30 Cant-Miss Best Restaurants in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania

Pittsburgh is known as “the Steel City” for its dominant role in the history of the U.S. steel industry. However, while the city is known as the steel city, restaurants in Pittsburgh are also one of the best things about the city.

Pittsburgh is renowned for its award-winning, diversified food scene. How prominent, you ask?

The restaurant was the only American city to reach the list of the top 10 gastronomic destinations published by BBC Good Food recently.

Pittsburgh has a wide variety of restaurants serving food from the East Asian, Spanish, Japanese, Italian, and Mediterranean regions.

Whether it is James Beard-recognized restaurants or Michelin-star restaurants you are looking for, you will find them here.

You can pick from affordable takeout, elegant, romantic, or family-friendly fine dining establishments.

In fact, almost every city block has a restaurant with a distinct atmosphere and delectable food, so you can be sure to locate one there.

Let’s plan out your culinary adventure with this list.

Restaurants in Pittsburgh

1. The Commoner

There is nothing common about the Commoner, they said, but is it true, though? Let’s find out.

The Commoner is a great place to relax and enjoy the company of friends in an informal environment with good food and drink! It is undoubtedly one of the best restaurants in Pittsburgh.

The restaurant derives its name from British statesman William Pitt the Elder (after whom the city of Pittsburgh is named).

Because Pitt refused to accept a title, he was nicknamed “the Great Commoner.”

The below-street-level restaurant seats 120 guests in various areas: kitchen chef bar, regular tables, booths, individual high-tops, communal high-tops, and at the bar.

The restaurant offers two entry points: down a set of stairs from the lobby or down a smaller set of stairs from the street at the corner of William Penn Place and Strawberry Way.

In addition, the restaurant has high ceilings with exposed ductwork and other rustic details.

In fact, it has a colorful style and pays homage to Pittsburgh’s industrial background.

This restaurant is located next to the Monaco Hotel.

The Commoner is open daily for breakfast/brunch/lunch and dinner.

The hotel also offers the Commoner Corner on weekdays, where you can eat breakfast or lunch at a counter or buy a takeaway snack or beverage from a to-go window.

Likewise, seasonal menus in the restaurant provide familiar comfort foods with a contemporary twist, and a wide variety of regional beers and specialty spirits completes the menu.

There is also a bar area with three moderate sports TVs’ and the rest is typical restaurant seating.

Address: 620 William Penn Pl, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, United States

2. Siempre Algo

Located in Deutschtown, Siempre Algo is one of the best restaurants in Pittsburgh.

The restaurant features an upscale ambiance and a relaxing dining experience. So, dive into a new experience with American food.

The restaurant’s name translates to “Always Something” in Spanish. It refers to the idea that there’s always some new food to try or reason to celebrate or the idea that something is always happening.

It was opened in 2018 in the North Side Deutschtown neighborhood of Pittsburgh on East Ohio Street.

The restaurant is located on a block of other restaurants and shops in the space formerly occupied by Schrim’s Garden Cafe.

Furthermore, the space features a tin ceiling, exposed brickwork, and a semi-open kitchen, all enhanced by dim lighting.

A long bar dominates one side of the room, with a few high-top tables near the front windows.

The other side of the space offers table seating, some of which share a wooden banquette on one side. At the same time, the second floor offers overflow dining and event space.

Siempre Algo has limited seating, so making a reservation is your best bet for a table, esp on the weekend.

The restaurant is open for dinner and drinks on Tuesdays through Saturdays (closed on Sundays and Mondays).

Address: 414 E Ohio St, Pittsburgh, PA 15212, United States

3. Senti

Senti restaurant is a very nice and Original Italian restaurant.

Franco & Annette Braccia’s owners have brought the elegance, sophistication, and menu of restaurants you find in New York City to Pittsburgh.

This place is truly unique. It blends so many elements into one that it’s hard to describe.

The restaurant is very open, which allows for a lot of light. The decor is modern but developed with a lot of taste.

From the first view, it has an upscale modern look that can initially be intimidating. The last thing you would expect at first glance is this restaurant to be an Italian restaurant.

In fact, you also do not expect this to be a restaurant owned by a couple just living out their dream. Instead, the owners put their hearts and soul into every meal.

