12 Pittsburgh Restaurants You Won’t Want to Miss During the NFL Draft
NFL Draft 2026 · Pittsburgh Local Dining Guide If you’re looking for the best Pittsburgh Restaurants for NFL Draft week, this guide is here to help you find the perfect spots to dine during the festivities.
Pittsburgh’s restaurant scene is one of the most underrated in America. A city of neighborhood bars that have been pouring cold drafts since before you were born, Italian red-sauce joints tucked between rowhouses in the South Side, and a new wave of chef-driven dining that holds its own against any major market. This guide gets right to the point. These are the 12 spots you actually need to visit.
01. DeLuca’s Diner
Strip District Breakfast & Brunch
This Strip District institution has been feeding the city’s early risers for decades, and the portions are comically, gloriously generous. We’re talking pancakes that hang over the edge of the plate, scrambled eggs piled high, hash browns that actually crunch, and the most incredible coffee you could ever taste. There is nothing trendy about DeLuca’s, and that’s exactly the point. The staff know their regulars by name, the booths are worn smooth, and the coffee truly never stops coming. This is the kind of place that makes you understand why Pittsburgh people love Pittsburgh so much.
Order this: The Mixed Grill and and come early there will be a line but it moves fast and is worth the wait.
Draft tip: DeLuca’s is breakfast and lunch only. A Saturday morning visit is the perfect way to fuel up before a long day of draft events.
Website: https://www.delucasdiner.com/
Get Directions: https://maps.google.com/?q=DeLuca’s%20Diner%20Pittsburgh
02. Dish Osteria
South Side Italian Best Italian in Pittsburgh
Tucked between rowhouses on the South Side of town, Dish Osteria is the kind of spot you’d walk right past if you didn’t know to look for it. Dish genuinely serves some of the best Italian food in Pittsburgh. The room is cozy and candlelit in the way that actually feels romantic rather than staged, the pasta is made in-house and changes with the season, and the wine list is the work of someone who loves wine. This is Italian dining built around ingredients that do the talking.
Order this: The seasonal pasta is the winner here. The wine pairings are worth asking your server about, they know the list well.
Draft tip: Reserve well in advance. A quiet dinner at Dish Osteria is the perfect counterbalance to the high-energy draft crowds.
Website: https://dishosteria.com/
Get Directions: https://maps.google.com/?q=Dish%20Osteria%20Pittsburgh
03. Pusadee’s Garden
Lawrenceville Thai Book Ahead
Pusadee’s Garden is not your average takeout Thai spot. This is serious, elevated Thai cooking served in a beautiful setting that feels nothing like you’d expect to find in a Pittsburgh neighborhood. The flavors are bold and precise, the menu is thoughtfully constructed, and every dish reflects a kitchen that takes its craft seriously. Pusadee’s has a devoted following for good reason and it regularly appears on lists of the best Thai restaurants in the country, not just in Pittsburgh. Not only is the food incredible but so is the ambiance. There is not one bad seat in the house.
Order this: The curries and noodle dishes are exceptional, but the pork belly steals the show.
Draft tip: Advanced reservations are not optional, but this place is always busy, and NFL Draft weekend will make it harder still. Book as soon as possible.
Website: https://pusadeesgarden.com/
Get Directions: https://maps.google.com/?q=Pusadee’s%20Garden%20Pittsburgh
04. Lot 17
Pittsburgh Bar & Grill
There is a reason this bar’s slogan is “Park it at Lot 17”. The regulars (a.k.a. us) will tell you that’s the only instruction you need. This is a classic Pittsburgh bar in every sense. The bartenders know their craft, the beer list is well-curated, and the food actually holds up. Lot 17 has an authentic, unpretentious atmosphere that’s become harder to find in small neighborhoods. If you want to drink like a local, eat like a local, and talk football with people who bleed black and gold, this is your place.
Order this: Cold draft beer and Cheeseburger with any variation of their fries (regular, sweet potato, or cajun). If you haven’t tried a Pittsburgh Salad yet this is also a great place to order one.
Website: https://lot17pgh.com/
Get Directions: https://maps.google.com/?q=Lot%2017%20Pittsburgh
A NOTE ON PITTSBURGH FOOD CULTURE Pittsburgh puts french fries on sandwiches, in salads, and on just about anything else it can think of. This isn’t a joke, it’s a tradition born in the city’s steel-working neighborhoods where a full meal had to be fast and filling. You can order a Pittsburgh Salad somewhere on this list and you’ll understand immediately.
