Even if you haven’t yet caught your breath from all the new restaurants that opened in Pittsburgh in 2018…. well, it’s time to buckle up for 2019.
From vegan ice cream in Sharpsburg, to homemade bagels in Squirrel Hill, 2019 is going to be another huge year for Pittsburgh’s dining scene.
Below we have rounded up a few of our favorite projects that we have on our radar for 2019. Enjoy!
We want to know what you think! What restaurant are you most looking forward to? What is the Pittsburgh dining scene still lacking? Please leave it in the comments below.
All the Restaurants Coming to Pittsburgh in 2019
Sugar Spell Scoops
Sharpsburg
Here’s the scoop on an exciting new project coming out of Sharpsburg! Sugar Spell Scoops, the extremely popular vegan dessert company, is in the process of opening their first brick-and-mortar shop on North Canal Street. The brand debuted in 2016 at VegFest. In addition to their plant-based ice cream, Sugar Spell Scoops is also known for their decedent and colorful cakes, which are also completely vegan.
The Sharpsburg shop is still in the process of opening, but Sugar Spell Scoops updated their Instagram stories earlier this month to say that they were working towards opening soon. Once open, guests can expect fresh scoops, sundaes, takeaway pints, “magic wands” (similar to drumsticks), and cakes for special order. There will be limited seating.
Sugar Spell Scoops (1014 North Canal)
Oakmont Bakery Expansion
Oakmont
If you’ve ever visited Oakmont Bakery (at any time, on any day), chances are you’ve had to wait in line to get your hands on some of their sweet treats. The demand for this famous Pittsburgh bakery is so large that the shop is currently in the process of majorly (and we mean majorly) expanding. The new Oakmont Bakery will offer expanded counter service, seating, and will even have it’s own road (dubbed “Sweet Street”) and a 100+ car parking lot to alleviate traffic. Oakmont recently stated on their Facebook page that the expansion will open in January 2019.
Oakmont Bakery (1 Sweet Street)
Spirits & Tales
Oakland
Oakland is getting a new hotel, and with it, a new restaurant. Spirits & Tales will be located on the 10th floor of “The Oaklander” hotel, an Autograph Collection hotel from Marriott, opening soon in the neighborhood. Taking up the helm as executive chef is Jessica Lewis of Carota Cafe in the Smallman Galley, The Commoner, and most recently, or, The Whale and Merchant Oyster Co. Lewis told Pittsburgh Magazine that Spirits & Tales, ” will be a modern brasserie with a menu built on small plates, and a good amount of attention will be focused on vegetables and seafood.”
Spirits & Tales (5130 Bigelow Boulevard)
Bridges & Bourbon
Downtown
A new restaurant promising to bring a progressive take to the Pittsburgh restaurant scene is coming to Downtown Pittsburgh. Taking over the space previously occupied by Seviche is Bridges & Bourbon. As the name suggests, drinks and spirits are a focal point of the restaurant, and the bar will offer cerebral cocktails and hard-to-find spirits. The food menu will be designed to compliment the drink menu. The restaurant is currently wrapping up its finishing touches, and hopes to be open soon. Follow their social media for updates.
Bridges & Bourbon (930 Penn Avenue)
Fig & Ash
Deutschtown
A new restaurant is coming to East Ohio Street in the Northside. Owned and operated by chef Cory Hughes, Fig & Ash will offer from-scratch cooking with French and Italian influences. Many dishes will feature house-butchered meats prepared on a wood-fired grill. After undergoing a complete renovation, the building offers 1,800 square-feet of dining space, as well as a bar area with seating for 52. Once open, there will also be an outdoor courtyard.
Fig & Ash (514 East Ohio St)
Penn Brewery Taproom
Downtown
The Penn Brewery team is currently working to offer their popular beers at a new, Downtown location. The business announced in September of 2017 its intention to open Downtown taproom in Pittsburgh’s Firstside Historic District. The taproom will be housed in the 1st Avenue Lofts. According to NextPittsburgh, the taproom will seat 30 and include takeout and outdoor seating.
Penn Brewery Taproom (432 First Avenue)
Coop de Ville
The Strip District
The team behind restaurants like Poulet Bleu, Pork & Beans, Meat & Potatoes, and täkō, are working on a fried chicken restaurant in The Strip District. Coop de Ville will be “a Southern table featuring chicken as the headlining ingredient.” The restaurant plans to open in 2019, but if you can’t wait to try some of this chicken, keep an eye on the Coop De Ville Instagram. The restaurant frequently hosts popups, and always makes an appearance at Picklesburgh.
