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Discover the best restaurants in Downtown Pittsburgh!
Downtown Pittsburgh is the heart of the city, with bustling sidewalks, urban parks and a flourishing dining scene. From multicultural cuisine to gastropubs, you can find a wide variety of excellent restaurants in this booming area.
1. Con Alma
Enjoy food with soul at Con Alma, Downtown Pittsburgh's newest hot spot for dinner and brunch. Live jazz featuring local musicians accompanies some of the best food and drinks in the city with a Latin-inspired menu paired with prohibition era classic cocktails.
2. The Speckled Egg
Sometimes, the best way to spend a Sunday morning is treating yourself to a delicious pile of French toast. When that craving hits, The Speckled Egg is there for you. The upscale diner has menu items such as brown butter French toast, the goat omelette and a full cocktail menu. If waffles are more your thing, see #13, further down this list.
3. Bae Bae's Kitchen
Bae Bae's Kitchen is the place to go for quick and delicious Korean-inspired food. Not only is the restaurant interior cheerful and inviting, but their ingredients are organic and locally-sourced.
Another popular downtown eatery is Gaucho Parrilla Argentina. The restaurant, which specializes in sandwiches and wood-fired meat, moved downtown a while back to accommodate their growing foodie fan base.
5. Nicky's Thai Kitchen
Look no further than Nicky's Thai Kitchen for the best Thai food in town. They have a lengthy menu to fit all tastes, and you can typically find dinner specials on their website. Plus, customers can choose between the bar or BYOB.
6. täkō
No "best restaurant" list is complete without informing the masses where to get superb tacos and tequila. In Downtown Pittsburgh, täkō serves up a variety of tacos on the menu and even a taco board. This restaurant is sure to satisfy that ever-returning craving. For another taco and tequila downtown Pittsburgh favorite, see #12 further down this list!
The Standard provides a “something for everyone” establishment! Whether you're looking for a spot to work over coffee and a fresh breakfast, a unique lunch or a place to enjoy drinks and dinner with friends, you can get it all at The Standard.
8. The Original Oyster House
For a tried-and-true Pittsburgh tradition, head to The Original Oyster House - the oldest bar and restaurant in the city. There you'll enjoy some tasty fried seafood and tavern drinks, right inside a historic landmark.
Photo credit: Sienna Mercato Facebook page
9. Sienna Mercato
Sienna Mercato is a 3-story Italian food "marketplace" in Pittsburgh's historic Cultural District, each floor with its own distinct dining destination. Emporio, on the bottom floor, specializes in meatballs, whereas Mezzo, on the second floor, has a small wine bar and an extensive menu of classic and creative Italian dishes, including artisanal pizzas, Italian cheeses, charcuterie, and more. Il Tetto, the top floor, boasts city skyline views and a beer and wine garden that can be enjoyed year round, thanks to the retractable glass ceiling.
10. Bridges and Bourbon
For "dining done differently," modernistic cocktails that are visually stunning and food that engages the senses, head to Bridges and Bourbon. The sophisticated yet social atmosphere makes this the perfect spot to celebrate a special occasion or date night.
11. The Commoner and Biergarten
The Commoner is Pittsburgh's modern American tavern, and it's anything but ordinary. It specializes in American classics with a touch of the unexpected. During the summer season, the restaurant's rooftop open-air biergarten is open Thursday through Saturday evenings. It's the perfect spot for happy hours or weekend meet-ups with friends.
Photo credit: Bakersfieldtacos.com
12. Bakersfield
Craving tacos and tequila? Head to Bakersfield for authentic Mexican street fare and a selection of over 100 tequilas and whiskeys. This is the place to go for simple food and an upbeat atmosphere set against a backdrop of the finest country-western music.
13. Waffles, INCaffeinated
At Waffles, INCaffeinated, you can sample "exquisitely wicked" delicious waffles, both savory and sweet, along with creative sandwiches and custom coffee drinks. Bring your family and friends along for this affordable and unique boutique dining experience in downtown Pittsburgh.
14. gi-jin
Sushi, hand rolls and gin inspire this playful name that delivers big flavor through a refined Japanese approach to sushi. At gi-jin, Chef De Cuisine Michael Taylor serves up fresh, delicious nigiri, sashimi and hand rolls and sake, junmai and cocktails to expertly pair with each flavor.
