 IMPORTANT NOTE: In early 2020, The Loveliest sadly had to close its doors. You can't visit IRL anymore, BUT you can appreciate the photos of this admired little spot. The Loveliest Coffee & Clothes in Sewickley is part coffee shop and part clothing boutique—all under one roof. The space is filled with tons of light, pink decor, greenery, cute quotes, super friendly faces, and all of the instagram-worthy photo opps you could ever want. In fact, The Loveliest prides itself in being "the most instagrammable coffee shop" around and I am totally here for it! The menu at The Loveliest falls right in line with the shop's adorable aesthetic. They're known for crazy (and delicious) lattes. We're talking flavors like Lavender Honey, Rainbow Marhsmallow, and Rose Matcha. It doesn't stop there either. It gets better. All lattes can be customized with extras like pink coloring, edible gold, edible glitter, and whipped cream. You also get your pick of a hot or iced drink, so no matter what season I promise your coffee craving will be satisfied. It's hard to be believe, but it actually gets EVEN BETTER. For a small fee, you can add customized latte art to your drink! It's a pretty simple process. All you have to do is download the Ripples app, select The Loveliest as your location, and then choose what you'd like "printed" on your drink. You can choose from a variety of pre-made quotes and designs OR you can really get creative and upload your own artwork. If you have a blog or a business, uploading your logo makes for a great content opportunity! (If you can't tell, my blogger brain is always on.) In my experience, simple and clean designs turn out the best. I would avoid script fonts or anything with intricate detail. Thick, bold text is the way to go! It's also worth mentioning that if coffee is not your thing, The Loveliest also offers ombré lemonades! They're super colorful and just as insta-worthy as the lattes. Caffeine fiends and non-coffee drinkers alike are welcome! I went right for the coffee (as usual), but the boutique aspect of The Loveliest is just as important! In the back of the shop you'll find racks full of beautiful, super trendy pieces. The inventory covers everything from tops and jackets to skirts and jeans. In addition to their seasonal collections, their staple Loveliest Collection features a variety of Pittsburgh gear, graphic tees, jewelry, and more! You can head to the shop for the full experience or snag yourself some new looks online as well. It took me months to finally make the trip out to Sewickley and I have MAJOR regrets. I was missing out! Jump in your car and head to 545 Beaver Street ASAP to treat yourself to a latte, some new swag, and some new photos for the 'gram. If you can't make it there just yet, give The Loveliest's IG a follow to keep yourself motivated. That neon sign just might make you clear your calendar...
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  As I get older, my theory that coffee keeps the world turning seems to inch closer and closer to becoming scientific evidence. Who else literally can't function in the morning without a cup of coffee in their system? I know I sure as hell can't and I'm sure there's plenty of other coffee addicts out there in the same boat. What's not to love about a hot, comforting cup of goodness that makes mornings just a little more bearable? Even better: what's not to love about sipping a good cup of coffee in a cozy local shop? There's really something to be said about the vibe of a neighborhood cafe. I can walk in, sit down with my coffee, sit in silence, take in the environment, and be completely and utterly content. I might even go as far as saying it's therapeutic. Coffee shops are really kind of an experience and they're one of my favorite things to explore. With that said, I was pretty excited when I stumbled across the Coffee Passport.  The Coffee Passport is like your ticket to a curated coffee tour of Pittsburgh. Each card is $20 and gets you one beverage at ten different locally-owned, independent shops. The specials at each shop range from a traditional cup of coffee to specialty lattes and espresso. Non-coffee drinkers: they've even got you covered too! Each menu offers some type non-coffee beverage— usually tea! Ten coffee drinks for twenty bucks, supporting local businesses, and the chance to explore new parts of the Burgh? Yep, I was sold on it within seconds.  