So glad we visited this cozy chic gem today! The banh mi thit kho (braised pork belly) was pure melt-in-your-mouth gloriousness. I was craving my mom's thi kho--a vietnamese must-have comfort food--and the banh mi hit the spot. The comfy study booths were great for settling down with a snack while working. So much detail and thought went into the decor and set-up of the shop including convenient power outlets and dimmable lighting. There were also really nice touches like sewing table repurposing and rustic wood-paneled walls. I got a chance to chat with the owner of the place and he was super friendly and passionate about honing his craft. We'll definitely be back here and highly recommend this spot. read more

As an early riser, I didn't think it would be tough to find a nice vegan breakfast in Pittsburgh on a Saturday before 8. But I was a little wrong. Thankfully, at 8:00am exactly, Ineffable Ca Phe popped up and we had a winner. A lovely avocado toast with salt and pepper, cherry tomato halves, and fresh cilantro and a lemon slice on the side for the vegan. A baguette with bacon egg and cheese for the omnivore. And a drip coffee and baguette for the small stomached individual. Very sweet staff, very neat building. Ran after us with a muffin, i kid you not. Really above and beyond hospitality. read more

I guess it was our mistake thinking this place was a Vietnamese restaurant. It's actually a hipster coffee shop that also happens to sell below average, Vietnamese-inspired food, for twice the price of real Vietnamese food. read more

Ineffable? No Don't just read the reviews; read into them. These words would have been useful to me prior to entering this establishment. Flavorless weak coffee. An over-priced bland chicken sandwich. A packed house of young, wannabe hipsters staring at their phones and laptops. The coffee at the Gas station one block away was much better. I know because I went straight there after leaving this one on the counter. First, the barista assumed I would know that the coffee he put on the counter, on the other side of the machine, completely out of my sight, was for me. After 5 minutes of standing there, he condescendingly proclaimed that my coffee was over there. The sandwich was about 3 ounces of meat and sauce on a large crisp hoagie. I had high hopes. I almost threw it away after one bite. I stood up and thought no way. Just take another bite..... Nope, still no flavor except the thin sliced Jalepenos, which actually were nice, but nothing special. This was not a horrible experience. It just does not warrant anything more than 3 stars right now. Maybe they will improve, I hope they do. I will read the reviews and try it again if they are still open in a year or so. read more

I've gone here twice now for banh mi's and don't understand why this place is so highly rated. I can see why you'd like it for a place to study or hang out as the atmosphere is nice, but the food is underwhelming and so expensive for what you get. The banh mi's are over $13 with tax and hardly have anything on them. You're mostly just eating bread. read more

Awesome spot, super airy with tons of light. Great environment to do work. Tasty and cheap food. Note: their WiFi was god awful. Hope they fix that. read more

Super cute and worth stopping by! Most places in this category are so small and cramped that you barely have enough table space for a drink and a book, but this space is large, spread out, and has plenty of room for larger groups if needed. There are also a variety of spaces including outdoors, couches, tables, counters and booths. Very well decorated, knowledgeable staff (they helped me make the perfect Rose bubble tea) and just has an overall good vibe. Looking forward to trying what the kitchen offers on my next visit! read more

They have a small breakfast menu, but the main attraction is obviously the banh mi sandwich, of which their menu features 4 kinds: pork belly, marinated pork, fried tofu, & lemongrass chicken. I had the marinated pork and the fried tofu. I couldn't really taste the difference between the two, so I suppose that's a good thing. The baguette was crispy and fresh as were the toppings (cilantro, jalapeño, carrot, etc). They have a selection of bubble/milk teas that is pretty impressive, as well as a full espresso bar. I ordered a latte and a thai tea with boba which were more-or-less your standard fare: nothing special, but still good. The staff was friendly and helpful. They were happy to answer my questions about the menu. The place is clean and spacious with ample seating. There were a lot of college-aged folks there working on laptops and socializing etc. I'm giving 4-stars not because there are (edit) *no red flags or complaints; there is just no real 'wow' factor. You won't be blown away, but you'll be satisfied. This is an overall good dining experience. If you're thinking of stopping by, it is indeed worth a trip. read more

