Pittsburgh food in October: What’s opening and what’s closing
Welcome to the neighborhood, dessert pie-rogies, $3 tacos and local beer.

With new restaurants opening at a breakneck pace in the city, we’re keeping tabs each month on what’s opening and what’s closing.
Last month brought ramen, local brews and a mobile pub chip shop to Pittsburgh. What’s new now: Pierogies of all varieties, a taco joint and more Pittsburgh-made beer. Here’s where we’re eating (and drinking) this month — dig in.
Hello
Hitchhiker Brewing Co., Sharpsburg
Hitchhiker moved brewing operations and a tap room to Sharpsburg, where they’ll focus on brewing IPAs, sours and saisons. Lots more on that in Four One Brew, The Incline’s beer column.
Stuff’d Pierogi Bar, Downtown
A new pierogi bar downtown is serving up the delicate dumplings in both savory and sweet preparations (dessert pie-rogies, anyone?), per Good Food Pittsburgh. They’ll also serve pierogies on top of salads because … Pittsburgh.
Bull River Taco, Squirrel Hill
There’s a new spot for $3 tacos in Squirrel Hill in what used to be the Waffalonia location, according to the Post-Gazette.
Acorn on Walnut, Shadyside
With an adorable name and an impressive menu, Acorn on Walnut opened in September. The chef describes his vision in a news release: “We want our guests to feel as though they can come to us for comfort food — food that is familiar and welcoming — while also inviting those with a more adventurous palate to try some pretty inventive preparations we’ve been developing.”
Honeygrow, East Liberty
The chain known for made-to-order stir-fry, salads, juices and a honeybar is now open in East Liberty.
See you soon
A Habitat replacement, Downtown

Construction is underway to renovate the second-floor restaurant Habitat in the Fairmont hotel Downtown. The reimagined space (a name and opening date haven’t yet been revealed) is designed as an inviting, warm and approachable venue for both locals and travelers. Expect a refreshed menu (for both dining and drinking) and an ideal spot to people watch (and be seen yourself).
Merchant Oyster Co., Lawrenceville
Another project by chef Dennis Marron (of the just-opened Downtown restaurant “or, The Whale”), this spot on Butler Street will soon (soon-ish?) house a Northeast style oyster bar and chowder house.
The Penn Cove Eatery and Mr. Rogers Neighborhood Bar, Downtown
These adjoined spaces Downtown are expected to open in mid-to-late October, Good Food Pittsburgh reports. The eatery will add a new option to Pittsburgh’s lunch scene, while the bar will serve cocktails from the brains behind the now-shuttered (but still beloved) Embury. The dress code is described as anything from jeans to suits, but we’ll only ever wear red zip-up cardigans there.

It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood.
Flickr / Rudi RietThreadbare Cider House and Meadery, Spring Garden
The Spring Garden cider house will open Oct. 20 with an evening of drinks, tasting platters, live music and tours.
See you soon-ish
Among the spots we’re keeping an eye out for later this fall:
- Insomnia Cookies
- Freshii
- Spork Pitt permanent location
- Federal Galley
- Choolaah
- Penn Brewery (much more on that in Four One Brew)
Farewell
The Livermore and The Pines
After operating for just a few weeks, The Pines and its long-established next door neighbor The Livermore have closed, Pittsburgh Magazine reported. The Livermore, known for its craft cocktails, was one of five Pittsburgh establishments with a no-tipping policy, The Incline reported earlier this year. The owners of the attached bars The Livermore and The Pines also own Bar Marco, but don’t worry — all is well there, per Pittsburgh Magazine.