Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Joseph Tambellini Restaurant

    4.0 (206 reviews)
    PriceyItalian
    Closed Closed

    Joseph Tambellini Restaurant Photos

    Business Info

    JOSEPH TAMBELLINI RESTAURANT ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Quiet
    Intimate
    Classy
    Good for groups

    You might also consider

    More like Joseph Tambellini Restaurant

    Recommended Reviews - Joseph Tambellini Restaurant

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Thin rigatoni with Vodka sauce!
    Mary S.

    The history of Tambellini Restaurant is embedded in Pittsburgh culture. It is a prominent name in history of the best Pittsburgh Italian restaurants. Our dinner last night was unsurpassed in Pittsburgh. Ambiance, staff, our amazing server Ali was just the beginning of a fabulous dinner with friends. We started off with cocktails and a recommended Red wine to be followed by appetizers of lightly breaded zucchini and their delicious meatballs with ricotta mixture. Bread and oil was served. We all had Caesar salads Two with anchovies, two without. They had the anchovies in a small container to add yourself. Smart idea. Entrees were the best we've had. The salmon was a thick serving and prepared to perfection. She was delighted with the combo. The filet was phenomenal and could be cut with a fork if you so desired. The pork chop special entree was overfilling the dish. Spectacular! My crushed flounder with crabmeat atop was picture perfect with cherry tomatoes red roasted tomatoes, asparagus and a light sauce. We all had a side of vodka sauce penne pasta which was excellent. Desserts sounded invited and a nice selection of coffees but we were too full to enjoy! Can't wait to go back. We are foodies and very Italian so so I feel confident in this review and my knowledge. Price is in line with the fine dining experience and worth every penny. Free Street parking was not an issue.

    Family style entrees included chicken Marsala, chicken parmesan, tomato basil rigatoni.
    Jill Z.

    I hosted a baby shower for my daughter. We met with Joe and his wife Missy. Amazing family, very accommodating, menu was flexible, plenty of great options for appetizers and main dishes. The food was delicious! I would highly recommend this restaurant for just dinner or a small gathering.

    Olivia O.

    Everything about this place is great! From service, ambiance, and food all is over the top. The food was phenomenal! We started out with the greens and beans which were plentiful and delicious! They give you bread and oil for the table as well. I got the cheese ravioli that comes with a meatball and sausage and everything was so yummy! The veal parm was out of this world good! I can't rave about it enough. I will be back and will be brining friends!

    Pasta side
    David J.

    I feel obliged to update my review since it's been a couple of years since the last one. Nothing has changed. We've officially become 'regulars' , recognized when we arrive, seated at our favorite table in the back. Service is always friendly and efficient. Everything we've tried on the broad, classical Italian menu has been excellent. We've had a variety of fish, chicken, veal, and pasta dishes. The wine list is a strong point, with good variety and fair prices, not limited to Italian varieties as you often see in Italian restaurants. We're aging baby boomers so we never have room for desserts, so we can't comment on their offerings. In summary, I come up blank on ideas for improvement. What's wrong with that?

    Soup
    Ashley S.

    I have been to Joseph Tambellini a handful of times and each time I go it is always spectacular! They are located in an old house in Highland Park area. There is only street parking, but the neighborhood is not too busy so it's pretty easy to find a spot near the restaurant. The restaurant is very intimate and romantic. They give you bread with this special oil they have to start with. The dipping oil is very good! This last time we got the crab balls as an appetizer and they were delicious. If you like crab I would try them the next time you go. For my main course I got the rigatoni with the Tomato Basil Cream sauce and added grilled chicken. The sauce is amazing; it is so flavorful. The food is a little pricey, but they give you so much. My pasta with chicken was $42 but I got two meals out of it so in my opinion it's worth it. This last time I also tried some dessert, cheesecake. It was soooo good. Cheesecake is one of my favorite desserts. It was very dense and creamy and the sauce they put on top was great with it too. The wait staff is always very kind. If you are looking for a new romantic date night spot you need to try Joseph Tambellini!!

    Restaurant exterior plus enclosed patio
    Evan F.