They specialize in Northern Italian cuisine and are heavier on seafood. On top of this all, they have a wine machine and lounge that is hard to explain but is worth coming just to see and use.

They have a great Italian wine list, but don’t pass on the craft cocktails that are some of the best in the city.

The wine dispenser can be operated by a server, or, with the purchase of a prepaid card, customers can help themselves at their leisure.

Similarly, if you see Pasta all’Amatriciana on the menu, order it. The sauce is perfect, and the guanciale is not overwhelming.

4. Après-Ski at Butcher and the Rye

Après-Ski at Butcher and the Rye is one of the must-visit restaurants in Pittsburgh; the ambiance sets this unique concept aside from any other place in Pittsburg.

The restaurant has a full-service bar that serves specialty drinks and a hip, rustic aesthetic.

A wide selection of New American dishes, such as bread, soup, small plates, salads, charcuterie, cheese, large plates, and desserts, are available for launch to pick from on the restaurant’s menu.

Address: 212 6th St, Pittsburgh, PA 15222, United States

5. Bar Marco

Bar Marco offers an American menu that leans toward the Mediterranean.

It is a cozy little place in the downtown area of Pittsburgh. The bar is wicked cool looking, and upstairs there are dark woods and taxidermy animals on display and feels really intimate.

There are also a few outdoor seating options, and they have two levels of indoor seating.

Bar Marco debuted in Pittsburgh’s Strip District in January 2012. The restaurant occupies the old brick 1860s firehouse for the Number 7 Engine Company.

Before Bar Marco, the firehouse hosted the Embury (downstairs) and the Firehouse Lounge (upstairs).

Today, Bar Marco offers a private event space/art gallery called Union Hall on its second floor.

The restaurant has an amazingly unique vibe right when you walk in. The bar has just about anything you can think of, and the mixed drinks are perfect.

Bar Marco specializes in small production, natural wines, and creative cocktails.

Address: 2216 Penn Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15222, United States

6. Morcilla

Located in Lawrenceville, just outside the Strip district is a great place for a dinner date.

The name “Morcilla” refers to a Spanish blood sausage that the restaurant serves.

The front of the space offers a long bar front window.

Likewise, the middle of the restaurant offers seating at stand-alone tables for about 50 patrons, while the rear offers an open kitchen.

Décor features earth-toned paint, exposed brick, and wood paneling. In addition, Morcilla serves Spanish cuisine in a tapas (small plates) format.

Yes, the plates are small at this tapas-style restaurant, but that gives you an excuse to try more dishes, right?

The small plate is shareable by two people, and each “large plate” (which is a bit pricey) is shareable by 3-4 people.

Start out with the warm bread, and get an extra loaf if there are three or more people. Next is the Serrano Ham, aged, with almonds on top, which is terrific.

Address: 3519 Butler St, Pittsburgh, PA 15201, United States

7. Back to the Foodture

Back to the Foodture is more like a fusion of museum and restaurant; it’s going to blow your mind.

The restaurant, which is named after the “Back to the Future” film series, also serves as a pop culture museum, displaying old toys and other treasures that the pair has gathered over the years.

Due to their outstanding wings and, let’s say, pretty radical burger menu, Back to the Foodture has made waves in the Pittsburgh food scene in recent years.

Back to the Foodture’s menu offers a variety of burgers and hot dogs, including extreme burgers and hot dogs, more traditional burgers, and over 150 different sauce options for wings.

It is one of the best, most unique restaurants in Pittsburgh; you should check it out.

Address: 2767 E Carson St, Pittsburgh, PA 15203, United States

8. Alta Via

Located in Bakery Square, Alta Via is one restaurant you do not want to miss in Pittsburgh.

In fact, you’ll realize why Alta Via Pizza fits in so perfectly in Bakery Square as soon as you enter.

As soon as you sit down, a stunning setting will greet you, and a substantial food selection, including wine, cocktails, appetizers, an outrageous amount of pizza, and more.

The fresh cuisine and active lifestyle of California’s wine region and the vibrant mountain villages of the Italian Alps inspired AVP.

There are two types of pizza on the menu: salads and sandwiches.

Additionally, the pizzas are enormous, big enough to easily feed a small family. The toppings are also some of the best around.

Just keep in mind that the square pan-baked pizza is not actually a square. It is a rectangle with eight pieces.

