E&F is a clean, welcoming, community-forward coffee shop located in downtown Erie. It's the kind of place where every detail feels intentional & inclusive, from the local vendors they highlight to the rotating art exhibits on the wall. The space itself is small enough to feel cozy with plenty of seating options, including high-top and low-top tables, two couches, and a bar along the front window, which is great for people who want to spend some time there. There are plenty of outlets and two private bathrooms, both stocked with sanitary products. Drink wise, you won't find an elaborate list of over the top designer lattes here but they do have a seasonal beverage or two and a variety of syrups (rose, lavender, caramel, etc) you can add to enhance your drink. I'm a sucker for their mocha. It's so rich and delicious without being heavy or overly sweet. They also have some baked goods & some of the best ice cream sandwiches I've ever had. Recently, Ember & Forge installed a free food pantry outside, another reflection of their deep commitment to our community. It's easy to feel good supporting a business like that. read more

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Great spot to grab a quick coffee - they also had some fun bakery items. Service was lovely!

This is a small little coffee shop right in downtown. They were super busy because their coffee is amazing. Had their Americano and the prices were really reasonable. read more

I love this neighborhood coffee shop. The coffee's great, and the staff are super nice and friendly. They've got a good selection of pastries and souvenirs too. You can sit inside or out on the patio. read more

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Pumpkin spice latte dreams! I got a pumpkin spice latte which was great and well-sweetened. Unfortunately, they only have 12oz size. They also have assorted pastries and merch. There's plenty of seating near large windows so you get a nice view of the Main Street. Staff were nice in confirming order and it was apparent that they knew the "regulars." Overall good vibe :) read more

Ember + Forge - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Erie, Pennsylvania

Love visiting locally owned and independent shops, googled to this one while visiting Erie and it was a great choice. Environment is amazing and comfortable. Staff is ultra friendly and knowledgeable of their drinks. The drinks themselves were absolutely stellar. Might be my favorite nitro cold brew I've tasted to date. Will definitely go out of my way to visit this shop again when I visit Erie. read more

I arrived in Erie a little early for my appointment so I stopped in this coffee shop! What a delightful place! So warm, welcome and inviting! I ordered my "usual" a hot latte! It was delicious! It was nice to sit and sip my beverage in such a welcoming environment! read more

E+F are amazing at living their mission out loud. That's why everyone goes there to connect....for work, for fun, and for excellent coffee. It's more than coffee, it's community. I love it there! read more

I came here to meet a friend and it was my first time coming to this location and I loved it. I love how it was so open and bright with comfortable seating to sit back and enjoy a drink. I obviously came prepared with a book and I loved sitting quietly while I was able to read sipping on my tea. When I ordered they asked me if I wanted it to be steeped with them or if I wanted to take the bag and steep it while I was sitting. I chose to take the tea bag with me but for the next time I think I might just have them steep it and then bring it out to me. The only reason why is that I did not get a second glass and it kind of dripped a lot on the tea saucer. Which then when I drank from the cup it dripped on me a little bit. I enjoyed my peach tea, the service was great, the ambiance was great, and reading a book alone until my friends got there was awesome. Sometimes you really don't think about how much you need a little bit of down time until you get it and you feel so awesome. Really cute place and looking forward to coming again. read more

Ember + Forge - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Erie, Pennsylvania

Ember + Forge takes special care in cultivating a communal space with an industrial/rustic vibe, coupled with careful attention to coffee. Their prices are reasonable, their service is kind, and the ambiance is perfect for doing almost anything. You can tell how rooted in community they are from the art on the walls, the support they give to selling one of their barista's novels, and the history embedded in their space (repurposing formerly industrial spaces for modern use). I ordered a dirty chai with oat milk. They use a chai concentrate I've never seen before (not Rishi, not Dona -- something else with legit ingredients) and store brand oat milk. I thought the chai was very good, the oat milk was nice even with not being Oatly, and the espresso was solid. I wish they still had vegan baked good options -- I learned that they used to but don't any longer because a vendor moved away. That would be such a +++. Wow! What a special place. I'm glad I came upon this on a visit to Erie. read more