Ineffable is now my go-to morning place. I am very particular about my espresso and I it's excellent here. The head barista, Ben, knows his stuff and has trained the other baristas. I've had my machiato made by three different people and they've been consistent and terrific. We are vegans so we order the avocado toast which we like. It is also very consistent and delicious. The owner, Phat, is vietnamese-american and the menu reflects that, including vietnamese coffee. This place has been open only a few weeks so I wouldn't stay away because of any negative reviews. Phat is serious about taking care of any problems and takes the reviews to heart. Given that Ineffable is only a few weeks young it is fast developing a customer base. read more

This place has such a cute vibe!! I had a black tea with peach pearls and it was super refreshing and delicious! Not overly sweet which was nice. read more

Went here to work this past Sunday, and my husband and I loved it! There are plenty of outlets, adjustable lighting, and good wifi. The decor with the succulents is nice, and the owner was very friendly. The food and drinks are really good as well. I had the milk tea bubble tea (it's sweeter than I usually like but I know I tend to prefer less-sweetened drinks), and we shared two banh mi sandwiches (grilled pork and pork belly). Both were really good, but I absolutely loved the pork belly one. We will definitely be back soon. Parking was a bit of a challenge but we did find street parking. read more

This place has a really unique, calm, vibe to it. Great place to study or do work but also super cute place for an afternoon date. Full coffee bar, some breakfast items/pastries, and banh mi. The banh mi was great! I've only had banh mi twice in my life (the other at another Lawrenceville establishment) and I felt this was better of the two. Really fresh ingredients! I love my cilantro lol. And beware the jalapeños are hot as heck!! Of course I have to comment on the outdoor seating---it's lovely! String lights hang from above and there's a little garden that runs the length of the area that's growing heirloom tomatoes and Brussels sprouts (out of what I noticed). Will be back to try the Vietnamese coffee! read more

Ineffable Ca Phe - Vietnamese Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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Delicious fresh Banh Mi and bubble tea. You may wait a few minutes if it's busy at lunchtime but well worth it.

Anything related to bahn mi. I am there! This has been on my radar fo some time and the experience did not disappoint. It's a great spot to study, catch up on reading, or bring along your kids as there are comfy couches and games/books. They give a lot of meat and the pickled veg is great. I ordered a kumquat boba and it gave an interesting bitter aftertaste, but I didn't mind it. I'd definitely come back here to get some work done with a coffee or tea. It's welcoming and I'm sure when it gets warmer it'll be a nice spot to enjoy the sun. read more

Ineffable Ca Phe - Vietnamese Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Love the atmosphere, all the food is amazing! It's off the beaten path so room to park!

I have been to this place twice and as I much as I want to like this place more to support the business, it still falls short my expectation. Their drinks are generally pretty good, lovely space and super great for studying! However, I wouldn't get any Vietnamese coffee related drinks here. As a Vietnamese person from Saigon and OC, the cà phê sữa đá still doesn't taste authentic and right. I think the ratio is just a bit off so it is still missing the creaminess and the intense flavor of Vietnamese coffee ground. I think the egg coffee would taste better with the drip coffee made with Vietnamese coffee ground instead of espresso shot to balance the sweetness and bitterness. It is a bit cringe to hear the worker there compares Chinese five spice to pumpkin spice latte but I guess you gotta do what you gotta do. Overall, I am not saying that the coffee is bad. If you are looking to try authentic Vietnamese coffee for your very first time, I am not sure that the drink fully capture the essence of it. They definitely have their own style and I respect it. read more

This is a cool, chill coffee shop with some food on the weekends. Lots of places to sit. Bathrooms are a little funky. I've had Vietnamese coffee before and liked it a bit better elsewhere but I appreciate what they're doing. The avocado toast is very basic but also reasonably priced. More of a 4.5 star review. This would be a great place to study. It also seems to be dog friendly. read more

This Vietnamese Coffee shop has a homerun brunch Love the traditional Vietnamese coffee and the Bahn Mi. The perfect spot for hanging out. Love that they use metal straws and reusable cups. A great spot not to be missed read more

