Guidebook for Pittsburgh
Food Scene
One of the better Thai places near CMU (Squirrel Hill/Oakland). Prices are reasonable ($20, including tax and tip). My favorite dinner there is the duck curry (spice level 7 on a scale of 1-10) and Thai iced tea. Go on a weekday dinner for no wait.
11 locals recommend
Bangkok Balcony
5846 Forbes AveOne of the better Thai places near CMU (Squirrel Hill/Oakland). Prices are reasonable ($20, including tax and tip). My favorite dinner there is the duck curry (spice level 7 on a scale of 1-10) and Thai iced tea. Go on a weekday dinner for no wait.
Best (and only) Korean dinner food in Squirrel Hill/Oakland. Reasonable prices (most dishes will end up around $20, including tax and tip) with free appetizers (kimchi, bean sprouts, etc). They play K-Pop music videos throughout the night. It's pretty popular, so as soon as doors open (5pm) for guaranteed seating. Do yourself a favor and get the bibimbap.
8 locals recommend
Green Pepper
2020 Murray AveBest (and only) Korean dinner food in Squirrel Hill/Oakland. Reasonable prices (most dishes will end up around $20, including tax and tip) with free appetizers (kimchi, bean sprouts, etc). They play K-Pop music videos throughout the night. It's pretty popular, so as soon as doors open (5pm) for guaranteed seating. Do yourself a favor and get the bibimbap.
Hands down the best boba in the 'Burgh. That's not saying much, but they have some interesting creations, all of which are less than $5.
Fuku Tea
3800 Forbes AveHands down the best boba in the 'Burgh. That's not saying much, but they have some interesting creations, all of which are less than $5.
If you're like me and crave quality mocha lattes, this is the place. Haven't tried their other stuff, but if the mocha's any indication it's bound to be pretty solid. Free wifi, like any other cafe.
19 locals recommend
Crazy Mocha Coffee Co
5830 Ellsworth AveIf you're like me and crave quality mocha lattes, this is the place. Haven't tried their other stuff, but if the mocha's any indication it's bound to be pretty solid. Free wifi, like any other cafe.
One of my favorite brunch places in Squirrel Hill. IMO better than the Pamela's next door, and definitely better than the Eat 'n' Park down the road.
Nu: A Modern Jewish Bistro
1711 Murray AveOne of my favorite brunch places in Squirrel Hill. IMO better than the Pamela's next door, and definitely better than the Eat 'n' Park down the road.
My other favorite brunch place in Pittsburgh. It's a bit far away from my usual haunts, so I only go on weekends. It's ~20 minutes by the outbound 61B, but there's no wait on weekdays. Their spinach and chicken crepes are 10/10, but so is everything else.
36 locals recommend
Square Cafe
134 South Highland AvenueMy other favorite brunch place in Pittsburgh. It's a bit far away from my usual haunts, so I only go on weekends. It's ~20 minutes by the outbound 61B, but there's no wait on weekdays. Their spinach and chicken crepes are 10/10, but so is everything else.
Drinks & Nightlife
$1 well drinks on Thirsty Thursdays from 9pm-12am. They also have really good burgers, cheese sticks and the "Fishbowl," which is 64oz of your choice of Blue Hawaiian, Bahama Mama, or LIIT in a (clean) fish bowl.
11 locals recommend
STACKD
5741 Ellsworth Ave$1 well drinks on Thirsty Thursdays from 9pm-12am. They also have really good burgers, cheese sticks and the "Fishbowl," which is 64oz of your choice of Blue Hawaiian, Bahama Mama, or LIIT in a (clean) fish bowl.
Getting Around
Hertz
5634 Baum BlvdThe CMU bus stop. Get off here if you're coming in from the airport on the 28X. You can get on any 61A/B/C/D here, or the 67 or 69 bus lines.
Forbes Ave at Morewood Ave FS (Carnegie Mellon) station
5000 Forbes AveThe CMU bus stop. Get off here if you're coming in from the airport on the 28X. You can get on any 61A/B/C/D here, or the 67 or 69 bus lines.
Listed Uber ATC just to say that Pittsburgh is the first city that Uber rolled out its self-driving car. If you get lucky, you might get to ride in one: a lot of CMU students do!
6 locals recommend
Uber Advanced Technologies Center
3011 Smallman StListed Uber ATC just to say that Pittsburgh is the first city that Uber rolled out its self-driving car. If you get lucky, you might get to ride in one: a lot of CMU students do!
Essentials
Giant Eagle Supermarket
1901 Murray AveCVS
5600 Wilkins AveThe CVS next door is open until 10pm every day of the week.
Parks & Nature
Schenley Park is Pittsburgh's biggest and most well-known park. In warmer months, you'll catch tons of CMU/Pitt students tossing Frisbees and running on the trails, or visiting Phipps Conservatory (large botanical garden).
136 locals recommend
Schenley Park
Schenley Park is Pittsburgh's biggest and most well-known park. In warmer months, you'll catch tons of CMU/Pitt students tossing Frisbees and running on the trails, or visiting Phipps Conservatory (large botanical garden).