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Pittsburgh dining options aplenty during NCAA Tournament

JoAnne Klimovich Harrop
4848275_web1_PTR-NCAAFood-Fogo
Courtesy of Fogo de Chao
Fogo de Chao prepares high-quality cuts of meat over an open flame.
4848275_web1_PTR-NCAAFood-Waffles-1
Courtesy of Waffles, INCaffeinated
Breakfast Magic at Waffles, INCaffeinated has bacon, shredded cheddar cheese and green onion on the waffle inside, then topped with bacon and cheddar cheese and a fried egg.
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Kristina Serafini | Tribune-Review
People sit at the bar at City Works in Market Square on March 14.
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Kristina Serafini | Tribune-Review
The Souper Bowl restaurant and lounge sits neat PPG Paints Arena at 910 Fifth Avenue.
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Kristina Serafini | Tribune-Review
Primanti Bros. Bar & Grill in Market Square.
4848275_web1_PTR-NCAAFood-Primanti
Courtesy of Primanti Bros.
Primanti Bros. has boneless wings chicken tenders and fries Mad March Combo as well as $10 White Claw buckets and $5 personal pitchers

March Madness has arrived in Pittsburgh, bringing an influx of thousands of fans to town.

And, hey, someone has to feed them.

Pittsburgh features places to dine offering everything from hamburgers and pizzas to steak and seafood — most within walking distance of PPG Paints Arena (home to NCAA men’s tournament first- and second-round games) and Duquesne’s UPMC Cooper Fieldhouse (home of the NCAA Division III women’s semifinals and national championship).

Jeremy Waldrup, president and CEO of the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership, said with an expected turnout of almost 20,000 fans over the weekend, he is excited for those attending to experience all that Downtown has to offer.

“We have almost 100 restaurants Downtown serving every kind of food you can think of, so there’s something for everyone,” he said.

Here are some places to eat near PPG Paints Arena:

Uptown

The Souper Bowl (910 Fifth Ave.) — It has soup, of course, as well as burgers and fries and nachos and cheese, salads and hoagies. It’s located a few steps away from PPG Paints Arena. Hours vary depending on events.

Details: souperbowlpgh.com

Hours are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday and noon to 10 p.m. on Sunday.

Shale’s Café ( 1208 Fifth Ave.) — Since 1934, Shale’s has been serving food and drinks within steps of PPG Paints Arena.

Details: facebook.com

Downtown

Capital Grille (301 Fifth Ave.) — Known for steaks, fresh seafood and wines from all over the world. Hours are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday.

Details: thecapitalgrille.com

Sullivan’s Steak House (600 Grant St. ) — It’s the newest of the steakhouses, opening just last October. Located in the U.S. Steel Tower, it serves steaks that are hand-cut. Its French onion soup overflows the bowl with cheese. Crisp salads are topped with homemade blue cheese dressing.

Hours are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday

Others steak-based places Downtown include Morton’s The Steakhouse (625 Liberty Ave.), Eddie Merlot’s (444 Liberty Ave.) and Ruth’s Chris Steak House (6 PPG Place) as well as Fogo de Chao (525 Smithfield St.)

Details: sullivanssteakhouse.com

mortons.com

eddiemerlots.com

ruthschris.com

fogodechao.com

4848275_web1_ptr-ncaafood-waffles
Courtesy of Waffles, INCaffeinated
The Megaberry Waffle at Waffles, INCaffeinated has blueberries and raspberries on the inside, fresh berries tossed in homemade vanilla bean syrup and topped with whipped cream and berry reduction sauce.

Waffles INcaffeinated (456 Fifth Ave.) — Gourmet waffles (savory or sweet), sandwiches and custom coffee drinks for breakfast. Hours are 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Details: wafflesincaffeinated.com

The Speckled Egg (501 Grant St.) — Well-prepared and inventive breakfast and lunch, with omelets, pancakes and espresso. Hours are 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday-Sunday. Happy Hour 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday.

Details: thespeckledeggpgh.com

4848275_web1_ptr-ncaafood-speckled
Courtesy of Jacqueline Schoedel
The Speckled Egg serves brunch as well as cocktails and lunch offerings including fish on Fridays.

McCormick & Schmick’s (301 Fifth Ave.) — Seafood, steaks, oysters and more. Hours are 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday, 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and 3:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday.

Details: mccormickandschmicks.com

Cultural District

Nicky’s Thai Kitchen (903 Penn Ave.) — Traditional Thai cuisine. Serving lunch and dinner. Guests are free to bring their own alcohol. They serve spring rolls and egg rolls, as well as soups with a choice of vegetable, chicken, tofu, pork, fish, shrimp or seafood. There is a grilled chicken peanut salad and a glass noodle salad. There are stir-fries and curries and rice dishes. Lunch hours are between 11:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Dinner begins at 5 p.m. every night

Details: nickysthaikitchen.com

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Kristina Serafini | Tribune-Review
The Eagle Food & Beer Hall is located along Penn Avenue in Downtown Pittsburgh.