05. The Commoner
Downtown
Situated inside the Kimpton Hotel Monaco in the heart of Downtown Pittsburgh, The Commoner is the ideal staging ground for a big night out. The food is elevated American brasserie and the cocktail program punches well above your expectations for a hotel restaurant. Brunch here is equally excellent. It’s the kind of leisurely, multi-course affair that sets the right tone for a draft-weekend afternoon.
Order this: The burger at dinner is legitimately great. At brunch, don’t skip the cocktails, their espresso martini is fantastic.
Draft tip: The downtown location makes it a natural stop before or after hitting the draft events. Walk-in friendly for bar seating, but reserve ahead for a proper table.
Website: https://thecommonerpgh.com/
Get Directions: https://maps.google.com/?q=The%20Commoner%20Pittsburgh
06. Kelly’s Bar & Lounge
Lawrenceville Neighborhood Bar
Kelly’s Bar and Lounge is the kind of place that has a personality. Not a manufactured one, where you put new old-like decorations in a space, but real, lived-in character that comes from years of regulars, good conversations, and cold drinks. It’s unique in the way that only truly Pittsburgh places are unique and shaped by the neighborhood. If you want to feel like you actually belong in this city for a few hours, Kelly’s is where that happens.
Website: https://kellysbarlounge.com/
Get Directions: https://maps.google.com/?q=Kelly’s%20Bar%20and%20Lounge%20Pittsburgh
07. Primanti Brothers
Strip District Sandwiches Pittsburgh Icon
This one was never leaving the list. Primanti Brothers is the first thing anyone thinks of when they think of Pittsburgh food and for good reason. The sandwich concept is deceptively simple: meat, cheese, coleslaw, and a heap of french fries, all stacked inside thick Italian bread. It sounds like a novelty until you eat one, and then you understand. Born in the Strip District to feed shift workers who needed a full meal they could hold in one hand, Primanti’s is Pittsburgh food at its most essential.
Order this: The Pitts-Burgher or the Capicola & Cheese (and yes, get the fries on it).
Draft tip: Multiple locations across the city means you’re never far from one. The original Strip District location is the move if you want the full experience, but if you’re on the go be sure to grab one at the airport location before your flight home.
Website: https://primantibros.com/
Get Directions: https://maps.google.com/?q=Primanti%20Brothers%20Strip%20District%20Pittsburgh
08. DiAnoia’s Eatery
Strip District Italian-American Book Ahead
DiAnoia’s takes the Italian-American classics you grew up eating and makes them better than you remember. The pasta is made fresh, the sauces are built with patience, and the menu honors tradition while still having its own voice. This is a genuinely popular place where the food actually lives up to the reputation.
Order this: The gnocchi bread bowl. You can thank us later.
Draft tip: DiAnoia’s gets very busy under normal circumstances. During NFL Draft weekend, reservations are non-negotiable we’d book well in advance.
Website: https://dianoiaseatery.com/
Get Directions: https://maps.google.com/?q=DiAnoia’s%20Eatery%20Pittsburgh
09. Kaya
Strip District Caribbean
Kaya has been one of Pittsburgh’s most beloved Strip District restaurants for years, offering Caribbean-inspired food in a space that somehow manages to be both casual and genuinely special. The flavors are vibrant, the cocktails lean tropical, and the crowd is always a good mix. This is one of the most consistently excellent meals you can have in the city, and the menu has depth worth exploring.
Order this: The Rainbow Salad. You will think about it for days.
Website: https://www.kaya.menu/
Get Directions: https://maps.google.com/?q=Kaya%20Pittsburgh
10. Poulet Bleu
Lawrenceville French Best Special Occasion Dinner
Poulet Bleu brings refined French cuisine to Lawrenceville. The cooking is disciplined and classical, offereing you everything you want from a French kitchen, but the room and service feel warm. Every detail, from the way the menu is written to the glassware, reflects a restaurant that cares deeply about the experience it creates. If you’re looking for one genuinely special dinner during your Pittsburgh visit, Poulet Bleu is the answer.
Order this: The roast chicken, if it’s on the menu. It’s the dish that defines the restaurant. The wine list is excellent and worth spending time with.
Draft tip: This is your celebration dinner. Whether you’re celebrating your team’s pick or just celebrating being in Pittsburgh, Poulet Bleu is where you go when the night calls for something memorable.