    With COVID-19 showing no let-up, we took advantage of one of the few remaining outside dining evenings to enjoy a fabulous meal at this Italian / Northern Italian spot in the Highland Park area. Service was attentive and friendly on this late-evening meal...we ordered a fried calamari appetizer and put in our dinner orders. Given the snacking we'd done earlier, we decided to only order two main dishes and split them; there was a shared plate charge, but that got us two extra salads or soups so in essence everyone had a full meal. We split orders of the Seafood Melissa and the raviolis, and we got two salads and two soups. Their soup that day was quite similar to a matzoh ball soup with robust broth flavors, chunks of carrot and a wilted green (possibly kale?)...very hearty and satisfying. The salad was covered in an apricot vinaigrette dressing that paired great with the shredded carrots and chickpeas. Our fried calamari appetizer was perfectly chewy and lightly crisp on the outside served with a slightly spicy, thick marinara sauce that clung to each bite with ease. Our entrees then arrived, nicely split in two. The Seafood Melissa came full of sea scallops, a chef's fish selection and crabmeat stuffed shrimp all bathing in a lemon, garlic butter sauce with julienned vegetables on the side. Each of the seafood items has been lightly breaded on top and then put under a broiler providing a bit of texture / crunch to each bite. Wonderfully done! The cheese raviolis were hand made and topped with their tomato basil sauce, accompanied by both a meatball and chucks of spicy sausage topped and the entire dish was covered with shredded mozzarella cheese. This was a total food coma waiting to happen. Sides of rigatoni pasta were covered in either their vodka sauce or spicy marinara sauce adding to our carb load. We left juuuuuust enough room to split one dessert amongst the four of us. The tiramisu had heavily espresso soaked lady fingers set atop a mound of mascarpone cheese sprinkled with cocoa powder and finished with fresh whipped cream. We each had our few bites, savoring the sweetness each time. A wonderful dining experience, great service and a picture perfect weather night...hoping there are still more of these to come!

    Best Italian food I have had in Pittsburgh, PA. Service was 10/10 as well, Fry you were a great server! Thank you. If you're looking for a great Italian spot in Pittsburgh, don't look any further.

    Pork Chop Milanese Special

    Had a lovely Sunday dinner with Alisha as our server. Very nice, comfortable space and the Pork Chop Milanese special was exquisite!

    Fried zucchini
    Adam A.

    Went here with my girlfriend for Valentine's Day and had a really nice time. The food was fantastic, i had cheese raviolis and soup. The fried zucchini app was very good as well and they gave a lot of fried zucchini so it was worth the price for the app. However i have been getting a huge pet peeve lately while eating out. Waiters/waitresses need to let customers know when there is an up charge. After i ordered my main dish the waitress asked soup or salad and i said soup and i was not charged for it. My girlfriend responded with salad and her ceasar salad was an $11 up charge without a word from the waitress. The experience and the food was excellent but i can not give a 5/5 because i am tired of extra expensive charges when it is implied that it comes with the meal or without alerting how much the up charge is while fully knowing it's expensive.

    Flounder special

    See all

    6 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1
    Photo of Adam S.
    0
    20
    11

    11 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 3
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Everything is great, but DO NOT leave without eating the Beans'n'Greens. Abnormally good. So so so good.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Excellent service, charming atmosphere great food when the weather cooperates outside dining

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Jill Z.
    41
    20
    49

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Olivia O.
    7
    403
    783

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Evan F.
    244
    1152
    4939

    6 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Abby K.
    8
    86
    156

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    5 years ago

    Helpful 9
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Cyndi B.
    2
    117
    76

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    5 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 3
    Photo of Sue S.
    34
    47
    0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    The worst service I've had at a restaurant, very rude to our group. To top it off the food was very average Italian food.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Ulyana K.
    18
    630
    2036

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 2

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Aimee S.
    46
    81
    331

    6 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 6

    Ask the Community - Joseph Tambellini Restaurant

    You might also consider

    Verify this business for free

    People searched for Italian 11,856 times last month within 15 miles of this business.

