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City Cast Pittsburgh

The latest on the hottest places to eat, drink, socialize, and talk about in Pittsburgh.

Laura Tsutsui

Allegheny County has identified 11 cases of 

 (so far), and reports of the parasite running rampant in other states might give you pause when it comes to eating fresh fruits and vegetables; the parasitic infection has been linked to uncooked produce. Fear not: we’ve compiled our favorite places to grab cooked veggie dishes around town so you can indulge — and get your fiber in — without fear of getting sick.

There’s lots to love at this seasonally-focused North Side space, but I’m going to call out 

. Topped with ricotta, almonds, and brown sage butter? 😍 Chef’s kiss.

, and the szparagi (asparagus in white pepper and smoked onion sauce) is going to satisfy. The entire menu is vegan, and changes regularly so there’s lots for veggie-lovers to enjoy.

, is sure to hit alongside baby bok choy with black mushrooms and mapo tofu. Find Chengdu Gourmet – and many other amazing Chinese restaurants – in Squirrel Hill. Just make sure you’ve got water on hand; like much Sichuan food, some dishes bring a spicy kick.

 plus the Guanciale & Leek Pie, and you’ve got yourself a full meal with leftovers from this Mt. Lebanon pizzeria.

Order the Italian Greens & Beans and Caramelized Onion & Goat Cheese Tart with your wine and call it a day at 

 in Robinson. Now's the time to go: they’re celebrating their fifth anniversary tomorrow night with live entertainment, complimentary wine tastings, and giveaways throughout the evening!

Pittsburgh Veggie Plates

 What veggie plates are you craving?

5 Cooked Veggie Dishes To Try in Pittsburgh Right Now

The latest on the best and newest restaurants and bars in Pittsburgh. We'll help you find where to eat, drink, and socialize.

Pittsburgh Food & Drink

Food & Drink

Sensitive bellies don’t have to miss out on this sweet summer treat! I sampled a selection of vegan flavors from local shops to bring you my picks for the creamiest plant-based scoops Pittsburgh has to offer.

This Butler Street shop serves ice cream from Penn State’s famous on-campus creamery, made through their Department of Food and Science. So it makes sense that they’ve totally mastered vegan ice cream, too. They use a blend of milks — like coconut, oat, and almond — and the texture is superior to all other vegan ice creams I've tried! Plus, the flavors are always standouts. My go-to is the pistachio, but I’ve also devoured blueberry lavender, dulce de leche, strawberry PopTarts, blueberry pancake, and Oreo peanut butter fudge.

Leona’s is already super friendly to customers with dietary restrictions — all of their dairy ice cream is lactose free, making it easier to digest. But did you know that they have delicious non-dairy ice cream too? I tried the coffee flavor made with coconut milk for an afternoon pick-me-up. It was so smooth and the perfect amount of sweet. Stop by the Garfield shop for a scoop or one of their famous ice cream sandwiches. (I’m eyeing up the black sesame ice cream on salted tahini chocolate chunk cookies.)

Imagine my surprise when I walked into Posman Books to find an ice cream stand with some of the most interesting flavors like coconut caramel chip, coconut pandan, grasshopper (mint) made with cashew milk, and chocolate chunk. I tried the coconut mango sticky rice and it had delightful little surprises of mochi swirled throughout! It’s the perfect treat to enjoy while window shopping in the Strip.

📍Shadyside, Squirrel Hill, West View, Robinson & 

Bruster’s has chains all across the country, but it started in Bridgewater in Beaver County. I’ve sampled flavors at a few locations, but somehow the oatmilk-based scoops from their truck are always better — with unique flavors like black raspberry chocolate chip, cold brew, peanut butter Oreo, and raspberry truffle. You can find me going back for seconds at 

This family-run shop is known for small-batch scoops and ice cream sandwiches made with Better Maid donuts — and they always have a couple of really tasty vegan gelato flavors, like peanut butter and chocolate coconut. They’re made with almond milk, which I was skeptical of at first — sometimes the texture isn’t quite right — but I was pleased to be proven wrong! The peanut butter was shockingly creamy, and I’d stand in the long line to get a cone again and again.

📍Oakland, Downtown, Lawrenceville, Shadyside & 

No matter what corner of Pittsburgh you’re in, there’s likely a Millie’s chain nearby, serving seasonal flavors in their signature homemade waffle cone. You can grab a scoop of vegan flavors like mango, mint chip, and brownie batter from a scoop shop — or find them in the freezer aisle at some Giant Eagle locations. Tip: Are you a snowbird? They now have 

You can find this Ohio-based ice cream in grocery stores or stop by their scoop shops in Bakery Square and SouthSide Works. Try Jeni’s vegan flavors like cold brew with coconut cream, banana cream pudding, caramel pecan sticky buns, and lemon bar. I went for the Texas sheet cake, a super rich and decadent flavor made for chocolate fiends like me! Tip: this is a great spot for a late-night treat. They don’t close until 12 a.m.!

