There are two ways to look at the Parkway East closure: as 25 days of traffic headaches—or as an excuse to finally try that restaurant, coffee shop, or bakery you’ve been meaning to visit.

Beginning July 10 and continuing through August 3, PennDOT is closing I-376 between the Squirrel Hill Tunnel and the Edgewood/Swissvale interchange. The detours may slow you down—but they’ll also take you through some of Pittsburgh’s best dining neighborhoods, including Regent Square, Homestead, Oakland, East Liberty, and beyond.

Whether you need coffee before crawling into work, a quick breakfast sandwich, or an excuse to let rush hour fade over dinner, consider this your guide to making the most of the Parkway East closure.

Dining Detours: Where to Eat Along the I-376 Detour

Coffee and Breakfast Stops Along the I-376 Detour

Spigolo | Edgewood

Sitting practically on top of the Exit 77 detour, Spigolo is an easy win for commuters: a walk-up window, pastries, excellent espresso drinks, and one of Pittsburgh’s favorite breakfast sandwiches.

Best for: A fast morning detour stop
Order: Espresso with house-made syrup or a  Pittsburgh Sandwich Society sausage, egg, and cheese sandwich
Know before you go: Street parking is available on Edgewood Avenue and nearby residential streets. The walk-up window streamlines ordering and then dashing-and-dining.
Hours: Tue–Fri 7 a.m.–4 p.m.; Sat 8 a.m.–4 p.m.; Sun 8 a.m.–2 p.m. Closed Mondays.

La Prima Espresso Company | Oakland

This outpost of the Strip District institution sits right on Fifth Avenue, putting it directly along the official detour route. Even better: It opens at 6 a.m. on weekdays, making it ideal for anyone trying to beat the worst of the morning traffic.

Best for: Early commuters
Order: A classic Italian latte—or the cinnamon roll latte if you want something sweeter.
Know before you go: Oakland parking can be tricky, so treat this as a quick grab-and-go stop.
Hours: Mon–Fri 6 a.m.–4 p.m.; Sun 6:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m. Closed Saturdays.

Commonplace Coffee | Squirrel Hill

One of Pittsburgh’s most reliable roasters, Commonplace’s Forbes Avenue café is just a few blocks from the Beechwood Boulevard portion of the local detour. Come for the coffee and pastries—or grab a sandwich if your commute suddenly becomes a meal break.

Best for: Great coffee without going far off course
Order: Cappuccino + sticky bun
Know before you go: Metered parking is available on Forbes and Murray, with free spots on nearby residential streets.
Hours: Daily 7 a.m.–6 p.m.

Madeleine Bakery and Bistro | Regent Square/Wilkinsburg

One of Pittsburgh’s best bakeries sits right in the path of the closure, tucked between Regent Square and Wilkinsburg. The later opening makes it better for the second wave of commuters—or anyone looking for an excuse to delay the drive.

Best for: A detour-worthy pastry run
Order: Bee sting croissant, morning bun, or ham-and-cheese croissant with a brown sugar latte
Know before you go: Street parking is available nearby. Seating is limited.
Hours: Tue–Sat 8 a.m.–4 p.m.; Sun 8 a.m.–2 p.m. Closed Mondays.

Bean & Things Cafe | Swissvale

Located near the Rankin Bridge portion of the local detour, this family-run Swissvale café is exactly the kind of place the closure might finally put on your radar. Expect friendly service, smooth coffee, baked goods, and breakfast sandwiches.

Best for: Discovering a neighborhood favorite
Order: Flavored latte and a pastry
Know before you go: Street parking on Noble Street is usually easy.
Hours: Mon–Fri 8 a.m.–4 p.m.; Sat 8 a.m.–3 p.m. Closed Sundays.

Dynamic Coffee “La Galeria” | East Liberty

Located right on Penn Avenue, Dynamic offers third-wave specialty coffee without the attitude. Bonus: Unlike many city coffee shops, there’s enough space to actually sit down.

Best for: Caffeine-addicted java lovers who want to wait out traffic
Order: Lots of variety here, so ask the baristas which drink du jour they’re excited about
Know before you go: Look for metered parking on Penn Avenue or nearby East Liberty lots.
Hours: Mon–Sat 8 a.m.–3 p.m.; Sun 9 a.m.–3 p.m.