Coop de Ville (2301 Smallman Street)
DiAnoia’s Eatery Pizzeria
The Strip District
Demand for this cult-favorite pizza has inspired the popular Italian cafe, DiAnoia’s Eatery, to open a permanent pizza shop next door to their restaurant in The Strip. The new pizza space will be attached to DiAnoia’s physically, but feature a separate entrance. Currently, DiAnoia’s serves their very popular pizza on an elusive schedule, but once open, guests will be able to get DiAnoia’s pizza anytime they want.
DiAnoia’s Eatery (2549 Penn Avenue)
The Milk Shake Factory
Oakland
You’ll soon be able to get The Milk Shake Factory’s decadent beverages in Oakland! This popular Pittsburgh confection company recently announced their intention to open their fourth Pittsburgh location. The Milk Shake Factory is famous for their handspun shakes and specialty chocolates. The new Oakland shop will be located at 3612 Forbes Avenue, in the Iroquois Building, and is expected to open in February.
The Milk Shake Factory (3612 Forbes Avenue)
Brick Shop and Over Eden
Lawrenceville
If you’ve driven over the 40th Street bridge recently, perhaps you’ve noticed some construction happening in the former Washington Education Center trade school (the large building next to the Wendy’s). This work is part of the new TRYP Hotel, slated to open in the space in 2019. In addition to providing Lawrenceville with a trendy new hotel, this adaptive reuse project includes two new restaurants and a rooftop bar. At Brick Shop, Guests can expect a contemporary American menu with a a robust wine program. Over Eden will offer fresh, shareable dishes from a variety of cuisines. Both restaurants will have regularly changing menus rooted in seasonality of local ingredients.
TRYP Hotel Pittsburgh (177 40th Street)
East End Brewing/Severino Project
Larimer
Justin Severino and Hilary Prescott Severino, owners of Cure and Morcilla, are teaming up with Scott Smith of East End Brewing Company to open a casual eatery inside of East End Brewing’s tasting room in Larimer. The menu will feature dishes designed to pair well with East End Brewing’s popular beers. Guests can expect bratwurst, Italian sausage sandwiches, and lamb merguez, as well as vegetarian-friendly options like poutine, spatzle with Brussels sprouts, a falafel pita and escarole salad with creamy lemon-fennel dressing. There will also be a supplemental list of cured and slow-roasted meats that can be ordered in tandem with the meat free dishes.
East End Brewing Company (147 Julius St)
New big Burrito Concept
Fox Chapel
Earlier this year, the prolific restaurant group big Burrito announced their intentions to take over two vacant restaurant spaces in Fox Chapel. After successfully opening a new Mad Mex location this December, the restaurant group is now focussed on opening an original-concept across the street in the space formerly occupied by Donatos. The new concept is yet to be announced.
big Burrito Restaurant Group (46 Fox Chapel Road)
350º Bakery
South Side
If you’re a connoisseur of Pittsburgh coffee shops, odds are, you’ve tired something from this local, small-batch bakery. 350°’s baked goods can be found at spots like Big Dog Coffee, Piper’s Pub, Black Forge Coffee, Arriviste Coffee Bar, and Constellation Coffee. The company is currently in the process of opening their first retail location so customers can find all of their items under one roof. The shop, located on the South Side Slopes, will be open for grab-and-go orders from morning to early afternoon. Guests can expect biscuit sandwiches, savory scones, hand pies, and plenty of sweet treats on the menu. Follow 350° Bakery for updates on their opening.
350° Bakery (2427 S 18th)
SYN Taqueria & Pizzeria
Friendship
Taking over the space formerly occupied by Sharp Edge Friendship is SYN Taqueria + Pizzeria. Tacos and pizza? Sounds pretty good to us! Guests can expect a hearty menu and a focus on great craft beer.
SYN Taqueria & Pizzeria (302 S St Clair Street)
Two Sisters Vietnamese Kitchen
East Liberty
Earlier this year, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette announced that a casual, BYOB Vietnamese restaurant was in the process of opening on Highland Ave in East Liberty. Once open, the restaurant will serve dishes like pho and rice bowls. While not officially open, Two Sisters recently put a sign on their door that they are “pho realz” coming soon.
Two Sisters Vietnamese Kitchen (216 N. Highland Ave)
Bonfire
South Side
Still missing the longstanding Pittsburgh-favorite Avenue B? You’re in luck! Chef/owner Chris Bonfili is currently in the process of opening a new restaurant on the South Side. The new concept, dubbed “Bonfire,” is a two-story restaurant featuring a wood-fired oven. The first level will have a chef’s bar and a menu including hearty, elevated comfort food dishes. The second floor will offer a wine and craft cocktail bar with a small lounge area, as well as a separate menu that features seasonal, modern American cuisine, reminiscent of the menu at Avenue B.
