Pittsburgh Guide
Neighborhoods
The topography of Pittsburgh with rivers, hills, and valleys has created little pockets of neighborhoods that have their own unique character and quirky charms. There are 90 distinct neighborhoods in Pittsburgh. These are some of my favorites.
Lots to do in a small area -- museums, sports, a casino, oddball activities, happy places, and some good eats.
Make sure you check out:
Randyland
https://www.facebook.com/randylandpgh/ (more below)
Pittsburgh Banjo Club on a Wed night https://www.thepittsburghbanjoclub.com/wednesday
Gus & YiaYia's on a nice warm day. Go for the Icy Ball.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gus_and_Yiayia%27s
Almond torte at Prantl's
https://www.prantlsbakery.com/locations/northside/
Siempre Algo (listed below under food)
Plus Andy Warhol (listed below under sightseeing)
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North Side
Lots to do in a small area -- museums, sports, a casino, oddball activities, happy places, and some good eats.
Make sure you check out:
Randyland
https://www.facebook.com/randylandpgh/ (more below)
Pittsburgh Banjo Club on a Wed night https://www.thepittsburghbanjoclub.com/wednesday
Gus & YiaYia's on a nice warm day. Go for the Icy Ball.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gus_and_Yiayia%27s
Almond torte at Prantl's
https://www.prantlsbakery.com/locations/northside/
Siempre Algo (listed below under food)
Plus Andy Warhol (listed below under sightseeing)
Drive up (and later down) the very steep 25% grade of Rialto Street to reach this hamlet. Home of odd art installations, a church with tons of Catholic relics and a nice walk around, people watching place. Make sure you visit St. Anthony's (listed below) and La Hutte Royal.
https://nextpittsburgh.com/features/art-house-fun-house-la-hutte-royal-offers-wild-art-experience/#:~:text=A%20dusty%20orange%20brick%20house,%2C%E2%80%9D%20or%20The%20Royal%20Hut.
Troy Hill
Drive up (and later down) the very steep 25% grade of Rialto Street to reach this hamlet. Home of odd art installations, a church with tons of Catholic relics and a nice walk around, people watching place. Make sure you visit St. Anthony's (listed below) and La Hutte Royal.
https://nextpittsburgh.com/features/art-house-fun-house-la-hutte-royal-offers-wild-art-experience/#:~:text=A%20dusty%20orange%20brick%20house,%2C%E2%80%9D%20or%20The%20Royal%20Hut.
Technically not Pittsburgh, but I'm still including it here. Like Homestead a visit back to Pittsburgh's industrial past. Don't miss:
https://vankamurals.org/
https://www.lincolnspgdiner.com/
https://ironbornpizza.com/
https://mrsmalls.com/
http://www.jeanmarcchatellier.com/
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Millvale
Technically not Pittsburgh, but I'm still including it here. Like Homestead a visit back to Pittsburgh's industrial past. Don't miss:
https://vankamurals.org/
https://www.lincolnspgdiner.com/
https://ironbornpizza.com/
https://mrsmalls.com/
http://www.jeanmarcchatellier.com/
The Brooklyn of Pittsburgh. Lots of unique shops and restaurants. And you can bowl or walk around a huge cemetery. Besides exploring Butler Street, check out Arsenal lanes and the Allegheny Cemetery. And my favorite bites come from :
The Abbey on Butler
https://theabbeyonbutlerstreet.com/
Driftwood Ovens
https://www.driftwoodoven.com
Pusadees Garden
https://pusadeesgarden.com/info/
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Lawrenceville
The Brooklyn of Pittsburgh. Lots of unique shops and restaurants. And you can bowl or walk around a huge cemetery. Besides exploring Butler Street, check out Arsenal lanes and the Allegheny Cemetery. And my favorite bites come from :
The Abbey on Butler
https://theabbeyonbutlerstreet.com/
Driftwood Ovens
https://www.driftwoodoven.com
Pusadees Garden
https://pusadeesgarden.com/info/
An oddball melding of Jewish and Chinese culture gives you a neighborhood where you can get the best Chinese food in Pgh PLUS some great bagels. Squirrel Hill is the place that Mr. Rogers ACTUAL called his neighborhood. You can visit his former house .
https://triblive.com/local/hi-neighbor-family-moves-into-former-pittsburgh-home-of-mister-rogers/#:~:text=A%20family%20recently%20purchased%20the,%E2%80%9D%20and%20his%20wife%2C%20Joanne.
Or visit the business district of Sq Hill (some steep hills here).
