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Kaya
From fusion to American, downtown Pittsburgh boasts a wide array of culinary attractions to please even the most discriminating of palates. Check out these favorite downtown Pittsburgh restaurants for something new. The list stretches the traditional downtown borders a bit, but Pittsburgh is a tiny downtown anyway. All restaurants on this list are in downtown proper, or the nearby Strip District or Lawrenceville—less than five minutes from downtown by cab, if that.
Eleven
This upscale, innovative restaurant in the Strip District seems to end up on everyone's list of favorite Pittsburgh restaurants. It's the flagship restaurant of the big Burrito Restaurant Group, which manages several other popular Pittsburgh eateries (including Kaya, Casbah, Soba, and Umi). The food is amazing, the presentation is gorgeous, the ambiance is unpretentious, and the wine list is impressive. What else could you ask for?
Kaya
The big Burrito Restaurant Group shines again with this fun, fusion restaurant in downtown Pittsburgh's Strip District. If flavor is your top priority in a good restaurant, then Kaya is a good choice. It features plenty of spicy and flavorful menu items inspired by a mix of Latin American, Southeast Asian, and Caribbean cuisines. It's fusion at its best!
The Carlton
It's a Pittsburgh staple, but still a favorite. Family owned and operated, Carlton's atmosphere is upscale and formal with delicious food and one of the best wine lists in Pittsburgh.
Butcher and the Rye
This two-story restaurant offers creative spins off rustic American dishes. It also features an ambitious cocktail menu. The restaurant's bar earned the first nomination of a Pittsburgh-area bar for the James Beard Foundation Award for Outstanding Bar Program.
Spoon
Preparing modern American dishes with international influences, Spoon constantly updates their menu with high-end plates. A sample menu may include chicken with golden beet tahini and tabouli alongside a foie gras-topped burger. They also offer a wine list that's been honored multiple times with Wine Spectator’s Award of Excellence.