Article Updated April 10, 2026 by Lauri Gravina

Though city life has its benefits, Mt. Lebanon proves that a small town can punch far above its weight for restaurants, bars, and cafés. A township of just 34,000 people is home to some of the most diverse restaurants in the city, with Uzbek, Lebanese, and also Greek fare easily available. The town locals call “Mt. Lebo” is a cute, quaint oasis in the hills, arguably the center of suburban life in the South Hills. Make it the start of a night out, heading later towards the Hilltop or the South Side, or take it slow with a brunch or a happy hour to see what Mt. Lebanon has to offer.

Indulge in a Night Out in Picturesque Mt. Lebanon

Restaurants

Piyola

663 Washington Rd

From the chef behind Chaykhana in the West End, this Uzbek restaurant has a friendly-yet-upscale atmosphere. The word “piyola” means teacup in Uzbek, so ceramics line the wall in the gently lit space where you can enjoy plov, a Uzbek classic akin to rice pilaf that has been heavily spiced, toasted, and cooked with lams and carrots. Also look for kebabs, samosas, and honey cakes. If you’re new to Uzbek food, Piyola is a great place to start—but you can also explore so many other Uzbek restaurants in Pittsburgh.

Bistro 19

711 Washington Rd

A Mt. Lebo favorite, Bistro 19 uses local produce and meats to craft a refreshing and decadent menu. What meat eater wouldn’t love a center cut filet mignon with a veal demi-glace, Boursin cheese, chive whipped potatoes, and grilled broccolini? And what pescatarian could pass up the Chilean sea bass with a horseradish crust, macadamia basmati rice, and a Napa slaw? When considering Bistro 19’s menu, think of all your favorites, say French onion soup, prepared with both comfort and fine cuisine in mind. The cocktail menu is also a treasure trove.

Aladdin’s

630 Washington Rd

Ever wondered how Mt. Lebanon got to be named after a mountain range on the other side of the earth? (The original Mt. Lebanon is in northern Lebanon). One Rev. Joseph Clokey brought back two Lebanese cedars and planted them in front of his house on Bower Hill Rd. That was a bit bold, because the only place where those cedars natively grow is the Lebanese mountain range. So, get a taste of the neighborhood’s namesake Lebanon at Aladdin’s, where you can try Lebanese tabbouleh, fattoush, and baklava for dessert served with a hot mint tea.

Il Pizzaiolo

703 Washington Rd

If you know the term leoparding when it comes to pizza, then you need to take a trip to Il Pizzaiolo. Pizza aficionados swear by Il Pizzaiolo —their wood-fired was built from hand-made bricks and volcanic sand from Mt. Vesuvius — and beyond that, their pasta dishes, meat mains, and arancini are equally delicious. They use San Marzano tomatoes and Mozzarella di Bufala straight from Italy, as well as preparing fresh mozzarella in house. The vibe hits on a high-end, with a robust wine list and posh décor, so it’s a great date night spot. Plus, they have an excellent tiramisu to top off the evening.

Coffeeshops & Bakeries

Mediterra

292 Beverly Rd

Ordinarily, a Night Out guide doesn’t include coffee shops and bakeries, but Mt. Lebanon is the exception because its cafés are just so good. Located on Mayberry-like Beverly Road, Mediterra is bustling, it’s fresh, it’s real food prepared with intention — and on a warm evening, it’s a great place to sit outside and toast your compatriots. Everyone in Pittsburgh who has good taste knows Mediterra. Get yourself over there now.

Anthos Bakery & Café

3803 Willow Avenue

What started in 2020 as an online boutique selling high-quality Greek imports, like olive oils, became a lively café where all the bread, pastries, and pitas are made daily, in house. Diners love their chicken souvlaki and Aegean Niçoise, and the Mediterranean eggs benedict (served during brunch, weekends, 8 am to 2 pm). The whipped Greek coffee is also delightful.

Panaderia Jazmin

300 Beverly Rd

Anyone who grew up in a predominantly Latin neighborhood can identify the smell of conchas, the colorful Mexican sweet bread is the perfect treat, from a mile away. Panaderia Jazmin, a Mexican bakery, makes preservative-free sweets like tres leches cake, churros, as well as abanicos (puff pastry). Brunch and lunch are served every day from 8 am to 3 pm and includes a bevy of savory dishes: think tamales with mole sauce, huevos rancheros, and flautas. Panaderia Jazmin is Pittsburgh’s first Mexican bakery, but we hope to see many more.

