Skip the chains for your next night out and eat local. Between Bloomfield, Shadyside, Squirrel Hill, East Liberty, and Highland Park, you can support local chefs, servers, and bartenders by choosing a locally owned restaurant for your next lunch or dinner out. Every dollar you spend there goes back into the neighborhood you love. So, we’re sharing our favorite spots in the East End where happy memories and new experiences collide for ideal East End nights.
Our Favorite Locally-Owned Restaurants in the East End
Palm Palm
East Liberty
This newcomer to the East End dazzled hearts, eyes, and palates when it opened in mid-July. The private rooms are perfect for special celebrations. The bar is ideal for solo dining. The main dining area is a lovely and lively place to gather. Chef Ed Smith’s menu captures the upscale, multicultural vibe of both West Palm Beach and Palm Springs through Latin and Asian-infused New American classics. This is not an East End restaurant to sleep on.
Standout dishes: Bone Marrow Tartare, Sushi Tots, Key Lime Pie
Square Café
East Liberty
Whenever my mom is in town, she wants to go to Square Café. It’s the perfect brunch spot. The cups of coffee are sizable and the refills are frequent. Sheree Goldstein also hits the spot between sweet and savory. On the one hand, there’s the decadent French toast and the powder-sugar crusted pancakes. On the other, there are breakfast burritos and the Eggs Benedict Florentine-style.
Standout dishes: Lemon Ricotta Pancakes, Breakfast Burrito
Casbah
Shadyside
There’s no doubt that Casbah classes up Highland Avenue with its ochre-colored exterior and dreamy, Mediterranean vibe. If you’re in the mood for pasta, the pasta dishes are solid, as are the fish plates. It’s a great example of the quality big Burrito Restaurant Group has come to exemplify in their years serving Pittsburgh.
Standout dishes: Orecchiette, Grilled Swordfish
Mad Mex
Shadyside
If you’ve ever needed to pregame or make a pit stop to fuel up while bar-hopping, you’ve had Mad Mex. Even if you don’t remember it, you’ve had it. It’s perfect on-the-go food for a night out, with a detailed vegan/vegetarian menu so everyone can indulge. Though the Oakland location was 86’ed last year and only lives on in our hearts, you can still hang out at the Shadyside spot.
Standout dishes: Street Corn Wings, Chicken Chimi Taquitos
Golden Gai
East Liberty
Amid the hustle and bustle of Bakery Square, Golden Gai is a tucked-away izakaya that provides a mood-lit oasis away from the chaos on Penn Ave. Co-owner and chef de cuisine Michael Taylor was born on the island of Guam had his first job at a sushi restaurant—so now he’s expanded his passion for Japanese cuisine into something bigger. Enjoy noodles, nigiri, and Japanese whiskies galore.
Standout dishes: Assorted Fish Bowl, Yaki Udon
Noodlehead
Shadyside
An East End icon, a legend. That’s Noodlehead. It used to be that you had to prepare for a visit to this mecca of noodles by going to an ATM and budgeting out exactly how much you’d spend, but now they’ve started to accept credit cards. The portions are big, the vibes are lively, and if you haven’t been, you’re missing out.
Standout dishes: Drunken noodle (pad see yew), Chiang Mai curry
Alta Via Pizzeria
East Liberty
When I was growing up in New York, pizza was by the slice, it was greasy, and adding too many toppings was overcomplicating things. As I’ve gotten older, and also traveled to Italy, I’ve come to appreciate a more upscale pie. This offshoot of Alta Via’s other locations in Fox Chapel and Market Square focuses on pizza, and if you do want by the slice, they have that too.
Standout dishes: Romeo round pizza, Piadina sandwich
Tako Torta
East Liberty
“Tako” means octopus in Japanese, but it’s also a homonym for tacos—and this restaurant took that concept and ran with it, with their signature dish being octopus tacos. It’s an ideal happy hour spot for those who work around Bakery Square, with one of the most expansive tequila bars in the East End. Ask a bartender and decide for yourself if you want Cimmaron, Cascahuin, or Derechito.
Standout dishes: Ceviche, “Tako”
Pino’s
Point Breeze
Reynolds Street is a quaint, classic side street in Point Breeze. Pino’s is a mainstay of that neighborhood, with friendly service and mouthwatering San Marzano tomato sauce. You can create your own pizza or indulge in specialty meat dishes like Australian Lamb Chops. For dessert, their Chocolate Budino is a delight. It’s a great date spot, combined with a walk to Frick Park to burn off all of that Mediterranean decadence.
