Welcome to Pittsburgh! What do you want to do first? Not sure yet? Well what about plans for tomorrow?
…Well you still have time to decide… Where are you staying? You haven't booked a hotel yet?!?!
When I think about folks visiting Pittsburgh, my mind wanders toward experiences with some really unique takeaways.
Maybe these visitors have already ridden the Duquesne Incline. Perhaps they’ve already stood at Point State Park and taken a stroll through the Carnegie Museums. Maybe they ate a Primanti Bros. sandwich and even paired it with an Iron City Lager. Heck, maybe they’ve even had their picture taken at Randyland. As we peel back the layers of Pittsburgh, we reveal shrouded corners of our neighborhoods; we stumble upon hidden gems that shine like diamonds in the rough. Although this is by no means a comprehensive list, I took a stab at traversing our unconventional terroir to showcase some of my favorite Pittsburgh Hidden Gems. Enjoy.
Food
Grandma B’s, Hill District Grandma B’s is a no-nonsense, straightforward breakfast diner in the heart of the Hill District - a Black-owned business in a Black neighborhood with an incredible vibe. Be sure to ask for Dorian (the owner) and let him share a story or two about his cafe.
The Thyme Machine, Bloomfield If you’re a fan of breakfast sandwiches, head to The Thyme Machine food cart. This seasonal pop-up is parked at 4613 Liberty Ave (8 a.m. - noon) every Wednesday thru Friday.
Casa Brasil, Highland Park For folks new to Brazilian cuisine, Casa Brasil is an exceptional place to start your gastronomic adventures. Beneath the low-key, intimate dining room is a beautiful event space.
Fet-Fisk Royal Market, Shaler What started as a Nordic-themed dinner pop-up series (announced sporadically via Instagram) has blossomed into a full-blown market located in Shaler. Expect delicious smoked and pickled fish, sausages, charcuterie and other Swedish, sea fare-forward offerings.
Monterey Pub, Mexican War Streets, Northside After a brief closure during the COVID-19 pandemic, Monterey Pub has reopened under the guidance of a core team that spawned out of Federal Galley, also in the Northside. Hearty Irish eats tucked neatly amongst the rowhouses of the Mexican War Streets.
Umami, Lawrenceville With a focus on Izakaya (Japanese snacks/street food and drinks), the Umami vibe is unlike any other in Pittsburgh. Go for a late dinner and take in the lighting, music and service - everything flows effortlessly through the space, which is located directly above Round Corner Cantina.
Carson Street Deli & Craft Beer Bar, South Side Decadent sandwiches and a thoughtful focus on local, craft beer make Carson Street Deli & Craft Beer Bar a muststop for folks meandering through the South Side.
Lucy’s Banh Mi, Strip District A seasonal pop-up food cart located outside Bar Marco in the Strip District, Lucy herself spends the warmer months in Pittsburgh before returning to her native Vietnam during the winter months. Her cash-only pop-up has no menu - she makes incredible banh mi (pork or chicken), and you enjoy it right there on the street. No questions asked.
Beverage
The Goldmark/The Confidant, Lawrenceville For folks who enjoy live DJ performances, The Goldmark (and its sister speakeasy, The Confidant) is one of the best places to enjoy a drink and dance in town. DJ owned and operated (no requests).
Spring Hill Brewing, Spring Hill, Northside Up above the Downtown skyline, you can enjoy a farmhouse ale or saison at Spring Hill Brewing. Head brewer Greg Kamerdze quite literally marches to his own beat way up on the hill. His building - the Workingmen’s Beneficial Union (which is supposedly haunted) - is a historic German Social Hall built around 1880.
4121 Main, Bloomfield Half coffee shop, half floral and plant shop - 4121 Main is a charming nook with elevated espresso drinks and a lovely selection of plants. During summer, try the Sunshine Express - a shot of espresso cut with Sprite and served on ice.
Goodlander Cocktail Brewery, Larimer A new-to-Pittsburgh concept, the Goodlander Cocktail Brewery carefully pre-batches tasty cocktails into kegs for a whole new take on ready-to-consume mixed drinks. Up to this point, all cocktail offerings have been for carryout (off-site consumption).
Kaibur Coffee & Cafe, Polish Hill A quirky, charming gem of a cafe found in Polish Hill - be sure to go hungry and try the vegetarian-friendly menu!
Strange Roots Experimental Ales, Millvale (and Gibsonia) Pittsburgh’s endless thirst for new breweries means folks have PLENTY of options for beer. Visitors who enjoy sour ales should plan to stop at Strange Roots - our city’s premier brewery offering wild ales and time-stamped ‘spontaneous fermentation’ beers. Things you taste in either Strange Roots taproom are unique to the local terroir and would be impossible to recreate elsewhere.
Blue Dust, Homestead For the bloody mary fans, THIS is your spot. Easily the most thoughtful selection of bloodies in town with infused spirits, talented bartenders and a stellar selection of craft beer. Blue Dust is a great place to catch a hockey game with the charming interruptions of a VERY active railroad line located directly behind the bar.
The Allegheny Wine Mixer, Upper Lawrenceville Quite literally the perfect spot for a date, AWM does everything right. Top-notch service, great hours of operation, an incredible selection of wines, cocktails and beers AND a handful of small bites. The intimate lighting, decor and music elevate the AWM experience to a whole new level.
See & Do
Clement Freeway, Bloomfield Pittsburgh’s free and legal graffiti wall is located on Clement Way, in an alley between Liberty Beer and Trace Brewing. This constantly revolving art installation makes for a perfect backdrop to snag a photo or hang out and watch graffiti artists express themselves.
Concrete Beach, Strip District Of all the hidden gems included here, this one is truly weather and light dependent. Throw on some comfy sneakers and head to the intersection of 35th and Smallman St. (Strip District) and walk past Restaurant Depot (on 35th St.) until the road ends. Continue walking straight and bear to the left, walk under the railroad trestle and carefully traverse the narrow, elevated platform until you are directly above the Allegheny River on a circular patch of concrete. Watch boats go by, enjoy views of both the 31st St. Bridge and the 40th St. Bridge and take in the breeze.
Observatory Hill, Perry North For the avid cyclist or runner, the Observatory Hill loop is a beautiful, low vehicle traffic path that bobs and weaves through gorgeous tree-lined trails. The very top of the hill includes Allegheny Observatory. If you’re cool with lots of elevation change, Observatory Hill is a challenging, fun gem of a park right here in the city.
Allegheny Cemetery, Lawrenceville and Stanton Heights A hidden gem that’s really not very hidden at all, the Allegheny Cemetery walking paths offer a peaceful respite from the congestion and noise between Lawrenceville and Penn Ave. A lovely ecosystem within the city that automatically transports your mind and mood to a different place. Bonus points if you see all the deer!
Looking for even MORE Pittsburgh hidden gems? Add one or several of these suggestions:
