Not the best ever, but pretty decent stuff. A slice for $2.50 in downtown? I'll be back.
(3)
Shari P.
I love mushroom pizza. I called to ask if they use canned or fresh mushrooms and the guy on the phone responded, "nothing in our restaurant is canned." I LOVED his response. I truly enjoyed my pizza and I'll be back for more. My only disappointment was that they were out of their tiramisu but I am excited to try it soon.
(5)
T. B.
Great pizza. Can get it by the slice which is nice for lunch. This is a favorite in market square.
(5)
J B.
I eat in Market Square a lot and this is my favorite place to get slices of traditional red sauce pizza out of any pizza place in the area. I am still partial to Fat Tommy's for white pizza although I haven't ordered white pizza from La Gondola yet. I have never found La Gondola's pizza slices to be greasy and the crust is perfectly crisped on the bottom and just the right amount of chewy otherwise. Good quality food and yummy!! I personally love the crumbled sausage topping. They also have incredibly awesome homemade Wedding Soup (seasonal I think) - a definite must have when I see that they are serving it. The staff is always friendly and prompt. Give them a try!!
(5)
Ryan C.
Wow. I can't believe I'm writing the first review for this place. I went to La Gondola not really expecting much, but I walked out having had the best pizza experience since I've been in Pittsburgh. The atmosphere was that of a small, clean, and charming Italian joint, the staff was very nice, and the pizza was DELICIOUS. Big slices, flavorful sauce and cheese. The crust was chewy, yet firm. This family-owned restaurant has been here for a long, long time and they really know what they're doing. All around wonderful. Do not pass it up!
(5)
Lauren G.
This is the place to get a great slice of sicilian pizza. My co-workers and I agree that this is one of the best sicilian slices in the city. Crispy and airy crust make the enormous slices not too heavy and they hold a lot of toppings really well. Plus their sauce and topping choices really round out this pizza. Their regular NY style slices are decent, but I would definitely go for the sicilian. The hoagies are all pretty good too, as a good Italian place should do. Not the most veg-friendly place. Other than the toppings on the pizza, they serve a side salad, which is mostly iceberg lettuce, and they put deli ham on the salad, which in my opinion is completely unnecessary. Seems like they are just serving to the over meaty and under-vegged Pittsburgh eaters (who whould be confronted with more good veggie dishes more often). But their homemade Italian dressing is great. Service is great here. It's family run and the Grandmother and Mother waitress, always with a smile and friendly banter. Seems like Papa and son are in the kitchen serving up the food. Plus there is outside seating which is often available even on crowded days in the square. Looks can be deceiving, because I don't think I would have ever checked this place out by just looking at it from the outside, or inside for that matter. A good recommendation from a friend got me here, so hopefully it works for you too.
(4)
Ken P.
It's hard to be drawn to this place when its in the recently updated market square but don't let the looks fool you, this place is delicious. I tried Primanti the day before and I wish I went to La Gondola first. This place had good pizza and service was decent. This place has been family-owned for over 30 years and its apparent why. I wasn't please with the sausage because it was essentially like in small bits and amounts, but the thin crust was baked just right and the cheese was good as well. There were no napkins and too much grease on the pizza. No bathroom in site either. I wanted to wash my hands. Best food I had in Pittsburgh besides the William Penn Omni Terrace Room. Next year when I am on a business trip to Pittsburgh I will most likely return.
(3)
Danielle B.
Wow. This place has some excellent pizza. Okay, not the best in Pittsburgh but it is CLEARLY the best in downtown. The boy and I were talking about the number of pizza places downtown that have made us sick and how we thought it was a shame that we consider a place good by the fact it doesn't make us sick. That's the sad reality of it. However, La Gondola has none of those "sick feelings" later. We will most likely be repeat customers!
(4)
Barry R.
Delicious home made authentic italian classics. Low prices. Extremely generous portions. For the same price as a Jimmy John's sandwich or Moe's Burrito, you can have a expertly prepared Italian feast with all fresh ingredients. Why not a 5? The service can be slow during the lunch rush, and the interior is a bit run down. If you aren't in a crazy rush, your money won't go farther for better food anywhere in Market Square.
(4)
Emmin M.
Came here two days before Christmas. Looking for a place the family could get a quick slice. Wow! We were surprised. Not only was the pizza phenomenal, it was cheap! I had the Sicilian and my kids had thin crust. Four pieces total, 3 drinks, came to $17.10. Can't beat that. If I'm ever in the area again, I'll be back.
