The Quest to Find The Best Pittsburgh Restaurants

About Our Ranking of Pittsburgh Food

When we first started this database, our rankings were organized by personal preference only. Now that we've been to hundreds of restaurants, we wanted to re-organize this guide in order to help you better find reviews based on many categories.

This restaurant database is now organized by restaurant type. Click the links below to be taken to each of the main categories of restaurants. Within each category, restaurants are organized by our personal preference with our favorites being at the top of each list and our least favorites being at the bottom.

Next to each name will include the neighborhood the restaurant is found, a notation on price ($-$$$$), a short description, and any sub-categories we feel are necessary to highlight.

Prices are marked with dollar signs ($) based on the following breakdown. Note the pricing is estimated and is based on a full meal without drinks. Actual menu prices are subject to change from our initial update.

• $ – Under $10 per person
• $$ – $10-$25 pp
• $$$ – $25-$50 pp
• $$$$ – More than $50 pp

Click the following links to jump down to our category types:

• Restaurants by Location (Map)
• Top 10 Pittsburgh Restaurants
• Fast Casual / Takeaway
• Gastropubs
• Modern American
• Fine Dining
• Breakfast / Brunch
• International
• Pizza
• Barbecue
• Seafood
• Vegetarian / Vegan / Healthy Focused

Please note: We're only featuring restaurants in one category at this time based on the best fit and our discretion.

For example, Monterey Bay Fish Grotto may be considered both seafood and fine dining; however, as the menu is predominantly seafood we are placing it in the seafood category first. Likewise, Cambod-ican Kitchen could be considered fast casual and international; however, as the menu is entirely East Asian we are placing it in our international category.

In general, if the restaurant has a themed menu (international, pizza, barbecue) it will be found in those categories over the more general ones (modern American, fine dining, etc). Restaurants in our Top 10 are also shown in their respective categories.

Pittsburgh Restaurant Map

Looking for a restaurant by location? Check out our interactive map that shows every restaurant we've featured to date. So whether you're looking for Pittsburgh restaurants downtown, in the Strip District, the South Hills, or more, you can find all the ones we've been to by region here!

To read more from each, click the link in the pin to be taken to our full review!

Or, to read more restaurants by category, scroll down to read more!

The Top 10 Pittsburgh Restaurants

The following are our current Top 10 restaurants in Pittsburgh. The restaurants that earn this distinction are ones we are certain we can order anything on the menu and not be disappointed. Likewise, these are spots we would happily return to again and again without hesitation.

1. Gaucho Parrilla Argentina – Strip District – $$ – Argentinian meats done right with delicious steaks and sandwiches.
2. Apteka – Bloomfield – $$ – Eastern European, vegan meals coupled with a wonderful bar.
3. Morcilla – Lawrenceville – $$$ – Spanish tapas bar with gourmet pintxos and small plates.
4. Kaya – Strip District – $$ – Caribbean fare with the best burger and sweet potato fries in the city of Pittsburgh.
5. DiAnoia's – Strip District – $$ – Modern Italian fare with a great brunch, cocktails, and more.
6. Fish Nor Fowl – Garfield – $$$ – Fine dining with an interesting menu and delicious cocktails.
7. Bar Marco – Strip District – $$$ – Modern American, craft cocktails, but rather expensive.
8. Smallman Galley – Strip District – $$ – An interesting food hall in the Strip District featuring four chefs and a stellar bar.
9. Or, the Whale – Downtown – $$$$ – Trendy seafood and chophouse in downtown Pittsburgh.
10. Poulet Bleu – Lawrenceville – $$$ – High-end French fare by the Richard DeShantz restaurant group.

Fast Casual / Takeaway Restaurants

Fast casual and takeaway restaurants put a focus on speed and affordability above all others. These are often places you can walk up, order, and be eating within minutes. Some are designed solely for takeaway, others have minimal seats for eating on-site, but all are fast dining experiences all the same.

