What's Brewing In The Square

It's up in the morning and off to school — again — as Labor Day looms on the calendar. And while the students in your life deal with the three Rs, you might be looking for a little R & R after a hectic morning of getting the kids off to school, before you pop into the office for your own daily grind. And if you're reading this, you already know there's no better place to unwind and steal a few precious moments than Market Square, with a cuppa of Joe and a sweet treat before heading off to your own busy day of work Downtown.



Everyone knows that the some of the city's favorite and oldest dining institutions call the Square home. But one of our favorite drinking establishments —the Nicholas Coffee Co. — has been a mainstay on the Square for more than 80 years. One of the perks of being the old kid on the Belgian blocks is that Nicholas Coffee roasts and brews a hearty, straight-up traditional black coffee that's always right on the mark.  For a more modern twist on your morning kick start, Nicholas Coffee serves a tasty mix of specialty concoctions that's sure to please just about any taste.

While Nicholas Coffee is part of Pittsburgh history, Crazy Mocha is busy adding new chapters to its own story. Just a little over a decade old, this fast-growing regional chain started with three locations and is now kicking up its heels at more than two dozens spots around the area, with more sites opening just about everywhere these days. For a quick, nutritious breakfast on the go, choose nutty, fruity or any of the wholesome flavors of Umpqua Oats with your java. Tucked in the southwest corner of the Square, as part of PPG Plaza, Crazy Mocha brings a modern touch to the coffeehouse tradition with its bright, colorful stores and adds another local flavor to the scene.

Another Pittsburgh favorite earned a sweet reputation in Shadyside before opening a location on the Square. If you haven't figured out our next stop, Prantl's is the place. Sharing space with Mancini's on Market Street, Prantl's is great for coffee on to go, plus an old fashioned doughnut or two. Of course, there are plenty of fresh made tasty cakes, cupcakes and other pastries, including its famous burnt almond torte. Great for a mad dash morning stop on the way to the office, Prantl's and Mancini's are perfect for a more leisurely mid-day or lunch time break, too.

We do love our hometown brews. But a couple of chains serve some great fresh blends on the Square, too. The new-look Dunkin Donuts in the Square is open early and late every day, including Sundays. Which is perfect for Steelers fans who park Downtown and need a caffeine and sugar boost to kick off their football frenzy. And for those happy souls not under the guidance of a sweet tooth, they've got plenty of flatbread sanwiches to keep you warm on that walk across the bridge.  And Breugger's  puts the "brew" in bagels with its bagels and coffee.  Make it fun for the kids with bagel bites and grab a soup and salad for lunch to maximize efficiency.  At Starbucks the line can look long but they move you fast.  Don't worry though, there's plenty of time to decide which artisinal breakfast sandwich will start your day right and let you leave the hectic morning behind.

As the kids prepare hit the books to start another school year, you can always count on finding a cup of coffee in the Square that always makes the grade.