Top Pittsburgh Restaurants
Over the past few years Pittsburgh has been growing with new restaurants popping up throughout downtown and neighboring areas. With so many great places to dine, Maniac has narrowed down favorites that can satisfy any palate. This list includes dishes specializing in comfort food, contemporary American, Asian inspired, seasonal and authentic family recipes. If you are looking to experience awesome food, then these restaurants are sure to feed that inner Maniac in you.
Already Established:
Gaucho: 1607 Penn Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15222
This restaurant is a carnivores dream, serving up wood-fire Argentinian style platters. With its devotion to authenticity, the menu at Gaucho delivers amazing steaks, sandwiches and entrees of various proteins. Don’t be discouraged vegetarians, they still have some fantastic choices for you too! Whatever diet you prefer you will want to try this place. It has just been named #7 on the list for the best restaurants in the U.S. by Yelp in 2015 and voted one of the top restaurants in Pennsylvania. Gaucho, a previously smaller establishment that did not serve alcohol, is now renovating its space to accommodate a larger crowd and is in the process of obtaining a liquor license to pair some amazing cocktails with their delicious food.
Vallozzi’s Pittsburgh: 220 Fifth Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15222
A family tradition turned family business is unquestionably a top downtown destination for dining. Derived from their Italian roots, this alluring menu delivers exceptional pastas, seafood, Helen’s gnocchi and Italian meats and cheeses that are flown from Italy weekly. They also provide a substantial list of fine wines and an amazing mozzarella bar you will want to experience. Vallozzi’s will certainly provide a gratifying meal for you and your guests.
Cure: 5336 Butler St, Pittsburgh, PA 15201
Known as one of the most raved about restaurant in the city, Cure is leaving everyone speechless with its amazing meats. Chef Justin Severino, basically a charcuterie guru, butchers and cures all of his own meats for a frequently rotated treat. Described as cooking with an urban- Mediterranean influence, Cure specializes in a platter called Salumi that is built of different cured meats such as duck rillette, duck speck, porcini salami, and Spanish chorizo, just to name a few. Cure prefers sourcing their ingredients from local farmers, making their menu ever evolving and deliciously fresh.
Meat and Potatoes: 649 Penn Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15222
Established in 2011, it is one of the leading Gastro Pubs to hit Pittsburgh and has become a hot spot in downtown. A Gastro Pub can be described as a “public house” (a.k.a Pub) that serves great, high-quality food and drinks. It is located in the heart of the cultural district, bringing in business from every angle. This simple, yet clever name describes this restaurant to a T. With the hardworking person in mind, Meat and Potatoes created a menu to fulfill your appetite for comfort food. Along with a desirable dinner menu, they also serve one of the best brunch’s downtown with an incredibly large Bloody Mary bar!
Umi: 5849 Ellsworth Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15232
If you’re looking for great sushi and a delicious Japanese cuisine, then Umi is the place to go. With exceptionally fresh fish delivered every day, this restaurant makes some of the best maki and nori-maki sushi around. Umi dedicates their food to uphold the ancient traditions and expectations of shokunin (traditional master sushi chefs) in Japan. Along with an irresistible menu, Umi fills their restaurant with a relaxing Japanese ambiance to create an authentic Asian experience.
Root 174: 1113 S Braddock Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15218
Where small town meets big city, Regent Square is one of the most welcoming neighborhoods in Pittsburgh and offers a variety of tasteful places to eat. One restaurant that is making its presence known to the city slickers is Root 174. The 32 person seating accommodations provides a friendly atmosphere for people to dine. Made up of contemporary American influences, this menu creates food with layers of flavors and diverse ingredients. The Chef, also being the owner, is able to let his creativity flow and experiment at will, changing the menu whenever he sees fit. This a place that encourages reoccurring visits because each time will be a new experience.
Avenue B: 5501 Centre Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15232
A small space located on the corner of S Graham and Centre, Avenue B is known as the neighborhood bistro. This cozy, little restaurant delivers a big bite, with a seasonally, altering menu that is built from local ingredients. Described as “sophisticated simplicity,” the culinary team combines simple elements with bold flavors that will make your jaw drop and mouth drool for more. Although it refers to itself as a bistro, it delivers substantial dinner items that can compete with any local restaurant. It is the perfect spot for a quaint night out. But if you can’t make time to stop in, their te
am also provides exceptional catering for local events.
