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City Cast Pittsburgh

Francesca Dabecco

Morningside’s quaint, residential streets are sandwiched between Highland Park and Stanton Heights and stretch along the Allegheny River. When I stopped by the local coffee shop, there was a bevy of older men smoking cigars and sipping their morning brew. I asked if they’re regulars and one responded: “We come here every day and talk about things that happened 50 years ago.”

 is a sweet little shop on Chislett Street that serves coffee, tea, and smoothies alongside breakfast and lunch bites like quiche, crumpets, and salads. Don’t pass on their desserts like the honey corn cake.

Want a fun spot to watch a World Cup game? Head to 

 on Morningside Avenue, named after the legendary 

 of the 1950s-1970s. This unpretentious bar is great for craft beers, “sammitches,” wings … and feeding your soccer obsession. Televisions line the wall so everyone has a great view, and the energy is unmatched as you’re standing shoulder to shoulder with fellow fans.

Whether you’re looking for patterns, supplies, or textiles, 

 offers a variety of materials to meet your sewing needs. Follow their 

 to stay up to date on offers like scissor sharpening and other services. Want to sew but don’t know how? Take a class with 

And while you can’t buy chocolates on site, 

 is based in Morningside, and their classic-meets-adventurous flavors make the perfect gift for any occasion. Head to their 

Grab coffee at Kafair, take a sewing class, watch a soccer game, and more in Pittsburgh's Morningside.

Get To Know Morningside Pittsburgh Pennsylvania

Get To Know Morningside

Everything to know about Pittsburgh neighborhoods: Where to go, eat, shop, drink, and more.

Pittsburgh Neighborhood Guides

Neighborhood Guides

, with an extra day and expanded footprint stretching from two sister bridges to the new Arts Landing, Market Square, and PPG Plaza. Enjoy pickled food, participate in Dill-cathlon Games, and shop from local vendors, July 16-19. New this year: Play a game of pickleball on freshly-painted courts at Arts Landing.

From emerging local talent to regional headliners, the 

 brings together community and good tunes at a free, three-day celebration, July 10-12. Check out music, food, artists, and more in Pittsburgh’s historic East Allegheny neighborhood. Psst! Here are more 

Honor Pittsburgh’s Legacy for America 250

, so it’s no surprise that Pittsburgh will go big for America 250 celebrations on the Fourth of July. Here’s 

 — like a Ferris Wheel ride, free live music, an art exhibit, and more.

Shop Local at The Great Pittsburgh Book Crawl

 — nine straight days of book shopping, July 18-26. Grab your passport at any participating store, and get stamps to win raffle prizes. It’s the perfect excuse to explore some of Pittsburgh’s 

More book fun: Brighton Heights is hosting a 

, “100 Things To Do in Pittsburgh Before You Die.”

Glitterbox Theater in West Homestead is celebrating the Monongahela River and its lore with a 

 for all ages July 18. There will be showings of local short films, a live jazz performance, a circus play zone, soul line dancing, airbrush art, live wrestling, and 

Celebrate the hardworking goats who help tackle the parks’ invasive plants with a day of family-friendly fun at 

 July 25. Enjoy live music, craft vendors, goat yoga, food trucks, and children’s activities like make-and-take your own teacup fairy garden. All of the funds go to ecological restoration efforts.

Take a Mental Health Break at ‘Speak Your Truth’

 will take over Allentown July 25 for a full day of arts and mental health events on the hilltop. Check out punk shows from local bands, small business vendors, a mental health matinee, and more. After all, treating and living with mental health issues takes the same type of DIY, gritty spirit as punk rock music.

July in Pittsburgh: Northside Music Festival, Picklesburgh, Great Pittsburgh Book Crawl, Goat Fest, and more.

The Best Events in Pittsburgh in July 2026

7 Things To Do in Pittsburgh in July 2026

Find the best of everything that Pittsburgh has to offer.

