Pittsburgh’s Little Italy But Much More!
Centrally located, Bloomfield is only minutes away from several universities, as well as Pittsburgh’s Cultural District, new stadiums and new Convention Center. Its colorful mix of shops and restaurants attracts thousands of visitors from other city neighborhoods and the Pittsburgh region.
Bloomfield is known as Pittsburgh’s Little Italy, with Italian roots that go back five generations or more. The historic mix also includes German and Polish ancestries, all of which have strong ethnic pride, customs and commitment to family and neighborhood. Descendants from both groups still give the neighborhood its character today. This character can perhaps best be described as earthy, gritty, close-knit, and proud; as local author Chris Potter puts it, “Bloomfield has always taken pride in its modest working-class aspirations and a lack of…upper-class trappings.” The local rowhouses, constructed mostly of wooden frames covered long ago by aluminum siding, have unpretentious exteriors that often conceal lovingly maintained interiors.
The business district along Liberty Avenue puts most of life’s necessities, and several luxuries, within an easy walk of Bloomfield residents: besides the two churches and West Penn Hospital, there are many bars and restaurants, one supermarket and two Italian markets, plus tanning and hair salons, gifts and card shops, several gyms, a barber shop, and much more. Many restaurants serve Italian cuisine, although the neighborhood does feature a noted Polish restaurant. There are also two great Thai restaurants and two Chinese restaurants on Liberty Avenue.
Bloomfield is known as a great place to live. The Bloomfield Bridge, built in 1914, makes Bloomfield convenient to downtown and the universities in Oakland. On the side streets of Bloomfield, tree-lined avenues complement lovely, restored Edwardian and Victorian homes built in the late 1800s. Within a mile of the heart of the district live 38,000 of the newest generations, the majority employed in white collar service industries: Bloomfield is located in the center of several world class medical facilities including West Penn Hospital, UPMC Shadyside Hospital, Children’s Hospital and the Hillman Cancer Center, all of which bring visitors and employees to the business district.
Come and enjoy Bloomfield’s historic, ethnic and culinary flavors!
Bloomfield is conveniently located in the East End, just minutes away from several universities, the newly constructed Children’s Hospital, and Downtown Pittsburgh. The business district along Liberty Avenue puts most of life’s necessities, and several luxuries, within an easy walk for Bloomfield residents. There are numerous bars and restaurants, a grocery store, Italian markets, bakeries and more. Many restaurants serve Italian cuisine, although the neighborhood does feature a noted Polish restaurant. There are also two great Thai restaurants and two Chinese restaurants on Liberty Avenue. Bloomfield’s annual street fair, Little Italy Days, was named “Best Special Event” by the URA’s Mainstreet Program in 2004. In 2008, Little Italy Days won the Statewide Townie Award for Best Special Event.
Bloomfield is a unique neighborhood that is artsy, exciting, and civic-minded, while also retaining its close-knit and traditional roots. Tree-lined avenues complement lovely, restored Edwardian and Victorian homes built in the late 1800s. Within a mile of the heart of the business district live 38,000 of the newest generations, the majority employed in white collar service industries. Bloomfield is located in the center of several world-class medical facilities including West Penn Hospital, UPMC Shadyside Hospital, Children’s Hospital and the Hillman Cancer Center, all of which bring visitors and employees to the business district.
Schools
Families in Bloomfield enjoy a variety of educational options. The Pittsburgh Public School District – which was recently named one of the Country’s Top Ten Large Urban Districts by GreatSchools.org – offers a mix of neighborhood schools and specialized magnet choices in or near Bloomfield, including:
- Pittsburgh Liberty International Studies K-5 Magnet
- Pittsburgh Fort Pitt PreK-5
- Pittsburgh Montessori PreK-5 Magnet
- Pittsburgh Fulton International Studies PreK-5 Magnet
- Pittsburgh Dilworth Tradtional Academy PreK-5 Magnet
- Pittsburgh Woolslair K-5
- Pittsburgh Obama International Baccalaureate 6-12 Magnet
- Pittsburgh Peabody 9-12
Please visit the Pittsburgh Public Schools website for more information.
If you are interested in private, parochial, or charter school options, please visit the “Education” section of our resource page for links.
Libraries
The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh is one of the oldest and most respected public library systems in the country. Established by Andrew Carnegie as a public trust in 1895, CLP has 19 locations throughout the City of Pittsburgh. Neighbors in Bloomfield enjoy these branches:
- Lawrenceville Library
- East Liberty Library
- Main (Oakland) Library
Bloomfield Links
Neighborhood Organizations
Bloomfield Development Corporation
Special Events
little italy days
Churches
Immaculate Conception-Saint Joseph Church