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I will be traveling to Pittsburgh for the first time November 18-21. I have never been and am very excited about exploring the sites and food scene. I am staying at the Westin Convention Center and will not have a car. I am interested in a few recommendations: 1. Any must see sites for someone really having only the evenings available to visit?
2. Any great restuarants for lunch within walking distance of the convention center?
3. Any great restuarants for dinner within walking or short cab ride?
4. I need to arrange a dinner with 4 coworkers and would love a classic Pittsburgh restuarant. Something that really reflects the city or the food. I will hire a car for this, so doesn't have to be limited to the Convention Center area. We can go both highend and more casual, but jeans need to be acceptable as I don't think my boss owns a pair of slacks.
Any and all help is greatly appreciated. Thanks.
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Pittsburgh sites and restuarant recommendations
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1 restaurant I would recommend is Primanti Bros. Overstuffed Sandwiches. There are a few locations within the city.
Thanks tvchoiniere...I'll add Primanti bros to my list.
Meant to add to go to the overlook on Mt Washington. Take the incline up to the top for a great view of the city.
DeLuca's for breakfast, Primanti Brothers for lunch, Minutello’s Italian Restaurant for dinner.
If you only have the evenings for sightseeing/touring, then your options are limited. One neat thing that you can do is the "Good Friday" at the Andy Warhol museum. Each Friday, the museum is open until 10pm and admission is half-price from 5 - 10 pm. It's also got a cash bar on Friday nights. The museum is really interesting, but not huge, so you could see everything in an hour or two.
If the Andy Warhol Museum doesn't interest you, the Phipps Conservatory is also open until 10pm on Fridays and they now have a special exhibit by glass artist Hans Godo Fräbel.
Finally, the Carnegie Museums are generally open late one night each week, so you can check their website for details.
I would second going to the museums and conservatory if you have the time.
How about Monterey Bay Fish Grotto for the dinner? Great food and wonderful view (although I'm not sure about the dress code...)
The Warhol museum is right up my alley! Thank you for the tip. And I will check out the dress code at the Monterey Bay Fish Grotto. Thank you all for the help.
The Sonoma Grill is a nice place within walking distance of the Westin...I think they have lunch specials, too. Also look into Six Penn Kitchen.
Both these places are great restaurants for lunch or dinner, but I don't think they'd be truly "Pittsburgh".
Primanti Brothers in the Strip is good for lunch. Monteray Fish Grotto's dress is nice casual; best fish in the city; well known for its crab cakes (I love them). You will see jeans and nice shirts to suits and ties. We wear very nice casual. My favorite dinner restaurant is Eleven in the Strip. Their tasting menu with wine is very, very good. There are a lot of restaurants on the Southside. Fatheads, Pipers all are casual fun. You also have Morton's and Ruth Cris downtown and a lot of restaurants right next to the hotel, but none are what I would specifically drive to Pittsburgh to eat dinner at.
Another place to check out if you want a really fine meal is Lidia's in the Strip, not far from the Westin Convention Center.
Strip District is also a good area for some nightlife, and it's where you will find the original Primanti Brothers if you are up for one of their 'almost famous' sandwiches.
You might want to taxi over to Station Square for one evening, Gandy Dancer Saloon and/or Grand Concourse for dinner. Casual dress (jeans) will do at the Gandy;
or further down Carson Street to South Side Works.
The Hofbrau Haus is right on the river and good place for German food and their own brews. There's also a movie theater there and other restaurants such as Cheesecake factory, Claddaugh Irish Pub.
I think you'd all have a good time at the Hofbrau Haus for your dinner/evening.
There should be some evening entertainment in the cultural district (Liberty Avenue area).
Have you contacted the Tourist/Visitors bureau yet? They have some good guides, but you will probably find those in your hotel room.
The August Wilson Center (downtown) opened recently and is near where you are staying, I don't know if they have evening hours during your stay, but it might be worth checking out.
Also the John Heinz Museum, also in the nearby Strip District is worth visiting.
Friday, Nov. 20 is LIGHT UP NIGHT in Pittsburgh, so there will be lots going on downtown and at Station Square.
Thank you so much for your thoughtful replies. I will check the Hofbrau Haus out further. I will compare with the Fish Grotto...I will absolutely make sure to hit Primanti Brothers either with a group or on my own. And I love a good Irish Pub. Thank you all...decisions, decisions.