The Best Local Restaurants In Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Never mind the menu, the beautiful Grand Concourse – housed in the faithfully restored Pittsburgh and Lake Erie Railroad Station originally built in 1898 on Station Square – is feast in itself, albeit for the eyes rather than the stomach, with its high columns, towering ceilings and original stained glass windows. That’s not to say that Grand Concourse’s menu isn’t equally delightful. Focusing on upscale seafood, the restaurant offers mouth-watering fare such as the tarragon glazed salmon, roasted on a cedar plank to give it a rich smoky flavor and served with roasted vegetables and red skin potatoes alongside a number of pasta, steak and poultry dishes.

Located in the heart of Pittsburgh’s Cultural District, Meat and Potatoes is an exciting gastro-pub open daily for brunch, lunch and dinner. Established in the spring of 2011 by chef Richard Deshantz, who believes food should be simple and approachable, the Meat and Potatoes menu is populated with high-end pub fare with a contemporary American twist. It features the likes of mac ‘n’ cheese with chorizo and pulled pork, and entrees including wagyu flat iron steak with charred carrots, queso fresco cheese, cilantro, pumpkin seeds, radish and a chilli-sherry vinaigrette. Dine inside in Meat and Potatoes’ smart, stylish interior or outside on warmer evenings.

Located atop Mount Washington, with equally stunning views over the city, is Monterey Bay Fish Grotto – a fine dining restaurant serving upscale seafood at its best. A fixture on the Pittsburgh dining scene for almost 20 years, the restaurant opened in 1996 and over the years has been a consistent winner of Pittsburgh Magazine’s Best Seafood award. Monterey Bay Fish Grotto prides itself on using only the very freshest of fish, of which it has over 20 varieties that are flown in from the East and West coasts and Hawaii, offering dishes like shrimp and scallops with spinach fettuccine and alfredo sauce.

The Church Brew Works is an award-winning brewpub in Pittsburgh’s historic Lawrenceville neighborhood that, as its name would suggest, is located in a former church – the 1902 built St John the Baptist Church. The church’s spectacular original interior was lovingly renovated, with many original details providing spectacular surroundings in which to enjoy its modern American menu.

A must-visit for lovers of antiques, Zenith Tea Rooms and Antiques is a quirky mix of vegetarian restaurant, art gallery and antique store all in one. Located in the city’s historic, vibrant South Side neighborhood, the venue stays true to its locale’s diverse, bohemian community, and Zenith is the perfect place to stop by for a bite to eat before strolling the aisles looking for the next perfect antique or artwork for your home. Zenith’s menu offers dishes like the curry chickpea burrito – chickpeas, potatoes, raisins, peas, onion and curry spices in a flour tortilla – and savory stuffed portobello mushrooms. A wide range of herbal teas are also available.

With a clever name that is both a nod to its location on Mount Washington overlooking the city, but also to its high-end, elevated cuisine, Altius strives to offer each guest a sublime dining experience via high quality ingredients, culinary creativity and an immaculately designed space. Established in spring 2014 by restaurateur Josephine DeFrancis and executive chef and co-owner Jessica Bauer, despite its short life Altius already has a strong reputation, receiving rave reviews from diners for its upscale, contemporary American fare. Dine on dishes that include American red snapper with saffron leek, sautéed white bean and carrot, fennel pollen and tangerine oil while taking in Altius’ stylish surroundings designed by architect Teresa Bucco.

A slice of California in the heart of downtown Pittsburgh, The Sonoma Grille is a restaurant and wine bar serving eclectic international dishes with a distinct Californian twist. Established in 2004 by noted chef and restaurateur Yves Carreau, the restaurant’s interior is West Coast chic – airy, spacious, and full of vivid colors with a warm ambiance. Executive chef Jeffrey Caulkins delights diners’ palates with dishes like rye-crusted Loch Duart salmon with butternut squash risotto, dried cranberries, Swiss chard and ham shank broth, while the restaurant’s award-winning wine list, voted the city’s best in Pittsburgh Magazine’s 2014 Reader’s Poll, features over 300 varieties.