Sensitive bellies don't have to miss out on this sweet summer treat. Try these dairy-free ice creams in Pittsburgh.

Where To Get The Best Vegan Ice Cream in Pittsburgh

The Best Non-Dairy Ice Cream in Pittsburgh

Whether you’re craving dippy eggs and home fries or a towering stack of pancakes, there's a spot in the city for you. We’re dishing on the meals worth waking up for on the 

 — and sharing a few of our best brunch tips ⬇️

Head to this South Hills gem on Saturday or Sunday for Greek twists on breakfast classics: like French toast made with sweet Easter bread or a Croque Madame stacked with rosemary ham, gruyere cheese, and béchamel. Order pastries for the table like Loukoumades (Greek honey puffs). Tip: Check out the cute patio outside, perfect for sunny days with sunny-side up eggs. — 

Francesca Dabecco, senior newsletter editor

Nosh on all-you-can-eat classics, plus roasted veggies, carved meats, fresh doughnuts, cold salads, and more inside the ornately-restored former home of the Pittsburgh & Lake Erie Railroad Station on the South Side. Brunch is served Sundays from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Don’t skip the cocktails and coffee. You definitely want a reservation. — 

Heinz might be king in Pittsburgh, but the banana ketchup on the Spam n'at is the perfect sweet and tangy complement to the rice and meat. Brunch isn't just for Sundays here; there are rotating specials during their weekday hours. The breakfast egg rolls, lumpia, hash browns, and home fries are all fried to perfection — so bring friends to share them all. Bonus points for having a bagel with pork roll on the menu, which makes my New Jersey heart so happy! — 

Grab a window seat in this cozy, sunlit spot on a Sunday and enjoy a fresh bagel with horseradish and dill schmear or a perfectly spicy shakshuka. If you like a little booze with your brunch, order from the impressive seasonal cocktail menu. On my last visit, I tried their “curry me banana” with cold brew concentrate, coffee liqueur and banana-curry foam. It was the ideal brunch beverage! — 

Dig In to More of Our Favorites! 💗

Whether you’re craving dippy eggs and home fries or a towering stack of pancakes, there’s a Pittsburgh brunch spot for you.

The Best Brunch Spots in Pittsburgh

4 Pittsburgh Brunches We Don’t Want To Live Without

City Cast Pittsburgh Staff

Want to try some of the best bites and bevs in the Burgh? Save room for these spring food and drink events, from food truck festivals to taste test contests.

📍St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral, Oakland

Celebrate this 64-year tradition with music, dancing, and of course, 

 like gyros, spanakopita, baklava, and moussaka. (

Stop into businesses along Forbes and Murray Avenues to try 15 different wines at this 

. You can stroll (and sip) at your own pace!

Join Humane Action Pennsylvania to explore our city’s 

. All week long, participating restaurants will offer discounts and specials. (I’m keeping my eyes peeled for what Chef Michael Godlewski is cooking up at 

, contestants compete to see who can make the best strawberry pretzel-inspired treat while raising money for a nonprofit of their choice. Tickets are $15 to taste test and vote on your favorites.

Enjoy brews and bites with proceeds benefiting nine parks through the Allegheny County Parks Foundation. There will be a kids fun zone, raffle baskets, live local music, and more at this 10th annual celebration. 

 while tasting specialty cheeses and desserts, browsing craft vendors, and grooving to live acoustic sets. The $27 ticket gets you a festival-branded glass and all the wine you can drink.

📍 Hollywood Casino at the Meadows, Washington

Head about 25 miles south of Pittsburgh to dig into grub from 

, take in live entertainment, cheers with craft beer and wine, and shop from regional artisans and vendors.

Celebrate craft and creativity at the first annual 

. It’s part culinary competition, part block party. Enjoy live music and get slices from Pittsburgh favorites like Badamo’s, Driftwood Oven, Spak, 77 Club, Slice on Broadway, Rockaway, and more.

📍 South Hills Village Mall, Bethel Park

Try gourmet dishes and sweet treats from 

, and shop from dozens of artisans showcasing handmade jewelry, art, and crafts. It’s free and family-friendly!

 with an iconic industrial backdrop. Live tunes, a roundup of food trucks, and arts and craft vendors will keep you busy while you tour the site. Not into drinking? Buy the cheaper designated driver ticket, and sip on nonalcoholic bevs.

