This coffee shop has always been so close to my job, which I love when I get real tired of the coffee in the office. Past experiences have been great and speedy. Today, not one "good morning" or acknowledgment that I was present. Part of it might have to do with some sort of invoice they were distracted on. One gentlemen apologized and got my order placed. All in all, they're coffee is still awesome and so are their bagels. Idk what cream cheese they use, but it makes a difference. read more

What up, Big Dog!? I'll tell you what's up, this place is my IDEAL coffee shop. Literally. Figuratively. In my dreams. In Pittsburgh. In my Pittsburgh dreams. Why, you ask? Well, I'll list out the what's what: *A customizable OATMEAL BAR. Yes! Oatmeal with all the fixins: brown sugar, walnuts, chocolate chips, dried fruit and more....! A perfect alternative to pastries and sugary treats, but still a filling breakfast. I love this. Love, love, love it. It's so simple and so great. Mine was piping hot and kept me full well into the day. SO much better than a muffin, and better for you! Roughly $5.50/bowl. No refills, of course. This ain't a buffet, and how much oatmeal can one really eat, anyway!? I might just put one of these in my house. *Wonderful coffee and tea offerings served in REAL MUGS if you are hanging out. Not to mention, INTELLIGENTSIA coffee brewed and served. Be still my Chicago-loving heart. *Bright, clean, spacious, cozy: A fireplace, plenty of sturdy tables and chairs. Bright paint, wood floors, just a down home comfy feel that makes you want to sit around all day drinking great coffee, reading books and chatting with dear friends. It just makes you feel HAPPY. Well decorated. Nicely appointed. *CLEAN BATHROOMS. 'Nuff said. *Friendly staff. You'd think this would be a given at a caffeine-slinging coffee shop, but it ain't always the case. We were greeted with warm smiles and helpful suggestions. Bad ass. Big Dog. Do it. *accepts credit cards *free wifi read more

Loved this coffee shop, where Rachel C and I plunked down this morning to get an hour's worth of work done. I had already had several cups of coffee so decided to move on to something lighter. I saw iced tea on the menu and asked the friendly guys behind the counter if they had iced green tea. The one guy said he could brew it hot then pour it over ice for me, and then he proceeded to explain the four different kinds of green tea they have. So beyond nice. I selected the emerald tea and it was earthy and delicious. Just what my body needed. Rachel took a sip and told me it tasted like grass, but we had already established that our palates are wildly different. If you like green tea, you'll love the emerald. There wasn't much seating inside though we managed to snag a table. There is also a super cute patio outside, where a lot of people were happily typing away. Free wireless and no password necessary, by the way. Loved this coffee shop and I'd be hitting them up on the reg if I lived in the 'Burgh. read more

Love Big Dog Coffee! I am a huge fan of the oatmeal bar, iced coffee and iced lattes. I normally visit this spot everyday before work (oatmeal and iced coffee). The interior space is beautiful, sort of a anthropologie feel to it. A lot of eclectic pieces with out looking like a cheesy TGI Fridays. Also the patio area has charming wrought iron furniture for the occasional nice day in Pittsburgh. Pro: really friendly staff, oatmeal bar, sunny interior, great coffee Con: Oatmeal bar can be a bit pricey( although the serving is huge), could use a couple more comfy cars. Overall: Great place for studying, reading, first date and people watching! read more

Big Dog is my husband's go-to coffee shop, and since we work for the same company, I often end up getting coffee with him. Well, needless to say, it's quickly become my go-to place, too. I don't have extensive coffee knowledge. I like both milk and sugar in my coffee and my coffee is more tan than black. But Big Dog is SO GOOD that the quality and flavor of their drinks overcome the fact that I water them down or only order lattes. I highly recommend this spot. The baristas and owner are great - very funny and easy to make conversation with. It's the sort of spot that draws you in and will make you not want to go back to work.... Essentially, skip the Caribou, Starbucks, and Crazy Mocha, because if competing head-to-head against any drink, Big Dog will come out on top. They're simply the best. Meandering across the street away from the chains is totally worth the additional steps. read more

Big Dog is love. Coffee and ambiance must go together. Frankly, I think the reason I love it here so, so much, is because the slightly creaky wood floors and back patio remind me of my Gram's house ... cozy, comforting, with big chairs and old furniture that beg to be sat in. It's just ... not corporate coffee. And for those of us who live the corporate lifestyle, having coffee in that kind of space is reassuring that the world is still an okay place. They use Intelligentsia beans, a question that a few folks have seemed to pose and I think other Yelpers have mentioned but the reviews might be a bit buried at this point. They roast in Chicago and LA, so chances are if you've had a cup somewhere in those metro areas, you've probably had it before. Other things of note ... amazing gelato in the summer; always an oatmeal bar for breakfast and soup bar for lunch (soups are all homemade), and a ridiculously tempting selection of biscotti and scones/other treats that coffee deserves to spend time with. And ... free wi-fi! Whoop whoop! read more

