Bar Marco

Italian restaurant · Strip District

Bar Marco

Italian restaurant · Strip District

2

2216 Penn Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15222

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Bar Marco by null
Bar Marco by null
Bar Marco by null
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Bar Marco by null
Bar Marco by null
Bar Marco by null
Bar Marco by null
Bar Marco by null
Bar Marco by null
Bar Marco by null
Bar Marco by null
Bar Marco by null
Bar Marco by null
Bar Marco by null
Bar Marco by null
Bar Marco by null
Bar Marco by null
Bar Marco by null
Bar Marco by null
Bar Marco by null
Bar Marco by null
Bar Marco by null
Bar Marco by null
Bar Marco by null
Bar Marco by null
Bar Marco by null
Bar Marco by null
Bar Marco by null
Bar Marco by null
Bar Marco by null
Bar Marco by null
Bar Marco by null
Bar Marco by null
Bar Marco by null
Bar Marco by null
Bar Marco by null
Bar Marco by null
Bar Marco by null
Bar Marco by null
Bar Marco by null
Bar Marco by null
Bar Marco by null
Bar Marco by null
Bar Marco by null

Highlights

Italian-influenced wine bar with creative cocktails & brunch  

Featured in Eater
Featured in Conde Nast Traveler

2216 Penn Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15222 Get directions

barmarcopgh.com
@barmarcopgh

$50–100

Information

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2216 Penn Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15222 Get directions

+1 412 471 1900
barmarcopgh.com
@barmarcopgh
𝕏
@BarMarcoPGH

$50–100

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reservations

Last updated

Aug 17, 2025

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@eater

The 38 Best Pittsburgh Restaurants | Eater DC

"Housed in a former firehouse, 12-year-old Bar Marco is one of the restaurants that pushed Pittsburgh’s restaurant revival forward in the early 2010s. The establishment pairs a well-executed Italian menu with pork tonnato, pastas, and fleeting seasonal offerings like asparagus with pistachio pesto and fava greens. The Strip District eatery has a top-flight cocktail list and one of Pittsburgh’s largest selections of amari. Bar Marco is a no-tip restaurant, with the two-course menu currently running $45 for an antipasti or salad and a pasta or large plate." - Melissa McCart

https://dc.eater.com/maps/best-pittsburgh-restaurants
View Postcard for Bar Marco
@cntraveler

Where to Eat, Stay, and Play in Pittsburgh

"starting in the Strip District with the always-delightful, Italian-influenced Bar Marco"

https://www.cntraveler.com/story/what-to-do-in-pittsburgh
View Postcard for Bar Marco

Alexandra Kane

Google
Hadn’t been here for dinner in a while and decided to bring my mom for her birthday. The dining area is quite small so I would recommend a reservation! We were seated and greeted promptly. I started with a cocktail which was tasty. For starters, we ordered the focaccia, sformato, and the arancini. The focaccia and arancini were good, but the sformato was the standout. Would definitely recommend ordering if you’re there for the spring menu. For entrees, I had the bolognese bianco which was delicious and just the right amount of richness. My mom had the lamb orecchiette which she said she enjoyed. For dessert, we shared the rosemary hazelnut pana cotta, it was just the right amount of sweetness and something unique. Overall a great meal.

Tim McLaughlin

Google
My wife and I ate at Bar Marco the night we were married. We just returned for our 10th anniversary and it was spectacular. We dined downstairs in the wine room and the food, service, atmosphere were all top notch. They care deeply about the ingredients that they use and it shows.

Dave Perhac

Google
Had dinner here with some friends and it was overall a great dining experience. Lots of small plate options to share if you want to nibble before your entree arrives. We had Amaro flights after our meal, and the bartender came out and discussed the different amaros with us and let us see the bottles. As an added bonus, they are a gratuity-free establishment.

Lauren Wholey

Google
We've come here many times over the years, and it is always incredible. They change the menu frequently, but if you ever see the gnocchi with the castelmagno cheese sauce, definitely get it. The gnocchi in general is so good and fluffy. We've also had dinner in their wine room twice, and I consider that to be the top dining experience in Pittsburgh. You get multiple courses of amazing dishes with paired natural wines and an explanation for each course on where the ingredients were sourced/why they picked the wine they did.

Ria Must

Google
I had my bridal shower on Saturday, February 8th 2025 at Bar Marco and it was absolutely perfect! The space was airy and bright, the staff was very friendly and attentive, and the food was amazing! I am so pleased with how everything went. Beautiful space for an event!

Jessica Liao

Google
We had an absolutely A+ experience here for a private dining wine room celebration! Not only were all the dishes delicious, everyone here is so friendly and knowledgeable about the food, wine and ingredients. We’d like to give special praise to Andrew who helped coordinate everything for a birthday celebration, as his professionalism and communication really went above and beyond expectations. Thank you Bar Marco staff and chef :)

Rachel & Josh Goldberg

Google
We had our welcome event here the night before our wedding for around 80 people, and it was absolutely perfect! The upstairs event space is huge and Shelby and her team provided us with amazing cocktails, wine, beer, and heavy apps all night. Some of the best food and drinks in Pittsburgh, hands down! Thank you all again!