The restaurant opens at 11:30 am every day.

Address: 46 Fox Chapel Rd, Pittsburgh, PA 15238, United States

9. Fig & Ash

Looking for a fantastic date night or dinner experience? Fig & Ash is one of the best restaurants in Pittsburgh to go to.

In fact, it is the kind of place where you’d take friends or family from out of town for a nice dinner, a place you like and can feel confident other people will like just as much.

The restaurant has a dining area, a kitchen, a bar, and four season courtyards.

You can eat traditional American fare in the restaurant’s contemporary, inviting ambiance.

It is well known for dishes like courgette risotto, short rib and pig belly meatloaf, double-cut pork chop, and elysian fields lamb ragu that is served for dinner.

In fact, the chef’s boundless enthusiasm pours over to the staff, making diners feel immediately at home.

The vibe is energetic and a little crowded both inside and outside, but when you walk in, you feel like you’re in a trendy restaurant.

In addition, the hanger steak at Fig & Ash, which is served with watercress chimichurri, radish, freekeh, and brown butter celery root purée, is one of the restaurant’s top meals.

The food and cocktails are excellent. It’s contemporary American but elevated just enough not to be intimidating.

Address: 514 E Ohio St, Pittsburgh, PA 15212, United States

10. DiAnoia’s Eatery

DiAnoia’s is the ideal location for a quick breakfast sandwich in the morning or a sit-down get-together for friends and family who enjoy engaging in hand-to-hand conversation and enjoying freshly made pasta.

This is one of those restaurants in Pittsburgh that offer a different menu for weekday lunch, dinner, and Sunday brunch.

The restaurant specializes in homemade pasta, pastries, bread, sandwiches, and more.

It is owned by Chef Dave Anoia and his wife, Aimee DiAndrea.

The vibe inside will make you feel like you are in a close family friend’s kitchen for a holiday party and want to stay all night.

Similarly, if you’re lucky enough to get a seat at this trendy restaurant, be prepared for lengthy waits between courses. But it’ll be worth it.

Although listed as an antipasto, the delicious escarole, beans & sausage dish would serve as the main course for many people.

Italian wine, Amari, spirits, and espresso drinks are also available in the wine, coffee, and cocktail bar.

Address: 2549 Penn Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15222, United States

11. Gaucho Parrilla Argentina

Gaucho Parrilla Argentina is one of the best restaurants in Pittsburgh for meat lovers.

This place is fantastic! They are meat-centric, and everything is marinated and well-seasoned.

Likewise, the restaurant is not a fast food joint but not a traditional sit-and-wait-for kind of place either.

Be prepared, as there are long lines; however, they have a perfect system in place to seat and feed everyone in a very reasonable time frame.

When you enter, the wall is a giant chalkboard with the menu. For those with poor eyesight, don’t freak; they also have printouts floating around and sitting on countertops.

You order at a counter and are also given your drinks there.

You tell the first counter person your drink order and the second one your food order.

While you are waiting in line, another worker tells you what table you should go to after you are through ordering. Then, after you pay, you go to your assigned table and wait for your food.

They have a nice deal for happy hour, giving half off some of their appetizers and a couple of dollars off wine and beer.

The menu also features an incredible menu loaded with several cuts of beef, sandwiches, chicken dishes, and some seafood.

The food is prepared with an Argentine flair, and the available sauces can really make the meal.

While the food is very good and quite flavorful straight out of the kitchen, it’s even better when covered in one of their four sauces.

Whether you like your sauce spicy like the Chimichurri and Pimenton Red Pepper, or savory like the Ajo Garlic and Cebolla-Onyinz, you will find the perfect compliment to your meal choice.

The best part is that it is also a BYOB spot, so you can bring a bottle of wine and enjoy it while standing in line.

Address: 146 6th St, Pittsburgh, PA 15222, United States

12. Eleven

Eleven is an upscale restaurant across the street from the Hampton Inn-Downtown.

The restaurant provides seasonal food and an exceptional wine selection in a tastefully renovated warehouse.

The warehouse is tucked away next to historic Pennsylvania train lines.

The restaurant also pays respect to the city’s past with its sturdy construction and posh décor.

Eleven has a nice combination of elegance and energy. There is a bar area where you can unwind with a drink and an eating area that is quiet for conversation.

