I’ll admit it: before visiting, I assumed the Pittsburgh dining scene was mostly about pierogies and sandwiches with fries stuffed inside. I was wrong. After exploring the city on two separate trips—eating my way from the gritty-cool Strip District to the hills of Mount Washington—I’ve realized the Steel City is one of the most underrated food destinations in the US. The industrial history is still there, but today it serves as a backdrop for a food scene that is innovative, diverse, and surprisingly elevated.
From James Beard-nominated vegan cuisine in a garage setting to authentic Sichuan hidden in a residential neighborhood, Pittsburgh punches way above its weight class.
How I Chose These Restaurants (My Criteria)
There are hundreds of places to eat in the “412,” so how did I narrow it down to these 18? I didn’t just look for “tasty food.” To make this list, a restaurant had to hit three specific benchmarks:
- 🦄 The “Unique” Factor: I skipped the standard chains and tourist traps. Every spot on this list offers an atmosphere or concept you can’t easily find elsewhere (like a Thai restaurant in a secret garden or a pizza shop with a cult following).
- 👨🍳 Chef-Driven Quality: Whether it’s a $15 taco lunch or a $100 steak dinner, these kitchens prioritize sourcing and technique. No cutting corners.
- 💭 Memorable Hospitality: These are the places where the service made me feel like a local, not just a transaction.
If you want to eat where the locals actually go, here are the 18 spots that stood out the most.
- 👉 Pro Tip: I HIGHLY recommend doing this brewery tour in Pittsburgh. This 3.5-hour brewery hop hits Hop Farm and Trace, with up to 12 tastings, a pretzel snack, and round-trip transport. It’s an absolute must-do on a Pittsburgh itinerary in my opinion!
Unique Restaurants in Pittsburgh
Ready to eat your way through Pittsburgh? This city’s got way more going on than pierogies and sandwiches, and the best spots range from budget-friendly hangs to full-on “make a reservation” nights.
In a rush? Here is the breakdown of where I recommend eating based on what you are craving.
| Category | Top Picks | Best For… |
| 🥂 Date Night & Upscale | Pusadee’s Garden (Lawrenceville) Altius (Mt. Washington) Fig & Ash (North Side) Casbah (Shadyside) LeoGreta (Carnegie) | Romantic evenings, anniversaries, and impressing a date with stunning views or ambiance. |
| 🍔 Casual Eats & Gems | Gaucho (Downtown) Baby Loves Tacos (Lawrenceville) Driftwood Oven (Lawrenceville) Federal Galley (North Side) The Forge (Lawrenceville) | Relaxed hangouts, group dinners, and high-quality comfort food without the dress code. |
| 🥞 Breakfast & Brunch | Pamela’s Diner (Strip District) The Vandal (Lawrenceville) Scratch & Co. (Troy Hill) DiAnoia’s Eatery (Strip District) | Morning coffee, hangover cures, fluffy hotcakes, and pastries. |
| 🌶️ International Flavors | Apteka (Bloomfield) Morcilla (Lawrenceville) Chengdu Gourmet (Squirrel Hill) Bae Bae’s Kitchen (Downtown) | Adventurous eaters seeking authentic spice, vegan Eastern European, or Spanish tapas. |
Whether you’re craving Argentine-style grilling, a legit farm-to-table meal, fiery Mexican street food, or something you’ve never tried before, Pittsburgh delivers. Let’s get into the 18 most unique restaurants in Pittsburgh.
1. Pusadee’s Garden
- 📍 Location: Lawrenceville
- 💲 Price range: $40 – $80 per person
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Upscale Thai
- 🔥 Standout Features: Stunning multi-level garden patio, refined Thai dishes, beautiful cocktails, and sought-after reservations.
- 🎯 Perfect For: Romantic dates, special occasions, upscale Thai fans, gorgeous patio dining, and impressing guests.
Prepare to be wowed at Pusadee’s Garden in Lawrenceville. After a major renovation, this spot boasts one of the most beautiful outdoor dining spaces in the city – a multi-level, lush garden patio. It’s incredibly romantic, especially at night.
The food is equally impressive, offering refined Thai cuisine. Their crispy pig tails are a popular starter. The pumpkin curry with chicken or tofu, and flavorful street noodles like Pad See Ew, are also excellent choices. Getting a reservation can be tough.
