It’s here — my curated guide to the best restaurants in Pittsburgh.
At last I’m sharing a selection of my favorite Pittsburgh restaurants and our go-to spots around the city.
This roundup has been in the works for a long time. On an Instagram Live I promised it was coming soon, and here it is. I often mention favorites in other posts, but you’ve asked for one consolidated list, so I gathered the places we love most right now.
Pittsburgh has an exciting and diverse food scene. I could have doubled the list, but I focused on the very best spots we return to again and again. These selections prioritize standout food and strong service.
I purposely left brunch out as a separate category because many dinner restaurants on this list also serve exceptional weekend brunch — I’ve added an asterisk to places we especially love. Below you’ll find a few helpful notes for some venues.
Where to eat — the best Pittsburgh restaurants
Coffee
Espresso a Mano (Lawrenceville) — Go for the iced latte or a macchiato; their espresso is outstanding.
De Fer (The Strip District) — They roast their own beans and offer excellent nitro cold brew on tap.
Commonplace Coffee — Multiple locations; the iced lavender latte is a favorite.
La Prima Espresso (The Strip District) — A longtime classic for great coffee.
Arriviste Coffee Bar — Known for excellent pour-overs.
Zeke’s — A solid neighborhood coffee choice.
Bakeries
Bella Christie and Lil Z’s — My go-to for show-stopping cakes, cupcakes, creative desserts and over-the-top milkshakes.
Oakmont Bakery — Pick one of everything; their white cake and Oakmonter sandwich are favorites.
Prantl’s — Famous for the Burnt Almond Torte, a must-try.
La Gourmandine — Exceptional pastries, especially the almond croissant and chocolate-almond croissant, plus great breads.
Pizza
Iron Born Pizza (Smallman Galley) and Michigan & Trumbull (Federal Galley) — Fantastic Detroit-style pizza; we’re obsessed.
Driftwood Oven — Named by Bon Appétit as one of the country’s best; their sourdough crust is exceptional.
Il Pizzaiolo — Outstanding Neapolitan pizza.
Pizza Taglio — Great Roman-style slices and toppings.
Piccolo Forno — Their pizza is excellent and the pasta is worth ordering too.
Beers
Lorelei Pgh — A wonderful neighborhood taproom.
Arsenal Cider House — Great for craft ciders.
Cinderlands — A reliable brewery with varied beers.
Brew Gentlemen — Creative beers and a welcoming taproom.
Dancing Gnome — Known for inventive, flavorful brews.
Dinner
Morcilla — Small plates meant for sharing; everything is consistently excellent.
Butcher and The Rye — A favorite for date night; don’t miss the fried Brussels.
Poulet Bleu — A beautiful, chic French bistro with delicious classics.
Tako — Fresh, flavorful tacos and more.
Gaucho — Worth the wait for the quality and flavor.
Meat and Potatoes* — Frequently listed among the best in Pittsburgh and still a top pick for us.
Bakersfield — Great tacos and margaritas.
Floor 2* — A gorgeous spot with excellent drinks and a standout menu; also check the lobby bar at Andy’s for jazz.
Union Standard — A refined choice for dinner.
Smoke — Famous for queso, homemade chips and strong margaritas.
Vallozzi’s — We love their arancini and classic Italian dishes.
Noodlehead — Exceptional noodle dishes; pork buns and crispy chicken are highlights.
Umi — Top-notch sushi; the omakase is unforgettable.
Umami — Outstanding sashimi and Japanese flavors.
Soba — Cozy bar seating and great Japanese-inspired plates.
Soju — Delicious Korean cuisine; bibimbap and Korean BBQ dishes stand out.
Dianoias* — Great sandwiches, pizza and brunch; the gnocchi in a bread bowl is an experience to try.
Nicky’s Thai Kitchen — Reliable and flavorful Thai food.
Mediterra Cafe — Charming spot with excellent breakfast sandwiches and a delicious tuna melt.
Pear and the Pickle — Home of an excellent breakfast sandwich; grab a Rialto to go.
Butterjoint — A solid choice for a refined casual meal.
Casbah — A tasty, well-curated menu in a comfortable setting.
Fast Casual
Roots Natural Kitchen — Fresh, healthy bowls and salads.
Kahuna — Fast, flavorful island-inspired bowls and fillings.
Salud Juicery — Smoothies, bowls and fresh juices.
Choolaah — Modern Indian fast-casual with bold flavors.
Bitter Ends Garden & Luncheonette — A charming spot for salads and sandwiches.
Pastitsio — A go-to for Greek comfort dishes.
Ice Cream
The Milkshake Factory — Fun shakes and rich ice creams.
Millie’s Homemade Ice Cream — A summertime staple with creative flavors.
Leona’s — Classic, creamy ice cream and treats.
Mercurio’s Gelato & Pizza — Gelato and pizza done well.
Page Dairy Mart — A beloved local spot for simple, satisfying ice cream treats.
The Best Places for Kids (breakfast, lunch & dinner)
Smallman Galley
Federal Galley
Both are excellent for families: they offer open seating, a lively atmosphere, quick service and multiple cuisines to choose from. In summer, the Market Square night market is a fun outing — grab something to eat there and follow up with ice cream at Millie’s.
I’ll update this list as I discover new favorites. I’d love to hear your recommendations too — share your top Pittsburgh spots and I may add them to future updates.