Pittsburgh coffee shops, take notice of Ineffable Ca Phe. Chic interior across multiple, varied sitting areas with customizable lighting and seating make you want to just stay and buy more coffee, teas, and delicious food. Excellent adaptive reuse of a building that does not look like it would be a coffee shop but it's a perfect fit. The Vietnamese drip coffee is excellent. The process takes about 5-10 mins. I haven't tried the bahn mi yet but tried the great tasting breakfast sandwich which is composed of eggs, crispy bacon, and melted cheese on a lightly toasted bun. Note that breakfast is served 7-10am and lunch is served after 11am so be aware that there is an hour where no hot food is available, only baked goods. Overall a great new addition to the coffee/food scene in Pittsburgh! read more

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The space is fantastic. Everyone has said it and it really is well done. They also have three off street parking spots which is SO rare in this area of the city! Greatly appreciated. I stopped in for takeout and ordered the lemongrass chicken and the grilled marinated pork, both were good but the lemongrass chicken was the real star of the show. Bread was crunchy and fantastic and chicken was loaded with flavor. I would highly recommend that one! The pork was good, but I prefer the drunken been from bahn mi and tea if I'm being 100% honest. I didn't get to try any of the teas as we were heading out but next visit I absolutely will. Service was quick and friendly. I would absolutely return. read more

First, the space is fantastic. There is plenty of room to park yourself for an hour or two and do some work or enjoy a good book. The natural lighting is magnificent and the decor is very pleasing. I popped in around 11am hoping to grab some breakfast but they had stopped serving the breakfast menu and only offered lunch, which is limited to all things bahn mi. I enjoy a good bahn mi but I have to be in the mood so I was a little disappointed with the lack of options. Luckily, they serve baked goods all day so I settled on a cappuccino that was good and a slice of banana bread that was scrumptious. My husband got a bubble tea (yum) and a bahn mi bowl, which he thought was tasty. Overall, I think this is a great addition. I will definitely be back but next time I will come early enough to get a proper breakfast or with an appetite for bahn mi. read more

One of the few coffeeshops in Pittsburgh with large tables and an endless supply of power outlets. On nice days, they open up their patio which has a bunch of tables (and outlets!). They banh mi and noodle soups are super tasty - my personal favorite is the braised pork belly. The coffee is just okay but their boba, lemonade, and Vietnamese coffee are amazing! read more

Don't go on a Sunday if you're looking for food. The entire place was filled with people on their computers and I barely found a table. Also, I got two bahn mis, one chicken and one pork (both ordered with no jalapeños) and I think I got two of the same sandwich, one filled with jalapeños. And neither barely had any meat in in. Not worth it at all. I would have returned them but I was so hungry I couldn't wait. I may go back for a coffee someday, but definitely not for the food. read more

My friends and I were trying to find a good study spot one Saturday morning and came across this cute little coffee shop in Lawrenceville, and I must say it was love at first sight. We came at 9am and immediately got settled at a large booth with comfy cushions and a spacious table for spreading out all of our books. I ordered a Vietnamese Drip Coffee to get me started and this little boost of caffeine was perfect for the morning. The Drip Coffee tasted just like "Indian filter coffee" and for someone who can't stand the taste of black coffee, the addition of the sweetened condensed milk at the bottom of my glass made it seem like I was drinking ambrosia. My friends got the Thai Iced Tea and I will say that they probably got a better deal for the quantity they got compared to my small coffee. For lunch, I got a delicious Banh Mi Dau Hu (Tofu Sandwich) and it was such a flavorful sandwich with a vegetable slaw and delicious homemade mayo. Overall, Ineffable Ca Phe was a great place to study (comfy seats + large table + lots of access to outlets) and had a fantastic menu to keep our brains for fueled for the day. read more

Ineffable Ca Phe - Banh Mi Tofu Sandwich - Vietnamese Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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I stopped by here for dinner a few nights ago and ordered a peach green bubble tea as well as the pork belly bahn mi. The pork belly was extremely tender and flavorful and there were plenty of toppings! However, I do think the bread from Bahn Mi and Ti is significantly better, and I wish there was a Viet special option here. Still a good option for a quick lunch! Their bubble tea was lacking in tea flavor in my opinion. The ambiance is definitely what makes this place amazing and unique. It's a huge space and has tons of outlets/USB ports stationed around. There's huge booths, comfy couches, smaller individual tables, and even outdoor seating. I can definitely see myself coming here to get some work done and sip on some coffee throughout the week! read more

