Pittsburgh Dining

From pierogi and polenta to paella and paté, Pittsburgh packs a dining scene with plenty of punch, from flavors of Old World cooking to novelties of nouvelle cuisine. Unlike some cities where quality dining costs a bundle, many Pittsburgh better restaurants, especially downtown, are surprisingly affordable, and attitudes are quite friendly to match. The Strip District, between Liberty Avenue and Smallman Street and 16th and 22nd streets, teems with nightclubs, bars, and eateries. Also on the strip, the Boardwalk Entertainment Complex is a favorite among patrons seeking water-side dining

Some of the best food experiences are to be found in one of the following places:

Church Brew Works
3525 Liberty Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15201
412-688-8200
Originally St. John The Baptist Church, in 1996 the Church Brew Works was transformed into a spectacular brewery like no other in the city. The room still retains the feel of a high-service sanctuary with huge ceilings, but today the pipe organ has been replaced with a brewpub. Beers have suitably sacred names like Celestial Gold, Pipe Organ Pale Ale, Pious Monk Dunkel. The pub serves a range of creative lunches and dinners as well.

Tuscany Cafe
1501 E Carson St, Pittsburgh, PA 15203
412-488-4475
This small bistro-like cafe allows a nice break from the busy streets, and features the usual coffee drinks as well as beer, wine, and a few sandwiches and pastries.

Seventh Street Grille
139 7th Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15222
412-338-0303
The movers and shakers in Pittsburgh eat at the Seventh Street Grille. On a typical day, you will see business people grabbing a quick burger for lunch, the young and trendy crowd enjoying happy hour and pre-theater diners sampling the wide variety of traditional American favorites like seafood, pasta and steaks. The beer selection wins particular praise from those "in the know." Reservations are strongly recommended. Business-casual dress.

1902 Landmark Tavern
24 Market Square, Pittsburgh, PA 15222
412-471-1902
You can feast on fillets, pasta dishes, and famous New England clam chowder at this casual early 20th-century tavern.

Lidia's
1400 Smallman St, Pittsburgh, PA 15222
412-552-0150
Lidia and Joseph Bastianich opened Lidia's in March 2001. Located in the historic Strip District, Lidia's is designed to drive the area's evolution from an aging warehouse district into a thriving entertainment zone that draws an estimated 6,000 to 8,000 people each weekend night to enjoy restaurants, shopping and nightlife.