Bill Adams

Google
Had a wonderful time at Bar Marco. Everything we ordered was absolutely excellent and our server went out of his way to answer questions and ensure we were taken care of. Thanks for a great evening Roy!

Gabby W.

Yelp
My husband and I hosted our wedding and reception last summer at Bar Marco's "Union Hall," and coming up on our first anniversary, I feel compelled to leave a review! We without a doubt recommend the space for anyone looking to have an intimate wedding (50 or less) with great food, vibes, and service. Shelby and her entire team were fantastic, from spending time with us at our tasting to perfect our menu and curate the perfect wine selection to the excellent service they provided on our big day. The team at Bar Marco made everything so easy, and were very communicative during the time between us booking the space through our wedding day. The space would also be perfect for baby showers, bridal showers, or other special occasion dinners or gatherings, as well as networking receptions or other professional gatherings. We also dined at the restaurant a few times before booking our wedding venue - the food was amazing every time. Bar Marco also has very talented bartenders who always seem to come up with a cocktail that is exactly what you need. We will be returning this year (and years to come) for our anniversary dinner.
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Halie G.

Yelp
An intimate, minimalist wine bar located in an old fire house, serving Italian cuisine.   Trendy restaurant offering a large wine list, craft cocktails and delicious bites.  They also have a "Union Hall" rental space for parties, weddings or showers.  Went for dinner and had a very prompt and friendly staff helped us pick what we wanted to eat. Phenomenal food, everything cooked to perfection and encompasses the perfect touches.  They have delicious Shishuto peppers on their menu, so we had to try those! Also had their dinner - two course meal for $45! For the arancini and spaghetti- which has pesto, pistachio & potatoes!!! This restaurant has a European style vibe that demonstrates a classy atmosphere.  Real candles on the tables create a warm and inviting feel.
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Sonal H.

Yelp
Bar Marco is located in the strip district and the outside of it keeps the restaurant very hidden. There isn't any big sign on the front to let you know where it is which is a little sneaky but I guess that why it's a hidden gem!!! The ambience was super cute and romantic with little candles on every table. The restaurant offers a $45 pre fix menu where you choose one appetizer and one entrée. They have additional add-ons if you would like such as focaccia, olives, etc. our server was so sweet told us a lot about the wines when we were deciding what we wanted and offered us samples of the wine before choosing as well, which I thought was so great! The Arancini portion as an appetizer was huge!! (Everywhere else I've had arancini, the balls are pretty small). The stone fruit and tomato salad was super refreshing to balance out the arancini as well, and even though it literally was just tomatoes and peaches it was really good! Both the entrées we had were phenomenal. I believe the shrimp and squid ink risotto is something that is on their menu year-round! The gnudi was some thing I've never tried before and it was so good! The sauce was a little tangy but paired great with the rich ricotta gnudis. I also love that their menu varies and they incorporate seasonal produce! I can't wait to go back!!!
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Allyson H.

Yelp
They have a rotating menu with all sorts of deliciousness. We had two apps, and all ended up with the same pasta, spaghetti with pesto potatoes and beans.
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Karen H.

Yelp
Bar Marco is one of my favorite reasons in Pittsburgh and for good reason! I was happy to find out that they started taking online reservations and so four of us went for dinner on a Tuesday at 6pm. The service was prompt and friendly. They had some holiday decor up which was a nice touch. The food was phenomenal. I dream about the potato gnocchi all the time (it's so soft and pillow-y)! I also really enjoyed the chocolate budino, the perfectly cooked scallops, and the orecchiette but quite frankly, you can't go wrong with a single thing here!
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Lily C.

Yelp
Great ambiance and terrific service, restaurant is very chic looking and the food was fantastic. They charge $45 per person with 1 appetizer and 1 main course with gratuities included which I love that concept. More restaurants need to adapt the included tips so everyone can make a livable wage., They also have great wine choices. Highly recommended.
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Kaylie W.

Yelp
Bar Marco was a cute restaurant and bar, which gave me a European style vibe. It was beautiful at sunset and the atmosphere was classy. Parking was easy with lots of street parking in the area, as it avoids the busier parts of the Strip. Service was amazing. The restaurant doesn't require a tip, but the service and staff were super nice and food was fast. [Spanish Octopus] was my favorite dish. It was nicely grilled so that the octopus was tender, and the polenta and zucchini was finely executed as well. However, I did feel the fusilli was too salty. The Marco Caesar salad also felt a bit bland, maybe because there was too much kale and not much of anything else in the salad. The arancini was flavorful with a crispy texture but soft and cheesy risotto inside to balance.
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Jess N.

Yelp
My first time at bar Marco and certainly will not be my last. This spot is unreal from drinks to dessert. Amazing atmosphere (very small-so reserve!) I got a bonus pasta added to my meal because I have a problem of needed two pastas, always! Worth it - and will be back sooner than later!
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Ellen K.

