Restaurants Worth Checking Out During the Pittsburgh Arts Festival

Officially known as the Dollar Bank Three Rivers Arts Festival, this production is a result of the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust. The festival was put in place to properly celebrate the arts and adjacent fields in downtown Pittsburgh, and the festival is unlike any other you will come across throughout the nation. 

Filled with both established and aspiring artists, the Three Rivers Arts Festival is brimming with a mix of fun creations, music, and eye-popping artistic expression that will blow you away with a lineup of unique, professional creativity. There are so many things to do and pass the time with at this charming festival, but it will only be a matter of time before the pangs of hunger have their firm grip on you and you’re left wanderingwondering around, desperate for good food and beverages. That’s why we went ahead and prepared a thoughtful list for you to use to discover really delicious meals with. 

This list will include a variety of local restaurants in the area, with some being situated in the heart of downtown while others are only a short walk or bus ride away. As of this moment, all of the restaurants listed below are available in digital gift card format via GiftYa. 

1. Burgatory 

Hit up this friendly local joint for some of the best burgers ever 

Purchase a Burgatory gift card

📍 342 North Shore Dr | North Shore | burgatorybar.com

If you are looking to seriously fill up your stomach once you finish up appreciating a smorgasbord of great art for the day, then grabbing dinner at Burgatory is going to be the perfect time for you. Juicy burgers, delicious fries, and sinfully good milkshakes are only a portion of their delectable menu. 

This cheeky Pittsburgh-based chain is known for its gourmet build-your-own burgers, trendy cocktails, and hand-spun milkshakes that taste like they are right out of heaven. Burgatory’s secret to deliciousness rests in the fact that they don’t do frozen, ever–all of their ingredients are fresh, from the spectacular patties to toppings and sauces. However you decide to take your burger, you can depend on Burgatory to serve you one of the best you’ve ever had.  

You can grab a Burgatory gift card when you follow the link to GiftYa!

2. Meat & Potatoes

A sophisticated evening out where protein and starch take center stage

Buy a Meat & Potatoes gift card

📍 649 Penn Ave | Downtown | meatandpotatoespgh.com

Serving the public since the spring of 2011, Meat & Potatoes is an interesting affair situated in a posh gastropub setting right in downtown Pittsburgh. With a higher price point than some other restaurants on this list, Meat & Potatoes may not be the right pick for everyone, but for those looking to sit down and have a sophisticated meal this is the place for you. 

As far as the food menu at Meat & Potatoes is concerned, customers will find a modest selection of elevated American comfort cuisine. Hearty and filling options adorn the menu of Meat & Potatoes, including meat choices like filet mignon, salmon, braised lamb, and tomahawk. In addition to their namesake potatoes prepared in a variety of ways, they also serve tasty sides like glazed carrots and spicy collard greens. 

High-end dining is only a few clicks away when you follow the link for a Meat & Potatoes gift card!

3. Primanti Bros. 

Get a Primanti Bros. gift card

📍 46 18th St | Strip District | primantibros.com

A Pittsburgh-based tradition since 1933, dining at this Primanti Bros. location is just the way to round off your festival fun time with the original restaurant location. Due to the proximity of the Arts Festival to the Strip District this year (moving from its original downtown location), the original Primanti Bros. spot is only a short walk away from the riverfront lots where the festival takes place, making it the perfect destination to grab a bite and brew after you’ve exhausted your artistic energy for the day. 

Primanti Bros. is your go-to spot in the city for when you are craving delicious handcrafted sandwiches piled high with extra goodies. Topped with their iconic fries and coleslaw combination, Primanti’s sandwiches are another brand of amazing altogether. They also serve plenty of draft beer, fried appetizers, fresh pizza, chicken wings, and loaded fries that come with tons of good stuff. Anything your stomach needs, Primanti’s can deliver on. 

Don’t wait–grab a Primanti Bros. gift card right now when you follow the link!

4. Tako

Discover great tacos in the heart of the city amidst festival fun

Purchase a Tako gift card

📍 214 6th St | Downtown | takopgh.com

Pittsburgh does not lack when it comes to finding places that serve good tacos. Located in downtown, Tako is an upscale taqueria that specializes in serving creative tacos, Mexican cuisine, and a wide selection of tequila. 

Customers will find that the flavors of Mexico and Japan are combined at Tako to produce some of the most delicious and inventive Mexican street food. Customers can find housemade guacamole, chips and salsa, street corn, patatas bravas, and a variety of taco styles including mahi mahi, carnitas, chorizo, Korean, coconut shrimp, and more. For dessert, Tako serves churros with a smoked chili chocolate sauce and Mayan chocolate pudding. 

Pick up a Tako gift card by following the link!

5. The Foundry 

A fine gastropub that is serious about its approach to dining 

Buy a gift card for The Foundry

📍 381 N Shore Dr | North Shore | thefoundrypgh.com

This spacious restaurant in the North Shore is a great place to chill and grab a drink with your buddies as you go about your time enjoying the Pittsburgh Arts Festival. Serving up pub eats and an extensive draft beer list plus growler fills, The Foundry has everything necessary for a really good time. 

