California Coffee Bar — Restaurant in Pittsburgh

Located on California Avenue in Brighton Heights, just a short trip from the North Side, California Coffee Bar is the cutest little neighborhood shop. It’s stocked with delicious bagels, sandwiches, smoothies, milkshakes, bowls, coffee, and other tasty drinks. The vibe is warm and welcoming, with a well-designed interior and plenty of tables if you want to dine in. You can walk in to order, place your order online for pickup, or even get delivery—super convenient! The staff is incredibly friendly and sweet, making the experience even better. I tried a Blueberry Coffee Cake latte from their seasonal menu, and it tasted exactly like a fresh blueberry coffee cake—so good! I also had an Asiago bagel with cream cheese, which was fresh and satisfying. And the Acai Power Bowl was a highlight: a blended purée of frozen acai juice, Greek yogurt, and banana, topped with granola, berries, and dark chocolate shavings. It was both delightful and healthy. You really can’t go wrong here. Whether you’re stopping in for a cozy coffee or grabbing a bite to go, California Coffee Bar is a neighborhood gem...

Worked at several coffee houses in the burgh so I’ll start there. The espresso machine needs repair or serious servicing as the shots are coming out way too hot. Some of this could be compounded by staff turnover resulting in inconsistent shots. It happens. Espresso is hard and when you are also doing quite a large food and smoothie menu the attention to detail is going to suffer.

Positives are that the smoothies are great. Yogurt bowl as well. Sandwiches are nice. Soup is good. Most of it is ordered premade so they just heat it up but who’s to complain if it keeps some of their costs down.

Staff has always been consistently friendly.

Space is very nicely appointed with two separate seating areas inside and some seating outside as well.

Grateful to have more food options available in the neighborhood but wish they would love on their...

I've stopped by this establishment a few times and I fall in love with this place more each and every time. I took my partner here for brunch and it was lovely! Expect a hello when you step inside, they're happy to welcome you in! The atmosphere is calm and I love the vibe. The last time I was here, the walls were much darker and had an unfortunate cave effect (peering in from the sidewalk, it had been very dark inside). The fresh coat of paint does a LOT to brighten up the space. It's so warm and inviting, like a latte! :) The art from local artists really makes the joint feel connected to the local community, and I can really appreciate the support/platform they offer (the pieces are for sale, which is really cool). The staff are patient, kind, and knowledgeable. I will definitely be making an effort to come here more in the...