Yelp
I have been to Bar Marco for brunch before so I was excited to try it for dinner. I adore the architectural uniqueness and decor of the intimate space and real candlelight added a warmth to the already inviting ambiance of our dining experience. Our server, Maddie was lovely as were the welcoming greeter to the food runners. For those not familiar, it's a two course price fix with the option of adding on dessert. They serve natural wines and offer several curated cocktails. I love their seasonal offerings and so it was difficult to choose between the baked ricotta and the arancini for my first course. I had the same struggle with choosing my second course between the risotto and potato gnocchi. I'll just have to return to try the others. I like that they are a gratitude included price model so that the staff is compensated fairly. Reservations are highly recommended.
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Patrick B.

Yelp
Recently had the opportunity to make a reservation Bar Marco for the first time and really enjoyed our experience! Featured here is: Champagne Papi - titos/peachcello/lemon/champagne syrup Bread Service Focaccia & Country Loaf w/ olive oil Arancini - saffron risotto/mozzarella/red sauce Baked Caputo Bros Ricotta - pork belly/ fennel & celery/cured lemon vinaigrette Potato Gnocchi - castelrosso cheese fonduta/black pepper Orecchiette - beef & pork ragu/soffritto/rosemary /clove & cinnamon/ grana Aquerello Risotto - yellow campagna tomatoes/maine mussels /grana padano Braised Beef Cheeks - olive oil potatoes/carrots/jus It was great to be able to sample a lot from their menu and everything was delicious. You can certainly tell that they take pride in their dishes and that comes through in the quality and presentation. Everything tasted great and we were impressed with each dish. They are one of the top 25 restaurants per Pittsburgh magazine and for good reason. If you are looking for a two course, prix-fixe menu that won't break the bank, this is your place. Make a reservation and give them a try!
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Brianna G.

Yelp
I visited Bar Marco this past Saturday as they hosted Slappers n Bangers. The event was $15 at the door and the line went pretty quick to get in. Music was upstairs and there was one, small bar downstairs. It took anywhere from 15-30 minutes for my friends to get drinks. I paid $17 for a specialty cocktail. It was good, but it came in a cup that resembled what they give you on an airplane. It was gone after what seemed like a few sips. The price point and wait for drinks made it hard to enjoy the event. Staff was friendly. I'd be willing to try this place out during their normal hours as a restaurant but likely won't return for an event, unfortunately.
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Tracy C.

Yelp
Bar Marco has become my to-go place to take out of towners and for date nights! It's in a really cute old fire engine building in the strip near the Penn Ave fish market, and the price you see is the price you pay. No tipping is necessary since a 20% gratuity is already included in the food price, and it's a 2 course pre-fixe menu at $45 with desserts at an addition $10. So much fairer to the servers and the back kitchen staff. The food is also consistently great! Sometimes the vegetarian options don't change much in the rotating menu, but the non-vegetarian options change often and are always delicious! They cook their proteins well, and the sauces are great. The vegetarian dishes are great, but eating them over and over again can be a bit boring. The drinks are well mixed and always delicious as well. If you're looking for a great place for consistently good date night food or trying to impress some friends & family from out of town, definitely consider Bar Marco!
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Sarah N.

Yelp
Very accommodating and awesome space! They have a rotating menu that for us was a $45 prefix where everyone got to choose an appetizer and then a main dish! We also did cocktails and wine! They treat their staff with dignity and it really shows! This is a no tipping restaurant as the prices are built into the menu and prefix cost which actually makes this a great place to go with friends when you are splitting a bill- very easy to do so! With prefix there is typically no substitutions or swaps since what they have is what the have on hand! One of the folks in my party has lengthy and severe food allergies and they were so kind to accommodate and prepare a very basic version of one of the dishes! So very much appreciated!!!! We were there the celebrate a birthday and this was an excellent place to have it!
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Kristy A.

Yelp
After all these years, Bar Marco is still a winner. They do a two course meal now - you pick an appetizer and entrée. There are always so many great options that I have a hard time choosing. The gnocchi I had last time I was there was amazing. Pillow-y and delicious without being at all soggy. The old firehouse is pretty comfortable overall, though I avoid the barstools. Service is always fantastic and gives me hope that someday, we will transition to tip-less everywhere. The gratuity here is already included in the menu price and I love it. I always think for a second that their wine is a little pricy, but honestly it isn't because in a regular restaurant, the price plus tip would be exactly the same. All in all, it's an awesome meal.
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Esther S.

Yelp
This culinary experience was so delightful! The menu is simple and easy to navigate. The wait staff does a fabulous job of accommodating dietary needs. The food is ABSOLUTELY AMAZING! It is fresh an flavorful. The ice cream is delectable! I highly recommend reservations and spending your time and treasure HERE! You will not be disappointed.
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Yiying X.

