Pittsburgh is a gem of culinary diversity. Thai, Contemporary American and Indian cuisine… Pittsburgh is a gem of culinary diversity. Thai, Contemporary American and Indian cuisine can all be found here – and let’s not forget good old-fashioned pizza. There are many bistro and cafe-style restaurants as well, in addition to fine dining and the casual restaurants located throughout the city.

One of the most recent additions to the area are tapas bars offering a range of small bites, the best of which, called Tusca, is located only a bus ride away from campus in Southside Works.

Tapas is the name for the wide variety of appetizer-like dishes known as small bites and are a great way to share and sample a large variety of flavors and new tastes. Each plate at Tusca generally ranges from $4 to 10, making this dining experience very student-friendly.

Another great tapas bar is the Silk Elephant, which offers Thai tapas and a wine bar. The restaurant is located in the busy neighborhood of Squirrel Hill on Murray Avenue.

In Shadyside, yet another unique neighborhood also not far from campus, there are several restaurants from which to choose, from sushi to Thai food. In the summer, many Shadyside restaurants offer al fresco dining as well.

Another unique eatery in Shadyside is the Sunnyledge Boutique Hotel and Restaurant. This restaurant is a wonderful way to celebrate a very special occasion. This five-star restaurant and boutique hotel offers an eclectic blend of continental Mediterranean cuisine in a romantic, intimate setting. The Sunnyledge also has an extensive martini bar for the of-age crowd, with appealing dinner selections like South African lobster and other seafood, specialty salads and a wide array of meats with tantalizing glazes and sauces.

For breakfast, the Square Cafe located in Regent Square is one of your best bets. The cafe is decked out in 1950s decor and offers an amazing breakfast and lunch menu. Breakfasts being the cafe’s true specialty, menu items to die for include homemade crepes adorned with all sorts of fresh fruit, chocolate and cheeses, as well as rich omelets.

Moving on to Oakland, the neighborhood most of us call home: You will notice a great selection of fine foods, primarily for lunch, around the beautiful Carnegie Museum of Art and the Phipps Conservatory. The Phipps Cafe serves breakfast, lunch, fair-trade coffee and more, offering eclectic fare and seasonal foods that are mostly organic and purchased from regional growers.

Even closer to campus, you can find just about everything you need for a full stomach. Great Mexican food is at the Qdoba Mexican Grill located on Forbes Ave. The restaurant offers all of the traditional Mexican fare you’re used to, including burritos, tacos and quesadillas.

If you are looking for a more casual and fun atmosphere, Fuel and Fuddle is also close by. This restaurant and bar located on Oakland Avenue offers traditional American fare including brick-oven pizzas, sirloin burgers, custom salads and more. They also offer a variety of beers including pale ale and brown ale.

For those who stay away from meat in their diets, many of the restaurants mentioned above are vegetarian friendly. As far as an entirely vegetarian restaurant, the Zenith, located in Pittsburgh’s historic Southside, is the place. Menu selections include ginger sesame tofu (sauteed tofu and mixed veggies over basmati rice with a sweet and spicy ginger sesame sauce) and Creole stuffed peppers (peppers filled with a mix of brown rice, okra, tomato, corn and onions topped with a spicy tomato sauce).

Part of the experience in Pittsburgh is the diversity of its food. So have a true adventure in dining and let your taste buds go wild.