Pamela's Diner

I stopped by Pamela’s Diner while in Pittsburgh and really enjoyed it. The place has a cozy, old-school vibe, and the staff made me feel right at home. I tried their famous crepe-style pancakes, and they definitely lived up to the hype—light, crispy on the edges, and really tasty. The portions were generous without being over the top, and the coffee kept coming. It felt like a laid-back spot where you could easily spend a slow morning.

This food stop was one of the best I’ve had on my trip across four US states. The service was great, the food was awesome, and the portions were generous. The corned beef hash with the famous hotcakes is a perfect choice for a brunch.

As a first time visitor to the Strip District location, I would say it was a pretty good experience. The service was a little inattentive but it was a little busy for a late Friday morning (no line out the door though). The food prices seemed pretty standard but I thought the drink prices were a little pricey for the quality. The coffee was OK but not for the price. The food was delicious! I got the Tex Mex omelet with their famous potatoes on the side. There was so much flavor in each bite! My only complaint was the guacamole to omelet ratio was uneven. I love guacamole but one teaspoon wasn't cutting it. The hotcakes were really good and had a spongey texture but crispy edges, so they were unique to this restaurant for sure. The decor and open floor plan make for an airy atmosphere which I like. Overall, we had a good experience and would go back!

Made a stop in Pittsburgh on our honeymoon road trip and Pamela’s was recommended. Best pancakes I’ve ever had! Also absolutely loved the chorizo hash. Food came out super fast and the staff was so friendly. Thanks for a great breakfast!

Staff here are so friendly and helpful. Food is amazing - our first try of local breakfast has certainly set us up for day! Choices on menu proved difficult to decide what to have - so many interesting options. We went for Chorizo Hash and the Hot Cakes Special - both great but Chorizo Jash pipped it as best!

Finding a good stack of pancakes when I’m traveling is the test of a great brunch culture and Pamela’s is the best. These somewhat Swedish style (a little thicker than crepe like) are inspiring. I tell everyone who’s visiting to go and it’s now tradition when I’m in town to make a visit. The potatoes are classic and the eggs are delicious. 10/10

Okay so this is my personal opinion. We came from out of town for a wedding and everyone said “oh go to Pamela’s”. So we went and honestly it wasn’t worth it. The corn beef hash was dry and honestly was just meh. If you don’t come early enough you will not get a seat. We had family get there early and they waited about 30 minutes. By the time we left the wait was about 2 and a half hours. I don’t even see why honestly. THEY DO NOT SERVE ANYTHING BUT BREAKFAST ON SUNDAYS!!!! Parking was inconvenient. I probably wouldn’t come back tbh.

Waited for about 30 for a table after arriving around 11:00. I'll simply say it's worth the wait. This place was booming. The restaurant came highly recommended by the locals. I strongly suggest the strawberry crepes and the Pittsburgh hash. Service was phenomenal as well.

Good for family dining. Prices are great . Waitresses are always polite and friendly. The food is hot not a long wait. The Restaurants are super clean. There is a smile from greeter when you walk in. Very busy but efficient .

An absolutely no-frills, delicious, excessively portioned breakfast joint that is the mainstay of the Pittsburgh breakfast scene. I cannot say enough our the food. Greasy, comforty deliciousness. Bring your appetite. Weekends can be busy and there is usually a line. Totally worth the wait.

Solid breakfast spot but I won't say it's my favorite in Pittsburgh. It's slowly becoming more and more of a tourist trap but honestly better a place with good food than a spot like Primanti's Bro. Sitting down here. Is a bitch. Unless you go in the first 30 of them opening up then you'll have to wait. I will say the Lyonnaise potatoes themselves are beyond word it. The Pittsburgh has always bomb and of course the hot cakes !! So the hot cake isn't a pancake nor a crepe. It's if they had a child. And it's drenched in butter. I highly recommend getting an omelette and wrapping the hot cake around it to be the ultimate high cholesterol diabetic fueled American Don't ever go one not in the strip. Tastes different . Don't care what anyone says it for sure does. Go here always

Great breakfast spot in Pittsburg's Strip District. After giving my name and party size to the hostess, she said a 20-minute wait, and she was on the money because in exactly 20 minutes they called out my name to be seated. I had "The Morning After Breakfast Special": 2 eggs, your choice of ham, bacon, or sausage & crepe-style hotcakes $12 (I asked for kielbasa, which was 50 cents extra and I substituted the specialty Strawberry Hotcakes - Stuffed with fresh strawberries, brown sugar, sour cream and topped with whipped cream for $2 extra). Delicious. Highly recommend.

