Dining Guide: Shadyside

AMERICAN

The Bagel Factory

5885 Forbes Ave.

Monday 6 a.m. to 6 p.m, Tuesday-Saturday 6 a.m. to 7 p.m, Sunday 6 a.m. to 5 p.m

412-521-8100

$

One of Pittsburgh’s only local bagel chains, The Bagel Factory provides freshly baked bagels in-house — as in, the dough is produced right there. Their wide-ranging menu also includes more traditional American lunch fare, such as burgers and chicken wings. 

Bites and Brews

5750 Ellsworth Ave.

Sunday-Saturday: 4 p.m. to 2 a.m.

412 361-4425

$$

Known for their expansive list of drafts for happy hour and make-your-own pizzas, Bites and Brews gives a creative spin on the pizza pub experience. If you’re feeling indecisive about which toppings to add, they also have a full menu of specialized pizzas.

BRGR

5997 Penn Circle S.

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

(412) 362-2333

$$ to $$$

With a contemporary, yet western, feel, BRGR serves grass-fed beef burgers and spiked milkshakes. Their burgers are finished off with unique toppings. Vegetarians beware: the menu is beef heavy (but does have the option of turkey or salmon) so one might want to come just for the milkshakes.

Bruegger’s Bagels

806 S. Aiken Ave.

Monday-Friday: 5:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday-Sunday: 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.

412-621-2335

$

The best of Pittsburgh’s national bagel chains, Bruegger’s keeps things fresh — bagels are usually a minimum of warm when served to you. In addition to a variety of bagel sandwiches, Bruegger’s offers wraps, pizza and desserts if you want a change of pace from the bagel-coffee combo.

Buffalo Blues

216 S. Highland Ave.

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

412-362-5837

$ to $$

Buffalo Blues is best known to locals as a great place to grab a bite of delicious barbeque. Renowned for their ribs and wings, Buffalo Blues won the 2014 Reader’s Choice Neighborhood Award in the restaurant category of Shadyside/East Liberty. Stop by for a wide variety of French fry flavors or just to devour wings coated in your choice of 14 mild and hot sauces.

Elbow Room

5533 Walnut St.

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

412-441-5222

$$ to $$$

The Elbow Room is an off-the-cuff tavern that offers an assortment of American dishes ranging from burgers to fried green tomatoes to homestyle meatloaf. In addition to the set menu, every week the Elbow Room has seasonal specials. There is Meatless Monday, Big Catch Friday, Surf & Turf Saturday and much more. The cozy atmosphere is a perfect place to grab a drink or sit with friends and family and chat over a delicious meal.

Harris Grill

5747 Ellsworth Ave. 

Monday-Saturday 11:30 a.m. to 2 a.m., Sunday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

412-362-5273

$$

Harris Grill’s extensive menu could be overwhelming to some, but, to any Pittsburgh foodie, it is a dream come true. The Harris Grill, located on Ellsworth Avenue, serves almost anything one could imagine: burgers, pasta, chicken — you name it. After picking one of the many options for your meal, Harris Grill also offers more than a dozen beers on tap as well as a large cocktail menu.

Highlander Pub

228 S. Highland Ave.

Monday-Saturday 3 p.m. to midnight, closed Sunday

412-361-2747

$

It’s a little bit off the beaten path, but the Highlander Pub is a restaurant-bar with plenty to offer. Though it may not catch your eye from the physical appearance on the outside, the Highlander Pub provides bar-goers with all they need: tons of beer on tap, inexpensive pub-like meal options, available smoking areas for those interested and an outdoor deck for some fresh air.  

K&T’s Fish and Chicken

4521 Centre Ave.

Monday-Thursday noon to 10:45 p.m., Friday 2 p.m. to 11 p.m., Saturday-Sunday noon to 10:45

412-621-2526

$

K&T’s offers a wide variety of options, from classic chicken dishes served with fries and coleslaw to fish with a Moroccan flair. Located right on Centre Avenue, K&T’s also provides an extensive website with “order online” capabilities. Almost everything is under $10, except for wings in bulk. 

Pamela’s Diner

5527 Walnut St.

Monday-Saturday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

412-683-1003

$ to $$

Known for its crepe-like pancakes, Pamela’s serves the best breakfast in Oakland — but also has a Shadyside location. The retro-themed environment is unique and fun, and the menu is affordable considering the outstanding quality of the food. Pamela’s only accepts cash, so make sure to hit the ATM beforehand.

Shady Grove

5500 Walnut St.

412-697-0909

Sunday-Saturday 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.

$$

Shady Grove is an American restaurant that offers a diverse menu at a decent price. Its café-esque setting makes it a great place to relax and enjoy your meal.

