Penn Avenue Pizza & Steaks (PAPS) is a one-stop-shop for all things NY-style pizzas and Philly cheesesteaks.
While it is rare for a spot to do either of these on their own well enough to sing it from the rooftop, PAPS manages to make it work with delicious pies and an even more wonderful sandwich.
You'll want to go hungry when visiting this one!
The Forge in Lawrenceville is one of those spots that you may not notice when driving along Penn Avenue. Apart from a small sign out front, this one is easy to miss if you're not looking closely.
But for those who make the effort to stop and head in, a delicious cocktail bar with Mediterranean small-plates and a modest pizza menu is your reward!
Ruby's Wine House is a family-run restaurant and wine bar near Coraopolis serving up crowd-pleasing Italian small plates and pastas along with a diverse selection of wine.
The welcoming atmosphere and shareable nature of the food make this a great spot for hanging out with a group. It's the kind of place you settle in and order several rounds of antipasti and wine, all while enjoying the friendly service.
Our first visit here was with a group of friends who suggested the place, and at first we were not quite sure what to expect from this spot that's a bit of a drive out of the city in a quiet, somewhat remote location. Looking at the food menu, you could easily think this is just another red sauce joint cranking out mediocre pasta.
But once we stepped inside, we realized one of the things that sets Ruby's apart is the excellent hospitality. And on top of that, as dish after dish came out, we realized that the food is also executed quite well and belies the seemingly simple menu.
Butcher and the Rye is a whiskey bar and meat-forward restaurant located in downtown Pittsburgh in the heart of the cultural district. Shuttered during COVID, the restaurant recently reopened with a revamped menu. The massive wall of whiskey remains the focal point of the space, while the food is perfectly designed to pair with the spirit-forward drink list.
We made it in to Butcher and the Rye during their re-opening week and were happy to see that the space still has multiple dining nooks acoss each of its levels, creating a cozy and intimate feeling. We were seated on the second level in front of the den-like library complete with a giant stuffed black bear. The menu matches the vibe – think bourbon-focused cocktails, dry aged meats, lots of game dishes, and other hearty fare.
Like any major city in the USA, Pittsburgh is home to an incredible street food scene that is growing larger by the day. Between the dozens of food trucks, mobile carts, and dedicated stands, the one thing that holds true no matter where you go is that it takes quite the effort to find the best in a sea of mostly average establishments.
When it comes finding the best Pittsburgh food trucks we're up for the challenge, and to chronicle our journey this roundup was born.
This list is not a collection of every street food vendor we've tried in the city. Far from it. This list only features what we think are the very best of the ones we've visited to date (we're still working our way through many as well).
By the end we hope that you'll be hopping in your car to try something right away because each business featured deserves no less than your immediate attention and visit.
We've been fans of Pittsburgh Sandwich Society for many years, from their early food truck days to their permanent kitchen menu at Strange Roots in Millvale.
When we heard they were leaving the brewery in June 2026, we were at first quite sad about the news. But this one comes with a silver lining, as the crew behind the stellar food was not only bringing their mobile food truck back (hooray!) but also taking over the former Crazy Cones spot in Millvale for a new custard and grill concept- Winston's Good Eats and Frozen Treats!
Naturally, we had to go check this one out shortly after it opened, and it was everything we hoped it would be.
Jillian's in New Kensington is a fine dining farm-to-table restaurant with a menu that changes daily, showcasing all the best produce and proteins from across the region. The unassuming brick exterior belies the hospitality and delightful chef-driven food that's going on inside the cozy space. It's the kind of spot perfect for bringing a group of friends, sharing a little bit of everything, and lingering with good conversation and a bottle of wine.
We'd heard lots of good things about this fine dining haven in an unlikely location, so we knew we had to check it out. The space is pretty small with just a dozen or so tables, so a reservation is essential. Around the timeframe that we visited, they were offering a burger night on Wednesdays, with their regular chalkboard menu on other nights Thursdays through Sundays.
Although the burgers sound great, we knew our first visit had to be to experience the entire menu- and oh are we glad we did.
Apteka has long been one of our favorite restaurants in Pittsburgh, so when they added another day of the week to their business hours, we jumped for joy. We were even more excited to learn that there is a twist to their service on this extra day.
On Thursdays Apteka transforms into Vinoteka, offering a more focused food menu with casual bites like sandwiches and salads, with an expanded, carefully curated wine list. It's Apteka's even cooler, even more chill, wine-focused little brother.
Senyai Thai Kitchen in Shadyside is a modern Thai spot serving up classics as well as lesser-known dishes in a comfortable atmosphere. Although you'll of course find popular options like pad thai and curries, we'd recommend sticking with dishes on the Chef's Recommendations section of the menu for more unique flavors.
Be sure to snag a reservation if you want to sit inside the converted house with clean, modern decor, or walk in and enjoy patio seating.
As big fans of all things Japanese cuisine, we have been thrilled to see many higher-end restaurants open up in the city serving sushi and other regional specialties.
Okane in downtown Pittsburgh is one such restaurant, and focuses on a prix-fixe omakase experience with 16 to 20 courses. We have had many omakase dinners like this during our travels in Japan, and it is one of our favorite dining styles to try chef-curated bites over the course of an evening.
So we booked a reservation for my birthday and made our way downtown to try this one out shortly after it opened!