A lot of reviews I read said that they were cash only, but that is outdated! You are able to pay via credit card. Our server was very friendly and was able to give us recommendations on what we should get. I'm glad we listened to her because our food was great. The potatoes were delicious and the strawberry hotcakes were crispy and sweet.

Not sure how I've never reviewed Pamela's before. If you are looking for a quintessential Pittsburgh breakfast spot for yourself or to take someone visiting from out of town, there is simply no other place. This is also the quintessential location, with a cool, old-fashioned diner vibe that is pretty consistent among all of their locations, but there's just something about being at the one in the Strip, where presidents have famously come to eat and the line is out the door on a weekend morning. The crêpe style hotcakes are not exactly like crêpes, they are just a little more like hotcakes in thickness, but they get crispy and thin around the edges and they are absolutely delicious. I suggest getting the speciality hotcakes, such as the strawberry and brown sugar. I also really like the omelettes here, which have the benefit of coming with a side of lyonnaise potatoes. These are kind of like home fries but so savory and wonderful, they rival the hotcakes as the best breakfast item here. Service is efficient and good, with frequent visits to check on you and fill up your coffee. They used to give you a little individual coffee pot to pour from at your table which I haven't seen here in a few years and I miss. One big improvement though is that they used to be a cash-only joint and, at some point during Covid, that changed and they are taking card payments. I think at my last visit they were actually taking electronic payments via QR code as well. Times change but Pamela's delicious, consistent diner food thankfully does not.

Pamela's dinner, what can you say, terrific breakfast place, known for their crape like pancakes , but everything is good.

I really enjoyed breakfast here It's not particularly sophisticated or anything, but I think that's what makes it good - just a classic American diner. Specifically, you can't come here without getting the stuffed pancakes. I'm not usually a super sweet breakfast person, but this is so delicious and worthwhile. They're nice and crispy and buttery and addicting. I always try to take people here when they visit me in Pittsburgh

Two words for you: Pittsburgh Hash! It was my first visit to Pittsburgh and I was taken to Pamela's by a native. She recommended the hash and how my eyes lit up with that first bite. Smoky kielbasa, tangy sauerkraut, and melty Swiss make a combination I never knew I was missing! I also had the strawberry hotcakes, which were equally successful. The walls were full of visual interest and we were even treated to the excitement of a political bus pulling in mid meal. For a delicious taste of Pittsburgh, you could hardly do better.

My parents & I went on a busy Saturday morning, we put our names on the list around 9:45 and were sat before 10:15! The diner was packed with lots of happy game-day goers, and the service was top notch. Our waitress was kind, attentive and really made the experience great! The food itself was also top notch. I had an egg white omelette with cheese, spinach & bacon --- soooo good and stuffed with the toppings!

This is a must stop at for my husband when we are in town. He loves their pancakes and I do understand why as they are light and fluffy and literally melt in your mouth. They are thin they're not super dense like a lot of pancakes are nowadays. He got the morning after which included two pancakes, bacon, and eggs. He added cheese to his eggs. Overall, everything tasted absolutely spectacular. I got the western omelette and home fries. As you can see from the pictures the food portions are very large, so definitely bring your appetite or be prepared to share.

Came here on a recommendation. My time in the Steel City has been great so have to visit an institution like Pamela's diner. Not crowded on a Tuesday morning. The coffee was excellent, enough to call it out. I went with the chorizo hash with 2 sunny side up eggs. What a treat, the right amount of spice and perfectly cooked potatoes. You add the creamy egg yolk and a few dashes of hot sauce and I'm in heaven. Nice job!!

I have mixed feelings about this place. It's one of the landmark breakfast places that came highly recommended in Pittsburgh. To me, however, the whole experience was not that remarkable. First, there was a long wait - almost an hour. The servers were very busy but quick. The food came out quickly so that was good. Second, the food portions were HUGE. This may be great for some but I barely ate a third of my meal. Finally, the food tasted fine. The crepe style pancakes were a bit dry and the butter was not good (they may have served margarine, not sure). The corned beef hash was good but just way too much food. Anyway, I might recommend this place if you go there extremely hungry. Otherwise, I'd probably just go to IHOP.