Pittsburgh’s Best

Pittsburgh's Best

Live life in full bloom this month with vendor markets, live music, art shows, creative festivals, and more 🌼

1. Celebrate Workers’ Rights on May Day

May Day (May 1) is also known as International Workers Day, and our union town is a great place to celebrate. March in the 

 on May 2 featuring a costume parade, live music from the May Day Marching Band, and a potluck in West Penn Park.

Plus, Pullproof Studio in Garfield is showing a 

 where you’ll find screen-printed artwork exploring different themes associated with the word "mayday." The gallery’s opening reception is during 

One of Pittsburgh’s best alfresco experiences is back at Allegheny RiverTrail Park in Aspinwall 

. Grab beer from Trace Brewing and grub from a rotating lineup of food trucks to enjoy along the Allegheny River. It’s so peaceful and relaxing on the swings by the water, plus there’s a serene trail for walking or biking and a launch spot for kayaks.

Did you know that Pittsburgh is home to the longest-running exhibition of international art in North America? Don’t miss the 

, opening May 2 at the Carnegie Museum of Art. The exhibition features a wide range of art forms, like painting, photography, sculpture, video, and theater. Don’t stress — you’ll have the rest of the year to see it. But there are some fun opening events, like “

,” where visitors can swap unique arts and crafts.

You don’t have to be vegan to enjoy a plant-packed meal. Order specials during 

, May 11-17. Dig into sesame noodles at Con Alma, pineapple fried rice at Senyai Thai Kitchen, tofu chimichanga at El Sabor Latin Kitchen, and spaghetti and seitan balls at Spirit. Mark your calendar for 

Celebrate Vintage Store Day on May 16 with deals and steals at 

. There’s something for everyone, from stylish clothes to retro home decor. Be sure to stop in my favorite store, 

; every corner is filled with a different small business selling handmade and secondhand goods.

Got a green thumb? Find unique plants, gardening accessories, lawn decor and more at 

, May 8-9. (It’s a lovely Mother’s Day weekend outing.) Not a garden expert? That’s okay! Horticulturalists and sellers from local nurseries can give you tips — and there’s other fun items for sale like candles and jewelry. 

It’s music festival season! Groove to the sounds of brass bands and global street music at 

 in Schenley Park, May 8-9. It has all of the best vibes of a community picnic or block party but with top notch tunes. It’s free and volunteer-run.

 will fill the borough with beats on the following weekend, May 15-16. Over 350 musical acts are set to perform across 31 stages (indoor and outdoor) — all free and within a walkable .6 miles. Plus, there’s other entertainment like comedians and street performers.

8. Check Out Clay Art at Mother of All Pottery Sales

 at the Union Project in Highland Park on May 9. The market features more than 40 ceramic artists selling mugs, plates, bowls, vases, and more. It’s a good excuse to check out the church-turned-ceramics-studio and their 

9. Hang Out at a Neighborhood Block Party

Pittsburgh’s Greenfield neighborhood knows how to have some fun. Visit the 

 on May 16 for a local vendor market, live music, crafts led by Pittsburgh Center for Creative Reuse, and tacos from La Palapa food truck. It’s organized by 

, a charming plant store and cidery, and 

, a studio and shop with cool sci-fi-inspired art.

10. Skip Through Riverlife’s Chalk Fest

The North Shore will soon be covered with color at 

, a free two-day festival May 30-31. Take a stroll through Isabella Street and Allegheny Landing to see professional artists creating large-scale 3D chalk murals. It’s a great way to spend some time on the riverfront during Memorial Day weekend.

May in Pittsburgh: May Day celebrations, Pittonkatonk and Millvale Music Festival, Phipps’ May Market, Food Truck Fridays, Chalk Fest, and more.

The Best Pittsburgh Events in May 20206

10 Things To Do in Pittsburgh in May 2026

City Cast Pittsburgh Staff

Want to try some of the best bites and bevs in the Burgh? Save room for these spring food and drink events, from food truck festivals to taste test contests.

