Best Eats in Pittsburgh
Best Burgers/Steak, Seafood/Sushi, Italian, Asian, Indian, Mediterranean and Dessert
June 14, 2023
Note: In the sections below, we have provided transit directions for each location from the Convention Center.
Featured Burgers in the Burgh
“Give the people what they want and then go have a hamburger.” Judy Garland
If you find yourself hit with an insatiable craving for a burger or cheeseburger while you’re in Pittsburgh, you won’t have to travel far. Pittsburgh is home to some of the best burger joints in the country. Here are three to try during your stay.
“A little bar with a lot of love. In the heart of the Strip District.” The Beerhive is a family owned and operated bar just minutes from downtown Pittsburgh. Offering rotating beers on tap and hearty dishes at a reasonable price, it’s nestled along Penn Avenue. With a menu that includes loaded french fries and a wide variety of wings, The Beerhive offers standout burgers that will have you coming back for more, including the steakburger, which features two patties with white American cheese, house-made steak sauce, fried onions, Pittsburgh pickles, lettuce and fresh cut french fries. From the convention center, catch the 86, 87, 88, or 91 bus at the Liberty Ave. opposite 11th St. stop and ride to Liberty Ave. & 21st St. stop. Walk 2 minutes to destination. $$
August Henry’s, located downtown, blends premium dry-aged ribeye, New York strip steak, sirloin and ground chuck for its famous burger. They sear their burgers to lock in flavor and finish them off with your favorite toppings and sauces to create your favorite Pittsburgh-made burger. In addition to amazing burger creations, August Henry’s boasts a variety of perogies, flatbreads, sandwiches and salads, as well as a beer or cocktail for every palate. From the convention center, walk 4 minutes to the destination. $$
Feel like traveling to one of our featured neighborhoods? Pittsburgh’s most famous burger can be found at Tessaro’s in Bloomfield. A self-described “chill eatery,” Tessaro’s employs an in-house butcher who grinds out marble-to-meat rations of perfect proportions. The hamburger has been on too many “best of” lists to count, including “Food & Wine” magazine. “Esquire” magazine said “Just order a beer and a burger. Look around. Everyone’s getting the same burger, as big as a flattened softball, salty juices seeping into the bun. Yinzers know.” From the convention center, catch the 86 bus at the Liberty Ave. opposite 11th St. stop and ride to Liberty Ave. & Pearl St. Walk 1 minute to destination. $$
We’re Serious About Our Steak
“The only time to eat diet food is while you’re waiting for the steak to cook.” - Julia Child
Sometimes nothing sounds as great as a perfectly cooked steak for dinner. Pittsburgh doesn’t lack in selection when it comes to steak houses. Below are three that are easily walkable or accessible via public transportation for APTA Rail Conference attendees.
Eddie Merlot’s Pittsburgh location is located in Four Gateway Center at the corner of Liberty Avenue and Stanwix Street. This one-of-a-kind steakhouse transports you to another place and time. Quality, exceptional service and an unparalleled atmosphere have made Eddie Merlot’s one of America’s great steak houses over the past 20 years. As a self-described “homage to the man and his love of a great steak, a great glass of wine, and a good story,” Eddie Merlot’s prides itself on prime-aged beef and a scratch kitchen. Chef selects each steak for the optimum proportion of marbling and texture. From sauces to desserts, Eddie Merlot’s develops recipes that create a unique experience for their guests. From the convention center, walk 6 minutes to destination. $$$$
Morton’s The Steakhouse is conveniently located in the heart of the city’s thriving cultural district. Located downtown on Liberty Avenue, Morton’s is just a short walk from a variety of sports venues, theaters and art galleries. The award-winning menu offers an unparalleled selection of prime-aged steaks and fresh seafood. From prime cajun ribeye to filet mignon or lobster macaroni and cheese to bacon wrapped scallops, Morton’s is a culinary wonderland for meat and seafood lovers alike. From the convention center, walk 1 minute to destination. $$$$
For an elevated dining experience that is unique to Pittsburgh, visit The Rib Room. A private dining space tucked away in Pittsburgh’s Cultural District, The Rib Room is detailed with leather, vintage wallpaper, and candlelight. This exclusive dining experience transports you to an upscale, classic supper club. With a rotating a la carte menu focused on prime rib – aged in-house and cooked to perfection – and only sixteen seats per night, the Rib Room is an intimate dining experience focusing solely on prime rib.