• Baby Loves Tacos – Bloomfield – $
• Duncan St. Sandwich Shop – Millvale – $$
• Bird on the Run – East Liberty – $$
• Bull River Taco – Squirrel Hill – $
• Mission Mahi – Cranberry – $$
• Franktuary – Lawerenceville – $ to $$
• D's Six Pack and Dogz – Regent Square – $
• Peppi's Old Tyme Sandwich Shop – Various Locations – $
• Quik-It Chicken – North Side – $
• El Burro – North Side – $$
• The Pub Chip Shop – South Side – $$
• The Original Hot Dog Shop – Oakland – $
• Allegheny Sandwich Shoppe – North Side – $
• Doce Taqueria – South Side / North Hills – $

Gastropubs in Pittsburgh

To us, a gastropub is the kind of place you can grab a seat at a table, still have a somewhat fast service, a reasonably priced meal, and wash it down with a great craft beer or cocktail. These restaurants are often quite casual and serve an array of cuisine- sometimes themed and other times not.

So if it has quick food, seating, and a stocked bar, odds are good its a gastropub in how we look at it!

• Smallman Galley – Strip District – $$
• Federal Galley – North Side – $$
• Park Bruges – Highland Park – $$
• Point Brugge – Point Breeze – $$
• Brugge on North – North Side – $$
• Tessaro's – Bloomfield – $$
• Sienna Mercato – Downtown – $$ to $$$
• Bills Bar & Burger – Downtown – $$
• The Headkeeper – Greensburg – $$
• Burgatory Bar – Various Locations – $$
• Bier's Pub – North Side – $$
• Dive Bar – Lawrenceville and South Side – $$
• Big Jim's in the Run – Four Mile Run – $$
• Butterjoint – North Oakland – $$
• Bigham Tavern – Mount Washington – $$
• Monterey Pub – North Side – $$
• Burgh'ers – Lawrenceville and Harmony – $$
• Condado Tacos – Downtown – $ to $$
• Larder – Larimer – $$
• North Country Brewing – Slippery Rock – $$
• Syn Taqueria + Pizzeria – East Liberty/Friendship – $ to $$$
• Mike & Tony's Gyros – Multiple Locations – $ to $$
• Coughlin's Law – Mount Washington – $$
• Bonfire – South Side – $$
• The Library – South Side – $ to $$
• Cinderlands Beer Co – Lawrenceville – $$ to $$$
• Southern Tier – North Side – $$
• Bakn – Carnegie – $$
• Pig Iron Public House – Cranberry – $$
• The Yard – Shadyside and Downtown – $$
• City Works – Downtown – $$
• Industry Public House – Lawrenceville – $$
• The Abbey on Butler Street – Lawrenceville – $$
• The Warren – Downtown – $$ to $$$
• Blue Dust – Homestead – $$
• Primanti Brothers – Strip District (and Various Locations) – $ to $$
• Sly Fox Brewing – Downtown – $$
• Fuel and Fuddle – Oakland – $$
• BRGR – East Liberty – $$

Modern American in Pittsburgh

Modern American restaurants offer higher-end menus, either with a theme or an eclectic offering. Many of these have chef-driven menu experiences, greater attention to detail, and, in many cases, an inflated price. This is also getting into the territory where a reservation is not only recommended but in some cases required for highly sought after dining timeslots.

• Bar Marco – Strip District – $$$ to $$$$
• Whitfield – East Liberty – $$$ to $$$$
• Meat and Potatoes – Downtown – $$$
• Butcher and the Rye – Downtown – $$$
• The Fairlane – Mt. Lebanon – $$ to $$$
• Braddock's Street Side – Downtown – $$
• Spork – Bloomfield – $$ to $$$
• Smoke Taqueria – Lawrenceville – $$ to $$$
• Out of the Fire Cafe – Donegal – $$
• Provision – Lawrenceville – $$
• The Pennsylvania Market – Strip District – $$ to $$$
• Siempre Algo – North Side – $$$
• Cafe io – Mount Lebanon – $$ to $$$
• Union Standard – Downtown – $$$
• Station – Bloomfield – $$$
• Scratch – Troy Hill – $$ to $$$
• The Vandal – Lawrenceville – $$
• Independent Brewing Company – Squirrel Hill – $$
• Dinette – East Liberty – $$$
• The Porch – Oakland – $$
• Eighth & Hays – Homestead – $$$
• Acorn – Shadyside – $$$
• Revel and Roost – Downtown – $$$
• The Commoner – Downtown – $$$ to $$$$
• NOLA on the Square – Downtown – $$ to $$$

Fine Dining in Pittsburgh

In many cases, a fine dining restaurant has just as varied of menu as modern American spots above, but the biggest differentiator is price and execution. To us, a fine dining restaurant is going for a higher standard overall, has a more elegant ambiance, requires reservations, and comes at a higher price to match. Our selection of what makes a restaurant fine dining vs simply modern American is purely our opinion.

