I drink every type of coffee....fast food, corner coffee shop, Cafe, and national chains.....I have never had a cup of coffee so undrinkable in my life!! First, I order a medium and it comes in a 10-12 ounce cup....thats a small in my book, but whatever. I had to resort to cream and sugar in an attempt to squelch the obnoxious bitter flavor!! I would say I drank a total 2.5 ounces then threw it in the garage. That said, the gentleman who waited on me was prompt and gracious, the atmosphere was pleasant enough....but ill never go back. read more

Came here for the first time on Friday and got the vanilla latte. Super yummy and this is their size Medium. Found parking easily across the street. Will definitely be back! read more

Commonplace Coffee - Vanilla Latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Commonplace Coffee has an earned reputation for being the hippest coffee shop in Squirrel Hill. If you're already in the neighborhood this is a great place to come for a top notch cup of coffee, pull of espresso, or quality latte art. Many Pittsburgh businesses happily use the Commonplace beans for their house coffee, and the minimalist logo can be seen on hats, totes and hydroflasks all around the city. As a result of this local fame, the Squirrel Hill location is almost always thick with coffee connoisseurs. If you can find a seat on the weekend this is an excellent place to catch up with friends, do some reading, or bust out some homework. It is also a great place to run into a familiar face or two. Squirrel Hill is a very tight knit community and this is definitely the preferred daytime watering hole for most of us (rivaling Coffee Tree Roasters across the street). Be warned, the word is out on Commonplace. I mentioned above that this shop has an earned reputation, and for this reason it is a very high traffic venue. For this reason the furniture layout was recently reworked to accomodate more customers. The change was definitely a blessing for the Commonplace groupies, but on a cold Saturday afternoon the extra seating is still sucked up like a shallow puddle into a parched sponge. The weekend saturation is a blessing and a curse. Obviously it means that the business is rightfully thriving due to its competitive standards. This benefits the business owner, and the killer baristas who earn their tips with skill and flare. On the flip side, the business has become so popular that it can't always accomodate the fans that enjoy drinking coffee while cooling their heels among post industrial vibes and quiet indie tunes. This exclusivity only drives the hip factor higher, and tends to stretch the line at the register longer. I write this review with guilty bitterness. I am a long time patron that is slowly finding that one of my favorite coffee shops might not be as dependable as I remember. BUT at the end of the day I'm more than willing to sit outside in the cold to enjoy it. read more

Commonplace Coffee - A rarely slow sunny Sunday! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

See all

This is my favorite coffee shop! You cannot go wrong with this quality, even the drip coffee is amazing. My favorite espresso drink is the cortado! If you are looking to get fresh roasted coffee, this is also your place! If you buy a pound, they will give you a free cup of drip coffee! Definitely worth trying if you are in the area! read more

Commonplace Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

This is my go-to place for *lattes* and ~vibes~. I used to go 2 times a week to study. I love taking friends here for the first time. They offer free WiFi that has few connectivity issues. My favorite lattes are the raspberry & vanilla+lavender. The chocolate cookies are thick, not too crunchy or soft, and strike a fine balance between sweet and hints of the sea salt on top. The only downfall is that space is limited! It's popular... I've been lucky every time I've been so far. I recommend going either by yourself or with 1-2 others. read more

Commonplace Coffee - Coffee and cookie - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

I'm here every day. Coffee is not just a great pick-me-up, it's an art form from roasting to extraction. Coffee shops aren't just about consumption, they're about community. I'm pretty new to Pittsburgh and I work from home, so stopping in everyday is a nice break. I'm always chatting it up with the amazing baristas. They are all so friendly and unique. I sometimes get creative and ask for random stuff. They're happy to oblige. If you want great coffee from a pretty great place, stop by, and please don't forget to leave a tip. read more

The coffee here is really good! The service also! Izzie was the Barista. Top notch! They make all their flavors homemade, in-house. The baked goods are yummy too! They are made on a farm in Indiana, Pa. also by Commonplace. Very comfy, down to earth environment. You will love it! read more

Decent latte, I realty appreciate the area, great place to live. Barista couldn't have been grumpier, absolutely PAINED at having to make 2 coffees. read more