Standout dishes: Pasta alla Norma, Tomato Basil Sauce
Point Brugge
Speaking of Point Breeze classics, you really can’t go wrong at Point Brugge. Everyone has a story about a dinner there—or what happened after. Their outdoor seating is beautiful in the summer, and steak frites, moules frites, or vegetarian cavatelli dish tastes even better soaking up the ambiance of the neighborhood.
Standout dishes: Moules Frites, Steak Frites
Muddy Waters
Oysters represent luxury, but you don’t have to break the bank to get them. If you want to develop your palate further to tell different oysters apart, a visit to Muddy Waters is a must. They separate their oysters by location, so you can get a taste of both New England and the West Coast.
Standout dishes: Mystic oysters, Pickering Pass oysters
Urban Tap
Sometimes, all you want is a burger. Urban Tap has some of the best in Pittsburgh, but it isn’t just that, either. They have delicious General Tso’s cauliflower, and the burrata pesto pasta is surprisingly good for a restaurant with little other Italian on the menu. The classic tap burger is great, but the bison burger is an excellent, unique choice you can get. The outdoor dining is also a great people-watching spot for Highland Avenue.
Standout dishes: Bison urger, Burrata Pesto Pasta
Margaux
There need to be more places that function as both cafés and bars—it’s inclusive, keeps people from getting too rowdy, and is a little sexier than your classic dive. Margaux has breakfast and coffee in the morning, and French small plates, cocktails, and wines in the evening. I’ve eaten and imbibed at both, and they’re both delicious, fun experiences. There’s a variety of seating, too, so you could take a book with you, park in a comfy chair, and keep to yourself if you want to.
Standout dishes: Bircher Muesli, Beet Carpaccio
Hey Babe
When two Pittsburgh restaurant industry veterans became empty nesters, they felt it was the right time to realize their dream of opening their own place. For those who miss the bar at the erstwhile Ace hotel, Hey Babe is in the same location. Though it has big shoes to fill, it’s more than delivered with delicious small plates and a creative cocktail menu.
Standout dishes: Harissa Smoked Lamb, Five-SpicedPpork Belly
Duo’s Taqueria
Practice your Spanish at this Duolingo-affiliated restaurant in East Liberty. Don’t worry, the owl will not be there…or will he? Enjoy tacos and birria in a chill space committed to culinary authenticity. The décor is whimsical, and you can also try over 130 agave spirits, all from Mexican-owned distillers.
Standout dishes: Birria de Chivo, anpachi pePscado
Mola
The lack of an ocean coastline makes fresh fish a special treat in Pittsburgh. Mola’s is expertly prepared, particularly their tuna dishes. Mola’s poké can also transport you to island cuisine, or a few plates of sushi make for perfect early-evening snacks.
Standout dishes: Freshwater Eel Nigiri, Tuna Sashimi
Paris 66
Trying escargot for the first time is something of a rite of passage for anybody who likes food. You can do it right here in Pittsburgh at Paris 66—I used to live in France and the escargot at Paris 66 got my approval. No, you’re not actually in Paris: nothing could beat that! However, Paris 66 is pretty damn good. The galettes are wonderful and the wine list makes for great pairings.
Standout dishes: Escargots Bourguignon, Coq au Vin Blanc
Tana
Ethiopian food is one of those cuisines that you have to try. As a self-conscious messy eater, I love it because it’s okay to eat with your hands, using spongy injera bread as a utensil. Owner Seifu Haileyesus has kept a commitment to quality going for 17 years at Tana. Order a sampler to see what you enjoy, and then come back from more.
Standout dishes: Meat Sampler, Sambusa
Chengdu Gourmet
Take a large group to this restaurant so that you can try a lot of dishes. While you could solo dine there, the ideal experience is family style at James Beard-nominated Chengdu Gourmet. Chef Wei Zhu tows the line between traditional Chinese dishes and Americanized Chinese food, with something for everyone.
Standout dishes: Chengdu Sliced Pork Belly, Spicy Dry Hot Pot
Lilith
At TABLE, we love our Shadyside neighbor Lilith. Jamilka Borges and Dianne DeStefano are some of the best of the best, and you really can’t go wrong with what they serve. Lilith’s desserts and cocktails are particularly amazing, but that’s not to discount their dinner service. Also, purely on vibe and aesthetic, Lilith is one of the best-decorated restaurants in the city.
