Pittsburgh’s Best New Restaurant Openings of 2018

We may only be three months into 2018, but Pittsburgh’s food and beverage community has been hard at work opening fabulous restaurants around the city. From Downtown to Lawrenceville and back again, we have a feeling 2018 is going to be a big year for dining in Pittsburgh.

Below we have listed a few of a favorite spots to open so far this year. What has your favorite opening of 2018? Leave it in the comments below!

Be sure to follow Good Food Pittsburgh on Instagram to get the latest in food news!

A post shared by Bird On The Run (@birdontherunpgh) on Mar 14, 2018 at 3:07pm PDT

What’s better than steaming-hot fried chicken paired with a frozen Negroni slushie? Perhaps steaming-hot fried chicken paired with a frozen Pomegranate Margarita slushie? All of this and more can be yours at Bird on the Run, a brand-new fried chicken restaurant on Highland Ave in East Liberty.  The restaurant specializes in various fried chicken sandwiches, tenders, and alcoholic slushies. This is a great spot for dining in, or taking out.

Bird on the Run (128 S Highland Ave)

One of the most buzzed about openings of 2018 is Choolaah, a fast-casual Indian barbeque restaurant on Centre Ave in East Liberty. To celebrate their opening in January, the restaurant offered their first 100 guests free food for a year. The result? A crowd of people camping out on the sidewalk. Either way, their extensive menu of tandoor-fired meats, salads and wraps is sure to have something for everyone. A few customer favorites include the chicken biryani and “Choolaah salad.”

Choolaah (6114 Centre Ave)

Another new restaurant in East Liberty? You bet! From the same team that brought you Muddy Waters and Bird on the Run is Kahuna, is a island-inspired poke and juice bar. Guests can expect a huge selection of poke bowls that are loaded up with raw fish and toppings. Make your own, or choose from one of Kahuna’s signature bowls (we love the Big Island Classic). Believe it or not, bowls are only the tip of the iceberg at Kahuna. The restaurant also offers housemade smoothies and freshly-pressed juices – both of which can be spiked! They also have a menu of wine and beer.

Kahuna (132 S Highland Ave)

The very popular French bakery La Gourmandine has opened its fourth location in Pittsburgh. The bakery, which is known for its baguettes, macarons, and croissants, also has locations in Mt. Lebanon, Hazelwood, and Lawrenceville.

La Gourmandine (308 Forbes Ave)

There’s now another reason to arrive early for your flight – Penn Brewery has just opened at taproom at the Pittsburgh airport. Located in Concourse A, the restaurant will offer an abbreviated version of the menu from their Northside brewhouse. Dishes with a quick turnaround were selected so diners with flights can still grab a bite to eat.

Penn Brewery (1000 Airport Blvd)

Baby Loves Tacos had a highly-publicized official opening this January. After being shut down by the health department (before they were open) for permit issues, the Bloomfield taco shop is back and better than ever. Stop by for a quick lunch or dinner and enjoy their delectable burritos, tacos, and bowls. While their famous spicy brisket is as good as it sounds, the restaurant also offers various vegetarian options, like buffalo cauliflower and barbecue mushrooms.

Baby Loves Tacos (4508 Liberty Ave)

De Fer Coffee & Tea

The space formerly occupied by 21st Street Coffee is now De Fer Coffee & Tea, the first brick and mortar location for De Fer, a Pittsburgh-based coffee roaster. In addition to fresh and delicious coffee (of which they have plenty), De Fer aims to be a full-service, European-style cafe. Stop in for breakfast (waffles, anyone?) in the morning, or cheese plates and cocktails in the evening. This is a great spot for a morning meeting, as well as catching up with friends over drinks.

De Fer Coffee & Tea (2002 Smallman Street)

Poulet Bleu

A post shared by Madeline Quigley (@burghgal) on Feb 11, 2018 at 6:56am PST

Richard DeShantz has done it again! The mastermind behind popular Pittsburgh restaurants like Tako, Pork & Beans, Meat and Potatoes, and Butcher and the Rye has opened his first restaurant outside of Downtown Pittsburgh. Poulet Bleu is a French-inspired bistro. The restaurant features a charming interior, limited menu of French classics, and a outstanding beverage program. In the summertime, guests will be able to enjoy al fresco dining.  Don’t miss the chocolate soufflé!

Poulet Bleu (3519 Butler Street)

The Oxford Market is a downtown food hall located on the plaza level of One Oxford Centre. The cafeteria-style market serves breakfast and lunch from six distinct stations. Meal options include pizza, pasta, grain bowls, bibimbap, pho, burgers, sandwiches, a salad bar, and a special station featuring local restaurants and food trucks. There is also a bar serving drinks and bar snacks after work hours. The entire operation, except for the bar, is cashless, with payment kiosks set up throughout the space.

Oxford Market (301 Grant Street)

Penn Cove Eatery is a collaborative project between Penn Avenue Fish Company and local beverage consulting business Subversive Cocktails. As the name would suggest, the restaurant offers a menu of fresh seafood-forward dishes. Guests can expect freshly made sandwiches, chowder, and grab and go items like sushi. The restaurant also contains a wine ship, featuring many unique wines that cannot be found at the state store.

Penn Cove Eatery (245 7th St)

A post shared by The Warren (@thewarrenpgh) on Feb 8, 2018 at 9:28am PST

Connected to Penn Cove Eatery is The Warren, a late-night, neighborhood-style bar. The space will be used during the day as the dining room for Penn Cove Eatery. At night, The Warren will transform into an approachable cocktail bar. Located just next door to the Benedum Center, The Warren is a great spot to grab drinks before or after a show.

The Warren (245 7th Street)

Did we forget any of your favorite new openings of 2018? Let us know in the comments below!

Do you listen to Good Food Pittsburgh Radio, our weekly podcast laying out the latest in Pittsburgh food news? Find it wherever you get your podcasts!