Bonfire (2100 East Carson Street)
Del Frisco’s
Downtown
High-end steakhouse chain Del Frisco’s is coming to Pittsburgh! Located inside of the Union Trust building, the Pittsburgh Del Frisco’s location will offer the city an “unparalleled experience.” This fine dining steakhouse chain has 18 locations across the U.S.A., and is famous for their “VIP” (vodka infused pineapple) drink, Truffle Mac & Cheese, and many prime steaks.
Del Frisco’s (Union Trust Building)
Blue Sparrow
Popular Pittsburgh food truck Blue Sparrow is expanding their fleet… with a 1956 Greyhound bus! The food purveyor, known for serving various global street food (and Pittsburgh’s most popular ramen burger), recently announced on Instagram that their new bus is inspected and fully operational! Keep an eye on their social media to see where you can track down this funky bus. They’re also working to turn their Northside commissary kitchen into a restaurant sometime soon, after recently hosting a pop-up party with the Brew Gentlemen there.
Fairlane
Mt. Lebanon
The space previously occupied by Block 292 is now Fairlane, a “New-American Restaurant” with a craft beer and wine bottle shop. This new restaurant is gearing up for a grand opening soon. Guests can expect dishes designed to pair well with the restaurant’s robust beverage program. Fairlane told NEXTPittsburgh the menu will have “an emphasis on small plates, allowing patrons to try a variety of flavors.” Many dishes will be inspired by owner’s South Carolina roots.
Fairlane (292 Beverly Road)
Gi-jin
Downtown
Apart from an announcement in early 2017 about the impending arrival of a DeShantz group “gin and raw fish bar,” still not much is know about this mysterious new venture from the prolific Pittsburgh restaurant group. Located on 6th street next to other DeShantz restaurants (Pork & Beans, Butcher and the Rye, Tako), gi-jin will hopefully open sometime in 2019.
Gi-jin (208 Sixth Street)
Ba-Co
The Strip District
Coming soon the the Smallman Galley: Ba-co, serving artisan style BBQ tacos. Mark your calendars – the new tenant in the galley hall will open on January 8. The menu will feature various tacos and delicious desserts. Ba-co will move into the space currently occupied by crumb, a plant-based restaurant from the team behind Relish.
Ba-Co (54 21st St)
Freshii
Cranberry
Cranberry is getting a new health-conscious dining option! Freshii, a healthy fast-casual chain with another location in Downtown Pittsburgh, offers vegetable-forward salads, wraps, burritos, bowls, smoothies, soups and frozen yogurt. Be sure to try their online ordering system!
Pigeon Bagels
Squirrel Hill
Pittsburgh Magazine recently reported that Pigeon Bagels, the popular Pittsburgh bagel purveyor, will be opening their first brick-and-mortar location in Squirrel Hill. You’ve probably seen Pigeon Bagels at various farmers markets and coffee shops in Pittsburgh.
Pigeon Bagels (5613 Hobart St)
Mola
East Liberty
Coming soon to East Liberty: Mola. Located on Penn Avenue, the restaurant shares on its Facebook that it will offer an “Asian blend of flavors & taste through food & drinks. The menu will have combinations of sushi, dumplings, bao buns & variations of rice.” Guests will also be able to get beverages from local breweries & distilleries.
Mola (6018 Penn Avenue)
Even more to keep on your radar….
- Needle & Pin, the English-Indian fusion restaurant that opened in Dormont last year, is now “Jean Louis,” a French bistro and cocktail bar inspired by French cooking legend Jean-Louis Palladin.
- Popular vegan eatery Relish is still working on finding a permanent home in Pittsburgh.
- Aperitivo Dolce is coming from the team behind Edgar’s Best Tacos and Savoy.
- Big Ben is working on a new restaurant project named “North Shore Seven.” It will be located on the North Shore (surprise, surprise).
- Cinderlands Beer Co. is transforming the former Spaghetti Warehouse building in The Strip into a massive brewpub.
- Apericena Wine Bar has opened in Upper St. Clair, providing the South Hills with a fun place to enjoy wine and cocktails over hors d’oeuvres. The restaurant has over 100 wine varieties from boutique winemakers around the world, with over 30 wines by the glass and small bites including flatbreads and charcuterie boards.
Did we forget any upcoming restaurants? Leave them in the comments below!
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