I have received many requests to share some of my favorite Pittsburgh dining spots. This is pretty niche, considering you all are from all over, but I've noticed that many of you have been visiting Pittsburgh, which is really cool.
I love food, and Pittsburgh's food scene is underrated. We have so many incredible restaurants and talented chefs that it's hard to limit this list, but if you only have a meal or two here, definitely go with something off this list.
I originally posted this list in the fall of 2023, but I am making edits, additions, and photos to update it for anyone looking for the best food in the city for 2024!
I know I'm leaving a lot off the list, but I wanted to be very selective, keep the list manageable, and recommend things for those who aren't so familiar with the city. I didn't include any chains; these are all local. For my Pittsburghers, I'll have to make a separate list with things on it like Beto's (because, duh) and iconic Pittsburgh spots like D's Dogs and Monterey Pub. I also left things off, like Primanti's and Pamela's, because I tried to avoid touristy places (though I still love them!!).
Pusadee's Garden// This continues to be my #1 favorite restaurant in Pittsburgh. It's located in Lawrenceville, and its interior is chic and modern. The interior design and branding do not feel very Pittsburgh- it feels too chic and hip in the best way. I can't imagine what could ever open and top this restaurant. I hope people try, but it's a BIG shoe to fill. The patio is a stunning garden oasis and would be my first choice of seating if the weather is nice. The bar is fabulous, too. The food is beyond. I've never eaten a bad thing, and I've been many times. I hate to talk it up because getting a reservation is tough, but it's the best in Pittsburgh by a mile. The food is Thai, and my favorite dishes are the roti yellow curry, pork belly, 17-ingredient salad, and the khao soi short rib, but honestly, everything is insane. The menu changes a bit seasonally! I've had impeccable service, and service that is just OK, so that is the only area they could improve upon. You absolutely need a reservation for this. They take walk-ins, and you can sit at the bar, but this place is popular, and a walk-in is hard to get.
Balvanera// This one is new to the list, having opened last fall. It's probably my second favorite on this list. It's Argentinian, and we are so darn lucky to have his restaurant in our city! The first opened in New York many years ago. I thought it was so random for Pittsburgh to be the second location of a NYC restaurant, but it turns out the owner is from Pittsburgh! It's right in the Strip District across from the terminal building. In my opinion, this is *almost* as incredible as Pusadee's Garden... they are on the same playing field. It's subjective because Asian food is my favorite cuisine, so I will likely always choose that over anything else. The interior is swanky and stylish, and another one that feels too cool to be here! Everything on the menu is fantastic, but the beets are a surprising dish that will knock your socks off!
Little Tokyo (Mt. Lebanon location)// This was my favorite restaurant in Pittsburgh before Pusadee's Garden stole the #1 spot and Balvanera moved to #2. It has been my go-to since I started liking sushi when I was 14. I can't even guess how many times I have been there or gotten takeout, and I don't even want to know how much money I've spent at LT in the past 20 years, ha! This is not in the city, so many of you coming to town and staying downtown or in Oakland or wherever won't venture out to my hometown of Mt. Lebanon (suburbs), but it's one of the best sushi spots. I always get the spicy salmon roll and spicy tuna and avocado roll; I often get the ninja roll, the first date, or the Krissie. I love the seaweed salad, and the fried rice with the shrimp sauce is an absolute MUST. My husband likes the hibachi, which is excellent, but I am just a sushi fanatic, so that's what I usually go for. Frank, the owner, is an icon and is so good at remembering his best customers but treating everyone wonderfully. I could write a book about how much I love Little Tokyo. The atmosphere is very casual, and nothing to write about; it's the food and the neighborhood vibe that I love. I don't think this would be a restaurant on many Pittsburgher's top 5. This pick is more niche, but if you like a hometown, casual restaurant, and fresh sushi, this is it.
Fet Fisk// You don't need to take it from me, NYTimes just named this one of the best 50 restaurants in America. It's a Scandinavian restaurant right on Liberty Avenue in Bloomfield. The menu is small, but there are many different options. Upon first glance, the menu may seem pretty usual. You have your chicken, a Caesar salad, etc. But the chicken is divine, the Caesar salad is made with cabbage, and the 'catsup' is made in-house and has a spiced flavor. The atmosphere definitely leaves something to be desired, but it's one of those restaurants where it doesn't even matter because the food is that good.
Dancing Crab// This is another new addition. I cannot get enough of Dancing Crab, a Thai restaurant on West Liberty Avenue. Behind Pusadee's Garden, it's the best Thai in Pittsburgh. There is no vibe in this restaurant, and the service is just OK, but the food more than makes up for it. I get this for takeout a lot. The panang curry and drunken noodles are my favorite, but everything is delicious.
Dianois// There are so many incredible Italian spots in Pittsburgh, so it's hard to share just a few, but this is my favorite (honorable mentions: Alla Famiglia, Legends North Shore, Girasole, Piccolo Forno, Il Pizzaiolo (Mt. Lebanon location). I know people would fight with me on this because many would put Alla Famiglia as #1, but I stand by my rating. This is located in the Strip District, so it's a great spot if you stay in the city area. I love it most for dinner, but they do an incredible breakfast, brunch, and lunch, too. It's true Italian food with dishes that look and taste like you are in Italy. The atmosphere is upscale, casual, and charming. The menu changes, but the escarole and beans and sausage and the meatballs are a must. If you are with a group, definitely get the gnocchi in the bread bowl- it's huge (and heavy) and feeds multiple people, but it's soooo good. You should make a res for dinner.
