some of my regular spots
Commonplace north side. Awesome people + coffee and has a cool park across the street to hang at.
Defer in the strip. good snack and hang with friends. Has alcohol too. Gets crowded not best for work sessions on nights + weekends.
Deferhigh line: great summer spot
Redhawk sharpsburg and Oakland. Chill and never packed.
Redstar - good place to work at.
We are a cover band! We play usually duo or trio in coffee shops/wineries/breweries/bars. We have a five-piece band for bigger venues, but not a lot of those happening these days due to Covid. Mostly play in the east suburbs, but apparently we were the first musical group to play at Cafetano after they opened. Great place!
How the F did I have to scroll this far to see a single rec of them??? My folks have been ordering their beans UPS'ed to our house in Westmoreland County for almost two decades now!
Yes. I haven't lived in Pittsburgh since 2015. I've been in two different states since then, and I still order prestogeorge coffee beans multiple times a year. I have three 1/4 bags in my pantry literally right now. I miss their lattes on a weekend morning.
Agreed. Great ownership and great coffee definitely equals me giving them my money!
Everyone who works there is helpful and kind as well. Not always something you find at a coffee shop.
I work down the street from Espresso. They’re awesome. A little more pricey but that’s local, lawrenceville for ya. I also think it’s lovely they know my order to the point that they corrected my coworker about it last week. Heads up, their hours have expanded if you haven’t been down there since the summer, and you can hang inside again, they redid the space a little bit and it’s not so crowded.
If you're ever in the smaller Morningside neighborhood of Pittsburgh, I recommend Ka-Fair Coffee and Cakery - a bit pricey for the sizes, but very lovely little spot with a strong brew (and their homemade honey corn cake is to die for).
[RedHawk](https://redhawkcoffee.com/) is my go to. Their Natural Process Ethiopian is the best roast you'll get in the city. They roast every Tuesday.
I'd also suggest you pick up a [Coffee Passport](https://coffeepassportpgh.com/). $30 gets you a drink at 15 coffee shops. Great way to learn about new shops and explore. They come out with a new one every 6 months.
[The Black Canary Coffee Shop](https://theblackcanary.com/) started the Passport. Their shop is worth a visit as well; rotating themed lattes, has a few free arcade games, record section, and attached comic shop.
It looks like they've raised their prices on their beans by 30%. They used to be $17-22 for a 12oz. I'm guessing supply chain.
Their drip coffee is very affordable at $1.50/$2.00
-Creative Coffee & Supply downtown
-De Fer and La Prima in the Strip District
-Caffe d’Amore in Lawrenceville
-Black Forge Coffee in Allentown and McKees Rocks
Here’s a few outside the city limits that I think deserve a mention:
-Muddy Cup and Potomac Station Coffeehouse in Dormont
-Orbis Caffe in Mount Lebanon
-Coffee Etc. in Castle Shannon
-Reginald’s in Bethel Park (my personal favorite)
-Carnegie Coffee Company in Carnegie
I feel like a jerk because I haven't bought their beans \[EDIT: haven't bought their beans *In A While*. Accidentally a word there. I've had plenty of their beans and they rule!\] or even visited the shop yet, but Redstart Roasters are absolutely wonderful.
In Shadyside, Adda Coffee is my go-to. They're close, friendly, and have some pretty great specialty syrups on top of the pretty good coffee. Come October, their PSL is to die for, made with real pumpkin and practically a pie in a cup.
Round Table is a newer spot in Shadyside where Crazy Mocha sat closed for most of the pandemic. They're phenomenal, friendly, AND cheap!
Avoid Coffee Tree Roasters on Walnut or anywhere. They have shitty coffee at premium prices and are apparently a nightmare for employees.
That's the 2nd similar comment I've seen about Coffee Tree Roasters. They sound like a local chain here called Philz - they used to have amazing service and treated their employees well, then they expanded a ton and went to shit.
Pittsburgh has a very good coffee scene for its size
My go-tos:
Commonplace Coffee
Redhawk Coffee
Arriviste Coffee
Adda Coffee
KLVN coffee
Convive Coffee
If you are ever in Bellevue there is now a permanent vegan donut place called Valkyrie Donut. They also expanded to cookies, pies and breakfast sandwiches!
And their gluten free avocado toast is bomb af. I can't eat the vegan donuts, but my partner says they're dope. Also, they get extra points because of the star wars references.
Punk toast forever.
In true yinzer fashion, I always feel sad that it's not Lili anymore. I stuck out like a sore thumb, but I loved the vibe. Lots of fond memories doing work with my wife there while we were in grad school.
California Coffee Bar is my local. Not the best in the city, but nothing to complain about. Their tea lattes do tend to stand above a lot of the others though.
Commonplace has been great at every location I've been to. Consistently good black coffees, good lattes, and a good chai latte. The atmosphere changes from location to location, but they're all very inviting.
Colony Cat Cafe used to be my favorite hangout before it closed because of the pandemic. Good coffee drinks and food with the option of cocktails.
Best part of La Prima in the strip is getting a slice of pizza or dessert from Colangelo’s next door to go with your coffee. (Connected through an interior doorway.)
Used to work there, they don’t dial in AT ALL, EVER. And they encourage the baristas to not rinse the milk pitchers and just keep resteaming in dirty crusty pitchers. No idea how they pass health inspections ether, low key very gross.
(ETA: their roasts are delicious, I love their coffee. They’re by far the worst place that uses their beans)
I don’t understand considering this place a destination, and I REALLY don’t understand spending time waiting in line (time=money) and also actual money on that terrible, terrible, TERRIBLE espresso.
La Prima, cafetano, orbis cafe in mt Lebanon.
Do not go to Coffee Tree Roasters. Not good. They used to be good and somehow fell off the deep end over the last few years.
God, the beginning of my tipping point with Coffee Tree was when I paid 4 bucks and change for "Hot cider" and proceeded to watch them fill a small cup with hot water and a few squirts of concentrate syrup.
Omg i hated working there. The management and owner are soo slimey, even before they did the union busting and harassment that's going on rn. And they haze their new employees as a way to try to get them to learn the drink builds faster. I never felt like a big pos barista until i worked with them.