In addition, the restaurant prides itself on local and fresh ingredients (obviously, some items are flown in, e.g., oysters), with a daily menu.

Whatever you do, make sure to try the desserts; they are really good. I recommend the candy bar.

Address: 1150 Smallman St, Pittsburgh, PA 15222, United States

13. LeVia Trattoria

LeVia TRATTORIA is an Italian restaurant, and it is true to its name; it has the ambiance of a Trattoria.

You feel special from the moment you walk in, and the food is to die for!

Italian cuisine is made entirely from scratch at LeVia Trattoria using premium ingredients. Their rigatoni, linguine, and lemon ricotta ravioli are a few of our favorite pasta dishes.

Pasta is done to perfection, sauces are rich without being heavy, flavors and spices are perfect, and the meals are so creative.

In addition, the menu is short and sweet; a party of two could easily order all of it and truly have a terrific party. It changes with the season and local produce, though.

LeVia also allows patrons to bring their own bottles of wine, booze, or beer.

Address: 5336 Butler St, Pittsburgh, PA 15201, United States

14. The Melting Pot

The Melting Pot is a great place for a little get-together and is one of Pittsburgh’s few fondue restaurants.

In fact, FUN-due is the correct word for The Melting Pot; it is such a fun and amazing place.

You choose your fondue first and get a bunch of snacks to dip it in.

Then comes your entrée, which includes mouthwatering meats, seafood, and vegetables. You get to choose the cooking method and dipping sauces.

Lastly, dessert fondue, of course! It is a sizzling pot of chocolate fondue with rich dippers like strawberries, marshmallows, and blondies.

Make sure you have reservations, as it gets crowded on the weekends.

Address: 242 W Station Square Dr, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, United States

Going through New Hope? Check out the list of some of the best Restaurants in New Hope to enjoy the best cuisines it offers!

15. Huszar

Ever been to a Hungarian restaurant? If not, here’s your chance to visit one of the best Hungarian restaurants in Pittsburgh.

Huszar is a Hungarian restaurant, and it surely pays homage to Hungary.

In fact, its name says it all. “A Huszár was an elite member of the Hungarian Army when Hungary was part of the Austro-Hungarian empire.”

With homemade Hungarian Old-World cuisine, premium craft beer selections, and a full bar, Huszar is a quaint, family-run restaurant and tavern.

It is a wife and husband-owned family restaurant. It is hidden in an old building on the Northside near Allegheny Hospital.

The menu consists of a nice assortment of Hungarian dishes. No Americanized pseudo-Hungarian cuisine.

In fact, absolutely every item on their menu is made from scratch and entirely authentic Hungarian food.

Address: 627 E North Ave #4844, Pittsburgh, PA 15212, United States

16. Casbah

Here’s a great family-friendly restaurant in Pittsburgh. Whether it’s treating guests from out of town or simply hanging out with family, there is always something delicious for everyone here.

This restaurant has a casual feel with very high-end cuisine!

This wine-focused bar and restaurant have attractive décor that gives off a warm vibe.

There’s an extensive list of wines by the glass and fine cheese sampler platters.

The menu has great variety and features Mediterranean-inspired cuisine with many locally sourced ingredients.

Whether you are looking for a healthy or gluten-free meal, you can find both at Casbah.

Furthermore, the daily-changing, market-based menu includes sophisticated pasta, salads, seafood, and duck preparations.

The calamari/shrimp starter is excellent; you should start your meal with it.

Casbah also boasts a full wine bar that will delight any oenophile.

The front part of the restaurant is tent-like, making for a delightful ambiance for those who love eating outdoors.

The restaurant is always busy and crowded on weekends, so call ahead to make reservations.

Address: 229 S Highland Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15206, United States

17. Arepittas

There are diverse restaurants in Pittsburgh, and Arepittas is no different.

The entrance to a parking garage tucks away this tiny spot, but the food is worth seeking out.

From the outside, it does look like a small, hole-in-the-wall place. However, the inside is pretty unassuming, too. You should, however, wait to get settled, then you see all the rave about this place.

Venezuelan arepas, empanadas, tacos, and interesting beverages not generally available in this area are available here.