Restaurants Worth Waiting Out Traffic For

Hemlock House | Regent Square

TABLE has described this as “punk rock fine dining” and that description nails it: the noirish, moody atmosphere matches the menus unexpected and irreverent offerings. 

Best for: Turning a commute nightmare into dinner plans
Order: Duck burger and warm gingerbread for dessert
Know before you go: Reservations are smart; street parking fills quickly at dinner.
Hours: Mon–Thu 11 a.m.–midnight; Fri 11 a.m.–2 a.m.; Sat 10 a.m.–2 a.m.; Sun 10 a.m.–11 p.m.

Thai Cottage | Regent Square

This cozy Regent Square favorite offers generous portions, warm service, and a convenient location right along the detour path. Take it home or stay until the brake lights disappear.

Best for: Easy takeout or a casual dinner stop
Order: Pad see ew, mango tofu, and crab rangoon
Know before you go: Earlier dinner means easier parking on South Braddock Avenue.
Hours: Mon–Thu 11:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m. and 4:30–9:30 p.m.; Fri until 9:45 p.m.; Sat noon–10 p.m.; Sun noon–9:30 p.m.

Duke’s Upper Deck Cafe | Homestead

This welcoming Homestead gastropub sits along the Route 837 portion of the local detour. Big portions, fair prices, and a relaxed atmosphere make it an easy place to turn traffic into a night out.

Best for: Families waiting out rush hour
Order: Reuben egg rolls, the Pinkerton sandwich, and one of 48 beers on tap
Know before you go: There’s a free lot beside and behind the building—one of the easiest parking situations on this list.
Hours: Wed–Thu noon–11 p.m.; Fri 11 a.m.–11 p.m.; Sat noon–11 p.m.; Sun noon–9 p.m. Closed Mon–Tue.

Eighth & Hays | Homestead

Just steps from Duke’s, Eighth & Hays offers wood-fired pizza, cocktails, wine, and a cozy dining room. Suddenly, a delayed commute feels like an excuse.

Best for: Date night disguised as avoiding traffic
Order: Pizza + a glass of wine
Know before you go: Reservations are available; parking can be found along 8th Avenue and nearby lots.
Hours: Wed–Thu 4–9 p.m.; Fri–Sat 4–10 p.m. Closed Sun–Tue.

Kiin Lao & Thai Eatery | Squirrel Hill

Authentic Laotian food can be hard to find in Pittsburgh, and Kiin serves it alongside Thai favorites in a colorful second-floor dining room overlooking Forbes Avenue.

Best for: Something different along the detour
Order: Khao poon or garlic noodles with crispy fried chicken
Know before you go: Look for metered parking on Forbes and Murray or nearby residential streets.
Hours: Daily 11 a.m.–10 p.m.

Chengdu Gourmet | Squirrel Hill

This unassuming Squirrel Hill restaurant is one of Pennsylvania’s most acclaimed Chinese spots. Chef Wei Zhu is a multiple-time James Beard Award semifinalist, and during the closure, the detour puts you surprisingly close.

Best for: Serious Sichuan cooking
Order: Mapo tofu, cumin lamb, and Sichuan dumplings in chili oil
Know before you go: Street parking is available on Forward Avenue.
Hours: Sun–Thu 11 a.m.–9 p.m.; Fri–Sat 11 a.m.–10 p.m.

Butterjoint | Oakland

For drivers crawling through Oakland, Butterjoint is the payoff: a beloved everything-from-scratch kitchen just off Fifth Avenue, known for pierogies, burgers, and comfort food done right. It’s open continuously from late morning through evening, meaning you can stop whenever the traffic gods finally release you.

Best for: Rewarding yourself after surviving Fifth Avenue traffic
Order: Pierogies, the fancy burger, and vinegar pie
Know before you go: Expect to circle for street parking during busy times.
Hours: Mon–Sat 11 a.m.–11 p.m.; Sun 10 a.m.–3 p.m.

Story by Kenny Gould and Lillian Rafson
Photo From Chengdu Gourmet

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