See all

if there is one thing you need to do in Pittsburgh, it's to go get a iced chai latte with oat milk. This is the best chai I've ever had, forget about Starbucks. The staff was so sweet and helpful. The wait is never long despite the place usually being busy, they also have a nice selection of treats. The matcha is also very good, but not sweet enough personally but it's very good quality matcha read more

The drinks are quite small for the price and when I arrive later in the morning, there wasn't much selection of foods/snacks to choose from. However, the quality is spot on and it's a cozy area to relax in for a few hours and get a bit of work done. That is, if you can find a spot! read more

In a city where coffee places are a dime a dozen, only a couple really stand out... and Commonplace Coffee in Squirrel Hill is one of them. My only wish is that the spot was a little bit bigger. Still, it's got good vibes. The coffee is good and I love all the options for my dairy-free and vegan friends. The staff is friendly and super cool (and they don't mind explaining things when I have questions.) I recommend the Breakfast Burrito and the Vanilla Latte. read more

Vegan tax for plant-based milks, so-so coffee and no vegan pastries. Yawn, yet another not-that-great coffee joint. Move along. read more

This coffee shop has well-brewed coffee with really interesting flavored syrups like ginger and lavender for lattes. However, tables near outlets (and free tables in general) can be hard to find and the lighting is really dim, so I would suggest this as a good place for a coffee date but not a study spot. A small latte with syrup is $4, which is not a crazy price for the area. read more

Commonplace Coffee - Ginger Latte, $4, sharp and sweet. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Great tasting, inexpensive coffee. If you're in the Squirrel Hill area trying to get coffee that isn't from a Starbucks or Dunkin' Donuts, I'd encourage you to stop by. I've had their vanilla latte and haven't been disappointed as it has just the right amount of sweetness. However, if you're into black coffee, Commonplace's coffee hasn't been too acidic for me. The day I went, the house coffee was their Kunjin Papua New Guinea beans and I was pleasantly surprised that it was so smooth. I would say to get the coffee for here instead of to go, because as you can probably see from the photos on here, they look good and hopefully you will find out they taste good too! The atmosphere is pretty quiet, making it a good study spot, but there isn't an abundance of seating and all tables were occupied when I visited (around 1PM, a Tuesday). With it being lowkey, it isn't necessarily the most ideal place to have a conversation, unless maybe you are in their outside seating (which consisted of 3 small tables for 2 people each). read more

Commonplace Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

See all

Good coffee, super friendly staff.

I've been here a couple times and I've really enjoyed it. I've had their honey & cinnamon latte and an iced lavender vanilla latte. They were both really good! This location is right in squirrel hill, near the corner of Forbes and Murray so it's very easy to get to. The inside has dim lighting and a good amount of tables and chairs if you're looking to sit and get work done. I would definitely recommend this place! read more

I came here with CM last Tues. at around 7:30pm. We were looking for a place to share some coffee, conversation, and card games, and Commonplace fit the description. Also, the location and hours were conducive for us, given that they're located in a heavily trafficked area and are open until 9pm. For drinks, based on the recommendations of other Yelpers, I started off by ordering the lavender vanilla latte, and CM ordered a chai latte. Although the drink had a nice flavor, it was a bit bitter for my taste--but then again, I'm quite sensitive to bitterness. CM's drink was more to my taste, but didn't taste quite as well spiced as one I had at Espresso a Mano in Lawrenceville. For my second drink, I ordered a mint hot chocolate. This drink was very well-balanced--not too sweet, with just a dash of mint flavor. If you prefer your hot chocolate to be more subtly flavored, I highly recommend it! For snacks, I was excited to see that they are currently carrying pastries from nearby Five Points Artisan Bakery, which I've been meaning to check out. I first ordered the chocolate scone, which, unlike many scones I've tried, was satisfyingly large and moist. Additionally, it had just the right amount of sweetness--not too much, but not too little either--with the sugar crystals on top adding a nice crunch. Because I enjoyed this pastry so much, I got one a chocolate chip cookie. The cookie was fabulous--it had more chocolate than any other similar cookie I've tried recently, and just the right balance of crispness and chewiness. Both pastries complemented the drinks that they accompanied well, esp. when dunked in them. As others have mentioned, the baristas are friendly, and the space is quite small. The small space wasn't a problem at the time of our visit, however. The noise level was about average for a coffee shop--not so quiet that we felt that we had to lower our voices, but not so loud as to be annoying. As for many indie coffeeshops, I only wish they stayed open an hour or two later, so that we could have stayed longer. At any rate, I agree that this is the best coffeeshop in Squirrel Hill, and one of the best I've been to in PGH. 4.5 stars. read more

