Balvanera will serve authentic Argentine fare. Photo by Mark Zhelezoglo.

Get acquainted with the 14 new and 33 soon-to-open restaurants, cafes, breweries and bakeries that are popping up as the weather is (hopefully) getting nicer. Find out which ones are breathing new life into familiar locations and which have vegan options.

NOW OPEN

Alta Via Pizzeria, Bakery Square, 6425 Penn Ave., East Liberty

Eat to-die-for pies, sandwiches and vegetable-forward meals at big Burrito Restaurant Group’s casual concept in Bakery Square.

Anthos Greek Bakery and Café, 3803 Willow Ave., Castle Shannon

Greek friends and family members opened this authentic bakery in April after running an online culinary marketplace since 2020. Get sweet treats and savory eats, including options for vegans, vegetarians and diners on a gluten-free diet.

Arboretum Trail Brewing Co., 1351 Washington Blvd., Larimer

Arboretum Trail is “leafing” its residential garage and branching out to a 5,700-square-foot building recently vacated by Couch Brewery.

Bitter End, 409 Butler St., Etna

Located just a few blocks from Rear End Gastropub, this Butler Street storefront has been operating as a neighborhood watering hole since Prohibition ended in 1933. Bitter End injects new life into the old Nooch’s Bar with signature cocktails.

Bottlerocket Social Hall, 1226 Arlington Ave., Allentown

Want to start (or end) your night with a bang? Belly up to the bar at Bottlerocket. What was once a gathering place for churchgoers is now a comedy club and low-key hangout with a retro vibe. After a brief debut with comedy acts earlier this month, the space will officially re-open on June 10. No joke.

Caliente Pizza & Draft House, 288 W. Steuben St., Crafton 

To celebrate its 10th anniversary, Caliente opened a seventh location in a space vacated by The Sharp Edge.

Coven Brewing, 4901 Butler St., 918 Merchant St. Lawrenceville

Magical potions — OK, they’re just great beers — abound at this new brewery in the old Roundabout space.

Duo’s Taqueria, 5900 Penn Ave., East Liberty

Can you say delicioso? Pittsburgh-based language learning company Duolingo is opening a taco restaurant near its headquarters. The ordering process will double as a Spanish lesson.

Raise a pint to ’70s-inspired décor at Fermata Brewing Company in Ambridge. Photo by Kristy Locklin.

Fermata Brewing Co., 918 Merchant St, Ambridge

If the sound of beer being poured is music to your ears, head to Fermata in Ambridge. Spin vinyl records, listen to live bands and soak up the good ’70s-era vibes.

Inner Groove Brewing opened a taproom in Allentown. Photo by Kristy Locklin.

Inner Groove Brewing, 827 E. Warrington Ave., Allentown 

The music-loving owners of Verona-based Inner Groove are now offering brews and tunes on the Hilltop.

Koala Coffee & Tea House, 820 W. Ingomar Road, McCandless

Order a Flat White at this Australian café and you’ll bounce through the rest of your day like a caffeinated kangaroo.

Pittsburgh Taco Boys, 319 Maryland Ave., Oakmont 

These boys know a thing or two about tacos. Swing by for a man-sized helping of Mexican food.

The Open Road, 600 E. Warrington Ave., Allentown

If you’re curious about non-alcoholic beer, wine and spirits, take a ride to The Open Road. Owner Mel Babitz has curated more than 100 different products that contain little to no booze, but with flavor that packs a punch.

Ulric Joseph, artist and co-owner of ShadoBeni, painted the restaurant’s mural. Photo by Kristy Locklin.

ShadoBeni, 1534 Brighton Road, North Side 

At his bright, colorful spot, chef Ulric Joseph serves the food he grew up eating in Trinidad. The vegan restaurant features a number of traditional dishes that you can order online to avoid the lunchtime rush.

Valkyrie Doughnuts
Valkyrie Doughnuts. Photo by Jennifer Baron.

