Hilltop Coffee & Tea — Restaurant in Pittsburgh

Imagine. You have wanted to go back to Pittsburgh since you last visited the city at 6 years old. Now, as an adult, you love finding new coffee shops. Your dreams come true, and you finally get to go to Pittsburgh again after 17 years. Your family recommends this cute little coffee place: Hilltop Coffee. You are so excited to try it. Then you check their Instagram, and you see that the shop is going on hiatus. What? No! Oh okay, they still have a week left. You can find time on your trip this week to go. You plan to go on the last day of your trip. People's pictures of this place online are adorable. You are so excited to go in, order a drink, and spend some time admiring the little shop. Then. BAM. You get covid. You are coughing, sneezing, have a horrible headache, and are a hazard to public health because you are so infectious. Your dreams have been crushed. You'll never get to go to Hilltop Coffee. Then. Your father, god's gift to the world, heeds your one wish. He walks into this coffee shop, on the phone with you. He is a six foot tall man, strong and silent, always with his shirt tucked in. A little bit intimidating. He asks you what you want, and you tell him. So this grown man orders, with a straight face, an iced cinnamon oat milk latte. You hear the barista on the other end of the line - they are so helpful, asking him what size, would he like anything else, etc. Your father brings the latte back to you. It's the best cinnamon latte you've ever had. It's cold, creamy, with the perfect balance of the sweetness from the cinnamon and the bitterness of the espresso. Your dreams have come true, just in a different way than you expected. You're back in California now, hoping that one day, this shop will open again, come back from the hiatus stronger than ever. You're manifesting it. And whenever Hilltop Coffee does open again, you're on the first plane back to Pittsburgh to try it. 10/10 service, 10/10 drink, made covid-infected...

There's exactly one thing that bums me out about this place and that is that I don't live closer.

When people search for truly local gems, this is exactly what they're looking for.

Just a few of the things that stand out:

at least a half dozen fun seasonal drinks- and I don't mean cookie cutter lattes. I mean creative drinks, homemade syrups, layers of flavors, more alternative milk options than I've ever seen anywhere (made IN HOUSE!) Plus endless year-round options.

a wide selection of homey baked goods and chocolatey treats

compostable straws (and basically everything else) that are not paper... bless.

cozy upholstered chairs and a warm atmosphere. (Ok, so new shops with the uber-sleek concrete/tile aesthetic are fun too, but this is where you'd actually want to hang out.)

even though I've never found a place that has more of a right to charge $7 for a latte-- you won't find any of those here.

a Tim. Really. What a kind, generous, and hospitable proprietor- with a good sense of humor to boot. He treats everyone who walks in the door like they're an old friend and a long time regular. (Gosh, this is so refreshing after going a lot of places where you get the hipster death stare if you ask if they have flavors or sugar.)

Contrary to tiktok, we don't need new places as much as we need places like this to stay open. Take a friend, go see Tim, you'll...

Hilltop Coffee is a true neighborhood gem! Visit them for excellent, naturally grown, ethically sourced single-origin coffee and so much more. Their beans are fresh-roasted, and their amazingly talented barista team—make every drink with care and precision. The operating manager is incredibly knowledgeable about all things coffee and will whip up a delicious latte you'll remember. The owners, a sweet couple, have always dreamt of opening a café, and it shows in every detail—they’ve created a space that’s as warm and welcoming as it is high quality. Hilltop Coffee began as, and will always be, a community-centered coffee shop. From their specialty lattes, espresso, matcha, teas, and chai lattes to their baked goods and savory treats from local spots, everything is served with heart and intention as well as supporting local. It’s also a fantastic spot for remote work. There’s some comfortable seating inside, including soft chairs and local artwork on the walls, making the atmosphere feel cozy and inviting. Whether you're stopping by for a quick caffeine fix or planning to stay and work for a while, Hilltop Coffee is the perfect spot....