• Fish Nor Fowl – Garfield – $$$ to $$$$
• Aqueous – Laurel Highlands – $$$$
• Helen's – Laurel Highlands – $$$$
• Altius – Mount Washington – $$$$
• Spoon – East Liberty – $$$
• Eleven – Strip District – $$$
• Spirits & Tales – Oakland – $$$
• Superior Motors – Braddock – $$$ to $$$$
• Floor 2 – Downtown – $$$

Breakfast / Brunch in Pittsburgh

When it comes to breakfast and brunch in Pittsburgh, we've got a number of great options to consider. These are all places that specialize in breakfast and brunch, and in many cases are not open much past an early lunch hour.

• Better Maid Donut – Crafton Heights – $
• Coca Cafe – Lawrenceville – $$
• Cafe on Main – Sharpsburg – $$
• Pie for Breakfast – Oakland – $ to $$
• Pamela's P&G Diner – Various Locations – $ to $$
• The Grand Concourse – South Side – $$$ to $$$$
• Lola's Eatery – Lawrenceville – $ to $$
• Johnny's Diner – West End – $ to $$
• Waffles, INCaffeinated – South Side – $$
• Grandma B's – Hill District – $ to $$
• Square Cafe – Regent Square – $ to $$
• Cafe Raymond – Strip District – $$
• Caffe Mona – Bloomfield – $$
• Barb's Corner Kitchen – Lawrenceville – $

International Food in Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh's international dining scene is growing at a stellar pace, and no matter the kind of cuisine you're looking to try, odds are good a restaurant for it exists in the area.

In this section of our restaurant database, we want to break out our reviews into sub-categories based on the most popular cuisine types such as Italian, Mexican, East Asian, and more.

Italian

The following is a selection of the Italian restaurants we've visited to date. Note that pizza shops are included in a separate category as the below are only restaurants that include the full spectrum of Italian fare.

• DiAnoia's – Strip District – $$ to $$$
• Dish Osteria – South Side – $$ to $$$
• La Tavola – Mount Washington – $$$
• Alta Via – Fox Chapel – $$$-$$$$
• Pizzaiolo Primo – Downtown – $$$ to $$$$
• Piazza Talarico – Lawrenceville – $$
• Alla Famiglia – Allentown – $$$$
• LeoGreta – Carnegie – $$
• Piccolo Forno – Lawrenceville – $$ to $$$
• Casa Narcisi Winery – Gibsonia – $$ to $$$
• Proper Brick Oven – Downtown – $$ to $$$
• 1905 Eatery – McKees Rocks – $$ to $$$

Mexican

Got Mexican fare on your mind? Check out some of the following!

Much like the Italian category above, please note that we have featured a few non-traditional taco spots in our fast casual section above as well. If you are simply looking for the best tacos in Pittsburgh, click the previous link to read our breakdown of them all!

• Totopo – Mt Lebanon – $$
• tako – Downtown – $$$
• Las Velas – Downtown – $ to $$
• Bea Taco Town – Downtown – $ to $$
• La Palapa – South Side – $ to $$
• Mad Mex – Multiple Locations – $ to $$
• Mendoza Express – East Carnegie – $$

East Asian

We're lumping all East Asian restaurants together in this category. So whether you're looking for Japanese, Chinese, Cambodian, or Thai, this is the section for you!

