Pittsburgh has emerged as a dining destination with creative chefs putting a spin on local cuisine. From upscale spots helmed by James Beard Award winners to comfort food institutions, the city’s diverse food scene has something for every taste.

Restaurant Name	Cuisine/Feature
Piccolo Forno	Rustic Italian
Morcilla	Spanish Tapas
Legume Bistro	Vegetable-Focused Dining
Butterjoint	Modern Diner Fare
Point Brugge Cafe	Belgian Flavors
Park Bruges	Upscale Belgian Brasserie
Alla Famiglia	Southern Italian
The Vandal	New American
Bar Marco	Creative Small Plates
Casellula	Cheese and Charcuterie
Apteka	Vegan Eastern European
Gaucho Parrilla Argentina	Argentine Steakhouse

Pittsburgh’s neighborhoods each contribute unique flavors, ranging from Italian in Bloomfield to Polish in the Strip District. Classic diners and pubs mingle alongside contemporary farm-to-table eateries. Whether searching for the perfect pierogi, burger, fried fish sandwich or charcuterie board, these top restaurants in Pittsburgh offer culinary experiences worth savoring.

Piccolo Forno

Name and Location: Piccolo Forno

Piccolo Forno is an Italian restaurant located in Lawrenceville, Pittsburgh.

History and Significance:

Piccolo Forno opened in 2012 and quickly became a favorite neighborhood spot for authentic wood-fired Neapolitan pizza and other Italian fare. The restaurant is known for using high-quality ingredients and has a cozy, lively atmosphere.

What to Expect:

Expect thin-crust pizzas blistered by the hot oven, pastas, salads, and classic Italian appetizers like meatballs and burrata. The desserts like tiramisu and cannolis are also a highlight. The lively but casual setting makes it a great place for dinner with friends and family.

Visitor Information:

Piccolo Forno is located at 4605 Butler Street in Lawrenceville. Street parking is available but can be difficult to find during peak times. The restaurant does not take reservations.

Located in the cultural district downtown, Piccolo Forno offers a contemporary take on rustic Italian cuisine. The menu centers around dishes cooked in the restaurant’s wood-burning oven and open-flame grill. Highlights include burrata with charred tomatoes, meatballs with polenta, wood-grilled octopus, pizzas and fresh pastas. Save room for rotating dolci like olive oil cake and Nutella calzones. The restored Victorian building features soaring ceilings, vintage tile floors and stacks of firewood adding warmth. There’s also a spacious heated patio for outdoor dining. With its casual vibe and delicious food cooked over fire, Piccolo Forno makes for a memorably cozy Italian meal.

Morcilla

Name and Location: Morcilla

Morcilla is a Spanish restaurant located in Lawrenceville, Pittsburgh.

History and Significance:

Chef Justin Severino opened Morcilla in 2014, bringing his passion for Spanish flavors and tapas-style dining to Pittsburgh. The restaurant quickly earned praise for its inventive tapas, outstanding cocktail program, and lively atmosphere.

What to Expect:

Expect small plates like patatas bravas, charcuterie, salt cod fritters, and Spanish-inspired dishes that change with the seasons. An extensive gin and sherry list pairs well with the food. The buzzing, energetic ambiance makes it a fun place for a night out.

Visitor Information:

Morcilla is located at 3519 Butler Street in Lawrenceville. Paid street parking is available, though it fills up on busy nights. Reservations are recommended, especially on weekends.

Chef Justin Severino brings his inventive Spanish tapas cuisine to life at this lively restaurant in Lawrenceville. Small plates allow sampling an array of flavors like grilled octopus, patatas bravas, chorizo in cider and Spanish fried chicken. Try signature dishes like the duck egg custard flan and paella teeming with seafood. An all-Spanish wine list complements the food. The long communal tables and dim lighting inside this converted firehouse create an intimate ambiance, while the garden patio allows al fresco dining under twinkle lights. With playful flavors and thoughtful presentations, Morcilla offers a taste of contemporary Spanish cuisine done right.

Legume Bistro

Name and Location: Legume Bistro

Legume Bistro is located in Regent Square, Pittsburgh.

History and Significance:

Chef Trevett Hooper opened Legume in 2007, gaining acclaim for his locally-sourced New American cuisine. Legume has been nominated for several James Beard awards and is considered one of Pittsburgh’s pioneering farm-to-table restaurants.

What to Expect:

The menu changes daily but always features creative contemporary dishes with seasonal ingredients. Sample options include seared diver scallops, duck confit, braised pork belly, creative vegan plates, and house-made pasta. The setting is cozy yet sophisticated.

