Pittsburgh food in July 2021: What’s opening and what’s closing

A new month has begun, and you know what that means. We’re back with our monthly food-and-drink updates. Don’t miss out on adding some of these hot spots to your Pittsburgh munchy map.

Since it’s officially July, Pennsylvania’s mask mandate has ended. But keep in mind that while COVID-19 restrictions have been lifted, some restaurants are still requiring masks to protect their workers and customers.

And unfortunately, while the increase in capacity seems like good news, a lot of restaurants are still struggling with resources and staffing. So please remember to be kind, cautious, and of course, tip well. 

Want to help local restaurants beyond eating at their establishments? As many businesses that withstood the pandemic begin to open up for in-person dining, Pittsburgh Restaurant Workers Aid is among the mutual aid groups that are assisting restaurants during this transition. You can help by making a donation here.

In case you missed last month’s edition, catch up here. If we missed something, let us know so we can add it to the list.

Hello

🍽️ 40 North is now serving global cuisine at Alphabet City on the North Side, taking over the former Brugge on North. It shares the space with City of Asylum’s bookstore and is led by Executive Chef Bethany Zozula and Beverage Director Sam Suter. Both are formerly from Ace Hotel’s popular Whitfield Restaurant, per Pittsburgh Magazine.

🍔 Burgh’ers Brewing at the Highline in the South Side is your new go-to spot for crispy, juicy craft beers and smash burgers. On the menu, you’ll find items named after and inspired by places in and around the ‘Burgh.

🍷 Con Alma, the popular Shadyside restaurant and jazz bar, has finally opened their second location Downtown, bringing worldly flavors and sounds to Penn Avenue, right across from Heinz Hall. Earlier this year, Cona Alma was named one of the best bars in America of 2021 by Esquire.

🍇 EVIA Greek in Bellevue has the goal of transporting Pittsburghers to a taverna in Greece, according to NEXTPittsburgh. The menu highlights Mediterranean staples, as well as unique family recipes.

🌮 La Bodega just opened its doors on Carson Street in the South Side and is serving tacos, burritos, and fresh Aguas Frescas.

🍙 Nanban, from Roger Li of Ki Ramen and Ki Pollo, combined both menus to offer Asian soul food: Ramen, fried chicken sandwiches, bao, and more. It was Li’s response after Ki Ramen was shut down from a flood, which will eventually reopen as an entirely new restaurant, per NEXTPittsburgh.

🍻 Two Frays Brewery is open and ready for you to crack open a cold one on their patio, located in a restored row house on Penn Avenue in Garfield. New beer alert: they just released “The Salty Ginger.”

🍕 Woodfired by Lorelei is slinging tasty ‘za in East Liberty, plus a great selection of wines to pair with your pies. This new spot is from the team behind Lorelei, a cocktail bar/beer hall in the historic Werner Building.

See you soon

🍔 The Pittsburgh Sandwich Society food truck is bringing their delicious sandos to a brick and mortar. Their new spot is alongside Strange Roots ExperimentalAles in Millvale, and they’re kicking off their grand opening next week with an updated sandwich menu, music, and brunch.

🚙 Rear End Gastropub & Garage is parked on Butler Street in a converted auto service station and will sell food inspired by an all-American road trip. It’s expected to hit the gas in the first week of July, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and  NEXTPittsburgh.

🍦Bruster’s Real Ice Cream is opening a new location on Browns Hill Road in Squirrel Hill this Friday, ahead of Independence Day weekend.

🍳 Wild Child, from acclaimed chef Jamilka Borges, is bringing coastal cuisine, including fresh, seafood dishes to Etna. According to the restaurant’s Instagram, they’re making moves to open very soon.

🍸 Margaux is transforming an old department store into East Liberty’s newest cafe and lounge. In the morning, they’ll offer coffee, tea, and small-bite breakfast options, and when the sun goes down, classic cocktails, shareable plates, and desserts, per NEXTPittsburgh.

🧀 Bitter End Rye & Charcuterie Bar is Rear End’s sister restaurant and the former location of Nooch’s Bar. It will offer “whiskey & meat” in a modern speakeasy with specialty cocktails and charcuterie boards. This location is set to open a couple months after Rear End.

