Café Cravings

Wow! What a great sandwich!…read more My wife and I visited Pittsburgh for the first time on July 30th, 2026. This is gonna sound crazy, but we stopped in for a sandwich at 9:00 a.m.!!! They've been around since 1933 and when you walk in you can feel the history. The walls are covered with painted caricatures of famous locals. This place is an institution. My wife and I sat at the counter and ordered a roast beef sandwich. All sandwiches come topped with tomatoes, coleslaw, and french fries. Yes, you read that correctly, they pile fresh cut fries onto all their sandwiches! The sandwich was massive and delicious! We are so happy we sought this place out and you will be too! Seek it out!

I was excited to try this famous Pittsburgh sandwich spot, but unfortunately, the overall…read moreexperience fell a little short--mainly because of the service. There was no line when we arrived, yet the wait for our food was surprisingly long, and service throughout the meal wasn't particularly attentive. I ordered the pastrami and cheese, and, the sandwich itself was excellent. The pastrami was moist and flavorful, and the coleslaw was easily another highlight--fresh, crisp, and really good. The fries, however, were a bit soggy and didn't do much for me. I was also surprised to find a piece of plastic wrap in my sandwich, which was definitely concerning. Also the sandwich is so loaded that it quickly soaks through the parchment paper. A tray or plate would make the experience much less messy. Glad I got to try such an iconic Pittsburgh spot, and the pastrami lived up to the hype, but the service and a few details kept it from being the experience I was hoping for.

The grill and the man with a plan.

Pastrami & Cheese & Pitts-Burger & Cheese

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Been there for a while!

Primanti Bros. Restaurant and Bar

3.5(1.2k reviews)

0.9 mi•Downtown

•$$$$

We had to try this Pittsburgh institution before going home. We went around 11:30 on Labor Day and…read morewere promptly seated. Perhaps because it was a holiday and they may have been understaffed, taking our orders and receiving our sandwiches took quite awhile. The music (I call butt rock) was an odd niche for a mixed crowd. We ordered the Pastrami and fish sandwiches, which of course come with fry's and cole slaw on the sandwich. Given the industrial size paper towel rolls on the tables, I expected the sandwich to drip sauce. The fish was surprisingly dry and the cole slaw lacked vinegar and mayo. I supplemented with hot sauce from the table. Despite being to dry, the sandwiches were decent and quite large.

This is a staple when visiting Pittsburgh. Everyone tells you, that you have to try fries in your…read moresandwich at Primanti Bros. We were able to walk up at 2pm on a Tuesday. Fun fact, the Chicago Cubs baseball team was staying at Fairmont Hotel across the street. My mom had the Original. It was fine, just a plain old sandwich with French fries in it. I had the Reuben and it was fine, nothing too exciting. I'm glad I was able to try a Pittsburgh staple. My buddy from Pittsburgh says this is the best drunk food. I can see that. I just thought it was alright. Certainly very cheap.

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Drinks outside

Peppi's

4.4(254 reviews)

1.4 mi•North Side

Im not sure if I have words to describe how good this place is. Food is fantastic, staff is great,…read moreprice is right!

Still love the Big Ben. So far out of one sandwich, hubby and I shared it for 1 dinner and 2…read morelunches. Granted we had smaller servings than most. My grandson, likely would eat all of this delicious sandwich at once. We called in advance to order and because they only take cash and we only had a hundred dollar bill. Can I use it? Yes, I'll take it said the Matt Damon look-alike. I'll take it. Loved seeing him in person as he expertly took orders. Pittsburgh friendly. This is a happy place with great food. You can eat in but many like us call in advance for takeout. And they are open on Monday when most places are closed. Love Peppis

Counter

South Philly Cheesesteak

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Outside

DiAnoia's Eatery

4.4(1.3k reviews)

2.5 mi•Strip District

I loveeeee DiAnoia's. I come here a lot for dinner. I've never tried their lunch menu and finally…read moregot to go! We started with the whipped ricotta and potatoes and both of those never miss. We also shared the house salad. Both sandwiches we had were delicious. Everything was so fresh and light. The sandwiches are HUGE, real bang for your buck! DiAnoia's is a Strip District staple and I never leave hungry or disappointed!

