Central Lawrenceville - Pittsburgh, PA Area Guide

The community of Lawrenceville was established in the early 1800s for its convenient access to the rivers. Following its original settlement, the area was selected as the home of the Allegheny Arsenal for the Union army during the Civil War.

Central Lawrenceville maintains its old-world charm with a modern, cutting-edge twist. As you walk the streets of this little community, take in the beautiful historic architecture while enjoying one of Pittsburgh’s premier art, music and dining centers.

Lawrenceville encompasses new townhouses and condos interspersed between old row houses. You also encounter the Carnegie Mellon University Robotics Institute in an old rehabilitated factory building. Behind the dreamy castle-like gates on Butler Street lies the historic Allegheny Cemetery.

Whether you are looking for a quick bite to eat or a night of dancing, Butler Street has it all. With its variety of diverse cuisines and wide selection of bars, locals don't have a problem finding exciting ways to satisfy their hunger along the main street of Lawrenceville.

When it comes to a satisfying made-from-scratch breakfast, Coca Cafe offers something for everyone. Its sunroom-like atmosphere creates a warm, inviting environment for locals to enjoy the most important meal of the day. While trying to decide between the creamy, herbed goat-cheese-stuffed French toast or the delightfully fluffy pumpkin pancakes, enjoy a glass of freshly squeezed juice.

For a local twist on urban Mediterranean dishes, secure a reservation at the Cure. This popular little restaurant provides diners with an upscale yet rustic environment. When sitting down to order your meal, make it a point to try to the duck confit. The incredible flavor of the tender duck pairs perfectly with the golden raisins and grains served with the entree.

For approachable fine dining restaurants in Central Lawrenceville, stop in at the Kaleidoscope Cafe. Its lively vibe creates a casual, fun environment where guests enjoy fine dining food at affordable prices. Start by tantalizing your taste buds with the robust flavors of the pulled duck cannoli. Then, move on to "the cow jumped over the blue moon pasta," which features tender sliced beef over a bed of fettuccine with Gorgonzola cream sauce and sweet onion confit.

At night, many residents go to Remedy, an artsy hangout that appeals to the hipster soul. Sit back and relax with your friends while enjoying the local artwork on the walls. Patrons can choose from 16 beers on tap while enjoying a night of dancing on the upper dance floor.

Those who prefer live music frequent the Thunderbird Cafe on Friday and Saturday nights. This popular local bar has a diverse customer base, and the patrons happily mingle on the dance floor. Best of all, this bar serves from a large selection of beer without breaking the bank.

Residents of Central Lawrenceville rely on walking, public transportation and personal vehicles for transportation. Since Butler Street makes almost everything residents could need available within the neighborhood, they tend to walk to accomplish daily tasks and errands.

Many residents who work in town opt to drive or use the PAT bus system to commute back and forth. During rush hour, residents expect the commute to town to last anywhere from 15 to 25 minutes. Those who rely on the PAT bus system pay $2.50 for a one-way trip to downtown. A large number of residents commute via public transportation to avoid paying the high parking garage prices within the city limits.

Residents who do not have a car but prefer private means of transportation can schedule a pickup from a local taxi company. Pittsburgh's taxi services don't operate as widely as taxis do in other major cities, which makes hailing a cab almost an impossibility. If you do not want to call the cab company, use the Uber application on your smartphone to set up a ride pickup.

Traveling to neighboring communities doesn't present a problem for Central Lawrenceville residents. With quick access to Route 28, locals can access other major highways that connect to the surrounding communities. Route 28 gives locals access to I-79, I-279 and I-376.

Central Lawrenceville operates several parks for residents to visit. Locals frequent Friends of Arsenal Park for its playground equipment and picnic areas. Bernard Dog Run park is an off-leash dog park that locals visit for playtime with their favorite furry friends. When the locals aren't in the mood for one these impressive parks, they head over to Schenley Park, where they can interact with residents from Oakland.

As one of the major art centers of the city of Pittsburgh, Lawrenceville has a reputation for its well-known Art All Night festival. This annual festival brings locals and residents of neighboring communities together to celebrate the arts and the community.

The annual Doo Dah Days, which takes place in the Allegheny Cemetery, highlights local music and food while providing tours and insight into the history of Pittsburgh before the era of Andrew Carnegie.

The cost of living in Central Lawrenceville runs significantly lower than in the city of Pittsburgh. Due to the lower cost of living, residents can expect to pay $865 per month for a one-bedroom apartment.

Residents of Central Lawrenceville tend to pay approximately 16 percent more for gas than the national average.

When strolling along Butler Street, discover a variety of unique little shops and boutiques to visit. While none of the stores are high-end, high-value stores, they assure shoppers of finding a variety of one-of-a-kind items.

Locals rave about the Who New Retro Mod Decor vintage store. When you are in the community of Lawrenceville, this place distinguishes itself as a must-stop shop with something for everyone. This hip place sells quality mid-century furniture, accessories, art, men's and women's clothing, and jewelry. The Number Fourteen boutique stocks a wide range of clothing and accessories with a focus on trendy, feminine, floral, and fitted outfits.

When it comes to buying groceries, residents head over to the 52nd Street Market. This neighborhood grocer offers fresh produce, locally baked bread, and the essential household staples. Residents don't just look at this grocer as a place to shop; they often sit down to chat with their neighbors over a cup of freshly brewed coffee.

Residents and local cafes purchase locally grown produce at the Lawrenceville Farmer's Market in the parking lot of the Goodwill on 52nd Street. The market runs from early June through the end of October.