🍸 G’s on Liberty will replace the Alexander’s Italian Bistro on Liberty Avenue in Bloomfield with “a full service restaurant, focusing on real, innovative, creative food, and cocktails.” They’re set to open by late summer, per NEXTPittsburgh.

🌮 Gordo’s Tacos & Tequila is nearly finished with construction in Mount Washington, and they’re catching up after a few setbacks during the pandemic.

🍺 Sly Fox Brewing Co., a Philly-based brewery, is putting down roots at The Highline on the South Side this summer. In the meantime, you can follow their Instagram to learn about their latest pop-ups.

🌮 Tako is bringing its luxe, Asian-Mexican fusion to Bakery Square this summer.

🍳 The Journeyman’s Table is still on its journey to opening on Penn Avenue, and will soon offer from-scratch, seasonal dinners alongside craft cocktails, wine, and local beers.

🍵 Adda Coffee & Tea House is opening its fourth location in Downtown’s Cultural District this fall with a coffee shop and local vendor hall combo, per Good Food Pittsburgh.

🍺 Back Alley Brewing is on a mission to create Dormont’s first craft brewery, and you can follow along with their progress on Instagram.

🍕 AVP, a pizza-focused spinoff of Alta Via, is joining the restaurant lineup at Bakery Square this fall, adding to big Burrito’s restaurant portfolio around town, Pittsburgh Magazine reports.

🍸Storyville Lounge, a “hidden” Victoria-era bar, will be the latest venture by the owners of Dr. Tumblety’s Time-Inspired Specialty Shop in Allentown coming this fall, NEXTPittsburgh reports. 

🍽️ Tupelo Honey, a Southern cuisine chain, is coming to Station Square later this fall and will become an early anchor of the updated Freight House Shops, per Pittsburgh Patch.

🍻 Bonafide Beer Co. is planned for the former Chicken Latino spot in the Strip District.

🐟 Work on Wild Ninja Asian Grill is underway in Oakland, replacing Uncle Sam’s Gourmet Subs, PennsylvAsia reports.

💛 Yinz Coffee, which recently took over the old Crazy Mocha storefront on the North Side, has plans to open another location in Bloomfield.

🍦 New York based Posman Books and Odd Fellows Ice Cream Co. are teaming up to shares stories and scoops at the Strip District Terminal building, NEXTPittsburgh reports.

Long-term openings on our radar

🍕 Piada Italian Street Food is expanding its fast-casual, Italian eatery with three new locations in the East End, South Hills, and Robinson later this year.

🍤 2 Sisters 2 Sons in Sharpsburg is expected to announce their second location, serving “the most authentic Caribbean food in the city.”

🍱 Bento is a new restaurant coming to Shadyside, according to PennsylvAsia, but there’s no word on the details or timeline.

🍺  Pittsburgh Brewing Co. is planning a new brewery in the former Pittsburgh Glass Works plant on a 40-acre site along the Allegheny River in Creighton. Pittsburgh Business Times has the latest — and more on the fascinating history of the site.

🍵 Tupelo Honey Teas in Millvale acquired the building next door and will renovate and expand over the next several years. P.S. There will be garden tea parties!

🚀 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.

🎸 Howler’s is moving to East Liberty after 19 years in Bloomfield, City Paper reports.

🍕 Big Burrito is bringing a yet-to-be-named restaurant to Lawrenceville with a focus on pizza, veggie-forward dishes, and burgers, Pittsburgh Magazine reports.

🍔 Arlington Beverage Club, a new concept from well-known chef Kevin Sousa, is coming to an old social club in Allentown called St. George Lyceum, the Pittsburgh Current details.

🏛 The Vandal owners are bringing two new concepts to the Pitt Building Downtown, the Post-Gazette reports. One is a sandwich shop. The other is a supper club called Saint Johannes.

Farewell

Here’s some good news, especially in a difficult time for local restaurants … We didn’t hear of any closings this past month! If we missed one, let us know.

Like this story? Put your logo on it. We’re looking for sponsors for our mega-popular monthly openings-and-closings series. Think your business is the right fit? Let’s talk! Email: [email protected]