From a chef-driven café and market to a (very) long-awaited dim sum restaurant, there’s a lot of new restaurants that have opened in the last few months in Pittsburgh.
Local Provisions
Fox Chapel
Local Provisions, an artisan market and café, has officially soft-opened in Fox Chapel. Chef and restauranteur Brian Pekarcik (Spoon) and his wife Jessica will sell a limited menu of pastries and sandwiches at the café during the soft opening, along with coffee and a full bar. The space will also house a specialty grocery market, which will feature local products like honey butter from Wise County Biscuits and bagels from Gussy’s Bagels, and grab-and-go meals, along with items like olive oil, balsamic vinegar, jarred sauces, and home and kitchen items. Local Provisions will be open this weekend (October 14 through October 16) from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (1111 Freeport Road)
Parlor Dim Sum
Lawrenceville
Roger Li’s (Umami, Ki Ramen) much-anticipated Parlor Dim Sum is officially open in Lawrenceville – and if you can snag a reservation, you’ve got to check it out. The menu, with a focus on Cantonese dishes, includes a selection of about 20 dim sum options (you can’t go wrong with the jade dumplings, roasted pork buns, and sweet lava bao). Li also offers a selection of stir-fried noodles (‘Ho Fun,’ with flank-steak, wok-fried noodles, onions, and bean sprouts is one of the restaurant’s most popular dishes), and Cantonese BBQ, including whole-roasted duck, and the supremely-prepared soy chicken. (4401 Butler Street)
Duo’s Taqueria
East Liberty
Language education company Duolingo has gotten into the restaurant game. The Pittsburgh-based company launched Duo’s Taqueria, a taco take-out window in East Liberty this summer, with a language-learning twist: Guests can get discounts on their meal by taking a short Spanish language challenge powered by Duolingo, with discounts and rewards changing regularly. The menu, created by chef Marcella Ogrodnik, features Mexico City-inspired tacos, with house-made nixtamal tortillas, plus salsas, chips, agua frescas and pupusas. They’re currently opened Wednesdays through Sundays from 11:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. (5906 Penn Avenue)
Moonlit Burgers
Downtown
Located on Duquesne University’s campus, Moonlit Burgers has recently opened their second Pittsburgh location, serving smash burgers, fried chicken sandwiches, and their signature shoestring fries. The Duquesne location also features a full bar, and is open Monday, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., and Tuesdays through Sundays, from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. (1015 Forbes Avenue)
Chengdu Gourmet 2
North Hills
Acclaimed chef Wei Zhu has recently opened a second Chengdu Gourmet, aptly named Chengdu Gourmet 2. The much-loved Sichuan restaurant is located on McKnight Road in the North Hills, and features a slightly expanded menu from the original Squirrel Hill location, along with favorites like Sichuan-style dumplings in red chili oil, Peking duck, Gong Bao chicken, and Chongqing-style beef in spicy broth. (4768 McKnight Road)
Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams
Bakery Square
It’s been a long time coming, but the nationally-recognized Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams is now open in Pittsburgh. The Columbus, Ohio-based brand softly opened its first area location in Bakery Square last month, and will be hosting a grand opening celebration on Thursday, October 20 with free scoops and other goodies. Jeni’s features ice cream flavors like Buttercream Birthday Cake, Brambleberry Crisp, Salty Caramel, and Brown Butter Almond Brittle. (173 Bakery Square Blvd.)