I came into Big Dog Coffee on a miserable cold, rainy morning seeking a caffeinated beverage and something to munch on. Upon walking in I was astonished how this little establishment just blended in so well with the neighborhood in South Side. I mean I wasn't expecting to find a coffee place with spot lights beaming through the sky, but Big Dog naturally blends in with the existing south side neighborhood. The coffee shop is very home-y for anyone, maybe that's why I stayed for three hours. I felt as if I was in a relative or a friend's place drinking coffee and browsing on my laptop, I loved how comfortable and cozy the place is. I loved my Mocha, it was definitely top notch and better than anything I've ever had at a coffee place that ends in -bucks. Big Dog offers an awesome oatmeal bar and some other delightful breakfast goodies. I'll definitely be back. read more

Coffee tastes great and extremely helpful and friendly staff! The decor and all around set up makes you feel like you're having a cup of coffee in your own living room. Also the outdoor seating is beautiful. Highly recommend big dog coffee read more

This was a pretty good place! My iced latte was good, though I have had better. The atmosphere is fun and has some space to do work in, but it can get crowded and sometimes loud pretty fast. I would recommend this place. My friend had a hot vanilla latte and said it was great! read more

This is a cool coffee shop! Great coffee served in big ceramic cups! Definitely sit inside and enjoy. It is a nice place to work. Big enough tables, comfy chairs and eclectic wall hangings. Reminds me of a West Coast coffee shop. Lots of students and laptops. I've just been twice, once early in the AM and tonight in the PM. The baristas are well trained and can make intricate designs in attractive lattes. The have Buckeyes! Other scrumptious snacks are also available. I'll be back and so should you. read more

Big Dog Coffee - Early morning coffee - Desserts Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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Little hidden gem on the Southside. The inside of this place is really cute with lots of seating. The coffee is now one of my favorite! I always make a pit stop when I'm in the area. read more

I'm a big fan of Big Dog Coffee. It's a relaxed, welcoming shop that's big charm, even if it's just two rooms. I love the dog items and the dog friendly atmosphere, too. Usually it isn't too loud or too quiet to work, the chairs are comfortable, and the coffee is top notch. I could stay here for hours! I love the cranberry bread and the muffins are amazeballs. Now, the drinks deserve a paragraph unto themselves. The tea selection is extensive. You get your leaves loose in a small French press (and you also get a second fill of hot water included). They have plenty of caffeinated coffee creations to keep you happy if that's what you're in to - I personally lean more coffee than tea. This is the place that will give you a funny look if you order a macchiato but really mean that you want a latte - they don't mess around with the goods and I appreciate that! Big Dog takes coffee seriously, along with everything else that they do. Pros: coffee is amazing and created with attention to detail, baked goods and other food selection is extensive, tea is fresh and loose, hours are great (open later) Cons: baristas are sometimes a little curt and impersonal unless you're a regular, can be hard to find a seat if it's a day that everyone comes in at the same time, real talk: the ladies' room is always freezing! What's up with that? read more

The Beatles are almost always playing and it's amazing. It's really good spot to study, with comfortable chairs, charging outlets, and super friendly employees. The tea, with their freshly brewed tea leaves, is amazing. read more

I have a warm fuzzy feeling just thinking about Big Dog Coffee, for more reasons than one. First off, I went here with my boyfriend for our first anniversary. Since we're both from the Pittsburgh area, we thought that we had tried every coffee shop in town. But thanks to Yelp, I found a new place for us to try on our special day -- and it did not disappoint. We both got plain black (Intelligentsia!) coffee in big lovely mugs. It was strong but not bitter, and left us feeling great rather than over-caffeinated. My boyfriend got the best croissant we've ever tasted, toasted with some jelly. I had a small chunk of banana bread -- nothing groundbreaking but definitely a delicious treat. The staff was very friendly and made sure to great us AND say goodbye on our way out -- definitely a great way to make your customers feel welcome. The decor was clean and quaint yet also hip, perfect for any coffee lover. There was plenty of seating so that we didn't feel as though we were hogging the two big comfy chairs we sat in for about an hour. Also, really nice *clean* bathrooms... a strange thing to comment on, but a really nice thing to have. When I move into the city this is definitely going to be a regular spot for me. I love that it's just off the beaten path, placed perfectly in a residential area in easy walking distance to the main drag. Thanks for making our anniversary such a great one, Big Dog! I'll be back ;) read more

