East Ohio Street is Ready for its Moment

By Matt Hicks

East Ohio Street has been quietly evolving for years, and now it’s stepping confidently into the spotlight. 

Once known more as a throughway to a pro sporting event or a major highway, this street, and the surrounding neighborhood, is slowly becoming one of Pittsburgh’s most exciting places to eat, drink — and soon to shop — thanks to a wave of new openings and thoughtful investment. 

The momentum began almost two decades ago, when Bistro To Go Café & Catering brought both creative food and a sense of possibility to the block, but it took over 10 years for others to follow suit. Along the way, the area lost some key destinations with the temporary closures of the James Street Tavern and the The Park House. 

However, the past few years have brought with it the openings of Fig & Ash, with its open‑fire cooking and elevated comfort food, Siempre Algo, which offers seasonal, chef‑driven menus, and EYV, which is doing the same, but with only vegetarian/vegan offerings. 

There’s also Taqueria Acosta, which serves up family‑made, Mexican staples, and Subba’s Asian Restaurant, a beloved hidden gem. Max’s Allegheny Tavern also continues to be a long-time anchor of the area’s German heritage. 

Beyond food, craft beer fans have long flocked to Allegheny City Brewing, as well as to hybrid venues such as The Government Center (a vinyl bar and music venue) and Annex Espresso and Goods (part café, part boutique), which round out the street’s one‑of‑a‑kind character. 

While it by no means is a retail hub yet, East Ohio Street has some amazing shops to explore, among them The Farmer’s Daughter, Sweet Time General Store, Photo Antiquities, Allegheny Antiques, Modern Moon Acupuncture and Deutschtown Market. All together, they give East Ohio Street a refreshingly eclectic vibe.

The next wave of growth is set to hit in full force soon, beginning with the long‑awaited return of James Street Tavern. The historical North Side jazz club featuring live music across multiple floors will be joined by a yet‑unnamed restaurant. The Park House, one of the city’s oldest bars, is also slated to be back in action soon. 

Next to The Park House is the newly opened Smash Shack, a burger concept by the owners of Fig and Ash. Directly across the street will be Amboy, a Filipino restaurant by Chef Rafael Vencio that will bring bold new flavors to the neighborhood. Butterfat Gelato, from award‑winning gelato maker Lauren Brock, also promises to be a destination all on its own. 408 Heirloom, a farm‑to‑table restaurant led by Bistro To Go owner Nikki Heckman and executive chef Kevin Hermann, also will offer an approachable take on modern American cuisine. 

More retail is on the way too, including newly opened Tattoo Readymade, a curated tattoo and lifestyle shop, plus a designer furniture boutique and Northside Community Pilates & Massage, which will be located in a beautifully restored horse stable just off of the main street.

These private investments are being matched by public ones. Led by the City of Pittsburgh, in coordination with East Allegheny Community Council (EACC) and Discover Deutschtown, there is an initiative to launch a major, multi‑year revitalization plan for East Ohio Street. 

This effort includes upgraded pedestrian lighting, new sidewalks, modern signalization, raised crosswalks and public art in the form of murals — all designed to make the street safer, more walkable and more vibrant. It’s a smart blend of infrastructure and placemaking, designed with long‑term community benefit in mind.

As someone who owns several of the buildings on this street — and who proudly rents to seven of the businesses mentioned above — I’ve been deeply involved in helping shape the next chapter for East Ohio Street. 

I’m focused on bringing in tenants who align with the character of the neighborhood, and who add value for residents and visitors alike. Whether it’s a chef‑owned restaurant, a boutique retail concept or a wellness studio, the goal is the same — to help East Ohio Street become one of the city’s most authentic, approachable and diverse destinations.

Of course, no conversation about growth is complete without acknowledging the reality of gentrification. More than 20% of our neighbors live in public or voucher‑based housing, and many have called this area home for years. 

That’s exactly why this wave of private investment matters; it’s happening in a way that lifts the entire community without displacing our most vulnerable. In fact, many of our small businesses actively support the neighborhood through charitable giving and partnerships with local nonprofits, as well as through employment opportunities for residents. 

Our goal isn’t to change who lives here, but rather to increase who comes to the community, which will improve the quality of life for everyone.

East Ohio Street isn’t being built from scratch, it’s being rebuilt with intention. It’s an old street with a new story, where Pittsburgh’s past, present and future are all proudly on display. With continued collaboration from residents, businesses and city leaders, this corridor is proving that revitalization can be inclusive, homegrown and downright delicious.