Big Dog Coffee

This is my favorite coffee shop in Pittsburgh. The coffee is delicious. The space is open and comfortable: it is good for working, talking, sitting and reading… The owner is such a friendly guy and all of the help seems to be too. I highly recommend it!

Great dirty chai. Overly sweet moon pies.
The atmosphere is really cute inside and their outdoor patio is non-​smoking.

We came here on a Sunday afternoon to do some work. There was still ample seating left, and the inside of the café was comfortably lit by the sun. The atmosphere was very comfortable and welcoming, with just enough music and noise to be ambient and conducive to working.
We each had a latte and had a scone and chocolate chip cookie to share. The latte was good — it was really big, though! The medium size was more like a large in my books. The scone was very good, not too sweet with good texture. The chocolate chip cookie was very good as well.
There is free wifi, and pretty good music. There is also lots of street parking around. My new favorite coffee place in Pittsburgh!

My boyfriend and I were in town to see the pirates play and he likes his coffee and did a little bit of research before we came to town. We had wanted to do breakfast at Waffles Incaffeinated, but it was like an hour wait and we needed caffeine asap! So we headed over to Big Dog Coffee.
Super cute coffee shop. Nice little patio in the back. Comfy chairs with a fireplace that looks like you could just curl up with a book. Free wifi is always a perk and there were a couple of people set up with their mac books. Very cozy.
Coffee was really good. The baristas are well trained, and they use Intelligentista coffee, which I haven’t tried before, but I will be looking it up to try again. We didn’t try the food, but it looked good too. Only thing I didn’t like was, we are clearly not locals, yes, we stand out like a sore thumb but I got the feeling like we were invading their space. Which was a little strange because everywhere else in pittsburgh everyone was super nice and super friendly. Either way, I would still come back for their superior coffee.

Winner. Good coffee and friendly service. Comfy and funky place to hang out for a short or long time, eavesdropping on guys arguing about what quarterback you would want if you needed to go 80 yards in a driving rain for a touchdown to win the game (Marino? F Marino!). I’d like to go back and try the oatmeal bar, that looked killer with fresh and dried fruit, nuts, and other stuff in a pick-​your-​own topping selection.

Very cute atmosphere. They have a little back patio for nice days, and a lot of cozy seating inside. Medium soy vanilla latte costs about $ 5 which is comparable to Starbucks. They use Intelligentista coffee, which is a great quality.
The only thing that detracts me is the same disease that a lot of independent Pittsburgh places have, which is Holier Than Thou Hipster disease. The people behind the counter are definitely always working hard, but love to throw the side eye at you if you have questions.

This is one of the cutest coffee shops… I tried the blackberry Italian cream soda and it was pretty good. Also, there is a patio on the side/​back perfect for warmer weather!

Cute little coffee shop. Younger crowd. Limited seating. Free WiFi. I got the Chai Tea and a Whoopie pie which was a homemade version of a Little Debbie Oatmeal Cream Pie. Both were delicious. This is a great place to kill some time. Loved the 50’s/60’s music they played. The boyfriend got a Mocha. He enjoyed his as well.

Loved the homely feel of the place. I was immediately treated with warm welcome as soon as I walked in. The pastry selection was awesome! I decided on a homemade oatmeal pie & raspberry mocha. Both were delicious

Excited to find this. Have heard about it and enjoyed reviews. All correct there. Love this type setting in old downtown building. Beautiful place. And will plan to return for another Americano.

This is a cool coffee shop! Great coffee served in big ceramic cups! Definitely sit inside and enjoy. It is a nice place to work. Big enough tables, comfy chairs and eclectic wall hangings. Reminds me of a West Coast coffee shop. Lots of students and laptops. I’ve just been twice, once early in the AM and tonight in the PM. The baristas are well trained and can make intricate designs in attractive lattes. The have Buckeyes! Other scrumptious snacks are also available. I’ll be back and so should you.