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In from out of town and had an iced latte with oat milk and caramel hazelnut. The cafe was spacious and had plenty of seating. I was disappointed in my latte as it tasted like the espresso was burnt. With there only being 2 baristas working when we visited, I condone them for getting everyone's orders out in a very timely manner. read more

Stopped in here for a latte on a roadtrip to Erie. Service was excellent and the place has a cool vibe to it a well. I had a cinnamon bun latte and it was excellent. read more

The service was okay given its counter service only. atmosphere is okay - furniture oldish. however, the espresso was the worst i've ever had, ever. and, i drink a lot of espresso. the grind is so wrong. shockingly wrong. the drink has a crema but it's bitter enough to be undrinkable with a sour/burnt flavor. terrifying. the bean might be garbage, too, but it's usually a wrong grind and indicates an establishment that doesn't understand espresso. wow. steer clear. read more

We really enjoyed this spot. The shop is spacious, so you don't feel crammed in, plenty of seating and room to chill. The staff are very social and friendly. I thought the dark roast coffee was very good. They have a few pastries in a case made by local shops. The brownie I got really hit the spot. To top it off, the music that was playing over the speakers was perfect. read more

Ember + Forge - Brownie and a dark roast. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Erie, Pennsylvania

Great local coffee shop in Erie! Friendly staff, tasty coffee at a great price! It was our go to spot when visiting!

Great coffee and service! We dropped in to take a break from the heat. Iced Americanos were great, as was the oatmeal cream pie. It's a nice space and customers were both chatting and working. We also got to talk with some regulars who gave us lots of recommendations for what to do while in Erie read more

Visiting from out of town. Good place to get a solid coffee. We took our drinks to go but the ambience seemed like a good place to chill. Saw a few folks working. Hard to find a good place for coffee in the area but this place hits the spot. read more

I love this place to get coffee, it's like a small little hideaway in the chaotic city of Erie. I normally get a latte which is decently priced. They have a wide variety of flavors, including seasonal options that are constantly changing. I would definitely recommend Ember + Forge to anyone looking for a good coffee place in Erie. read more

Ember + Forge - Peppermint Latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Erie, Pennsylvania

Just okay for a Pour over. No pastries only little scones I think were for customers with dogs. (There's a nice Sweet shop across the street). We sat outside since it's still closed due to Covid, actually due to short staffing the owner said. No sun umbrellas on the tables outside in the direct sun. Loved the shop decor. read more

Ember + Forge - A plus is that the Museum is right next door - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Erie, Pennsylvania

We go here at least once when we go to Erie for vacation. Everyone is always friendly. The drinks are unique and delicious. They introduced us to the smoothness that is Chemex coffee! They have different artwork on the walls every time we go in. And they always have delicious vegan treats! read more

Ember + Forge - This is the setup of the first room. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Erie, Pennsylvania

Very limited options but coffee itself was good quality. Just bummed to see how dead the place was for a Saturday morning.

It was extremely difficult finding a coffee shop in Erie after living in Boston and California but this shop is definitely a must! Unfortunately with COVID, their shop is closed inside but they did an excellent job with their togo window. Overall I am very impressed by the shop, the staff, the coffee, and the fact that they do not charge extra for oat milk ;) . I definitely recommend visiting this place and walking around downtown Erie after read more

Ember and Forge is on State Street kiddy corner to a Starbucks which is where I usually go when I'm in that part of town. Probably not the most ideal spot so close to a coffee chain but they seem to hold their own as there were quite a few people inside. The building and atmosphere was awesome, I loved the exposed brick and dark ceiling. It was nearly spotless. The menu seemed limited as did the baked good selection. Some people showed up behind me so I felt like I had to rush to make a decision and didn't ask about customizing a drink. I got an Americano and a sour cream glazed fry cake. The fry cake was ok, a little hard. The coffee was excellent and strong. I forgot to ask what brand of bean they used. I frequent that area often so I will stop in again and avoid Starbucks so I can support local business. Thanks for what you do. read more

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Took my mom and her sweet, well-behaved dog, Gracie, who they welcomed to sit in the front area as we visited. I love the hometown feeling and service. The coffee is excellent! We purchased some beans to brew at home and I can't wait til try them. A must if you are in downtown Erie. read more

Ember + Forge - Latte and a dog - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Erie, Pennsylvania

