Garfield Neighborhood Report
Table of Contents
History of Garfield
Emergency Resources
Top Garfield Restaurants
Top Garfield Shopping Locations
Annual Neighborhood Events
Neighborhood Parks
Neighborhood Gyms
Schools and Universities in Garfield
Access to Highways and Other Major Roadways
Garfield-Based Contractors
History of Garfield
Garfield is located on the hills of Pittsburgh’s east end, just southeast of the massive Allegheny Cemetery. Surrounded by popular neighborhoods like Bloomfield and East Liberty, Garfield is also bordered by Penn Avenue, a popular Pittsburgh Street for shopping, eating, and entertainment. Garfield is often described with two distinct sections: the lower side (“The Valley”) and the higher side (“The Hilltop”). These are apt names given the neighborhood’s topographical formation!
Garfield has seen a surge of young professionals in recent years, thanks to its affordable housing, location, and the charm of a city-suburban hybrid. Its location makes it easy to travel to other hip towns—like nearby Lawrenceville, Bakery Square, and Shadyside.
The neighborhood was named after President James Garfield. As the story goes, the first plot of land was purchased in the area in 1881 on the same day President Garfield was buried. The name was given in his honor.
Emergency Resources
Police Station
Pittsburgh Police Department Zone 5
1401 Washington Blvd., Pittsburgh, PA 15206
412-665-3605
Fire Station
Pittsburgh Fire Bureau Station 8
149 N Euclid Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15206
412-255-2860
Hospitals
While Garfield itself doesn’t have a local hospital, there are many within driving distance. Two of the closest:
UPMC Shadyside
Address: 5230 Centre Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15232
Phone: 412-623-2121
West Penn Hospital
Address: 4800 Friendship Ave.,Pittsburgh, PA 15224
Phone: 412-578-5000
Doctor Offices
Mental Health
Pittsburgh Behavioral Health
4111 Penn Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15224
412-564-3984
Doctors
UPMC St. Margaret Bloomfield-Garfield Family Health Center
5475 Penn Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15206
412-361-7562
Family Vision Care
5917 Penn Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15206
412-441-6685
Top Garfield Restaurants
Garfield is surrounded by many eateries bordering the neighborhood. Some of the most popular:
Soju
Address: 4923 Penn Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15224
Phone: 412-956-7699
Google Rating: 4.6
Description: Conveniently located along Garfield’s southern border on Penn Avenue, Soju serves up Korean specialties with an American twist. You’ll also find a wide range of craft beers and specialty cocktails to pair with your meal.
Spak Brothers
Address: 5107 Penn Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15224
Phone: 412-362-7725
Google Rating: 4.6
Description: Though Spak Brothers is small on the inside of their restaurant, they’re big on flavor! Stop in for pizza, wings, hoagies, or vegan options, and try your hand at one of their pinball machines while you’re at it!
Fish Nor Fowl
Address: 5523 Penn Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15206
Phone: 412-460-4644
Google Rating: 4.5
Description: Despite what the name suggests, this perfect date night destination serves up both fish and fowl—as well as made-to-order lamb and steaks. Fish Nor Fowl is on the pricier end, but the tireless attention to detail and flavor combinations make the experience worthwhile!
People’s Indian Restaurant
Address: 5147 Penn Ave #1, Pittsburgh, PA 15224
Phone: 412-661-3160
Google Rating: 4.5
Description: A local favorite for Indian food, People’s Indian Restaurant offers a lunch buffet and many delicious dinner options.
Pho Minh
Address: 4917 Penn Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15224
Phone: 412-661-7443
Google Rating: 4.4
Description: Another great Garfield restaurant located along Penn Avenue, Pho Minh specializes in Vietnamese food, especially soups and noodle-based dishes.
Top Garfield Shopping Locations
Garfield lacks a mall or major shopping center, but it’s only about a dozen blocks from Bakery Square, where you can find a huge selection of shopping options. As we’ve said before, you’ll also find a long list of clothing boutiques, coffee shops, and hobby-related stores on Penn Avenue and nearby streets. Some places you may find interesting include:
Arts & Crafts: Botanica & Occult Shop - You’ll find a wide selection of products related to folk magic and similar practices.
Kraynick's Bike Shop - A convenient shop if you’ve broken your chain or need some assistance with your ride.
Artisan - With tattoos, and art, Artisan is a great place to get inspired.
East End Community Thrift - The volunteer-run thrift shop wants to provide high-quality, low-cost clothing and goods to everyone in the community.
Time Bomb Shop - A streetwear boutique carrying various brands for both men and women.
WorkshopPGH - Enjoy clothing, decor, and treats handmade with love right here in Garfield—and stick around for a workshop!
Diva On Fleek - This is the area’s top destination for vintage clothing, women’s accessories, and unique styles.
Annual Garfield Events
Garfield Night Market
Date: Seasonal – First Fridays 6PM to 10PM – May through September
Location: North Pacific Avenue between Penn Avenue & Dearborn Street
About the event: Night Market highlights Garfield’s entrepreneurs while giving local families fun locations to spend Friday night.
Unblurred - Penn Avenue Art Crawl
Date: Seasonal – First Fridays 6PM to 10PM – May through September
Location: Penn Avenue Arts & Commercial District
About the Event: Unblurred is an opportunity for Garfield and surrounding neighborhoods to bask in Penn Avenue’s creative energies between the 4800 and 5500 blocks. The First Fridays will give you an opportunity to experience spoken word performances, dancing, photography, painting, sculpture, and live music.
Neighborhood Parks
Kite Hill Park
Address: On the 5400 block of Rosetta Street
Easiest Access: From North Aiken Avenue, turn east onto Rosetta Street. Travel two blocks until you reach the park.
Park Features:
Basketball Court
Open play area
Fort Pitt Playground
Address: 5101 Hillcrest St., Pittsburgh, PA 15224
Easiest Access: Take Hillcrest Street to the Fort Pitt School at 5101 Hillcrest Street, then turn behind the school to access the playground.
Park Features:
Basketball Court
Tennis Court
Playground Equipment
Neighborhood Gyms
Yoga Hive
5491 Penn Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15206
412-362-4483
Creative Fitness
5406 Penn Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15206
412-361-6000
MUV Integrated Physical Culture
5469 Penn Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15206
412-477-5069
One Point One Yoga
4929 Penn Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15224
412-447-1787
Schools and Universities in Garfield
Waldorf school of Pittsburgh
Address: 201 S Winebiddle St., Pittsburgh, PA 15224
Phone: 412-441-5792
Access to Highways and Other Major Roadways
Penn Avenue
Travel south until your reach Penn Avenue.
Route 8
Travel south to reach Penn Avenue. Turn left to travel east. Continue until you reach Route 8.
Route 28
Travel south to reach Penn Avenue. Turn right to travel west. Continue on Penn Avenue until you reach 31st Street. Turn right to cross the 31st Street Bridge and access Route 28.
Garfield-Based Contractors
Here are a few of the contractors based in Garfield:
Plumbers
Schubert Plumbing and Heating
4618 Penn Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15224
412-486-1222
Contractors
Shelton Design // Build
4805 Penn Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15224
412-440-8458