If you're really feeling this, I've got more good news. These passports aren't a one and done deal. There's two different passports available and each are good for six months. (Yes, they do expire so make sure you take advantage of your passport before the expiration date!) Once you make it through your first coffee scavenger hunt, there's a new set of cafes cued up. That's a whole year of coffee adventure! Twenty different shops and 20 different caffeination sessions. If you're ready to check it out, head on over to the website to order your passport OR stop into any of the participating shops. If you buy online, your passport will be mailed to you within a week or two. You should definitely treat yourself, but these also make for a great gift idea! Give the Coffee Passport team a follow on Instagram to keep up with news, announcements, and shop features. And if you happen to snag yourself a passport, let me know! Let's plan a coffee date. I love meeting new people and if you can't tell by now I love a good coffee shop!   As a Pitt alum, I was pretty stoked to hear that this mobile coffee truck turned coffee shop had laid roots in Oakland. When I was a student, it seemed like campus coffee options were Starbucks, Starbucks, Starbucks… and more Starbucks. At the time I didn’t seem to mind it, but as I’ve gotten older I’m all for a good locally-owned coffee shop... #TeamNoChains! (Except Dunkin Donuts, DD is my guilty pleasure and I have no shame.) Red Hawk Coffee is conveniently located right next to Peace, Love, and Little Donuts right off of Meyran Ave. I can’t imagine a more perfect set of neighbors. Good coffee + unique donuts = the ultimate combo. This cozy little shop has some retro feels and a pretty legit coffee and espresso menu. Hit up a normal cup of joe or go all out with an oat milk matcha latte. The possibilities are endless. Okay, maybe not endless but you’ve definitely got options. If you’re feeling something less-caffeinated, they have a nice little stock of things like kombucha, tea, and juice as well. This gem would be a nice spot to post up and hang, but it’s probably going to be tough to lock down a table. The space is small, there’s only a handful of tables available, and Pitt students do not mess around when it comes to study spots. I would recommend getting there early if you’re in the race for some table space. While this maybe isn’t your best study/grind spot, it is ideal for a quick coffee date. The 2-seater tables, stools, and window bench seating make for a great “let’s catch up over coffee” situation.   Arriviste Coffee Bar is a bright, aesthetically pleasing (cue the Insta inspo) coffee shop tucked away on Ellsworth Avenue in Shadyside. The menu is simple. The space is inviting. And the baristas are extra friendly. WIN– All the necessary ingredients for a great coffee shop. This East End spot serves up specialty coffee and tea and offers a great selection of pastries from local bakeries. You can expect to see lots of neighborhood residents and students posted up here all day long, every day of the week. Being one of few independent cafes in the neighborhood, it's a happening spot. If you’re lucky enough to snag a chair at a table or squeeze in on one of the couches, there’s free WiFi. And if those mid-day munchies get the best of you, you’ll be happy to know that Tipsy Cow is directly across the street. The french fries are killer, there’s tons of options on their build-your-own-burger menu, and the patio is dog-friendly. Think Burgatory… with less “chain restaurant” vibes… and cuter decor. Let's be real, that's important.    If you like a good cup of coffee and a fresh bouquet of flowers, then 4121 Main in Bloomfield is your real life dream come true and your one-stop-shop on a Saturday morning. This bright and airy little shop is sandwiched between Bloomfield and Lawrenceville in an old storefront off of Main Street...hence the name. Aside from being adorable, 4121 is a coffee shop, flower shop, event space, and gallery. Talk about multi-tasking! The coffee bar menu is very small and simple, but in this case less is really more. Grab a cold brew or tried-and-true cappuccino and take in the views. The space is sprinkled with plants, flowers, small trinkets, and local goods. And if sunshine and fresh air is more your jam, the cafe tables outside make for some prime people watching action. Fun fact: The shop's wallpaper is handmade. I highly recommend striking up a convo with the barista. You never know what other tid bits of info you may leave with!  |
EATFrom food trucks and breweries to fancy restaurants and cocktail bars, Pittsburgh has become quite the "foodie" city. Check out some of my faves! 
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