Website: https://www.pouletbleupgh.com/
Get Directions: https://maps.google.com/?q=Poulet%20Bleu%20Lawrenceville%20Pittsburgh
11. Alta Via
Multiple Locations Pizza Best Pizza in Pittsburgh
Alta Via makes the kind of pizza that starts a conversation. The crust has the right chew, the toppings are applied with restraint and intention, and the finished product holds together whether you eat it in the restaurant or take it to go. With multiple locations across the city, Alta Via is one of the most practical great meals you can have during a busy draft weekend: it works for a sit-down dinner, a quick bite between events, or a takeaway slice on the walk back to your hotel.
Order this: Their seasonal specialty pizzas. The core menu is great, but the specials show you what the kitchen can really do.
Website: https://www.altaviapgh.com/
Get Directions: https://maps.google.com/?q=Alta%20Via%20Pittsburgh
12. D’s Six Pack & Dogs
Regent Square
D’s Six Pack & Dogs is not messing around. This is the bottle shop kitchen that helped define Pittsburgh’s craft beer culture. It’s a no-nonsense bar where the beer selection is extraordinary and the hot dogs are, without qualification, the best you will eat at a bar anywhere. This is Nick’s go-to dinner pick. Here you’ll find great beer and great pub food, done right. D’s has the kind of credibility that only comes from doing one thing really well for a long time, and Pittsburgh’s beer community knows it.
Order this: A hot dog, or several, and ask your server to point you toward something interesting in the cooler.
Draft tip: Regent Square is slightly off the tourist track, which means the crowds will be lighter. Perfect if you need a breather from the downtown energy.
Website: https://ds6pax.com/
Get Directions: https://maps.google.com/?q=D’s%20Six%20Pack%20and%20Dogs%20Pittsburgh
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best restaurants in Pittsburgh for NFL Draft weekend?
Our top picks are DeLuca’s Diner for breakfast, DiAnoia’s Eatery or Dish Osteria for dinner, Primanti Brothers for an essential Pittsburgh experience, and Poulet Bleu for a special-occasion meal. All 12 restaurants on this list are worth your time.
Do I need reservations at Pittsburgh restaurants during the NFL Draft?
Yes, strongly recommended everywhere and essentially mandatory at Pusadee’s Garden, DiAnoia’s, Dish Osteria, and Poulet Bleu. The NFL Draft brings tens of thousands of visitors to the city. Book as early as you can.
What is Pittsburgh’s most iconic food?
Primanti Brothers sandwich for sure. With meat, cheese, coleslaw, and a pile of french fries all stuffed into thick Italian bread this is Pittsburgh’s most iconic dish. The Pittsburgh Salad (a regular salad topped with fries) is a close second and worth ordering at any bar on this list.
What Pittsburgh neighborhoods should I eat in during the NFL Draft?
The Strip District is home to Primanti’s, DiAnoia’s, and Kaya, a natural starting point for any Pittsburgh food tour. Lawrenceville has Pusadee’s Garden and Poulet Bleu. The South Side is home to Dish Osteria. East Liberty has Kelly’s Bar and Lounge. Bloomfield is home to Lot 17. Downtown is where you’ll find The Commoner, close to most draft events.
Where should I eat if I only have one night in Pittsburgh?
Dinner at DiAnoia’s Eatery or Dish Osteria, followed by drinks at Lot 17 or Kelly’s Bar, and a Primanti Brothers sandwich at some point. That’s a one-night Pittsburgh food itinerary that will not let you down.
Keep Exploring Pittsburgh
In town for the NFL Draft and want to actually experience Pittsburgh instead of just standing on the North Shore? We’ve got you covered with a full 4-day insider guide — the neighborhoods, the food, the hidden gems most visitors completely miss. Trust us, this city is so much more than the draft stage. Here’s how to make the most of all four days.
Only got one day in Pittsburgh? Don’t waste a single minute of it. We’re locals, we love this city, and we put together the exact day we’d give our out-of-town friends from Strip District breakfast spots to Mount Washington views that’ll absolutely ruin you for other cities. Here’s your perfect 24 hours in Pittsburgh.
Affiliate Disclosure: Some links on this page are affiliate links served through the Travelpayouts network. We may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you if you make a booking through them. We only recommend restaurants we genuinely believe in. Our editorial opinions are entirely our own.
