When it comes to local Pittsburgh institutions, none are more famous than Primanti Bros. For both visitors and locals alike this sandwich shop is one of the iconic Pittsburgh foods (often being called the Pittsburgh sandwich).
But what makes this shop so special, and why are Pittsburghers so passionate about it (on both sides of the spectrum)? It doesn't take much to figure it out.
One of the facts about Japanese cuisine in the USA we've always lamented is that most restaurants are the same old sushi places with eerily similar menus. Sure, you may get lucky enough to find an odd bowl of ramen or some delicious tempura here or there, but odds are good that any given Japanese restaurant will have a menu similar to the rest.
It wasn't until I visited Japan, where I tasted so many other unique Japanese cuisines, that I realized how much we are missing in our own Japanese restaurants.
Thankfully, many chefs have taken note of this as well and the under-represented foods of Japan are now getting their audience in the USA for the very first time.
In Pittsburgh, one restaurant that will be at the forefront of this blossoming trend is Lawrenceville's Umami. Themed after a Japanese izakaya (equivalent to our own alcohol-heavy gastropubs), this restaurant is one of just a few places in Pittsburgh where you can find some of the country's best entrees you've likely never heard of before.
With the recent growth in Settlers Ridge in Robinson Township, this would be the last place you'd expect to find a 1,600+ acre county park. But go just a few hundred feet away from I-376 and you'll come to Settlers Cabin Park, one of the largest public parks west of the city.
Featuring several hiking trails, many recreational facilities, the Pittsburgh Botanic Gardens (ticket required), and even a mini waterfall, this park truly has something for everyone!
[two_third_last]Angie and I always talk about the idea of opening a restaurant in Pittsburgh one day, and when this topic comes up it almost always turns to our love of the food we've had while traveling.
One idea for a restaurant concept that was always intriguing to us was street food from around the world, and when we found out Streets on Carson in South Side was opening to be a provider of just that, we got incredibly excited and knew we had to visit.
But as this was an idea we also had in our heads as something Pittsburgh sorely needs, we also knew that we would be among its harshest critics.
I'm going to go out on a limb here and state the obvious- you know about the Pittsburgh skyline view on Grandview Avenue. This is perhaps the most iconic of all of the Pittsburgh overlooks that everyone visits time and time again.
And, if you're like us, you've also enjoyed the city's entrance through the Fort Pitt tunnels hundreds, if not thousands of times (although you can watch it again here if you need to see it just one more time), and probably enjoyed the skyline from PNC Park on many occasions, too.
Although these are some of the city's most iconic viewpoints, and are ones you see in just about every major publication about the city, we have many more gorgeous viewpoints that are missed by a good percentage of the city's residents and visitors.
To highlight some of our favorites, and share some of the more obscure ones you've likely never seen before, this guide was born!
Please note that our photos may include shots taken with ultra-wide or telephoto lenses. Actual distances vary, but all are pretty awesome- that we can assure you.
Pittsburgh's South Side Slopes is one if the city's most unique neighborhoods due to the fact that the vast majority of it is built on the side of a hill. In true Pittsburgh fashion when a hill is involved things get weird, and this neighborhood is no different.
What makes South Side Slopes so unusual lies in its accessibility. As the hill is often quite steep, road access up and down is limited compared to other neighborhoods in the city. To account for this oddity, numerous staircases have been built over the years to allow residents to navigate the hillside and also reach neighboring South Side with ease (these staircases are a significant percentage of the 700+ that can be found in the city).
One of our favorite aspects of South Side Slopes is that many of these staircases offer impressive views of the city, and can be enjoyed during a one to two hour hike beginning and ending in South Side. As navigating South Side Slopes can be tricky at times, we wanted to share our most recent route for others who would like to get out, climb some stairs for some exercise, and take in several great city views!
Note: Since writing this post, the South Side Slopes Neighborhood Association has defined most of the route below as the “Church Route.” For more information beyond our post, check out their write-up about the Church Route here. Our recommendations are slightly different, but the listed route will make for a good climb all the same!
The estate at Hartwood Acres is often called the crown jewel of the public parks in Allegheny County. Featuring numerous hiking trails, a gorgeous mansion open for touring, and other unique features, this destination is one that truly lives up to its reputation and is a perfect half or full-day out for visitors from Pittsburgh.
When it comes to neighborhoods to drink at in Pittsburgh, odds are good your first thought is not Squirrel Hill. This popular neighborhood for college students, Jewish delis, and Asian restaurants has a few bars, but is not as bustling in nightlife as other neighborhoods nearby.
This is now changing, and the tiki lounge Hidden Harbor is one of several new additions to the neighborhood worth checking out when you are in the mood for a drink!
One of my favorite times of year is my birthday.
This is not because I love turning another year older, but rather is because Angie and I were born only a few days apart (in the same year), also started dating within the same week, and have many reasons to celebrate as a result.
In Pittsburgh we've been fortunate to find many local businesses that offer birthday clubs that help make our celebrations even more special with many discounts and birthday freebies to keep the party going.
Now, there are a lot of boring chain restaurants with birthday specials and many other national brands out there that you see on every other birthday freebie list, but we don't care about those. We're talking about the specials from local businesses that make Pittsburgh the great city it is!
The best part? We found a lot of them!
Note: Birthday promotions change regularly, and we are often not made aware of changes until our earn birthdays in the spring.
For many, the North Side is viewed as the home to the Pirates, Steelers, and numerous museums along the rivers.
While it is true that many of the city's top attractions are found along the shore of the Allegheny and Ohio rivers on the North Side, this corner of Pittsburgh is home to many hidden gems that are a must for anyone exploring the city. To highlight these destinations, as well as their more famous counterparts, this neighborhood guide was born!
It is worth noting that the following is not a collection of every business in the North Side. This article only features businesses that we personally visit when we explore the neighborhood. As such, it should only be taken as a starting point and is certainly not a list of every establishment. If you see an interesting business while exploring the North Side, do yourself a favor and go inside!