Surprisingly authentic and inexpensive Italian coffee shop in a downtown area. I heard actual Italian spoken here with a news channel from the motherland on the TV. The place was packed on a Saturday afternoon and appeared to satisfy everyone who stood inside. My espresso was just as good as those I had in Europe. Hats off to La Prima! read more

Why go to Italy when La Prima is so much closer. Truth be told this is as close to the italian experience as you will ever get . Is it the best coffee in Pittsburgh? No, but its top 5 and definitely the closest to a true italian feel. Standing room only so don't expect to loiter like you do at Green Tree. You know who you are coffee squatters. Maybe that is what makes this place unique. Its a laptop free coffee environment. Novel Idea! read more

Feels like Italy as soon as you walk in. The espresso, people speaking Italian, gentlemen playing cards. I love this place. Plan on time for a couple cups so you can enjoy, slow down and soak it all in! Be sure add a sfogiatelle or almond croissant from the bakery next door. read more

I came to this cafe after a recommendation from a friend. He spoke highly of the espresso and it was the best he had ever had (even overseas). I couldn't agree more. I ordered a doppio (double espresso) and it was only around $2.50. Beyond excellent. The staff was very friendly as well and many customers hanging out and/or eating food from the cafe next door with their coffees. It is the Strip District so keep that in mind for parking. Looking forward to becoming a frequent customer and buying their ground coffee as well! Definitely give La Prima a "shot"! read more

If you want an authentic Italian coffee shop, this is the place. Coffee is fresh and service is friendly. There was even a group of old men speaking Italian and laughing at a table in the corner. I felt like I was in a different country. It was a really enjoyable experience. I am so happy that I found this little gem. read more

Best latte and cappucino's! ... Although the one from last Tuesday was a bit eh. I grab a couple bags of Paulie's Blend every time I'm back in town for my friends in Houston and they always love it. read more

This is absolutely my favorite place for a leisurely coffee on the weekends in the Strip. There is nothing my husband and I love more than stopping here for coffee and then doing some shopping at Penn Mac for the week. Most weekends the line can be out the door, but we love the authentic Italian feel of the place. The lovely regulars also help add to the ambiance. There are several groups of older men who bring their own tablecloth and play cards outside. On a recent occasion we even witnessed them roasting chestnuts over a fire! In addition to the great coffee, the food next door is amazing. Their roman style pizza is to die for! And do not leave without trying one of the mele's - almond, cherry, raspberry - you can't go wrong! I'd like to think this is our secret place for coffee and "breakfast pizza" as we call it, but I know others in the city agree with me. read more

My favorite place to go for coffee in the strip! I love the atmosphere of this place I feel like I'm in Italy! A lot of Italian locals hang out here, they make all kinds of different coffees! There especially busy on weekends but its worth the wait. They make there orders pretty quick so line moves fast! read more

I've been going here for years. As an Italian I can say this place is authentic. The espresso is made right with a great machine. They even air Italian television. Be warned they do not have a public restroom. Located in the strip district it's the place to be seen by every Italian in Pittsburgh. Lots of Italians gather on Saturday morning for coffee and some even play cards together. I love how they serve espresso is a real ceramic cup no paper cups. Don't expect Starbucks. It's better and the real thing. read more

The best coffee in Pittsburgh. Do it right and order an espresso or cappuccino. Grab something from the connecting door to pastry happiness. Then go and stand around one of the tall tables and just enjoy. Take in the surroundings of a true coffee shop. read more

This place is a must for all you coffee lovers out there! I wish they would open up a store in northern Virginia because we need less Starbucks' and more coffee places like this. I ordered the mocha cappucino and it was fantastic! Not too sweet. I will definitely be stopping by again whenever I am in Pittsburgh. There are tall tables inside but no chairs. There are chairs and tables outside on the sidewalk. This place really is as good as it gets! read more

None finer. Excellent coffee, service, atmosphere. I go early in am, no trouble parking. Quick, friendly service. Priced just right too. No 'barista-hipster' attitude. read more

This is one of my favorite places to get a mocha. Whenever I walk in here, there are always a few folks standing at the tables, sipping their espresso, and chatting in Italian. Note that they have minimum for using cards. read more

Love this coffee shop. My favorite is the Latte, didn't like the cappuccino as much. Love sitting outside and watching the older Italian guys play cards. Iced and hot lattes are fantastic. Get a latte, sit outside and enjoy. read more

Awesome coffee! Italian style. My fav is the moka doppio cappuccino - which is like a chocolate cappuccino with high quality semisweet chocolate. They have the best almond pastries as well. It gets busy but is worth the crowd! read more

A nice little cafe with wonderful coffee (I ordered iced cappuccino). Available seating outside but doesn't really work for the summer.

