Al fresco dining in downtown Pittsburgh traces from Penn Avenue to Sixth Street, Market Square to William Penn Place. Options can include a meal in one of Pittsburgh’s sunniest spots or a drink in the hippest of hotels.
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days between the start of spring and the end of fall
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beers on tap at City Works
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tequilas on the menu at täkō
As the spring flowers blossom, so does vibrancy in our downtown! From Penn Avenue to Sixth Street, Market Square to William Penn Place, there are several options to dine al fresco in downtown Pittsburgh. Plan a culinary adventure in the great outdoors to reward yourself after a long, cold winter with a meal in one of Pittsburgh’s sunniest spots or a drink in the hippest of hotels.
Because spring weather in Pittsburgh tends to alter between flurries, showers and sunshine, open-air dining can feel like a gamble. Not to worry: These establishments offer thoughtful outdoor setups – including glass-enclosed chalets and roomy patio umbrellas, street-side picnic tables and heat lamps – along with delightful menu options to entice your appetite.
Bae Bae’s Kitchen
It feels like spring is already here in this Liberty Avenue restaurant space, home to a garden’s worth of faux floral arrangements. With fresh-made Korean-inspired fare and quaint-yet-trendy décor, this fast-casual eatery is located across the street from the August Wilson African American Cultural Center. . Outdoor seating is nearly as ample as indoors, thanks to tables on the sidewalk and in the glass-enclosed chalet on the street.
Biergarten at Hotel Monaco
This rooftop on the 9th floor of the hotel Kimpton Hotel Monaco is popular with hotel guests and locals alike on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings. A large open-air area is first come, first served, though tables can be reserved. Plenty of European-inspired eats abound–house-made currywurst, giant pretzels, tasty pickle and cheese plates – though visitors may be drawn to the large and varied list of beers from Belgian Trappist ales to German favorites. When the warm weather inspires playful vibes, it’s worth the elevator ride because a jumbo Jenga and Giant Connect Four await.
City Works
This Market Square sports-bar-turned-gastropub offers an expansive view of the downtown scene from PPG Place. The canopy on the veranda ensures visitors can gather despite rain or winds. Make sure to check out the happy hour specials, then settle in to watch your favorite team playing on one of the 15 TVs.
Gaucho Parilla Argentina
With a front-row view of the hustle and bustle of Sixth Street, the downtown location opened in 2020 and offers a wood-fired grill, patio courtyard and rooftop dining area, both with heaters to keep you warm while you dine outdoors. Gaucho’s substantial meat-forward menu includes steaks with chimichurri, chef’s selection of fresh seafood, and even a handful of vegetarian options.
Il Tetto at Siena Mercato
Cozy up at one of the long high-top tables under the twinkling lights at this memorable rooftop beer garden in the Cultural District. The retractable glass roof makes Il Tetto a destination for winter fun too, but the crowd really swells during the spring and summer season. The menu includes options such as homemade pork rinds and Buffalo chicken dip.
täkō
A beautiful blending of flavors – Mexican and Japanese – give visitors an exciting, unique experience on 6th Street at täkō. Fresh ingredients and a commitment to supporting local farmers and producers allow chefs to create innovative meals that are sure to delight. Providing an immerse experience, täkō is not only for those seeking culinary excellence, but also terrific libations with their unmatched selection of tequila and mezcal.
Vibrancy Revitalization Efforts
Committed to downtown revitalization efforts, the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) launched an Outdoor Dining Grant Program in 2022 to provides grant funding to eligible business-supporting nonprofit organizations, community development corporations, business improvement districts, and chambers of commerce to allocate towards outdoor infrastructure that allows restaurant activity to occur safely outdoors in preventing or mitigating the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
The Outdoor Dining Grant Program was made possible through a $999,900 American Rescue Plan Act allocation from the City of Pittsburgh to the URA. The program provides grant funding to eligible business-supporting nonprofit organizations, community development corporations, business improvement districts, and chambers of commerce to allocate towards outdoor infrastructure that allows restaurant activity to occur safely outdoors while preventing or mitigating the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
The URA awarded Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership (PDP) a sum of $90,000 for general improvements outside several businesses on the Penn Avenue corridor.
6th Street Corridor
Throughout the past couple of years, the 6th Street corridor has become a lively destination for outdoor dining. During the pandemic, the PDP, along with the City of Pittsburgh, launched a series of pilot projects along 6th Street. These included reconfiguring the parking and traffic lanes to better accommodate outdoor dining spaces, new banners and branding to help solidify the important dining spot that this corridor has become. These updates, generously funded by the Benter Foundation, are still visible today, providing a dedicated space for outdoor diners along the street to safely enjoy their experience, while taking in the sights. The PDP and the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust are continuing to work with corridor stakeholders to make these changes permanent.