Restaurant Gems of Pittsburgh and the Tri-State

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Restaurant Gems of Pittsburgh and the Tri-State

The guide to how Pittsburgh really eats. Western PA’s real food insider. Hidden gems • Affordable eats • Local legends

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📍 Pittsburgh, Western PA, and More!

09/24/2026

🌊🐟 ONE OF THE STRIP DISTRICT’S BIGGEST SEAFOOD GEMS!

If you’re talking Pittsburgh seafood, you can’t leave Luke Wholey’s Wild Alaskan Grille out of the conversation. 🦀🦞🐟

Right in the heart of the Strip District at 2106 Penn Avenue, Luke Wholey’s brings serious seafood to the table — from Alaskan salmon, swordfish and jumbo snow crab to lobster rolls, crab cakes, oysters, shrimp, sushi and more. (Luke Wholey’s Wild Alaskan Grille⁠)

And there’s a pretty cool Pittsburgh story behind the name.

Luke Wholey grew up around the family seafood business and, according to the restaurant, started his own little fish route as a kid — delivering fresh fish around his neighborhood by red wagon! 🎣

That passion eventually turned into Luke Wholey’s Wild Alaskan Grille.

And if you want something that screams Pittsburgh seafood, check out the Steel City Lobster Roll — cold-water lobster sautéed in garlic butter on a Breadworks bun, topped with house-made lobster bisque and crème fraîche. 🤯🦞 (Luke Wholey’s Wild Alaskan Grille⁠)

The menu also features everything from lobster bisque and fried oysters to jumbo lump crab cakes, grilled Alaskan sockeye salmon and Baja shrimp. (Luke Wholey’s Wild Alaskan Grille⁠)

This is one of those Strip District spots that has been putting its own spin on seafood for years.

🔥 PITTSBURGH — HAVE YOU BEEN TO LUKE WHOLEY’S?

👇 What’s your GO-TO ORDER there?

🦞 Lobster
🦀 Crab
🐟 Fish
🍤 Shrimp
🍣 Sushi
🦪 Oysters

Drop your favorite in the comments! And tag the person you’d take here! 👇

09/24/2026

🚨 PITTSBURGH!!!! ISALY’S IS COMING TO THE STRIP DISTRICT! 🚨🥪🍦

How exciting is THIS?! 👀

One of Pittsburgh’s most iconic names is making its way to the Strip District, and things are already starting to take shape!

My buddy is actually working on the flooring for the new Isaly’s location, and I had to share a behind-the-scenes look at the work happening right now. 🔨🏗️

And while we’re talking about Pittsburgh businesses getting things done, I’ve got to give a BIG shoutout to Creese Management Inc. for their work on the project! 👏 (https://www.facebook.com/share/1HnVxcCwCo/?mibextid=wwXIfr)

There’s something pretty cool about seeing an old-school Pittsburgh name like Isaly’s coming back into the conversation in one of the busiest parts of the city.

From Klondikes and chipped ham to that unmistakable Pittsburgh nostalgia… ❤️💛

I have a feeling the Strip District is about to get a whole lot more interesting!

🔥 WHO REMEMBERS ISALY’S?!

And what’s the FIRST thing you’d order when this location opens?

🥪 Chipped ham
🍦 Klondike
🍨 Ice cream
👀 Something else?

TAG someone who needs to know Isaly’s is coming to the Strip! ⬇️

📍 2111 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222

09/24/2026

🍕 THE REAL STORY OF PITTSBURGH’S GODFATHER OF PIZZA 🍕
VINCENT CHIANESE — VINCENT’S PIZZA PARK

Before Pittsburgh pizza became a “food scene,” there was Vincent Chianese and Vincent’s Pizza Park.

This is the REAL story behind the man many Pittsburghers know as the Godfather of Pittsburgh Pizza — the story of Vincent Chianese, his family, and the legendary Vincent’s Pizza Park.

For generations, Vincent’s has been more than just a pizza shop. It became part of Pittsburgh history — a place where families gathered, late nights happened, and generations grew up eating the pizza.

🍕 This is Pittsburgh food history.
🍕 This is Pittsburgh family history.
🍕 And this is a story worth remembering.

If you grew up with Vincent’s, you already know. ❤️

👇 What’s your favorite memory of Vincent’s Pizza Park?

