15 Places to get Caffeinated in Pittsburgh

New, local coffee shops are popping up all over the Burgh, giving us plenty of options to get cozy, meet new neighbors and support local businesses.

There are few things better than spending a morning at a cozy coffee shop in Pittsburgh. It’s easy to lose track of time admiring latte art, enjoying the company of those around you or feeling completely inspired by local artwork and calming tunes that fill many coffee shops.

With cozy coffee shops in every neighborhood, it's no surprise Wallethub.com ranked Pittsburgh as the 10th Best Coffee Cities in America. Here are a few of our favorite go-to spots:

1. De Fer Coffee & Tea

It’s not always easy to find a comfortable coffee shop, that’s also fun and vibrant at the same time. De Fer Coffee and Tea in the Strip is one of those places. The space is filled with inspiring artwork and exposed brick that provides a warm and charming atmosphere.

De Fer is a true gathering spot for the larger community playing host to local events like Latte Art contests, trivia nights and more. And if you do find yourself spending time here into the evening hours, you’re in luck as they also serve up craft cocktails, beer, and wine.

Locations: Strip District, Highline, Riviera, Market Square, Troy Hill, CMU Campus

2. Coffee Tree Roasters

Coffee Tree Roasters is a local family-owned shop with multiple locations throughout the city. My husband and I visited their location in Mt. Lebanon on Beverly Road and absolutely fell in love with the place. The cozy yet open space and friendly faces make this a welcoming spot to curl up with a good book or work.

You can find Coffee Tree Roasters products served throughout the city of Pittsburgh and beyond, and sip each refreshing cup knowing their single farm-sourced beans and workforce development programs keep the coffee community thriving in Pittsburgh.

Locations: Shadyside, Mt. Lebanon, Pleasant Hills, Fox Chapel plus proudly served at many more.

3. Allegheny Coffee & Tea Exchange

One of the best spots in the Burgh for gourmet coffee and tea you’ll find in the Strip District, at Allegheny Coffee & Tea Exchange. If you’re looking to get lost in seemingly never-ending selections of coffee beans, this is your spot. This is one of my favorite places in the city, a love affair that started due to the cold brew growlers to-go that I love to swap out and try new flavors.

Walking into this shop will make you realize why I’m not the only one who considers it to be such a special place and one that will keep you coming back time and time again. The variety of fresh beans is a treat to the senses and spurs endless possibilities for you to make your own caffeine fixes at home, or try one made fresh on-site!

Location: 2005 Penn Ave, Strip District

4. Convive Coffee Roastery

Convive Coffee Roastery offers freshly roasted coffee from around the world, here in McCandless Crossing. It’s clean, modern, and warm decor feels like a giant hug as soon as you walk into the door.

And if you’re looking for something else to put a smile on your face, check out their Pay it Forward board, where you’ll find inspiring gifts of those paying it forward with a cup of coffee, to all different kinds of people. The board is just one of the many elements that make Convive an inviting and favorited community space for locals and visitors alike.

Locations: McCandless, Lawrenceville, North Shore, Mars, and via the Vintage French Coffee Truck

5. Commonplace Coffee

Like many of us coffee shop lovers out there, I’m a sucker for exposed brick and bulletin walls that showcase local creativity. Commonplace prides itself as seeing coffee as a way to build community, and when you walk into one of their multiple locations throughout the city, you feel just that.

Creative juices are flowing (literally and figuratively) as soon as you walk through the door. And if you find yourself snowed in or unable to make it to the coffee shop, you can sign up for a subscription service that sends well-sourced, carefully roasted directly to you.

Locations: Garfield, Mexican War Streets, Rockwell Park, Southside Words, Squirrel Hill

6. Georgie's Corner Cafe

With the delicious aromas of scratch-made pastries and locally roasted coffee pouring out into the street, Georgie's Corner Café entices everyone who walks by to stop in and stay a while.

This is a perfect coffee stop not only for the food and community ambiance inside, but also because of the great outdoor seating and beautiful Shadyside neighborhood it's situated in. Get to this spot early for the freshest pastries and to find a table; it tends to fill up quickly!

Location: Shadyside

7. Curbside Coffee

Curbside Coffee was once described to me by a friend as “the happy coffee shop” and as soon as I stepped inside, I immediately saw why. With self-described ‘thoughtful and fun prepared foods and drinks’, you can feel the extra touch of love all through this place.

Walk in on a weekend and you’ll be sure to find locals gathering for morning smoothies and coffee dates, and returning patrons who like me, cannot get enough of this little slice of happiness in Blawnox.

