You Ask, We Answer: The Best Breakfast Spots in Pittsburgh

Hey, yinz! Welcome to You Ask, We Answer, a brand-new feature on the site where we answer food and Pittsburgh questions that we get from our readers.

Have a question for us? Email us at [email protected] and we’ll help you out!

Q. Where are the best breakfast spots in Pittsburgh? – Lil

Ah. Where to eat breakfast in Pittsburgh.

This is one of the most popular questions we get on the site. Pittsburghers are constantly looking for a fun and fresh place to eat breakfast. And we get it. There is no better way to kick off a lazy weekend than with a fun meal that you don’t have to cook.

A few of current favorite spots for breakfast in Pittsburgh include:

The Lot at Edgewater, in Oakmont, which dubs itself a “new age diner.” Traveling to Oakmont can definitely be a bit of a hike depending on where you’re located in the in the city, but just know that the The Lot is worth the trek for the pancakes alone. Then throw in the short rib hash, breakfast sandwich, and boozy coffee menu, and you know you’ve really got good meal on your hands.

Pear and the Pickle on Troy Hill offers, perhaps, the best breakfast sandwich in the city. Cooked on Mancini bread, this made-to-order sandwich arrives steaming hot, and begs to be devoured in mere seconds. Plus, the restaurant serves Stumptown coffee, which ain’t too shabby either.

Square Cafe in Regent Square is a classic. We’re always craving their Lemon Ricotta Pancakes.

We recently published an article detailing the story of the newly rebranded Nancy’s Revival diner in Wilkinsburg. Purchased from the team behind Revival Chili, stop by for a refreshed menu of all of the Nancy’s classics you know and love, as well as a few new favorites you’ve got to try  (cornbread waffles and chili, anyone?).

Finally, with a name like Pie for Breakfast, this new Oakland hotspot cannot be wrong! The new sister restaurant to Butterjoint and Legume, Pie for Breakfast is open 7 days a week from 8am–3pm. The menu offers a fresh and constantly changing selection of pie, quiche, omelettes, and scrambles. They also offer an extensive beverage program. We’re talking 6 types of spritz, 6 types of mules, dozens (and dozens) of beers… and that’s not even all of it.

I also can’t get enough of Bitter Ends Garden & Luncheonette in Bloomfield. It’s my favorite place to take out-of-town guests. This quirky diners offers a fresh and delicious menu of vegetable-forward dishes, including soups, sandwiches, and breakfast salads. Plus, they offer bottomless coffee, and guests to to pick their own mug from the restaurant’s extensive collection!

View this post on Instagram

You said it, not me

A post shared by Madeline Quigley (@burghgal) on Feb 10, 2019 at 7:55am PST

And if that doesn’t do it for you, read out list of The 21 Best Diners in Pittsburgh.

Q. Top breweries in Pittsburgh! There are so many new breweries open now in Pittsburgh, and I want to make sure that I don’t miss any of the good ones. Which ones do I need to put on my list? – Eric 

With so many breweries in Pittsburgh, the “top” ones have to be a matter of opinion. But, luckily for you, we’re happy to share our opinions on the matter.

Hitchhiker Brewing Sharpsburg has one of the best brewery spaces in the entire city…and some of the top beers to boot.  The brewery’s newest location is housed inside of the former Fort Pitt Brewing building, which is over 100 years old. The space is absolutely massive and very rustic. It’s a great place to meet with a large party.

And, which you’re in the neighborhood, why not swing by Dancing Gnome? This popular brewery is located just down the road from Hitchhiker Sharpsburg. It’s a great place to grab a brew, especially if you’re a fan of hazy IPAs. Be warned – the brewery is on the smaller side, it can be hard to find a place to sit on weekends and can release days.

We love the history behind the building of Eleventh Hour Brewing in Lawrenceville. Located in a former school just off Butler Street in Lawrenceville, Eleventh Hour is situated right in the heart of everything happening in the neighborhood. It’s a perfect spot to grab a beer before a dinner out. Or, seeing as they host a rotating selection of food trucks, there is usually a food option at the brewery.

Dog lover? You’re going to need to visit Grist House Craft Brewery in Millvale. On a nice day, this fun brewery is basically a dog park, with dozens of pooches hanging out in the brewery’s fenced in yard. Grist House also offers tvs, plenty of seating, great brews (obviously), and a robust food truck schedule. What more could you needs?

Q. Best food near CMU? – @pghfoodinsta

We’ll admit it. It can be hard to pick a place to eat in the Oakland area. There are so many restaurants. Where to start?

Pie for Breakfast (mentioned above), is a great choice, we well as its sister restaurants, Legume and Butterjoint. Legume is the perfect spot for an elegant night out. And Butterjoint, with stiff cocktails and homemade pierogies, offers a more casual affair. Forget about Oakland, the food at all three of these restaurants are some of the best in the entire city.

Fujiya Ramen is located on Aiken Street, right where it meets Walnut Street. While it is bit of a hike from Carnegie Mellon, this delicious, homemade ramen is worth the trek, especially if Pittsburgh’s winters continue their habit of stretching into early April (am I right?) The restaurant is co-owned by Minoru Yoshida, who spent 40+ years making ramen in Tokyo and its surrounding prefectures.

If you’re a student at CMU, chances are, you already know about Las Palmas Mexican grocery. This store is a favorite for students looking trying to get a cheap (and tasty) taco fix. To get these $2.50 tacos, walk inside, pay at the register, and bring your recipect out to the sidewalk.

Also located close to the CMU campus is Ritters Diner. A Pittsburgh classic, Ritters is open 24 hours a day Thursday – Sunday, and until 10:00 P.M. all other nights. This makes it the perfect place for a late night fix after a long day of studying. Serving up everything from pierogies to pancakes, this is your quintessential Pittsburgh diner.

Finally, how could we forget LuLu’s Noodles? Located in the heart of Craig Street, LuLu’s bustling atmosphere is a great place to grab a meal with friends, or hunker down at a table and get some work done. The expansive menu offers dozens of types of noodles from all over the world, so anyone and everyone can find something to satisfy their palette.

Thanks so much for reading! Have a question you would like to be featured? Please leave it in the comments below, or email us at [email protected]. We’ll try to find an answer for you!