Pittsburgh is full of interesting neighborhoods, but many families may be in the habit of spending time mostly in the parts of town where they live or work. Throughout 2025, Kidsburgh has been sharing guides to a wide range of neighborhoods. You’ll find things to do, along with great places to eat and drink and shop — all in these guides written by people who live in these neighborhoods.

My name is Lila. I have lived in Shadyside my whole life and I’ve found some perfect places for people of all ages to visit! In this guide, I’m glad to share some of the best restaurants, relaxing coffee shops, and the fun places to visit and shop.

Located in the heart of Pittsburgh, Shadyside is a great place for a family to spend a day. It’s a very walkable neighborhood, with sidewalks throughout. And you can easily combine a few hours in Shadyside with a visit to one of the many other interesting neighborhoods nearby: You’ll find Bloomfield and East Liberty to the north, the Hill District, Oakland to the west and Squirrel Hill to the south, and Homewood to the east.

Jitters Cafe photo courtesy of Lila Shah.

EAT AND DRINK

Jitters Coffee Shop, 5541 Walnut Street, 6 a.m.-6 p.m. daily
Jitters has been serving Shadyside with its delicious crafted coffee for 25 years. From a classic cappuccino to a bubbly Italian soda, Jitters has a delightful variety of drinks. The café offers a small yet cozy atmosphere. The staff are welcoming and friendly, and give perfect recommendations. My personal favorite is their matcha latte, because of its refreshing green tea taste.

Pamela’s Diner, 5527 Walnut Street, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. daily
Pamela’s Diner is many Shadyside residents’ favorite brunch place. They have been serving Pittsburgh since 1980 and attract customers from all over the Pittsburgh area. While they do have the usual breakfast and brunch items, their most famous (and, in my opinion, best) item is their hotcakes. Hotcakes are a thin crispy crepe stuffed with sour cream, brown sugar, and strawberries, blueberries or bananas. You’ll want to come early to beat the crowd: It can be tricky to get seats there especially on weekends at noon. 

Girasole photo courtesy of Lila Shah.

Girasole, 733 Copeland Street, closed on Mondays, Tuesdays-Thursdays 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m. and Sundays 4-9 p.m.
Girlasole is the kind of restaurant that gives cozy vibes and is perfect to visit on a rainy day. The name “Girasole” means sunflower and they base the food on blending old and new. The owner is super-friendly and welcoming. He is usually in the restaurant and talks with the patrons one-on-one, adding to the comfortable environment. They serve lunch and dinner, with slightly different menus for each, and have a wine menu. My favorite entreé is the potato gnocchi on the dinner menu. Their food tastes and feels just like a homecooked meal, except you don’t have to do the dishes!

Yoshino photo courtesy of Lila Shah.

Yoshino Asian Fusion, 5440 Walnut Street, Monday-Thursday 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m., Friday-Saturday 11 a..-12:30 p.m., Sunday 12-9 p.m.
While there are many other sit-down restaurants in Shadyside, Yoshino is definitely one of my favorites. If you’re not much of a sushi fan, not to worry! They also offer Japanese noodles, and Chinese and Thai cuisine. The decorations are lovely and feature a dimly lit ambiance with hanging cherry blossoms from the ceiling. My favorite dishes are the Mount Everest roll, the wonton soup and the edamame.

PLACES TO VISIT AND SHOP

Shadyside Variety Store, 5421 Walnut Street, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily, closed on Sundays
Shadyside Variety Store is the perfect place to find a “variety” of toys. The shop encompasses everything from Make-Your-Own Lipgloss Kits, to Whoopee Cushions. It’s the perfect place to find last-minute birthday gifts for all ages or to find a small trinket as you’re passing by. The vibe is so cheerful and welcoming that it’ll make you want to buy out the whole store.

Image courtesy of Amazing Books and Records.

Amazing Books and Records, 5430 Walnut Street, Monday-Saturday 10 a.m.-9 p.m., and Sunday 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
Amazing Books and Records is exactly what you’d envision as an old, independent bookstore. It’s a great place to roam around and discover a book you didn’t know you needed. Although its books are used, they are all still in great condition at much lower prices than other stores. Another perk of this place is that for every three books or records you buy (they must be $10or more each), you get a free book or record of your choosing. Additionally, on winter evenings from 6 to 9 p.m., they give out free beer for adults (requires your ID), as well as non-alcoholic seltzers.

Mellon Spray Park, 6601 Fifth Avenue, 10 a.m.-8 p.m daily
Mellon Park is a great place to visit year-round and the perfect place to cool down on a hot summer day. This park features classic swing-sets, jungle gyms and slides, but don’t be fooled! On the hot days of the year, the park becomes a world of water. Sensors cause sprays of water to turn on and off, and buckets fill with water and randomly tip over splashing whoever is under them. You don’t need to be a swimmer to enjoy this park. Anyone, including young toddlers, can enjoy this watery fun. If playgrounds aren’t your thing, you’ll also find a basketball court right next to the park. So you can play sports with your friends, or meet other people playing that day.