orange Cranberry Scone eagerly accompanies a steaming French Roast, creamy Hazelnut Latte or brewed tea with its lovely tart cranberries and airy strain of citrus orange permeating the texturally perfect scone. Cloud 9 scones possess a gorgeous balance of lightness and integrity.
Karli and Heebner note that breakfast burritos, egg sandwiches and paninis are popular. Heebner gives an enthusiastic “top sandwich” nod to their oh-so-savory Reuben, made with shaved corned beef, tangy sauerkraut, Swiss cheese and homemade 1000 Island dressing on grilled rye bread. Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad — an original C9 recipe — combines all-white meat with crunchy nuts, mayo and tart berries, plus “a touch of honey,” delightful on a croissant.
cloud9cafeberks.com | 610.320.9909
3. Crave Café
4600 Penn Avenue, Sinking Spring
This lively café has grown! Owner Sonia Marchio is obviously pleased as she confirms, “Yes, we have expanded the floor space into a gathering room where little groups get together. They might play cards, some go on computers, and some people use it for book readings.”
The main café area is dotted with numerous tables spread out from the front door across to a stone fireplace. Serving breakfast through lunch, Marchio notes that “we do have a lot of regulars who come in three or four times a week.” She adds, laughing, “As soon as they walk in, we know what they might want and start getting their drinks ready.”
Breakfast favorites include French toast, waffles and hearty omelets. The Mediterranean omelet is filled with delicious, sautéed vegetables — zucchini, eggplant, peppers, onions and gentle herbs. These get folded into the eggs along with spinach and melting provolone. It’s fantastic with buttered rye toast.
Espresso, cappuccino and all coffee beverages are imbued with uniquely deep flavor. Marchio reveals, “We use espresso beans from my hometown in Italy, in Calabria. We make all kinds of drinks with our coffee, with all kinds of syrups and sauces.” Additionally, frappes, smoothies and several teas, from English Breakfast to Sencha Green, are readily available.
Marchio advises newcomers order “our combos…because they get to try two items off the menu.” House-made pastries and desserts, salads, soups (“We go through a LOT of soup!”) and grilled paninis all shine. Apple Crisp warms with sweet-tart goodness, and the much-favored Banana Cake is set off by cream cheese frosting.
cravecafe.net | 484.509.5955
