FINALLY got the gang together for a long-awaited girls night dinner! Absolutely love the idea, and a preset menu with add ons was perfect so we could order quickly and focus on catching up. I added chicken to the Caesar salad and upgraded to truffle fries and I took so much home with me. It was absolutely fantastic, and our server was so sweet! She shared how much she loves the Thursday dinner girls nights and we felt so welcomed. Cannot wait to go back with the girls soon! read more

Emerson's - Girls Night Dinner - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Had a delicious meal at Emerson's last week! We had a reservation at 7:30 on a Friday and were seated right away when we arrived. Our waitress was kind and friendly. While everything we ordered was delicious, the appetizers were especially good. The cornbread was more like a dessert. The Brussels sprouts were also really good. They had a great selection of cocktails, including a seasonal menu as well as bartender's choice. I did the bartender's choice and the waitress asked me a few questions so that I could have a drink to my taste. I'd definitely recommended Emerson's! read more

Mussels were solid the biscuit however was very underwhelming but let's talk about this places vibe which was very relaxed and the waitresses were great too. read more

One of my work husbands and I were looking for a place that wasn't too far from work to treat ourselves to a nice lunch. I did a search of local restaurants and came up with Emerson's. Meanwhile, we were both looking at each other when we went in search of the restaurant. The sign to the restaurant is almost microscopically small. Seriously! We actually walked past the entrance because the sign is so small. However, once you find the sign and walk up the steps to the place, welcome to the restaurant that you didn't know that you needed in downtown Pittsburgh. Exposed brick walls, chic bar area and a fireplace? All within a second floor walk-up restaurant? Excellent service? What in the name of everything that is good happen where a new wonderful restaurant opens and no one knows anything about it? Well, you must go to Emerson's. The ambiance alone is worth the visit, along with the excellent service. Totally chic and the kind of place that you would imagine in NYC and not downtown Pittsburgh. (Don't feel offended Pittsburghers! I'm a born and raised Pittsburgher, but we still aren't known for having notably chic restaurants.) We were both starving, so we ordered the Burrata with arugula, basil olive oil, balsamic reduction and crostini. I ordered the Grilled Salmon with with mango and red pepper sauce, jerked couscous and sauteed haricots verts(green beans y'all!) My work husband ordered the Emerson's Burger with two 4oz dry aged beef patties, American cheese, grilled onions and truffle fries. We ate like tomorrow wasn't going to happen. The burrata was on point and extremely fresh tasting. (I know that burrata is a fresh cheese, but I've had it go awry) My salmon was perfectly cooked and the jerked couscous was a welcome departure for a side dish. My buddy's burger and fries were also on point. Aged beef patties are definitely a hit with good ole American cheese. On an additional visit, I also ordered the Crispy Brussel Sprouts with lemon, parmesan and a friend ordered the Penne Alla Vodka with grilled chicken. Tasty is all that I can say. You must visit this restaurant because the food and everything will surprise you in a good way! read more

Emerson's - Burrata with sundried tomatoes - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

I only went here for a happy hour, but definitely want to come back for a full meal!! Everything on the menu looked sooo good and the appetizers we ordered were great. I loved the hummus board! The ambiance was trendy without being try-hard. Nice warm lighting and great decorations. We ordered a few different cocktails that were all super tasty with cute garnishes. Overall I thought this place was great quality, and i'm looking forward to returning for a full dinner. read more

Emerson's - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Tucked away upstairs in a swanky restaurant lounge, Emerson's serves an elevated selection of lunch and dinner options, as well as happy hour and after dinner drinks. We were offered the Wednesday 1/2 off bottles of wine special, but opted for cocktails (not featured on the menu). Everything was straight forward and very enjoyable, I would definitely come back for food as well next time. read more

Emerson's - September 2023 - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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Great restaurant in downtown Pittsburgh! This is definitely the popular spot for young professionals, as it was filled after 5pm on a Wednesday. They do take reservations, so I highly recommend doing so because there's minimal tables and a standing bar section. They have a nice happy hour that goes until 7pm, with $2 off drinks, so I ordered the Triple Crown cocktail. It was very delicious and refreshing. With flavors of strawberry, cucumber, and hint of lime mixed with whiskey it was delicious. The food menu is a bit limited but still options with different proteins and reasonable price ranges. I got the Tie Dye Fried Chicken Sandwich and absolutely loved it! And elevated version of a chicken parmesan sandwich with deeper flavors and ingredients. The vodka sauce was creamy and not overly sweet, combining with the sunflower seed pesto to create a delicious bite to lighten the nicely breaded and fried chicken and brioche bun from Mediterra. All topped with buratta and served with a side of truffle fries and aoili. I only wish it was bigger because it was so incredible! read more

