The 10 Greatest Restaurants In Shadyside Pittsburgh

Shadyside may be one of the smaller neighborhoods in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, but it has big options for delicious restaurants. Discover the best restaurants in Shadyside here.

Burger | ©Garrett Ziegler/Flickr

BRGR

Bite into a juicy handcrafted burger at this Shadyside joint. BRGR has seven signature beef burgers on the menu. These include the ‘Fire in the Hole,’ which features sriracha, guacamole, and jalapeños. There are also burgers on the menu made with bison, turkey, salmon, mahi mahi, and shrimp, as opposed to only beef. Order your burger with a side of fries tossed in parmesan and add truffle cheese, gravy, or chili and cheddar for an extra twist. Burgers are also available with coleslaw, tater tots, potato salad, and onion rings. Wash it all down with a nice, thick milkshake. Spiked with different liqueurs, flavors include red velvet, salted caramel, shamrock mint, and coffee. Non-alcoholic shakes and floats are also available.

5997 Penn Circle South Pittsburgh, PA, USA, +1 412 362 2333

P & G’S Pamela’s Diner | ©Via Tsuji/Flickr

P & G’S Pamela’s Diner

This 1980s classic diner hasn’t changed much over the years, and that’s part of its charm. P & G stands for Pamela and Gail, the two lovely ladies who own the restaurants. In 2008, when President Obama was first elected, he asked Pam and Gail to come to the White House and cook for him and his family. If the President of the United States likes the food at P & G’S Pamela’s Diner, then so will you. Try their famous Lyonnaise potatoes, crepe hotcakes, beer battered onion rings, or egg salad. They also serve a delicious breakfast and lunch, so come grab an omelet and coffee before work, or a BLT sandwich for a late lunch. They now have multiple locations throughout the Pittsburgh area, so you never have to be far from P & G.

5527 Walnut St. Pittsburgh, PA, USA, +1 412 683 1003

Pork Scallopini | ©Edsel Little/Flickr

Spoon

Dine on Modern American cuisine at this upscale Shadyside restaurant lounge. Spoon offers guests a farm-to-table menu. Meals comprise the freshest local ingredients available. Enjoy items such as duck confit and foie gras, grilled octopus, rabbit and pork sugo, blue cheese soufflé, and more. Spoon serves both small bites and entrees. But guests can get the best of both worlds by ordering the five-course chef’s tasting menu, with which the whole table can enjoy the chef’s personal favorite dishes and even the beverages that pair best with them. Spoon is a great choice for a date night or special celebration, such as a rehearsal dinner or graduation party.

134 South Higland Ave. Pittsburgh, PA, USA, +1 412 362 6001

Become a Culture Tripper!

Pad Thai | ©Lummmy/Flickr

Noodlehead

Take a trip to Thailand when you visit Shadyside’s Noodlehead. Start out with pork belly steamed buns or crispy veggie spring rolls. If you haven’t filled up on those, get a meal of their Thai street noodles; there are many different types available. First, choose between rice noodles, egg noodles, semolina noodles, and flat rice noodles. Based on which you decide, your meal will come with shrimp, Thai fried chicken, clams, bok choy, and more. There are also curry dinners available. Noodlehead is BYOB with a 50-cent recycling fee, so bring your favorite bottle of wine to pair with your favorite noodles.

242 South Highland Ave. Pittsburgh, PA, USA

Mad Mex | ©ginnerobot/Flickr

Mad Mex

Somewhat inspired by the taste of Southern California, Mad Mex brings you fresh Mexican cuisine, in a fun and funky environment. Get a small bite, like their chips and salsa dip, barbacoa nachos, or shrimp and mushroom taquitos. Alternatively, fill up on their warm black bean soup, or refresh with a cool, crisp salad. The menu also features 20 signature burritos, seven different enchiladas, fajitas, quesadillas, tacos, and more. Stop by for happy hour and get discounted beer to pair with your nachos. The craft cocktails and margaritas are can’t misses. Be on the look out for specialty nights during the week, discount specials for students, and delivery options.

