Skip the tourist traps: Where to eat in Pittsburgh
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The bistro steak at Fig & Ash comes with beef tallow potato cake, ramps, and watermelon radish. Photo: Ryan Deto/Axios
Even if your NFL draft experience in Pittsburgh is 100% about football, yinz still have to eat.
Why it matters: It might be hard to peel yourself away from the gridiron action, but there are some essential spots to try that won't take you too far from the draft, and some that are worth a trek.
The big picture: Whether you are visiting from out of town or just making a suburban sojourn, you'll likely get at least 500 recommendations to eat Primanti's french fry-stuffed sandwiches.
- But if you've already tried our novelties and are looking for the best meal, these are my picks.
Zoom in: These restaurants, pizza spots and breakfast joints are my personal favorites within a 30-minute walk from the draft stage.
- 🍕 Badamo's Pizza, 1106 Federal St., North Side: Hot, delicious, affordable New York-style pizza by the slice. Order with a Turner's Tea like a local.
- 🥞 The Speckled Egg, 501 Grant St., Downtown: Brunch spot inside the gorgeous Union Trust Building. The buttermilk poppyseed pancakes are excellent.
- 🥩 Meat & Potatoes, 649 Penn Ave., Downtown: Classy joint with great cocktails and an amazing beef Wellington that you'll need to split.
- 🍷 Alberta's Pizza, 917 Western Ave., North Side: Upscale pizza place with authentic Naples-style pies and great Italian wine, cocktails and beer.
- 🥓 Wise County Biscuits, 911 Galveston Ave., North Side: A taste of Appalachia in the 'burgh. Don't skip the country ham biscuit. Get there early; it gets busy.
- 🍸 Fig & Ash, 514 East Ohio St., North Side: Fancy new American eatery with inventive menu and local ingredients. It's spring: Get something with ramps, aka local wild onions. Great cocktails.
Zoom out: If you decide to venture outside Downtown and North Shore, these spots are my picks for an exceptional meal, delicious cocktail, and great vibe.
- 🍝 Dish Osteria, 128 S 17th St., South Side: Yinzers love fancy Italian food, and this place is one of the best. Let the excellent wait staff guide you through your meal. There's usually a short line before they open at 5pm to snag a bar seat.
- 🐟 Fet-Fisk, 4786 Liberty Ave., Bloomfield: Fresh off a James Beard semifinalist recognition, this Scandinavian-inspired menu consistently surprises me. If you don't love seafood, the roast half chicken with lingonberries is a crowd-pleaser.
- 🥟 Apteka, 4606 Penn Ave., Bloomfield: Eastern European vegan food that's like nothing else in the city. Can't go wrong with pierogies packed with flavor. No reservations; get there early and wait in line (it moves) or late.
- 🍣 Mola, 6018 Penn Ave., East Liberty: My favorite sushi spot in the region with massive cut rolls, nigiri, and more. Bao buns are great appetizers.
- 🌯 Duo's Taqueria, 5906 Penn Ave., East Liberty: It's Duolingo's restaurant. The CEO says it's the best Mexican in the city, and it's hard to disagree. Authentic and upscale flavors that feel like you are in Mexico City.
- 🍞 DiAnoia's Eatery, 2549 Penn Ave., Strip District: Close-ish to the draft, but too far to walk. Amazing modern Italian dishes in a lively and open setting. Order some fresh bread and whipped ricotta for the table.
The bottom line: These are just a fraction of Pittsburgh's great food.
- Don't forget to try our great Black-owned barbecues and restaurants, as suggested by Jay Ruff Bone White on Instagram.
- If you want something only found in Pittsburgh, try our classic pierogi joints, the original french fry salad, diners with chipped chopped ham, and our weird pizza styles (pickle, Ohio Valley, and sweet pie crust, just to name a few).