Pittsburgh & Its Countryside
Taste Buds on Tour
Eat like a champ in Pittsburgh
Duration: Two days and two nights
In the city of champions, eating is practically a sport. Culture and cuisine intersect in the heart of the steel city to bring friends and family together at one table no matter the occasion. With a never-ending selection of fine restaurants to classic diners to farmers markets, Pittsburgh has everything that your and your stomach are craving. This two-day roadtrip will guide you as you sniff out the best eats the city has to offer, whether you’re searching for a sandwich the size of your head or seeking to sample some of the state’s most famous Polish fare. And it's just a start. You'll be sure to come back for seconds.
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Deluca's Restaurant (Strip District)
Fuel up for a busy day ahead at Deluca’s Restaurant, one of the Strip District’s finest breakfast joints. Dine amongst weekly regulars in this 1970s themed eatery, proud owner of the “Best Breakfast in Town” title. If you’re feeling ambitious, order the Famous Breakfast Burrito. It’s loaded with seasoned eggs, melted cheese, crispy homefries, your choice of meat and slathered in their specialty sweet-spicy sauce. There are also plenty of sweeter options like pancakes, Belgian waffles, and savory breakfast crepes.
Primanti Bros. (Strip District)
No visit to Pittsburgh would be complete without a stop at Primanti Bros., a local sandwich legend and true staple of Pittsburgh’s cultural landscape. Featured frequently on the Travel Channel’s Man vs. Food, Primanti Bros. is known for their gargantuan sandwiches and piping-hot, hand-cut French fries. Their signature sandwich loads a generous portion of sizzling lunch meats, blended cheese and tomato between two slices of fresh Italian bread, but not before adding their zesty coleslaw and famous fries to the mix. For less aggressive options, try the pastrami and cheese on rye or their famous hot chili bowl.
Just Ducky Tour (Station Square)
For a nice change of pace, head on over to Station Square for a Just Ducky Tour, Pittsburgh’s only land and water expedition. Established 13 years ago, Just Ducky Tours uses retired World War II amphibious vehicles to travel directly from Pittsburgh’s city blocks into its three rivers. The tour provides an hour-long exploration of historic Pittsburgh, and guests can expect to spend about 35 minutes on land and 25 minutes on the water. It's great for kids, too.
Eat Here
Church Brew Works (Lawrenceville)
Great thing about a food tour, it doesn't stop for dinner -- it keeps on going, with one of the finest stops in the Burgh. Enjoy some burgers and beer in the holiest way possible at Church Brew Works! Located in the Lawrenceville neighborhood of Pittsburgh, "the Church" offers visitors the unique experience of dining in what was once a Baptist church. There’s plenty of handcrafted brew on tap and gourmet pizza to enjoy as you sit in church pews sandwiched between beautiful stained glass-covered walls. It's an eating experience.
Sleep Here
Omni William Penn Hotel (Downtown)
Built in 1916, the elegant Omni William Penn Hotel is the perfect place to check in for a night of luxurious R&R.
Vanilla Pastry Studio (East Liberty)
Head to East Liberty for an early bite at the charming Vanilla Pastry Studio. This boutique bakery specializes in Pittsburgh’s best cupcakes, lollipops, and custom cakes, but also has plenty of other options like fresh breads and muffins for a quick breakfast fix. Enjoy your snack with a steaming cup of Coffeetree Roasters coffee, and be sure to stock up on some cupcakes and brownies for a sweet afternoon snack!
Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium (Highland Park-East End)
Whip out the camera and begin your day on the town with a visit to the Pittsburgh Zoo! Here you’ll discover thousands of amazing animals representing over 400 species from all over the world, including 22 on threatened and endangered watch. Explore the African Savanna and learn about the life cycles and conservation of the Saba Elephant Reserve, and then globetrot over to the Asian Forest to scope the Amur leopard, one of the rarest felines in the world. Bring the kids over to Kids Kingdom for the ultimate petting zoo experience, or sign up for an afternoon workshop to interact with plants and wildlife while learning about environmental conservation efforts.
S&D Polish Deli (Strip District)
Come lunchtime, you’ll be ready for some good old, home-style grub cooked just the way mom used to make it. S&D Polish Deli is your one-stop shop for everything Polish in Pittsburgh’s Strip District. The deli offers as much in tasty fare as it does Polish history, and arguably serves the best pierogis in town. It’s a mere $4 for a plate of four, so mix and match potato and cheddar, kraut and mushroom, and farmer’s cheese to sample all of their delicious flavors. After lunch, check out S&D’s selection of Polish reggae music, beauty products and other cultural artifacts.
Andy Warhol Museum
Visit the Andy Warhol Museum for a fascinating glimpse into the psyche of Andy Warhol, a pioneer of the visual arts movement. Exhibits showcase Warhol’s captivating paintings and films, as well as other productions that contextualize Warhol’s artwork. And did you know? Andy Warhol is a native Burgher! Go find out.
Eat Here
Fat Heads Saloon (South Side)
You’re sure to have worked up an appetite today, but the food tour isn't over. Head to Fat Heads Saloon, Pittsburgh’s famous neighborhood bar and grill. Located in the heart of Pittsburgh's eclectic South Side, Fat Heads offers an eclectic menu of sandwiches, burgers, wings, ribs and plenty more.
Sleep Here
Omni William Penn Hotel (Downtown)
Head back to the Omni William Penn Hotel for a second comfortable night's sleep in Downtown Pittsburgh.
