Pittsburgh may not have the legendary brunch scene of say, New York City or Washington D.C., but as it turns out, we’re doing pretty well for ourselves.
Restaurants across the city have risen to the occasion (the occasion, of course, being boozy breakfast) over the past few years. We now have nearly endless options of places to go, and things to try.
For example: Chorizo and Grits, Eggs Benedict Burgers, and Tiramisu French Toast are all brunch dishes that are currently being served in Pittsburgh.
And we haven’t even touched on the subject of brunch cocktails.
So, loosen a notch (or two) on your belt and take a look at our list of 19 mouth-watering Pittsburgh brunches.
or, The Whale
Downtown
The newcomer to the Downtown brunch scene has something special up its sleeve – brunch seven days a week. Yes, this means you can dine in their seaside-inspired space and eat dishes like Eggs Chesapeake, Shrimp & Crab Cocktail, Steak + Eggs, and Shakshuka any day of week.
The interior is airy and beautiful, and reminiscent of a Nantucket beach house, which is fitting, as the entire restaurant is themed after Moby Dick. With two cocktail bars (yes, two) and a raw bar with fresh oysters, it is impossible to leave unsatisfied.
Reservations can be made online.
or, The Whale (463 Blvd. of the Allies)
Casellula
Northside
Cheese lovers, rejoice! You can now get Casellula’s unique cheese pairings for brunch! The restaurant just began their weekend brunch service which runs every Saturday and Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Items on the menu include: Avocado toast with heirloom tomatoes, “Eggs in Purgatory,” with marinara, and – a customer favorite from the dinner menu – the Pig’s Ass Sandwich.
Casellula’s cheesemonger will also be on site, serving expertly-selected cheese with accoutrements. Be sure to peruse their potent cocktail list.
Reservations can be made on their website.
Casellula (40 W North Avenue)
Smallman Galley
Strip District
Four brunch options in one room? Sounds like the Smallman Galley in the Strip District.
One of Pittsburgh’s favorite restaurant concepts – which houses four restaurant-ettes into one galley hall – offers brunch service starting at 10:00 a.m. on the weekends. Must-get items include: Banana & Walnut Pancakes from brunoise, Jasmine Broken Rice with Chinese Sausage at Banhmilicious, Poached Eggs with Carrot Salsa from Colonia, and, of course, the “Brunch Pie” from Iron Born, which is a breakfast pizza with sausage, shaved fingerling potato, cheddar cheese, and a maple drizzle (!).
Finally no meal at Smallman is complete without at least looking at their famous drink menu. Fall cocktails should arrive early October!
Smallman Galley (54 21st Street)
Pear and the Pickle
Troy Hill
If you’re looking for a hearty breakfast sandwich any day of the week, make the trek up Rialto Street to the Pear and the Pickle on Troy Hill. This quaint and rustic cafe serves seasonally-inspired salads, soups, sandwiches, and freshly-baked goods.
The Pear and the Pickle is also a neighborhood general store and cafe, selling kitchen staples and strong cups of coffee.
For breakfast – which is served all day – the cafe serves (soon-to-be famous) bacon, sausage, egg, and cheese sandwiches. Other sandwiches include the “Troy Hill Turkey,” with cracked pepper turkey, Swiss cheese, garlic aioli, lettuce, and tomato. All sandwiches are served on Pittsburgh-favorite Mancini bread.
Pear and the Pickle (1800 Rialto Street)
Union Standard
Downtown
Located in the Union Trust Building Downtown, Chef Derek Stevens’ solo venture – which opened earlier this year – has begun offering a weekend brunch service. As a “modern-American” space, guests can order elevated avocado toast, breakfast salads, oatmeal, and oysters from the restaurant’s raw bar.
A highlight of the menu are the bar’s new “coffee cocktails,” including a “Cognac Cold Brew” and “Coffee Caipirinha”
The Union Standard is also serving Cinnamon Roll French Toast, Berkshire Pork Hash, Griddled Swiss Cheese Potato Bread, and more.
Reservations can be made online.
Union Standard (524 William Penn Place)
Cornerstone Restaurant & Bar
Aspinwall
Located in the quaint neighborhood of Aspinwall, just across the Highland Park bridge, is Cornerstone, a relaxed bistro with a fabulous outdoor dining space.
Customers love their “Cornerstone Scramble,” with ground lamb, Buffalo & Grits with house made buffalo pastrami, and the their signature Reuben. There is also an entire Benedict menu, and a sweet section, too.
