The Strip District is one of Pittsburgh’s best well-known gems sparkling with local shops and affordable finds. From family-owned operations such as coffee roasts to authentic, locally sourced tastes and sips, there’s something to rediscover for everyone. Take a stroll through this list to make your next Strip trip the best one yet!
Rediscover Strip District Eats
Kelly O’s Diner
As seen on Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives and Triple D Nation, Kelly O’s Diner serves hungry yinzers and out-of-tahners as a family-owned and operated diner. With its longevity of serving the North Hills and Strip District for 20 years, its hearty breakfasts speak for itself with revolving menu specials frequently. Kelly O’s Diner knows breakfast, and Guy Fieri knows it, too. The breakfast of champions has it all, so be sure to catch up with seasonal offerings and more by giving them a follow on Facebook and Instagram.
The Pennsylvania Market
In the beating heart of the Strip, The Pennsylvania Market is a wine and foodie lover’s off-street oasis. With spacious seating in and out, stay cozy under a string of courtyard lights to feel the warm weather breeze or stay in its cozy and comfortable wine library while learning about some vino. Its historic, two-story facility preserves its past while cultivating small business allures with three retailers and five food vendors ready to serve. Plus, there are bold and exciting happenings every month, such as tasting events and an upcoming wine club! There’s something always pouring and spicing things up at the Pennsylvania Market.
Salem’s Market & Grill
Salem’s Market & Grill is Pittsburgh’s one-stop-shop for mid-eastern meals and catering with mouthwatering, flavorful fare since 1983. This family-owned business offers a warm welcome and even hotter meals. Stock up on fresh produce, dairy, spices, Mediterranean goods, and farm-fresh, locally raised, prime, Halal-style, quality meats (lamb, goat, chicken, beef, and seafood) all while waiting for some Salem’s made-to-order staples. It’s affordable prices and even bigger portions help with any budget you may have. Order from the grill or shop the market to make the most of your trip here.
Peace, Love, and Little Donuts
Who wants to share a dozen? From Funkadelic, Far-Out, and Groovy donut selections, these addictive, puffed-up rounds will be the perfect dusted and top-filled, sweet snack while you stroll through the strip. The original location was born and baked in The Strip, but the donut chain has expanded across the U.S. and to online store ordering, too! Find your inner, sweet-toothed hippie, and check out its full menu here.
1700 Penn Avenue
Across the street from Wholey’s, 1700 Penn Ave is a reimagined space presented by Pennsylvania Libations. This 6,000 square foot location includes a Helltown Brewing Taproom (with a fully loaded food menu here), PA Libations Wine Shop, event space, and full cocktail bar and beer garden with 25 taps. Plus, find live entertainment in the beer garden with 250 seats and enjoy some music every Thursday through Sunday. If the weather is nice the music will even be outside!
Rediscover Strip District Spending
The Olive Tap
Need a good gift? Stop into The Olive Tap to view over 80 diverse olive oils from various countries as well as California and balsamic vinegars bottled from Modena, Italy. The Olive Tap offers taste testing for each olive oil, so you can make a confident commitment before buying! You can also sample their large variety of Balsamic vinegars. Plus, there are dozens of gourmet food items that include domestic, local producers, Olive Tap branded products, and imported specialties from Italy and Greece.
Lucy’s Handmade Clothing Shop
With the goal to bring a piece of every country to the Strip District, Lucy’s Homemade Clothing Shop has a vibrant collection of clothing, jewelry, gemstones, incense, scarves, toys, unique giftables, and more! New arrivals float their way in daily with an abundance of imports to keep you browsing again and again. Lucy’s Homemade Clothing Store is open 7 days a week and offers store discounts with student IDs and vaccine cards. First-time shopper? There’s a discount on that, too! Check out their Facebook and Instagram for more!
City Grows
City Grows brings the outdoors to its indoor green space. Discover greenery and necessities for your garden by shopping for hundreds of species in this urban garden shop. Bonsai, cacti, and more, plant size can range from one inch to eight feet tall! The shop also offers organic soil and vibrant pots along with local teas, honey, soap, candles, and other local gifts.
Terminal Farmer’s Market
On the 3rd Saturday of each month from April through October, find a selection of local farmers and artisans between the 18th and 20th Street passageways at the Terminal in the Strip District with its own hosted Terminal Farmers Market, 9 am- 1 pm. Markets at the Terminal will be socially distanced with vendors located both indoors and out, and shoppers can discover cool finds to the beats of Pittsburgh DJ Breis Gordan!