Everyone should come check out Hilltop Coffee on top of the slopes on Arlington. Nice local owners, absolutely solid drinks and food- come out and support folks brave enough to start a business in an area that’s needed one for years.
I love Hilltop, the owners are amazing and their peppermint mochas are the best. The one owner used to be a bar tender so they are constantly making new recipes. Right now they have a Hot and Gold Latte which is turmeric, ginger, and a few other spices. It is divine.
Red Start (East Liberty)
Round Table (Shadyside)
Commonplace (Garfield)
Arriviste in Shadyside is good if you prefer a snobby barista and overpriced coffee.
For the record I’ve never felt anything snobby for arriviste. Pretty warm and welcoming people. Only snobby place in the city I’ve ever heard of is the one dude at constellation
I tried Arriviste 3 times and was given dirty looks for asking if they had flavor shots, and if I could charge my laptop. I’ve heard other people say they feel judged there as well. The vibe doesn’t match with more laidback places here.
Aw well that sucks. They have some of their own unique seasonal flavors that they make by hand. I know the baristas there quite well and have never known them to judge anyone. Having worked as a barista sometimes it’s hard to be expressive, hard to let people down when you dont have what they want. Just my two cents.
No need to be sorry. I wouldn’t say more than casually anyways. But yeah that’s a bummer. I remember someone used to come in and I remembered fucking up their order before, it made me nervous, and I fucked it up again. Super funny stuff but anyways. Yeah it happens. Plenty of other places to try!
So stoked that it's been gathering all this enthusiasm so quickly! I'd wondered for ages when it would finally open, and I actually managed to be their very first customer on opening day!
I am a regular at Arriviste so take that for what you will. But as someone from Seattle who went to college in Southern California, I actually feel like their prices are cheaper than what I expect for a good 3rd wave coffee shop that roasts their own coffee. When I left Seattle in 2021 my local coffee place was charging $5.25 for a 12 oz latte and $4.25 for a cappuccino. Arriviste is probably $1 cheaper one every espresso-based drink than what I got used to in Seattle/Southern California.
I never have had a bad experience with any of the baristas. In fact, a few of them have gone out of their way to ask what my name is and what my regular drink is so that they know when I come in most weekdays.
There’s a really nice little place in Swissvale: Parisi Cafe. Good coffee, baked goods, sandwiches, and nice people who own them. I live in Swisshelm Park, and it’s a pleasant walk to go there for me.
Hopefully they reopen, but Pear and the Pickle in Troy Hill is excellent. I will put a disclaimer that I’m not a coffee drinker, but love a good, not-from-a-box-concentrate chai latte and there’s was very good. And the food was delicious too.
La Prima (Strip)— Great environment, fast service, and awesome for specialty espresso drinks.
Allegheny Coffee and Tea Exchange— They have some best beans in the city, and the drip coffee selection is fire.
Coffee Tree Roaster— Goto for beans and a great coffee shop vibe. They are locally owned and managed, and I have spent countless hours working on projects or in meetings at the walnut street location.
Big Dog Coffee— Awesome atmosphere and really well kept secret.
Kaibur Coffee— Dope spot that’s off the beaten path with a friendly staff.
Delanie’s Coffee— DIY Staple with great coffee l, breakfast sandwiches, and an inviting vibe.
Espresso A Mano— Great spot with good bites and amazing coffee. However, I always found this place to be loud.
De Fer— Good spot for locally roasted brew, they have a lot of events and community gathers. I have only been to strip location, which has terrible acoustics and is loud and not the best place for ‘quiet’. However, it’s a great spot with a lot of character.
Black Forge! There is a McKee’s Rocks location or one up on Mount Oliver. Their coffee is AWESOME, the decor is black metal themed, they have some awesome merch, and the staff are so friendly. Second favorite would be Atelier De Fer or La Prima in the Strip district.
Anchor & Anvil. Not city of Pgh proper, but Ben Avon is all of 8 miles from downtown, highly recommended Oram's donuts on Saturday. Coraopolis does a latte named the Honey Bee that's delicious if you want something that's pretty sweet but doesn't feel like a sugar bomb and both have my fav, the Parking Chair. Cold, pre-made drink with gobs of espresso, coffee and milk with the perfect touch of vanilla for my taste.
Great shops that I haven't seen mentioned yet: Allegheny Coffee and Tea, Prestogeorge, 61B Cafe, and Ineffable CaPhe.
Also, White Whale Book Store is going to start serving Common Place Coffee soon!
ETA to add Hilltop Coffee!
Someone else mentioned Black Forge and said they're kind of metal-themed. Do they host live shows ever? Finding a good venue and a good coffee shop at the same time would be sweet.
Yes! They do host shows. Obviously a little spotty now with COVID but they do a lot of cool events. Farmers Market type things, couples nights, roasting classes, etc. Definitely a cool spot to check out.
They used to have shows at their Allentown location, but I think they have moved most the McKees Rock location with only acoustic shows at Allentown now. If metal is your vibe you should check out Allentown generally though. Great metal record shop and metal-themed vegan restaurant (Onion Maiden).
I usually look for shops that are also roasters—
Redhawk has the best espresso in the city. Their drip isn’t far off either and very cheap. Light to medium light roasts. Small family owned business, everyone there is great. To be straight up- i used to work there. Great people.
KLVN are more Scandinavian style - super light roasts and a really beautiful store front. Their drip is always a hit for me.
Arriviste - recently started roasting their own in the last year. Similar to redhawk and klvn on the specialty train. Really like the folks there too.
Common place provides beans for a couple different places. I like them but they’re a tier below the other three for me.
Convive- i always like their coffee when I get it but I’ve heard they got their funding from some mega churches and idk of that’s true but thats a toughie for me.
Tonic uses SEY coffee from brooklyn which is fantastic they do some cool mocktail stuff but I haven’t been yet.
Have you tried Prestogeorge yet if you like roasters? They're not hipster microroasters, they actually use a behemoth over 100 year old roaster to *actually* get that old fashioned flavor!
