THE RELATIVELY NEW PATIO AT PINO’S IN POINT BREEZE, TAKEN IN LATE SPRING. | PHOTO BY VIRGINIA LINN

Trips to Italy have inspired Joe and Jennifer Mico to open the relatively new piazza-like patio at their restaurant Pino’s in Point Breeze — one of the many outdoor spots across the Pittsburgh region attracting diners this summer.

They bought the neighboring property on Reynolds Avenue and have been working to open the patio over the last three years. They drew from places in southern Italy such as Calabria (at the toe of the boot) and Puglia (the heel).

“Most people when they walk into our outdoor patio feel like they’re walking into a piazza somewhere in Italy,” Jen says. “We’ve kind of tried to mimic that authenticity with the stonework, water feature and the plantings.” 

“It has exceeded our expectations,” she adds. “After COVID, outdoor dining became a necessity and not something occasional or casual.” Pino’s also has outdoor sidewalk tables for visitors with dogs as places to expand its offerings of house-made pasta to pizza and its extensive wine bar and signature cocktails.

Hours are Tuesday through Thursday from 4 to 9 p.m., and Friday and Saturday 4 to 10 p.m. Reservations available. 

POINT BREEZE; 6738 Reynolds St., 412-361-1336

Beyond Pino’s, here’s a sampling of other outdoor places to try.

Esquina Cantina 

Formerly known as Round Corner Cantina for 14 years, the restaurant is now called Esquina Cantina and offers multiple outdoor seating options — from their cabana to their full-bar patio. The restaurant offers traditional dishes from Oaxaca to Todos Santos with tequila featured from exclusive Mexican distilleries. Esquina Cantina is open Monday through Thursday from 5 to 11 p.m., Friday 5 p.m. to midnight, Saturday 3 p.m. to midnight, and Sunday 3 to 10 p.m. Reservations are available. 

LAWRENCEVILLE: 3720 Butler St. | 412-904-2279 | iluvcantina.com 

Biergarten at Kimpton Hotel Monaco Pittsburgh

PHOTO COURTESY OF BIERGARTEN ROOFTOP BAR

Towering nine stories above William Penn Place is rooftop dining in the heart of Downtown. Biergarten offers an open-air beer garden with an extensive list of spirits, wine, beer and custom cocktails. In need of a snack with your beverage? Try the BG Pretzel, a soft pretzel so big, it serves four. Biergarten is open 5 to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday and 5 to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. No reservations are accepted. 

DOWNTOWN: 620 William Penn Place | 412-230-4800 | thecommonerpgh.com/pittsburgh-biergarten

Sly Fox PGH Brewery at the Highline  

Sly Fox Brewery at the Highline offers a tasty stop for cyclists riding along the adjacent Three Rivers Heritage Trail. Its spacious outdoor patio has plenty of room for guests to bring their dogs and take in the scenery. It offers a variety of pub-style food and a long list of drafts. It’s open Monday through Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., Thursday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Sunday 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. 

SOUTH SIDE: 46 S. Fourth St. | 412-815-4955 | slyfoxbeer.com/pittsburgh-highline

Farmer X Baker 

PHOTO COURTESY OF FARMER X BAKER

Looking for a unique take on a riverside café? Farmer X Baker operates out of a renovated shipping container that overlooks the Allegheny River. There is outdoor self-seating and counter service. All ingredients are sourced from local farms including owner Jen Urich’s Root and Heart Farm. Guests also are welcome to bring their dogs. Farmer X Baker is open Thursday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. with a dinner special on Fridays with Trace Brewing from 5 to 8 p.m. 

ALLEGHENY RIVERTRAIL PARK IN ASPINWALL: 285 River Ave. | farmerxbaker.com

Cinderlands Warehouse 

Drink local this summer on the rooftop of Cinderlands Warehouse, where the space is covered and heated. Choose from its 16 draft lines and diverse menu. While the patio provides a view of the Strip District, the Cinderlands brewhouse is also visible. In addition, the brewery features shuffleboard, a built-in Bocce court and dome hockey. It’s open Tuesday through Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Sunday 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Reservations are available. 

