I'm obsessed with this coffee spot. I was hosted here once for Instagram posting purposes, but have since visited twice more on my own spending my own dollars. The vibes here, as the kids say, are immaculate. Warm lighting, a couple of barstool type areas, small table seating in the back. They make the most out of the space they have in this bustling shady side neighborhood. The folks in charge clearly love vinyl as do I, and there are tunes spinning; they have good taste, with classics from the likes of Amy Winehouse and Jeff Buckley. The coffee drinks are made with first rate equipment and they are thoughtful and unique. You'll find ingredients like smoked salt and peppercorn (Smokey Robinson) and delicious specials like a banana caramel latte. Where they really stole my heart was having a full nonalcoholic bar with complex drinks like takes on an espresso martini and old fashioned made with NA spirits. So so good. They are going to rotate food concepts in their kitchen here but first up was Mortadella and I got a veggie sandwich that might be the best I've ever had. It was on a focaccia bread that was beyond to die for. The next time I came I needed that focaccia again and got it by itself. It looks like they are introducing some pastry concepts which I look forward to trying soon. There are so many places in this general area competing for your business but this is truly a spot worth checking out. read more

Pre Amp Coffee Studio - That wonderful focaccia bread. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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2/28/2026 Ate list: Banana Pancake Latte - 8.3 Not a huge banana fan but tried this latte they had on special. Phenomenal. Truly wonderful. Amazing way to start the day. Interested to come back and try the food. read more

Pre Amp Coffee Studio - Banana Pancake Latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

This place looked dope, with a funky '70s vibe and a color palate that looked straight out of "Match Game '76." However, it's SMALL. Wear deodorant, because you will be crammed up next to someone. The service was friendly enough, once I figured out where to order. Maybe a sign would help? Or maybe there was one and I didn't see it. However, I tried to order my go-to espresso drink, an iced black-and-white. They don't have white mocha. That certainly is... an option. Okay fine. An iced mocha. And the espresso was... fine. But the mocha had chunks, which tells me that the mocha was prepped poorly. It threw me off every time I got a chunk of unmixed mocha powder. A mocha is a very basic drink, but to biff it this hard... Looks 10, Execution 4. Sorry... This place needs some serious time in post. read more

Pre Amp is a new coffee shop with a lot of promise, and some damn good (but pricey) options and sandwiches! The veggie sandwich was a stand out, crispy eggplant with a nice spread on a huge focaccia bread piece, it's a little pricy but is basically two meals. The drinks are also on the expensive side, but I really enjoyed the Smokey Robinson, a latte with a really strong spiced peppercorn flavor that not everyone might like. The staff was super quick and helpful, and the vibe was great, but if it's crowded, it's really hard to maneuver around or really sit anywhere. There's a really narrow walkway with seats on the sides, so it's a bit hard to get a seat and do work, read, chat, etc. but when it's not crowded, it's a really chill environment! Excited to see what specials they come up with next! read more

Pre Amp Coffee Studio - Veggie Sandwich Smokey Robinson - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Coffee is delicious and service is always kind and nice. I deduct a star only because the one mural on the back wall is simply a sore sight. But I respect the attempt to stay on theme. read more

Had heard the buzz about a new coffee shop in Squirrel Hill and it did not disappoint. The vibes upon entering were so cool, with the main attraction being the coffee bar right up front. A few steps in, you'll hit the register to place your order, and I appreciated the printed menus that made ordering quick and easy. I stopped by around noon on a Saturday and it still felt smooth and well-organized. I ordered my classic iced London fog and tried the chicken Caesar sandwich. The drink was made well, not watered down like some other shops, with a subtle sweet flavor that hit the spot. The real highlight was the sandwich. I'm usually a baguette-or-croissant person, but their focaccia has officially turned my head. The chicken-to-bread ratio was spot-on, and the whole thing was massive and genuinely filling. I've already been back a second time within the week and I'm pretty sure I'm about to become a regular. read more

Pre Amp Coffee Studio - Iced London fog - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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I love the vibe and ambiance here. They play louder music here so it might make it harder to study here but it's a great place to have a drink with friends. They have a rotating food menu and great pastries if you are feeling hungry. They have seats in the front and the back but some of the seats don't have a backing. The workers are nice and friendly. I would definitely come back to try their sandwiches it they ever come back. read more

Pre Amp Coffee Studio - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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Great spot for coffee, chats, and work. I sat near the opened front of the store and was very happy with the fresh air and breeze. The staff was lovely. My chai tea was perfect (and caffeine free!). read more

Pre Amp Coffee Studio - Bar area - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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I wanted to like it. The decor and vibe was nice. I stopped in and ordered for to go. The cashier was nice enough but the service was slow. My latte was ok although the blueberry muffin was good. It has potential so I'll give it another try one of these days. read more

