Casbah

Mediterranean restaurant · Shadyside

Casbah

Mediterranean restaurant · Shadyside

2

229 S Highland Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15206

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Casbah by Hal B. Klein
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Highlights

Casbah, a beloved Mediterranean eatery in Shadyside, boasts a stylish Art Deco vibe, vibrant patio, and a menu perfect for leisurely dining with friends or that special someone.  

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229 S Highland Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15206 Get directions

casbah.kitchen
@casbahpgh

$50–100 · Menu

Reserve

Information

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229 S Highland Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15206 Get directions

+1 412 661 5656
casbah.kitchen
@casbahpgh
𝕏
@Casbah_PGH

$50–100 · Menu

Reserve

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outdoor seating

Last updated

Jul 6, 2025

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@eater

"Casbah is a Pittsburgh classic in Shadyside that’s about to celebrate its 30th anniversary for good reason. It’s a crowd pleaser for tailored gatherings, with an engaging wine list, strong service, and the kind of meal to linger over. Start with dishes like Mediterranean spreads and grilled artichokes, move on to mussels or grilled octopus, split the chicken orecchiette with sage cream, or splurge on the Elysian Fields lamb." - Melissa McCart, Hal B. Klein

The 38 Essential Pittsburgh Restaurants
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@eater

"Casbah, part of the Big Burrito restaurant group, offers one of the best happy hours in Pittsburgh, with wines, bites, and cocktails all priced at $9." - Missy Frederick

A Weekend Travel Guide to Pittsburgh Restaurants - Eater DC
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Robert Backstrom

Google
Really nice place. I took my wife here for her birthday and we had a great lunch. We tried the cheese tasting and I had an excellent Crab Cake sandwich. The service was also top notch. Will definately go again. Maybe for dinner next time. Be sure to make a reservation.

Kristen Grace

Google
Tonight we celebrated my birthday at Casbah. We sat in the front room of the restaurant and for a Monday, it was still pretty busy. Luckily we had a reservation and we were seated right away. Our server Kate was very nice and gave some great recommendations. Menu is attached for reference. For our appetizer we selected the tuna tartar, which as delightfully fresh and light. Bread and butter was also served. For our mains, I enjoyed the swordfish while my boyfriend ordered the short rib ravioli. Both excellent. Swordfish was nice and meaty and the tomatoes really brought out the flavor. The ravioli was so buttery and decadent. Not pictured were the homemade caramels that came with the check. Did not opt for desert this time around as it was quite warm in the space. Service was quick and efficient. Meals timed flawlessly. Will definitely return as some of the other items looked awesome.

Christina Vlachos

Google
The food was wonderful and the server was very attentive. I don’t remember his name now but he had cool tattoos on his forearms. We went for my mom’s birthday because it’s her favorite place in Pittsburgh, and will likely go back soon. Brunch is spectacular as well. Especially in the summer when you can sit on the patio.

D B

Google
I made a reservation for January 14th at 8:45 for my birthday. If I knew now what I knew then I would’ve made a reservation earlier in the night or honestly at a completely different restaurant. Unfortunately, we got winter weather hindering our drive to said reservation. We tried calling around 8:40 that we were experiencing what every other driver was experiencing, poorly plowed and unsalted roads. No one from Casbah answered so we kept trying to safely drive there. We finally arrived shortly before 9. It may have even been 9, but we were met with no hostility or issue at the host stand. We are seated, but then promptly told by our waiter that the restaurant is closed and we should rush these orders in to the kitchen. She didn’t even tell us her name or any of the other pleasantries until the 2nd or 3rd stop at the table. Also, I guess we’re forgetting the fact that parties of two are allowed an hour and 45 minutes to their reservation as per the email confirmation says. Cool. Already feeling the love. We quickly receive bread and butter from someone that definitely didn’t hide their disdain of us being there “so late.” So to make things easy we quickly choose our appetizers and “entrees.” Tuna tartare and Calamari and Rock Shrimp. And we ordered our drinks. All which were absolutely delicious. Our entrees that were ordered at the same time as apps arrive. Lobster Saffron Pappardelle pasta, Short Rib Ravioli and Meatballs and Polenta. Everything was just fine I would say. The ravioli is good, but the sauce is very thin and loose. The meatballs are meatballs. Can’t really mess them up. The pappardelle pasta was one of the most bland tasting dishes I’ve ever had. It tasted like oil and butter, that’s it. Even the lobster tasted like nothing. This is like a $39 pasta that tasted like a college student’s poverty meal. Salt and pepper? Didn’t exist? Saffron? Where? At this point it felt like a purposeful rush job from the kitchen because I can’t imagine a real chef would proudly present that to a guest. The only flavor I tasted was from the random basil leaves. All I wanted at that point was to leave. We told the server how we felt about the pasta and it was removed from the bill thankfully. We paid and left a 20% tip, even though the service and experience wasn’t worth it. I truly can’t even put into words how I felt about that atrocity of a birthday dinner this was. I’ve dined here so many times with late night reservations and never experienced this tension and animosity from staff. I am so extremely disappointed with this restaurant and won’t be coming back anytime soon.

