What a fantastic dinner we just had at Balvenera restaurant in Pittsburgh. Our server, Brianna was excellent. She provided great guidance on the menu and helped us order our meal.The Sommelier was equally good and because of her, we had two great glasses of wine to accompany our food. We had the beet salad, followed by the lamb sausage with Pear chutney, followed by a medium rare ribeye. It was a delicious Argentinian steak. Finally, at the suggestion of our server, we had a cream cheese ice cream dessert with espresso and dulce de Leche sauce. It was a chef’s kiss experience. We let the manager of the restaurant, Jack, know how great our experience was. We’re now actually considering changing our plans so we have an opportunity to come back for another meal. Do not miss this restaurant.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Melanie jimenez
AMAZING Had dinner here 2x If I lived in this city I would dine here weekly!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Christine Erin
One of my new favorites in Pittsburgh! Having an Argentinian background, I was really excited to see this was opening. The food did not disappoint! The owners are also wonderful, kind people! Can’t wait to come back soon 😊
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Milanesa Chicken and Mashed Potatoes
Ronald Cypher MD
Outstanding food and service. Whitney was an incredible server, attentive and personable. She gave great recommendations. Highly recommend the sweet corn empanadas. The filet was melt in your mouth. The super mashed potatoes were just that! The tapas mushroom dish had unique flavors and was amazing. Highly recommend!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Wexford G
A beautiful and welcoming restaurant. The owners, manager and individual table servers are all dedicated to providing customers an enjoyable dining experience. Great selection of wine and spirits. Delicious steaks and side dishes. Nice restaurant for a date night or celebrating with a group of friends.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Laura Dickey
The food here is thoughtful and well executed. We tried and shared many plates from across the menu and there wasn't a misstep. The downside, however, was that the dining space was incredibly loud - din-filled, really. I would try the outdoor space. I think I would only try the interior again at a really off day and time. If you like loud, this is your place. It's a shame though, because the food is good.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jeff Preston
Food was ok, drinks were great. Massive amaro selection with a super knowledgeable bartender.
Abe Taleb
Food was incredible, our best meal out of 2025 so far.
The setting is beautiful and thoughtfully designed.
Courtney Morrison
Went here for a friends birthday, the food and drinks were delicious and the service was wonderful! I was a fan of the blood sausage. This was definitely a special occasion place though since the portions are small and it was a little expensive.
My family brought me here for Father’s Day. First time here and heard great things. I never ever leave bad reviews - only good ones. But I feel compelled to leave a truly honest review. The food was outstanding. Truly excellent and rivals the restaurants that I eat in regularly in NYC. On that part -excellent. Service- disappointing. This is what holds Pittsburgh back. This town needs to up its game and be more attentive and professional. Consistently run into servers who make you feel like you should be honored to be there. Seriously. You signed up for this. Learn to serve people and make them welcome to spend their time and money there. I won’t be back. Tired of the attitude in this town.
Matthew Ho
Came by for a weeknight dinner recently -- we had reservations for around 7pm and were able to get seated immediately, and it seemed that the place was pretty full throughout the time we were there.
Our group of 5 ordered a bunch of dishes to share -- some highlights:
- We tried a few different cuts of steak. My favourite was the lomo (filet mignon), which was so tender and juicy and just cooked perfectly. I also really liked the entraña (skirt steak).
- The chorizo especial was delicious. The pork/guanciale mix was so savoury, and I liked it didn't feel too oily or fatty. Peppers were an interesting touch.
- Milanesa de pollo was great. The chicken was fried really nicely, crispy without being too oily.
- We had the flan for dessert, definitely would recommend. The caramel flavour was rich without being too heavy or sickly sweet.
Price point was fair for the quality of food -- good for an occasional splurge, I think. Service was very kind although a bit slow at times (but no fault to the servers -- they seemed to have had their hands busy with a full restaurant). Ambiance can be a little loud for conversation.
Christian A Zuniga
I travel often and visit many restaurants throughout and this establishment is NOT WORTH IT in my opinion! The other bad reviews below are definitely on point!!
My tenderloin was low quality, OVERCOOKED, dry, tough and chewy. The manager assured me it was rare and clearly it was medium at best. My iberico on bruschetta was a small portion for the price, and the side of mushrooms was okay.
In order to justify their prices, the quality of meat has to improve and cooked to the right temperature. They need to inform the guests, that all sides are sold a-la-carte beforehand, and the service has to be more attentive, smiley and hygienic.
I saw a worker handling the lettuce for the salads with her bare hands, while touching everything else.
The service was arrogant, forgetful and aloof.
More creative with better quality food and friendlier service is found around easily.
Nathan Stone
Where to begin?! Balvanera is definitely in my top 2 restaurants in Pittsburgh. Start to finish. We had several appetizers (the tuna was amazing), entrees (Argentina is the meat capitol of the world ;-), deserts, and drinks. The lamb sausage was even better than our hand made!
Bill walked us through a personalized Amaro flight that managed to introduce us to two new Amarii. And Meredith's hospitality and beautiful wardrobe set the cultural tone for the evening. And the wait staff were more attentive than anywhere I've been for years.
We loved every minute!
Dietary restrictions: We had no problems navigating our own gluten sensitivity.
