La Prima Espresso Company - Strip District

As soon as I walked in and saw the simple coffee menu & small cup sizes, I knew we were in the right spot. After ordering coffee from other local places where it seems like you just get a cup of 90% steamed milk, the difference here was like night and day. For us, it was absolutely worth the wait in line, which didn’t feel that long. I got a 4 oz. cappuccino which was delicious - not too sweet but not too bitter, as it should be. My husband took one sip of his drink as we were walking out and he said, “THAT’S how you make a cortado.”

This coffee shop is amazing! Their caramel and vanilla iced macchiato is miles better than what I’ve had at other places perfectly balanced and full of flavor. I also tried the iced vanilla Americano, and it was just as delicious. Definitely a new favorite spot for my caffeine fix! 🙆🏽‍♀️

Atmosphere- 3 stars- located in the Strip District of Pittsburgh this small coffee shop is clean but basic- nothing fancy. Some tables to stand at inside and some tables outside to people watch. Service- 4 stars- friendly and efficient. Food- we had the Iced Carmel Lattes- not bad just would have liked a bit more coffee and little be less ice next time.

Hands down the best coffee in Pittsburgh!!! The highlight of my work day is going for a cup of La Prima, staff is so friendly and helpful. If you’re getting coffee anywhere else you’re making a huge mistake. My only wish is they had a loyalty program!

This is the OG coffee spot in pittsburgh and for a good reason. The cafe itself is pretty simple, looking with some chairs and tables on the outside for you to enjoy the coffee. Their coffee is top notch, and in fact for my coffee at home, I only get coffee from La Prima. Got the vanilla latte and as expected, it was very good. Just the right amount of syrup. It was little pricey though. They don’t carry a lot of food, but then you can just go next door and get amazing pastries and pies and pizzas. Whenever I want a good reliable coffee to go, this is my spot.

Such a cute coffee shop, amazing coffee and desserts with a pizza place attached definitely worth trying when visiting. Also seems like a local hangout on the sidewalk seating.

I typically get an Americano or cortado. Simply the best. When I’m getting breakfast or brunch in the Strip District, I wait to order coffee and go to La Prima after. Not only is the coffee/espresso great, but the service is too. Never disappointed.

My family and I love La Prima! Everytime we are in Pittsburgh we always stop to grab our favorite Caramel latte and mocha drink! Highly recommend this place. They are a true authentic Italian establishment. I love when my family is there we get to experience the local Italian community come together where they grab a coffee play cards and we get to listen while they talk in Italian. It's like we transformed from Pennsylvanian yinzer community into the streets of Italy. We love everything about this place, it's a must if you are ever in Pittsburgh PA.

I did not have high hopes when I was greeted by a very grumpy cat at the order counter. Well he must not have had his morning caffeine, because they served me up maybe the best iced latte I have ever had. Honestly the coffee was heavenly. The location is also perfectly situated in the Strip District near all of the action. If anyone from La Prima ever reads this - please come to Ohio!

Wow-wee. Be prepared for this spot to be *hopping* on a Sunday morning. Our misguided idea of popping in to grab a drink was more of a "hop in line with the crowd" experience. The Strip District was buzzing with energy. We ordered two cappuccinos and a bag of beans. The cappuccino was delicious. Part of the experience is the energy of all of the old Italian guys hanging out on the sidewalk speaking Italian and drinking little espresso shots. Overall, a fun business that gives off old school Pittsburgh Italian vibes.

I was just going in for some well-needed caffeine. To my surprise, my almond latte was absolutely delicious. Much more than expected and much better than my usual coffee shops. Pleasant staff. Good atmosphere. Great job!

A taste of Italy in Pittsburgh. You won't find better espresso, cappuccino, etc. many other places in town. There are always groups of Italians outside playing cards and enjoying each other's company. I love seeing the sense of community. La Prima is also attached to a great little pizza and pastry shop if you're hungry. Love snagging a table outside and people watching, but be warned it gets very crowded.

Love La Prima! This is my go to coffee spot in the strip. I love trying to translate the Italian message on their chalk board. The vibe is casual and communal and there's almost always a long line at peak hours. Baristas are always friendly and efficient once at the front of the line. An iced hazelnut latte is my usual go-to, which is a favorite, but their caramel is great too!

The coffee here is very good but the flow of the place is off. There isn't a lot of space for ordering, paying and waiting for your drink so it can be kind of crowded. I also wish they had more options for drinks. Overall the coffee was satisfying and we will be back

The best! No trip to Pittsburgh is complete without a stop at La Prima...I go every single time I'm in town. The vibe here is great. Traditional, no fuss espresso (yet accommodating with non-dairy options) served quickly and kindly. There is always at least one group of peoples hanging out and speaking Italian which is so great to see. The espresso is full of flavor too! I got a traditional cappuccino and then ordered and extra shot of espresso separately and I was caffeinated and happy. Definitely go here. Grazie as always, La Prima!

