Outdoor Dining Options in Pittsburgh, Summer 2020

Even though most restaurants are technically open again for indoor dining, I am still taking things slow and continuing to cook at home, or do takeout on the weekends. But summer is the perfect time to dip my toe back into dining at restaurants because you can eat outside (or take your food to go and eat outside — hello, picnics!).

This past weekend, my husband and I ventured to our first restaurant since March and it was so nice to drink an afternoon beer outside. I’ve been searching for more outdoor options, so I thought I’d put together a quick blog post of options I’ve seen, so you can make the most of outdoor dining this summer in Pittsburgh.

• Harmony Inn, Harmony: Great outdoor patio and beer (and dog friendly!)
• DiAnonia’s and Pizzeria Davide, The Strip District: I love the messaging they’ve been putting out about protocols right now. DiAnonia’s is great for brunch or dinner (FYI no reservations for outdoor seating; it’s first-come, first-serve), and Davide has a little pickup window and tables you can grab a slice of pizza or a cheesesteak).
• Federal Galley, The North Side: Rotating restaurants and menus; a bar, and lots of space/seating outside. Also good for families.
• Bartram House Bakery, Wexford: I’ve come here a few times after running in North Park recently, and it’s been nice to sit outside with my laptop and grab coffee and breakfast. They also have locations in McMurray and Southside but I am unsure about those outdoor options.

• Walter’s Southern Kitchen, Lawrenceville: Good BBQ (although I wouldn’t consider Pittsburgh the best town for BBQ!), outdoor seating, casual and dog friendly.
• Pittsburgh Sandwich Society: Tasty food truck with hot chicken sandwiches and burgers, and they just hosted an event in their side lot where they served food, drinks from Grist House and Live Music (which I imagine they’ll do more of this summer). They don’t update their website daily so keep an eye on their Instagram for the latest.
• 200 block of Oakland Avenue, Oakland: They are closed for vehicle traffic until September 30, so grab takeout from your favorite spot in Oakland (Fuel & Fuddle maybe? I haven’t been there in years!) and dine al freso.
• Southern Tier Brewing Company, The North Shore (I feel like most restaurants in the North Shore have outdoor dining options). Great beer selection and again, family and dog friendly!
• The Porch, Oakland and South Hills: Although I’ve never been here, the menu and outdoor seating look nice.
• Stick City Brewing, Mars: Good beers and lots of food trucks.
• Narcisi Winery, Gibsonia: Open again for dining; this is a great option to sit outside and order from the menu, and they typically have live music.
• Ineffable Cà Phê, Lawrenceville: LOVE their coffee. Need to try a sandwich.
• The Lot at Edgewater, Oakmont: Another I haven’t been to but you can’t beat Oakmont.
• Hitchhiker Brewing Co., Mt. Lebanon and Sharpsburg: More beers and food trucks.
• Grab and go options:  
  • Arnold’s Coffee & Tea, North Side: Another I’ve never been to but is on my list! Although not technically outdoor dining, lots of grab and go options to go sit outside.
  • Pear and the Pickle, Troy Hill: Another grab and go option to take your food and sit outside
  • Mediterra Cafe, Sewickley: And another. One of my favorites.
  • Pigeon Bagels, Squirrel Hill: I grabbed a bagel and cold brew here last weekend and had a little picnic in Schenley Park. All the sandwiches don’t seem to be back yet.
• Downtown Pittsburgh: There have been several roads reconfigured downtown to allow for outdoor dining. Thank you, Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership! This includes 6th Street, Strawberry Way, Penn Avenue, and Market Square. Market Square needs to permanently be vehicle-free – here’s hoping it will be in the future. Read more here. Some of my favorites along that way include Condado Tacos, The Warren, Sienna Mercato restaurants, La Gourmandine, Bakersfield, Vallozzi’s and The Commoner (The Commoner also has an open rooftop). Oh and Millie’s for dessert.

I also have to give a shout out to the Oakmont Greek Food Festival this weekend. While it’s not going to be a festival, it will be a drive-thru to get my favorite gyros, so I will be participating.

More from NextPittsburgh & Good Food Pittsburgh (this list was from 2019, so double check they are all open right now). There are lots more, but these are a good start. What else should be on this list?