Bean There, Done That: Our Coffee Shop Reviews

Preface: I wrote this article in collaboration with my talented significant other, Kayanne Marti. You can find a similar version of this blog post and her other works at her website

The Steel City boasts its impressive history from 446 bridges, notable creatives, and its rich culture. Combining tradition and innovation, Pittsburgh has evolved into a center of arts, technology, and delicious cuisine. Intertwined into this mix, is the city’s relationship with coffee! Throughout the city lies local coffee shops that bring life into this caffeinated lifestyle.

Our names are David and Kayanne, two coffee enthusiasts located right in Pittsburgh. What started as casual weekend stops turned into a mission to find gems in the Steel City. Trust us, we’ve bean there and done that. And now we want to share our exciting finds!

Feel free to contact us, if there’s other cafes that we should visit.

Carnegie Coffee Co.

Carnegie Coffee Co. is a cute little coffee shop located just 15 minutes from Downtown Pittsburgh in the community of Carnegie, PA. The most interesting feature about this coffee shop is its location inside an old post office.

Inside of the coffee shop, you are greeted with a wide variety of different seating options. From the plants hanging from the walls and the two-story seating, you can find a place to sit for any occasion.

For us, this cafe is the perfect place to study. On the second floor, there are plenty of seating options with tables which give you more than ample room to spread out your books.

Personal Recommendations!

• Looking for a place to get some work done? This may be your new go-to spot. If you seek something savory, you can’t go wrong with the Ham and Cheese Melt.

Yinz Coffee

Yinz Coffee has many locations across the Pittsburgh area. What first started as a single store in 2021 now has 8 locations in the region. While most locations are open during traditional business hours, some are open until 9 PM. Yet again, another testament to the growing night scene in Pittsburgh. We visited the Bloomfield location! And unlike other cafes, there is a spacious seating arrangement at this location.

We’ve stopped by here more than once! Two of the most notable visits being—a late night study session and coffee stop before seeing Christmas lights. Both times, we were greeted by their friendly staff and speedy service.

If you are looking for a quiet, laid-back coffee shop to do some work or hang-out with friends at a late night coffee spot, look no further than Yinz Coffee!

Personal Recommendations!

• Looking for a place to study before your exams? Come here for spacious seating and a quiet environment!
• The Oatmeal Latte is a classic drink that is sure to warm you up on a cold day. The hints of Cinnamon combined with the vanilla syrup make for a delectable treat. Watching Christmas Lights never tasted better!

Delanie’s Coffee

Delanie’s Coffee Shop resides at 1737 East Carson Street in the historic East Carson District. The building resides in a 4 story Victorian building constructed in 1873.

Fun fact: East Carson Ave is one of the largest Victorian Main Streets in the United States!

Customers are greeted by the aroma of freshly grounded coffee beans and a cozy interior. To sweeten this deal, you are able to access second floor seating and overlook storefront windows. It’s perfect for people watching while sipping on your favorite latte. Trust us when we say that the wait is worth it. Combined with a relaxing atmosphere, this cafe is the ideal place for a weekend getaway. This coffee shop could easily become your new favorite shop. The menu boasts a wide variety of delicious items from breakfast, sandwiches, and other delicious drinks.

Personal Recommendations:

• If you find yourself at this cafe, try the Chia Seed Pudding! The refreshing snack is sure to make customers come back for another bite.
• The Tiramisu Latte was an enjoyable and caffeinated version of the classic cake! We’re a sucker for sugary treats–How about you?

The service is fast— matching their reputation of great drinks and food. You won’t regret supporting this local cafe.

Potomac Station Coffee House

If you are looking for the bustle and charm of a small coffee shop, come visit Potomac Station Coffee House. This cafe is located in Mt. Lebanon, PA. Mt. Lebanon is one of the many communities outside of Pittsburgh. The cafe offers everything you would want in a coffee shop.

The biggest challenge is often finding a place to sit inside. The space is small but feels cozy because of the warm ambiance of the lights. With a constant stream of customers coming in and out, it was apparent locals loved this spot! Even with the growing line at the door when we went, the baristas seemed cool under pressure and were able to get out our orders in a timely manner.

Personal Recommendations:

• Cranberry Scone - This was a treat that we enjoyed with our lattes. Despite the name, you could taste hints of citrus in the scone which makes it all the much better!

Queen Beans Cafe

Queen Beans Cafe is a nice little cafe nestled in the quiet town of Coraopolis, PA - a short drive from Pittsburgh, PA. Walking in, you are greeted with a clean and modern interior with a variety of wall decor.

Don’t be fooled by the small location, this cafe supports a constant bustle of people streaming in-and-out of the store. This was one of the first stores we stopped at after moving to the area. It has such a relaxing atmosphere and friendly staff who, despite the liveliness of the store, get drinks and food out very quickly. On the go? Thankfully, there is a cute walk-up window outside as well.

Personal Recommendations:

• Pizza Rolls - Bite-sized pockets of cheesy, saucy goodness wrapped in a crispy, golden crust. Your favorite pizza flavors are now made snackable!
• As with any cafe, you cannot go wrong with a latte here. The latte is our go-to drink and this one didn’t disappoint!

Anchor and Anvil Coffee Bar

For calm vibes and plenty of space, look no further than Anchor and Anvil Coffee Bar. In addition to Queen Bees Coffee, this was also one of the first cafes we went to after moving into the area!

We went during a warm summer day which was perfect. The front of the store is a large garage-like door allowed the fresh breeze to flow through the cafe. The spacious interior means that there was plenty of seating and we even saw a crew of cyclists stop by! The spacious area allowed us to have a nice and relaxed afternoon at the cafe.