In fact, this has to be one of the best Venezuelan-style restaurants in Pittsburgh. It’s a family-owned restaurant, and the family really cares about their food.

Nice and cozy place, not too big, not too small. Great food options.

There’s a large menu here, and everything is made to order right when you order.

Make sure to try the arepas, and don’t split or share; Just order more arepas because you will want to eat the whole thing yourself.

Try the coffee lemonade also, It might sound weird, but you won’t regret it.

You should definitely give the restaurant a try if you are visiting Steel City or if you are a local.

Address: 412-428 Cherry Way, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, United States

18. Fl.2 Modern American

Fl. 2 is a true hidden gem in downtown Pittsburgh.

The restaurant is on the second floor of the Fairmont, easy to find on arrival, and has a lovely, modern vibe.

Fl.2 strikes the ideal balance of lively and inviting components to provide the ideal dining experience.

Everything in the restaurant, including the décor, cuisine, and atmosphere, has been carefully chosen.

The space is stunning, with many brass and gold elements and an overall mid-century modern feel.

Similarly, the bar is particularly impressive with its huge oval shape suspended from the ceiling and tons of mirrors that make the space feel even larger and grander.

Address: 510 Market St Floor 2, Pittsburgh, PA 15222, United States

19. Täkō

Taqueria täk offers a creative Japanese/Mexican fusion take on street food together with a collection of tequila and mezcal.

The interior exudes a gloomy, dark atmosphere, and diners may enjoy outside chairs on the sidewalk while watching the culinary magic take place.

This Mexican-inspired hot restaurant features a take on Hawaiian fish salad, which shouldn’t come as a complete surprise given the outstanding taco ingredients’ cultural diversity.

There are various seating options, from an outdoor area right next to the kitchen, a high-top zone next to the bar, and additional seating upstairs.

The tacos they serve are delicious. Particularly well-liked dishes include duck confit and octopus “tako.”

During the warmer months, go outside to the terrace for a relaxed drink and some conversation while enjoying a signature cocktail or a cold pint of Mexican beer.

It looks like a tiny taco shop from the outside, but it’s gorgeous and two stories on the inside.

Similarly, the chandeliers and the lighting give this place such an interesting ambiance.

You might not be able to read the menu very well because the lighting is dim, or you might not know what the items are BUT …. ASK the server! The server can tell you everything, and you will not be disappointed!!

Even though there are only a handful of tacos on their menu, they pair excellently with whatever you choose to drink.

Try the mushroom tacos even if you’re not vegetarian — they look like pork BBQ and have the texture of fried chicken!

Address: 214 6th St, Pittsburgh, PA 15222, United States

20. Sienna Mercato

Sienna is three different concepts in one old converted building downtown.

Mezzo has a rather interesting menu based on Italian cuisine but with a creative variation. The rustic setting fits with the intriguing if not a bit raw, menu items.

Each floor has a distinct, complementary dining option: A Meatball Joint, Mezzo, and Il Tetto.

First, a Meatball Joint is on the first floor. It is a lively, bar-oriented, informal Italian restaurant.

The exposed brick, steel, and weathered wood stand out when you enter the restaurant. Gourmet meatballs in a variety of forms and sauces are the main focus of the menu here.

Mezzo, which means “middle” in Italian, is situated on Siena Mercato’s second floor.

The hardwood floors, brick, and exposed wood ceiling make the room feel cozy, personal, and warm.

Lastly, the top floor of Sienna Mercato is known as Il Tetto, which is Italian for “the rooftop.”

The retractable glass ceiling of the beer and wine garden, which offers stunning views of Pittsburgh’s cityscape, allows it to be open all year round.

The bar has a ceiling, and it’s still kind of low compared to surrounding buildings, so there is not much of a view except the street, but fun nonetheless.

Craft cocktails, a wide variety of draft beers, and a selection of house wines are available for customers to pick from.

Address: 942 Penn Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15222, United States

21. APTEKA

If you are vegan, then APTEKA is one restaurant you don’t want to miss. In fact, it is one of the best vegan restaurants in Pittsburgh.

Kind of amazing to think that a vegan Central/Eastern European restaurant is even possible. But Apteka pulls it off wonderfully.

Apteka is located in Bloomfield, the quaint, blue-collar neighborhood of Pittsburgh, known as “Little Italy”; only about 3-4 miles from the Downtown area.

