Pre Amp Coffee Studio

Wonderful atmosphere — I could easily sit there all day. The music playing in the background is great, and they might have the best breakfast sandwich in PGH, IMO ☺️ One thing I didn’t know beforehand: the sandwiches are only served after 11am, so keep that in mind if you’re planning to get one. As for the cinnamon roll, it’s made with sourdough, so it has that slightly tangy flavor in the dough — just something to be aware of before ordering.

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!

It was pretty busy when I visited so that did put a little bit of a damper on things but it was still a great experience. Hand-down this is probably one of the best "themed" cafes in the city. The theme is.... I guess you could say vinyl/records? It features warm tones throughout the place while two record players spin near the baristas and their music comes out through some nice speakers. It leads to a very cozy ambience. And the coffee is pretty good too! They source from Passanger in Lancaster, PA for their coffee and tea and that's a pretty good roaster! Not exactly local but within the state so you can expect the coffee to be pretty fresh and not stale. Drink-wise I had a cortado and it was a perfect balance between the milk and the espresso. Not too much not too little. The shot was extracted very well as I didn't taste much acridness that would be associated with an overextraction. Overall: Pretty good! A nice addition to the Squirrel Hill neighborhood.

Headed out early Saturday morning to Squirrel Hill to check out not just the coffee, but the ambiance as well. I sat at the counter just watching and taking it all in. In front of me are 2 turntables spinning vinyl's. Subtle enough that you can hear it, and so lightly as not to drown out the conversations going on. it was fascinating to watch the "mixologists" at work! I could do that for an hour. Perfection! I was intrigued to say the least. Even a pour over, was a science! I have been in many many coffee shops and I have yet to see one work like this. The flow of customers was non stop and so was the staff. It is a cozy situation inside and the best place to people watch, IF you can take your eyes away from the whole coffee making experience. They have it down to a science! Def will be returning! My next visit will be taking advantage of the food menu that looked sooooo good! You wont be disappointed.

Seriously no exaggeration when I say this, this is my new favorite coffee shop in all of Pittsburgh. If you’re traveling from out of town or a local looking for your next new spot, you HAVE to visit Pre Amp Coffee Studio ASAP. I was blown out of the water in all capacities (food, service, atmosphere). The Smokey Robinson is one of the best coffees I’ve ever had !!!!!! 1000000/10 & danny is SO NICE !!!