Drove to Pittsburgh from Columbus as a mini birthday roadtrip and was looking for a fun diner; Pamela's did not disappoint. The restaurant for sure gave cute, nostalgic diner vibes. I had the most amazing crepe pancake. Yes, you read that right; I said a crepe pancake. Thin with crispy edges with pancake flavor. Impeccable! I'd never had anything like it. The food came out lightning fast and we went on a busy Saturday morning. The potatoes, the potatoes were divine! Seasoned well with lots of butter! Wish we're local because this place would be on weekly rotation.

It was pretty busy on a Sunday morning at opening all the way to 9am. There were a lot of people waiting to get seated and waiting for takeout. I was there waiting for take out. The crepe-style hotcakes were addicting, it's like a crepe with crispy edges, but also tastes like pancakes. I enjoy both the savory and sweet hot cakes. The tex-mex omelet was heavy and loaded, just the way I prefer a hearty omelet. It was slightly spicy, but there was a lot of good flavors in there. I went to the Shadyside location

Definitely a popular breakfast spot in the Pittsburgh Strip District. We had a short wait for seating but it was well worth it, the crepe-like hotcakes were PERFECTION. The pricing is typical diner prices, but the decor is something to talk about. The colors and furniture gave 50's diner or soda shop. Come and stop by Pamela's, you will NOT regret it!

Good food, good setting. A true diner with local hospitality. Dropped hot sauce on myself and the waiter gave us our meal for free! Very loving! Thank you!

Awww, Pamela's in Pittsburgh. It's an institution. Got a hungry student to feed? Pamela's. Hungover? Pamela's. Greasy carbs but so, so, so worth it. Those short cakes hit the spot so well. Omelettes are humongous. But the potatoes...I usually don't get potatoes anywhere but Pamela's potatoes must have that magic juju. One minor improvement needed: coffee. Guys, your coffee is so watered down. Come down early because this place is POPULAR and there is usually a wait. But it's so worth it. No need to wear your tux and stilettos, this is a very casual place. They have seen it all there.

Amazing pancakes. Very good service. Chill atmosphere. Must go if in town. Parking on street from my recollection.

Expect a long wait at this popular breakfast joint. We waited almost an hour and a half for 2 people. But definitely worth the wait and great value for the money. Big portions. Had the chorizo Hash and the morning after breakfast which came with a stack of the crepe style Hot Cakes. This is comfort food at its finest. Simple, yet perfect. Recommend coming as early as possible to minimize the wait time. Great service. Only reason it wasn't 5 stars is because of the long wait.

Fun spot for visitors to Pittsburgh. Long wait on weekends and they don't take reservations, but lots of nearby shops to explore while you wait. Their famous crepe/style hotcakes are famous for a reason - delicious!! They honestly taste more like funnel cakes than pancakes. I would order those again over the French toast.

We surely love Pamela's Diner in The Strip District! We had a mid-morning breakfast on a Tuesday. Parking was easy to find on the street in front and nearby cross-streets, and there are two lots within two blocks. Pamela's is mid-sized casual, and we were seated immediately in a cute area with a wall of family pictures over the years. Staff was friendly and attentive. We came for a treat our grandma used to make. Here they are called crepe-style hotcakes: thin like a crepe, tender like pancakes, lightly crisped around the edges, and huge! The size of a dinner plate! You can get various preparations, stuffed with strawberries, blueberries, bananas, walnuts, or chocolate chips. We just had to get regular, and i knew we were home when i asked for butter and powdered sugar, and they had a powdered sugar shaker at the ready! The flavor is warm and cozy and melt-in-your-mouth delicious! We also had fresh french press coffee brewed at the table. And they have a full breakfast and lunch diner menu. Here's thanks for keeping the dream alive since 1979! Yummmmm!

Food was fantastic and one of the best Belgian waffles I've ever had! So light and fluffy! Highly recommend if you like going to diners as this is a Pittsburgh staple! Nice ambiance and interior to hang out with friends and family and then go walk around the strip district. Quick service with a very nice staff topped it off. Parking is a little tough so you may need to find a spot nearby and walk over but definitely worth it.

Two friends and I stopped in here for a late breakfast on Sunday. We got there around 12-ish and only had to wait for about 20 min before a table was ready for us. The place was busy but it didn't feel over crowded. Our waitress was great and our food came out quickly. We all ordered the morning after special and added on a side of potatoes! Everything was so good! Pamela's is a classic; you have to check it out!

Visiting on business. Found this place through Yelp, as I usually find good places by using the Yelp app. P&G's Pamela's Diner is fantastic for those that like fast, friendly service and fresh delicious food. Fun, interesting area of town. Had the Hash Browns with Chorizo and scrambled eggs. Coffee was great, had a nice flavor, not just a black coffee taste.

