Diners' Choice: Lively restaurants in Pittsburgh / Western PA

OpenTable

Updated May 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants that have the most vibrant bar scenes in Pittsburgh / Western PA? 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!

The Vandal

4.8

4.8 (660)

$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

AndrewVIP

Dined on May 22, 2025

Had a great time and a great meal at the Vandal. the Vandal is the only restaurant in Pittsburgh that has the vibe of a great Bistro in Greenwich Village or Soho. Smoked Trout Rillettes were bright and amazing. The Panisse with Broccolini and greens was eye opening and the the Hanger steak au poivre was as great as ever. Fun wines and great service.

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4.7

4.7 (407)

$30 and under

American

Downtown

About the restaurant

Emerson's is an intimate restaurant and bar with good vibes, located in the heart of downtown Pittsburgh. Blending the charm of a European café with a cozy, modern ambiance—complete with a welcoming fireplace—it's a warm escape in the vibrant Market Square area. Our full dinner menu pairs with a curated selection of wines and craft cocktails, perfect for casual nights or special occasions.

We're on the second floor, up one flight of stairs. Elevator access is available upon request. Our entrance is just left of The Aperitivo Club.

If you can’t find a reservation or are booking for a party of 8+, please email info@marketstreetgrocery.com.

Please note that reservations are held for a 15-minute grace period. If you anticipate being late, we appreciate a quick call so we can do our best to accommodate you.

Top review

KatieVIP

Dined 2 days ago

Emerson’s Thursday Hot Girl Combo special is really one of kind. Had a great girls night out with good food, drinks, & ambiance. Emerson’s has become one of my favorite local spots

Wigle Whiskey Distillery

4.7

4.7 (258)

$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

Dana

Dined 7 days ago

We took the tour and had dinner afterwards. Our tour guide, Braxton, was fun and knowledgeable. The spirits were all excellent… a few flavors I wasn’t even expecting to like really surprised me. The food menu was unique and what we tried was delicious! The craft cocktails were also amazing. 10/10… highly recommend.

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Experience

Wigle Whiskey Distillery Tour and Tasting

Rear End Gastropub & Garage

4.7

4.7 (114)

$30 and under

Gastro Pub

Etna

About the restaurant

We are a modern restaurant housed in an automotive garage that dates back to the 1940s. During the pre-interstate period of America, people and families often traveled across storied highways such as Route 40, Lincoln Highway or Route 66, encountering regional foods and a variety of cultural influences along the way.

In that spirit, our seasonal menu will be a ‘road trip’ that explores some of those mid-western, southern, south-western, and western dishes and techniques. Just like a garage, we will tinker with and adjust them to put together something that will make your trip to see us memorable.

Top review

Branden

Dined 7 days ago

Solid meals. App and meals came out quickly. Chicken was moist with good flavors. Really no complaints for the style of food served. Good beers, good fried chicken. Solid meal and will be back!

The PA Market

4.6

4.6 (210)

$30 and under

Cocktail Bar

Downtown

About the restaurant

The PA Market is Pittsburgh's unique European inspired restaurant in the Strip District. Two floors filled with cocktail bars, food vendors, and a Wine Library - there are endless selections to explore, and taste, during your visit. In classic European fashion, The PA Market is counter-style service. Choose your own adventure from our various food and drink menus and enjoy it anywhere, for a relaxed dining experience.

Top review

LUANA

Dined on May 11, 2025

The atmosphere is awesome but the service is subpar

Tapville Social - Wexford PA

4.5

4.5 (112)

$30 and under

American

Wexford

About the restaurant

A socially-driven dining experience celebrating the people and places that make us say "Cheers!". The perfect escape to create fun and memorable moments with friends. From our creative cocktail flights and pairings to our self-pour wine and beer walls, Tapville Social removes the obstacles of the restaurant experience and puts you in control of the journey.

Top review

Gregory

Dined 7 days ago

Our experience was very good. The service was prompt and attentive from the waitress we had this particular evening. I LOVE being able to access the beer/drinks wall and self-serve drinks from a wide variety of selections. It lends itself to being able to try multiple drinks on your own time, which is great. The food was solid and the value is pretty good. It may lean towards the pricey side, but both the meals and appetizers we got on this visit were quite good. Overall recommend as a place to try.

