Eat & Drink

10 Delicious Restaurants for Valentine’s Day in Pittsburgh

Valentine’s Day is always a great holiday to have a nice meal out with a loved one. It feels like a great time to get fancy, try something new, and, for some, really go all-out to impress your partner.

In this one, we wanted to share a selection of great Pittsburgh restaurants that you may want to consider for a Valentine’s Day celebration with a special someone- be it a spouse, long-time partner, or new romantic interest.

This guide is not comprehensive, nor does it solely focus on expensive, fine-dining restaurants. We wanted to provide a cross-section of restaurant ideas, cuisine styles, and other special aspects to remember for a special meal out. Some are expensive fine-dining, and others are much more approachable for those who may be newly dating or on a budget.

But as Valentine’s Day is an incredibly popular time for dining out, we have one recommendation for every restaurant featured below unless otherwise noted- get your reservations early!

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One by Spork Review – A Prix Fixe Delight in Pittsburgh

One by Spork is a bold new restaurant concept in the former Spork space at the border between Garfield, Friendship, and Bloomfield. The dining experience consists of a roughly 10-course tasting menu with drink pairings (and many additional welcome bites) where diners are seated around a circular chef’s counter.

We visited One by Spork shortly after opening and were intrigued by the inventive techniques and ingredients being used in both the food and drinks here. While some of the courses were more cohesive than others, we think One by Spork is ambitious and exciting, and hope that it kindles more creativity in the Pittsburgh restaurant scene.

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Hong BBQ & Hot Pot Review – All-You-Can-Eat Fun

When it comes to all-you-can-eat restaurants, we often visit with a bit of suspicion. Is the food good quality? Do you get your money’s worth? Is it just another buffet gimmick? We could go on.

We had all of these thoughts and then some when we read that Hong BBQ & Hot Pot was opening on McKnight Road. A chain hot pot and barbecue restaurant located right next to Best Buy? We had a lot of questions.

It turns out all of our concerns were overblown because Hong BBQ & Hot Pot delivers a stellar dining experience for those who love hot pot or Korean barbecue, and its location makes for a massive space that can accommodate many people- a win-win all around.

But we have two up-front recommendations before diving in- go hungry and take friends with you.

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Spirits & Tales Review – Elevated Dining With a View in Oakland

Spirits and Tales is a modern brasserie-style restaurant on the top floor of The Oaklander hotel. The restaurant holds it own, though, and is more than just a place to eat while staying at the hotel. With craft cocktails, seasonal house made pasta and entrees, and stunning views, it’s a destination in its own right for some solid upscale dining in the Oakland neighborhood.

We have dined at Spirits and Tales a few times, but most recently when we were staying at the hotel as guests of the property. On a week night during the Christmas holiday season it was packed full, so we ended up sitting at the bar. A reservation is a good idea here, especially on the weekend and during the holidays.

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Arepittas Review – Delicious Venezuelan Arepas Downtown

Arepittas on Cherry Way in downtown Pittsburgh is one of those blink-and-you’ll-miss-it kind of spots.

Part of this is because it is on a less frequented stretch of downtown Pittsburgh outright, but the main reason is that it is tucked on the first level of a large parking garage. So much so that it feels almost like it is inside the garage properly. 

So when we drove down this road and saw the small Venezuelan street food restaurant, we had to do a double take. But after hearing many glowing reviews from others who have visited before us, we knew we had to get in right away.

To put it bluntly- Arepittas may be the best cheap eats in downtown Pittsburgh.

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La Bodega Taqueria Review – A Surprising Find in South Side

La Bodega Taqueria is one of those places that we absolutely love to discover in Pittsburgh.

We did not know this one had opened up right on the heart of East Carson Street in South Side, and only stumbled upon it while driving to meet friends for drinks at Acacia a few blocks away.

In the brief seconds it took us to drive by, we knew where we had to end up for dinner after, and a short while later we made our way down the block for some delicious, delicious Mexican food.

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Solera Wine Co Offers Wine and More in a Welcoming Space

We are always of the mindset that Pittsburgh needs more wine bars and bottle shops, and, thankfully, our wine scene is improving with each passing year.

In 2024, Lawrenceville’s wine scene got a new addition- Solera Wine Co.

Not only is this one a wine bar offering an array of wines by the glass, but it also offers an on-site bottle shop, small bites, and a modest cocktail program, too!

Go for a glass, leave with a bottle? We’re okay with this.

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Golden Gai Review – Premium Japanese Dining in Bakery Square

Golden Gai brings an izakaya-type dining experience to Bakery Square, complete with sushi, hot dishes, craft cocktails, and an extensive sake menu. As a sister restaurant to downtown’s high-end sushi spot Gi-Jin, Golden Gai brings a slightly more relaxed vibe while still delivering the same great flavors.

We dined during opening week and were especially excited about the delicious noodles and grilled dishes that reminded us of our time in Japan just a few days prior.

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Triangle Bar Review – Massive Deli Subs in Swissvale

In Pittsburgh, if you hear the word Battleship, your first thought may not go to a war-time vessel of the seas, but, instead, a loaded hoagie full of cold cuts.

But the Swissvale-based Triangle Bar does not just offer any hoagie. True to its name, the famous Battleship sandwich clocks in at over two feet in length and joins other naval-themed sandwiches for an impressive lineup of exceptionally large sandwiches.

After driving past this one on many trips over to Kennywood, we decided to stop and see what the tirangle-shaped bar and deli is all about.

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Braddock Public House Review – A Food and Beer Delight

Braddock Public House is the newest venture from the folks behind Brew Gentlemen, a local brewery also based in the Braddock neighborhood. Located just down the street from their original taproom, Braddock Public House brings approachable yet elevated bar food with a Pittsburgh-Asian slant, along with their world class beer.

We visited during opening week and were so thrilled with the space, the friendly vibe, and the beer, but what surprised us most was the excellent food.

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