With classic appetizers like shrimp cocktail and pate de fois gras, contemporary cocktails and dazzling side dishes, The Rib Room offers a one-of-a-kind dining experience for those who enjoy prime rib and all its possibilities. From the convention center, walk 9 minutes to destination. $$$$
Under the Sea
At 149 years old, the Original Oyster House is Pittsburgh’s oldest bar and restaurant. Located in the heart of downtown in Market Square, near the courts and just across the Allegheny River from the stadiums, the unique tavern has been designated a historic landmark by the Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundations. From raw or breaded oysters to Maryland style crab cakes and its Monster Fish Sandwich, the Original Oyster House will leave your belly full and your heart happy. From the convention center, walk 13 minutes to destination. Lunch, Dinner $
McCormick & Schmick’s has deep seated roots back to 1974. It boasts a long reputation for being a company that serves great seafood, steaks, oysters and drinks with outstanding service in superior locations. Well known for chef-inspired food, an award-winning happy hour and energetic bar scene, the Pittsburgh location is a combination of open imagination and tradition. With a menu that ranges from salads, chowders and bisques to salmon pesto, lobster tails and a variety of steaks, McCormick & Schmick’s will satisfy meat and seafood lovers alike. From the convention center, walk 9 minutes to destination. Lunch, Dinner $$$
Housed in the beautifully preserved Pittsburgh & Lake Erie Railroad Station, the Grand Concourse Restaurant at Station Square is a true testament of grandeur and elegant dining. With cathedral stained-glass vaulted ceilings, marble columns, and a dramatic staircase, guests are quickly transported to the glamorous side of the Progressive Era, with the luxury of a modern-day menu. The award-winning menu boasts a fine selection of signature seafood specialities, tender steaks, poultry, and the self-proclaimed best brunch in Pittsburgh. From the convention center, catch the T at Wood St. Station and ride to Station Square. Lunch, Dinner, Sunday Brunch $$$
A Little Slice of Italy in Pittsburgh
“First, We Eat Pasta.” - Anonymous
Sienna Mercato is a 3-story restaurant “marketplace,” located at 942 Penn Avenue in Pittsburgh’s historic Cultural District. Each floor features a unique yet complimentary dining destination: Emporio: A Meatball Joint, Mezzo, and Il Tetto: Rooftop Beer Garden. The chef oversees the culinary direction and menu of each floor to provide quality, upscale-casual dining at affordable prices. Whether you are looking to build your own meatball dish or indulge in a pancetta risotto or shrimp fra diavolo, Sienna Mercato is sure to have a meal that feeds all of your Italian travel foodie dreams. From the convention center, walk 4 minutes to destination. Lunch, Dinner $$
Family owned and operated for over 50 years, Vallozzi’s Pittsburgh uses fresh, quality ingredients as well as Italian meats and cheeses flown in from Italy every week. With an extensive, award-winning wine list, Vallozzi’s is the perfect spot for an Italian drink and snack or a full-course meal. Mushroom ravioli, gnocchi and chicken parmesan are just a few of the many dishes featuring Vallozzi’s show-stopping homemade pasta. Located in downtown Pittsburgh, Vallozzi’s is an easy walk from the APTA conference. From the convention center, walk 13 minutes to destination. Lunch, Dinner $$
Visit Mt. Washington, one of the conference’s featured neighborhoods, and dine at La Tavola Italiana, Pittsburgh’s go-to place for a slow-dining Italian restaurant. You can read more about La Tavola here. From the convention center, catch the T at Wood St. Station and ride to Station Square. Then, take the Monongahela Incline to Mount Washington. Walk 8 minutes to destination. Dinner Only $$$$
Nearby Chinese, Thai and Sushi restaurants
Chinatown Inn has been a family-favorite restaurant for the last three generations, and is the last remaining restaurant from Pittsburgh’s Chinatown. Run by the Yee family, Chinatown Inn entices customers with delicious and abundant entrees at reasonable prices. Originally a strictly Cantonese restaurant, the menu now embraces Szechuan and Hunan dishes. Whether you have a craving for Moo Shoo Pork or Veggie Lo Mein, there is something for everyone hoping to indulge in their favorite Chinese meal. From the convention center, catch the T at Wood St. Station and ride to First Ave. Station. Walk 3 minutes to destination. Lunch, Dinner $
Located at the corner of 9th and Penn Avenues, Nicky’s Thai Kitchen brings the best of traditional Thai cuisine to Pittsburgh. With specialties like glass noodle salad and fresh spring rolls to classic pad thai and innovative chili mango tofu, Nicky’s Thai Kitchen brings home the Pittsburgh’s Best Thai Food award from City Paper year after year. From the convention center, walk 5 minutes to destination.Lunch, Dinner $$
Gi-Jin is a gin, sashimi and hand roll bar in downtown Pittsburgh. Balancing respect for Japanese technique, tradition, ingredients and self-restraint, infused with childhood memories and experiences, Gi-Jin offers classics like spicy tuna and shrimp tempura hand rolls as well as a wide variety of nigiri and sashimi. From the convention center, walk 1 minute to destination. To note: Dinner only, reservations required. $$$$
Ending on a Sweet Note
Some nights simply aren’t complete without dessert – some mornings aren’t, either. While most of the dining options listed feature dessert on their menus, below are five additional venues that can satisfy the end-of-the-night sweet craving.
Bluebird Kitchen is a bakery cafe with two locations in Downtown Pittsburgh. They offer a seasonal menu and make desserts from scratch in their kitchen, using the best ingredients they can find. From the convention center, walk 14 minutes to destination.
Cobbler World, located at 1059 Penn Avenue, specializes in nostalgic and unique desserts, including but absolutely not limited to, gobs, cheesecakes, and of course, cobbler. From the convention center, walk 3 minutes to destination.
La Gourmandine’s Downtown Pittsburgh location offers a little taste of France with delicious baked goods, breakfast pastries, custom cakes, breads and espresso drinks. From the convention center, walk 13 minutes to destination.
Millie’s, located at 246 Forbes Avenue, features scratch-made ice cream with real ingredients always sourced from farmers and artisans. Famous among Pittsburgh locals, some of Millie’s stand out flavors include their Best Chocolate and Coffee Break. From the convention center, walk 13 minutes to destination.
The Milkshake Factory is a local dessert destination, serving handspun milkshakes made with housemade ice cream, as well as heritage chocolates crafted by generational chocolatiers. The Milkshake Factory’s Downtown Pittsburgh location is 314 Fifth Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. From the convention center, walk 12 minutes to destination.
