With exactly a month away from the official start of summer 2021, you may be looking for things to do as we enter into the next season. We recommend exploring a neighborhood you may not venture to very often. Keep reading for our top 11 hot-spots to visit in Lawrenceville this summer!
Geppetto Cafe
Opened in March 5th, 2016, Geppetto Cafe is a European inspired cafe offering breakfast & brunch eats that are usually served across the pond. Their customers include people who come from all over the ‘burgh and their products are locally sourced & imported from Europe. Stop by and enjoy a savory crepe of your choice on their brand new patio!
Engine House 25
Located beneath the Clemente Museum in Lawrenceville, Engine House 25 Wines is one of the best-kept secrets in the city. The wines are aged from 18 to 36 months and grapes are sourced from California, Chile, and South Africa. Bottled, labeled, and waxed by hand, they strive to make top-quality wine. They also have limited edition spring labels, including one just in time for Mother’s Day. On Saturday and Sunday mornings they offer wine slushies and other featured brunch drinks in their tasting room. All wines can be purchased in-store or online.
Thriftique
The Pittsburgh section of the non-profit organization, National Council of Jewish Women, operates Thriftique, a thrift store selling furniture, designer handbags, and much more! All profits made from the store directly support programs that improve the lives of women, children, and families in the Pittsburgh community.
Sanctuary Pittsburgh
Sanctuary Pittsburgh offers a warm and inviting space for tattooing, vintage apparel, and antiques. Their team is proud to present vendor markets, art shows, and pride events that shine a light on local artists and the incredible creative community in Pittsburgh. Whether you’re checking out one of their outdoor markets or a new art show in the gallery, you’ll feel at home at Sanctuary.
Fancypants Popcorn- Lawrenceville
Fancypants Popcorn is a fun treat for the whole family serving up loads of yummy popcorn to sample, and great drinks like root beer floats, milkshakes, or nitro cold brew on draft. Whether it’s a bag of butter popcorn, a 2 gallon tin for someone special, or a special order for an occasion, Fancypants Popcorn is ready to make it happen. They also offer fundraising!
La Gourmandine
Get a true taste of France in Pittsburgh! La Gourmandine aims to evoke the feeling and ambiance of a traditional and authentic bakery and offers the finest artisanal baked goods that you would find while traveling all over France such as Boulangerie (bread), Viennoiserie (pastries), Patisserie (cakes), and mini pastries.
NatuRoll Creamery
Naturoll Creamery is Pittsburgh’s original rolled ice cream. They serve fresh, M-T-O rolled ice cream, milkshakes, edible cookie dough, and bubble waffles with over 60,000 different combinations of ingredients. Their amazing staff use techniques that are popular in Thailand and Hong Kong to create perfectly crafted desserts. They have dairy-free, vegan, and sugar-free options available and can accommodate almost all allergies. Stop in to the Lawrenceville location to check out their rotating specials menu!
Senti
The concept for Senti developed from the idea of bringing together authentic Italian food, traditional European service, and modern wining and dining. Enjoy their freshly made pasta dishes such as Spaghetti ai Frutti di mare, Lasagna alla Veneta, Gnocchi di Patate, and Fettuccine con ricotta.
Bierport
Bierport is a beer store located next door to Row House Cinema offering a huge exclusive selection of beer. They are hoping to reopen close to the end of summer 2021. You can build your own mix six and try a little bit of everything or purchase singles and bring them next-door to Row House Cinema (when the theater opens in late summer). All beer can be purchased in-store, curbside, or online. Their cozy underground taproom is currently closed but is opening later this spring. They keep a rotating list of fresh beer on tap, and host monthly taproom events like board game Sundays, Flight Night, and beer classes. Bierport is known for hosting some amazing events that they are hopeful to start scheduling soon!
Mi Empanada
Mi Empanada opened in the Pittsburgh area in 2020. This empanada house is a combination of the owner’s passion for Argentine Cuisine and honest cooking with a fun atmosphere. Their menu features a selection of empanadas, sandwiches, and sides all made in-house by their talented team. They also offer locally sourced South American pastries!
Spirit
Although they are not currently hosting indoor shows, Spirit’s covered and heated patio is open for food and drink service. Their menu features pizzas, salads, and sides with plenty of vegan and vegetarian options in addition to a range of local beers, natural wines, and cocktails. Food and cocktails can be purchased for patio dining as well to go. Be sure to check out their website for updates on outdoor events.
This content was provided by a local, independent contributor to Made in PGH, a lifestyle blog.