Did you know Lawrenceville is one of Pittsburgh’s oldest and largest neighborhoods? It was founded in 1814, and William B. Foster named it after Captain James Lawrence, who served in the War of 1812. Does Foster sound familiar? That’s because his son is Stephen Foster, the “father of American music.” (We did a whole episode about what happened to his racist statue in Oakland.)
During the Civil War, the neighborhood was home to Allegheny Arsenal, an important manufacturing center for the Union Army once rumored to ferry ammunition through underground tunnels — it now offers nine acres of respite as Arsenal Park.
Land acknowledgement: Long before colonists settled in Pittsburgh, it belonged to these Indigenous tribes.
Vegetarian eggs Benedict from The Nook. (Francesca Dabecco / City Cast Pittsburgh)
Eat & Drink
Morning: ☕ First, coffee: Find Vietnamese coffee and more drinks (along with some tasty banh mi sandwiches) at Ineffable Cà Phê or get your espresso fix at Espresso a Mano. Try a different kind of caffeine at Mosaic Leaf Matcha Tea Bar.
- Tip: Ineffable just opened a new speakeasy for evening drinks!
🥯 Grab breakfast on the go at Brooklyn Bagel at Arsenal or sit down for a full brunch feast of waffles, pancakes, and eggs Benedict at The Nook.
Mid-Day: 🍕 Grab a slice of woodfired pie at Driftwood Oven or Piccolo Forno.
- 🥐 Tip: Go for the ‘za, but don’t skip on the sourdough baked goods at Driftwood.
Evening: 🥂 For a special occasion or date night, cheers with craft cocktails and Spanish cuisine at Morcilla; indulge in sake, sushi, and ramen at Umami; treat yourself to the wine bar and Italian food at Senti; or graze with small Mediterranean plates at The Forge.
🍻 If you’re thinking of going drinking, Eleventh Hour Brewing Co. has you covered with craft beers and Cinderlands Foederhouse has crisp beers and classic Belgian pub fare. Arsenal Cider House is a good option if you’re not into beer. Palate Partners’ Casual Friday series offer lessons while you imbibe.
🥟 For a divine Pittsburgh experience, drink some brews alongside pierogi while peering through stained-glass windows at Church Brew Works. Note the alcohol storage in the confessionals.
Color wheels through the window at Iron City Bikes. (Francesca Dabecco / City Cast Pittsburgh)
Shop Local
🥙 Find fine Mediterranean culinary products at Salonkia Imports.
🛍️ Treasure hunt for vintage clothing and accessories at the independent, woman-owned Gemini Vintage; keep the search going at Lawrenceville’s oldest antique shop, McDonough's Antiques; or find something fun while you get inked at Sanctuary’s tattoo salon and antique shop.
🌱 Soothe your skin and your soul with natural wellness products from Una Biologicals. (My favorite is the lavender body butter!)
🚲 Gear up or get your bicycle repaired at Iron City Bikes.
A Christmas sprinkle cookie from Driftwood Oven on the 2022 Lawrenceville Cookie Tour. (Francesca Dabecco / City Cast Pittsburgh)
⚾ See the largest collection of baseball artifacts, photographs, and more memorabilia connected to #21 at the Clemente Museum inside of the historic Engine House 25.
🌳 Walk around Arsenal Park, the site of Allegheny Arsenal, an ammunition manufacturing supplier in 1814 — and home of the largest civilian disaster during the Civil War.
👚 Volunteer to help women entering the workforce at Dress for Success.
🎨 Take a walk through Mulberry Way and 35th Street to spot a collection of murals by Jeremy Raymer, like a Warhol-style banana, purple bunny, and blue cheese.
☮️ Stretch and take deep breaths at The Yoga Factory or support mindfulness tools through movement and interactive arts for people with disabilities at Open Up.
🍪 Take a sweet stroll on the Lawrenceville Cookie Tour on Saturday, Dec. 9 and Sunday, Dec. 10.
Lower Lawrenceville highlighted on the Pittsburgh neighborhood map. (City of Pittsburgh)
