The NFL Draft, coming to Pittsburgh April 23-25, may attract nearly 1,000,000 people, roughly half visitors and half locals. By the time the first pick is announced on the North Shore this April, Pittsburgh will be humming with hotel lobbies packed, restaurants fully booked, and every bridge pulsing with Draft Day traffic. It will be electric! Many of us will cheer loudly about all of the above, but will steer clear of the thrum. May we suggest some crowd-free alternatives?
Northward Bound
Where to Eat
AVVA
235 Commercial Avenue, Aspinwall
What happens when a modern Mediterranean menu lands in a former neighborhood grill with one of Aspinwall’s most recognizable murals out front? You get AVVA. Opened in the former Luke & Mike’s space, AVVA leans into shareable mezze and crowd-friendly plates like baked shrimp and hearty mains built for groups. And don’t sleep on brunch, where çılbır, menemen, and sujuk-stuffed omelets make this one of Aspinwall’s strongest daytime moves. PS: the mixed grill is NOT to be missed.
Chengdu Gourmet 2
4768 McKnight Road, Ross Township
Prepare to have your taste buds jolted by fearless Sichuan heat at Chengdu Gourmet 2 on McKnight Road. The North Hills outpost is part of the restaurant family founded by chef Wei Zhu, a multiple James Beard Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic semifinalist known for bringing deeply authentic Sichuan flavors to Pittsburgh. Enjoy numbing, tingly mapo tofu, rich dan dan noodles, and a strong lineup of cold appetizers that reward heat seekers and skeptics alike.
Polska Laska
1100 N Canal Street, Sharpsburg
If you want real-deal pierogi without gimmicks, Polska Laska is for you. What started as a pandemic-era pierogi project is now one of the most comforting lunch spots in Sharpsburg, serving handmade dumplings, haluski, cabbage rolls, and soups that taste like someone’s grandmother has been cooking all morning. Arrive hungry!
Il Pizzaiolo Warrendale
701 Warrendale Village Drive, Warrendale
Il Pizzaiolo does its best work by keeping things beautifully simple. The Warrendale location turns out wood-fired Neapolitan pizzas made with long-fermented dough, San Marzano D.O.P. tomatoes, and fresh mozzarella prepared in-house. Classics like the Margherita and Diavola anchor the menu, alongside straightforward pastas made with imported Italian maccheroni and a handful of salads to round out the table.
Where to Sip
Pittsburgh Brewing Company
150 Ferry Street, Creighton
If downtown feels like one long tailgate, head upriver. The Creighton brewery’s cavernous and beautifully restored indoor space, big screens, and easy parking make it a solid refuge. It’s ideal for low-key watch parties, enjoying crisp Iron City pours, and skipping the Draft chaos without giving up the game entirely.
Narcisi Winery
4578 Gibsonia Rd, Gibsonia
This family-run winery feels like the closest thing Pittsburgh has to a Tuscan daydream. The winery pours its own reds, whites, rosés, and fruit wines alongside an Italian-leaning menu of wood-fired pizzas, pastas, and desserts. Book a tasting or tour, split a bottle with friends, and hang out on the lawn or patio while live music rolls through. Cín cín!
The Wine Cave
3141 Harts Run Rd, Allison Park
Set below street level in Allison Park, The Wine Cave is a subterranean wine bar. Its low ceilings and dim lighting focus your attention on the glass in your hand! Bella Terra Vineyards wines lead the list, alongside curated domestic and international selections. Charcuterie boards and jumbo lump crab cakes round out the menu, while patio seating and reservable private cabins extend the experience beyond the cave itself.
Where to Have Fun
Bocce House of Pittsburgh
641 Alpha Drive, Suite B, O’Hara Township
This new O’Hara Township bocce destination pairs six regulation indoor courts with a full bar, Italian-inspired bites, and lounge seating for drinks between games. Whether you’re rolling with friends, hitting a mini league match, or just unwinding with wine, beer, or a cigar in the designated lounge, it’s a fun and buzzy alternative to downtown crowds.
Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve
614 Dorseyville Road East, Fox Chapel
Craving some time in nature? This 134-acre Audubon reserve has about 3.5 to 5 miles of walking trails through woodlands, meadows, ponds, and wetlands — great for short hikes, birdwatching, or just stretching your legs. Free trails are open dawn to dusk year-round, with scenic spots and peaceful views that feel worlds away from town.
Bayernhof Museum
225 St. Charles Place, O’Hara Township
A one-of-a-kind escape from Draft weekend noise, this quirky mansion-turned-museum sits on a hill overlooking the Allegheny and is packed with one of the world’s most unique collections of self-playing musical instruments, music boxes, and automata. Guided tours are by appointment only and typically run about two to two-and-a-half hours.
Fox Chapel Day Spa
1366 Old Freeport Road, Fox Chapel
A suburban luxe reset that’s about more than just a basic rubdown. You can book classic massages, choose from a broad facial menu, and add energizing or detoxing body treatments. They also offer manicures, pedicures, waxing, and specialty wraps, so your escape can be a full afternoon of pampering.
Zone 28
2525 Freeport Rd, Harmarville
A sprawling entertainment complex perfect for when you’re in “choose your own fun” mode. You’ll find 33 bowling lanes, a giant arcade with 75+ games, a laser tag arena, and a couple of escape rooms to wander through with friends. Add a casual sit-down at the on-site Rail House Restaurant or drinks at the End Zone Sports Bar.
Heading South
Places to Eat
Waffles INCaffeinated
155 McMurray Road, Upper St. Clair
Avoid the lines at popular chains along Route 19 and grab breakfast (or breakfast for dinner) at this squeaky-clean spot just a couple minutes off the main drag. A big menu features plain or fancy waffles along with any kind of eggs, meats or other breakfast faves. Surprise! French toast has the fewest calories.
The Saloon of Mt. Lebanon
622 Washington Road, Mt. Lebanon
Watch the draft and grab a beer and a bite. The basic bar food is decent, but the friendly staff and patrons are the real attraction. You might not resonate with the draft picks, but you’ll love the rapport at the bar. Or grab a booth for the family.
Iovino’s Neighborhood Brasserie
306 Beverly Road, Mt. Lebanon
Chef Jeff and Carol Iovino have created an upscale, welcoming space with comfy seats at the bar or around tables. Their elevated comfort food combines customer favorites and Jeff’s artisanal specials. There are seven rotating craft beers and four wines on tap. No reservations, so plan to eat early-ish if you don’t like to wait.
Leo Greta
301 West Main Street, Carnegie
Known for simple, fresh Italian cuisine, with everything—pasta, sauces, gnocchi, meatballs—made from scratch. Many recipes are family favorites of classically trained chef Greg Alauzen, who grew up in the Chartiers Valley. Cocktails, beer and wine are available by the glass, with a happy hour on Fridays. After dinner, stop at Leo Greta Bakery and Dessert Bar next door and enjoy crème brulée or tiramisu.
Performances to Catch
Rowhouse Cinema—Hollywood
1449 Potomac Avenue, Dormont
See a new release or a classic film at Dormont’s 99-year-old movie house, recently reinvented and reopened. Located in the heart of the business district, the venue also offers special events and a film club. And a plus? Its neighbor at 1426 is the popular Moonlit Burgers.
Hollywood Casino at the Meadows
210 Racetrack Road, Washington
Watch harness racing, enjoy live bands or check out the high rollers at Hollywood Casino at the Meadows. Play a few slots and if you win, grab a track-side table at the casino’s posh Bistecca Steakhouse and wine bar.
Where to Have Fun
Top Golf
400 Presto-Sygan Road, Bridgeville
This is a great place for kids and grownups to practice. You can bring your own clubs or use complimentary rental clubs. There’s a pro shop. You can order food. And you can watch the draft while your partner drives. Each climate- controlled bay has HDTV.