• Umami – Lawrenceville – Japanese – $$$
• Noodlehead – Shadyside – Thai – $ to $$
• Teppanyaki Kyoto – Highland Park – Japanese – $$
• Golden Pig – Cecil, PA – Korean – $$
• Ineffable Ca Phe – Lawrenceville – Vietnamese – $$
• Bae Bae's Kitchen – Downtown – Korean – $$
• Oishii Bento – Oakland – Japanese – $ to $$
• Soba – Shadyside – Asian – $$$
• Nicky's Thai Kitchen – North Side and Downtown – Thai – $$
• Everyday Noodles – Squirrel Hill – Taiwanese – $$
• Soju – Garfield – Korean – $$ to $$$
• Chick'n Bubbly – Oakland – Korean/Japanese – $ to $$
• Maiku Sushi – Strip District – Vietnamese – $ to $$
• Royal Myanmar – West View – Burmese – $ to $$
• Taiwanese Bistro Cafe 33 – Squirrel Hill – Taiwanese – $$
• Tram's Kitchen – Bloomfield – Vietnamese – $ to $$
• Cambod-Ican Kitchen – South Side – Cambodian – $ to $$
• Ki Pollo – Lawrenceville – Korean and Argentinian – $$
• Banh Mi & Ti – Lawrenceville – Vietnamese – $$
• Chengdu Gourmet – Squirrel Hill – Chinese – $$
• Zen Asian – Lawrenceville – Chinese – $ to $$
• Pho Van – Strip District – Vietnamese – $$

Central & Eastern European

Pittsburgh has a strong Central & Eastern European community thanks to our steelmaking roots, and as such we have a number of restaurants that offer up this region's stellar cuisine!

• The Harmony Inn – Harmony, PA – German – $$ to $$$
• Jozsa Corner – Hazelwood – Hungarian – $$$
• Lorelei – East Liberty – German/Alpine – $$ to $$$
• Max's Allegheny Tavern – North Side – German – $$
• Huszar – North Side – Hungarian – $$
• Bubba's – Greensburg – Pizza and Polish – $ to $$
• Pierogies Plus – McKees Rocks – Eastern European – $ to $$

Other International Fare

We're working our way through eating all the international fare Pittsburgh has to offer, but at this time do not have enough restaurants in any country's cuisine to warrant their own category. If you're looking for other international offerings, check out the following!

• Morcilla – Lawrenceville – Spanish – $$$ to $$$$
• Kaya – Strip District – Caribbean – $$ to $$$
• Poulet Bleu – Lawrenceville – French – $$$ to $$$$
• Salem's Market and Grill – Strip District – Middle Eastern – $ to $$
• The Colombian Spot – South Side – Colombian – $ to $$
• Udipi Cafe – Monroeville – Indian – $$
• Azorean Cafe – Bloomfield – Portuguese – $$
• Zorros – Mt. Lebanon – Latin American / Dominican – $ to $$
• Tana – East Liberty – Ethiopian – $$
• Hidden Harbor – Squirrel Hill – Caribbean – $$
• Cilantro and Ajo – South Side – Venezuelan – $
• Casbah – Shadyside – Mediterranean – $$$
• Nu Bistro – Squirrel Hill – Jewish / Sandwiches – $$
• Kavsar – Mount Washington – Uzbek – $$
• Fogo de Chao – Downtown – Churrascaria – $$$$
• Streets on Carson – South Side – International – $$ to $$$
• Lola Bistro – North Side – International – $$$
• Subba Asian – North Side – Nepali – $ to $$

Pizza

The Pittsburgh pizza scene is one of the largest in the country on a per capita basis, and as such there a number of great pizza options to consider. When reading the below, please keep in mind that these are predominantly pizza shops first and foremost. For full Italian restaurants, please scroll up to our Italian section!