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I stopped by here this past Sunday with my family for our morning coffee. Every weekend we try to visit a new local coffee shop, and on this morning it happened to be Pre Amp Coffee Studio. This shop is located right on Forbes Avenue in the heart of the business district in Squirrel Hill. While it does not look very large from the outside, the space is deeper than expected and offers plenty of seating, including a lunch counter style area as well as standard tables. Near the register, there is a small display case filled with baked goods for sale. For our coffees this morning, I ordered a hot Smoky Robinson with oat milk while my wife chose an iced version of the same drink. The menu describes the Smoky Robinson as a local honey latte with smoked salt, peppercorn, and cinnamon. It was interesting to watch the barista prepare the drink. He measured the honey syrup on a scale and was careful with the number of shakes of the other ingredients. I appreciate that level of precision for the sake of consistency. After a five to ten minute wait, we had our coffees and were on our way. My drink ended up being pretty good. The coffee itself was smooth and rich with a nice depth of flavor. The oat milk contributed its usual taste, while the honey added sweetness and the peppercorn brought noticeable spice. I could taste the smoked flavor clearly at the beginning of the drink, but as I continued, it faded and the peppercorn became more prominent. Since I enjoy pepper and spicy flavors, this was not a major issue for me, but I could see how it might be overwhelming for some people. My wife also enjoyed her drink and especially appreciated the pairing of sweet and savory flavors. The bottom line for me is that I would head back here again in the future. The coffee and oat milk were good, and I enjoyed the sweet and savory combination, though I would personally prefer slightly fewer peppercorns for a more balanced latte. read more

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Another beautifully executed concept from the Richard DeShantz Restaurant Group. The space is stunning, with thoughtful finishes and a relaxed, cool vibe. I stopped in on a Saturday morning with a friend and enjoyed a latte and a Smokey Robinson. Both were well balanced and thoughtfully made. Service was quick and friendly. Definitely worth a visit the next time you're in Squirrel Hill! read more

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This cafe is cute vibes and has REALLY GOOD TRUFFLE FRIES. Feels like im in an old time diner and I had the nicest time holding hands with my wife and talking. I'll say that you should only come here with groups of 2 ppl bc its small and theres only 1 booth big enough for 4 ppl. read more

Cool new spot in squirrel hill. Decor inside gives this a really unique feel. Seating inside is cramped, stools on both sides and the line for the register and way out are the same, it's tight. Food was alright, the Saturday special was French toast sticks. No distinct flavor, which was the same for the dulce de leche coffee. Was hoping for some cinnamon, maybe maple syrup but even the cream cheese frosting was sort of just there. Staff was 50/50 nice and rude. The person who took our order was sweet! Answered a few questions and repeated the order back to ensure it was correct. Woman behind the counter was a bit rude, almost like we should t ask her for anything and she was too busy. Just asked for a cup and went to put the dishes on the counter but was told in a unwelcoming tone to put them on the tray. Which, there wasn't one when we walked out. All in all I want to give it a second shot, but mixed feelings on the first go. read more

Pre Amp Coffee Studio - Dulce de leche macchiato - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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Wow, this a great new gem for Pittsburgh. Top notch coffee AND amazing sandwiches! Plus the vibes are incredible with great staff, decor, and music. Don't be afraid of the prices, with this place you get more than what you paid for. read more

Pre Amp Coffee Studio - Chicken parm sandwich - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

This new spot is stunning!!! It is so beautiful inside with awesome lighting and has a lot of booths to chill in. The wood colors and greenery are chefs kiss. I love the bar area and the staff is super nice as well. The coffee is really good here and their specialty lattes are amazing. Definitely get the honey latte and the maple bourbon one! Love that they have N.A. drinks and sandwiches too. The florentine sandwiches are so so good. You have to get the chicken parm. It was good even when it was cold! The chicken stayed crispy. The San Daniele Proscuitto was good too! Love the focaccia they use in the sandwiches. Definitely one of my new favorite cafes in town! read more

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Love this new spot in the Squirrel Hill neighborhood in Pittsburgh. Such a cool vibe inside and staff were all nice. They have coffee options as well as sandwiches. Everything was super good! Great place to work, grab a coffee to go or catch up with a friend! Highly recommend. read more

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Very cool atmosphere! The vibes are cozy, hip, and retro. The iced latte was lacking some flavor compared to the hot version. The turkey sandwiches were pretty good. I think they could've used some fresh produce to add color and dress them up. All and all, a nice place that we will put into our rotation! read more

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i only had an espresso and a pour over - except they were both EXCEPTIONAL. i really don't know how to explain the exceptionalness of Pre Amp as it is true for EVERY aspect - food, atmosphere, service, uniqueness.. my double shot of espresso was made with 20g and was exceptionally dark and rich and bourbon and maple and birch and oak. with no burt or bitter or charcoal or in anyway unpleasant. the natural Kenyan pour over tasted like it was brewed in strawberry juice. i asked if it was a coherent and the answer no. Passenger coffee, N.A. mocktails. original syrups. pre amp is an 11 out of 10. read more

What a neat coffee shop!! A fun place with an upscale diner/vintage theme. Coffee was damn good too along with attentive service. Looking forward to going back and hanging out. read more

Incredible atmosphere for feeling fresh and chic meeting up with friends in the Burgh