AMF Mt. Lebanon Lanes
1601 Washington Road, Mt. Lebanon
Reserve one of this family-friendly bowling spot’s 52 lanes online. You can opt for a package that includes shoe rental and a pizza party with drinks—lemonade, margaritas, or whatever suits your group. Or order chicken tenders, a burger or a quesadilla in the lounge, where you can sneak away for a beer and watch the draft.
Boyce Mayview Park Walking Trails
1571 Mayview Road, Upper St. Clair
There are several trails at this park, which houses the community’s recreation center, ballfields, playgrounds and other amenities. Hikers give the 2.4- mile Boyce Mayview Loop high ratings for its beautiful views and diverse wildlife. It is kid-friendly and dogs on leash are welcome, but it can be tricky on a wet and muddy day. If it’s a nice day, pack a picnic lunch.
Sites to See
Andy Warhol’s Grave
St. John the Baptist Byzantine Cemetery ,1066 Connor Road, Bethel Park
Hidden in plain sight in this tiny cemetery, you’ll easily find Andy Warhol’s tombstone bedecked with tributes from fans—Campbells Soup cans, wigs, perfume. Warhol, a Pittsburgh native who was buried here in 1987 next to his parents, Andrej and Julia Warhola, did not want any engraving on his stone, except perhaps the word “figment.” He did not get his wish. But he would have appreciated his grave as a work of art.
South Park
2027 Buffalo Drive, South Park
A few miles along Library Road from Warhol’s resting place is South Park, with its 2,000 acres of tree-lined roads, picnic groves, a wave pool, BMX track, playgrounds, skating rink, dog park—and the game preserve home to a duckpond, a few peacocks and—ta-da!— a herd of bison, which have roamed there in an enclosure for more than 100 years.
Woodville Plantation
1375 Washington Pike, Bridgeville
Located just off I-79, Woodville, home to General John Neville and site of a key skirmish in the 1790s Whiskey Rebellion, is a National Historic Landmark. View the house, garden, chicken coop and back oven, along with an interpretive cabin that shows how enslaved people lived on the estate, and a reconstructed barn for a glimpse of 18th century life. Self-tour the grounds anytime or take a guided interior tour Sundays from 1-4.
Go West!
Where to Eat
Torogoz
Chef Julio Peraza’s thoughtful Latin-inspired cooking charms the taste buds with vibrant Salvadoran flavors. Pupusas, fresh salsas, and comforting Central American classics get full-on chef treatment. The stylish, contemporary décor is perfect for a relaxed dinner or a casual date night.
Vivo Kitchen
Long a Sewickley favorite, Vivo Kitchen consistently serves up seasonal, scratch-made fare and delicious cocktails with flair and professionalism. The setting is stylish. The welcome is warm. The Spicy Meatballs and the Crispy Whole Chicken are must-haves.
Hyeholde
Where else can you enjoy melt-in-your-mouth Elk Striploin in a historic, handmade house that looks like a rustic Norman chateau? Chef Chris O’Brien impresses night after night, bringing this gorgeous setting alive with beautifully prepared food from start to finish.
Things to Do and Sights to See
Bellevue Memorial Park
300 – 320 Bellevue Road, Bellevue
Get lost in nature just 8 miles from the city in a 100-acre urban park. Offering river views and well-maintained trails (including a health and fitness trail), the park is a relaxed place to spend a sunny afternoon picnicking or hiking.
Allegheny Observatory
159 Riverview Avenue, Brighton Heights
Perched above the city and operated by the University of Pittsburgh, the Allegheny Observatory hosts public tours that blend science, history, and panoramic views. Evening programs offer telescope access where you can gaze at the stars.
Sweetwater Center for the Arts
200 Broad Street, Sewickley
Sweetwater is hosting a two-day master class with renowned Puerto Rican ceramic artist Cristina Córdova. A Bust, and the Weather of Surface focuses on hand-built figurative sculpture, layered slips, and expressive surface techniques.
The Lindsay Theater
418 Walnut Street, Sewickley
Featuring airy art-house charm without the crowd, The Lindsay offers a refined movie-going experience with first-run Hollywood movies, independent films, curated programming, and comfortable seating. It’s a reminder that the simple act of watching a movie can still feel like an event.
