One of the first things Denise Bortolotti missed after moving to America six years ago, beyond family and the language, was the food. Not just the ingredients or the dishes, but the way food in Italy is simply and honestly woven into the rhythm of life. Pittsburgh has slowly surprised her with a handful of restaurants where the texture of the pasta, the balance of flavors, and the respect for ingredients are heartfelt. She is pleased to share with TABLE readers eight restaurants that bring her a little closer to home. (Please note: she does not mention Alfredo anywhere in her comments!)
Top Pittsburgh Italian Restaurants
Dish Osteria
128 S. 17th Street, South Side
Dish is a full Sicilian experience dropped right in the middle of Pittsburgh’s South Side — which, with its gritty, grungy vibe, couldn’t be further from a sun-soaked piazza in Palermo. And yet, here it is: fresh seafood pasta that’s perfectly executed, never watery, and deeply flavorful. (Try the Spaghetti Ai Frutti di Mare.) The menu is bold, regional, and confident. Add bistro tables, low candlelight and thoughtful service, and you’ve got a place that quietly reminds you what real Italian dining feels like. It’s unassuming from the outside, but unforgettable once you sit down.
Il Pizzaiolo
703 Washington Road, Mt. Lebanon
Il Pizzaiolo gets many things right, starting with the dough. Their Neapolitan-style pizza has that signature wood-fired char, and the prosciutto e rucola version is light, salty, peppery, and beautifully balanced. What I love most, though, is the atmosphere. The cozy back room — with its fireplace and tucked-away bar — feels like a secret you’re glad you know about. And the summer patio? It’s full of vines and statues and soft lighting that make you feel like you’ve stumbled into an Italian garden after dark. It’s romantic, a little nostalgic, and just theatrical enough.
Alla Famiglia
804 E. Warrington Avenue, Allentown
Alla Famiglia doesn’t hold back — and that’s exactly the point. It’s abundant, old-school, and full of flair. Every entrée comes with generous sides, and the filet mignon is melt-in-your-mouth tender. But the real showstopper? You get to choose your side of pasta — Cacio e Pepe or Vodka Sauce — and they finish it tableside inside a massive wheel of Parmigiano-Reggiano. It’s dramatic in the best way. Add in their custom aperitivi and attentive service, and it becomes a full evening, not just a meal.
Piccolo Forno
3801 Butler Street, Lawrenceville
The Pizza Fichi e Formaggi isn’t just delicious — it’s poetic. A white base layered with mozzarella, ricotta, gorgonzola, pecorino, figs, arugula, and a drizzle of balsamic, it hits every note: sweet, salty, creamy, sharp. The vibe of Piccolo Forno matches its food: cool but unpretentious. It’s a place where the kitchen leads with flavor, not flash. And as someone who notices these things — yes, the Italian grammar on the menu is flawless. Grazie infinite.
Bar Marco
2216 Penn Avenue, Strip District
You have to trust me on this one. Vitello Tonnato, veal in a chilled tuna sauce, sounds like something you’d politely decline, but done well, it’s one of the most elegant dishes in northern Italy. Bar Marco pulls it off beautifully. The setting — inside a restored firehouse — gives the whole place a handsome, industrial charm, and the upstairs loft is one of the city’s best-kept secrets for hosting stylish, intimate dinners. The menu changes often, but they get the details right.
Fish Nor Fowl
5523 Penn Avenue, Garfield
This one isn’t a traditional Italian restaurant, but the quality of the ingredients — and the creativity — earn it a spot on this list. Their charcuterie board features bresaola, taleggio, and other hard-to-find items that immediately transported me back to Europe. The space is ultra-modern with a dramatic green wall and a long communal table that encourages conversation (or eavesdropping, if you prefer). It’s chic, inventive, and definitely not boring.
Alta Via
46 Fox Chapel Road, Fox Chapel
Here’s how I knew the OG Alta Via in Fox Chapel was special: someone once drove their car into the building because they were that desperate to get in. The short rib pappardelle is worth that kind of hunger. It’s rich, tender, and perfectly balanced. Similarly, the atmosphere is clean, bright, and modern, but the warmth of the service brings everything back to the heart of Italian hospitality. It’s elevated, but not cold. A true go-to for a beautiful night out.
Pino’s Contemporary Italian Restaurant
6738 Reynolds Street, Point Breeze
Pino’s is quiet and understated, but if you know, you know. Their Sicilian octopus dish is delicately plated and perfectly cooked — no rubbery texture, just flavor and finesse. The space is intimate and welcoming, the kind of place where every table seems to be filled with regulars. There’s a quiet confidence in the cooking here, and it shows.
Story by Denise Bortolotti
Styling by Anna Franklin
Photography by Dave Bryce
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