• Pizza Taglio – East Liberty – $$ to $$$
• Driftwood Oven – Lawrenceville – $$ to $$$
• Iron Born – Millvale / Strip District – $$
• Enrico's Cafe – Strip District – $ to $$
• Mercurio's – Shadyside and Fox Chapel – $$
• Threadbare – North Side – $$
• Ephesus Pizza – Downtown, Aspinwall, and Bellevue – $$
• Colangelo's – Strip District – $ to $$
• V3 Pizza – Downtown and Lawrenceville – $
• Slice on Broadway – Beechview – $ to $$$
• Badamo's Pizza – North Side and Mt. Lebanon – $ to $$
• Fiori's Pizzaria – Brookline – $$
• Caliente Pizza and Draft House – Bloomfield – $$ to $$$
• Joe & Pie – Downtown – $$
• DeMore's Pizza – Millvale – $$
• Pizzeria Davide – Strip District – $ to $$$
• Aiello's – Squirrel Hill – $ to $$
• Beto's Pizza – Beechview – $ to $$
• Spak Brothers – Garfield – $$
• D&G Pizza – Beaver Falls – $ to $$
• Spirit and Slice Island Pizza – Lawrenceville – $ to $$
• Pizza Parma – Downtown – $$
• Giovanni's Pizza – Dormont – $$
• Doughboy's Pizza – McKee's Rocks – $$
• Mineo's – Squirrel Hill – $$
• Pizza Fiesta – Multiple Locations – $$

Barbecue

Finding new barbecue in Pittsburgh is one of our favorite things, and while it doesn't seem like we have a huge BBQ scene on the surface, we actually have a number of gems you should check out! Check out our full reviews of each spot below, or click the previous link to read a summary of them all.

• Gaucho Parrilla Argentina – Strip District – $$
• Walter's BBQ – Lawrenceville – $$$
• Spork Pit Barbecue – Garfield – $$$
• Showcase BBQ – Homewood West – $$
• Big Rig's BBQ – Monroeville – $$ to $$$
• Clem's Cafe – Blairsville – $$
• Fourth Street BBQ – Charleroi – $$
• Pork and Beans – Downtown – $$$
• Pittsburgh Barbecue Company – Banksville and Murrysville – $$
• Burk's BBQ – Oakmont – $$
• Two Brothers Bar-B-Q – Presto – $$
• Brian's Barbecue – Finleyville – $$
• Smokin' Toad BBQ – Sarver – $$
• Rowdy BBQ – South Hills – $ to $$
• The Dream BBQ – Homewood South – $$
• Choppin' Block BBQ – Strip District – $$ to $$$
• Area 51 BBQ – Belle Vernon – $$
• Wilson's Bar-B-Q – North Side – $$
• YinzBurgh BBQ – Bloomfield – $$ to $$$
• Double Wide Grill – South Side – $$

Seafood in Pittsburgh

Looking for a restaurant that is primarily seafood? We've got you covered with these great options!

• Or, the Whale – Downtown – $$$ to $$$$
• Monterey Bay Fish Grotto – Mount Washington – $$$
• Penn Avenue Fish Co. – Strip District – $ to $$
• Muddy Waters Oyster Bar – East Liberty – $$ to $$$
• Pittsburgh Poke – Downtown – $ to $$
• Merchant Oyster Co. – Lawrenceville – $$ to $$$
• The Original Oyster House – Downtown – $ to $$

Vegetarian / Vegan / Healthy Focused

In the mood for something healthy, or perhaps even vegetarian or vegan? Check out the following options!

• Apteka – Bloomfield – $$
• Bitter Ends Luncheonette – Bloomfield – $ to $$
• Onion Maiden – Allentown – $$
• honeygrow – East Liberty – $ to $$

More Pittsburgh Restaurants Coming Soon!

Our goal at Discover the Burgh is to eat at every restaurant in the greater Pittsburgh area, which we are planning to be quite the long project. If your favorite was not on the list above, it is likely because we have either not visited yet or have not published our full review from our visit.

We visit 1-3 new restaurants every week and publish full reviews shortly after, so check back soon to see where our newest additions line up!

If you have a recommendation for a place we need to prioritize, please contact us as we'd love to hear where we should go next! Many recommendations we've received have been about places we've never known about and absolutely loved, so we would love to hear from you!

Looking for more food options in the city? Be sure to check out our listing of the best Pittsburgh food trucks, Pittsburgh ice cream, as well as our selection of awesome bakeries in Pittsburgh!

If you're looking for other things to do in Pittsburgh, check out our guide to the city's best spots!

Or are you looking to visit Pittsburgh? Find the best neighborhood to stay in at the previous link!