Mark your calendar for Vegan Restaurant Week, Strawberry Pretzel Standoff, Pittsburgh Pizza Olympics, and more.

Pittsburgh’s Best Spring Food and Drink Festivals 2026

10 Food and Drink Festivals in Pittsburgh This Spring

Francesca Dabecco

Getting a good bagel in the Burgh is like going on a secret mission. We’re nothing like New York or New Jersey, where nearly every corner has a spot as good as the next. But that doesn’t mean we don’t have tasty bagels and schmears here!

So what’s the best we have to offer? The City Cast Pittsburgh team 

. For our research purposes, we only ordered from brick-and-mortar shops that specialize in bagels. And for consistency, we got everything bagels and cream cheese from each spot — plus a bunch of specialty flavors for fun.

Tune into the City Cast Pittsburgh podcast to 

 — from best texture to most flavorful — then scroll for more team favorites.

There’s a reason why a long line trails outside of this Squirrel Hill spot on the weekends — the 

 are worth it. The moment you step into the small corner shop, you’re hit with all of the best toasty, buttery aromas. I’m a big fan of the marble bagel, a hand-twisted blend of light rye and dark pumpernickel; it’s perfectly nutty and sweet and pairs well with their fig and honey schmear. Keep tabs on their specialty flavor of the month, like pizza or herbs de Provence. Tip: The coffee here is just as good as the bagels. I can’t wait for their blueberry lattes to come back! — 

Senior newsletter editor Francesca Dabecco

This family-owned shop in Glenshaw knows how to nail the right level of chewiness. Their 

 come in all the traditional flavors (including egg!), and they have an extensive bagel sandwich menu. If you're looking for a pastrami, egg, and cheese or classic lox, this is your spot. But the bagel texture is so perfect, all you truly need is a good ol' helping of scallion cream cheese. Tip: If you're throwing a giant party, consider 

I will happily wake up early, cross a bridge, and sit through tunnel traffic to get to 

in Castle Shannon. Their everything bagels delivered a balanced bite with plenty of seeds and seasonings on the top 

 halves of the bagel, and the rosemary bagel was just as flavorful. The bagels have a slight chew on the outside and a soft interior. I can't wait to go back for their za'atar or garlic bread bagel! The cream cheese here is whipped, so if that's not your thing, create your own cream cheese flavor at 

 in Bloomfield; this is the power pairing for my perfect bagel spread. — 

 (and producer Sophia) for teaching me what it means to taste a bagel with real flavor. Great chewiness, nice crumb. Less of a crunch on the shell (which I liked), and the bread itself tasted like something before you add the adornments. They have a huge sandwich and “build your own” menu, plus specialty bagels like French toast and jalapeño red pepper, which paired perfectly with all their savory schmears. Another plus: The everything bagel had the perfect amount of salt. — 

The City Cast Pittsburgh team tried some of Pittsburgh’s best bagel shops. Dig into our favorites.

Where To Find Good Bagels in Pittsburgh

Where Can You Get a Good Bagel in Pittsburgh?

Pittsburgh’s vibrant food scene has received a lot of national attention in recent years, from 

Now, Pittsburgh is set to join a global culinary map. Michelin Guide, a prestigious restaurant rating system and guide, announced it’s 

, which includes Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Detroit, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, and Minneapolis.

“This recognition will help attract new visitors, support local hospitality jobs, and strengthen Pittsburgh’s reputation as an exciting culinary destination for taste driven travelers,” VisitPITTSBURGH President and CEO Jerad Bachar said.

The selection is based on evaluations from anonymous dining experts 

: quality of ingredients, harmony of flavors, mastery of cooking techniques, how the chef’s personality shines through their menu, and consistency across multiple visits. They eat at a restaurant as many times as it takes to get a grasp on a place — so look around, you might be dining next to a Michelin judge!

restaurants serve “exceptional cuisine that’s rich in flavor, remarkably executed and infused with the personality of a talented chef.”

 is given to restaurants that offer high quality food for a good value.

 honors restaurants that are “pioneers in mindful gastronomy.”

, but they don’t necessarily meet the Bib Gourmand criteria.

The restaurant selections for the American Great Lakes Region will be revealed at a ceremony sometime next year.

Post-Gazette dining critic Hal B. Klein recently told City Cast Pittsburgh that 

we don’t need to be part of the Michelin Guide

: “We should be Pittsburgh and be our own place.” (Were we clairvoyant with this episode, or what?)