I don't know. The place is nice. The coffee is good. But it's not out-of-this-world good. From the reviews, I expected a religious experience in the coffee quality, but it wasn't that. And the service staff are too-cool-for-school art students who'd never let a customer see them smile; I'm sure they'd seethe at being called service staff. The coffee is good, the oatmeal bar is a nice touch, the interior is cutely done, but I didn't leave Big Dog shuddering and speaking in tongues or anything. read more

Ahhhhh coffee. This place is nice. Great atmosphere, super friendly and helpful staff, owner nice as could be. The coffee is delicious and the oatmeal bar - perfect for a quick breakfast. We are in town visiting staying at a nearby Airbnb and we will be back! read more

I stopped in with a gift card the boyfriend had in his wallet for a year in search of some caffeine to help power me through a long day at my second job in the southside. It was chilly when I walked down to Big Dog and upon walking in it was like walking into your Grandmother's house. (If your Grandmother had impeccable taste in upbeat fun morning music and hip style.) it was warm, softly lit, inviting, and smelled so good. I ordered my usual coffee and opted for a bagel with butter to go. Everything was delicious,as I had expected it to be. The coffee was hot and strong, but not that Starbucks "I can't drink this." strong. I know when I have time and a morning to stop down I'll be sure to try the oatmeal bar they have set up in there too. As always, extra friendly employees with great attitudes that never make you feel rushed or dumb if you don't know what something is. I love love LOVE Big Dog. read more

The shop is cozy, and i thoroughly appreciated its real wood burning fireplace and big overstuffed chairs and latest copies of the NewYorker. After walking around Pittsburgh's great little neighborhoods, i must say that the only thing i didnt like about this place was the location. Among the BCBG and H&M stores, this place is a gem. I would MUCH rather go here then the Caribou which is directly across the street. the mixed coffee beverages are no nonsense if youre looking for something to keep you up. Nikolai the barrista is charming with his (slavic?) accent. read more

Big Dog Coffee is one of my favorite places to get a hot beverage or oatmeal. It has a comfy, modern feel to it, and there is more than enough seating if you would like to sit, chat, read, or study. It is away from the noise of East Carson, which is always a plus in the South Side. I like the Intelligensia coffee (its direct trade), and their other beverages are great as well. One of my favorites is their chai latte. The baristas are always friendly and I like that they serve their coffee a little cooler than piping hot so you can immediately enjoy your beverage. read more

My two pups and I LOVE stopping by here to grab a delicious Honey Latte and a toasted bag before heading to the dog park in the morning. Theres a little hard near the counter with free treats for pups and the human food is pretty great too. The bagels are always toasted perfectly with incredible flavor. Thanks Big Dog! read more

They had me at Intelli... ...that's Intelligentsia. And, they brew it. On the Southside where I lived. The best kept secret of Pittsburgh is how terrible it is to get around in this city. Don't really tell anyone though...because more people should visit the Steel City. And Big Dog Coffee. Especially Big Dog Coffee if you're a 'burgh newbie & are looking for some respite from the Southside bustle. Seriously...am I in Brooklyn or the Southside? It's kind of a big wild party around here...and this place is a clean, well maintained, caffeinated oasis. Parking is a bit hairy...but I suggest just moving to the Southside so you can walk there. And, walk to freshly brewed Intelligentsia coffee -- now that's good livin'! read more

A really nice place to go for some good coffee. They have a lot of froo froo drinks if that is what you are into but also have good coffee for people who are serious about it. I love that they have a "real cappuccino" The is impossible to order in a large size because that is not what a cappuccino is. Yesterday when I ordered a double espresso they even asked my what kind of espresso I wanted and were able to tell me the differences between the choices. Big plus for me. The baked goods are always varied and always look tempting. They taste pretty good too. There are 2 cozy rooms to sit in inside and also a outside area for in the summer. I think it's a bit of a shame that the outside area is fenced off from the sidewalk though. Not good if you just want to take in the neighborhood and watch people go by. Would highly recommend this place. If you are in the Southside Works and want a good coffee, take the time to cross the street instead of going somewhere mainstream. read more

I love this place so damn much. I've been looking for a place in NYC that matches its awesomeness, but I've been coming up short. * bombass oatmeal bar * employees who smile and treat you like a human being! * intelligentsia * beautiful, cozy space * accepts credit cards What more could you want? read more

