If Pittsburgh had a town troubadour, he’d be singing outside a coffee shop right now. The sidewalks are carpeted in crunchy leaves, pumpkin-spice lattes are practically a food group, and the city feels squarely in a “Gilmore Girls” mood.
The restaurant scene clearly got the memo: pure comfort with a side of déjà vu. Poulet Bleu is finally back on Butler Street, serving up steak frites, escargot and that luxurious French onion soup under its signature blue-and-white glow. Dancing Gnome has transformed its old Sharpsburg taproom into Nine Two Five, a moody little bar built for beer, cocktails and fancy grilled cheese.
F&F Pizzeria is tossing charred, Brooklyn-style pies in Mt. Lebanon, El Burro is back on the North Side (hello, California-style burritos) and Bruster’s is scooping nostalgia with a fresh Bridgewater glow-up, plus a new Shadyside shop in the works.
And in maybe the most “wrap-me-in-a-blanket” launch of all, DiAnoia’s just released a line of slow-dried pasta, perfect for a night in with red sauce and a rom-com rerun.
So yeah, Pittsburgh’s in its carb-heavy, cozy era. Grab a fork, find your favorite booth and cue the fall playlist … .
Openings
Photo courtesy of Poulet Bleu.
After nearly five years, one of Pittsburgh’s most beloved French bistros is back. From the Richard DeShantz Restaurant Group, Poulet Bleu reopened earlier this week with dinner service Tuesday through Saturday.
The space remains true to its Parisian charm with blue-and-white interiors, floral wallpaper, a zinc-topped bar and a copper-trimmed open kitchen, while the menu revives classics like duck confit, steak frites, Parisienne gnocchi, escargot and that famously rich French onion soup.
The bar once again pours French 75s and Brandy Alexanders alongside an Alsatian-leaning wine list. “Poulet Bleu was always about more than food—it was about creating an experience,” says co-owner Tolga Sevdik. “We’re excited to bring that experience back to Pittsburgh.” Reservations are live on OpenTable.
Leek & Guanciale Pie from F&F Pizzeria. Photo courtesy of F&F.
Brooklyn’s cult-favorite F&F Pizzeria has made its first move outside New York, taking over the former Bado’s Pizza space. Founded by chefs Frank Castronovo and Frank Falcinelli — the duo behind Frankies 457 Spuntino — the Pittsburgh outpost stays true to the original’s formula: naturally fermented dough, charred-edge pies, and simple, ingredient-driven toppings that split the difference between New York and Neapolitan.
The new location adds a few Pittsburgh-specific upgrades: a full bar, patio seating and an upstairs event space. A second Strip District location is already in the works, signaling that the Franks’ slow-ferment empire is here to stay.
Photos courtesy of Club Cafe.
South Side’s beloved live-music venue just got a daytime alter ego. Club Café has launched its new Coffee House, transforming the front of the venue into a cozy community hub. Open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., the café serves Ghost Coffee Collab beans roasted by Trace Brewing, plus breakfast sandwiches from Pittsburgh Sandwich Society and pastries from local bakeries.
“We wanted to open a place on the earlier end of South Side for artists, neighbors and the community to gather,” says co-owner Danielle Mashuda. “We have a lovely, cozy space, why not have it open all day? There are already some great coffee shops in the South Side — Delaney’s, Big Dog, and soon Standing Wave — and we think there’s plenty of room for everyone to thrive.”
Weekend brunch programming begins later this fall, with themed events like honky-tonk, gospel, drag and songwriter brunches planned.
The dining room at Sushi Tomo. Photo courtesy of Sushi Tomo.
A longtime North Hills favorite has found a second home in the South Side. Sushi Tomo, known for its fresh rolls and Japanese-Korean comfort dishes, has taken over the former Little Tokyo Bistro space.
Owner Keresty Kelly, who bought the flagship Ross restaurant in 2017 after starting there as a server, says the move felt personal. The new outpost features a nine-person team, a wave mural by local artist Shane Pilster, and a menu balancing Japanese favorites with playful additions like hot stone-bowl bibimbap and the ever-popular Geisha Roll (shrimp tempura and cucumber inside, topped with tuna, avocado, caviar, spicy mayo and eel sauce).