And if someone in your family grew up on Vincent’s, SHARE this Reel with them! Pittsburgh history like this deserves to be passed down. 🖤💛🍕

09/23/2026

🍕🔥 OK PIZZA PEOPLE… I HAVE A QUESTION! 🔥🍕

Has anyone else tried putting DiCarlo’s Pizza or Police Station Pizza in the TOASTER OVEN or AIR FRYER?!

Because let me tell you… IT’S ALSO DELICIOUS! 🤤🔥

That crispy crust + that signature Ohio Valley-style pizza… getting it nice and hot and crunchy again is something else!

And I know this is going to start a debate 😂👇

👉 TOASTER OVEN or AIR FRYER?
👉 What temperature do you use?
👉 How long do you heat it?
👉 Do you prefer it cold/room temp the traditional way, or HOT and crispy?

And most importantly…

🍕 WHO HAS THE BEST REHEATED DiCarlo’s or Police Station Pizza?!

Drop your method below! I want to see how Pittsburgh and the Ohio Valley are doing this! 👇🔥

09/23/2026

🔥 LAWRENCEVILLE — WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE SPOT?! 🔥

Lawrenceville has SO many great places that it’s almost impossible to pick just one. 🍕🍔🌭🍝🍺☕️

From longtime neighborhood staples to newer hidden gems, there’s something about this part of Pittsburgh that keeps people coming back.

So I want to know from the people who actually know Lawrenceville…

👇 WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE SPOT IN LAWRENCEVILLE?

Could be your favorite restaurant, pizza shop, bar, coffee shop, bakery, or hidden gem — ANYTHING goes!

And more importantly… WHAT DO YOU ORDER THERE? 👀

Drop the name below ⬇️
Let’s see which Lawrenceville spots Pittsburgh loves the most!

📍 LAWRENCEVILLE, PITTSBURGH

#412

09/23/2026

🔥 ONE OF THE STRIP DISTRICT’S MOST UNIQUE FOOD STOPS IS WAY MORE THAN A MARKET! 🔥

If you’ve walked through Pittsburgh’s Strip District, chances are you’ve seen Salem’s Market & Grill, but have you actually stopped inside?

This place is a market, halal butcher shop AND grill all under one roof! 🥩🌍🔥

And the story goes back decades.

Salem’s began in Pittsburgh in 1981, when Massaud Salem opened a butcher shop after coming to the city from Libya. Today, the family business has grown into one of the Strip District’s most interesting food destinations.

Walk inside and you’ll find fresh halal meats, international groceries, spices, desserts and specialty foods from around the world.

Then there’s the grill. 👀

Think shawarma, kebabs, curries, biryani, falafel, samosas and plenty more — with portions that have built Salem’s a loyal following.

That’s what I love about Pittsburgh.

Sometimes the best food stories aren’t the newest trendy restaurants.

They’re the places that have been serving the community for years and years, bringing different cultures, flavors and people together right here in the Steel City. ❤️🖤💛

📍 Salem’s Market & Grill — Strip District

So I’ve gotta ask Pittsburgh…

👇 HAVE YOU BEEN TO SALEM’S?

What’s the ONE thing you always get — or what should someone try for their first visit?

Drop it in the comments! 👇🔥

And tag someone who needs to make a Strip District food run! 🥙🥩🌍

2923 Penn Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15201

09/23/2026

🔥🇮🇹 WHY IS EVERYONE GOING CRAZY OVER THIS LAWRENCEVILLE ITALIAN GEM?! 🇮🇹🔥

If you’ve spent any time around Lawrenceville, chances are you’ve heard the name Piccolo Forno come up lately. And judging by how many people are talking about this place… there’s definitely something happening here. 👀

But here’s the crazy part — Piccolo Forno has been serving up Italian food on Butler Street since 2005. This isn’t some brand-new trendy spot trying to make a splash.

We’re talking wood-fired pizza, handmade pasta, rustic Italian cooking and a BYOB setup that has people coming back again and again. 🍕🍝🍷

And the handmade pasta seems to be a BIG part of the conversation. Ask Pittsburghers where to find authentic Italian food and Piccolo Forno keeps coming up.

Sometimes the best restaurant discoveries aren’t the newest places in town.

