Bloomfield from Liberty Avenue

A Brief History of Bloomfield

Located three miles east of Downtown Pittsburgh, Bloomfield is surrounded by Garfield to the north, Friendship to the east, Shadyside to the south, Polish Hill to the southwest, and Lawrenceville to the west. Like the neighborhoods around it, Bloomfield has recently received an influx of young professionals who love the neighborhood’s rich culture, shopping opportunities, and high-quality restaurants. 

Bloomfield traces its history back to 1868, when a European settler named Caspter Taub sold the land to his son-in-law, John Conrad Winebiddle. Winebiddle quickly sold off lots for development. While the history of the name is unclear, many believe that “Bloomfield” is derived from the plentiful wildflowers that used to grow in the area. 

Although the neighborhood was originally settled by German immigrants, they were quickly outnumbered by a large influx of Italian settlers. Because of this, Bloomfield is sometimes referred to as Pittsburgh’s Little Italy. 

Today, Bloomfield’s population is much more diverse, especially as more and more people look at Bloomfield as a place to push down roots. While there are many residential options in Bloomfield, you’ll also find ample shopping options along Penn Avenue and Liberty Avenue.

Emergency Resources

Fire

Pittsburgh Fire Bureau Station 6
Address:
3958 Penn Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15224
Phone: 412-255-2863

HOSPITAL

West Penn Hospital 
Address: 4800 Friendship Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15224
Phone: 412-578-5000

UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh
Address: 4401 Penn Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15224
Phone: 412-692-5325

UPMC Shadyside
Address: 5230 Centre Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15232
Phone: 412-623-2121

UPMC Primary Care
Address: 4381 Murray Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15217
Phone: 412-521-2857

doctors

West Penn Medical Associates-Bloomfield
Address:
4747 Liberty Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15224 
Phone: 412-235-5810

Abraham J Kabazie Jr., MD
Address:
5124 Liberty Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15224
Phone: 412-315-3800

Dr. James J. Rowland, MD
Address:
4815 Liberty Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15224
Phone: 412-683-2679

Shadyside Family Health Center: Block Bruce MD
Address:
5215 Centre Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15232
Phone: 412-623-2287

West Penn Medical Associates
Address:
4727 Friendship Ave. #200, Pittsburgh, PA 15224
Phone: 412-235-5810

Police

Pittsburgh Police Department Zone 4 Station
Address:
5858 Northumberland St., Pittsburgh, PA 15217
Phone: 412-422-6520

Bloomfield Laundromat

Top Bloomfield Restaurants

Liberty Ave is home to many restaurants, ethic cuisine spots, cafes, and other specialty eateries. Here are a few of the many, along with other neighborhood favorites. 

Azorean Cafe

Address:  4715 Liberty Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15224
Phone: 412-586-4241
Rating: 4.8
Description: This neighborhood cafe prides itself on friendly service and a welcoming atmosphere, while incorporating Portuguese cuisine into breakfast and lunch dishes. 

Bitter Ends Garden & Luncheonette

Address: 4613 Liberty Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15224
Rating: 4.8
Description: From breakfast to lunch you can find a sweet or savory bite here that may be different every time you visit. The changing menu features pastries, custom cakes, breakfast sandwiches, and other homemade treats. 

Apteka

Address: 4606 Penn Ave., Pittsburgh, 15224
Phone: 412-904-2764
Rating: 4.7
Description: If you’re in the area and are looking for vegan options, Apteka has you covered. Apteka specializes in European-inspired vegan dishes and cocktails, in a cafe-style manner! 

Baby Loves Tacos 

Address: 4508 Liberty Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15224
Rating: 4.7
Description: Baby Loves Tacos once was a pop-up, and now it’s a brick and mortar taco hub. The store offers an assembly line ordering process that allows you to choose which locally-sourced toppings you want on your Mexican creation!

Thai Gourmet

Address: 4505 Liberty Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15224
Phone: 412-681-4373
Rating: 4.6
Description: Thai Gourmet serves specialty noodles and curry dishes with fresh ingredients from their exhibition kitchen to their brightly decorated seating area. Want take out? Order online! 

Lot17
Address: 4617 Liberty Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15224
Phone: 412-687-8117
Rating: 4.5
Description: Lot 17 is a lively neighborhood bar with daily food and drink specials. This spot offers a cozy feel for game day, cooking up burgers, wings, and other American favorites!

Ritter’s Diner

Address: 5221 Baum Blvd., Pittsburgh, PA 15224
Phone: 412-682-4852
Rating: 4.5 
Description: Ritter’s is a classic home-style diner. You’ll feel right at home as soon as you enter! Craving a home cooked meal but don’t want to do the work? This spot is for you. Don’t forget—cash only! 

Tessaro's American Bar & Hardwood Grill

Address: 4601 Liberty Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15224
Phone: 412-682-6809
Rating: 4.5
Description: A Bloomfield staple, Tessaro’s is best known for their large burgers cooked on a hardwood grill, and serves a pub-like menu in their lively bar. 