I love the coffee and lattes!! I often stop while I'm in the strip for a little treat. This past visit I decided to pick up some Columbia coffee (beans) from my "coffee maker drip" at home. They sell whole beans but can grind them for you right there. The Columbia La Prima is the best coffee I have ever had.. hands down people!!!

PERFECT coffee shop for summertime. I happened to come right before a crowd swooped in, so I was lucky to get my tasty drink before the line formed. A LOT of people come here, so be prepared for that, but you can see why when you try one of their menu items. They don't skimp on flavorings, and they get your order ready as quickly as possible. They're also willing to explain how the drinks work and offer recommendations. They were so nice and personable, I may go back in just for a chat sometime! They also have plenty of places to sit outside, which is amazing for balmy days. There's not a lot of room inside the facility, however, so it's not an ideal place to sit down and work, though I met with some friends there and we had a great time standing around one of their tall tables indoors. If that's your gig, great! If not, be ready to either sit outside or take your goodies elsewhere. Just be sure to come no matter what! The taste is worth it!

Best damn espresso ever. I'm not a huge coffee person, but anytime I'm downtown or near the Strip, I make it a point to come here. I love their hot lattes and americanos. Also they carry Natalie's OJ which is one of my favorites. Baristas are great and fast, you're always in and out! Would love a La Prima in Washington county.

World class espresso, like the kind you get in Italy. Loved it and great price. Great service too. Wish I could've gone again

The best coffee in Pittsburgh im sure of! I been trying to find amazing coffee and this is definitely it! The original location is so cute! Always tons of people and you get served fast! This coffee place is a must try!

Great cup of coffee. Great service. Nice gem of Pittsburgh. This was our first stop in the city for coffee and it was very satisfying.

I stopped by here a couple of Sundays ago with my wife for our morning coffee. On Sundays, we try to hit local coffee shops and on this day we decided to go to La Prima. For as many times as I have been in the Strip District and walked by La Prima, many many times over the years, I have never actually visited it. On the morning I was there the place was bustling which I was surprised at given that it was early on a Sunday. The inside feels modern but is pretty no frills as there are a couple of tables to drink your coffee at and then a place to order at and that's about it. They had an interesting system of a barista taking your order, making your drink and checking you out which you don't see to often but was effective. It almost felt like you were at a deli. Their coffee selection is also no frills with just your major espresso based drinks. So on this morning I ordered myself a cappuccino and then an americano for my wife. Since I mentioned their efficiency before, I was in and out rather quickly and was on my way. Both of our drinks here were good as the espresso was both smooth and strong. I thought that my cappuccino had the right ratio of milk to coffee to give it a nice taste without blocking that espresso flavor. The bottom line for me is that I would stop by here again in the future. My wife and I both enjoyed our drinks and appreciated the efficiency.

great coffee and staff. I got my usual iced latte and it was great, probably top five coffees in the city. Also shoutout to their drink packaging which is very nice

Amazing coffee shop. Delicious drinks. Barebones little shop with just coffee and lattes and espresso. Take it to go or stay for a drink ( warning limited table space ) . As good as the best coffee places in Italy.

Incredible quality coffee in a small, unassuming shop. The menu is simple and straight to the point, no frills. I felt like I was in an authentic espresso shop in Italy. I got a large iced latte with oat milk ($.90 extra for non-dairy milk). Honestly one of the best lattes I've had, incredibly smooth, the espresso wasn't bitter at all. Excellent quality. A little pricey, but I think it's worth it for the quality. It's also adjoined with an Italian bakery next door, they have some cannolis and other tasty-looking Italian treats.

Love the coffee and they're fairly efficient considering how crowded it gets! Definitely worth the line.

Great laid back vibe. Delicious brew. Perfect for a quick morning stop in the Strip District.

Good coffee place in Strip District. Cafe is small and cosy. They have standing tables inside and cafe and seating options outside-works great in summers It also has a baked goods next door. Service is great as well.

Excellent espresso drinks in the Strip. We ordered a cappuccino, iced latte and cold brew. All were fantastic! As we enjoyed our drinks at one of the many tables outside, we got talking to a few locals who said this place was the best. I'd agree!

La Prima is easily one of the best coffee companies in the city. With other coffee shops such as Bean Thru and Harvest Moon brewing La Prima, it's obvious it's a hit. It can be a little pricey depending on the customizations, but is worth it. No indoor seating is available at the 21st street location, but there is outdoor seating!

