Foodies are flocking to Pittsburgh – here’s why

If you’re the kind of person who gets a kick out of discovering exciting new flavours, there’s a place you need to hear about.

Pittsburgh is a culinary powerhouse that doesn’t do half measures. Forget beige and boring – this is a city of big, bold tastes that linger long after you’ve returned home.

With its legendary industrial history, Pittsburgh was built on innovation. Stroll or cycle around its streets today, and you’ll see this spirit lives on in chef-led restaurants crafting creative, adventurous dishes using fresh local produce.

It’s also worth leaving time to explore the city’s thrilling arts and culture scenes. But wherever you go, you’ll never be far from exceptional food at refreshingly reasonable prices.

And getting there couldn’t be easier, with direct, year-round British Airways flights from Heathrow in addition to Icelandair services from London, Manchester and Glasgow. Aer Lingus will also offer direct flights from Dublin from 25 May offering pre-clearance.

Read on for our top tips – then go and forge your own culinary adventure.

Bold flavours

The good folk of Pittsburgh are justly proud of their city’s foodie transformation. And the world is increasingly taking notice, with local eateries gaining national and international recognition.

When it comes to American culinary honours, they don’t get bigger than the James Beard Awards.

Pittsburgh now boasts more than a dozen semi-finalists, such as Nik Forsberg of fet-fisk, a Nordic seafood restaurant and oyster bar that began life as a pop-up.

Others include Kate Lasky and Tomasz Skowronski of European-inspired vegan hangout Apteka, and Wei Zhu from Chengdu Gourmet, a wildly popular Chinese restaurant specialising in Szechuan cuisine.

Take a taste of the city home with you by attending a pizza-making class at Enrico Biscotti, where a lead pizzaiolo will guide you through the whole process, from dough making to baking. Or grab one of 30 different varieties of handmade, traditional Italian biscotti.

Their flavours range from classic anise almond to creative options like coconut chocolate chip, fig pecan, and black pepper walnut.

If you feel thirsty afterwards, you’re in luck. Pittsburgh has a booming bar scene, from trendy cocktail joints to friendly neighbourhood bars serving craft beer, wine and cider. Cheers!

Food meets fun

In Pittsburgh, food isn’t all starched collars and seriousness – this is a city that knows how to have fun.

After all, where else would you find a whole four-day-long festival dedicated solely to pickles? 

Every year, a whole swathe of downtown is set aside to celebrate this delicious, yet humble ingredient, which has played a key role in the city’s culinary history.

Head along for themed food galore, from pickled peppers in hot sauce to pickle cocktails and (wait for it…) pickles covered in chocolate!

You can also try your hand on the ‘Mechanical Pickle Ride’, or watch contestants compete in the Pickle Juice Drinking Contest – a fan favourite.

This year, Picklesburgh runs from July 16–19, joining a packed calendar of events across the city, with many local businesses offering specials or themed activities. Why not try your hand at Pittsburgh Glass Center’s pickle-shaped glass blowing, for example?

Highlights include PrideFest, Oktoberfest Pittsburgh, and Ribfest – where BBQ classics are served alongside live music and sports-themed entertainment. Keep an eye out too for the Little Italy Days festival in Bloomfield. Running 13-16 August this year, it celebrates authentic Italian-American cuisine, local businesses, artists and bands.

Foodie culture

Food and Pittsburgh’s culture are intrinsically linked. Make the most of this and take one of Burgh Bits & Bites famous tours as a unique way to explore several Pittsburgh neighborhoods. Offering eight different tours, each will immerse you in a local area, connecting you to its community, culture, history and spirit through its unique cuisine.

And it isn’t only food that runs through the city’s history. The legacy of the the Whiskey Rebellion (1791–1794), against the government’s attempt to tax the spirit, has lead to a thriving distillery scene in the city. Small-batch distillerstaking on the legacy of the rebellion, creating craft spirits using local malt and grains, and many local bars and breweries offering immersive experiences for enthusiasts and novices alike.

Pittsburgh’s Appalachian roots have inspired a unique farmer-to-table dining scene across the city, which can be really felt in its network of farmers markets. Serving up local farm fresh produce including eggs, cheese, homemade baked goods, jams and honey.

A meal is only as good as the ingredients used to make it, and these are the places to buy them!

Given its creative approach to food, you won’t be surprised to hear Pittsburgh hosts a thriving arts scene.

The city was the birthplace of legendary pop artist Andy Warhol and today the Andy Warhol Museum stands in his honour as the largest single-artist museum in North America.

For more contemporary art, go to the Mattress Factory, which is known for its immersive, room-scale installations.

Another must-visit spot for arty types is the Pittsburgh Glass Center, which serves as a creative hub for the city’s community of glass artists. And keep an eye out for all the street murals – Pittsburgh is famous for them! Including tributes to iconic Pittsburghers, from rapper Mac Miller to humanitarian and legendary Pirates baseball player, Roberto Clemente.

With so much to see, do, and eat, plus regular flights from the UK and plenty of affordable hotels to choose from, there’s never been a better time to visit this incredible slice of urban America.

If you’re considering a trip, why wait?

Get inspired at visitpittsburgh.com 

Cheer on the black and gold!

Known as the City of Champions, Pittsburgh is home to three top sports teams who all wear black and gold kits.

So why not catch a top-class game while you’re in town? Fans of American football can cheer on the Panthers and Steelers at Acrisure Stadium, formerly Heinz Field.

Alternatively, mix sport with sightseeing by visiting PNC Park, where the Pirates play baseball in a beautiful ground with gorgeous views of the city’s skyline.

For a chance to learn more about the team’s most famous player, Roberto Clemente, pop over to The Clemente Museum – which celebrates his fascinating life on and off the field.

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