STATION

Address: 4744 Liberty Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15224
Phone: 412-251-0540
Rating: 4.4
Description: Station is a modern, industrial eatery located in the heart of Liberty Avenue. The American dishes feature Italian ingredients, with signature cocktails or craft beer to wash it down!

Bloomfield Neighborhood in Pittsburgh

Top Bloomfield Shopping Locations

Bloomfield lacks a mall or major shopping center but has locally owned stores along Liberty Avenue such as:

  • Clothes Minded: At Clothes Minded, you can buy, sell, and trade quality vintage clothing and accessories. 

  • Best-Made Shoes: An orthopedic shoe store on Liberty Avenue, Best-Made Shoes also offers shoe repairs so that your favorite kicks can last as long as you want them to! 

  • The Big Idea Cooperative Bookstore & Cafe: An “antiprofit” bookstore and cafe that’s been around since 2001, The Big Idea serves up responsibly-sourced vegetarian and vegan fare while also offering a wide selection of books.

Annual Neighborhood Events

Little Italy Days
Date: Every year in August
Location: Liberty Avenue between Ella Street and Gross Street
About the event: Little Italy Days is a week long event hosted during the evenings on Liberty Avenue to celebrate the Italian roots of the neighborhood, as well as support local businesses. The food-based event also includes a Italians vs. Irish Celebrity Bocce Tournament, live bands, and the crowning of Miss Little Italy. 

Bloomfield Saturday Market
Date: Every Saturday, May 18 – November 2
Location: 5050 Liberty Ave., 15224
About the event: Bloomfield’s Saturday Market is a great place to visit if you are looking for locally grown/made produce, handcrafted items, or specialty items such as coffee, and meats. The weekly event provides activities and entertainment for people of all ages to enjoy!

Neighborhood Parks

Bloomfield Park

Address: Across the Bloomfield Bridge, along Ewing Street.
Easiest Access: Take the Bloomfield Bridge to Liberty Avenue, then take the first left to Ewing Street. 
Park Features:

  • Basketball Courts

  • Deck Hockey Rink

  • Jungle Gym

  • Community Pool across the street

  • Picnic Area

Octopus Garden

Address: 135 S Aiken Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15206
Easiest Access: Travel west on Penn Avenue, then take a left onto South Aiken Avenue. 
Park Features:

  • A community garden

  • Chalkboards and art supplies

  • Lending library, a community based library of circulating children’s books.

Frick Park

Address: (Frick Environmental Center) 2005 Beechwood Blvd., Pittsburgh, PA 15217
Easiest Access: Travel east on Forbes Avenue until you reach Beechwood Boulevard, then travel south on Beechwood Boulevard until you reach the park. 
Park Features:

  • Fruits and Veggies community garden

  • School and education use

  • Garden chalkboard to inspire creativity 

  • Lending library of children’s books

Neighborhood Gyms

Creative Fitness Pittsburgh
Address: 06 Penn Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15206
Phone: 412-378-7300

Bloomfield Yoga
Address: 4517 Liberty Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15224

Heroes In Training
Address: 4805 Penn Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15224
Phone: 412-444-5523

Renegade Training
Address: 500 S Graham St., Pittsburgh, PA 15232
Phone: 412-780-0633

Schools and Universities in Bloomfield

Western Pennsylvania Hospital School-Nursing
Address: 4900 Friendship Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15224
Phone: 412-578-5538

Maria Goretti Catholic School
Address: 321 Edmond St., Pittsburgh, PA 15224
Phone: 412- 621-5199

Waldorf School of Pittsburgh
Address: 201 S Winebiddle St., Pittsburgh, PA 15224
Phone: 412-441-5792

Bloomfield Neighborhood

Access to Highways and Other Major Roadways

Penn Avenue
Travel south until your reach Penn Avenue.

Baum Boulevard
Follow Liberty Avenue south until you reach Baum Boulevard. 

Route 8
Travel north in Bloomfield until you reach Penn Ave. Turn right onto Penn Avenue. Follow Penn Avenue into Point Breeze, where it turns into Route 8.

Route 28
Follow Friendship Avenue, then take a left on Penn Avenue. Follow the 40th Street Bridge to Route 28. 

Bloomfield-Based Contractors

Here’s a list of contractors based inside Bloomfield:

Plumbers
Seigle Plumbing & Heating
741 Broughton St., Pittsburgh, PA 15213
412-681-9091

Pittsburgh Plumbing 
434 Melwood Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15213
412-622-8122

General Contracting
Total Care Restoration
412-292-9533

M. O’Herron Company
4002 Lorigan St., Pittsburgh, PA 15224
412-683-6422

Buccigrossi Building & Masonry
4601 Friendship Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15224
412-681-2331

Landscaping
Plant Lady
5001 Baum Blvd. #340, Pittsburgh, PA 15213
412-683-0700

C&W Landscapes
4784 Cypress St., Pittsburgh, PA 15224
412-773-2795

Electricians
Mark Diulus Electric
4702 Lorigan St., Pittsburgh, PA 15224
412-681-2553