PPG Paints Arena, home to the Pittsburgh Penguins, is not just a hub for thrilling hockey fans; it is also the home of a vibrant culinary scene, enhancing the overall experience for fans and visitors alike. As the arena gears up for the 2025 season, a variety of exciting restaurants and food options await attendees at the game. This guide will explore the best dining experiences available at PPG Paints Arena, ensuring that you don’t miss out on any of the five-star offerings on the menu. Gone are the days when you have to settle for a sad, sorry hot dog, because PPG Paints Arena has upped its game, ensuring that patrons have an unforgettable experience at the venue, and not just from attending the game.
Steel City Smash
If you are a big fan of Smashburgers, then you can’t go to a hockey game at PPG Paints Arena without trying out a signature Smashburger from Steel City Smash. These burgers are crafted using high-quality beef, smashed to perfection on the grill, and served with a variety of toppings. Have your burger with a side of loaded fries for a satisfying meal that will keep you energized throughout the game. This is the perfect game-day meal that you won’t want to miss.
Tacos on 5th
Perhaps you’re seeking something slightly spicier, and you’re a big fan of Mexican cuisine. For those craving a taste of Mexico, Tacos on 5th offers a delightful selection of tacos featuring chorizo, ground beef, and chicken. You can even try their trio of tacos, allowing you to sample all three flavors at once. Each Taco is made fresh and served with vibrant toppings, making it an excellent choice for a quick bite during intermissions.
North Shore Nacho Platters
Another excellent game day option that is sure to keep you full for the entire evening is a loaded nachos platter, available at North Shore Nachos. They serve generous bowls of nachos piled high with cheese, jalapenos, and your choice of protein, making them an ideal shareable snack for watching the game with friends. You also have the option of adding guacamole and sour cream for a complete nacho experience.
Primanti Brothers Sandwiches
On game day night, you can’t go wrong with a signature sandwich, which you can find at Primanti Brothers. No visit to Pittsburgh is complete without indulging in a famous Primanti Brothers sandwich. These guys are known for their unique combination of meat, cheese, coleslaw, and fries all piled between two slices of bread. While you can get your hands on one of these in Pittsburgh, for game night, you don’t even have to leave the venue, as they are available at various concession stands.
Fuku’s
Fuku’s is another well-known culinary option at PPG Paints Arena, serving up crispy and flavourful chicken. Their signature dish is a habanero-brined chicken breast, served on a potato roll with Mayo and Pickles. This sandwich packs a punch that will leave you craving more. It’s an excellent choice for fans looking for a hearty meal during the game.
Smokehouse BBQ
Another thing you can’t go wrong with when it comes to game night is some good old hearty BBQ, which you can find at Smokehouse BBQ. While they offer an extensive menu, their signature item is the smokehouse BBQ pork sandwich, braised and glazed with cherry Coke. This offers patrons a sweet and savoury flavour profile, which is sure to satisfy your taste buds.
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The Puttery
Perhaps you are in town with a group of friends, and you not only want to venture out of the arena for dinner, but you want to experience some of the local activities while you’re in town. If this is the case, then you need to check out The Puttery. The Puttery is a popular restaurant and bar where you can not only get delicious pub food, but you can also swing a Golf Club around. They offer deals throughout the week, depending on when you visit, including $10 unlimited golf, $5 select draft beer, and half-off mini golf every Monday for veterans and first responders.
The Factory
Perhaps you’re in town celebrating an anniversary and want to find something slightly more upscale, yet still serving delicious American cuisine. If this is the case, The Factory South Shore is a great choice. Serving up a fusion of classic American cuisine, with Pittsburgh flair, you’re guaranteed to have a meaningful dining experience here while enjoying some of the best views of downtown Pittsburgh that the city has to offer. Their signature cocktails make for a delicious pairing with your meal, so no matter what you’re into, you are guaranteed to have a relaxing pregame dinner here.
Moonlit Burgers
If you still can’t get Smashburgers out of your head, and you want to take a little walk outside of the venue before the game starts, Moonlit Burgers is an excellent choice. Their appetizers include chili cheese fries and a smashed burger queso dip, while the main fare features a bacon double cheeseburger, a Moon Bird chicken sandwich, and pickled brined chicken strips. This no-nonsense traditional American cuisine is guaranteed to keep you full well into the evening and have you coming back for more.
Conclusion
As we head into another hockey season at PPG Paints Arena, it’s clear that the focus is on enhancing the food experience. With a diverse range of food concessions and restaurants, fans can look forward to a culinary adventure with plenty of options to choose from that complement a fun night out seeing their favorite team play. Whether you have been to the Paints Arena before or this is your first time, there’s no reason why you have to settle for a last-minute meal of average concession fare. Venture out of your typical comfort zone, and PPG Paints Arena is sure to leave a lasting impression.