If you only have a few hours in Pittsburgh, the way to get the most food tourism in a short time is to head to the Strip District. The heart of the Strip is roughly from 18th Street to 22nd Street on Penn Avenue, and there are lots of great markets and restaurants there.
For a single restaurant for someone who's never been to Pittsburgh, I'd recommend
Primanti's. It's a very generous sandwich, so consider splitting one so you have room for other things.
Other options in the Strip:
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Wholey's (15th and Penn) has a highly regarded fish sandwich, though I have friends who recommend Penn Avenue Fish more highly.
- Pamela's has breakfasts with distinctive thin pancakes.
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Deluca's also has excellent hearty breakfasts. I believe that
buffetbuster favors
JoJo's for the same purpose.
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Enrico Biscotti has splendid baked goods. I find their macaroons to be head and shoulders above all other macaroons of my experience.
- Mon Aimee Chocolates has lovely gelato and this fabulous hot chocolate that's like warm pudding.
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Sunseri's and Pennsylvania Macaroni are classic Italian markets.
- S & D Polish Deli offers a variety of Polish imports and hot Polish food.
- Further up the Strip at 28th and Penn,
Klavon's is an authentic ice cream parlor from the 1920s.
This listing may be a bit overwhelming; it's a bit overwhelming for me when I go down to the Strip. So let me make a specific suggestion for a few hours around lunchtime:
- split a sandwich at Primanti's.
- amble around the Strip a bit. Stop at Enrico Biscotti for a cookie and Mon Aimee Chocolates for hot chocolate.
- Once you get back in your car, stop at Klavon's before you leave Pittsburgh.
If you make your visit a morning one, I would suggest you start with breakfast at Pamela's, Deluca's, or JoJo's; amble around the Strip; then eat lunch at Primanti's and finish with a stop at Klavon's. Bear in mind that under this plan, you will leave with enough calories in your stomach to get you as far as, say, Kansas City.
