Where to sip coffee with the best views in Pittsburgh
You don't have to venture up to Mount Washington or rooftop bars to take in a view. Just grab a cup of coffee.
The intrigue: Pittsburgh is sometimes called the Paris of Appalachia, and like the French capital, it has some excellent cafes to get comfortable and watch the world go by.
Between the lines: Limiting scrolling is great for your health, and an amazing view is a good distraction from your feed.
Here are our favorite coffee shop views in the Steel City.
- If you have a suggestion for others, email us at [email protected].
Margaux
- Massive windows look out onto East Liberty Presbyterian Church, a 91-year-old Gothic masterpiece. In warmer weather, you can drink a coffee al fresco on their sidewalk patio.
- 5947 Penn Ave. in East Liberty.
Gander at some of the best Downtown architecture from this U.S. Steel tower perch. Photo: Ryan Deto/Axios
Starbucks in the U.S. Steel Tower
- Up the escalators in the tower's main hall is a cozy Starbucks with incredible views of Steel Plaza, the Omni William Penn Hotel and the Union Trust Building.
- 600 Grant St. in Downtown.
A coffee served with two of the city's best modern architecture buildings at Yinz Coffee at 11 Stanwix. Photo: Ryan Deto/Axios
Yinz Coffee at 11 Stanwix
- An elevated terrace at the former Westinghouse Tower offers great views of the diamond windows at the United Steelworkers headquarters and the iconic glass spires of PPG Place.
- 11 Stanwix St. in Downtown.
Watch the shoppers stroll along Walnut Street at Heat Check. Photo: Ryan Deto/Axios
Heat Check
- Located in a second-floor vintage shop, this coffee shop provides perfect people watching of the shoppers on Walnut Street.
- 5518 Walnut St. in Shadyside.
Slide over to the Omni's impressive lobby with your Mellon Square Coffee brew. Photo: Ryan Deto/Axios
Mellon Square Coffee
- Tucked into the Omni William Penn, this charming coffee shop has decent views of Mellon Square park but even better views of the hotel's Italian Renaissance-style lobby. It's easy to take your coffee and just hang out in the lobby.
- 530 William Penn Place in Downtown.
Look up when inside the Union Trust building so you don't miss the stained-glass dome. Photo: Ryan Deto/Axios
The Speckled Egg
- Just next door in the Union Trust Building is this popular brunch spot with a to-go coffee counter. Grab one of their specialty lattes and sip it under the building's spectacular stained-glass dome.
- 438 Oliver Ave. in Downtown.
The view from the Market Square Dunkin' will only improve once renovations of the square are complete. Photo: Ryan Deto/Axios
Dunkin' at Market Square
- Don't scoff. Dunkin' is one of the few spots in Market Square that looks out prominently onto the square without anything obstructing the view. Squeeze into the couple of window seats with a donut and a medium regular and linger a couple minutes longer to take it in.
- 28 Market Square in Downtown.