Excellent coffee and espresso! A great place to stop for a morning pick me up and relaxing people watching in the famous Pittsburgh Strip District.

But first coffee. La Prima has great coffee! Cute spot. Located in the heart of the strip & downtown!

La Prima is definitely the best coffee in Pittsburgh. Even though the line can get long, the service is always efficient, and I have literally never had a bad drink here. Even if people in your party order off-menu (for example, a London fog or an oat milk latte), La Prima still delivers I love taking people here when they are visiting from out of town or just stopping by on my own when I have a free morning. I hope they never change.

I was at La Prima on a busy Sunday and they were very kind and the coffee was great! I'm here to leave a positive comment because there was a guy being super rude and demanding who is the type of person to leave a bad review. He didn't like the way they made the drink even though it was made correctly using the La Prima recipe. He was being demanding and unkind and the employees handled it with so much grace. Remained calm and respectful and continued their care of other customers without letting his behavior rattle them. Whatever team worked on 2/25/24 did a great job!

I just popped in here for a coffee not realizing how expansive their food menu was. There is inside seating and outside patio-styled seating as well. The ambiance is relaxed - very European. I definitely want to come back and try them for lunch, dinner or dessert. The pastries in their front counter window looked awesome and as I walked out all the food looked really good too.

La Prima is the best coffee shop in the Strip District and it comes with a bakery next door. In a strip with many other restaurants and cafes, La Prima stands out because of their unusually high positive ratings on Yelp. Once you see the line (it moves quickly), you'll see why. It's a no-frills coffee shop brewing up excellent coffee. My latte was tasty and well balanced. Attached to La Prima is a bakery in case you need a croissant with your brew. La Prima also has an excellent social media presence so follow them online to hear about life at La Prima, discounts, etc. We'll make La Prima a coffee staple on every Pittsburgh trip!

Coffee is really good. The vanilla ice latte is really really good, just wish they were open longer

Stop at La Prima on 21st in the Strip District every Friday after an early morning run. Love that they open early and the staff is friendly and make excellent coffees.

Zero star for customer service though espresso is good. The young short hair girl was unacceptably rude for no reason. Although I would love to become a regular for the coffee, I never want to deal with her nasty attitude.

Best espresso in Pittsburgh! Highly recommend stopping by when on the strip or buying a bag of their beans to brew at home

Made a quick pit stop here to refuel with a macchiato and it seems like a really popular spots for locals and you can tell some of the patrons here are here almost every day! The cafe is absolulely no frills. Most of the tables are outside when I went (very warm day) and only had a few standing tables inside. As for the drink itself, the macchiato was made perfectly. The espresso shots here are pulled perfectly by the barista. Like the flavor profile of the espresso too. Pretty cool how there's a connected bakery so we went by the bakery next door to order a canoli to pair with the macchiato.

Cute place and if you are staying at the AC hotel it is very convenient. I ordered a latte with sugar free vanilla. Very good coffee but next time I'll ask for 1/2 a shot. I purchased a greens salad with farro and it was excellent!! Very light, fresh and a perfect portion size. The interior is bright and welcoming.

Downtown atmosphere along the strip. Coffee was a bit bitter. Service was friendly and quick.

Staple is my circle of espresso runs. I do really enjoy their espresso going off of that I will have to say it is the best espresso in town. Great atmosphere and friendly service; everyone is home here.

Espresso & Amazing cappuccino feels like your in Italy always a pleasure to stop here.

I really dig the scene and product here. My favorite would have to be the caramel latte. This is where I go for a coffee when I'm in the Strip District. We like having their coffee at home and the blends we tend to buy most often are Colombia, Hero (this purchase is super important to us because it's partnered with 412 Food Rescue), and Rachel Carson (also important because this is a Chatham School of Sustainability partnership). The coffees are robust, powerful and full of flavor.

You better believe there'll be a line to the door on a Saturday morning. Is it worth it? Yes. We got the cold brew and coffee of the day (Rwanda). Both were solid without (and later with) milk. No sugar needed in the cold brew either! It had a slight chocolatey aftertaste too, which I did not mind at all. Service was fast and they had skim milk and with half & half (I appreciated this because a lot of coffee shops will just offer half & half that ruins the taste of the coffee). Next time, I'll come earlier so I can grab a pastry from the neighboring shop and a seat outside.

Excellent coffee place in The Strip District. Traditional Italian coffee and they sell freshly roasted. It is a must when visiting downtown area

My favorite morning coffee spot in the Strip! I usually make a pit stop before work, and La Prima always makes my day ten times better. Their espresso is smooth, balanced, and freshly roasted. In true Italian fashion, the tables inside are standing-only, but the outdoor area has chairs and tables if you want to pop a squat. A great taste of Italy, both literally and figuratively!

