A cinnamon roll recipe from a Navy cook still gets baked at one of the pie shops on this list. He brought it home after World War II, and it never left the kitchen.
That detail completely won me over. It also made me wonder what other stories are hiding behind bakery cases across Pennsylvania.
Turns out, plenty. One shop pairs heirloom tomato pie with specialty coffee.
Another makes pork roll and cheese hand pies before most people finish their first cup. A third bakes Schnitz pie, which I had to look up, and now I can’t stop thinking about it.
Some of these spots sit in busy city neighborhoods. Others wait along quiet country routes where the drive is half the fun.
So which one gets your fork first?
1. Lancaster Pie & Coffee
Tomato pie with bacon and herbs sounds like a dare in a pie shop. In downtown Lancaster, it’s simply part of the seasonal lineup.
Lancaster Pie & Coffee bakes handmade pies on both the sweet and savory side. The specialty coffee program gets equal billing, so your slice never has to go solo.
Sweet tooths get plenty to work with here. Apple, cherry, triple berry, chocolate silk, and pumpkin all show up among the favorites.
Sour cherry hand pies come with a flaky, buttery crust. That crust also holds up for days, which matters if you’re buying extra for later.
Not feeling pie at breakfast? A Liege waffle with espresso makes a solid backup plan.
Plan around the calendar, since the shop opens Thursday through Sunday only. Thursday tends to be the calmer day if crowds aren’t your thing.
Address: 136 N Prince St, Lancaster, PA 17603
2. The Pie Place
Rhubarb fans, your people are in the South Hills. Pittsburgh’s The Pie Place treats fruit pie like serious business.
Fruit tarts and rhubarb pie are two of the stars here. The crust gets its own fan club, too.
Small appetites have options. Mini pies and apple tarts let you sample without committing to a full pan.
Pies aren’t the whole story, though. Pastries, cakes, cookies, and even ice cream share the space.
Free parking makes a quick stop painless. The shop runs Monday through Saturday, so Sunday cravings will have to wait.
Address: 1775 N Highland Rd #1219, Pittsburgh, PA 15241
3. Twin Pies
Cream pie people, northwestern Pennsylvania is calling. Twin Pies in Linesville turns out banana cream, coconut cream, and peanut butter chocolate worth the trip.
Each pie starts from scratch. The crust earns as much praise as the fillings, and that’s saying something.
Hungry for lunch first? Deli-style sandwiches and hot sandwiches keep the savory side covered.
Cookies show up too, and the molasses ones have a following. Coffee rounds out the menu nicely.
Cute decor and a family-style feel give the spot real charm. Wi-fi is available if you want to linger over that slice.
Hours run Tuesday through Saturday. Saturday mornings get busy, so a weekday visit may feel calmer.
Address: 146 W Erie St, Linesville, PA 16424
4. Little Susie’s Coffee & Pie
Pork roll and cheese, folded into a hand pie. Philadelphia, you’ve outdone yourself.
Little Susie’s Coffee & Pie specializes in sweet and savory hand pies. Glazed cherry and a pesto cream cheese option join that savory pork roll favorite.
The crust is flaky and buttery. Honestly, that’s the part that makes each pie sing.
Doors open at 7 a.m. daily and close at 2 p.m. Early birds win here.
Grab a coffee and a seat, or take it outside. Kids fit right in, and solo diners do too.
Address: 2532 E Lehigh Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19125
5. Country Pie Shoppe
Opening at 6 a.m. every day says a lot about a bakery’s work ethic. Country Pie Shoppe in Donegal keeps the ovens busy from sunrise to evening.
Fruit pies lead the way here. Peach, strawberry rhubarb, apple, cherry, and red raspberry all make appearances.
Mini pies are a smart move for indecisive folks. Try three flavors instead of agonizing over one.
Donuts, cinnamon rolls, bread, cookies, and cakes fill out the cases. Buckeyes and rice crispy treats add a sweet bonus.
Think of it as a grab-and-go stop, since there’s no dine-in seating. It pairs nicely with a Laurel Highlands drive this weekend.
Address: 3822 RR 31, Donegal, PA 15628
6. Bird in Hand Bakeshop
Schnitz pie, made with dried apples, is a Pennsylvania Dutch classic many visitors have never tried. Bird in Hand Bakeshop is a great place to fix that.
Shoofly pie gets a twist here with molasses icing. Pumpkin comes topped with white icing, which feels like a treat on a treat.
Fruit lovers can grab peach, blueberry, or cherry pies. Apple dumplings and hand pies deserve a spot in your bag too.
Pecan sticky buns are worth a warm-up at home. Whoopie pies and long johns tempt from the cases as well.
Hand-dipped ice cream and milkshakes add a summer bonus. Amish jams, bulk goods, and craft items make souvenir shopping easy.
The family-run shop closes Sundays. Weekday mornings tend to be the quiet window.
Address: 542 Gibbons Rd, Bird in Hand, PA 17505
7. The Pie Shoppe
Remember that Navy cook and his cinnamon roll recipe? This Laughlintown bakery along Route 30 is where it still lives.
The Pie Shoppe has been baking since 1947. That’s a long run for any small-town shop.
Fresh pies fill the cases, with pumpkin among the highlights. Apple dumplings and hand pies keep fruit fans happy.
Donuts come stuffed with filling. Pepperoni rolls offer a savory, very western Pennsylvania detour.
Cookies, cakes, and pastries round out the spread. Open daily from 7 a.m., it’s an easy stop on a Ligonier-area fall drive.
Address: 1379 US-30, Laughlintown, PA 15655