Pittsburgh is best known for its industrial history, but it's rapidly become a great place for shoppers. The towering Downtown area benefits from its highly walkable nature, making it easy to travel between its shopping strips and cultural landmarks. Meanwhile, the surrounding neighbourhoods offer a vast range of elegant fashion stores, international grocers and beloved family-run businesses.

To complement Pittsburgh's diverse boroughs, there are also some wonderful restaurants, bars and cafes, ranging from the ultrachic to venerable dining institutions. Head along to these shopping destinations in Pittsburgh and you'll quickly find yourself making more purchases than you can carry.

  • 1

    Shadyside

    Wander through this leafy residential neighbourhood

    Shadyside
    • Shoppers

    Shadyside is where you'll find some of the best shopping in Pittsburgh. Across a fascinating range of family-owned boutiques and high-end designer outlets, the area's tree-lined streets make it an ideal place to spend the day shopping. Situated approximately 4 miles from the city centre, Shadyside's seemingly endless avenues are flanked by age-old Victorian mansions that give the area a distinctive historic atmosphere.

    As you make your way through a wealth of trendy vintage fashion and homeware stores, you'll find hotspots for great dining along Walnut Street and Ellsworth Avenue. Spanning everything from modern Thai cuisine to warmly decorated gastropubs, it's not hard to find yourself fully immersed by Shadyside's charms.

    Location: Shadyside, Pittsburgh, PA, USA

    Map
  • 2

    Station Square

    Pittsburgh riverfront landmark

    Station Square
    • Shoppers

    Station Square is Pittsburgh's ultimate shopping destination for those who want everything within 1 convenient location. Featuring outstanding waterfront views across Pittsburgh, this sprawling 52-acre complex is situated along the scenic Monongahela River. It offers an unbeatable array of shopping, dining and entertainment venues, allowing you to browse through an extensive range of souvenir stores and haberdasheries.

    There's also a plethora of first-rate restaurants at Station Square, including Hard Rock Café, as well as enduring favourites such as The Grand Concourse and The Gandy Dancer. Don't miss Bessemer Court and its regular multi-coloured fountain shows, spread throughout several historic locations dating from the 19th century.

    Location: 125 W Station Square Dr, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA

    Open: Monday–Saturday from 10 am to 9 pm, Sunday from noon to 5 pm

    Phone: +1 800-859-8959

    Map
  • 3

    Strip District

    Visit the foodie institutions that have transformed this old-fashioned area

    Strip District
    • Food
    • Shoppers

    The Strip District was once a bustling industrial neighbourhood that thrived with food merchants and large-scale production warehouses. However, it's increasingly become recognised for its outstanding offering of award-winning restaurants, fashionable storefronts and hip breweries.

    With the Strip District's stores crammed within a small number of city blocks, you’ll come across a top-notch selection of speciality food stores stocking coffee, candy and chocolate. The area is also renowned for its ethnic grocery stores and tasty street food vendors. Head along to the Strip District and soak up the worldly vibes.

    Location: Strip District, Pittsburgh, PA, USA

    Map
  • 4

    Fifth Avenue Place

    A Pittsburgh shopping icon surrounded by the city's best landmarks

    Fifth Avenue Place
    • Shoppers

    Fifth Avenue Place is one of Pittsburgh's iconic places to shop, with its historic arcade providing 2 levels of upscale retail space. Featuring a distinctive glass exterior, the building offers shoppers a selection of discounted fashion outlets, alongside jewellers and kitschy gift stores.

    Take a break from exploring the shops and find a seat at one of the many cafes and restaurants. The popular food court presents burger joints, classic Italian pizzerias and a grill restaurant serving a variety of Asian dishes. Set in the city centre close to Gateway subway station, Fifth Avenue Place is surrounded by many of Pittsburgh's most beloved landmarks, including Market Square and the Heinz Hall for the Performing Arts.

    Location: 120 Fifth Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15222, USA

    Open: Monday–Friday from 6 am to 5 pm, Saturday from 8 am to 2 pm (closed on Sundays)

    Phone: +1 412-456-7800

    Map

    photo by MartinThoma (CC0 1.0) modified

  • 5

    SouthSide Works

    Great high-end shopping and dining on Pittsburgh's South Side

    SouthSide Works
    • Shoppers

    SouthSide Works is where you’ll find the liveliest shopping complex across the Monongahela River. Occupying the site of the former J&L Steel Works, this large-scale mixed-use development combines everything from buzzing retail space and riverfront parkland to a marina and hiking trails.

    Having undergone a series of modern redevelopments, the complex features popular fashion retailers like Urban Outfitters, Aerie and REI, alongside pet and kitchenware superstores. Meanwhile, shoppers will find plenty of places to replenish their energy, including eco-conscious cafes, bakeries, and even a traditional Munich-style brewery bar.