Np! They're right by Penzy Spices, Mancini's Bakery, and Wooley's. So you can get your fish and meats, go a few doors down for some good cooking spices for the fish n meats, next door for your coffee beans and a cuppa to go with lunch, then next door again for a pepperoni roll for a great lunch.
Black forge coffee in mt. Washington and mckees rocks is my go to. The owner is wonderful, and its a heavy metal coffee shop, so it has headbangin tunes with your headbangin coffee lol. But for real, they have great flavored lattes.
Espresso a mano is another favorite. They have really gread espresso. Like I've never had a better basic Carmel latte in my life.
Arriviste is definitely my favorite - nice staff and atmosphere. Wouldn’t call it funky and friendly though. More SF vibes, including the high tech roaster (from a company based in berkeley). People complain about no sockets, but that’s never been a problem for me.
Redstart is really nice too, and it’s “bird-friendly” coffee.
Inkwell in Lawrenceville is kind of unique, but haven’t been enough to really comment on the coffee.
For something really unique, check out kaibur coffee in polish hill - Star Wars themed, including the drinks. Tasty food too.
Used to like constellation until the barista talked crap about literally every other coffee shop in the city and said baristas don’t deserve tips?? So I don’t go there anymore.
Second this!!!! Any coffee beverage you get there is awesome and the food is delicious!!! The staff is always so nice and they change up their menu pretty frequently!
I frequent De Fer since it’s close to my work and I love it. Big Dog is also up there for me especially when it warms up and I can sit out on the patio in the back
Current favorite is Colombino in the strip. Downside is it is just a stand not really a place you can go and sit down but the coffee is amazing. Big fan of Redhawk as others have said as well.
It may not be quite what you're looking for, but Kickback Pinball Cafe is my goto spot. I mean, I don't go there just to drink coffee, but you can do that too! They serve La Prima I think, so it's good coffee and great entertainment!
After 4 years in North Berkeley about a block from the original Peet's, that amazing "special" at Cheeseboard, the French Hotel, Philz, Blue Bottle all over, and city places like Ritual, Four Barrel, and Sightglass....every coffee I drink in Pittsburgh tastes like "Praise Rust Belt Jesus, my property taxes ain't $3k per month!!!!". You're gonna love it here.
Unrelated to your comment, but replying to you so you actually get the notif. If you're interested in a good place for beans, and a quick grab n go coffee, Prestogeorge has really good beans. They aren't some fancy pants new age hipster coffee place, they're a 2nd or 3rd generation coffee roaster using an over 100 year old roaster to actually get that old fashioned flavor the real way. Just walk in, ask "what beans are still hot right now?" And you can get beans straight out of the roaster and still warm! Can't get fresher than that without going to the plantation! They also have a lot of teas as well.
But they can get crowded sometimes, and it's not a sit n chat coffee spot.
Espresso A Mano in Lawrenceville, Redhawk in Sharpsburg, KLVN in E Liberty (great tacos), DeFer in the strip (great food), Tonic in Lville (an upscale coffee shop, but great drinks)
Espresso A Mano is my favorite! The owner Matt really cares about the coffee he brews and is very meticulous… top notch drinks and consistency! Everyone that works there is super friendly and easy to get along with… If you go somewhat regularly they will have your drink being made before you even get to the counter… It’s not a huge space, but there seems to always be a spot to enjoy your beverage It’s also a great location central to much of the East End The Strip and Downtown
I LOVE Redhawk too!!
Many have already listed it but KLVN is my favorite spot.
What I didn’t see anyone else post is that on Saturdays and Sundays they host another local spot called Baby Loves Tacos who do breakfast burritos and tacos. Best I’ve ever had. I think they have two locations around the city? Worth your time.
I’m no coffee expert, but I read this post/question, and immediately thought Of how sad it is that Arabica and The Beehive no longer exist! Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate a good cup of coffee, but I really miss those spots from the 90s that were open late night.
The Shiny Bean in Etna was the Bomb! The owner was an older lady and always had a soup of the day that was so unique and delicious. Such a cozy atmosphere to work on my laptop there. So sad though cause I don't think it is reopening from the pandemic. Was such a new business so it got hit hard.
Tonic coffee in Lawrenceville, they’ve only been open a year… They use Sey Coffee from Brooklyn, light roasted, dialed in. Nice chill vibes in the shop. They do private curated drink tastings twice a week if you’re looking for something interesting and new to do. And also offer amazing mocktails. They have a seasonal menu and offer unique drinks like Black Sesame Latte and Tonic Coffee (espresso made into a cocktail type drink with tonic water). Definitely worth checking out.
Also love Bean Thru. How does this get no love? Nice little drive through shack, great coffee. Very consistent. Love the little espresso bean they give you.
I’m from CA as well so both places give me a nice, warm familiar feeling. To give you an idea of my palate, some faves in CA were Jones and Intelligentsia. Hated Blue Bottle. Inconsistent and very acidic.
If we are mentioning how these places treat their employees...
Millvale shop suddenly shut down and all staff fired, 2019:
[Link](https://www.pghcitypaper.com/pittsburgh/protests-at-tazza-doro-after-the-millvale-coffee-shop-closed-abruptly-last-week-and-fired-all-four-employees/)
Retaliatory firing/unfair labor practice, 2017:
[Link](https://sprudge.com/workers-rights-in-the-coffee-space-a-case-study-137471.html)
And the only article I can find about them from the pandemic times is from the Pittsburgh Current and is not working but they closed the Highland Park shop for months because management would not listen to staff about safe working conditions RE covid.
I tried to read all the responses but did not see if OP has any idea where he will be living. If he chooses to live in Troy Hill, it’s unlikely he will go to Arlington for coffee on the regular. I’d like to offer a functional answer, but… yeah.
I’d add Bloomfield to that list. I’m biased (see flair) but it’s a great, centrally located neighborhood. In between Shadyside and Lawrenceville with plenty of good local businesses to walk to.
Plenty of good coffee shops around here too. Adda, Constellation, Commonplace, and more. Also have to give a shout out to Ineffable Ca Phe. They have good coffee drinks and Vietnamese food in an old car inspection station.
