Published by Jeremy. Last Updated on March 19, 2025.
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Since founding Discover the Burgh, we’ve been fortunate enough to visit many stores in Pittsburgh and southwest PA.
We always like to buy something at every place we visit to support local as much as possible, and some businesses we have become big fans of that we are now regular customers (or, at least, as regular as running a site like ours allows).
So in this one, we thought we’d talk shopping, particularly food shopping, and share a summary of all of the stores you are likely to find us as regulars. So whether you’re looking for a new farm for meat, a new brewery for beer, a cheese shop, or simply a place to pick up a delicious pastry, the following are some of the places we visit the most!
Meat
Birch Creek Farmery – Local farm near Burgettstown that raises many species of animals with ethical farming practices. It is one of the best-tasting local farms! Whether you buy in bulk with delivery or visit for a periodic on-the-farm market, don’t overlook this gem of a farm!
Tom Friday’s – Brighton Heights-based butcher serving up an array of meats and other goods at reasonable prices. Whatever you do, buy some rib steaks. They’re arguably one of the best cuts in town.
Farmer’s Markets – Many other local farms show up at area farmer’s markets during the season to sell great meat as well, and we often add to our freezer from these here. North Side and Bloomfield are two of our favorites!
Harvie – Local food delivery service that sources products from many regional farms, including Birch Creek above. A great delivery service to get products especially from places you may not want to drive to regularly. Get $40 off your first order here!
Fish
Penn Ave Fish Co. – Strip District-based fishmonger and seafood restaurant with some of the finest quality seafood we’ve found to date.
Wholey’s – A second popular store in the Strip District selling all manner of items, including fish, meat, produce, and more. One of the largest fish counters in the city!
Laurel Hill Trout Farm – A popular local trout farm in the Laurel Highlands, often found available frozen at Sarnelli’s in Jones Mill and via Harvie delivery.
Fruits & Vegetables
Who Cooks for You – A farm offering organic produce at several local farmer’s markets and via a seasonal Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) subscription. We buy the CSA every year!
Farmer’s Markets – Many other local farms show up at area farmer’s markets during the season to sell great produce as well, and we often supplement our CSA subscription with purchases here. North Side and Bloomfield are two of our favorites!
Our Garden – We are passionate home gardeners and regularly grow vegetables in containers on our deck in addition to our potted citrus trees, in-ground cherry and fig trees, beehives, and more. Of course, it is hard to provide everything for yourself in such a small space, but it sure tastes good. So if you can, try and grow your own food!
- (Okay, fine, we don’t sell from our garden, but we do source a lot of our food here, so we felt like we should include it.)
Flour, Grains, & Beans
Weatherbury Farms – Locally grown and milled flour plus grains, beans, and more with monthly on-the-farm pickups in Avella, PA. It’s worth the drive, but be sure to pre-order and stock up!
Cheese
Chantal’s Cheese Shop – Bloomfield-based cheesemonger across from Children’s Hospital that has some of the finest selections of artisan cheeses in the city.
Pennsylvania Macaroni Company – One of the most popular spots in the Strip District for all things cheese. Their massive selection is really a sight to behold, particularly when you need large amounts for a meal.
Baked Goods
Mediterra – A local artisan bread producer that distributes widely at many local stores as well as regional Whole Foods.
Jak’s Bakery – Bulgarian baked goods producer in Bloomfield that also frequents many farmer’s markets seasonally. Get the banitsa, thank us later. It is an addiction for us.
Madeleine Bakery – A classic bakery in Wilkinsburg just outside of Regent Square with beautiful bread, croissants, madeleines, and more. While a limited offering, they are always top notch.
- Note: We buy a great deal of products from many Pittsburgh bakeries and tend to spread our purchases out across many places we’ve visited over the years whether it is for bread, sweets, or something else. The above are just a few places that we currently buy from the most.
Alcohol
Maggie’s Farm Rum – A local award-winning rum distillery with an array of incredible products. We love the Hidden Harbor collaboration white rum, the Queen Share premium rum releases, and their Falernum to name a few.
Liberty Pole Spirits – Washington-based whiskey distillery making some of the region’s finest whiskeys. Be on the lookout for the peated bourbon whiskey and peated rye whiskey if you like that flavor!
Dancing Gnome – Sharpsburg-based brewery that began as a producer of all things IPA and has since expanded to lagers, European-style brews, barrel-aged stouts, and more.
Four Points Brewing – Formerly located in Charleroi, this brewery found a new home in the North Side and produces incredible IPAs, fruited sours, and more.
Strange Roots – Formerly called Draai Laag, this Millvale-based brewery got its start on all things wild fermentation. While they’ve since expanded to include many styles, we are always drawn to the latest wild brew.
Dreadnought Wines – A Lawrenceville-based wine distributor selling to area bars and restaurants. While not a bottle shop in the traditional sense, this one can sell directly to consumers with additional caveats, such as a delay before pickup (generally 1-2 business days). Worth it for the price point and great portfolio! Take a class at their on-site school, Palate Partners, too- their Casual First and Third Friday events are a great event to sample their wines and learn about how to buy there.
- Note: Much like the baked goods section above, we buy alcohol from many Pittsburgh breweries and distilleries and spread our purchases wherever we are visiting at the time. The above are just a few of the places that we currently buy from the most.
Misc. Food Products
Mayfly Market – A North Side-based market near Randyland with a mix of food products, prepared foods, ice cream, and more. A great spot for those within walking distance, like us!
Bedillion Honey Farm – Although we now have our own beehives, prior to getting into the hobby, we bought our fair share of local honey from Bedillion Farms. Stop at their store on the way out to Weatherbury Farms, or find them distributed at many local stores. Grab the raspberry blossom honey if you see it!
International Grocers
Many More Asian Market – A massive one-stop-shop Asian grocery store in the Strip District with two parking lots and a hot food court.
Sambok Grocery – A Korean specialty grocery store in the Strip District with a great selection. Don’t skip on their homemade banchan.
Patel Brothers – A Monroeville-based location for the Indian grocery chain, offering one of the largest and most varied selections of Indian products in the region. So good that we’ll overlook that it isn’t local!
Las Palmas IGA Beechview – A massive Mexican grocery store in Beechview in an IGA space with a great taco cart out front as well.
Reyna’s – A specialty Mexican store in the Strip District known for making some of the best tortillas in the city. We always have a pack in our freezer!
Salem’s Market – A Strip District-based Middle Eastern grocer and restaurant with reasonable prices and a varied selection.
Do you have a favorite store to shop for food in Pittsburgh that is not featured above? Comment to share!
