The Best Restaurants in Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh’s Restaurant Renaissance has brought an amazing number of terrific food options to the city. Regardless of what kind of dining you’re looking for, there’s something world-class for you here.

The Pittsburgh food scene has made quite a name for itself over the past few years, enlivened by young chefs and a city full of people craving for new flavors and food experiences. So much so that just a few years ago it was named by Zagat as the top food city in the States.

While it’s difficult to limit one’s list of favorites to just a handful, here are five favorite restaurants in Pittsburgh.

Bon appétit!

Butcher and the Rye

Pittsburgh restaurant Butcher & Rye

Many of the favorite restaurants in Pittsburgh are at least partly so because of their environments: the decor, the history, the atmosphere. Butcher and the Rye is certainly one of these. With vintage oil lamps on the tables in place of candles, antique door knobs serving as the bar’s purse hooks, and an array of murals, the ambience is fantastic. Of course, having the best whiskey selection in Pittsburgh is why many patrons visit time and again. But the food menu is also outstanding, put together by chef and owner Richard DeShantz.

Bar Marco

Bar Marco’s atmosphere is quite different from Butcher’s, with a clean, minimalist interior highlighted by its elegant marble bar. While all the food is extraordinary, the seafood is particularly delicious, and the paired wine selections are equally impressive. Another interesting detail about the spot is that they don’t accept gratuities, instead opting to pay all of their servers a livable wage.

Spoon

For foodies in Pittsburgh, Spoon is a regular stopping point, continuously reinventing its menu while surprising guests with tasty ensembles. With most dishes, an array of vegetables is combined with wonderfully prepared meats and seafood, offering up hearty dishes that are almost as fun to look at as they are to eat. If you’re looking for a special night out, the Chef’s Family Style Dinner, a four-course feast, is a sure treat.

Whitfield

The Whitfield, housed in the bottom floor of the Ace Hotel, is sure to make anyone’s list of one of the best food stops Pittsburgh has to offer. While they have a variety of exciting, delicious dishes, their meat is the star of the show. They source all of their grass-fed beef from local ranches and then butcher and dry age it in a way few restaurants can match. If you’re looking for a truly great steak in the city, look no further.

Morcilla

If you’re looking for the best Spanish restaurant in Pittsburgh, Morcilla is at the top of the list, named the fourth-best new restaurant in the county by Bon Appétit in 2016. A whole hog butcher, founder and chef Justin Severino offers a variety of delicious meat-based plates. The best way to experience Morcilla is to try as many things as possible while sharing with friends and family.

Experience the Best Food Pittsburgh Has to Offer

This, of course, is just the tip of the iceberg. From the incredible smoked meats of Pork & Beans, the paired down refinement of The Vandal, and the wonderfully unique tacos at Tako, the amount of splendid food experiences in Pittsburgh is in no short supply. In fact, they continue to sprout up every day – adding to the rich options of deliciousness for the City of Champions.  To learn more about Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania visit here.  If you’re looking for great things to do in Pittsburgh, check out this article.