Best Pittsburgh Italian Restaurants

4770 Liberty Avenue, Bloomfield
Local, seasonal and sustainable with an Italian flare describes this casually elegant restaurant in Bloomfield. Chef Stephen Felder even makes his own sausage, pickles, and preserves, but the house made pastas are the true stars. The menu changes daily and is posted online each afternoon.

432 Beaver Street, Sewickley
This neighborhood favorite in downtown Sewickley is also a popular destination restaurant for people from all over Pittsburgh. The food is Italian-influenced American, featuring fresh ingredients, unique flavors, and a frequently changing seasonal menu. Don't miss the house made desserts!

46 Fox Chapel Road, Fox Chapel
The old-school Italian fare at Donatos is simply-prepared and delicious, particularly the veal, pasta and specialty items. Sundays feature a family-style menu and Friday evenings, live jazz.

5701 Bryant Street, Highland Park
Joseph Tambellini Restaurant feels just like a homey, Italian kitchen, filled with delicious homemade smells and food. Especially noteworthy are the meatballs, house made pasta, seafood and desserts. A great choice for anyone looking for traditional, upscale Italian dining.

3801 Butler Street, Lawrenceville
Pastas and pizza dough at this Tuscan-inspired eatery are made fresh daily, and topped with a wide variety of creative offerings. The salads are fresh and inviting as well. Be prepared to wait for a table during the height of the dinner period, as reservations are only available for parties of more than four.

5996 Penn Circle South, East Liberty
Sustainability is key at Dinette, which specializes in thin-crust pizza and appetizers featuring fresh vegetables, herbs and cheeses. The short menu changes daily, featuring the freshest, local ingredients to be found in the area. In the summer, the restaurant's green rooftop garden supplements local produce stock.

733 Copeland Street, Shadyside
This 48-table, family-run Italian restaurant in Shadyside often has lines of people waiting to be seated. Great service, moderate prices and generous portions of traditional Italian food with a funky twist, are just part of what makes Girasole a favorite with the locals.

804 E Warrington Ave, Allentown
Hidden away in the working-class, hilltop community of Allentown, this neighborhood gem specializes in made-from-scratch Sicilian cuisine, plus huge steaks and chops, and fresh seafood. In spring 2013, the family also opened Arlecchino, which serves the same kind of high-quality Italian cuisine as Alla Famiglia, in a former one-room schoolhouse in Peters Township.

Located in Pittsburgh's historic Strip District, Lidia's Pittsburgh serves authentic northern Italian cuisine for lunch and dinner. They also have a great Sunday brunch. One of several restaurants owned by acclaimed PBS cooking show host Lidia Bastianich.