Several good Chinese Restaurants, but my favorite is Chengdu Gourmet. The chef has been nominated for a James Beard award like 5 years in a row.
https://www.chengdupa15217.com/
Or go to this hole in the wall shop for really good bagels.
https://pigeonbagels.com/
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Squirrel Hill
An oddball melding of Jewish and Chinese culture gives you a neighborhood where you can get the best Chinese food in Pgh PLUS some great bagels. Squirrel Hill is the place that Mr. Rogers ACTUAL called his neighborhood. You can visit his former house .
https://triblive.com/local/hi-neighbor-family-moves-into-former-pittsburgh-home-of-mister-rogers/#:~:text=A%20family%20recently%20purchased%20the,%E2%80%9D%20and%20his%20wife%2C%20Joanne.
Or visit the business district of Sq Hill (some steep hills here).
Several good Chinese Restaurants, but my favorite is Chengdu Gourmet. The chef has been nominated for a James Beard award like 5 years in a row.
https://www.chengdupa15217.com/
Or go to this hole in the wall shop for really good bagels.
https://pigeonbagels.com/
Homestead, like Millvale, is not part of the city but embodies its industrial past. Home of the famous Homestead strike of 1892 which helped to grow labor unions in the US. It also was the home of the Homestead Greys - the most famous of all the teams in the Negro baseball league. Homestead offers a glimpse into a massive Carnegie Library and the Rivers of Steel Industrial museum and cruises. For eats, try
Voodoo brewery
https://www.voodoobrewery.com/
or Dorothy 6
http://dorothy6.com
or Hilda's Soul Food Kitchen
https://www.facebook.com/HildasSFKPgh/
Homestead
Homestead, like Millvale, is not part of the city but embodies its industrial past. Home of the famous Homestead strike of 1892 which helped to grow labor unions in the US. It also was the home of the Homestead Greys - the most famous of all the teams in the Negro baseball league. Homestead offers a glimpse into a massive Carnegie Library and the Rivers of Steel Industrial museum and cruises. For eats, try
Voodoo brewery
https://www.voodoobrewery.com/
or Dorothy 6
http://dorothy6.com
or Hilda's Soul Food Kitchen
https://www.facebook.com/HildasSFKPgh/
The University Hub - home to Pitt, Carnegie Mellon, Carlow, and Chatham Universities. Also filled with museums and parks. It's the place where both Andy Warhol and Miami Dolphins Hall of Famer Dan Marino grew up.
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Oakland
The University Hub - home to Pitt, Carnegie Mellon, Carlow, and Chatham Universities. Also filled with museums and parks. It's the place where both Andy Warhol and Miami Dolphins Hall of Famer Dan Marino grew up.
OK it sounds like a red light district but it's not. It is a narrow strip of flat land where wholesale grocers once thrived. There's still a bit of that, but now it's filled with tourist places and some chains. I do suggest visiting Grandpa Joes, The Heinz History Center, Sunseris. For eats: Enrico Biscotti, DiAnoia Eatery, Coop De Ville and -- if you must -- Primanti's.
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Strip District
OK it sounds like a red light district but it's not. It is a narrow strip of flat land where wholesale grocers once thrived. There's still a bit of that, but now it's filled with tourist places and some chains. I do suggest visiting Grandpa Joes, The Heinz History Center, Sunseris. For eats: Enrico Biscotti, DiAnoia Eatery, Coop De Ville and -- if you must -- Primanti's.
This historically black neighborhood was built on segregation that was (and sadly still is) part of most American cities. But Pittsburgh's Hill District thrived in the first half of the 20th century and was the epicenter of culture, music, sports, and literature for the black community that reached beyond Pittsburgh to the entire country. The neighborhood fell on hard times due to bad city planning that decimated the most vital parts of the region and racial tension and strife. But there are iconic places to visit there and some black-owned businesses to patronize. For example:
Playwright August Wilson's childhood home
https://augustwilsonhouse.org/
The Crawford Grill is Home to Jazz legends and Crawford's baseball team.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crawford_Grill
Bootlegger Joe Tito's home where Rolling Rock beer was first brewed and where the Pittsburgh Crawfords were managed. https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-council-hears-debate-on-possible-historic-designation-of-tito-house/
Try Grandma B's while you're here (Morning/Lunch place) 2537 Wylie Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15219
Hill District
This historically black neighborhood was built on segregation that was (and sadly still is) part of most American cities. But Pittsburgh's Hill District thrived in the first half of the 20th century and was the epicenter of culture, music, sports, and literature for the black community that reached beyond Pittsburgh to the entire country. The neighborhood fell on hard times due to bad city planning that decimated the most vital parts of the region and racial tension and strife. But there are iconic places to visit there and some black-owned businesses to patronize. For example:
Playwright August Wilson's childhood home
https://augustwilsonhouse.org/
The Crawford Grill is Home to Jazz legends and Crawford's baseball team.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crawford_Grill
Bootlegger Joe Tito's home where Rolling Rock beer was first brewed and where the Pittsburgh Crawfords were managed. https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-council-hears-debate-on-possible-historic-designation-of-tito-house/
Try Grandma B's while you're here (Morning/Lunch place) 2537 Wylie Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15219
You won't get a stamp on your Pittsburgh Tourist passport if you don't visit here. There are lots of restaurants up here catering to tourism. Altius is my favorite.
