Though the sun hasn’t totally come out yet in Pittsburgh, summer is creeping towards us. Summer is a great time to try a new restaurant, and for small business owners it means an uptick in foot traffic and out-of-towners coming in searching for the next hot new thing. It can be great to have an “old reliable” restaurant, but the one constant of life is change, so it’s always worth it to branch out. If you’re looking to mix it up this summer, try some of these new business openings. Also, make sure to check our master list of new business openings to see what’s popping up.
Heat Up with These New Summer Business Openings
Nick’s on Hilltop
Mt. Oliver
The neighborhoods above the South Side Slopes are a vibrant, up and coming community. Now, the Hilltop has a new warm, welcoming restaurant in the form of Nick’s, where the focus is local produce, family values, and craft beer. It makes for a perfect start to a night out in the Hilltop at one of the nearby bars. Nick’s is also Black and woman-owned, with special festivities for Juneteenth.
Royal Mezbaan
Downtown
It can be challenging to find a laid-back place to eat downtown among the steakhouses and bars. Royal Mezbaan on Smithfield Street is bringing Indian cuisine to one of the highest foot-traffic areas of downtown Pittsburgh, with an affordable menu and a relaxed dining space. Also, if you’ve been out all night in the Strip or gone a little too hard at one of the nearby bars, Indian food will help sober you up.
One by Spork
Garfield
Though it opened earlier in 2025, summer is the perfect time to check out One by Spork. When Christian Frangiadis’ Spork on Penn Avenue closed, Garfield lost one of its best date-night destinations. But it’s back with One by Spork, an immersive chef’s tasting. You can pick your own cocktail, N/A beverage, and wine pairing, but beyond that, everything else is in the chef’s hands.
The Forgotten Flour
Bloomfield
People who don’t eat gluten have long suffered through eating salads and sides, and never being able to go to a bakery. Now, as of this May there’s a space all for them. Pastry chef Jill Pennetti began baking gluten-free treats for her mother and sister, who are both intolerant, and it quickly turned into a passion. Her bakery is now open from noon to 4PM on Liberty Avenue.
AVVA
Aspinwall
We were sad to see Luke & Mike’s Front porch go, but something new quickly popped up in its space in Aspinwall. AVVA, a Mediterranean-inspired restaurant, is your new riverfront dining destination in the picturesque streets of Aspinwall. The menu features baba ghanoush, shish kebab, and seafood like octopus and calamari.
Story by Emma Riva
Cover photo by Laura Petrilla
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