You don’t even have to be a vegan to find this place extraordinary. But if you are looking for and do not want to expand the notion of plain good ole regular Polish Cuisine, Keep walking.

In addition, the restaurant is in an old garage with a modern interior. It’s a perfect spot for a dinner date when they dim the light and leave the table lamps on.

You should stop in here if you’re willing to try something new cooked with fresh vegetables, tofu, and seitan, as well as entirely original handcrafted sauces and dressings.

The flavor will make your tongue wonder where you’ve been all your life.

You order at the bar, and the person taking your order is super-well-informed and ready to answer questions, and then everything else is like usual table service.

Overall, the dishes here taste like someone spent years in the kitchen figuring out what flavors and textures work together in new ways. You should check it out.

Address: 4606 Penn Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15224, United States

22. Proper Brick Oven & Tap Room

Proper Brick Oven is located conveniently in the Cultural District of Pittsburgh. It’s an excellent place to grab a bite to eat before or after a show.

When the Proper Brick Oven & Tap Room opened in 2013, it soon gained a lot of popularity among people searching for a place to get some meal and drink with friends.

In fact, they have one of the best brick oven pizzas in Pittsburgh hands down. It is delicious and excellent.

The restaurant also has some excellent options for appetizers and snacks, such as house chips, beer mussels, crispy duck wings, and Tuscan sausage soup.

In addition, you can eat outside if the weather cooperates. You have local beers and well-known beers from around the country.

Address: 139 7th St, Pittsburgh, PA 15222, United States

23. Bae Bae’s Kitchen

Bae Bae’s is a hidden gem in downtown Pittsburgh. It is a great place to experience some authentic Korean cuisine!

Although it’s small, the decor is smart and inviting, and the food is even better!

The restaurant has received numerous accolades, including Pittsburgh’s Best Korean Cuisine.

This is where you order your food first, which gets delivered to your table, or you stand up and get it.

The food is also delicious and unique and comes up quickly, so it’s the perfect spot to go on your lunch break.

People also frequently throng Bae Bae’s to rave about Korean Fried Chicken and the quaint, plant-filled decor.

Make sure to try the Thai coffee sometime; it is so good!

They also accept tips but donate all of them to a charity, such as the local animal rescue group, so that is an extra point.

Address: 951 Liberty Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15222, United States

24. Paris 66 Bistro

Paris 66 has won Best French Restaurant in Pittsburgh for the last several years, and there is a reason.

Enter Paris 66, and you will immediately feel transported to a French Bistro.

The French bistro is tucked away just outside downtown in East Liberty; you will find all the hallmarks a Francophile could desire: escargot, moule et pomme frites, lapin, veau, profiteroles, macaroons, ooh la vache

From the storefront and interior decor to the servers, food presentation, and taste, you’ll love it here.

The menu offers a variety of French specialties, and the flavoring is unmistakable.

One nice touch about this place is that they wait until you’re done eating – and after they ask if you’d like anything else – before bringing the bill.

Address: 6018 Centre Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15206, United States

25. Grand Concourse

Grand Concourse is a great place to visit and get a slice of beautiful architectural history, at least if you can be seated in the main dining room. It is indeed one of the most beautiful restaurants in Pittsburgh.

It has been serving the Pittsburgh community since 1978, which speaks much about its opulent and exquisite cuisine.

This restaurant is located in a popular tourist and shopping area with great city views.

The setting is a converted Railroad Station. Nice touches, like the waiting benches and sky-high ceilings, remind you that you are in a train station. In addition, everything has been either created or restored to new condition.

The restaurant serves succulent steaks, poultry, and excellent seafood dinner specialties.

Address: 100 W Station Square Dr, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, United States

26. Spork

Spork is a unique fine dining restaurant that is not just fancy but creative and fantastic.

It is a delightful dining spot in the Garfield section of Pittsburgh, where you can sample a varied and tasty menu served on small plates.

While the outside of Spork is unremarkable, once you walk through the door, you will come to realize you have entered a special place. The restaurant is warm and inviting.

The menu at Spork is built for sharing and trying many different things. The option of getting many dishes in a “tapas” size is really perfect.

If you are unfamiliar with the concept, this is definitely an excellent place to begin your education.