They’re the places that have been quietly doing their thing for YEARS… and suddenly everyone realizes what they’ve been missing. 🔥

📍 Piccolo Forno — Lawrenceville

So Pittsburgh… have you been to Piccolo Forno?

👇 What’s the ONE dish everyone needs to order there?

And if this is one of your Pittsburgh favorites, TAG somebody who needs to try it! 🇮🇹🍕

3801 Butler St, Pittsburgh, PA 15201

09/22/2026

🔥 NORTH HILLS… HAVE YOU TRIED THIS PLACE YET?! 🍜🔥

There’s a LOT of great food hiding along McKnight Road — and Eiwa Japanese Ramen Bar is one spot that deserves some attention!

🍜 Ramen
🍣 Sushi & sashimi
🥟 Gyoza & crab rangoons
🍛 Katsu curry
🥢 Udon
🍚 Rice bowls
🥗 Poke
🧋 Boba & specialty drinks

And the ramen selection is no joke. You can go with everything from Hakata Tonkotsu and Rich Miso to Tan Tan, Lanzhou Beef, Golden Katsu Curry and Thai Curry Ramen.

One thing that really caught my attention is how much variety they pack into one menu. You can have one person at the table going all-in on ramen while someone else gets sushi, poke or a rice bowl.

That makes Eiwa a pretty easy spot for a group where everyone wants something different.

📍 Eiwa Japanese Ramen Bar
4860 McKnight Rd — North Hills

Now I want to hear from the North Hills crowd…

👇 HAVE YOU TRIED EIWA YET?

And if you have — WHAT’S YOUR GO-TO ORDER?! 🍜🥟🍣

Tag somebody who needs to check this place out! 👇

4860 McKnight Rd, Pittsburgh, PA 15237

09/22/2026

🔥🍕 THIS LAWRENCEVILLE PIZZA SPOT ALWAYS SEEMS TO MAKE THE TOP 10! 🍕🔥

If you’ve spent any time talking about the best pizza in Pittsburgh, there’s a good chance you’ve heard the name Driftwood Oven come up.

📍 Lawrenceville

This isn’t your typical neighborhood pizza shop. Driftwood is known for its sourdough crust, creative toppings, and both its 16-inch round pies and Roman-style square cuts. And that sourdough crust is a HUGE part of what makes this place different. 🍕🔥

In 2026 alone, Driftwood has continued showing up in Pittsburgh pizza conversations — including making the final of Axios Pittsburgh’s pizza bracket and appearing near the top of a current Pittsburgh pizza ranking. (Pittsburgh Food Map⁠)

And then there’s the Major Tom, Bianca, seasonal creations and those crispy-edged Roman squares… 👀

Whether you’re a lifelong Pittsburgh pizza person or you’re always hunting for the next great pie, Driftwood Oven is one that deserves to be on your radar.

And I want to hear from YOU…

🍕 WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PIZZA PLACE IN PITTSBURGH?

Tag your favorite pizza spot below! 👇🔥

I want to see which places Pittsburgh thinks deserve the love! ❤️🍕

3615 Butler St, Pittsburgh, PA 15201

09/22/2026

🍻 THE KIND OF PITTSBURGH TAVERN THEY JUST DON’T MAKE ANYMORE…

If you know Smokey’s Tavern in Millvale, you KNOW. 🍺🔥

Tucked away on Howard Street, Smokey’s has that old-school neighborhood tavern feel that’s getting harder and harder to find.

No fancy gimmicks.
No trying to be something it’s not.
Just cold drinks, good bar food, music, regulars and that unmistakable Pittsburgh neighborhood-bar character.

And honestly, these are the places I love finding.

The kind of place where you can walk in and feel like you’ve stepped into a piece of old Pittsburgh that’s still hanging on. 🍻

Millvale has changed a LOT over the years, but places like Smokey’s help keep some of that old-school character alive.

👇 MILLVALE — I NEED YOUR HELP ON THIS ONE!

Have you been to Smokey’s Tavern?

What’s your favorite memory, drink, food or story from this place?

Tag somebody who knows Smokey’s! 👇🍺

And if you’ve never been… maybe it’s time to check out one of Millvale’s old-school neighborhood taverns.

139 Howard St Fl 2, Millvale, PA 15209

Address

220 Mars Valencia Rd
Mars, PA
16046

Website

http://www.restaurantgemsofpittsburgh.com/

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