Visiting downtown Pittsburgh or just looking to better appreciate what it has to offer? Get to know the heart of the city by browsing its most popular local businesses, from an upscale taco joint to a pizza place with unique pies.
Hoodline crunched the numbers to find the top places to visit downtown, using both Yelp data and our own secret sauce to produce a ranked list of neighborhood businesses. Read on for the results.
1. täkō
Topping the list is New American and Mexican spot täkō. Located at 214 Sixth St., it's the most popular business in the neighborhood, boasting 4.5 stars out of 1,046 reviews on Yelp.
On the menu, which you can see here, you'll find tacos like the Korean (short rib, cucumber, cabbage, peanuts and red dragon sauce), the Octopus (harissa aioli, baby lettuce, pico de gallo, fennel and grapefruit) and the Pastor (pork shoulder, avocado salsa, white onions, pineapple and cilantro). It also has small plates like the Papas Bravas made with fried potatoes, oregano butter, spicy tomato and garlic mayo, and the Street Corn with Sriracha mayo, cotija cheese, chili powder and lime.
It also offers cocktails, margaritas, desserts and more.
Yelper Missy T., who reviewed it on Aug. 23, wrote, "Delicious food in a hip atmosphere. Standouts were the short rib tacos and the guacamole. We made a reservation and didn't have to wait long at all. Food came out quickly. You can see the chefs making the food in the front of the restaurant. Great service."
2. Butcher and the Rye
Next up is cocktail bar and New American spot Butcher and the Rye, situated at 212 Sixth St. With 4.5 stars out of 781 reviews on Yelp, it's proven to be a local favorite.
On the menu, you'll find plates like the buttermilk fried rabbit with creamy polenta, asparagus and morel mushrooms, and the pan-seared halibut with carrot custard and sweet and sour lettuce. Small plates include the Dirty Pasta (ground duck, rigatoni, sage, brandy and Pecorino Romano) and the dry-aged tartare with Parmesan-crusted bread, black garlic aioli, truffle egg, radish and capers. (See the full menu here.)
The drinks list features cocktails, beer and wine, plus over 600 whiskeys.
Yelper Dilara C. said, "This place lives up to any hype you'll hear. The service was amazing, the food is unforgettable and the whiskey list is beyond expansive. We sampled a little bit of everything off the menu, but the scallops and dirty pasta were my faves."
3. Bakersfield
Bakersfield, a bar and eatery that offers tacos and more, is another top choice. Yelpers give the business, located at 940 Penn Ave., 4.5 stars out of 619 reviews.
The menu serves Mexican street fare, plus a selection of over 100 tequilas and American whiskeys. On the menu, you'll find options like the Milanesa torta (chicken cutlet, black beans, salsa verde, arugula and avocado lemon mayo on telera roll), the short rib tostada with fried egg and the cochinita pibil taco with braised pork, pickled red onion and habanero salsa. (See the full menu here.)
Mandy H., who visited on Aug. 10, said, "Such a fun taco place. The restaurant has a great ambiance, perfect for date nights. The food is creative and flavorful. Order a couple different tacos to share, and make sure to get the chips and salsa, homemade and delicious. Waitstaff was super friendly and excellent."
4. Proper Brick Oven & Tap Room
Proper Brick Oven & Tap Room, a bar and Italian spot that offers pizza and more, is another much-loved neighborhood go-to, with 4.5 stars out of 544 Yelp reviews. Head over to 139 Seventh St. to see for yourself.
Pizzas include the Carnivore with San Marzano tomato sauce, sweet and hot Italian sausage, spicy pepperoni, wood-smoked pork belly bacon and mozzarella; the Forest with wood-roasted wild mushrooms and roasted shallot; and the Ocean, topped with sauteed fresh clams and shrimp and Parmigiano-Reggiano. (See the full menu here.) It also serves beer, wine and cocktails.
Yelp reviewer Jonathan B. wrote, "The atmosphere within the restaurant was amazing. Great mix of ages and the ambiance was great! The decor was modern and eye catching. Food was amazing — I got the Greco pizza and the lamb on the pizza was different and something I've never tried. Service was impeccable."
5. Meat & Potatoes
Then there's Meat & Potatoes, which has earned four stars out of 1,681 reviews on Yelp. You can find the gastropub at 649 Penn Ave.
On the menu, you'll see dishes like the pot roast with baby carrots, turnips, parsnips, mashed potatoes and horseradish gremolata; the flat-iron steak with charred corn, braised yucca and fried green beans; and the smoked pork chop with baked beans and spicy collard greens. (See the full menu here.)
Yelper Tim X. said, "The bone marrow is incredible, possibly the best meal I've had in Pittsburgh. Service was impeccable, and I also enjoyed the extensive drink selection."