Emerson's - Triple Crown - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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The service was good. Smaller than I thought. Food was good. Loved their truffle fries. For the most part it was a good restaurant

Emerson's is a beautiful space located upstairs in the same building as market st. grocery in Market Square. Service is really friendly and welcoming. I've been for dinner a few times which has always been excellent. Tonight, my friend and I checked out 1/2 off wine night and split a delicious bottle of Pinot Grigio. We also had the charcuterie (very good but small portion for $20), the fried olives: DELISH, and I ordered the mussels as my main. Great portion and super flavorful. Loved the white wine sauce. I highly recommend this spot when you're looking for both great atmosphere and food downtown. read more

Emerson's - Mussels - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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Kids and I give this place a 5! My husband gives it a 3. Service: fantastic! Ambiance: 5 (but loud) food: 5. Burrata was amazing. Crispy Brussel sprouts were great (one kid didn't like the cheese on it) Salmon salad was delicious! Kids pasta was a huge hit! The sirloin steak was too fatty for my husband.... But he should have known.. lol Great party happening at the bar, made it a little loud but also made it feel like a Spot The restaurant located on the second floor threw us a little when trying to find it. read more

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This is the cutest place with the best ambiance. Great place for a date night or girls night. The truffle fries are delicious and so is the burger. I love coming here with friends and will absolutely be back. read more

Emerson's - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Food overall was good! Chicken was a little dry on my salad but that was really it. Went here with the girls and we were all able to split things off the menu. The non-alcoholic spritz was delicious and a good sub to fit in. The little space is so perfect and intimate and the lighting is easy on the eyes. Service was good and fast! read more

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We had reservations for Valentine's Day. We arrived a little early, but the hostess asked if we wanted to be seated, so we didn't have to wait. She offered us a complimentary glass of champagne as we walked to our table. The space is open with a nice sized bar and good amount of tables. It is quaint with dim lighting and lots of natural light. Our server was amazing and very attentive. He suggested different options on the menu and was very easy to make small talk with. The food was delicious. The meatballs were light and fluffy. The salmon and risotto was done perfectly. And for another appetizer we tried the fried olives with aioli sauce. They were different, but very tasty. Price wise, this was extremely reasonable. It is in Market Square. I expected prices to be higher, but was pleasantly surprised seeing our bill after we had drinks, apps, meals and desserts. We will definitely be back! read more

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Emerson's has my absolute favorite fries in the whole city, possibly the whole word? I don't know how they do it, but they have the fry game DOWN. I could live off these fries and rave about them for hours okay. I only recently discovered Emersons last year, I think because their door is kind of hidden. They are a contemporary/chic/rustic? cocktail lounge/restaurant located on the second floor of Market st Grocery in Market Square. They have regular tables as well as bar seating and comfy couches. We ordered, Dirty Martini, Burrata, Truffle Fries, and Caesar Salad.I think I don't need to say anything else about the fries okay hahaha. The Burrata was very delicious. You could literally eat it plain with nothing else. No bread, nothing!! The Caesar salad was so good!! I love when places grill the lettuce. It smells like a campfire. The waitress was really nice and the food came out really quick!! If you've never been to Emerson's, literally what are you doing. read more

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Such a cute spot, with great drinks and food. I enjoyed both the Sauvignon blanc and espresso martini. The crispy Brussels were my favorite item that we ordered, the lemon flavor was amazing and they were great for sharing. They had a good happy hour deal as well! read more

Emerson's - Brussels sprouts - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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Had such a great experience here!! Tried a few cocktails, and ordered the truffle fries as a snack. The portion was a little small tho given how much they cost. The cocktails are FANTASTIC. Super unique drinks, and the bartenders there are true mixologists. Aesthetic there is also unmatched, we were there right around 6pm (summertime) and the sun made the whole space GLOW. It was so beautiful. It's on the second floor, so if you aren't able to use stairs, I'd call ahead to find out where their elevator is to get up. read more

