Butcher and The Rye

American restaurant that my friend and I ventured into, while in Pittsburgh. We've heard this recommended from several friends, and wanted to give it a try. SO glad we did! Atmosphere: Has a dim and "rustic" feel - it's an intimate environment with bar seating, and the tables are generally placed quite close to each other. Likely wouldn't recommend for groups larger than 6, but for 2, it was perfect! I do wish there was a bit more space between tables, as it got quite loud.Food: Honestly - incredible all around. I thought every dish had an intricate mix of ingredients, all cooked very well! For appetizers - I personally don't think I've had such flavorful tartare before, which they pair with sauces on top of bread. The bronzino entree was cooked perfectly - crispy skin with tender meat. The only critique I had was that their brussel sprouts were not flavored as well as their other dishes; just felt like they were doused in butter. Highly recommend the apple bread pudding - so soft and fluffy, and paired well with vanilla ice cream. And all portions were very feeling - worth the prices! Overall: 5/5 - the next time I'm in Pittsburgh, I'm coming back and trying their other dishes! Incredible food and service! More...

Reviewed on Yelp

A girlfriend and I came to Butcher and the Rye for her birthday dinner. We'd been hearing for a long time about how Butcher in the Rye is the best reviewed restaurant in Pittsburgh, so we wanted to try for ourselves. The first thing I loved, as an English teacher, was the decor. Seated on the second level, we were greeted with views is a large Holden Caulfied mural to one side, and a wall of bookshelves to the other. The ambiance was lovely--intimate, candle-lit, yet not stuffy. We started with the cheese plate and brussel sprouts. The cheese plate was well-balanced and the perfect size for the two of us to share. I particularly liked the breadstick-crackers that had a strong crunch and great flavor. The brussel sprouts though. Those were something else. Crunchy, but not too dry. Salty, but balanced with a rich, fatty aioli with a hint of lemony acid to cut through. Those were probably the best Brussel sprouts I've ever had. For our meals, my friend ordered the steak and I ordered the scallop entree. My scallops were perfectly cooked with a perfect sear that creates a thicker crust than I'd had on a scallop before that I really enjoyed. It was served on top of the crab risotto which was an excellent texture with just enough bite. I also loved the hint of lemon that balanced the richness of the risotto and the delicate scallops. For dessert we shared the pumpkin cheesecake. Rich, creamy, topped with brulee'd mashmallows. No complaints here. Everything at Butcher in the Rye was PERFECTLY balanced. I see why it rates so highly with everyone in Pittsburgh, and now it also rates highly with me. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

I visited Butcher and the Rye on a Friday night with my best friend during our annual birthday celebrations. I had made reservations a few weeks ahead of time on Yelp and had a lot of options for timing. DISCLAIMER: According to Yelp, if you cancel your reservation here with LESS than 24 hour notice, you can be charged up to $15 per person. We started the evening with the best Brussel sprouts I have had in Pittsburgh - they come with an amazing aioli and are cooked to absolute perfection. They come in a hefty portion, so they're great to share! We also shared the meat and cheese board. This was really enjoyable and came with unique crackers as well as a variety of meats, jams, and spreads to pair with the cheese.For entrees, I opted for the New York Strip but traded out my side for asparagus. The steak was cooked perfectly and the asparagus was good, too, but I almost wished I had gotten more Brussel sprouts! My friend got the scallops with risotto and they looked amazing and she confirmed that they indeed were!We of course couldn't finish the evening without dessert, so we shared the pumpkin cheesecake. It was the perfect size and came with browned marshmallows that really added the perfect touch.My only disappointment about the evening was service. Our service was certainly good, but when you dine somewhere like this, you expect to really be blown away and it just fell a little short for me. Again, nothing to really complain about, but I think it could have added even more to the experience. I will definitely come back - even to try sitting at their awesome bar where the bartenders are climbing a ladder to reach top shelf liquor. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

After hearing so many good things about this establishment I decided to check it out last night.  My friend and I were able to snag two seats at the bar.  The bar service was fantastic as were the drinks.  They'll even make you drinks off the menu if you like a certain spirit.  The food here is also good.  I had the Dirty Pasta which was very tasty as well as the side of Potatoes.  The Potatoes are served with mashed Fava Beans which were spicy and delicious.  I'm looking forward to returning to try some more of their great food and drinks. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Food and cocktails were great. The atmosphere and decor were very cool. We were dining late on a Tue so did feel a bit rushed but understandable and table server was very nice and told us if we wanted to go down to the bar the hang out more it was open later. So we headed down to be ignored by the hipster bartenders for about 10 min then asked if they would serve us and we got a cold no as they eyed us and quietly talked to one another. I am guessing this is one of the "cool" restaurants in Pittsburg so I guess you can treat people like that here. I eat at a lot of similar restaurants in many cities around the country with much better service. Can only assume this place is a big deal here. I don't get offended easily so could return while I'm here visiting due to quality of food, but the bartenders could definitely get over themselves. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