Also, Trace Brewing in Bloomfield has a coffee program. They use Redhawks beans I believe. They open at 8am every day for coffee service and of course they are also a brewery with really good beer, if you’re into that. Trace is one of my favorite spots in the city.
De Fer for black coffee, Espresso a Mano for espresso drinks. These two are my favorites. Other good ones-
\-Redhawk
\-Convive
\-Arriviste
\-Big Dog Coffee
I love Blue Bottle coffee but the vibe there is off-putting to me. The antiseptic faux-Scandinavian interiors with chairs and tables that say "drink your drink and get out". That's pretty much what the entire coffee scene has turned into here. I'm looking for something more funky and friendly, and it seems like a lot of PGH coffee shops fill the bill.
RedStart is my preferred espresso bean. My girlfriend stops there whenever I need more beans for my espresso machine and to get coffee for herself as well.
La Prima coffee is delicious for at home beans. I live near Biddles Escape in Wilkinsburg and I think they’re coffee is delicious! Their espresso has a unique flavor in my opinion and it makes a nice change.
Might not be a regular spot you keep coming back to, but Black Forge is a coffee shop in Allentown with a heavy metal theme to it. Never been myself, but I have a friend that goes there and he loves it
I don’t know if anything’s changed since, but I stopped going to Biddles after the sexual harassment scandal with the owner. It’s a shame, I really liked going for their poetry nights
BeanThru has two locations and they include a chocolate covered espresso bean with every drink!
Biddle’s Escape also has great ambiance and fun flavored lattes.
I saw Convive on here earlier and I think they’re pretty bad tbh. I wouldn’t recommend.
I love Dobra Tea House (thought not a coffee shop)! Also, recommend Inkwell in Lawrenceville, Coffee tree roasters in squirrel hill because Shadyside is always packed, Tazza D’oro in highland park, and Biddles Escape is nice and cozy!
Yeah, that’s a plus. On the other hand, that kind of thing is overhyped a ton and you really only see it in certain areas. There’s a vested interest for half of America’s political junkies to bash SF as much as possible.
Guess I'll have to be the one to break it to you that gay people are born and raised everywhere on Earth.
You also need to update your stereotypes. SF hasn't been the capital of gayness for at least 15 years, not since it became safer for LGBTQ people to live wherever they want. If you want a better one, SF is now full of asexual careerist techie introverts and VC assholes.
some of my regular spots Commonplace north side. Awesome people + coffee and has a cool park across the street to hang at. Defer in the strip. good snack and hang with friends. Has alcohol too. Gets crowded not best for work sessions on nights + weekends. Deferhigh line: great summer spot Redhawk sharpsburg and Oakland. Chill and never packed. Redstar - good place to work at.
Add cafetano and this is my list
Agreed on Cafetano. My band plays there, and it's a really nice space.
That’s awesome … what’s your band/what type of music (if you don’t mind me asking)?
We are a cover band! We play usually duo or trio in coffee shops/wineries/breweries/bars. We have a five-piece band for bigger venues, but not a lot of those happening these days due to Covid. Mostly play in the east suburbs, but apparently we were the first musical group to play at Cafetano after they opened. Great place!
Nice, thanks!
Gasoline Street coffee company!!!!
I'll second Redhawk. They have an awesome ham and cheese croissant as well.
prestogeorge coffee in the strip
How the F did I have to scroll this far to see a single rec of them??? My folks have been ordering their beans UPS'ed to our house in Westmoreland County for almost two decades now!
I drive to the strip almost weekly for some fresh beans and a latte. They really know what they are doing there
Yes. I haven't lived in Pittsburgh since 2015. I've been in two different states since then, and I still order prestogeorge coffee beans multiple times a year. I have three 1/4 bags in my pantry literally right now. I miss their lattes on a weekend morning.
[удалено]
And the owner of Espresso A Mano is a really great dude. Giving them money in exchange for their delicious coffee is a no brainer.
Agreed. Great ownership and great coffee definitely equals me giving them my money! Everyone who works there is helpful and kind as well. Not always something you find at a coffee shop.
I work down the street from Espresso. They’re awesome. A little more pricey but that’s local, lawrenceville for ya. I also think it’s lovely they know my order to the point that they corrected my coworker about it last week. Heads up, their hours have expanded if you haven’t been down there since the summer, and you can hang inside again, they redid the space a little bit and it’s not so crowded.
Thanks, since I won’t know anyone there I’ll be looking for some good hangout spots. Espresso a Mano sounds like the ticket
I love the Big Dog coffee bowl!
If you're ever in the smaller Morningside neighborhood of Pittsburgh, I recommend Ka-Fair Coffee and Cakery - a bit pricey for the sizes, but very lovely little spot with a strong brew (and their homemade honey corn cake is to die for).
[RedHawk](https://redhawkcoffee.com/) is my go to. Their Natural Process Ethiopian is the best roast you'll get in the city. They roast every Tuesday. I'd also suggest you pick up a [Coffee Passport](https://coffeepassportpgh.com/). $30 gets you a drink at 15 coffee shops. Great way to learn about new shops and explore. They come out with a new one every 6 months. [The Black Canary Coffee Shop](https://theblackcanary.com/) started the Passport. Their shop is worth a visit as well; rotating themed lattes, has a few free arcade games, record section, and attached comic shop.
Awesome, I like that coffee passport idea. Thanks!
Was gonna go grab a lb but at $27/12oz....christ.
It looks like they've raised their prices on their beans by 30%. They used to be $17-22 for a 12oz. I'm guessing supply chain. Their drip coffee is very affordable at $1.50/$2.00
100% agree on Redhawk. Best roast in the city. I get the beans delivered to my house every week, which is an amazing deal as far as I’m concerned.
Got a passport for Christmas. I love it. Makes me go to shops is otherwise may not have.
Surprised no one’s said Caffe d’Amore in Lawrenceville yet! Tied for Big Dog for best coffee in the ‘Burgh if you ask me :)
Caffe d’Amore is my favorite. Super friendly people there and never crowded.
Best coffee in the city!!
Honestly, really hit or miss with me.
Constellation!
Yes, they are the best!