James Café
Strip District
New all-day café James Café is now serving breakfast and lunch in the Strip District. Menu items include breakfast sandwiches, avocado toasts, salads, bagels, cheese and charcuterie boards, and a selection of grab-and-go items, like wraps, oats, and Greek yogurt parfaits. The space also offers a coffee bar, with tea, cocoa and smoothies. (2550 Smallman Street)
Blue Sky
East Liberty
With a pet-friendly patio, Blue Sky in East Liberty opened this summer on the first floor of the 211 Tower, serving American classics, like sandwiches (roast pork with broccoli rabe, Chimichurri cheesesteaks), burgers, and a hearty selection of salads, including a Pittsburgh salad, loaded with fries and Ranch. Brunch is also available, along with a full bar. (211 N. Whitfield Street)
Salute
North Side
Salute, the newest restaurant concept at Federal Gallery, offers “elevated pub fare and brunch favorites,” with dishes including hearty sandwiches like the ‘Cheesy Going,’ with sliced ribeye, cheese whiz, and hot pepper spread, and the ‘Ol’ Reliable,’ their take on a classic PB&J, served with chunky peanut butter, fresh strawberry and local honey. A selection of burgers, salads, and fries round out the menu, and they also offer desserts, like fried Oreos and fried Twinkies. (200 Children’s Way)
Storming Crab
Homestead
Storming Crab, a small chain of restaurants with about two dozen locations sprinkled across the country, has recently opened its first western Pennsylvania location on the Waterfront. The restaurant offers Cajun crab boil-style seafood, including crab legs, oysters, lobster, shrimp and crawfish. (185 E. Waterfront Drive, Homestead)
Tu Mangi
Baldwin
If you cross a taco with a pizza, you get a wedgie…. at least, according to Tu Mangi. The popular food truck is just about set to open their first brick-and-mortar restaurant in Baldwin (grand opening is officially Tuesday, October 18), and will be serving their over-stuffed sandwiches, hoagies, and wedgies. Popular items include Waffles & Chicken wedgie, with fried chicken and maple honey syrup on a sweet waffle four dough, a Pizza Taco, with fresh mozzarella, basil, pepperoni and red sauce, and a Stuffed Pepper hoagie, with Italian sausage, pickled hot banana peppers, and red sauce. (4851 Clairton Blvd.)
Voodoo Brewery
North Side
Beloved brewery Voodoo opened their first Pittsburgh brewpub this summer at 337 North Shore Drive. The massive, 6,000-square-foot space features indoor and outdoor seating, with river views and fire pits. On the menu you’ll find loads of Voodoo brews (of course), plus a cocktail list, and a food menu featuring everything from protein-topped bowls to pizza and burgers. (337 North Shore Drive)
Five Star Honduras
Coraopolis
Billing itself as “the only authentic Honduran restaurant in the area,” Five Star Honduras opened in late summer offering Central American cuisine. The menu features items like Tajadas con Carne Molida (fried plantains with beef), empanadas, and seafood and coconut cream soup. (809 5th Street, Coraopolis)
K-Town Snack Bar
Oakland
The owner of the Mr. Bulgogi food truck has opened a new quick-service Korean restaurant in Oakland, serving cup-bap (the bulgogi, with thin-sliced marinated beef, is one to check out), Korean corn dogs, kimmari (fried seaweed rolls with glass noodle filling), and Bungeoppang (a fish-shaped pastry, stuffed with sweet red bean paste, custard or chocolate. (210 Oakland Avenue)
Sugar Butter Bakery
Carnegie
Recently-opened Sugar Butter Bakery is offering fresh-baked treats in Carnegie, including an ever-changing selection of brownies, cookies, cupcakes, cannoli, cinnamon rolls, muffins and more. Sugar Butter Bakery is open Tuesdays through Sundays from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., and they’re taking special orders for Thanksgiving now. (331 East Main Street, Carnegie)
The Bridge Music Bar
East Liberty
Pittsburgh has a brand new music venue. The Bridge Music Bar opened this summer in East Liberty, offering live music (with touring and local musicians, plus special events like Jazz nights and acoustic brunches), a full bar, and a selection of small bites – salads, charcuterie boards, sandwiches, and small bites, like loaded fries and pretzels with beer cheese. (6018 Broad Street)
The Cheese Queen
Mt. Oliver
Owned and operated by Megan McGinnis, whose family is Pittsburg food royalty (her grandparents owned gourmet markets around Pittsburgh, and her family ran the McGinnis Sisters Special Foods Store for more than 30 years), The Cheese Queen opened this summer in Mt. Oliver. The storefront offers charcuterie and cheese boards, plus grab-and-go ‘Adult Lunchables.’ Eventually, McGinnis says, The Cheese Queen will also sell cheese, charcuterie meats, locally-made products, and select kitchen wares. (156 Brownsville Road, Pittsburgh)
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