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Best Things to Do in Strip District

The 12 best things to do in Pittsburgh's Strip District. Markets, restaurants, shops, and culture along Penn Avenue and Smallman Street.

7 min read

The Strip District is Pittsburgh at its most energetic. Once the city's wholesale produce and meatpacking hub, this half-mile stretch along the Allegheny River has evolved into a vibrant mix of international markets, chef-driven restaurants, independent shops, and cultural institutions. These twelve spots capture the essential Strip District experience.

1. Pennsylvania Macaroni Company

Strip District • 2010 Penn Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15222

Italian imports since 1902. Hundreds of cheese varieties, fresh pasta, cured meats. The heart of the Strip.

2. DiAnoia's Eatery

Strip District • 2549 Penn Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15222

Modern Italian with house-made pastas, wood-fired dishes, and one of the best weekend brunches in the city.

3. Senator John Heinz History Center

Strip District • 1212 Smallman St, Pittsburgh, PA 15222

Pennsylvania's largest history museum, Smithsonian-affiliated, with six floors covering Pittsburgh's industrial heritage to sports history.

4. Eleven

Strip District • 1150 Smallman St, Pittsburgh, PA 15222

Contemporary American fine dining with multi-level space, rooftop bar, and polished seasonal menus.

5. Strip District Terminal

Strip District • 21st St & Smallman St, Pittsburgh, PA 15222

Renovated produce terminal with community market, Saturday Market Series, and permanent food vendors.

6. La Prima Espresso

Strip District • 205 21st St, Pittsburgh, PA 15222

Italian-style espresso roasting since 1988. Watch beans roast while sipping a perfect cappuccino.

7. Cinderlands Beer Co.

Strip District • 2601 Smallman St, Pittsburgh, PA 15222

Brewery-restaurant combining craft beer with wood-fired cuisine and an impressive barrel-aged program.

8. Reyna Foods

Strip District • 2031 Penn Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15222

Authentic Mexican grocery and kitchen with fresh burritos, tamales, and empanadas made daily.

9. De Fer Coffee & Tea

Strip District • 1118 Smallman St, Pittsburgh, PA 15222

Employee-owned specialty coffee roastery with creative drinks and industrial-chic space.

10. Grandpa Joe's Candy Shop

Strip District • 1629 Penn Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15222

Number-one candy store in Pennsylvania. Nostalgic vintage sweets, imported chocolates, and retro treats.

11. Gaucho Parrilla Argentina

Strip District • 1601 Penn Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15222

Argentinian street food with empanadas, choripan, and chimichurri-drenched sandwiches. Fast, fresh, bold.

12. Primanti Brothers Original

Strip District • 46 18th St, Pittsburgh, PA 15222

The original location where Pittsburgh's iconic sandwich was born in 1933. Other locations exist, but history lives here.

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