First of all, you pay an arm and a leg for a latte. Second of all, every time I go here my order gets messed up which is really frustrating because you pay so much! You'd think if you order a caramel iced latte with almond milk, they wouldn't forget the caramel and almond milk.....but here we are.... May I also mention they never fill the cup. I get half the latte but pay full price. When they get the order right, its good. But save yourself the frustration and go to a cafe that gets your order correct and fills the cup all the way.

Updating my review, since I have returned MANY times since my initial trip in June. This has become my new favorite coffee shop in Pittsburgh. I'm obsessed with their lattes- I've tried their mocha & caramel. They aren't too sweet, which I really love. The customer service is always great. They are usually busy, and that's ok with me. Just expect that you might have to wait in a line. They always have plenty of staff working, so even if the line is long you won't have a super extensive wait. If you are searching for really good espresso and want to go where all of the adorable old Italian men hang out and gossip in the mornings... this is your place. Highly recommend.

No, this is not a coffee shop to bring work to or to sit by yourself for hours on end. This is a coffee shop meant to be enjoyed by not only sipping the incredible coffee but interact with the locals. Every Saturday morning you will see one of the hightop tables filled with freshly brewed espressos and men playing cards. You are bound to see them start arguing with each other at some point, but it always all in good fun. The atmosphere can't be beat. Sammy runs the place and will treat you like family because that is the type of place he created. It does not matter how many customers are waiting in line, they will get you in and out with a to-go cup or find a place for you to sit at a table. As far as the actual product, not only is their coffee a huge hit when I take it to my family for holidays and events but I have never had a bad drink from their place. I always get a double doc and try to drop by every Saturday. Can't go wrong if you want great coffee and to hang out with the locals.

No frills Italian coffee shop with delicious coffee, friendly baristas and loyal customers. The espresso is smooth and perfect for whichever type of drink you fancy. The place can get busy on the weekends with Strip District shopping, but the baristas are efficient and get you out quickly!

4.5 stars ... I want to give it 5 stars but one day my drink was not great so its just a small consistency note. I'll just put this out there... my favourite spot for espresso based drinks the entire time we were here and we tried a bunch of them in the city. The whole experience being in the strip district adds to the character and interesting people watching. Speaking of people watching, it is the best and most interesting here. You have your over crowded tables outside just filled with elder distinguished Italian men all arguing (or is just passionately agreeing) in Italian. Inside they're a little more subdued but still there's a lot of them just hovering over the tall tables. The fun moments happen when you have a middle aged looking Jersey shore extra appearing with his Maserati and then all the Italians start staring and hovering over the car! La Prima opens super early which is perfect for me to grab a great drink before heading to my next stop. We came here at least 3 times in the short stay to enjoy a good cup of coffee. I want to say that every cup is amazing but I realized that its truly barista making that cup and they're all a bit different. I ordered the mocha cappuccino 3 times and the 1st & 3rd time was done really well. The 2nd time the ratio of milk, foam, and espresso was off... it was diluted and lacked any flavour compared to the other times. Mocha Cappucino - rich texture and well balanced (normally) ... the espresso is prominent and gives way to a nice lightly sweetened cocoa flavour chasing the coffee note. I loved it so much that I didnt change my order for the next 2 times I came here. It was so good and totally showed up the 3rd wave places I've been to. 4.5/5 Service here is prompt even though it looks like a huge line up... there's always 3 people working so it goes through the line quickly. Plus its all the old Italian gentlemen just hanging about lol... they're not in the line!

Just grabbed a drip cup of coffee to go. The flavor was good but brewed a little too watery for my taste. Could've been a weird batch. Would still recommend, though!

we've been to a lot of coffee shops, we love to support local ones! this coffee is really tasty and smooth! it a nice place to stop while walking around the strip!

Just came back recently and they've redone their whole menu board so it's less confusing, unfortunately they've left off their Mocha from the menu so you have to ask for it. They can make any drink any way you want it, the menu is really more of a formality than anything. Speaking for the place itself my wife and I love this place. We love the old cantankerous Italian people running the counter and the old men sitting around chatting about life. It can be loud, chaotic, and yet so charming at the same time. It's truly a slice of Europe right in Pittsburgh and it makes you want to be a part of it. The coffee itself is dark and rich and their Mochas are truly amazing with a thick melted-chocolate mouthfeel we've been unable to find elsewhere. We highly recommend sitting/standing and sipping your coffee there when it's busy, it's a fun place to just relax and people watch.