Counting Down the Best Pierogies in Pittsburgh

Here’s the thing: Pittsburgh girls don’t need Nashville neon or Scottsdale sequins — we’ve got pierogies, and that’s a whole vibe on its own. Pierogies are the ultimate girls’ night fuel: cheap enough that you can still buy rounds after, carby enough to keep you dancing on the North Shore until last call, and comforting enough to cure the hangover the next morning.

In this city, pierogies aren’t just dumplings — they’re our love language. They’re how our grandmas say “I love you”, how we soak up shots after a night out, and how we keep the party rolling when we’re celebrating our girls. Pittsburgh without pierogies? Doesn’t exist. That’s why we call ourselves Pierogi Princess Nation: because Pittsburgh women know how to party, how to keep it real, and how to never turn down a plate of buttery carbs.

And me? I’m Jessie — your certified foodie, stoner, and hype girl when it comes to finding what actually slaps in the ‘Burgh. I’ve eaten pierogies in every possible state of mind — after a smoke, before a night out, mid-bach chaos, or sitting in sweats on a random Tuesday — and they always deliver. Pierogies are more than food here, they’re the glue of our girlhood.

‍

💡 And before we get into it — let’s be clear: Mrs. T’s Pierogies will forever hold a place in Pittsburgh hearts (and freezers). They’re the pierogi safety net that raised us. Fry up a bag before a pregame? Iconic. Eat them at midnight with your roommates? Legendary. They’re not restaurant fancy, but they’re ours.

Now let’s count down the best pierogies in Pittsburgh — Jessie style:

#6: Pierogies Plus

📍 342 Island Ave, McKees Rocks, PA 15136

This spot feels like grandma’s kitchen — if grandma fed the whole neighborhood. They crank out pierogies fresh daily with traditional fillings like potato & cheddar, potato & onion, and sauerkraut. They’re huge, hearty, and perfect if you want a straight-up comfort meal without fuss.

#5: The Church Brew Works

📍 3525 Liberty Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15201

Nothing screams Pittsburgh like eating buttery pierogies under stained glass windows with a beer brewed on-site. Their pierogies are seared golden, topped with caramelized onions, and basically dare you to order another pint. It’s indulgent, dramatic, and the perfect stop on a Pittsburgh food crawl.

#4: Apteka

📍 4606 Penn Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15224

Apteka is what happens when pierogies get an artsy, vegan glow-up. Crispy outside, creative fillings like mushrooms, smoky greens, and tangy sauerkraut inside. They’re rich, flavorful, and even meat-eaters are obsessed. These are the pierogies you bring your cool Brooklyn cousin to so they know Pittsburgh has range.

#3: Butterjoint

📍 214 N Craig St, Pittsburgh, PA 15213

Butterjoint is comfort wrapped in dough. Potato & cheese, sauerkraut, caramelized onions, seasonal specials — all cozy and satisfying. Eating here feels like slipping into sweatpants after heels, but still chic enough to post on IG. One of those places you always leave saying, “why don’t we come here more often?”

#2: S&D Polish Deli

📍 2204 Penn Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15222

This Strip District staple is as classic as it gets. Handmade, authentic, and deeply comforting — potato & cheddar, sauerkraut, kraut & bacon. They’re the pierogies you grab when you want Pittsburgh tradition, no shortcuts. Eat them on-site or fill a freezer bag for later — either way, you’re golden.

#1: Polska Laska

📍 1100 N Canal St, Sharpsburg, PA 15215

The undisputed pierogi queen. Polska Laska does the boil-then-pan-sear method that gives you that buttery crisp you dream about. Fillings range from farmer’s cheese & herb to kraut & mushroom to potato & onion, and every single bite feels like home. Cozy, craveable, and for me — unbeatable.

A Quick Word About Starlite Lounge

📍 364 Freeport Rd, Blawnox, PA 15238

Starlite was on my foodie hit list, especially since Guy Fieri himself rolled through on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives. The outer crisp? Loved it. But the filling was too stuffed and ended up dry. Sour cream alone didn’t cut it — give me butter, give me a sauce, give me something to balance it out! They weren’t bad, just not top tier. Honestly, I wanted to love them, but they didn’t beat Polska Laska, S&D, or Butterjoint for me. Sometimes “big” doesn’t mean “best.”

Bonus: Cook Them Yourself with Chef Alekka

If eating pierogies makes you happy, imagine learning to make them from scratch. Pittsburgh’s own Chef Alekka offers private and group cooking classes where you can roll, pinch, and fill your own pierogies just like grandma taught. It’s hands-on, fun, and the ultimate girls’ night activity — plus you get to eat your creations at the end. For bachelorettes or birthdays, this is the kind of interactive food experience that feels both authentic and unforgettable.

Why Pierogies Belong in Every Pittsburgh Party

Whether it’s a girls’ night, a birthday, or a bachelorette party in Pittsburgh, pierogies aren’t just food — they’re tradition, community, and carb-fueled joy. You can chase tequila shots and bad karaoke, but pierogies will always be Pittsburgh’s original wingwoman.

So welcome to Pierogi Princess Nation: where every great night out starts (and ends) with pierogies.