Diners' Choice: Contemporary American restaurants in Pittsburgh

OpenTable

Updated November 05, 2026

Looking for restaurants with the best overall Contemporary American cuisine in Pittsburgh? You’re in the right place. Each month OpenTable analyzes more than 400,000 new diner reviews. We sort the results by category to help you discover new favorites. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Cafe Momentum - Pittsburgh

5.0

5 (219)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Downtown

About the restaurant

Café Momentum is more than just a restaurant—it’s a nonprofit culinary training program transforming the lives of justice-impacted youth. Our locally sourced, chef-driven menu provides the backdrop for hands-on learning, where young people rotate through every aspect of the restaurant, from front-of-house service to kitchen prep, all under the guidance of award- winning Chef Robert "RC" Carter.

Don't miss our signature smoked fried chicken, served with mashed potatoes, collard greens, a southern buttermilk biscuit, and black pepper gravy. Plus, we’re BYOB! Enjoy your favorite beverage with dinner for a $5 per person corkage fee.

Top review

Ryan

Dined on Oct 24, 2026

Great food, great value. Bread board and duck egg rolls were incredible. Great cause as well.

Eighty Acres Kitchen & Bar

4.8

4.8 (1290)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Plum

About the restaurant

Eighty Acres Kitchen & Bar is a charming family-owned restaurant offering elevated American fare with a farm-to-table focus. Under the leadership of chef Don Winkie we serve seasonal thoughtfully prepared dishes in a relaxing and cozy atmosphere. Join us Tuesday thru Sunday for dinner starting at 3pm. When the weather is beautiful, our comfortable patio is the ideal spot to enjoy your favorite dishes.

We would love to host your next event! Eighty Acres is the perfect venue for hosting lunch/brunch showers, celebrations of life, rehearsal dinners, and other momentous occasions. On Sundays we offer an additional steakhouse menu and Monday thru Friday, early birds can enjoy our Blue Plate Specials. All current menus and hours can be viewed at eightyacreskitchen.com.

Top review

JustineGold

Dined 4 days ago

Great food and great service! The restaurant was also quiet and the atmosphere was relaxing

TreeTops Restaurant

4.9

4.9 (2330)

$50 and over

Contemporary American

Acme

About the restaurant

Award Winning Destination Dining Experiences. Discover the Height of Exceptional Cuisine in the Laurel Highlands. Dining enriched with Nature in a Frank Lloyd Wright inspired setting. Deck Dining, Acoustic Entertainment, Remarkable Entree's.

Top review

Mariann

Dined 4 days ago

This meal was by far the best meal I’ve had in years. The three course meal was paced very well. Time between courses with time to savor and relax. Hayley, our waitress was very good, did not hurry anything and was soft spoken. The venture was a large part of the experience. The tree top pod with equipped with heaters to cut the chill; soft instrumental music at the right tone set the scene. The beautifully appointed area added to them remarkable experience. I ordered the chicken and was disappointed when it was gone. An all out memorable time which I will remember for many years. My thanks to the staff and chef.

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Experience

3 Branch Dining in TreeTops Restaurant

Experience

5 Branch Dining in TreeTops Restaurant

Experience

TreeHouse Dining Pod - Dinner

Altius

4.8

4.8 (6980)

$50 and over

Contemporary American

Mt. Washington

About the restaurant

As Executive Chef & Partner of Altius, Jessica Bauer's approach to contemporary American cuisine is refined and modern with a respect for the integrity and quality of her ingredient driven menu. Your first visit may be for the view, but you will return again and again to enjoy one of Pittsburgh’s best premiere fine dining experiences. With modern surroundings, higher hospitality and an organic and sustainable wine menu, every part of your experience has been thought of and designed with care.

Top review

manny

Dined today

What can I say? I took my wife here to celebrate our 2nd anniversary. The food was excellent. The al pastor tacos were amazing. The filet mignon was juicy and delicious. The crème brûlée was sweet and creamy. The view is amazing at night. While it was pricey, it was worth every penny. My only mistake was not realizing there was a “dress code”; I did see people in fancy outfits. But my wife and I were in jeans and button-ups. I wasn’t called out for it or denied service, but it’s something to be aware of. However, this place is a great location for special events, and the food is top-tier.

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4.8

4.8 (72)

$50 and over

Contemporary American

Upper Saint Clair

About the restaurant

Welcome to Owl’s Nest Restaurant, a hidden gem in Upper St. Clair, where contemporary American cuisine meets a warm, inviting atmosphere.

Our menu brings together familiar favorites and creative dishes, thoughtfully prepared with quality ingredients and a little unexpected flair. From perfectly cooked steaks and fresh seafood to our signature slow-smoked specialties, there's something to discover with every visit.

Enjoy a carefully selected wine list featuring approachable favorites, distinctive international wines, and exceptional bottles for special occasions. Our handcrafted cocktails offer another reason to settle in and stay awhile.