A farm-to-table restaurant, The Foundry is proud to specialize in providing a menu of locally-sourced foods, along with proper cocktails and hard to find craft beers on tap. The Foundry has both dinner and brunch menus depending on the time of day you visit. Dinner items include seasonal selections like New York strip, salmon, wild mushroom risotto, and shepherd's pie, in addition to staples like pierogies and sandwiches.

You can pick up a gift card for The Foundry from GiftYa with the link!

6. North Shore Tavern

A hip and happening spot close by all of the sport’s world fun

Get a North Shore Tavern gift card

📍 120 Federal St | North Shore | northshoretavern.com

An ideal spot to enjoy lunch, great deals at happy hour, or for a nice meal and drink before a show, North Shore Tavern attracts a diverse crowd of folks through its doors on account of its outstanding hospitality and tasty food. 

Located just around the corner from the iconic PNC Park, North Shore Tavern captivates customers with its unique cooking experiences including stone cooking. With new additions to the stone menu on almost a weekly basis, customers can always count on getting something new at the North Shore Tavern. Recommended stone-cooked specialty dishes consist of filet mignon, lobster tails, jumbo sea scallops, and New York strip. 

Grab a North Shore Tavern gift card by following the link!

7. Penn Brewery 

German-inspired fare and unique brews await at this architectural wonder

Buy a Penn Brewery gift card

📍 800 Vinial St | Troy Hill | pennbrew.com

A homage to the immigrants of Germany and Europe at large, Penn Brewery tells a rich story with its craft beer and homemade cuisine. This long-standing brewery is located in a beautiful mid 19th-century landmark building near the edge of the North Side’s Deutschtown neighborhood, at the base of Troy Hill and only a short drive from either downtown or the Strip District. 

Penn Brewery features a myriad of German-style brews and award-winning, high-end craft beers that are sure to hit the spot after a long day of experiencing art in all of its forms. Now in the mood for the art of the drink, restaurant goers can sip on tasty booze and listen to live music as they dine on ethnic fare. From Bavarian-style pretzel sticks to pierogies and poutine, Penn Brewery’s East European roots shine through in the food selection. 

Pick up a Penn Brewery gift card from GiftYa today! 

8. Kaya

Caribbean-American fusion cuisine that you won’t be able to pass up

Get a Kaya gift card

📍 2000 Smallman St | Strip District | kaya.menu

Another gem of the Strip District is Kaya, a humble Caribbean restaurant serving up eclectic and innovative island cuisine and deliciously crafted cocktails. A restaurant inspired by the cultures of the Caribbean, Kaya is just the spot you want to hit up if you are in the mood for some tropical food. 

The menu at Kaya is a colorful mix of traditional island dishes and American favorites, with everything from their small plates to entrees sourced with fresh, local ingredients. Open seven days a week, you can always depend on Kaya to be there for you whenfor when you need to fill up on some good grub. Highlights from the menu include tacos, sandwiches, burgers, grilled salmon, jerked chicken, shrimp, and flank steak. 

Don’t wait–get your Kaya gift card from GiftYa today!

9. The Yard

Get ready to have one of the best grilled cheeses in the city

Purchase a gift card for The Yard

📍 100 Fifth Ave | Downtown | theyardpgh.com

Another great downtown restaurant destination resides in The Yard, a wonderful gastropub serving up select eats including gourmet grilled cheeses, burgers, and lots of local drafts and cider options. 

The Yard is located in Market Square, surrounded by a plethora of other restaurants, eateries, and venues for entertainment. Right nearby all of the fun of downtown living, The Yard attracts a wide customer base due to their hip atmosphere and delicious menu items. Try out their chicken wings, flatbreads, soups, homemade sides, salads, and much more when you decide to dine at The Yard. 

If this sounds like your kind of place to grab a bite to eat, go ahead and pick up a gift card for The Yard!

10. Waffles Incaffeinated 

Anyone who appreciates art with also enjoy this creative breakfast spot

Purchase a Waffles Incaffeinated gift card

📍 456 Fifth Ave | Downtown | wafflesincaffeinated.com

If you’re staying in the heart of the city for multiple days during the Pittsburgh Arts Festival, then you are going to need a reliable option for breakfast or brunch. Luckily for you, Waffles Incaffeinated is here to help with breakfast goodies and lots of coffee. 

With a prime downtown location, Waffles Incaffeinated is easy to get to whether you’re already in the vicinity or coming from the Strip District, where the festival is being held. This creative breakfast spot serves unique waffle combinations using fresh ingredients, and everything is made from scratch so you know you’re getting the best every time. Try out signature menu items like their chicken and waffles, country benedict, berry-covered waffles, bananas foster, and even filling breakfast sandwiches. 

Make breakfast time something magical with a Waffles Incaffeinated gift card from GiftYa!

Believe it or not, our list only captures a fraction of the awesome restaurants and eateries available around Pittsburgh. Don’t be afraid to dive into the unknown and explore and even more great dining options while having fun at the Three Rivers Arts Festival!