Yelp
We enjoyed the New Year's Eve dinner so much!! It's a $65 pre-fix 3 courses one and you get to choose your starters, entree and dessert. Most of the starter and entrée options are same as the regular $45 2-course ones, so basically you are paying 20 more bucks for the dessert and the NYE vibe... Everything is so delicious, we had the liver pate and pork loin for the starters. Then the entrees - beef and pork tomato Ragu is amazing!! So is the duck breast - if you've tried the duck breast dish from Polet Bleu, this one is pretty much the same, also comes with grapes or some type of sweet fruits and barley 'risotto'. I chose the duck to be medium-rare and loved it! For dessert, this is the best ever tiramisu I've ever had!! You can tell that the ladyfingers were in espresso and wine, so flavorful(this somehow is rare to find these days, tbh most tiramisu only has a sweet coffee cream taste) , also creamy in the texture too. The other dessert we had is the rice pudding with pistachio, also yummy. For drinks, I enjoyed the whiskey one with lemon and five spices (can't remember the name). My friend had the one has rose flavor, so pretty!! Overall another excellent dinner experience. Hope to come back during spring time and try more when menu updated!
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Mike R.

Yelp
Had a wonderful dinner sitting at the bar. The bar is really just an extension of the dining experience versus a traditional bar experience. I mean this in a good way. The staff was engaging and knowledgeable. The prix fix menu has a nice variety of options. We shared all four of our dishes and each was excellent. This included the beet salad, chicken liver pâté, chicken and potatoes and finally, the soul warming bolognese. Tried a couple of wines and both were excellent.
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Joshua J.

Yelp
Can not recommend and would absolutely not suggest relying on this business for your special event such as a wedding! First, food does not live up to their hype. Average taste at best. Salad was decent, the risotto needed some acidity to cut the richness (was better than the pasta course originally suggested that tasted like plain boxed pasta and a jar of pesto was added). The steak was good, however the small portion with 4 tiny slices per serving for my husband and I was pathetic, not to mention the side of plain potatoes drenched in oil were served cold. *more on that later. In addition the bread course was a total rip off. $5 per person for bread that turned out to be very thin slices of clearly store purchased bread sliced thin and cut in half was pathetic. Also we skipped the dessert course... can't remember their pretentious name for chocolate pudding, that was also mediocre at best for a cake from an outside vendor. Second, the restaurant staff was dressed atrociously for a formal event such as a wedding. Our florist and his staff was dressed better when they unloaded the flowers before the event than the Bar Marco staff was attired for the event. Homeless hipster was not appreciated or appropriate. Not to mention one of the staff "was cold" so they decided to turn off the a/c and switch on the heat in the room before the event on a hot humid day. Add 40 people and candles and the space despite switching back to a/c was warm and uncomfortable, even guests complained about the warm space. Staff also rolled eyes when the cold potatoes were served to us. Third, the room... already mentioned the heat on was also loud and echoed despite being told that would not be an issue. On one of the most special days in your life you want everything as close to perfect and this was overall a disappointment. I do have to give 1 star in the review to the facility for accommodating one guest with a food allergy and 3 others that do not eat red meat. Look elsewhere for a facility to host your wedding so your memories of your special day are not clouded with poor food, surly staff, a humid warm space and a venue that clearly does not live up to their hype.
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Natalie G.

Yelp
Bar Marco is my new favorite restaurant in Pittsburgh! Upon being seated, we were presented with fresh bread made in-house. For drinks, I ordered the Champagne Papi (essentially a lemon drop martini) and my date had a Pinot Noir. Both were fantastic. (So much so that I had three more!) For our appetizer, we had the baked ricotta. This was my least favorite item due to the bitterness of the anchovies. Next time, I would skip this dish. For the main course, I had the potato gnocchi. This was the BEST gnocchi I have ever had! The gnocchi were huge pillows covered in a delicious cheese sauce. The portion size is much smaller than something you would find at somewhere such as the Cheesecake Factory, however you will still end your meal feeling satiated. If you still have room for more, you can order a "bonus pasta" portion for $18. My date and I opted to share a bonus pasta portion of the Gemelli. This was a light and bright pesto pasta which was both filling and refreshing. It's definitely worth it to get a bonus pasta portion as it perfectly reheated the next day! Overall, Bar Marco has a relaxed yet upscale hole in the wall ambiance, with quality food to match. The service was great despite being a no-tipping establishment. Bar Marco is truly a hidden gem in Pittsburgh's strip district, and is a must-visit location next time you're looking for a night out.
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Rachel T.

Yelp
If you haven't done the Wine Room Dinner experience at Bar Marco yet...you need to plan for one! The room in the wine cellar of the restaurant has a large table and can accommodate your group of friends up to 10 people. I know in the past you would be seated with other guests, but due to COVID restrictions, you can reserve it for just your group right now! My friends and I (six total) reserved the room on a Wednesday night. They host the 5 course food and wine dinners on Wednesdays and Fridays, but you need to book it in advance. The cost is $120 per person, and gratuity is included. One of the best parts about this dinner, is that they will accommodate each person's dinner according to dietary restrictions. For example, we had 3 pescatarians, one person that could not eat seafood, and two people that had no restrictions. Each course could be enjoyed together, even if they were slightly dinner. For one of the courses, I got a smoked trout dish with an oaky white wine. Another guest got a smoked prosciutto dish with the same wine. The wines paired perfectly with both dishes! My favorite course was the fresh homemade pasta with ramp and arugula pesto. All of the dishes were made with fresh, Spring-y ingredients. It was really fun to taste natural wines from all over the world that you would not find in the liquor store. They also offer a new wine club featuring the natural wines that they serve in the restaurant. I am considering joining! The ambience is comfortable and cool. You are literally in their wine cellar. Our food, hosts, and wine were all amazing. 10/10 recommend!
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Nikita N.