2. DiAnoia’s Eatery
DiAnoia’s Eatery feels like the Italian grandma you always wished you had. This family-owned Strip District gem has a cozy, neighborhood vibe, complete with rustic brick walls and checkered floors. Their house-made ricotta gnocchi is pure comfort, and I still dream about the sensational cacio e pepe. DiAnoia’s bakery counter overflows with fresh pastries and the ricotta cannoli is a must. Tip: make a reservation for brunch, then stroll over to Penn Avenue for vibrant local shops and markets. I was blown away by the homemade limoncello – it practically transports you to Italy.
3. Altius
- 📍 Location: Mount Washington
- 💲 Price range: $80 – $150+ per person
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Elevated Modern American / Fine Dining
- 🔥 Standout Features: Breathtaking panoramic city/river views, located atop Mt. Washington, refined dishes, upscale atmosphere.
- 🎯 Perfect For: Stunning city view seekers, special occasion celebrants, romantic dinners, impressing visitors, and fine dining splurges.
For dinner with arguably the best view in Pittsburgh, head to Altius. Perched high above the city on Mount Washington, this fine-dining restaurant boasts floor-to-ceiling windows offering spectacular panoramic views of the downtown skyline and three rivers.
The cuisine matches the elevated setting. Consider their perfectly seared diver scallops with seasonal accompaniments. The tender Pennsylvania lamb loin or their creative vegetarian tasting menu also showcase high-quality ingredients and artistic plating.
4. Chengdu Gourmet (Squirrel Hill)
Chengdu Gourmet in Squirrel Hill is Pittsburgh’s temple to authentic Sichuan flavors. Fans rave about their spicy fish filets and the lazi chicken, both truly addictive if you love heat. The minimalist, no-fuss dining room lets the food do the talking – you’ll spot plenty of local chefs eating here after-hours, which tells you everything you need to know. Their peppercorn-laden cold noodles are wildly photogenic and deliver a tingly punch. I recommend browsing Squirrel Hill shops or bakeries before your reservation. My tip: go with a group and order family-style. I’m obsessed with their mapo tofu.
5. The Vandal
- 📍 Location: Lawrenceville
- 💲 Price range: $20 – $40 per person
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Contemporary American / Cafe / Brunch Focus
- 🔥 Standout Features: Hip neighborhood cafe vibe, excellent brunch/lunch spot, seasonal menu, often minimalist decor.
- 🎯 Perfect For: Stylish brunch/lunch goers, casual dates, neighborhood gem seekers, seasonal food fans, and Lawrenceville hangs.
The Vandal is that effortlessly cool neighborhood cafe in Lawrenceville. With its minimalist, chic decor and focus on quality, seasonal ingredients, it’s a go-to spot, especially for brunch and lunch. They nail that balance between laid-back and thoughtful food.
Expect creative takes on cafe classics. Their ricotta toast with seasonal toppings is a must-try. The savory breakfast sandwich on a house-made biscuit, or a vibrant grain bowl with fresh vegetables, are also consistently delicious.
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6. Scratch & Co.
Located in Troy Hill, Scratch & Co. is both a café and all-day bistro, blending inventive coffee drinks with a menu that’s both comfort-driven and pleasantly surprising. The pork schnitzel sandwich is a classic, and I couldn’t resist their playful brunch cocktails (sparkling mimosa flights, anyone?). The décor? Cheerful, with a touch of Scandinavian minimalism and a bustling open kitchen. Don’t miss the wall of retro board games for a throwback vibe while you wait. The city skyline lookout by Troy Hill is just up the road. I was impressed by the friendliness – truly a fun neighborhood spot.
7. Federal Galley
- 📍 Location: North Side (Nova Place)
- 💲 Price range: $15 – $35+ per person (Varies by vendor)
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Diverse / Food Hall / Multiple Vendors
- 🔥 Standout Features: Food hall concept with rotating restaurant incubators, large bar, communal seating, outdoor space.
- 🎯 Perfect For: Trying new concepts/chefs, groups with diverse tastes, casual meetups, pre/post-game hangs, and outdoor drinks.
Can’t decide what to eat? Head to Federal Galley on the North Side. This innovative space operates as a food hall and restaurant incubator, featuring several independent kitchen concepts under one roof, showcasing up-and-coming chefs.
The lineup changes, but you might find awesome Detroit-style pizza from one vendor. Gourmet burgers or creative tacos from other stalls are also popular. It boasts a large central bar with a great selection, perfect for groups.
