The North Side might be the home of the Steelers and Pirates stadium, but it also has some of the most culinary diversity in the city. From Deutschtown and Mexican War Streets to Bellevue and Fineview, its rolling hills and many historic buildings make it one of Pittsburgh’s most unique neighborhoods. It’s got the dive bars and rugged landscape of the South Side with the residential quaintness of the East End.
I’ve always found the North Side is quirky and understated, with a lot of charm that often gets overlooked by Pittsburghers that don’t want to cross a bridge. Plus, both the Mattress Factory and the Warhol within minutes of each other make it a cultural powerhouse of a neighborhood.
Why Locals Love the North Side
“The Northside was the first neighborhood I ever visited in Pittsburgh, years before fully relocating to the city. I was drawn to its cozy, historic charm, and now appreciate its convenience and rich array of arts and cultural institutions,” Zach Hunley, a writer who lives in Deutschtown told TABLE. “I love being so close to the Strip District and Downtown, but also to the suburban offerings of the North Hills. I’ve heard from others that think it’s a bit of an isolated part of town, but it’s never felt that way to me.”
Lisa Cunningham, a journalist and marketer for Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council who lives in Mexican War Streets, said that “North Side might be best known to outsiders for its sports stadiums, but anyone who’s spent time across the river knows how dated that stereotype has become. Sure, we still cheer on the black and gold, but we also celebrate our internationally known art museums, beautiful river trails and spacious parks, trendy restaurants and local dives, historic architecture and street art. There are 18 distinct neighborhoods in the North Side and they’re worth crossing a bridge to check out, especially when the Steelers don’t have a home game.”
So don’t just head to Tequila Cowboy or McFadden’s after a concert at Stage AE. Take a second look at what’s beyond the North Shore. For your next night out, try these suggestions on the North Side.
A Night Out on the North Side, Not Just Stadium Food
Eats
Scratch & Co
1720 Lowrie Street
If you can brave going up Rialto Street, you’ll find one of Pittsburgh’s most versatile restaurants. Scratch & Co has a café, a bar program, and an elevated menu that changes seasonally. They curate work by local artists and host events. In October, the restaurant is starting a Tuesday night complimentary tapas-style night where bartenders will curate a drink just for you, served with on-the-house food. It’s tucked away in Troy Hill away from the hustle and bustle and there’s always something new happening on the menu
Subba Asian Restaurant
422 East Ohio Street
You might not expect to find Nepali and Bhutanese food in Deutschtown, but Subba is something of a hidden gem on East Ohio Street. Try the Nepali momos or Bhutanese thali, as well as Chinese and Indian fare. The vibe is laid back while still feeling like a nice dinner for night out. Plus, the food is chock-full of hearty spices for long winter nights, and the portions are big for the price, so bring friends.
Huszar
627 East North Avenue
Come to Huszar hungry. It’s a family-run restaurant specializing in Old World Hungarian cuisine. The langós (cheese bread) and mushroom paprikash are to die for, though order more than one dish at your peril, because you will be full. They rotate seasonal Magyar stews like their famous sour cherry soup for summer and heartier options for the cold months. The restaurant itself is in a former dive bar and also has some great wines and excellent service.
EYV
424 East Ohio Street
At EYV, giving up meat doesn’t mean giving up quality. The restaurant’s name stands for “Eat Your Veggies,” and it’s entirely vegetarian. They serve up an innovative fine dining experience, so it’s a good choice for the people in your life that see food not just for consumption but as an art. Items like their cabbage “pastrami” are an experimental twist on how we perceive vegetables. Eating at EYV is always unforgettable.
Fig & Ash
514 East Ohio Street
Fig & Ash serves upscale comfort food in a cozy New American space. Papet of the joy of eating there is the unique, curated interior space by architect Bob Baumbach and designer Michael McAllister. Their focus is on seasonal, farm-sourced ingredients. So, you get the freshest possible meal in appetizers like their eggplant bruschetta, entrées like their filet mignon, and desserts like their cast iron Kahlua fudge brownie all come from the highest-quality possible sources.
