Dining Guide: Downtown

American

941 Saloon

941 Liberty Ave.

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

412-281-5222

$$

This Downtown bar offers everything from happy hour specials and karaoke to promoting the ventures of local artists. 

 Apollo Café

429 Forbes Ave.

Monday-Friday 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

412-471-3033

$

The Apollo Cafe specializes in Mediterranean, gourmet and vegetarian homemade cuisine. The cafe is best known for its soups.

August Henry’s City Saloon

946 Penn Ave.

Kitchen: Monday-Thursday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday-Saturday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Bar: Open late every night (around 2)

412-765-3270

$$$

August Henry’s claims to have the best steaks and crab cakes in the Cultural District.Doubleday Famous Burgers

121 6th St.

Monday-Friday 11 a.m. to 2 a.m., Saturday 2 p.m. to 2 a.m., Sunday 4 p.m. to midnight

412-281-3653

$

Across the Clemente Bridge from PNC Park, this restaurant offers burgers and beers for before or after any Pirates game. 

Easy Street

301 Grant St.

Monday-Friday 11:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.

412-235-7984

$$

Opened in 2009, Easy Street is a newer face on the Downtown cuisine scene. Typical American fare is on the menu, featuring chicken, fish and beef entrees next to pizza, burgers and wings. 

Fernando’s Café

963 Liberty Ave.

Every day 10 a.m. to 10:45 p.m.

412-281-4522

$

Fernando’s is designed more for the grab-and-go crowd, with subs and pizzas making up most of the menu. 

Grant Street Tavern

310 Grant St.

Monday-Friday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

412-261-4805

$$

Located inside the entrance to the Grant Building, the Grant Street Tavern offers a place to grab a quick bite or drink after the workday. 

Habitat

510 Market St.

773-8848

Breakfast: Sunday-Saturday 6:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Breakfast Buffet: Sunday 8 to 11 a.m.

Brunch (a la carte menu): Saturday and Sunday 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Lunch: Monday-Friday 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Dinner: Sunday-Thursday 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Friday and Saturday 5 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.

$$$$

Habitat boasts itself as “Internationally Inspired, Locally Unique” and lives up to it with choices ranging from naan bread appetizers to simple steak dinners.

Keystone Cafe & Deli

339 Sixth Ave.

Monday-Friday 5 a.m. to 3 p.m.

412-316-0092

$

This Downtown deli posts its specials daily on its blog, which include basic items like macaroni salad as well as more unique choices, such as strawberry pretzel salad. 

Gateway Café

2 Gateway Center 

Monday-Friday 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

412-261-9672

$

Located in the heart of the Gateway Center, Gateway Cafe offers professionals standard American fare for breakfast and lunch.  

Verde Good Beans 

412 First Ave. 

Monday-Friday 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

412-523-8885

$

This family-run establishment boasts coffee unrivaled by many of the area’s chains, in addition to quality baked goods. 

Mahoney’s Restaurant

949 Liberty Ave.

412-471-4243

Monday-Wednesday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Thursday-Friday 11 a.m. to 1 a.m., Saturday noon to 1 a.m.

$-$$

Located near the Convention Center and Strip District, Mahoney’s serves beer and food for both lunch and dinner.

Melange Bistro Bar

136 Sixth St.

Monday 9 p.m. to 2 a.m., Wednesday-Saturday 4 p.m. to 2 a.m.

412-325-4310

$$-$$$

The self-proclaimed “newest hot spot” Downtown, Melange hosts private events in addition to its regular hours.

Mitchell’s

304 Ross St.

Restaurant: Monday-Thursday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Bar: Monday-Friday 10 a.m. to 2 a.m., Saturday 6 p.m. to 2 a.m.

412-471-3663

$-$$

Mitchell’s has been welcoming types of food and customers from all walks of life for over 100 years in Pittsburgh.

Nicky’s Grant Street

330 Grant St.

Monday-Friday 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

412-391-3900

$-$$

Nicky’s brings traditional diner fare to Pittsburgh’s Downtown.

Nine on Nine

900 Penn Ave.

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

412-338-6463

$-$$

A sit-down and bar eatery, Nine on Nine offers gourmet options for both bar snacks and traditional dinners.

Olive or Twist

140 Sixth St.

Monday-Friday 11:30 a.m. to midnight, Saturday 5 p.m. to 2 a.m., 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.

412-255-0525

$$

Olive or Twist serves award-winning cocktails and martinis while also offering a full-spread menu.

Red Ring Restaurant

1015 Forbes Ave.

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

412-396-3550

$$

The Red Ring is affiliated with Duquesne and placed near Consol Energy Center, but the restaurant offers ample TVs for watching any sporting event.

Ruth’s Chris Steak House

6 PPG Place

Monday-Thursday 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., Friday 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 11 p.m., Saturday 5 p.m. to 11 p.m., Sunday 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

412-391-4800

$$

Serving up USDA prime steak hot off the grill, Ruth’s Chris is known for its pairing of fine meat and fine wine.

Six Penn Kitchen

146 Sixth St.

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

(412) 566-7366

$$

Great outdoor seating on rooftop deck, but limited dinner menu. Unique drink list, good Sangria.

Sonoma Grille

947 Penn Ave.

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

(412) 697-1336

$$

Serving over 1,000 wines, Sonoma Grille is recognized for an extensive collection of fine wine and a new menu every month.

Steelhead Brasserie & Wine Bar

112 Washington Place

Breakfast: Monday-Friday 6:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. and Saturday-Sunday 6:30 a.m. to noon

Lunch: Monday-Friday 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Dinner: Monday-Thursday 11 a.m. to 12 a.m., Friday-Saturday 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.

