Rooftop tables, backyard patios and beer gardens abound in Pittsburgh — if you know where to look. While there have always been outdoor dining spots in the region during warmer months, the pandemic spurred more Pittsburgh restaurants and bars to expand and improve their outdoor spaces, offering additional seating, outdoor bars and even heaters and fire pits for colder nights. From riverview tables to casual courtyards, these are your best bets for outdoor dining around the region.
Farmer x Baker
Enjoy the breeze from the Allegheny River at Farmer x Baker’s Riverwalk cafe in Allegheny RiverTrail Park. Serving breakfast and lunch out of a repurposed shipping container, Farmer x Baker is open seasonally, with outdoor seating along the water. This spring, it introduced a fully vegan/vegetarian menu at its Aspinwall location (it also has a market location in O’Hara), with menu items such as a celery root reuben sandwich and seasonal vegetable frittatas.
285 River Ave., Aspinwall; 412/517-8394, farmerxbaker.com
Round Corner Cantina
Enjoy one of Round Corner Cantina’s classic La Cantina margaritas on its back patio area, where you can also try an array of shareables and the restaurant’s popular street tacos. The patio offers open-air tables, a partially covered bar area and a cabana that can be rented for parties.
3720 Butler St., Lawrenceville; 412/904-2279; roundcornercantina.com
Biergarten
Located on the ninth floor of Downtown’s Kimpton Hotel Monaco, the Biergarten rooftop bar features a menu heavy with German beers and tropical cocktails and a German-influenced food menu, including its standout giant soft pretzel, served with beer cheese and Dijon.
620 William Penn Place, Downtown; 412/230-4800, monaco-pittsburgh.com
Poulet Bleu
This French-inspired American bistro from the Richard DeShantz Restaurant Group offers two options for seasonal outdoor dining: its cozy rooftop seating area (with skyline views) and its outdoor patio. Patio seating is reservation only, and the rooftop is first-come, first-served.
3517 Butler St., Lawrenceville; 412/325-3435, pouletbleupgh.com
Kingfly Spirits
The courtyard at Kingfly Spirits is the perfect spot to enjoy a sunny afternoon while imbibing a drink. You can choose from the establishment’s fantastic cocktail menu, featuring Kingfly’s own rum, gin and rye in both classic and seasonal concoctions, plus a full line-up of wine, draft beer and hard seltzer options. In the warmer months, Kingfly Spirits regularly hosts live music in the courtyard.
2613 Smallman St., Strip District; 412/392-8928, kingflyspirits.com
Redfin Blues
The deck at Redfin Blues, one of the few riverside restaurants in Pittsburgh, offers views of the Allegheny River next to the Washington’s Landing marina. It’s also located along a portion of the Three Rivers Heritage Trail. You’ll find crab cakes, fish sandwiches and all-you-can-eat crab legs at this unfussy spot.
100 Waterfront Drive, Washington’s Landing; 412/322-5837, redfinblues.com
Sienna Mercato
Il Tetto, Sienna Mercato’s rooftop bar area, has 32 drafts on tap, plus a full menu of cocktails, wine and light bites. With a retractable glass roof, Il Tetto is technically open year-round, but visiting when it’s open-air during the warmer months is the best time to go. Check the website for hours, which (unlike most Downtown spots) do reach into the a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
942 Penn Ave., Downtown; 412/281-2810, siennamercato.com
Over Eden
This rooftop garden bar at the TRYP Hotel near the 40th Street Bridge boasts one of the best views in the city. Seasonal cocktails and local beer and cider are on the bar menu, and the abbreviated, Mediterranean-inspired food menu features snackable dishes such as seasonal bruschetta and vegan-stuffed peppers.
177 40th St., Lawrenceville; 412/687-8797, overeden.com
Shorty’s Pins x Pints
With river views, the outdoor dining area at Shorty’s Pins x Pints along the Allegheny offers a lovely spot for enjoying beer, wine, or a taco from Shorty’s extensive menu. In addition to plenty of seating, Shorty’s outdoor space also has fire pits for warming up on cooler evenings.
353 North Shore Drive, North Shore; 412/904-4450, shortysx.com/pins-x-pints/north-shore
Pusadee’s Garden
The outdoor garden area at the reimagined Pusadee’s Garden is one of Pittsburgh’s most tranquil dining spots. During the warmer months, outdoor dining is available every day, depending on the weather. Advanced priority for outdoor seating is given to those with reservations, but you can sometimes get lucky by walking in on a quiet night.
5319 Butler St., Lawrenceville; 412/252-2683, pusadeesgarden.com
OTB Bicycle Cafe North Park
Situated right on Marshall Lake in North Park, OTB Bicycle Cafe has an extensive patio with lovely waterfront views. Its outdoor dining space is open year-round (heaters and fire pits add warmth in the winter). If you’re lucky, you might catch a glimpse of Mr. Stripe or Ms. Star, a pair of bald eagles that frequent the lake, as well as another bird simply named the Visitor.
10301 Pearce Mill Road, Allison Park; 724/940-5000, otbbicyclecafe.com/northpark
Mario’s East Side Saloon
With Walnut Street views, Mario’s East Side Saloon’s rooftop bar is open daily until 2 a.m. for all of your late-night drinking (and star-gazing) needs. The rooftop can also be rented out for private parties and events.
5442 Walnut St., Shadyside; 412/681-3713, mariospgh.com/east-side
Square Cafe
You can enjoy Square Cafe’s full breakfast and lunch menu on its rooftop patio, which offers views of East Liberty’s Centre Avenue. This summer, the dining spot is featuring frozen cocktails, along with a selection of new non-alcoholic mocktails.
134 S. Highland Ave., East Liberty; 412/244-8002, square-cafe.com
Cinderlands Warehouse
The rooftop patio at Cinderlands Warehouse Strip District location offers its full lineup of drafts, plus a cocktail menu with local spirits and wines. The kitchen is open Tuesdays through Saturdays for lunch and dinner as well as for Sunday brunch.
2601 Smallman St., Strip District; 412/209-1575, cinderlands.com
PA Market
In addition to the PA Market’s stellar backyard courtyard, the Strip District eatery boasts a balcony dining area, with views overlooking 19th Street. Food is available from the PA Market’s six restaurant concepts (including Argentinian steak, charcuterie boards and pizzas), and its wine room features more than 150 wines.
108 19th St., Strip District; 412/904-1332, thepamarket.com