Visitor Information:

Legume is located at 214 North Craig Street in Regent Square. Free street parking is available. Reservations are recommended, especially for weekend dining.

Run by husband-and-wife chefs Trevett and Sarah Hooper, Legume Bistro has innovated vegetable-focused dining in Pittsburgh for over a decade. The daily-changing menu celebrates what’s seasonal from local farms in dishes like roasted cauliflower soup, tempura fried beans, and beets with pistachio butter. Look for creative takes on classics like the Legume burger with mushroom pâté and truffle fries. The three-course $45 prix fixe dinner provides an indulgent plant-based meal. Inside this cozy brick rowhouse, the living-room style dining spaces overflow with greenery. Legume elevates vegetables to star status with artful preparations.

Butterjoint

Name and Location: Butterjoint

Butterjoint is located in Bloomfield, Pittsburgh.

History and Significance:

Butterjoint opened in 2012 in a renovated 1930s gas station, bringing elevated diner fare and creative cocktails to Bloomfield. Owners Richard DeShantz and Tolga Sevdik aim to recreate nostalgic American diner classics with high-quality ingredients and techniques.

What to Expect:

Look for diner-inspired dishes like patty melts, chicken pot pie, and milkshakes, all elevated with creative twists. Brunch is popular for options like crab cake eggs benedict and fried chicken and waffles. The bar has an extensive bourbon selection.

Visitor Information:

Butterjoint is located at 214 North Craig Street in Bloomfield. Street parking is available. Reservations are only taken for large parties.

Located in the hip Polish Hill neighborhood, Butterjoint puts a modern spin on classic diner fare. Their specialty is gourmet buttered biscuit sandwiches stuffed with fillings like fried chicken, roasted brisket, kimchi slaw and tomato jam. Sides like poutine fries and broccoli salad complement the rich sandwiches. Brunch brings biscuits topped with sausage gravy, eggs and more. The cool vintage space with its pink and mint green decor used to be a corner bar. Now it dishes out creative comfort food and classic sweets like banana pudding and cookies. Cash only. With its sandwiches and retro vibes, Butterjoint gives a familiar meal artistic flair.

Point Brugge Cafe

Name and Location: Point Brugge Cafe

Point Brugge Cafe is located in the Point Breeze neighborhood of Pittsburgh.

History and Significance:

Point Brugge Cafe opened in 2004 in a renovated building, bringing Belgian-inspired food and beer to the Point Breeze neighborhood. Owner Matt Gebis gained acclaim for the restaurant’s mussels, frites, waffles, and wide selection of Belgian beers.

What to Expect:

Expect Belgian classics like moules-frites, carbonade flamande beef stew, sandwiches served on Belgian bread, and Liege-style waffles. The beer menu features over 100 Belgian brews to pair with the cuisine. The laid-back setting makes it great for casual meals.

Visitor Information:

Point Brugge is located at 401 Hastings Street in Point Breeze. Street parking is available. Reservations are accepted for parties of 6 or more.

Belgian flavors reign supreme at Point Brugge Cafe’s cozy location in the historic Highland Park neighborhood. Authentic offerings range from beef carbonnade stewed in Belgian beer to steak frites topped with béarnaise sauce. Other highlights include moules frites, duck confit and Belgian waffles for brunch. The extensive beer list features over 80 Belgian brews by the bottle or on draft, including farmhouse ales, lambics and Trappist styles. There’s also a variety of cheeses, charcuterie and shareable snacks. Vintage brass lighting, exposed brick and paintings of Bruges complete the rustic ambiance. For a taste of Belgium without leaving Pittsburgh, Point Brugge delivers.

Park Bruges

Name and Location: Park Bruges

Park Bruges is an authentic Belgian restaurant located in Highland Park, Pittsburgh.

History and Significance:

Owners Erin and Jeremy Wald opened Park Bruges in 2015 to bring the flavors of Belgium to Pittsburgh. The restaurant quickly gained a reputation for its carefully executed Belgian classics along with its outstanding beer selection featuring rare Belgian brews.

What to Expect:

Look for traditional Belgian fare like carbonnade flamande, moules-frites, Belgian waffles, and croquet monsieur sandwiches. The beer menu is extensive with over 150 Belgian brews. The setting provides a relaxed, charming environment.

Visitor Information:

Park Bruges is located at 5801 Bryant Street in Highland Park. Street parking is available. Reservations are recommended, especially on weekends.

