Every year we publish a guide to the most anticipated restaurant openings coming soon to Pittsburgh. It’s time for the 2019 edition.
Our guides from 2017 and 2018 read like a food history of the city (and are still great reads for restaurant recommendations). Luckily for us, the future ahead remains bright. From empanadas in Lawrenceville, to barbeque in Verona, there are a plenty of upcoming openings to keep on your radar. We’ve outlined them below.
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The Best New Restaurants Still Coming to Pittsburgh:
gi-jin
Pittsburgh has been anxiously awaiting gi-jin since the concept was announced in 2017. The wait will soon be over, as the restaurant aims to open before the end of this year. Once open, gi-jin will serve an upscale menu of raw fish, unique Japanese dishes, and craft cocktails, with a focus on gin. The website states that the restaurant will be “taking reservations soon.”
Expected opening: December 2019
Something to look forward to: An intimate and intricate dining atmosphere
gi-jin (208 6th St)
Off The Rails
Pittsburgh food truck Oakmont Barbeque Company is the barbeque mastermind behind Off The Rails, a new BBQ restaurant coming to Verona. After three years on the streets of Pittsburgh, the popular food truck is moving to the neighboring neighborhood of its namesake, Oakmont. The restaurant will offer an extension of their truck menu, including dishes like St. Louis Ribs, Brisket Nachos, Brisket Mac, and the Pulled Pork Sandwich.
Expected opening: End of November 2019
Something to look forward to: New dishes (like smoked wings)
Off The Rails (549 Allegheny River Blvd)
Shorty’s Pins x Pints
North Shore goers will soon have a new option for pregame drinks and weekend nightlife. Shorty’s Pins x Pints is taking over the spot formerly occupied by the Tilted Kilt, and transforming into a gaming mecca. Attendees can expect games like bowling, cornhole, shuffleboard, ping-pong, arcade games, and much more. And, as the name suggest, there will also be plenty of beer.
Expected opening: Late Spring 2020
Something to look forward to: Lots of space for large groups
Shorty’s Pins x Pints (353 N Shore Dr)
Lazydaze Cafe
The Lazydaze Cafe, located on Butler street in Upper Lawrenceville, will have three parts: coffee shop, retail area, and full CBD dispensary. For the “cafe” portion of the business, Lazydaze will have a full coffee bar with coffees, teas, and other beverages, all of which can be infused with CBD. This is the first Pittsburgh outpost for the brand, which has a dozen locations across Texas, as well as a spot in Medina, Ohio.
Expected opening: In the upcoming months
Something to look forward to: Homemade coffee blends
Lazydaze Cafe (5104 Butler St)
Gordo’s Tacos & Tequila
A former barber shop and tattoo parlor is about to become Mount Washington’s newest restaurant. Good Food Pittsburgh reported earlier this month that Gordo’s Tacos & Tequila, a family-friendly restaurant and bar, is currently under construction on Shiloh Street. The menu is inspired by the street foods of Mexico City, with their Al Pastor as the showstopper. The adobo-marinated pork will be cut from a shawarma spit-style grill.
Expected opening: February 2020
Something to look forward to: Handcrafted flour and corn tortillas
Gordo’s Tacos & Tequila (131 Shiloh St)
Mi Empanada
Pittsburgh’s empanada popup, Mi Empanada, will soon open their first brick-and-mortar location on the 4000 block of Butler Street in Lawrenceville. Previously, the brand has been a mobile operation, popping up at Pittsburgh spots like Grist House, Hitchhiker Brewing, East End Brewing, and more. The new space will be an “empanada bakery,” offering an expanded menu of traditional Argentinian flavors and unique options. They will also serve homebrewed Yerba Mate and fresh desserts.
Expected opening: Winter 2019
Something to look forward to: A multitude of empanadas, specializing in traditional flavors of Argentina and new flavors known and loved locally.
Mi Empanada (4034 Butler Street)
Coop de Ville
Coop de Ville has been teasing Pittsburgh with their fried chicken sandwiches at pop ups all over the city for the past couple of years. Well, pretty soon, you’ll be able to get your hands on one of these decadent sandwiches anytime you want. Coop de Ville plans to move into their permanent home in The Strip by November of this year. The restaurant promises to be a “southern table featuring chicken as the headlining ingredient.”
Expected opening: November 2019
Something to look forward to: Fried chicken, fried chicken, fried chicken
Coop de Ville (2301 Smallman Street)
Fig & Ash
Warm up with woodfired cooking this winter at Fig & Ash. This new restaurant, located on the heart of East Ohio Street in the Northside, aims to open before the holiday season this year. The restaurant will specialize in refined comfort food, cooked by a team that cares about building flavor at every step.
“It’s the food I cook on Sunday’s in my home kitchen for my family and neighbors,” says chef and owner Cory Hughes.
Expected opening: Winter 2019
Something to look forward to: Refined comfort food, cooked over wood fire grill
Fig & Ash (514 East Ohio Street)
Bae Bae’s Cafe
The team behind Bae Bae’s Kitchen s currently in the process of opening their second brick-and-mortar space, a cafe named “Bae Bae’s Cafe.” The cafe will be located four doors down from Bae Bae’s Kitchen and offer variety of drinks and small bites. Guests can expect boba tea, coffee, KimBap, sandwiches, soup, and pastries.
Expected opening: End of 2019, early 2020
Something to look forward to: Pop Bing Soo, a fluffy shaved ice treat.
Bae Bae’s Cafe (945 Liberty Ave)
More food news to keep on your radar:
- Iron Born Pizza is opening a new location on Smallman Street in The Strip
- Millie’s Homemade Ice Cream is opening another scoop shop on Butler Street in Lawrenceville
- Spirit in Lawrenceville is in the process of converting their rooftop into an event space and garden
Did we forget an upcoming restaurant? Don’t fret! Please leave it in the comments below!
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- The Ultimate Pittsburgh Fall Festival Guide 2019
- 10 New Restaurants to Try This Fall in Pittsburgh
- 10 Excellent Things to Eat, Drink & Experience in September
I think Mezza Luna Cafe is opening a 2nd location on Western Ave. in the Northside where Carmi’s and the Shamrock used to be. I’ve only recently started seeing signage and they been working on the building most of the year. Not sure when it’s set to open.
Sålł. Cafe in North Oakland .. American Classics Reimagined . Bringing fine dining to the working man for a fast paced affordable lunch service . Average wait time 3- 5 minutes. .Featuring klavons ice cream and homemade Fudge coming soon
Can’t wait for the Speckled Egg in the Union Trust building with Jacqueline and Nate Schoedel!
Great article as usual! Curious you have any information on Relish or Pusadee Gardens
There’s a new restaurant opening in Squirrel Hill in a few weeks called “Kiin, Thai & Lao Eatery” featuring street food from the country of Laos, as well as Thai street food. I went to a pre-tasting party a couple of weeks ago and it was so good! The restaurant is opening in the old Bangkok Balcony restaurant space that’s being renovated by the same owners. Cool graffiti art too!