ShadoBeni
1534 Brighton Road
One of the only Caribbean restaurants in the city, ShadoBeni is a fun, casual dining room space with affordable and high-quality vegan Trinidadian food. They’ve got both sweet and spicy dishes, with roti, fried plantains, and pineapple chow. The staff serve a plant-based menu because they see “food as medicine,” as the owner’s grandparents taught him. The offerings are filling while not bloat-inducing and celebrate the mix of Indian and Caribbean flavors found in Trinidad. If you’ve never had it, ShadoBeni is a spot not to miss.
Drinks
Monterey Pub
1227 Monterey Street
No list of North side night out spots would be complete without Monterey Pub. It’s got great cocktails, great beer on tap, great bar food…just an all-around A+ bar, well-rounded and fun without being too rowdy. My go-to order there is the “Snake Bite,” half Guiness, half cider. Or you can snack on sweet potato fries, a veggie and hummus wrap, or their classic baked pretzel bites.
Lincoln Avenue Brewery
538 Lincoln Avenue
Don’t sleep on Bellevue. This North Side neighborhood just minutes from downtown is lowkey, walkable, and full of exciting local haunts like Lincoln Avenue Brewery. The staff are incredibly friendly and the beers are solid. It makes for a perfect spot to take a big group of people after a show at Stage AE or an opening at the Mattress Factory if you want to beat the crowds at other nearby restaurants.
Penn Brewery
800 Vinial Street
Penn Brewery is Pittsburgh’s oldest brewery, so its bar program celebrates local history and tradition. The space is on a winding hillside going up towards Troy Hill, so it makes for a great double-feature with Scratch & Co or a visit to the Troy Hill Art Houses. Penn Brewery has its roots with German immigrant families that came to Pittsburgh in the 1840s and started breweries. But its focus on tradition doesn’t mean it skimps on new developments—the seasonal beer menu is always changing!
Verdetto’s
814 Madison Avenue
Verdetto’s is one of the spots that bartenders at some of the city’s best fine dining restaurants consistently say they love, so you know they’re serving like pros. Their building is over 100 years old, and you can’t miss it, because it has an iconic mural of baseball player Roberto Clemente on its side. It’s got a neighborhood pub vibe and people are always friendly! This is a good spot for catching up with a friend over a cold beer and some pool, if you’re feeling competitive.
Arts/Culture
The Mattress Factory
509 Jacksonia Street
This is not an actual mattress factory. Though, at one point it did produce mattresses, the Mattress Factory is now an artist-centered museum renowned around the world for its experimental programming. Its residencies draw in some of the most innovative artists, makers, and performers on the scene now.
The Warhol
117 Sandusky Street
Though he achieved fame and infamy across the country, Andy Warhol got his start right here in Pittsburgh. You can find archives of his work and contemporary interpretations of his ideas at the Andy Warhol Museum, the largest single-artist museum in the United States. The Warhol also hosts their Sound Series concert lineup and a number of inter-disciplinary events.
Troy Hill Art Houses
1812 Rialto Street – Multiple addresses
The Troy Hill Art Houses are one of Pittsburgh’s hidden gems. You have to experience them for yourself, but in a nutshell they’re whole-house art installations in historic buildings in Troy Hill. They’re one of the many things that makes the North Side unique. Owner Evan Mirapaul and a team of docents lead private tours during the day, and a new house will be opening up this November.
City of Asylum Books
40 North Avenue
This one-of-a-kind bookstore focuses on authors exiled or persecuted from their home countries. They host jazz performances, talks, and a residency for their writers at nearby North Side Homes. You can also enjoy Northern Italian fare at Alfabeto, the restaurant in the adjacent space, after shopping.
Story by Emma Riva / Photo by Brian Burnett, courtesy of ShadoBeni
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