Quality Bahn Mi here! The veggies have a good crunch, the bread is crusty and the tofu and mayo have a great flavor. Also got a Thai iced tea with soy milk instead of dairy (they use half-and-half here) and it was excellent! This is a great coffee shop to come get some work done and the fact that it is open until 8:00pm is life-saving. The interior is bright and there are plenty of outlets. I really enjoy how they open up the windows in the warmer months and sitting outside is very nice especially in the evening. read more

In the far south hills suburbs, good Banh Mi is hard (perhaps impossible) to find. This is a good thing because if my wife and I could have Ineffable Cafe every day, we'd do it (and my already growing waistline would expand even more)! What distinguishes their Banh Mi from other Vietnamese restaurants in the 412? MEAT - plentiful, flavorful meat. Both the pork belly and grilled marinated pork options were superb. The accompanying bread and veg perfectly complimented the protein. Bottom line = we are eagerly planning another visit. read more

This place has such good vibes - delicious coffee and nice work space if you're trying to hang out for a while. Otherwise yummy and filling sandwiches. They also have a good brunch menu read more

I love the banh mi here!! Been trying to find a good place for it in Pittsburgh and this is the one! I think it just gets pretty crowded because people are mostly studying- I expected to be more of a restaurant than a cafe, but super good and the service was great! read more

I saw the name on the "gate" - ineffable is a favorite word - on just a quick visit to Pittsburgh and while driving down Penn saw the name and made my friend turn around... such a good idea. Coffee is excellent - Banh Mi was just as good and the vibe overall is welcoming. I'll stop by every time I'm in town. read more

THE. BEST. Great food, great coffee, great ambience! I took a chance and tried the Egg Custard, and I'm very glad I did! The tofu bahn mi is also excellent, and reasonably priced! There are tons of outlets and seating options, so perfect for studying!! It's the perfect combo of chill study space and lunch spot to hang out with friends and family. Plus they have really good cookies! read more

Best coffee shop in town! All the staffs are so friendly. I love it. Strongly recommend!

Amazing coffee shop w/ perfect atmosphere and space. Came for the coffee and now a regular after having their banh mi. Also breakfast sandwich is on point . Love this place. read more

Ineffable Ca Phe - Vietnamese Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Stopped by for an early dinner. We had the Bahn Mi (pork belly) a rice bowl and a couple of Vietnamese coffees. It was all good. The pork belly was flavorful and moist. The toppings and roll were fresh. I will definitely return. The place is large with plenty of seating. No music so it was very quiet. Almost like a library with everyone whispering. read more

Solid bahn mìs and coffee! Big space with a dog friendly patio out front. Ideal for laptop work or group meetings since the space is so big. Has three parking spaces, but street parking on this stretch of Penn is free. The traffic light and American flag are off-putting, but they're trans-friendly. read more

Delicious Bahn Mi and cool/trendy interior. The service was good and I especially loved the marinated pork (more than the lemongrass chicken specifically). Unfortunately, the prices were much higher ($8-9 instead of $4-5) than the hole-in-the-wall places near me but I still enjoyed my meal! read more

I love the ambience here but the banh mi sandwich was not enjoyable. The bread was tough, and the sandwich as a whole lacked flavor. I would definitely go back for the ambiance, coffee and potentially to try the Pho, but don't plan to order a sandwich there again. read more

I liked the decor and thought the staff are friendly. I had the Chicken Bahn Mi with Thai Iced Tea. Both were were delicious. Would love to go back again! read more

The first time I visited this restaurant, I almost gave up finding a parking spot (and almost went home). I think I drove around the neighborhood 5-6 times. I am so glad I did not give up, because in that first week alone, I came back two more times with my husband. The owner guy was extra helpful in figuring out a way for me to take a sandwich back home for my husband (so the sandwich won't get soggy from the sauce and meat). I've tasted their pho and rice, but still think their sandwiches are better. Noodle soup can be a good addition to the sandwich, but it cannot replace it. (And I'd go to Pho Minh if I am craving good pho). And try Vietnamese coffee! read more

Banh mi sandwiches here are delicious and very authentic. We had the lemongrass chicken and grilled marinated pork...both were packed with meat and pickled veggies. We also tried the mango bubble green tea, which tasted more green tea than mango, but was still refreshing and hit the spot on a hot day. read more

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