From Pierogies to Primanti's: A Pittsburgh Itinerary for the Foodie

With 90 distinct neighborhoods rich with history and culture, finding a restaurant in Pittsburgh can take you to fine dining atop scenic lookouts, local hotspots and hidden gems featuring flavors from all over the world. Whether you’re a declared foodie, a first-timer or a local wanting to be sure you’ve hit all the top spots, this is the itinerary for you.

PRO-TIP: Pack even more foodie fun into your trip by planning your visit around food festivals like Picklesburgh, a celebration of all things pickles, named the top food festival in the entire country for the past several years.

P&G's Pamela's Diner. Photo Credit: Nano Betts

Day One: Pittsburgh Culture

Start your foodie journey with a breakfast so good, it’s presidentially approved. At P&G's Pamela’s Diner, gigantic portions of crepe-style hotcakes, homemade hash and out-of-this-world omelets will fill every square inch of your table in this retro diner filled with chatty locals and Pittsburgh history.

And speaking of history, the Senator John Heinz History Center, located just down the street, is loaded with plenty for foodie fans to chew on. Towering ketchup bottle displays, Heinz memorabilia and interactive displays should be your first stop here before exploring the full museum dedicated to Pittsburgh history, our sports legends and other special exhibits. Don’t forget to grab a pickle pin before you leave!

Resist the urge to take a nap and ascend to some of the best views of Pittsburgh as you ride the Monongahela or Duquesne Inclines to the top of our Mount Washington neighborhood. Enjoy the scenic lookouts on your ride and from viewing platforms at the top, then head down Shiloh Street for a cone at DiFiore's Ice Cream Delite.

Still have room for more? With multiple James Beard nominations and named one of the New York Times top restaurants in the country, Apteka’s vegan, Eastern European cuisine is sure to be the meal you tell all your friends about. Be sure to get some pierogies, a Pittsburgh staple, and other classics like potato dumplings and stuffed cabbage.

Before you go into a food coma for the day, head to Con Alma in Downtown Pittsburgh for one of the most lauded bars in the city accompanied by live jazz from renowned musicians nightly. Oh, and it’s ok to give into the urge and try just one more small plate from their soul-infused cuisine.

Stuffed cabbage at Apteka. Photo courtesy of Apteka.

Day Two: Flavors from Around the World

You’ve made it to day two, so liven up your morning with Pigeon Bagels, named a top spot in the country outside of NYC and known for their Jewish baked goods like challah and rugelach. Then, take a scenic stroll through the Squirrel Hill neighborhood, browsing and shopping until you arrive at Commonplace Coffee for exceptional roasts in a community hub.

Mangia! What better place for lunch than DiAnoia’s Eatery. While their menu may be pared down for lunch, you can still sample all of the dishes that put DiAnoia’s on the top of foodies’ lists with their whipped ricotta, cacio e pepe and other favorites plus porchetta and eggplant parmesan sandwiches you can only get for lunch.

Rinse down your meals from our second foodie-focused day with a craft beverage from Pittsburgh Brewing Company. Take a journey through their state-of-the-art brewing facility, sample beers and see how Pittsburgh-based Iron City Beer and I.C. Light is made on this hour long behind-the-scenes tour.

Dinner calls for a bite at one of the top 100 restaurants in the country. Gi-jin continues your tour of international flavors with an upscale take on Japanese tradition and technique focusing on hand-rolls, sushi and gin.

If you ask the craft beer crowd, Dancing Gnome is on the short list of essential places for a nightcap. Don’t be surprised to see a line of people wrapped around the building waiting for the latest can release; their buzz-worthy brews are a mainstay in the Pittsburgh beer fridge. Start with their lauded Lustra pale ale before venturing into the rest of their draft list which features refreshing takes on beer styles from around the world.

There you have it, our top suggestions for a foodie tour around the Burgh. But trust us, there are many more flavors and fan-favorites to discover and enjoy.