📍St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral, Oakland

Celebrate this 64-year tradition with music, dancing, and of course, 

 like gyros, spanakopita, baklava, and moussaka. (

Stop into businesses along Forbes and Murray Avenues to try 15 different wines at this 

. You can stroll (and sip) at your own pace!

Join Humane Action Pennsylvania to explore our city’s 

. All week long, participating restaurants will offer discounts and specials. (I’m keeping my eyes peeled for what Chef Michael Godlewski is cooking up at 

, contestants compete to see who can make the best strawberry pretzel-inspired treat while raising money for a nonprofit of their choice. Tickets are $15 to taste test and vote on your favorites.

Enjoy brews and bites with proceeds benefiting nine parks through the Allegheny County Parks Foundation. There will be a kids fun zone, raffle baskets, live local music, and more at this 10th annual celebration. 

 while tasting specialty cheeses and desserts, browsing craft vendors, and grooving to live acoustic sets. The $27 ticket gets you a festival-branded glass and all the wine you can drink.

📍 Hollywood Casino at the Meadows, Washington

Head about 25 miles south of Pittsburgh to dig into grub from 

, take in live entertainment, cheers with craft beer and wine, and shop from regional artisans and vendors.

Celebrate craft and creativity at the first annual 

. It’s part culinary competition, part block party. Enjoy live music and get slices from Pittsburgh favorites like Badamo’s, Driftwood Oven, Spak, 77 Club, Slice on Broadway, Rockaway, and more.

📍 South Hills Village Mall, Bethel Park

Try gourmet dishes and sweet treats from 

, and shop from dozens of artisans showcasing handmade jewelry, art, and crafts. It’s free and family-friendly!

 with an iconic industrial backdrop. Live tunes, a roundup of food trucks, and arts and craft vendors will keep you busy while you tour the site. Not into drinking? Buy the cheaper designated driver ticket, and sip on nonalcoholic bevs.

Mark your calendar for Vegan Restaurant Week, Strawberry Pretzel Standoff, Pittsburgh Pizza Olympics, and more.

Pittsburgh’s Best Spring Food and Drink Festivals 2026

10 Food and Drink Festivals in Pittsburgh This Spring

The latest on the best and newest restaurants and bars in Pittsburgh. We'll help you find where to eat, drink, and socialize.

Pittsburgh Food & Drink

Food & Drink

Getting a good bagel in the Burgh is like going on a secret mission. We’re nothing like New York or New Jersey, where nearly every corner has a spot as good as the next. But that doesn’t mean we don’t have tasty bagels and schmears here!

So what’s the best we have to offer? The City Cast Pittsburgh team 

. For our research purposes, we only ordered from brick-and-mortar shops that specialize in bagels. And for consistency, we got everything bagels and cream cheese from each spot — plus a bunch of specialty flavors for fun.

Tune into the City Cast Pittsburgh podcast to 

 — from best texture to most flavorful — then scroll for more team favorites.

There’s a reason why a long line trails outside of this Squirrel Hill spot on the weekends — the 

 are worth it. The moment you step into the small corner shop, you’re hit with all of the best toasty, buttery aromas. I’m a big fan of the marble bagel, a hand-twisted blend of light rye and dark pumpernickel; it’s perfectly nutty and sweet and pairs well with their fig and honey schmear. Keep tabs on their specialty flavor of the month, like pizza or herbs de Provence. Tip: The coffee here is just as good as the bagels. I can’t wait for their blueberry lattes to come back! — 

Senior newsletter editor Francesca Dabecco

This family-owned shop in Glenshaw knows how to nail the right level of chewiness. Their 

 come in all the traditional flavors (including egg!), and they have an extensive bagel sandwich menu. If you're looking for a pastrami, egg, and cheese or classic lox, this is your spot. But the bagel texture is so perfect, all you truly need is a good ol' helping of scallion cream cheese. Tip: If you're throwing a giant party, consider 