Location: Blawnox

8. La Prima Espresso

I once heard La Prima Espresso described as “the most Italian cafe you can get in Pittsburgh” and after spending some time in Italy, I wanted to put it to the test. Let me tell you, they weren’t kidding. I would agree La Prima is about as authentic as it comes and just as delicious to boot.

One of my favorite aspects of this place is the people watching – you’ll find people from all backgrounds and walks of life gather here and strike up a conversation. It epitomizes everything we love about the sense of community in the Steel City, in a coffee shop.

Locations: Strip District, Downtown, CMU campus

9. Nicolas Coffee & Tea House

If you want to explore the rich history of Pittsburgh's coffee scene, head to Nicholas Coffee in Market Square where they've been roasting since 1919. Generations of Pittsburghers have been enjoying their whole bean coffee, and their beans can be found here and throughout other coffee shops and restaurants in the city.

The shop itself is unique for having an authentic and historic feel that you wont find anywhere else in the city. Beans are scooped from bright red containers as busy workers buzz in and out for their caffeine fix. There's not much room to hang out inside, but the people watching from Market Square just outside can't be topped.

Location: Market Square

10. Espresso A Mano

It sometimes feels like Lawrenceville now has more coffee shops than I can count, but Espresso a Mano always rises to the top as a tried and true fan-favorite for many years and doesn’t show any signs of slowing down. Some of the most impressive latte art can be found here with their selection of fine espresso beverages and specialty coffee. One thing I will add is if you’re planning on camping up at a table for a period of time, make sure to arrive early to try to grab a seat! This is a popular place that sometimes fills up quickly, especially on the weekends.

Locations: Squirrel Hill, Dormont, Lawrenceville

11. Redhawk Coffee

Redhawk has grown a name for itself with college students from its Oakland location, and even earlier as a coffee-truck that served its beverages on the go. Patrons brag about it being home to the best mocha in the city, that’s sourced with locally made chocolate milk.

Redhawk has been picking up even more steam (pun intended 😉) with their variety of classes for home baristas and professionals including Barista Basics, Intro to Roasting, Milk Science and Latte Art and more!

Locations: Sharpsburg, Oakland, CMU campus

12. Rock ’n’ Joe

If you’re downtown and looking for a friendly neighborhood coffee shop to grab your morning joe, check out Rock’n’Joe on Penn Ave. Being located in the heart of downtown, weekday mornings are often busy here with the hustle and bustle of commuters getting ready to start their day.

But after the morning rush and on weekends, this shop is as quiet and cozy as they come. Greeted by friendly faces, you’ll feel right at home when you walk in, or head to the upstairs level to enjoy a book by yourself or catch-up with friends in their seating area.

Location: Downtown

13. Gasoline Street Coffee Company

A friend recently recommended Gasoline Street Coffee Company to me and my only complaint is that I wish it came into my life sooner - I’m hooked! Gasoline Street offers a twist on your standard coffee shop with their automotive theme and vibes, including options like “Alternative Fuel” on their menus.

This place offers a fun and vibrant spot to enjoy a cup of coffee, and more. Outside of their delicious coffee, they also offer tasty smoothies and breakfast sandwiches.

Location: Downtown

14. Press House Coffee

Quality is the name of the game at Press House. This beautiful café is always in search of the perfect cup, and they oversee every step of the process from hand-sourcing their single origin crops and roasting down to the shape of the bag they sell it in.

Start with their signature blend sampler to get a true sense of how Press House is roasting some of the most flavorful and unique coffees in the Burgh. But also, stick around their cafe! There's always inventive new drink specials and special events at this bright, welcoming spot.

Location: Sewickley

15. Kickback Pinball Cafe

When you hear “cozy," pinball might not be the first thing to come to mind, but then again, “pinball” also probably doesn’t come to mind when you normally think of coffee shops either. But in Lawrenceville, Kickback Pinball Cafe creates the perfect inviting, fun, and enjoyable atmosphere you’ll probably want to hang out all day long during the cold and dreary days of winter. And when I say all-day long, after you enjoy some coffee, you can stay for the pinball and enjoy everything from shakes, melts, and more!

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Kim R.

Author

Kim R.

Blog Author

Kim is a Pittsburgh native with a serious travel bug who loves music, running, and exploring all the Burgh has to offer. Follow her adventures across the country and around the globe on Twitter and Instagram at @fromtheroadimon or check out her website!

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