This place cares about the quality, real homie/family group. The best espresso Ive tasted. Kind, decently priced and you can tell they care about the drink theyre making

This literal hole-in-the-wall cafe is one of Pittsburghs bright hidden gems. As a former Seattle-area native, I have an appreciation for--and certain loyalty to--the Starbucks brand. That said, 21st Street Coffee blows them out of the water.It is a little more expensive than a chain coffee shop, and portion sizes are smaller. As far as I can tell, this is because they are more concerned with the quality of your coffee experience than the volume of coffee they serve. And boy, do they deliver. My first visit, I had a simple cup of coffee: it was fruity and complex, hot but not scalding, and easily some of the best coffee Ive ever had. My second visit, I had a cappuccino. This is an *actual* cappuccino, not the cinnamon-flavored sugar punch you get some places. The perfect combination of foamed milk and espresso, coming together in a flavor profile like an ultra-dark chocolate bar.The baristas are friendly and skilled, and the shop is cozy. This will definitely become my go-to downtown coffee stop. My only disappointment: I rarely have enough time to sit and stay awhile.

This was my first time visiting this store and I must say that I like it! The staff were friendly and helpful! There is a limited menu but the staff were more than ready to share their suggestions for what to try as it was my first visit! The coffee aroma in the air and the cafe vibe had my taste buds tingling. I ended up getting the iced mocha made with chocolate milk! Oh my goodness was it delicious! It was the perfect blend of coffee sweetness. The only downfall for me is that the prices are a little high for the size of the cup that you get, especially with tons of other competitiors around town! I may be returning for a treat every now and then!

Hidden, small cafe with a tasteful, rather modern decor. Lively atmosphere. Staff know coffee. Their cappuccino is decent. Makes it to my top 10 list in Pittsburgh. Give it a try and step in for a nice chat with the staff over a nice cup of fine coffee.

Absolutely shocked. hole in the wall. That part is not bad. NOTHING for sugar free. NOTHING. Didnt know that was anything that happened anywhere. Sign to see is small. Coffee, black, was mediocre at best. Network keeps dropping. Not somewhere that I would recommend.

Laid back atmosphere, friendly baristas and really good coffee at decent prices. Great music selection.

Oh my. Terribly snooty, and condescending service. I ordered an iced tea, which I happily waited for, as it was brewed to order. But then they told me I didnt need sugar, even after I tasted it. I had to insist. They apparently know my tasted better than I do!Needless to say, it was my last visit. I would not enter when a friend went in for coffee a couple weeks later. She got the same attitude when she asked for milk- was told the coffee was meant to drink plain. At these prices, they should let you fix your own beverage to taste. Ill stick with Starbucks,

Fifth, small store so the wait can be a bit long, good bingsoo! My favorite is the berry and yogurt. Im not a huge cheesecake fan but the strawberry cheesecake is not bad!! All in all, would come here for special occasions with friends!

Great hole in the wall coffee shop. High end premium coffee. Especially love the pour overs!

Very good, unusual cup of coffee. Pricey, but worth it if you can afford it. If you need a caffeine fix, youd better get 2 because the large is not big, its more like a mini medium.

Coffee was good but very expensive for the amount you get. Also, not much in the way of seating. Good for grabbing a quick coffee when youre on the go

This place is one of downtowns hidden treasures. Best place downtown for coffee. That is all I have to say about that.

The best coffee in downtown. Delicious homemade almond milk. They are cool and their barista knows their stuff. 👍🏼👍🏼

Great espresso!

Delicious individually crafted coffee drinks. Coffees are in regular rotation and the staff is happy to answer questions. Quick cups are usually available if youre in a hurry.

The best almond croissant Ive ever eaten. Amazing lattes, too! Small space but great coffee.

Service was nice. Barely any menu options. Poor curb appeal. Overpriced disgusting iced coffee I threw away. Won’t be back.

Do you like coffee? Then go here. Its pour over so know that you cant just pop in and order a frappa-stupid-no-whip-chemical concoction. But its worth the few minutes you will wait.

Very friendly service. Very good pour over coffee.

My second favorite coffee place in town, only outdone by another because they roast locally. But! This place has it all in terms of hip coffee joints: Edison bulbs, exposed brick, baristas in wool caps year round, a smug demeanor, and a price that lets you know youre special for coming here.

They really have the best coffee in the city and they know how to brew it. I miss them being in the strip and wish I could find them in another location.

Small and quick outpost for delicious coffee and pastries. The best coffee inside the Golden Triangle (Central Business District).

This is the sort of place that should have matcha lattes. The coffee is decent. I think the counter service could be a bit friendlier.

$4.00 for a medium cup of coffee!! Coffee did not taste that great, either. Now, I have to give them credit since they make everything on-order including the coffee grinding and brewing (which is hand poured). Its not like its pre-brewed in a big thermos. The cream and sugar was a preset amount which was disappointing since I like extra cream... If youre looking for a quick cup of Joe on the go this is not the place.

