La Prima Espresso

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1 month ago

La Prima is easily one of my favorite coffees to grab in Pittsburgh. The staff is always so kind and the coffee is always on point. This location has more of a modern feel than the original location and is really clean inside. This is a go to spot for me. read more

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Cass O.

1686

536

3904

7 hours ago

This coffee is good, the staff is great. The coffee shop is clean and relaxing. The price is higher, we got 2 drinks and spent 18+. It was definitely delicious and I would visit again, while on a trip but this definitely couldn't be my everyday coffee shop. We enjoyed grabbing coffee here, but the price surprised my husband and myself. I got an iced mocha and he got an ice dirty chai - both were great and made with care. read more

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Cameron

10

144

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8 months ago

Great location if you're at convention and want a quick, good coffee that's a little more local! The latte was great, with a small but very good list of syrups and options. It is definitely a little pricier, but quality is there. The chocolate croissant was okay, a little hard but overall not bad. They didn't have a lot of food options, but for their drinks, it's pretty worth it. read more

La Prima Espresso - Latte Chocolate Croissant - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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Victoria D.

739

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1 year ago

La Prima Espresso in Pittsburgh was a little find right next to my hotel, which made it an easy stop to kick off the morning when I was visiting for a work trip. I got an iced latte with almond milk (my go to choice), and a ham and cheese croissant. You heat it up yourself in their little microwave, which I weirdly loved--something about that DIY moment just made it feel cozy and casual. And once it was warm? Perfection. The vibe inside is exactly what I look for in a coffee shop. Laid back, not too loud, and plenty of space to get work done. It's not trying too hard to be trendy, which I appreciate. Just good coffee, good pastries, and a good spot to either chill. If you're in Pittsburgh and need a caffeine fix or a quick bite, especially near downtown, definitely check this place out! read more

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Bobb S.

345

1145

952

9 months ago

I rate every cafe through the lens of my favorite iced americano back in Madison. La Prima hits the mark. While I needed to added another two shots to get at my level, the quality of the bean and roast shines though with almost a chocolate undertone. Cute inside with seating both in and out. Solid find close to my hotel. read more

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Taylor G.

3

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5 months ago

One of the best coffee brands in the city and the downtown location is so cute inside! The iced vanilla latte is a classic and they have some of the best coffee beans that make their drinks taste delicious read more

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M H.

0

61

3

2 months ago

My go to coffee spot when in Pitt. You're not going to find all of the cool speciality drinks and cold foam here. If you're looking for quick-friendly service and searching for the likes of a caramel macchiato, latte , or americano this is the place to go. read more

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Ryan B.

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1 year ago

I'm routinely impressed with this city's independent coffee scene. There's some great stuff around here. Unfortunately, sometimes the stack of negatives weighs down one or two really good positives. Let's start with the good stuff: the espresso is high quality, and the people at the machine know exactly what they're doing. The espresso was pulled quite nicely, giving it that caramel essence that represents a great shot. So A+ on that. Sadly, there's more to not love than the other way around. First off, they close so early! I know that's not uncommon around here but it's still annoying. Also, not a ton of customization options. Still fine, but for those who like to play with flavor profiles like I do, it's kind of a downer. Also also, while the crew knows what they're doing, they also give off an air of "we're too scene for you mere mortals." And as I've mentioned in other reviews, my money spends just as well as anyone else's. And spend money you will. $6.50 for a brekkie sandwich? No thanks. Despite eggs requiring a mortgage these days, I'll still make one at home for less. And I paid $7 for a "large" mocha - in quotes because it was 16 oz, the size of a grande at Starbucks. SEVEN BUCKS FOR A GRANDE?? I can get a Venti mocha at Sbux for at LEAST 50 cents to a dollar less. [EDIT 2/9/25: I tested my theory the next day and ordered a Venti B&W Mocha from my usual Starbucks. Even with the bigger sizes AND the addition of white mocha it was STILL about 55 cents less than a "large" mocha here.] Just because a place has good product doesn't mean it's a good place to go. With so many options out here, you can find a better spot elsewhere. read more

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Diandra L.

