I have received many requests to share some of my favorite Pittsburgh dining spots. This is pretty niche, considering you all are from all over, but I've noticed that many of you have been visiting Pittsburgh, which is really cool. 

I love Food, and Pittsburgh's food scene is underrated. We have so many incredible restaurants and talented chefs that it's hard to limit this list, but if you only have a day or two here, definitely go with something off this list. 

Pusadee's Garden// This is my #1 favorite restaurant in Pittsburgh. It's located in Lawrenceville, and its interior is chic and modern. The interior design and branding do not feel very Pittsburgh- it feels too chic and hip in the best way. The patio is a stunning garden oasis and would be my first choice of seating if the weather is nice. The bar is fabulous, too. The food is beyond. I've never eaten a bad thing, and I've been many times. I hate to talk it up because it's hard to get a reservation, but it's the best in Pittsburgh by a mile. The food is Thai, and my favorite dishes are the roti yellow curry, pork belly, and the khao soi short rib, but truly, everything is insane. The menu changes a bit seasonally- there's a tuna dish on there that I haven't tried yet that sounds amazing! I've had impeccable service, and service that is just OK, so that is the only area they could improve upon. You absolutely need a reservation for this. They take walk-ins, and you can sit at the bar, but this place is popular, and a walk-in is hard to get. 

Little Tokyo (Mt. Lebanon location)// This was my favorite restaurant in Pittsburgh before Pusadee's Garden stole the #1 spot. It has been my go-to since I started liking sushi when I was 14. I can't even guess how many times I have been there or gotten takeout, and I don't even want to know how much money I've spent at LT in the past 20 years, ha! This is not in the city, so many of you coming to town and staying downtown or in Oakland or wherever probably won't venture out to my hometown of Mt. Lebanon (suburbs), but I think it's one of the best sushi spots. I always get the spicy salmon roll and spicy tuna and avocado roll; I often get the ninja roll or the first date or the Krissie. I love the seaweed salad, and the fried rice with the shrimp sauce is an absolute MUST. My husband likes the hibachi, which is great, but I am just a sushi fanatic so that's what I usually go for. Frank, the owner, is an icon, and he is so good at remembering his best customers but treating everyone wonderfully. I could write a book about how much I love Little Tokyo. The atmosphere is very casual, and nothing to write about; it's the food and the neighborhood vibe that I love. 

Dianois// There are so many incredible Italian spots in Pittsburgh, so it's hard to share just a few, but this is my favorite (honorable mentions: Alla Famiglia, Legends North Shore, Girasole, Piccolo Forno, Il Pizzaiolo (Mt. Lebanon location). I know people would fight with me on this because many would put Alla Famiglia as #1, but I stand by my rating. This is located in the Strip District, so it's a great spot if you stay in the city area. I love it most for dinner, but they do an incredible breakfast, brunch, and lunch, too. It's true Italian food with dishes that look and taste like you are in Italy. The atmosphere is upscale, casual, and charming. The menu changes, but the escarole and beans and sausage and the meatballs are a must. If you are with a group, definitely get the gnocchi in the bread bowl- it's huge (and heavy) and feeds multiple people, but it's soooo good. You should make a res for dinner. 

Driftwood Oven// My favorite pizza in Pittsburgh is Mineo's, but for an out-of-towner, I wouldn't necessarily recommend it. I recommend Driftwood Oven, which is in Lawrenceville, and their pizza is the best in the city (besides Mineo's, of course). People will surely argue with me on this because everyone has a very strong opinion about their favorite pizza spot. My husband's favorite is Pizza Lupo, and his close second is Harry's. The pizza is excellent, but one of my favorites is the Italian sandwich on their homemade focaccia. This is truly one of the best sandwiches on the planet. The place is small and it is hard to get a seat, so we usually get takeout, but even if you are visiting the city, this is so worth going to and trying to snag a seat- you could even do a little takeout and picnic at Arsenal Park just down the street. 

Mediterra (Mt. Lebanon location)// Really, any location is great for Mediterra, but the Mt. Lebanon location is the largest, so it has the most seating. If you visit and stay in the city, you'll want to go to the Lawrenceville location. This is a bakery, coffee shop, bar, and eatery. I recommend it for lunch. The place looks like Nancy Meyer herself designed it and has the most incredible baked goods, prepared foods, sandwiches, and so much more. The menu changes often, but they have quite a few 'constants' as well. I'd recommend what to get, but you cannot possibly go wrong. I get something different every time, and it never disappoints. I always snag to-go pastries and breads, too. Their prepared foods section has homemade pickles that are a must for me every time I go. I don't like their coffee, which is a downside, but that's just a personal thing. 

Noodlehead// This is an adorable BYOB Thai spot in Shadyside. The pork buns are an absolute must, and I always get the pad see ew, but everything is so delicious. This is casual, and they don't take reservations, so sometimes there is a long wait. It's cash only! I dream about this food! 

Gi Jin// Like Pusadee's Garden, this feels very unlike Pittsburgh. It's chic and trendy, and the focus is on Japanese sushi. This is totally different than the Little Tokyo recommendation from above. This is located in downtown Pittsburgh, and it's tiny, so you must make a reservation. I think you can walk in, but I've never tried that before because it's always fully booked. The food is out of this world and, in my opinion, totally unique compared to any other restaurant in the city. They also specialize in gin, which is my liquor of choice! I have eaten most items on the menu, and it's all incredible, but my fave is anything with the Toro. 

350 Bakery// I almost didn't include this because it is *just* a bakery, and it is only open on Saturdays and Sundays. It's mostly a take-out spot (we usually eat the breakfast sandwiches in the car), and it's in a sort of random area of the city, but I truly believe it's one of the best bakeries in Pittsburgh. Their white BBQ breakfast biscuit sandwich is one of the best things ever. Their pies are amazing. Literally, all of it is so darn good. Another spot where I don't like their coffee, but again, that's a personal preference. 

I also have to note for all of you visiting that an area where Pittsburgh could improve is seafood. We are obviously far from an ocean, so things have to be flown in. I get it, but I would love to see a seafood-focused restaurant that's actually amazing (and not a chain) open. I'd totally be willing to pay a premium for that! I'm thinking 167 Raw should open a location here... in my dreams! Also, there is very little late-night food. You can hardly find anything open on the weekdays after 9 p.m., and on the weekends, plenty of things close at 10 p.m. 

Honorable mention: Poulet Bleu in Lawrenceville. It's currently closed. I have no idea if it will reopen, but it's like the set of It's Complicated and has the best French food. It'd be 2 or 3 on my food list if it was still open. Fingers crossed, it comes back. For visitors, I'd also suggest Altius. It's fine dining, and the food is wonderful, but it's not one of my favorites. I think the view and food together are worth it for someone visiting the city for the first time, though. I'd also suggest Monterey Bay's bar because you get the view without committing to the fine dining good-but-not-incredible food.