Adjacent to Highland Park, Park Bruges serves inspired Belgian cuisine in an upscale brasserie atmosphere. The elegant dining rooms and mahogany bar feel straight out of Brussels. Traditional dishes made with care include shrimp croquettes, Flemish beef stew, saffron mussels and crispy duck confit. Desserts like Belgian chocolate mousse and Liege waffles satisfy sweet cravings. With over 100 Belgian beers to accompany the cuisine, diners can explore lambics, abbey ales and other brews. Knowledgeable staff provide excellent service in multiple languages, adding to the authenticity. From the food to decor, Park Bruges fully transports diners to Europe for a fine Belgian dining experience.

Alla Famiglia

Name and Location: Alla Famiglia

Alla Famiglia is an Italian restaurant located in the Allentown neighborhood of Pittsburgh.

History and Significance:

Alla Famiglia opened in 2018, bringing inspired Italian cuisine and hospitality to Allentown. The restaurant is owned by the Dolce Group, which aimed to recreate the warmth of family-style Italian dining. The food pays homage to regional Italian traditions.

What to Expect:

The menu features handmade pastas, veal osso buco, grilled seafood, risottos, and Italian classics with modern flair. Fresh pastas and sauces are made daily. The portions are generous, ideal for sharing family-style. The atmosphere is lively yet cozy.

Visitor Information:

Alla Famiglia is located at 806 Western Avenue in Allentown. Street parking can be difficult, so paid lots are recommended. Reservations are suggested, especially for weekend dining.

Meaning “family style,” Alla Famiglia brings the flavors of Southern Italy to Pittsburgh’s North Side. Their menu focuses on cuisine from the Puglia region using fresh handmade pastas, locally sourced produce, and imported olive oils and cheeses. Meats and seafood come grilled over live charcoal. Must-try dishes include orecchiette with broccoli rabe, wood-grilled whole branzino and pizzas blistered in the hot oven. The sleekly renovated rowhouse offers a relaxed upscale setting for enjoying long Italian feasts. With its excellent pastas, wines and service, Alla Famiglia provides a true taste of genuine Italian cuisine.

The Vandal

Name and Location: The Vandal

The Vandal is a contemporary American restaurant and bar located in Lawrenceville, Pittsburgh.

History and Significance:

The Vandal opened in 2015 in a former garage, bringing a lively atmosphere and creative cuisine to Lawrenceville’s dining scene. Chef Anthony Falcon delivers contemporary dishes influenced by global flavors. The restaurant also has an extensive craft cocktail menu.

What to Expect:

Look for globally inspired small and large plates like lamb meatballs, General Tso’s cauliflower, Thai curry mussels, and creative wood-fired pizzas. Brunch features chicken and waffles and shakshuka eggs. The atmosphere is hip and high-energy.

Visitor Information:

The Vandal is located at 4227 Butler Street in Lawrenceville. Paid street parking is available.

The Vandal in Lawrenceville combines seasonal New American cuisine with a hip, artistic ambiance. The high-ceilinged space centered around a gleaming white bar has a bold design with work by local artists. The menu changes frequently based on what’s fresh and inspires the kitchen. Recent dishes include buttermilk fried chicken, walleye with preserved lemon and littleneck clam risotto. For dessert, shakes from independent cheese shop The Milk Shake Factory hit the spot. Cocktails utilize local spirits like Maggie’s Farm Rum distilled in the city. With its creative fare and cool vibe, The Vandal is a trendy spot for contemporary cuisine.

Bar Marco

Name and Location:
Bar Marco is a renowned establishment located in the vibrant heart of Pittsburgh. This place is not just a bar but a symbol of the city’s evolving culinary scene.

History and Significance:
Bar Marco stands out for its unique approach to service and its dedication to providing high-quality, locally sourced food and drinks. The history of Bar Marco is deeply intertwined with Pittsburgh’s cultural and gastronomic development, making it a significant spot for both locals and visitors.

What to Expect:
Expect an intimate and welcoming atmosphere, combined with an impressive selection of wines and innovative cuisine. The staff is known for their expertise and friendly service, ensuring a memorable experience.

Visitor Information:
Ideal for an evening out, Bar Marco is a must-visit for those looking to enjoy the essence of Pittsburgh’s dining scene. It’s advisable to check their operating hours and possibly make reservations in advance.

This intimate 30-seat wine bar in the Strip District takes a boldly unconventional approach. There are no set menus or prices. Diners are served about 15 creative small plates throughout the night based on what the chef has innovated using responsibly sourced ingredients. Sips of boutique wines match each course. At the meal’s conclusion, guests pay what they wish. The atmosphere is refined yet laid-back, encouraging conversation over the food and wine pairings. Past plates range from gnocchi with squash sauce to pork with parsnip puree. For an evening of surprises, Bar Marco’s blind dinner format makes for a spontaneous experience.

