22 Top Places to Eat In Downtown Pittsburgh

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.

To help get you started, browse the map below, read about some of our favorites or download our Downtown Dining map to take with you on your phone as you explore.

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, including a Latin-inspired menu paired with classic cocktails from the prohibition era.

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 for quick and delicious Korean-inspired food. The restaurant's interior is cheerful and inviting, and the ingredients are organic and locally sourced.

4. Gaucho Parrilla Argentina

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!

7. The Standard

The Standard is an establishment that offers “something for everyone”! 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 find 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 tasty fried seafood and tavern drinks right inside a historic landmark.

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.

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Sienna Mercato on Facebook
Credit |
Sienna Mercato on Facebook

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 is 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.

12. Bakersfield

Craving tacos and tequila? Head to Bakersfield for authentic Mexican street fare and 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, 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, as well as 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 and date nights and has family-sized portions for sharing.

16. Rib Room

Prime rib fans, rejoice! This spot, tucked behind Meat and Potatoes in the Cultural District, focuses on prime rib aged in-house and perfectly cooked. Enjoy their supper club vibe in an upscale dining experience that seats only 16 per evening. 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.

17. Whiskey B's

New on Market Square, dive into Whiskey B's menu! Fire up your palate with starters that range from bone marrow and turkey leg to fries, Brussels, and pickles, then dig in to delicious burgers, sandwiches, salads, and more, making this a perfect lunch or dinner spot.

18. Sally Ann's

Acclaimed executive chef Jamilka Borges brings her creativity and flair to Sally Ann's, the casual dining experience open from breakfast to 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.

19. Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steakhouse

The restored Union Trust Building, on the corner of Fifth and William Penn Place, is home to Downtown's steakhouse. The two-story restaurant offers chef-driven cuisine, award-winning wine lists, craft cocktails, and live music nightly.

20. Alihan's Coffee & Breakfast

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 Mediterranean 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.

21. 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 steps from Market Square, enjoy elevated modern Italian fare from pumpkin and sage ravioli to squid ink fettuccini and so much more.

22. Fig & Ash

Fig & Ash offers modern American flavors with classic European influences and delicious home-away-from-home scratch cooking. They butcher their own meats, grind their own grains, and work with local farmers to create one-of-a-kind menu experiences.

Dinner and a Show

Are you in town for a musical, symphony, or other excellent live theatre performance at the Cultural District? Fantastic dining options surround you within easy walking distance of 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 also has some local favorites. 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 Kitchen.
  • Strawberry Way - One of the best 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.
Benedum Center in Pittsburgh's Cultural District
Credit |
Jody Mader

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Jared B.

Author

Jared B.

Enthusiastic Pittsburgher

Always in search of the next great craft beer and arcade. Can be found in the Supporters Section of Pittsburgh Riverhounds games and at whatever festival is happening in the city.

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