This was a chill place that had amazing cocktails. The bartenders really knew how to make a good whiskey drink. Free wifi. Food was pretty good. A bit overpriced,  but good nonetheless. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Great food and atmosphere

Reviewed on Facebook

Extremely well prepared New York strip. Solid Red Wine recommendation from the bartender -- Rocca Del Dragone --  not to mentioned they have one of my all-time favorite reds -- Alexander Valley Cab --on the menu. Trendy, comfortable, Library-like atmosphere. I'm a big fan of this spot. Upstairs and downstairs bar is a nice set-up as well.  Will definitely be back based on the wines they had available. Huge bourbon/whiskey selection as well. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

This is not my first time to Butcher and the Rye, and I rarely give out 5 stars... however.... I always am impressed and wowed whenever I happen to dine here. Overall, the food is perfectly balanced.  You will find a pleasant mix of flavors that will delight your palate in every. single. dish.  We started off with with Shishito peppers.  I was starving (on light up night) and quickly grabbed a pepper off the plate without really looking or paying attention.  I took a bite and thought 'hmmm needs salt, or lemon, or something, but not bad'.  I then grabbed another pepper and realized what I thought was color in the design of the plate was a sauce.  My second bite was reward with a sauce exploding with complimentary flavors including chile and acid.  So yummy.  That however was not even the star of the appetizers.  We also got the Sunday gravy, a mix of lamb, sauce, and ricotta, with bread to scoop it up.  The savory sauce which tastes like it has been braised for days balanced perfectly with the creamy ricotta and crusty bread.  PHENOMINAL.  It tasted almost like a dream of my grandmothers kitchen when I was 5 (though I am sure my grandmother never cooked as well as that).My partner and I both got the steaks.  Deliciously cooked with crispy potatoes and savory mushrooms.  I could have gotten down with a few more potatoes on my plate... but is that surprising for a Pittsburgh (insert shrug emoji)?  We finished with the mac and cheese (because mac and cheese is a dessert right?).  It was creamy and complex.  A delicious mix of different cheeses without cheddar overpowering the others. Cocktails were good.  I love the whiskey punch specials can't beat the taste and price.  Ambiance is stellar.  Service above par.  Much love for this place.  Highest compliments.  Perhaps worth a standing reservation. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Loved the atmosphere and the food was great. It was a bit loud in the restaurant and with the tight spaces it, the tables beside you could hear everything.

Reviewed on Yelp

Had the fried rabbit - The presentation was picture worthy the meat was tender and tasty and the seasoning was right on target - thoroughly enjoyed our dinner - service was great and the atmosphere was inviting

Reviewed on Facebook

I love the scallops out there..... luke and chris at the bar are awesome... they makes the best drink ever.... whenever I go there I always have the Brussels sprouts, potatoes wedges, scallops and chocolate mousse... and off course drinks

Reviewed on Yelp

Great atmosphere. I had a party of 10 I'm at their chef's table. The apppetizers were a little small for our table so I'd recommend getting a few of the plates. Their steak was really good and cooked to perfection. Serving sizes vary but it's nothing you couldn't fix by getting a side to share with whom ever you're with. They use a really cool tablet for you to choose your drink. Butcher and the Rye is a great place to go!! More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Needed a place to eat before my event at Heinz Hall the place was busy so I got a seat at the bar bartenders were friendly dirty martini delicious and seared scallops amazing! Decor was eclectic and gorgeous! A must in the cultural district! More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Didn't eat here. We stopped for a drink. 3 drinks $60 after tip. Wow!!!!

Reviewed on Facebook

A premier Pittsburgh establishment.  Drink menu is phenomenal.  I found the dishes to all be surprisingly excellent - all better than you'd even expect when you read about them and order - probably one of the best spots to eat and drink in the burgh.

Reviewed on Yelp

The ambiance and service here are great. I would highly suggest making reservations as the place gets packed. The seasonal cocktails are a must try! I was a huge fan of the Scallops entree which is served over a delectable blue crab risotto. Another person in my party raved about the Pineapple Upside Down Cake for dessert. Overall I would most definitely come back here for a work-dinner again when I'm in town. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

If you want the perfect mix of atmosphere, amazing food and fantastic service this is your place! Hands down the place I would recommend to my best friends and family. Unique yet comforting menu and atmosphere!! If they have the pumpkin cheesecake on the menu ORDER IT!  Just the right size and it is to die for. Ask for Luke he is amazing!! More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Very unique and amazing food!  Was in town for a concert and took my friends recommendation.  It did not disappoint...  The short rib was amazing.  Sides were very good as well.  Atmosphere was good.  Our waiter was fantastic. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