4019

1207

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2 years ago

What a delicious vanilla cappuccino I got at La Prima. I was staying in the AC hotel which is connected to this spot and although they have coffee in the room, sometimes you just need a good cappuccino. This spot offers a ton of specialty Italian coffees as well as a few grab and go breakfast items. There is also a few tables if you wanted to post up and read or work. Overall, I enjoyed my coffee stop here and would definitely recommend if staying in the area and in need of caffeine. read more

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Stan H.

150

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4436

2 years ago

Staff is friendly and coffee slushie had real coffee flavor blasting out and the whip cream is a nice optional touch! The turkey croissant decent I wasn't like I gotta have it deal. Hours are a bit earlier than other places because there is a hotel next door. Besides a general history museum of the Heinz Center, the section is industrial and has decent parking that probably gets filled for the sports games and maybe the convention center as well. Decent area to park for the convention center if you can get a spot. read more

La Prima Espresso - Kind sign nearby - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

La Prima Espresso - Heinz Ketchup replica - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

La Prima Espresso - Granita di caffe - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

La Prima Espresso - Turkey and Swiss croissant - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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Kate M.

91

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2 years ago

I was in Pittsburgh for 3 days and got coffee from La Prima 4 times...so it is safe to say that I loved it! It was located right next to our hotel, the AC Hotel, and they had such fresh and delicious coffee. The staff was super friendly and the line moved quickly when I was in there each time. I love finding and supporting local spots when I travel and this coffee shop did not disappoint!! read more

La Prima Espresso - Coffee cheers from La Prima. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

La Prima Espresso - A great location on Smallman Street right next to the AC Hotel. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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Cathy F.

53

178

1068

2 years ago

Cute coffee shop in downtown Pittsburgh. The barista was very nice and made an excellent iced caramel latte. My daughter got a blueberry muffin too and said it was delicious. They also had grab and go sandwiches and other drinks. read more

La Prima Espresso - Iced caramel latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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Danielle L.

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6

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1 year ago

Joseph and everyone that works there is so nice every time I visit this coffee shop! The coffee is always so yummy as well. Thank you guys for being a beautiful light in this world! read more

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Dave S.

2

55

6

1 year ago

Friendly staff but coffee is just average- espresso shot was good nothing special, and cold brew is pretty watery.

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Brianna G.

9

100

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3 years ago

Love La Prima! Their espresso is the best. And it truly works. I love the location and the aesthetic here. It's definitely a must visit if you're in the strip district! I love their iced vanilla lattes. read more

La Prima Espresso - Lattes - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

La Prima Espresso - Iced vanilla latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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Rachel W.

75

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2 years ago

I love going here for a few hours to get some work done. It's in a great location if you live downtown, and everything i've ordered has been tasty. I can't drink coffee, so I get a hot chocolate lol but it's still very good and my friends love their coffee. I also got their ham and swiss cheese scone which was the perfect lunch. I love the views and decor inside as well. read more

La Prima Espresso - atmosphere - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

La Prima Espresso - hot chocolate and view - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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Sarah M.

71

484

727

3 years ago

I enjoyed this coffee shop a few days in a row while in the area recently for a convention. If you are at the convention center, it is not far at all. The staff were friendly and got people in and out in the morning. They have some grab and go options as well as pastries besides the various coffee options. My drink tasted good each of the 3 times I visited. read more

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Tammy L.

344

354

1184

3 years ago

The space was very lovely and the staff was great, but the iced latte I received had way too much milk. Otherwise, I've had la prima espresso beans before and I've had better experiences. Also, it's almost impossible to park at this location with the museums next door. I prefer the one on Penn ave and 21st. read more

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Mike M.

158

482

987

3 years ago

Had the Tanzanian coffee which was a nice blend. Staff were nice. The inside had a bit of a market food stand kind of vibe where the outside had a bit more personality. Convenient place to grab a tasty morning beverage. Slightly limited menu but has the basics for your morning needs read more

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Ronald P.

0

47

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9 months ago

If you want coffee made expertly in an atmosphere that is truly "the 'burgh" this is the place. Saturday is the best experience.