See all

Commonplace Coffee is one of my favorite places in Squirrel Hill. I have always had very friendly service, and they accept credit so what's not to love? My favorite drink here is the peppermint hot chocolate. It's wonderfully minty, and it's the perfect combination. I also like the vanilla lattes and peppermint tea. The only thing I have not been impressed with was the vanilla-lavender latte. Quite frankly, it tasted like soap. Super gross. The latte art is nice, and the big mugs are perfect on a cold winter day! I love sitting in here chatting with someone. It's not "cozy," but I like the atmosphere. Also, the prices are totally reasonable. The only complaint I have is the seating situation. Seating is small, but all of the Wifi hogs love to show up and take up a four person table alone. And then they proceed to expand across the whole table. When you can't sit inside because of some loser who ordered a small coffee and finished it hours prior, it's annoying. Go home. No one wants you here. It would be really great if they would make those people sit at the small tables or make them leave when it gets crowded. This is a place of business. read more

Commonplace Coffee - Vanilla Lavender Latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

I come here often because it's a short bus ride away from Pitt campus. Love the atmosphere (though it tends to get super busy in the afternoon) and I'm hooked on the Vanilla Latte! Friendly service. Highly recommend! Plus, free wifi! read more

Commonplace Coffee - Vanilla Latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

I'm the kind of guy who needs some sort of coffee or espresso drink every few days (more often when on night shifts). As a result, I've visited numerous coffee houses in my life. So, I like to believe I've acquired a finer taste for coffee and espresso. Believe me, I'm not a pompous and patronizing coffee connoisseur; rather, I can tell when a drink is too weak, bold, burnt, or just off. In Pittsburgh, I have to tip my imaginary hat (hat hair is one of my major annoyances, so I rarely wear one) off to Commonplace Coffee and their baristas. This venue is different from the chain coffeehouses that have extensive menus that include frappuccinos and milkshakes. Commonplace Coffee serves only two types of beverages: coffee and espresso. By focusing on just these drinks, Commonplace Coffee is able to excel in their knowledge, quality, and taste. Each time I asked a question about their espresso beans or their drinks, the baristas were able to expound the quality and subtle differences of their beans, and the description and method of creating their drinks. After I received my drink, I sat down in one of several tables inside, the size of each ranging from square 2-seaters to a long, rectangular 8-to-10-seater (there were also three small square tables outside). I sipped my drink and my body would simultaneously be excited and at ease because the drink tasted so good. I've experienced the same reaction to almost every drink that I tried. You cannot go wrong with the coffee and espresso drinks here. If you're not in the mood for coffee or espresso, they sell a few baked goods and refrigerated beverages, which I haven't tried but look intriguing. I deducted one star in my review because despite their stellar drinks, their Wi-Fi is subpar. My connecting to it is a hit or miss. Because of this, make sure you have a backup plan in case you fail to connect, such as a tablet that has a data plan, or even (*gasp*) an actual book. read more

5 stars for the cool barista lady! And the excellent pour over, perfect extraction and blend! Plenty space inside and free WiFi, good for work and chat read more

Commonplace Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Cute little coffee shop. It was a cold day and we needed something warm to drink after a long run. My latte was good as was everything my friend ordered. We got there just before a big rush and able to get seats. A good choice. read more

Commonplace Coffee - Large latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Best damn coffee I've ever had. They made me a double espresso macchiato that was beyond amazing. read more

Commonplace Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

I like being alone for the most part... I can be my best company and sometimes my worst... so i'm not a fan of coffee in general...i was never a coffee drinker and i will probably never be one... how ironic is it for me to dislike coffee and go chill out at a coffee shop for three hours... i decide to order a cinnamon latte...just because i was craving something cinnamon...it was sooo bitter...i can barely taste the cinnamon... To me...the ambiance and "groove" of a coffeehouse is the most important of all! Anyone can make a cup of coffee at home...so the coffeehouse is all about the "experience" in addition to the actual beverage! the ambiance here deserves a four stars... the service and the drinks three... they don't serve anything else but coffee... i don't like how they limit my options when it comes to beverages...this is one of the many reasons i go to Starbucks... read more

