
Dish Osteria Bar
A charming Italian eatery in a historic building, serving authentic Sicilian and Mediterranean cuisine with a focus on fresh, high-quality ingredients...

Highlights
Must-see attractions
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Dish Osteria Bar

Highlights
Must-see attractions
A charming Italian eatery in a historic building, serving authentic Sicilian and Mediterranean cuisine with a focus on fresh, high-quality ingredients.
"This has to be the best restaurant in the city."
Reservations Essential
Book well in advance, especially for earlier times; tables fill up quickly on weekdays.
Bar Seating for Walk-Ins
Arrive near opening or try for bar seating, which is often available for walk-ins.

Quick Facts
Cuisine
Italian, Sicilian, Mediterranean
Price
$$$
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Authentic Sicilian & Mediterranean Flavors
Savor expertly crafted dishes with a focus on fresh seafood, vegetables, and house-made pastas. Experience the true taste of Sicily.

Cozy & Intimate Atmosphere
Nestled in a historic building, this charming eatery offers a warm, welcoming vibe perfect for date nights or intimate gatherings.

Exceptional House-Made Pastas
From pillowy gnocchi with lamb ragu to perfectly cooked rigatoni, their homemade pastas are a must-try.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Reservations Essential
Book well in advance, especially for earlier times; tables fill up quickly on weekdays.
Bar Seating for Walk-Ins
Arrive near opening or try for bar seating, which is often available for walk-ins.
Explore the Wine List
The wine list is an impressive catalogue of Italian wines, with some French and Spanish picks.
Off-Peak Hours
Consider visiting during off-peak hours or weekdays to avoid potential parking challenges.
Tips
from all over the internet
Reservations Essential
Book well in advance, especially for earlier times; tables fill up quickly on weekdays.
Bar Seating for Walk-Ins
Arrive near opening or try for bar seating, which is often available for walk-ins.
Explore the Wine List
The wine list is an impressive catalogue of Italian wines, with some French and Spanish picks.
Off-Peak Hours
Consider visiting during off-peak hours or weekdays to avoid potential parking challenges.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Dish Osteria Bar is widely praised for its authentic Sicilian and Mediterranean cuisine, particularly its exceptional house-made pastas like gnocchi and rigatoni. Diners frequently highlight the cozy, intimate atmosphere and the impeccable service, making it a beloved spot for special occasions or a delightful evening out. While most reviews are glowing, a few mention that service can occasionally be slow during busy periods, and one diner found a seafood dish to be underwhelming.
"Great meal! It's a small restaurant in a neighborhood and you will drive right by it if you don't pay attention. They had no tables available on a Wednesday night so we sat at the bar. Started with a specialty cocktail which was very good and not too sweet. Then had the grilled octopus app which was excellent. I had the Grigliata Mista di Mare which was grilled seafood with a little risotto. Spectacular. The scallop was cooked perfectly as we're the rest of the pieces of seafood. It was light but very satisfying. My coworker had the gnocchi with lamb ragu and he said it was delicious. We had Tiramisu for dessert and was also perfectly done--not heavy or too sweet with just the right amount of espresso bitterness. I will definitely go back."
Gus Curtin
"It's a small, cozy, and welcoming restaurant where one can sit down at the bar or at tables and have great conversations with your friends. The service was polite and courteous. What can I say about the food? With fresh ingredients and a superb balance of flavors, the food is phenomenal. From appetizers to salads to pastas to desserts. It's one of the best Italian places in Pittsburgh. I will be back here soon."
Sarang Dalne
"We’ve been wanting to try this place for a while but it’s pretty difficult to get a reservation earlier than 8 PM. They obviously do a good business. Our reservation was at 5 PM, and I was impressed to see a line of people waiting to get in for the first-come, first-served bar seating. It filled up immediately. We were seated next to the bar area, close to the action. The inside is small, cozy, but lively and has charming tin ceiling tiles. The service was a little slow, and we had to ask for drink refills, something that was a little surprising for how many staff were working that night. The food was delicious with the exception of the seafood dish with risotto which, for the price-point, was underwhelming, over-cooked, and had cooled down by the time it was served to us. The rigatoni, however, was to-die-for! SO GOOD! It made up for the risotto, and is the reason why we will most definitely give this place a second chance."
Beth Finnegan
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, reservations are highly recommended as the restaurant is very popular and fills up quickly. Consider booking well in advance.
Dish Osteria Bar offers a cozy, intimate, and charming atmosphere in a historic building, perfect for a date night or a relaxed dinner.
The house-made pastas, such as the Gnocchi with lamb ragu and Rigatoni, are consistently praised. Seafood and traditional Sicilian dishes are also highly recommended.
Yes, bar seating is available and is often a good option for walk-in guests, though it also fills up quickly.
The menu changes seasonally, but some classic dishes remain popular staples. There are also daily specials.
