Hot off the Press: Summer Indulgences

June is chugging along swiftly.

Recently the weather gods have brought us a string of sunny days in which to enjoy vibrant events from Pittsburgh Pride festivities to the Three Rivers Arts Festivall, which is enjoying its new waterside setup at the incredibly user-friendly Arts Landing. This year’s Picklesburgh (July 16-19) will be its biggest one yet, expanding its footprint to also include Arts Landing and the newly renovated Market Square.

We don’t know about you, but we’re ready to plot out all the newest and best ways to savor the season.

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SugarBird

Bites + Bevvies

New eateries seem to be opening at a rapid pace, whether you’re craving something quick and casual or a special sit-down meal. Lawrenceville’s Titusz is gaining all the buzz, thanks to Chef Csilla Thackray’s homage to Austrian and Hungarian fare. Vieux Carré at Sea Monkey brings secret speakeasy vibes to the Strip. And downtown, Harry & Fritz is a new contemporary American restaurant opened by Philadelphia-based restaurateur Joe Beckham, who got his start in the restaurant industry here in the early 1990s.Think classic dishes like steaks, seared salmon, and linguine and clams, all served with one simple aim: to allow folks to savor “a good meal, a comfortable room and the chance to enjoy time together.”

We can’t wait to try the Drafting Room restaurant-bar at the brand-new Atterbury Hotel (part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection), located inside downtown’s historic Fulton Building. Formerly the Renaissance Pittsburgh Hotel before its multi-million-dollar transformation, this new venue is home to an anticipated eatery inspired by the precision and creativity of an architect’s studio. They’ll soon be open for all-day dining with 22 dining seats, 16 bar seats and eight outdoor sidewalk seats, plus straightforward American fare that’s described as “elevated but not over the top.”

Get your java fix this summer at family-operated Standing Wave Coffee Roasters, now with two permanent locations in Lawrenceville and the South Side. On the North Side, Kinder Being Cafe inside The Government Center now serves Pigeon Bagels, and the Allegheny RiverTrail Park has welcomed coffee pop-up Sprig Coffee Co., launched last year by two friends wanting to share a love for coffee and fun with their community.

In Bakery Square, Playa Bowls just opened as a hub for smoothies, juices, cold brews and, of course, bowls, with fun names like “Mermaid Mood” and “Pura Vida.”

Afters Cafe is opening a Lawrenceville outpost (not long after opening in Squirrel Hill), and the owners say they’re super excited to continue promoting flavors of the Middle East throughout their menu. They serve espresso specialty drinks, all-day bites and housemade sweet treats. (Stay tuned for more info on their upstairs space.)

Looking for non-alcoholic brews to “cheers with” this season? Newcomer Virtual Signal Brewing has offers so tasty that you won’t even notice the beers have less than 0.5% ABV; try the Presumed Innocent (West Coast-Style IPA), Boujee Bliss (Belgian-Style Wheat) or No Clucks Given (Vanilla Dark).

Treat Yourself, Summer Edition

Nothing marks carefree summertime quite like spontaneous visits to Rita’s for Italian ices and frozen custard, Page's Dairy Mart on the South Side or Swissvale Dari Delite. The ice cream options seem to be multiplying, and we couldn’t be happier about our bounty of options. Each year new vendors join the lineup, like Winston’s Grilled Eats & Frozen Treats currently making waves in Millvale.

On Saturday, July 4 MilkShake Factory fans will be lured in by an all-day BOGO deal; take advantage of buy-one, get-one benefits on their American Classics treats. If seeking other Americana-inspired eats that week (or any time, really), don’t forget Bloomfield's Dad's Dog and Burger on Liberty Ave or D’s SixPack & Dogs, with rotating “dog of the month” surprises plus burgers, hoagies, pizza and wings.

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Milkshake Factory
Credit |
Milkshake Factory

When it comes to decadent desserts, the latest buzz in Regent Square belongs to Casey Renee, whose bakery Confections has already established a loyal fanbase at its cafe neighboring Rockaway Pizza. Renee has been appreciative of the great reception so far. “The community is amazing, and super supportive,” she says. “Couldn’t have asked for a better location.”

She’d been thinking about a brick-and-mortar for a few years, and was always keeping an eye on this neighborhood. “I had looked at a few other places, but they weren’t the right fit. ‘She says. “And then as soon as this spot opened up, I jumped on it.”

Among the tempting lineup of muffins, scones, cookies and other sweet treats, you’ll find inclusive gluten-free and vegan options. For example, they’ll always stock a vegan blueberry muffin, vegan chocolate chip cookie and a vegan fruit crumble bar, and often VGF lemon drop cookies are on hand too. On weekends, they regularly stock vegan cupcakes.

