Happy National Pretzel Day! We’re happy for any excuse to eat a soft pretzel. In honor of this special day, we’ve rounded up a few of our favorite pretzels in the Pittsburgh area. Enjoy! And, uh…. please save some beer cheese for us.
Did we forget your favorite pretzel? No worries – just leave it in the comments below!
We want to see your pictures! Tag @goodfoodpgh and #goodfoodpgh in all of your pretzel pics!
The Best Soft Pretzels in Pittsburgh:
Axel’s Pretzels
Axel’s Pretzels began in 2013 when Axel Claussen, a German-born Pittsburgher, had a craving for “Ein Brezel” from his local German Bakery back home in Eberbach. Unable to find a properly baked pretzel in Pittsburgh area, he decided to bake his own. Nearly 7 year later, he and his son bake authentic German soft pretzels with all organic and vegan friendly ingredients. (More information on their website.)
You can find these delicious pretzels at the Bryant Street Market, Frick Park Market, Kelly’s Bar & Lounge, Row House Cinema, Strange Roots Experimental Ales, Roundabout Brewery and Mayfly Market. They also have a mobile “Brezel Bike,” that can be booked to serve pretzels at events and festivals.
Axel’s Pretzels (Multiple Locations)
Bier’s Pub
These soft pretzels are served with a side of of candied jalapeño cream cheese and truffle mustard. Pair it with a pint of Bier’s Pub house-brewed beer.
Bier’s Pub (900 Western Ave)
Mediterra Cafe
Mediterra Cafe, located in Sewickley, is known for their sweet treats, baked goods, and light bites. The cafe also makes soft pretzels on Saturdays. They sell out fast, so make sure to come early to get one before they’re gone.
Mediterra Cafe (430 Beaver St)
Biergarten Hotel Monaco
The famous Bavarian pretzels at Hotel Monaco’s rooftop biergarten are topped with butter and sea salt and served with beer cheese. The biergarten will open May 3rd for the 2019 season.
Biergarten Kimpton Hotel Monaco (620 William Penn Pl)
Industry Public House
Industry Public House is known for serving one of the largest pretzels in Pittsburgh. The “Industrial” sized pretzel is served with beer mustard. Add beer cheese or cinnamon icing for $1.
Industry Public House (Multiple Locations)
Lorelei
The pastry program at Lorelei, Pittsburgh’s newest European-inspired beer hall and cocktail bar, is one of the best in the city. The soft pretzels are no exception, served with mustard and kielbasak-kraut cheese spread. Don’t forget to check out the dessert menu while you’re there!
Lorelei (124 S Highland Ave)
City Works
Located in PPG Place Downtown, Cityworks is a great place for afterwork drinks, or watching “the game” on one of their (many) TV screens. Their pretzel bites are made with hop-infused sea salt, and served with an IPA Gouda cheese sauce. The bites are only $4 during happy hour, Monday thru Friday, 3:30pm – 6pm!
Cityworks Pittsburgh (PPG Place)
The Two Fraus Bakery
The Two Fraus Bakery in Harmony serves Bavarian Pretzels on Saturdays. They also offer a “Pretzel Baguette,” a German style baguette made using the same recipe as the Bavarian Pretzel.
The bakery is owned by two friends that love to bake. “Our German and Hungarian baking traditions and recipes have been passed down to us from our mothers and grandmothers and we are proud to pass the experience on to our customers,” the bakery says on their website.
The Two Fraus Bakery (253 Mercer St, Harmony,)
The Beerhive
The popular Bavarian pretzels at The Beerhive are served with honey mustard.
The Beerhive (2117 Penn Ave)
The Pretzel Shop
With a name like “The Pretzel Shop,” you can’t go wrong. This tiny shop on East Carson Street is a South Side gem, serving everything from pretzels and pretzel bites to pretzel sandwiches, flavored pretzels, and specialty pretzels. A few customer favorites include the parmesan, garlic, and sugar & cinnamon pretzels.
The Pretzel Shop (2316 E Carson St)
Hofbräuhaus Pittsburgh
The giant pretzel at Hofbrauhaus Pittsburgh is served with their signature homemade bier cheese. Another option is to order the Spinach Dip, which comes with two German Soft Pretzels for dunking. For dessert, try the cinnamon-sugar pretzel!
Hofbräuhaus Pittsburgh (2705 S Water St)
Stoke’s Grill
Enjoy a sandwich on a legitimate pretzel bun at this McKnight Road hotspot.
Stoke’s Grill (4771 McKnight Rd #5)
Philly Pretzel Factory
Great news: everyone gets a free pretzel on National Pretzel Day from Philly Pretzel Factory! Stop by today, April 26, to grab yours! This chain started in Mayfair, Philadelphia, in 1998. They made the jump across the state and now have 3 locations in Pittsburgh. All of their pretzels are served “Hot Outta the Oven,” including their traditional pretzels, specialty pretzels, and pretzel trays.
Philly Pretzel Factory (Multiple Locations)
The Harmony Inn
The Brezeln at The Harmony Inn are served with homemade beer cheese and black bear mustard.
The Harmony Inn (230 Mercer St, Harmony)
Honorable Mention: @Twistburgh
For this post, we of course have to give a shout out to Pittsburgh’s pretzel foodie, @Twistburgh, who travels around the city hunting down the best soft pretzel. For more pretzel recommendations, check out: @twistburgh. Thank you Kerry, we admire your work!
Where is your favorite soft pretzel in Pittsburgh? Leave it in the comments below.
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