8. Pamela’s Diner
Pamela’s Diner has a legendary status for good reason. With its retro pink-and-navy booths, formica tables, and diner memorabilia, this local chain’s Strip District location is a must-stop for breakfast. Order the crispy-edged crepe-style hotcakes with strawberries and whipped cream, and don’t skip the hash browns. The 1950s music playing overhead makes you want to linger over endless coffee refills. It’s right by the bustling Saturday market scene on Penn Avenue. I was totally won over by how friendly and fast the service is here – you’ll feel like a regular in no time.
9. Morcilla
- 📍 Location: Lawrenceville
- 💲 Price range: $40 – $80 per person
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Spanish / Tapas Focused
- 🔥 Standout Features: Acclaimed Spanish tapas, focus on Basque cuisine, gin & tonics, lively atmosphere, often busy.
- 🎯 Perfect For: Tapas lovers, sharing plates enthusiasts, lively group dinners, gin & tonic fans, and flavorful date nights.
Get a taste of Spain in Lawrenceville at Morcilla, a highly-regarded spot focused on authentic Spanish tapas, particularly from the Basque region. Prepare to share a variety of flavorful small plates in a lively, bustling atmosphere.
Their patatas bravas with a spicy aioli are a must-try. The gambas al ajillo (garlic shrimp) sizzle with flavor, and their selection of Spanish cheeses and charcuterie, like Manchego and Iberico ham, are perfect for sharing. They’re known for excellent gin and tonics.
10. Bae Bae’s Kitchen
Bae Bae’s Kitchen is a Korean-American fusion eatery that nails creative comfort food. Their fried chicken sandwich, slathered in sweet-tangy gochujang sauce, is the stuff of local legend, and the bulgogi rice bowl hits all the right notes. Decorated with quirky pop art and neon signage, the restaurant gives off date-night energy but works for laid-back lunches too. The whole place glows with personality. You’re a block from lively downtown theaters and galleries, so it’s ideal as a pre-show bite. I still talk about their cucumber kimchi – it’s tangy, fresh, and totally unexpected.
11. Gaucho Parilla Argentina
- 📍 Location: Downtown Pittsburgh (Previously Strip District)
- 💲 Price range: $30 – $60 per person
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Argentinian Steakhouse / Parrilla (Wood-Fired Grill)
- 🔥 Standout Features: Wood-fired Argentinian grill (parrilla), focus on grilled meats, chimichurri sauce, often long lines/popular.
- 🎯 Perfect For: Meat lovers, wood-grilled food fans, chimichurri addicts, flavorful casual meals, and trying Argentinian BBQ.
Follow the incredible smell of wood smoke to Gaucho Parilla Argentina. This wildly popular spot specializes in Argentinian-style wood-fired grilling, focusing primarily on high-quality grilled meats. Expect perfectly cooked steaks, sausages, and chicken.
Ordering the asado (flank steak) or the flavorful entraña (skirt steak) is essential, served with their addictive house-made chimichurri sauce. Their grilled sweetbreads (mollejas) are also a unique and delicious choice. Be prepared for its popularity.
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12. Baby Loves Tacos
Baby Loves Tacos is a Lawrenceville institution and a love letter to all things tortilla-wrapped. Their menu rotates with whatever’s fresh and in-season, but the roasted mushroom taco and pineapple salsa are two absolute standouts. The muraled facade and rainbow-bright interior create an upbeat, inclusive hangout – order at the counter, then grab a window seat for prime people watching. They’re right around the corner from Arsenal Bowl and cool vintage shops, making it a perfect pre- or post-adventure stop. After my first visit, I instantly understood the cult following.
13. Apteka
- 📍 Location: Bloomfield
- 💲 Price range: $20 – $40 per person
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Vegan Eastern European / Polish Inspired
- 🔥 Standout Features: Entirely vegan menu, creative takes on Eastern European classics, natural wines, minimalist/chic decor, very popular (expect a wait).
- 🎯 Perfect For: Vegans and vegetarians, adventurous eaters seeking unique plant-based options, fans of Polish/Eastern European flavors, and trying something truly different.
Prepare to be amazed by innovative vegan cuisine at Apteka in Bloomfield. This acclaimed restaurant offers a unique, entirely plant-based take on Eastern European and Polish-inspired dishes. The flavors are bold, surprising, and incredibly satisfying, even for non-vegans.
