Madeleine Bakery & Bistro is a serious french bakery on a quiet wilkinsburg corner near regent square, away from the better-known lawrenceville patisseries.
Editorially verified May 28, 2026 by Lewis Vaughan, TableJourney editor. Source.
Why locals love it: A serious French bakery on a quiet Wilkinsburg corner near Regent Square, away from the better-known Lawrenceville patisseries.
Tip: Go early for croissants and kouign-amann before they sell out. The namesake madeleines are the buy.
Address: 609 S Trenton Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15221
Tram's Kitchen is a plain byob room on penn avenue in bloomfield that locals quietly call the city's best vietnamese, while tourists walk past it.
Why locals love it: A plain BYOB room on Penn Avenue in Bloomfield that locals quietly call the city's best Vietnamese, while tourists walk past it.
Tip: Bring your own beer and cash. The pho and bun are the order; the room is small, so go early.
Gooski's in Pittsburgh: A Polish Hill dive above the Strip that serves cheap pierogi and punk shows; off the tourist map and proudly cash-only.
Why locals love it: A Polish Hill dive above the Strip that serves cheap pierogi and punk shows; off the tourist map and proudly cash-only.
Tip: Cash only, loud and late. Go for the pierogi, the cheap drinks and a band if one is playing.
Pierogies Plus is hand-made pierogi out of a former gas station in mckees rocks, run by a polish-born owner; few visitors make the short drive.
Why locals love it: Hand-made pierogi out of a former gas station in McKees Rocks, run by a Polish-born owner; few visitors make the short drive.
Tip: Order a mixed dozen to take home, or eat the boiled-and-fried ones at the counter. Worth the drive.
Labad's Mediterranean Cafe and Grocery is a tiny mediterranean cafe and grocery on the quieter end of the strip, easy to miss between the bigger market names.
Why locals love it: A tiny Mediterranean cafe and grocery on the quieter end of the Strip, easy to miss between the bigger market names.
Tip: Eat a gyro at the counter, then buy olives and spices to take home. Locals rate the baba ghanoush.
Kiin Lao & Thai Eatery is a small squirrel hill room serving laotian dishes most pittsburgh menus skip, hiding behind a more familiar thai list.
Why locals love it: A small Squirrel Hill room serving Laotian dishes most Pittsburgh menus skip, hiding behind a more familiar Thai list.
Tip: Ask for the Laotian larb and sticky rice, not just the Thai standards. Small room; reserve at weekends.
Kaibur Coffee in Pittsburgh: A quiet corner cafe on Polish Hill, up the hill from the Strip's crowds and known mostly to neighbourhood regulars.
Why locals love it: A quiet corner cafe on Polish Hill, up the hill from the Strip's crowds and known mostly to neighbourhood regulars.
Tip: A calm spot for coffee and pastries away from the tourist routes. Pair it with a Polish Hill walk.
