Must-see restaurants in Western Pennsylvania

  • Dinette

    Pittsburgh

    Out in East Liberty, Dinette doesn't just serve awesome pizza, although it does indeed serve awesome pizza (try the salt-cured anchovy pizza with…

  • Nu Modern Jewish Bistro

    Pittsburgh

    One of the 'Burgh's more innovative restaurants, Nu basically takes the classic Jewish deli menu and brunches it up on weekends. Pick one main (ranging…

  • Butcher & the Rye

    Pittsburgh

    Good meat? Good whiskey? Good times. Butcher & the Rye is new-school hip, but its focus on excellent carnivorous fare and brown liquor feels classic. Not…

  • Paris 66

    Pittsburgh

    This is top-end French at its best, in a cozy, bistro-style setting. Blink and you'll think you're in France. That said, this isn't haute cuisine, but…

  • Butterjoint

    Pittsburgh

    Excellent meats and fish here, with a farm-to-table mindset and a menu that changes daily. If it's available, try the stinging-nettle soup – partly…

  • Smoke BBQ Taqueria

    Pittsburgh

    Two Austin, TX, natives combine barbecue skills with Mexican flour-tortilla tech for super-savory food and even good veg options. Once BYOB, they've added…

  • Bittersweet

    Western Pennsylvania

    A clean, farm-to-table cafe so chic and modern it's almost out of place. Offers good coffee, a selection of pies and pastries, and excellent salads and…

  • Bar Marco

    Pittsburgh

    A Strip District favorite, this is one of the city's more sophisticated kitchens, with an excellent brunch too. Cocktails are creative; you can also try…

  • DiAnoia's Eatery

    Pittsburgh

    There's no shortage of Italian restaurants in Pittsburgh, but DiAnoia has been praised for raising the bar on the genre. Clean, deceptively simple dishes…

  • Carson Street Deli

    Pittsburgh

    Sandwiches done simply is the name of the game at the Carson Street Deli, where a lovable band of tattooed misfits fix up some of the best meat and cheese…

  • Porch at Schenley

    Pittsburgh

    Cheap and casual doesn't often unite with fresh and farm-to-table, but at the Porch it does. Get great local ingredients served up with flair in a casual…

  • La Prima

    Pittsburgh

    Great Italian coffee and pastries have people lined up out the door at peak times. The cranberry scone is their most popular sweet, but it has a range of…

  • Altius

    Pittsburgh

    Restaurants with killer views – this one is at the top of the Duquesne Incline – are seldom very good, but this brushed-concrete modern spot breaks the…

  • Zenith

    Pittsburgh

    All meals are vegan here, though cheese is optional. A visit is like eating in an antique shop, as everything, including the Formica tables, is for sale…

  • Pittsburgh Public Market

    Pittsburgh

    This giant indoor market caters to the need for downtown to have easy access to fresh produce, meats, cheeses and other local products. Note that many…

  • Ligonier Tavern

    Western Pennsylvania

    This friendly restaurant is housed in a thoroughly renovated Victorian home just off the central square. There's a variety of salads and sandwiches at…

  • Apsara

    Pittsburgh

    There aren't a ton of Thai restaurants in Pittsburgh, let alone Cambodian, and Apsara bridges the culinary gap between these two countries. While you'll…

  • Carmi Soul Food

    Pittsburgh

    Much loved and seemingly always packed, Carmi is justifiably famed for its menu of soul-food favorites, including fried catfish, stuffed pork chops and…

  • Pork & Beans

    Pittsburgh

    To be frank, no one is coming to the Western Alleghenies for Texas-style barbecue, but Pork & Beans argues, "Why not?" They've got juicy brisket with…

  • Peace, Love & Little Donuts

    Pittsburgh

    This groovy donutteria doesn't have peace or love on the menu, but it sure lives up to the 'little donuts' part: these mini-sized donuts are topped with…

  • Monterey Pub

    Pittsburgh

    The Monterey is a pub (the bar's open from 3pm to midnight) but we enjoy it more as the best Irish restaurant in the city. You'll get excellent pub fare…

  • Original Oyster House

    Pittsburgh

    Operating since 1870, this place often has a line out the door for its fish sandwiches; just as in olden times, you can still order a glass of buttermilk…

  • Breakfast at Shelly's

    Pittsburgh

    Start the day right at this Allentown establishment, which resembles a diner plucked from the 1950s. Dig into a kielbasa sausage breakfast sandwich,…

  • Cure

    Pittsburgh

    This gold-lit temple to the pig is so devoted it even serves garlic-and-caper-studded lard with the bread. Its charcroute plate presents all its lovely…

  • Franktuary

    Pittsburgh

    This spot gives dignity to the simple frankfurter, with quality meat and toppings ('vestments,' per the menu) such as blue cheese or kimchi. Good salads,…

  • Primanti Bros

    Pittsburgh

    The original location serves up the signature sandwiches Pittsburghers miss when they move away: hot, greasy delights stuffed with grilled meat, french…

  • Original Hot Dog Shop

    Pittsburgh

    Affectionately nicknamed the 'Dirty O,' this neon-lit shop is a late-night favorite and proudly serves hundreds of different beers. With good chili dogs…

  • Coca Cafe

    Pittsburgh

    Near Arsenal Park, this creative spot offers fresh breakfasts (eggplant Benedict, say) that are a big draw here, but this two-room cafe is pleasant any…

  • Enrico Biscotti Cafe

    Pittsburgh

    Bread, pizza and torta rustica round out the menu alongside the biscotti. Charismatic owner Larry Laguttata offers a bread-baking class ($85) every Sunday…

  • Wilson's Bar-B-Q

    Pittsburgh

    The whole street smells like a campfire from the aromas coming from Wilson's. Expect your clothes to smell too, after a plastic-plate meal in this zero…

  • Wholey

    Pittsburgh

    This massive supermarket has almost anything you could want in terms of food, as well as a deli, meat and seafood department. There's even tables and…

  • Oishii Bento

    Pittsburgh

    An inexpensive way to get your sushi or kimchi fix: grab an Asian-style set meal from the various options here. Spicy beef, bulgogi and teriyaki are some…

  • Johnny L's Sub & Six Pack Shack

    Western Pennsylvania

    Has nice fish sandwiches, featuring three (!) fried fillets and house-made tartar sauce. It's in a house a bit back from the road and doubles as a beer…

  • Prantl's

    Pittsburgh

    Don't leave Pittsburgh without tasting the burnt-almond torte, Prantl's signature confection.

  • Pamela's

    Pittsburgh

    Unpretentious Pamela's has a few branches around the city, all with a classic chrome-diner look and signature lacy-thin pancakes. Cash only.

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