Squirrel Hill
Every spot we rate in Squirrel Hill, ranked honestly 1–5 by a local across food, vibe, value and service. Chengdu Gourmet leads at 4.8. Nobody paid to be here.
Chinese, Sichuan · $$ · 5840 Forward Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15217
Wei Zhu's Sichuan cooking is some of the best Chinese food in the country, full stop. Strip-mall setting, transcendent food. Order off the Chinese menu.
Order: Mapo tofu & cumin lamb
See Chengdu Gourmet on the map →
Chinese, Dumplings · $$ · 5875 Forbes Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15217
Watch them fold soup dumplings through the glass. That's the draw, and they deliver. Expect a wait at peak.
Order: Soup dumplings pleated behind the glass
See Everyday Noodles on the map →
Bakery, French, Dessert · $$ · 5837 Forbes Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15217
A genuine French patisserie on Murray Ave where the macarons look like jewelry and actually taste like something. Skip the line at the diners across the street and get a box of these instead. The pistachio is the one. Pricey for a cookie, but these aren't cookies.
Order: Pistachio macaron and a proper almond croissant
See Gaby et Jules on the map →
Pizza · $ · 2112 Murray Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15217
The other half of the Murray Ave pizza rivalry. Good, classic, and best argued about with a Mineo's slice in hand.
Order: The other half of the Murray Ave pizza war
See Aiello's Pizza on the map →
Pizza · $ · 2128 Murray Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15217
A beloved square-slice institution. It's nostalgia pizza. Comforting and consistent, not life-changing. Pick your side in the Murray Ave war.
Order: Square cheese slice
See Mineo's Pizza House on the map →