The Eagle Food & Beer Hall (737 Penn Ave.) — Fried chicken is the specialty. The menu offers whole or half chickens or a quarter of white or dark meat, as well as sandwiches and salads. Southern-inspired sides include collards, succotash, horseradish mashed potatoes, sweet potato crock, four-cheese macaroni and cheese and white cheddar grits. There are 14 brews on tap, one cider and one non-alcoholic root beer as well as cocktails, wine and sparkling drinks. Hours are 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. Thursday, 11 a.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday.

Details: eaglerestaurant.com

Proper Brick Oven & Tap Room (139 7th St.) — Wood-fired pizzas, fresh pastas, creative cocktails and local craft beers. Hours are 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday, 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Friday, noon to 11 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday.

Details: properpittsburgh.com

Sienna Mercato (942 Penn Ave.) — Gourmet meatballs, salads, snacks, fry bowls and desserts — all made fresh daily. There is a full bar with 16 draft beers, wine and classic cocktails. Hours are 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday, and noon to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Details: siennamercato.com

Bridges & Bourbon (930 Penn Ave.) — A contemporary restaurant offering cocktails, small plates and sandwiches. They have outdoor dining in domes.

Details: bridgesandbourbonpgh.com

Meat & Potatoes (649 Penn Ave.) — Considered a gastropub, the lively place offers a selection of handcrafted cocktails. Hours are 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday through Sunday.

Details: meatandpotatoespgh.com

Christos Mediterranean Grille (130 6th St.) — Casual fare such as Greek pizza and gyro platters. It also serves lamb dishes and traditional Baklava. Hours are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday.

Details: christosgrille.com

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Courtesy of Condado
At Condado, guests can build their own tacos and pair them with cocktails and side dishes with tortilla chips and dips.

Condado (971 Liberty Ave. ) — From traditional to build-your-own taco, Condado offers margaritas and sangrias in a festive setting. Hours are 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Thursday, 11 a.m. to midnight on Friday and Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday.

Details: condadotacos.com

The Standard Market & Pint House (947 Penn Ave. ) — A market with a full-service espresso bar, variety of hot teas, smoothies and juices, made-to-order breakfast and lunch and sandwiches, wraps, salads and drinks. The Standard offers lunch and dinner from salads to flatbreads and seafood. The Pint House has a full-service bar and self-serve tap system with local and craft brews, wines, and cocktails on tap.

Details: standardpgh.com

Bae Bae’s Kitchen (951 Liberty Ave.) — A Korean-inspired eatery serving organic ingredients in dishes such as mixed grain rice, crispy tofu steaks and shrimp tempura. Hours are 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, noon to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday.

Details: baebaes.kitchen

Gaucho Parrilla Argentina (146 Sixth St.) — Menu includes salads and chimmi-churris, rosemary braised beef and a steak platter with more than a pound and a half of all five cuts of wood-grilled steak, with toast and chimmis. Hours are 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday through Saturday.

Details: eatgaucho.com

Market Square

Valozzi’s (220 5th Ave.) — Homemade pastas, pizza, steaks and seafood. They offer Italian meats and cheeses flown in from Italy and fresh mozzarella bar and Italian and California wines.

Details: https://vallozzis.com/

City Works (2 PPG Place) — Contemporary pub offering an expansive menu of American eats and a long list of draft beers. They serve brunch Saturday and Sunday and have many big-screen televisions. Hours are 11 a.m. to midnight Thursday, 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. Saturday, and 10 a.m. to midnight Sunday.

Details: cityworksrestaurant.com

Primanti Bros. (2 Market Square) — A quintessential Pittsburgh stop, where the sandwiches are filled with slaw and fries. The chain is offering a March Madness special on wings, chicken tenders and fries.

Details: primantibros.com

4848275_web1_ptr-ncaafood-oyster
Courtesy of Johnathan E. Ruggieri
The Original Oyster House’s fish sandwich, fries and coleslaw.

The Original Oyster House (20 Market Square) — In business for 150-plus years, this is the place for oysters, fish, clams, crab and more. Hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday and noon to 8 p.m. Saturday.

Details: originaloysterhousepittsburgh.com

Las Velas (21 Market Square) — Owned by chef David Montanez, who was born and raised in Mexico City, the restaurant offers a menu of recipes inspired by both Mexico City and the Riviera Maya. Hours are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Details: lasvelasmex.com

The Yard (100 Fifth Ave.) — Gourmet grilled cheese, burgers and craft beer. Hours are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday, 11 a.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday.

Details: theyardpgh.com

Sly Fox Taphouse at the Point (300 Liberty Ave.) — In September 2019, Sly Fox Brewing Co. traveled across the state to open its first taphouse in Pittsburgh. The location overlooks Point State Park and serves Sly Fox beer, Pennsylvania crafted wines and spirits and food in a casual atmosphere. Hours are 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Details: slyfoxbeer.com


Related:

Strip District guide
Lawrenceville guide
Oakland guide


JoAnne Klimovich Harrop is a TribLive reporter covering the region's diverse culinary scene and unique homes. She writes features about interesting people. The Edward R. Murrow award-winning journalist began her career as a sports reporter. She has been with the Trib for 26 years and is the author of "A Daughter's Promise." She can be reached at jharrop@triblive.com.

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