Yelp
Had reservations for 8:30 on a Saturday night and every table was full. I was really looking forward to trying Bar Marco as I've heard such great things. I started with a pretty good espresso martini, and got the arancini and a ragú pasta dish. The arancini was crispy and good, though not amazing, and the ragú was flavorful and very good as well, definitely worth a try. However my favorite dish of the night was a gnocchi with a creamy pesto sauce, and the sauce was garlic heavy and very very good! Overall, I would rate the food a 4/5, what pushed me to the 5/5 was the ambiance and the service. It was a very cute restaurant and it didn't feel overfull with too many tables. The service was absolutely outstanding, there was a lot of confusion on availability of some dishes and the servers were amazing with communication and offering alternatives and were frequently checking in. Definitely would recommend to anyone wanting to try, and would go back myself to try more dishes!
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Erin B.

Yelp
My friends and I have been looking forward to trying Bar Marco for a while but unfortunately, we weren't impressed. They give you carafes of water but some of ours tasted like soap or chlorine, some sort of chemical. For dinner, they have a $45 two-course menu. Tip is included which I love! I had the Marco Caesar Salad which was huge and tasty but a bit too salty for my taste. I would have preferred less cheese and croutons, though I did enjoy the anchovies. I tried a few of the other appetizers my friends ordered and didn't love them. The ricotta and pesto was tasty but pretty much just a block of cheese. I definitely did not enjoy the pork tonnato, so I'd avoid that one. I think the bluefin tuna is a good option, and likely the arancini. For the main course, the arrabbiata was decent, nice spice and I enjoyed the cheese and chili flakes on top, but it was really nothing special. One friend enjoyed the Spanish octopus, and another really didn't like the tagliatelle. The cocktails were honestly the best part. I'd say overall this place is pretty hit or miss, and the prices are too high for the quality. Perhaps they were having an off night, but I'm not sure I'll be returning.
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Caitlin M.

Yelp
Have been wanting to try this gem for quite some time! Dined here with our friends who highly recommended it. The atmosphere was perfect after a long work week. Quiet, quaint, and relaxing to decompress and hold discussion with friends. We were really impressed with all food we ordered. I got the arancini as my app and shrimp risotto for my entree. Both were to die for!! Our waiter was also extremely friendly, helpful, and attentive. Will definitely be returning for more delicious meals.
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David G.

Yelp
I haven't been to Bar Marco since before the pandemic and it was an even greater night out than I had remembered. Bar Marco is a smaller interior right on Penn Ave in the Strip and requires to show proof of vaccination and ID to be seated. I started off with the apple scotch cocktail which was smooth and smokey and enjoyable for any cocktail drinker. We dined in on a 2 course fixed price menu and started with the arancini and onion soup. The arancini was crispy, cheesy and fried to perfection with plenty of sauce. The onion soup was comparable to a sweeter version of French onion soup with two large slices of homemade bread. In addition to the two course meal at $40/person, I also ordered a smaller side of the cheese pepper gnocchi ($15 for a pasta side) to split and what a call that was. It was an entire plate of little gnocchi pillows in a delicious and rich cheese sauce. Unfortunately, I cleaned off the plate of gnocchi before snapping a pick of the Italian milk pork which melted onto the fork in a delicious and creamy sauce over a side of crispy potatoes. I finished the night splitting the lemon ricotta cake and a coffee to a perfect night out with great portions, delicious food, and top bartending

Matt B.

Yelp
We were here for a private event and it was awesome. Great food and drinks, but the service is what really stood out. We have kids, and a staff member immediately approached us to find out if we needed high chairs and what our kids wanted to eat. They also had a great gluten free option for our getting who is gluten intolerant. And everyone was super attentive and friendly. Overall highly recommend. If a manager from Bar Marco sees this, I want you to know that the staff at the private event on July 14th were all awesome.

Maggie T.

Yelp
love this place, best wine menu and the food is delicious and always consistent. Vibe is also great. Love hanging at the bar
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Kelsey L.

Yelp
Our trip to Bar Marco was amazing and I cannot wait to return. The service was wonderful and at no point did we feel rushed. It was a true experience that we greatly enjoyed with our friends. On top of that, the food was unreal. The dishes were complex and elevated while still feeling a bit traditional. They have a fantastic cocktail menu but the bar tender was also willing to make my husband a "surprise" drink based on his preferences. The folks at Bar Marco are truly experts and i highly recommend you visit if you're looking for a truly wonderful, relaxed culinary experience.
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Jonathan S.

Yelp
Great fresh food and cocktails. Currently only sitting guests outside and it is quite lovely. Menu changes almost daily and the staff are friendly and attentive. Though they don't take reservations, it is worth any wait. I suggest going early to beat the rush.

Pam C.

Yelp
Overrated! Great staff: hip, friendly, and attentive. One-dimensional, blandish food (at least the items we had). I'd call the décor "train station bathroom" - it seems hip, but it's just dingy and boring. In a bigger City, this place would struggle. sorry, but it's true
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Danielle L.

