It is rooftop season yinz!!! We are here to give you a rundown of our favorite rooftops around the Burgh. Whether you are looking for a lowkey night, a classy dinner bite, or a wild evening with your crew, there is something for everyone on this list of best rooftops!
Sienna Mercato
Right downtown, Sienna Mercato has three floors each with a different vibe. Floor one is Emporio: A meatball joint that is very relaxed and serves all things meatballs. The second floor is Mezzo, which serves wood-fired pizzas and other Italian foods. Now to the main event, the ROOFTOP! Il Tetto is the name of Sienna Mercato’s rooftop bar, perfect for enjoying year-round. With a glass roof that slides open and shut with the weather, nothing will ruin your time on this rooftop. While the top floor is strictly small bites and select pizzas, there are plenty of brews and cocktails to go around! Reserve a section of the rooftop for an after-work happy hour or a private event.
Biergarten
This rooftop is atop Hotel Monaco downtown and offers great views and German-inspired bites. If you are looking for more sustenance, grab a bite at the Commoner on the first floor and then head up to Biergarten to grab cocktails or a beer from their lengthy draft/bottle list. If you are a wine person, never fear, they have a wine list as well as the summer classic, froze! They are only open Thursday through Saturday so if you have a special outing planned with your group, make a reservation.
Spirit and Tales
If you’re looking for an upscale rooftop, Spirit and Tales is your answer. This roof sits atop the Oaklander Hotel in Oakland. The views are gorgeous from this restaurant that serves incredibly designed menu items. Some of the highlights include their oysters (raw or roasted) and any entree that comes with their frites! If you’re looking for a spot on the roof patio, be sure to let them know when you make your reservation! This spot is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. They also have weekend brunch specials.
Local Bar + Kitchen
This casual rooftop is located on E Carson Street in the heart of Southside. Local’s covered rooftop is the perfect place for after-work drinks or a boozy brunch (emphasis on the boozy). This spot is more appealing to the younger vibe with their mimosa carafes that are filled with an entire bottle of champagne and their Thursday $5 pitchers. Don’t forget to stop at their champagne vending machine before heading upstairs to the rooftop! Local does offer a full food menu with burgers, wings, and other classic bar bites.
Mario’s East Side Saloon
Mario’s has a number of locations throughout the neighborhoods of Pittsburgh, but their Shadyside location, Mario’s East Side Saloon, is our favorite. Right on Walnut Street in Shadyside, Mario’s is great whether you are looking for an afternoon bite after shopping, or if you’re looking for a fun night full of drinks with your friends! Don’t sleep on Mario’s food!! The rooftop here is perfect for watching sports games as the walls are lined with TVs all around. Sun peaks through during the day and makes for a very relaxed and fun vibe.
Over Eden
One of the most underrated rooftops in Pittsburgh is Over Eden atop the Tryp hotel on 40th Street in Lawrenceville. Due to its location being on 40th Street instead of Butler Street, from the roof you can see Downtown Pittsburgh in the distance. This roof is partially covered and partially open. The food menu is limited, but the happy hour specials and summer cocktails come in full force. Open in the evenings Tuesday-Saturday, Over Eden does not take reservations, so be sure to show up early to this spot!
New Amsterdam
New Amsterdam is a lowkey rooftop on Butler Street in Lawrenceville. It’s a perfect stop on a night of adventuring through Lawrenceville. Cocktails, several craft draft beers, and canned drinks as well like seltzers can be enjoyed from this small rooftop. If you’re hungry, feel free to order some of their food from Black Sheep BBQ! Items like the smoked meatball sandwich, Buffalo chicken dip, and wings are sure to impress while taking in the views of Butler street. When the seasons change, they turn on their outdoor heaters so it’s still the vibe no matter the time of year!
Terrace on Fifth
This roof is located downtown right across from PPG Paints Arena where the Penguins play. This roof is partially covered, but still has plenty of outdoor space with lounging couches and tables. Our personal favorite is to come here during a Pens game to drink while watching the game right across the street on the many TVs. The restaurant tied with Terrace on Fifth is Buford’s Kitchen, a southern-inspired eatery on the first floor. Some small bites are available from Buford’s upstairs at Terrace on Fifth.
Now that you have the rundown, what are you waiting for?! Head to one of these Pittsburgh rooftops for bites or drinks and tag us on Instagram! Missing any of your fave rooftop spots? Let us know!
This content was provided by a local, independent contributor to Made in PGH, a lifestyle blog.