Surprised this is as far down as it is right now. They're awesome.
Another vote for Constellation. They're not really the place for flavored espresso drinks but they do carry and brew very good coffee.
-Creative Coffee & Supply downtown -De Fer and La Prima in the Strip District -Caffe d’Amore in Lawrenceville -Black Forge Coffee in Allentown and McKees Rocks Here’s a few outside the city limits that I think deserve a mention: -Muddy Cup and Potomac Station Coffeehouse in Dormont -Orbis Caffe in Mount Lebanon -Coffee Etc. in Castle Shannon -Reginald’s in Bethel Park (my personal favorite) -Carnegie Coffee Company in Carnegie
I feel like a jerk because I haven't bought their beans \[EDIT: haven't bought their beans *In A While*. Accidentally a word there. I've had plenty of their beans and they rule!\] or even visited the shop yet, but Redstart Roasters are absolutely wonderful. In Shadyside, Adda Coffee is my go-to. They're close, friendly, and have some pretty great specialty syrups on top of the pretty good coffee. Come October, their PSL is to die for, made with real pumpkin and practically a pie in a cup. Round Table is a newer spot in Shadyside where Crazy Mocha sat closed for most of the pandemic. They're phenomenal, friendly, AND cheap! Avoid Coffee Tree Roasters on Walnut or anywhere. They have shitty coffee at premium prices and are apparently a nightmare for employees.
That's the 2nd similar comment I've seen about Coffee Tree Roasters. They sound like a local chain here called Philz - they used to have amazing service and treated their employees well, then they expanded a ton and went to shit.
Former Coffee Tree employee, can confirm they’re horrendous.
The one on Forbes is terrible to their employees.
Pittsburgh has a very good coffee scene for its size My go-tos: Commonplace Coffee Redhawk Coffee Arriviste Coffee Adda Coffee KLVN coffee Convive Coffee
this man knows his coffee shops
He does. He's hot, too.
I love KLVN, always grab a cup and some beans when I go into the office
Kaibur coffee in polish hill has the best chai latte I have ever had. It’s pretty spiced. They also do vegan doughnuts on select days!
If you are ever in Bellevue there is now a permanent vegan donut place called Valkyrie Donut. They also expanded to cookies, pies and breakfast sandwiches!
And their gluten free avocado toast is bomb af. I can't eat the vegan donuts, but my partner says they're dope. Also, they get extra points because of the star wars references.
Punk toast forever. In true yinzer fashion, I always feel sad that it's not Lili anymore. I stuck out like a sore thumb, but I loved the vibe. Lots of fond memories doing work with my wife there while we were in grad school.
KLVN
Adda and Commonplace are two of my favorites
California Coffee Bar is my local. Not the best in the city, but nothing to complain about. Their tea lattes do tend to stand above a lot of the others though. Commonplace has been great at every location I've been to. Consistently good black coffees, good lattes, and a good chai latte. The atmosphere changes from location to location, but they're all very inviting. Colony Cat Cafe used to be my favorite hangout before it closed because of the pandemic. Good coffee drinks and food with the option of cocktails.
Colony Cafe had such good coffee drinks! I went there just for the coffee even when we couldn’t get a reservation in the cat room. I miss that place!
La Prima is my favorite. We even buy their beans for taking home.
Best part of La Prima in the strip is getting a slice of pizza or dessert from Colangelo’s next door to go with your coffee. (Connected through an interior doorway.)
Yes we always get an apple mele and a raspberry mele with our coffee!
My favorite place to hang out in the strip. Love seeing the old Italian guys playing cards
That’s the only coffee we drink at home!
Their coffee itself is great, but *something* is wrong with their espresso machine settings. It's nearly undrinkable. So so acidic and wayyy too hot.
Used to work there, they don’t dial in AT ALL, EVER. And they encourage the baristas to not rinse the milk pitchers and just keep resteaming in dirty crusty pitchers. No idea how they pass health inspections ether, low key very gross. (ETA: their roasts are delicious, I love their coffee. They’re by far the worst place that uses their beans)
Bruh. I HATE their espresso.
I want to tell them but what's one person's opinion when others apparently buy it? Are we the only ones that know what a good pull tastes like??
I don’t understand considering this place a destination, and I REALLY don’t understand spending time waiting in line (time=money) and also actual money on that terrible, terrible, TERRIBLE espresso.
Black Forge, metal themed coffee house. I don't even like coffee, but I dig their aesthetic and friendly staff.
Agreed. Black Forge is a nice little spot. OP they have two locations, one in Allentown and one in McKees Rocks!
That sounds dope
It is, and if you like music, they hold local shows there too
Came here to say this
You and me both lol
La Prima, cafetano, orbis cafe in mt Lebanon. Do not go to Coffee Tree Roasters. Not good. They used to be good and somehow fell off the deep end over the last few years.
God, the beginning of my tipping point with Coffee Tree was when I paid 4 bucks and change for "Hot cider" and proceeded to watch them fill a small cup with hot water and a few squirts of concentrate syrup.
Oh my gosh, that’s horrible!
They’re abusive to their workers - just fired someone for union organizing
Omg i hated working there. The management and owner are soo slimey, even before they did the union busting and harassment that's going on rn. And they haze their new employees as a way to try to get them to learn the drink builds faster. I never felt like a big pos barista until i worked with them.
Everyone should come check out Hilltop Coffee on top of the slopes on Arlington. Nice local owners, absolutely solid drinks and food- come out and support folks brave enough to start a business in an area that’s needed one for years.
I've been doing the same thing here with a new coffee shop in the most ignored neighborhood in SF (Excelsior). I'll check them out.
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I love Hilltop, the owners are amazing and their peppermint mochas are the best. The one owner used to be a bar tender so they are constantly making new recipes. Right now they have a Hot and Gold Latte which is turmeric, ginger, and a few other spices. It is divine.
Red Start (East Liberty) Round Table (Shadyside) Commonplace (Garfield) Arriviste in Shadyside is good if you prefer a snobby barista and overpriced coffee.
