Melissa’s Guidebook to South Side Pittsburgh
Outside Fun / Adventures
Every 20 minutes there's a choreographed "water dance." Water shoots 40 feet high! Kids love trying to stay out (or in) of the water spray. It's best after dark for the lights, but fun any time.
Fountain at Bessemer Court
Every 20 minutes there's a choreographed "water dance." Water shoots 40 feet high! Kids love trying to stay out (or in) of the water spray. It's best after dark for the lights, but fun any time.
Great place to walk your dog with fairly easy hikes (some steep grades) and fabulous views. It's not usually busy, and there are maps at trailheads. Wear pants in case of poison ivy. This is also the location of Goat Fest!
South Side Park
2000 Julia StGreat place to walk your dog with fairly easy hikes (some steep grades) and fabulous views. It's not usually busy, and there are maps at trailheads. Wear pants in case of poison ivy. This is also the location of Goat Fest!
Photo op! This is a super fun spot to take family photos or selfies. Great vibes. Bring paint if you have an idea or want to get creative! It's a smallish place, so maybe only plan on spending 15-mins or so here (but even so, you should check it out!). There's a bike rental rack is you want to ride after.
The Color Park
1 S 6th StPhoto op! This is a super fun spot to take family photos or selfies. Great vibes. Bring paint if you have an idea or want to get creative! It's a smallish place, so maybe only plan on spending 15-mins or so here (but even so, you should check it out!). There's a bike rental rack is you want to ride after.
A little neighborhood park that's walkable from the house-- a place to go for a walk and take the pup.
Monongahela Park
3030 Josephine StreetA little neighborhood park that's walkable from the house-- a place to go for a walk and take the pup.
I give this an "eh" rating but it's good to know about on a hot day with little ones. A bit beyond south side there are more options (check out the water steps at the North Shore riverfront-- if you have kids, it's a must-do!)
Arlington Spray Park
1523 Fernleaf StreetI give this an "eh" rating but it's good to know about on a hot day with little ones. A bit beyond south side there are more options (check out the water steps at the North Shore riverfront-- if you have kids, it's a must-do!)
If you need adventure on a rainy day (or any time), check out this indoor climbing spot.
More info >> https://www.ascendclimbing.com/
9 locals recommend
ASCEND
2141 Mary StIf you need adventure on a rainy day (or any time), check out this indoor climbing spot.
More info >> https://www.ascendclimbing.com/
Coffee Shops
Fabulous coffee and tea selection, and a good place to telework. They brew with Intelligentsia coffee, which is exceptional coffee!
36 locals recommend
Big Dog Coffee
2717 Sarah StFabulous coffee and tea selection, and a good place to telework. They brew with Intelligentsia coffee, which is exceptional coffee!
A lovely and inviting coffee shop that supports other small Pittsburgh businesses (they serve Pittsburgh Juice Company and 350 Bakery)
22 locals recommend
Delanie's Coffee
1737 E Carson StA lovely and inviting coffee shop that supports other small Pittsburgh businesses (they serve Pittsburgh Juice Company and 350 Bakery)
Breakfast & Brunch
One of the top breakfast places in Pgh! Get the "Breakfast Magic." It truly is magical. The chicken and waffles are also good. This place also offers gluten-free and dairy-free options, and they're very good about accommodating food allergies or special diets.
18 locals recommend
Waffles, INCaffeinated, South Side
2517 E Carson StOne of the top breakfast places in Pgh! Get the "Breakfast Magic." It truly is magical. The chicken and waffles are also good. This place also offers gluten-free and dairy-free options, and they're very good about accommodating food allergies or special diets.
Tagged for brunch, but this is an exceptional choice any time of day. They have self-service taps and it's tons of fun!
The Vault Taproom
1327 East Carson StreetTagged for brunch, but this is an exceptional choice any time of day. They have self-service taps and it's tons of fun!
A great little locally owned place! Perfect atmosphere for brunch.
10 locals recommend
Bonfire Food and Drink
2100 E Carson StA great little locally owned place! Perfect atmosphere for brunch.
A legendary bakery. You'll want to try one of everything! They're especially well known for their breakfast sandwiches.
350° Bakery
2427 South 18th StreetA legendary bakery. You'll want to try one of everything! They're especially well known for their breakfast sandwiches.
A hidden gem. This is such a lovely "feels like home" diner that serves incredible breakfasts!
Eggs & Moore
221 Shiloh StreetA hidden gem. This is such a lovely "feels like home" diner that serves incredible breakfasts!
Say you're staying at Melissa's place and get 10% off! My favorites are Waynes World (green), Nipsey Blue, and Purple Rain.
1:11 Juice Bar
2743 East Carson StreetSay you're staying at Melissa's place and get 10% off! My favorites are Waynes World (green), Nipsey Blue, and Purple Rain.
Lunch & Dinner
Best Italian restaurant in the burgh! Locals rave about it. Make a reservation (last minute is usually okay!)
26 locals recommend
Dish Osteria Bar
128 S 17th StBest Italian restaurant in the burgh! Locals rave about it. Make a reservation (last minute is usually okay!)