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Samantha R.

39

403

1060

3 years ago

Delicious espresso and fast service! I had a lavender oat milk latte today and overall it was good. I wasn't asked what size I wanted so I received a 20 oz. I was a bit surprised that a 20 oz iced latte has two small shots of espresso. It was mostly milk and I didn't love that. I couldn't taste much of the espresso or the lavender syrup. Next time I would ask for a smaller size with two shots instead if possible. The staff was super busy so I don't blame them for not asking about size but maybe in the future they should be a bit more communicative on the sizes of their drinks and numbers of shots up front. read more

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Jason F.

291

2582

3864

3 years ago

I stopped by here earlier today with my wife for our morning coffee. Every Sunday we try to hit up different local coffee shops and on this day it happened to be this location of La Prima. It's located right on Smallman and 11th Street at what I would consider to be the gateway to the strip district and this was actually my second time having coffee from here but first time going inside. The inside was bigger and brighter than I imagined with windows wrapping around the outside and plenty of seating. There was also a refrigerator space with grab and go food as well as a pastry display case on top of the counter. For our coffees on this morning I went with a 16 oz latte while my wife went with a 12 oz Valentine's Day special of cinnamon mocha. Then the pastries also looked good and so we ordered a ham and cheese croissant as well as an almond croissant to share. Within a few minutes we had all of our food and were on our way. The coffee itself here ended up being quite good in my opinion. There was a good ratio of coffee to milk and just a touch of bitterness which worked perfectly against the milk. My wife also really enjoyed her cinnamon mocha. The pastries here also ended up being quite good. The ham and cheese croissant, while a bit light on the ham and cheese interior, was flaky and delicious, especially with the herb topping on it. Then our almond croissant looked a bit dark, even for a croissant. However it still tasted good and the almond filling in the middle was sweet and tasty. The bottom line for me is that I would stop by here again in the future. My wife and I both enjoyed our pastries and our coffee and it's convenient enough, even if the parking for it isn't. read more

La Prima Espresso - 16 oz latte and 12 oz cinnamon mocha - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

La Prima Espresso - Almond croissant - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

La Prima Espresso - Ham and cheese croissant - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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Tamara G.

170

691

5660

4 years ago

Friendly staff, had an iced coffee two days in a row before & after jury duty. Was hoping for a bagel in the afternoon but they close by 3 & apparently turn off the toaster and hour before closing time so I was offered un-toasted which I declined. They have outside tables with a chain around them & they also kick you off the patio & lock that area up. So I was kinda bummed to not get my bagel, sit down on a beautiful day outside & then be warned I only had 10 minutes to sit there. I don't frequent downtown but this is obviously a popular coffee stop for business people & hotel guests on a busy corner near the Strip. read more

La Prima Espresso - a plastic cup of iced tea - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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Denice Y.

10

140

114

3 years ago

I ordered a cold brew with 2 pumps of sugar free vanilla & i enjoyed it. It wasn't too bitter, and wasn't too sweet. It was the perfect amount for me. Usually when I go to other coffee shops and order the same thing, it's too bitter. The person who took my order could at least greet us or smile. read more

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Tatyana F.

Elite 25

134

288

117

2 years ago

Prima coffee is a Pittsburgh institution. There are many locations but the original one is in the Strip District. It is on the smaller side, not that many tables, but it's worth it. Several coffee selections but their dark roast is one of my personal favorites. They have a little terrace outside which is great in the summer. I wasn't too keen on their pastries but again, it's mostly a coffee place. read more

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Noel M.

0

7

5

2 years ago

Just found my new favorite coffee shop in Pittsburgh. So glad we found this hidden gem. I ordered a caramel latte and this was one of the best tasting coffees I've had. My gf ordered a chai tea latte and she loved it as well. We came back the next day for more! If you are in the area, and looking for a cool spot with a great vibe..come to La Primas. They provided great service as well. A+ read more

La Prima Espresso - Caramel latte, chai tea latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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Isabel H.