For some reason, I had a feeling that something was amiss regarding this dining experience. I made…read morethe reservation on RESY and we were set. We got to the restaurant, approached the podium, I expressed the reservation and was told that they did not have one for me. We were asked to sit in the penalty box until they were able to find a table. We were fortunate and were seated. Our server was great. Very personable, helpful with the menu, made recommendations, etc. We ordered cocktails, which were very good. We then placed our order for dinner. My spouse had the beans and greens which were found to be quite good. I had the house salad which was also very good. For an entree, Bo ordered CACIO E PEPE and I ordered, BUCATINI all'AMATRICIANA. This is where we started to descend into food limbo. The cacio e pepe was flavorless with as little pepper as possible. So few, in fact that you could accurately count them. The pasta was overcooked and mushy. My entree was another disappointment. In the description, it states: "Bucatini Pasta, Guanciale, San Marzano Tomatoes, Pecorino Romano" Now, can any of you, off the top of your heads, tell me what Guanciale is? Guanciale just happens to be, an Italian cured meat made from pork jowl or cheek. Its name comes from guancia, the Italian word for cheek. It is rubbed with salt, black pepper, and spices, then aged for several weeks, creating a rich meat with a high fat content that is prized for flavoring classic pasta sauces. In my entree they were small cubes, meat-like, and one side of each cube was burnt to a crips, solid black and real crunchy. It gave the whole dish a burnt taste. Not the best. For dessert, Bo ordered the Banana Sundae Cheesecake. I bet you thought it tasted like bananas. Nope. It tasted like cheesecake. I passed on dessert. My choice was determined by the quality of my entry. Atmosphere. There are some restaurants, these days, where you have to raise your voice to talk to one another. Here we had to literally scream but still not be able to hear one another. It's all too common now to forego a suspended tile ceiling and carpet on the floor, which absorbs the sound. This was absolutely the loudest dining establishment I was ever in. Looking around, it seemed that most people have bought into the notion that this is as good as it gets when it comes to dining ambiance. Look, I'm old school and this just didn't cut it for us. There certainly are a lot who love the restaurant and grade it accordingly. I'm just not one of them. Bon appetit!

Seating area

Margherita Calabrese

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House Salad with Mixed Greens, Olives, Chickpeas, Cherry Tomatoes, Roasted Red Peppers, Cucumbers, and Oregano Vinaigrette

Carson Street Deli & Craft Beer Bar

4.4(223 reviews)

1.7 mi•South Side

I love this place. Awesome staff with a great taste in music. Top notch sandwiches with an…read moreaffordable price point. Small and cozy spot with a welcoming energy. Consistent in quality as I'm like 98% sure they source local ingredients. I'm not the best at putting a name to a face but everyone here is super cool.

One of my favorite places in Southside! You order at the bar and pay after you eat. They also have…read morean outdoor patio that is a great place to sit in warmer weather. They have a great variety of delicious sandwiches, but if you don't like any of the premade options, you can build your own! I recommend the Beast.

Bar area/ where to order

Create Your Own Deli Sandwich with 1-2 Meats

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Beer from Yough Brewing.

Brothmonger

4.7(66 reviews)

4.1 mi•Bloomfield

Love how their menu has evolved and now changes since I first came here! Their sandwiches are…read moreincredible on their foccacia. The Tommy / tomato sammy is the best in the summer. My friend liked his roast beef sando too. Love that they've been doing collabs with other local spots too! The owner is so nice and hilarious - I saw the LID message on their wall. Vibes are always good in here and the space is always cute! Definitely recommend it to anyone visiting or looking for soup/sandos!

Such good soup and sandwiches! Amazing combos of flavors and foods. Beware that it can be a bit…read moresalty if that is an issue for you. I love The Boyfriend and Roast Beefy Weefs, as well as the Chicken Barley soup. If you come around lunchtime, prepare to wait up to 20 minutes (combo of in line to order and waiting for food to be prepared). There is also prepackaged soup, pasta, salad, and more that is great if you want to be in and out quicker. Definitely recommend trying!

Focaccia

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Wedding Soup

The Eagle - Pittsburgh

4.3(561 reviews)

1.2 mi•Downtown

Prompt and friendly service. A eye pleasing industrial themed southern atmosphere was nice…read more The fried chicken was succulent, juicy, crispy and well seasoned. I was a little disappointed my 3 piece dark meat didn't come with a thigh but thats ok. The white cheddar grits were well cooked. I wasn't a huge fan of the flavor but that might just be white cheddar. Hubs had the chicken BLT that had a great flavor from the chicken breading and other sauces. The bread was super crispy and perfectly golden brown. Stop by if you're in the area and need a yummy quick meal!

The signage outside in huge lettering on the building clearly says "food and beer hall". So, a…read morefriend and I walk in, expecting what a "halll" typically means. Ask Google. It will tell you it is multiple vendor stalls, central seating. Instead, the first thing I noticed was a barrier to my experience -- a hostess counter. WTH? I politely ask her how this works. Do we walk around or do we get a table? Im confused and she is just as confused by my confusion. Apparently, it is a sit-down, get escorted to a table just like any other full-service restaurant model and with an hour wait to do so on this Picklesburgh Sunday so we did not partake (FYI, we had a great meal with no wait at Nicki's Thai restaurant). So, guys. If you are going to tout this as a beer and food "hall", remember what the concept is. (Um, Faneuil Hall?? In Boston ring a bell?)