Casellula

Name and Location:
Casellula is a cozy cheese and wine café situated in an inviting neighborhood, offering a delightful culinary experience to its patrons.

History and Significance:
The café is celebrated for its extensive cheese selection and perfectly paired wines. Casellula has carved a niche for itself by focusing on these offerings, making it a special destination for cheese aficionados.

What to Expect:
Guests can expect a relaxed yet sophisticated atmosphere, with knowledgeable staff who are eager to guide through the diverse cheese and wine selections. The menu also features a variety of small plates perfect for sharing.

Visitor Information:
Casellula is an ideal spot for a casual meet-up or a romantic evening. It’s recommended to check their opening hours and any special events they might host.

Located in bustling Market Square downtown, Casellula specializes in crafting cheese and charcuterie boards. Their displays of artisanal cheeses, cured meats and accoutrements put creative care into every bite. Build your own board selecting from dozens of domestic and imported options. Or opt for thoughtfully composed platters like the French-inspired “Sensational” with brie and dry-cured saucisson. Expert staff help diners navigate the selections. Beyond grazing boards, Casellula also offers soups, salads and a menu of cheese-laden sandwiches and fondues. With its singular focus on fromage, Casellula provides a cheese lover’s paradise.

Apteka

Name and Location:
Apteka, located in a bustling part of the city, is known for its unique take on Central and Eastern European cuisine, particularly vegan dishes.

History and Significance:
This restaurant has gained popularity for its inventive vegan menu, bringing traditional flavors to a wider audience. Apteka’s approach to vegan cooking is both authentic and innovative, making it a standout in the culinary world.

What to Expect:
Apteka offers a cozy, yet eclectic ambiance. The menu is a creative twist on classic dishes, all plant-based, which appeals not just to vegans but to anyone looking for a unique dining experience.

Visitor Information:
Perfect for adventurous diners and those seeking plant-based options. It’s wise to check their hours and any special menu items that might be offered seasonally.

For a unique vegan dining experience, Apteka in Bloomfield blends Polish cuisine with an artful concept. Housed in a former Pittsburgh pharmacy, Apteka innovates plant-based versions of Eastern European specialties like pierogi, borscht, schnitzel and stuffed cabbage. Rye bread, pickles, mushrooms and beets draw on traditional flavors. Cocktails utilize herbs, syrups and vodka infusions. The moody interior transports diners to pre-war Eastern Europe with neutral tones, mirrored bars and botanical illustrations. Service from staff in crisp white coats enhances the vintage apothecary vibe. Apteka successfully reimagines Polish cooking through an imaginative vegan lens.

Gaucho Parrilla Argentina

Name and Location:
Gaucho Parrilla Argentina is a celebrated Argentinean grill located in a lively area, known for its authentic South American cuisine.

History and Significance:
The restaurant is famous for its traditional Argentinean barbecue, or ‘asado’. It has become a cultural landmark for those seeking to experience the true flavors of Argentina.

What to Expect:
Visitors can expect a rustic yet vibrant atmosphere, with a focus on high-quality meats and traditional cooking methods. The staff is passionate about Argentinean culture and cuisine, adding to the authentic experience.

Visitor Information:
Ideal for meat lovers and those interested in South American cuisine. It’s advisable to check for opening hours and any reservation requirements, especially during weekends or special events.

This upscale steakhouse located downtown imports authentic Argentine flavor to Pittsburgh. Gaucho specializes in grass-fed beef grilled over a wood parrilla to enhance the smoky, savory flavors. Cuts like ribeye, New York strip and tenderloin satisfy carnivorous cravings, ideally paired with Malbec wine. Starters like empanadas, chorizo and ceviche exemplify Latin flair. The sleek, brick-walled space provides fine dining with a relaxed vibe. Tableside service adds a dash of theater as servers carve meats and make Caesar salad tableside. For an expertly prepared steak with South American spirit, Gaucho Parrilla Argentina is a top choice.

Conclusion

From cozy neighborhood eateries to buzzing foodie hotspots, Pittsburgh’s dining scene has something for all tastes and occasions. Downtown fine dining destinations mingle with character-filled ethnic joints to provide culinary adventure across the city. Pittsburgh’s top restaurants source quality ingredients from local farms, artisan producers and specialty importers to craft creative seasonal cuisine. Classic comfort foods get upgraded with modern interpretations. Diners can savor a taste of Belgium, Italy and Argentina without leaving the city. These excellent eateries provide memorable meals paired with inviting atmospheres – from hip hangouts to refined dining rooms. Food lovers visiting Pittsburgh will find fulfilling flavors and cuisine worth crossing town for, thanks to the city’s talented chefs and diverse establishments.