694

173

498

4 years ago

Super cute coffee shop with impeccable vibes and delicious coffee. We happened to stumble across this place when we were waiting for our brunch reservation, and were really in need of a cup of coffee. I am utterly obsessed with the wooden structure that they have inside of the store, and luckily their coffee held up equally well. I got a cold brew with oat milk and a pump of lavender syrup, which was so delicious. The milk was very creamy and complemented the cold brew perfectly: I would love to know what they use as their oat milk. There was another patron in there studying at the counter, and I think this would be an excellent place to get some work done. read more

La Prima Espresso - Cold brew with oat milk - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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Amy B.

37

236

208

4 years ago

Start your trip to the trip with a stop at La Prima Coffee to get you going. My dad introduced us to this sweet spot, and we don't ever miss it when we are in town. The ambiance is a cute little coffee shop with locals buzzing about. There are tall tables to enjoy your coffee inside or street side ones to take in the city. The staff is always friendly and make a great cup. Be sure to grab a pastry next door to accompany your drink! read more

La Prima Espresso - a coffee cup on a blue table - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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Mariah M.

397

181

102

3 years ago

Been coming to La Prima in the Strip for years. La Prima really just does coffee so well. And most importantly, they're consistent. I love the authenticity and great coffee every time I visit. read more

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Kelsey R.

223

558

745

3 years ago

Stopped here yesterday morning and it was actually, for once, my only stop in the Strip! Had the perfect americano and a little jug of Natalie's OJ. Coffee is reasonably priced and amazing, and the baristas are so nice and fast. Stopped over to Colangelo's to get a croissant too! Such an underrated spot that I don't hear people talk about enough. read more

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Andrew V.

221

71

126

4 years ago

Nice to find more and more local coffee shops around town especially this place. Nice hidden gem.. well the client is mostly Pittsburgh CAPA students getting there morning buzz before school starts in the morning. But still getting other people from around the area. read more

La Prima Espresso - Yummy late breakfast - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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Natalie H.

98

263

248

3 years ago

Clean, cute and friendly coffee shop. I got the honey lavender latte and it was amazing. I will definitely be returning.

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Ankita S.

Elite 23

49

176

365

4 years ago

If you're looking for a nice Italian cafe, this is the place for you! I ordered macchiato and it was sooo good! I have heard that the espresso is a masterpiece. I'll try it next time! One of the best places in Pittsburgh to get good coffee! I recommend! read more

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Nina B.

22

149

461

3 years ago

Best coffee in the city. Great service, the line is long but moves quickly. The best part of waiting is listening to the regulars who sit out front! read more

La Prima Espresso - Latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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Kimberly D.

156

583

3024

5 years ago

Adorable coffee shop down the street from our hotel. Clean, modern decor. Cold brew and espresso were both great. Unfortunately we were only in town for one day otherwise this would be our go-to spot! read more

La Prima Espresso - a sidewalk with planters - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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Sophia P.

51

101

115

1 year ago

best oat chai latte i've had in a minute...vibes were good inside and service was quick.

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Karen J.

0

8

3

2 years ago

Starbucks was packed and this was right around the corner. So glad I switched things up. My latte was great and the staff was friendly.

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Dale M.

30

13

19

3 years ago

Everything was great from the greeting to the service ending with a great cup of coffee! read more

La Prima Espresso - Caramel macchiato - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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Olivia R.

Elite 25

19

113

177

3 years ago

This location is so cute! I love the inside the original location is always busy I only been to this location twice and it was slow when I went and got my coffee right away and of course it's super delicious this is a perfect place to do any work if you need to! read more

La Prima Espresso - Iced almond milk with vanilla - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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Gerald H.

271

1486

8774

5 years ago

Stopped here on Sunday morning en route to the convention center - needing a boost since the Hampton inn didn't have creamer for the self-serve coffee. Ordered a green tea latte over ice. Staff was nice, there wasn't a wait, and the taste was good enough. read more

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More info about La Prima Espresso

1100 Smallman St
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
Strip District
Directions
(412) 434-7070
Call Now
Visit Website
https://laprima.com

Hours

What time does La Prima Espresso open?