The rubric for what qualifies a Michelin star is pretty strict. “It puts a certain type of restaurant, with an old school, generally Western European-based service at an advantage,” Klein said. 

Getting the Michelin Guide to come to town is also a big expense, often paid for by a city’s tourism department. 

 that it cost Houston $90,000 per year to join the guide, and Atlanta 

What Pittsburgh restaurant should get a star?

 have name-dropped spots like Pusadee’s Garden, Fet-Fisk, Apteka, One by Spork, Dish Osteria, and Morcilla.

Others say we just don’t hit the mark. 

 “No restaurants here operate on a Michelin star level. That's not an indictment of the service anyone provides here, it's just not a game anyone here plays.”

 (because of the strict criteria) but should still be on everyone's list? Amazing Dumplings, Dish, Tasty Noodle, and Ramen King 2.

"All of those places serve food that's incredibly delicious and prepared from scratch with care,” he said.

Pittsburgh Michelin Star Restaurant

Tell Us: What Restaurant Should Get A Star?

The prestigious restaurant guide is expanding to the Great Lakes region, including Pittsburgh. What restaurants should get a Michelin Star?

What Pittsburgh Restaurant Will Get a Michelin Star?

The Michelin Guide is Coming to Pittsburgh. How Does it Work?

Pittsburgh has so many delectable dishes to try on any given day, but there’s something special about snagging some nosh from a pop-up spot. It’s like going on a treasure hunt. The reward could be anything from droolworthy pizza to melt-in-your-mouth cookies.

Track down these pop-ups (not food trucks) for delicious bites and bevs around the Burgh.

Taste the bold and rich flavors of Malaysian cuisine with 

, often set up at Novo Asian Food Hall. Order something savory like rendang pot pie or chili pan mee, wash it down with a cendol slushie, and get some treats to go like pandan cake and cornflake clusters. Tip: My favorite is the cashew cookies. They are so buttery and just the right amount of sweet!

While we wait for this deep dish pizza spot to open in Lawrenceville, there’s still a way to get their pie — and dessert! 

 in Lawrenceville on “Tiramisu Tuesdays.” And they’ve added something new to the mix: Test Kitchen Mondays, a totally take-out pop-up out of The Vandal. Make sure to get in your order on Fridays. It’s pre-sale only!

Green tea fans must try the creamy, dreamy drinks from 

, from boutique shops to vintage markets. Look for speciality matcha latte flavors like coconut cream, strawberry, and banana bread. If you’re lucky, you might find a dessert, like 

 Luncheonette in Bloomfield? They were famous for farm-fresh ingredients and stellar soups, sandwiches, and pastries. The restaurant lives on today as a pop-up — and you don’t want to miss their 

 at Nancy’s Revival in Wilkinsburg. Menu items include pesto buccatini, arancini, Caesar salad, and chocolate cake with apricot jam.

I thought nothing could replace the hole in my heart left by the closure of Bae Bae’s Kitchen in Downtown — until I ate 

. The all-vegetarian Korean pop-up serves hearty bowls of japchae and bibimbap, side dishes like pickled radish and kimchi, and more. Find them at markets and festivals, and look out for future 

Get Malaysian goodies, deep dish pizza, veggie-packed Korean bowls, creamy matcha drinks, and more at these Pittsburgh pop-ups.

5 Favorite Food and Drink Pop-Ups in Pittsburgh

5 Food and Drink Pop-Ups Worth Tracking Down in Pittsburgh

Megan Harris

Eating farm fresh food can be good for you — and the local economy. Consider a subscription to these Pittsburgh-area community supported agriculture (CSA) shares to get a seasonal harvest straight from the source.

Wondering if a CSA will work for you? Here’s what to think about:

Prepaying for months of farm-fresh goodies ensures our farmer neighbors have what they need to provide for their land, livestock, and whatever nature throws their way. And once you’re in, it’s magic: fewer grocery buying decisions, fewer impulse buys, and a steady stream of food you’ve already budgeted for.

 Split a share with friends, roommates, or neighbors. If you have more time than cash, consider workshare and volunteer programs like the ones with 

, and more. Or if you receive SNAP benefits, check out Just Harvest's 

 for matching dollars at local farmers markets.

For most CSAs, farmers choose what you get. You're trading control for peak-season, just-picked bites that'll make your cooking even better. And if you like being nudged out of your routine (or finally learning what to do with kohlrabi), unfamiliar flavors can be a really fun culinary challenge.

Western PA is covered in farmland, and there are tons of places to retrieve your CSAs, like farmers markets and coffee shops. Look for providers that deliver to spots you already frequent on days you'll actually be there. The best CSA is the one that fits into your real life, not your aspirational one.