Parking: Talking with Bill (sommelier and Amaro afficianado) and Meredith (chief cultural officer) made the night lovely, personal, and memorable
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Lamb Sausage
Frank Caputo
Excellent service, well-trained staff. The steaks are flown in from Argentina daily and fresh. Very well prepared, awesome environment
Excellent service, food, drinks and ambiance
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
What a fantastic dinner we just had at Balvenera restaurant in Pittsburgh. Our server, Brianna was excellent. She provided great guidance on the menu and helped us order our meal.The Sommelier was equally good and because of her, we had two great glasses of wine to accompany our food. We had the beet salad, followed by the lamb sausage with Pear chutney, followed by a medium rare ribeye. It was a delicious Argentinian steak. Finally, at the suggestion of our server, we had a cream cheese ice cream dessert with espresso and dulce de Leche sauce. It was a chef’s kiss experience. We let the manager of the restaurant, Jack, know how great our experience was. We’re now actually considering changing our plans so we have an opportunity to come back for another meal. Do not miss this restaurant.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
AMAZING
Had dinner here 2x
If I lived in this city I would dine here weekly!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
One of my new favorites in Pittsburgh! Having an Argentinian background, I was really excited to see this was opening. The food did not disappoint! The owners are also wonderful, kind people! Can’t wait to come back soon 😊
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Milanesa Chicken and Mashed Potatoes
Outstanding food and service. Whitney was an incredible server, attentive and personable. She gave great recommendations. Highly recommend the sweet corn empanadas. The filet was melt in your mouth. The super mashed potatoes were just that! The tapas mushroom dish had unique flavors and was amazing. Highly recommend!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
A beautiful and welcoming restaurant. The owners, manager and individual table servers are all dedicated to providing customers an enjoyable dining experience. Great selection of wine and spirits. Delicious steaks and side dishes.
Nice restaurant for a date night or celebrating with a group of friends.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The food here is thoughtful and well executed. We tried and shared many plates from across the menu and there wasn't a misstep. The downside, however, was that the dining space was incredibly loud - din-filled, really. I would try the outdoor space. I think I would only try the interior again at a really off day and time. If you like loud, this is your place. It's a shame though, because the food is good.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 5
Service: 5
Food was ok, drinks were great. Massive amaro selection with a super knowledgeable bartender.
Food was incredible, our best meal out of 2025 so far.
The setting is beautiful and thoughtfully designed.
Went here for a friends birthday, the food and drinks were delicious and the service was wonderful! I was a fan of the blood sausage. This was definitely a special occasion place though since the portions are small and it was a little expensive.
Restaurantji Recommends
My family brought me here for Father’s Day. First time here and heard great things. I never ever leave bad reviews - only good ones. But I feel compelled to leave a truly honest review. The food was outstanding. Truly excellent and rivals the restaurants that I eat in regularly in NYC. On that part -excellent. Service- disappointing. This is what holds Pittsburgh back. This town needs to up its game and be more attentive and professional. Consistently run into servers who make you feel like you should be honored to be there. Seriously. You signed up for this. Learn to serve people and make them welcome to spend their time and money there. I won’t be back. Tired of the attitude in this town.
Came by for a weeknight dinner recently -- we had reservations for around 7pm and were able to get seated immediately, and it seemed that the place was pretty full throughout the time we were there.
Our group of 5 ordered a bunch of dishes to share -- some highlights:
- We tried a few different cuts of steak. My favourite was the lomo (filet mignon), which was so tender and juicy and just cooked perfectly. I also really liked the entraña (skirt steak).
- The chorizo especial was delicious. The pork/guanciale mix was so savoury, and I liked it didn't feel too oily or fatty. Peppers were an interesting touch.
- Milanesa de pollo was great. The chicken was fried really nicely, crispy without being too oily.
- We had the flan for dessert, definitely would recommend. The caramel flavour was rich without being too heavy or sickly sweet.
Price point was fair for the quality of food -- good for an occasional splurge, I think. Service was very kind although a bit slow at times (but no fault to the servers -- they seemed to have had their hands busy with a full restaurant). Ambiance can be a little loud for conversation.
I travel often and visit many restaurants throughout and this establishment is NOT WORTH IT in my opinion! The other bad reviews below are definitely on point!!
My tenderloin was low quality, OVERCOOKED, dry, tough and chewy. The manager assured me it was rare and clearly it was medium at best. My iberico on bruschetta was a small portion for the price, and the side of mushrooms was okay.
In order to justify their prices, the quality of meat has to improve and cooked to the right temperature. They need to inform the guests, that all sides are sold a-la-carte beforehand, and the service has to be more attentive, smiley and hygienic.
I saw a worker handling the lettuce for the salads with her bare hands, while touching everything else.
The service was arrogant, forgetful and aloof.
More creative with better quality food and friendlier service is found around easily.
Where to begin?! Balvanera is definitely in my top 2 restaurants in Pittsburgh. Start to finish. We had several appetizers (the tuna was amazing), entrees (Argentina is the meat capitol of the world ;-), deserts, and drinks. The lamb sausage was even better than our hand made!
Bill walked us through a personalized Amaro flight that managed to introduce us to two new Amarii. And Meredith's hospitality and beautiful wardrobe set the cultural tone for the evening. And the wait staff were more attentive than anywhere I've been for years.
We loved every minute!
Dietary restrictions: We had no problems navigating our own gluten sensitivity.
Parking: Talking with Bill (sommelier and Amaro afficianado) and Meredith (chief cultural officer) made the night lovely, personal, and memorable
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Lamb Sausage
Excellent service, well-trained staff. The steaks are flown in from Argentina daily and fresh. Very well prepared, awesome environment
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Side of Mashed Potatoes
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