Clement Fung
PhD Student
Carnegie Mellon University

Every restaurant I've been to in Pittsburgh.

After being nudged to do so by Trevor Kann, here's a tier list of every restaurant I've been to in the Pittsburgh area, minus obvious chain restaurants you would find anywhere.

Includes places I've dined in only, since takeout does not represent a true dining experience. Exceptions made for places that are predominantly takeout. Results adjusted for cost and grad student budget. Tiers subject to change after subsequent visits.

Tiers are defined as follows:

  • S-Tier: The place really stands out. It's a place Pittsburgh should be proud of.
  • A-Tier: I'd happily go here most days and would recommend it to friends.
  • B-Tier: Place is solid. I would go, but I'm not particularly enthusiastic.
  • C-Tier: Place is fine, a bit inconsistent. Give or take.
  • D-Tier: I generally wouldn't go here again and would argue against it. Peer-pressure required.

Mid-range restaurants

S-Tier
  • Mercurio's
  • B52 Cafe
  • Onion Maiden
  • Oak Hill Post
A-Tier (the solid rotation)
  • The Speckled Egg
  • Tessaro's
  • Taiwanese Bistro Cafe 33
  • Jian's Kitchen
  • Smiling Banana Leaf
  • Wei Lai Dim Sum
  • Nicky's Thai Kitchen
  • Bae Bae's Kitchen
  • Cambodican Kitchen
  • The Colombian Spot
  • Kaya
  • Spice Island Tea House
  • Casa Brasil
B-Tier
  • Osteria 2350
  • Wise County Biscuits
  • Long Story Short
  • Subba
  • Tocayo
  • Pho Kim 88
  • Dive Bar (Southside)
  • Little Tokyo Bistro
  • Pho and Roll
  • DiAnoia's Eatery
  • Thai Me Up
  • Kiin Lao
  • BAO (Oakland)
  • Everyday Noodles
  • Tana Ethiopian
  • People's Indian
  • El Burro
  • El Sabor
  • Cafe Moulin
  • Caffe Mona
  • Noodlehead
  • Thai Table and Kitchen
  • Mad Noodles
  • Teppanyaki Kyoto
  • Chengdu Gourmet
  • Sichuan Gourmet
  • Southern Tier Brewery
  • Sushi Bomb
C-Tier
  • Kura Revolving Sushi Bar
  • Mad Mex
  • Condado Tacos
  • Geppetto Cafe
  • Square Cafe
  • Fujiya Ramen
  • Nanban
  • Silk Elephant
  • Double Wide Grill
  • Pamela's
  • Pie for Breakfast
  • Carmi Soul Food
  • Fuel and Fuddle
  • Ramen Bar
  • Dijlah
  • Cinderlands Warehouse
  • Cinderlands Foederhouse
  • Fat Head's Saloon
  • Over The Bicycle Bar
  • Mindful Brewing
  • Burgh'ers Brewing
D-Tier
  • Coop Deville
  • The Eagle
  • Hofbrauhaus
  • Brewdog
  • Stack'd
  • Shady Grove
  • Urban Tap
  • Industry Public House
  • Emiliano's Mexican
  • The Abbey
  • The Yard
  • Caliente Pizza House

Higher-end ($25+ pp)

S-Tier
  • Dish Osteria
  • APTEKA
  • Umami
  • Morcilla
  • Alta Via
A-Tier
  • The Commoner
  • Balvanera
  • LeVia Trattoria
  • Pusadee's Garden
  • Gi-Jin
  • Mola
  • Monterrey Bay Fish Grotto
B-Tier
  • Fig and Ash
  • Grand Concourse
  • The Forge
  • Soju
  • Fogo de Chao
  • Gaucho Parilla Argentina
  • Carmella's Plates and Pints

Bakeries

S-Tier
  • Five Points Bakery
  • Madeleine Bakery
  • La Gourmandine
A-Tier
  • Cafe Kolache
  • Mediterra Cafe
  • Jean-Marc Chatellier
  • 350 Bakery
B-Tier
  • Colangelo's
  • The Pretzel Shop
  • Paddy Cake Bakery
  • Madsen Donuts
  • Big Daddy Donuts
C-Tier
  • Duck Donuts
  • Just Good Donuts
  • Prantl's
D-Tier
  • Peace, Love and Little Donuts

Counter Service, Takeout, Dives

S-Tier
  • Page's Dairy Mart
  • Spak Brothers
A-Tier
  • Carson Street Deli
  • Forgotten Taste Pierogies
  • Pierogies Plus
  • Duncan Street Sandwich Shop
  • Michael's Pizza Bar
  • Salem Market
  • JJ Poke Bowl
  • Oishii Bento
B-Tier
  • Penn Fish Co.
  • ECHT Coffeehouse Lounge and Bistro
  • Abby's Jamaican
  • Applewood Smoke Burger Company
  • ATARASHI
  • Baby Loves Tacos
  • Thyme Machine
  • Bengal Kebab House
  • Tram's
  • Fazio's
  • Ineffable Ca Phe
  • Birmingham Bridge Tavern
  • Big Jim's in the Run
  • Kelly O's in the Strip
  • Ritter's Diner
  • Moonlit Burgers
  • Ephesus Pizza
  • Pizzeria Davide
  • Mineo's Pizza House
  • Beto's Pizza
C-Tier
  • Nadine's
  • Pho Van
  • Aiello's Pizza
  • Benny Fierro's
  • Banh Mi and Ti
  • The Coal Mine
  • Nico's Recovery Room
  • Tavern in the Wall
  • North Park Lounge
  • Kelly's Bar and Lounge
  • Friendship Perk and Brew
  • Uncle Sam's Subs
  • Gussy's Bagels
  • Rocky's Cafe
  • Eggs N'at
  • O'Leary's
  • Bird on the Run
  • CHIKN
  • Choolah
  • Primanti Brothers
  • Pub Chip Shop
  • La Bodega
  • Cupka's Cafe II
  • Lin's Asian Fusion
  • Chan An
D-Tier
  • Sushi Fuku
  • Thai Cuisine (Bloomfield)
  • Wai Wai
  • Slice on Broadway
  • Spirit Pizza
  • Back to the Foodture

Drinks

S-Tier
  • Arsenal Cider House
  • Tina's
A-Tier
  • Greenhouse Co-op
  • Velum Fermentation
  • Aslin Brewing
  • Two Frays Brewery
  • Lorelei
  • Dancing Gnome
  • Hitchhiker
  • Grist House
  • Eleventh Hour
  • East End Brewing
B-Tier
  • Levity Brewing
  • Hop Farm Brewing
  • Inner Groove Brewing
  • Coven Brewing
  • Sly Fox
  • Tiki Lounge
  • Hidden Harbor
  • The Library
C-Tier
  • Pins Mechanical Co.
  • Trace Brewing
  • Froggy's Bar
  • Jekyll and Hyde

Heard good things, on my to-go list

  • Fet Fisk
  • Lola's Eatery
  • Udipi Cafe
  • Casbah
  • Driftwood Oven
  • Arepittas
  • Kavsar