It's unfortunate that I lived in Pittsburgh around the corner from this place and did not have their food until the last month I was there!  I always went to Butcher and the Rye for cocktails.  Their cocktails are well balanced and just delicious!  I haven't had a bad cocktail there.  I. My last month in Pittsburgh a friend and I did dinner here.  It was a beautiful day so we sat outside.  I ordered the steak and Mac and cheese.  Both dishes were fantastic!  The steak was so flavorful and cooked perfectly.  The Mac and cheese was so buttery and delicious.  Definitely one of the better macs I've had!  Butcher is expensive but that's really the only downside.  The service and atmosphere are great! More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Great food! Large crowd on Saturday, so a little noisy, but the quality of the food made up for it

Reviewed on Facebook

The service was excellent, our waiter was on her top game the whole time. Got the Brussels appetizer, dirty pasta, and my two other party members got the blue crab risotto and the Sunday gravy. All meals looked amazing, and did taste good but they did not "melt in my mouth". It was also very loud in the restaurant but It's clearly the vibe of the place. I would recommend it as I thought it was unique of a place and a staple in the Burgh. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Great food and excellent drinks. Small plates were larger than we expected. We ordered 3 for 2 people and it was a lot. Very good overall.

Reviewed on Yelp

Came here for dinner before a show and it was a great pick!Ambiance - cool vibe upstairs and downstairs. Dimly lit and somehow lively and intimate at the same time. Was packed for a weekday (Tues) but we were able to get a table without a reservation. Service - attentive. FriendkyDrinks - seasonal cocktails. Had an excellent version of their old fashioned and I'd recommend it. Food - we split 4 apps/small plates which was perfect. My favorite was the dirty pasta- it's their most popular dish for a reason. Carrots were just okay which was disappointingPrice - we got 4 drinks and 4 small plates for $100. Left slightly buzzed and full. Overall great for a small group or a date. Awesome bar upstairs. The ambiance is def my fave part of this place and I'll be back! More...

Reviewed on Yelp

My first time visiting Butcher and Rye myself and my line brothers got together to catch up. The drinks here were truly amazing. The ambianacr is great for catching up with a old friends, colleague, or casually date with your boo thing on a Friday night. I would recommend that you reserve a table if you plan to eat here. This was during the middle of the week and they were pretty packed.  Didn't have many/any vegan options so I didn't try any of the food. I ordered fries  but the people I went with said everything was delicious. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Best restaurant so far that we've been to on a 4 day trip to Pittsburgh. We had the brussel sprouts, cheese board and crab risotto as appetizers and scallops, branzino and dirty pasta as mains. All the food was really good. Our only complaint was that the music was way too loud to carry on a conversation. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

I came here with my wife for a date night. I think my server's name was Aaron, he was very helpful and gave me great recommendations on drinks and food. I got the dirty pasta and my wife had the scallops. The wine paired with the scallops was a delightful combination and the old fashioned I was recommended blew me away. I hope to be back soon! More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Outstanding service, an overwhelming selection of whiskey (though a relatively small beer list), and a small but very well rounded eclectic food menu that is both thoughtful in use and overall quite tasty. Very accommodating our group of 7. Between the group we ordered the Brussels Sprouts, Shishito Peppers, Charred Carrots, MAC & Cheese, Chicken, Rabbit, Burger, and Chocolate Mousse. No complaints on anything. The server was helpful and friendly and gave suggestions when needed. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

This is where my mom told me she was divorcing my father and moving to Oregon with Darius. I hate Darius, he used to always eat my leftovers and he smelled like bacon and body odor. This place reminds me of darkness and sadness. My dad blamed the divorce all on me and my singular arm. Said that I was a sore for my mother to look at. Good food tho! Great place for a family dinner! More...

Reviewed on Yelp

We came here after hearing a lot of people talk about this place. The interior is dark and the ambiance subdued. We had a large party and a reservation, and were seated at a long table right when you walk in. The cocktail menu was impressive and I had the Pearl Thief. The combo of ingredients in this drink was great!For my entree, I had the New York Strip. It was a nice but of meat and you get a decent amount. It was cooked medium rare perfect and the sauce was light, but highlighted the meat taste itself. The mushrooms were the perfect accompaniment. The bone marrow salad did not fit my taste buds and that is the reason for the minus one star. Service was good on this busy night. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

I joined a friend for dinner I wasn't really hungry so I had the Mac n cheese WOW it was really good it's hard to believe Mac n cheese could be that good I was also surprised there weren't more meat options but the decor was really nice and I like the bar upstairs with comfy seating. I would come back just for the mac n cheese but the rest of the menu was pretty expensive More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Amazing drink list and variety. Cool space and great service.