La Prima Espresso opens at 6:30 AM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.La Prima Espresso opens at 7:00 AM on Saturday and Sunday.

What time does La Prima Espresso close?

La Prima Espresso closes at 2:30 PM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.La Prima Espresso closes at 3:00 PM on Saturday and Sunday.

Mon-Fri 6:30 AM - 2:30 PMSat-Sun 7:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Indoor Amenities

Does La Prima Espresso allow dogs?

Yes, La Prima Espresso allows dogs.

Outdoor Amenities

Does La Prima Espresso have outdoor seating?

Yes, La Prima Espresso has outdoor seating options.

Does La Prima Espresso have parking?

Yes, La Prima Espresso has parking options. Garage Parking

Other Amenities

Does La Prima Espresso have free WiFi?

Yes, La Prima Espresso has free WiFi.

La Prima Espresso Reviews in Other Languages

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Commonplace Coffee

Great coffee and location, with really nice outdoor seating across in the garden area too. Loved…read moretheir cold brew a lot, didn't even need anything else and the flavor is perfect! The apple caramel scone was okay, more like cake than scone texture, and I didn't really get the apple air caramel flavors very strongly. I do love their drinks, and will definitely come back for them and hang out on this cute area!

It's a great local coffee shop with great selection of great quality coffee. Very rustic decor…read more They are popular and great customer service. Thank you for sharing your coffee with us.

Commonplace Coffee, Pittsburgh

Inside

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Counter with barista

Gasoline Street Coffee

Cool vintage mechanical vibe. Has a few outdoor tables and indoor. Indoor space could've been…read moreutilized better. There's a huge open area in the middle of the café with no chairs or tables. Not exactly the best place to work or study, not many outlets or table level chairs. Service was kind of friendly though and fast. Finding parking in the area might be trouble as the municipal court are right across the street and a lot of street parking is reserved for permit cars.

What a fun & eclectic coffee shop! This place is great for a quick coffee grab, or if you want to…read morestay awhile. I tried the nitro cold brew & americano. Both were smooth and fueled up my day. The barista was friendly! And had great suggestions for places to eat & things to do while visiting.

Gasoline Street Coffee Co

Comfortable seating

Very cool space

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878 Coffee Shop

4.0

(6 reviews)

2.5 mi

Coffee is americas past time. Well maybe not quite. But maybe it should. I love coffee and I love…read moretrying new flavors out. Along with new coffee shops. The staff here walked me through their menu. My drink was delicious. And I'll be sure to. One back again. The decor was cool and this place was very clean. I was glad I stopped in.

I feel very mixed about this coffee shop. We set out to find a coffee shop where we could sit down…read moreand enjoy a coffee. After walking around the neighborhood, this one had seating, so we went inside. First, I'll say the coffee we tried was pretty good - a cappuccino and a brown sugar cinnamon latte. The barista asked "for here or to go" and the drinks still came in a paper cup anyway despite us saying "for here". I really enjoy having a coffee in an actual glass/mug when I say "for here". The ambiance was a bit confusing... not really sure what they were going for in the space, things were a bit choppy and thrown together. Kinda felt like you were in someone's garage with cluttered items on rickety shelves behind the counter. Our barista was very nice, but an awkward moment occurred when they were ringing us up - barista asked for a tip but then told us not to put the tip on the credit card because the owner steals from them. We felt this was a little uncomfortable and gave some unwelcoming energy. We also tried a Nutella croissant, which was very good! I think this shop has a lot of potential with some changes to service and decor.

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La Prima Espresso Co

MY FAVORITE!! La…read morePrima has my heart, especially the Strip District location This is the very first La Prima Espresso shop, located at 21st & Penn. It's also a veteran-owned small business, which makes supporting it even better. With the warmer weather coming, I love seeing people outside playing cards, sipping lattes, and bringing their dogs along. You can grab fresh beans to make at home, enjoy local pastries in the morning (until they sell out), and the baristas are incredibly talented. Such a special spot full of history, community, and really great coffee.

For old school Pittsburgh vibes, you must check out LaPrima at their original location in the Strip…read moreDistrict for an espresso. The cafe is counter service...expect a wait on the weekends... the baristas are fantastic!!! but there is a steady line of customer during the day. Limited Standing room inside and table seating outside. The coffee beans are roasted in Pittsburgh and make a delicious brew for sipping at the cafe or to take home. Enjoy!

Counter.

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The Commoner

LOVED our dinner at this place…read more We came here for dinner while visiting Pittsburgh. The first thing that struck me was the interior decor. Very industrial and moody with an open kitchen/preparation area that adds some intrigue. I do like to see the happenings of what's going on as someone with zero attention span. Service was excellent. George was fantastic. He kept a close eye on us without being overbearing. He anticipated what we might need so we didn't spend one second waiting to order anything. The menu is not endless or overwhelming which, presumably, allows them to focus on the items that are listed. I have decision panic so it was kinda nice to have less things to choose from. They asked if there were any allergies or dietary restrictions so I mentioned my vegetarianism. George went through the menu and pointed out the vegetarian options including what seems like it is vegetarian but isn't. They had TWO vegetarian entree options and fortunately the non-mushroom one was something I probably would have ordered anyway: pesto with walnuts, arugula, and a very generous amount of grated cheese. To start, I ordered the Brussels sprouts whichc I was warned had fish sauce. This was fine but nothing that blew me away. GF, on the other hand, loved this. GF ordered the wedge which was brought to our attention as vegetarian with the bacon on the side, which was her request. We ended up sharing both, a large part of that was because hers came out first and I couldn't wait but I'm so glad because the wege was FANTASTIC. The dressing? holy fuck pure ecastasy. The wedge was more like a filet shape which was much easier to eat. Who decided on the wedge shape anyway? The lettuce was so fresh and crisp and went wonderfully with that orgasmic dressing and breadcrumbs. Back to my pasta. Also delectable. Noodles were al dente. The sauce was creamy and packed that pesto umami flavor. The walnuts were a really nice contrast in texture. Everything about it absolutely fucking slapped. GF ordered the mushroom entree which came served on a bed of barley which, don't mind if I do, had a few forkfuls to "sample" for "my review". Again, so fucking good. Because it was my birthday, George provided a dessert (yuzu maybe?) that was served inside a meringue-esque igloo, creamy perfect balance of sweet and tart custard with some berry business underneath. Wonderful. I almost forgot their spectacular cocktails! Holy shit, literally they have a CORN CHIP cocktail that I could not pass up. It comes with two massive cornchips on top of a flavored foam. When you bring the glass up to sip, the cornchips are right in front of your nose and their aroma sets the stage for the drink which was STRONG. It wasn't as corn chip forward as I expected but I understand that flavor is probaly hard to create. For my second drink, I ordered the blue one which was refreshing, light, and really good. GF ordered a spritz which was gorgeous "it was good". For second round, I picked out some uranium thing that was very cucumbery, GF says, "it was good". I just read it outloud to her. "it's true!" Fantastic meal at a great place.

Decor was impeccable, service was top notch, and the food was solid. Wasn't the biggest fan of the…read moreseasoning of the half chicken, but the cook on the chicken was perfect. Really liked this spot. The staff was great, the location was central, and its very upper crust. Great place for date night, drinks, and fellowship. I definitely will need to try another dish on my next visit.

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De Fer Coffee

Great spot to sit and get some work done on your laptop or to just grab and go and walk around the…read moreStrip! We stopped by on a Saturday and got a cold brew and one of their sparkling kiwi refreshers then just enjoyed walking around the strip. Great service every time and lots of indoor seating and a little bit of outside seating too. I love when they open the window up and you can enjoy the beautiful weather inside.

High-quality, diverse coffee & tea, and much more!…read more The coffee here is fantastic. I wish I had more time to spend here - very cool vibe. They also have craft beers, cocktails, and hot teas, plus some food options. If you like wine, you'll love how they use wine analogies to describe coffee.