You should definitely try their famous pierogi, with creative seasonal fillings. Their schnitzel made from celeriac or mushrooms, or hearty vegetable-based stews like bigos, are also fantastic. The minimalist decor and focus on natural wines complete the experience.
14. LeoGreta
LeoGreta, nestled in Carnegie just southwest of Pittsburgh, channels serious old-world Italian charm. The handwritten menu changes with the seasons, but the handmade cavatelli and eggplant parmesan are always worth seeking out. Inside, the exposed brick, soft candlelight, and open kitchen make for a romantic yet unfussy meal. Parking is easy and you’re near the Carnegie Stage for an after-dinner show. I was blown away by their simple but perfect olive oil cake – the kind of dessert that lingers in your memory.
15. Casbah
- 📍 Location: Shadyside
- 💲 Price range: $50 – $100 per person
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Mediterranean / Upscale Dining
- 🔥 Standout Features: Long-standing Shadyside favorite, multi-level dining/patio, Mediterranean-inspired menu, wine list focus, elegant yet cozy.
- 🎯 Perfect For: Upscale neighborhood dining fans, romantic dinners, patio lovers, wine enthusiasts, and special occasions.
A fixture in Shadyside, Casbah offers an elegant yet comfortable Mediterranean dining experience. Spread across multiple levels, including a lovely covered patio, the restaurant provides a warm, inviting ambiance. The vibe feels sophisticated but not stuffy.
The menu draws inspiration from across the Mediterranean. Consider their flavorful tagliatelle with lamb ragu. Fresh seafood dishes, like pan-seared branzino or grilled octopus, and their popular Moroccan spiced lamb, are also well-executed.
16. Driftwood Oven
If you’re the type who seeks out perfect pizza, Driftwood Oven in Lawrenceville is essential. They specialize in naturally leavened, Neapolitan-inspired pies with gorgeous blistered crusts. The pepperoni-and-honey “Honey Bear” pie is both spicy and sweet – worth the hype. The interior is industrial but cozy, with reclaimed wood accents and a laid-back soundtrack that fits the neighborhood vibe. Grab a few cookies from their bakery case; they’re a hidden treat. Round out your visit with a walk to nearby Butler Street for indie boutiques. I’ve never left disappointed.
17. Fig & Ash
- 📍 Location: North Side (Deutschtown)
- 💲 Price range: $50 – $100 per person
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Contemporary American / Hearth Cooking
- 🔥 Standout Features: Wood-fired hearth cooking focus, rustic-industrial decor, seasonal ingredients, craft cocktails, neighborhood feel.
- 🎯 Perfect For: Hearth cooking fans, seasonal food lovers, upscale casual dinners, craft cocktail seekers, and North Side dining explorers.
Experience the magic of wood-fired cooking at Fig & Ash on the North Side. Much of their menu centers around a custom-built hearth, infusing dishes with smoky flavor and showcasing seasonal ingredients in a rustic yet refined way. The decor blends industrial elements.
Expect delicious contemporary American fare. Their wood-fired half chicken is a standout. Charred vegetables like asparagus or carrots, or perfectly cooked pork chops from the hearth, also showcase the starring role of the fire. They offer creative cocktails.
- Read next: Top Pittsburgh Experiences for Young Adults
18. The Forge
- 📍 Location: Lawrenceville
- 💲 Price range: $20 – $40 per person
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Mediterranean Lounge / Small Plates / Cocktails
- 🔥 Standout Features: Stylish lounge atmosphere, Mediterranean small plates/mezze, craft cocktails, often outdoor seating/patio.
- 🎯 Perfect For: Casual hangs with small bites, craft cocktail seekers, stylish lounge explorers, sharing plates enthusiasts, and Lawrenceville evenings.
Find stylish sips and Mediterranean bites at The Forge in Lawrenceville. This spot operates more like a chic lounge, offering a cool, relaxed atmosphere perfect for meeting friends. The focus is on shareable Mediterranean-inspired small plates and mezze.
Consider their flavorful dips like hummus or baba ghanoush served with warm pita. Grilled halloumi or lamb kofta skewers are also great for sharing. Their craft cocktail program, alongside wine and beer, complements the food.
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Global Viewpoint is a personal blog. All content is for informational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute professional financial, medical, or legal advice.
