Lovely cozy coffee shop nestled into Lawrenceville. Barista was incredibly kind and made excellent drinks out of my ube white chocolate mocha and strawberry matcha. There's a very nice outdoor area and patio that I can't wait to see in the spring. The upstairs seating has multiple rooms for cozy seating and privacy to read or work. Genuinely loved this shop and will be back. read more

Happenstance Cafe - Strawberry Matcha and Ube White Chocolate Mocha - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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Happenstance is a woman-owned spot in Lawrenceville, which I genuinely love and want to support. The owner, Jill, is clearly invested in the business--any time I've seen her on site, she's greeting customers, checking in, and it's obvious she cares about people having a good experience. They catered an International Women's Day event for us last year and did a great job, and I've also been in several times on my own. When it's good, it's really good--but there is some inconsistency. I've ordered the same items on different visits and had days where it was excellent and other days where it was just so-so. My hope (and assumption) is that as staff gets more fully trained and gains experience, the quality will become more consistent. The space itself is very cute, and don't be fooled by how small it looks when you walk in--there's an upstairs and a back patio, which is a nice surprise. Pricing is a bit high for what you get, but that's pretty standard for Lawrenceville/Penn Ave. Overall, I'm glad this place exists and I'll continue to support it. With a little more consistency, it could be a standout neighborhood favorite. read more

This place is so cute. I bet it's great on the balcony when the weather is a bit nicer too. We sat upstairs and our barista even brought pur food up to us. My husband is vegan and the only vegan option of. The menu is a lunch option and we got there at 9 but she still made it for us! Zack ordered the brown sugar sage latte which was unique and awesome. The food was ok. It was all just a bit pricier than we expected but the place and service was great! read more

Happenstance Cafe - Isn't it cute? And you can go outside and then upstairs. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

A true hidden gem in Lawrenceville! I'm kicking myself for having not tried it sooner. I visited on a sunny spring weekend morning with a friend and we ordered at the counter and took our table number to the back patio. The patio is so charming - lots of tables and umbrellas and sunny spots! They also have some indoor seating and upstairs deck seating. Bigger than it seems from the outside! The coffee (I got an iced latte) was strong and tasty, and I absolutely loved my breakfast tacos and the amazing cinnamon roll. Theirs has to be in contention for one of the best in the city, I think. My friend tried the garden sammie on a bagel, and she really enjoyed it! The bagel/sandwich was massive, too. It's a great spot to meet someone for a coffee or a casual meal, and they seem pretty kid-friendly as well, as there were lots of parents with babies and toddlers present on the day I was there. I'd love to return for adult beverages in the evenings and lunch fare in the near future! This spot is such a breath of fresh air! read more

Happenstance Cafe - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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Cute little hidden cafe on Penn Ave. Small inside, with only a few seats inside but a cute little secret garden in the back with lots of outdoor seating. They do have both food and drinks, but I only got a drink so would like to go back and try the food. Lot's of street parking nearby. I got a rose cardamom latter. I typically don't prefer floral drinks so would also like to go back and try the regular latte, however, I do appreciate the unique drink options! read more

Happenstance Cafe - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

7/9/25 Ate List: Crispy Chicken Samdwich - 8.9 Honestly, blown away. This is such a great find. Seating options are awesome - split between multiple different spaces indoor and outdoor. All unique. Staff was very friendly. Food was delicious! This was an ideal crispy chicken sandwich. Very tasty. And the fries were wonderful as well. A place where your plate makes you more curious to explore the rest of the menu. Will absolutely be back! read more

Happenstance Cafe - Crispy Chicken Sandwich w/ Fries - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Stopped in for a few drinks on the patio on a beautiful evening. The place is quaint and unassuming from the outside. A quick trip to the back of the restaurant there's ample patio seating. The patio is beautiful, covered with lush greenery and seats with umbrellas. It was a perfect place to enjoy some delicious cocktails. The Lavender Lizzy was fresh and well balanced. The glitter added extra pizzazz to the drink. They use PA local wines and spirits which is great. Their new Spanish sangria was a hit and perfect for summer. Service was great and everyone was so friendly. read more

