Dining Guide: Squirrel Hill

By The Pitt News Staff
September 19, 2014

AMERICAN

Allegro Hearth Bakery

2034 Murray Ave.

Sunday 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday-Saturday 7 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

412-422-5623

Load up on your carbs — when you buy eight loaves of bread, you’ll get one free.

Bruegger’s Bagels

1719 Murray Ave.

Monday-Friday 5:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday-Sunday 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

412-422-2814

$ to $$

Bruegger’s just rolled out a new menu and is offering more bread than bagels with its debut of buns and burgers — topped with scrambled egg or some ruby barbeque sauce.

Bubble Pi Baking Arts

2218 Murray Ave.

Sunday-Saturday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

412-422-0993

Get your sugar fix at Bubble Pi Baking Arts, which offers cookies, pastries and other delectable treats to make any hell week a little sweeter.

Eat’n Park

1816 Murray Ave.

Sunday-Saturday open 24 hours

412-422-7203

$ to $$

Who doesn’t get happy biting into a smiley face cookie?

Everyday Noodles

5875 Forbes Ave.

Monday-Thursday 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 4 to 9:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 4 to 10 p.m., Sunday 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.

412-421-6668

Dig into Asian fusion cuisine with a vibrant dining room fit for any group of guests.

The Independent Brewing Company

1704 Shady Ave.

Monday-Thursday 5 p.m. to 11 p.m., Friday 5 p.m. to midnight, Saturday 5 p.m. to 1 a.m.

412-422-5040

$ to $$

This restaurant just opened in February and recognizes its western Pennsylvania roots by serving all local craft beers and seasonally available local food.

Murray Avenue Grill

1720 Murray Ave.

Sunday-Saturday 11:30 a.m. to midnight, bar open until 2 a.m.

412-521-1272

$$ to $$$

You’re bound to find a beer on tap that quenches your thirst, along with an extensive menu of American favorites.

Silky’s Sports Bar & Grill

1731 Murray Ave.

Monday-Friday 3 p.m. to 2 a.m., Saturday-Sunday 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.

412-421-9222

$ to $$

Waffle fries and televised sports games. Need we go on?

Smallman Street Deli

1912 Murray Ave.

Monday-Saturday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sunday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

412-421-3354

Think you’ve found the best Reuben? Smallman guarantees a lunch meat sandwich that will impress any carnivorous appetite.

MEDITERRANEAN

Aladdin’s Eatery

5878 Forbes Ave.

Monday-Thursday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday-Saturday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.

412-421-5100

On the East Coast, Aladdin’s is one of the few places that boasts a lean, vegetarian-friendly and organic spin on Lebanese cuisine.

Greek Gourmet

2130 Murray Ave.

Monday-Saturday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

412-422-2998

If you like to have choices, Greek Gourmet is the place you’ve been looking for. On top of gyros, falafel and moussakka, Greek Gourmet boasts a wide variety of hummus, from buffalo to spicy avocado.

Mediterranean Grill

5824 Forbes Ave.

Monday-Saturday noon to 9 p.m.

412-521-5505

$ to $$$

As the name suggests, Mediterranean Grill offers traditional Mediterranean food. For the indecisive, sampler platters are available, and BYOB makes this restaurant a hidden gem for first dates.

Milky Way

2120 Murray Ave.

Sunday-Thursday 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., Friday 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday 7 p.m. to midnight

412-421-3121

$ to $$

Vegetarians rejoice, but vegans beware. Dishes range from the classic (veggie) burger and fries to a one-of-a-kind falafel plate. Everything at Milky Way is kosher.

Taza 21

1827 Murray Ave.

Tuesday-Thursday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Saturday noon to 11 p.m

412-904-2764

$ to $$

Taza 21 is a lunchgoer’s destination for a quick bite. An array of Mediterranean food is available for both dine-in and pick-up, and orders can be placed online. Try the grape leaves or any of the wraps for a quick lunch on the go.

PIZZA

Aiello’s Pizza

2112 Murray Ave.

Sunday-Thursday 11 a.m. to 1 a.m., Friday-Saturday 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.

412-521-9973

$ to $$

For more than 30 years, Aiello’s Pizza has offered fresh, traditional Sicilian pizza to its customers. The dough is made fresh daily and topped with homemade sauce. Choose from the selection of gourmet pizzas or create your own. Aiello’s serves some of the best pizzas in the ‘Burgh.

Italian Village Pizza

5886 Forbes Ave.

Sunday noon to 8:30 p.m., Monday-Thursday 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., Friday-Saturday 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.

412-422-1300

Get your Italian fix at a student-friendly price at Italian Village Pizza. Pile five fresh toppings on a large Village Supreme Pizza for a party-perfect meal.

Lucci’s Pizza

1900 Murray Ave.

Monday-Thursday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday Saturday 11 a.m. to 11 a.m., Sunday close at 9 p.m.

412-422-9660

$ to $$

Enjoy a meat-free meal at Lucci’s Pizza, which offers vegan and vegetarian dishes for the hungry and health-conscious. Not to mention, it’s the only Italian restaurant in the city that offers gluten-free pizza.

