The boundaries between Wilkinsburg, Edgewood, Swissvale and Regent Square up for interpretation. Where does Wilkinsburg end and Regent Square begin? The boundary of the borough’s property tax laws have one idea. In any case, this cluster of neighborhoods on the east side of Frick Park have become a hotbed for small businesses. Many younger people have started moving to the neighborhood, looking to buy homes on this farther side of the East End.
Plan A Night Out in Wilkinsburg, Edgewood, Swissvale, & Regent Square
There are a plethora of fun places to go out to eat, as well as small cultural and shopping destinations. Wilkinsburg is one of my favorite places just to walk around and look at the old homes and natural beauty. Nearby Frick Park is so lush, and so many of the houses are artifacts of Pittsburgh’s history. There’s a home-y, communal feeling to this cluster of neighborhoods that make it worthy of an afternoon of exploration or a fun night out.
If you’re a native Pittsburgher, maybe you balk at the idea of “a night out in Wilkinsburg.” But these areas are a good pick to get away from the hustle and bustle of Squirrel Hill or Oakland. They’re places to find a hidden gem rather than an old favorite.
Eating Out
Thai Cottage (1109 S Braddock Avenue) and Thai Terrace (247 Edgewood Avenue) are two very similarly named restaurants that are equally good. The ginger tea at Thai Cottage is particularly soothing on colder nights, but, if you so choose, they’re a BYOB establishment. Just down the block, local Mexican restaurant chain El Burro (1113 Braddock Avenue) has great happy hour specials and outdoor seating for the summer.
Also nearby, Hemlock House (1126 Braddock Avenue) is perfect for David Lynch fans, with décor themed around Twin Peaks. They mix up different cuisines and techniques for dishes like Uni Bucatini or their Kimchi Burger. For home cooks, the East End Food Co-op (7516 Meade Street), is one of the best destinations in the city for health food items and hard-to-get organic snacks.
876 Island Spice (7930 Frankstown Rd) is an authentic Jamaican spot with mouthwatering jerk chicken with large portions. Just off the side of Frick Park, Bosphorus (7600 Forbes Avenue) is a BYOB Turkish restaurant that serves vegetarian-friendly Mediterranean fare and a killer kunefe, a traditional Turkish dessert made of filo dough.
Getting Drinks
More than bars, there are some top tier coffeeshops in this part of the city, making it a fun option for a sober night out or an afternoon hang. Biddle’s Escape (401 Biddle Avenue) is a quirky neighborhood spot decked out with antiques. Their menu has unique items like amaretto lattes and their signature Hungarian coffee drink, szegedi kávé. This coffee drink is a delightful two shots of espresso, two shots of steamed half-and-half, maple-tinged cinnamon sugar and whipped cream.
61B (1108 S Braddock Avenue), named for the bus that traverses the street it’s on, is a staple that’s perfect for remote working or catching up with friends. Newcomer Spigolo (101 Edgewood Ave) another espresso pro, on the Edgewood side of the area, with both traditionally prepared espresso and inventive drinks like rose pistachio honey lattes.
If you are looking to grab an alcoholic beverage, Brian’s Park Place Tavern (534 Peebles Street) is a mellow shot-and-a-beer type spot just off of Frick Park, perfect for keeping things lowkey on a night out. Just on the edge of Swissvale, in Rankin, Mary’s Vine (211 Kenmawr Street) is a hidden gem wine bar.
Arts and Culture
Brooklyn-based art gallery April April (409 S Trenton Ave) moved to Regent Square in September 2024. They’ve enjoyed a rousing success so far in Pittsburgh’s arts community. Owners Patrick Bova and Lucas Regazzi love the neighborhood, and can often be seen walking their puppy down the tree-lined streets.
Concept Art Gallery (1031 S Braddock Avenue) is an auction house as well as a two-floor gallery, with both rotating contemporary art shows and an impressive catalogue of items available for auction.
In the mostly residential heart of Wilkinsburg, Blankspace (843 Holland Avenue) is one of the most interesting experimental art venues in the city. Artist Joey Behrens bought an abandoned home beside her own. Iinstead of “flipping” it, she decided to turn it into a project space where artists can propose shows or installations.
This side of Pittsburgh may not have a catchy name for its conglomeration of boroughs, but perhaps it doesn’t need one. Where it shines is through its individual character and its charm. The people that gravitate towards opening businesses there are single-minded, and don’t want their neighborhoods rebranded as RegentEdgeValeBurg. (Trust me as someone who once had their neighborhood unsuccessfully rebranded as WaHi). It’s a part of the Pittsburgh area for people who want a slower pace and can appreciate a place’s character.
Take a look at the rest of our night out series:
- A Night Out in Lawrenceville Is Never Boring
- Downtown Pittsburgh’s Best Bars and Restaurants for Happy Hour and Beyond
- Saturday Night on the Hilltop
- A Night Out on the South Side Beyond the Dive Bars
- A Night Out on the North Side, Not Just Stadium Food
- A Night Out on the East End, Part One (Bloomfield, Garfield, Highland Park)
- A Night Out on the East End, Part Two (Shadyside, Squirrel Hill, Point Breeze, East Liberty)
- A Night Out in Sharpsburg, A Gem Just Outside of Pittsburgh
Story by Emma Riva
Photo courtesy of Thai Cottage
Subscribe to TABLE Magazine’s print edition.
