While we can leave the actual coffee growing to more tropical or mountainous climates than Pittsburgh, residents might be surprised to hear that when it comes to the final step in coffee production – coffee roasting – Southwestern PA has a robust craft coffee scene.
Instead of loading up on a national brand, or far-throng small batch producer, try seeking out these local companies who are importing, roasting, packaging, and selling coffee from our neck of the woods.
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The Best Local Coffee Roasters in Pittsburgh:
Grounds and Hounds
Get ready to have your heart strings tugged. Grounds and Hounds, a Lawrenceville-based coffee company with a national following, is dedicated to two things. 1: Roasting and selling great coffee, and 2: Using the proceeds to help dogs in need. Twenty percent of all proceeds received by Grounds & Hounds Coffee Co are donated to rescue partners across the country.
Grounds and Hounds, Lawrenceville
Ispirare Coffee Roasters
Ispirare hopes expose people to the nuances of great coffee, and sell a traditional blend that is a great introduction for coffee lovers who don’t know much about the craft. Their coffee is approachable, but smooth and rich, and great for restaurants or after meals.
For more information on who is selling (and serving) their coffee, check out their website. They also recently opened their first coffee shop.
Ispirare Coffee Roasters (Kittanning, Pennsylvania)
klvn
klvn is a roast-to-order coffee company that is roasting in the “West Coast-style” from Pittsburgh’s Point Breeze neighborhood. The company sells blends with beans from South America, Central America, and East Africa, and even provides specific information on their website about the best way to brew their coffee – whether it be in a pour over, aeropress, or French Press style. klvn can be ordered online.
klvn (Point Breeze)
Passenger Coffee
There is a chance you have seen Passenger Coffee at different coffee shops around the city, as they have established a pretty widespread market in Pittsburgh. However, you may not have known that this delicious coffee hails from Lancaster, PA. Passenger Coffee can be purchased from their Lancaster shop and online. They also offer a coffee subscription service.
Passenger Coffee (Lancaster, Pennsylvania)
Curly Tail Coffee
Curly Tail is another coffee company with a cause. $1 from each bag is donated to a different animal rescue organization. Curly Tail started as a Etsy shop, but after a successful Kickstarter campaign, the owner was able to purchase a restore a 1969 trailer to roast and transport her coffee. The name is derived from the owner’s love of working with rescue animals, especially pigs. A tiny pig is even a member of the Curly Tail crew.
Follow Curly Tails Facebook for information on where to catch this trailer.
Curly Tail Coffee (Lower Burrell, Pennsylvania)
La Prima Espresso
La Prima espresso has been in the Pittsburgh coffee business since 1988, and in addition to roasting and serving coffee, La Prima lends their expertise and equipment to new coffee businesses and shops. La Prima’s beans come from all over the world, including locations like Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, and Tanzania. Espresso fans should be sure to try their “La Prima Bar Espresso” blend.
La Prima Espresso (Strip District)
Nicholas Coffee and Tea Co.
Nicholas Coffee is another long stay in the Pittsburgh coffee market – Nicholas Constantine (the original Nicholas ) came to Pittsburgh from Greece in 1919. They company has been operating for four generations from the same shop in Market Square. This coffee is sourced from all over the world, and is available for very affordable prices. Try blends like their very smooth “Indian Monsoon Malabar,” or their extra-dark “Olde Vienna.”
Coffee from can be purchased online, or from their store in Market Square Downtown.
Nicholas Coffee and Tea Co. (Downtown)
Allegheny Coffee & Tea Exchange
Another popular Pittsburgh tea and coffee supplier is Allegheny Coffee Exchange, located on Penn Avenue in the Strip. This shop offers a wide range of coffees roasted on site, as well as over 40 varieties of tea from all over the world. The shop also sells bulk-sized bags of coffee if you’re looking to try roasting your own coffee. Customers have the opportunity to select and grind the beans themselves in the shop, or request a custom tea blend.
Allegheny Coffee & Tea Exchange can be purchased online, or from their store in the Strip District.
Allegheny Coffee & Tea Exchange (The Strip District)
Brown Dog Java
If you’re on the lookout for something unique, look no further than Brown Dog Java. This company was started by husband and wife duo Becky and Steve, who met in a coffee shop and shared a love of coffee and chocolate labs. Steve left a job in corporate coffee to found Brown Dog Java, a company with a focus on really great coffee, with an emphasis on all natural flavors. Some of Brown Dog Java’s interesting flavors include Maple Bacon, Caramel Pecan Roll, Red Velvet, 100% Natural Pumpkin Spice, Caramel Apple, and more.
