A Local’s Go-To Restaurants in Pittsburgh

Pizza Lupo - Lawrenceville

I was here before dave portnoy

Pizza Lupo is just one of those places that gets it. Firefighter-owned, stacked with good people behind the counter, and seriously—everyone there is cool. Portnoy might’ve given it the viral stamp of approval, but let the record show: I was talking it up way before that One Bite video dropped. It’s right on Butler Street in Lawrenceville with a big parking lot next to it, which is a minor perk.

My go-to is the Grandma-style buffalo chicken, no question asked. But I always request them to add ricotta dollops. ALWAYS. I’ve tried buffalo chicken pizza from probably 30 different places, and this one’s at the top. The sauce, the crust, the heat—it just hits different. And their other pies? Also next level. Lupo just doesn’t miss.

Mezcal Mexican Cantina - Lawrenceville

I love it so much I had to blog about it

This is one of those places I can’t shut up about. Like, I’ve hit the point where my friends are tired of hearing me rave, so I had to channel it into this guide instead. Mezcal serves up the kind of street-style tacos that make you pause mid-bite. Simple, crazy flavorful, perfectly seasoned, and honestly—I’m not above finger-scooping the last scraps off the plate. The guac and queso? Unreal. I could come here for just that and a few rounds of chips, which I do, often. I think I average three refills per visit. Zero regrets.

The drinks are just as solid. I usually go for the mezcal mule, but they’ve always got something creative on the cocktail list, plus some great beer pairings. The space is tight and it gets busy—because of course it does—but I can usually snag a spot at the bar. The staff is always friendly and on it, which just adds to the whole experience. It’s one of those spots that nails everything, and I’m genuinely obsessed.

Simply Burgers & Fries - Lawrenceville

This is what cheat days are made for.

Simply Burgers and Fries is tucked into the side of the Gallery building on Butler, inside the Main Street Diner. There’s no big dining room—just a walk-up window, a few tables, and a little patio. That’s all it needs. The menu’s straightforward, but that’s part of the magic. I always go classic: a double smash burger. Perfect crust, melty cheese, hits every time. Oof, and the fries...let’s just say we’ve never walked away with fewer than three orders. One for me, one for my girlfriend, and one we pretend we’re going to share—but we both know how that goes. Honestly, next time I’m probably getting two burgers and calling it self-care. If you’re looking for a no-frills, flavor-packed burger spot that just gets it, this is the one.

Umami - Lawrenceville

Not actual octopus testicles… I checked.

Umami is one of those spots that immediately makes you feel like you’ve discovered something special—even if half of Lawrenceville is already obsessed. It’s tucked right on Butler Street and delivers the kind of authentic Japanese steakhouse experience that makes you rethink what you consider “going out for sushi.”

I went for the first time on my birthday (September 6th, mark your calendar, gifts accepted), and I ordered the fried octopus balls—not the testicles, to be clear. That’s what I thought at first too, and honestly? I still ordered them. Good choice. But the real star is the skewered salmon. Glazed in this wild teriyaki sauce that’s sweet, salty, and borderline addictive. I’m not even kidding—I could go there and just eat 10 of those skewers and call it a dinner. Too much salmon can’t hurt, right?

Eleven - Strip District

The kind of place that says, “Yeah, I have taste.”

Eleven is tucked into the Strip District and doesn’t get nearly the love it deserves. The space is beautiful in a way that kind of catches you off guard—high ceilings, moody lighting, and that quiet, polished vibe that makes you want to sit up a little straighter. The food is just as dialed. It’s fine dining without the weird pressure, and the menu rotates often enough to keep things interesting. This is the kind of spot you take someone you want to impress.