The Best Things to Eat in Pittsburgh Right Now

PHOTO BY KRISTY GRAVER

There’s something about this time of year that makes happy hour feel essential. We’re about to have an extra hour of daylight, and what better way to use it than by cutting out of work a little early and having a drink or two (and some insanely good bites)?

That’s the spirit of this week’s picks: the city’s most satisfying happy hours of the moment.

PHOTO BY EMILY CATALANO

One of the most enjoyable meals I’ve had in recent weeks happened at Hey Babe in East Liberty. I arrived just in time for their daily “Golden Hour,” which runs from 4 to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.
It’s exactly the kind of happy hour that makes you want to stick around for a little longer. Beers are a dollar off, and the drink menu includes a thoughtful lineup of $9 wines and house cocktails, including a truly excellent daiquiri that’s bright, balanced and was dangerously easy to sip. (So was the second one)

The real reason to go early, though, is the food. During Golden Hour, everything on the food menu is 15% off, which makes it easier to order widely. Start with the poutine, a rich and comforting bowl of crispy potatoes topped with Pleasant Lane Farms cheese curds, house bacon and a savory sage gravy.

Then there’s the crispy eggplant, a standout plate featuring bright, crisp-fried eggplant layered over whipped feta and finished with grilled hot and sweet peppers.

The room itself strikes a balance between relaxed and stylish, making it a perfect place to begin an evening.

For another weekday escape, Parlor Dim Sum in Lawrenceville delivers one of the neighborhood’s most appealing happy hours. From 5 to 6:30 p.m. on weeknights, the restaurant offers discounted bites, along with $10 cocktails.

My favorite is the Honey of the East, made with bourbon, miso honey and lemon. It’s slightly savory, a little bit sweet and complex enough to stand out among typical happy hour drinks. Pair it with a few snacks from the menu, like the wonton soup or the fried shrimp balls, which are exactly the kind of thing you’ll want to keep reaching for between sips.

PHOTO PROVIDED BY SCRATCH & CO.

If your ideal happy hour leans toward comfort food, Scratch & Co delivers. Their daily happy hour runs from 5 to 7 p.m. and includes $10 classic cocktails alongside $2 off wings and sandwiches.

The move here is the Chicken Sandwich, piled high with pecorino-fried chicken and layered with tahini buffalo sauce, basil and bread-and-butter pickles.

PHOTO BY LAURA PETRILLA

Over in Shadyside, Palm Palm offers a happy hour that’s as generous as it is tasty. From 5 to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, the menu features food specials such as $14 fish tacos, $15 truffle fries and a $12 spicy chicken sandwich, along with $2 off wine and beer and $8 house spirits.

It’s an easygoing way to settle into the evening with friends, especially if you’re looking for a few shareable plates to go along with your drinks.

Downtown, Bridges & Bourbon brings a slightly more polished take on happy hour without sacrificing value. Their weekday special runs from 4 to 6:30 p.m. and includes drink deals like their signature Old Fashioned, which remains one of the best versions in the city. Classic cocktails clock in at $11, and there are several food specials as well, including $5 fries and $14 soft pretzels.

It’s the kind of place where happy hour feels a little elevated, ideal for transitioning from workday to evening plans.

With spring light stretching further into the evening, Pittsburgh’s happy hour scene feels especially inviting right now. And staying for one more always feels like the right decision.