Reviewed on Facebook

Great cocktails and such a great spot to go get a sampler of diverse apps! The steak tartare was the best I've had. Go try something new here. The environment is unique and moody, in a good way. Bartenders have always been very friendly, funny, and conversational. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

My friend Samantha and I were in Pittsburgh to catch up with each other and went both nights to Butcher and the Rye. The food is delicious! The drinks even more delicious!! Chance the bartender is a very skilled mixologist. The atmosphere and service are top notch. If you are in Pittsburgh visiting you should definitely spend some time at this place. More...

Reviewed on Facebook

I first went to Butcher and the Rye when they first opened while I still lived in Pittsburgh. Now being older with more appreciation for great food and cocktails I was very pleased that their standards are still high! Came with a group of 6 and were seated near the front entrance (not the best ambiance), but the food and drinks made up for it. Our group had many drinks (especially from the seasonal menu), but I particularly remember the Queen Bee being very good. For food it is set up tapas-like to share.  I may be forgetting a few, but we ordered the brussels (delicious), cheese plate, dirty pasta (highly recommend), Sunday gravy, New York strip, and Mac and cheese. Overall highly impressed and will definitely continue to recommend to family and friends or others who ask me for Pittsburgh recommendations! More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Everything about this place is great. Ambience and service were perfect. Loved the specialty drinks and the food was incredible. Don't miss the Brussel sprouts.

Reviewed on Yelp

Very good food and excellent service. I love the aclectic rooms.

Reviewed on Facebook

Excellent food and great atmosphere.

Reviewed on Facebook

This is an outstanding experience: food, ambiance, and service. A great trifecta that works anywhere... outstanding!!

Reviewed on Yelp

Awesome dining experience.  Cocktails were great, friendly and attentive wait staff, and food was even better. My husband and I both ordered a small plate as our entree and it was more than enough! Recommend the pate de foie gras as an appetizer, dirty pasta, and the blue crab risotto. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Service was outstanding, very knowledgeable of the menu. I ordered things that I never would have, the waiter really knew his stuff.

Reviewed on Yelp

I went here with a group of colleagues and sat in the seating area by the bar upstairs. I'm short, drink and eat your little heart out! Everything is delicious! Drinks: Creative, well balanced recipes. I tried two of Shipwreck's creations and they reminded me of the cocktails at Bar Mini (in Washington, D.C.). The Pinot noir was also on point. Meal:  Everything was dreamy and my colleagues couldn't stop mentioning the chicken dish all week. I had the pâté de foie gras and the Sunday gravy. The pâté was creamy, not metallic at all, and the toppings really gave it a fresh new twist. After I finished the bread, I had it by the spoonful. It was THAT good. The Sunday gravy brought back memories of granny's stew. Tender, slowly brazed, and so comforting. The tomato base worked so well with the goat meat, which was tender and packed with flavor. I might have forgotten to breathe between forkfuls here and there.  I also tasted the Brussels sprouts and the polenta. Both of them pretty amazing. Service/ambiance: considering the bartender was our server and we had 10 people, he did great! I would recommend this eclectic place for both a date and a group outing. I loved the quirky decor and the dimmed lights. The music was also on point! More...

Reviewed on Yelp

This restaurant had some great features. It's a clearly modern menu. The service was friendly. The beer list has some good local options. The food was good and I enjoyed my meal. I feel like it's priced a bit high and has some menu choices that are more about the buzzwords than the flavors but it's still worth a try. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Dinner before a show at the Benedum.  Good location, close to the venue.  Gorgeous inside - not what I was expecting.  We ordered a lot thinking that small plates would actually be small but they were surprisingly big.  The brussel sprouts are fantastic.  I could have eaten them all as my entree. The cheese plate was nice - very delish honey and rhubarb complimented the cheese. Had to get the dirty pasta - second favorite.  Split a burger - also amazing and very different.  Got mac & cheese side - probably could have skipped it.  Standard stuff plus we were filling up.  But not too full for dessert!!! We split two - the lemon cheesecake and pineapple upside down cake.  Both good but the cheesecake was better.  Would have gotten 5 stars except for two things - too freaking dark - could barely read the menu or see the beautiful food.  Second - the tables are too close together.  I sat on the bench side in the upstairs and I'm not heavy but I had to be super careful getting out that I didn't knock anything off the table next to us.  Plus we could hear each others conversations so well it was like we were sitting with them.  I understand maximizing space but a slightly large person would feel like a bull in a china closet!!!! More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Loved this place! Best cocktails and whiskey selection. Knowledge staff with amazing service! We had a great time! Can't wait to go back!

Reviewed on Facebook