Endless Summer: Hanging Onto the Season

Soaking up relaxed, bright & welcoming vibes at bars & eateries around town

We’re still hanging onto summer vibes, even now that fall equinox has officially arrived. Thankfully, as the temps turn, a host of venues around Pittsburgh help extend those carefree feelings far beyond September. Whether you’re craving a tiki drink, Caribbean-inspired meal or a garden rooftop scene (Spirit, we’re looking at you!), we’ve found places to keep that upbeat rhythm all year-long.

TROPICAL TASTES

It’s no secret that in Shadyside, the talented masterminds behind Lilith have cultivated a celebratory ambiance in which to savor special milestones and everyday moments. At this intimate eatery born from the passion of chefs Jamilka Borges and Dianne DeStefano, you’ll find a bustling dining room that Jamilka describes as “fun, homey, and unapologetically feminine.”

She says, “I had a vision for bright, eclectic and fun.” Dianne enjoyed the palette, and together they found many of their interior’s interesting pieces including their chairs, lamps, plants and other small details throughout. A lot of the artwork actually came from friends, including pieces made by Dianne’s former art school colleagues.

Puerto Rican influences woven throughout the restaurant pay homage to Jamilka’s roots. For example, look no further than in the pan sobao on both their lobster rolls and tartare, the taro root and salsa criolla on their wahoo dish, and plantain and guava jus on their beef dish.

No doubt, certain menu offerings make island time feel accessible here in any month. The duo says the lobster rolls, for one, are a staple that can't be taken away. “Also, we always try to incorporate a tropical fruit into our winter/fall menu,” Jamilka says. “The passion fruit cheesecake is also a staple that gives tropical vibes and makes your soul warm and happy.”

So much about the venue reflects the community of which it’s a part. Some of their favorite design elements range from a beautiful wood service station that their regular and friend, David Lagnese, made for them, to their bar and sign by Jamilka's husband and a couple of wood tables created by another regular and friend, Art. “We just love that so many people came together to make this place possible,” Jamilka says. “Oh, we also have a golden rooster that was a fixture at the previous restaurant Cafe Zinho, which to us, is a little homage to Chef Tony, who was loved by many and ran a beautiful restaurant for over 25 years.”

Downtown at brand-new, sushi-centric Okane, you can choose your own adventure at a multi-tiered venue that blends three concepts under one roof. The three-story building welcomes guests to the ground floor with Okane Sweet Spot, a casual café for grabbing a premium matcha, signature fruit teas, ice cream sundaes or warm Japanese sweets. (Think Vietnamese coffee with matcha cold foam, strawberry lemon jasmine fruit tea and lychee rosemary fruit tea.)

Moving up to the second floor, enjoy an intimate dining experience with Okane’s Omakase 16- or 18-course tasting menu, perhaps accompanied by their collection of small-batch sake. Omakase means “I leave it up to you,” so chefs select fresh and seasonal dishes that might include slow-cooked duck breast with red wine sauce and torched shiitake mushroom, Wagyu tartare inside a spring roll chip for crunch, salmon cigar with salmon belly jalapeño, mango and pistachio or pani puri with sweet shrimp, avocado, onion and lemon zest.

And for the ultimate urban escape, head to Okane’s third-floor Rooftop where faux greenery and handcrafted cocktails like the the Pink Peony (made with Roku Japanese Gin, a meringue of fresh squeezed grapefruit, grapefruit elixir and aquafaba) help create a relaxed scene in which to relish signature rolls, sushi tacos and featured weekday specials. Try the Crab Rangoon and AQ Wings tossed in a sweet and spicy sauce, or specialities like the Mini Godzilla Roll showcasing yellowtail, avocado, cucumber and jalapeño, all finished with spicy mayo, eel sauce and sesame.

Keep other island cravings sated with acai bowls from Aruba Island Bowls in the Strip or, not too far away, conch fritters, Jamaican chicken tacos and tropical paella from Kaya. In Aspinwall, just a stone’s throw from the Allegheny RiverTrail, Vibrant Sunshine is a SoCal-esque juicery-cafe in which to grab healthful food and drink items that give any day (in any season) a spirited boost.

TAKE IT TO THE WATER

In Verona, Acclamation Brewing serves up riverside views and occasional weekend music that makes you feel as though you’ve been whisked away on a temporary vacation. On Wednesdays through Sundays, supplement your beverages with tasty concoctions from new food partner Soul Pasta (try their build-your-own pasta creations, chicken parm sandwiches or unexpected combos of meatballs or smoked salmon on top of a loaded potato). To give your cocktail a local twist, ask to have it made with Love, Katie Distilling of Sharpsburg,

On a different stretch of Pittsburgh’s riverfront real estate, The Shore Thing welcomes folks aboard its floating barge through October 18, its final date of operation for 2026. Grab a Hawaiian-inspired lunch (think mixed plates or poke bowls), perhaps with a refreshing drink that matches the chill setting. On Washington Landing, Red Fin Blues proves a great place to watch water activity during a seafood-centric meal (typically open through early October), and The Baja Bar & Grill lures in diners seeking views of the Allegheny River and Fox Chapel Marina.

Credit |
VisitPITTSBURGH
Credit |
VisitPITTSBURGH

Patios continue to bring live music acts into the fall months, ranging from Homestead’s Golden Age to Rockwell Park’s Commonplace Coffee, where jazz tunes happen September 26 and October 3, 10 and 17, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. High above Lawrenceville, grab a drink-with-a-view at Over Eden in a garden bar located on the rooftop of a former trade school.

Out in Coraopolis, The Tavern at Hyeholde blends seasons by offering outdoor seating (when the weather allows) as a way to join in on Oktoberfest celebrations through October 17. Settle into the idyllic setting for hearty German-inspired specials (veal schnitzel, sausage and pork belly with spätzle and braised cabbage and potatoes, roasted chicken breast and apple strudel), paired with a selection of autumnal beers from partner Altered Genius Brewing Co., as well as the signature Hyeholde Grisette.

Credit |
Alexa Frankovitch
Credit |
Alexa Frankovitch

TIKI TIME

Tiki drinks continue to prove all the rage at longtime favorite, Squirrel Hill’s Hidden Harbor. The welcoming bar promises to “offer shelter from life’s stormy seas with an array of tropical cocktails and island eats, served in the Aloha spirit.” Tuesdays through Fridays from 5 to 6 p.m. mean $10 Daq Shack and Highball Hut Happy Hour deals.

The laidback venue is proud to offer one of the largest and deepest collections of rum in the country, too, totaling more than 700 bottlings that are thoroughly explored by their rum club, the Dead Parrots Society. Check out other regular events at Hidden Harbor like Tiki Time Machine Tuesdays and Dead Wednesdays (read up more here).

Downtown, there’s another tiki newcomer creating some buzz— Spork Island Trading Company; so far guests seem to most appreciate their whimsical cocktails and elaborate décor. Cheers to an endless summer.

Corinne W

Author

Corinne W

Freelance Writer & Editor

Corinne is happy to be back closer to home (D.C.) after 11 years in the glorious Pacific Northwest. Though she cherishes global adventures, she also lives for discovering local gems, from the best spots for coffee, conversation and soul-nourishing music, to water activities and trails on which to walk a loveable little husky. You can follow her on Instagram at @travelcorx

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