Tucked into the lively North Oakland neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Butterjoint is the kind of place that feels like a well-kept secret — even though locals have known about it for years. 🍔
Born as the annexe bar of acclaimed farm-to-table restaurant Legume, it quickly evolved into something entirely its own — a cozy, craft-forward haven where lovingly prepared comfort food, house-made everything, and some of Pittsburgh’s best cocktails all share the same warm, low-lit room.
In a city brimming with character, Butterjoint is the neighborhood joint that serious food lovers keep coming back to.
How Butterjoint Won Pittsburgh’s Hearts
Chef Trevett Hooper opened Butterjoint in 2012 right next door to his beloved restaurant Legume, converting a small barroom where diners had already been naturally congregating into a full-fledged destination in its own right.
What set Butterjoint apart from day one was its obsessive commitment to local sourcing and house-made craft.
The kitchen grinds its own grass-fed beef daily, hand-forms pierogies the same way they have for years, bakes its own Japanese milk bread rolls, and sources proteins from humanely raised Pennsylvania farms.
Diners from the nearby University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon communities became regulars, mixing happily with longtime Oakland residents who loved that an upscale-but-unpretentious spot had landed right in their backyard.
What has kept Butterjoint thriving for over a decade is its ability to evolve without ever losing its soul — rotating seasonal dishes, a bakery next door producing fresh breads and pies daily, and a menu that reflects the best of what Western Pennsylvania has to offer at any given moment. 🌿
In a neighborhood full of options, Butterjoint remains the one place everyone seems to agree on.
Food Highlights
- Fancy Burger: Two smashed 4oz grass-fed beef patties, Gruyere, bacon, hatch chile aioli, sour dill pickles, and lettuce.
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Butterjoint Burger: An 8oz daily-ground grass-fed beef patty, cheddar, house Butterjoint sauce, sour dill pickles, and lettuce on a milk bread bun. 🍔
- Sauerkraut Balls: Fried sauerkraut bites served with honey mustard sauce — a beloved Pittsburgh classic done with Butterjoint’s signature care.
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Pierogi w/ Sausage: Hand-formed potato and cheese pierogi, house kielbasa, caramelized onion, sauerkraut, pickled beets, and seasonal veggie — this is Pittsburgh on a plate.
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Lumps: Japanese milk bread rolls from the in-house bakery, served with pawpaw butter.
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Steak Frites: Jubilee Hilltop grass-fed ribeye steak, fermented pepper au poivre, sherry cream sauce, hand-cut tallow fries, and aioli — the show-stopper large plate. 🥩
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Smoked Bluefish Paté: Served with crostini, sliced cucumbers, and cornichons — an elegant, smoky spread. 🐟
- Fancy Crispy Chicken Sandwich: House-brined chicken thigh, Gochujang, kimchi, lettuce, and aioli on a milk bread bun. 🌶️
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Pork Belly Sandwich: Chashu-glazed pork belly, apple and radish slaw, and fermented ramp aioli on a milk bread bun.
Atmosphere
Butterjoint is exactly what a neighborhood bar should feel like — warm, unhurried, and full of good energy. 🕯️
The space features soft lighting, classic bar seating, colorful booths, and long communal tables — with the intimate corner booths in the bar area being the most coveted seats in the house, perfect for a date night or a long catch-up with friends.
Diners consistently describe the vibe as “upscale but casual” — a place where you feel equally at home in a blazer or a flannel, and the staff is known for being genuinely friendly without being performative about it.
The bakery next door sends fresh aromas drifting through the space on weekends, making the whole block feel like an invitation.
Bottom Line
Butterjoint is Pittsburgh’s most lovable overachiever.
House-made pierogies, daily-ground grass-fed burgers, fermented everything, a killer craft cocktail program, and a room that makes you want to stay all night — this is one Oakland gem that absolutely earns its reputation. 🏆
Address:
208 N. Craig St., Pittsburgh, PA 15213
📞 (412) 621-2700
🕔 Open Mon–Thu 4 PM–10 PM | Fri–Sat 4 PM–11 PM (Closed Sunday)