Mark Rengers Gallery
549 Beaver Street, Sewickley
Visit April 3rd through May 30th for a breathtaking exhibition on color, crystalline, micro, and macro, as Pittsburgh artists Christine Lorenz and Kristen Letts Kovak question our place and purpose in the vast cosmos.
Matt’s Pickle and Padel
301 Deer Run Road, Sewickley
One of the fastest-growing sports in the world, padel has just recently made its foray into the US – and Matt’s Pickle and Padel is home to the only courts between Pittsburgh and Lancaster. A blend of tennis and squash, padel is a fast, social, glass-walled game that’s easy to learn. It’s addictive!
Sewickley Heights Borough Park
Hallaway Rd, Sewickley Heights
This gem offers more than three miles of rolling trails through hardwood forest, open meadows, and gentle streams. It’s popular for hiking, biking, horseback riding, and off-leash dog walks, with enough space to truly spread out. If you’re craving quiet, fresh air, and skyline-free views, this beautiful park really delivers.
Pittsburgh Botanic Garden
799 Pinkerton Run Road, Oakdale
For a natural reset go to Pittsburgh Botanic Garden. Winding paths through woodlands, themed gardens, and restored landscapes, make it a perfect space to decompress. Debuting April 11 and on display through October 2026, the Garden welcomes Scraposaurs, a playful, garden-wide exhibition by artist Dale Lewis, featuring 14 large-scale dinosaur sculptures made from recycled metal.
Heading East
Places to Eat
Hemlock House
1126 S. Braddock Ave., Swissvale
If you’re a fan of the late David Lynch — or if you’re just looking for some good food and drinks — pay homage at the “Twin Peaks”-inspired Hemlock House. The brunch, dinner and cocktail menus are thoughtfully curated.
Udipi Cafe
4141 Old William Penn Hwy, Monroeville
Some of the best Indian food in the area can be found right on William Penn Highway at Udipi Cafe. Try the Mysore Masala Dosa, one of their most popular items.
Eighty Acres Kitchen & Bar
1910 New Texas Road, Plum
Eighty Acres offers contemporary farm-to-table cuisine in the heart of Plum. On Friday afternoons, they host a “Blue Plate Special,” offering one item from each course for a prix-fixe, or stop by for their Sunday steak special later in the weekend. A special event of note is their curated five-course Wine + Dine experience.
Cenacolo
2000 Commerce Loop, North Huntingdon
Not only does Cenacolo in North Huntingdon offer high-quality Italian food, but you can also learn how to make it there. Cenacolo’s popular two-hour pasta-making and mozzarella classes include a glass of wine and you get to take home whatever you make.
Where to Have Fun
Concept Art Gallery
1031 S. Braddock Avenue, Regent Square
You shouldn’t walk down South Braddock Avenue without stopping into Concept Art Gallery. Since 1972, the space has provided a space to showcase established local artists and much more.
Switch & Signal Skatepark
7518 Dickson St., Swissvale
Switch and Signal Skatepark offers classes for all ages, including adult beginner sessions on the first Monday of every month and a women & trans session every Sunday evening.
Westmoreland Museum of American Art
221 North Main Street, Greensburg
This underrated gem features permanent exhibitions that are beautiful and timeless — and the rotating exhibitions are beautiful and cutting-edge.
The Palace Theater
21 W. Otterman St., Greensburg
The Palace Theatre has a packed calendar and an old-timey ambiance that has made it a destination for decades.
Rivers of Steel
623 E. Eighth Ave., Homestead
You can experience the full breadth of our steel history through the Rivers of Steel. Visit the museum in the Bost Building on East Eighth Street, tour the Carrie Blast Furnaces or participate in a workshop on metal arts, graffiti arts, or photography.
Story by Susan Fleming Morgans, Aakanksha Agarwal, Alex Lancianese, and Lauren Davidson
Subscribe to TABLE Magazine’s print edition.
