Favorite Pittsburgh Area Restaurants

LUNCH SPOTS:
Rosie’s Pierogies [Tarentum]
2015 Pittsburgh Mills Blvd.
Tarentum, PA 15084
724-275-7700
http://www.rosiespierogies.com/
Family-owned, handmade. Great deals! You can even choose from a wide variety to take home and keep in your freezer.


Rowdy BBQ [South Hills]
3900 Saw Mill Run Blvd.
Pittsburgh, PA 15227
412-882-6788
http://www.rowdybbq.com/
Home of the Rothlesburger. Great Kielbasa. Huge portions.

DINNER:

Nicky's Thai Kitchen [North Shore]
856 Western Ave.
Pittsburgh, PA 15233
(412) 321-8424
www.nickysthaikitchen.com/
Fantastic experience. If it’s nice out, ask to sit on the patio – it’s absolutely beautiful. Food is so yummy. You can even customize the hotness – from 0/10 to Thai Hot. Really reasonable pricing, but dining feels very high end.

Sun Penang [Squirrel Hill]
5829 Forbes Ave
Pittsburgh, PA 15217
412-421-7600
The place to go for Dim Sum. Really yummy.

MEXICAN FOOD:

Emiliano’s Mexican Restaurant & Cantina [North Hills]
8600 McKnight Rd.
McIntyre Square
Pittsburgh, PA
(412) 366-8484
http://www.emilianos.net/
My favorite Mexican spot in the city. The chicken with queso meal is excellent.

Patron Mexican Grill [Wexford]
11675 Perry Highway
Wexford, PA 15090
(724) 935-3559
http://www.patronmexgrill.com/
A recent find – the service is out of this world.

MOST AMUSING DÉCOR:

The Baltimore House [South Hills]
176 Curry Hollow Road
Pleasant Hills, PA 15236-4604
(412) 653-3800
Be careful what you order – the bill can add up quickly. The food is passable. The selection is really good. They have excellent wedding soup. But the thing you must check out is the décor. It’s a Pirate’s Life for the Baltimore House!

GREAT BAR FOOD:

Rochester Inn Hardwood Grille [North Hills]
505 Rochester Road
412 364-8166
http://www.therochesterinn.com/
This place is just ridiculous. Ridiculously good, of course. I love eating on their deck. They have The Best Steak Salad I’ve ever had. Their burgers are to die for. And the price is super-reasonable.

Rick’s Sports Bar & Grill
5400 Wm. Penn Highway ( Route 22 )
Export, Pennsylvania 15632
724.327.4148
http://www.rickssportsbar.com/
Best bar food in the Pittsburgh area, in my opinion. And arguably one of the best beer selections. Check their specials ahead of time – they have a buffet with a rotation schedule – all you can eat wing night, taco night, etc. The bill is always less than I expect.

Paddy’s Pour House [Carnegie]
215 E. Main Street
Carnegie, PA 15106
412-279-0770
http://www.paddyspourhouse.com/
Authentic Irish food and great bar food all rolled into one. Great prices. Love eating in the back patio. (Have you figured out yet that I’m a sucker for a patio?)

FINE DINING

Legends of the North Shore
500 East North Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15212
412-321-8000
www.legendsnorthshore.com/
Bar none, this is my #1 favorite restaurant in the city. The food is absolutely freaking phenomenal. Call ahead for reservations as they tend to frown on walk-ins, but you’ll be glad you came. I go with the special every time and I haven’t been disappointed yet. Their mushroom bisque is to die for. The fresh hand-rolled pasta clearly shines through in the taste of the dishes. It can set you back a bit more than an Olive Garden or Red Lobster, but not too much more than that. The restaurant is bring-your-own wine.

Willow [North Hills]
634 Camp Horne Road
Pittsburgh, PA 15237
412.847.1007
www.willowpgh.com/
Great little restaurant – somehow pulls off being both swanky and cozy. The lighting is dim and the feeling is intimate. The food is phenomenal. Best steak I ever had. Pretty pricey though – check out the menu online before you go.

DESSERT:

The Pie Place [South Hills]
1775 N. Highland Road
Pittsburgh, PA 15241
412-835-4410
http://www.thepieplace.net/
Best dessert in the city. Fresh, homemade pies that are hearty and loaded with berries.

COFFEE:

Beehive Coffeehouse
1327 E. Carson Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15203
412-488-4483
http://www.beehivebuzz.com/
Beehive isn’t just a coffeehouse, it’s an experience. Very counter-culture hippie vibe, the places prides itself on its spontaneous artwork, which seems to cover everything. Free Wi-Fi and great people-watching. Plus you’re supporting a local business. The hand-squeezed lemonade is just like you would find at any fair. They also have soups, teas, smoothies, sandwiches, pastries, and, oh yeah, coffee.