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There's a charming little cafe in Lawrenceville called Happenstance Cafe that should be on your radar! They have a taproom, a lovely back patio/garden space, and a spacious second floor upstairs so it's great for groups. Their cozy atmosphere and delicious food and drinks makes this spot a neighborhood gem. I liked everything we got and especially loved my refreshing frose and indulgent fried chicken and croffles (yes, its a croissant waffle!). They also offer coffee and breakfast options! read more

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The best part is their outdoor seating- ambiance is fantastic there and it's very very cute. The food is... quite lacking to say the least. I got the breakfast sammy on an everything bagel. It tasted like an egg, some bacon, and some tomato. Nothing special and I could've easily replicated it at home. There was such little aioli that I didn't taste it. Very disappointing The rose cardamom latte tasted like a sweetened latte that occasionally had some rose flavor. Loved the art and the fact that they don't charge extra for alt milk. I think I'd maybe go back to get a drink and sit outside in the future, but I'm not dying to go back. read more

Happenstance Cafe - Breakfast Sammy on an everything bagel - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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Love this spot for literally anything. A place you can sit at all day into the evening to get work done, have coffee, a bite, and be around some great humans. They have easy parking and it's a great place to stop in! read more

Happenstance Cafe - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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What a cute and unassuming place. If you weren't paying attention you can easily drive right by it- but once you enter through the doors- what a pleasant surprise. Your met with lively colors and cute decor. You place your order at the front counter where they also serve coffee and cocktail specials. Take a number and pick a seat. The back garden space is delightful. Staff is friendly and the food is very good. They've got the perfect name and a solid concept. I hope they will be around for years and years to come. read more

Happenstance Cafe - Burger - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Great spot right in Lawrenceville. The restaurant is super cute it feels like you are eating in your living room. Outdoor patio area would be a great spot to hangout once it gets warm!! Staff was super sweet and made me a delicious latte. Food was nice and casual with the avocado toast and grilled chicken sandwich. Loved the vibes here read more

Happenstance Cafe - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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I happened upon this brunch gem thru IG... on a Saturday morning. We ordered the chorizo tacos breakfast sandwich, and parfait. We sat in the upstairs but we also noticed the patio! Yummy food and will 100% be back! read more

The food was fantastic, the coffee was disappointing. My latte was barely warm and lacked flavor, it was like water and milk with a splash of coffee. Service was great, the place is adorable! Inside and outside seating. Parking wasn't too difficult. I would try again. read more

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This is a wonderful neighborhood brunch spot/café. They have a delightful uncovered patio in the back as well as a quiet seating areas upstairs. The owner was delightful and took the time to introduced themselves and thank us for our business. A local shop run by local owners! read more

The vibes are so homey and cute here. Love that they have a day time menu and a dinner menu. We came for dinner and they had awesome dishes like the pulled pork mac and chicken and croffles. They were so good! Their drinks are amazing too. They serve local wine and cocktails from local distilleries and breweries. Love the Jackworth and Love, Katie drinks. The wine was fabulous too from Papa Joe's. Loved the Sauvignon blanc and tannat. The staff is so sweet too! Their not so secret garden space is so cute and they also have an upstairs space where events are held. They have game nights and other local community events too. Definitely need to come back for brunch! Such a gem!! Can't wait till they use their pizza oven for pop ups and events in the summer. read more

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Support cute and yummy spot with big signage on Penn. I used to live in Lawrenceville and miss it dearly. Every time I'm back to Pittsburgh I look for new things in Lawrenceville and this place did not disappoint. The espresso martini was perfect on a Monday late morning and avocado toast was delicious. Both came fast, the place was not busy and the bathrooms were clean. Parking is what it is! read more

Service was amazing, the person at the register gave us great recommendations and emphasized the specials. We got the turmeric honey latte due to the high praise and it was yummy. The front room looks cozy but also there's an upstairs and patio for more seating. Both of our choices (pimento BLT & avocado toast) were delicious. Can't wait to try more of their menu! read more

Happenstance Cafe - Pimento cheese BLT Avocado toast - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

