There are many reasons why our city is repeatedly included in the “Most Livable City” rankings. We have culture and sports, health care and education — but what we really love are restaurants! ’Burghers are becoming more and more sophisticated, hungry for interesting food choices. Throughout the past few years, we’ve seen an explosion of talented chefs, some of whom relocated to Pittsburgh with intentions of showing their stuff.

This was the year of the small (sometimes BYOB) neighborhood restaurant: Cure, Nicky’s Thai Kitchen, Park Bruges, Root 174 and Stagioni. In larger-scale news: Legume expanded in Oakland — plus, The Porch at Schenley opened nearby. Then there are old favorites like Umi, Dish Osteria and Bar, and Toast! Kitchen & Wine Bar that deliver the goods year after year; especially distinguished in this category is the Hyeholde, celebrating its 75th anniversary (almost unheard of in the restaurant business), and (amazingly) owned by a descendent of the original owners and builders, still serving food that’s spot-on. We also look forward to the reopening of two formerly listed 25 Best Restaurants — notion and Bona Terra — in new locations this coming year.

It is with gratitude that we recognize these eateries and the hard-working, passionate people of our restaurant industry, who truly make our lives more satisfying. We salute you!

by VALENTINA, RESTAURANT CRITIC
photoGraphy by Laura Petrilla

Avenue B
Casbah
Cure
Dinette
Dish Osteria and Bar
Eleven
Hyeholde
Joseph Tambellini
Kaya
Lautrec
Legends of the North Shore
Legume
Meat & Potatoes
Nicky's Thai Kitchen
Nine on Nine
Park Bruges
Penn Avenue Fish Co.
Root 174
Salt of the Earth
Soba
Spoon
Stagioni
Tamari
Toast! Kitchen & Wine Bar
Umi

Chef of the Year
Brian Pekarcik

Best New Restaurant
Legume

Rising Star Chef
Stephen Felder

Delicious Design
The Porch