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Mount Washington
You won't get a stamp on your Pittsburgh Tourist passport if you don't visit here. There are lots of restaurants up here catering to tourism. Altius is my favorite.
Our little piece of paradise. The neighborhood is divided into The Flats (that's where we are) and The Slopes -- the hills surrounding the Flats. It's a walking and biking neighborhood. Make sure you visit the bike trail, get your cardio in walking up some city steps and visit color park for great a great photo backdrop.
Climbing the Steps
https://madeinpgh.com/pittsburgh-neighborhoods/a-pedestrian-guide-to-the-pittsburgh-city-steps/
Biking path
Please notice that the City of Pittsburgh mis-spells Pittsburgh (forgot the H) on their own website.
https://pittsburghpa.gov/citiparks/three-rivers-heritage
Graffiti Color park
http://secretpittsburgh.pitt.edu/location/586/
Oliver Baths https://pittsburghpa.gov/citiparks/oliver-bath-house Imagine a building built in 1915 for the sole purpose of helping the steel workers clean up. Very cool place that is temporarily closed for renovations.
Southside Market House -- http://pghevents.net/locations/south-side-market-house/ Cool structure architecturally down by 12th street also built in 1915.
Ormsby Rec Center -- https://apps.pittsburghpa.gov/redtail/images/17695_OrmsbyPAGE.pdfOnly 2 blocks away. They have a fitness facility and pool. Not sure if guests can use it, but may be worth a call to find out.
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South Side Flats
Our little piece of paradise. The neighborhood is divided into The Flats (that's where we are) and The Slopes -- the hills surrounding the Flats. It's a walking and biking neighborhood. Make sure you visit the bike trail, get your cardio in walking up some city steps and visit color park for great a great photo backdrop.
Climbing the Steps
https://madeinpgh.com/pittsburgh-neighborhoods/a-pedestrian-guide-to-the-pittsburgh-city-steps/
Biking path
Please notice that the City of Pittsburgh mis-spells Pittsburgh (forgot the H) on their own website.
https://pittsburghpa.gov/citiparks/three-rivers-heritage
Graffiti Color park
http://secretpittsburgh.pitt.edu/location/586/
Oliver Baths https://pittsburghpa.gov/citiparks/oliver-bath-house Imagine a building built in 1915 for the sole purpose of helping the steel workers clean up. Very cool place that is temporarily closed for renovations.
Southside Market House -- http://pghevents.net/locations/south-side-market-house/ Cool structure architecturally down by 12th street also built in 1915.
Ormsby Rec Center -- https://apps.pittsburghpa.gov/redtail/images/17695_OrmsbyPAGE.pdfOnly 2 blocks away. They have a fitness facility and pool. Not sure if guests can use it, but may be worth a call to find out.
Sightseeing
It will make you smile. Great place for photos. Happiness as a place.
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Randyland
1501 Arch StIt will make you smile. Great place for photos. Happiness as a place.
Nice museum dedicated to a favorite son of Pittsburgh
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The Andy Warhol Museum
117 Sandusky StNice museum dedicated to a favorite son of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh is a VERY Catholic area historically and Saint Anthony captures the spirit of traditional Pittsburgh Catholic communities. I've heard that only the Vatican has more Catholic relics than St. Anthony's.
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Saint Anthony Chapel
1704 Harpster StPittsburgh is a VERY Catholic area historically and Saint Anthony captures the spirit of traditional Pittsburgh Catholic communities. I've heard that only the Vatican has more Catholic relics than St. Anthony's.
Mr. Smalls Theatre
400 Lincoln AveCheck out the shows while you're in town. Intimate space.
An Eastern European immigrant paints amazing murals in this church back in the 1930s. They capture the immigrant experience and the horrors of war in Europe during that time. Wonderful.