STRIP DISTRICT: 2601 Smallman St. | 412-209-1575 | cinderlands.com/cinderlands-warehouse

PA Market 

PHOTO COURTESY OF PA MARKET

Soak up the sun in PA Market’s outdoor courtyard. With dining tables and a full bar, the courtyard is decorated in greenery giving it a market feel for all guests, including dogs. Also open for the summer is their wood-fired oven with featured menu items including the lamb gyro. It also offers a wine library. Need help finding your drink and dish pairing? The PA Market has a paired menu bringing together their favorite meals with the best wine. Hours are Wednesday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday 11 a.m. to midnight, Saturday 9 a.m. to midnight, and Sunday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Reservations are available. 

STRIP DISTRICT: 108 19th St. | 412-904-1332 | thepamarket.com

Acclamation Brewing

PHOTO COURTESY OF ACCLAMATION BREWING

If you’re an avid boater, journey on the Allegheny River and dock at Acclamation Brewing, which opened a new riverfront dining spot at 10.7 marina in early March. Their riverfront beer garden includes outdoor furniture and a variety of dining tables. Grab a slice of their signature pierogi pizza with a variety of drafts. The brewery is also dog-friendly. Open Monday through Thursday from 5 to 9 p.m., Friday 4 to 10 p.m., Saturday noon to 10 p.m., and Sunday noon to 8 p.m. 

VERONA: 314 Arch St. | acclamationbrewing.com

Over Eden  

What could be better than enjoying a cocktail viewing the cityscape of Pittsburgh. Over Eden provides rooftop dining at the top of the TRYP at Wyndham hotel. The restaurant offers a full menu from small bites, to handhelds, full entrees and desserts. This is open Tuesday through Saturday from 5 to 11 p.m.

LAWRENCEVILLE: 177 40th St. | 412-687-8797 | overeden.com

Kingfly Spirits 

This family-owned distillery invites you inside to their two-story renovated carriage house or their outdoor seating with picnic and patio tables., The entire distillery, both inside and outside, is open to dogs. Kingfly Spirits is open Wednesday through Thursday from 3 to 10 p.m., Friday 3 to 11 p.m., Saturday 1 to 11 p.m., and Sunday 4 to 10 p.m. 

STRIP DISTRICT: 2613 Smallman St. | 412-392-8928 | kingflyspirits.com

Pusadee’s Garden  

If you have ever wanted to dine in an actual garden, check out Pusadee’s Garden. Indoor dining is built around the outdoor patio featuring walls covered in vines, trees, bushes, and flowers. You’ll be treated to the Thai cuisine of Bootsaba “Gik” Tongdee, who was a semi-finalist earlier this year for the James Beard Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic category. Alongside their lineup of colorful cocktails and beer, is a two-page wine list featuring bottles from all over the world. The restaurant is open Monday through Saturday from 5 p.m. and stops seating at 9:15 p.m. Reservations are available but book early. 

LAWRENCEVILLE: 5319 Butler St. | 412-252-2683 | pusadeesgarden.com

OTB Bicycle Café North Park 

A VIEW OF NORTH PARK’S MARSHALL LAKE FROM THE DECK OF OTB BICYCLE CAFE. | PHOTO BY VIRGINIA LINN

If you’re a walker, runner, cyclist or kayaker, why not visit the boathouse on Marshall Lake in North Park and stop at OTB Bicycle Café? With patio and Adirondack chairs and fire pits, the deck of this café opens up on Marshall Lake. Menu items such as the Tangled Spokes, The Hard Trail and the Bike Lane BLT are only a few of the cycle-themed dishes. If you’re really lucky, you might catch a glimpse of one of the bald eagles that populate the lake at various times of the year. OTB Bicycle Café is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. 

ALLISON PARK: 10301 Pearce Mill Road | 724-940-5000 | otbbicyclecafe.com/northpark

Outdoor Hot Spots

Riverfront Dining Along North Shore Drive

Several restaurants have cropped up between PNC Park and Acrisure Stadium on the North Shore, offering outdoor patios overlooking the Allegheny River: Shorty’s Pins x Pints, Voodoo Brewing Company, The Foundry, Tom’s Watch Bar and more. All offer food, drinks and riverside views. 

OUTDOOR DINING ALONG THE 900 BLOCK OF PENN AVENUE, DOWNTOWN. | PHOTO BY VIRGINIA LINN

900 Block of Penn Avenue

The Cultural District brings together a corridor of notable theaters, concert halls and restaurants. Since the pandemic, the 900 Block of Penn Avenue has added permanent dining along the sidewalks. Among these are Nicky’s Thai Kitchen, Bridges & Bourbon,  Bakersfield, Il Tetto rooftop bar and more.

Jilian Musser’s reporting is supported by the Pittsburgh Media Partnership.