220 South Highland Ave. Pittsburgh, PA, USA, +1 412 345 0185

Seasonal Pumpkin Ravioli | ©Stijn Niewendijk/Flickr

Girasole Restaurant

Dine on authentic Italian dishes at Girasole. The restaurant has a modern, rustic decor that is warm and inviting. Cozy up at a corner table and order one of the delicious dishes off the menu. A few local favorites include potato gnocchi, pumpkin ravioli, polenta, spinach and ricotta ravioli, and linguine rustic. In addition to hot pastas, there are soups, salads, bruschettas, and antipasti available. There is a lunch menu and dinner menu, both of which change seasonally, so be sure to check for changes. The wine list is comprehensive, so you’ll have many choices when finding the right one to pair with your meal. Order a single glass, or share a bottle among the table. Girasole hosts special events throughout the year, including wine tasting and Italian celebrations. You can also host your own event with Girasole – just ask about catering.

733 Copeland St. Pittsburgh, PA, USA, +1 412 682 2130

Chicken Fajitas | ©esimpraim/Flickr

Steel Cactus

Steel Cactus is a colorful cantina that serves incredible Mexican cuisine. You’ll enter a modern, bustling atmosphere filled with loyal customers and pleasant staff that are happy to help you. Dine indoors at a rustic table, or climb upstairs to eat on the lovely rooftop deck. Once settled, order an appetizer, such as their chips and guacamole, ceviche, nachos, or small quesadilla. Then choose a signature burrito, taco, or deluxe entrée. There are specialty burritos and tacos that have already been crafted to perfection, but you can also build your own. Select your meat, sauce, tortilla, style, and toppings to guarantee that you get a meal that’s just for you. If you’re looking for a dish that you don’t eat with your hands, try their enchiladas, fajitas, or arroz con pollo. Finish up with one of their tasty dessert specials.

5505 Walnut St. Pittsburgh, PA, USA, +1 412 709 6444

Glass of French Wine | ©Sébastien Barillot/Flickr

Paris 66

Voted ‘Pittsburgh’s Best French Restaurant’ four years in a row by Pittsburgh Magazine, Paris 66 is a quaint bistro that provides an authentic Parisian experience. The Shadyside restaurant has been family-owned and -operated for years. When you dine with them, they treat you like family too. Try one of their popular savory buckwheat crepes, which are all organic and gluten-free. The mussels, escargot, lamb stew, and steak are also excellent menu choices. Don’t forget to choose a premium wine to pair with your meal. One of the original things about Paris 66 is that they offer many educational programs. With coordination from a few other Pittsburgh organizations, they are able to offer you French education and language classes, including cuisine, geography, history, and literature. Classes are available beginning at a high school level up to continuing education for adults. There are also wine seminars and outreach opportunities within the community.

6018 Centre Ave. Pittsburgh, PA, USA, +1 412 404 8166

Soba

Soba is Shadyside’s upscale Asian fusion lounge. The contemporary decor is quite exquisite, with a cascading waterfall, glass staircase, art murals and more. The space is very cozy and intimate, making it a great place for after-work cocktails, or a dinner date for two. Most menu items are made to share, such as the shishito peppers, spring rolls, calamari, sea scallops and pork dumplings. There are also rice and noodle dinners available, soups and salads, larger entrée plates, and sushi. Soba hosts occasional tasting dinners for private parties, in addition to monthly benefit functions. It’s a lovely space to have an event, so contact them for reservations and catering information. Don’t forget to stop by for happy hour during the week; the cocktails are amazing.

5847 Ellsworth Ave. Pittsburgh, PA, USA, +1 412 362 5656

Café Zinho

Café Zinho is a pleasant Shadyside experience. This one-in-a-million restaurant serves Mediterranean, particularly Portuguese, dishes. Many of their meals feature fresh fish, including clams cataplana, sautéed octopus, mariscada Portuguese shellfish stew, and crab cakes. Some land items are the juicy lamb burger, beef medallions, portobella ravioli, and baked goat cheese. Be sure to try their famous Portuguese corn bread pudding – it’s phenomenal. The restaurant is BYOB, so bring your favorite wine from home to pair with one of their signature dinners. In addition to a cozy interior, Café Zinho also has a few intimate outdoor tables that are simply darling. They really add to the experience, so grab one of those if the weather is nice.

238 Spahr St. Pittsburgh, PA, USA, +1 412 363 1500

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