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St. Nicholas Catholic Church
24 Maryland AveAn Eastern European immigrant paints amazing murals in this church back in the 1930s. They capture the immigrant experience and the horrors of war in Europe during that time. Wonderful.
Arsenal Bowl
212 44th StreetIt's a bowling alley. In the city (Lawrenceville). That's all.
Made famous by Pittsburgh's own Mac Miller, this playground will help you remember Mac and your own childhood.
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Παιδική χαρά Blue Slide
2005 Beechwood BlvdMade famous by Pittsburgh's own Mac Miller, this playground will help you remember Mac and your own childhood.
Great tours, great river cruises, great photos. This place gives great context to what Pittsburgh is today.
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Rivers of Steel: Carrie Blast Furnaces National Historic Landmark
801 Carrie Furnace BlvdGreat tours, great river cruises, great photos. This place gives great context to what Pittsburgh is today.
It's massive. Contains a theatre (Check out the performances there). Built by Andrew Carnegie for his workers.
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Carnegie of Homestead
510 E 10th AveIt's massive. Contains a theatre (Check out the performances there). Built by Andrew Carnegie for his workers.
Located in the Cathedral of Learning, these classrooms are actually used for courses.
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Nationality Rooms at the Cathedral of Learning
4200 Fifth AveLocated in the Cathedral of Learning, these classrooms are actually used for courses.
Visit both the conservatory and its flower shows, the outside botanical garden, and the Center for Sustainable Landscapes.
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Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
1 Schenley DriveVisit both the conservatory and its flower shows, the outside botanical garden, and the Center for Sustainable Landscapes.
Everything from Rosie the Riveter, Mr. Roger's Neighborhood, to Sports memorabilia -- all housed in a former ice warehouse.
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Senator John Heinz History Center
1212 Smallman StEverything from Rosie the Riveter, Mr. Roger's Neighborhood, to Sports memorabilia -- all housed in a former ice warehouse.
The August Wilson House
1727 Bedford AveI hope someone makes this a museum.
PPG Paints Arena
1001 Fifth AveHome to Penguin's Hockey, concerts, and other events.
Park at the bottom. A nice trip up and a nice observation deck on top of Mount Washington. There are some eating places nearby too.
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Duquesne Incline station
1197 W Carson StPark at the bottom. A nice trip up and a nice observation deck on top of Mount Washington. There are some eating places nearby too.
If you're here for a bit and want to travel a little further, we highly recommend this old-time park on the Monongahela River. It has some fabulous old-time wooden roller coasters.
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Kennywood
4800 Kennywood BoulevardIf you're here for a bit and want to travel a little further, we highly recommend this old-time park on the Monongahela River. It has some fabulous old-time wooden roller coasters.
Worth the drive. Lives up to the hype. A place to put on your bucket list and visit when you are in the Pittsburgh area.
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Fallingwater
1491 Mill Run RdWorth the drive. Lives up to the hype. A place to put on your bucket list and visit when you are in the Pittsburgh area.
Food scene
Among my favorites in Pittsburgh. Great food, service, cocktails. Nice people too. And right next door to Siempre Algo is something we call a State Store -- because Pennsylvania is one of 17 states that totally controls the retail sales of liquor. You may want to stop inside to see if the feel is different than what you have back home.
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Siempre Algo
414 E Ohio StAmong my favorites in Pittsburgh. Great food, service, cocktails. Nice people too. And right next door to Siempre Algo is something we call a State Store -- because Pennsylvania is one of 17 states that totally controls the retail sales of liquor. You may want to stop inside to see if the feel is different than what you have back home.
Gus & Yiayia's
Try the Icy Ball. He's open every nice Spring, Summer, Fall day.
Just love this pizza. Detroit style with thick crust. Cannoli's aint bad either.
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Iron Born Pizza MILLVALE
413 Grant AveJust love this pizza. Detroit style with thick crust. Cannoli's aint bad either.
Jean-Marc has reduced his hours & days as he nears retirement, but if it is opened while you're here check it out. Go have pancakes at the P&G diner and then stroll over here for some bread and pastries.
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Jean-Marc Chatellier's French Bakery
213 North AveJean-Marc has reduced his hours & days as he nears retirement, but if it is opened while you're here check it out. Go have pancakes at the P&G diner and then stroll over here for some bread and pastries.
It's a diner INSIDE a fully-operational drug store. It's totally old school. The super-thin pancakes are delish. If you ask, they will show where Prez Obama sat.
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Pamela's | P&G Diner
5527 Walnut StIt's a diner INSIDE a fully-operational drug store. It's totally old school. The super-thin pancakes are delish. If you ask, they will show where Prez Obama sat.
