If we know one thing for sure, it’s that Pittsburgh loves a good pop-up.
Something about the elusive, fleeting nature of these short-lived food events draws in the city like a moth to a light.
As word spreads of these “in the know” food events (usually through social media and word of mouth), a cult following develops. And grows. And grows. And then, if we’re really lucky, the pop-up matures into a permanent brick and mortar business. Lest us not forget Ki Ramen, Sugar Spell Scoops, Driftwood Oven, Bitter Ends Garden, Apteka, Baby Loves Tacos, Duncan Street Sandwich Shop, and Pigeon Bagel – all extremely popular Pittsburgh restaurants that began as pop-ups.
Below we have rounded up just a few of our favorite Pittsburgh pop-ups going on right now. Be sure to check them all out, because who knows – you could be trying Pittsburgh best new restaurant of 2022.
We know pittsburgh pop-ups can be elusive. Did we miss any? Please let us know in the comments below!
Track them down before they are going… going…. gone!
19 Pittsburgh Food Pop-Ups to Track Down This Summer
Kanto Kitchen Filipino Feast Club
Pittsburgh chef Rafael Vencio (previously Aubergine Bistro) has been teaming up with local businesses to present Kanto Kitchen, a series of Filipino popup dinners and “Feast Clubs” around the city of Pittsburgh. At spots like Driftwood Oven and Pie for Breakfast, and Brew Gentlemen, Vencio has been serving dishes like longaniza, chicken inasal, and Kamayan feasts! These delicious dinners sell out (fast!), so be sure to snag your tickets so you can enjoy one this summer.
AllSummr Pop-up “Day-party”
As part of a collaboration between Round Corner Cantina and Umami owner Derek Burnell and Urbanist Guide owner Michael McAllister, an outdoor pop-up bar has opened in Pittsburgh’s Uptown neighborhood. The space is part-beer garden, part-tiki bar, and has a full summer schedule of barbecues, food trucks, and family-friendly games. In the evening, the space will play host to DJ sets, a tiki bar, a 21-tap beer wagon, and an Absolut cocktail bar. More information can be found online.
AllSummr (1717 Fifth Avenue)
Blue Sparrow at Eleventh Hour Brewery
Popular Pittsburgh food truck Blue Sparrow expanded their fleet last year with a vintage 1956 Greyhound bus. The food truck is known for serving “Global street food,” including dishes like Banh Mi, Korean BBQ Burrito, and the almighty Ramen Burger. If you want to track down the bus, it shouldn’t be too hard. This summer, Eleventh Hour Brewery in Lawrenceville is hosting Blue Sparrow outside their brewery four days a week. On Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday, Pittsburgh will find the bus outside 11th Hour on Charlotte Street in Lawrenceville. More information can be found online.
Roundabout Pop Up Beer Garden
After their successful run last summer, Roundabout Brewery is once again hosting a Pop Up Beer Garden at their outdoor space on the Ohio River, located along the Three Rivers Heritage Trail in Chateau. The official address is 1836 Oxline St, and guests can bike (or run!) to the space and enjoy a refreshing brew with a view of the city.
Casa Brasil Brazilian Pop-up Restaurant
Hello, Casa Brasil, a delicious new Brazilian pop-up restaurant located in Highland Park! Casa Brasil serves dishes like pão de queijo, caldinho, mandioca frita, moqueca de peixe, and more! The restaurant also offers “residência” program where local chefs host pop-up dinners in their space. More information can be found online.
Fet Fisk Nordic Feast
This new under-the-radar popup dinner series offers a chance to try interesting, Nordic dishes with a heavy focus on seafood. To get on this list for this dinner, you must DM Fet Fish to learn the location. Information is limited, so check out their Instagram. Oh, the mystique!
Mi Empanada
Calling all empanada fans! (That’s everyone, right?) Mi Empanada is a new Argentinian catering and pop-up businesses, selling their delicious, homemade empanadas around the city of Pittsburgh. Track them down at breweries, bars, coffee shops, and more by keeping an eye on their Instagram. They will also be a Tina’s bar in Bloomfield every Thursday in July.
Café Agnes Salvadorian Cafe
Check out that pupusa! Café Agnes is serving Pittsburgh fresh and authentic Salvadorian food through their new pop-up, which can be found at local markets including: Thursdays at Market Square, Fridays at Mellon square, and Sundays in Squirrel Hill. Dishes include tamales and pupusas, served with refreshing beverages like horchata and watermelon agua fresca. More information can be found online.
