We’re never ones to say no to more taste of the south in Pittsburgh, and North Side-based Roux Orleans brings a taste of New Orleans to the city!
With dishes like gumbo, po’boys, and grilled catfish, the Chateau neighborhood now has a new fast casual option in the otherwise industrial-forward district.
Penn Avenue Pizza & Steaks (PAPS) is a one-stop-shop for all things NY-style pizzas and Philly cheesesteaks.
While it is rare for a spot to do either of these on their own well enough to sing it from the rooftop, PAPS manages to make it work with delicious pies and an even more wonderful sandwich.
You’ll want to go hungry when visiting this one!
The Forge in Lawrenceville is one of those spots that you may not notice when driving along Penn Avenue. Apart from a small sign out front, this one is easy to miss if you’re not looking closely.
But for those who make the effort to stop and head in, a delicious cocktail bar with Mediterranean small-plates and a modest pizza menu is your reward!
Second Story Spirits is a spirits producer that opened its doors in Lawrenceville in September 2026.
Upon first glance, you may think Second Story Spirits is another distillery in Pittsburgh. We are happy to report, it is not.
This one is different in that they do not distill their base spirits in house, but rather engage in the art of infusion- that is, adding flavors to an already produced base spirit. Yes, there is no still here!
Where this could run in any number of ways, as we certainly have had our share of questionable infusions in the past, Second Story Spirits not only does this well, but their initial lineup is among the best in the game- distillery, infusion joint, or otherwise.
Ruby’s Wine House is a family-run restaurant and wine bar near Coraopolis serving up crowd-pleasing Italian small plates and pastas along with a diverse selection of wine.
The welcoming atmosphere and shareable nature of the food make this a great spot for hanging out with a group. It’s the kind of place you settle in and order several rounds of antipasti and wine, all while enjoying the friendly service.
Our first visit here was with a group of friends who suggested the place, and at first we were not quite sure what to expect from this spot that’s a bit of a drive out of the city in a quiet, somewhat remote location. Looking at the food menu, you could easily think this is just another red sauce joint cranking out mediocre pasta.
But once we stepped inside, we realized one of the things that sets Ruby’s apart is the excellent hospitality. And on top of that, as dish after dish came out, we realized that the food is also executed quite well and belies the seemingly simple menu.
We love a beautiful day in Pittsburgh, and when the weather decides to cooperate, our first thought is to all of the great spots we can eat and drink outside.
So in this one, we thought we’d share some great places for outdoor drinking and dining in Pittsburgh (and nearby) that we cannot get enough of. Some make this one for their epic views, others because the food or drinks are incredible. Some have proper patios with permanent infrastructure, whereas others may simply be picnic tables and chairs outside.
As such, it is worth re-iterating that we’re taking a broad look at all things outdoor drinking and dining in this one and, as always, keep in mind that outdoor seating at many of these locations may only be available seasonally or during periods of good weather. So please reconfirm any outdoor options prior to visiting.
Looking for more great places to eat and drink outdoors? We discuss this topic with our friends at City Cast Pittsburgh on a podcast recording at the previous link!
We can think back to a time in the not-so-distance past when there were no distilleries in Pittsburgh at all (distilleries in the form we know and love, at least).
Yes, it seems unusual to think that the region known for the historic Whiskey Rebellion from 1791-1794 would somehow ever be devoid of distilleries outright. This all came about thanks to an arcane law that prevented distilleries from having on-site sales and as such only a few operated in the state- mostly for commercial sales direct to bars, the state store, and other indirect consumers.
It wasn’t until the founders of Wigle Whiskey lobbied to get the law change that our distillery scene really started to take off with the on-site bar programs we know and love. For reference of time scale, this was only in 2012, and with the change in laws, Wigle became the first distillery to open in the city limits and only the third to open in the state at all!
As such, Pittsburgh’s distillery scene can only be defined as young but growing rapidly. Distilleries, like Wigle, that were founded around the start of the rule change are only recently starting to get aged products that rival other regions that have been producing for decades, and not a year goes by that several new distilleries pop onto the scene as well.
In this one, we want to briefly share a bit about all of the distilleries we’ve been to so far!
Pittsburgh really is becoming a space city, and the molecular mixology cocktail bar, Space Bar, will help everyone explore the universe- with tasty libation in hand.
Located right in the heart of Market Square (aptly referred to as the holodeck when onboard), the cocktail lounge is the resident bar of the SS Oasis ship which travels distant worlds and services locals of the various systems visited with tasty cocktails- some familiar, some simply other-worldly.
We were fortunate enough to visit this one many times since they opened in the fall of 2023, and share some updated thoughts of what you can expect in this one!
Disclaimer: We are friends with the owners of Space Bar, provided consulting during start-up, and attended a preview event at opening. We have also purchased the cocktails discussed below outside of these instances. As always, all opinions are our own.
When it comes to drinking in Pittsburgh, we have a number of great options ranging from beer, to wine, to liquor, and even a strong scene of local producers for all three of those as well!
One industry that has been growing at a rapid pace in recent years is wineries, and more specifically that of the wine bar.
Today, we wanted to share some of our favorites from our explorations around the city!
Pittsburgh is not known to be a wine capital in the US, let alone a highlight in the region, but that isn’t stopping local brewers and wine makers from producing some pretty incredible beverages. That is enough to get us excited, and we’re on a quest to find the gems that are worth your time.
When it comes to wineries in Pittsburgh, many go beyond the standard batch of fermented grapes to produce something completely unique. The following are some of the best that we have tried so far.
Note: This guide also features cider houses and meaderies in addition to traditional southwest Pennsylvania wineries.