“The most rewarding part is seeing our customers love our products and be so happy to come in and get things,” Renee says. “There was a lot of disconnect with just doing the custom cakes and not having retail. Now we get to see people’s faces light up and get the immediate feedback. We already have regulars, and I feel so blessed.”

Riverside Fun

Relish in this city’s access to water on vessels ranging from kayaks and tiki cruises to the good old Gateway Clipper, a sailing staple on Pittsburgh’s rivers for more than 50 years.

Pittsburgh floating barge sensation, Shore Thing, is back this year with expanded offerings, hours and programming. Riverlife Communications Officer James Santelli says visitors will notice a new shade structure from the art collective La Vispera. “The work, titled Surface Tension, was constructed from reclaimed single-use plastic and modeled after the visual language of stained glass,” he says. “It's both a colorful addition to Shore Thing and a unique piece that enhances Riverlife's ArtWalk on the Allegheny.”

The floating venue has 70 free events and programs scheduled this summer, from live music and board game nights to yoga and wellness classes, all with the idea of providing a joyful experience out on the water. It’s also tough to beat the views at this prime spot where the river, Sister Bridges and downtown Pittsburgh skyline all converge.

Santelli believes summer in Pittsburgh is not complete unless you spend some time along the riverfront. “And Shore Thing is designed to be the most welcoming spot along the river,” he says. “We greet families who are looking to make memories together. We welcome bikers who are traveling the Three Rivers Heritage Trail.” (Just be sure to lock your bike before you board the barge, he advises.) The team at BG Brewing provides top notch-food and drink options, so whenever you're craving a poke bowl or wagyu hot dog with a cold drink, this is the place to be.

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VisitPITTSBURGH

Alfresco Arts Under the Stars

In this season, music fills our parks and riverfronts in dreamy settings from Allegheny RiverTrail Park to The Frick for Summer Fridays at the Frick (this year adults pay $5 for an entry ticket that directly supports cultural programming and helps sustain the event into the future; entry is complimentary for youth 17 and under). Spread your picnic blankets in various neighborhoods and green spaces around town for more complimentary music, thanks to Allegheny County’s and WYEP’s free concert series.

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The Frick
Pictured |
The Frick

PNC Park heads into the holiday with a July 3 showcase of Grammy-nominated, multi-platinum superstar Noah Kahan (during his The Great Divide Tour, with special guests Gigi Perez and Annabelle Dinda). Acrisure Stadium features Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak August 29.

Stage AE brings good vibes in these months, too; you’ll find nostalgia with shows like O.A.R. Three Decades Tour (featuring O.A.R., Gavin DeGraw and Lisa Loeb) on July 23 and Todd Rundgren August 14, as well as modern-day music magic with the Black Keys (August 2) and Sierra Ferrell (September 1) while on her Heavy Petal Tour. On September 29 MUNA’s Gets So Hot Tour fills the night air, with a portion of concert proceeds going toward The Ally Coalition and their work supporting LGBTQ Youth and Queer Migrants across the U.S.

Next month Quantum Theatre brings its newest act, The Tempest at the Carrie Blast Furnaces, to an incredibly unique stage at one of the region’s most iconic industrial landmarks. This work, playing from July 17 through August 23, is directed by founder and Artistic Director Karla Boos as her farewell production before retiring at the end of 2026, after more than three decades leading the company.

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The Carrie Blast Furnaces
Credit |
The Carrie Blast Furnaces

The Plaza at North Shore also hosts concerts and viewing parties throughout the season. And on select Thursdays through September, they bring a series of free summer movies to the big screen (all showings begin at 7:30 p.m.). The lineup kicks off with The Birdcage on June 25 in honor of Pride month (with a 6 p.m. drag show featuring local artists), and continues with Jaws (July 23), Grease (July 30) and The Sandlot (August 27).

There’s plenty of art inspiration to be found inside (near AC!) during these months as well, like visiting Heinz History Center’s new “Planet Ice” exhibit, an interactive and fascinating 80,000-year journey, that’s up through April 4, 2027. (Kids aged 17 and under always receive free admission at the History Center.) Then there’s the Frick’s much-anticipated “French Moderns: Matisse / Renoir / Degas” exhibition and the extensive Carnegie International, which through January 3 showcases 61 artists and collectives at North America’s longest-running exhibition of international arts.

Happy summer-ing!

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Heinz History Center Ice Age Exhibit
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Heinz History Center
Pictured |
Heinz History Center Ice Age Exhibit
Credit |
Heinz History Center
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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