Sharp Edge Beer Emporium

302 S. St. Clair St.

412-661-3537

Monday-Thursday 11 a.m. to midnight, Friday-Saturday 11 a.m. to 1 a.m., Sunday noon to 9 p.m.

$$

Offering over 250 varieties of beer with 40 on tap, the Sharp Edge Beer Emporium is a great place for beer enthusiasts as well as those looking for a good all-American meal.

William Penn Tavern

739 Bellefonte St.

412-621-1000

Sunday-Saturday 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.

$

Open late 7 days a week, the William Penn Tavern provides Shadyside with the classic full-bar experience, with sports broadcasts, dollar drafts and plenty of options on tap. Greasy and satisfying pub food still abound, including sandwiches and mac and cheese bites, but the fan favorite is still their ginger-garlic-parmesan-chili “kitchen sink” wings.

EUROPEAN

Paris 66

412-404-8166

6018 Penn Circle S.

Monday-Thursday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday-Saturday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

$$ to $$$

Voted “Best French Restaurant” by Pittsburgh Magazine, Paris 66 offers a quaint, traditional-style bistro with classical French cuisine. Offering everything from French-style chicken and beef dishes to the classic crepe, Paris 66 brings a little piece of the City of Lights to Pittsburgh.

Sunnyledge Boutique Hotel & Tea Room

412-683-5014

5124 Fifth Ave.

Tuesday-Saturday lunch 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Tuesday-Sunday formal tea 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., dinner 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., Sunday brunch 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

$$$ to $$$$

Appearing more like a private residence than a hotel and restaurant, this cozy restaurant set in a 19th century mansion offers a fine dining experience unlike no other in Pittsburgh.

LATIN AMERICAN

La Feria

5527 Walnut St.

Monday-Saturday 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

412-682-4501

$ to $$

Peru comes to Pittsburgh. Located above Pamela’s Diner, La Feria offers tasty Peruvian cuisine as well as a crafty and eclectic gift shop. A great little spot to grab lunch or dinner, the healthy dining options are endless, and the casual and comfortable setting is great for a relaxing meal. If you’d rather stay in, La Feria also provides catering and take-out.

ASIAN

Umi

5849 Ellsworth Ave.

Tuesday-Thursday 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., Friday-Saturday 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., closed Sunday-Monday

412-362-6198

$$$$

This upscale Japanese restaurant and sushi bar is sure to leave any sushi fan satisfied. A great place for special occasions, Umi offers some of the freshest sushi in the area, as well as many other Japanese dishes. Umi provides optional floor seating and an intimate atmosphere giving its guests an authentic Japanese dining experience.

China Palace

5440 Walnut St.

Monday-Saturday: 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 9:45 p.m., Sunday: 12 p.m. to 9 p.m.

412-687-5555

$$

China Palace is a Chinese restaurant offering a wide variety of traditional Chinese dishes and new spins on those dishes. Appetizers, entrees and desserts are available for dine-in or delivery, a deciding factor for most dinners.

Soba

5847 Ellsworth Ave.

Sunday 5 p.m. to midnight, Monday-Thursday 5 p.m. to 1 a.m., and Friday-Saturday 5 p.m. to 2 a.m.

412-362-5656

$$-$$$

Soba, an upscale, small plates restaurant located in Shadyside, leaves a lasting impression on its diners. Offering a wide variety of Chinese, Japanese, Thai and Korean dishes, Soba caters to large groups who want to try out each other’s dishes. Soba also doubles as a cocktail lounge. 

Tasty Chinese

213 S. Highland Ave.

Sunday-Saturday: 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.

412 361-8888

$

Tasty is sure to have everyone’s favorite. With an extensive menu, Tasty offers a wide variety of dishes at very low prices. Their food is also available for delivery at a $15 minimum. According to Tasty’s website, they “specialize in crafting mouth-watering food and providing superb customer service.” 

Thai Place

5528 Walnut St.

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

412-687-8586

$-$$

Critically acclaimed and proud of it, Thai Place Restaurant is an easy place to eat out affordably and get more than your money’s worth. Take out or dine in, selecting from an elaborate and expansive menu, featuring vegetarian options and countless interesting dishes, such as seafood ginger curry, basil duck and panang salmon.

MIDDLE EASTERN

Casbah

229 S. Highland Ave.

Monday-Thursday 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 and 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., Friday-Saturday 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 11 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

412-661-5656

$-$$$$

Enjoy the amenities of Mediterranean cuisine in a fine dining experience that is unique and delectable. Made with local ingredients, each dish has its own interpretations of classic meals and some wholly originals, both making for a fascinating eating experience.

CAFES

Cappy’s Café

5431 Walnut St.

Monday–Friday 11 a.m. to 2 a.m., Saturday–Sunday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.  

