Whenever visiting a new place, it is good to find out what foods the location offers. It’s important to immerse oneself in the culture of where they’re visiting, so the top question is often, “what foods is Pittsburgh known for?”
There are countless famous foods that Pittsburgh is known for and that are great to consider when looking for date night ideas. Some became famous because they were created in the city. Others adopted other cultural foods that are now integrated into the diet. With that, some come from specific categories with a die-hard following. On top of it all, some were created elsewhere but became popularized in the city because of the market following.
Since there are so many popular foods in Pittsburgh, this isn’t an exhaustive list. Still, it covers the most unique and well-known options.
Nothing is as emblematic as the Primanti Brothers. The sandwich chain has been around since 1933 and is in the Strip District. At first, it was there to feed truckers making deliveries throughout the neighborhood. They only had one free hand to eat, so the restaurant started putting the sides (coleslaw and fries) on the sandwich.
While there are now many locations, the most popular is the original Strip District option. It’s open 24 hours a day and is an icon for Pittsburg. Regardless of what sandwich is bought, make sure to get a fried egg on it.
Pittsburgh became known as the city that puts fries on everything, which is why the Pittsburgh Salad is so popular. While most people think of salads as having vegetables, lettuce, and possibly a protein, fries are often found on top here.
When Pittsburgh was a steel-making town, it saw a huge influx of Eastern Europeans. Therefore, that region’s cuisine was mixed into the diets of those living in the city. There are plenty of foods that could be listed, but a favorite is the pierogi.
This dumpling is highly popular and is found at food trucks, high-end restaurants, and as sandwich toppings. When eating around the city, make sure to grab a few pierogies, too.
Almost every city in the nation offers an iconic candy or chocolate shop. For Pittsburg, it’s Sarris Candies (Canonsburg). The specialty store opened up in 1960 and grew tremendously throughout the years. It offers chocolates, ice cream, and candies, and is now found in more than 1,000 stores throughout Pennsylvania.
Stop at any Pittsburgh store to buy some or go directly to the candy shop for the best experience.
Prantl’s Burnt Almond Torte
Just as with chocolate, each city has a favorite pastry that’s only local. Pittsburgh’s version comes from Prantl’s Bakery. The burnt almond torte features a white cake fully covered with icing and topped with almonds.
Ultimately, the story indicates that Henry Prantl visited California during an almond surplus and created the dessert idea to use some of the extra almonds. It was a sure-fire hit, and people flock to one of three locations to get it by the slice.
While not necessarily a food, the iconic condiment was created directly in Pittsburg. In fact, H.J. Heinz started in the industry back in the 1800s, beginning with horseradish, and introduced tomato ketchup in 1875.
Though Pittsburgh isn’t the production home anymore, its history remains. Most restaurants and food trucks serve nothing but it.
Where breakfast foods are concerned, there are tons of restaurants in the area wanting to be an icon. There are plenty with a die-hard following, but a standout treat is Pamela’s Hotcakes.
It’s a crepe-like, large pancake that’s quite thin and crispy around the edges. Plus, it makes for a simple and decadent breakfast. Though it’s possible to order it alone, it’s best served with the many fruit fillings, sour creams, and brown sugar.
Ask for a side of Lyonnaise potatoes to round out the meal. This Pittsburgh breakfast can’t be forgotten by anyone who tries it.
While there are many locations throughout Pittsburgh, make sure to plan to stand in line during breakfast hours.
Eat n Park Smiley Cookies
Why are smiley-faced cookies so popular? It’s hard to tell. However, the iconic cookie was introduced in 1986 to the Eat n Park locations, and those living in Pittsburgh can’t eat enough of them. It could be because these restaurants feature on-site bakeries. Another option is that people can’t help but smile when snacking on them.
Every person living in Pittsburgh knows that chipped chopped ham from Isaly’s is a treat. Though it was invented in Ohio, it didn’t fare well there, and the Pittsburgh dwellers seemed to like it.
Plus, the meat is hard to define. It’s shaved by blending trimmings, seasonings, and ham chunks, then molded into a loaf and shaving again.
What foods is Pittsburgh known for? There are countless options available and plenty of brewery tours as well. When in the area, consider asking a local where they might eat. It’s a great way to bring culture to the trip and enjoy the local fare.
Visit The Kelley Financial Group website for help on saving up your money so you have more time and funds for traveling around the Pittsburgh area.
Even with Pittsburgh’s elevation to a “city for foodies,” no-frills favorites remain popular among locals and visitors. Sure, you can find small plates and signature dishes by James Beard Foundation Award-winning chefs in hip restaurants around the city—but nothing is more "authentically Pittsburgh" than old-fashioned sandwiches, burgers, pierogies, and French fries drenched in gravy or cheese.
Here is a sampling of 10 iconic Pittsburgh foods.