Cornerstone Restaurant & Bar (301 Freeport Road)
The Café Carnegie
Oakland
The Café Carnegie completely elevated the brunch game in Oakland…and everyone is so grateful for it. Make a full day at the Carnegie Museum of Art by stopping through the cafe before checking out the exhibits.
Spearheaded by Pittsburgh cooking royalty and James Beard semi-finalist Sonja Finn, the menu provides a light, but flavorful brunch spread.
Start your meal with the mini Jelly Donuts (filled with homemade concord grape jelly), oysters, or cinnamon buns. Brunch sandwich options include Bocadillo di Tortilla and the Wild Gulf Shrimp Roll. Other favorites are the Soft Baked Eggs in Ratatouille, and the Banana Buttermilk Pancakes.
Reservations can be made online.
The Café Carnegie (4400 Forbes Avenue)
Gluten Free Goat
Garfield
No gluten? No problem. The Gluten Free Goat on Penn Avenue in Garfield serves a completely gluten-free and vegan-friendly brunch every weekend.
Items change regularly as the cafe uses seasonal ingredients and expands their offerings. For example, they now offer Paleo chocolate pudding, and a rice pudding sweetened with maple syrup and orange zest.
In the past, items have included a vegan coconut curry pot pie, and a vegan BLT with local heirloom tomatoes, and house-made shiitake bacon.
There are also plenty of pastries, treats, and even vegan ice cream sandwiches. Plus, their gluten-free donuts are almost always on the menu, and are famous throughout Pittsburgh.
Gluten Free Goat Bakery & Cafe (4905 Penn Ave
B52 Café
Lawrenceville
Located at the corner of Butler and 52nd streets in Upper Lawrenceville, B52 is a vegan cafe that focuses on a fusion of American and Middle Eastern cuisine. The space functions as both a restaurant, and a coffee shop, with fabulous baked goods, chocolates, and a full service espresso bar.
B52 serves brunch on Sundays, making thick-cut toasts, flatbreads, and flavorful sides. Don’t miss their Buckwheat Sourdough Pancakes, tofu scramble, or fresh brewed coffee.
Their full menu can be found online.
B52 (5202 Butler Street)
Spoon
East Liberty
A original member of Pittsburgh’s East Liberty food scene, Spoon has been serving up one of the best brunches in Pittsburgh for years. With their newly redone interior, and absolutely massive gin menu, there’s no better time to experience brunch at Spoon.
Menu options include Sour Cream Bread Pudding, Cumin-Braised Pork Burrito, and the Puerto Rican Girl Ramen. They also offer is also a sweet bar (which is more like a buffet) with different cookies, brownies, and pastries.
On the special brunch cocktail menu, checkout the “Witches Coffee” with Strega, coffee, and cream.
Reservations can be made online.
Spoon (134 S Highland Avenue)
Studio AM
Homestead
Brunch at Studio AM is for artistic souls… and anyone who just really enjoys good food. This space is the artistic outpouring of Pittsburgh artist Baron Batch. Studio AM is Batch’s Homestead studio and “creative space.”
On the weekend, guests are invited to dine in the vibrant space and get inspired. The menu is BYOB and prix fixe at $25 per person. Visitors can expect no shortage of food.
“Chef Steve” first serves guests a buffet, with different vegetables, breakfast potatoes, bacon, sausage – the breakfast essentials. Guests are then served three courses: strawberry French toast & banana chocolate pancakes, sausage Gravy & biscuits, and a weekly rotating special.
Reservations can be made online.
Studio AM (225 E. 8th Avenue)
Bitter Ends Garden
Coming Soon to Bloomfield
Here’s the thing – you never realize how great a breakfast salad is until you have one. We can all thank Bitter Ends Garden for opening our eyes to that.
If you want to start your day with fresh vegetables, transformed into a sandwich, toast, or breakfast salad unlike anything you’ve ever had before, then this is the place. James Beard nominee Becca Hegarty (formerly Cafe Carnegie and Bread & Salt) spearheads the Bitter Ends Garden Project.
On an 8000 square-foot farm in Verona, Hegarty and her team lovingly grow seasonal vegetables, which they sell au naturale – with maybe some light dress and seasonings – at different farmer’s markets and pop-ups. Menu items have included tomato salad, blueberry hand pie, eggplant sandwiches, and doughnuts with unique glazes like cherry or nasturtium
Hegarty recently announced that they will be opening a permanent breakfast counter in Bloomfield this fall.
