Warm weather is here and some Covid restrictions are gone — we missed you, bar! — so there’s positive energy in the air. Local restaurateurs are riding that wave of optimism by opening eateries, cafes and breweries throughout Pittsburgh. We’re not out of the pandemic woods yet (keep wearing your mask!), but these new businesses are giving us hope.
NOW OPEN
gi-jin, 208 6th Street, Downtown
After an agonizing wait, the Richard DeShantz Restaurant Group finally opened the hand roll and gin bar on April 6. The space is small, but there’s big demand for a table. Reserve your space online.
Doughbar Pizzeria & Rotisserie, 1831 E. Carson St., South Side
Can’t decide whether to pair your beer with fried chicken or pizza? You can have both at Doughbar! This laidback eatery — which boasts an eclectic décor that includes an homage to “The Golden Girls” — knows a thing or two about poultry, pies and pints. Enjoy some with your pals and confidants.
Claussen Cafehaus, 4615 Liberty Ave., Bloomfield
The owners of Axel’s Pretzels, a local German pretzel wholesaler, now have a bakery and café in Little Italy. Stop by for a twisted snack, sandwich, pastry, cup of coffee or a cool treat from Millie’s Homemade Ice Cream.
Roots Natural Kitchen, 5231 Liberty Ave., Bloomfield
This Virginia-based natural foods restaurant is laying down roots here in Pittsburgh. You can now grab a grain bowl, salad or other healthy meals at their original site at 3610 Forbes Ave. in Oakland or at the new Bloomfield location.
Four Points Brewing, 917 Western Ave., North Side
Lucky you. Charleroi’s Four Points Brewing has taken over the old Shamrock Inn Restaurant. It’s open for takeout 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, noon to 5 p.m. Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday.
Yinz Coffee, 2 E. North Ave., North Side
Hey, yinz guys! Yinz Coffee is now open on the North Side. Come on dahn for The 412, a 16-ounce blended espresso frappé with your choice of sauce or syrup topped off with whipped cream n’at.
Gordo’s Tacos & Tequila, 131 Shiloh St., Mt. Washington
If owner Brian Gorder gets his way, people will be consuming tacos and tequila at Gordo’s Tacos & Tequila by Cinco de Mayo.
Trace Brewing, 4312 Main St., Bloomfield
Parties of up to six can make reservations online to sip beer inside of Trace Brewing or soak up rays in its beer garden. There’s a small menu of pre-made eats you can purchase and the café and espresso bar, which will serve Redhawk Coffee products, debuts later this spring.
COMING SOON
Pizzaiolo Primo, 8 Market Square, Downtown
By May 1, diners will once again be able to enjoy Italian eats inside this popular Market Square spot, which shut down in December due to the pandemic. It’ll reopen in mid-April for takeout.
Millie’s Homemade Ice Cream, Kennywood Park and 160 Millers Run Road #300, Bridgeville
Thrill-seekers will be able to enjoy Millie’s sweet treats at Kennywood starting on May 8, when the park’s 123rd season begins. Ice cream fans in South Fayette can expect their Millie’s site to open in late spring.
Necromancer Brewing Co., 2257 Babcock Blvd., Ross Township
Head Brewer Lauren Hughes is unearthing old beer styles inside this 14,000-square-foot former Spirit Halloween store. You’ll be able to raise a pint (and who knows what else) when Necromancer opens at the end of April.
Sly Fox Brewing Co. at The Highline, 333 E. Carson St., South Side
Beer lovers will feel like a fox in the henhouse when this Philly-based brewery opens a site at The Highline this summer. The South Side development will hold a few outdoor, pop-up tastings in anticipation of the debut. You can also stop by the Downtown Sly Fox taproom at 300 Liberty Ave.
Galley Bakery Square, 6425 Penn Ave., East Liberty
In May, Galley Group launches its restaurant incubator at Bakery Square. The 6,179-square-foot space will be the temporary home of four dining concepts: Bubba’s (burgers and steaks), City Fresh Pasta (pasta, soups and sandwiches), Somi (microgreens) and GG’s Café (classic comfort food).
