Our Favorite Restaurants Near the Carnegie Museums in Pittsburgh, PA

The Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh have the greatest collection of fine art and historical artifacts in the city! From beautiful scenes painted by some of the world’s most iconic classic artists, to a collection of dinosaur fossils and an entire hall dedicated to geodoes -- this museum offers the best of everything you want to see at a museum. If you want to take the kids on a fun and educational day out, this is one of the best places to go! The museums are connected and entry can be bought for both at the same time. This makes for a fulfilling few hours. 

Whether you want to go bright and early or later in the day, we’ve picked the best selection of restaurants for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. All of these restaurants are within walking distance, or are a short one-two minute drive from the museum. This selection offers the best of both worlds depending on the time of day you’ll be going -- no matter if it’s full bellies before visiting the museum or a late lunch, you’re sure to find a great option!

Looking to make a day out of your trip to the Steel City? After touring the contemporary and classic art museum and seeing what lies in the natural history museum, that will surely leave you feeling ready to eat! With GiftYa, an electronic gift card service, you can purchase a gift card to one of these restaurants ahead of time, send it to your phone, and pay for your meal this way! This eliminates the need to bring a backpack or heavy purse and you can have a hands free tour of the museum. They offer much more than gift cards to restaurants -- retailers, recreation and activities, hotels, personal, pet, and automotive services and more. These can be used at over 1.5 million locations across the United States -- nearly every city imaginable. Your next birthday or holiday gift has been solved!

1. The Porch 

Unique dining with a view of Schenley Plaza 

Serving options for all -- healthy eating, vegetarian, breakfast, lunch, dinner, and more!

221 Schenley Dr | Pittsburgh | dineattheporch.com

The Porch is a unique little restaurant that can be found in Schenley Plaza, right next to the museum. This restaurant largely reflects the location that it’s in -- meaning the service changes as the day progresses. The morning hours look like grab and go breakfast sandwiches, pastries, and a variety of caffeinated options. Lunch is DIY service -- grab a menu, order at the counter, take a number, sit down, and once your food is ready, servers will find your number and deliver your meal. Dinner is full service and looks like most restaurants. 

The menu is seasonal and features items made from local producers. The atmosphere is casual and laid back -- the experience is what you make of it! Whether it’s summertime and you want to eat outside, or it’s winter and you want to cozy up to the heat of their wood-fired pizza ovens, the choice is yours. The menu includes unique options that you won’t find anywhere else and a variety of healthy and vegetarian choices.  

“I can't believe after all our times in Pittsburgh this was our first time eating here. The food was AMAZING and a great price! They were very busy and still had us seated quickly.” - Yelp Review 

Purchase a GiftYa for The Porch 

2. Stack’d Oakland 

Build your own burger and complete the meal with a milkshake 

Build the burger of your dreams with more buns, cheese, and toppings than you could possibly imagine. 

3716 Forbes Ave | Pittsburgh | stackdburgers.com/oakland

Milkshakes, wingers, customizable burgers, what’s not to like? If you’re looking for greasy comfort food, this is your new favorite spot -- serving all-American classics. On top of these options they have soups and salads, quesadillas, grilled cheese, chicken tenders, and a list of entrees. 

When ordering your customizable burgers, the list is longer than beef -- choose from chicken, turkey, and veggie burgers. That’s not to mention the endless options of buns, plethora of cheeses and sauces, and more toppings than you can imagine! So, grab the burger of your dreams and accompany it with one of their many french fry options from classic to curly, sweet potato fries, tater tots, old bay and cajun fries, and more! This spot has everything you could ever want and is sure to leave the kids feeling like happy campers!

“Very tasty and delicious options here.  I got a veggie burger and I loved how I could have basically an unlimited number of rolls and toppings. Love the selection of toppings!! Indoor dining service was friendly and attentive.” - Yelp Review 

Purchase a GiftYa for Stack’d Oakland 

3. Pamela’s Diner 

Hearty breakfast meal or sweet french toast -- and everything in between 

Can’t go wrong with breakfast during breakfast hours or for lunch -- be sure to go before they close at 2 pm!

3703 Forbes Ave | Pittsburgh | pamelasdiner.com

Looking to get to the museum right as it opens? Don’t miss out on the most important meal of the day! Pamela’s Diner is a renowned breakfast favorite among Pittsburgh natives that has been serving delicious eats since the 80’s. There’s nothing more comforting than a hot stack of pancakes and home fries tossed with caramelized onions and peppers. 

This place will have you and the family leaving with fully bellies, ready to explore all the museum has to offer. If you want a full breakfast complete with eggs, toast, meat, and home fries -- look no further. They also have sweet options of pancakes and french toast. There are more unique menu items for those looking to have an unconventional breakfast. If you love breakfast, this spot will not disappoint!

“Favorite Breakfast/brunch in Oakland! My favorites are: Tex Mex omelet and Banana walnut hot cakes. I recently dined in-door and got their take-out. Staff wore masks and every other table was open for customers to dine in.” - Yelp Review 

4. Fuel and Fuddle 

Classic bar food with a twist can be found at this location

212 Oakland Ave | Pittsburgh | fuelandfuddle.com

Bar food heaven awaits at this location. They have a selection of craft beers and upscale bar food, like thin crust pizza. This place can be family friendly, but might be a better option for couples who want to visit the museum and have lunch afterwards. 

The menu has a selection of starters, salads, hand-held sandwiches, house and build your own burgers, and brick oven fired pizzas. If that’s not enough, they have a dessert selection to finish off your meal. Their specialty pizzas offer unique combinations of toppings, they also have personal pizzas with choice of sauce and toppings for all the picky eaters out there! Finish off your meal with sweet potato bread pudding made with local bread or a rootbeer float to energize you before your museum visit!

“Totally the bomb!  Food was amazing for whole family even our plain Jane pizza girl was happy.  Son got the hog heaven, hubby got the pizza roll, roll a fatty or something, and I got an ahi tuna salad with some quirky name.” - Yelp Review 

Purchase a GiftYa for Fuel and Fuddle 

5. Union Grill 

American traditional cuisine serves in a casual atmosphere 

413 S Craig St | Pittsburgh | uniongrilloakland.getbento.com

The Union Grill is a short walk from the museum, in fact it’s right across the street, only one block away! This is a popular spot among Pittsburgh natives and college students. The atmosphere is chill and casual, and the restaurant has been around for years. 

The menu looks something like American traditional style food, with mostly homemade recipes. Famous for its French onion soup, fish tacos, burgers, and waffle fries -- and even a French onion soup burger, this spot never disappoints. If you’re new to the area, be sure to give the pierogies a try! These are made in house, filled with potatoes and cheese, and topped with caramelized onions and sour cream -- a true Pittsburgh delight. Whether you want to go before or after your trip to the museum, they offer lunch items and dinner choices. Don’t miss out!

“Many years later, still great! So glad they're open for dine-in.  Came last night and had perogies and a salad because they didn't have the veggie burger.  Tasty and still love the huge tumbler for soda!” - Yelp Review 

If you’re looking for a big breakfast to kick off your day or a lunch to fill hungry bellies after touring the museums, both options can be found on this list! The museum should take you a few hours to visit, so be sure to eat before or after at one of these places that’s easily within walking distance of the Carnegie Museums!