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From cafes to pizza places: New spots to eat and drink in Centre County in 2025

Stories by Centre Daily Times journalists, with AI summarization

The curated articles discuss new restaurants, cafes, and bars that have opened in Centre County in 2025, highlighting a growth in diverse culinary and dining options. Common themes among the articles include a focus on unique offerings, community involvement, and innovative concepts. Specific mentions include Benny’s Pizza bringing extra-large slices to State College and Bella Vita Pizzeria opening in Penns Valley, offering hand-tossed pizzas.

Shaky Hands Coffee Shop in Bellefonte highlights community engagement through art displays and events. Meanwhile, The Press Cider and Craft Beverage Tap House emphasizes local Pennsylvania-made drinks, aiming to create a place for people to engage and connect.

Mr. Hot Dog & More, 807 Pleasantview Blvd., on Nov. 14, 2023. The restaurant plans to close Nov. 22 after nearly four decades in business. By Bret Pallotto

NO. 1: NEW FAMILY-RUN CENTRE COUNTY DINER IS PAYING IT FORWARD FOR THOSE IN NEED. CHECK OUT THE MENU

The diner will serve breakfast, lunch and dinner six days a week. | Published January 24, 2025 | Read Full Story by Matt DiSanto

Pelicana Chicken is now open at 1869 N. Atherton St. in State College. By Matt DiSanto

NO. 2: A NEW KOREAN FRIED CHICKEN RESTAURANT IS OPEN IN CENTRE COUNTY. CHECK OUT THE MENU

The restaurant launched with a soft opening over the weekend. | Published February 10, 2025 | Read Full Story by Matt DiSanto

The Fatoum Bistro serves breakfast, lunch and dinner and is located on Westerly Parkway in State College. By Jessica McAllister

NO. 3: NEW STATE COLLEGE RESTAURANT FEATURES MENU INSPIRED BY ‘WORLDLY CUISINE.’ HERE’S A LOOK

The Fatoum Bistro held its soft opening on Thursday. | Published February 28, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jacob Michael

The StillHouse restaurant in Spring Mills features Barrel 21 cocktails, Otto’s sodas and a menu full of deli sandwiches, burgers and appetizers. By Matt DiSanto

NO. 4: NEW PENNS VALLEY RESTAURANT LAUNCHES WITH TEAM BEHIND TWO LOCAL FAVORITES. SEE THE MENU 

It marks the latest venture from the team behind Otto’s Pub & Brewery and Barrel 21 Distillery & Dining in State College. | Published March 6, 2025 | Read Full Story by Matt DiSanto

Benny’s Pizza will open a shop in downtown State College this spring. The regional chain is known for its 28-inch pies.

NO. 5: A NEW PIZZA SHOP WILL BRING EXTRA-LARGE SLICES TO STATE COLLEGE. WHAT’S ON THE MENU?

The pizza shop will serve 28-inch pies by the slice in downtown State College. | Published March 15, 2025 | Read Full Story by Matt DiSanto

A slice of cheese pizza from Benny Leone’s opening at 109 S. Fraser Street in downtown State College. By Abby Drey

NO. 6: HUGE SLICES ARE SERVED AT STATE COLLEGE’S NEWEST PIZZA SHOP. SEE HOW THEY’RE MADE

The shop specializes in 28-inch New York-style pizzas that offer a meal in each slice. | Published June 9, 2025 | Read Full Story by Matt DiSanto

Coffee beans and baked goods on sale at Shaky Hands Coffee Shop on Tuesday, June 10, 2025. By Abby Drey

NO. 7: ‘A HAPPY, VIBRANT PLACE.’ TAKE A LOOK INSIDE BELLEFONTE’S NEWEST COFFEE SHOP

“Shaky Hands is the product of 10 years of hard work in this industry, and I just hope people enjoy coming here as much as I’ve enjoyed the journey to this point,” owner Bromlyn Fitzgerald said. | Published June 12, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jacob Michael

Tables are available for dine-in eating at Bella Vita Pizzeria & Grill, which recently opened in Millheim.

