Over the past 20 years or so, Pittsburgh has undergone a cultural renaissance. This had led to the opening of a variety of restaurants offering cuisine from all corners of the globe, ranging from fast-casual to fine dining. Our Pittsburgh adoption professionals love visiting both old and new restaurants in the eclectic Pittsburgh dining scene. Here are our top 5 restaurants that we recommend visiting while in the city:
Gaucho Parilla Argentina
For carnivores, Gaucho Parilla Argentina is basically heaven on earth. This Argentine steakhouse has garnered a reputation as one of the absolute best restaurants in Pittsburgh, so we recommend making a reservation. After 5 pm, there is normally a long line wrapping all the way outside. If you just want to avoid the wait and get something quick, you also can call in a takeout order to save time.
Some of our favorite things to order at Gaucho Parilla Argentina include:
- Chorizos
- Empanadas
- Rosemary Braised Beef
- El Gaucho Salad
- Roasted Spaghetti Squash
Butcher and the Rye
Butcher and the Rye is one of our favorite restaurants in Pittsburgh for celebrating a special occasion. It makes a great choice for dinner on an anniversary, birthday, graduation, promotion, or any other event which merits a celebration. While it’s pricey, we think it’s definitely worth splurging. The food is high-end new American and, despite the name, they have both meat and veggie options. Additionally, we highly recommend pairing your meal with one of the restaurant’s delectable signature cocktails.
We recommend trying the following dishes at Butcher and the Rye:
- Buttermilk Fried Rabbit
- Roasted Chicken
- Spring Pea Vichyssoise
- Smoked Salmon Rillette
- Duck Liver Pate
Meat & Potatoes
Can you tell that our lawyers love meat? Although Meat & Potatoes may have a similar theme as the previous two restaurants, each menu has something unique to offer and all three restaurants are well worth a visit. However, if you have any vegetarians or vegans in your party, you’d probably be better off dining somewhere with a more inclusive menu.
Here are some of our favorite dishes to order at Meat & Potatoes:
- Buttermilk Fried Chicken Livers
- Buffalo Mac & Cheese
- Wild Mushroom Risotto
- Plain Jane Burger
- Smoked Lamb Shank
Smallman Galley
If you’ve got a large dining party with diverse preferences, Smallman Galley is an excellent choice. This shared space features 4 rotating restaurants, along with two bars. You can choose from various types of food here, so this makes a great option for groups that are mixed between vegetarians/vegans and omnivores.
Eateries currently serving food at Smallman Galley include:
- Banhmilicious – Modern Vietnamese cuisine
- Home – Modern versions of comfort food classics
- Iron Born – A Detroit-style pizza place
- Joey’s Snack Bar – Small plates and quick snacks, including kebabs and pitas
Bae Bae’s Kitchen
Located near the convention center, Bae Bae’s Kitchen is a great choice for a quick lunch or dinner when in downtown Pittsburgh. It’s a Korean fusion restaurant with a simple menu of expertly crafted dishes.
The menu is kind of similar to Qdoba or Subway. You pick a base (rice, noodles, or salad), a side (kimchi or veggie tempura), and add a protein (bulgogi, Korean fried chicken, fire chicken, crispy tofu). This makes it easy to create a bowl that’s suited just to your tastes.