Tucked away in a peaceful setting overlooking Frosty Valley Golf Links, Owl’s Nest is the perfect place for a relaxed dinner, a date night, or an evening celebrating with friends and family.

Come hungry, stay awhile, and discover what makes Owl’s Nest special.

Top review

RobertGold

Dined 4 days ago

Daughter’s birthday dinner. Excellent service, good burger. Only suggestion is to expand on menu items (add a pasta dish).

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The LAB at Armen’s Barrels

4.7

4.7 (387)

$50 and over

Contemporary American

Washington

About the restaurant

An exquisite dinner menu along with classic martini's, craft cocktails, a wide variety of beer and of course, our handpicked selection of wine from all over the world.

Top review

John and CathyGold

Dined on Oct 29, 2026

We went for the first time this week to celebrate both my and one of my best friend’s 70th birthday. The food was delicious, the ambience was very nice and quiet so we could talk amongst ourselves and the service was excellent. We thoroughly enjoyed our meals. Two of us had the Chilean sea bass, my husband had the chicken parm special and our other friend had the chicken Marsala. The fall salad was delicious as was the soup. The focaccia bread was fantastic. The only (tiny) thing I was slightly disappointed in was, even though there was a happy birthday sign on our table, I felt my friend and I should have been offered a complimentary dessert after the amount of money we spent. Not that I needed a free dessert, but it would have felt more like our patronage was appreciated and valued

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4.7

4.7 (915)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Shadyside

About the restaurant

Palm Palm is a modern American restaurant inspired by the bright, fresh flavors of the coasts and elevated by a thoughtful cocktail program. Our philosophy is rooted in genuine hospitality — creating a warm, engaging atmosphere where every guest feels welcomed, cared for, and made to feel special. The menu is crafted around small plates meant to be enjoyed together, encouraging guests to mix, match, and sample a variety of flavors, alongside large plates for a more traditional dining experience. On Saturdays and Sundays, we shift gears with a full a la carte brunch menu, offering hearty, individual entrees and brunch classics.
Guests can choose from regular dining tables, bar-top seating, and lounge seating along with a patio when weather allows. If our main dining room is fully booked, we’re always happy to accommodate walk-ins at the bar, lounge, and patio.

Top review

AlanGold

Dined 3 days ago

Great restaurant- food and cocktails! We keep coming back!

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Grilled Cheese & Tomato Soup Dumplings

Juniper Grill- Pleasant Hills

4.5

4.5 (234)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Pleasant Hills

About the restaurant

Juniper Grill was established on the principles of creating a cozy, yet modern, atmosphere. Our menu, crafted with the freshest ingredients, blends a wide variety of American Cuisine with a fresh Cali vibe.

We major in fresh-squeezed juice margaritas, sipping tequilas, and craft beers. Our extensive wine list features 50 wines by the bottle and over 30 wines by the glass.

General Manager: Jeff Bush

Top review

MartinGold

Dined on Oct 22, 2026

Great happy hour drinks. Enjoy live music on Thursdays!

Ritual House

4.6

4.6 (2793)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Downtown

About the restaurant

Spirited food and drink in an atmosphere designed for the senses. Ritual House was inspired by the world travels of friends who also have a passion for Pittsburgh. Inspired art, devilish details, and comfortable, luxurious surroundings, are just the start of the experience. Located in the iconic Union Trust Building in Downtown Pittsburgh, Ritual House features innovative modern American food with global flavors and artfully crafted cocktails imagined by Lisa & Herky Pollock. Open daily for lunch and dinner. Saturday and Sunday brunch.

Top review

Barry

Dined 4 days ago

The Ritual House is a great experience. Great food! Wonderful and creative drinks! The service is excellent and staff are observant and attentive.

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Popular dish

Artisanal Bread Board

Walnut Grill - Wexford

4.5

4.5 (1464)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Wexford

About the restaurant

Come experience Walnut Grill, Wexford, North Hills and Cranberry's favorite upscale-casual dining experience! We offer delicious American cuisine with exceptional fresh seafood prepared by our Executive Chef Randy Simpson. The modern atmosphere of our bar and lounge area makes us the perfect destination to bring a date and enjoy one of our specialty martinis or distinct craft beers. Our full bar equipped with multiple large screen TV's can accommodate you and your friends when you are watching your favorite sports team! Or you can come to celebrate your next special occasion in our dining room! If you would like, we also offer dining on our outdoor patio that is sure to make your dining experience with us exceptional! Delicious food, gracious energetic service and our upscale ambiance is designed to please every diner! Our dinner entrees range from $16 to $28! We accept reservations for seating in our dining room, our patio and bar areas are seated on a first come first serve basis.

Top review

Rose MarieGold

Dined on Oct 4, 2026

We had a party of 5 and we all enjoyed our experience at Walnut Grill. Service was excellent and food was delicious and such a varied menu. Will return. The patio has also been updated and it’s very nice l!!

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Experience

Thanksgiving Buffet at Walnut Grill

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