Spring specials

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Mellon Square Coffee

3.2

(6 reviews)

0.4 mi

Unfortunately I cannot tell you how their coffee is, as I finally went to have some when I checked…read moreout at 3pm and they closed at 2pm! But I can tell you I popped in twice and staff was super nice! They do have food and drink... some grab and go, some to be made. There is seating. There are souvenirs to buy.

This is a nice-enough coffee shop in the Omni William Penn Hotel. The dining area is reasonably…read morespacious, comfortable and relaxing. But if I am to be brutally honest, the shop overall is really not particularly special. This is why the 3-star rating. There's nothing wrong with it. It just does not stand out. The coffee was fine, maybe even a bit above average. The food selection was quick-bite in nature and rather work-a-day. I also thought it was a bit expensive as my large brewed coffee was over $6 and there was a tip solicited on top. The service was fine, but there's not much opportunity to go above and beyond when drawing coffee from an urn. They do get a thumbs-up for serving Peets coffee, but otherwise this was essentially a standard spot. It probably works better, and is designed for, those staying at the William Penn rather than those coming in off the street.

Food options

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Dynamic Coffee Roasters

4.8

(9 reviews)

1.1 mi

Locally owned & operated

Certified professionals

Cute little coffee shop and in a great area to hangout and enjoy. Loved the rustic feel & ample…read morespace to work or enjoy time with friends. Loved that they are wanting to "teach" people about where the coffee comes from and how they prepare it to make it into your cup. Staff was friendly & efficient.

This is such a hidden gem coffee shop! The staff are always friendly. They know the farmers who are…read moresourcing their beans. They have photos of them on the walls of the coffee shop. The summer special Vanilla Breeze was SO good. Sparkling water, guava, vanilla, and rooibos tea. They also make homemade syrups! Some food and pastries as well. The brownie was gluten free and also yummy! I already want to go back. Highly recommend! It's also connected to a coworking space.

Pour Overs available

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The Butterwood Bake Consortium

my wife and i went in for a little vegan sweet treat but left with a fantastic story of horrible…read morecustomer and amazing customer service. when an entitled customer came in expecting to buy a full cake day of, the employee was kind, polite, knowledgeable, and apologetic that the bakery does not provide whole cakes day of due to staffing. despite push back, she never got rude or frustrated. she provided them with a slice of the cake and finished the interaction with continued empathy. we were next in line and even then, she remained light hearted and positive. she provided amazing service to us and we got to talk about the arrogance and narcissism that some people carry over the best vegan cake and iced tea. for the woman who gave this small business a hard time, because it's apparent you frequent Yelp, if you are hosting a lot of people and driving almost an hour to a bakery: it helps to call ahead and confirm availability as well as planning ahead appropriately for large parties. don't expect customers to take your side and try walking with less entitlement.

This is a decently popular, somewhat upscale cake and sweet shop. I decided to give it a try and…read morejust taste one of their classic frosted brownie. It was alright. Honestly nothing too special, and quite a bit more expensive than at other places in the city and in the area. The frosting was pretty good, pretty rich, but the brownie itself was fairly dry. Nothing really special about it. Portion was pretty good though. I may come back to try a few other items, but I just didn't find this place all that special.

Order counter

Desserts are to die for

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Interior

Nicholas Coffee & Tea

Nicholas Coffee is my favorite coffee shop to go to downtown. It's always fresh, and made…read moreperfectly. The inside is so nostalgic and smells amazing. It's a coffee lovers dream. The staff is super friendly and knowledgeable about all of the different beans. Don't sleep on Nicholas Coffee & Tea!

What a Pittsburgh institution! It's been around for ages and the family still runs it and they…read moreroast all their beans right there in house so it smells incredible always. They have so many kinds of beans and the staff is so knowledgeable and helpful in helping you pick which kind. The coffee on drip is also delicious! They carry lots of other knick knacks and snacks too so this is such a great place to grab a gift. They have teas too! Definitely a great place to stop in while you're downtown!

