Maria Vianeth Cervantes has always understood the value of family. She named her restaurant after her son, Emiliano, and her daughter, Mia, provides input (and strong opinions) on new menu offerings. Her recipes come from traditions passed down by her mother.

Dish Osteria and Bar, located in the South Side, recently celebrated its 26th year in business, and the restaurant is more successful than ever. The beloved spot is typically booked out three to four weeks in advance, and it’s applauded regularly by locals and media alike, with many naming it one of the best spots to dine in Pittsburgh.

It all began in 1960 when Frank Sarris made homemade chocolates for his wife, Athena, in the basement of their Canonsburg home. Knowing that he had something special on his hands, Frank built a small shop next to their home in 1963, later tearing down their house to make room for a larger shop. Today, that shop runs a full city block, including an old-fashioned ice cream parlor.

Kiku is the oldest Japanese restaurant in Pittsburgh, having opened in Station Square in 1983. They’ve been able to achieve this kind of longevity in the city’s ever-changing restaurant scene by churning out consistently high-quality sushi and other Japanese fare. I’ve sampled my fair share of their menu over the years, and I can say with the utmost authority that you truly can’t go wrong with any of their dishes.

Owning a restaurant is widely considered to be an exceptionally demanding business. Between long hours and being involved in decision-making for every aspect of the business, it is bound to be stressful. But when you own a restaurant with your spouse, does that create added stress or does it make things more manageable and fun? Perhaps the answer to both questions is ‘yes,’ but these couples make it look easy.

Titusz, located in Lawrenceville, is the first solo venture from renowned local chef Csilla Thackery, who ran the kitchens of The Vandal, Legume Bistro and Churchview Farm. Thackery drew on her Austrian and Hungarian heritage for inspiration for Titusz’s menu; she even named the restaurant after her grandfather.

Red, white, rosé, sparkling. Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Malbec, Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, Shiraz, Pinot Noir. Whatever your wine preference, chances are, you will be able to find just what you like at one of the wine shops or wine bars popping up in the region.

Capozoli’s is nestled in an unassuming building on the South Side’s Carson Street. It’s the quintessential neighborhood Italian restaurant, where you might stop after a long day at work for a glass of wine and a plate of pasta.

Over the past few years, Pittsburgh has experienced a noticeable increase in the variety of food trucks that are rolling through the city. For many operators, food trucks are preferable to working in a restaurant, as the limited menus and the mobile aspect of the trucks offer a level of flexibility and freedom that is not sustainable in a busy restaurant environment.

When I first stepped into Senza, I felt like I had been transported to one of those trendy wine bars that populate Europe. It certainly didn’t feel like I was in Etna. The team behind the beloved Bar Marco recently reopened Senza, after its former owners decided to pursue other opportunities, and transformed it into a cozy wine bar with an array of exceptional sharable dishes.

Recently, Pittsburgh has garnered a reputation as a foodie town, with many new and exciting restaurants opening their doors. It is also becoming a destination for restaurants featuring singular world cuisines. In years past, you’d be hard-pressed to find more than a few Latin American restaurants, for example, or an ethnic food restaurant other than Italian, Mexican, Chinese, or Indian. But that is changing, and today, more options than ever abound, originating from many poin

In January, Okane Sushi opened an elevated omakase experience on the second floor of its downtown restaurant. Omakase means “I’ll leave it up to you,” so each course is thoughtfully prepared by its chef.

Pittsburgh is filled with numerous Italian restaurants serving up homestyle fare. Severina, located in West View, sets itself apart from these other spots by nailing the classic dishes and having a fully stocked pastry case at all times.

Poulet Bleu has been one of the top spots in the city since it opened in 2018. There are very few French restaurants in Pittsburgh, and Poulet Bleu more than makes up for this with its Parisian bistro-inspired menu.

Torogoz opened to much anticipation in late September 2025. It’s one of two restaurants a part of Sewickley’s new food-centric piazza. It’s already proving its worth with a standout menu and a cozy, chic atmosphere.

Sweetness as a metaphor for love is a long-established cultural association. As Valentine’s Day approaches, many local bakeries honor this tradition by creating special items that are only available this time of year.

Off the Hook has been luring diners to Warrendale since 2013 with its decadent raw bar, high-end wine list and extensive menu. In the last 12 years, it has continued to cement itself as a top destination for seafood in Pittsburgh.

Both winter and the holiday season are right around the corner. Although it will be chilly outside, we can comfort ourselves with made-for-winter food and drinks. Many food businesses in the region tap into their creativity this time of year with menu items that reflect the tastes, colors and contentment of the season.

Mr. Mister Supper Club, a brand-new restaurant from Jimmy Wan, offers an upscale dining experience without leaving the suburbs.

When Frank Sarris crafted his first box of chocolates for his sweetheart, Athena, in the late 1940s, he could not have imagined that his basement hobby would one day fill a 135,000-square-foot former steel mill with the aroma of melting chocolate.