The best place for coffee!!! I love everything about this place.. The atmosphere, the neighborhood feel, the baristas, and the patrons (especially the little Italian men sitting outside playing cards drink espressos). A huge favorite place in my book!!! read more

I got to La Prima every weekend !! I work right by them, and I love their coffee and things they have to offer; they recently started with iced coffee, which is a plus for many but I love my hot Vanilla Latte; the only thing i will add is, that if you get served by the older lady (idk if she is the owner or not) she will not give you your change back, if your coffee cost 1.80., she will keep the change, not that I would not have tipped i always do for a latte, but at least give me the option of my change. I always leave a 1$ bill for the other employees. But she wont give me my change if she did she would get a 1$ bill from me..... lol read more

I've been going to La Prima for 5 years, and I have yet to drink an espresso that I love as much. Super smooth, well crafted, flavorful and rich. I wish I lived next door, I'd grab one every single day, no question. Try the mocha latte as a first (i like more coffee so I get the doppio) read more

In the Strip District, one of the best cappuccinos I ever had. They have a few tables outside on the sidewalk, and it's right next door to Colangelos which makes some killer baked goods. read more

Very good coffee, love that they offered free coffee after yoga in the square on Sunday at market square.

This is the best Italian- style cafe/"bar" in Pittsburgh. And I know because I used to live in Italy. The espresso & cappuccino is perfect

Delicious, authentic espresso, lattes and cappucinos. The only drawback is sometimes the line is a little long in the morning but it's definitely worth the wait. read more

I do like the coffee, and food here. However, what kind of eating establishment that allows you to sit and eat a meal or drink coffee, does not offer a public restroom? This is rediculous! I had to walk all the way down to Wholey's for the restroom. Next time, I will think before spending my money here. read more

I don't know what happened to this place. Once upon a time they had knowledgeable baristas who cared about their craft. Now they have teenagers who don't even know the names for things. read more

As close as you will get to an authentic Italian cafe in Pittsburgh (or most anywhere in the U.S.). This is one of my favorite spots in the city. The coffee is superb, the baristas are friendly and skilled. Sam, the owner, is almost always around to greet regulars and newcomers alike. A dopio (double) cappuccino with a slice of pizza from Colangelo's next door is a perfect way to spend a Saturday morning. What completes this place is the atmosphere. On any given Saturday morning the space is packed, spilling over to the outdoor seating. On a shelf above the coffee machines in the upper left corner has a television permanently tuned to REI, the Italian television station. There's usually a futbol game or some Italian news broadcast playing. Without fail there will be these elderly Italian gentlemen playing a traditional card game in the corner. For a great cup of coffee made however you like and the atmosphere of an authentic Italian cafe, go to La Prima Espresso. read more

Espresso was good, but the service made it bad. I refuse to pay to be treated with disdain. Why be so unwelcoming? Yuck, yuck, and YUCK! Not worth it. read more

Go there for the espresso! Really not much else to say. Didn't try anything else there so can't really comment on it. The location is prime and great for people watching. Just be sure to order something cold during the summer if you're planning on being there for a while; there's no air conditioning :/ read more

Best cappuccino I've found in Pittsburgh. The baristas are attentive and friendly and know how to make great coffee. The community vibe is the best part; people actually talk to each other instead of staring at their laptops with headphones on! Such a variety of people too, from Italian businessmen having a standup business meeting on a weekday morning to families shopping the Strip on a Saturday. A cappuccino for here and a warm ham and egg croissant from Colangelo's (attached) make me a happy girl. read more

Great place. Love the old school vibe with no fuss. They roast some really tasty beans, but at times the shots in the store can be a little off. I usually just buy the whole beans for home since I have a Vibiemme HX machine and a Mazzer grinder in my house. Go with the Miscela, it's great. read more

Loved this place. Best cappuccino I've had in a long time. I even went back later to get a regular cup of coffee, and it was also very good. Everyone was nice, and I loved the atmosphere. It was crowded, but it felt very similar to the espresso shops of Florence. read more

La Prima makes amazing coffee and is usually my first stop when I go shopping in the Strip. Unfortunately, that means I am usually there on Saturday or Sunday morning when everyone else in Pittsburgh is craving coffee too. The line is usually to the door and it is hard to find a spot if you want to relax and drink your coffee, but the wait is well worth it! Their coffee is delicious and if you are not sure what one of the drinks are the staff is very knowledgeable. La Prima is also adjacent with a little bakery shop that is usually my second stop in the Strip. I highly recommend visiting both! read more

Best coffee in the Strip! All organic all roasted in-house! Espresso is perfect. Iced coffee takes 24-hours to brew. This is legit.

hey i'm not a coffee drinker. it would be really great if you could get some real tea. it's such a drag to go with my friends and watch them drink, and i have a bag in some warm piss water. read more

This is the only place that can come close to making a cappucino like you would get in Italy. Go for the coffee, stay to hear the men speaking Italian. read more

Have never had a bad experience! It can get a little crowded but it's worth the wait. All coffee is fantastic and the raspberry and chocolate croissants as well as the ham and cheese croissant sandwich are great. Definitely recommend, but get there early! read more

This place was GREAT! I'm super picky when it comes to my cappuccinos, but this place did not disappoint. Just to add, there was a group of elderly Italian men playing cards outside.... It just adds to the authenticity of the place!!! read more

Went here to try the coffee. Usually go to Allegheny Tea and Coffee Exchange. It's true that the service you get can ruin the experience. Will probably never go here again because the person servicing me was rude. read more

We were so excited to find La Prima still open and thriving with some of the best espresso and cappuccino after not having been to Pittsburgh in over 20 years. The service is fast, friendly, and made us feel like we were in Italy for a short while. read more