CSA boxes can be generous. For a household of one or two, smaller or every-other-week shares usually hit the sweet spot, and you can often add on to your box week-to-week with additional produce, cheese, eggs, mushrooms, meat, soaps, flowers, syrups, herbal teas, and more. Find one that offers the right amount of the right kinds of food for you.

 for a taste of the CSA lifestyle without the season-long commitment.

If you travel a lot or have vacations coming up, plan ahead. Some shares let you skip weeks. For those that don't, line someone up to pick up your box and drop it off in your fridge. Or better yet, think of your CSA as a tool to help build community and share the wealth with your friends, neighbors, and colleagues. We're betting someone will happily take that box off your hands!

You’re helping farmers cover upfront costs and sharing in the risk and reward of a growing season. You may also get an email or handwritten letter that tells you about the family's new swing set or the antics of a mischievous goat. There's something grounding about it. So yes, the food is fresher, but the connection is sometimes what matters most.

 lets you select your items each week. A regular share comes with seven choices, and you'll 

 from the stand like you're shopping at a farmers market. Plus, their newsletters feature a vegetable of the week!

 has CSAs for produce, dairy, and meat, but you'll need to 

 if you want one. You can also buy at their store in Butler.

 offers fruits and vegetables. If you're a pickier eater, consider their "swap boxes," which let you 

 for others you like more. Tap into "Jane's Specials" for extra produce (sometimes a half bushel!), herbs, honey, and even fall decor.

specializes in homemade goat milk soaps, medicinal and foraged plants and herbs, pastured pork and poultry, and more. Find 

 at the Sewickley farmers market and through occasional CSAs.

 offers small and large options with up to a dozen varieties of vegetables each week, harvested within 24 hours of pickup. Make your table pop with 

, like petite or full bloom flower bouquets or a local bread from Driftwood Oven.

 at their farm in Natrona Heights. Get a half or whole share, plus a ton of sundry farm staples in their 

has three different share sizes and an abundance of add-ons (mushrooms! coffee! cheese!), 

 to opt out if you don’t like something or have an allergy. Pro-tip: Their gift cards come loaded with bonus money.

 is a great option if you're looking for a 

. They sell whole and half chicken shares, and you can also get your chicken broken down into cuts for an additional charge.

 grows hundreds of florals — peonies and ranunculus in the spring, cosmos and dahlias in the summer, and zinnias and mums in the fall. If you want a weekly bundle of blossoms, check out their 

 and pick up a new bouquet in Bloomfield.

Pittsburgh CSAs!

Don’t see your favorite? Let us know here!

Your Guide To Pittsburgh CSAs

How to Choose a Pittsburgh Farm Share

You can eat pie for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or dessert at these 11 local bakeries.

If variety is what you’re looking for, order a butter-crusted beauty from 

. Pick from mixed berry oat crisp, bourbon pecan, apple brown butter crumb, and more. Keep an eye out for their large sheet pan pie trays at pop-up markets around town, or put in a special catering order.

Grab a coffee from Espresso a Mano (located inside the bakery) to enjoy with a slice of pie from 

. In addition to fresh European-style breads and pastries, the bakery offers hand-sized pies in flavors like apple, chocolate pecan, and blueberry.

The Pittsburgh Pie Guy (which is actually two people) has sweet and savory pies in a range of sizes: mini, medium, and large. Look forward to their table at 

 — you can almost always find Pittsburgh Pie Guy at the Bloomfield Saturday Market.

 in the Strip District this Saturday. Check it out for beer, pizza, pie, and … math?

While they’re known for their biscuit breakfast sandwiches with bacon jam, don’t skip 

 mini sweet and savory hand pies in flavors like cherry berry, apple, samosa, and broccoli cheddar.

 has it! Get a whole pie or just a slice in flavors such as coconut cream, walnut chocolate, or key lime.

The next time you’re shopping in the South Hill Village, swing by 

 for flavors like fruits of the forest or peanut butter chocolate. They also offer “take and bake” pies that you can freeze for up to a month until you’re ready to bake.

 has mini blueberry, apple, and cherry pies to mark the occasion, plus full-sized pecan, caramel apple, peach, and more.

Grab a slice of pie at these Pittsburgh bakeries on 3.14 Pi Day and beyond.

Food & Drink

5 Cooked Veggie Dishes To Try in Pittsburgh Right Now

The Best Non-Dairy Ice Cream in Pittsburgh

4 Pittsburgh Brunches We Don’t Want To Live Without

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