Valkyrie Doughnuts, 601 Lincoln Ave., Bellevue

If you try one of Valkyrie’s square vegan doughnuts, you’re sure to circle back again to try even more goodies that are all free of egg and dairy.

The Vandal, 4306 Butler St., Lawrenceville

After closing for several months to remodel, The Vandal is back in business, complete with a new wine bar.

Pasta is made fresh daily at Alta Via. Photo courtesy of big Burrito Restaurant Group.

COMING SOON

Alta Via, 2 PPG Place, Market Square, Downtown

Alta Via, big Burrito Restaurant Group’s Italian eatery in Fox Chapel, is opening a second spot in the city. The menu focuses on modern Italian cuisine made over an open wood-fired grill.

Aslin Beer Co., The Terminal, 1800 Smallman St., Strip District

Virginia-based Aslin Beer Co. will occupy a 10,000-square-foot space in the Strip District Terminal this August with a 10-barrel brewing system and food by Scratch & Co. in Troy Hill.

Back Alley Brewing, 2975 W. Liberty Ave., Dormont

The beer-makers are moving their business from the back alleys of Dormont to the borough’s former municipal building. You can order cans online to tide you over until the spot opens this summer.

Back to the Foodture, 1014 Fifth Ave., Downtown

In addition to revving up the ol’ flux capacitor on a food truck, the South Side-based restaurant is opening a Downtown site in the near future. The 6,300-square-foot space, which was Buford’s Kitchen, will feature pool tables, dart boards, pinball machines and a private party room.

Baked True North, 1137 Perry Highway, Ross Township 

Get gluten-free goodies and vintage kitchenware all in one spot when this bakery opens in June.

Balvanera, 1600 Smallman, Strip District

Chef Fernando Navas and Pittsburgh native Meredith Boyle are opening a restaurant this fall that shines a spotlight on the flavors of Argentina.

Barrio Tacos, Ross Park Mall, 1000 Ross Park Mall Drive, Ross Township

The East Coast taco chain has set its sites set on launching a taco joint at Ross Park Mall this fall.

Bonafide Beer Co., 21st St. and Penn Ave., Strip District

Christian Simmons of Pennsylvania Libations and Travis Tuttle of Butler Brew Works are joining boozy forces to bring Bonafide Beer Co. to the Strip.

Café Momentum, 274 Forbes Ave., Downtown

Café Momentum hires teens emerging from the justice system, trains them in the restaurant business and gives them life skills so they can reach their full potential. Community outreach paired with gourmet dishes? Now that’s forward-thinking.

Camino Mexican Street Food, 4428 Liberty Ave., Bloomfield

Later this year, the folks behind Totopo Cocina & Cantina in Mt. Lebanon and Shadyside’s Tocayo are opening a fast-casual eatery to the former Del’s space in Little Italy.

CoNectar, 411 Grant Ave., Millvale

The buzz is building in Millvale. This summer the flora-to-table honey shop opens in the former Grub Hut space. Patrons can enjoy beverages and small plates and buy local honey and other merchandise — all while learning about bees and their integral role in the ecosystem.

East End Brewing Co., 651 Washington Road, Mt. Lebanon

South Hills meets the East End. The brewery is opening a taproom serving beer, cocktails, local wines and pizzas from the company’s culinary arm, East End Chewing.

Cara Cara orange, glazed beet, red onion, agrodolce, fennel, Taleggio cheese and arugula. Photo courtesy of EYV.

EYV, 424 E. Ohio St., North Side

Plant-based dishes are on the menu this summer when Eat Your Vegetables opens in Deutschtown.

Given to Fly at Federal Galley, 200 Children’s Way, North Side

Chef Katie Peric’s fast-casual, chicken sandwich concept is something to crow about.

Hazel Grove Brewing, 4605 Irvine St., Hazelwood

When this 6,400-square-foot taproom opens next year, it will house a bar, lounge and 15-barrel brewing system. The spacious brewery will also boast a courtyard with fire pits.

