Kristy Locklin
Published July 8, 2019
https://www.nextpittsburgh.com
Pittsburgh averages 160 sunny days a year. Make the most of them by dining outdoors. Many restaurants and breweries offer patio or rooftop seating so bring your shades and your appetite. Here are some great new spots and some that need to be on your radar.
Photo by Tracy Certo.Over Eden, Lawrenceville.
TRYP Hotel offers breathtaking views that stretch all the way to Downtown from its cool rooftop restaurant and bar, Over Eden. Perched high above Eden Way (get it?), you can enjoy eats prepared by executive chef Brandon Blumenfeld, including family-style portions of pastrami-smoked beef ribs with coriander, black pepper and lime, and boozy refreshments that’ll make you feel like you’re on a tropical vacation. Order a pitcher of Punch Drunk, a mix of moscato, strawberry vodka, pressed apples, lemon, raspberries and blueberries, and send your worries a postcard.
Cinderlands Warehouse, The Strip District.
Lawrenceville-based Cinderlands Beer Co. opened its two-story, 300-seat facility in May and folks have been packing the place ever since. Outdoor enthusiasts will go wild for Jeremy Raymer’s mural and Cinderlands’ terrace overlooking the Strip. The scratch-kitchen serves up snacks, sandwiches, small plates and sweets and there’s a brew to suit every taste.
Coughlin’s Law Kitchen & Ale House, Mount Washington.
Make the hike up Mount Washington to Coughlin’s Law for beautiful views, delicious cocktails and mouth-watering grub. In addition to 43 rotating drafts and pub fare such as wings, sliders and burgers, the hotspot boasts a walk-up taco and tequila bar on its patio. And T and T Cantina stocks more than 60 types of the Mexican elixir. Come thirsty, amigos.
Penn Brewery, Troy Hill.
This one isn’t new, but the charming cobblestone courtyard is too picturesque not to include. The granddaddy of Pittsburgh craft breweries is a great place for summertime imbibing and dining. You’ll feel like you’re in a real German Biergarten as you sip Penn Pilsner and chow down on authentic Bavarian fare.
Over the Bar Bicycle Cafe, North Park Boathouse.
Once you’ve biked or hiked through North Park, or kayaked on the peaceful lake, treat yourself to lunch at this lakeside establishment. The back patio is a scenic place to unwind after a workout. There are decadent burgers and a to-die-for BLT, but lighter options are also available. If there’s a wait at the door, take another lap and they’ll text you when your table is ready.
412 Brewery, North Side.
Open Thursday through Sunday, this tiny Western Avenue brewery is a great place to grab a beer and snack before heading to the Pirates game. You’ll find one of Pittsburgh’s popular food trucks outside, along with cornhole and Jenga. The pup-friendly patio hosts Buzz Worthy Pub Trivia every Thursday starting at 7 p.m.
Bae Bae’s Kitchen, Downtown.
Head to Bae Bae’s Kitchen for Korean-inspired cuisine that’s healthy, local, organic and delicious. A seasonal pop-up parklet sits in front of the Liberty Avenue eatery. The 24-by-11-foot space features tables, chairs and a greenhouse-like structure filled with plants. It’s a tranquil escape from the concrete jungle.
Walter’s BBQ Southern Kitchen, Lawrenceville.
You can get Texas-style barbecue and Southern comfort food at this laidback joint in the heart of Lawrenceville, open for lunch, dinner or weekend brunch. The AstroTurf lawn has plenty of seating — picnic tables, couches, beanbag chairs — and it offers smoky smells almost as intoxicating as the beverages.
The Church Brew Works, Lawrenceville. Experience a little slice of heaven in the Hopgarden at The Church Brew Works. The European-style courtyard offers the same dining service as the divine interior space. Enjoy your food and drink surrounded by hop flowers, which brewers harvest each September to put in their cask-conditioned ales.
Steel Cactus Restaurante & Cantina, Shadyside. There are multiple Steel Cacti in the ‘burgh with outdoor seating areas, but the new rooftop bar in Shadyside gives patrons a bird’s eye view of Walnut Street. Celebrate with margaritas at the site’s extended weekday Happy Hour 4:30 to 7 p.m. and go loco on Mondays for all-you-can-eat tacos for $15.
Cafe Raymond, The Strip District. Hungry for a good meal and a beautiful view? You’ll get both at Cafe Raymond. Watch the hustle and bustle of Penn Avenue from the second floor as you devour one of chef Raymond Mikesell’s creations. Whether it’s breakfast — served all day — or a signature burger, your plate will look just as good as the scenery.
Strange Roots Experimental Ales, Millvale and Gibsonia. Strange Roots, the local authority on wild brews, has two locations with outdoor beer gardens. The Millvale kitchen specializes in smoked meat sandwiches, tacos and vegetarian-approved items while Gibsonia features a rotating line-up of food trucks. Both destinations are kid- and dog-friendly so bring the whole family.
The Pennsylvania Market, Strip District. The Strip has historically been a bustling place to eat and socialize. The PA Market is a microcosm of the neighborhood. The two-story, upscale food hall offers indoor and outdoor seating with an array of dining options, from pizza and po’ boys to tacos and charcuterie.
Photo by Tracy Certo.