(412) 394-3474

$$

Steelhead recently underwent remodeling — to its appearance and menu. The restaurant now offers a wine bar and lounge and brings more than just seafood to the table.

Storms Restaurant

429 Fourth Ave.

Monday-Friday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

412-288-4321

$$

Lunch menu is great value. Popular lunch spot for Grant Street attorneys and Court House employees.

Tavern 245

245 Fourth Ave.

Restaurant and Bar

Monday-Friday 11 a.m. to 2 a.m., Saturday 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 2 a.m.

412-281-4345

$$

Known for hamburgers, arugula salads and unique sandwiches. 

Tonic Bar & Grill

971 Liberty Ave.

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

412-456-0460

$$

Great buffalo chicken sandwiches and turkey burgers. Large bar offers wide variety of drinks. 

Wiener World

626 Smithfield St.

Monday-Thursday 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Friday 6 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

412-471-3013

$

The line for soft ice cream stretches down the block during the summertime, but hot dogs, grilled to perfection, compliment any large cone.

Simpatico Espresso

425 Sixth Ave.

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

412-287-7598

$

Lots of very natural, organic, healthy options. Great coffee in Pittsburgh.

Asian 

Chan An 

2013 Wharton St.

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

(412) 381-3188

$

While competing with Lin’s Asian Fusion in the South Side, Chan An boasts cheap food with good value on combination plates. 

Chinatown Inn

520 Third Ave.

Monday-Thursday 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Friday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Saturday noon to 11 p.m.

Sunday 2 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.

412-261-1292

412-281-6708

$

Located across the street from the Grant Building, Chinatown Inn is open every day for dinner and tabbed as one of WPXI’s best Chinese restaurants in Pittsburgh. 

Fu Lai Chinese 

525 Penn Ave.

Monday-Friday 10:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Saturday noon to 9:30 p.m. 

Sunday noon to 9 p.m.

412-471-6338

$

This restaurant’s web site features a bevy of coupon offers, alongside an extensive menu. 

Golden Palace Buffet

647 Smithfield St.

Sunday-Saturday 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.

412-338-1888

$

Next to the buffet, Golden Palace also offers affordable dishes made-to-order. 

Hong Kong Express 

529 Second Ave.

Monday-Friday 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Saturday-Sunday noon to 8 p.m.

412-281-7288

$

Located near the Art Institute, Hong Kong Express is known for its Singapore rice noodle dish. 

Mandarin Gourmet 

305 Wood St.

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

412-261-6151

$

Mandarin Gourmet offers free delivery within a three-mile range as well as an online reservation system. In a twist from other Asian restaurants, Mandarin Gourmet also offers specialty cocktails like the Mandarin Panda and Mai Tai. 

Sweetlix Tart Frozen Yogurt

820 Liberty Ave.

Monday-Friday 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday noon to 6 p.m., closed Sunday

412-281-2171

$-$$

Sweetlix serves all kinds of frozen yogurt and is an affordable dessert option.

India Palace Cuisine

137 Sixth St.

Monday-Saturday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., closed Sunday

412-471-0660

$$-$$$

India Palace serves authentic Indian food for a buffet lunch and a more traditional, sit-down dinner.

Indian Spices, LLC

129 Sixth St.

Sunday-Saturday 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.

$-$$

Indian Spices includes an Indian buffet as well as many vegetarian options.

Italian 

Bravo Franco Ristorante

613 Penn Ave.

Monday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Tuesday-Thursday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Friday-Saturday 11 a.m. to midnight, Sunday noon to 6 p.m.

412-642-6677

$$-$$$

Bravo Franco Ristorante is known for its fine dining and romantic venue.

Buon Giorno Café

6 Smithfield St.

Sunday-Saturday 6 a.m. to 5 p.m.

412-471-9048

$$-$$$

Buon Giorno is a family-owned business that serves imported Italian varieties.

Il Padrino

3407 W. Liberty Ave.

Monday-Thursday  10 a.m. to 10 p.m.,  Friday-Saturday 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday 11 a.m to 8 p.m.

412-344-6666

$-$$

Il Padrino is a family owned Italian restaurant and pizzeria.

Monte Cello’s

305 Seventh Ave.

Monday-Friday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., closed Sunday

412-261-2080

$-$$

Monte Cello’s is a fairly priced pizzeria in the Downtown district.

Pizza

Ephesus Pizza

219 Fourth Ave.

Monday-Thursday 10 a.m. to 1 a.m., Friday-Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 a.m., Sunday 11 a.m. to 1 a.m.

412-552-9020

$

Opened by a Turkish family in 2001, Ephesus Mediterranean Kitchen puts a spin on the traditional pizza pie. Stop by their Downtown location for unique pizza flavors that cannot be found elsewhere.

Fat Tommy’s Pizzeria

115 Forbes Ave.

Monday-Friday 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. or later, Saturday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. or later

412-560-4419

$$

Located in Market Square across from PPG Place, Fat Tommy’s Pizzeria is a great option for traditional brick oven pizzas made by Tommy, who is of Italian heritage himself.

Genoa Pizza and Bar

111 Market St.

Sunday-Thursday 10 a.m. to 2 a.m., Friday-Saturday 10 a.m. to 3 a.m.

412-281-6100

$$

If you’re craving pizza, wings, pasta or stromboli during your late-night study session, call Genoa Pizza for your midnight snack — with no delivery charge to Oakland!

Giovanni’s Pizza and Pasta

123 Sixth St.

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

412-281-7060

$$

Giovanni’s Pizza prides themselves on using only the freshest of ingredients in their pizzas and pastas. To get a “Taste of Italy at Your Doorstep,” dine in, take out or order food for delivery at Giovanni’s.