    Verify this business

    Saint Ravioli

    Saint Ravioli

    5.0(6 reviews)
    1.8 miBloomfield

    Every year my girlfriend and I find a cooking or baking class that is local in Pittsburgh to do…read moretogether. This year we decided to down our robes and become disciples of Saint Ravioli. Getting a spot in a class is very hard since they are limited to 6-8 people, but if you get the chance I absolutely recommend it. The classes are 2 hours long each and are extremely intimate. Bryan and Justin will meet you at the door and will introduce you to their workshop. There is a spread of antipasto to snack on which was curated very well. Each person gets to make 4 (four!!) dozen raviolis each. The class is extremely informative and fun. I personally haven't ordered any of their ravioli drops before, but from eating the batch I personally made, I know I will in the future. Highly recommend ordering their raviolis online or taking the class if it's available.

    Although it takes some planning to order ahead, then pickup your order, the Ravioli is amazing…read more When you pick up your order, it's frozen. To prepare it, simply drop into boiling water, then after it floats to the top, wait a few minutes. I also ordered the Marinara sauce which was delicious. The owner friendly and helpful. He noticed that this was my first order, so he took some time to explain a few things and answer questions. Parking is on the street, and I had no problems finding a spot. It's a fun experience and I will definitely do it again.

    Photos
    Saint Ravioli
    Saint Ravioli - Wedding soup ravioli

    Wedding soup ravioli

    Saint Ravioli

    See all

    Garbarinos - Caprese

    Garbarinos

    4.5(203 reviews)
    1.1 miEast Liberty
    $$

    Seriously what's not to love about this place. From the servers to the food to the ambiance, both…read moretimes we've been here it's been immaculate. Got the pasta with a crispy chicken cutlet again, which could have been a meal on its own-may have been a foot across. House made pasta was delicious as usual. Star of this round was the brussel sprouts, by far the best I've ever had. Have heard people say they can make vegetables take on that meaty taste, and this nails it. And they're huge! Meatballs melt in your mouth.

    Food: We ordered the Spaghetti Pesto Alfredo & Rigatoni Tomato Cream…read more The ingredients listed on the menu is what you get. Very simple, no extra effort given beyond the output of a classic italian dish. Each plate proportionately could have fed two people so it felt like we were eating for four. We both left full, but underwhelmed with the flavor profiles rendered. Service: Overall our waitress was pretty absent, having asked us how we were doing only twice, leaving little room for any comments or feedback to be offered. She recognized her absence and offered us a surprise tiramisu (complimentary) to make up for the lack of attentiveness to our table. Seating: A large bar stretches the restaurant accompanied by wooden chairs, tables and a few booths tucked against the parallel wall. The seating is not tight, meaning you have space between yourself and other parties but the wooden chairs/tables were uncomfortable. In 2026, we just expected a little more from a restaurant charging $20+ for pasta plates. Affordability: If you're going out for drinks and an appetizer, you might be able to sneak your bill in for under $50, but otherwise forget it. Each plate is $20+ with options on the wine list reaching as high as $200+ ... We wouldn't describe this atmosphere as fancy, but the prices are trying to be. Comments: Always support local, small business and give every spot a try. We left this restaurant full, but saying we wouldn't be back, and think it's important that you get an opportunity to read an honest review before you spend your hard earned money. Take care, and happy eating!

    Photos
    Garbarinos - Bar area

    Bar area

    Garbarinos - Cannoli

    Cannoli

    Garbarinos - Inside

    See all

    Inside

    Piccolo Forno - Three Cheese Mezzaluna with Wild Mushroom Marsala Cream Sauce

    Piccolo Forno

    4.1(672 reviews)
    2.4 miLawrenceville
    $$

    A few of us came in for dinner on a weeknight and they were packed, so it was a good thing we made…read morereservations. They were happy when they quickly greeted and seated us. The venue is beautifully decorated and though it's small, they do a nice job with spacing of the tables for all the guests they can accommodate at once. They are also BYOB, but offer a QR code for a neighboring wine shop who will deliver any bottle you select and pay for via the QR code at your table - This is great because they don't charge a corking fee when you do this, but if you do bring your own, they charge a modest corking fee, I think $8. Their menu is excellent... it's filled with so many appetizing options! We started with their stuffed peppers - OMG, EXCELLENT!! Any time I'm in the Pittsburgh area I need to try a few things, this being one of them. These were probably some of the best I've ever had! The sauce was finely ground and really flavorful. The peppers were perfectly cooked to keep their beauty and texture and they were spicy too! We also requested a large order of their table bread and asked for a side of EVOO with it. I sprinkled grated pecorino and freshly ground red chili flakes into the EVOO to make an incredible dipping sauce which worked perfectly with that bread! For my entrée I enjoyed their amazing Spinach Tagliatelle which came perfectly presented and tasted amazing! The spinach was perfectly cooked to the proper texture and the sauce was so good I didn't mind it having eggplant in it (which I hate). Save room for dessert, their panna cotta was great! Overall, the entire experience was very nice, I'd definitely return!

