Max's Allegheny Tavern is a german restaurant in North Side, Pittsburgh.
Editorially verified May 28, 2026 by Lewis Vaughan, TableJourney editor. Source.
Why locals love it: A century-old German tavern tucked in Deutschtown that survives the North Side's changes, off most visitors' radar.
Tip: Order schnitzel or sauerbraten with a German beer. A nod to the North Side's German immigrant roots.
Address: 537 Suismon St, Pittsburgh, PA 15212
Scratch Food + Beverage is a community-minded cafe and restaurant up on troy hill, a steep north side neighbourhood that few food visitors reach.
Why locals love it: A community-minded cafe and restaurant up on Troy Hill, a steep North Side neighbourhood that few food visitors reach.
Tip: Go for coffee by day or a seasonal dinner by night. The Troy Hill setting is half the appeal.
Refucilo Winery in Pittsburgh: An Argentine-rooted winery tasting room on the North Side that few realise makes Malbecs with a family link to Mendoza.
Why locals love it: An Argentine-rooted winery tasting room on the North Side that few realise makes Malbecs with a family link to Mendoza.
Tip: Try the Malbec in the tasting room. A low-key alternative to the city's beer-heavy drinking scene.
Gus and Yiayia's Ice Balls is a summer-only, cash-only ice-ball cart on the north side that has run since 1934 and only locals seem to know.
Why locals love it: A summer-only, cash-only ice-ball cart on the North Side that has run since 1934 and only locals seem to know.
Tip: Bring small bills; it is cash only and summer only. A few dollars buys a shaved-ice ball and popcorn.
Scratch Food + Beverage is a community-minded cafe and restaurant up on troy hill, a steep north side neighbourhood that few food visitors reach.
Why locals love it: A community-minded cafe and restaurant up on Troy Hill, a steep North Side neighbourhood that few food visitors reach.
Tip: Go for coffee by day or a seasonal dinner by night. The Troy Hill setting is half the appeal.
Refucilo Winery in Pittsburgh: An Argentine-rooted winery tasting room on the North Side that few realise makes Malbecs with a family link to Mendoza.
Why locals love it: An Argentine-rooted winery tasting room on the North Side that few realise makes Malbecs with a family link to Mendoza.
Tip: Try the Malbec in the tasting room. A low-key alternative to the city's beer-heavy drinking scene.
Gus and Yiayia's Ice Balls is a summer-only, cash-only ice-ball cart on the north side that has run since 1934 and only locals seem to know.
Why locals love it: A summer-only, cash-only ice-ball cart on the North Side that has run since 1934 and only locals seem to know.
Tip: Bring small bills; it is cash only and summer only. A few dollars buys a shaved-ice ball and popcorn.
S&D Polish Deli in Pittsburgh: A Polish deli, grocery and pierogi counter on the Strip that gets overshadowed by the bigger Italian market names.
Why locals love it: A Polish deli, grocery and pierogi counter on the Strip that gets overshadowed by the bigger Italian market names.
Tip: Buy a dozen pierogi to go and a kielbasa. Ask about the monthly pierogi-making class if you want to learn.
Reyna Foods in Pittsburgh: A Mexican grocery and back taqueria on the Strip making its own tortillas, a quiet local pick amid the produce stalls.
Why locals love it: A Mexican grocery and back taqueria on the Strip making its own tortillas, a quiet local pick amid the produce stalls.
Tip: Grab tacos at the back counter and a stack of fresh tortillas to take home. Cheap and authentic.
Point Brugge Cafe in Pittsburgh: A Belgian corner cafe near Frick Park in Point Breeze, a residential pocket most food visitors never reach.
Why locals love it: A Belgian corner cafe near Frick Park in Point Breeze, a residential pocket most food visitors never reach.
Tip: No reservations; put your name in and wait. Moules frites and a Belgian ale on the corner patio.