    Location: 424 S 27th St #300, Pittsburgh, PA 15203, USA

    Open: Monday–Friday from 8.30 am to 5 pm (closed on weekends)

    Phone: +1 412-481-8800

    Map

    photo by Piotrus (CC BY-SA 3.0) modified

  • 6

    Bloomfield

    Explore the flavours of Italy in the quaint suburb's shops and delis

    Bloomfield
    • Shoppers

    Known as Pittsburgh's Little Italy, Bloomfield is a charming neighbourhood overflowing with authentic eateries, family-run shops, and old-world landmarks. Liberty Avenue is where most of the action takes place, with a plethora of traditional local grocers and delis serving delightfully sweet and savoury treats. Plus, there are a host of second-hand shops that provide the ideal place to score a wonderful bargain.

    The region isn't just known for its Italian cuisine, with ever-popular Polish, Thai and Chinese restaurants providing diners with an array of great dishes to taste. Situated on the edge of Downtown Pittsburgh, Bloomfield's alluring community vibe is partly thanks to its streets lined with Edwardian and Victorian homes dating back to the 19th century.

    Location: Bloomfield, Pittsburgh, PA, USA

    Map

    photo by John Marino (CC0 1.0) modified

  • 7

    Lawrenceville

    Dive into the hip boutiques and art galleries that make this area so cool

    Lawrenceville
    • Shoppers

    Lawrenceville has quickly become one of the most sought-after neighbourhoods in Pittsburgh, as the area has undergone a trendy transformation over the last decade. The neighbourhood is now home to many of the city's coolest art galleries, gift stores and designer boutiques, with the Butler Street strip where many of the best have set up shop.

    Located approximately 3 miles from the centre of Pittsburgh, Lawrenceville is certainly one of the most happening boroughs in the entire city. It also features a chic selection of restaurants and cocktail bars, while there are indie theatres, engaging museums and regular community events to explore and partake in.

    Location: Lawrenceville, Pittsburgh, PA 15201, USA

    Map
  • 8

    South Hills Village

    A bustling mall with kid-friendly activities

    South Hills Village
    • Shoppers

    South Hills Village is one of the most popular shopping malls in Pittsburgh, featuring 130 top-notch stores, restaurants and entertainment venues. Having received a series of renovations since the mall first opened in 1965, it has become a must-visit destination for those who love to hunt through prominent department stores and find all their favourite brands.

    There are also plenty of activities to keep the kids entertained, with South Hills Village offering a blockbuster cinema and numerous kid-friendly workshops. Plus, the dining options are some of the best in the region, with ice cream parlours, café chains and brewhouses some of the places to stop for lunch.

    Location: 301 S Hills Village, Pittsburgh, PA 15241, USA

    Open: Monday–Saturday from 11 am to 7 pm, Sunday from noon to 6 pm

    Phone: +1 412-831-2900

    Map
  • 9

    Sewickley

    Explore charming stores in this prosperous Pittsburgh borough

    Sewickley
    • Shoppers

    Sewickley is highly regarded as an upmarket Pittsburgh borough, providing visitors with the very best of village living along the Ohio River. Situated about 13 miles from the Downtown area, Sewickley draws travellers from near and far who can't wait to explore the bespoke fashion and handicraft stores lining Beaver and Broad Streets.

    There are seemingly endless venues to uncover antique furnishings, speciality tea and chocolate and several florists, while clothing boutiques feature men's, women's and children's clothing across all kinds of styles. The entire area is readily walkable, making Sewickley a great place to spend a sunny afternoon.

    Location: Sewickley, Pennsylvania 15143, USA

    Map

    photo by Tim Tierney (CC BY-SA 4.0) modified

  • 10

    Ross Park Mall

    Spend the day finding bargains at this enormous mall

    Ross Park Mall
    • Shoppers

    Ross Park Mall is another bustling multi-level shopping centre that provides patrons with a vast array of swanky brands to choose from. Inside the massive mall, you'll find trend-setting stores such as Tiffany & Co., Louis Vuitton and Burberry, alongside the likes of Apple, LEGO and L'Occitane. Featuring a total of 170 stores, the Ross Park Mall is a polished shopping destination that's only a short drive from Downtown Pittsburgh.

    There's also no shortage of great food to be had, with fast-food chains, bakeries and a cider house providing chilled-out lunchtime dining spots. Meanwhile, the mall has several lush outdoor areas that are perfect for when you need to rest your feet.

    Location: 1000 Ross Park Mall Dr, Pittsburgh, PA 15237, USA

    Open: Monday–Saturday from 11 am to 7 pm, Sunday from noon to 6 pm

    Phone: +1 412-369-4400

    Map

    photo by Ragesoss (CC BY-SA 3.0) modified

Hudson Brown | Contributing Writer