Pittsburgh spring openings list
Pittsburgh’s spring openings include a cozy cafe in Brentwood Town Square slated for March 28 and the beloved Isaly’s returning to the Strip District — timely neighborhood options for short-listing new spots to try (pittsburghmagazine.com). The roundup positions these openings as part of a local spring dining wave, useful if you’re scouting weekend spots or planning visits (pittsburghmagazine.com).
Cafe 8848 is the Brentwood entry named in the roundup and is described as a small specialty-coffee shop that will serve fresh pastries alongside its espresso program. (pittsburghmagazine.com) That shop will sit inside Brentwood Towne Square, the retail center listed at 600 Towne Square Way in Brentwood, PA 15227. (mallsinamerica.com) The Isaly’s project in the spring roundup is laid out as a roughly 3,500-square-foot “retro” shop planned for a Penn Avenue storefront at 2111 Penn Ave. (hoodline.com) The planned menu for that Strip District location emphasizes Isaly’s signature chipped ham sandwiches, old‑style “Skyscraper” ice cream cones and all‑day breakfast, and the owners have talked about a vintage deli/ice‑cream counter setup. (isalys.com) (hoodline.com) Local reporting says Jim and Leslee Conroy leased the former Boulevard Glass & Metal space for the Isaly’s shop and that storefront signage currently advertises “Coming soon” and “Summer 2026,” with no firm opening date posted. (hoodline.com) (triblive.com) Pittsburgh Magazine’s roundup also notes a recent local permitting trend: Allegheny County food-and-beverage permit applications rose from 511 in 2023 to 647 in 2025 (a 26% increase), and maximum permit wait times expanded from about 49 days to roughly 80 days—context for why some spring openings are staggered. (pittsburghmagazine.com)