Victor Wei

Google
Fantastic place. Came here twice. The Long Island duck is the best duck I had in my life. The smoked salmon is also pretty tasty.

Esther Scott

Google
An absolutely great visit! I've never been and was looking for new places to try for Valentine's/Self-Love Day, lol. I was late for my reservation (I did call to make them aware) and they were still able to accommodate me -- nice customer service. I sat at the bar and was greeted by Scott. He's a sweetheart and served me a couple Sparkling Comsos -- yumm. For my dinner, I got the Scottish Salmon cooked medium. It was made perfectly! The accoutrements were delish as well. Abby(ie) made sure I was tended to throughout. Very nice experience in a beautiful space with matching vibes.

Maksim Safiullin

Google
I am satisfied with the service; the staff does an excellent job. I dined on the veranda, but the interior left a mixed impression, reminiscent of a public cafeteria, which did not quite meet my expectations. My friend and I ordered several dishes. Some of them were really tasty and left a pleasant aftertaste, but other dishes failed to impress me and did not bring much enjoyment. Overall, the experience was mixed.

Jason Jaskey

Google
I ordered the orecchiette with chicken, and it was sublime! The sage cream brought the whole dish together with the cranberries. Pasta was cooked perfectly, and the chicken was tender and flavorful. Malcolm was a pleasant server and was extremely friendly, attentive, polite and professional. I loved the whole experience.

Eric P.

Yelp
Our first time at Casbah and it did not disappoint. Our server (Kate) was excellent (very knowledgeable) and was very attentive to our time constraints (making sure all of our orders came out in time). The restaurant itself has a very nice atmosphere. We had all appetizers for our meal, the scallops were excellent as was the calamari + rock shrimp and the grilled octopus was very good. I also had the wild mushroom bisque which was very tasty and my wife had the mussels (large portion and very good). For dessert we tried the (seasonal) chiffon cake which was amazing, the dark chocolate-raspberry bread pudding (served warm with crème anglaise) which was very good and the flourless chocolate cake.

Emily C.

Yelp
Casbah is a gem for Mediterranean cuisine and one of the best spots to impress your date or enjoy a cozy evening out. The ambiance is intimate, with dim lighting that creates a warm, romantic vibe. The excellent service only adds to the experience--attentive and genuinely welcoming without being overbearing. Pro tip: Make a reservation. This place fills up fast, and for a good reason. What I Loved: Calamari: Incredibly crispy and perfectly seasoned, making it an ideal appetizer for sharing. Ricotta Cavatelli: Warm, comforting, and flavorful--definitely a standout pasta dish. Chiffon Cake: The perfect end to the meal. Moist, light, and not overly sweet. A must-try for dessert lovers! Overall, Casbah is a go-to for a delightful Mediterranean dining experience. I'll be back for another slice of that chiffon cake and to explore more of their menu!

Karen H.

Yelp
I made a reservation originally for eight people for my birthday and Casbah was gracious about changing the number to nine when I called the day of. We sat in their year round patio and they put two round tables together for our group which was a little awkward. Our server was really nice and patient with our group and they were able to do separate checks. All the food we got was pretty good. The only thing I didn't love was my Spanish sangria - I went to Spain a couple of months ago and it didn't taste on the mark to me.

Brekka L.

Yelp
I would give this restaurant a 4.5, but stuck with a 4 star, instead of rounding up to 5. So this is in a part of the city where parking is scarce, in my opinion. They do have a complimentary valet service. Which I really liked. Staff was very nice and excellent. Wait staff was helpful with any question and recommendation. Every single one. The restaurant was clean and laid out well. Now onto the food. I had the arugula salad and everything blended well. The pancetta was cooked well. Not tough or too salty. I was worried that the pancetta vinaigrette would make it salty, but it wasn't at all. Not over bearing. Just enough to coat everything well. Potatoes on top were crisp and the creamy goat cheese when well with every ingredient. The filet was cooked to absolute perfection. The flavor was *chefs kiss*. The red wine jus was excellent and the earthy blue cheese was a nice touch with the full body flavor of the red wine. The cheese also added a nice saltiness to the steak. You also got maybe 2 carrots and 2 fingerling potatoes with the dish. Now for the price, it's pretty on par with the same caliber of restaurants I've been to. You're mainly paying for the steak with some garnishes. For desserts, it was a sampler flight. Now, Panna cotta has never impressed me anywhere I've gone and this remain the case here too. To me, Panna cotta is more of a glorified pudding and that's what this is. Like a flan, but with chocolate and strawberries. The cheesecake was my least favorite. I'm not a huge fan of cheese cake anyway so, my opinion isn't a fair one. It sat on top of a snickerdoodle with a salted caramel sauce. The cookie was very dry, but I guess with the cheese cake, that's expected. That sponge cake though? Lord have mercy. Perfect blend of lemon, white chocolate and a hint of lavender. I'd eat a huge slice of that. Not too rich. Just enough freshness from the lemon, earth lavender brought it all together with the sweet white chocolate icing. Like I said, if you want heavy meals for forking out $80 to $100 a meal, do not come here. But if you want a nice dinner to impress a date, come here.

