Where to Eat in Downtown Pittsburgh

Downtown Pittsburgh, also called the Golden Triangle, is a food-lover’s paradise thanks to its diverse array of culinary options. Cuisines from around the world are on offer here, from classic American staples to innovative, high-end Pittsburgh foodie spots.

Whether you’re looking for casual street food or an upscale night out, Downtown Pittsburgh restaurants consistently offer some of the best restaurants in the city.

Our Downtown Pittsburgh dining guide will break down some of the best eateries in the area, so you can get the most out of your stay.

Table of Contents

• Breakfast & Brunch

• Dinner & Upscale Dining

• Unique Experiences

• Casual & Local Favorites

   

Breakfast & Brunch

The Speckled Egg

Located in the historic Union Trust Building, The Speckled Egg offers one of the best Downtown Pittsburgh restaurants for brunch and breakfast.

The French toast is a favorite and not to be missed — served with strawberry cardamom jam, whipped butter, and maple syrup sourced from Pennsylvania’s own Paul Family Farms.

The Speckled Egg’s well-crafted cocktail menu makes for a fun and memorable brunch with friends and loved ones. Their mimosas come with your choice of orange, grapefruit, or cranberry, while their bloody marys are made using their own in-house mix.

The historic interior and beautiful plates make this spot a worthy addition to your social media feeds. Reservations are recommended since space is limited.

The Commoner

If you’re looking for more industrial-chic vibes, head to The Commoner. This trendy bar and restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

While you won’t go wrong dining here anytime of the day, it's the breakfast menu that really stands out for us. The dishes are all well-plated and offer a creative twist on classic American favorites, with the eggs benedict and crab omelets standing out as especially popular with guests.

The beautifully lit cocktail bar, meanwhile, serves up delicious drinks for brunch, including the Bloody Larry, their own take on the classic bloody mary.

Headed by three-time James Beard-nominee Executive Chef Dave Racicot, The Commoner, in many ways, reflects Pittsburgh’s ongoing transformation from industrial steel town to cultural center. The interior decor includes many nods to the city’s history, but adds a modern and creative flair that is uniquely Pittsburgh.

Dinner & Upscale Dining

Fig & Ash

Located a short Uber ride from Downtown just across the Allegheny River, Fig & Ash provides an upscale dining experience that ranks high on lists of where to eat in Pittsburgh. Nestled in a restored building in historic Deutschtown, this establishment is helping to breathe new life into what was once a haven for German immigrants arriving in Pittsburgh.

The thoughtfully designed interior is both modern and inviting, built around a wood fire oven that was designed by local studio Temper and Grit. The space is intimate and upscale, while still feeling welcoming.

Fig & Ash focuses on local and seasonal ingredients, so the menu changes often, but the heirloom carrots and pork belly meatloaf are consistent favorites. The service is attentive and helps make the evening feel special, with wait staff taking the time to explain dishes to you and offering recommendations.

Dish Osteria

Dish Osteria is a long-time South Side establishment that's been serving high-quality Italian dishes for a quarter of a century.

This neighborhood favorite is housed in a former 19th-century saloon. The owners have preserved much of the historic interior, giving it a warm and inviting vibe that will leave you feeling like you’re having a family dinner.

Located a short drive away from Downtown across the Monongahela River, Dish Osteria is run by Michele and Cindy Savoia and is regularly praised as offering some of the best food in Pittsburgh.

The menu specializes in Italian dishes, with an emphasis on Sicilian seafood where the ingredients are allowed to shine and speak for themselves. While you can’t go wrong with anything on the menu, the grilled octopus and seafood spaghetti are among the many highlights.

Unique Experiences

Situated in Downtown Pittsburgh’s vibrant Cultural District, Con Alma is a jazz bar and restaurant serving up a soulful dining experience. The dark and intimate setting, complemented by the purple neon glow of the stage, gives this place a classic jazz bar vibe.

The cuisine takes inspiration from around the world and is designed to pair well with its impressive cocktail list.

While the food is excellent, the true highlight of Con Alma is the live music. The owners are clearly proud of Pittsburgh’s jazz heritage and work hard to bring attention to that legacy, including with live-streamed shows and interviews with both the city’s up-and-coming and established musicians.

Grab a cocktail, sit back, and enjoy a truly unforgettable evening in one of Pittsburgh’s most unique and creative venues.

Casual & Local Favorites

Pizzaiolo Primo

Serving up authentic Neapolitan cuisine in the heart of Downtown’s historic Market Square, Pizzaiolo Primo is a reliable choice for pizza, pasta, and other Italian dishes.
Spread over two floors with a relaxing European ambiance, this restaurant is an excellent choice for both a night out with a large group or for sharing a romantic bottle of wine for two.

The menu covers classic Italian favorites, but the highlight is definitely the pizza. You have an impressive selection of pizzas to choose from, including the classic margherita, the spicy meatball, and the bianca, featuring mozzarella, ricotta, and prosciutto.

When the weather is warm, Pizzaiolo Primo offers an outdoor patio with views of charming Market Square — a perfect way to end your day after exploring nearby Point State Park or before catching a show at the majestic Heinz Hall for the Performing Arts.

Chinatown Inn

The Chinatown Inn is the last remainder of what was once the small but bustling Chinatown around Second and Third avenues of Downtown. Kept within the same family for three generations, this landmark restaurant continues to occupy a colorful building that was constructed by Chinese immigrants in 1933.

Jonathan and Wei Yee are the current owners of the restaurant that was founded by Jonathan’s father in 1945. They have helped make Chinatown Inn one of Pittsburgh’s premier Chinese restaurants, serving Cantonese, Szechuan, and Hunan dishes.

The atmosphere is relaxed and friendly and the menu is extensive. The egg rolls are consistently good and always get rave reviews from customers.

If you’re looking for a casual sitdown restaurant boasting delicious food and a strong connection to a little-known aspect of Pittsburgh’s history, the Chinatown Inn should be high on your list.

Arepittas

When you’re craving a quick and flavorful meal option to keep you fueled during your trip, check out Arepittas. This unassuming restaurant in the heart of Downtown serves up delicious Venezuelan street food, including tequeños, empanadas, and arepas.

While Venezuelan food has a reputation for being meat-heavy, Arepittas is anything but, providing vegetarian and vegan options for most of their menu. The staff are especially friendly and willing to accommodate most dietary restrictions.

True to its street food roots, you can get everything here to go as you continue to explore the nearby sights.

Stay in Downtown Pittsburgh with Placemakr

The incredible variety of Downtown Pittsburgh restaurants help make this neighborhood one of the best places to stay. Whether you’re craving quick delicious Venezuelan empanadas to keep you going during your travels, an unforgettable brunch in historic surroundings, or an evening meal in an atmospheric jazz bar, Downtown Pittsburgh has something for you.

By booking your stay at our hotel in Downtown Pittsburgh, you’ll be at the center of all the action. Placemakr’s accommodations put you just a short walk from some of Downtown’s most vibrant and exciting areas, including the live music venues of the Cultural District and the relaxed outdoor dining lining Market Square.

And after a day of trying Downtown’s many stand-out eateries, you can come home to your spacious room featuring a full kitchen, living area, and on-site fitness center.