Every college student knows the importance of having a great campus coffee shop– a place to catch up with friends or settle in and study. And since caffeine is the staple of a college diet, we’ve put together a mix of the best cafes on Pitt’s campus. Whether you’re grabbing a cup on your way to class or looking for a new hangout spot, these are the best Oakland has to offer.
Red Hawk Coffee
120 Meyran Ave
M-F 6am-6pm, Saturday 9am-6pm
Red Hawk Coffee is a cozy little hideaway with friendly baristas who are eager to make recommendations and conversation. You’ll want to try the fan-favorite vietnamese cold brew while you’re here. Looking for Red Hawk elsewhere in the city? Book their Coffee Truck for your next event, they’ll even customize the menu specifically for you.
Bonus: Head next door to Peace, Love, and Little Donuts for your post-coffee sugar fix!
The Porch Window
221 Schenley Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15213
M-F 7am-11am
Who can resist a campus classic like The Porch? With this special side window feature, you can grab coffee and breakfast from this Pitt staple without having to wait for a table. The Porch window, located to the right of the main doors along Bigelow Blvd, offers a condensed, to-go version of brunch favorites like their Fresh Fried Doughnuts and breakfast sandwiches.
Crazy Mocha
207 Oakland Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213
Monday-Friday, 7AM-7PM; Saturday-Sunday, 9AM-5PM
A bright shop with fun flavors like Wild Cherry Mocha, this place was founded by a Pitt Alumni. With locations all around the city, look for the signature goat mascot in the window to find Crazy Mocha. If you’re looking for a quiet study spot instead of this bubbly cafe, head a few blocks down Forbes to the Carnegie Library, where a Crazy Mocha kiosk is situated on the ground floor!
The Cafe Carnegie
4400 Forbes Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15213
M-W-F 8-5, Thurs 8-8, Fri 9-5, closed Tuesday
For a more sophisticated feel, try this museum cafe, located right inside the Carnegie Museum of Art. With indoor and outdoor dining options, and a coffee and wine bar inside, The Cafe Carnegie is serving up elegant dishes like the Poached Wild Salmon Niçoise, or more simple snacks like the Shoestring Fries. Stop by for an upscale lunch or take a look around the museum, tickets are 50% after 3 p.m. on weekdays!
Lilliput Coffee and Cafe
477 Melwood Ave
Mon-Thurs 8am-8pm, Fri 8am-3pm
Look no further in the search for vegan options near campus, this North Oakland cafe features meat-free menu items and a full coffee bar too. Try the “Punk Toast” with avocado and veggies if you’re hungry, or the specialty drink called “Mindcure” if you need a caffeine fix– it’s a mixture of fizzy soda, espresso and cream. Located inside the Pittsburgh Filmmakers building, Lilliput’s bohemian seating area is the perfect comfy spot for studying and creative projects.
