I often receive emails from readers who find themselves traveling to Pittsburgh for one reason or another, and wonder where some of the best places are to eat, and what things there are to do. I’ve compiled my recommendations here, so if you’re planning to visit Pittsburgh, these should get you started in terms of eating and activities. Below you will find a list of places to eat (all Pittsburgh original locations, no chains!) and some suggestions of things to do while you’re here in the ‘Burgh…

Favorite Pittsburgh Eats

  • Burgatory (Casual • Multiple Locations • $$)
    Known for their upscale, completely customizable burgers and milkshakes.
  • Church Brew Works (Casual • Lawrenceville Neighborhood • $$$)
    An old Catholic church converted into a brewery; great drinks and awesome food.
  • Dish Osteria (Fine • South Side • $$$)
    A tiny Italian restaurant with phenomenal food.
  • Fat Head’s (Casual • South Side • $$)
    Known for their craft-brewed beers, wings and enormous sandwiches.
  • Hofbräuhaus Pittsburgh (Casual • South Side • $$)
    One of only four locations in the world, it’s fashioned after a traditional German brew hall.
  • Jerome Bettis Grille 36 (Casual • North Side • $$)
    A casual sports bar with a large, creative menu.
  • Mallorca (Fine • South Side • $$$$)
    An upscale Spanish restaurant where you’ll find traditional soups, appetizers, entrees and desserts.
  • Meat and Potatoes (Casual • Downtown • $$$)
    Pittsburgh’s first gastropub, the menu features upscale versions of favorite comfort foods.
  • NOLA on the square (Casual • Downtown • $$$)
    Located in Market Square downtown, NOLA serves traditional cajun and creole fare.
  • Penn Brewery (Casual • North Side • $$)
    A brewery and restaurant serving up Pittsburgh-brewed beers and traditional German food.
  • Primanti Bros. (Casual • Multiple Locations • $)
    The must-eat of the list, a Pittsburgh tradition. Get the sandwich of your choice piled high with coleslaw and French fries!
  • Station (Casual • Bloomfield • $$)
    Another gastro pub-style eatery with an amazing menu. Must-eats are the crispy wings appetizer and the popcorn panna cotta dessert. Favorite main dishes are the tagliatelle and burger.

Things to Do in Pittsburgh

  • Carnegie Science Center – Located on the North Side, it includes a large number of different exhibits, an IMAX theater, and is great for kids.
  • Consol Energy Center – Located downtown, you can take a tour and/or catch a Pittsburgh Penguins hockey game.
  • Duquesne Incline & Monongahela Incline – Take a cable car ride from the South Side up to Mount Washington – one of the “must-do’s” when in Pittsburgh.
  • Heinz Field – Located on the North Side, you can take a tour and/or catch a Pittsburgh Steelers football game.
  • Heinz History Center – An affiliate of the Smithsonian Institute, the History Center presents exhibits and stories of American history with a Western Pennsylvania connection, and also includes the Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum, as well as a library and archives.
  • Ice Skating at PPG Place – A perfect wintertime activity!
  • Mt. Washington – The view of the Pittsburgh skyline from Mt. Washington was ranked one of the top 10 sites in the world for viewing a cityscape by USA Today. You can reach Mt. Washington by car or one of the inclines mentioned above. There are a number of overlook areas along Grandview Avenue.
  • Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium – The zoo and aquarium are located about 10-15 minutes outside of the city, but are well worth the excursion!
  • PNC Park – Located on the North Side, you can take a tour and/or catch a Pittsburgh Pirates baseball game.
  • Rivers Casino – Also located on the North Side, there are slots and gaming tables, as well as a number of restaurants and a buffet.
  • Strip District – The Strip District is located on the outskirts of downtown and is home to the produce district of Pittsburgh. Head down there in the morning and you can find tons of fresh bread, cheeses, fruits and vegetables. There are countless little shops and markets, as well as some larger Pittsburgh staples like Penn Mac. It’s a fabulous area to visit, especially if you’re interested in FOOD!
  • The Andy Warhol Museum – The museum includes 900 paintings, 100 sculptures, 2,000 works on paper, 1,000 unique and published prints, and more than 4,000 photographs. There is also a film and video collection, wallpapers, books and an archive of Warhol’s working materials and source materials.

Enjoy your time in my beautiful hometown! :)