This month, a summery pop-up, a casual brewery, and a jazz joint join Pittsburgh’s food and drink scene. Meanwhile, a long-time outpost for margaritas and tacos has shut its doors.
Here’s the complete report on what’s new in the city’s food and beverage scene (and what you might have missed in June).
Hello
🍹 AllSummr, a pop-up bar in Uptown, has taken over a vacant parking lot and offers food, beverage, and support for community organizations. It’s open through September.
🍸 At long last, Bridges & Bourbon is open in the former Seviche space Downtown. Bridges & Bourbon promises “atypical and innovative modernist cocktails and shareable small plates.” It’s led by two-time James Beard Award semi-finalist for Best Chef in America and Best Chef in the Mid-Atlantic, Chef David Racicot and mixologist/sommelier David Keating. Expect local booze and very Instagrammable food.
🥘 Con Alma — meaning “with soul” — celebrates Pittsburgh’s jazz legacy. The Shadyside spot focuses on Latin American cooking with global influences (ceviche, quesadillas, gorditas, empanadas, tacos, braised ribs, Cuban-style chicken and salads are on the menu). Live music is a fixture here, too.
🍫 Fudge Farm has set up shop in Bloomfield with fudge (of course) and cannoli cookies, cupcakes and brownies.
🥑 Guapo, a New Mexican spot, has taken up a residence in Federal Galley — think enchiladas, nachos, and lots of guac.
🍺 Inner Groove Brewing is now open in Verona. Look for a solid tap list, food trucks, and a patio just outside the city.
🍷 With a view of Lawrenceville, the rooftop bar/restaurant Over Eden is now open atop TRYP Hotel. The hotel’s restaurant Brick Shop is opening later this summer, and both feature Pittsburgh chef Brandon Blumenfeld.
🍴 Sultry F&B, with old-time favorites like haluski and pierogies, and Mangiamo, an Italian spot, is now open in Smallman Galley.
See you soon
🥓 Larder at Larimer, a new restaurant from Justin Severino, is opening July 5 inside East End Brewing Taproom with everything from steamed mussels to a brisket sandwich to a whole hog barbecue platter (and vegetarian-friendly dishes, too).
🐉 The subject of years of anticipation, restaurateurs Richard DeShantz and Tolga Sevdik are expected to open Gi-Jin very soon. Look for sushi, gin, Japanese whiskey, and a giant dragon mural.
🎶 Thunderbird, a historic spot for music and drinks is “in the home stretch” of opening after a significant renovation.
🎂 Ka-Fair, with Thai coffee and beautiful sweet treats, is coming soon to Morningside.
🍦 A Lawrenceville location for Millie’s Homemade Ice Cream is in the works, though it doesn’t appear any work has happened recently.
🍺 A new location for Dive Bar is coming to Regent Square in the former Ryan’s Pub location, expected to open this summer.
🍞 A permanent location for Pigeon Bagels is expected to open soon.
🇫🇷 A new outpost for Gaby et Jules Patisseries et Macaron bakery is scheduled for East Liberty this summer.
🍣 A yet-to-be-named 14-seat sushi counter tucked on the second floor between Round Corner Cantini and Umami in Lawrenceville is set to open this summer.
🍻 A Sly Fox taproom near Point State Park in the space formerly occupied by Stone Neapolitan Pizza is expected to open sometime this summer.
🥗 Famed chef Justin Severino is planning a casual California-inspired cafe near North Park by summer’s end.
🍔 Supper, formerly of Federal Galley, is moving this summer to the space occupied by Crystal on Penn in the Strip District.
🍗 Oakmont Barbeque Company is planning a permanent location — not in Oakmont but in neighboring Verona — by summer’s end.
🍺 The Woods House, a Scottish pub, is slated for one of Pittsburgh’s oldest houses. Crews are working toward summer pop-ups and a fall opening.
🍺 Platform Beer Co., the Cleveland-based brewery, will open a brewery and tasting room this year in Garfield.
🌯 A Mexican-Italian fusion is coming to the Strip District in partnership with Edgar Alvarez of Edgar’s Best Tacos.
🔥 Fig & Ash, a “farm-to-flame restaurant,” is headed to Deutschtown.
🍻 Rogan Brewing Co., a taproom with pints and growlers, is coming to West Homestead.
🌮 SYN Taqueria & Pizzeria will open in the former Sharp Edge Friendship location.
🍗 The Eagle, a casual fried chicken restaurant, is coming to Penn Avenue Downtown this fall.
🍺 BrewDog, a Scottish brewery with more than 50 locations around the world, will open this fall in the Eastside Bond building in East Liberty.
🍕 Iron Born Pizza has moved out of Smallman Galley and is moving into the former Carhops location just down the street sometime this year.
🎳 Shorty’s Pins x Pints, a new entertainment concept with duckpin bowling, bocce, pinball, cornhole, and giant beer pong, plus street food, is coming to the North Shore by year’s end.
🚀 Grist House Craft Brewery is turning a Collier Township Cold War-era Nike Missile Command Center into another outpost for the popular brewery. But a lot of work is ahead, so be patient. An opening date is expected a year or two from now.
🎮 Look for a location of the Punch Bowl Social chain with food and drinks, plus ping pong, darts, bowling, classic video games, and karaoke in the Lower Hill in 2020.
🎶 A Rascal Flatts restaurant is coming to Station Square. … Maybe. The operator has been served with an eviction notice, and there’s plenty of legal drama, the Business Times explains.
🏈 North Shore Seven, a restaurant near Heinz Field from Ben Roethlisberger, is planned for the North Shore, of course, boasting made-from-scratch entrees and “Hollywood-style booth seating,” which is maybe just a little excessive. But when? It’s still on the sidelines, as of now.
Farewell
🌮 Casa Reyna in the Strip District quietly closed after six years. The store Reyna Foods and the taco shack will continue operations.