Driftwood Oven// My favorite pizza in Pittsburgh is Mineo's, but I wouldn't necessarily recommend it for an out-of-towner. I recommend Driftwood Oven, which is in Lawrenceville, and their pizza is the best in the city (besides Mineo's, of course). People will undoubtedly argue with me on this because everyone strongly believes in their favorite pizza spot. My husband's favorite is Pizza Lupo, and his close second is Harry's. The pizza is excellent, but one of my favorites is the Italian sandwich on their homemade focaccia. This is truly one of the best sandwiches on the planet and one of my all-time favorite meals in Pittsburgh. The place is small, and it is hard to get a seat, so we usually get takeout, but even if you are visiting the city, this is so worth going to and trying to snag a seat- you could even do a little takeout and picnic at Arsenal Park just down the street.
Mediterra (Mt. Lebanon location)// Really, any location is great for Mediterra, but the Mt. Lebanon location is the largest, so it has the most seating. If you visit and stay in the city, you'll want to go to the Lawrenceville location. This is a bakery, coffee shop, bar, and eatery. I recommend it for lunch or brunch. The place looks like Nancy Meyers herself designed it and has the most incredible baked goods, prepared foods, sandwiches, and so much more. The menu changes often, but they also have quite a few 'constants'. I would recommend what to get, but you cannot possibly go wrong. I get something different every time, and it never disappoints. The menu changes, and they have specials. I always snag to-go pastries and breads, too. Their prepared foods section has homemade pickles that are a must for me every time I go. I don't like their coffee, which is a downside, but that's just a personal thing.
Noodlehead// This is an adorable BYOB Thai spot in Shadyside. The pork buns are an absolute must, and I always get the pad see ew, but everything is so delicious. This is casual, and they don't take reservations, so sometimes there is a long wait. It's cash only! I dream about this food. This is an excellent spot for anyone visiting the University of Pittsburgh, Chatham, or Carnegie Mellon.
Gi Jin// Like Pusadee's Garden, this feels very unlike Pittsburgh. It's chic and trendy, and the focus is on Japanese sushi. This is totally different from the Little Tokyo recommendation above. This is located in downtown Pittsburgh, and it's tiny, so you must make a reservation. You can walk in, but I've never tried that because it's always fully booked. The food is out of this world and, in my opinion, totally unique compared to any other restaurant in the city. They also specialize in gin, which is my liquor of choice! I have eaten most items on the menu, and it's all incredible, but my fave is anything with the Toro. This is one of the more expensive restaurants in Pittsburgh because the servings are small; you need to order a lot!
350 Bakery// I almost didn't include this because it is *just* a bakery and is only open on certain days. It's a take-out spot (we usually eat the breakfast sandwiches in the car), and it's in a random area of the city, but I genuinely believe it's one of the best bakeries in Pittsburgh. Their white BBQ breakfast biscuit sandwich is one of the best things ever. Their pies are fabulous. Literally, all of it is so darn good. Another spot where I don't like their coffee, but again, that's a personal preference.
Alta Via// I added this one to the list as of this year but it's not a new restaurant. If you are looking for wonderful Italian food with a beautifully designed vibe, this is it. It's different than Dianoia's (above). I prefer the Alta Via atmosphere and their cocktails and wine. Their Italian food is delicious, the menu is extensive, and there is something for everyone. Dianoia's food is *just* a touch better, though!
La Prima// This is not a restaurant but a coffee shop. You must go to the one in the Strip for the full, authentic experience. It's the best coffee in Pittsburgh, and it is old-school Pittsburgh. It's been there for ages—I think it's been there longer than I have been alive!
For all of you visiting, an area Pittsburgh could improve upon is seafood. We are obviously far from an ocean, so things have to be flown in. I get it, but I would love to see a seafood-focused restaurant that's actually amazing (and not a chain) open. I'd totally be willing to pay a premium for that! 167 Raw should open a location here... in my dreams! Also, there is very little late-night food. You can hardly find anything open on the weekdays after 9 p.m., and on the weekends, most close at 10 p.m.
Honorable mention: For visitors, I suggest Altius. It's fine dining and lovely food, but it's not one of my favorites. The view and food together are worth it for someone visiting the city for the first time, though. I'd also suggest Monterey Bay's bar because you get the view without committing to the fine dining (good-but-not-incredible food).
Another honorable mention would be two old-school-Pittsburgh restaurants: Legends on the North Shore and Sarafino's in Crafton. These are mom-and-pop-style restaurants with homemade Italian dishes. They are BYOB and have no frills, but these places are what Pittsburgh is. They give you glass tumblers for your wine. These are the type of places I grew up on. I love both of these places. They are both similar in the atmosphere and in the food but also unique in their own ways. If you want old-school Pittsburgh, this is it, and I'm afraid spots like this are dwindling, so I will give them all the business I can manage! These two do not, in my opinion, have the best food in Pittsburgh, but they are delicious, and the environment is just so quintessentially Pittsburgh.
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