Big Dog Coffee is by far one of my favorite spots in the South Side. This family owned neighborhood coffee shop provides a creative and relaxing environment with a delicious and wide variety of coffee and pastries. One of my favorite aspects of this shop is their 'book swap' wall where customers are free to take any book they like off the shelf in exchange for another; it's a great way to get rid of old books you've already read while expanding your own collection. Any time my friends and I are in the South Side, we make it apparent to stop in and take in the adorable atmosphere and a satisfying cup of coffee! There are a lot of comfy places to relax and work on homework or read a book. My go-to order is their seasonal honey latte, it's so good and they add a little latte art. read more

For the sake of not boring you dear readers by being redundant, I will just say this: Best. Cafe. Ever. Love!! The end. read more

Stopped in once for a chai tea, hot coffee for the wife, who is a coffee snob (you know you are, honey). I was curious to try this place, as I had toured it a few years ago when it was ripped down to the studs and was on the South Side home tour. It was really very cute inside. We got our beverages and got a slice of banana bread to go. Well, I'm sorry to report the banana bread was really dry, the chai tea was weak and downright flavorless. Wife hated her coffee. With every sip, she said, "Ooooo, not good". "I don't like this", until finally after giving it one last try, wincing, and throwing her overpriced beverage in the trash. The decor is cute, but the quality of the product just wasn't good. We will know better next time. read more

This is one of my two favorite coffee shops in Pittsburgh. There's great outdoor seating in the front on padded bench seats that offer a nice "front porch" feel of watching the traffic go by. The back has a nice patio that, despite it being in between a bunch of crummy parking lots, has a dramatically remote and private, calm feel to it where you can sit and read a book, use up some of your free wi-fi, or talk with friends. Inside, there are two comfortable chairs and the rest are standard wood table/chair sets, with the exception of some seating by a wood-burning fireplace that's kept lit almost all winter. There are ample windows for a nice amount of sunlight to save your eyes from the page or screen at which you've been staring for hours. The coffee here is STRONG! As an avid coffee drinker, who drinks a lot of coffee, I find this the most "druggish" around, to the point that I typically need to settle my stomach with one of their delicious, gigantic cookies. The Big Dog Blend, the house blend, is great tasting and smooth, but their regional coffee usually hit's a good note as well. Their specialty drinks are always perfect. If I were to make any complaints, I'd say that I wish they had a smaller size option - they have more, uh, "American" style sizes instead of traditional European smaller options, at least when it comes to cappuccinos. But that's probably because when I want a cappuccino, I really want a macchiato. Also, their prices are pretty high, not above what they ought to be, but above what some other high-end coffee shops charge - especially for plain ole coffee. Their decaf is made by reusing the regular coffee grinds, I'm pretty sure, which is a healthier and more natural way of making decaf than using bleach and a bunch of other chemicals, but my mom got a decaf coffee and it was pretty watery. Just sayin. Everyone who works at Big Dog is friendly and knows what they're doing. Owner is usually on-scene. Great place. Go there! read more

There are a few times in your life when you regret a decision. The decision to drive across town to come here is not one of them. After a heavy dinner downtown, the girlfriend and I wanted coffee. But we're members of Coffee Drinkers Anonymous, so we're super picky. Needless to say, this place is amazing in every aspect possible. From the time we walked in, we were in love. The prices are cheaper than anything you can get at some chain. The espresso is pressed and roasted in front of you. The milk wasn't to the barista's satisfaction, and so he took the time to dump it out and tell us that it needed to be better. It took thirty seconds, and the result is one of the best cups I've had in a long time. Oh, and I forgot the saucer-sized chocolate chip cookie. It was super fresh, moist, soft, and delicious. And two huge mugs and the cookie cost me ten dollars. Needless to say, if you're even close, just get here. It's that great. Don't argue, just do it. read more

This is, bar none, one of the greatest coffeeshops I have been in. The atmosphere for one is the best I've ever experienced. At first entry it seems very cozy, but once you've ordered and taken a look back, you'll find a very expansive seating area, including a brick patio, two large rooms with tables, and a lounge in the front with armchairs. Even for being very large (though with a small bar), it still retains a very down to earth, homey and relaxed feel. It's smartly sectioned off; like I said, giving an impression of a small space while being well sized. Now to the best part; the coffee. I ordered a caramel latte and it was absolutely fabulous. It had a very soft and creamy texture, something hard to achieve with any coffee. This goes to a combination of factors. High quality machines processing the coffee at high pressure, the skill of the barista, and the quality of the espresso beans all came together to produce such a wonderful end result that I'll certainly be bringing, no, dragging my friends here this afternoon. Hardcore American-style coffee enthusiasts will disparage some of the drinks as being too soft on the palate, and I would agree; the harsh bite of most coffees isn't present. To me though, having grown up and lived with very high quality coffees my whole life, it's a very welcome change for me from the usual diner-style coffee served at Starbucks or other large chains. Their style both in the ambience and product is distinctly European; and that's just the way I like it. read more