01 of 10
Courtesy of Primanti Bros.
This hometown favorite, called a “sammich” here, starts with two thick slices of Italian bread. Pile on grilled meat, melted cheese, tomato slices, sweet and tangy coleslaw, and fresh-cut French fries and consider it a complete meal. If you want, add a fried egg, onions, or bacon. Primanti Bros., founded in 1933 in the Strip District, has locations across Pennsylvania and five other eastern states, many of them offering late-night deals and some open 24 hours.
02 of 10
bhofack2 / Getty ImagesYou know how healthy eaters warn against ruining a salad by topping it with sprinkled cheese and fatty dressing? Pittsburghers scoff at that, happily loading up their iceberg lettuce, tomatoes, and cucumbers with shredded cheese, crispy French fries, ranch dressing, and grilled chicken or steak strips. Local lore says the Pittsburgh Salad originated at Jerry’s Curb Service, but you can find it on many restaurant menus. You can even ask for the steak to be cooked “Pittsburgh-style:" charred on the outside and very rare in the middle.
03 of 10
Pierogies are quintessentially Pittsburgh, where so many Eastern European immigrants settled that the city has a neighborhood called Polish Hill. Stuffed with potato, cheese, or sauerkraut, these savory dumplings are then cooked in butter with simmering onions. Some of the best pierogies can be found at Cop Out Pierogies, Butterjoint, Pierogies Plus, Stuff’d Pierogi Bar, and Apteka, which offers up a vegan version.
04 of 10
Pamela’s Diner is famous for its oversized yet airy hotcakes, much like a cross between a pancake and a crêpe. These buttery hotcakes come two to a plate, rolled up like burritos and stuffed with your choice of strawberries, blueberries, or sliced bananas. They’re served with sour cream and brown sugar, or you could opt for bananas and chocolate chips instead. With its 1950s décor, Pamela’s is a cash-only restaurant that serves customers in six locations around Pittsburgh.
Continue to 5 of 10 below.
05 of 10
Courtesy of Kennywood Park
Address Kennywood Park, West Mifflin, PA 15122, USA
At Kennywood Park, long lines form at iconic roller coasters such as the Steel Curtain, Thunderbolt, and Jack Rabbit—and also at the Potato Patch, where you can get a basket of fresh-cut fries dressed with malt vinegar, brown gravy, cheddar cheese, bacon, or seasoning salt. The park briefly changed its cheese sauce recipe in 2019, stirring up a social media frenzy that caused Kennywood to revert to its traditional sauce. If amusement parks aren't your jam, you can also find the Potato Patch at Heinz Field.
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With its very own in-house butcher, this Bloomfield neighborhood bar/restaurant cooks its half-pound ground chuck burgers over hardwood on a custom-crafted iron grill. Among the choices, there's a fried egg-topped breakfast burger; a deli burger on rye with Swiss cheese, coleslaw, and Thousand Island dressing; and the Gourmet Kelly Burger, named after the late owner Kelly Harrington, whose own love of burgers made Tessaro’s a culinary landmark in Pittsburgh.
07 of 10
Debuted by Eat'n Park Restaurants in 1986, the trademarked Smiley Cookie has been such a hit that the restaurant chain has branded itself as "the place for smiles." In fact, the signature iced cookie even has its own website and history on video. They are sold individually or in six- and 12-packs, and come in different colors and shapes for sporting events and holidays.
08 of 10
Part of the joy in visiting Everyday Noodles in Squirrel Hills is watching the cooks behind a plate glass window transform dough into noodles. The menu lists an array of steamed dumplings, noodle soups, dim sum (pot stickers), and dry noodle dishes. Owner Mike Chen handpicks his employees from Taiwan; they’re trained by a master noodle-maker in Taipei.
Continue to 9 of 10 below.
09 of 10
Courtesy of Meat & Potatoes
There’s no comfort food quite like macaroni and cheese, and the varieties are seemingly endless in Pittsburgh. At Industry Public House, try the Assembly Line Mac & Cheese; mixed with extra-sharp cheddar and smoked gouda, the cavatappi is then topped with breadcrumbs and chives. The Yard takes decadence to a new level with its mac & cheese grilled cheese sandwich and deep-fried mac & cheese balls. Meat & Potatoes' ever-changing mac and cheese recipes are always a hit, while Harris Grill has its own version with lobster and crabmeat.
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Courtesy of Prantl's Bakery
Named the “greatest cake America has ever made,” the burnt almond torte from Prantl’s Bakery is so popular that it’s shipped nationwide. The yellow cake—filled with vanilla custard and topped with buttercream frosting and sugared almonds—comes in four different sizes and can be made in chocolate. And if you love craft brews, Prantl’s teamed up with Cleveland-based Platform Beer Co. to produce a chocolate almond torte stout and burnt almond torte blonde ale.