We stopped by around 11ish on a Tuesday morning and it was packed so I knew we made a good choice. Came here specifically for these crepe-like pancakes and was not disappointed! I'm not a pancake lover but these are so light with crispy edges. Oh so good!! Coffee wasn't that great and bacon was too smoky. Food aside, i love the old diner feel and all the decor. Service was quick and friendly.

We came here 30mins before they closed and they sat us but we had to be quick with our order. Even though we came late they were friendly, attentive and made our food quickly. Food was good diner food, French toast, crepe, burgers..were all good.

Have been here before but since we were in town decided to try again! I ordered the meat lovers omelet with lyonnaise potatoes! OMG are those potatoes good! My wife ordered the egg white omelet with feta and spinach! She loved it! Great service even though it was busy! The place is bigger than it looks! Love the ambiance!

A good, classic diner. I had the egg white veggie omelet with fries (since the potatoes aren't crispy enough for my liking) and rye bread (8/10). I wish the mushrooms were cooked more! The omelet did have a slight crisp on the bottom, which I enjoyed. Then I shared the strawberry hotcakes (7.5/10) I like how they're thinner than normal pancakes and really enjoyed the crispy edges but I feel like the inside strawberry filling could have had a little more flavor? Maybe just more filling. We also didn't have a waiter check on us at all once food was dropped off and I had to go up to other staff to try and pay to leave.

The wait is long....but the food isn't worth it. I was looking for a place to go for brunch and my coworkers recommended this place. My brother and I get here around 11:30ish and we were told that the wait would be 15-20 minutes. Despite seeing the long line outside, we decided to wait. Since we were so hungry, we went to the donut shop next door and got some donuts. After finishing our donuts, we waited and waited until they finally called my name....after 40 minutes later. We didn't really mind since we were so hungry and I was dying to try their pancakes. Our server greeted us fairly quickly and took our order and gave our drinks. The service was great but the food was just mediocre. I was really confused why this place was so popular.....there was nothing special about this place. Their famous "crepe style pancakes" were just regular pancakes. Their "thick cut bacon" wasn't really thick cut. Mid way through our brunch, I came to a conclusion that this is just regular diner food. Everything was just mediocre until....until....I went to the bathroom. They only have 2 stalls and the bathroom is tiny and DISGUSTING to say the least. It smelled so horrible with tissues everywhere and the bathroom literally smells worst than a porta potty. The bathroom is basically the main reason I can't give this place 3 start Next time I am in town, I want to visit again and hopefully, that time, I can honestly say this isn't just a mediocre diner.

I started going to Pamela's when I moved to Pittsburgh for college in 2014. I've spent years bringing friends and family who visit to my favorite breakfast spot, but my visit yesterday was so so disappointing. The potatoes are completely different, lacking in flavor, just not the same as they used to be. I understand that sometimes expanding in quantity of locations can result in a lack of consistency but I was hoping it wouldn't mean the quality would go down too. Don't get me started on the precooked bacon. I love Pamela's so much and I hope they can shake off the tourist trap allegations and improve their standards!!!

Service was super friendly; we were able to sit on the patio with our dog and they brought her some water and scrambled eggs. The food is good but extremely rich! We were extremely stuffed; I would split it next time. I definitely recommend stopping by.

very cute place and the food was delicious. our waitress was very nice and was on top of it.

Well - we now understand why there's a crazy long wait to get in. The food is terrific! Plus it's located in The Strip, making it an easy stop for shoppers and browsers. We went for things different than what we might get at home: Pittsburgh style crepe pancakes and the Pittsburgh hash. I can promise I'll be making the hash at home!!! Coffee was hot and refreshed plenty while we were there. This is definitely an institution. Tip: Arrive just before 8 if you want to get in and get a seat before the main breakfast rush arrives.

When I did my first search of places to eat in Pittsburgh, this was the first one that came up. Breakfast is my favorite meal so I was in there! Came on a Friday morning and they were busy but we got a seat within 10m. Lovely and attentive staff. Fast service and delicious food. Definitely had to get the hotcakes. Also decided on trying the kielbasa with eggs and Lyonnaise potatoes. What is in the Lyonnaise potatoes, they were so addicting. So soft yet silky and smooth. Need these in my life! Feel the same about the hotcakes. Big portion so shared with my boyfriend. I couldn't get enough of them with syrup. Don't get me started on the crispy edges, gasp. The best part. We were in and out happy. Highly recommend.