The food? Absolutely amazing The cocktails? Refreshing with a great selection The back patio? UNREAL. This hidden gem bordering Lawrenceville and Bloomfield is a must stop spot. Their space inside is so cozy with the friendliest staff. Then as you go to the backlit patio, you're ready for a lovely dinner surrounded by soft lights and a garden with the cutest mural for pictures. If you are looking for a friendly game night or fun workspace, their upstairs has several tables you can have a larger group at, or just bring your lap top and type away! I was there for dinner, I'm so excited to go back for brunch! read more

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Happenstance Cafe is a lovely spot on the Laweranceville/Bloomfield border. I thought the espresso martinis were executed well and tasted wonderfully. Fresh espresso really does make a difference! Mama's Buttermilk Chicken Salad was my lunch choice and I was really impressed by the flavor and the croissant itself. Their croissant is absolutely one of the best I've had in PGH. I really enjoyed the pickle and fries too. The vibes here truly were amazing. The staff were very welcoming and even delievered our food to us on the 2nd floor. It was a cold winter day, but Happenstance Cafe warmed me up. I noticed a Happy Hour sign on my way out and I am looking forward to it in the Spring as they have a patio/deck area. read more

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What a great cafe! The latte was creamy and delicious and the muffin was super soft! The upstairs of this place is super cozy for a cold winter day! I want to come back here once it is warm and enjoy a drink in their outside patio! Staff is super friendly here as well! read more

Happenstance Cafe - Latte and Blueberry Muffin - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

The owner is so incredibly kind. Quality homemade sandwiches and soup. Loved the chicken salad and also the Rueben. A comfy place to also have coffee and study. read more

Happenstance Cafe - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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This was a delightful little place. It's a nicely decorated and cozy little cafe with lots of character. We ordered takeout, but it's definitely the type of place I would like to hang out and do some reading over a few cups of coffee. In addition to coffee, they have a decently sized cafe menu with bagels, sandwiches, salads, and such. Our food was nicely packaged with plenty of fresh ingredients. The vegan sandwich in particular was excellent and perfectly portioned to pair with a salad and share with a friend. read more

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This cafe is so cute! Their coffee is so rich, their dishes are vintage florals and their brunch is so yummy! I got a chicken salad sandwhich on a croissant with the house chips. read more

Chose this place for brunch with a friend last Sunday and we weren't disappointed! The space is small, as soon as you walk in, but they have a second floor of seating available. You do have a short walk outside to go up the stairs. So, I could see it being a little inconvenient on a snowy or rainy day. The owner came over and was chatting with us. She was very friendly and told us they've been open for about 6 months. We both ordered coffee and I also purchased a chocolate chip muffin and the yogurt bowl. My friend got a breakfast sandwich on a plain bagel. The coffees and yogurt bowl were out quickly. We waited 10-15 mins for the breakfast sandwich before asking where it was. They had either completely forgotten, or it was sitting in the kitchen for a few mins ready to be taken to the table. They apologized for the delay. The muffin was great; moist and had plenty of chocolate chips. The yogurt bowl was also good for a light breakfast or a snack. The granola had a nice crunch and there were some seeds in there. My friend especially liked the chipotle ? sauce on the breakfast sandwich. I'd come back to try something again and maybe check out the second floor seating. read more

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Hit the SPOT! After a red-eye from California with no sleep, all I wanted was a great coffee and breakfast -- and Happenstance absolutely delivered! The coffee was perfect, the food was delicious, and the vibe was just what I needed. If you're in Pittsburgh, do yourself a favor and check out Happenstance -- you won't be disappointed! read more

Had a staff retreat there. Great service. Kind people. Really great coffee and lattes

