The Best Bars for Foodies in Pittsburgh

by The OpenTable Team

Updated February 26, 2020

The city of Pittsburgh sits right at the point where the Alleghany and Monongahela Rivers join to form the Ohio River. Formerly a center of industry in the state of Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh is no longer just a coal and steel town of yesteryear. The city has a very unique layout and character and has grown into a scenic metropolis with plenty of things to see and do. The Golden Triangle forms the city center, named for the point where the three rivers meet. Here, you’ll find the historic Point State Park and the lively Strip District with its many markets, boutiques and eateries. Pittsburgh has a bustling downtown and Cultural District with spots like the Carnegie Museums, the Museum of Natural History and more. And when it comes to nightlife, Pittsburgh has you covered. If you’re wondering where the locals go in the evening hours, check out our Tastemaker List of the best bars in Pittsburgh!

The Harmony Inn

4.5

4.5 (590)

$30 and under

German

Cranberry

About the restaurant

The Harmony Inn, located about 30 minutes north of Pittsburgh in the small town of Harmony, is a German Style Restaurant and Craft Beer destination. Locals swear it’s worth the drive to hang out in this beautifully historic part of Pittsburgh and indulge in the selection of over 50 taps! The beers come from local Craft brewers and make a perfect pairing with their excellent German food. The venue offers gorgeous outdoor patio seating with an additional bar so you can order food and drinks to your heart’s content. Plus, rumors have it it's a haunted space, so you can hear all the famous ghost stories from the staff!

Top review

sheila

Dined on Oct 31, 2024

Our service was excellent. Food was really good too. We will be back as we have been here 3 other times.

City Works - Pittsburgh

4.4

4.4 (985)

$31 to $50

American

Downtown

About the restaurant

City Works is a massive gastropub in Pittsburgh, perfectly situated in PPG Place for after-work happy hours and watching sports games on one of the 15 TVs. Usually bustling with groups of people during happy hour, it’s a giant space with several different areas to cater to different experiences. Choose one of the high top tables near the bar and TVs to be close to the action or one of the comfier booths and tables for more privacy. The bar has 90 beers on tap! And they always feature at least 25% local beers from breweries in the area. Choose your favorites and indulge in tasty food, like fried cheese curds, pretzel bites and crab fondue!

Top review

barb

Dined 5 days ago

We were in glass enclosed room so noise level was low. Meals were very good & our waitress was exceptional

Siempre Algo

4.8

4.8 (643)

$31 to $50

American

Downtown

About the restaurant

Siempre Algo, located on the North Side of Pittsburgh, is a fantastic neighborhood retreat for dining and drinking. The setting features a bustling dining room, low lighting and an open kitchen. Their menu offers a take on tapas-style dining with delicious sharable places like ceviche, homemade pretzels, sweetbreads and more. Siempro Algo means “always something” in Spanish and that is what the restaurant is all about - making sure your experience here is always something!

Top review

Michelevip

Dined 7 days ago

Fabulous as always! Erin, our server, is wonderful. Food is absolutely fantastic with the perfect accompaniments. So cozy, quiet and special. Looking forward to our next meal at one of our new favorite places.

Cioppino Restaurant

4.3

4.3 (1654)

$30 and under

Steakhouse

Downtown

About the restaurant

Cioppino Restaurant and Cigar Bar offers a seasonal dinner menu featuring fresh seafood, hand-cut steaks and chops. They also have a wide selection of vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options for choosier diners. And it is definitely one of the best bars in Pittsburgh, offering a wine list with over 250 domestic and international labels and an onsite luxury Cigar Bar with a collection of over 300 whiskeys and a premium cigar selection! Happy Hour is the best time to go, with specials on draft beers, cocktails and bar food selections every day!

Top review

Yohana

Dined 7 days ago

Overall, it was a great experience from the hostess to the waitress. The food was delicious, and I will highly recommend the cigar bar.

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Popular dish

Chilean Sea Bass Oscar

Carmella's Plates and Pints

4.8

4.8 (698)

$31 to $50

American

Downtown

About the restaurant

Carmella’s Plates and Pints is a lovely place to dine and drink in the heart of the Historic Southside. The first restaurant for co-owners Carmella Salem and Michael Alberter, it’s already a local favorite! The interior is warm and cozy with a wood-beamed cathedral ceiling, open fireplace, taxidermy and stained glass windows that adorn the dining room. They serve up hearty meals like a Bison Burger and Smoked Wild Boar Meatballs. The expansive whiskey bar boasts over 500 selections of whiskey and they also offer 11 wines on tap, 27 craft beers and 11 cocktails ready-made!

Top review

Rebecca

Dined 6 days ago

Always a delicious dinner. Nice seasonal menu entree changes. Meatloaf & Amish Pie dinners were excellent! The best bartenders and cocktails in Pittsburgh (we travel from 500+ miles away & always stop in when in town) old fashioned cocktail is my personal favorite. Keep it going! Bravo!

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Popular dish

Mushroom Risotto

The Foundry Table & Tap

4.3

4.3 (779)

$30 and under

Farm-to-table

Downtown

About the restaurant

The Foundry Table & Tap is one of the best bars in Pittsburgh dor amazing food. It’s an award-winning gastropub on Pittsburgh’s booming North Shore and is perfect for a date night, weekend hang or a business dinner. The Foundry features farm-fresh local and seasonal cuisine as well as an extensive selection of craft and creative cocktails. During warmer months, you can sit outside on the river-side patio to enjoy amazing views of the Alleghany River and the downtown skyline. They also have an awesome happy hour with specials on beer, wine, cocktails and small plates.