Ann K.

Yelp
Casbah is my favorite restaurant in Pittsburgh. The food is well prepared and well served by professional chefs and servers. The ambiance is calm and pleasant, with adequate but subdued lighting. The servers manage to be there promptly but are not intrusive. Seating in the main restaurant is quite comfortable, even on the banquettes, as plenty of room is left between tables. Sometimes the patio chairs are a bit wonky-- my only slight negative about Casbah. I like it that there are quite a few appetizers/salads in addition to pastas or more traditional entrees, giving the customer a lot of choice in how to structure a meal. ( We often do all apps or apps and pasta.) Lots of seafood, but choices are available for the carnivores or vegetarians in your crowd (Vegans not so much. ) I love that a cheese course is always available. They give you a nice pour on the wine, with no fussiness about four ounces? six ounces? eight? --and don't pester you about ordering more. Casbah is just a bit pricey by 'Burgh standards, but well worth it for the delicious and relaxing experience.

Abbey G.

Yelp
I've been coming here for years and always loved it, but lately, the quality has gone way down. I ordered my usual--the chickpea hummus with the chickpea flatbread--but the bread was hard and stale. Then I got the pork chop, and when I cut into it, it was RAW. The risotto was cold, and the kale tasted sour. I asked them to remake the pork chop, and when they brought it back, it looked like they had just microwaved it. Honestly, I'm really upset. I LOVED this place, but it's turning into a huge disappointment.

Jill H.

Yelp
Idk why I haven't reviewed before now. We have been coming to Casbah for years and years; it's one of the few "old favorites" of ours that still exists. There are classics on the menu that have been on there for 15 years or more (pork chop, orecchiete) and new additions. We have been to special menu dinners as well. On our most recent visit for our anniversary, we had the artichoke starter (not as good as BB's Alta Via, but still delicious), olives, beet/ricotta salad, swordfish (light and fresh), short rib ravioli (rich, savory and like a heavy bear hug), and flourless chocolate cake. All were satisfying and delicious. As long as Casbah's around, we will keep going back.

Christina W.

Yelp
I really enjoyed the ambience of this place and great food. We were seated in the basement which turned out to be nice and cool with great decor and lighting. It felt like we were in a speakeasy bar. The waiter was incredible. He did not only check in on us frequently, but he was very thorough in his recommendations. We ordered the spread which consisted of three different dishes and chickpea bread. My favorite was hummus followed by the pepper thing. I don't remember exactly the names. I didn't get to try the main dish as I was completely full after the spread, but they had a variety of pescatarian dishes and a few vegetarian. If you are a vegan, it would be a bit difficult to find something unless you want to go for some salads. Overall, I enjoyed dinner. I'd recommend to come with empty stomachs to enjoy several dishes.

Bill A.

Yelp
Casbah for dinner. We each ordered a spread to cover all 3. - Hummus: Good hummus and consistency what I would expect - Baba Ghanoush: It was ok, a little bland and a tad bit chunky - Red Pepper Muhummara: By far the best of the three. Good flavor, spice and consistency The spreads were served with a chickpea pita. The pita was such a treat. Also went with the summer salad prior to the entree. It was soo good, the acid from the vinaigrette paired with the sweet cherries, granola in such a great way. Our server recommended the roasted half chicken. I don't usually order chicken at a restaurant but I rolled with it. I am glad I did. The chicken was cooked perfectly with a nice crisp skin while being moist on the interior. The flavors from the thyme jus mixed in with the potatoes, carrots and squash made this a great choice. We skipped dessert because of the great courses that we had.

Gillian J.

Yelp
What a lovely dining experience. The service was not well paced and not intrusive. Food was excellent. My pictures didn't turn out well as it was a little dark. On to the food!! Starters included the cheese sampler, olives and calamari. All delicious-I'm not a calamari fan in general but friends felt it was not crispy. Mains included lobster pappardelle, mussels, ricotta pasta - all yummy. It was hard to decide what we were going to order. The whole menu sounded delicious. We did order the flourless chocolate cake for dessert which we didn't feel hit the mark. It was a little dry. All in all a great experience. Would definitely return!

Krissy G.

Yelp
Delicious food and excellent service. Wait staff pleasant. Pacing of meal was great. Cocktails and food were fresh tasting and flavorful. Had a mix of alcoholic and non-alcoholic cocktails. The Mixed Italian Olive were alright, but no flavors really stood out. It was nice to try a variety of olives though. The Hummus with Chickpea flatfbread was amazing, and would definitely order again.

Maureen R.