Their espresso was a little fruity for my tastes, but exceptional. These baristas really know and love what they are doing. Some people mistaken snootiness and attitude with pride in their work.

Serves Intelligentsia, and occasionally some other top roasted beans. Very friendly sevice. Very good pour over coffee.

Fantastic coffee, matched only by service. As a former barista, Im a bit overly critical and picky with my coffee. The baristas at 21st Street Coffee and Tea are very friendly, and passionate about what they do. They take the time to weigh and grind fresh espresso for every beverage, very precise and careful. None of the sloppiness you find at your local Starbucks. The espresso had a fantastic full bodied, smooth, and slightly earthy flavor. Also, their milk frothing game is on point... Best latte Ive had in a long, long time.

It’s been awhile since I got coffee here but I remember waiting a long time due to the unusual brewing method and then being told that I should try my coffee first without cream “and if you still think it needs cream, I will let you use the milk”. This approach is well-intentioned but ripe with possibilty for misunderstanding and offense when you are using it on an edgy, caffiene-addicted clientele who have just waited an unusual amount of time for their morning coffee. Alas, I tasted it and to my unsophisticated palette, it tasted like McDonald’s coffee. So I requested cream and felt like the barista was disappointed in me. It’s likely this place has changed its’ approach since I last visited and I admire their passion for what they do so I give them five stars even if it isn’t for me.

A few years ago, I avoided this place because the staff was condescending. They have had a change of heart, and now give you milk for your tea without a lecture on why you dont need it. On my last two visits, everyone was helpful and friendly. Looking forward to going back.

Slightly hidden down walk behind the Fairmont hotel. Excellent doppio, single origin bean by request. Not a ton of room inside to sit, don’t overlook the seats towards the back along bar by espresso machine. Staff clearly serious about the bean.

Small place focused on craft coffee (pour-overs, espresso drinks). Perfect for a quick afternoon break from work.

Definitely worth a stop, it’s something different than the chain coffee shops in town.

Excellent cappuccino! Intelligentsia coffee. Cool vibe.

The only place I found downtown to get a real cappuccino. Its adorable but hidden down a courtyard across from the CVS and noted only by a small square sign and some tables and chairs outside. They have homemade oat and almond milk as well; the oat I tried was very good, though I still prefer my real dairy, :) which I had another day and was even better. They have a selection of loose-leaf teas as well, which I always appreciate. Oddly, the chai was very sweet and looked like it came from a box. Another note: we went on the weekend and there were no fresh pastries (just packaged oats and bars), but on weekdays they have croissants, almond croissants, and pains au chocolat, which were excellent.

Great little spot. Good drinks and tasty pastries.

They gave me food poisoning from spoiled cream.While on a trip to Pittsburgh with my wife, we decided to stop for our morning coffee at 21st Street coffee. I asked for a large coffee to enjoy inside the cafe. When I took my first sip it tasted funny. I went to the counter with my concern but was greeted with a snarky, its supposed to taste like that. Giving the barrista the benefeit of the doubt, I tried to drink what I could before I couldnt stomach it. I figured it was just a type of bean i didnt like.Hours later my wife and I are looking to grab lunch when I became very ill. My sudden illness was confirmed to be e. Coli from spoiled dairy. It completely ruined the remainder of our trip. Too bad, it seemed like a nice place.

Seriously good coffee by people who care.

They make a good pour over and have good craft coffee options.

Good selection of fresh roasted coffees. I usually only buy beans here so I cannot really speak to the drinks, but the pour over coffees Ive had have been great.

Good coffee, good selection of basic bfast foods and good service

Easily the best latte i have found so far downtown and the staff was very nice. Only issue is that it is a little pricey compared to other places (about $1 more).

Excellent tea and great service!! Their steeping times could do with a bit of adjusting, but still EXCELLENT!!

Absolutely terrible service. Ordered a large iced latte that literally looked like iced milk with no coffee. Asked if I could pay for an extra shot, since it didnt have any coffee in it and they gave me serious attitude like, how dare you request anything of us! Super snobby baristas and terrible coffee. Avoid this place like the plague.

Best pour overs, espresso and aeropress coffee in downtown. The baristas are well trained in the product and are great at steering unfamiliar customers in the right direction. They feature Intelligentsia coffee and Kilogram tea. 1st time customers might be turned off by their attitude towards coffee and limited options. Those looking for tasty innovative drinks prepared by trained baristas will be very happy here.

Friebdly, knowledgable staff and supremely good coffee. Totally worth it!

Just found this place! best coffee ive had downtown!!!

Some of the best coffee and espresso youll find in the area.

Good coffee but super overpriced.

Probably the best cappuccino in downtown Pittsburgh.

Expensive, coffee was decent I guess

Exceptional coffee..

Aussie approved cafe!

A house with cozy tasty coffee and tea