(5)
Keith M.
The Sicilian Pizza is huge, tasty, crusty on the outside, soft in the middle. The regular thin crust pizza was loaded with toppings. My only complaint is that the Pizza was served luke warm. I want my pizza piping hot, almost burning the roof of my mouth! The overall taste made up for the temperature difference, and I was happy with the overall experience. Both the cooks and the waitress were friendly.
(4)
Jo T.
Almost missed this place. Cruising in circles looking for something affordable to eat yet with outdoor seating, but alas closing time is 8 pm and we were there at 7:55 pm... Prize would have been OK, menu too, so we went in and asked if they could give us slices to go. But instead they asked us where we would like to sit and so it turned out they didn't realize they had the mini time on their sign, sending people to the next door place, allegedly closed. We were so glad! I checked some other reviews of this place, and as of the food, here is the thing: if you know North Italian home cooking, this is it. Like that. It is not like in hipster three Michelin star restaurants, and, by the way, if it was and then the same location, the every-day-Joe-Yelp-crowd would not be sitting there, way too expensive. But what do I know who is really sitting where? What I am saying is: if you want food that was cooked by a human being with an Italian taste this is an excellent place to go to. And the staff is wonderful, yes, VERY personable, and I am someone I rather sit some nice place eat some good food and talk to a real human being than get served some elegant painting of a dish by a robot or a person who learned a chique greeting phrase by heart. But that is me and you need to think if that is what you're after. By the way, besides the delicious and well-sized pizza, the homemade Tiramisu is to die for. And: apparently you can bring your own booze, please confirm if that is a constant offer. (Another tip: if you love soccer, talk to Sergio! You will make a friend. Cool, lovely people!)
(5)
Chip R.
I've eaten here at La Gondola's before and I can attest that the baked sandwiches are da bomb. I wasn't all too hungry for lunch today but felt that I needed to get out and have something so I decided on a slice of pizza. The atmosphere is what you would expect from a Pittsburgh Italian family owned pizzeria. Clean yet a little cramped; friendly but not overly so; service not exactly slow but for a simple slice of pizza it wasn't "freakishly fast" either. The two waitresses and the two behind the counter doing the cooking seem to be having a good time. My slice of pizza came and it looked so yummy. The crust was perfectly done and it had cheese artfully oozing over the pepperoni. Esthetically beautiful. Unfortunately when I bit into it, the taste was just average. It wasn't bad, the crust held up just fine but the sauce was lacking "oomph"... that zest that you look for when eating pizza (at least it's what I look for). Don't get me wrong, it wasn't a bad slice of pizza, just average. Average in taste, average in size, even average in temperature. I wouldn't go out of my way for a slice of pizza here. But I wouldn't put up a fuss if I was with a group and they wanted to go. But I'd probably opt for one of their tasty sandwiches or maybe try one of the pasta dishes over the pizza.
(3)
C E.
Great, simple food and reasonable prices. The staff is super friendly, too. Outdoor seating is great and you have a good view of the square. One of the best slices you'll find downtown.
(4)
Melissa M.
I love it- some of the best slices in Pgh! Large New York size slices- killer wedding soup!
(5)
Lauren W.
I wanted pizza but there was nowhere particular I wanted to go. I have eaten at every pizza place in downtown and none of them has really wowed me. I happened to stumble across them walking through Market Square when I saw a customer looking excited to go in we nearly bumped into each other. The staff were super friendly & personable. We chatted about other restaurants in the area. The owner actually takes pride in his food. When he said this will be the best seafood pizza I've ever had I laughed, turns out he was right!! The prices are on par with the other pizzeria's but their dough is homemade, the ingredients are fresh & you can taste the difference. I got my order to go & actually had to call him back to let him know how delicious my pizza was. They now have a lifetime customer. After more than 30 years in business it shows. They seriously are the hidden treasure of Market Square.
(5)
Joe T.
I really, really, want to rate this place higher. Maybe after another visit I will be able to, but the food simply wasn't great. I ordered the rigatoni al dente, and got it chewy. The garlic bread was slightly burned and had way too much butter. The sauce was uninspiring. For all that, it was that plus a salad for $11, which isn't a bad price. I suppose I should try the pizza, but the pasta wasn't up to par. Edible, approaching acceptable, but not quite getting there.
(3)
Darren W.
