2015 - Page 7 of 8 - Discover the Burgh

Grapperia Review – The Most Italian Bar in Pittsburgh

August 3, 2021July 6, 2015

Spritz Homage at Grapperia in Pittsburgh

It only took one word to get me into Piccolo Forno's annexed bar, and that word is grappa.

For those who do not know this spirit, grappa is made by distilling the waste products from the wine-making process (think skins, pulp, seeds, etc). The result of the distillation process is an extremely concentrated, very flavorful, and incredibly high-proof alcohol that quickly became one of my favorites during our travels around Europe.

For reasons unknown to me, this spirit has not taken off as much in the USA, and grappa has been something I've only enjoyed while abroad- until now.

Congratulations Pittsburgh, you're now officially a European city.

44 Pittsburgh Coffee Shops to Grab a Delicious Brew

April 9, 2024June 29, 2015

I love coffee. And I don't mean sugar-laden, heart-attack-in-a-cup frappuccinos.

When I say I love coffee, I mean I love single origin coffee that actually tastes like something besides burnt beans (sorry Starbucks). Because I love experimenting with coffee brewing techniques at home, and have a good idea of how to brew a good cup, it takes a really excellent coffee to get me excited about visiting a coffee shop.

There is good reason for this. When I first moved to Pittsburgh I was pretty underwhelmed with the coffee scene. Luckily things have greatly improved over the past few years and they continue to get better all the time. Thanks to this new scene of coffee shops in Pittsburgh, I am on a quest to find the very best.

So which Pittsburgh coffee shops are worth your time? Our ever-expanding guide gets to the bottom of that question.

Tessaro’s Review – Legendary Burgers in Bloomfield

December 14, 2022June 27, 2015

Tessaro's is old school.

Upon stepping inside, everything from the waitresses calling you sweetie to the 1980s computer behind the bar suggests you've entered some sort of time capsule. After checking out so many up-and-coming restaurants and attractions in the past few weeks, we thought it was time to visit a Pittsburgh institution.

Tessaro's has a pretty extensive menu with deli style sandwiches, salads, ribs, steaks, and chicken. But if you've never been here before, there's really only one thing you need to know: get the burger.

Having been on all sorts of “best-of” burger lists, and being in search of the best burger in Pittsburgh ourselves, there was no question that we had to order burgers.

Tony’s Pub Review – Burgers and War Streets Beer

September 19, 2023June 20, 2015

It appears that Tony's Pub closed just a few months after purchasing the former Bier's Pub. We are unsure if this one is reopening.

We've heard rumors that Tony's Pub (formerly Bier's Pub) in the North Side is the place to be in the neighborhood, and our visit during a Sunday Brunch confirmed that rumor the second we walked in the door.

To put it simply, the restaurant was packed– mostly because it is one of the only restaurants open on Sunday in the North Side. Throw in great beer, a brunch special Bloody Marys and you have a great reason to come in to try one of their popular burgers.

Randyland is a Colorful Must See Attraction in Pittsburgh

September 19, 2023June 5, 2015

Randyland - The Most Colorful Place in Pittsburgh

Unlike other attractions in the city, you'll have no problem spotting Randyland from a distance.

This outdoor art studio, if you can call it that, is quite possibly the most colorful spot in all of Pittsburgh– and that is only the first impression from looking at it on the outside.

Once you enter, a world of incredible art and whimsy is yours to explore.

Point Brugge Review – Mussels in Point Breeze

June 26, 2020May 25, 2015

Mussels at Point Brugge Cafe in Pittsburgh

A visit to Point Brugge Cafe in Point Breeze is like being transported to Europe.

Settled in an unsuspecting neighborhood, you'll find yourself surrounded by quaint houses, a small selection of local businesses, and this corner restaurant that resides in the first floor of a house.

After stepping through the doors you'll feel like you're in your favorite corner restaurant in Europe, about to order a meal you traveled thousands of miles to enjoy.

Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens is a Must Visit

February 9, 2023May 24, 2015

Phipps Conservatory in Oakland is one of the shining gems of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This is true not only for the gorgeous plants and foliage that they show off in their massive botanical gardens, but also for their efforts in sustainability- Phipps Conservatory is one of the most energy efficient buildings in the world.

With dozens of themed rooms, an assortment of flowers and artwork that cycles quarterly in their seasonal flower shows, and improvements made every year, Phipps is an attraction that will keep you returning time and time again.

When we decided to write a review of this stellar attraction, we were debating on whether or not to feature one flower show, or go broad and share images from several. In the end we decided for the latter, purely because we don't want to give it all away. We want you to see it for yourself.

So come inside and let us give you a brief glimpse at why we love this attraction!

26 of the Best Pittsburgh Hotels to Consider – Local’s Guide

November 14, 2023May 22, 2015

Pittsburgh has thriving tourism scene that brings in millions of visitors per year, be it for our many sporting events, major conventions, or purely from the fact that the city is pretty awesome (okay, we may be a bit biased on that one).

If you are one of those millions of visitors, you're in luck- this one is for you!

Since founding Discover the Burgh, one of the most common questions we receive is “what hotel should I stay at during my visit?”. To help answer this question, and continue our quest to experience everything Pittsburgh has to offer, we decided to make it our mission to personally review every single Pittsburgh hotel.

We do this not via a Google search, not by passing through the lobby or on a 30-minute guided tour, but by personally reserving a room and staying in every single hotel in the Pittsburgh.

To cover the best hotels in Pittsburgh that we have visited so far, this guide was born!

Transportation Options in Pittsburgh – Navigating the City

June 14, 2022May 22, 2015

We're not going to lie, navigating Pittsburgh can be quite difficult for someone who is not used to the roads. Downtown Pittsburgh is triangular rather than on a square grid, highways are built on top of highways, and there are many road oddities all throughout the city.

That being said, we can say that there are many options to get around Pittsburgh for those looking to visit or live in the city. The following is a selection of the very best recommendations we can provide.

Pittsburgh Laws and Local Taxes

July 6, 2023May 22, 2015

We know that sometimes finding information on local laws is rough. To make things easier, we wanted to summarize as many local laws and tax issues as possible. Please note that the following summaries are not official government statements, so rules may have changed. To find the most up-to-date laws and tax information, please follow the links provided.