Yelp
I've been here many times but this was my first brunch experience and it was just as delicious as every dinner I've ever had. There is the option for a prefix menu where for $38 you choose a brunch cocktail, a first course and an entree. Everyone in our party decided to do that. I had a Bloody Mary, and I asked for extra spice and they sure did deliver! My first course was the arugula salad with goat cheese, tiny potatoes and prosciutto. It was absolutely delicious, and was a pretty large portion. For my entree I had the eggs Benedict with smoked salmon, and it was perfection. It came with fruit and fingerling potatoes. Some other things that our group ordered were the tomato bisque, steak and eggs, sticky bun and mushroom and goat cheese omelette. Before our meals came out they served the table with mini biscuits, carrot cakes and lemon poppyseed scones with a brown butter spread. I always have such a good meal here. The food, servers and overall atmosphere is always top notch. One small thing, this Sunday was Easter brunch. As far as I could tell, I don't think that the menu was any different/special for the holiday. My birthday happened to fall in this time period so I asked if I could use my birthday coupon but was told that I couldn't because it was a holiday. On one hand I get it, but on the other hand the menu wasn't anything special and the coupon doesn't say anything about excluding on holidays.

Abby K.

Yelp
Came here for a work lunch with about 12 people. We ate down stairs in the wine cellar room which had a great vibe. The staff were great and did well with such a big group. I added chicken to my salad it was pretty good. Our table got some spreads to share and they were all taste. Would love to go back for dinner.

Rebecca K.

Yelp
Wonderful brunch experience at Casbah. The service is fantastic. Our server, Gale, was excellent and answered all of our questions. He also made some great recommendations, as I was between two entrees. The complimentary pastries are amazing. My smoked salmon first course was delicious (and huge). My steak and eggs were excellent - the spinach that came with it tasted great. Price is great too considering you also get a cocktail. My mimosa was great. I would absolutely love to come again next time I'm in Pittsburgh.

Raymond C.

Yelp
All around, great food and great service. We tried the three spreads and they were excellent. Especially the red pepper one- it was bright orangey with a nice Smokey flavor to it. The tartar was good quality and combined with the toasted bread, creme fresh and some caviar. It was. A blend of crunchy texture and salty flavor. To add, the calamari was the best I've had. It was different from the other ones I've eaten. The pieces were very tender and more salted under neath the fried crust. As my main course, I had the pork chops and it was nicely cooked as I expected from a fine dining restaurant. Once thing that I didn't enjoy was the lemon cream on creme brûlée. I ate around it because I found it too intense. We sat outside but under a tent on a nice day. But what could've been better was the ambiance. The tent because of the wind and the birds would, from time to time, make creaky noises that caught us all by surprise. Otherwise, it was a great time for me and my friends

Humphrey F.

Yelp
I will be leaving Pittsburgh on Sunday, so I had a dinner with my Italian family in this elegant restaurant. We shared different types of food: baba ghanoush, grilled artichoke, Tuna Tartare, mafaldine with pesto and short rib ravioli. My favorite dishes are tuna tartare (the toast is crunchy and the tuna is fresh) and pesto mafaldine (pasta is al dente and the sauce smells good). A man can be never more exhilarated to be around with his new family in a foreign city! ​I will never forget these blissful moments from my dearest family with their best blessing!

Jennifer A.

Yelp
Have not had a bad meal here. Service is always top tier! Server was able to walk me through the menu for gluten free and dairy free options. I was amazed at everything they could do! And it tasted so delicious! Perfect spot for great food, great wine selection and great service!

Joseph S.

Yelp
I was visiting the town of my birth - I was born a few blocks away from the restaurant - and we went to Casbah Saturday night. We had some delicious bread with labneh, doused with olive oil. It was very tasty but I couldn't quite get the taste of the olive oil, so I asked for a separate dish. It was excellent olive oil - spicy and just peppery enough! I started off with the Veal and Pork meatballs with crispy Brussel sprouts. The meatballs were seasoned so tastefully, and were tender with a great consistency. The crispy Brussel sprouts were unusual but complimented the meatballs very well. I ordered the Short Rib Ravioli. I had the dish in NYC last month and the pasta was too 'Al dente' - I had to chew it more than the short rib inside! I asked our server about the consistency of these raviolis, he said they were very tender. He was correct. The pasta was cooked perfectly and there was a generous portion of savory, tender short rib in each ravioli. However, this dish was different in that he sauce wasn't a Brown Butter, or Red, or Carbonara. It was a deep, rich beef broth - it reminded me of the gravy from my Mother's brisket. The raviolis had quickly absorbed the broth and were a darker color, and as juicy as you could imagine! It was a different spin on a dish I've had several times, but it was excellent.

Julie Anna E.

Yelp
After hearing praise about this spot for the last year or so, I finally ventured over to Casbah for my birthday dinner with 2 of my bestie gals. It was absolutely phenomenal and worth all the hype. The service is great. The space is classy, beautiful, and intimate. The food is spectacular. I had the duck and it was to die for! The best I've ever had! Perfectly crispy skin and juicy duck meat. I've been dreaming of it and need to get back here ASAP & also try their brunch. For the appetizers we had 3- calamari & shrimp, the meatballs, and the crabcakes. All were amazing. Paired my meal with a red wine flight and it was magic! You need to try this spot for yourself

Shiloh S.