Commonplace Coffee - I can do no wrong today! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

I feel very peer pressured into giving Commonplace 4 or 5 stars, and it might deserve it just by being one of relatively few places around town that is more serious about their coffee... their coffee is pourover brewed by the cup, and my personal preference usually elevates what's great yet makes me very picky about small imperfections at the same time. So basically I wasn't a huge fan of their coffees.. It's rare to see such variety (5 or 6 different beans) to select from to be made on the spot, and it's all fresh, definitely much better than your average chain. But I'm just not a fan. Everything I've tried on my several trips there are too acidic, to the point I almost questioned if it was meant to taste like that, even if I specifically asked for beans that were more mellow. Plus, the options are 8oz or 12oz, whereas many other quality shops offer 12 and 16 oz for the same prices. It's all a bit expensive, but this is extra expensive. Plus the interior is a big cramped, smaller tables, some seats are a bit uncomfortable. I could study here, but it would not be too productive. Brightly lit though. And friendly staff. So I think 3.5 stars, but I'll round up and not down to compensate for a lot of personal preference differences. And I'd say it's worth checking out if in need of caffeine while in the general area, but I wouldn't rave about it too much. read more

Have been here twice, maybe six months apart, and both times, the customer service was horrible. Very grumpy, miserable looking, and unfriendly employees. The coffee was meh. I never expect service workers to be 100% happy; they have tough jobs! But this place gave me "crabby yuppie" vibes both times. Kind of nasty and snobby. There are a million other cafes in Pittsburgh with friendly staff and better coffee. Will not return. read more

I have a separate budget every month for commonplace. I've had so many wonderful experiences there, so many wonderful tastes. The staff- incredible people. Down to earth af. My only regret is that they've started to serve espresso to go. read more

Commonplace Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Squirrel Hill is a neighborhood replete with coffee shops. From the quirky, cash-only 61C Café to the ubiquitous Starbucks near the end of Forbes, a discerning caffeine addict certainly has no shortage of choices. The Commonplace Coffeehouse is the standout best among tough competition. There are a number of micro-roasteries in Pittsburgh that serve a variety of local coffee shops, but Commonplace runs their own roastery in an East End warehouse they share with the delightful East End Brewing Co. They control the coffee process from roasting to brewing, and the care and experience is clear in the quality of their espresso and coffee. Prices run cheap for such a high-quality coffee, with no espresso drink topping $4 on the simple menu. You won't find gimmicky, sickly-sweet concoctions on the menu, although their handmade syrups are exceptional and highly-recommended. Rather, their selections are authentic and thorough. If you're not well-versed in the variety of espresso and coffee drinks available, or if you're just used to Starbucks' idiosyncratic beverage offerings, the knowledgeable, friendly staff are always willing to explain the subtle nuances of each drink (provided there aren't too many people in line behind you). The décor is minimal, with fine wooden tables and bars evoking an Italianate feel. There is a surprising amount of seating in the relatively small space, and it manages this without any sort of a cramped or claustrophobic feeling. It's not too loud, even when busy, so it's a good place to get work done on your laptop or to have a seat and chat with a friend. There are plenty of outlets, although you may need to hunt around a bit. The menu and art are all exceptional, with the hand-lettered sign and coffee-themed wall art complementing the rest of the store design well. All in all, Commonplace Coffee gets back to basics, and does it exceptionally well. An eclectic place with a cool, mildly hipster vibe, that boasts amazing coffee and knowledgeable baristas. read more

See all

While I can't say that there is anything distinctly wrong, there seems to be a lot of things that just aren't right. Loud and tightly packed with dim lighting, you're really banking on the coffee for this to be "the place" to study/hang out. Only... you'll be underwhelmed. At $4 for a basic medium (more like small) iced latte, the experience starts to get a bit underwhelming. But the coffee is amazing right? Well... maybe I simply don't have a refined enough palette to understand the taste, but if you ask me is seems about on par with your run of the mill Dunkin Donuts drink. Not worth the cost. Save some money and go to the DD or Starbucks down the block, or find the proper vibes in the bookstore next door. read more

Everyone knows Commonplace and it's clear why. Great place to get caffeinated and do some work, or even take it to go! The staff is super helpful and clearly cares about their drinks. read more

