Pittsburgh offers a vibrant lunch/dinner scene with a mix of classic comfort foods, innovative eateries, and cultural flavors. Here are some top spots to consider:

1. Primanti Bros. – Iconic sandwiches with fries and slaw inside the bread
   Location: 1001 5th Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15219
   Website: primantibros.com
2. Morcilla – Modern Spanish-Basque cuisine and pintxos
   Location: 3519 Butler St, Pittsburgh, PA 15201
   Website: morcillapittsburgh.com
3. Iron Born Pizza – Detroit-style deep-dish pizza
   Location: 1806 Smallman St, Pittsburgh, PA 15222
   Website: ironbornpizza.com
4. Umami – Japanese fusion with sushi, ramen, and poke bowls
   Location: 202 38th St, Pittsburgh, PA 15201
   Website: umamipgh.com
5. Grandma B’s – Comfort food and Southern-style halal dishes
   Location: 2537 Wylie Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15219
   Website: grandma-bs.edan.io
6. Rolling Pepperoni – Creative takes on West Virginia-style pepperoni rolls
   Location: 6140 Butler St, Pittsburgh, PA 15201
   Website: rollingpepperoni.com
7. Smallman Galley / Pittsburgh Public Market – Multiple local vendors offering diverse artisanal fare
   Location: 621 Penn Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15222
   Website: ppt.org

Honorable Mentions:

Two places I ate that were not on this list:

1. Peppi’s had the best cheese fries!
2. Coughlin’s Law Kitchen and Ale House had really pretty drinks!

Pittsburgh has a diverse and distinctive food scene influenced by its immigrant roots, blue-collar history, and evolving culinary creativity. Some key types of food and specialties you’ll find in Pittsburgh include:

1. Primanti Brothers Sandwiches – Famous for putting French fries and coleslaw inside the sandwich.
2. Pierogies – A nod to the city’s strong Polish and Eastern European heritage; often filled with potato, cheese, or sauerkraut.
3. Pittsburgh Salad – A salad topped with French fries, commonly served with grilled chicken or steak.
4. Hearty comfort food – Think kielbasa, halušky (buttered noodles with cabbage), and stuffed cabbage rolls.
5. Modern American and Farm-to-Table – Pittsburgh has a growing scene of innovative restaurants focusing on local ingredients.
6. Italian-American cuisine – Especially in neighborhoods like Bloomfield (“Little Italy”).
7. Craft beer and gastropub fare – Many local breweries offer elevated bar food.
8. Global cuisine – Vietnamese pho, Middle Eastern shawarma, Mexican street food, and more are increasingly popular.

Needless to say, Pittsburgh is unique and full of amazing people and amazing cuisine! It’s hard to go wrong no matter where you go!