I don't have much of a taste for coffee, I'll pretty much down anything that slightly resembles it and I'll be content. I've heard told that this place sold the "best coffee in pittsburgh" I had to test it out for myself. So on a bright day wandering around the strip, we decided to go to La Prima for some morning coffee. I was blown away by how packed it was, the line extended to the front of the store and there was barely any room. People were anxious to get their caffeine fix and I was anxious to try some of their coffee. Once inside you can see that there is a pastry store adjacent to La Prima (not a bad business idea) and while I did not try the pastries, there seemed to be a lot of happy customers pouring out of the store. Finally, the coffee. The coffee was better than average (which must be pretty damn good because I can't taste quality coffee). I gulped down my cappuccino as fast as humanly possible. It was a great start to a great day at the Strip. I would recommend taking your coffee lover friend here, they will surely appreciate the quality. Note: While they do sell the coffee at La Gourmadine, it does taste better freshly brewed here. read more

Pastries and coffee you can't go wrong. You'll need to get here early if craving an almond croissant.. they tend to sell out by noon. Their other pastries are delicious as well. Try the mele as well. You can wash it all down with an expresso or what I like is an expresso macchiato! read more

La Prima Espresso Co - croissants - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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It's definitely where the people of the strip flock to. It was standing room only when I went to grab my cup of joe. Unfortunately the coffee selection is in Italian, so it's not a cake walk ordering a drink. I ordered the one thing I could make out in Italian, Elixir D'amore and unfortunately it wasn't even a coffee drink. I'm pretty sure I got a San Pellegrino with milk. I'd still give it a four because the drinks that passed by me were ornately decorated and delicious looking. I'll know better for next time. read more

La Prima Espresso Co - Candid Camera! - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

I'm not normally an espresso drinker, but the one I had here was lovely (and ridiculously strong). The smokiness and smoothness of the drink was great. The ambience of this place wasn't fancy by any means - it's one of those authentic Italian espresso places where a lot of older folk come to chat and catch up. It had this "diner" vibe, but of course, without the diner food. read more

La Prima Espresso Co - Espresso - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Before heading out for a long drive, I stopped in here with a friend. Excellent choice, past selves, we did well. I had a simple espresso and it was wonderful - both hot and when it cooled off as I was driving. My friend also enjoyed his drink, though I can't remember what it was. It's a simple, but character-filled storefront. The two employees were kind, great, knowledgeable, and really nice. I'd come back here in a heartbeat. Definitely stop in when you get the chance. Grab a coffee and run. Run with your newfound energy! read more

La Prima offers simple, delicious espresso drinks made in a space shared with a delightful bakery. It doesn't get much better than that. They also sell really epic mugs. Get your coffee to-go and browse the surrounding shops and vendors with a pastry in hand. I can't think of a nicer way to spend Saturday morning. read more

La Prima Espresso Co - View from the outside...it's a great area to walk around with your coffee! - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

If you are a real coffee drinker this is as good as it gets! I absolutely love this coffee shop because it is extremely authentic. Everything is in Italian and even a lot of the people that frequent this place speak fluent Italian which adds an even more authentic feeling to this place. I have always ordered and been happy with the macchiato doppio. If you use a credit card here you have to buy at least $10.00 worth of coffee or merchandise. read more

This is a really great coffee shop. It's always busy and never disappoints. They also have great freshly squeezed orange juice!

Love this place. Reminds me of our trip to Italy. When we came home my husband bought me and expobar for the house. I love making coffee however I love the experience of going to a traditional Italian coffee shop where you stand around the tables and enjoy your daily cappuccino. read more

Nice people but not outstanding coffee. The espresso blend described as 'award winning' didn't have flavors to suggest it was a particularly great award. Drip coffee came with pumpernickel notes, but note dark grainy bread is not a great taste in coffee. I appreciate this places tasty treats, low prices, and Italian cafe feel, but won't be giving any awards to their coffee based on this visit. It all comes out too average (2.5-3 stars) after, like too many places, the drip coffee is too hot to consume black. read more

Easily the best espresso I have had in town. Previous reviewers are correct - if you are used to the idea of a coffee shop that the local and national chains have given us, there really isn't room for that there. However, the coffee is second to none and for those of you that like to make your coffee at home, they do sell a wide selection of their beans at a reasonable price compared to other coffee shops. read more

Awesome coffee and old city feel! I love this little shop and will visit every time I go shopping at the strip! See you soon.

