Diners' Choice: Innovative restaurants in Pittsburgh

OpenTable

Updated May 05, 2025

Looking for the best restaurants that are fit for foodies in Pittsburgh? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

One by Spork

5.0

5 (1040)

$50 and over

Contemporary American

East Liberty

About the restaurant

ONE by Spork is a NEW, immersive culinary experience from the James Beard nominated team behind Spork, featuring a single tasting menu with curated beverage pairings, served around an intimate 16-seat chef’s counter. Our cooking is hyper-scratch, using produce from our expansive on-site garden to make every plate a balance of tradition and creativity. Pairings are included, with a choice between a cocktail & wine pairing or an N/A pairing that's just as intentional & well-crafted. With one menu, one team, and one seating per night around a shared table, we invite you to let us take care of the details while you step into a guided culinary adventure.

Doors open at 6 PM; dinner begins at 6:30 PM. Reservations required. $275 pp (excludes tax+gratuity)

We cannot accommodate allium, nightshade, or butter allergies, nor vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free diets. We can accommodate some restrictions with advance notice. Call or email at least 7 days before visiting to discuss special requests

Top review

allanVIP

Dined 5 days ago

Fantastic overall - wonderful dishes, excellent service, and great ambience.

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Popular dish

Tagliatelle Bolognese

4.9

4.9 (698)

$31 to $50

American

Downtown

About the restaurant

We believe that hospitality comes from optimism, compassion, and trust.
By fostering a culture that values collaboration and encouragement, we make it possible to take chances and grow, and to have hospitality be an expression of who we are.
The resulting offerings are carefully crafted food and beverage, and a welcome that passes our care for each other and our profession on to our guests.

Top review

MarlaVIP

Dined 3 days ago

This place is amazing! Can’t wait to go back. Went for the first time and it blew me and my husband away. Great service, cocktails, and food.

Umi Japanese Restaurant

4.8

4.8 (732)

$50 and over

Japanese

Shadyside

About the restaurant

With every detail considered and every arrangement intended, Umi exists to please with gentle perfection. Perfectly fresh fish is prepared in an elegantly and understated manner. Traditional Japanese decor reflects the ancient art of sushi while lively music and contemporary service align with the modern and masterful preparation of the plates. Climb the steps for an exquisitely refined journey.

Umi is located directly upstairs from Soba in Shadyside. Reservations are available up to 30 days in advance; we look forward to serving you!

Top review

Richard

Dined on May 1, 2025

I took my son and his wife out for his birthday dinner to Umi. We ordered the seven-course Omikase dinner (it comes with an eighth dessert course). Every single course was a delicious and beautifully presented sashimi or sushi. Enough food, but not too much. We all had a cocktail and a glass of wine or beer with our meals. A fun and enjoyable experience. The service was excellent. My only knock is the price - our total bill for our three people was $460, and that is before adding a $120 tip.

The Vandal

4.8

4.8 (656)

$31 to $50

Contemporary European

Lawrenceville

About the restaurant

Laid back neighborhood restaurant, focusing on intently seasonal food and cocktails. Small, ever changing menu ensures that you are experiencing the most exciting food in the most intimate of experiences.

With respect to simplicity and execution, we try to highlight the awesome product from our local purveyors with minimal "fuss"

Top review

Nick

Dined 2 days ago

Very consistent- had the soft shell crab feature- well seasoned, good temperature- the sauce was fantastic….. service was great!

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4.8

4.8 (2226)

$50 and over

Contemporary American

Northside

About the restaurant

A wood-flamed mash-up of Modern America with classic influences, guests will relish just how delicious home-away-from-home scratch cooking can be. At Fig & Ash, we provide seasonal sustainable comfort dishes, in a warm rustic setting. Fig & Ash offers a new take on old favorites and new adventures that will become favorites.

We allot one hour and forty-five minutes for each party of two and two hours and fifteen minutes for each party of four. Please keep this in consideration when dining with us to ensure a great experience for everyone. We can accommodate up to a party of five in our Main Dining Room. Please contact us for larger reservations.

We have outdoor patio seating available equipped with commercial overhead heaters. Please contact us for more details.

Top review

Carla

Dined 4 days ago

Everything was great! Service, cocktails, and food! We’ll be back again soon. Thanks

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4.8

4.8 (619)

$50 and over

Italian

East Liberty

About the restaurant

Fish Nor Fowls chic, Italian influenced menu centers on beautiful ingredients, simply executed to deliver an experience like none other in Pittsburgh. The natural, clean design of the space combines functionality with comfort and beauty. Visionary Chef, Richard DeShantz, creates a rustic menu with modern takes on classic Italian inspired dishes.

