It is possible to eat your way around the world without leaving the Pittsburgh area code. TABLE contributor Corinne Whiting invites you to sample fare from a bevy of Pittsburgh international restaurants that honor cultures and cuisines from around the world. If you spot a type of cuisine you’ve never tried before, make a beeline right for it. You will be glad you did!
Travel Around the World at These International Restaurants in Pittsburgh
Ali Baba
404 S Craig Street, Oakland
Since 1972, this Syrian eatery has brought authentic dishes to the Oakland neighborhood, delighting neighboring professors, students, and residents alike. Today, they tout “fresh takes on old traditions” (think lamb shanks and shish kebab platters) with options appealing to all guests including vegans (try their tabooli) and gluten-free diners (moussaka), too.
Apteka
4606 Penn Avenue, Bloomfield
This vegan superstar with consecutive James Beard chef nominations can be found tucked between the Bloomfield and Lawrenceville neighborhoods. Their Central and Eastern European-inspired dishes, from pierogies to veg-forward schnitzels, consistently wow in an effortlessly cool and minimalist space. Their natural wine list, which focuses on smallholders and unique wines, deserves your attention, too!
Bombay to Burgh
1814 South Braddock Avenue, Swissvale
With the tagline of Katumbakam, which translates to “The World is One Family,” this welcoming Swissvale venue serves fresh, modernized Indian food, with ingredients sourced from local farmers and artisans whenever possible. With meats certified halal and spices ground fresh daily, they’re known for dishes like their crispy Samosa Chaat, Paneer Kurkure, Chicken Korma, Chana Masala, and Palak Lamb.
Fet-Fisk
4786 Liberty Avenue, Bloomfield
A newer sensation on the scene, this venue brilliantly honors both locally sourced Appalachian agriculture and Nordic seafood dishes inspired by sentimental memories from chef and owner Nik Forsberg’s youth. (His father is Swedish.) Come for the hygge-perfected ambiance; stay for the scallop crudo, smoked sturgeon pate, and rainbow trout filet.
Jak’s Bakery
4310 Main Street, Bloomfield
Grab some sweet or savory treats from this small cafe next to Bloomfield’s Trace Brewing, where baker Zhelyazko (Jak) Latinov shows off 20-plus years of working with traditional Bulgarian breads and pastries. Enjoy beef kielbasa rolls, banitsa pastries (with fillings ranging from apple-walnut to ricotta, feta and egg) or sweet kozunak loaves.
Khalil’s
4757 Baum Blvd., Oakland
Merely one example of the immigrants whose work and perseverance laid the groundwork of this city, Mikhail and Agnes Khalil opened their now-institution in 1972 with humble beginnings. Today their children keep the flame burning bright with mezza options that encourage sharing, and traditional Syrian dishes ranging from Kebsa Dejaj (roasted chicken with basmati rice mixed with peas, peppers, sauteed onions) to Kibbee Nayee, a Middle Eastern delicacy featuring grass-fed New Zealand lamb.
Piyola
663 Washington Rd, Mt. Lebanon
Find out why there’s so much buzz swirling around this family-friendly, halal, Uzbek restaurant in Mt. Lebanon. Affable servers in beautiful clothing bring out authentic dishes (like beef dumplings, plov, samsa and lagman, or hand-pulled noodles with wok-fried vegetables and braised beef) that showcase a vibrant blend of Uzbekistan’s Uzbek, Turkish, and Persian culinary influences.
Reva
220 N Highland Avenue, East Liberty
After the success of their restaurant Sankalp, the Patel family opened this hip spot in East Liberty in 2024. Their modern Indian offerings have been wowing diners since. Dream of Tandoori Lamb Chops, Goan Fish Curry, Padadi Chicken Tikka and Rosemary Naan.
Shadobeni
1534 Brighton Rd., North Side
Treat yourself to vegan Trinidadian fare in a compact corner cafe on the North Side where food’s viewed as medicine and everything is made from scratch. Savor a vibrant mix of cultures in options like rhoti (flatbreads), coconut rice bowls, oyster mushroom sandwiches, fried plantains and roasted rainbow salads. Check days/hours online before visiting.
Story by Corinne Whiting
Styling by Anna Franklin
Photography by Dave Bryce
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