Bar Marco
Strip District
If there is one thing Pittsburgh restaurant’s know how to do, it’s to offer a killer brunch cocktail menu. Bar Marco – located on Penn Avenue in the Strip – might just be the masters of this craft.
Menu items are sure to impress with dishes like Tiramisu French Toast, Lemon-Buttermilk Pancakes, Fried Zucchini Benedict, and a Croque BLT.
And yes, we said Tiramisu French Toast.
Start your day with Bar Marco’s famous “dealer’s choice” cocktail option, where you describe to the bartender your flavor palette, and they come up with something unique for you.
Reservations can be made by emailing [email protected].
Bar Marco (2216 Penn Avenue)
Benjamin’s Western Avenue Burger Bar
Northside
You know any brunch menu where the first item is “Hangover Helper” is going to be excellent. Benjamin’s – neighborhood bar located on the Northside – is known for their draft list, collection of bourbon, rye, Irish & Scotch whiskeys, and extensive (and juicy) burger menu.
Benjamins host brunch on Saturday and Sundays from 10:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. They serve a special menu in addition to their regular menu, and have a build-your-own Bloody Mary bar. Dishes include the “My Morning Burger,” topped with home fries, bacon, fried egg, hot sauce mayo, and French-Toast Pudding. Their standard burger menu features creations like the “Goat Cheese & Apple,” “Buffalo Blue,” and “Candied Jalapeno.”
Benjamin’s Western Avenue Burger Bar (900 Western Avenue)
Spirit
Lawrenceville
Spirit in Lawrenceville is known across the city for their delicious, square-cut slices of pizza. But did you know, every Saturday & Sunday, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Spirit offers an endless pizza and brunch bar for just $15 per person?
Yeah, I would clear your schedule for this weekend.
The brunch bar has options like bacon, curried potatoes, zucchini fritters, quiche, soft polenta and more. Pizza options rotate, but there is always a vegan option. And, of course, Spirit also serves fabulous brunch cocktails and Bloody Marys. Hang out on their back patio or cozy lounge and enjoy one of the best brunch deals in the city.
Spirit (242 51st Street)
Scratch Food & Beverage
Troy Hill
After taking a break, Scratch’s Sunday brunch recently came back… and it’s better than ever. The Troy Hill restaurant serves brunch every Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., with an ever-changing menu that features locally-inspired dishes, and morning-worthy cocktails.
Scratch Food & Beverage (1720 Lowrie Street)
Bigham Tavern
Mount Washington
This under-the-radar spot on Mount Washington has been attracting people from all over the city for their famous wings, delicious drinks, and hearty brunch. Stop by on a Saturday or Sunday and pick something from their massive menu, which has omelette, skillet, and wing subsections.
Other delicious items on the menu include the “Hangover Loaded Fries” with Guinness beer cheese, shredded cheddar Jack, bacon, jalapenos, onions, and topped sunny side up egg, and the “Buffaloloaded Tots,” with bacon, scallions, cheese, and BT original sauce.
There is also a large brunch cocktail list (because that’s how we do it in Pittsburgh), so don’t miss out on their beer mimosa or the “Big Texas” Bloody Mary.
Bigham Tavern (321 Bigham Street)
The Commoner
Downtown
The Commoner is a trusted friend – you know you’re going to get a delicious drink or meal every time you walk through the door. Bruch is absolutely no exception.
Classic Pittsburgh dishes like Pierogi and Eggs, Yinz’ Need Breakfast, and the Western Pa Omelet are always hits. Other popular options include the Chorizo and Grits, Yorkshire Pudding Bowl, Chicken & Biscuit, and a Scotch Egg.
There is a great selection of breakfast drinks, as well as several fresh pressed juices, if you feel so inclined.
Reservations can be made online.
The Commoner (458 Strawberry Way)
Pig Iron Public House
Cranberry
66 local brews on tap? Sounds pretty good. Eggs Benedict burger? Sounds even better.
Pig Iron Public House is located in Cranberry, just a few miles north of the city. The menu includes other unique options like lemon ricotta pancakes and chicken & belgian waffles. For great brunch with great drinks just outside of the city, this is the spot.
Pig Iron Pub (926 Sheraton Drive)
Did we forget any? Leave your favorite Pittsburgh brunch in the comments below!
Karen says
Can’t believe you didn’t include Bistro 19 in Mt Lebanon. Great menu, wonderful staff.
Stu B says
How could you miss CAFE ON MAIN IN SHARPSBURG ? Criminal !!!!
Julie says
Di Anita’s in the Strip District does a great brunch.
sara says
Agree, DiAnoia’s Eatery is the best!