I came here twice and loved it here. I brought my family come here to enjoy the early morning family moments and really love it. The staffs were very nice and friendly, I loved the way they made Mocha for me. They also have some house made yogurt too. Give them a try, and you will love it too read more

I live at this coffee shop. They have some of the best coffee in Pittsburgh and definitely in South Side. They Brew Intelligentsia coffee, out of Chicago, which is pretty awesome stuff. They use it for their drip and espresso. They also have guest roasters from time to time, the most recent being Klatch Coffee out of LA which was pretty awesome. The owner is a great guy and the barista's are knowledgable and skilled the the espresso arts. It's a cool place to hang out and read a book, do some work, and hang out buy their wood burning fireplace. You have to check it out, read more

Everything I've ever wanted in a coffee shop exists at Big Dog. Small home-made snacks, a variety of tea for any mood, and always great roasts of coffee. If you drink it there, they give you a giant mug. You can relax at a table or by a more luxury armchair, read, do some work, surf the internet...and, in the summertime, they open up their outside seating area. The best part is that parking is free on Sarah and Jane, so you don't have to worry about a meter while you hang all day. read more

So cute! I spent some time here today and loved it. The coffee was great and I love that they use really big cups, so that when I ask for a lot of room for cream, it still feels like I'm getting a full cup of coffee. I also had a toasted, buttered croissant that was so delicious that I didn't even care that I spent the rest of the afternoon covered in croissant flakes. read more

Love this little coffee shop on the Southside. Comfy chairs and great coffee made by friendly staff. It's always packed with students studying in their laptops and hard to find a seat so that can be a drag. read more

While I find this to be such a cute, quaint coffee shop, the coffee in my opinion is so so. The service is great and they do have a variety of coffee here, I am just not a huge fan of the coffee. It doesn't have a bold, robust taste to it in my opinion. I also find it frustrating that parking can be difficult. You would think that since it is on a side street it would be easier to find parking but Southside is just so overcrowded that it is impossible. The setup and interior of the shop is really neat. It has a warm, comforting feel to it. It has that old Southside building charm with ornate architecture but made modern with a rustic chic interior design and color palette. They also have a very small outside patio area that is relaxing. Overall, I go back every once in a while because it has a sentimental value to me, one of first dates with my husband. However, if you never stop in here you are not missing anything besides the serene environment. read more

I used to like Big Dog but after a while it tends to loose its luster. My biggest pet-peeve is the squatters. Seating tends to be small since students squat their and push together tables taking up a lot of space. They bring in outside food like subway and nobody says anything to them. It's also a frequent spot for American Eagle corporate employees so it looks like yuppy central. Which makes no sense since they have coffee from Starbucks brought in to corporate and can get it for a dollar. Speaking of price, I don't think they would have to charge as much if they didn't have people hogging up tables. If I were the owners, I'd just kill the wifi altogether to get rid of them. If you're looking to sit and relax and enjoy some tea, I'd suggest staying at home. The prices are too high and they serve it in a giant mug so it looses heat quickly. pretty soon you're just drinking cold tea. So if you are out shopping and want a drink I'd suggest you go someplace else for your quirky cool cafe stop. Big Dog has become more of a yuppy overflow room. No thanks. read more

Coffee is okay but the management is extremely rude. whoever owns this cute coffee shop, should sell it to someone who understands customer service. read more

Caramel lattes are really good and barista are very nice. There is alot of seating indoors and outside. Dogs are allowed and they have free dog treats. They even have a oatmeal and yogurt bar in the morning. read more

The fire place is so great for cold Pittsburgh mornings! I enjoy the atmosphere weather studying, working, hosting meetings or catching up with friends it's a great cozy space. The drinks are a bit pricey, but its worth it supporting local business owners who are great community members. read more

Pretty good coffee and environment! I usually get a latte when I come, and they have a fair amount of seating for studying (though it's usually packed to the brim during peak times so don't count on seating a huge group). They have a really good selection of pastries that I've often ogled but never bought. They also have tea and decaf coffee, so all can be included! read more