While not explicitly stated, reviews suggest a price range that aligns with upscale dining, reflecting the quality of ingredients and preparation.
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If you’re at Dish, you’re probably there for the pasta (like the dreamy, doughy homemade gnocchi), but don’t forget about the wine to wash it down. The list is an impressive catalogue of Italian wines, plus a few French and Spanish picks. It’s all served from an elegant wooden bar tucked away from busy Carson Street inside what could easily be mistaken for a South Side home from the outside.
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Restaurants worth seeking out in other neighborhoods include Dish Osteria for Italian on the South Side, cozy Lilith in Shadyside, Fig & Ash on the North Side, Hemlock House in Regent Square, and Ramen King 2 (a bit of a detour in the suburb of Ross).
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The beauty of most of the dishes at Dish Osteria and Bar is rooted in how executive chef/co-owner Michele Savoia embraces the philosophy that honest celebration of quality ingredients is the core of a delicious meal. The most recent expression of his Sicilian culinary roots is maccu di fave, a fava bean soup added to the menu when the beloved restaurant reopened in late September. It’s proved so popular that Savoia says it’s a new mainstay at Dish (and the first significant menu change of Dish 3.0).
Finding the Best Italian Restaurants in Pittsburgh
Located in a historic building in the South Side that has stood since 1885, this Dish Osteria is a true gem in the heart of Steel City. With a focus on authentic Sicilian and Mediterranean cuisine, you’ll find a variety of delicious dishes that are sure to tantalize your taste buds. Their décor and façade are unassuming and simple, and their “tv-free environment” helps you focus on the great food and good company.
The 7 Best Italian Restaurants in Pittsburgh
In a historic building that has stood in the South Side since 1885, Dish Osteria is the spot for Sicillian and Mediterranean flavors, as well as a long list of amari for both novices and connoisseurs. Dish Osteria prides itself on its history as well as being a “tv free environment,” as the restaurant phrases it on its website. Reservations not necessary.
Pittsburgh Italian Restaurants with Homemade Pasta
Dish is a place to gather at the table with friends and family for flowing conversation and delicious food. Their housemade pasta comes in many different forms — from the always-loved Spaghetti ai Frutti di Mare to long, wide-noodled Pappardelle ai Funghi. The common denominator: you are guaranteed to taste something authentic and wonderful.
15 Places to Find Handmade Pasta in Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh rejoiced when Dish Osteria announced they were reopening after an extended hiatus last year, with their Scilian and Mediterranean specialities. They offer a few handmade pasta options regularly (though the menu changes daily), such as house-made semolina cavatelli, potato gnocchi, and pappardelle. (128 South 17th Street)
30 Best Italian Restaurants in Pittsburgh
128 S 17th StreetThis charming eatery will captivate your senses with Sicilian- and Mediterranean-infused dishes. With a European bistro-like interior, settling into a snug space is easy. Limoncello cheesecake and rigatoni with scamorza prosciutto are just some of the divine staples at Dish Osteria and Bar.
Valentine’s Day Dinner Spots in Pittsburgh
This South Side restaurant offers a cozy, intimate atmosphere and is known for its pasta, seafood, and wine inspired by Italian and Mediterranean cuisine. It can be difficult to get a reservation, so either book quickly or plan to celebrate at Dish a different night. @hungryjessbigcity on Instagram
Pittsburgh’s Best Romantic Restaurants
Get the best of both Sicilian and Mediterranean cuisine at this intimate, charming eatery, and wash it down with a glass from their wine or rotating cocktail list. City Cast Pittsburgh producer Sophia Lo raves about their gnocchi, but you can’t go wrong with any pasta dish. Don’t forget dessert!
10 Best Places for Pasta in Pittsburgh
This next place is perfectly fixed in a three-tiered building that had run through a handful of owners before Dish Osteria finally took it over. But as the saying goes, save the best for last. They are known for serving handmade Italian delights to even warm your Nonna’s pasta-filled heart.
10 Best Italian Restaurants In Pittsburgh
Treat yourself to an authentic Italian dinner at Dish Osteria and Bar. Choose from such fresh pasta dishes as spaghetti with scallops, house made potato gnocchi, or rigatoni with smoked mozzarella. Dish Osteria and Bar welcomes diners for dinner from Monday through Saturday from 5 p.m.
Highest-rated Italian Restaurants in Pittsburgh by Diners
- Rating: 4.5/5 (296 reviews)- Price level: $$$- Address: 128 South 17th St. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania - Categories: Italian- Read more on Yelp. You may also like:Extreme heat days are on the rise across the US: Where Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania stands
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Established in 2000 and having reopened to the public in 2019 after a two-year hiatus, Dish Osteria and Bar is family-owned and operated with a focus on Sicilian cuisine.
Any restaurants making homemade pasta? - Pittsburgh - Pennsylvania (PA) - Page 3
Try Dish on the South Side, and Piccola Forno's ragu was pretty tasty on last visit. And the two in Market Sq mentioned above.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit