Update: We’ve got more to add to this list! Thanks for all of the suggestions, we are working on updating this list.
A note about this list: this list starts from a sad place. When I started to search for cold brew coffee in Pittsburgh, I discovered that many of the places that were mentioned in other stories have now closed, likely a result of the pandemic. As much as I found the name 21st Street Coffee confusing (the coffee shop wasn’t located on 21st street for long), I was sad to see that their Downtown location closed last year. So, I hope you find this list helpful, and that you have a chance to support some of these local businesses and coffee shops.
Iced coffee v. cold brew, yes they are different things
First things first, there is a difference between iced coffee and cold brew. Iced coffee is brewed hot, but served over ice. Cold brew coffee is never made with hot water. To make cold brew coffee, you steep coffee grounds in room temperature or cold water for 12 hours. There are lots of recipes for cold brew coffee online. Check out NPR’s LifeKit for a recipe and a video on how to make cold brew coffee.
Most coffee shops offer iced coffee. Keep reading to find out which coffee shops in Pittsburgh offer cold brew.
What about nitro coffee? Nitro coffee is cold brew coffee with nitrogen added. Nitro coffee, similar to nitro beer, is served from a tap. Nitro coffee is harder to find because the draft systems are more expensive to set up. The Splendid Table has a recipe on how you can make nitro coffee at home. If you’d like to learn more about the history of nitro coffee, this Thrillist article has a deep dive into the origins of this beverage.
Know of another shop that should be on the list? Please let us know! Send an email to [email protected] or tag us in your cold brew photos!
Where to find cold brew coffee in Pittsburgh
Allegheny Coffee & Tea Exchange // Strip District
- Cold brew yes.
- Nitro: yes, six taps available by the cup or in growlers.
- Order online: no. (Caffè d’Amore does have an online shop offering frozen baked goods and other pantry items.)
Instagram: @allegehnycoffee
Caffè d’Amore Coffee Co. // Lawrenceville
- Cold brew yes
- Nitro: no
- Order online: no. (Caffè d’Amore does have an online shop offering frozen baked goods and other pantry items.)
Instagram: @caffedamorepgh
Commonplace Coffee // Multiple neighborhoods
Yinz need to know: Commonplace Coffee is one the best (and only) places to find a breakfast burrito in Pittsburgh before 11 am.
- Cold brew yes
- Nitro: no
- Order online: yes for pick up or delivery. Delivery is also available from Seamless.
Constellation Coffee // Lawrenceville
- Cold brew yes
- Nitro: no
- Order online: yes for pick up.
Creative Coffee & Supply // Downtown
- Cold brew yes, also available in bottles.
- Nitro: no.
- Order online: no.
Instagram: @crtvcoffee
De Fer Coffee & Tea // Strip District, South Side & 2nd Avenue
Yinz need to know: De Fer’s first location is on Smallman Street in the Strip District. They have recently opened locations at The Highline, aka the Terminal Buildings, large converted industrial buildings next to Station Square and La Riveria. (La Riveria is the new name for the office park along 2nd Avenue across from South Side Works. I had never heard of La Riveria, either.) I could not find addresses or hours for the new locations on their website, but all 3 locations are included on the De Fer Instagram account.
- Cold brew: yes.
- Nitro: yes.
- Order online: yes, for the Strip District location only.
Instagram: @defercoffeeandtea
Espresso a Mano // Lawrenceville & Squirrel Hill (inside 5 Points)
*Espresso a Mano does not have their menu online, but their cold brew has been recommended by our followers. We have not yet been able to confirm if there is cold brew at the 5 Points location.
- Cold brew: yes.
- Nitro: no.
- Order online: no.
Instagram: @espressoamano
H Lane Coffee & Dry Goods // Swissvale
Things yinz need to know: H Lane is right around the corner from Vinyl-Man’s Clubhouse, one of the most interesting record collections/shops in Pittsburgh. (Be sure to check out our video on Vinyl-Man’s Clubhouse.) Vinyl-Man is only open on Saturday’s but H Lane has a rack of records you can shop any day that they are open.
- Cold brew: yes.
- Nitro: no.
- Order online: yes, via H Lane’s website, and delivery is available via Grubhub.
Instagram: @hlanedrygoodsandcoffee
Mechanic Coffee // Verona
Things yinz need to know: Mechanic Coffee’s cold brew is available in cans at Giant Eagle.
- Cold brew: yes.
- Nitro: no.
- Order online: yes, via Mechanic Coffee’s website for in-store pickup.
Instagram: @mechanic.coffee
Pear & the Pickle // Troy Hill
Things yinz need to know: The Pear & the Pickle has an amazing breakfast sandwich.
- Cold brew: yes.
- Nitro: no.
- Order online: yes for pickup.
Instagram: @pearandpickle
Uptown Coffee // Mount Lebanon
*cold brew is not listed on their website but was confirmed by one of our cold brew drinking colleagues.
- Cold brew: yes.
- Nitro: no.
- Order online: no.
Follow Uptown Coffee on Facebook for updates
Where to find cold brew coffee near Pittsburgh
Crazy Horse Coffee // Washington, PA
- Cold brew yes.
- Nitro: no.
- Order online: yes.
Instagram: @silverhorsecoffee
Silver Horse Coffee // Donegal
- Cold brew yes.
- Nitro: no.
- Order online: no.
Instagram: @silverhorsecoffee
Cold brew available for local delivery
19 Coffee Company. Thanks to one of our readers for the tip on this one. Coffee 19 is a local roaster that will deliver cold brew concentrate to your door—order by Wednesday for Friday delivery.
Other cold brew coffee sources
La Colombe Coffee makes a cold brew that is available at Walgreens, RiteAid, GetGo and Giant Eagle. You can have La Colome cold brew shipped to you from the La Colombe website.
Dunkin Donuts has opened or remodeled a few stories in the area. According to the Dunkin Donuts app, Dunkin On Tap is available at the Pleasant Hills, Monroeville, Squirrel Hill, Bloomfield and Oakland locations. (I could not find this information on the Dunkin Donuts website.)
📸 Header photo: Getty Images.