Huge place with lots of little nooks and crannies. Coffee shop, bar, restaurant -- it's got it all.
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The Abbey on Butler Street
4635 Butler StHuge place with lots of little nooks and crannies. Coffee shop, bar, restaurant -- it's got it all.
The masters of the sourdough. They started with great pizza and have expanded to lots of baked goods. And I'm pretty sure they got nominated for a James Beard award.
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Driftwood Oven
3615 Butler StThe masters of the sourdough. They started with great pizza and have expanded to lots of baked goods. And I'm pretty sure they got nominated for a James Beard award.
Pusadee's Garden
5319 Butler StI love the ambiance and I love the food.
James Beard-nominated chef for 5 yrs running. Skip the Americanized food and ask your server for something delicious. Be adventurous. You won't regret it.
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Chengdu Gourmet
5840 Forward AveJames Beard-nominated chef for 5 yrs running. Skip the Americanized food and ask your server for something delicious. Be adventurous. You won't regret it.
Voodoo Brewery Homestead
205 E 9th AveNice brewery. Historic location.
Dorothy 6
224 E 8th AvePays homage to Pittsburgh's industrial past.
The Cafe Carnegie
4400 Forbes AveNice place if you're visiting the museum or even if you aren't.
Las Palmas Pittsburgh #2
326 Atwood StGood tacos for Pittsburgh.
Coop DeVille
2305 Smallman StreetThink "Chuckie Cheese for Adults".
Enrico Biscotti Company
2022 Penn AveReally good with a nice cup of coffee.
DiAnoia's Eatery
2549 Penn AveReally tasty homemade Italian.
They are all over, but this is the original. If you must. It's a rite of passage for all Pittsburgh tourists.
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Primanti Bros.
46 18th StThey are all over, but this is the original. If you must. It's a rite of passage for all Pittsburgh tourists.
Klavon's Ice Cream Parlor
2801 Penn AveOld time ice cream parlor.
Altius
1230 Grandview AveGreat views. Good food.
Small, intimate, great food. What they do they do extremely well.
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Dish Osteria Bar
128 S 17th StSmall, intimate, great food. What they do they do extremely well.
If you want a pretty unique food experience that’s right around the corner in the Southside.
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Hofbräuhaus Pittsburgh
2705 S Water StIf you want a pretty unique food experience that’s right around the corner in the Southside.
Good Mexican food a couple of blocks away on Carson Street. You must order a VIP margarita! Freshly squeezed lime, lemon, and orange!
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La Palapa
2224 E Carson St Good Mexican food a couple of blocks away on Carson Street. You must order a VIP margarita! Freshly squeezed lime, lemon, and orange!
Shrimp and grits, Chicken & waffles, Mac n Cheese, Greens -- you can't go wrong.
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Carmi Soul Food Restaurant
1825 E Carson StShrimp and grits, Chicken & waffles, Mac n Cheese, Greens -- you can't go wrong.
Delanie's Coffee
1737 E Carson StIf you’re a coffee person you must go to Delanie’s
The Vault Taproom
1327 East Carson StreetGastropub - need I say more
The Milk Shake Factory (South Side)
1705 E Carson StAwesome Milkshakes and chocolates too.
If you want to visit Brunch Heaven, run don't walk to this delish establishment! The quality and attention to detail are on point! They serve Brunch Sat & Sun 10am-3pm, and 1st Monday of each month 11am-2pm.
Sultry Food & Bar
If you want to visit Brunch Heaven, run don't walk to this delish establishment! The quality and attention to detail are on point! They serve Brunch Sat & Sun 10am-3pm, and 1st Monday of each month 11am-2pm.
So close and so good. On the corner of Carson & 21st. I'm a fan of their hanger steak & brussel sprout appetizer.
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Bonfire Food and Drink
2100 E Carson StSo close and so good. On the corner of Carson & 21st. I'm a fan of their hanger steak & brussel sprout appetizer.
Café Du Jour is an intimate restaurant with an evolving menu of international cuisine that changes with the seasons. The menu showcases soups, salads, small plates and a selection of entrees paired with appropriate sides. FYI, It’s BYOB! The dining room is small and intimate, but there's also a beautiful, serene courtyard garden with a small pond.
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Cafe Du Jour
1107 E Carson StCafé Du Jour is an intimate restaurant with an evolving menu of international cuisine that changes with the seasons. The menu showcases soups, salads, small plates and a selection of entrees paired with appropriate sides. FYI, It’s BYOB! The dining room is small and intimate, but there's also a beautiful, serene courtyard garden with a small pond.