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Experience

Boozy Brunch with Iced Coffee Flights

Experience

$12 Spiked Lemonade Flight Night

Experience

Margarita & Taco Flight Tuesday - $9 Taco Flights

Bahama Breeze - Pittsburgh - Robinson Township

4.4

4.4 (638)

$30 and under

Caribbean

Downtown

About the restaurant

When you're at Bahama Breeze Island Grille, life's one big party. It's an escape from the ordinary and a much-needed excuse for you to let loose. Famous since 1996 for tropical cocktails, live music, and more, the vibe here is always as amazing as that Caribbean-inspired food we're known for. Bahama Breeze offers your favorites: seafood, salads, chicken--all with island flair. From Jerk Chicken Pasta to Seafood Paella, you can enjoy the islands one taste at a time, discovering new flavors along the way. Naturally, we're the perfect spot for all the sunniest moments in life: happy hours with friends, anniversaries, birthdays, date nights and unique culinary experiences. So, when you're ready to raise your glass and move your feet, the party's in full swing and the islands are waiting for you or if you'd rather bring the Island party home, online ordering is a Breeze too!

Top review

David

Dined on May 3, 2025

The food always has great flavors, good presentation, and nice size portions. The decor is festive. Overall one of the best values in dining.

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Popular dish

Coconut Shrimp (4)

Popular dish

Coconut Shrimp Tacos (2)

Popular dish

Coconut Shrimp Tacos

BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse - South Hills

4.4

4.4 (195)

$30 and under

American

South Hills

About the restaurant

Time counts at BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse. Since our humble beginnings back in 1978, we've continued to refine our brewhouse experience to make BJ's a place where you can make the most of any meal. We want BJ's to be a place where the moment you leave is the moment you plan on coming back. We pride ourselves in our craft and attention to detail. Our guests come here for our award-winning handcrafted beer. They come here for the Southern California twist we've put on the Chicago-style deep dish pizza. And they come here for our Pizookies®, our world-renowned dessert. But above all we know people come here to make their good times better. So in many ways we haven't just crafted a brand, but a mindset. And our guests are the reason for this. And it's because of them we're continually striving to make sure every moment they choose to spend with us counts. Welcome to BJ's, a restaurant with a Brewhouse soul.

Top review

Lena

Dined on May 17, 2025

Love my waiter emily the pretty one but yea enjoye

Eliza Hot Metal Bistro

4.4

4.4 (20)

$30 and under

American

Oakland

About the restaurant

A contemporary, American Style Bistro serving breakfast, lunch and dinner with an impressive selection of local libations. Check out our website or social media for special events!

Top review

Nicholle

Dined on Feb 8, 2025

Mich better experience this second time regarding the service. The first time we went to see Tony Campbell at Eliza they had limited service and the place was packed. We had a good time but not having enough waiting staff was chaotic. This time there was plenty of waiting staff and we were able to focus on the entertainment..seeing Tony Campbell his performance was awesome!

Bella Terra Vineyards- Hunker

4.1

4.1 (37)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Hunker

About the restaurant

Bella Terra Vineyards-Hunker is our main location nestled among beautiful grounds, vineyards, and tranquil lake. Come enjoy our fresh, award winning wine and dishes like our jumbo lump crab cakes. Have a seat inside our spacious tasting room, in one of our lakeside cabanas, or outdoor igloos. BTV has live enternainment inside and outside on our garden stage several days a week. We'd love to have you at one of our exciting events like trivia night, bingo, paint and sip, country wine dancing, and charcuterie board making classes. Don't miss out on our happy hours with half price select appetizers and glasses of wine Wednesday through Friday and BOGO half off wine flights every Thursday!

Top review

Virginia

Dined on Feb 13, 2025

Had a great experience @ Bella Terra for their line dancing with Carol Drum instructing on February 13. We followed up & did a beginners line dancing @ 6 pm @ Yukon Firehall with Stacey on February 17. It was much slower instruction & very helpful for beginners. As always… Bella Terra service was very good & all staff are very friendly.

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