Don't judge this book by its cover! If you're not sure what to try, the servers are very kind and give great suggestions. Loads of flavor!
Dancing Crab Thai Noodle House
2126 E Carson StDon't judge this book by its cover! If you're not sure what to try, the servers are very kind and give great suggestions. Loads of flavor!
A hidden gem that offers a collection of street food from all over the world. Get the perogies!
12 locals recommend
Streets On Carson
1120 E Carson StA hidden gem that offers a collection of street food from all over the world. Get the perogies!
La Palapa
2224 E Carson StDELISH. You'll have a fun time here! The tacos and margaritas are tops.
This is an old-school Pittsburgh sports bar. Good prices! Come here to feel like a local.
Ruggers Pub
40 S 22nd StThis is an old-school Pittsburgh sports bar. Good prices! Come here to feel like a local.
Save at least one of your meals to enjoy the famous Pittsburgh Primanti sandwich! Try it with a fried egg.
145 locals recommend
Primanti Bros.
46 18th StSave at least one of your meals to enjoy the famous Pittsburgh Primanti sandwich! Try it with a fried egg.
It's a delicious dive! Featured by Guy Fieri on Diners Drive-Ins and Dives. The daily specials are always a good bet.
14 locals recommend
Nadine's Bar
19 S 27th StIt's a delicious dive! Featured by Guy Fieri on Diners Drive-Ins and Dives. The daily specials are always a good bet.
British bar/cafe. Get the fish n chips! Take out only (this may be temporary during covid). As an added bonus, the best donuts in Pittsburgh are Just Good Donuts, inside the Pub Chip Shop.
7 locals recommend
The Pub Chip Shop
1830 E Carson StBritish bar/cafe. Get the fish n chips! Take out only (this may be temporary during covid). As an added bonus, the best donuts in Pittsburgh are Just Good Donuts, inside the Pub Chip Shop.
Doughbar
1831 East Carson StreetPizza and rotisserie chicken-- get them both! They have a fun rooftop.
Authentic Cuban food! There's not a bad option on the menu. They have a little outdoor seating area if you bring your dog. BYOB.
6 locals recommend
The Colombian Spot
2019 East Carson StreetAuthentic Cuban food! There's not a bad option on the menu. They have a little outdoor seating area if you bring your dog. BYOB.
Live music and the option to sit in the outside bier garden (with a river view), or stay in and sing along with the accordion player!
47 locals recommend
Hofbräuhaus Pittsburgh
2705 S Water StLive music and the option to sit in the outside bier garden (with a river view), or stay in and sing along with the accordion player!
As seen on Burgers, Brew & 'Que! It's dog-friendly outside.
19 locals recommend
Over the Bar Bicycle Cafe
10301 Pearce Mill RdAs seen on Burgers, Brew & 'Que! It's dog-friendly outside.
Bars & Breweries
One of the original brewpubs and breweries serving food and locally (Ohio) made beer.
41 locals recommend
Fat Head's Saloon
1805 E Carson StOne of the original brewpubs and breweries serving food and locally (Ohio) made beer.
Great outdoor/dog-friendly area with a good selection of craft beers. Close to Color Park.
Sly Fox PGH Brewery at the Highline
46 South 4th StreetGreat outdoor/dog-friendly area with a good selection of craft beers. Close to Color Park.
Technically this isn't in South Side, but it's super close and a great spot to check out! They have a solid beer list and a view for days.
31 locals recommend
Coughlin's Law
10 Virginia AveTechnically this isn't in South Side, but it's super close and a great spot to check out! They have a solid beer list and a view for days.
A cool speakeasy! The entrance is pretty discreet, which fits the prohibition-era vibe. If you're looking for a unique date or ladies' night spot, this is it. Ask for the dealers choice :)
26 locals recommend
Acacia
2108 East Carson StreetA cool speakeasy! The entrance is pretty discreet, which fits the prohibition-era vibe. If you're looking for a unique date or ladies' night spot, this is it. Ask for the dealers choice :)
Jekyl & Hyde
140 S 18th StIt's Halloween all year here! Great service and delicious drinks.
23rd & Vine
901 Warrendale Village DriveA wine bar with a wonderful spread of bottles for flights, glasses, and bottle sales.
Garvey's
41 Sterling StreetLegit dive bar that you can (and should!) walk to. It's where the locals go 🙂
Ice Cream
A Pittsburgh institution! It's a walk-up spot open in the summer. Be prepared to stand in line! It's well worth it. Get the Yinzer sundae!
15 locals recommend
Page Dairy Mart
4112 E Carson StA Pittsburgh institution! It's a walk-up spot open in the summer. Be prepared to stand in line! It's well worth it. Get the Yinzer sundae!
Favs on GrubHub/Uber Eats
Mediterranean Cuisine Catering and Delivery
2021 E Carson StThe chicken sandwich is tops!
HUGE breakfast sandwiches. I'm always wary of ordering eggs for delivery, but they come nice and hot!
Breakfast at Shelly's
740 E Warrington AveHUGE breakfast sandwiches. I'm always wary of ordering eggs for delivery, but they come nice and hot!