For 35 years, La Gondola has sat in an obscure corner of Market Square, unaffected by the upheaval and renewal this area of Downtown Pittsburgh has experienced, looking on quietly as trendy restaurants and fast food franchises have sprouted and withered away. The other night, prior to the Alice In Chains concert at The Benedum, I made it a point to visit, to become acquainted with what I had been missing for far too many sunsets. What I was missing was an amply filled half-hoagie that stung with a piquant Italian dressing, refreshed with crisp, juicy vegetables, and comforted with toasty bread and molten cheese. What I was missing was a pizza that possesses a paradox of a crust that is luxuriously soft yet sturdy and somewhat crunchy. Rounding it out is a scrumptious, unctuous cheese that partially coats the toppings (mine was pepperoni) like white lace, and a savory, carefully prepared sauce crafted by a master. That master is La Gondola's soft-spoken, middle-aged owner Sergio who happened to have a Fleetwood Mac concert on the television when I arrived. With him I had a wonderful conversation that touched on the subjects of pizza, food in general, classic rock, Pittsburgh, and life itself. I'd been missing that also. "You know," he told me, pointing his finger at the lights above, "People get leery of comin' in. We have people peek in, the same people, day in day out, but they won't come in. But when they finally do, they end up lovin' our food. All of it's homemade, from scratch. When you make stuff from scratch or anything from the bottom up, you're givin' your heart and soul as well." "Like that guy, he's pretty damn good, I'll tell you what," Sergio proclaimed while halfway air-guitaring as Lindsey Buckingham performed a solo. La Gondola is miles and miles more than pretty good, its staying power fueled by a sense of tradition and economy. Ignore the hype of their next door neighbor Winghart's and give the old-school a chance to charm your jaded palate.
(5)
Derek C.
Looks shady, tastes great. Lunch for under $5 a person and you walk out stuffed. What a deal! Service is fast and friendly. Prices are fair for pizza anywhere, let alone downtown. When we walked in the door, we were the only customers. Combined with the dated decor, we weren't sure that we had made the right decision. We sat down, ordered a pizza and it was served within 15 minutes. By the time we left, the place was packed with only a few open seats left so it would appear that the secret is out.
(4)
Lela M.
Excellent pizza, I got a large slice of silcian pizza with lots of toppings, the toppings were very generous. Definitely will be back to try more menu items. Price was great!
Delivery : Yes Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Bike Parking : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Caters : No
The immense popularity of Italian cuisine globally isn't unknown. You can find an Italian Pizzeria around every corner of almost every city in the United States. Not to forget that in every house, people enjoy mac and cheese as comfort food. But it would be wrong to believe that Italian food starts with pizza and ends with good pasta as this Mediterranean country has much more to offer other than these two dishes. In Italian Cuisine, there is a high use of fresh tomatoes, all kinds of herbs, great quality of cheese, all types of meat, seafood and fresh handmade pasta. Many find it hard to believe that Italians have been making noodles long back.
Italian and Greek cuisines are always mistaken to be same, but they are poles apart. The primary difference between the two cuisines is the use of cheese in most of the Italian dishes. Italians love to cultivate their own cheese and process them as per their food requirement. It is believed that some cheese is so expensive that cheese producers secure them in lockers.
If you are bored eating the same old pasta or pizza, you can try some of the authentic Italian dishes like Risotto, Polenta, Ribollita, Lasagna, Fiorentina Steak, Bottarga, Ossobuco, Carbonara, Focaccia, Arancini and Supplì. Another item which Italians love to relish every morning is a good cup of Italian Coffee. Once you taste a freshly brewed cup of Italian Coffee, you might not visit Starbucks ever again. Authentic Italian food is made with heart and soul, so go find a restaurant where you can relish Italian cuisine in your city.
Ali L.
Not the best ever, but pretty decent stuff. A slice for $2.50 in downtown? I'll be back.
(3)Shari P.
I love mushroom pizza. I called to ask if they use canned or fresh mushrooms and the guy on the phone responded, "nothing in our restaurant is canned." I LOVED his response. I truly enjoyed my pizza and I'll be back for more. My only disappointment was that they were out of their tiramisu but I am excited to try it soon.
(5)T. B.
Great pizza. Can get it by the slice which is nice for lunch. This is a favorite in market square.
(5)J B.
