Area Coffee (and Tea!) Shops Put Pittsburgh on the Caffeine Trail

Seemingly all of Pittsburgh has stepped up its game when it comes to food and drink. Nearly every borough is now home to at least one spot for fresh made-to-order coffees, specialty teas and all kinds of brewing gear. 

And when it comes to the local specialty coffee and tea scene, there’s a never-ending shortage of independent alternatives to that “big green mermaid” from Seattle. (Starbucks, of course, is alive and well all over the metro area, including inside area big-box grocery, discount stores and even roadside rest areas.) 

Following are some of the city’s must-sip destinations for caffeine lovers of all kinds. These locally owned coffee and tea retailers operate some of Pittsburgh’s best cafes, coffee roasters, and tea rooms. 

Convive Coffee Roastery

751 Providence Blvd, Pittsburgh, PA 15237

www.convivecoffeeroastery.com

At the contemporary new Convive Coffee Roastery, owner/roast-master Ryland Weber 

opened the newly developed McCandless Crossing shop to pursue his continuous search for great coffee.  With a passion for specialty coffee in a friendly neighborhood environment, Weber has worked in the specialty coffee industry for about 10 years.

Being small has big advantages, as witnessed by a cup at Connive’s cafe. Located in a shopping and entertainment center filled with large chain retailers and restaurants, Weber also roasts coffees in small five-pound batches. He sources fine coffees from respected, responsible importers and growers and roasts them to a particular “profile” suited to the coffee varietal or blend.

If you’re looking for a fancy espresso drink or a new pourover-style cup, or even a simple drip coffee, Convive is a growing hotspot in a vibrant part of McCandless Township. Just don’t be surprised to find it as friendly inside as it is delicious!

Coffee Buddha 

964 Perry Hwy, Pittsburgh, PA 15237

www.thecoffeebuddha.com

Set inside a cozy house on busy Perrysville Highway, Coffee Buddha has been a local neighborhood hotspot for nearly five years. Owner Mike Witherel is usually behind the bar, pulling espresso shots, steaming milk and welcoming regulars from surrounding businesses as well as neighborhood residents. 

Coffee Buddha has become a North Hills fixture for its solid coffee (from local roasters Commonplace Coffee) plus a tea menu, but it’s also a magnet for the area’s growing food truck scene. Generous parking lots on the street side as well as behind the coffee house offer plenty of space for a taco truck, a mobile barbecue joint and other favorites in a constant rotation.

Note: Coffee Buddha is also a showcase for local artists. Stop by, take a look, and grab an extra cup!

Espresso a Mano

3623 Butler St, Pittsburgh, PA 15201

www.espressoamano.com

Owner Matt Gebis opened Espresso a Mano seven years ago on the leading edge of Lawrenceville’s revitalization. Timing was nearly everything for the Pittsburgh native, although Gebis also ensures the shop’s focus on the country’s best craft coffees remains the biggest driver behind his success.

Refreshing Espresso a Mano on a regular basis means Gebis and his team of professional baristas are on the forefront of Pittsburgh coffee. He cycles year-round and seasonal coffees from a revolving group of specialty roasters around the United States, including for sale in retail bags. He also refreshes the coffee bar on a regular basis with new espresso equipment, one-cup brewers, and the newest grinders.

The steady line for amazing coffees at Espresso a Mano is a good sign of quality. But don’t let the crowd deter you—the efficient team is as great with coffee as they are with intelligent, friendly service. 

Commonplace Coffee 

Multiple locations

www.thecommonplacecoffeehouse.com

When owners TJ Fairchild and his wife, Julie, arrived in Pennsylvania more than 10 years ago, they initially settled in the nearby college town of Indiana, drawn by the campus atmosphere and a thirst for good coffee. Commonplace Coffee was born there on the edge of Indiana University in 2003, where the Fairchilds and their first employees began roasting fresh coffees in a corner of the original retail cafe. 

The couple took note as Pittsburgh’s coffee scene grew along with their wholesale deliveries to the Steel City. So in 2010, Commonplace expanded with its first branch location in Pittsburgh on busy Forbes Avenue in the city’s Squirrel Hill neighborhood. Pittsburgh coffee lovers noticed and began flocking to the shop, known in part for its late hours and proximity to Pittsburgh’s large university community. 

Today Commonplace Coffee is flourishing, operating at two additional locations to go with its original home base in Indiana. Commonplace has also expanded its roasting operations by relocating its central coffee roasting production, packaging, and distribution operation to a shared warehouse space with craft beer producer East End Brewing.