Colangelo’s Review – A Strip District Gem Serving Pizza & More

Colangelo's is one of many spots in Pittsburgh's iconic Strip District that is tucked away and easy to miss. Located right next to popular coffee roaster La Prima, this spot serves up an array of baked goods, sandwiches, pizzas, soups, and more.

But if there is one thing this bakery is known for, it would be their pizza, and that is exactly what I was looking to try on my first visit.

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The Pennsylvania Market Brings an Array of Shops to the Strip

The Strip District is often considered to be the most vibrant neighborhood in Pittsburgh, and it doesn't take long after a first visit to understand why. The concentration of restaurants, international markets, vendors, and boutique shops is larger there than anywhere else in the city.

Restaurants and businesses open in this neighborhood all the time, as you would expect, and add into the neighborhood's allure bit by bit- each with their own personal touch.

The Pennsylvania Market officially opened in the Strip District in late 2018 and opted to blast beyond being just another restaurant or shop. Instead, this one offers well over a dozen unique shopping, dining, and drinking options all in one beautiful location.

Note: Restaurants and concepts at The Pennsylvania Market may have changed since our initial publication.

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Vintage and Local Goods at the Pittsburgh Neighborhood Flea

We are always on the lookout for unique places to shop in Pittsburgh, and the seasonal Neighborhood Flea marketplace is definitely one such spot. With local vendors selling vintage and handmade goods, the Neighborhood Flea reminds us of a hybrid of the Pittsburgh Vintage Mixer and Handmade Arcade, two other fantastic events for shopping and supporting local businesses.

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Attending Kayafest for One of the Strip District’s Best Parties

Kayafest is the annual block party by the popular Strip District restaurant (and one of our favorites), Kaya.

Taking place each May, this one offers about eight hours of live music (with many bands inspired by the Caribbean), opportunities to eat street food made from the chefs at the restaurant, and of course, copious amounts of refreshments.

As block parties in the Strip District are few and far between, it is also one of only a few times of the year that a section of Smallman Street is shut down for an entire day- giving you an opportunity to enjoy the Strip District in a completely new way.

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DiAnoia’s Review – Modern Takes on Italian in the Strip

DiAnoia's is an Italian restaurant with an adorable Italian cafe vibe and is located in the Strip District.

During the week they serve an amazing lunch and dinner, but on Sundays? Sundays are for brunch. We'd heard lots of good things about their brunch, so we luckily snagged a somewhat hard to get reservation and checked it out.

We loved it so much we made a return trip for dinner and share our thoughts on both in this full review! But first, we have to start with brunch.

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Primanti Brothers Review – A Pittsburgh Sandwich Institution

When it comes to local Pittsburgh institutions, none are more famous than Primanti Brothers. 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.

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Eleven Pittsburgh Review – A Refined Menu in the Strip District

Eleven is the fanciest of all the Big Burrito restaurants in Pittsburgh, there is no doubt about it.

Situated on Smallman Street in between the Strip District and Downtown, Eleven is located in a renovated old warehouse with high ceilings and a grand-yet-sleek decor. The menu is equally refined, with a contemporary style reminiscent of sister restaurant Casbah in Shadyside.

Combine all of these features and you have the makings of a restaurant that is perfect for a celebration (which in our case was our birthdays)!

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A Shopping and Eating Guide to Pittsburgh’s Strip District

The Strip District is one of our favorite neighborhoods in Pittsburgh for a number of reasons.  It is home to a large assortment of international grocery stores and retailers, boutique shops, independent merchants, and several of the best restaurants in Pittsburgh (many of which feature international cuisine as well).

Although we've been down to the Strip District hundreds of times over the years, it seems like every time we visit we discover a new business worth exploring and shopping at.

To share some of our own personal favorites, this guide to the Strip District was born!

It is worth noting that the following is not a collection of every business in the Strip District. 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 store while walking around the Strip District, do yourself a favor and go inside!

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Penn Avenue Fish Co. Review – Delicious Seafood in the Strip

Penn Avenue Fish Company is my idea of a perfect brunch spot in the Strip District. We love to skip right past the mile-long lines outside of restaurants like Pamela's and head straight here for a relaxing weekend brunch. (Don't get us wrong, there is a time and a place for Pamela's, but sometimes you're just too hungry to wait in line!)

Not only is Penn Ave Fish Co. a beautiful fish market with very trained and knowledgeable staff, it's got a surprisingly delicious casual seafood menu, too.

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