Highest-rated brunch restaurants in Pittsburgh
Highest-rated brunch restaurants in Pittsburgh
The word brunch first appeared in a 1895 issue of "Hunter's Weekly," according to the Smithsonian Magazine. In the article, which was titled "Brunch: A Plea," author Guy Beringer suggested swapping out heavy, post-church meals for lighter spreads served later in the morning.
"Brunch… is cheerful, sociable, and inciting," Beringer wrote. "It is talk-compelling. It puts you in a good temper; it makes you satisfied with yourself and your fellow beings. It sweeps away the worries and cobwebs of the week." As a post-script to the piece, he writes that at brunch, "Beer and whiskey are admitted as substitutes for tea and coffee."
Fast forward 130 years, and brunch is now one of the most popular meals in the U.S. According to a 2025 industry report from Bar & Restaurant News, brunch is the #1 meal for both Gen Zers and parents: 39% of the former go out to eat during that time, and 47% of the latter.
Many brunch locations offer the same type of spread Beringer promoted in his article—pastries and marmalade, coffee and tea (or beer and whiskey), and main courses that include fish or other meats. However, a host of other trends like internationally inspired cuisines, pizza, and mimosa flights have come along to add a little variety.
Whether your preference is for a classic brunch or something with a little more spice, Stacker compiled a ranking of the highest-rated brunch restaurants in Pittsburgh using data from Tripadvisor. Tripadvisor ranks places using a combination of metrics, including overall rating, reviews, and number of page views. As a result, a restaurant with a 5 out of 5 overall rating might rank lower than one with a 4 out of 5. Most chain restaurants were excluded from the ranking. Data is as of Sept. 16, 2025.
Read on to find out if your favorite local spot made our list!
#28. Mt. Lebanon Houlihan's
- Rating: 4.2/5 (104 reviews)
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#27. Waffles, INCaffeinated, South Side, Pittsburgh
- Rating: 4.3/5 (178 reviews)
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#26. The Yard
- Rating: 4.1/5 (207 reviews)
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#25. Cucina Vitale
- Rating: 4.7/5 (89 reviews)
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#24. City Works (Market Square - Pittsburgh)
- Rating: 3.9/5 (290 reviews)
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#23. Cafe Raymond
- Rating: 4.5/5 (134 reviews)
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#22. Bigham Tavern
- Rating: 4.5/5 (136 reviews)
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#21. Terrace Room
- Rating: 4.3/5 (240 reviews)
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#20. Hard Rock Cafe
- Rating: 3.9/5 (505 reviews)
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#19. Braddock's American Brasserie
- Rating: 4.2/5 (336 reviews)
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#18. S&D Polish Deli
- Rating: 4.5/5 (171 reviews)
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#17. Ditka's Pittsburgh
- Rating: 4.2/5 (404 reviews)
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#16. Max's Allegheny Tavern
- Rating: 4.2/5 (342 reviews)
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#15. Square Cafe
- Rating: 4.5/5 (230 reviews)
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#14. Dor-Stop Restaurant
- Rating: 4.5/5 (261 reviews)
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#13. Piper's Pub
- Rating: 4.4/5 (270 reviews)
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#12. Luke Wholey's Wild Alaskan Grille
- Rating: 4.2/5 (338 reviews)
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#11. Grand Concourse
- Rating: 4.1/5 (1251 reviews)
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#10. The Porch at Schenley
- Rating: 4.2/5 (499 reviews)
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#9. The Commoner
- Rating: 4.2/5 (552 reviews)
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#8. Pamela's Diner
- Rating: 4.4/5 (535 reviews)
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#7. Meat & Potatoes
- Rating: 4.2/5 (1106 reviews)
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#6. Church Brew Works
- Rating: 4.2/5 (1970 reviews)
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#5. Central Diner & Grille
- Rating: 4.4/5 (668 reviews)
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#4. Pasha Cafe Lounge
- Rating: 4.7/5 (117 reviews)
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#3. Pamela's Diner
- Rating: 4.5/5 (327 reviews)
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#2. Eleven
- Rating: 4.5/5 (852 reviews)
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#1. Pamela's Diner
- Rating: 4.5/5 (1023 reviews)
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