Top review

Alena

Dined 4 days ago

Went to dinner with a friend and it was an amazing experience! We were able to take our time and enjoy ourselves. Food was amazing and so was the service! We took a bathroom break and came back to champagne on the table! can’t wait to come back.

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4.8

4.8 (131)

$50 and over

Japanese

Point Breeze

About the restaurant

Welcome to Golden Gai, a hidden gem nestled in the vibrant heart of Pittsburgh’s East End, conveniently located in Bakery Square. Step inside and embark on a culinary journey to the bustling streets of Japan with our Izakaya-style dining experience.

As you enter Golden Gai, you’re greeted by the warm ambiance of traditional Japanese decor fused with modern touches, creating an inviting atmosphere that is both chic and cozy. The soft glow of our stunning light fixtures over the intimate dining space, where the wooden bar top that spans the length of the space, and slate accents evoke the charm of Tokyo’s iconic Golden Gai district.

At the helm of our kitchen is Executive Chef Michael Taylor, a master of Japanese cuisine renowned for his innovative approach to flavor and presentation. With a background honed at the esteemed Gi-Jin, Chef Taylor brings his passion for culinary excellence to every dish, infusing each bite with creativity and precision.

Top review

BreannaVIP

Dined 4 days ago

Service amazing. Food incredible. Ambience unmatched.

Wigle Whiskey Distillery

4.7

4.7 (256)

$30 and under

Distillery

Downtown

About the restaurant

Wigle Whiskey is a small-batch, craft whiskey distillery founded in the Strip District neighborhood of Pittsburgh. Wigle Whiskey is the most awarded craft distillery by the American Craft Spirits Association for the past decade. Established in 2012, Wigle Whiskey strives to produce high-quality grain-to-glass spirits with a reverence to history. Our namesake Philip Wigle, a key figure in the Whiskey Rebellion, inspires us to continue the legacy of Whiskey production in Western, PA. Our spirits are a true expression and quintessential experience in the City of Champions.

Best-sellers like City of Champion’s Bourbon can’t be beat and pair perfectly with fried cheese curds or a Smash Burger!

After a meal from the Wigle Bar & Kitchen, don't forget to take home a bottle of your favorite Wigle spirit!

Top review

Kim

Dined 2 days ago

So nice. Such a great surprise. The food was great. The drinks were great. The price was very reasonable.

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Experience

Wigle Whiskey Distillery Tour and Tasting

Cafe Momentum - Pittsburgh

4.7

4.7 (162)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Downtown

About the restaurant

Café Momentum is more than just a restaurant—it’s a nonprofit culinary training program transforming the lives of justice-impacted youth. Our locally sourced, chef-driven menu provides the backdrop for hands-on learning, where young people rotate through every aspect of the restaurant, from front-of-house service to kitchen prep, all under the guidance of award- winning Chef Robert "RC" Carter.

Don't miss our signature smoked fried chicken, served with mashed potatoes, collard greens, a southern buttermilk biscuit, and black pepper gravy. Plus, we’re BYOB! Enjoy your favorite beverage with dinner for a $5 per person corkage fee.

Top review

Kristyn

Dined 7 days ago

Our meal was delicious! Would go back in a heartbeat!

Alfabeto

4.6

4.6 (793)

$30 and under

Italian

Northside

About the restaurant

Immerse yourself in the vibrant flavors of Northern Italy at Cucina Alfabeto, located in Pittsburgh's Northside. This culinary gem offers a unique dining experience that delights your taste buds.

Cucina Alfabeto celebrates Northern Italy's rich culinary traditions with fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Each dish is a masterpiece, crafted with passion and precision, showcasing the region's vibrant flavors.

Step inside to experience rustic elegance, where the warm ambiance and the aroma of freshly baked bread create an unforgettable atmosphere. Indulge in handmade pasta, succulent grilled meats, and seafood, each bite reflecting Chef Esposito's dedication to excellence.

Cucina Alfabeto also offers cultural immersion with live music, poetry readings, and author talks on select nights. Whether for a romantic evening, a gathering with friends, or a solo escape, Cucina Alfabeto promises an unforgettable culinary journey. Experience the magic of Northern Italy with us.

Top review

Thomas

Dined 2 days ago

Fantastic food and service for Mothers day brunch. Quite possibly the best pasta I have ever had.

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