Yelp
I've been going to Casbah for most life celebrations for years. I've found that some things are really really good, and most other things are just fine. I recently went for my birthday and we got the hummus and baba ganoush to start with some Italian olives, and for entrees got the lamb shank and the Long Island duck. We had the option of sitting inside or out on the "patio" section, I really like the vibe of either! I heard great things about their hummus and thought it was good, but not the best I've ever had. The chickpea flatbread that comes with it was served warm and was interesting. We took some home and really enjoyed both the hummus and the flatbread after it was chilled in the fridge! I would order them to snack on at home for sure! The duck is a go-to for my husband and I! The skin is so crispy, it's always cooked so well. definitely recommend! I was disappointed by the lamb shank. The couscous was not seasoned in any way which felt weird for an almost $50 dish. The lamb shank was also very under seasoned and lacked flavor. I enjoyed the greens and tomatoes and wish there were more of them. I've never had to ask for salt at a restaurant before but this dish really needed it. Service is always top notch. Our waiter was so friendly! If you're going to get anything my faves from past experiences are the veal and pork meatballs and the saffron pappardelle! So so good. They used to offer half sizes of the pasta dishes but seemed to have done away with that, which is a bummer. I'll keep going back to casbah, but might stick to the reliable dishes for me.

Brianna G.

Yelp
Wish I took a picture of the octopus appetizer it was divine. Went in the early evening while the restaurant wasn't very busy and had almost the whole place to ourselves. Great place for a birthday dinner or any special occasion!

Soo C.

Yelp
The food is always delicious, the servers are kind, personable, attentive and friendly. Lots of tables and bar space. Noise level was not too loud which made it easy to converse. Reservations are recommended for large parties since it seems to be a busy place. Food was delicious and generously portioned. The pasta was fresh and cooked to the perfect texture. The other dishes I've had in the past were also full of flavor and fresh ingredients. Dishes are simple and full of flavor. Great for a week night or a special occasion. They will take care of you. Great ambiance.

Sophia P.

Yelp
I went here for lunch and it was AMAZING. The turkey sandwich was the best sandwich I have ever had, the fresh pesto and arugula on it was to die for. Don't even get me started on the tomato bisque! It tasted like I was in France again, trying tomato soup for the first time. Incredible. Highly recommend!!!!

Jess N.

Yelp
I've been going to casbah as long as I can remember as well as getting two meals here as long as I can remember! I can NEVER pick just one. From the apps to the homemade pastas to the fishes and meats you will be happy with anything you go with! The wine is great and so are the staff! I love to come here for any occasion. There are so many options for seating as well, the bar, the dining room, and the patio that's covered for enjoyment all year round! 12/10 every time!

Antoinette S.

Yelp
We were visiting Pittsburgh n came upon this restaurant on yelp n thought we'd have dinner last nite. The restaurant is in Shadyside - lively street w lots of restaurants. Valet parking here. Friendly welcoming staff. Nice n clean. The warm bread w butter was good. We ordered the muhammara n baba ghanoush w chick pea bread. calamari n rock shrimp n beet salad for appetizers. The M n BG were generous portions and so good . Never had chickpea bread n this was so good. So much of M n BG left so we brought it home for lunch today. Calamari n beet salad were great too. Calamari had a sweet/ sour sauce that was really good. We tried the branzino, mafaldine n casareccia as entrees. Branzino was very crispy w the herbed Greek yoghurt n hazelnut gremolata. Tasted good. The pastas tasted really good. Not a morsel left. We topped it off with crème brûlée n the dark chocolate raspberry bread pudding w creme anglaise. It was so heavenly. Thank you for a great dinner

Kaylie W.

Yelp
Casbah is an all time favorite. I've come here numerous times and they never disappoint. Service is spectacular and friendly, always knowing the right foods and cocktails to recommend. This is the perfect place to drop by when you're spontaneously in the mood for fine dining. They have a huge restaurant so walk ins are usually available. They are also in a great location with lots of street parking and lots nearby. [Burrata] [Tuna Tartare] are my favorite appetizers. Their Burrata and tuna tartare portion size is huge (esp the Burrata) leaving us feeling pretty full before the entree. I've also enjoyed the sea scallops, calamari, and octopus. Nothing that left a deep impression but still pretty good. [Long Island Duck] is my favorite entree on their menu and I think it's the best duck I've had in town. It's grilled to perfection with a soft center. Scottish salmon is also pretty good. I like how their entrees have a slight Mediterranean touch to it, which I feel like makes these classic entrees more interesting. I don't usually get their pasta so I don't remember it that much. Dessert menu changes up every now and then but each one I've had is delicious. I vaguely recall a lemon cake a while back that blew me away. Drinks are also great. Hoping to come back for their brunch next time.

Dominique D.

