Best Seafood Restaurants In Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh is not a city by the bay, obviously, but you'd be surprised to learn about the outstanding selection of fresh seafood that the Steel City has to offer. Once a industry town whose primary export was steel, Pittsburgh has slowly turned itself into a foodie's paradise. From (semi) pretentious artisan foods to down-home comfort selections, Pittsburgh's food scene - and most primarily its seafood establishments - have begun to rival those of coastal towns, where fresh catches awash in abundance.
Wholey's
1711 Penn Ave.
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
(412) 391-3737
www.wholey.com
Wholey's is a Pittsburgh institution; plain and simple - it is a hallmark of this great city, a place where families have been dining and buying their fresh catches for decades. Whether you're in the market for a huge fried fish sammy, a hot basket of succulent smelts and clam strips, or a gorgeous, thick cut of ahi tuna for your next dinner party, Wholey's is where it's at. Gumbos, crab cakes, lobster sandwiches and sushi abound in such staggering quantity that you'd be hard-pressed to sample even a 16th of Wholey's offerings in one trip. Plan your visit to the Strip in advance, and make sure you sit down to eat before loading up your cart from the market (which also offers a variety of non-seafood items). You will not be disappointed.
Penn Avenue Fish Company
2208 Penn Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
(412) 562-1710
www.pennavefishcompany.com
A casual, BYOB establishment with mid-range prices makes Penn Avenue Fish Company the perfect spot to unwind after a long day, or enjoy on a quick weekend lunch outing. The tuna tacos, most notably, are such an interesting choice, and in lieu of fries, the rice pilaf and chickpea salad makes a delicious side touch. This establishment cannot accommodate large groups of people, so be sure to keep your party small and arrive before noon for lunch, as the crowd quickly becomes a throng.
Monterey Bay Fish Grotto
1411 Grandview Avenue,
Pittsburgh, PA 15211
(412) 374-8530
montereybayfishgrotto.com
When you combine freshly flown in catches in a colorful assortment, a quiet and sophisticated ambiance, and exceptional hospitality, you'll have an exquisite dining experience unlike any other. Monterey Bay excels at its art - preparing fine cuts of fish and other aquatic life in a delicious, simplistic way. Whether you're interested in sea scallops, ahi tuna, lobster (or even pasta and prime cuts of beef for the land 'lubbers), Monterey Bay is your go-to for a fine seafood dining experience.
Related: Best Seafood In Pittsburgh
Luke Wholey's Wild Alaskan Grill
2106 Penn Ave.
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
(412) 904-4509
www.lukewholey.com
Consistent 5-star Yelp ratings cannot be forged - if you're looking for truly delicious, fresh seafood, Luke Wholey's should be your number-one destination. Whether you are in need of a facility for a party or simply need a night out with your sweetie, this exceptional establishment can accommodate you. For starters, order the catfish bites, a non-traditional take on popcorn shrimp, and move on to the shrimp scampi or tuna teriyaki - both exquisite selections. A raw bar, unique sushi selection and open wood-fire grill nicely rounds out the restaurant's offerings, but tops the entire experience with out-of-this-world hospitality.
Nikki Tiani-Moroney is a full time mum of two boys, wife of a professional poker player/photographer/amateur pencil-sharpening competitor and writer from Pittsburgh, PA. When she isn't studiously neglecting her housework in favor of a good book, she's out simultaneously fighting crime and picking up sidewalk litter while savoring an occasional cigarette. Her work can be found at Examiner.com
