Don’t Skip These Pittsburgh Dining Experiences
Pittsburgh has a rich history as an industrial and cultural center. Located at the point where the Allegheny and Monongahela rivers merge to become the Ohio River, the "Steel City" has transformed its economy into technology, education, and healthcare in recent years. It's now home to neighborhoods with museums, theaters, art galleries, and plenty of excellent restaurants. As a melting pot of global immigrants, the best restaurants in Pittsburgh offer a range of cuisines to keep even the most sophisticated palates intrigued.
01 Altius
This upscale restaurant serves contemporary American cuisine focusing on locally sourced ingredients, including grass-fed beef and Berkshire pork. As the name Altius suggests, both the cooking and the location are elevated. The rooftop terrace delights with views of the city from its vantage point near the top of the Duquesne Incline. Reservations are required, and the dress code is business casual.
02 Meat & Potatoes
Don't let the humble name fool you. As Pittsburgh's first gastropub, the menu here is anything but basic. Meat & Potatoes builds its menu around modern American fare, with a focus on hearty meat dishes and creative cocktails. If you prefer your drinks straight, there are also extensive wine and spirits menus. Feeling adventurous? Start with an Absinthe served over a sugar cube.
03 Point Brugge Cafe
It's easy to find French and Italian food, but where do you go for Belgian cuisine? Point Brugge Cafe is a Belgian-inspired bistro located in the heart of the Point Breeze neighborhood. The dinner menu features classics like mussels, waffles, twice-cooked Belgian fries, and a selection of beer and wine. Sunday brunch takes Liege waffles to new heights for sweet and savory dishes.
04 The Milkshake Factory
Since its beginnings as a soda shop in 1914, the owners of The Milkshake Factory have been combining farm-fresh dairy with the world's best chocolates to make truly inspired milkshakes. You can get a classic shake in five great flavors or splurge on a gourmet concoction with fresh fruit or bakery add-ins (think brownies and red velvet cake), whipped cream, and a homemade chocolate candy garnish. This Pittsburgh institution has 10 locations around the city, so you're never far from the good stuff.
05 Nakama Japanese Steakhouse and Sushi Bar
Known for its lively atmosphere and hibachi-style cooking, Nakama's features an extensive menu of sushi, seafood, and grilled meats. Watch as your chef slices, dices, and grills up your meal right at your table. Nakama's hibachi tables are ideal for groups, but you can also grab a seat at the bar during happy hour or at smaller tables for sushi. The South Side neighborhood location is the flagship, but you can also try the sister location in Wexford.
06 Morcilla
Morcilla is a Spanish restaurant that serves tapas and raciones in Pittsburgh's Lawrenceville neighborhood. Tapas are designed to be eaten family-style, so everyone gets a bite to taste. Morcilla's charcuterie, paellas, and other authentic pintxos are the perfect snacks to accompany a refreshing sangría. There's also an extensive sherry menu for after-dinner drinks.
07 The Original Pancake House
This family-owned diner has been a Pittsburgh staple for over 50 years, satisfying generations of hungry customers with their classic breakfast dishes. The Original Pancake House is known for its friendly staff and homey atmosphere, but the biggest draw is the fluffy stacks of pancakes. You can taste the difference that homemade, hand-whipped batter makes in every bite, whether you stick to classic pancakes or go European with crepes and blintzes.
08 The Commoner
Located in the Kimpton Hotel Monaco, The Commoner specializes in modern American cuisine focusing on seasonal and locally-sourced ingredients. The decor recalls the Steel City's industrial past, but the menu looks to the future, with fusion appetizers and cocktails that add unusual bursts of jalapeño and Aperol foam. There's also a seasonal rooftop Biergarten for more casual fare and views of William Penn Plaza.
09 Hofbräuhaus Pittsburgh
This restaurant and brewery is modeled after the famous Hofbräuhaus in Munich, Germany. Hofbräuhaus Pittsburgh serves a variety of authentic German dishes and beers, including sausages, schnitzel, and pretzels. The restaurant also features live music and a festive atmosphere, particularly when Oktoberfest season rolls around. The Bavarian menu and atmosphere celebrate the region's large community of German immigrants and their descendants.
10 Täkō
Täkō combines the best flavors of Japanese and Mexican cuisine into something completely new. Try the queso fundido made with shishito peppers or a taco with Japanese mushrooms and Mexican cilantro crema, and cotija cheese. Once you get here, you'll want to stay awhile in the dark, cozy atmosphere. Save room for the churros with caramelized miso sauce.
11 Gaucho Parrilla Argentina
Argentina is famous for its beef, and Gaucho Parrilla Argentina brings an authentic South American dining experience to downtown Pittsburgh. The piece de resistance is the parrillada mixta, a board full of New York Strip chorizo, shrimp, toast, and all four homemade chimichurri salsas. The wine list is strictly South American, and there's also a full espresso bar to go with dessert choices like flan and alfajores.
12 Fig & Ash
Located on the North Side, Fig & Ash takes scratch cooking to a new level. For starters, they butcher their own meats, grind their own grains, and build their own wood fires to prepare elevated fare for guests to enjoy in the dining room or on the four-season patio. Vegetarians will rejoice with dishes like the delicata squash curry, pumpkin risotto, and mushroom bolognese.
13 Noodlehead
Need something hot and comforting but not bland? The Thai dishes at Noodlehead are just the thing. Inspired by Thai street food, these soups and sauce noodle curries are packed with flavor. Noodlehead has a few Thai appetizers and only non-alcoholic drinks, but you can bring your own for a nominal corkage fee. Vegetarians can substitute tofu in any dish.
14 The Coop Chicken and Waffles
This casual diner is located in the heart of Lawrenceville and is deservedly famous for its delicious waffles and fried chicken. The Coop also serves a variety of classic Southern-style sides like hushpuppies, cornbread, and mac and cheese. You can also get authentic Southern-style sweet tea, whether you arrive for breakfast or stay through dinner. The restaurant is known for its friendly staff and lively atmosphere.
15 The Church Brew Works
Operating out of a painstakingly restored St. John the Baptist Church in the Lawrenceville neighborhood, The Church Brew Works is one-of-a-kind. With a bell tower and original stained glass, this is a special place to sip on an award-winning local beer. Hearty sandwiches and pub grub round out the menu, and when you find a beer you love, you can get it to go in a 32-ounce squeaker or a 64-ounce growler.
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