Brown Dog Java can be purchased online.
Brown Dog Java (Springdale, Pennsylvania)
19 Coffee Company
19 Coffee Company is a micro-batch roaster located in Washington, PA. This company is constantly cupping new coffees, looking into new farms, and experimenting with beans from around the world. More information on 19 Coffee Company can be found online.
19 Coffee Company (Washington, Pennsylvania)
Commonplace Coffee
One of the most famous Pittsburgh independent coffee roasters, Commonplace Coffee can be found in coffee shops throughout the city. Commonplace Coffee House and Roastery opened in March of 2003 in Indiana, PA, and has since opened several locations in Pittsburgh, including coffee shops in Garfield, Squirrel Hill, and the Mexican War Streets, and a roastery and warehouse in Larimer. Commonplace sells several different blends with beans from around the world.
Zeke’s Coffee
Zeke’s Coffee began at the Baltimore Farmers’ Market in November 2005. This delicious coffee became a hit, and over the next decade they opened roasting locations in both Washington DC and Pittsburgh. Zekes has a coffee shop on Penn Avenue, and a drive thru on Broad Street in East Liberty. Try blends like their full-bodied “Colombian Mesa de los Santos” and the smooth “Guatemalan Huehuetenango.” Their shop also serves muffins, scones, bars, cakes, and breakfast sandwiches.
Zeke’s Coffee (East Liberty)
Ultra Matcha
This Pittsburgh matcha blending company is offering a natural alternative to coffee with their specially designed matcha blends. From their website, customers can purchase matcha supplies (whisks, bowls, ect.), as well as find information on matcha brewing practices. In addition to traditional matcha, Ultra Matcha also blends specialty “enhanced” varieties, such as “charge,” “boost,” and “recover,” that have natural stimulants and antioxidants included in the blends.
Hunter Brothers Coffee
Hunter Brothers Coffee is a Retired Veteran Owned Company and certified Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business. They offer a variety of blends, and most recently added Torrefacto, a blend owner Paul Hunter fell in love with while deployed to Spain, to their product line. Their coffee can be purchased online.
De Fer Coffee and Tea
At their classic European cafe located in the heart of Pittsburgh’s Strip, De Fer both roasts and pours their coffees and teas (which means the whole shop smells delicious). At nighttime, enjoy craft cocktails, wines, and beers. More information on their cafe and blends can be found online.
De Fer Coffee & Tea (2002 Smallman St)
Press House Coffee (previously Green Dragon Coffee)
With a new name, new look, new website, Press House is still offering the same premium and exceptionally fresh coffee. The brand plans to open a shop this year, but you can order online today!
Mechanic Coffee Co
This Verona shop now roasts and sells their own coffee. Stop by for a great cup of local coffee, and grab a bag to take home for later. They also sell online.
Mechanic Coffee Co (707 E Railroad Ave)
Steel Cup Coffee Roasters
Hand-forged in Pittsburgh, this Pennsylvania Certified Organic roastery creates their coffee in small quantities to ensure the quality, consistency, and exceptional flavor of each batch. Find it at Giant Eagle Market Districts or shop online.
Coffee Tree Roasters, Fortunes Coffee, and Crazy Mocha all supply and serve great locally roasted coffee.
There are a few other local roasters, some with an even larger exposure in the Pgh metro:
Ironstar (a.k.a. Coffee Tree Roasters)
Kiva Han (up in Cranberry, which happens to be a lot closer than Lancaster – they do most of Crazy Mocha’s coffee as well as a number of other local indie shops)
Prestogeorge
Fortune’s (roasts for several local cafes and restaurants)
Steel Cup (100% organic coffees, roasted in Murrysville)
Convive (on McKnight Rd)
Green Dragon (roasts on Northside, supposedly opening store in Sewickley)
Coming this fall: Goatsbeard Coffee, in McKees Rocks.
And as long as you’re out in Lancaster, let’s not forget Alabaster in Williamsport, which you can also find in these parts.
Coming
Hunter Brothers in Elwood City
Portion of the proceeds support veterans
Great post. Love the list of 18 local places.
Allegheny Coffee and Tea Exchange web link: https://www.alleghenycoffee.com/
Redhawk Coffee is the best in Pittsburgh!!
Black Forge Coffee House roasts its own in its McKees Rocks location.
https://blackforgecoffee.com/
Prestogeorge Coffee and Tea in Pittsburgh’s Strip District is one of the oldest coffee roasters in Pittsburgh. They’ve been roasting coffee for over 60 years. They roast onsite daily with fresh hot beans always available. Over 200 different coffees! Thanks. https://www.prestogeorge.com/