The Foodie
When I visited and learned more about the city and the Oakland district, I was blown away, by the city as a whole as well as the creativity and uniqueness of Oakland. I’ve lived in many foodie paradises, from NYC to New Orleans, Toronto to Nairobi, but the food in Oakland took me by surprise.
My first day walking around Oakland all I could think about was how many restaurants there are packed into a small business district. Oakland may be known as a hub for education and health, but it is also a foodie paradise! The district is full of unique, independent coffee shops, small eateries, and staple restaurants, perfect to feed the thousands of hungry students, as well as Oakland’s plethora of employees and residents.
Over the years, my work has focused on how local food and a high quality food scene has the power to catalyze communities, attract visitors and spur economic growth. A thriving food district brings jobs and visitors to a neighborhood and Oakland has definitely put itself on the map as a growing food district!
You can get anything you could want to eat in Oakland, from great burgers to bibimbap. Students and locals alike flock to spots such as Piada Italian Street Food, Hello Bistro, Mount Everest Sushi, and Oishii Bento. Want something healthy? Check out Roots Natural Kitchen! Craving dessert? Check out Dave & Andy’s Homemade Ice Cream, The Milkshake Factory, or Treats n’ Beans. There’s also Insomnia Cookies for when you can’t sleep and need a little something sweet. Or pop over to Redhawk Coffee for a caffeine pick-me-up!
Cate Irvin
Outdoor & Innovative Dining
Oakland isn’t just making innovative improvements in the health and tech industries, but also in what, where and how we eat!
Check out the 200 block of Oakland Avenue, which is closed to vehicular traffic to allow more fun in the streets! Now tables and chairs fill the space so you can grab some food from anywhere in the area and enjoy the sun and warmth after the long winter. Customers can get tableside service from Fuel & Fuddle and Stack’d Burgers Beers or bring takeout from other spots in the neighborhood. You can even play mini-golf in the streets at the Oakland Open mini golf course!
Outdoor seating isn’t only available where the road is closed either! One block over on Oakland, between Forbes and Fifth, you’ll find the parking lanes closed and outdoor streeteries lining the street. Grab a bite from Mario’s while enjoying the sun and safely spacing out or sip a bubble tea from Chickn’ Bubbly while sunning yourself and waiting for your Korean fried chicken or sushi from Atarashi. There is even more outdoor seating along the Forbes Avenue sidewalks and some comfy spots in the Forbes Digital Plaza.
Having a district with thriving independent restaurants is key in creating a vibrant district as well as a great college experience for the students in the district. Local eateries are integral to college life, for students as well as faculty and staff. These local spots provide space for study groups, dates, off-campus meetings, live music outings, and celebrating special occasions, from graduations to getting tenure! In order to support and strengthen this bustling district, the University of Pittsburgh is strengthening its support for Oakland businesses with an inventive new program that designates 25% of student meal membership dollars for use at Oakland restaurants.
“Pitt is choosing to invest in the community relationships that enhance the college experience for students and maintain the neighborhood’s vibrant character for everyone. We’re looking beyond traditional bricks-and-mortar improvements and adding local partners to our dining program,” said Joe Beaman, director of Dining Services. Click here to learn more!
Oishii Bento
Oishii Bento
Food & Dining
Health-minded counter-serve option offering diners Japanese & Korean bentos & bowls plus sushi.
Chick'n Bubbly
Chick'n Bubbly
Food & Dining
Contemporary counter-serve nook serving Korean-style fried chicken, bubble tea & smoothies.
Atarashi
Atarashi
Food & Dining, Sushi
Fast casual sushi in the Pittsburgh region. Committed to bringing innovative new ideas of quality menu options, we are now ATARASHI, an ode to the Japanese word for new and up-to-date.
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