Top review

Nickrvip

Dined on Nov 15, 2024

Great food and service , nice and friendly Great menu ideas

Napa Prime Chophouse

4.9

4.9 (2299)

$31 to $50

Steakhouse

Warrendale

About the restaurant

Locally owned and operated, Napa Prime offers chef-inspired gourmet burgers, fresh seafood, small plates, and more. It’s a traditional steakhouse setting with innovative cuisine added into the mix. The setting has a rustic-chic ambiance with an open oyster bar, outdoor dining and a chef’s table inside the kitchen! The bar features an ultra Premium Wine by the Glass list and they also have an adjoining Cigar and luxury spirits lounge! Indulge in a cocktail or whiskey along with a cut of 1855 ranch’s prime beef.

Top review

Traceyvip

Dined 3 days ago

Celebrated my birthday there tonight. Top notch service from start to finish. The seafood tower is very unique because it’s smoked and served warm, highly recommend. Loved the steak and sides. The decor is elegant and not overly masculine and dark like most steakhouses. Thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of our meal and experience. Thank you!

Jacksons - Southpointe

4.7

4.7 (561)

$31 to $50

Steakhouse

Canonsburg

About the restaurant

Jacksons is the classy but casual restaurant and bar on Southpointe Drive next to the Hilton Garden Inn. Established in 2001, it is a longtime favorite gathering spot for locals and visitors alike. They have a unique open kitchen with a brick oven and wood fire grill and the cuisine features artfully-prepared new American food. The menu changes as the seasons change and dishes include Crab Cakes, steaks and the freshest seafood. The bar is a great place to relax with a signature martini and watch the game on one of the big-screen TVs.

Top review

Trish

Dined on Nov 8, 2024

We were there on a Friday night when they had live music. Very busy, so service was a bit slow but to be expected. The food was delicious and the drink specials tasty. Will definitely go back.

Off The Hook

4.8

4.8 (4982)

$31 to $50

Seafood

Warrendale

About the restaurant

Off The Hook, located on Warrendale Village Drive in Pittsburgh, is the town’s seafood authority! They feature the bounty of American fishermen with fresh fish offerings flown in daily. Choose a seat at the custom raw bar and enjoy watching the culinary staff hard at work on your feast! In addition to the very best seafood, they also offer USDA Prime steaks, vegetarian and gluten-free options. The bar also features an awesome Happy Hour with mixed cocktails, house wines and beer on special.

Top review

Rachel

Dined 3 days ago

Excellent, best seafood restaurant in Pittsburgh!

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North Country Brew Pub

4.3

4.3 (547)

$30 and under

Brewery

Cranberry

About the restaurant

North Country Brewing Co. is one of the most popular bars in Pittsburgh. Located on Main Street in the Cranberry neighborhood, it’s a rustic English-style family pub and restaurant. The decor features whimsical wood carvings and country charm and the vibe is old-fashioned and charming. A long-time destination for great beer, the pub offers signature craft beers alongside a full menu of farm-to-table comfort fare. It is a pillar of the community and locals love the wild selection of experimental brews, like the bacon-flavored beer and chai tea infused ales!

Top review

Melissa

Dined 3 days ago

Interesting place to eat. Good food, great service

Kaya

4.7

4.7 (2674)

$30 and under

Caribbean

Downtown

About the restaurant

Located in the heart of Pittsburgh’s Strip District, Kaya is a casually elegant place for drinks and delicious, exotic food. The cuisine melds fresh, ingredients with bold flavor and preparation. Executive Chef Marty Sons incorporates the culinary customs of the Caribbean Islands, South America, the Pacific and beyond. Come in to sample some of their best creations, like the Conch Fritters, Tropical Guacamole and Yucatan Hot Bean Dip. They also have a diverse selection of festive, tropical drinks to enjoy.

Top review

Ambervip

Dined 6 days ago

Fresh, flavorful and absolutely delicious food! Great local draft beer, cocktail and mock-tail options.

The Commoner

4.6

4.6 (2389)

$31 to $50

American

Downtown

About the restaurant

The Commoner, a stylish gastropub located inside Kimpton Hotel Monaco, is anything but common. This downtown Pittsburgh restaurant features American classics with a touch of the unexpected. The vibrant design recalls the city’s industrial past and it offers a warm and inviting retreat for a drink or two. The kitchen is all about adding a modern flourish to classic comfort foods and they serve authentic, locally-focused dishes that showcase the huge wood-fired oven in the open kitchen. The bar is always hopping and features a robust selection of local beers and craft spirits to round out the American Tavern feel.

Top review

Donnamarievip

Dined 2 days ago

My meal was beyond delicious! The ingredients were fresh and the taste and presentation was exemplary.

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Bonfire Food and Drink

4.5

4.5 (495)

$31 to $50

American

Downtown

About the restaurant

Bonfire Food and Drink is a welcome addition to the south side of Pittsburgh! The Upstairs offers a curated, contemporary American dining experience for locals and visitors. Located on the corner of 21st and East Carson Street, it has a relaxed yet sophisticated atmosphere and features a menu of delectable cuisine along with great wine and cocktails. Menu items include Mussels, mushroom veloute, Root Vegetable Pot Pie, bacon-wrapped pork tenderloin and more.

Top review

Zackery

Dined on Oct 4, 2024

Great drinks and great food! The service was quick and friendly and was very reasonably priced. We love how Bonfire is always changing their menu up and keeping it fresh. One of our favorite spots in the South Side.

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