Yelp
Casbah is one of our favorite places for special occasions because the food is just top notch. They have seating in a cozy indoor area and on an indoor more patio looking area - the indoor area near the bar is definitely more romantic in terms of lighting and ambiance. Service is always professional and helpful. They have a great cocktail and wine list, you really can't go wrong! One of our favorite appetizers is the fried calamari and rock shrimp. It is served with Fresno chilis, lemon aioli, and agrodolce and the flavors work so well together that we always inhale it! This time we tried the pork and veal meatballs. These were big and very filling! They were served on creamy parmesan polenta with tomato sauce. Honestly I could have probably eaten this as an entree. We also tried the red pepper casereccia the scallops. The pasta itself was a little plain (just in a butter sauce) but the scallops were mind blowing. Seriously some of the best cooked scallops I've ever tasted! They were perfectly seared, so buttery and silky, and the pasta actually complimented them perfectly. Last up was the braised short rib with red wine jus. This was served with a polenta cake and broccolini. The polenta cake was delicious - crispy outside and creamy inside. The broccolini was perfectly cooked. The braised short rib was a 4/5, a little more fatty then I'd like and not quite as fall apart as I'd hope. Next time we'll stick to the short rib ravioli which is another one of our absolute faves.

Wesley H.

Yelp
This was my first time dining at Casbah and it was an excellent experience. We were greeted quickly by Kate who was friendly and extremely knowledgeable. She provided excellent recommendations and described the flavor profile of the dishes perfectly. The restaurant was fairly quiet and the atmosphere was welcoming. This restaurant sources their ingredients from local farmers which enhances the taste. I ordered the duck and it was by far the best duck I've ever had. It included the leg quarter which was flavorful and tender. The breast was well seasoned, the fat was appropriately rendered and the taste was utterly amazing. Unfortunately I jumped into eating and didn't take any pictures of my entree. However I will be sure to return on my next trip to Pittsburgh. I was able to get a picture of my dessert which was delicious and not too sweet.

Anqi H.

Yelp
Their Sunday brunch is so good! We opted for a la carte entrees, but their Prix Fixe menu was such a good deal. I definitely need to come back and try that. I had the sea scallop fry brunch. The scallops were cooked just right. I also appreciated all the veggies that came with it. Instead of bread, they give you pastries before your meal. What a great touch! Our server was prompt and friendly as always. It was also nice to come during the day instead of in the evening for a change. Sitting in their enclosed patio felt almost like sitting outdoors but with the comfort of indoor. Overall, we had a great time here. Can't wait to come back and try more from their brunch menu!

Lisa A.

Yelp
Casbah has been one of my favorite places in Pittsburgh. So I naturally picked up this place for some really special family dinner. While the food was great as always, the waiter kept coming to our table to take our plates over and over again, when we were still working on the food, while enjoying talking. He took everyone else's plates when one of us was eating so she gave up some food. Eventually my old parent said we should leave as soon as possible because they want us to do so, which was really sad as it was really special day. I left a comment on my reservation that it's special occasion. We only stayed there for 1.5 hour and it's weekday and there were plenty of open tables. I don't know why we were treated in this way. The service was really disappointing especially for a restaurant like Casbah.

Lacee E.

Yelp
Casbah is always great. We came for brunch and did the Prix Fixe menu, which was great. An appetizer, entree, and cocktail for $38. Can't beat it! I highly recommend the smoked salmon appetizer. Delicious! Also, the semi-outdoor patio area is lovely. It's fully covered, but very bright and airy.

Emily V.

Yelp
My overall review of Casbah is that is is overwhelmingly fine. We were a large group and we were sat in the basement, which is beautifully furnished and a wonderful environment. The service was absolutely incredible, and our server TJ was extremely attentive and friendly. Where this place is lacking in my opinon is the food. If you're a vegetarian, don't expect to be blown away by the selection available. While the shared starters are vegetarian, none of the appetizers are, and there are no "entrees" that are vegetarian either. Your options for main courses are some of the salads or the singular vegetarian pasta. As for what I ate, the hummus and pita were both quite bland and the pita was thick and dry. I ordered the summer salad with greens, cherries, pepita granola, piave, and peach vinaigrette. The granola and cherries were a very nice addition, but the dressing was so salty that it overwhelmed the entire dish. I could not taste any peach, or really anything but saltiness in the dressing. I cannot speak to the nonvegetarian dishes on the menu, but everyone else in my party was very pleased with their food and said it was delicious. I would not recommend if you are vegetarian or vegan. The limited vegetarian options are not any better than what you can easily make at home. I also found the cocktail list to be a bit strange. I ordered the sparkling cosmo, and while it was a tasty drink, it certainly was not a cosmo, unless a cosmo is defined as any drink which has both vodka and orange liqueur in it.

Rachael R.

Yelp
We had a great meal here yesterday with colleagues. The atmosphere is comfortable but classy and a little romantic (especially the basement). The mediterranean spread appetizer was delicious (particularly the red pepper one). The pita that comes with it is very tasty too. You also get bread and butter for the table. They have an extensive wine and cocktail list as well which is nice. I had the red pepper pasta with scallops and it was amazing!!! I highly reccomend. Everything we had was delicious and the service was top notch. They do get busy so I recommend a reservation. They also have a downstairs seating area where we sat which was nice and a little more quiet. They have valet option if you are worried about parking. We would definitely come back.

Judi G.

Yelp
The food was delicious! The service was excellent! The atmosphere was warm and cozy!

