The 9 Best Restaurants in Pittsburgh
Feeling a bit hungry in Downtown? Take about 10 steps in any direction and find the best of what Pittsburgh has to offer. Pittsburgh is topping lists all over the internet; whether we’re talking about business development, technological advancements, or medicine, we’re poised to crush it all through the 21st century!
It’s no secret that Pittsburghers love eating great food and putting new things on their plate. We just ranked #4 on Smart Asset’s Best Cities for Foodies; we decided to put that to the test and see if we lived up to all the hype. Here’s some of our favorite restaurants in and around town:
Downtown
Pork & Beans
This Texas-style barbeque joint is the fourth addition to Downtown from the Richard DeShantz Restaurant Group. They’ve got a great selection of smoked meats including spare ribs, pulled pork, and our favorite, beer-can chicken; order a couple of starters for the table and a few drinks from their beer list, and with a full belly!
136 6th Street – Pittsburgh 15222
Pizzuvio
It’s like eating pizza in Italy, minus the 14 hour flight! This fast-casual restaurant in Downtown is a creation from Ron Molinaro, who started crafting pizza at Il Pizzaiolo in the South Hills in 1996. His ovens are straight from Italy, churning out some of the best pizza and Italian street food anyone could ask for. The ambiance of the restaurant is cool, too, featuring art from Baron Batch and Studio AM.
268 Forbes Avenue – Pittsburgh 15222
Union Standard
This new contemporary American restaurant in the Union Trust Building brings a fresh new taste to Downtown. Their menu includes refined classics from the wood-fired rotisserie and grill, vegetable dishes, and a raw bar. This is the first solo venture from Derek Stevens, who was the long-time executive chef at Eleven.
524 William Penn Place – Pittsburgh 15219
Strip District
Smallman Galley
This Smallman street restaurant incubator is a 6,000 square foot space with room for nearly 200 seats. Four chefs operate their restaurant for 18 months at a time, and the first group is transitioning out now; a group of new restaurants moves in June 6, including Colonia, Banhmilicious, Brunoise, and Iron Born Pizza. Every time you step through the door, you’re granted a new experience to try a different kitchen!
54 21st Street – Pittsburgh 15222
Kaya
This cuisine is inspired by the sea and sun, using fresh ingredients to bring out bold flavors. Kaya incorporates culinary customs of the Caribbean Islands, South America, and the Pacific, using fresh herbs and spices combined with the excitement of a sizzling grill to create exotic foods.
2000 Smallman Street – Pittsburgh 15222
Lawrenceville
Morcilla
Morcilla brings Spanish cuisine to Pittsburgh; the family-style menu builds a lively environment with a focus on traditional pintxos and Spanish charcuterie. The chef, Justin Severino, is the co-owner at Cure just down the street. This restaurant was a 2016 James Beard Foundation Award semifinalist for Best New Restaurant.
3519 Butler Street – Pittsburgh 15201
Umami
This concept is a partnership between Round Corner Cantina’s owner Derek Burnell and Roger Li, the chef from Tamari, a Latin-Asian restaurant. The menu is purely Japanese pub food with small-plates, and sushi and sashimi. The bar menu features bottles of sake, a Japanese beer list, and a great selection of wines. It’s a fresh concept for our city, and we’re excited to have it here!
202 38th Street – Pittsburgh 15201
East Liberty
Casbah
Casbah offers a broad menu focused on Mediterranean-inspired cuisine made from all local ingredients. A bowl of homemade pasta, a cheese plate followed by appetizers or a four-course meal are all possibilities each evening at Casbah. Enjoy their Old World wines by the glass, and a unique craft cocktail list. The garden patio and dining room create a great atmosphere, and Jen Love, General Manager, and her team never disappoint!
229 S Highland Avenue – Pittsburgh 15206
Noodlehead
This BYOB Thai joint features street-market noodles and other bites in a great industrial setting. It’s cash only and they don’t have a phone, but they’ve got some awesome food!
242 S Highland Avenue – Pittsburgh 15206
This is just a small sample of our favorite restaurants; the list really could go on and on! We’re happy to live and work in a city that is taking huge steps forward in the culinary scene. What do you think? Have you been to any great spots that you think others need to know about? Leave a message in our comments with your favorite spot in town.