A Brief History of Brookline

Brookline first became part of Pittsburgh in 1908. Back then, the area was primarily home to miners and farmers. 

Eventually, modern technologies helped reshape Brookline as we know it. The Castle Shannon Railroad Company build new rail lines that cut through the region, and the construction of the Liberty Tunnel made travel by vehicle into the South Hills much easier. 

With these advances, Brookline (like much of the South Hills) became a much more desirable place to live, with its beautiful, rolling hills and lovely tree-lined drives. 

Today, Brookline is still primarily a residential area, though Brookline Avenue has become the host of Brookline’s economic activity. 

Brookline is bordered by Bon Air to the northeast, Carrick to the east, Overbrook to the southeast, Baldwin Township to the south, Mt. Lebanon to the southwest, Dormont to the west, and Beechview to the northwest. 

Brookline Emergency Resources

If you have an emergency in Brookline, immediately dial 9-1-1. Other important resources for homeowners to know include: 

Emergency Medical Facilities In or Near Brookline

AHN Brentwood Neighborhood Hospital
Address: 3290 Saw Mill Run Blvd, Pittsburgh, PA 15227
Phone: 412-437-2600

Brookline Police Station - Pittsburgh Police Department Zone 6
Address: 312 S. Main St, Pittsburgh PA 15220
Phone: 412-937-3051

Brookline Fire Station - Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire - 26
Address: 630 Brookline Blvd, Pittsburgh, PA 15226
Phone: 412-255-2863

Top Restaurants In Brookline

Most of Brookline’s best restaurants are located along Brookline Boulevard, especially on the western end toward Pioneer Avenue. Some of the most popular restaurants in Brookline and the surrounding area, according to their Google ratings, include: 

Oak Hill Post

About Oak Hill Post: Since opening in 2020, Oak Hill Post has been consistently ranked among the best restaurants in Pittsburgh for its breakfast, lunch, and brunch. If you’re headed for a later meal, remember: BYOB!
Google Rating: 4.9
Address: 600 Brookline Blvd, Pittsburgh, PA 15226
Phone: 412-254-2970 

Pitaland

About Pitaland: Pitaland is a Mediterranean bakery with fresh pita bread and a cafe serving delicious gyros. 
Google Rating: 4.8
Address: 620 Brookline Blvd, Pittsburgh, PA 15226
Phone: 412-531-5040

Red’s Good News

About Red’s Good News: Red’s Good News is a friendly, upbeat neighborhood bar with a great tap list and a small, delicious food menu.
Google Rating: 4.8
Address: 542 Brookline Blvd, Pittsburgh, PA 15226
Phone: 412-502-6197

Fiori’s Pizzaria

About Fiori’s Pizzaria: Fiori’s Pizzaria is a wonderful neighborhood pizza shop with a second location in McMurray, PA. 
Google Rating: 4.7
Address: 103 Capital Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15226
Phone: 412-343-7788

Jolina’s Mediterranean Cuisine

About Jolina’s Mediterranean Cuisine: Jolina’s is a celebrated Mediterranean restaurant with excellent food and great prices! 
Google Rating: 4.7
Address: 1011 Brookline Blvd, Pittsburgh, PA 15226
Phone: 412-341-3333
Website: www.jolinasmedcuisine.com 

Moonlite Cafe

About Moonlite Cafe: Moonlite Cafe is known for being a relaxed hangout with pool tables, draft beer, and burgers. 
Google Rating: 4.6
Address: 530 Brookline Blvd, Pittsburgh, PA 15226
Phone: 412-531-2811
Website: www.moonlitecafe.com 

No Name Cafe

About No Name Cafe: No Name Cafe is a tiny restaurant serving up home-cooked meals all day!
Google Rating: 4.6
Address: 536 Brookline Blvd, Pittsburgh, PA 15226
Phone: 412-563-1813
Website: https://nonamecafebkl.com/ 