Yelp
Oh wow! This place is consistently great! I haven't been here in years, not sure why. The first time I came was years ago and I got the brunch burger which was seriously delicious. But for an unknown reason I had not made my way back to Bar Marco. Years later, I finally made it back for brunch with girlfriends. I got the baked eggs and potatoes with hollandaise. The baked eggs were seriously perfect. The sauce was balanced and the eggs were runny and so good. The potatoes were a decadent side. Now I can't wait to r
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Phil G.

Yelp
Bar Marco is charming. The space, the service, the warmth, the food, will all make you want to linger at Bar Marco for hours. So far, this was our favorite meal in Pittsburgh. Tiny, but stylish, Bar Marco would fit well in Williamsburg (Brooklyn), but with a whiff of European panache. As always, we sat at the bar, and we were immediately charmed by our server, who helped us with ordering. Limited to the brunch menu, due to it being a Sunday afternoon, the choices still met all our culinary needs. Donna's Frittata was delicious, the baked pasta having an explosion of wonderful flavors. My risotto, with a fried egg on top, was cooked perfectly, creamy but not obliterated. Too often risotto comes out of kitchens with the arborio rice destroyed. The Bar Marco version was wonderful, and I loved how the egg's yolk dripped through the rice. I loved it! The side of fried potatoes, with hollandaise sauce cooked to the perfect temperature, was a self indulgent luxury. My cardiologist would be pissed, but too bad, the food at Bar Marco is worth a little clogging. Everyone in the place was incredibly welcoming. The owner and the chef greeting us with laughter and smiles. The warmth was contagious, as even the other patrons spread good cheer and happiness. BTW, there is no tipping at Bar Marco. The servers are on salary, a wonderful way to ensure great service and loyal workers. Bar Marco is a fabulous place for a meal. Every city should have one. Bravissimo!

Paul B.

Yelp
Food was fantastic Had Spanish grilled octopus Told bartender I liked mezcal Got a great mezcal old fashioned Would definitely recommend !
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Shawn H.

Yelp
This was excellent. We started with their cheeses (including an excellent, stinky blue) and arancini, both of which we really enjoyed, followed by pastas -- I got the squid ink orecchiette, and my wife got the gnocchi sardi. I really liked mine, but I loved her's, and I wouldn't mind trying several of the others as well, particularly the rigatoni. Great that Pittsburgh has these kinds of restaurants these days. This is a good one.
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Jamie E.

Yelp
The service, food, and atmosphere were fantastic. The place feels nice and cozy, but still special. Sort of like when you'd have a holiday dinner at your cool, rich family's house. Welcoming but elevated.
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Adelina M.

Yelp
So I made reservations to go to brunch here and I was incredibly impressed by not only the food but the service. They were even wonderful when we asked if it would be okay to push back our reservations by an hour in order to accommodate some last-minute shopping needs. The staff was so friendly and they told us no problem at all. We got there and we sat at the bar for a drink while we are waiting for a table to be ready. The bartender, who should be the spokesperson for bar Marco, was so friendly and into his job he totally talked us into getting everything that he suggested. And all of his suggestions were spot-on. And I understand that what we did was super annoying asking for suggestions outside of the menu but he handled us perfectly. I truly cannot say enough about how awesome he was. Then we basically ordered everything on the menu as we were getting seated. We ordered all three sides, the bacon, the donuts, and the potatoes. Then we each ordered an entree me with the smoked trout eggs benedict and my friend with the burger. We kind of went overboard with the food but it was our first time here and we wanted to try everything. Out of the appetizers or extras that we ordered those donuts were amazing. So light and fluffy and so good. It came with the side of caramel sauce and a side of lemon sauce it was good was that my friend like the caramel and I like the lemon. Honestly I probably could have eaten three plates of those donuts and not gotten the bacon or the potatoes and I would have been fine. Honestly go and get the donuts. And if there's more people than you at the table get two orders. The smoked eggs benedict was delicious. It was put over a Johnny cake, which I was unsure of but still wanted to try, and I was pleasantly surprised. The entire meal was really well done and the presentation was beautiful. I would definitely suggest this eggs benedict if you are in eggs benedict fan like I am. The smoke trout was something that I've had before but not in this way and I was surprised at how much I liked it. And the best part of bar Marco was when we found out that they pay their staff a salary and cover health benefits so there's no tipping. You might pay a little bit more for your meal but those benefits truly outweigh the cost. I would prefer to pay a little bit more if I knew that the staff was taken care of. I look forward to going back and try and more things on the menu. If you are in the strip and looking for a fun place to go this is your spot. Try it out, make sure that you ask the bartender to mix you up something special.
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Neha K.

Yelp
I had high expectations for brunch here but was sadly disappointed. Although limited, the brunch menu still has variety, but fails to serve any savory vegetarian entree options (only the soft scrambled eggs). I went with this entree and while the eggs were good, the portion size was very small. After polishing off my plate, I found myself still very hungry, which typically never happens to me when eating out. Similarly, all the friends I was with devoured their meals but still had room for more food. So, word of advice: get both a side and an entree or even consider getting a meal and splitting an additional entree with another guest.
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Sohini G.