I will happily wake up early, cross a bridge, and sit through tunnel traffic to get to 

in Castle Shannon. Their everything bagels delivered a balanced bite with plenty of seeds and seasonings on the top 

 halves of the bagel, and the rosemary bagel was just as flavorful. The bagels have a slight chew on the outside and a soft interior. I can't wait to go back for their za'atar or garlic bread bagel! The cream cheese here is whipped, so if that's not your thing, create your own cream cheese flavor at 

 in Bloomfield; this is the power pairing for my perfect bagel spread. — 

 (and producer Sophia) for teaching me what it means to taste a bagel with real flavor. Great chewiness, nice crumb. Less of a crunch on the shell (which I liked), and the bread itself tasted like something before you add the adornments. They have a huge sandwich and “build your own” menu, plus specialty bagels like French toast and jalapeño red pepper, which paired perfectly with all their savory schmears. Another plus: The everything bagel had the perfect amount of salt. — 

The City Cast Pittsburgh team tried some of Pittsburgh’s best bagel shops. Dig into our favorites.

Where To Find Good Bagels in Pittsburgh

Where Can You Get a Good Bagel in Pittsburgh?

Hundreds of thousands of people are headed for the Burgh to attend NFL Draft festivities, April 23-25. But the party isn’t just on the North Shore draft stage — there are celebrations all throughout the city!

All of that fun inspired local influencer and coder 

) where you can find events all in one place. 

 on the City Cast Pittsburgh podcast, then scroll for some draft weekend highlights ⬇️

. It’s your one-stop shop for check-ins, event schedules, maps, ticket management, transportation information, and accessing exclusive fan experiences.

Kick off festivities the day before the draft with a concert from hip-hop superstar Nelly at 

 — then return on the weekend for performances by ground-breaking EDM DJ Steve Aoki and Grammy-winning hip-hop artist 2 Chainz. The new outdoor entertainment space is right across from PNC Park and features a fast-casual restaurant, SugarBird, serving fried chicken, donuts, and soft serve ice cream.

Celebrate Pittsburgh’s culinary heritage and diversity with celebrity chef Andrew Zimmerman and more than 20 beloved local chefs at the Tower at PNC Plaza in Downtown. 

 tickets are pricey, but the proceeds help to bring healthy food to PA schools. Plus, word is that some Steelers and NFL Legends will be there!

Local businesses and restaurants are hosting local performers for 

. Kick it off with the grand reopening of Market Square and music by DJ Arie Cole, NASH.VILL, and Big Jus & Steeltown Horns. Then march through Downtown to enjoy R&B and funk at August Wilson Center and jazz at Con Alma. Or venture to other neighborhoods for indie punk at The Government Center, reggae at Club Cafe, and pop rock at City Winery.

The new four-acre civic space in the Cultural District will make its debut with a 

free party for Pitt fans and football lovers

. There will be food trucks, bars, a stage for live music, a gaming tent, vendors, and more — right along Fort Duquesne Boulevard with stunning views of the Allegheny River.

 all three days of the NFL Draft. Check out the 

, an immersive fan cave modeled after a 1970s Pittsburgh basement, photo opportunities with the Vince Lombardi Trophy, oversized replicas of the team’s six Super Bowl rings, and a custom art installation honoring the Terrible Towel.

Spread the love to small businesses! Head to the Pitt Building on Third Avenue to shop from some of Pittsburgh’s best Black artists and creators at a 

. It’s a collaboration between the Greenwood Plan and 

 will be spinning high-energy hip hop, R&B, and trap at Roxian Theater from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. Come to dance with Arie Cole, DJ Shay, Solo Dolo, and Icy Pisces. The event is 21+, and a VIP package is available.

Take in the action with one of the best rooftop bar views in the city. 

 on the South Side will have a draft livestream, a special themed menu, and draft tracking sheets so you can follow along. Have a group? Reserve a table to get a complimentary bottle of a ready-to-drink cocktail and a commemorative event item.