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Uncle Sam's Sandwich Bar

3.9(174 reviews)

8.7 mi

Wanted to try one more local favorite before heading back to Orlando, and Uncle Sam's Subs was a…read moregreat choice. If you love a good sandwich, this place delivers. It has a fun mix of Philly sandwich shop energy with Pittsburgh hometown vibes. The menu is big, the fries were really good, and the sub-style sandwiches are loaded and filling. I went with the Buffalo Chicken Sandwich, while others ordered the Ultra Uncle Sam's Special. Portions were huge, so leftovers are definitely a bonus. They also have cheese sauce and ranch for the fries plus classic Coke products to wash it all down. Casual diner feel, big portions, and solid food. Easy spot to recommend if you're in Pittsburgh and craving a hearty sandwich.

This place is awesome! The vibes are great! I love the diner esthetic! The food is amazing and…read morethe prices are decent! If your a fan of old diner charm, good food set at reasonable prices then don't miss out! P.S. - Just make sure to eat in the diner so the fries are included with your meal. If you use take out you'll get charged extra for fries.

Dining area

Special-Italian submarine sandwich and fries with cheese

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Crème soda

Gaucho Parrilla Argentina

4.5(2.7k reviews)

1.0 mi•Downtown

super great place ! Matt was an excellent server and the cooks did an amazing job. would come backread more

Gaucho Parrilla Argentina Wood - Fired Grill located right in the heart of downtown Pittsburgh,…read moreand it's very convenient if you're staying at one of the nearby hotels. We walked from our hotel, so parking wasn't an issue for us, although I imagine parking could be a little challenging in the downtown area. The food was absolutely delicious! We honestly didn't know exactly what to order and didn't want to order too much, so we decided to try the whole appetizer selection so we could taste a little bit of everything and it was amazing! The restaurant has several floors and different atmospheres. There's a rooftop area, a bar area, a floor with music and a livelier atmosphere, and quieter areas if you prefer to relax and enjoy your meal. There are so many options depending on what kind of experience you're looking for. Our waiter Troy, was wonderful! He was extremely knowledgeable, attentive, and caring, and he helped make our experience even better. And the Food was SO good! Everything we tried had such interesting flavors, and I really enjoyed the variety and the whole experience. I highly recommend Gaucho Parrilla Grill especially if you meat lovers ! If you're visiting Pittsburgh, definitely put this place on your list and experience it for yourself. I would absolutely come back!

Interior, counter and grill

Chimmi churri flight with Fugazza (focaccia)

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Rosemary Braised Beef

Long Story Short

4.2(254 reviews)

3.6 mi•Lawrenceville

I eat a lot of hot dogs! So I think I can be a fair judge. But if you are going to serve a Chicago…read morestyle hot dog then I think it needs to be made correctly. They didn't have onions on it and they didn't have pickle spears on it. The bun was a potato bun with poppy seeds like stuck to it. But the bun was soft and good so I won't take points off for that. Was it my fave hot dog? No but it was okay! The hush puppies were good though. The service was great!

How did it take me this long to find this place? What a great sandwich spot in the heart of…read moreLawrenceville! Great beer, great food and a nice atmosphere made for the perfect experience. We got the Steak Cibatta and Burger of the Month (Two Smashed Patties, Bakers Thick Sliced Bacon, American Cheese, Fried Egg, Garlic Mayo, Martins Potato Roll) and both were delicious! Steak was cooked perfectly and the ciabatta roll paired perfectly. Burger was basically a breakfast burger but had THICK slices of bacon, almost like pork belly, which was unique. Add a side of hush puppies, didn't know I could get them so good up north!, and we will be coming back for more soon!

Cozy Kitchen

The Handshake sammie

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Chicken Patties

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Iris J.

12 years ago

This is what a coffee shop should be. The polar opposite of crazy mocha and Starbucks. They are super friendly and the group of regulars, magazines and locals makes for a nice cozy feeling. read more

Café Cravings - cafes - Updated September 2026

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Carnegie Coffee

4.5

(332 reviews)

Community staple! I love getting to stop in here when I'm in the neighborhood…read more Their matcha is not presweetened which is superb! Thank you for that. Service is always quick and friendly. The food comes up quick and is served hot! The Ashley's breakfast sandwich on an everything bagel really hit the spot! I love all the local art around the shop and little boutique items that are constantly in rotation. My only complaint about this spot is if you're coming to work the WiFi either 1) never works or can't be found so plan to use a hot spot and 2) they have VERY minimal seating options with an outlet. Like many coffee shops today, they don't encourage "campers" or people who plan to sit for hours for work.

I was so tired after I stopped at the Credit Union I almost couldn't walk. I decided to go to…read moreCarnegie Coffee and get breakfast and some caffeine. I got a breakfast bagel sandwich and a 20 oz. Diet Coke. Everyone is so nice here. I always feel welcome and relaxed when I am there. Highly recommend.