Mineo’s Pizza House

2128 Murray Ave.

Sunday-Saturday 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m., Monday-Wednesday 9 p.m. to 10 p.m.

412-521-9864

Feel like a kid again with a slice of pizza and a rainbow sherbert ice cream cone from Mineo’s Pizza House. A calzoni with ham, pepperoni, mushrooms, ricotta and provolone cheese is sure to hit the spot.

Napoli Pizzeria

2006 Murray Ave.

Sunday-Thursday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Friday-Saturday 10 a.m. to midnight

412-521-1744

Napoli Pizzeria boasts pizza dough and sauce made daily for a dependably fresh taste. Venture away from your usual slice with a pizza boat hoagie.

ASIAN

Bangkok Balcony

5846 Forbes Ave.

Sunday-Thursday noon to 10 p.m., Friday-Saturday noon to 11 p.m.

412-521-0728

$$$

Bangkok Balcony does Thai food right, and, although it’s on the pricier side, you can really enjoy bang for your buck with a visit to the Balcony.

Chaya Japanese Cuisine

2032 Murray Ave.

Monday-Thursday 5 to 9:30 p.m., Friday-Saturday 5 to 9:45 p.m.

412-422-2082

Its atmosphere feels as authentically Japanese as its extensive sushi menu.

Hokkaido

4612 Browns Hill Road

Sunday-Thursday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday-Saturday 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.

412-421-1422

$$ to $$$

Its namesake is the second-largest island of Japan and is a phenomenal spot for seafood.

How Lee Chinese

5888 Forbes Ave.

Sunday noon to 9:30 p.m., Monday-Thursday 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., Friday-Saturday 11:30 a.m. to 10:15 p.m.

412-422-1888

$ to $$

For a spicier variety, order from the Sichuan menu at How Lee Chinese. A hefty portion makes for the perfect meal after your night class.

Kamei Chinese

2209 Murray Ave.

Tuesday-Sunday noon to 10 p.m.

412-422-2828

$ to $$

Warm up with a pork hot pot and plenty of classic Chinese comfort food.

New Dumpling House & Sushi House

2138 Murray Ave.

Sunday-Thursday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday-Saturday 11 a.m. 11 p.m.

412-422-4178

$ to $$

This restaurant’s menu stretches well beyond its name with traditional Chinese and Asian fusion dishes, including moo-shu pork and yaki udon.

Sakura Teppanyaki & Sushi

5882 Forbes Ave.

Monday-Thursday 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., Friday 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

412-422-7188

$ to $$$

You might not save the day, but it will make your day to try the Chinese Hero Breakfast from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Saturday.

Silk Elephant

1712 Murray Ave.

Sunday-Thursday 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday-Saturday 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.

412-421-8801

$ to $$$

With a chic atmosphere and some of the best tapas in town, Silk Elephant is the ultimate stop for Thai cuisine.

Sun Penang

5829 Forbes Ave.

Monday-Thursday 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., Friday-Saturday 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.

412-421-7600

$ to $$

Sun Penang offers a variety of Chinese dishes as well as a $7 lunch menu from Mondays through Saturdays 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Tan lac Vien

2114 Murray Ave.

Sunday-Thursday 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday-Saturday 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.

412-521-8888

$ to $$

With a No. 1 selling dish like pho dac biet, the mostly Vietnamese menu also has features some flavors of Chinese, Thai and Hibachi.

Rose Tea Cafe

5874 1/2 Forbes Ave.

Sunday-Saturday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

412-421-2238

$ to $$

Nothing quite satisfies your stomach like country style ribs, black pepper sauce and bubble tea.

Squirrel Hill Cafe

5802 Forbes Ave.

Monday-Tuesday 4 p.m. to 2 a.m., Wednesday-Saturday 11 a.m. to 2 a.m., Sunday 6 p.m. to 2 a.m.

412-521-3327

This 21+ restaurant offers an extensive beer collection along with tasty burgers.

Cuzamil Restaurante Mexicano

2109 Murray Ave.

Monday-Saturday 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., Sunday noon to 9 p.m.

412-521-3250

Cuzamil Restaurante Mexico offers homemade, authentic Mexican cuisine, and the California burrito is a crowd favorite.

Cold Stone Creamery

5800 Forbes Ave.

Sunday-Saturday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

412-422-2291

All kosher, Cold Stone Creamery supports its customers’ different tastes. Create your own ice cream mixes with the variety of toppings offered or bring your own toppings to mix in if you like. Cold Stone Creamery also has individual cupcakes and cookies if you aren’t in the mood for ice cream.

Gluuteny

1923 Murray Ave.

Tuesday-Saturday 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

412-521-4890

Gluten-free, dairy-free and sometimes vegan, Gluuteny provides all your favorite baked goods with keen regard to dietary restrictions.

Razzy Fresh

1717 Murray Ave.

Sunday-Saturday noon to 11:30 p.m.

412-521-3145

With a variety of frozen yogurt flavors and numerous toppings to mix in, Razzy Fresh is a great place to maximize your taste buds.

Rita’s Italian Ice

5880 Forbes Ave.