Yelp
Came here for Sunday brunch. Ambiance - small and cozy. Only like 15 tables max. Adorable bar. Good service. Drinks - great bar with some unique cocktails. I had a coffee with "special punch." Was on the sweeter side but tasty. Food - Not the classic brunch food. More like lunch food with eggs added. I had the chicken Milanese which had a runny egg on it which was pretty tasty. $14 for it which is about average per entree. Cost is in the higher end of average but they don't accept gratuity (which I always feels makes for better service since it means the staff is actually getting paid well!) Would def make sure to have a reservation before coming here. Overall cozy hipster restaurant. Would be back for cocktails at the bar with a few apps.
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Brad H.

Yelp
So happy I finally got the chance to try this place over the weekend. I would recommend making a reservation as the seating inside is very limited. The inside is very small and rusticky which goes with their overall theme. For drinks my wife and I both had a mimosa, and I also had a vodka drink which I forget the name of. The mimosa was one of the best I've had. Perfect balance of orange juice and champagne. You could also tell the orange juice was fresh. My vodka drink was also very good. While the drinks are a little pricey, you get what you pay for and also have to keep in mind that there is no tipping allowed here so the prices reflect this. For my meal I had the Bar Marco Burger. I had heard great things about this burger and it did not disappoint. It was cooked perfectly to start. I'm not sure what blend of meats they use, but it was amazing. Not that the flavor of the meat needed much help, but the aioli, crisp bacon, and onion really putting it over the top. It was a juicy burger, but the bun they use was a great fit and didn't let it get sloppy. I also had the potatoes and hollandaise. The potatoes were crisp and delicious. The hollandaise sauce had a different, but awesome flavor that went perfect with them. Can't wait to come back to this place and maybe try something different, but that burger would be tough to not get. Easily one of the tops in the city.
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David J.

Yelp
After years on my bucket list Bar Marco finally made it to the top. Overall it was a very enjoyable experience. We started with the arancini which was the best in Pittsburgh. We had silly little martinis because they couldn't make cosmopolitans due to the lack of cranberry juice (no cranberry juice in a restaurant that offers brunch?). But no biggy. Our pasta entrees, rigatoni and gnocchi, were excellent, as was the olive oil cake desert. The wine list, all natural wines, was impressive for its diversity and fair prices. Service, without the tip incentive, was very good. Because it's an old firehouse, the dining room is somewhat odd, small but with a very high ceiling. However, it's all about the excellent food!
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David B.

Yelp
I've started coming back to Bar Marco. We've had lots more choices of late, but Bar Marco has won me over with great food, excellent service and late night hours. Let me explain. 1. Jamilka Borges was part of the success of this restaurant, so I was uncertain what would happen when she left. Well the food remains great, remains creative and delicious. 2. I love the "no tipping" policy, for a number of reasons. I get excellent service, but I also know that servers get a fair shake. Servers are friendly, helpful, and very thoughtful. 3. Their wine list is wonderful. It's not your typical wine list, and on Tuesday nights, for example, I can get an $8 wine glass special. 4. When everything else is closed...Bar Marco is usually open. 11 pm on weekdays is awesome, especially if I am leaving another event. But what it comes down to, is that I am consistently wowed by the food.
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Matthew P.

Yelp
Amazing. Came her for a friends birthday party. We sat in the basement and did the 5 course meal with wine pairings. Prepare yourselves if you do this for endless wine and the best food you have eaten. The menu is a surprise as well just tell them your allergies ahead. First course was a beet salad with goat cheese and the wine paired with was perfect. They keep pouring it too. Incredible service. Then scallops with squash. Melt in your mouth scallops. Next we have gnocchi. That was thier own take on gnocchi wasn't my favorite but the wine made up for it. Then ribeye over broccoli and cheese risotto. Finally olive oil cake with apples. Everything is local, organic truley amazing. We will definitely be coming back.

Paul V.

Yelp
We dined tonight for the feast of the seven fishes. The meal was unique, delicious, special and exciting. The service was spot on. The ambiance was outside dining on metal tables and chairs, a picnic affect. The heat lamps were warm and effective. But serving our meals on paper plates with plastic silverware and plastic wine glasses was such a turn off. To top it off when one went inside the help was dining with real plates and using real metal silverware, no regard for the paying customer. Such a royal turnoff Thank you
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Dan N.

Yelp
What a cool place. Once a fire station from the 1800's and now a bar and restaurant. Nice atmosphere, great cocktails and some neat items on the menu. Staff was very friendly and quick Well worth the visit if you are in the strip district.
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Emma P.