Emerson's - Drinks - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

My friend asked me to meet her for dinner at this new restaurant in Market Square, Emerson's, so we went last night. At first, I could not find the entrance because it's right next to the wine market, and there were limited signs outside. It's located on the 2nd floor, and you have to climb one set of stairs to attend, so unfortunately, it's not accessible for those who have trouble with stairs. Upon entry, I was greeted with a friendly smile and modern, cozy decor across the room. The vibe was really laid back, and there were some soft 90s pop and r&b songs playing on the radio. The service was great and the workers were extremely nice and accommodating! I was seated almost immediately and was given a one page food menu and a separate drink menu. The food menu is very simple and short, so there are not many choices. However, it was not your average menu, and they offered some unique items worth checking out. I got some burrata to start, and it was sooo good. The flavors were perfectly balanced, and the drizzle of balsamic glaze was not oversaturated. There was a slight disappointment with the crostinis. They were stale. But overall, a well executed dish. For my entree, I got the Maple Buffalo chicken sandwich. It was a hand breaded piece of chicken breast, braised in a Buffalo sauce, but you can taste a hint of maple. I was worried the chicken would be sweet, but it wasn't, so I really enjoyed this sandwich. The sage aioli was delicious on the sandwich. I also had the spiced apple cocktail, and it was not too sweet, and the rum was a tad strong. Very satisfying. Overall, I was very satisfied with my experience and would definitely return in the future. read more

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Great dining experience. The whole restaurant is a vibe. It's relaxing and welcoming. We started with the charcuterie board, it was fresh and delicious! I got the pasta which was plentiful and good! My husband got the burger. The fries were delicious. I cannot wait to come back and try more. read more

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Recently got to try Emerson's and was impressed! The truffle fries were amazing. I was with a large group so the mussels were a little below a temperature I would have preferred but for a large group they were still warm! read more

Emerson's - a plate of steamed mussels on a table - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

love the food, almost passed out from how good it was, bathrooms are great, i l0ve how the toliets taste. love u guys, eat here every week.

The food was really good but maybe because I'm a fat kid I needed a larger portion. The marinated fried olives were really good and the sauce paired nicely. The burrata was salty and creamy. I really enjoyed the ahi and couscous read more

Emerson's - Menu - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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This place is on a second level. It's very small and the tables are very close together. They were busy and it was a Saturday evening. The waitress was very nice but she didn't do a good job on checking up on us. We were trying to get her attention a few times because she would stand in the same spot but just not looking in our direction at all. The cocktail I had was lovely but the food was mediocre in taste. I saw a video from a good influencer about this place and she said to try the burger and that's what I went for because it looked pretty good... it came out and it did look tasty but it was not as good as it looked. The party had no flavor even with the toppings and the sauce that went on it...it was still very bland. The truffle fries were really good though! I think I would have to give this place another shot and maybe try something different and hopefully service is a bit better! read more

Great spot for a girls night out! We came for a drink and all three ones we ordered were lovely. read more

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I wish I could give 0 stars. Went there tonight to have a post dinner drink. Called ahead and they stated there were bar seats available. There were 4 of us. The place wasn't even crowded. We took two bar seats and two to stand. Then we were told that no one could stand at the bar. What is this ..:2020 Covid? We stated we were just having drinks. The hostess told us we could not and was soooo unfriendly. I will never go there again. I'd advise others not to as well. So many other places with better staff and drinks. Horrible and rude. read more

Very very cute. Small bar and restaurant so cozy. There is a fireplace with a small sitting area with couch and chairs, we finished our wine after dinner there. Our food was very delicious and quick service. We will be back! read more

Emerson's - Pork chops - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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Hidden gem tucked away in market square. What makes them special is that they have rotating menu. Staff are so friendly and makes delicious cocktails. Absolutely obsessed with their truffle fries. read more

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We had a really great meal at Emerson's! We were running late but the staff was very accommodating even with the kitchen closing soon. The restaurant has great ambiance and I can imagine would be more packed earlier in the evening. We had mussels to start which were great. The steak and Caesar salad with chicken were great. The salmon in the market salad was good too but might try something else next time. We will be back! read more