I love the Strip District and this little trio on 21st is the best. I'm fortunate enough to be here in summer when the weather is pretty perfect - not humid, just right. 1) Have a double cappuccino or espresso at La Prima Did I mention the fresh squeezed orange juice? It's a great combination of the sweet of the juice and the bite of the espresso. Now great espresso is expected, but what is really fun here is the people watching. I love the tables of men lingering over their espressos looking very dapper from their gold chains to their loafers. Slipping between Italian and Pittsburghian. It's a little slice of Italy in the Strip. 2) Get anything at Colangelo's Bakery They have a croissant wrapped egg and tomato sandwich for breakfast. It is perfect. The crispy pastry, the egg cooked perfectly and spiced exactly right. Everything in the case looked great and I hope to be back to try more. 3) Wander into Pittsburgh Popcorn This place is fun. Watch and taste and you'll have to buy. From sweet to savory they have it. The Chipotle Cheddar is great. They usually feature four flavors of the week and if you are lucky, one will be Dill Pickle. Now that you are fortified, hit the trail at the waterfront and walk to your next meal.... read more

We got an espresso, latte, regular coffee and a croissant. So delicious with great service. I can't wait to go back!

Do not go here during the week if you expect them to open on time. I was there today and it was 615am and there was no employees at all. Managed very poorly. The older lady with a short hair cut is the one who doesn't open on time when she is scheduled. Please move this lady to a different time. 6am is too early for her. read more

La Prima Espresso Co - Signage - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Walking around Strip district on a beautiful spring afternoon we came across La Prima. Delicious aroma of coffee welcomed us inside. It was quite crowded and lots of people were in line. We ordered cappuccinos and it was one of the best cappuccino I have had in Pittsburgh ! They had lot of good looking pastries too , which I want to try when I go there again. The menu written in Italian was really neat too! read more

What an amazing find! I have become so jaded in my travels with generic coffee shops pretending to be Italian because they have Italian roast coffee and a picture of the Colosseum above the register, as if that is all it takes. No, this place is the real deal, through and through. I really felt like I was back in Italy the moment I walked in. Up on the TV there was an Italian football game being broadcast in Italian. In front of me in line were a group of people discussing the merits of Lambrusco wine from Modena and how its "Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita" certification is reason enough not to confuse it with lesser imports marketed under the same name. Mind you, this conversation was entirely in Italian. Meanwhile, behind me there were some old men have an entirely different conversation in Italian. This was by no means unique to my first visit either. It really is a slice of Italy here! Authentic ambiance aside, the coffee is rather good too. My only lament is that their large is not an Americanized large. They have a pretty nice selection of bags of organic and fair trade beans should you wish to brew some at home. Espresso? They are actually one of the wholesalers for espresso machines in the city, and they actually service the machines. Yeah, they know what they're doing. You really can't miss at all here. The best part though is that this is genuinely a place where you want to hang out, relax, and socialize. It's wonderful! read more

Coffee! I love Pittsburgh and with a lazy saunter through the strip, the tourist in me needs a coffee in hand. This is the place. Standing room only, some tables to lean on, but get in get out. You'd better know what you want though, or you do get some sass. read more

Best coffee in Pittsburgh! My husband and I stopped in and got two Americanos. The espresso was so good that we returned the next morning for two more, and a bag of espresso beans for home! Service is friendly and speedy! One of my favorite places in the Burgh. read more

Best Espresso Hands down. Makes me want to hop on a plane and come home for a weekend just to wake up on a Sunday and hear italian men next to me while I sip my espresso machiatto. read more

Yum. Great cappuccino. Wonderful location. Delightful bakery next door. Great combination.

A good spot for a cappuccino on a Sunday morning. Expect a good crowd and enjoy sitting outside at their wrought iron chairs and tables watching the Strip activity. read more

I have fond memories of this place. I was truly introduced to Italian Expresso and dry Italian snack pastries etc. Coming from small town Ohio and moved to the big city of Pittsburgh in the mid 90's I did not understand but got to know their product line. My best friend at the time worked for LPE for about 7-8 years and traveled around to all of their Pittsburgh branches. I have been to them all. Hard working family owned I have a fondness in my heart for this coffee. Ground right when you order. I remember the friends and the family sitting out front until close on a Saturday afternoon parlare italiano in front of the store. K sitting out front with her table of illustrated greeting cards. It was always packed on Saturday. I will probably add an addendum as I remember more. read more

I used to buy La Prima espresso for my Pavoni all the time so I was pretty excited to actually get a cup of coffee here. I ordered a cappuccino. It tasted like milk and no coffee. I was exceptionally disappointed. So while the place has a great reputation, even they can screw it up if they don't pay attention to detail, and at this level they should never screw it up. I had a better cup at Martys Market for crying out loud! read more

La Prima is as authentic as you can get. If you are there on a weekend, there is usually a group of elderly Italian men playing Briscola. That basically indicates that it's Italy right there. I also want to point out that their espresso machine is a beautiful machine and I wish I had it in my apartment. You cannot go wrong with their coffee. One person takes care of you the whole time. They hand grind each order which maximizes freshness of the grounds. I ordered an iced coffee and it was funny that they put the iced coffee in hot coffee cups. There was a self counter that I pour cream and simple syrup to my hearts content. I do not know what type of beans they use but the resulting flavor is smooth, not acidic but still robust enough for those who need a caffeine jolt. La Prima has become my go-to place for coffee at the Strip. read more

Delicious coffee. Live in Cali and like to order their coffee beans for our morning espressos!

