June is, inarguably, the best month to be in Pittsburgh. The air’s just warm enough to make patio dining feel like a vacation, but not so hot that you’re sticking to your seat. The nights are long and there’s something about those first real tastes of summer.
This month’s new openings bring a personal touch to the table. There’s the drummer-turned-pizzaiolo in Regent Square who finally found the right space to share his love of New York–style pies, a dad in Aspinwall who named his Mediterranean restaurant after his daughter and filled the menu with the flavors of his Turkish roots and a baker in Bloomfield whose gluten-free treats started as a way to care for her mom and sister.
And that’s just the start. June’s lineup includes places that turned rooftops into sushi parties Downtown, comfort food classics into something worth sharing and local legacies into new chapters.
So, grab a fork (or a slice) and get ready to meet the faces—and flavors—that make these restaurants worth the trip.
Openings
Photo courtesy of Rockaway Pizza.
Rockaway Pizzeria opened on May 9 in Regent Square, bringing thin, charred crusts and bold flavors to the neighborhood.
Owner Josh Sickels, a musician-turned-pizzaiolo, first launched Rockaway in 2017 in White Oak, determined to bring a slice of New York to Pittsburgh. “Rockaway is an area in Queens that includes the infamous Rockaway Beach,” he says. “No pizza shop there had the name Rockaway, so I took it.”
After a pandemic-fueled rollercoaster and a successful expansion to a bigger space in 2020, Rockaway’s White Oak location is now in the rearview mirror, and Sickels has found a fresh home in Regent Square.
Sickels shares a funny anecdote about how Hemlock House, his other concept, came to be.
Photos courtesy of Rockaway Pizza.
“I initially looked at the space that’s now Hemlock House as the Regent Square location for Rockaway,” he says, referencing the space across the street. “This was back when it was still the Map Room. But the kitchen was too small for Rockaway’s pizza ovens, so I decided to come up with an entirely new concept there instead. Hemlock House was basically made up out of thin air because the kitchen couldn’t fit Rockaway.”
With the right spot finally secured (the former Square Cafe location), Rockaway 3.0 is open for business, packing in plenty of East Coast punch. There’s the “crazy pepperoni pizza,” featuring nearly a pound of pepperoni piled on top, a nod to the pepperoni-heavy pies at Prince Street Pizza in Manhattan. “I wanted to put my own spin and bring really interesting pizza to the region that doesn’t exist here yet,” Sickels says.
Then there’s the clam pie, his playful take on the famous New Haven white clam pizza. “It’s pretty different than theirs,” he admits, “but that’s the influence.”
His approach is equal parts homage and originality. “There’s (mostly) nothing new under the sun,” Sickels says. “Some things I do are uniquely my own, like the sesame seed crusted bottom of the grandma pie. And some are just an homage to pizza I dig in the Northeast. I try to bring my own color to everything I do, regardless if I came up with the idea or not.”
Rockaway’s new location is already selling out before close, and with pies this good, you’d better get in line early.
A variety of dips from AVVA in Aspinwall. Photo by Aakanksha Agarwal.
AVVA
235 Commercial Ave., Aspinwall
Aspinwall just got a bright burst of Mediterranean sunshine.
Housed in the former Luke & Mike’s Frontporch spot, this charming restaurant brings to mind a little seaside café in Istanbul or Tel Aviv, except you’re right across the river from Highland Park.
Owner Yakup Ergul, who moved from Antalya, Turkey, to the U.S. in 2013, named the place after his daughter, Ava, a sweet nod to family in a space that’s all about sharing.
The outdoor dining area at AVVA. Photo courtesy of AVVA.
One of the first things you’ll notice is the vibrant outdoor mural by Pittsburgh artist MK Noonan, called “Sunset Over Aspinwall.” The mural was already part of the space, and Ergul chose to keep it as a celebration of community and the artistic spirit of the neighborhood.
The covered patio and shaded terrace offer the perfect summer spot for gathering over smoky Adana kebabs, grilled calamari and platters of juicy lamb and bronzino.
A small indoor dining room provides a cozy alternative for those hot or cold days. “My inspiration came from a deep love and respect for the rich, flavorful traditions of the Mediterranean, especially the vibrant, soulful cuisines of Turkey and Greece,” Ergul says. “I wanted to create a space where people could gather, share and experience that warmth and hospitality.”
The menu brings the Aegean to Pittsburgh with mezze like silky baba ghanoush, htipiti with feta and peppers and shareable mains that invite conversation. For dessert, honey-soaked baklava and warm, gooey kunefe create a sweet and satisfying ending.
Opened last month, Sushi I originally aimed for an all-you-can-eat concept, but chef Jason Hu shifted gears to focus on fresh, à la carte offerings that prioritize quality.
Hu, formerly of the recently shuttered Nakama, brings his own brand of sushi craft to a cozy three-story space (there’s a rooftop patio!). Backed by the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership’s Rent Abatement Program, Sushi I has the bones of a party spot with the soul of a chef’s kitchen.
Sushi I. Photo by Aakanksha Agarwal.
Highlights include signature rolls like the Pittsburgh Roll (a lightly fried roll of spicy tuna and jalapeño cream cheese topped with lobster salad), the OMG Roll (spicy crab, seared white tuna, spicy mayo) and the Black Pearl Roll (spicy salmon, jalapeño, pepper tuna, black truffle paste).
You’ll also find crispy rice tuna, spicy crab salad and a variety of hibachi plates (steak, shrimp, salmon and more). Classic rolls and nigiri (like bluefin tuna, salmon and yellowtail) round out the selection, with a sweet finish of desserts like mochi and tiramisu.
The Forgotten Flour opened last month in Bloomfield, serving up gluten-free treats that are anything but an afterthought.
Owner Jill Pennetti started baking for her gluten-sensitive mom and sister during Covid and never looked back. “My mom was the original taste tester,” she says. “Her exact words? ‘This stuff is seriously so good … people would totally buy it.’” And they did — first on Instagram, then in her bright, pink-striped shop on Liberty Avenue.
Lemon Lavender Swirl Cookies from The Forgotten Flour. Photo courtesy of The Forgotten Flour.
Inside, the black-and-white checkered floors and candy-pink walls radiate good vibes, matching Jill’s mission to make gluten-free feel anything but second best. “I wanted the space to feel bright, inviting and full of personality,” she says. “I want customers to walk in and instantly feel welcomed, maybe even smile before they’ve had a bite.”
The menu is pure nostalgia with a twist: espresso cheesecake bites (her own sweet tooth started those), lemon-lavender swirl cookies, strawberry pretzel salad that marks summer’s arrival and ginger molasses cookies.
“My goal has always been to create gluten-free treats that taste just as good — if not better — than their gluten-filled counterparts,” she says.
Photo courtesy of Nick’s on Hilltop.
This newly opened, Black- and woman-owned restaurant in Mount Oliver is a heartfelt tribute to family and community.
Co-owner Megan Varrenti named it after her late father and brother, both named Nicholas, who were “the most charismatic men anyone knew.” She says, “Nick’s was inspired by a love of family, food and the city that raised us.”
The menu features comfort food done right: fried pickle chips, loaded chicken pepper fries and aloha burgers — all served in a two-story space with a free library and a community-first mission.
“Watching the city we love embrace us is one of the coolest experiences of my life,” Varrenti says. “Everyone who works here is family, and that’s just the way we want it.”
Doce’s newest spot in Bridgeville brings its signature Cali-Mex fusion and smoked meats to a bigger, family-friendly space that’s “20 minutes from everywhere,” says co-owner Christie Miller.
Expect all your OG taco faves — carnita, pollo, fish and more — plus wings, churro sundaes and shareable plates.
The new location’s got room for live music, trivia nights and that “full circle” feel Miller says she always wanted: “You can bring your family. You can go on a date. You can still get takeout.”
Photo courtesy of 1930 by Atria’s.
Step into a modern twist on classic American dining at 1930 by Atria’s. This reimagined establishment pays homage to its roots as a 1930s grocery store, offering a curated menu that blends comfort food with global flavors.
Executive chef Erick Xavier Munoz Quinones leads a rotating menu that features dishes like Pot Roast Nachos, tequila-battered Cauliflower Tacos, and bourbon maple-glazed pot roast.
The restaurant’s themed dining spaces, including The Library, The Secret Room, The Parlour and The Sitting Room, provide unique settings for guests to enjoy craft cocktails and shareable plates.
This New England-inspired oyster bar in Pittsburgh’s Highland Park delivers East Coast vibes with fresh oysters, a steamer bar and Americana comfort food.
Cozy lounge seating, TVs for the game and a thoughtful wine and beer list round out the experience.
Lolev’s new Zelienople location. Photo courtesy of Lolev.
The Lawrenceville-based brewery opened its second taproom in Zelienople on April 25. Housed in a historic root beer bottling facility, the spacious 2,800-square-foot space features a U-shaped bar, lounge seating, pool tables and 12 taps focused on modern IPAs and lagers.
Reopened in April, The Lion is a reimagined cocktail bar in Pittsburgh’s North Side, formerly known as Leo. A Public House. Under new ownership, it offers house-infused cocktails, vinyl records and a selection of small bites in a relaxed setting.
Opened by Kelly O’Connor of Kelly O’s Diner fame, this upscale sports bar is all about scratch-made comfort food. Think fried burrata, prime rib rolls and the KOD’s Brunch Burger.
With 14 rotating drafts, seasonal cocktails and a curated wine list, it’s a relaxed spot for game night, brunch or a casual catch-up.
Closings
Photo courtesy of Nakama.
Nakama has permanently closed after more than 20 years in business. The closure follows past health code violations and the earlier shutdown of its Wexford location, leaving behind an empty space and questions in the neighborhood’s dining scene.
After a 70-year (!) run, Anchor Inn permanently closed on May 23. Generations of Pittsburghers came here for fish sandwiches, cheap beer and community. The farewell is bittersweet.
In April, Kings abruptly closed its Canonsburg location, leaving the chain with just three remaining restaurants.