Chicken Latino

About Chicken Latino: Although Chicken Latino is technically located in Beechview, it’s only a short drive away for delicious Latin American food!
Google Rating: 4.6
Address: 536 Brookline Blvd, Pittsburgh, PA 15226
Phone: 412-246-0974

Bistro 19

About Bistro 19: This warm and inviting restaurant offers a menu of globally inspired dishes hand-crafted from local and seasonal ingredients!
Google Rating: 4.6
Address: 711 Washington Rd, Pittsburgh, PA 15228
Phone: 412-306-1919
Website: www.bistro19.com 

The Kickstand Sandwich Shop

About The Kickstand Sandwich Shop: This motorcycle-inspired restaurant specializes in amazing, hand-crafted sandwiches with locally sourced bread (Mancini’s) and meats! 
Google Rating: 4.3
Address: 936 Brookline Blvd, Pittsburgh, PA 15226
Phone: 412-207-2843
Website: https://www.kickstandsandwich.com/ 

Top Brookline Shopping Locations

Because Brookline is largely a residential neighborhood, it doesn’t have many major shopping centers. It does, however, have a cute selection of boutique stores and restaurants located on the western end of Brookline Boulevard. There, you’ll find:

  • Restaurants

  • Mobile Phone Services

  • Barber Shops/Salons

  • Car Services

  • Pharmacies

  • Fine Wine & Spirits

  • Clothing

Brookline Neighborhood Parks

Moore Park

Address: 1801 Pioneer Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15226

Park Features: 

  • Swimming Pool

  • Baseball Field

  • Tennis Courts

  • Basketball Court

Brookline Memorial Park

Address: 1399 Oakridge St, Pittsburgh, PA 15226

Park Features: 

  • Baseball Fields

  • Playground

  • Basketball Court

  • Dek Hockey

Brookline Gyms

Better with Balance

Address: 1217 Creedmoor Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15226-2343
Website: https://betterwithbalance.net/ 

Raw Lotus Fitness at Thrive on Health

Address: 730 Brookline Blvd B2, Brookline, PA 15226

Three Rivers Martial Arts

Address: 968 Brookline Blvd, Pittsburgh, PA 15226
Website: http://www.3riversma.com/ 

Brookline Schools

West Liberty Elementary School

Address: 785 Dunster St, Pittsburgh, PA 15226
Phone: 412-571-7420
Website: https://discoverpps.org/westliberty 

Pittsburgh South Brook

Address: 500 Woodbourne Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15226
Phone: 412-572-8170
Website: https://www.pghschools.org/southbrook 

Seton Center

Address: 1900 Pioneer Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15226
Phone: 412-561-8400
Website: https://setoncenter.com/ 

Brookline's Access to Major Roadways

Although Brookline is a large, mostly suburban and residential neighborhood, it is conveniently bordered by the Route 19 Bypass in the west and Route 51 in the east. Here’s how to reach those roadways and some of the other nearby highways: 

  • Route 19: Follow Brookline Boulevard west onto Wenzell Avenue. Follow Wenzell Avenue to Route 19. 

  • Route 19 Bypass: Follow Pioneer Avenue north until you reach the bypass. 

  • Route 51: Follow Edgebrook Avenue east until you reach Route 51. 

  • Route 376: Travel north on Route 51 until you reach Route 376. 

Public Transportation In Brookline

Brookline is served by the 39 Brookline bus route, which travels from Downton into Brookline, where it runs along Pioneer Avenue and Brookline Avenue. 

Brookline Contractors

HVAC

Affordable Heating and Air Conditioning
Address: 407 Bodkin St, Pittsburgh, PA 15226
Phone: 724-518-1662

Painting

Patriot Home Aesthetics
Address: Creedmoor Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15226
Phone: 412-913-9565

Plumbing

Brookline Plumber
Address: 613 Brookline Blvd, Pittsburgh, PA 15226
Phone: 412-531-0183