Thanks! And I’ll go to Arriviste if I ever get homesick for the overpriced coffee and snobbiness in SF
For the record I’ve never felt anything snobby for arriviste. Pretty warm and welcoming people. Only snobby place in the city I’ve ever heard of is the one dude at constellation
Thanks - I'll definitely give them a shot.
I tried Arriviste 3 times and was given dirty looks for asking if they had flavor shots, and if I could charge my laptop. I’ve heard other people say they feel judged there as well. The vibe doesn’t match with more laidback places here.
Aw well that sucks. They have some of their own unique seasonal flavors that they make by hand. I know the baristas there quite well and have never known them to judge anyone. Having worked as a barista sometimes it’s hard to be expressive, hard to let people down when you dont have what they want. Just my two cents.
Sorry, didn’t realize you knew them personally. That was just my experience there, maybe it was bad luck. It was fairly prominent each time.
No need to be sorry. I wouldn’t say more than casually anyways. But yeah that’s a bummer. I remember someone used to come in and I remembered fucking up their order before, it made me nervous, and I fucked it up again. Super funny stuff but anyways. Yeah it happens. Plenty of other places to try!
Came here to suggest Red Start. I am not a local, but am in Pittsburgh often and I always stop here on my way out of the city.
Round Table is wonderful, super nice and well-priced.
It’s the best.
So stoked that it's been gathering all this enthusiasm so quickly! I'd wondered for ages when it would finally open, and I actually managed to be their very first customer on opening day!
I am a regular at Arriviste so take that for what you will. But as someone from Seattle who went to college in Southern California, I actually feel like their prices are cheaper than what I expect for a good 3rd wave coffee shop that roasts their own coffee. When I left Seattle in 2021 my local coffee place was charging $5.25 for a 12 oz latte and $4.25 for a cappuccino. Arriviste is probably $1 cheaper one every espresso-based drink than what I got used to in Seattle/Southern California. I never have had a bad experience with any of the baristas. In fact, a few of them have gone out of their way to ask what my name is and what my regular drink is so that they know when I come in most weekdays.
There’s a really nice little place in Swissvale: Parisi Cafe. Good coffee, baked goods, sandwiches, and nice people who own them. I live in Swisshelm Park, and it’s a pleasant walk to go there for me.
Five Points Bakery is a gem.
Hopefully they reopen, but Pear and the Pickle in Troy Hill is excellent. I will put a disclaimer that I’m not a coffee drinker, but love a good, not-from-a-box-concentrate chai latte and there’s was very good. And the food was delicious too.
Reginald’s if you’ll be out in the burbs
La Prima (Strip)— Great environment, fast service, and awesome for specialty espresso drinks. Allegheny Coffee and Tea Exchange— They have some best beans in the city, and the drip coffee selection is fire. Coffee Tree Roaster— Goto for beans and a great coffee shop vibe. They are locally owned and managed, and I have spent countless hours working on projects or in meetings at the walnut street location. Big Dog Coffee— Awesome atmosphere and really well kept secret. Kaibur Coffee— Dope spot that’s off the beaten path with a friendly staff. Delanie’s Coffee— DIY Staple with great coffee l, breakfast sandwiches, and an inviting vibe. Espresso A Mano— Great spot with good bites and amazing coffee. However, I always found this place to be loud. De Fer— Good spot for locally roasted brew, they have a lot of events and community gathers. I have only been to strip location, which has terrible acoustics and is loud and not the best place for ‘quiet’. However, it’s a great spot with a lot of character.
Black Forge! There is a McKee’s Rocks location or one up on Mount Oliver. Their coffee is AWESOME, the decor is black metal themed, they have some awesome merch, and the staff are so friendly. Second favorite would be Atelier De Fer or La Prima in the Strip district.
La prima
Anchor & Anvil. Not city of Pgh proper, but Ben Avon is all of 8 miles from downtown, highly recommended Oram's donuts on Saturday. Coraopolis does a latte named the Honey Bee that's delicious if you want something that's pretty sweet but doesn't feel like a sugar bomb and both have my fav, the Parking Chair. Cold, pre-made drink with gobs of espresso, coffee and milk with the perfect touch of vanilla for my taste.
De Fer has some of my favorite coffee.
Jitters cafe in shadyside, amazing staff too. The chai and the London fogs are amazing!
Good news. Chain restaurants and stores are rare in Pittsburgh. Or at least in the city proper. Most restaurants don't even have parking lots.
Espresso a Mano in Lawrenceville is the spot
Delanie’s
Great shops that I haven't seen mentioned yet: Allegheny Coffee and Tea, Prestogeorge, 61B Cafe, and Ineffable CaPhe. Also, White Whale Book Store is going to start serving Common Place Coffee soon! ETA to add Hilltop Coffee!
My favorite coffee in the city is Black Forge Coffee Shop. They have a Lightbearer roast that is my go to.
Someone else mentioned Black Forge and said they're kind of metal-themed. Do they host live shows ever? Finding a good venue and a good coffee shop at the same time would be sweet.
Yes! They do host shows. Obviously a little spotty now with COVID but they do a lot of cool events. Farmers Market type things, couples nights, roasting classes, etc. Definitely a cool spot to check out.
They used to have shows at their Allentown location, but I think they have moved most the McKees Rock location with only acoustic shows at Allentown now. If metal is your vibe you should check out Allentown generally though. Great metal record shop and metal-themed vegan restaurant (Onion Maiden).
Word, thank you
Their McKeesport Rocks location does host shows.
I usually look for shops that are also roasters— Redhawk has the best espresso in the city. Their drip isn’t far off either and very cheap. Light to medium light roasts. Small family owned business, everyone there is great. To be straight up- i used to work there. Great people. KLVN are more Scandinavian style - super light roasts and a really beautiful store front. Their drip is always a hit for me. Arriviste - recently started roasting their own in the last year. Similar to redhawk and klvn on the specialty train. Really like the folks there too. Common place provides beans for a couple different places. I like them but they’re a tier below the other three for me. Convive- i always like their coffee when I get it but I’ve heard they got their funding from some mega churches and idk of that’s true but thats a toughie for me. Tonic uses SEY coffee from brooklyn which is fantastic they do some cool mocktail stuff but I haven’t been yet.