Excellent! Good food, better service! Easy to walk in and find a late breakfast. I had the breakfast special, I think it was called. Two eggs, three bacon, and two crepe pancakes. Yumm! Juice and water came almost right after we sat down. My partner had one of the mexican breakfasts and ate it up! I would come every week if we lived here. Only one downside, if you are older or informed, bathroom is upstairs, but that is another restaurant, Peruvian, and looks also good!

Had a late breakfast here and the food was great! Old diner vibes and the food hit the spot. Hotcakes were thin but flavorful (I'd get a topping next time it's 100x better) and you get a lot of eggs on the side. BEST part was the side of chorizo hash, which two of us barely finished. Perfect amount of flavor and heat from the chorizo and jalapeños.

Place was absolutely packed. Very quick turnaround. Docked a point because it wasn't the most relaxing, you felt a sense of urgency to get out there because they were so busy. The food was really good though. Gills favorite eggs were a little unique twist on a classic scrambled eggs. The breakfast potatoes were really good. My boyfriend liked the chocolate banana pancakes too.

Food here is generally pretty good. Server was rude and kept forgetting to bring us water, ketchup, napkins, etc... Could not find her for a solid 15 minutes and never once came to check on us. It has an old diner style but I find it to be dirty, tables are always sticky. I think it could use some renovations.

Nice traditional diner with quick and friendly staff. I love that the diner did not have 100s of menu items. The bacon was as good but could've been a little crispier. The hotcakes were crepe thin with crispy edges. Big serving for $10.

Great experience. Friendly staff, food comes fast and easily accessible parking. Would certainly recommend.

This is the best place for breakfast in Pittsburgh. The food is fantastic. The staff is warm, friendly and accommodating and the atmosphere is so very comfortable. Once you try it you will want to become a regular.

This place is a go to for those that want and affordable option and tasty food. The chocolate chip banana hotcakes were warm and had nice grip edges. The Tex Mex omelet had great flavor and the potatoes were soft and seasoned well. The service was great and they were willing to provide items on the side. The place can be a bit noisy because there are always people but otherwise a nice retro looking place for breakfast.

Cute little local diner! Came in on a snowy Saturday morning for breakfast around 845am. By the time we were seated and ordered, the place was packed. The decor is cool because it's a lot of local photos from years past. The colors are teals and pinks and just the metal look screams proper diner. I had the crepe style pancakes they're known for with a side of turkey sausage. The little crispy edges of the pancakes were so good! My dad and brother both had sides of hash, Pittsburgh and corned beef, respectively. I tasted the Pittsburgh hash and thought it was great. I really liked that the kielbasa was chopped pretty finely into the mixture. You didn't have any large chunks and it fit in right with the potatoes and sauerkraut. The service was fast and friendly. Would recommend!

This place was very busy this morning, but staff were friendly, attentive to, and the wait was fairly quick during the hustling morning. I grabbed the kielbasa and eggs dish and my friend got the hotcakes with some sides. Potatoes were amazing, toast made ya want to make a sandwich of everything on the plate lol. Crepe style hotcakes had crispy edges and flavor of a funnel cake but savory. I did mention the potatoes were amazing and the best I've had so far?!

The crepe style pancakes are a can't miss menu item. Go early if possible. It's not a big place but definitely worth the wait.

When you are visiting Pittsburgh or if you live there, Pamela's is the breakfast, brunch, lunch destination you must eat at, especially in Shadyside. They don't take reservations as dining is on a first come first serve basis. Not hungry immediately? We arrived around 10:30 on a Saturday to a 45 minute wait. So we put our name in, took our time shopping the neighborhood and even ordered a cake from Prantl's next door (another MUST) . This local breakfast spot is the people's place with friendly servers, coffee cups being constantly filled with hot richness and everything you'd want on their morning menu. Good thing I don't live close by or I'd have breakfast here 3-4 x a week. I am a bit of a nostalgia diner and came here often when I was in college. I guess it reminds me of my youth. Its all good, but if you are a potatoes person, get their hash! Made right there on the premises. So good. When my Uber driver asked what I had planned while in was in town and I told him to take me to Pamela's he blurted out, "oh my god, their hash!". Lol. So there you go! Well worth the wait, but don't wait too long!

Enjoyed a quick and delicious breakfast at the Leno location. I will say for how quickly they have you in and out, I would expect slightly lower prices. Paying $20 for under 20 mins inside is definitely on the more expensive side.

Delicious flapjacks, really good. Crowded-ish dining room. Apparently Obama ate here.