Two Frays Brewery, 5113 Penn Ave., Garfield
You’ll soon be able to enjoy a brew (or two!) at Two Frays, which now occupies a 100-year-old building in Pittsburgh’s Garfield neighborhood. Bring the pups to enjoy the beer garden with you.
Press House Coffee, 922 Western Ave., North Side and 505 Broad Street, Sewickley
Order your caffeine fix online while you wait for the opening of Press House Coffee’s revamped North Side spot and a brand new location in Sewickley.
G’s on Liberty, 5104 Liberty Ave., Bloomfield
Grainne Trainor, a native of Ireland, wanted to open her neighborhood pub by St. Patrick’s Day, but it looks like it will be late spring before you’ll be able to grab a pint and a plate.
Butler Brew Works, 319 Maryland Ave., Oakmont
The Butler County brewery will sell single cans, mixed four-packs, bottles and merchandise at this 600-square-foot retail space.
Tonic Coffee, 3410 Penn Ave., Lawrenceville
This May, Tonic will release an immersive, multi-sensory experience on coffee, music and art lovers in Lower Lawrenceville.
Recon Brewing, 301 Tillary Lane, Suite A, Cranberry Township
On April 14 at 4 p.m., Recon Brewing will open its second Butler County location at Meeder, a Charter Homes & Neighborhoods community in Cranberry Township.
PBR Pittsburgh at Live! Casino Pittsburgh, 5260 Route 30, Greensburg
With plenty of Texas-sized food and beverages, you’re bound to stay at this bull riding-themed bar for longer than eight seconds.
Tupelo Honey, 100 West Station Square Drive, South Side
The national chain specializing in Southern cuisine is expected to chug into Station Square this fall.
Con Alma, 613 Penn Ave., Downtown
This summer, you can delight in eclectic dishes and live jazz when Shadyside-based Con Alma brings its hip aesthetic to the former Bravo Franco space in Downtown’s Cultural District.
Old Thunder Brewing, 340 Freeport Road, Blawnox
There’s still no opening date set for on-site consumption at this post office-turned-brewery, but you can send a love letter to Old Thunder by ordering to-go beer online.
De Fer Coffee & Tea, The Riviera, 350 Technology Drive, South Oakland, and The Highline, 333 E. Carson St., South Side
Strip District-based De Fer now has a space open at The Highline and the owners are putting the final touches on the “South O” location.
The Eagle Food & Beer Hall, 737 Penn Ave., Downtown
The March opening of The Eagle Food & Beer Hall was pushed back, but you’ll soon be able to chow down on Southern staples at the spacious eatery. (We’ll keep you posted.)
Burgh’ers Brewing, The Highline, 333 E. Carson St., South Side
Burgh’ers, a beer-centric burger joint with locations in Lawrenceville and Zelienople, opens this summer at The Highline. A large production brewery is also in the works for an undisclosed area of the city.
Back Alley Brewing, 2975 W. Liberty Ave., Dormont
Five Dormont residents are bringing their back alley brewing operation to the former Dormont Borough Municipal Building, which is being transformed into a spacious taproom with a second-floor event space.
Back to the Foodture II, 2667 E. Carson St., South Side
Part pop culture museum, part restaurant, Back to the Foodture’s second location — the original eatery is at 378 Broadway Blvd. in Pitcairn — will serve gut-busting burgers, fries and wings that’ll make you exclaim “Great Scott!”
Wild Child, 372 Butler St., Etna
Chef Jamilka Borges is bringing her “eclectic coastal cuisine” to landlocked Etna this summer.
Bonafide Beer Co., Penn Avenue and 21st Street, Strip District
We can’t give you a bonafide answer about when this place is opening, but crews are hard at work transforming the former Chicken Latino space into a 1,600-square-foot taproom that will churn out approachable and affordable brews.
Storyville Lounge, 753 E. Warrington Ave., Allentown
The cool cats behind Dr. Tumblety’s Time-Inspired Specialty Shop are opening a speakeasy in the back of their Warrington Avenue storefront. This fall, you can experience a little Big Easy fun at Storyville Lounge with booze created in the on-site distillery.