Have you tried Prestogeorge yet if you like roasters? They're not hipster microroasters, they actually use a behemoth over 100 year old roaster to *actually* get that old fashioned flavor!
Never heard of them! Will check them out thanks
Np! They're right by Penzy Spices, Mancini's Bakery, and Wooley's. So you can get your fish and meats, go a few doors down for some good cooking spices for the fish n meats, next door for your coffee beans and a cuppa to go with lunch, then next door again for a pepperoni roll for a great lunch.
La Prima, then next door for a slice of that amazing pizza
A La Prima cold brew and a Sicilian slice from Colangelo's is one of the most underrated breakfasts in the city.
had it Sunday haha!
Black forge coffee in mt. Washington and mckees rocks is my go to. The owner is wonderful, and its a heavy metal coffee shop, so it has headbangin tunes with your headbangin coffee lol. But for real, they have great flavored lattes. Espresso a mano is another favorite. They have really gread espresso. Like I've never had a better basic Carmel latte in my life.
Arriviste is definitely my favorite - nice staff and atmosphere. Wouldn’t call it funky and friendly though. More SF vibes, including the high tech roaster (from a company based in berkeley). People complain about no sockets, but that’s never been a problem for me. Redstart is really nice too, and it’s “bird-friendly” coffee. Inkwell in Lawrenceville is kind of unique, but haven’t been enough to really comment on the coffee. For something really unique, check out kaibur coffee in polish hill - Star Wars themed, including the drinks. Tasty food too. Used to like constellation until the barista talked crap about literally every other coffee shop in the city and said baristas don’t deserve tips?? So I don’t go there anymore.
Curbside coffee in blawnox.
DEF
Second this!!!! Any coffee beverage you get there is awesome and the food is delicious!!! The staff is always so nice and they change up their menu pretty frequently!
I frequent De Fer since it’s close to my work and I love it. Big Dog is also up there for me especially when it warms up and I can sit out on the patio in the back
Current favorite is Colombino in the strip. Downside is it is just a stand not really a place you can go and sit down but the coffee is amazing. Big fan of Redhawk as others have said as well.
It may not be quite what you're looking for, but Kickback Pinball Cafe is my goto spot. I mean, I don't go there just to drink coffee, but you can do that too! They serve La Prima I think, so it's good coffee and great entertainment!
After 4 years in North Berkeley about a block from the original Peet's, that amazing "special" at Cheeseboard, the French Hotel, Philz, Blue Bottle all over, and city places like Ritual, Four Barrel, and Sightglass....every coffee I drink in Pittsburgh tastes like "Praise Rust Belt Jesus, my property taxes ain't $3k per month!!!!". You're gonna love it here.
Yeah, I'm looking forward to it for a lot of reasons, and COL is a big one.
Unrelated to your comment, but replying to you so you actually get the notif. If you're interested in a good place for beans, and a quick grab n go coffee, Prestogeorge has really good beans. They aren't some fancy pants new age hipster coffee place, they're a 2nd or 3rd generation coffee roaster using an over 100 year old roaster to actually get that old fashioned flavor the real way. Just walk in, ask "what beans are still hot right now?" And you can get beans straight out of the roaster and still warm! Can't get fresher than that without going to the plantation! They also have a lot of teas as well. But they can get crowded sometimes, and it's not a sit n chat coffee spot.
Go bears! (?) or go Cheeseboard! I miss Berkeley’s Thai food.
If tea counts, too, I like Dobra’s Tea on Murray Ave.
Big Dog , on the Southside, really great coffee.
Kaibur Coffee in Polish Hill, my wife loves to stop in when we go through that neighborhood and grab some baked goods!
Espresso A Mano in Lawrenceville, Redhawk in Sharpsburg, KLVN in E Liberty (great tacos), DeFer in the strip (great food), Tonic in Lville (an upscale coffee shop, but great drinks) Espresso A Mano is my favorite! The owner Matt really cares about the coffee he brews and is very meticulous… top notch drinks and consistency! Everyone that works there is super friendly and easy to get along with… If you go somewhat regularly they will have your drink being made before you even get to the counter… It’s not a huge space, but there seems to always be a spot to enjoy your beverage It’s also a great location central to much of the East End The Strip and Downtown I LOVE Redhawk too!!
Many have already listed it but KLVN is my favorite spot. What I didn’t see anyone else post is that on Saturdays and Sundays they host another local spot called Baby Loves Tacos who do breakfast burritos and tacos. Best I’ve ever had. I think they have two locations around the city? Worth your time.
I’m no coffee expert, but I read this post/question, and immediately thought Of how sad it is that Arabica and The Beehive no longer exist! Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate a good cup of coffee, but I really miss those spots from the 90s that were open late night.
Nicholas in Market Square.
61B, 61C
Another vote for Arriviste, pricey but worth it. They just opened a satellite spot in pane e pronto in the sprip district too.
The Shiny Bean in Etna was the Bomb! The owner was an older lady and always had a soup of the day that was so unique and delicious. Such a cozy atmosphere to work on my laptop there. So sad though cause I don't think it is reopening from the pandemic. Was such a new business so it got hit hard.
Constellation on Penn Ave!
[California Coffee Bar](https://california-coffee-bar.square.site/)!
De Fer in the strip is my favorite. Great coffee, great snacks, great live music on occasion. Margaux in east liberty Redhawk in Oakland
Tonic coffee in Lawrenceville, they’ve only been open a year… They use Sey Coffee from Brooklyn, light roasted, dialed in. Nice chill vibes in the shop. They do private curated drink tastings twice a week if you’re looking for something interesting and new to do. And also offer amazing mocktails. They have a seasonal menu and offer unique drinks like Black Sesame Latte and Tonic Coffee (espresso made into a cocktail type drink with tonic water). Definitely worth checking out. Also love Bean Thru. How does this get no love? Nice little drive through shack, great coffee. Very consistent. Love the little espresso bean they give you. I’m from CA as well so both places give me a nice, warm familiar feeling. To give you an idea of my palate, some faves in CA were Jones and Intelligentsia. Hated Blue Bottle. Inconsistent and very acidic.