NO. 8: GRANGE FAIR VETERAN OPENS PIZZA SHOP IN PENNS VALLEY. ‘HERE FOR THE LONG HAUL’

“Instead of doing it for one week a year, I’m doing this for life,” the new owner said. | Published June 14, 2025 | Read Full Story by Matt DiSanto

Fresh Bite Pizza is pictured here at 300 S. Pugh St. in State College on June 30. By Matt DiSanto

NO. 9: DETROIT-STYLE PIES AND MORE ARE ON THE MENU AT STATE COLLEGE’S NEWEST PIZZA SHOP

The shop features some past favorites from 8 Mile Pizza, which once sat in the same location. | Published July 2, 2025 | Read Full Story by Matt DiSanto

Zoe Duffus makes a drink for customer at Eden Valley Coffee Company on Wednesday, July 30, 2025. By Abby Drey

NO. 10: AFTER CAREER-ENDING INJURY, THIS PENN STATE GRAD OPENED A STATE COLLEGE COFFEE SHOP

When her Penn State track and field career ended unexpectedly, Zoe Duffus would not have imagined she would have her own business in the State College area less than two years later. | Published July 31, 2025 | Read Full Story by Matthew DiSanto

Penn Steaks, opening under a new name at 119 S. Pugh St. in State College, is rebranding with the help of five co-owners.

NO. 11: GRAND OPENING PLANNED FOR DOWNTOWN STATE COLLEGE EATERY WITH NEW NAME, OWNERS

A State College cheesesteak shop is preparing to reopen under a new ownership group. | Published August 26, 2025 | Read Full Story by Matthew DiSanto

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NO. 12: AUTHENTIC IRAQI CUISINE IS ON THE MENU AT THIS NEW STATE COLLEGE RESTAURANT

A new restaurant is set hopes to bring authentic Middle Eastern cuisine to downtown State College. | Published September 12, 2025 | Read Full Story by Matt DiSanto

Happy Valley Live will launch with a soft opening this week at 1031 E. College Ave. in State College.

NO. 13: NEW PENN STATE-THEMED RESTAURANT SETS OPENING DATE IN STATE COLLEGE. WHAT TO KNOW

A popular Centre County restaurant will unveil its long-awaited State College location this week. | Published September 30, 2025 | Read Full Story by Matthew DiSanto

The Press Cider and Craft Beverage Taphouse at 113 Hiester St. in downtown State College on Friday, Oct. 3, 2025. By Abby Drey

NO. 14: PENNSYLVANIA-MADE CIDERS ARE ON TAP AT STATE COLLEGE’S NEWEST BAR. SEE INSIDE

Following months of work in a vacant State College property, Kory Blose has finally opened the bar of his dreams. | Published October 8, 2025 | Read Full Story by Matt DiSanto

Bubba’s Eggs, Steaks & Shakes is now open at 131 S. Garner St. in State College. By Matt DiSanto

NO. 15: THIS DINER IS NOW OPEN INSIDE AN ICONIC STATE COLLEGE PROPERTY. SEE THE MENU

Downtown State College’s newest diner is now open inside an iconic property. | Published October 27, 2025 | Read Full Story by Matt DiSanto

Samples of Honeygrow’s stir-fry, salad and dessert dishes are shown in this promotional photo.

NO. 16: HONEYGROW WILL HOLD GRAND OPENING FOR NEW STATE COLLEGE SHOP. WHAT TO KNOW

After a delay, a new fast-casual stir-fry and salad chain is expected to open in downtown State College. | Published November 7, 2025 | Read Full Story by Matt DiSanto

Construction of the Seven Brew Coffee in the Hills Plaza parking lot on Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025. By Abby Drey

NO. 17: DRIVE-THRU COFFEE SHOP SETS GRAND OPENING DATE IN STATE COLLEGE. WHAT TO KNOW

A highly anticipated drive-thru coffee shop will soon host a grand opening in State College. | Published November 13, 2025 | Read Full Story by Matt DiSanto

Country Time Coffee Company is now open at 3585 Penns Valley Road in Spring Mills.

NO. 18: THIS DRIVE-THRU COFFEE SHOP IS NOW OPEN IN PENNS VALLEY. WHAT’S ON THE MENU?

A new drive-thru coffee shop is officially open in Penns Valley. | Published November 24, 2025 | Read Full Story by Matthew DiSanto

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.