Standout dishes: Yuca Pierogi, Skate Wing
Coriander
I almost don’t want to tell anyone about Coriander because I don’t want it to lose its hidden gem status. It’s in a former diner, so it has a cozy ambiance. If you go there more than a few times, the staff will recognize you and remember your order. For wintertime, the filling, spicy dishes and soups are a wonderful way to warm yourself up.
Standout dishes: Malai Kofta, Tandoori Chicken
Fet-Fisk
One of Eater’s best restaurants of 2024, a James Beard finalist…and number one in my heart. Fet-Fisk is definitely fine dining, but it’s anything but the stereotypically sterile itty-bitty plates many associate with the top of the restaurant industry pyramid. There’s truly something for anyone there. If you’ve never eaten there before, a plate of oysters is a good place to start, but anything Chef Nik Forsberg touches turns to culinary gold.
Standout dishes: Rye Cavatelli, Oysters
Pasha Café & Lounge
Pasha is another ideal group or date spot. Getting a platter and a big meat dish and splitting between two people is a perfect meal, washed down with a steaming cup of Turkish coffee. Also, if you’ve never had “cigarette” or sigara borek, it’s one of the Middle East’s best appetizers, somewhat like a phyllo manicotti with savory cheese or vegetables inside of it. For those who want an intoxicating beverage, Pasha also recently started wine and cocktail service, but you can also BYOB.
Standout dishes: Cigarette borek, falafel and zucchini platter
Senyai
Few restaurants really master lunch. Senyai is one of them. It’s great for sitting down with Pad Thai and Summer Rolls. Senyai’s curry is delightfully savory, perfect for enjoying in their airy Ellsworth Avenue space. It’s one of Pittsburgh’s best Thai food destinations, any time of day.
Standout dishes: Duck Curry, Summer Rolls
Fish Nor Fowl
Fish Nor Fowl is another staff favorite at TABLE. We especially love General Manager Alexander Riola’s wine picks. Fish Nor Fowl always has fresh ingredients and inventive dishes—we’d expect nothing lest from the DeShantz restaurant group, which brings us some of the best spots in Pittsburgh.
Standout dishes: Bucatini all’Amatriciana, Bone Marrow Risotto
Garbarino’s
Can you order anything at Garbarino’s you won’t like? The answer is no. You will also get to enjoy Chef Drew Garbarino’s dishes multiple times, because the portions are large. It’s entirely possible to get two more meals out of a dish from Garbarino’s. But it also can be hard to resist the lure of eating the whole thing.
Standout dishes: Spaghetti Pesto Alfredo, Rigatoni Siciliana
Girasole
25 years in, Girasole still has a base of dedicated regulars. In fact, some of their regulars who came as children or young adults now have children of their own. It’s truly a family-run restaurant, and a meal there almost always means seeing a member of the Gerasole family around. Girasole is truly one of Shadyside’s best.
Standout dishes: Squid Ink Linguine, Spinach Spaghetti
Everyday Noodles
Squirrel Hill
Squirrel Hill’s boom in Asian cuisine has been a huge positive for Pittsburgh’s food scene. Everyday Noodles is one of our favorites, especially for their soup dumplings. Noodles are in the name, so those are a winner, but they have a lot of unique, difficult-to-find Chinese dishes to sample.
Standout dishes: Wood ears and tofu skins, pork soup dumplings
Squirrel Hill Café
Squirrel Hill
Though this bar is formally named the Squirrel Hill Café, I don’t think anyone has ever used that name. Its nom de plum is the Squirrel Cage, and that’s what those who love it call it. Many chefs eat there for industry night. Their menu is not just pub snacks: it also includes food that stands up on its own even when you’re sober. Their veggie burger is top notch, as are their chili bowls and chips.
Standout dishes: Veggie Burger, Spinach and rtichoke Dip
Joseph Tambellini
Highland Park
Many Pittsburghers have memories of family dinners at Joseph Tambellini in Highland Park over the years. But it’s good even beyond the nostalgia value. Tambellini offers refined dishes with detail-oriented service tucked away on Bryant Street. Also, if you’ve never explored Highland Park before, this is your chance.
Standout dishes: Marsala, Eggplant Parmesan
Park Place Pub
Highland Park
There’s an art to pub grub and Park Place Pub in Highland Park has mastered it. It’s not fancy, but it gets the job done, and they have enough flavors of wings to make your head spin. The basic burger is juicy, the onion rings are crunchy…what could be better?
Standout dishes: Basic Burger, Beer-Battered Onion Rings
Story by Emma Riva
Cover photo courtesy of Muddy Waters
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