Nothing says “iconic Pittsburgh" like a day in the Strip District. Close out NFL Draft festivities with 

. Shop local, grab a Parma Sausage sandwich, dig into a football-shaped pizza, cool off with Millie’s Ice Cream, sip on an East End Brewing beer, and more. Plus, if you spend $50 or more in the gift shop, love, Pittsburgh will buy you a drink!

On the last day of the draft, locals and visitors can run or walk through the North Shore and Downtown in a 

. The route will take racers across our iconic bridges and right into the heart of the action.

This is the easiest way to avoid traffic headaches and high parking costs. PRT is expanding service to include 

 all weekend with the $25 Draft Pass on the 

 If you must drive, know that several streets in Downtown and on the North Shore will be closed to vehicle traffic. There are 

 leading up to and after the event. Heads up: The city increased street parking fees to 

Once you’re in the event area, you can take the Gateway Clipper Fleet between Point State Park and the North Shore for free.

Similar to Pirates games, the Roberto Clemente Bridge will be closed to vehicle traffic so pedestrians can get from the North Side to Downtown.

Party for the NFL Draft in Pittsburgh with a music crawl, free fan festival in Point State Park, Slappers N Bangers dance party, Pitt Block Party at Arts Landing, and more.

What To Do During the NFL Draft in Pittsburgh

Free Parties, Concerts and More NFL Draft Events in Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh’s vibrant food scene has received a lot of national attention in recent years, from 

Now, Pittsburgh is set to join a global culinary map. Michelin Guide, a prestigious restaurant rating system and guide, announced it’s 

, which includes Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Detroit, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, and Minneapolis.

“This recognition will help attract new visitors, support local hospitality jobs, and strengthen Pittsburgh’s reputation as an exciting culinary destination for taste driven travelers,” VisitPITTSBURGH President and CEO Jerad Bachar said.

The selection is based on evaluations from anonymous dining experts 

: quality of ingredients, harmony of flavors, mastery of cooking techniques, how the chef’s personality shines through their menu, and consistency across multiple visits. They eat at a restaurant as many times as it takes to get a grasp on a place — so look around, you might be dining next to a Michelin judge!

restaurants serve “exceptional cuisine that’s rich in flavor, remarkably executed and infused with the personality of a talented chef.”

 is given to restaurants that offer high quality food for a good value.

 honors restaurants that are “pioneers in mindful gastronomy.”

, but they don’t necessarily meet the Bib Gourmand criteria.

The restaurant selections for the American Great Lakes Region will be revealed at a ceremony sometime next year.

Post-Gazette dining critic Hal B. Klein recently told City Cast Pittsburgh that 

we don’t need to be part of the Michelin Guide

: “We should be Pittsburgh and be our own place.” (Were we clairvoyant with this episode, or what?)

The rubric for what qualifies a Michelin star is pretty strict. “It puts a certain type of restaurant, with an old school, generally Western European-based service at an advantage,” Klein said. 

Getting the Michelin Guide to come to town is also a big expense, often paid for by a city’s tourism department. 

 that it cost Houston $90,000 per year to join the guide, and Atlanta 

What Pittsburgh restaurant should get a star?

 have name-dropped spots like Pusadee’s Garden, Fet-Fisk, Apteka, One by Spork, Dish Osteria, and Morcilla.

Others say we just don’t hit the mark. 

 “No restaurants here operate on a Michelin star level. That's not an indictment of the service anyone provides here, it's just not a game anyone here plays.”

 (because of the strict criteria) but should still be on everyone's list? Amazing Dumplings, Dish, Tasty Noodle, and Ramen King 2.

"All of those places serve food that's incredibly delicious and prepared from scratch with care,” he said.

The prestigious restaurant guide is expanding to the Great Lakes region, including Pittsburgh. What restaurants should get a Michelin Star?

food

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