I love the coffee drinks and tea. The staff are great. However - there needs to be a better system. I do not have 15-30 mins to wait for a coffee drink. I've stood in line for 15-30 mins on two occasions waiting for the person ahead of me to get a hand pour. I was in the other day and the same thing happened and I had to leave because I work. Can't you either add more staff or come up with a better system for folks who just want to grab a good cup of coffee quickly? read more

cute little coffee shop, nice ambiance, great prices and a very friendly barista. Also had great art from ECAT on the walls

Great local coffee shop. Though I have only been here after covid; the shop staff are friendly, the espresso drinks are tasty, and the rustic atmosphere fits this part of town. The only recommendation I can suggest is to keep the temperature of the drinks consistent at a warm temperature. read more

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What a nice (and local) addition to downtown Erie! My cousin and I stopped in for something hot and some conversation. Upon entering we were greeted and decided to order chai tea lattes. It's a nice space with big windows facing the streets and other businesses, plenty of seating, and workspace. Ember + Forge is a recent addition and I hope it does well with downtown employees and university students. read more

The latte is delish!!!!! It's smooth and creamy and rich and wonderful. The barista did a fab job with the pretty decoration in the foam. The treat was also tasty and crisp. LOVE the decor inside. This place reminds me of an old general store, but they refurbished the inside, while keeping the charm and awesomeness. I love the warmth of the reclaimed wood floors. It's cozy enough to get wrapped up in your own world, but large enough to meet work colleagues. The only reason why I gave it 4 stars vs 5 is that I would have loved more options for food. Next time, I will get a pour over, because that looks equally amazing. read more

Ember + Forge - Pretty latte with a treat - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Erie, Pennsylvania

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Swung in for a latte while traveling for work. It was good and I would have it again. However I wish I went with one of their house blend coffees. The barista recommended them highly. read more

The Americano I had was great! They are still open during Covid by using their takeout window! So creative!!! read more

Ember + Forge - Americano - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Erie, Pennsylvania

Upon entry,​ the place is 5 stars. ATMOSPHERE: The aesthetic and atmosphere are​ fantastic. A modern and Scandinavian open-air​ design with a large secondary room. I absolutely LOVE the fact that these guys promote local artists, some of whom are quite talented. The equipment is also new and well maintained. They have everything they need to make good coffee but either the beans and roasting are not up to par OR the "training" has failed. THE COFFEE: The coffee here is not good for many, many reasons. If you are getting an iced drink, beware. They use crushed ice, which as we all know melts and dilutes beverages much faster. Taste is bitter and chalky. Not burnt but not smooth. Nonetheless, I will give it another shot..... Yes...Espresso puns everyone ;) read more

Excellent coffee! Excellent service! Unfortunately due to Covid, this place was not open for walking, but we walked through took a cup to go and walked up and down downtown Erie. French press is the way to go. Service was beyond amazing! read more

Ember + Forge - Entrance. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Erie, Pennsylvania

Good vibe. The coffee tastes the way coffee should, which is like coffee. The baristas make the coffee. The ceiling is black.

Excellent latte, cool atmosphere, variety of seating, a few yummy pastries. A little wider variety of food options would be nice but the frosted apple bar I had was delicious. read more

Ember + Forge - Apple bar and latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Erie, Pennsylvania

Friendly staff...not too noisy like a Starbux. Have the cheese danish...tell them johnny g sent you. ;0) read more

Ember + Forge - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Erie, Pennsylvania

Great coffee and at a very good price! I would definitely recommend trying it to anyone!!

You want coffee, you get coffee. Sublime coffee. Local, wonderful service. I changed my bus route to include them before running errands, because it's worth it to start a day on a happy note! I miss sitting inside, but that won't stop me from patronage and I really like happy wake-ups. (BTW, during riots, they were hit. The community stepped in and helped cleanup. They are still there!) read more

This place is a good blend of modern and rustic. It feels contemporary. The drinks are very well made. I had a pistachio and vanilla latte with almond milk, and the flavors we're well balanced. This seems like a good dose of Erie flavor: part old time-y, part modern, funky yet hip. read more

A great independent coffee shop! Why on earth would you to to the chain across the street, for the love of god, go support a local business!