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About
Inkwell Coffee Shop
Welcome to Inkwell Coffee Shop, a charming gem nestled in the heart of Lawrenceville, Pittsburgh. Located at 4419 Butler St, this cozy spot has quickly established itself as a beloved local haunt, drawing in coffee aficionados and casual visitors alike. With a bustling atmosphere and a vibrant community spirit, Inkwell is more than just a coffee shop; it’s a lively gathering place that embodies the essence of Pittsburgh's dining landscape.
As you step inside, you're greeted by a warm, inviting ambiance accented by local artwork that rotates frequently, showcasing the talents of artists from the community. This thoughtful approach not only enhances the aesthetic appeal of the space but also solidifies Inkwell's commitment to fostering local culture. According to Ruth C., a regular patron, the baristas here are the heart and soul of the shop. Known for their friendly demeanor and customer-centric approach, they make each visit an enjoyable experience.
Inkwell prides itself on its stellar drink menu, featuring an excellent selection of coffee and loose-leaf teas. Some highlights include luscious traditional options such as Earl Grey and Chai, alongside innovative house specials like the Dr. Singh's CureAll and Turkish Fixer Elixir. Their coffee, sourced from local roaster De Fer, is consistently praised for its quality, with customers like Benito O. calling Inkwell their favorite shop in the area. The duo of delicious coffee and stellar service creates a fantastic experience that keeps patrons returning.
- Coffee: Known for consistency and quality; often sold out due to popularity.
- Tea: A diverse selection, adding variety to the drink menu.
- Community Focus: Dedicated to showcasing local artists and fostering community connections.
- Specials: Unique concoctions that reflect the creativity of the baristas.
However, Inkwell is not without its quirks. While its compact space offers charming elements like comfy seating and communal tables, the limited seating capacity can make for a cramped experience, particularly during peak hours. Despite this, Corinne K. notes that the quality of the coffee more than compensates for the slight discomfort. Visitors can enjoy their drinks inside or take advantage of the outdoor seating during the warmer months, offering a wonderful way to soak up the Lawrenceville atmosphere.
And if you're feeling hungry, don’t miss out on the large breakfast sandwich from Walters, just across the street—it's a hearty complement to your drink of choice. However, be aware that the pastry selection is often a low point, so it might be wise to focus on the beverages instead.
Inkwell Coffee Shop is undeniably a local treasure. With its excellent menu offerings, community involvement, and camaraderie among staff and customers, it epitomizes the charm of a true neighborhood coffee shop. Whether you’re a local or just passing through, this delightful spot is sure to leave a lasting impression on your Pittsburgh experience.
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“ Inkwell has really grown into its space in Lawrenceville on Butler and is filling, I think, an awesome niche, and you can tell because it is always packed! Visiting from out of town and want to get some Lawrenceville/Pittsburgh flavor? -- this is the definition of a local spot! Service is definitely the shiniest part of this review. Just a really, really awesome team of baristas who are always chatty, friendly, and community-focused in what they do. Some special appreciation for the art program that they are spinning up -- higher rotation frequency on artists than pretty much any of my other fave coffee spots and a strong, expressed desire to focus not just on local artists, but specifically to highlight artists within Inkwell's customer community. I think this so cool, so different, and so thoughtful about Inkwell's place within the community it serves. From the plentiful dog treats to the menu engagement with other nearby businesses (de Fer, Lux chocolates, Candlelab, etc), you can tell the staff feel they have a voice at this place and they reflect that back to their customers! Space is a tough one. It's a super tiny spot, seating is cramped, limited power outlet access. But I appreciate the attempt to provide small tables, sofa/comfy chair options, and a larger communal table at the back. It's just a tiny spot, but they try to make it hit the coffeeshop seating high notes! Coffee is consistently good -- they use de Fer coffee, which is both great quality and local! Love some of the unusual drink combos they come up with and post on their sidewalk sandwich board, love the split focus on tea and coffee drinks. You can tell they have some great combos when they are always sold out! Pastry case is not the best here...definitely a pass. They do offer some epic bacon/egg/cheddar breakfast biscuit prepped at Walters on the other side of the street. HUGE and filling, but definitely consider adding your own flavor (salt, hot sauce, whatever). ”
“ My favorite coffee shop in PGH Highly recommended coffee , tea and house drinks on point well made Great Service and ambiance Shot out to Lydia, Austin , Ely ,Millie and Cam the Avengers or Justice League of Baristas ”
“ Coffee here is wonderful--love it. Breakfast sandwich wasn't our favorite. Very mushy vibe if you know what I mean. The coffee is one of the best in the area so I will continue to try new coffees especially their specialties there! ”
“ Great aesthetic, super cozy and inviting looking space. I was there during the summer, and I noticed they had 2-3 tables so you could sit outside. Coffee was really good, I ordered mine black to go, which they got to me really fast. They weren't super welcoming or friendly, but everything else was great so it really didn't matter. ”
“ Love this space and the iced latte was delish service was quick! Will definitely be back ”
“ Stopped by here while visiting friends and got an iced salted caramel latte. The place has a great aesthetic, reminds me of Brooklyn! The people are very friendly and the coffee is very good. The salted caramel is pretty sweet, just fair warning! Will definitely stop by again before heading out of town ”
“ I got a large of the seasonal strawberry foam cold brew with extra strawberry foam and it was quite tasty. The wait was short and the drink came out very quickly for a Saturday morning. A small cafe but with a little wait, a table opened up. This was the perfect place to meet up with a friend for a chat over coffee. A large cold brew with a personalization for less than $6 gets two thumbs up from me! ”