Emerson's - Charred Caesar with chicken, steak, salad with salmon - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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Decent spot! It sits on top of Market st. Grocery. There's something for everyone on the menu and the drinks here were good! I had an espresso martini and it was good. They have really good truffle fries and starters here. Our group loved the burrata and Brussel sprouts. I didn't love their cornbread since it was kind of basic. I liked my salmon salad a lot and the dressing it came with was good. The vodka penne was good too. The vibes in this spot are great! It's moody and has a romantic little fireplace seating. It feels like a great place to get drinks and some apps. Our server was nice too! read more

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Grabbed drinks and an appetizer here before we had dinner and can't wait to go back. The inside what clean and sleek and cozy. The drinks were fun to try different ones! I knew they would be good quality so we tried a couple. Our waiter was great and helped us decide which drinks to get. One of the best parts was that they have happy hour everyday, including Saturday! And their beer selection is limited but they had some great options. The food we got was good! read more

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Um....I have been missing out!! I knew about Emerson's and have been following them on social media, but never stopped until recently. I love Market St. Grocery and used to go to the Market St. Grocery wine bar often pre covid times. When the wine bar closed down, I was super bummed! I learned about Emerson's which I expected to be small and similar to the wine bar. Wow, it is a full sized restaurant with a long, beautiful bar. The aesthetics in this place are apartment *goals*. I can't wait to hang here all Fall/Winter by the fire drinking red wine. I think this is really going to be my new spot. My dad and I were hungry after watching live music downtown and I suggested we try it. I didn't realize they had a full dinner menu and much more than just cheese plates! We went up the steps and were greeted right away. We sat at a hightop table near the bar and started looking over the menus. The awesome bartender Erin recommended cocktails and gave us the run down of what they do. I was planning to get wine, but went with one of her recommendations. I tried the melon Champagne Julep : Sparkling Wine, Melon, Mint, Cognac, and my dad had the Arnold Palmer Old Fashioned: De Fer Tea infused Bourbon, lemon cordial, angostura bitter, lemon twist. Both drinks were great! I ordered the salmon salad: Grilled salmon, shaved lemon peel, parsley, mixed greens, heirloom cherry tomato, cucumber, artichoke hearts, pickled red onion, honey ginger vinaigrette. I liked the salad and the dressing a lot, but my salmon was really overcooked. I didn't specify how I wanted it prepared, but I will definitely order it medium or rare next time. It was just okay, but the salad itself was really good. My dad had the Italian roast pork sandwich: Herb rubbed roasted pork shoulder, braised broccoli rabe, sharp provolone, olive oil focaccia with truffle fries. He literally raved about it after every bite he took. The truffle fries were definitely the highlight of the meal. They were piled high with freshly shredded cheese and had all the truffle flavor you could want. I can't wait to go back to try their pasta for dinner, or to get a cheese plate and bottle of wine. They have half priced bottles of wine on Wednesday too! We will be back soon! read more

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I haven't been here in a long time, and I'm so glad I stopped back! Nice, relaxed atmosphere and great drinks. Can't wait to come back for Wine Down Wednesday! read more

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I hadn't been to Emerson's since pre-pandemic & had never tried their food, but liked the ambiance, so we made our Valentine's date reservations there & arrived for a late dinner. This spot is above Market St. Grocery downtown. We were early so we got cocktails at the bar. It's like a loft apartment feel with a mixture of "undone" & luxe finishes to create a cool space. I really like the bar, especially the dimmable lamps. My pistachio daiquiri was perfect. The fried olives app is 10/10. If you're like me and don't like olives I challenge you to try castlevetranos. They're light green, buttery & delish...unlike any other black/green basic olive I've tried. (Frescatranos are a close 2nd) Having them fried with aioli was chef's kiss! For my 2nd cocktail I went with the Sage Whiskey Sour. I expected it to be served up with egg white foam but it was in a rocks glass. Still strong & tasty. Also tried Jason's Fig Gold Rush cocktail which was like a sweet old fashioned. Delectable! So much on the food menu sounded great, we went a bit overboard ordering. We also got a poke tuna starter which was unique with crunchy macadamia nuts but, unfortunately, the avocado was hard, not ripe, which detracted from the dish. As our mains, Jason got a beef and broccoli rabe sandwich with truffle fries & I got mussels. This is where we didn't really enjoy the meal, but we were already pretty full from starters so it wasn't a huge deal to us. Jason's bread was heavy & a little too soggy for his liking on the bottom. The mussels just weren't good at all imo. The broth wasn't flavorful. Very watery. The waiter was kind enough to check on why we weren't finishing the food, which we appreciated - good service overall. We still had a great date night here & I'd definitely go back for drinks & apps. Olives, truffle fries, & the pistachio cocktail were the stars of the show for me! read more

