Things To Do
Mt. Lebanon & Surrounding areas
The area where Laura and Spencer would commonly meet when living on our separate sides of the city! Since the hotel is close by, we will suggest more spots here and in the surrounding areas. Mineo's: Favorite pizza in the burgh. Il Pizzaiolo: Wonderful Italian. Aladdin's: Great Mediterranean food. Little Tokyo: An old stomping ground for Laura, great dishes and sushi. Pamela's: A Pittsburgh breakfast/lunch staple! Oak Hill Post: Named to PGH 25 Best list for their breakfast offerings. Moonlit: Some say the best smashburger in the burgh. Red's Good News: Great local hangout with picnic benches and a small but tasty bar food menu. The Saloon: Local tavern for drinks and bites. East End Brewing: One of our favorite local breweries. Arsenal Cider: A Pittsburgh staple, offering a wide variety of their own ciders.
Strip District
A great place to walk around! Whether you are purchasing something or not, walking through these specialty shops is something to behold. Penn Mac and Wholey's are a must, but Stamboolis, Lotus, and Penzey's are also great. La Prima: No matter what we are coming to the Strip for, starting with an espresso drink here is the first step. Pamelas: A Pittsburgh staple for a delicious breakfast, the crepe-like pancakes and lyonnaise potatoes are favorites. Obama liked these pancakes so much he had them served in the White House. PA Libations: A large, curated selection of Pennsylvania distilleries and their bottles. Head to the back and they'll give you samples of whatever you'd like to try! Bona Fide Brewing: Great beer, and they have a range of cocktails made exclusively with PA liquor. Also, a great place to BYOF and sit outside to people watch. Maggie's Farm Distillery: Maybe the most awarded rum in the nation. The painkiller is fantastic, as well as anything else on the menu.
Regent Square
D's Six Pax and Dogz: We go here almost weekly for happy hour, so you could say one of our favorite places to visit. Great dog, stellar fries (get ranch and Swissvale Gold on the side), and a solid beer list. Check out their beer cave, too! Hemlock House: A newer place to the neighborhood, go here for some good grub and drinks. Recently named to the PGH 25 Best list for the "Adventurous Eater", they have quite a few standout dishes as well as some quirky 90's/Twin Peaks decor. Frick Park: Great place to hike a bit, the main trails are generally easy for a stroll. There is a main parking area for ease of access.
Squirrel Hill
Squirrel Hill Cafe: A dimly lit haunt that is a Pittsburgh staple. Come for the drinks and diner food, stay for the conversation in the booths. A Parts Unknown: Pittsburgh stop for Anthony Bourdain. Hidden Harbor / Independent Brewing: Neighboring storefronts owned by the same group, we have frequented both of these businesses and appreciate their attention to detail. Hidden Harbor will make you the best tiki drink you can find. Independent has quite a beer list to match their record-playing, warm ambiance. Window shopping: Throughout the whole business district of Squirrel Hill, there are quite a few unique shops to walk by or poke your head into. Littles Shoes, Games Unlimited, and Cuvee Bottle Shop are all close together and represent some of the specialty stores in the area. Mineo's, Aiello's, and Napoli's each have their share of supporters for favorite pizza in Pittsburgh. 61C Cafe, Commonplace Coffee, and Dobra Tea are great places to take a load off and people watch.
Shadyside / East Liberty
Kelly's: One of our favorites, this neon lit bar has a great vibe and food menu. Sit down at a booth and enjoy! Also known for their cheap yet extensive list of classic cocktails. Lorelei: Half beergarden and half cocktail bar, this is a great place to pull up a chair and try some European-style beer. Their wood-fired pizza is fantastic! Millie's Ice Cream: Now a Pittsburgh staple, this ice cream is delish! Grab a scoop or three and sit on their outdoor picnic benches or walk around the neighborhood to see some sights! Walnut Street: The main business district of Shadyside, a great place to walk around and window shop. There is a Pamela's (description in Strip District) for breakfast/lunch, while Cappy's Cafe provides a nice place to sit along the sidewalk and people watch.