SouthSide Archives - Discover the Burgh

South Side Traveler’s Rest Review – Finally, A True Pittsburgh Hostel

Last Updated On April 29, 2019

As avid travelers, we've done our fair share of overnight stays in hostels- from $3 hole-in-the-walls in central China to high-end lodge-esque accommodations dedicated to hikers in Patagonia. Whenever we need to travel economically, we look toward shared dorms and private rooms at hostels in order to meet our travel goals.

One thing that always bothered me about the Pittsburgh hotel scene is that we never had a hostel to call our own- until now.

South Side Traveler's Rest is what we would call the first true Pittsburgh hostel, and all we have to say is its about time!

I recently was invited to the hostel for an overnight stay and wanted to share a bit more about this hidden gem in the South Side.

Cambod-Ican Kitchen Review – Go for the Cambodian Staples

Last Updated On April 26, 2019

If you find yourself in South Side and are looking for dinner, or a late night snack, or a late late night snack, a visit to Cambod-Ican Kitchen may be for you. This particular spot serves staples from Cambodia from 6pm until 3 or 4 am!

So if you are in the mood for a different kind of Asian fare, you may want to try this one out!

During my first visit I opted for a Cambodian classic which hit the spot!

The Colombian Spot Review – Go for the Arepas

Last Updated On March 11, 2019

The Colombian Spot is a casual restaurant in the South Side with a menu full of authentic Colombian dishes like arepas, empanadas, ropa vieja, tostones, and bandeja paisa.

There aren't too many places in Pittsburgh where you can find Colombian food, which is why we're super happy that The Colombian Spot exists and is delicious to boot.

Going for a Land and Water Tour of Pittsburgh on Just Ducky Tours

Last Updated On March 14, 2019

Visitors and locals alike have always been attracted to Pittsburgh's three rivers, and with good reason- they have influenced the city's growth ever since the first settlers arrived!

Today we may not be using the rivers for a strategic advantage against the French or to start expeditions to the wild west. No, our use includes more recreational and tourism purposes (as well as a robust shipping channel for industry, of course)- as it should be.

We're never ones to turn down the ability to get out on the water, and when our friends at Just Ducky Tours in Pittsburgh invited us out to check out one of their tours, we were in.

In this one, we share what the 60 minute city tour is like!

Mike & Tony’s Gyros Review – A Cheap Lunch in Pittsburgh

Last Updated On January 12, 2019

Mike & Tony's Gyros is a local restaurant chain with several locations in and around the city serving up what we believe to be the world's perfect food- the gyro!

Much to our delight, we found that this one goes all in on gyro and souvlaki meat and is exactly what we were looking for during our visit.

Ascend Pittsburgh – Rock Climbing and Bouldering in South Side

Last Updated On January 9, 2019

When we heard that Pittsburgh was getting a rock climbing gym within the city limits, I was pretty excited. (Angie, not so much.)

I had tried this activity out a few times when I was in college, but in being a college student couldn't quite afford to go as much as I would like.

I knew that once Ascend opened at their location in the South Side I would have to go and see if I still enjoy it as much as I remember, and of course had to drag Angie along with me for her first rock climbing experience as well.

As it turns out, I like rock climbing now even more than I remember, and even Angie was on board with it after we got there!

Dive Bar Review – A Modern Gastropub in Lawrenceville

Last Updated On January 29, 2019

Dive Bar is, in contrast with its name, a modern gastropub with three locations in the area in Lawrenceville, South Side, and Wexford. The menu features several standard bar favorites like burgers and wings but mixes it up with some twists including unique appetizers and sandwiches. They've also got a great happy hour deal which is $2 off draft beer and half off appetizers.

We visited the Lawrenceville location recently for happy hour and were pleasantly surprised at our meal. We thought Dive Bar was going to be just another mediocre bar in the sea of many in Lawrenceville, but there were a few things that set it apart.

Doce Taqueria Review – Short Order Tacos and Nachos in South Side

Last Updated On December 23, 2018

It isn't necessarily easy to find good tacos in Pittsburgh, so when we heard about Doce Taqueria on Carson St. in South Side we knew we had to check it out.

We jumped into this short order spot with anticipation and were, sadly, fairly let down!

Club Cafe Pittsburgh – A South Side Bar for Amazing Live Music

Last Updated On January 10, 2019

Club Cafe in Pittsburgh's South Side is a unique performing arts venue in that it is incredibly small, yet attracts some of the best up-and-coming musicians there are.

So when the guitarist of one of our favorite bands (Chris Eldridge from the two-time Grammy nominated Punch Brothers) came into town to perform with one of his closest friends (guitarist Julian Lage- Grammy nominated for the Best Contemporary Jazz album), we bought tickets in a heart-beat.

Acacia Pittsburgh is a Fabulous Hidden Speakeasy in South Side

Last Updated On June 5, 2019

In a neighborhood where it would seem almost impossible for a business to be hidden away, especially one that serves alcohol, the South Side cocktail bar known as Acacia is just that.

Ringing true to their speakeasy theme, this spot should be on your list of places to seek out in the city if you are in the mood for a superb drink.

If you can find it, that is.