412-621-1188

$

Cappy’s is a cozy local cafe on Walnut Street over in Shadyside. They serve everything from hoagies to pizza, but the main draw is the breakfast. No one item on the breakfast menu exceeds $7, making it one of the most affordable (not to mention delicious) spots on Walnut. 

Coffee Tree Roasters

5524 Walnut St.

Sunday-Saturday 6 a.m. to midnight

412-621-6880 

$

The Coffee Tree Roasters, located on Walnut Street in Shadyside, is a Pittsburgh-area chain coffee house/café. Offering locally roasted coffee and pastries, Coffee Tree is a homey atmosphere that is a worthy option over Starbucks. 

Crazy Mocha

5830 Ellsworth Avenue

Monday–Friday 7:30 a.m. to 11 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m. to 11 p.m., Sunday 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.

412-621-7440

$

Crazy Mocha is perhaps Pittsburgh’s most recognized coffee chain, with a branch right on campus, on Oakland Avenue. 

Jitters Cafe and Ice Cream

5541 Walnut St.

412-621-2316

Sunday-Monday 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

$

Enjoy some time with the whole family and grab one of their seven specialty sandwiches, as well as other items. You can also simply grab a coffee and some ice cream for the kids. Outdoor seating is available for your convenience.  

SWEETS

Mercurio’s Mulberry Creamery

5523 Walnut St.

Sunday-Monday 1 p.m. to 9 p.m., Tuesday-Thursday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday-Saturday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. 

412-621-6220

$$

Mercurio’s, a family-owned restaurant, is more than just your typical ice cream shop. The restaurant offers a full menu, serving signature items like a neapolitan pizza, salads and paninis. The restaurant also offers a cafe menu, which offers Italian delicacies from bruschetta to prosciutto pomodoro. 

Oh Yeah! Ice Cream and Coffee Co.

232 S. Highland Ave. 

Monday-Friday 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday-Sunday noon to 10 p.m. 

412-253-0955

$$

Oh Yeah! is an eccentric hybrid between a coffee shop and an ice cream parlor. The establishment brings certain elements one would find at a trendy coffee shop, such as live entertainment, right to their customers. It also caters to Pittsburgh’s younger population by offering Friday night films. 

Prantl’s Bakery

5525 Walnut St. 

Monday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday-Saturday 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.  

412-621-2092

$

Prantl’s offers take-out options, while specializing in celebrations and weddings. From delectable homemade cupcakes to custom-designed cakes for any special occasion, Prantl’s has much to offer in the realm of specialty baked goods. With a commitment to excellence, Prantl’s has earned itself a sterling reputation among Pittsburghers who like to celebrate.  

Vanilla Pastry Studio

1130 S. Braddock Ave.

Tuesday-Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

412-242-9820

$ to $$$$

“The Sugar Fairy” April Simpson makes cupcakes, cookies, pastries, cakes, breads, brownies and custom treats of all sugary varieties. Try a peppermint brownie, nut-n-honey cookie or mango passionfruit cupcake. It’s about time for seasonal goodies to come rolling in, and these include pumpkin pie, chocolate tangerine and gingerbread “lollys,” a signature dessert on a stick.

PIZZA

Pizza Parma

217 S. Highland Ave.

Sunday-Thursday 10 a.m. to 1 a.m., Friday-Saturday 10 a.m to 2 a.m. 

412-441-6600

$ to $$$

If your Italian food itch needs an answer, Pizza Parma has plenty of options. Its pizzas can be customized for personal dining or a group chow fest, and its specialty pies have an option for everyone: broccoli chicken, seafood, garden, Mediterranean and signature Parma pizzas come pre-loaded with delicious toppings. A huge selection of fried appetizers awaits, as well as numerous choices of hoagies, gyros, calzones, pastas and salads.

Pizza Perfectta

258 S. Highland Ave.

412-661-9991

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

$ to $$

Pizza Perfectta is a pretty run-of-the-mill corner pizza shop, offering Italian staples, chicken wings and two-liter bottles of soda. However, the selling point for Perfectta is its location right on South Highland in Shadyside and its late-night hours. For those who have moved off campus, Perfectta is a welcomed option and better quality slice than the standard Oakland fare. 

S. Aiken Bar & Grille

815 S. Aiken Ave.

412-682-6878

Monday-Tuesday 4 p.m. to 1 a.m., Wednesday-Saturday 4 p.m. to 3 a.m., Sunday 4 p.m. to 1 a.m.

$ to $$

If you spend most of your night drinking gin and tonics at Mardi Gras, rest assured you will still have a place to go once the place kicks you out. The S. Aiken Bar & Grille, open until 3 a.m. most nights, is a cozy little bar/restaurant with outdoor seating, conveniently located right off of busy Walnut Street. The food is broadly described as Americana, meaning it’s not a bad place to grab a burger, and you can always buy a six pack to go if you’re on the run.