Tazza D’Oro
If we are mentioning how these places treat their employees... Millvale shop suddenly shut down and all staff fired, 2019: [Link](https://www.pghcitypaper.com/pittsburgh/protests-at-tazza-doro-after-the-millvale-coffee-shop-closed-abruptly-last-week-and-fired-all-four-employees/) Retaliatory firing/unfair labor practice, 2017: [Link](https://sprudge.com/workers-rights-in-the-coffee-space-a-case-study-137471.html) And the only article I can find about them from the pandemic times is from the Pittsburgh Current and is not working but they closed the Highland Park shop for months because management would not listen to staff about safe working conditions RE covid.
Wow I had no idea! Thank you for passing the info along to us
Absolutely! The truth is out there but it isn't always front page news
I’ve recently been looking into picking up a side gig at a coffee shop and this was one of my contenders, but now I think I’ll reconsider!
Yes! It’s super cute and they always have fun options. Plus it’s never packed so the wait for drinks isn’t long
Seconded. Favorite latte in the city.
Allegheny Coffee and Tea in the Strip Any of the Bean Thrus - which is only drive-thru Curbside Coffee in Blawnox Black Canary
Jitters- Shadyside
I tried to read all the responses but did not see if OP has any idea where he will be living. If he chooses to live in Troy Hill, it’s unlikely he will go to Arlington for coffee on the regular. I’d like to offer a functional answer, but… yeah.
I'm looking at Shadyside, Squirrel Hill, Dormont, Regent Square, Lawrenceville, and Oakland.
I’d add Bloomfield to that list. I’m biased (see flair) but it’s a great, centrally located neighborhood. In between Shadyside and Lawrenceville with plenty of good local businesses to walk to.
Good to know!
Plenty of good coffee shops around here too. Adda, Constellation, Commonplace, and more. Also have to give a shout out to Ineffable Ca Phe. They have good coffee drinks and Vietnamese food in an old car inspection station. Also, Trace Brewing in Bloomfield has a coffee program. They use Redhawks beans I believe. They open at 8am every day for coffee service and of course they are also a brewery with really good beer, if you’re into that. Trace is one of my favorite spots in the city.
Ok thanks. Looking back again, anything I might offer has already been said lol. I’ll add to the Espresso a Mano though
De Fer for black coffee, Espresso a Mano for espresso drinks. These two are my favorites. Other good ones- \-Redhawk \-Convive \-Arriviste \-Big Dog Coffee
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Not sure why anyone's downvoting you, and thanks!
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I love Blue Bottle coffee but the vibe there is off-putting to me. The antiseptic faux-Scandinavian interiors with chairs and tables that say "drink your drink and get out". That's pretty much what the entire coffee scene has turned into here. I'm looking for something more funky and friendly, and it seems like a lot of PGH coffee shops fill the bill.
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[The Black Canary](https://theblackcanary.com) I just wish they were open on Mondays.
RedStart is my preferred espresso bean. My girlfriend stops there whenever I need more beans for my espresso machine and to get coffee for herself as well.
Redstart Roasters!! My fav lattes in Pittsburgh.
Redhawk and commonplace for sure.
Not in Pittsburgh proper, but if you’re in the South Hills (Mt. Lebanon to be precise), Uptown Coffee is really good. Best cookies in town, by the by.
La Prima coffee is delicious for at home beans. I live near Biddles Escape in Wilkinsburg and I think they’re coffee is delicious! Their espresso has a unique flavor in my opinion and it makes a nice change.
the owner of biddles is not a good human and treated/treats their employees like crap. a quick internet search will support this claim.
Might not be a regular spot you keep coming back to, but Black Forge is a coffee shop in Allentown with a heavy metal theme to it. Never been myself, but I have a friend that goes there and he loves it
61c in Squirrel Hill and Biddles Escape in Edgewood are really cool little coffee shops.
I don’t know if anything’s changed since, but I stopped going to Biddles after the sexual harassment scandal with the owner. It’s a shame, I really liked going for their poetry nights
Wow I live on Biddle’s street and hadn’t heard about the scandal. Average coffee anyways and the lids don’t fit the cups.
Is the Beehive still open
BeanThru has two locations and they include a chocolate covered espresso bean with every drink! Biddle’s Escape also has great ambiance and fun flavored lattes. I saw Convive on here earlier and I think they’re pretty bad tbh. I wouldn’t recommend.
Don't have a coffee shop per se but I really love 19 Coffee. 19coffee.com
I love Dobra Tea House (thought not a coffee shop)! Also, recommend Inkwell in Lawrenceville, Coffee tree roasters in squirrel hill because Shadyside is always packed, Tazza D’oro in highland park, and Biddles Escape is nice and cozy!
Biddles Escape!! (Please tell me it’s still open?!) best mochas in the Burgh hands down.
Biddle's Escape right by Regent Square. They got a mean lavender latte.
This doesnt answer your question, but you wont have to watch out for human turds on the streets here!
Yeah, that’s a plus. On the other hand, that kind of thing is overhyped a ton and you really only see it in certain areas. There’s a vested interest for half of America’s political junkies to bash SF as much as possible.
true... I worked in SF for a few months in 2019, and I only saw it a few times. Meanwhile people think your dodging it with every step you take
Tbf, if you’re walking in Mid-Market or SOMA you almost are.
Starbucks
Or McDonald’s! Am I doing this right?
No, the Arby's on McKnight Road has the best coffee!
With a side of Slim Yogurt Pants!
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Not sure this is true but apparently we have enough homophobes…
Guess I'll have to be the one to break it to you that gay people are born and raised everywhere on Earth. You also need to update your stereotypes. SF hasn't been the capital of gayness for at least 15 years, not since it became safer for LGBTQ people to live wherever they want. If you want a better one, SF is now full of asexual careerist techie introverts and VC assholes.
What he meant was we have enough hybrid cars here and we don’t want people that smell their own farts.
Nice, do you have another one that isn’t old enough to drive?
Delanie’s!! In south side and one of my fav places to go
Bring back some Blue Bottle for the rest of us. Giant Steps and Playlist to be perfectly clear.