Cute café located on Penn Ave.  They proudly serve the best selection of Pittsburgh's coffee, wine and beer along with fresh fare.  They are open daily- offering breakfast, lunch & dinner as well as the morning pick me up and the evening glass to unwind.  Their outdoor space is adorable.  Small tables, intimate setting with twinkling lights and a cozy vibe.  They have an upstairs "library" which is so cool! Tables, chairs, pretty decor, games and books are all in the space, creating a library type vibe! It's super cute. Tried their espresso martini which was created by one of the workers! It was so good and they used actual espresso and local distillery vodka! Their charcuterie is chefs choice of three cheese and three meats with some olives and nuts and mustard! It was a great portion size and really good selections! With dinner shared a half carafe of wine which was perfect and adorable, plus the wine was from a local winery and very good! For dinner had the fried chicken and croffles which is a crispy fried chicken breast atop a buttery croissant waffle dressed with rich bacon jam and a drizzle of hot honey maple syrup! It was insanely delicious! They use a croissant batter but make a waffle- GENIUS! I can't wait to stop back for coffee and I will certainly be back for another wine & dinner night with friends! read more

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Obsessed with this neighborhood cafe. We always order the breakfast tacos and a breakfast sandwich and leave happy. The green salsa is TO DIE FOR. AND the staff is so friendly, everyone that works there is a delight. The cafe is clean and has a ton of tables inside and outside 15/10 read more

had a pimento cheese BLT. Very good sandwich, had fried green tomatoes as the tomatoes and sourdough for the bread. It was a little light on the pimento cheese but I didn't mind that much because I was really in it for the fried green tomatoes. It lacked a little bit of salt but it more than made up for it with the combination of flavors. Sides were just normal, deli sides, nothing to write home about. read more

The food was so fresh and delicious and the space was unique, cozy and surprisingly spacious! All of the staff was lovely and accommodating. We are absolutely coming back! 10/10 read more

A spot that should be talked about more often! Vibes are excellent upon immediate entry. The decor is cute and cozy and my husband described the second floor as "feeling like you're in someone's home". And the cappuccino was good too! read more

Happenstance Cafe - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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Cutest, cozy coffee shop, perfect for lunch or a spot to work. The owner, who was very kind, recommended adding a grilled chicken breast to the Vegan sandwich and it was delicious. I love sitting outside on the patio and just discovered their second floor upstairs that has expanded seating. read more

Happenstance Cafe - Vegan sandwich add grilled chicken breast - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Came in on a snowy day for a latte and some food, and I found a very nice barista behind the bar and a nice little vibe on the first floor. She made my latte fairly quick, and it was truly the best coffee I've had in quite sometime -- I opted to go upstairs to sit down and do some work and it's honestly such a beautiful space. Relaxing and professional vibe throughout, the breakfast Sammy was incredible (I recommend subbing the croissant for the bread!) met the owner, who invited me to come share the room with a smile and we chatted and she's very nice! Happenstance is my new fav local shop come come!! read more

Had the corn beef hash. It was made fresh and was delicious! Small place with a lot of ambiance. The people serving were very nice.

Phone unfortunately didn't eat first..... IN LOVE with this place. Such a cool concept here, they have like 4 different places to sit, eat, drink, do work. Not to mention, the bartender/cashier was smiling when we walked through the door, good vibes all around!! The food was delicious so we will definitely be back! read more

Happenstance Cafe - Mimosa, lizzy lavendar drink (I forget the name, chicken salad sandwich with fries - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

The cute little establishment is has a very inviting atmosphere. We got avocado toast and an everything bagel, the cold brew was definitely worth it. This cafe was only 3 months old when we stopped in but we will be coming back soon. The staff are really friendly and welcoming. My partners Avocado toast is ARFID approved. read more

Happenstance Cafe - Avocado Toast with Egg - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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First time visit. Breakfast sandwiches are delicious ans and so was the coffee. Very nice outdoor space. Definitely coming back when it is warm to advantage of the outdoor area. read more

This place is absolutely gorgeous! If you are visiting Happenstance really take a look at the different seating areas as the outside area is gorgeous but the upstairs seating area takes the cake. The food comes out pretty quick and the servers are kind! The breakfast is absolutely delicious! read more

Happy to have visited Happenstance! We enjoyed wonderful coffee and breakfast plate. Eggs cooked perfectly, great hash browns, crispy bacon and toast. Staff and service warm and welcoming. Outdoor garden seating is lovely. Highly recommend this local gem!! read more