Interior

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Church Brew Works

We enjoy the theme of this Brewery. It is such a large space. They have several different beers and…read moreit's just a cool experience. How many places can you say where you're drinking beer inside the church. They do have a restaurant here and when we stop by on a Monday night, they were we're pretty steady. There is street parking around this location as well. I had the strawberry rhubarb summer ale. It was very light, but still had great room. An easy summer drinker. My husband had the pious monk dunkel and enjoyed it - come to find out - he had it before the last time we were here!

Well, start with this venue is top-notch very impressive, and all the extra detail that has been…read moreleft as part of the church is totally awesome. As for the food, I have zero complaints. It was totally excellent and really, really enjoyed it. My same complaints as most of these kind of places the beer is never cold enough. Why can't they be colder....this is my only complaint...so

Shrimp margherita pasta

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Front alternator area

The Nook

Everything was excellent! The food was spot on delicious, the service was excellent, the atmosphere…read morewas quirky-fun but pleasant. We had a little bit of a wait but it gave us time to review the menu. Hubby had the chicken and waffles, my son had the salmon eggs Benedict, and I had the pancakes with berries. We all thoroughly enjoyed our food. The waiter was fantastic as well!

We arrived at 9am on a Saturday which is when they allegedly open according to their website…read more(Google says 8am) and there were already tons of people seated and even a table that diners had finished eating at so there is definitely something inaccurate with their published hours. Thankfully we didn't have to wait for a table for 3 (the folks in front of us in line most have had a bigger table and were given a wait time). I really enjoyed the vibe here as well as the food. I tried the waffle Benedict and thought it was great. Definitely worth a visit for breakfast but their weekend hours should be updated if they open they open before 9am...

Restaurant interior

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Outdoor seating

La Prima Espresso Co

MY FAVORITE!! La…read morePrima has my heart, especially the Strip District location This is the very first La Prima Espresso shop, located at 21st & Penn. It's also a veteran-owned small business, which makes supporting it even better. With the warmer weather coming, I love seeing people outside playing cards, sipping lattes, and bringing their dogs along. You can grab fresh beans to make at home, enjoy local pastries in the morning (until they sell out), and the baristas are incredibly talented. Such a special spot full of history, community, and really great coffee.

For old school Pittsburgh vibes, you must check out LaPrima at their original location in the Strip…read moreDistrict for an espresso. The cafe is counter service...expect a wait on the weekends... the baristas are fantastic!!! but there is a steady line of customer during the day. Limited Standing room inside and table seating outside. The coffee beans are roasted in Pittsburgh and make a delicious brew for sipping at the cafe or to take home. Enjoy!

Counter.

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Mediterra Cafe

I have been here a couple of times and have never had a bad experience! The whole ordering then…read moresitting is scary when they are busy BUT I will say even when they're super packed there always seems to be a table open at the time you need it! The breakfast sammie is a staple for me and I mean look at it!! Cooked to absolute perfection the homemade English muffin really takes it to the next level! The Shakshouka was bomb the eggs were poached to perfection! The bread was nice and fresh it was soft but still sturdy enough to use to dip! The cereal milk latte is another staple for me I mean how can it not be. The espresso was delicious and the Honey Nut Cheerios was the perfect subtle flavor! Not too sweet which i appreciate. Speaking of sweet the zebra cakes were INSANE. Huge and only $5 which I thought wasn't bad! Always delicious here and vibes are great both inside and out!

Mediterra Cafe is a local, family-owned cafe, bakery, and market. The cafe serves breakfast (e.g.,…read moreFrench toast, shakshuka, salmon toast, and quiche) and lunch (e.g., salads, sandwiches, and pizzas). I visited the bakery and market on a busy Saturday. Display cases were full of baked goods such as cookies, cake pops, cupcakes, cruffins, tarts, cakes, breads. I have been to the Mediterranean, and I thought that most of the baked goods here were not Mediterranean. While I waited in a slowly moving line of other customers to order from the bakery, I browsed the shelves in the market. I saw cheeses, bottled beverages such as wines, packaged foods such as grape leaves, and chocolates. I could not find price tags on all foods, so I recommend that those be added. I purchased three baked goods for a total of $15. I rate the croissticky as 5 stars, the cinnamon roll as 3.5 stars, and the raisin-oatmeal cookie as 4 stars.