Grit & Grace: 535 Liberty Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15222
Grit & Grace, a name commonly associated with southern comfort food is far from that. Claiming to embrace a “New American” style, the menu focuses on American cuisine that is complimented with an Asian twist. Believing that everything in life must have an opposite in order to exist and achieve balance, the food is designed to capture just that in every bite. It ranges from salads, to ramen noodle bowls, large and small plates and even dim sum. What is dim sum? It is a variety of Chinese foods served in small portions that they offer right as the waiter approaches your table. It is an irresistible small plate that is sure to get your taste buds going.
Hidden Gems:
Some of the best foods come from the most unexpected places. These two street vendors have such amazing foods that they have people claiming they are the best in town.
Lucy’s Bahn Mi: 2216 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222
Bahn Mi is a Vietnamese street sandwich that derived from the French colonial period and literally translates (to put it simply) baguette, or a type of bread. This Vietnamese influenced sandwich is one of the tastiest and Lucy knows how to make it right with her homemade recipe. She is located in the parking lot between Bar Marco and Penn Fish Co. down in the Strip District. With her fold out picnic table she serves up amazing sandwiches to the foot traffic of Penn Avenue.
Las Palmas: 326 Atwood St. Pittsburgh, PA 15213
The Mexican grocery store sets up a food cart right in front every day for the students along Atwood Street in Oakland. This authentic Mexican street food cart has some of the best tacos in Pittsburgh. Everything is made from scratch with recipes handed down from generations. The cart displays a variety of meats to choose from and then the taco is made your way right in front of you. These tacos are not only mouthwatering but they are affordable too, $2.50 per taco!
New to Pittsburgh:
Tako: 214 6th Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15222
The name is a double entendre meaning octopus in Japanese and also serving tacos on the menu. The owners out did themselves when designing the menu and atmosphere of their new restaurant. The kitchen is in the front, giving a food truck appearance, with outside seating that allow patrons to watch the kitchen prepare their meals. As you walk in the (cooler) front door you are warped to this underground street scene. The dim lighting from the large, bicycle chain chandeliers, the catwalk with caged DJ booth and the grass influenced walls really takes you into a whole new world. To top it off they have a tequila list of over 300, accompanied with mescals and some of the best craft margaritas I have ever experienced. The drinks are specifically selected to pair with all of the delicious food options. With a simple menu designed of street influenced starters and tacos, the chef crafted some of the best tasting dishes you could imagine. I am still dreaming of more street corn
The Commoner: 214 6th Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15222
Named after William Penn, this Modern American tavern would surely make the colonials proud. Located in the Hotel Monaco, this Steel city influenced space is constructed with an industrial feel and local vibe. You many start to think you’re in another city with such a sleek design. But the menu pulls you back home with its array of local products, such as Elysian Fields lamb and Wiggle whiskey. This restaurant utilizes some of PA’s best traits, its agriculture. The menu stems from old world pub items and transforms them with Pittsburgh favorites, creating a rustic and hardy taste with contemporary ingredients. Whether sitting at the bar or in the dining room, you won’t be disappointed
Places to Watch:
Bakn: E Main Street Carnegie, PA 15106
This new restaurant is serving up a hardy menu with recipes that are devoted to the Chef’s love for bacon. It delivers delicious brunch options that are designed with a modern twist. Whether you are a pork lover, or not, this menu accommodates for all. Choices range from omelets, to pancakes, to sandwiches and there are signature “bakn” selections for each category. Located on Main Street in Carnegie, Bakn is sure to be the new go-to place for breakfast opening this summer.
Poros: Named after the Greek Island, is a new restaurant that is predicted to open late 2015. It focuses on Mediterranean cuisines that specializes on Seafood and Lamb dishes, which are predominantly Greek influenced. It will deliver an authentic menu list that pulls from traditionally ethnic meals of the Mediterranean. It is located in the heart of downtown, Market Square, in the PPG building and next to PNC.
Superior Motors: While off to a rocky start, Kevin Sousa has been collecting funds from the popular site called Kickstarter in order to fulfil his dream of building a restaurant located in Braddock in efforts to revamp the rundown town. In support of his efforts the restaurant space (one of the first indoor Chevrolet dealerships) has been offered to him rent free by owner and Mayor, John Fetterman. He is also making 1,000 square-feet available on the roof for a greenhouse where Sousa can grow produce to use as ingredients. With funds and space supporting his efforts, everyone is anxious for this grand opening.