I eat in Market Square a lot and this is my favorite place to get slices of traditional red sauce pizza out of any pizza place in the area. I am still partial to Fat Tommy's for white pizza although I haven't ordered white pizza from La Gondola yet. I have never found La Gondola's pizza slices to be greasy and the crust is perfectly crisped on the bottom and just the right amount of chewy otherwise. Good quality food and yummy!! I personally love the crumbled sausage topping. They also have incredibly awesome homemade Wedding Soup (seasonal I think) - a definite must have when I see that they are serving it. The staff is always friendly and prompt. Give them a try!!
(5)Ryan C.
Wow. I can't believe I'm writing the first review for this place. I went to La Gondola not really expecting much, but I walked out having had the best pizza experience since I've been in Pittsburgh. The atmosphere was that of a small, clean, and charming Italian joint, the staff was very nice, and the pizza was DELICIOUS. Big slices, flavorful sauce and cheese. The crust was chewy, yet firm. This family-owned restaurant has been here for a long, long time and they really know what they're doing. All around wonderful. Do not pass it up!
(5)Lauren G.
This is the place to get a great slice of sicilian pizza. My co-workers and I agree that this is one of the best sicilian slices in the city. Crispy and airy crust make the enormous slices not too heavy and they hold a lot of toppings really well. Plus their sauce and topping choices really round out this pizza. Their regular NY style slices are decent, but I would definitely go for the sicilian. The hoagies are all pretty good too, as a good Italian place should do. Not the most veg-friendly place. Other than the toppings on the pizza, they serve a side salad, which is mostly iceberg lettuce, and they put deli ham on the salad, which in my opinion is completely unnecessary. Seems like they are just serving to the over meaty and under-vegged Pittsburgh eaters (who whould be confronted with more good veggie dishes more often). But their homemade Italian dressing is great. Service is great here. It's family run and the Grandmother and Mother waitress, always with a smile and friendly banter. Seems like Papa and son are in the kitchen serving up the food. Plus there is outside seating which is often available even on crowded days in the square. Looks can be deceiving, because I don't think I would have ever checked this place out by just looking at it from the outside, or inside for that matter. A good recommendation from a friend got me here, so hopefully it works for you too.
(4)Ken P.
It's hard to be drawn to this place when its in the recently updated market square but don't let the looks fool you, this place is delicious. I tried Primanti the day before and I wish I went to La Gondola first. This place had good pizza and service was decent. This place has been family-owned for over 30 years and its apparent why. I wasn't please with the sausage because it was essentially like in small bits and amounts, but the thin crust was baked just right and the cheese was good as well. There were no napkins and too much grease on the pizza. No bathroom in site either. I wanted to wash my hands. Best food I had in Pittsburgh besides the William Penn Omni Terrace Room. Next year when I am on a business trip to Pittsburgh I will most likely return.
(3)Danielle B.
Wow. This place has some excellent pizza. Okay, not the best in Pittsburgh but it is CLEARLY the best in downtown. The boy and I were talking about the number of pizza places downtown that have made us sick and how we thought it was a shame that we consider a place good by the fact it doesn't make us sick. That's the sad reality of it. However, La Gondola has none of those "sick feelings" later. We will most likely be repeat customers!
(4)Barry R.
Delicious home made authentic italian classics. Low prices. Extremely generous portions. For the same price as a Jimmy John's sandwich or Moe's Burrito, you can have a expertly prepared Italian feast with all fresh ingredients. Why not a 5? The service can be slow during the lunch rush, and the interior is a bit run down. If you aren't in a crazy rush, your money won't go farther for better food anywhere in Market Square.
(4)Emmin M.
Came here two days before Christmas. Looking for a place the family could get a quick slice. Wow! We were surprised. Not only was the pizza phenomenal, it was cheap! I had the Sicilian and my kids had thin crust. Four pieces total, 3 drinks, came to $17.10. Can't beat that. If I'm ever in the area again, I'll be back.
(5)Keith M.
The Sicilian Pizza is huge, tasty, crusty on the outside, soft in the middle. The regular thin crust pizza was loaded with toppings. My only complaint is that the Pizza was served luke warm. I want my pizza piping hot, almost burning the roof of my mouth! The overall taste made up for the temperature difference, and I was happy with the overall experience. Both the cooks and the waitress were friendly.
(4)Jo T.