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Emerson's has a great ambiance and energy. I went on a Wednesday night which was pretty good. There were a few tables full but still quiet enough to have a conversation. And the service was very timely and helpful. The drinks were very good. The espresso martini had De Fer Cold Brew and was my favorite. The butterfly pea cocktail was also delicious and sweet. The cornbread biscuit was under appetizers but was actually too sweet. I would consider this a dessert and had an a great crumbly cookie texture to it. I had to get the crispy Brussel sprouts and they lived up to the hype! For the mains, the butternut squash penne was the star of the meal. It was super creamy and flavorful. I was a little disappointed that the salmon was on the small side and a little over done for my taste. But it was well-seasoned! The portions were big and everything tasted good. My only regret was getting the crab cakes. The cake itself was okay but the sauce was way too sweet. It ruined the arugula salad and the crab cakes, so I couldn't enjoy too much of it. Overall, a great place I'd visit again! read more

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So this spot is located above Market Street Grocery and I guess is technically part of the shop. I love how laid back it is and the atmosphere is just so calming. Having a glass of wine at the fire place is like being on vacation or spending a day at a lodge. That kind of feel. I had a couple of really nice glasses of pinot that went down almost too smoothly, lol. Nice selection of appetizers and a decent looking main menu. We opted for the meat and cheese board and weren't at all disappointed. read more

Amazing aesthetic inside. The place is small and unique. Service was spectacular. All food was amazing. Would definitely recommend!

I have been wanting to try Emerson's since it first opened. My girlfriend and I decided to go there after seeing a show downtown and it did not disappoint. We unfortunately were not able to get reservations, but knew that they opened at 5 o'clock and we walked in shortly after 5 and were able to be seated at the bar. I'm pretty picky about crabcakes and these ones were so good: the squeeze of lemon on top with the aioli they serve it with perfectly complement each other. The burger was cooked to perfection and had a delicious sauce on it, and the truffle fries were so good we could not stop eating them! Lastly, I got an espresso martini and it was the perfect mixture of sweet and bitter. On top of the food being amazing, the vibe in there is unlike any other place I've been to in Pittsburgh and our bartender was very personable and attentive. I will definitely be going back here. read more

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Tucked away on the 2nd floor of market street grocery is the cutest cocktail lounge. Tall loft ceilings, a bright open concept layout and cozy decor make this place the perfect spot for a date night. We ordered the fried olives (this might be my fave version of a fried bar snack everrrr) burrata, the emerson's burger with truffle fries, crab cakes, the salted caramel espresso martini & red wine. Everything was delish! Great little spot for a date night or the grab drinks with friends! Service was great' read more

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Emerson's has the coolest vibe. Was a tad hard to find at first, just a single door off of market square and then you walk up steps to the restaurant. We came here after dinner just to relax and have a few drinks and this is the perfect spot for that. We sat right next to the fireplace, there's a very cute lounge area with chairs and couches. The waiter was very kind and made sure to keep checking on us even though we weren't at a table. I can't speak on the food yet but definitely will be back! read more

Emerson's - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Came here for birthday drink with two friends. This is definitely a hidden gem in market square. I love the aesthetic of this bar! It definitely has a cool vibe. The drinks was fine with prices that were pretty comparable to cocktails downtown. Service was also fine - not bad at all but not super friendly either. We shared some fries and a charcuterie board and they both were honestly a little disappointing. This is a cute place to check out at least once. read more

Emerson's is located right off the center of Market Square with a second floor view to Market Square. The interior is modern and romantic with a large central fire place in what feels like a sleek row house first floor. Emerson's excels in the cocktail game with your classics and offers a unique twist on each. The menu is diverse ranging from entrees and pastas to sandwich's and salads. I enjoyed the charcuterie board to start the evening which was a generous portion for the size and typical price point for a board. It included plenty of meat and cheeses, jams, crackers and dried fruits. The crispy Brussel sprouts could have been eaten with a spoon they were so good and great to have in addition to the truffle fries. I ended up opting into ordering the buffalo maple chicken sandwich which had the feel almost of chicken and waffles as a sandwich. read more

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