Pittsburgh’s love affair with pierogies can be traced back to the city’s Eastern European heritage. No matter how many food trends come and go, these comforting dumplings continue to be a culinary staple in the Steel City. Just how popular are they? Local print shop Commonwealth Press sells a Pierogi Pillow and the Pittsburgh Pirates feature a Great Pittsburgh Pierogi Race during every home game, where humans dressed as various flavors of the popular dumplings compete in a 280-yard dash.
Our unofficial “favorite food” lives large in our imaginations and on our dinner plates, evidenced by the delicious hometown choices below. Some of which were even chosen by you!
Where to Get Pierogies in Pittsburgh
Apteka
4606 Penn Avenue
Try the Pierogi z Ziemniakami, boiled potato and cabbage pierogi, at this all-vegan Central- and Eastern European-focused restaurant. Or, Smazone Pierogies that are fried with zucchini, lentils, onion, cabbage, and tomato inside.
Butterjoint
208 N. Craig Street
For years, locals have enjoyed Butterjoint’s pierogies at celebrations or just for an everyday meal. We recommend the pierogies with kielbasa, featuring greens, caramelized onions, pickled beets, sauerkraut, and sour cream.
Church Brew Works
3525 Liberty Avenue
Pair your pierogi with a delicious draft beer in this former church-turned-brewery. Try their traditional potato- and cheese-filled dumplings or splurge on one of their newer creations, like a buffalo chicken pierogi sauté, tossed with beer-braised chicken and celery in a zesty buffalo cream sauce.
Pierogies Plus
342 Island Avenue
This beloved McKees Rocks takeout spot creates its pierogi dough and fillings from scratch every day. Grab a hot plate of one of their sample platters, featuring traditional pierogi and other Polish delicacies like haluski, or, if you’re planning a party, special-order a large cold order of more unique offerings, including a wide variety of dessert pierogi.
S&D Polish Deli
2204 Penn Avenue
Catering is key at this Strip District deli. They feature traditional Polish potato and cheddar pierogi that’s frozen by the dozen or, be the ultimate host with a full-size pan containing four dozen of the dumplings ready to be refrigerated and reheated at home.
Polska Laska
1100 N Canal St
Possibly the fan favorite on this list, Polska Laska was mentioned time and time again. Even owner, Olive Visco recommends her delicious variations on the classic pierogi with “no shame”. The menu is always changing for flavors like Buffalo Chicken, Sauerkraut and Mushroom, and even Roasted Carrot with sunflower seeds and herb pesto.
Gosia’s Pierogies
5803 PA-981
You may have seen Gosia’s Pierogies at the Market Square Farmers Market on Thursdays. This deaf-owned business supplies traditional cheddar pierogis that are also available in bulk. Order a bunch and freeze them for your next get together!
St. Vladimir’s in Arnold
1600 Kenneth Avenue
We’ve heard Ukrainian churches make the best pierogies in town, especially St. Vladimir’s. This church even won best pierogi in the 2024 PTL Pierogi Bracket earlier this year. They choose to boil their pierogies and top them in tons of butter and onions. Keep an eye on their social media (in the link above) for pop-up sales throughout the year.
Starlite Lounge
364 Freeport Rd
A feature on Guy Fieri’s Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives, Starlite Lounge is a hidden Pittsburgh gem. To quote Instagram user @netsirksaah, “If you know, you really do know.” The bar even notes that their pierogies are like nothing you’ve ever tasted before. And they’re huge, to boot. Try their flavors of Potato and Cheese, Spinach and Feta, and Jalapeño and Cheddar. Or, pick up a Polish Platter with pierogies, kielbasa, haluski, and sauerkraut.
Forgotten Taste
11978 Route 19
There are many different ways to enjoy pierogies at Forgotten Taste. Try a platter of cheddar and potato with either hot sausage goulash, smoked polish kielbasa, stuffed peppers, green beans, or meatballs on top. Though if you’re craving only pierogies, they carry flavors like Cottage Cheese, Spinach & Ricotta, and even Roast Beef.
Cop Out Pierogies
350 Butler St
Over in Etna, Cop Out Pierogies is serving up the largest selection of hot and frozen pierogi flavors in the area. Dig into unique recipes like Chicken Marsala, Breakfast, and Pepperoni Pizza, or stick to the basics with Potato & Cheese, Sauerkraut, and Potato & Sauerkraut. They even make seasonal dessert pierogies to finish off your visit. Right now they’re cooking up Bavarian Cream, Mixed Berry Cheesecake, and Salted Caramel pierogies.
Dorothy 6 Blast Furnace Restaurant
224 East 8th Ave
This restaurant is an ode to the Dorothy Blast Furnace known as “Big Dorothy.” While Carrie Blast Furnace and Eliza went on to meet their fame, Dorothy was left in the dust and thus Dorothy 6 Blast Furnace Restaurant was born. Try their house specialty pierogies in either appetizer or entree form. Choose from cheddar, beer and bacon, or jalapeño flavors that come with a side of herb infused sour cream.
Pittsburgh Pierogi Truck
Various Locations
Whenever you’re craving your pierogi fix on-the-go, Pittsburgh Pierogi Truck is there for you. Touring all throughout Pittsburgh, this food truck focuses on pierogies and polish plates. Their ready-to-eat Potato and Cheese pierogies are perfect for a quick lunch alongside Stuffed Cabbage and Haluski. But, you can also grab their frozen pierogies to-go in more varieties such as Kraut and Mushroom, Sweet Cheese, Beef, and Cabbage.
Burghers Brewing
215 W New Castle St., 3601 Butler St., 319 E Carson St., and 400 Grant Ave
A smashburger joint has some of the city’s best pierogies? It seems too good to be true, but Burghers Brewing really does pump out some of the best food around. Their small plate pierogies come filled with potato and cheddar and are served with caramelized onions as well as sour cream. Choose to split them with the whole table or keep them all to yourself (we won’t judge).
Story by Lisa Cunningham and Kylie Thomas
Photography by Jeff Swensen
Styling by Nina Katz
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