This is, bar none, one of the greatest coffeeshops I have been in. The atmosphere for one is the best I’ve ever experienced. At first entry it seems very cozy, but once you’ve ordered and taken a look back, you’ll find a very expansive seating area, including a brick patio, two large rooms with tables, and a lounge in the front with armchairs. Even for being very large (though with a small bar), it still retains a very down to earth, homey and relaxed feel. It’s smartly sectioned off; like I said, giving an impression of a small space while being well sized.
Now to the best part; the coffee. I ordered a caramel latte and it was absolutely fabulous. It had a very soft and creamy texture, something hard to achieve with any coffee. This goes to a combination of factors. High quality machines processing the coffee at high pressure, the skill of the barista, and the quality of the espresso beans all came together to produce such a wonderful end result that I’ll certainly be bringing, no, dragging my friends here this afternoon.
Hardcore American-​style coffee enthusiasts will disparage some of the drinks as being too soft on the palate, and I would agree; the harsh bite of most coffees isn’t present. To me though, having grown up and lived with very high quality coffees my whole life, it’s a very welcome change for me from the usual diner-​style coffee served at Starbucks or other large chains. Their style both in the ambience and product is distinctly European; and that’s just the way I like it.

I have never wanted to drive four hours just for a latte until I tried one here. During my road trip, Pittsburgh was our pit stop for the night. Before leaving the next day, we came across Big Dog and have never stopped talking about it since. I’m not kidding, I would drive the four hours to go back.
I’ve tried local coffee shops wherever I travelled and so far, Big Dog wins. Oh, did I mention the bakery items? Please please please order a cookie!!! I still remember the soft gooeyness, is that a word? Who cares!!, paired with the latte. My husband had a coffee cake, and yes I stole a bite or three.
They have cute art and plenty of seats. I was surprised at how quiet the coffee shop was even though they were packed.
The employees took their time making the lattes and are very friendly.
There was plenty of street parking when we went but please read the signs in case it’s permit only.
Service A
Environment A
Food A

Y’all. I LIVED here when I lived on E. Carson.
LIVED.
Its the cutiest-​patootiest coffee joint in the area. And now that I’ve been adulting and coffee-​ying in Atlanta, Austin, and PGH, I can confidently say it remains my favorite.
I have fond memories of job searching in the back room, noshing on scones and sipping on a latte. Then, I had a quick stint at WYEP, hosting the Block Party, so I’d work on my music lists there, too.
So many justified wasted hours there. I wouldn’t change it for the world.
It was always clean. The staff was always elite slash borderline friendly — but only if you asked questions, as is to be expected for any barista.
My memory may be fuzzy, but if its serving me correctly, the owners live upstairs and do the majority of the cooking and baking and trot it downstairs for sale. I could be way off. Someone please verify for me!
Regardless, I had a love affair with their soups, too.
It was perfectly quaint, quiet and neighborhoody.
There were dogs. People. Coffee. Food. Why is there any reason to leave?
Take a few paces off of E. Carson and stay a while. You won’t regret it.

My first trip to Big Dog happened after an entire year & a half of living only a block away. I’m so sad to say that. Lol
We stopped in and I ordered a medium Café Latte while bobby ordered a large Mocha Bianca (white chocolate mocha). Both drinks were delicious, especially bobby’s! Our lattes had adorable art in the foam. The coffee shop was so warm, welcoming and quaint. Full of tables, comfy rockers and antique looking items.
So glad I made it in here. My bf’s officially obsessed… He would go twice a day if id let him. Ha

This is one of my favorite places to grab some coffee! It’s the perfect place for whatever you’re in the mood for; meeting friends to catch up, read a book, or even work. (I did a closing here once.)
The staff is always friendly and the coffee is always delicious.
This is a quaint spot that’s never overcrowded or loud. It’s nice to find an original spot to relax.

Great coffee place … probably the best one I’ve been to in Pittsburgh. The place itself is quite nice as there is not only a variety of indoor seating available (couches, chairs, tables), but also a great outdoor area that makes a good place to sip a cup of joe on a warm sunny day.
As for the shop itself, the place has quite a number of offerings available. It is not limited to merely great tasting coffee but also an Italian gelato bar, oatmeal bar, bakery pastries/​breads, and a number of tea offerings too. I have to admit, I was quite impressed by that alone.
I ended up getting the Caramel Latte for my first cup and it was absolutely pristine. Great & smooth taste and the amount of milk and sugar was just perfect! I thoroughly enjoyed it. I also got a Mocha for my second cup and it was just as good, albeit more powdery than I anticipated … may have to do with a small amount of cocoa powder used in the brew that wasn’t completely dissolved, but regardless the drink had a similar consistency, temperature, and taste nonetheless.
This is a fantastic joint to either meet up with a friend or get some work done as there is free Wifi throughout the complex. Highly recommend. I will return.