Rediscover Strip District Sips
de Fer Coffee
Roast and relax with de Fer Coffee’s house roasted specialty coffees, rare teas, cocktails, fresh food items, and local goods. Find the one-stop-coffee-shop at 2002 Smallman St., but you can also pop-in to its new location on Pittsburgh’s Highline that offers plenty of outdoor seating and mesmerizing views of the Steel City. Want to stay home with your own mug collection instead of visiting on-site? No problem, just shop online then! Order online and receive free delivery for Pittsburgh and surrounding neighborhoods.
Wigle Whiskey
Did you know American whiskey was born in Pittsburgh? Landmark Distillery Wigle Whiskey re-ignited Pittsburgh’s Whiskey tradition and has been the most awarded craft distillery in the U.S. for 5 years. Visit the beautiful Strip District Distillery on Smallman Street for its bucket-list tour, top-notch cocktail bar and restaurant, mini-museum, and of course, to pick up one (or more) of its 36+ unique spirits. Plus, shop online for specialty food items and bottles to go from the Wigle Whiskey Distillery takeout.
Colombino
Up your coffee game with Colombino! Taking pride on exotic flavors, these brew brainiacs specialize in Colombian coffee, fine flavor cacao, tropical smoothies and arepas. Located outside of Reyna Foods in the Strip at 2031 Penn Ave., the coffee place offers fresh food with high quality ingredients and serves all customers with the intention of highlighting the best of Latin culture & cuisine. Stop in to try a batch brew or allow one of its talented baristas to brew an exotic joe using a pour-over, AeroPress, or siphon. There’s a lot brewing here, so be sure to follow Colombino Farmers on Facebook, and Instagram to stay wide awake for all of its offerings.
Kingfly Spirits Distillery
Rustic with a twist of modern charm, Kingfly Spirits has quickly become one of the hottest cocktail bars and event venues with its bold, warm wood, exposed brick and open loft space for relaxing. Guests can enjoy additional outdoor seating on the weekends, which extends the Kingfly experience with live music, outdoor dining, and fun seasonal events such as “Tiki Night” and “Doggo Days.” Kingfly’s diverse family of spirits is approachable for anyone looking to enjoy an old favorite or experience something new through guided tastings, take-home cocktail kits and insider tips from their knowledgeable staff. heck out their menu here or lift your spirits by shopping their online store, where you can read more about each unique product. (Pssst: Shipping is available within the state of PA!)
Rediscover Strip District (Bonus Round)
Hounds Town USA
Hounds Town USA is a paw-fect place for dogs to be dogs! With more than 8,000 square feet of spacious playrooms, luxury overnight boarding suites and townhomes, and a state-of-the-art doggie day spa, Hounds Town offers fully interactive doggie daycare, overnight dog boarding, and dog grooming services. Its natural pack environment allows pups to play in groups of other dogs their own size, temperament, and play style all day long. The unique pet care facility is its own little doggie dreamland that includes a cinema, barber shop, firehouse, police station, and a pet hotel with luxury suites. Give them a bark at 412-232-5085 or contact Hounds Town USA online for a free evaluation.
Bold Escape Rooms
Lock wits with a maniac when you’re Stalked By A Killer, complete the experiments to Create A Clone, or step back into the most rad decade ever when you Bring Back The 80’s! Bold Escape Rooms offers immersive, cinematic and fully original story-driven experiences created by local artists and designers to challenge and thrill players of all skills. Up to eight players, each must work together to find clues, solve puzzles, and discover the secrets of each mission. Plus, you can host your special event and combine escape room rentals with axe throwing next door at Steel City Axes. Browse its activities, and reserve your private booking in advance today! While you’re figuring out your next adventure out with Bold Escape Rooms, be sure to give them a follow on Facebook or Instagram to stay up-to-date on all of the fun-filled happenings.
OnPar Now
Women-owned and operated, the team at OnPar Now created the ultimate golf space, offering the best technology to ensure an unparalleled experience. Its clean and bright, welcoming space invites the beginner to the first tee and where seasoned players can hone their skills, or bring some friends for a fun-filled round of 18 holes!The perks vary from its state-of-the-art technology with 4 TrackMan Simulators, a 14 x 22 ft. virtual putting green with PuttView technology and Pittsburgh’s only indoor sand trap. Plus, get private lessons or a club fitting from their Pro, sign up for a clinic, take a Joga class to ‘stay in the game’ or hold a private event at this fresh, energizing venue.