Lauren B.

Yelp
I love absolutely love Casbah it's my second favorite restaurant in the city of Pittsburgh. The service is always great and I haven't ordered a dish that I didn't like. I've been seated both in their restaurant and on the patio. Both are elevated vibes. I personally prefer their patio. It's naturally lit and covered.

Carolyn M.

Yelp
We made reservations and arrived quite a bit early. No issues there as the bar had plenty of open seating. The bartenders were super friendly and skilled. They had a small zero proof section of the cocktail menu that brought me so much joy, especially after seeing the aperol spritz. It was perfect. I also tried a citrus supper with dinner and it was light and refreshing. And pink and pretty. Appetizers were delicious. We had the artichokes and the burrata. Dinner was the Scottish Salmon and Short Ribs. Both were excellent. The short ribs melted in your mouth. So good. The salmon was cooked to a perfect medium. I loved the spring vegetables it was served with. Dessert was a flourless chocolate cake and espresso. So good but so full. Our server was new and working his first solo shift. He did an amazing job. We never would have known had he not told us. This was quite possibly the best meal I've had in PA. I will gladly drive the 2.5 hours to eat here again.

Ryan S.

Yelp
The food was quite good (4/5). Of the appetizers we ordered, the grilled artichokes were my favorite, followed by the calamari and shrimp. I had the lamb shank, which was massive! It was way more food than I was anticipating and good; the quantity definitely helps justify the price point. I also had a bite of the duck, which was also good. The service was incredible (5/5), and the interior and vibe of the restaurant were also amazing (5/5).

Beatrice V.

Yelp
Had a really nice dinner here, we came here to celebrate a birthday. Made a reservation in advance. Our waiter was great. Right when you walk in, there's seating in the first room that feels like you're outside but you're actually not, and then more seating inside the restaurant itself. Tuna Tartare: Came with grilled focaccia (2 slices), a side of creme fraiche and caviar. This felt very fancy and it tasted really great. Grilled Spanish Octopus: We're big octopus fans and thought this was pretty good. It tasted a little too charred for me though. It came with purple cabbage, apples, and pomegranate molasses. Short Rib Ravioli: These don't have any cheese in them which we were pleasantly surprised by, as lactose intolerant people. They typically serve cheese over the top, but held off on ours. It was good, the pasta was very thick. The ravioli were filled to the brim with short rib which was nice. Long Island Duck: This was good! It typically comes with a gnocchi but since we're DF, he gave us roasted potatoes instead. For his birthday, they served some salted caramels on a plate that said happy birthday on it with chocolate.

Ashley S.

Yelp
Wow I was so impressed with Casbah when I went the other night. I have never heard of them before so when my sister recommended them for dinner I knew we had to go there. The vibe of the restaurant was fancier than I thought it would be; I thought it was going to be more casual. That could also be because most of the customers seemed to be 30+ (which is not a bad thing, just a more mature crowd). The waiter was really nice and knew a lot about the wines they were offering. They give an order of sourdough bread with some butters to start. For an appetizer we ordered the Mediterranean Spreads and chose the Red Pepper Muhummara and Chickpea Hummus. The spreads came with their homemade grilled chickpea flatbread. Omg this was amazing!! The flavors were spectacular. I've never had flatbread like this before. It was so dense and had a good mix of nuts throughout. I have never had Muhummara before and I love it. I highly recommend sharing this appetizer if you come. For our main meals they had this pasta special called Winter Festa di Pasta. The waiter advised that the portions of these pastas were very small, almost similar to a side order so we each ordered one. I ordered the Ricotta Impastata Tortelloni which was with cherry tomato velouté, and basil. My sister ordered the Gnocchi Sardi which was with jumbo lump crab, sage brown butter, and hazelnuts. Amazing! Omg the chef really seasoned everything so well. They also give you some salted caramel bites when you get the check. Overall the food was really great, service was great, and food came fast but they spread it out in a good way. I would definitely make an effort to try Casbah if you're looking for a nice and tasty place to try.

Julia B.

Yelp
Casbah is a neighborhood favorite for me, and I was very excited to go back for my birthday! The food (as always) was delicious. We shared a burrata plate while we had our cocktails (which were balanced and delicious), and then I got the scallops followed by the duck. Both were cooked perfectly, and the sauces paired with each (avocado pea for the scallops, thyme fig for the duck) added a lot of great extra flavor. My boyfriend got the lasagna moussaka as an appetizer (I love when a place will do small portion pastas as starters!) and the grilled swordfish. Casbah also has an amazing wine list (both by the glass and full bottles). There were so many things on the menu I wanted to try as well - I will definitely be back! One thing I will note, however, is that service and ambiance tend to be better in either the outside or downstairs areas compared to the main dining room (we actually switched from a squished main dining room table to the outside area for this dinner), so I would specify requesting one of those areas if you can when you make a reservation! If you don't have a reservation, you can often find bar seats great for a pair of two if you get in early enough! Food: A Drinks: A Service: B Ambiance: B+

Truthfully B.