15. fl.2
Luxury is stitched into every detail from the moment you walk into fl.2 at Fairmont Pittsburgh. From the upscale décor furnished by local makers to the house-made menu items focused on surprising combinations, fl.2 is perfect for corporate meetings, date night and has family-sized portions for sharing.
If you love the amazing cuisine and friendly atmosphere of Downtown staple Alihan's, you're in luck! Located right next door, Alihan's Coffee & Breakfast offers Turkish Meditteranean breakfast, brunch and lunch options. Try their takes on waffles, crepes and french toast or branch out and go for their specialty items like the Turkish Breakfast for Two, menemen (a mix of sautéed diced tomatoes and green peppers with eggs) and savory breakfast poğaça.
The restored Union Trust Building is home to Downtown's steakhouse on the corner of Fifth and William Penn Place. The two-story restaurant offers chef-driven cuisine, award-winning wine lists, craft cocktails and live music nightly.
Acclaimed executive chef Jamilka Borges brings her creativity and flair to Sally Ann's, the casual dining experience open from breakfast-late night Downtown. Sip an espresso as you play classic arcade games, pick up sandwiches for lunch or end your day with fresh-made pies and cakes at Sally Ann's.
Located right on Market Square, Barcadia is the newest arcade bar in the Burgh with two floors of gaming paired with themed, rotating cocktails plus handheld snacks like burgers, tacos and chicken sandwiches to keep your life bar full.
Dinner and a Show
In town for a musical, symphony or other amazing live theatre performance at the Cultural District? You are literally surrounded by amazing dining options, all within easy walking distance to our theatres. Consider the following streets, and remember to make reservations in advance:
Sixth Street - Restaurants line both sides of the street and extend into outdoor patios, making this a foodie heaven. International cuisine at gi-jin (Japanese), tako (Mexican), Alihan's (Mediterranean) and Cafe Milano (Italian) join American favorites Sally Ann's, Redbeard's, Olive Or Twist and Giovanni's (home of the pickle pizza).
Penn Avenue - When you exit the Theatre Square Garage for a show, great restaurants are to your left and right. Gaucho Parilla Argentina, Con Alma, Rib Room and Meat & Potatoes are closest to the major theatres, but it's also worth a farther walk down to Nicky's Thai Kitchen or Bridges & Bourbon as well.
Liberty Avenue - The next block down from Penn has some local favorites as well. Grab a giant slice from Pizza Parma or the usual from Mike & Tony's Gyros, or go upscale at the flavor-packed Bae Bae's Cafe.
Strawberry Way - One of my favorite walks in the city is to park at the US Steel Building, and walk down the pedestrian-only Strawberry Way, enjoying the mural that encompasses each step. A fantastic sit-down dinner at The Commoner or the best hot dog in the city at Wiener World make this walk perfect.
New Downtown!
Alta Via
If you love their Fox Chapel location, you'll be happy to know the same great flavors of Alta Via are now available Downtown! Located in the heart of PPG Place and just steps from Market Square, enjoy elevated modern Italian fare from pumpkin and sage ravioli to squid ink fettuccini and so much more.
PPG Paints Arena now has two additional dining options for fans and visitors to enjoy before a game or concert. Bacon, Bourbon and Beer serves up sweet and savory bacon flights, 40+ bourbon offerings and fantastic burgers, while the fast casual Tacos, Taps and Tequila offers up quick, inexpensive tacos, dips and fajitas.
Alchemy Bar & Kitchen
Wow your palate at Alchemy, located right in Market Square. Their fine dining experience focuses on molecular gastronomy with surprising presentations like purple potato fondant, lemon cotton candy, salted pistachio puffs and other one-of-a-kind creations.
Prime rib fans, rejoice! This new spot, tucked behind Meat and Potatoes in the Cultural District, focuses on prime rib aged in-house and cooked to perfection. Enjoy their supper club vibe in an upscale dining experience that seats only 16 per evening. Plus, enjoy craft cocktails and an extensive whiskey list, sample wagyu carpaccio and lobster thermidor starters, and end your meal with the showcase Baked Alaska for Two.