Hidden Harbor Daq Shack
Pittsburgh tiki bar Hidden Harbor is back with another innovative new series, “Daq Shack.” Every Thursday this summer at the bar will host a celebration of the Daiquiri, a drink that they call a “simple but elegant mix of rum, lime, sugar, and ice that is, quite simply, the greatest cooling contraption that man ever invented.” The rotating weekly menu will provide Daiquiri variations over the eras and classic Daqs at a deeply discounted price.
Spirit Bagels
If I’ve learned one thing working at GoodFoodPittsburgh.com, it’s that Pittsburghers are all on a perpetual hunt for a “good bagel” in the city. Well, there is a new spot to add to the list – Spirit! The popular Lawrenceville bar/venue/pizza joint/??? has started sportically serving and selling homemade bagels, most frequently at the weekend brunches. Keep an eye on their instagram for the latest bagel updates.
Sharing Farms at the Ace Hotel
Ace Hotel Pittsburgh has been hosting their “Sharing Knives” dinner for years, and this summer they are expanding to “Sharing Farms.” Typically for the “Sharing Knives,” dinner, Whitfield executive chef Bethany Zozula collaborates with another chef in Pittsburgh. For the new Sharing Farms dinner, Zozula will work with other local chefs to highlight a regional farm. The July dinner will celebrate Penn’s Corner Farm Alliance 20th Birthday. More dinner are planned monthly into early fall.
Muddy Waters Absinthe Night
If you’re looking for a stiff drink on a Tuesday night, head to Muddy Waters Oyster Bar in East Liberty. Tuesdays are “Absinthe Night” at the restaurant, featuring a cocktail menu of drinks made with Absinthe. Yes, Absinthe – the bright green botanical spirit once infamously thought to be a hallucinogen. The bar also has happy hour, 9:00 P.M. – 11:00 P.M. on Tuesdays with $1 and $2 oysters + more.
B52 Café Burger Night
B52’s vegan burger night has developed quite a following in Pittsburgh, even from devoted meat eaters. Every Wednesday, the restaurant serves a different vegan burger option from 5:00 P.M. until sell out. Options vary but are always tasty. Our advice? Get there early.
Summer of Soft-Serve
Popular Pittsburgh ice cream company Millie’s Homemade expanded into the world of soft-serve ice cream this summer with their brand new summer pop-up in Bakery Square, dubbed “Summer of Soft-Serve.” The shop is located in the former Coffee Tree Roasters space in Bakery Square, serving six flavors of homemade dairy and vegan soft-serve, waffle cones, floats, and more! Get it while it lasts!
crumb. Late Night, Plant-Based Pop Up
Ah – we love a good late night option in Pittsburgh! crumb., a vegan eatery once located in the Smallman Galley, is now offering late night bites, every Friday-Saturday from 10pm-2am at the Gluten-Free Goat in Garfield. Everything served is fully Vegan, AND gluten, soy, corn, peanut, and oat free! OH -and delicious! Options have included: fries and gluten-free plant-based takes on fried “chicken” sandwiches and “chicken” nuggets.
Brew Gentlemen Open Air Space
Attention! There’s a brand-new place to drink beer outside! Behold: the Brew Gentlemen Open Air space. This summer pop up allows guests to sip some of Brew Gentlemen’s award-winning beers in the great outdoors. The space will stay open while the weather is nice. The BG Open Air space is part of a larger expansion at the brewery, which you can learn more about here.
Rooted Plant-Based Ice Cream
Pittsburgh plant-based dining scene has expanded with the addition of Rooted Ice Cream, a new vegan ice cream company. The brand is a plant-based, small-batch ice cream company committed to producing less waste and serving ice cream that isn’t just “vegan ice cream, but good ice cream. Full stop. It just so happens to be vegan.” Flavors include: roasted raspberry w almond streusel, black sesame w a rose vanilla swirl, + more.
Jak’s Bakery Bulgarian Breads and Pastries
Take advantage of the unique opportunity to try Bulgarian breads and pastries from Jak’s! Jak”s bakery specializes in traditional items, bringing over 18 years of experience into their delicious baked goods. Look out for artisan specialties like Banitsa and Kozunak. You can find Jak’s at Farmers Markets throughout the week, including Lawrenceville, Carrick, and Shadyside. They are also available at Steel Valley Roasters in Homestead.
Duncan Street Dinners
This dinner series turned Millvale sandwich shop continues to wow crowds with their monthly, speakeasy-style, five-course dinners. Now hosted at their Millvale shop (no longer their home kitchen!) July is now booked, but there is still space for August. These dinners sell out fast, so hurry to book! And if you don’t get tickets, luckily you can still enjoy their grub from their tasty sandwich shop, open Wednesday – Sunday.
We know pittsburgh pop-ups can be elusive. Did we miss any? Please let us know in the comments below!
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