Top Restaurants in Downtown Pittsburgh | Let's Eat #LovePGH
Downtown Pittsburgh is the heart of the city, with bustling sidewalks, urban parks, and a newly flourishing dining scene. From ethnic eats 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.
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 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.
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Coming Soon to Downtown
Alta Via Pizzeria
Alta Via Pizzeria continues to expand throughout the city. Their Bakery Square location, opened early 2022, was an immediate hit and the Downtown location is coming soon to Market Square Downtown. Look for their fresh, flavorful pizzas, seasonal vegetables and pastas to round out an amazing list of food options around the square.
Back to the Foodture
You loved the original, and the sequel is going to be even better. South Side burger and wing joint Back to the Foodture is bringing 1.21 Gigawatts of flavor to their massive expansion near PPG Paints Arena soon with a full-service dining room, events space and tons of pool, air hockey and basketball games to play.
Ritual House
We don't have a ton of details on this one yet, but the Ritual House buzz is building. This elevated fine-dining restaurant is set to open in the historic Union Trust Building sometime in 2022.
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