Izakaya, Bakery Square, 6425 Penn Ave., East Liberty

Another Richard DeShantz concept will join täkō tôrtä at Bakery Square when gi-jin chef Michael Taylor helms this Japanese-inspired bar.

Jak’s Bakery, 4310 Main St., Bloomfield

Later in 2022, Zhelyazko “Jak” Latinov will open Jak’s Bakery. It’ll be Pittsburgh’s go-to spot for Bulgarian baked goods.

The Journeyman’s Table, 3523 Penn Ave., Lawrenceville

Chef Dan DeRight’s landmark Lawrenceville building has operated as a neighborhood tavern since 1887. He’s keeping that vibe and adding a menu filled with scratch-made pasta dishes, smoked meats and vegetarian offerings.

Le Porc, The Highline, 339 McKean St., South Side

The vino and charcuterie bar will occupy a space in The Highline later this year.

Local Provisions, 1111 Freeport Road, Fox Chapel

Helmed by famed Spoon chef Brian Pekarcik, this new café and market will bring artisan goods to Fox Chapel this summer.

Lolev Brewing is opening in Upper Lawrenceville this summer. Photo by Kristy Locklin.

Lolev Brewing, 5247 Butler St., Lawrenceville

The Slesinski brothers began their beer-making business in the lower level of their Philadelphia home. As a tribute to their small start, they’re opening Lolev Brewing’s 7,500-square-foot taproom this July.

Moonlit Burgers, 1015 Forbes Ave., Uptown

Now you can major in Moonlit. Dormont’s smashburger restaurant is opening a second joint at Duquesne University this summer.

PrimoHoagies, multiple locations

The national chain, which specializes in old-fashioned Italian sandwiches, will open three local storefronts this August. Find them at 526 Penn Ave. (Downtown), 1901 Smallman St. (Strip District) and 10 Old Clairton Road (Pleasant Hills).

Ritual House, Union Trust Building, 501 Grant St., Downtown

Ricky and Michelle Kirsop of Monroeville’s Coast & Main Seafood and Chophouse are bringing their brand of elevated cuisine to the Downtown landmark later this year.

Sally Ann’s, 136 Sixth St., Downtown

This month, the Richard DeShantz Restaurant Group will open a casual, counter-service eatery Downtown with award-winning chef Jamilka Borges running the kitchen.

Photo courtesy of The Speckled Egg.

The Speckled Egg, 27th St., SouthSide Works

The Speckled Egg, a Downtown brunch destination since 2019, will soon get cracking on a second location in the updated SouthSide Works.

Steel Mill Saloon, 1225 Grandview Ave., Mt. Washington

Enjoy the ultimate Pittsburgh outing with great food, booze and views at this watering hole located directly across from the Duquesne Incline station.

Storyville Lounge, 753 E. Warrington Ave., Allentown

The owners of Dr. Tumblety’s Time-Inspired Specialty Shop are big fans of the Big Easy. They’re bringing the New Orleans vibe to Allentown this year, with a speakeasy-style bar and the Inspired by Spirits Distillery.

Tapville Social, 11978 Perry Highway, Wexford 

The North Hills is getting a new hotspot with handcrafted cocktails, a rotating selection of draft beer and modern takes on classic, American pub fare.

Velum Fermentation, S. 22nd St., South Side

The old Duquesne Brewery on the South Side will be bubbling once again when Velum Fermentation opens this spring to sling traditional lagers, seltzers and kombucha teas.

William Penn Tavern, 3810 Butler St., Lawrenceville

Shadyside’s William Penn Tavern is calling it quits on May 30, but that doesn’t mean it’s last call for patrons. The popular bar is reopening on June 3 at the former Franktuary space. The storefront is a replica of the original spot, right down to the red paint, bobblehead collection and Calvin & Hobbes comic strip.

Kristy Locklin is a North Hills-based writer. When she's not busy reporting, she enjoys watching horror movies and exploring Pittsburgh's craft beer scene.