It’s shaping up to be an eventful (and tasty!) summer. Despite the pandemic, Pittsburgh’s food scene is booming with a bunch of new destinations for hearty meals, hot coffee and cold beer. Give them a warm welcome and your patronage.
COMING SOON
Two Frays Brewery, 5113 Penn Ave., Garfield
Two Frays opens for weekend can sales on May 28. By mid-June, owners Mike and Jen Onofray will welcome guests inside the 100-year-old building to sip suds and soak up the rays on the dog-friendly patio.
Adda Bazaar, 725 Penn Ave., Downtown
The Adda Coffee & Tea House empire continues to grow. Founder Sukanta Nag is opening a fourth café Downtown this fall. Like the company’s Garfield site, the new spot will be part coffee shop and part vendor hall where local artisans can sell their wares.
Rear End Gastropub & Garage, 399 Butler Street, Etna
Celebrate Independence Day with food inspired by the all-American road trip. The Rear End Gastropub & Garage opens the first week of July and the menu is built on our country’s culinary diversity. Chef Anthony Tripi is recreating dishes from coast to coast in a converted auto service station. Pair your meal with one of 20 draft beers, including the house brew, Dented Fender Kolsch.
Bitter End Rye & Charcuterie Bar, 409 Butler Street, Etna
It’s just a short walk from the Rear End to the Bitter End. The same folks who refurbished the old Etna garage also gutted the longtime Nooch’s Bar. When it opens later this summer, the modern speakeasy will specialize in rye- and gin-based cocktails and charcuterie boards.
Back Alley Brewing, 2975 W. Liberty Ave., Dormont
This July, 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.
Goodlander Cocktail Brewery, 6614 Hamilton Ave., Larimer
Wes Shonk is mixing up big batches of cocktails in Larimer, from Moscow Mules and Mojitos to G&Ts. By the end of May, customers can fill returnable glass growlers with bubbly, on-tap beverages. When the place opens for on-site consumption later this year, patrons will be able to sip from a highball glass at the bar.
AVP, Bakery Square, 6425 Penn Ave., East Liberty
big Burrito’s Alta Via brand pizza is getting its own spot in Bakery Square. This fall, AVP will dish out casual Italian fare including focaccia pizza, sandwiches and veggie-forward entrees.
täkō, Bakery Square, 6425 Penn Ave., East Liberty
The city’s second täkō space will soon debut in a 5,000-square-foot eatery that’s bigger than the Downtown original, which means more room for tequila and tacos. Customers can dine indoors and out, or grab a quick bite from the counter.
Galley – Bakery Square, 6425 Penn Ave., East Liberty
Galley – Bakery Square isn’t just one restaurant, it’s four! Like it’s sister site Federal Galley, the eatery incubator will house up-and-coming chefs for 12-18 months starting on June 1. Budding restaurateurs include Bubba’s (burgers), City Fresh Pasta (artisan pasta), Somi (microgreens) and GG’s Café (classic comfort food).
PBR Pittsburgh at Live! Casino Pittsburgh, 5260 Route 30, Greensburg
With tons of Texas-sized food and beverages, you’re bound to stay at this bull riding-themed bar for longer than eight seconds, urban cowboy.
Tupelo Honey, 100 West Station Square Drive, South Side
Tupelo Honey, a national chain restaurant specializing in Southern cuisine, heads north to Station Square this fall.
Con Alma Downtown, 613 Penn Ave., Downtown
Itching to hear live jazz music? This year, Shadyside-based Con Alma will bring its hip aesthetic to the former Bravo Franco space in Downtown’s Cultural District.
Burgh’ers Brewing, The Highline, 333 E. Carson St., South Side
Burgh’ers, a smash burger bar with locations in Lawrenceville and Zelienople, opens this summer at The Highline. A large production brewery is also on tap for an undisclosed area of the city.
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
Crews are working hard to transform this former Chicken Latino space into a 1,600-square-foot taproom that’ll churn out approachable, affordably priced brews that are perfect after a long day on the job.
Storyville Lounge, 753 E. Warrington Ave., Allentown
This fall, you can experience some old-school French Quarter vibes when Storyville Lounge, a modern-day speakeasy and distillery, opens inside a hidden room at Dr. Tumblety’s Time-Inspired Specialty Shop.
NOW OPEN
Back to the Foodture II, 2667 E. Carson St., South Side
If you like belly-busting sandwiches, a dizzying assortment of wings and pop culture, jump in your DeLorean and gun it to the South Side — or to the original location at 378 Broadway Blvd. in Pitcairn.
The Open Road Bar, 3410 Penn Ave. (second floor), Lawrenceville
Want to try non-alcoholic beer, wine and spirits but don’t know where to start? Mel Babitz is an expert on N.A. beverages and her bottle shop — located above Tonic Coffee — carries more than 100 different varieties.
The Rebel Room and The Industrialist Lounge, The Industrialist Hotel, 405 Wood St., Downtown
Downtown’s newest hotel is dripping with odes to the city’s past and features two casual eateries. The Rebel Room serves up American fare for breakfast, lunch and dinner and The Industrialist Lounge is a chic after-work spot where you can unwind with a glass of wine.
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 locations open at The Highline on the South Side and in South Oakland.
The Eagle Food & Beer Hall, 737 Penn Ave., Downtown
Chow down on Southern staples like fried chicken, hush puppies, collard greens and white cheddar grits. The Eagle also makes big ol’ cocktails y’all can share.
Butler Brew Works, 319 Maryland Ave., Oakmont
No time to make the drive north to Butler Brew Works? The company’s 600-square-foot retail space is now open in Oakmont featuring single cans, mixed four-packs, bottles and swag. Hours are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.
Recon Brewing, 301 Tillary Lane, Suite A, Cranberry Township
Recon Brewing’s second Butler County location is open at Meeder, a Charter Homes & Neighborhoods community in Cranberry Township.
LeVia Trattoria, 5336 Butler St., Lawrenceville
Brothers Christopher and Anthony Castine are carrying on their grandmother LeVia’s culinary legacy at her namesake restaurant. The old Cure space is now home to good, homestyle Italian cooking.
Slider Vibes, 22 Market Square, Downtown
Slide into Market Square for bite-sized sandwiches, gourmet sides, spiked milkshakes and ice cream shots.
Four Points Brewing, 917 Western Ave., North Side
You won’t find four-leaf clovers at the old Shamrock Inn, but Four Points Brewing will make you feel just as lucky. The Charleroi-based brewery opened its North Side digs in May for indoor and outdoor imbibing.
Gordo’s Tacos & Tequila, 131 Shiloh St., Mt. Washington
The long-awaited Mt. Washington cantina will start slinging Mexican street food and agave-based beverages this summer.
Pizzaiolo Primo, 8 Market Square, Downtown
The popular spot is under new ownership, but with some familiar faces on staff, including Richard Sphatt, the eatery’s original executive chef, as well as General Manager Michael Zimmerman.
Old Thunder Brewing, 340 Freeport Road, Blawnox
The former post office building is once again a flurry of activity now that Old Thunder is open for onsite consumption and take-out sales.