The idea is that you won’t find any of the typical huge portions served in many other restaurants.

Address: 5430 Penn Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15206, United States

27. Carmi Soul Food Restaurant

Carmi pronounced CAR-MY is one of the must-visit restaurants in Pittsburgh.

The name Carmi is a union of the owners’ names, Carleen & Michael.

Carmi Restaurant serves up homestyle southern soul food. Its welcoming setting features comfortable booth seating and warm lighting.

It is a small– maybe ten tables– restaurant on the North Side of Pittsburgh within walking distance to the stadiums and the riverfront on the north shore.

The place is clean, quiet, and nicely lighted. You’re seated immediately by a smiling host or hostess, and drinks ordered quickly appear.

If you think you’ve had catfish before or are thinking of trying it, you better try it here. Melts like butter in your mouth, and you will love it.

They also provide tasty fares like shrimp and grits, award-winning fried chicken and macaroni & cheese, chicken and waffles, blackened catfish, and more. Sandwiches, soup, and salad can also be found on the menu.

On weekends, they serve a small buffet, and the place is always full.

Overall, if you want a great meal of tasty, “down home” food that tastes just like what you’d get at Mom or Grandma’s house in a pleasant environment served by great people, then Pamela is your go-to.

Address: 1825 E Carson St, Pittsburgh, PA 15203, United States

28. Pamela’s Diner

Breakfast is an important meal for the day, and Pamela’s Diner is one of the best breakfast restaurants in Pittsburgh.

In fact, if you like pancakes, you shouldn’t miss this place.

P&G’s Pamela’s Diner was founded in 1980 in the Squirrel Hill neighborhood by proprietors Pam Cohen and Gail Klingensmith, who chose their initials as the moniker for what would soon become Pittsburgh’s best breakfast.

For over 40 years, Pamela’s has dominated Pittsburgh’s breakfast scene, garnering a spot on the Wall Street Journal’s “What to Do in Pittsburgh” list.

Since then, a total of six outlets have been established in and around Pittsburgh, and both residents and visitors are familiar with the brand.

When you get there, go inside and write your name and party size on the sheet of paper on the counter.

Then, someone will walk around and call out the names when your table is ready. Usually, the front and the sidewalk are full of people waiting for tables.

Pamela’s has delicious pancakes in addition to all of their breakfast favorites and sandwiches.

Address: 60 21st St, Pittsburgh, PA 15222-4436

29. Scratch & Co.

Scratch is located on Troy Hill, a little off the beaten path, but well worth the trip.

You walk into the bar, which is large and inviting. The main dining room is off to the right. At the back of that room is an open kitchen.

There is also a pinball machine and games; it feels more like a living room than a restaurant.

Additionally, the menu showcases local and seasonal ingredients – with Vegan options that are as thoughtful as they are flavorful.

There’s one downside to this place that is not directly relevant to the restaurant itself: the incredibly steep hill you must drive up to reach the restaurant.

However, driving up there makes it more fun and is one experience you’d love to relive. Definitely, this is one of the most adventure-filled restaurants in Pittsburgh.

30. Girasole

This is the restaurant to go to for real Italian dining from start to finish in Pittsburgh. In fact, it is one of the best Italian restaurants in Pittsburgh.

This quaint eatery along Walnut Street in Shadyside serves hearty fare in a welcoming, lively atmosphere.

The name is Italian for “sunflower” and is a near match to the last name of the restaurant’s owners, who are the driving force behind the establishment’s success.

You will nearly always be met and seated by Jimmy Gerasole, who, along with his wife Patti, started the eatery in 2000.

So, come dine Italian-style, surrounded by rustic stone walls as if you were in the wine cellar of a villa.

Similarly, it has a quaint ambiance and a basic menu, but don’t let that fool you, as the food is prepared exquisitely.

Try the pasta dishes; they are delectable with various sauces and filled pasta like ravioli or tortellini.

A nice wine selection that the owner will gladly help you pair with your dish is also available.

The neighborhood has several open parking lots, so you might not have a problem finding where to park.

Address: 733 Copeland St, Pittsburgh, PA 15232, United States

Final Remarks

Restaurants in Pittsburgh are some of the best things about the city; this list is all you need to explore the city’s food scene. So, go have fun!

Bon Appetit!