    A cute little Italian place on the corner of Butler st! It's got an intimate, cozy vibe and was…read morewarm and humid inside when I went in the winter. It's somewhat like classy Italian food with entrees starting in the $20s. If you pay with cash, you can get a 5% discount! They have an awesome joint deal with the winery next door called Grapperia where if you buy a bottle, they'll waive the $8 corkage fee. It's a nice place to try new wine at dinner. We got the smoked gouda and nduja pizza & scallop mezzaluna (with the latter as part of their new year menu). Honestly, the pizza was way better than I expected, I'd say the best of these two dishes. It was thin but well flavored with the gouda, tad spiciness (or rather kick) from the salami, and creaminess of the roasted squash. I don't normally like white pizza nor squash on my pizza(?), but this tasted rather good and unique! The scallop mezzaluna was as if the scallop was a ravioli filling. So the dish came with 9 half moonish pasta/raviolis served in a very simple sauce of lemon and processo. It was okay, my first time trying something like this but I wish there was more or had an oomph to it. I'd love to come back here and try more of their pizzas!

    Photos
    Piccolo Forno - Inside

    Inside

    Piccolo Forno
    Piccolo Forno - Brushetta

    See all

    Brushetta

    Alla Famiglia - Raspberry Tiramisu

    Alla Famiglia

    4.3(535 reviews)
    5.4 miAllentown
    $$$$

    This is the best Italian restaurant I've been to in a long time. It's five stars for their service,…read moreatmosphere, and their food. Not just service with a smile, we were entertained. It was fun watching them fix drinks and mix pasta in the cheese wheel. Sparkling water House salad: candied walnuts and raisins make it next level. House pasta: corkscrew pasta with homemade vodka sauce is delicious. Filet mignon Diane: tender, juicy, lots of flavor here. Birthday dessert - raspberry tiramisu Complimentary small strawberry filled cannoli was the best cannoli I've ever eaten. There are three levels of dining rooms. We were up on the second floor. Very ornate decor and a beautiful spiral staircase. AJ was a joy to have as our server this evening. We were seated at the bar. But we were treated just like any other table. Great service all night. (7 photos; 1 video)

