You can get a cup of joe pretty much anywhere and there seem to be new cafes opening all the time, offering everything from hot coffee and cold brew. But if you want something more, here are 5 Pittsburgh spots with great coffee and surprising extras.
HLane Dry Goods & Coffee, 2009 Noble St., Swissvale
Hannah Lane Critzer, the owner of this modern tailor shop, does alterations and custom design work, teaches sewing classes — and makes a mean espresso, latte, cappuccino and cold brew. HLane features products from indie coffee companies, including local ones such as Verona-based Mechanic Coffee Co. Customers can also stock up on a variety of items from local businesses, from soaps and sundries to candles and vinyl records. On Dec. 3, the café is partnering with nearby Still Mill Distillery to host La Mode & Libations, a sensory tour of fashion and cocktails through the early 20th century.
Kickback Pinball Café, 4326 Butler St., Lawrenceville
Feel like flipping out? Maybe order a decaf, relax and play some pinball at Kickback.
The café serves La Prima coffee, specialty drinks, shakes and floats. Before you launch that silver ball, eat a bagel, some avocado toast or a nice, melty sandwich. There are about two dozen pinball machines in rotation. Test your wizarding skills on Stranger Things, Robocop or Iron Maiden.
Adda Bazaar, 4905 Penn Ave., Garfield
Adda has a bunch of cafes throughout Pittsburgh, but its Garfield location goes above and beyond the average coffee shop with art for sale on the walls. You can get hot and cold beverages and pastries there, but the space — the former site of Gluten Free Goat – is also a vendor hall filled with unique gifts and art from local crafters. Makers who are interested in selling their wares through Adda free of charge can email the business, which provides product photography and other marketing tools.
Margaux, 5947 Penn Ave., East Liberty
By day, Margaux is a European-inspired cafe where you can enjoy coffee and breakfast bites such as a yogurt parfait and an herbed biscuit with fried egg, arugula, fontina and pepper jelly. At night, the space becomes a swanky cocktail lounge that specializes in bar snacks, shareable plates and late-night desserts.
The 3,200-square-foot former department store is filled with comfy seating that’ll make you want to stay all day … and evening.
CARES CommuniTEA Café, 1836 Centre Ave., Hill District
Last February, Center that CARES, a community benefits organization, opened a business that serves breakfast and lunch while providing workforce experience to teens and young adults from the Hill District.
You can help revitalize the neighborhood by ordering a coffee and soaking up the atmosphere, which is decorated with local artwork, and buying merchandise from area vendors. Got kids? There’s a reading nook filled with books for the whole family.