Yelp
A Nice Time with an Warm Atmosphere We valeted at Casbah, which we usually do when going there for a snack and a drink. We usually share a few things and have some drinks. I had an espresso Kettle One martini, and we ordered the beef tartare, and a couple of other things. The espresso martini's at Casbah are one of my top favorites in the city, as they have a nice balance of subtely sweet and coffee biterness. We then ordered the calamari and some olives, and another drink. The calamari at Casbah is particularly good, which has a tasy mild char rings, alongside some lightly fried small tentacles. We always have fun and enjoy the level of service, alongside the atmosphere. It's very chill, a bit cozy, a little elegant, and without any pretension.

Stuart O.

Yelp
Casbah continues to be one of the best restaurants in Pittsburgh. Have never had a bad meal here. Not sure why the average rating isn't a 5. Their cocktails are always to die for. We had the the Mediterranean martini, the seasonal Moscow mule and the house G&T. All three were delicious. I liked the orange accents to the G&T. New for us was the "Lamb bruschetta". Slow cooked lamb on fresh bread with a little hummus. Wow! This remains one of our go to places. Sign up on their web page for a coupon for your birthday!

Beverly H.

Yelp
The food was amazing.It was my birthday and I got the wild mushroom soup and short rib ravioli.The soup was thick and delicious.Ravioi was tender and very flavorful.My daughter got branzino and loved it.My husband got gnocchi and also loved it.We got ice cream for dessert and they even served it with a lighted birthday candle.It was very busy but service was quick and waitress was very good and nice.

Olivia O.

Yelp
Casbah is such a gem in shady side, everything is always great there! They even have a happy hour at the bar! The food is always fantastic

Chantal H.

Yelp
Casbah is long standing staple for a reason. I have yet to have something I did not absolutely love. The service is incredible, they time out your courses perfectly for a truly enjoyable experience, perfect for an occasion! We sat on the patio as always, and we love that it's always busy and bustling without having people sit too close to you. We always start with the pitas and dips - the muhammara is the BEST. Honestly so are the pita's they're unlike any pita's I've had made with chickpeas these babies are dense and will definitely fill you up before dinner but are also a non-negotiable on my list. We also did the Baba Ganoush and the calamari also delicious. For our mains, we did the pork chop and the ricotta cavatelli - can speak from experience and say the duck is also incredible. Since we always load up on pita's, it's nice that they offer the pasta in half sizes. Finished up with the creme brûlée, which interestingly was served with ginger and peaches. And they always bring out homemade caramels with the check that are too good to skip even if you're stuffed. Drinks are also great! I did a summertime spritz (essentially an aperol spritz) and tried one of their non-alcoholic cocktails as well! I got the espressoNO martini - made with seedlip spice and chai and to be honest, it tasted just as good as the alcoholic kind. Totally recommend here. This is a staple choice for us, especially for an occasion when we know 100% we can count on a 5 star experience.

Lisa K.

Yelp
Nothing but praise for the menu at Casbah. We hadn't eaten at this Big Burrito restaurant for over a decade. I can't explain why, but a birthday club coupon helped entice us out to the East End for a special meal. We were initially seated in the first room (more of an atrium style setting) but the sun was directly in my husband's eyes, and after a little persuading, the hostess moved us into the clubbier paneled part of the restaurant. Service was great - you can tell when a server is a pro - and cocktails were spot on, especially my Aperol spritz. I indulged myself with the tuna tartare and the pappardelle and lobster. No room for dessert! Next time I'll try the cheese tasting and another of their excellent pastas. My mouth is watering just thinking about it.

Liz G.

Yelp
I recently had a great experience at Casbah! I arrived on a Sunday right at 5pm and we were one of the first tables seated. We started with the calamari & rock shrimp appetizer. It was a large portion, perfect for up to 4 people. It comes with a lemon aioli that is to die for. It was all cooked perfectly. I love that they offer half portions of their pasta because I always eat too much & never have enough room for dessert. I got the short rib ravioli and wow, it was amazing. The broth was great for dipping their home made sourdough bread in. I definitely want to get the full portion next time because it was delicious. I ended with the seasonal sweet potato flan that I really enjoyed. It had great fall flavors, I had never had flan before. Our server was great and very prompt. Casbah is a great date night spot! My husband enjoyed his espresso martini and they have a great wine list. Definitely will be back!

Jim M.

Yelp
Even before we got there was great. We were stuck in traffic and I called to inform them we would be arriving a little late. When I called, it went to voicemail so I hung up and tried to call back. But as I was calling back someone at the restaurant called me back because they noticed I called. That I think is unheard of and a great start. The wait staff was great. But my wife had ordered the pork chop. It came out raw. The fat was not even cooked. It was sent back and a manager brought it back out and stated she was sorry. The piece that was cut off was done. There was no follow up from her. Nothing else was done.

Abigail G.

Yelp
We took my mom here for her birthday dinner tonight as it's one of her all time favorites in Pittsburgh. Drinks were great, atmosphere was great, food was great. Our waiter was great. Really just everything was GREAT. I was not paid for this review just happy.