    Seated via OpenTable Reservations…read more Food & Drink: - Mixed Drink(s): 5 / 5 Sip of Sunshine Old Fashioned - My server recommended it and I couldn't understand why he called it SOS until I had it. Spoiler: it's not the name. Clean, clear, smells like any other bourbon until that first sip reveals just how perfectly blended it is. The kind of drink you savor while watching the sun set on the horizon. Crème Brûlée Espresso Martini - As my heart rate settled from the first drink I needed something to kick it back up. One sip and I could've read the dictionary cover to cover without blinking. Close your eyes and the aroma takes you straight to that first cup of coffee fresh out of the pot. Lemon Blueberry Cheesecake Martini - Beautiful presentation but flatter in flavor than the previous two. However for a final cocktail that was exactly the point -- the perfect calm down after a rich and spicy meal. - Food: 4.25 / 5 Bread, Oil & Dip: A great palate cleanser that quickly taught me the chef loves his spices. The dip was described as "Italian Hummus" and if this is the standard I completely understand the hype. Appetizer - Ceviche Peruviano: Think of that forgotten appetizer thrown together last minute for a dinner party, a hodgepodge of raw fish and vegetables. But every bite delivers an explosion of complementary flavors, and that sneaky hint of spice hiding in the raw fish bites will wake you up immediately. Pre-pasta - Tuscan Kale Salad: Needed something to cleanse my palate after the spicy ceviche and frankly I am tired of Caesar salad. Not a kale fan normally because it tastes like dirt, but the lemon vinaigrette adds just enough flavor to make that dirt genuinely enjoyable. Pasta - Cacio E Pepe: Easily the highlight. My buddy describes it perfectly as fancy fettuccine. I have never liked fettuccine until now. My server, who prepared it himself, recommended adding house chili oil for a slight kick. I went one click past recommended and even then it was still divine. I would order it again without hesitation. Entrée - Veal Chop, Lobster Tail & Vegetables (Chef's preference): After riding Cloud 9 all evening I felt like Icarus flying too close to the sun. One word: bland. The veal was overcooked with all the flavor locked into the fat, and the lobster tail tasted like a convenience store impulse buy. The best use of those bones would be soup stock. I had no desire to finish it. Dessert - Tuxedo Crème Brûlée: As much as I wanted the house raspberry tiramisu I left the choice to my server after some back and forth. He recommended this for its balance of sweetness and berry bitterness and he was right. The perfect final note to tap out on. Service: 10 / 5 Even now, I still don't think I tipped my server enough. Dining alone, he made the evening feel like I had a companion at the table. Great conversation, personalized attention, and a level of service that few will ever experience. It was a pleasure to talk to someone who knows and appreciates food as much as I do. If you want an exceptional dining experience, request AJ as your server. I promise you won't be disappointed. Vibe: 5 / 5 Presentation, presentation, presentation. That is the theme every dish and the environment itself conveys the moment you walk through the doors at Alla Famiglia. This is a place for those who want to feel bourgeois for the night. Overall 4.25 / 5: My goal in life is to become a regular somewhere. There is something special about finding a place you love so much that every visit still feels like a new experience. Alla Famiglia is exactly that type of place. During my visit I was introduced to new items and dishes not listed on the menu, which only adds to that sense of discovery. It may be a while before I return since this place isn't cheap and my restaurant bucket list is long, but I will be back. Hopefully AJ is still there when I do, because that is exactly the kind of server you want in your corner as a regular. Recommend? Absolutely

    Photos
    Alla Famiglia - Upstairs Bar and Dining Area

    Upstairs Bar and Dining Area

    Alla Famiglia - Veal Chop Milanese

    Veal Chop Milanese

    Alla Famiglia - Exterior of restaurant

    See all

    Exterior of restaurant

    Big Jim's Restaurant & Bar - Chicken Parm Sub

    Big Jim's Restaurant & Bar

    4.2(362 reviews)
    3.7 miGreenfield
    $$

    Big Jim's is a Pittsburgh institution. It's been 20 years or so since my last visit to Big Jim's…read more My family was headed towards town around dinner time and decided to take advantage of the opportunity and stop by. We arrived around 4:30 on a Friday. We were able to get a parking spot around the back. We were quickly seated and beat the dinner rush by a few minutes. First off, our waitress couldn't have been sweeter. Super friendly and attentive. Very kind, especially to my youngest son. My wife had a small fish sandwich, my oldest son had the baked ziti, my youngest son had chicken parm, and I had gnocchi with meat sauce. Portions were large and tasty. Three of us had cups of wedding soup. Everyone was stuffed and enjoyed their meal. I would highly recommend and will not have a 20 year gap in visits to Big Jim's (in the run).

    A friend told us how good Big Jim's was and we are so glad we decided to go try it…read more We were warmly greeted when we entered. The waitress was also very nice and accommodating the entire time. A man was also very helpful and brought us things we may need. I really enjoyed the super meaty and delicious meatballs on my meatball hoagie. The Marinara was really good. My husband's Italian and absolutely loved the veal cutlet sandwich. It was huge, crunchy and tasty. It made him nostalgic for the veal cutlets his grandmother used to make. The Fresh-cut Fries were good but weren't seasoned well enough. I also wish they were crunchier. We saw a man order the Stromboli and it was ginormous but looked delicious. He was a big guy and only ate about 25% of it. Got my mom a corned beef sandwich and she said it one of the best she had ever had. We're Irish and she loves them. There are lots of great things on the menu and will be back to try other things.

    Photos
    Big Jim's Restaurant & Bar - Bar area

    Bar area

    Big Jim's Restaurant & Bar - Giant reubens

    Giant reubens

    Big Jim's Restaurant & Bar - Exterior

    See all

    Exterior

    Joseph Tambellini Restaurant - italian - Updated May 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...