Pittsburgh Plates: 5 New Restaurants Expected To Open Soon

PITTSBURGH, PA — If you're palate is craving a new dining experience, then you have one lucky palate. A number of new restaurants are planned to open in Pittsburgh later this year; they'll offer a wide variety of edibles.

Here's a look at five of them:

Barcelona Wine Bar, Downtown Cultural District

Barcelona Wine Bar is replacing the former Sharp Edge Bistro. According to its website, "the cuisine is clean and rustic, with tapas shaped by Mediterranean, Spanish, and South American influences. Nearly 400 wines are featured on the wine list."

This will be the chain's first Pittsburgh location. It has others in Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., Reston, VA and other locales.

Kura, SouthSide Works

What's not to like about a place that serves sushi on a conveyor belt? This eatery will open in The Box Office, the former SouthSide Works Cinemas that is being repurposed primarily into office space.

Big Spring Spirits, South Side.

Big Spring Spirits has big plans for the massive building it owns on McKean Street near Station Square.

First floor, according to Pittsburgh Magazine: A distillery, a local artisan marketplace and a Millie's Homemade Ice Cream store.

Second-floor: A Big Spring Spirits tasting room.

Third floor: A dining hall with nine different vendors.

The Derby, Lawrenceville

Hambone's, a Butler Street staple for 35 years that was known for hosting comedy and music events, closed in October 2019 following the sudden death of tavern owner Jeff Holt.

The group that recently announced plans to purchase the property are planning what they call a "fries-first bar and restaurant with smash burgers." Some of the activities for which Hambone's was known, including live music, open mic comedy nights and game nights are expected to return.

Rally's, Munhall

Chuckle if you want over the fast food offerings here, but this drive-thru chain caused traffic jams when it re-entered the Pittsburgh market in Penn Hills several years ago. Burgers, dogs and fries might not be gourmet fare, but so what? This second local Rally's location is certain to do well.