Things to do / Travel Guide
Whatever flavor or cuisine you crave, Pittsburgh has certainly got it. Whether you feel like a gourmet meal accompanied by fine wine, a local delicacy from a down-to-earth Midwestern diner, or a hip, upscale ethnic food experience, one of Pittsburgh neighborhoods will certainly address the needs of even the most particular palates.
The Big Burrito Restaurant Group has a number of funky and trendy ethnic restaurants throughout the city. Casbah on Highland Avenue is a local favorite for casual fine-dining and gourmet Mediterranean cuisine. Umi on Ellsworth Avenue is the best place to sample sushi in a decidedly modern-yet-Zen ambience. Eleven, the group's eleventh restaurant, gets inspiration from Chef Greg Alauzen where the “high-energy urban atmosphere” meets simply prepared dishes with complex flavors.
Dining in the Cultural District
Many upscale restaurants are located near the Pittsburgh Cultural District, a fourteen-square block zone sandwiched in between the Allegheny River on the north and Liberty Avenue on the south. Pittsburgh's Cultural District restaurants often require reservations on the weekends and performance evenings, so call in advance for information.
Dining on Mount Washington
For fine-dining, fresh seafood, live musical entertainment, and breathtaking views of Pittsburgh's downtown and the Golden Triangle, try some of the restaurants on Mount Washington. LeMont is one of Mount Washington's oldest restaurants, and boasts award-winning service, not to mention that Princess Grace of Monaco, Liberace, and President John F. Kennedy have all dined there.
Frank Blandi, LeMont's founding owner, is famous for yet another creation. From atop his Mount Washington perch, Blandi peered down onto Devonshire Street and devised the Devonshire Sandwich, a cholesterol-buster casserole dish consisting of fried bacon, turkey breast, chicken broth, cheddar and parmesan cheeses, and a healthy portion of butter.
Dining in Shadyside
In the Shadyside district, near Walnut Street and Ellsworth Avenue, and in the Oakland neighborhood on Atwood Street you will find many ethnic eateries including Peruvian, Japanese, Indian, Mexican, and Mediterranean. For Jewish-style and Kosher restaurants, cafes, bakeries and food stores, head to Squirrel Hill, the historically Jewish neighborhood, on Murray Avenue and Forbes Street. In Squirrel Hill you will also find Japanese, Thai, Italian, and Mediterranean restaurants and a large number of cafes.
Pittsburgh's Signature Sandwiches
To taste one of Pittsburgh local delicacies, head to one of the Primanti Brother's locations scattered throughout the city. Billed as an “almost famous” Pittsburgh institution, Primanti Brother's sandwiches are served on wax paper with the fries and coleslaw inside the sandwich, instead of on the side.
Yet another of Pittsburgh's super-sandwich sensations is the “Roethlisburger,” invented by the owner of Peppi's restaurant on Smithfield Street, in honor of Pittsburgh Steelers superstar quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. As Reothlisberger's career took off with record-breaking successes, the pound-heavy ground beef, sausage, egg, onion and cheese concoction drew hungry fans from neighboring states who, along with Pittsburgh locals, made the Roethlisburger a record-sales burger.
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