The Original Oyster House is a seafood restaurant in Downtown, Pittsburgh.
Editorially verified May 28, 2026 by Lewis Vaughan, TableJourney editor. Source.
Signature dishes: Fish sandwich, Oysters
Must order: The giant fried fish sandwich and a plate of oysters at the old bar.
Tip: Cash-friendly old-school counter. The fish sandwich is famously bigger than the bun.
Address: 20 Market Square, Pittsburgh, PA 15222
Mineo's Pizza House on Murray Avenue in Squirrel Hill has run a Pittsburgh-style square pizza since 1958. Tangy sauce, crispy crust and a long local loyalty.
Signature: Square cut pizza, Pepperoni pie
Order: A pepperoni pie cut in squares, the Pittsburgh-style way.
Tip: A long-running rivalry with nearby Aiello's; locals pick a side. Counter and dining room both.
Aiello's Pizza on Murray Avenue in Squirrel Hill runs a thin, crispy-crust pie in Pittsburgh. The other half of Murray Avenue's long-running pizza rivalry.
Signature: Thin-crust pizza, By-the-cut slices
Order: A thin-crust pie whole or by the cut, crisp at the edges.
Tip: Sits a few doors from Mineo's; locals argue which is better. Quick counter service.
Tram's Kitchen on Penn Avenue in Bloomfield serves Vietnamese pho and bun in Pittsburgh. A long-running BYOB room many call the city's best Vietnamese.
Signature: Pho, Bun
Order: A bowl of pho and a vermicelli bun plate; bring your own beer.
Tip: BYOB and cash-friendly. Small room; expect a short wait at peak hours.
Banh Mi & Ti on Butler Street in Lawrenceville serves crusty banh mi and Vietnamese coffee in Pittsburgh. A quick, cheap counter on the renaissance strip.
Signature: Banh mi, Vietnamese coffee
Order: A classic pork banh mi and an iced Vietnamese coffee.
Tip: Counter service, good for a fast lunch. Cash and card both fine.
Nicky's Thai Kitchen on Western Avenue on the North Side serves curries and pad thai in Pittsburgh. A long-running BYOB room in Allegheny West.
Signature: Curries, Pad thai
Order: A coconut curry and pad thai, ordered at your preferred heat.
Tip: BYOB and casual. The North Side original is the location locals recommend most.
Driftwood Oven on Butler Street in Lawrenceville bakes sourdough pizza and bread in Pittsburgh. A food-truck-turned-bakery with naturally-leavened pies.
Signature: Sourdough pizza, Naturally-leavened bread
Order: A naturally-leavened pizza and a loaf from the bread counter.
Tip: The sourdough crust is the point. Pies sell out late; bread goes early.
