Where to Wine and Dine in Pittsburgh’s Cultural District
These 15 spots are worthy of applause.
GI-JIN PHOTO BY LAURA PETRILLA
Food and drinks are as integral to the Cultural District as arts and entertainment. Whether you’re looking for a pre-show cocktail, or want dinner to be the main attraction, these 15 spots deserve their own spotlight.
Downtown is the domain of the Richard DeShantz Restaurant Group. The company recently reopened Butcher and the Rye, its Sixth Street jewel that closed in December 2020 due to the pandemic.
The nearby Japanese-Mexican fusion restaurant Täko is temporarily shuttered for renovations, but you can find hand rolls a few doors down at Gi-Jin, hearty meals at Meat & Potatoes and the Rib Room on Penn Avenue or more casual eats at Sally Ann’s on Sixth.
In the 1940s and ‘50s, Pittsburgh was a hub for jazz musicians. Penn Avenue’s Con Alma (which means “with soul”) breathes new life into the scene by giving world-class artists a home base and serving high-end food, cocktails and wine in a deliberately low-tech environment. Pittsburghers got hip to the place (which is devoid of TVs but has a large collection of vinyl records) thanks to word of mouth.
Newcomers to the Cultural District culinary scene include Harry & Fritz, an Art Deco-style restaurant featuring classic American dishes and cocktails and tiki bar Spork Island Trading Company, which has an active volcano inside.
Grab tacos and margaritas at Bakersfield, rooftop Italian food at Sienna Mercato, South American fare at Gaucho Parrilla Argentina or a spicy dish in a lush environment at Nicky’s Thai Kitchen.
Mixologist Spencer Warren’s namesake The Warren Bar and Burrow is a neighborhood haunt with some of the best beverages around. In the venue’s back room, you’ll find E.T.A., a Japanese whiskey and cocktail bar.
For more on the state of Pittsburgh’s Cultural District, visit here.