Yelp
Ugh, it pains me a little to re-review Bar Marco and report a disappointing visit because I really like the space and I've had a good experience before, but here goes. Two of us came here for brunch just before New Year. I chose it because we had enjoyed it previously and also because we could make a reservation for two people (it was our last day in town and we wanted to fit a few things in, so didn't want to chance a long wait anywhere). We arrived and were seated promptly, gave our order, and then we waited, and waited, and waited. Neither of the tables either side of us (a party of four and one of six) who were both already there when we arrived had any food which made me a little anxious. And then our food arrived, ahead of the other tables which resulted in a bit of a hullabaloo from the four top -'why have they got their order, we were here first' kind of thing - which, although the waitstaff handled it well, made us feel uncomfortable. Anyhow, although we had food, I have to admit that it wasn't great. My Chicken Milanese was overcooked and dry, the accompanying salad was bagged leaves that weren't in tip-top condition, and my husband's burger was on the small side. The Patatas Bravas type potatoes that we ordered as a side were good but I did find it odd that the burger didn't come with some sort of potato or side option apart from bagged salad. I was also disappointed that the only coffee option was filter coffee and that there were no 'barista-style' coffee options available. I found the prices to be a little high considering the quality and portion size. Luckily they have a no-tipping policy because I didn't want to be in an awkward position where I undertipped but honestly I didn't feel like leaving 20%... So that was brunch, I can't see a return visit here I'm afraid.
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Rebecca M.

Yelp
Intimate, beautiful setting. Came back yesterday with some friends. We ordered drinks, which were well prepared & small plates which everyone seemed to enjoy. Our waiter was outstanding, and a pleasure to be around. No tips accepted here, and the food is reasonably priced. Will be back, no doubt about it!
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Jeff H.

Yelp
Amazing food, drinks and staff! Definitely recommend for cocktails and the bartender with the beard(sorry didn't get his name) is the best!
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DJ J.

Yelp
Have heard many good things about BM. Have stopped at Lucy's outside many times for lunch. Finally had the opportunity to dine at BM. Nice little dining area with a very friendly and active staff. The bar staff can make a good cocktail. A nicely designed wine list. Started with the Pork Tonnato that has a white tuna caper aioli. A delicious start. For my main course I had the Chestnut Fettuccine that had wild boar argue and parmigiano. A very good meal that was well prepared. The staff is said a living wage salary so it is reflected in the prices; and the prices are very fair.
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Anjalie F.

Yelp
I came here with a large group for a lovely Sunday brunch! The only time they could accommodate us was 10am, at which hour the restaurant was fairly empty. The place is pretty small so I would recommend making a reservation. 10am was just a little too early for cocktails, so we stuck with coffee and tea, served in classy glass mugs. They give you unlimited coffee refills and unlimited hot water refills with tea! I had the orange ricotta pancakes, and we got a few orders of the donuts for the table to share. The donuts were good, but not particularly special. I wouldn't go out of my way to get them. The pancakes were delicious! They were somehow light and rich at the same time, and the orange taste was very refreshing Overall, great food, great service, and nice ambiance. I would love to go back and try their drinks!
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Soleil S.

Yelp
4.5 stars Bar Marco is housed in an amazing restored and repurposed building in the strip. It's a bit easy to bypass it when driving because the building is a gorgeous red brick building with the sign "No 7 Engine Company". I came here for Saturday brunch. When you walk around in the strip seeing all the great food, you have to wonder if a sit down worth it? I will tell you that YES, Bar Marco food is incredible and definitely worth it! The same restored and yet authentic aged distress look is also inside. The dining area is not very big... maybe 20 tables. There's a great chandelier and really interesting art work. Overall, just a great casual and hip vibe to the place. As mentioned there isnt a lot of tables. When 10:30 am came around, it was fully packed and had to turn people away. I totally recommend reservations or come at 10 am to not be disappointed. One cool and interesting thing about this restaurant... they don't allow tips. The restaurant is paying a living wage for everyone on staff and its just another reason to come here and support them... I think that's amazing. Service here is helpful and relaxed... perhaps a bit too relaxed in terms of pick up dishes or the bill ready to be processed. But in terms of friendliness and filling water glasses, you can't ask for better. The brunch menu is short and well curated with sweet and savoury options. We were very tempted to order a donut for the table but the brunch entrees here are quite substantial so we didn't have any room! Another thing about the menu, we were told they rotated the items a lot and it follows whatever is in season. The staff here knows whats best and their recommendation of the baked eggs were perfect. Baked Eggs - 3 cracked eggs were cradled and baked in a tomato and pepper sauce (pepperonata?) with a healthy dose of parmigiana cheese to give it a nice savoury sharp and slightly nutty note. The eggs yolks still molten and cutting into them allowed them to ooze into the sauce. I used the bread to help sop up every bit. I would have loved a bit more heat or perhaps another herb. Excellent brunch dish 4/5 Tiramisu French Toast - A generous plating of the best French toast we had in the city. Curiously, the flavour note may have given someone pause on ordering but once it was tasted, I'm pretty sure eyes were closed and the sounds of 'mmmm' were only heard. I only got a small piece... that should tell you how good it was. The custard filled every nook and cranny and had a really nice subtle coffee flavour to not overwhelm the entire dish. The mascapone cheese was rich and was a much better flavour to the usual sweetened whip cream you see in other places. I really liked how they had these cute small white chip looking meringues. A cute detail! 5/5 If I had more time, i would have definitely returned for dinner. I loved the atmosphere, friendly service, and the amazing food. Definitely one of the best restaurants we tried in the city!