Everyday Cafe

4.7

(56 reviews)

This place was great. My husband got a big and packed vegan wrap for under $8. That is unheard of…read more The menu looked so good I want to try it all. They were very friendly. I'd love to take my book club at some point. They seemed to have a great variety of teas and there were some board games which we always appreciate.

Everyday Cafe' is a locally-owned business (started by Bible Center). The number one goal is to…read morebring community together through food. They're open Monday-Saturday 7 am-4 pm and closed on Sunday. This brekkie/brunch/lunch joint makes a mean cup of Joe. Not to mention the refreshing smoothies and frozen coffee drinks. The quiche is incredible! Packed with eggs, cheese, veg, etc. It's light and fluffy and never dense or overcooked. I love the turkey caprese and Italian paninis. Also, the flatbread pizzas are great for lunch. The restaurant is super clean with ample seating. Super-friendly staff.

Arabica Robusta Coffee House

4.6

(22 reviews)

Nice happy greeting when arriving with chill patrons hanging out. I hung out a bit on this visit…read more Started with cappuccino and Nancy B's cookie. Then a breakfast sandwich and later a chai latte. All were good, the coffee and breakfast sandwich are excellent. Hanna and crew are so welcoming. Always try to visit when I am in the area; these are the businesses to support. Guest and others mentioned how they liked the floral and mirror decoration in the back space and I like the large windows out front more (until sun beats in for a brief part of the day).

I've been meaning to try this place for a little while now and finally got around to it, with a…read morefriend of mine. The place itself is lovely, very clean, lots of open space, and lovely staff. I got to try their classic latte with skim milk (I think, or some plant based milk) and my friend had their super fruit tea. I regret not being a bit more adventurous with my order, but it was a very solid latte nonetheless. Great portion, great art, very creamy despite it not being whole milk. My friend was a little disappointed with their fruit tea. Portion seemed to be noticeably smaller by a good bit. There was an option to sweeten it that they opted not to do and probably should have done! All in all, very nice spot in Homestead. There's even a little place to get water. Definitely recommend this coffee shop.

Parisi Cafe and Italian Market

4.8

(32 reviews)

The minute I walk through the door at Parisi Café, I knew I was going to love it. You can tell how…read moremuch heart was put into the shop. From the way that the light was filtering through the windows on cozy little nooks. I could have spent my whole day there. Outdoor seating is adorable as well! I ordered lavender vanilla iced latte and an Apple tart, both were absolutely delicious. In true Italian fashion you have the option to drink from pasta straw. That was such a genius idea! Christina was a doll. So friendly and helpful. Loved chatting with her. Looking forward to my next visit.

Really enjoyed this neighborhood cafe! Parisi had the nicest staff and the cutest inside area with…read morea few cozy seats. Their sandwiches are really good, but the strata is my personal favorite, hot and really yummy! Coffee is also very good here, any of their lattes are spot on and pricing wise, it's far more reasonable than most other places in pgh! Absolutely would recommend for good coffee, food, and vibe!

Adesso Cafe

4.8

(43 reviews)

I stopped by here this past Sunday with my wife for our morning coffee. We have been trying to hit…read moreup a different local coffee shop every Sunday morning and on this day we decided to head to Adesso Cafe. It's located in Sewickley on Walnut street right off Broadway. The shop itself is tiny and whenever I got inside there was a cop and a lady with a dog. The 3 (or 4) of us filled up the waiting/ordering area. There was a freezer case filled with Leona's ice cream sandwiches and then a display cooler with cold drinks in it. Lastly they had a clear shelf on the counter with some muffins in it. I was a little sad it wasn't filled with the pastries I had seen photos of, but I guess it wasn't the right day. After looking at the menu I decided to order a 16 oz Cuban while my wife went with a 12 oz mocha. Since the others had already been waited on, it took only a few minutes and we had our coffees and were on our way. My Cuban ended up being quite good as it had the perfect amount of sweetness to it that it complimented the milk and coffee without overpowering it. Then the coffee itself was strong and rich while the milk did it's part. My wife also really enjoyed her mocha from here. The bottom line for me is that I would stop by here again in the future. Both of our coffees were good and i hope that the next time that we stop by that they have some pastries as well.

First time here and wow their cappuccino lived up to all the reviews I read. Received some gift…read morecards for this place but never made the time to get there. I didn't have my gift cards with me today but decided it was time to treat myself anyway. I had the Cappuccino- it was strong and hot! I love when my coffee is made at a high temperature and I don't know anyone who prefers that, but clearly the baristas make their drinks at the "right" temperature. There is a very little room once inside. I was one of 3 patrons there but it was fine for me and they make their drinks pretty fast. I will come back again and try their other drink items.

Coffee Brake

4.4

(24 reviews)