Orbis Caffé

675 Washington Rd

Orbis Caffe is like that friend who is up on all the food trends and can’t wait to share them with you. Where else can you get a full menu of Conservas (tinned fish), such as a plate of Limfjord blue mussels with dill and fennel seeds, served with pickles, butter, and toast? Or elaborate cheese and meat boards, curated with ingredients from across the globe? From Thursday to Saturday, Orbis is open until 9, one of the few cafés that also has a full menu of beer, wine, and cocktails, serving a later crowd.

Needle & Bean

320 Castle Shannon Blvd

If you are a fan vinyl recordings and fine coffee — and of other people who enjoy vinyl recordings and fine coffee — then Needle & Bean should be on your Pittsburgh bucket list. Here, you can sip organic, fair trade coffee, and casually browse through a curated selection of vinyl. Owner Michael Butala has been an avid record collector for 20 years and we are glad that he decided to bring his passion to the public at Needle & Bean.

Bars, Breweries, and More in Mt. Lebanon

Luma

186 Castle Shannon Blvd

Luma entices with classic dishes prepared with a fresh spin. Fan favorites include the blue crab bisque, a baked brie app, and also main dishes that include veal Marsala and braised short rib pasta. Their bucolic outdoor, covered deck is an ideal spot to finish your Barossa Valley Shiraz, or one of 30 other wine selections, as the sun begins to set.

East End Brewing Company

651 Washington Rd

The Mt. Lebanon Taproom looks like a mix of a brew pub and a pizzeria, which is perfect as it’s a cross of a brew pub and a pizzeria, when East End Brewing Company crossed the Mon and paired with their sister company, East End Chewing, to create an outpost on Washington Road. Ahh, like the peanut butter and jelly for adults, nothing pairs better than pizza and beer. With a rotating selection of 14 beers (plus wine and draft cocktails) and pizza sold by the 3- or 6- slice orders for Sicilian style, or build-your-own flatbread-style ‘zas. Each week, the Taproom also offers two T-Stop Special pizzas, named for the Mt. Lebanon station of the light rail system.

Mullett’s

297 Beverly Rd

With some 20 cocktails on the menu, a bourbon-forward bar, and the lights down low, Mullet’s is ready to meet your evening’s needs. Named for the brother-and-sister team of Colin and Marissa Mullet, this hip cocktail bar also has an entirely gluten-free kitchen, making it an accessible option for a night out with a celiac friend. Mullett’s food menu is spare, yet hits all the marks, with small plates such as brisket crostini, crispy Brussel sprouts, wings, and smoky spinach and artichoke dip, and handhelds such fried chicken, bahn mi, and a smashburger.

The Saloon

622 Washington Road

The Saloon has been a hopping bar in Mt. Lebanon for so long, Pittsburghers in their sixties might recall the days of trying to sneak in with fake IDs and getting turned away. With worn wood-plank floors, stained-glass chandeliers, and complimentary popcorn, the Saloon is like that old pair of jeans that always feels just right.

The bar opened in 1976, the year after Mt. Lebanon shed its dry-town status, with just one beer on tap. Now, there are some 30 draft beers. The menu sticks to straight-forward bar food, with the bonus that Thursday through Saturday, late night offerings are at the ready for snackers craving provolone sticks, wings, or tater tots just before the clock strikes midnight. Recent updates include accordion windows that open to the boulevard as well as rooftop seating. 

Hitchiker Brewing

190 Castle Shannon Blvd

Before Hitchhiker caught a ride to Sharpsburg to open its expansive 15-barrel brewhouse, the brewers were crafting in their Mt. Lebanon basement. What is now called the Mt. Lebanon Tap Room serves ten Hitchhiker beers — like the Bane of Existence (IPA), the Western Sun (sour), and True (pilsner)— plus an array of accompaniments, including a charcuterie and cheese board, salmon jerky, Amish hard pretzels, sweet and salty nuts, and Leona’s Ice cream. Food trucks are also on rotation.

Take a look at the rest of our neighborhood Night Out Series:

• A Night Out in Sharpsburg, A Gem Just Outside of Pittsburgh
• A Night Out in Lawrenceville Is Never Boring
• Downtown Pittsburgh’s Best Bars and Restaurants for Happy Hour and Beyond
• Saturday Night on the Hilltop
• A Night Out on the South Side Beyond the Dive Bars
• A Night Out on the North Side, Not Just Stadium Food
• A Night Out on the East End, Part One (Bloomfield, Garfield, Highland Park)
• A Night Out on the East End, Part Two (Shadyside, Squirrel Hill, Point Breeze, East Liberty)
• Plan A Night Out in Wilkinsburg, Edgewood, Swissvale, & Regent Square
• Find the Unexpected on a Night Out in Sewickley, Emsworth, and Bellevue
• A Night Out in Oakland, The Heart of Pittsburgh

Story by Emma Riva
Cover Photo Courtesy of Hitchiker Brewing

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