“When Little Tokyo went up for sale, we couldn’t resist the opportunity to continue their legacy,” Kelly says. “We’re thrilled to share what we’ve built in the North Hills with the South Side.”
The entryway to Nine Two Five, a new endeavor from Dancing Gnome inside it’s original taproom space on Main Street in Sharpsburg. Photo courtesy of Dancing Gnome.
Nearly a decade after Dancing Gnome first cracked open its taps on Main Street, the brewery has returned to its original Sharpsburg space.
Nine Two Five isn’t a taproom redux; it’s a moodier, more intimate spin on the brand’s roots. “It didn’t make sense to run two taprooms so close together,” says founder Andrew Witchey. “So we created a completely different concept, a full bar with cocktails, wine and Pennsylvania-made spirits.”
The result is a cozy cocktail-and-beer bar that feels like the grown-up sibling of the bright, bustling flagship a block away. Local pours from Jackworth’s Ginger Beer, Goodlander Cocktail Brewery, Boyd & Blair, Lucky Sign Spirits and Stateside Vodka anchor the drink list, while a tight food menu from Blue Sparrow offers grown-up comfort: four rotating grilled cheeses and a few snacky extras. “Think elevated grilled cheese,” Witchey says. “Something that pairs perfectly with a cocktail or a pint.”
The Vegan California Burrito from El Burro. Photo courtesy of El Burro.
After a year-and-a-half rebuild following the December 2023 fire, El Burro is back on Federal Street. The North Side staple first opened in 2011 and spent more than a decade serving burritos the size of your forearm.
The rebuilt space at 1108 Federal St. nods to its roots but leans brighter and bolder, with mosaic-tile floors, neon accents and a relaxed cantina vibe. Upstairs seating has been added, expanding what was once a tiny taco shop into a full dine-in space. The menu returns to its greatest hit: carnitas with tomatillo salsa verde, the cult-favorite California Burrito stuffed with house-made fries, and adds new draws like birria tacos, street corn and expanded vegetarian and vegan options.
The reopening marks a full-circle moment for owner Wes De Renouard, “We were there for almost 13 years,” he says. “It kind of left a hole in the community when we weren’t around.”
That hole’s officially filled, and it smells like tortillas on the grill.
Photo courtesy of Bruster’s.
Pittsburgh-born favorite Bruster’s is doubling down on its hometown roots with two milestones: a full remodel of its original Bridgewater store and a brand-new Shadyside location opening in November.
The Bridgewater shop, where Bruster’s first began churning ice cream in 1989, now features a modern design, digital menu boards and the brand’s first drive-thru in the Pittsburgh area, blending nostalgia with convenience.
Dried pasta from DiAnoia’s Eatery
If “Stars Hollow” had a Strip District, Lorelai and Rory would absolutely be twirling DiAnoia’s new dried pasta at home with a glass of red and a side of small-town gossip.
The Strip District favorite now sells bronze-cut, slow-dried pasta made with Pennsylvania-grown wheat from Castle Valley Mill, available at Pane è Pronto, Giant Eagle Market Districts and of course, the restaurant itself. The four-shape lineup—radiatori, rigatoni, reginetti and gemelli—is textured to grip sauce really well. It basically turns your pantry into a cozy-night-in situation.
“We may be biased,” says chef-owner Dave Anoia, “but we think dried pasta makes a great holiday gift. It’s easy to wrap, too.”
Closings
After more than 40 years of serving classic Pittsburgh diner fare, Barb’s Corner Kitchen has officially closed its doors. Owner Bob Geraci called it a “heartbreaking but timely decision,” citing rising costs and a changing neighborhood.
The elegant wine lounge and restaurant inside a renovated church will pour its final glass on Oct. 31. The owners thanked guests for years of support, closing amid rising costs and staffing challenges.