Ugh. Terrible coffee. Over pulled espresso. Don't understand the appeal. The italian men outside must have lost there taste buds...

Never thought I was a coffee snob until I tried La Prima. Now it's all I can drink! Love it!

I was expecting an authentic European coffee and got a hot cup of toilet water with a splash of half and half. Nice atmosphere and service, but awful coffee. read more

Can't go wrong! Great coffee and expresso. The last time I visited I had an Americano, which was delightful. I'll definitely be going back more often now that the weather is much colder! read more

Wonderful selection of _Real_ espresso drinks; espressos, machiatos, cappucinos etc. Awesome La Cimbali machine, friendly staff. No frills standing tables to drink your espresso the way it's done in Italy. Highly recommended!!! read more

Pretty good espresso coffee. Plenty of chairs outside to enjoy grungy ambience. Not sure is a five star coffee, but pretty yummy.

Everything about this place is wonderful! The coffee is delicious and the vibe is the perfect mixture of Italy and Pittsburgh! Italian tv can be seen playing in the background, their chalk board posts various Italian sayings every day and conversations in Italian are a regular occurrence. The seating is simple and limited to the outside, while inside there are various tables at which one can stand and sip their espresso or coffee. They also have fresh orange juice and a range of different pastries. read more

Best espresso in pgh- come for the coffee, stay for the old Italians

Exactly what I was hoping for. This is a no-frills coffee shop for anyone who wants an Italian coffee shop experience. Espresso is perfect with a rich flavor. Cappuccinos and lattes are served in heavy glass mugs so you can enjoy them visually as you consume them. Outdoor seating makes the experience complete. I also appreciated features commented on by previous posters like the Italian TV station, the simple decor, the barristas skill. I went here three times in two days, not feeling a need to try to improve this experience. Highly recommended. read more

The coffee is serviceable- but this place gets a one star for service and essentially stealing $15 from my friend. I was here a month ago with a friend from out of town who was accidentally rung up for the wrong order - when she pointed it out, the cashier insisted on issuing a gift card for $15.32 (the difference) instead of refunding the amount to her credit card. Seeing as she doesn't live in pgh, she shrugged and gave it to me to use. When I returned this morning to use the gift card, the cashier told me the gift card had never been activated. The amount it should have been for was written clearly on the front of the card by the prior cashier and we explained the situation - their gift cards aren't something we'd reach over the counter and steal and try to use! The cashier refused to believe us (or really even listen to our case) that it had been legitimately issued to us, and that clearly the previous cashier had failed to activate it. I was completely reasonable about it understanding that we were asking him to go off our word, and trying to see if we could compromise on it, but he was beyond incredibly rude, just repeating the amount we owed and needed to pay, versus hearing us out. Absolutely zero tact or customer service skills. Our total today was about $8 - basically half of what this business had owed back to my friend- and to be honest, we would have considered it resolved if he'd agreed to just take the non-activated gift card and cover our purchase today. I am extremely disappointed by these two interactions with this business. I have reached out to their office to attempt to resolve this - if the company replies and fixes this, I will update the review accordingly. read more

La Prima is not my typical type of coffee shop. With it's stark interior, you won't find any deep armchairs to sink into, no jazz playing softly in the background and no trendy drink of the day. Frankly, I like those kind of places, but if what you want is a really delicious latte, La Prima is the place for that. Don't expect friendly baristas... In fact, they can be downright cranky at times. Typically, service with a smile ranks high for me, but when I taste my mocha (a moka at La Prima) I really don't care if they want to scowl or smile. They produce quality coffee and you won't stand around in line while they chat or refill a pastry case. They'll craft a beautiful beverage fast and even their decaf espresso will beat a full caf beverage at Starbucks by a mile. Expect to have a crash course in Italian since everything from the menu to the trash can is in Italian. Also expect lots of older Italian men with their top 3 shirt buttons undone eating beautifully home style pasta dishes while standing around talking (in Italian of course) at the few high top tables in the shop. read more

This is the classic go to Pittsburgh espresso and coffee spot in the strip, usually packed on the weekends, but worth the short wait for the traditional Italian style goodness. The ever present tv tuned in to Italian television always going in the corner, unless there's a Pitt or Penn State game on Saturdays then They'll be playing that. In nicer weather, there's tables on the sidewalk for seating, shared with The wonderful Italian bakery next door. Try it out, you're gonna love it! read more

The iced coffee here is delicious! With just a drop of cream I'll gladly choose this over any Starbucks drink any day. I bought some Sumatra coffee here to take home. They gladly grind the beans for you in store. The ground coffee was EXPENSIVE, but holy DELICIOUS!! I am in heaven. The best coffee to come out of my auto-drip! read more

Love their coffee! Always stop here if I'm in the strip cappuccinos are always good! Espresso is on point!!