A nice place to grab some coffee and do work or catch up with friends in Squirrel Hill. I have gotten the honey and cinnamon latte and didn't really taste the honey or cinnamon. I am a fan of the vanilla latte as it had a nice sweetness to it. Their coffee is on the stronger side. There is a decent amount of seating. The baristas are always great as everytime I have gone, I have gotten quality latte art. They also have small snacks to purchase. read more

Commonplace Coffee - chai latte on top and honey cinnamon latte on bottom - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

See all

Great coffee shop in Pittsburgh. Coffee was excellent, staff was friendly. Busy but efficient. Good amount of seating but could but hard to find a seat on a busy day. Definitely worth visiting! read more

Commonplace Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

See all

Pour-over was delicious, doesn't feel overly bold or strong and yet I can taste all the flavors. Some GF donuts which are palatable. Plenty of outlets, clean spaces to work with a laptop. A little to dark for my preference (if I were reading papers) and the wifi is drudgingly slow sometimes... so that's a bummer. I'd come back for coffee though. Seems they have handmade flavors too for your lattes if you're into that. read more

This place is usually fine however they can definitely be careless when making drinks. If you have dietary restrictions or allergies make sure you make it VERY clear that you cannot have milk etc. I clearly told them to replace the milk and I ended up sooo sick all night because they put cow milk rather than almond milk like I had requested. I understand people can make mistakes but this is a pretty big one. To make it up they gave me a free drink which in my opinion was not nearly enough compared to the pain I went through for 8 hours. So this place has a nice atmosphere and good coffee- when made right. read more

I've been going to the Squirrel Hill Commonplace since they opened and fell in love. The house coffee is always delicious and I love the variety. They have interesting house-made syrups like lavender but my favorite special drink is the honey cinnamon latte. But it's really the staff that make it. In the beginning, it was TJ and Nick. When I first started coming in, I accidentally cleared an entire coffee table (back when they had a coffee table) with my diaper bag. I wanted to sink into the floor and I probably never would have come back but they were fantastic and reassuring. Now that I go in sans babies, Lacey and Isabel are behind the bar. I am NOT my best in the morning and they have an uncanny knack of making the day seem doable! They are kind and friendly. They even have my favorite drinks memorized! They're not difficult drinks but they know I like a large regular coffee in the morning and a honey cinnamon latte in the afternoon. Yes, I sometimes go in twice in one day. I wish Squirrel Hill got a little more Insta-love! It might not be as photogenic as the Northside but it is a well-loved coffee spot! read more

This is a great coffee shop with a nice, grungy ambiance. There is decent amount of seating, Wi-Fi, and outlets, which makes it a nice workspace. The coffee is also pretty good. My favorite is the cold brew. If you're hungry, this isn't the best place to come to because they don't really have much food. They have some baked goods but that's pretty much it. There are many good restaurants nearby, though! If you're looking for a chill café to do some work at, I recommend Commonplace! read more

Commonplace Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

I absolutely love this place. First time ever coming here and it was amazing. We weren't sure what we wanted and the girl was sooooo helpful at explaining everything! They also give u cute little designs in your drink. The coffee is also amazing and not overly sweet but still had the flavor. I will for sure be going back!!!!!!!!! read more

Commonplace Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Excellent for coffee connoisseurs, great place to hang out in the heart of Squirrel Hill. It's a small / cozy space, lots of students with their laptops. Wifi is sometimes sluggish. read more

Commonplace Coffee - you never know what you'll see what you come here! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Grabbed a chai latte. They offer almond milk so I had to mention my allergy. The barista was super accommodating. My chai was excellent. I drink a lot of tea and this one was especially good. I put three stars because my sister ordered a hot chocolate she didn't enjoy. The setting is very quaint. read more

Commonplace Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

I'm not a coffee drinker at all; in fact, I go out of my way to avoid drinking coffee because I've always had a problem with something in it (not the caffeine) making me unbelievably queasy like the way Chipotle does (I still eat chipotle anyway lol). However, my friend wanted to come here because she likes this place's coffee and I sucked it up and ordered their latte with the seasonal special honey flavor and almond milk and I've had no problems with my stomach so far!! This is my first time here so hopefully this is one coffee place that my stomach can actually handle :) The only reason I'm giving this place four stars is because all the flavor sat at the bottom of the latte so I didn't even taste the honey until I drank nearly all of it. read more

Commonplace Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania