This month is double the fun in our Pittsburgh Proud series. Did you know Northside is made up of 18 communities? We are singing the praises of two of our favorite neighborhoods on the Northside — Troy Hill and Spring Hill. Both may be small in terms of square mileage, but combined they have lots of Pittsburgh Northside charm. And hills…did we mention hills? Steep ones.
Come along with us to learn about what these delightful Northside neighborhoods have to offer (including Green Light Wireless, yep, they are in our network footprint).
What to Eat
Scratch & Co.
From brunch to dinner, Scratch & Co. features a rotating seasonal menu of elegant comfort food and bespoke and craft cocktails. This neighborhood cafe and pub also has shows and pop-up performances. Scratch & Co. has a wide variety of vegetarian and gluten-free options, assuring that everyone at your table finds exactly what they are looking to eat. We love the fresh-made donuts and biali.
Location: 1720 Lowrie Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15212
De Fer Coffee & Tea
Who doesn’t love a good neighborhood coffee shop? De Fer Coffee & Tea is a family and employee-owned and operated coffee company that roasts its coffee in-house. They also serve simple, yet elegant café food, craft cocktails, local beer, and natural wines. Their flagship location is in the strip district, and they have five other locations, including one in Troy Hill. They love Pittsburgh and believe that cafés should play a role in creating, enriching, and sustaining happy communities, and they definitely do this in Troy Hill.
Location: 1800 Rialto St., Pittsburgh, PA 15212
Penn Brewery
Penn Brewery serves “ethnic Pittsburgh” fare including wurst, schnitzel, pierogi, and goulash alongside contemporary Pittsburgh favorites, like the “french fry salad.” Their Northside Troy Hill location houses their brewing & bottling operation. Fun fact: they first began brewing craft beer back in 1986, making them one of the earliest pioneers in the American craft movement. They brew their beers by hand with top-tier barley and hops. Take a tour on certain Saturdays and Wednesdays throughout the summer (check their website). And remember to stop by their annual Pittsburgh Brewing Oktoberfest.
Location: 800 Vinial Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15212
What to Do
Little House, Big Art
Want to take a spin on a pottery wheel? This awesome art studio in Spring Hill offers summer camps as well as individual and group lessons for ceramics, drawing, and terrarium making. The studio has open hours on the weekends (subject to change) and is available for rent for events. Open studio is open to all ages. There is no hourly fee or admission fee. You pay according to the project and supplies you choose.
Location: 938 Haslage Ave., Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15212
Red Door Thrift Store
You won’t leave empty-handed if you pop into the Red Door Thrift Store. Stop by this thrift shop, located in the basement of Grace Lutheran Church most Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., and “find everything from a jar of rocks to burlesque knee highs.” The shop inventory is donation-based, with a large selection. Typically you might find —clothing, household goods, artwork, books, and who knows what else (aka miscellaneous items). All proceeds go to Grace Lutheran Church.
Location: 1701 Hatteras St, Pittsburgh, PA 15212
La Hütte Royal
La Hütte Royal is an art house in Troy Hill, open by appointment to the public for free. German artist Thorsten Brinkmann created this installation when he transformed a dilapidated, abandoned family home into permanent artwork. We’ll leave it at that and let you explore this one on your own.
Location: 1812 Rialto Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15212
Spring Hill Playground and Park
Who doesn’t love some green space? Featuring two basketball courts, one hockey court, and a baseball field, this neighborhood park also offers panoramic views of the city. Trails for leisurely strolls and hikes make this a favorite destination for Pittsburgh outdoor enthusiasts. Spring View Athletic Association maintains children’s sports teams and the community ball field.
Good to know: the city of Pittsburgh is undergoing a community engagement process to consider future upgrades and improvements.
Location: 1308 S Side Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15212
Bike in the Dirty Dozen
Troy Hill is included in the Dirty Dozen, the annual bike ride that challenges cyclists to tackle 13 of Pittsburgh’s steepest inclines. Did we mention Rialto Street in Troy Hill is SO steep?
Where to Live
Heinz Lofts
It doesn’t get more Pittsburgh than this. H. J. Heinz Company complex, part of which is currently known as Heinz Lofts, is a historic industrial complex in Troy Hill. The Heinz Company built these buildings from 1907 through 1958. The complex is listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) and five of the buildings are listed as a Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation Historic Landmark. Though ketchup is no longer made there anymore some of the buildings are now luxury lofts which is almost as exciting.
Location: 300 Heinz Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15212
Historic Homes
Overall, the hills of these great neighborhoods are lined with historic homes, unique architecture, lots of stairs, and some hidden treasures eagerly awaiting restoration to their former splendor.
This post is a part of our #PittsburghProud blog series, highlighting local organizations, businesses, and hidden gems that make Pittsburgh a vibrant and beautiful place.
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