How did I not know about Big Dog until now? I dropped in last week with a friend and was so pleasantly surprised. I love the space… it was quiet, comfortable, and I could picture myself spending a few hours here with a good book. I didn’t check out the back area but it looked like it had a decent amount of additional seating. It’s not far off Carson but feels like it is tucked away in a quiet neighborhood, a much different vibe than that typical of the South Side.
I ordered an iced caramel latte (I usually stick to cold brew or iced Americanos, but for some reason I was craving sweetness). It was not overwhelmingly sweet as those kinds of drinks can often be. I thought the caramel and espresso flavors were balanced and I had no trouble finishing the refreshing drink on what was a very hot day. The barista was friendly, quick, and attentive.
Great coffee and a great space. I can imagine it gets quite full on the weekends, but I am going to make it a point to return when I have some time to kill.

I thoroughly enjoy this place and am disappointed that in all my years living on the South Side of Pittsburgh, I’ve only started coming here this year. Their menu is a good variety between hot or cold coffees and lattes, teas, muffins, bagels, scones and more. I’ve tried a few of their coffees and teas and have yet to have a bad experience.
Everyone I’ve met there was super nice, friendly, and helpful. I’m not exactly a coffee connoisseur so their help was well accepted when I had questions. I usually try latte’s when I go to new places and when I got a vanilla latte here it was delicious. It was smooth, sweet, and rich at the same time. Not too much foam either, just enough. Their teas that i’ve had also have been pleasant surprises. Instead of being given a mug and a bag of tea, Big Dog uses loose leaf teas and actual tea brewers so I could let the leaves sit for as long as I like to absorb the flavors and aromas.
The coffee shop is set up in what looks like a home remodeled into a business with two separate rooms. The front room with the barista counter and register with a cozy fireplace in the corner, love seats, chairs, and casual tables. The open window to the street is nice and relaxing on a quiet day. Also, this place also isn’t called Big Dog for nothing — it is a pet friendly establishment. They even have a small doggy biscuit pail by the front counter and ‘doggy parking’ out front.

I stopped by on Tues. after attending the Chef’s Best Dish competition at the Circuit Center Ballroom. It was bitterly cold and windy that day, and there weren’t any free drinks at the event, so I figured I’d drop in for a nice hot drink before heading back home to Oakland.
After perusing the tea menu, I decided on the 333 blend, which was a mixture of peppermint, chamomile, and another herbal tea, since I was in the mood for something soothing. While the barista was friendly, she didn’t ask if I wanted my coffee to drink there or to go, even after telling me I could wait at a table for my coffee. She put it in a to-​go cup, which meant that I didn’t receive the full teapot that others have mentioned that you receive if you drink your tea there, so I was a bit bummed about that. However, the 75 bus came more quickly than I anticipated, so I suppose it worked out for the best, after all.
In addition to the tea, I also ordered a buckeye candy, which I’d originally tried at the Beehive coffee shop on the other end of Carson St. Although it’s been awhile since I had that one, so I can’t really compare, I liked the fluffiness of the peanut butter in this one, which reminded me of the peanut butter found in Reese’s Cups.
As many others have mentioned, I enjoyed the atmosphere of this coffeeshop, which I’d describe as quaint and cozy. This is a welcome difference from the coldness and sterility of chain coffeeshops such as Starbucks and Crazy Mocha on the one hand, and the eccentricity of the Beehive on the other hand.
While my experience was generally pleasant and I don’t have any complaints aside from the barista’s failure to ask whether I wanted my drink to go or not, I wouldn’t necessarily go out of my way to come here unless I happened to be in the neighborhood. Having said that, I can see myself dropping by if I’m in the South Side Works or down this end of Carson St. and am craving a hot drink or a place to hang out and kill some time.