Almost missed this place. Cruising in circles looking for something affordable to eat yet with outdoor seating, but alas closing time is 8 pm and we were there at 7:55 pm... Prize would have been OK, menu too, so we went in and asked if they could give us slices to go. But instead they asked us where we would like to sit and so it turned out they didn't realize they had the mini time on their sign, sending people to the next door place, allegedly closed. We were so glad! I checked some other reviews of this place, and as of the food, here is the thing: if you know North Italian home cooking, this is it. Like that. It is not like in hipster three Michelin star restaurants, and, by the way, if it was and then the same location, the every-day-Joe-Yelp-crowd would not be sitting there, way too expensive. But what do I know who is really sitting where? What I am saying is: if you want food that was cooked by a human being with an Italian taste this is an excellent place to go to. And the staff is wonderful, yes, VERY personable, and I am someone I rather sit some nice place eat some good food and talk to a real human being than get served some elegant painting of a dish by a robot or a person who learned a chique greeting phrase by heart. But that is me and you need to think if that is what you're after. By the way, besides the delicious and well-sized pizza, the homemade Tiramisu is to die for. And: apparently you can bring your own booze, please confirm if that is a constant offer. (Another tip: if you love soccer, talk to Sergio! You will make a friend. Cool, lovely people!)
(5)Chip R.
I've eaten here at La Gondola's before and I can attest that the baked sandwiches are da bomb. I wasn't all too hungry for lunch today but felt that I needed to get out and have something so I decided on a slice of pizza. The atmosphere is what you would expect from a Pittsburgh Italian family owned pizzeria. Clean yet a little cramped; friendly but not overly so; service not exactly slow but for a simple slice of pizza it wasn't "freakishly fast" either. The two waitresses and the two behind the counter doing the cooking seem to be having a good time. My slice of pizza came and it looked so yummy. The crust was perfectly done and it had cheese artfully oozing over the pepperoni. Esthetically beautiful. Unfortunately when I bit into it, the taste was just average. It wasn't bad, the crust held up just fine but the sauce was lacking "oomph"... that zest that you look for when eating pizza (at least it's what I look for). Don't get me wrong, it wasn't a bad slice of pizza, just average. Average in taste, average in size, even average in temperature. I wouldn't go out of my way for a slice of pizza here. But I wouldn't put up a fuss if I was with a group and they wanted to go. But I'd probably opt for one of their tasty sandwiches or maybe try one of the pasta dishes over the pizza.
(3)C E.
Great, simple food and reasonable prices. The staff is super friendly, too. Outdoor seating is great and you have a good view of the square. One of the best slices you'll find downtown.
(4)Melissa M.
I love it- some of the best slices in Pgh! Large New York size slices- killer wedding soup!
(5)Lauren W.
I wanted pizza but there was nowhere particular I wanted to go. I have eaten at every pizza place in downtown and none of them has really wowed me. I happened to stumble across them walking through Market Square when I saw a customer looking excited to go in we nearly bumped into each other. The staff were super friendly & personable. We chatted about other restaurants in the area. The owner actually takes pride in his food. When he said this will be the best seafood pizza I've ever had I laughed, turns out he was right!! The prices are on par with the other pizzeria's but their dough is homemade, the ingredients are fresh & you can taste the difference. I got my order to go & actually had to call him back to let him know how delicious my pizza was. They now have a lifetime customer. After more than 30 years in business it shows. They seriously are the hidden treasure of Market Square.
(5)Joe T.
I really, really, want to rate this place higher. Maybe after another visit I will be able to, but the food simply wasn't great. I ordered the rigatoni al dente, and got it chewy. The garlic bread was slightly burned and had way too much butter. The sauce was uninspiring. For all that, it was that plus a salad for $11, which isn't a bad price. I suppose I should try the pizza, but the pasta wasn't up to par. Edible, approaching acceptable, but not quite getting there.
(3)Darren W.
For 35 years, La Gondola has sat in an obscure corner of Market Square, unaffected by the upheaval and renewal this area of Downtown Pittsburgh has experienced, looking on quietly as trendy restaurants and fast food franchises have sprouted and withered away. The other night, prior to the Alice In Chains concert at The Benedum, I made it a point to visit, to become acquainted with what I had been missing for far too many sunsets. What I was missing was an amply filled half-hoagie that stung with a piquant Italian dressing, refreshed with crisp, juicy vegetables, and comforted with toasty bread and molten cheese. What I was missing was a pizza that possesses a paradox of a crust that is luxuriously soft yet sturdy and somewhat crunchy. Rounding it out is a scrumptious, unctuous cheese that partially coats the toppings (mine was pepperoni) like white lace, and a savory, carefully prepared sauce crafted by a master. That master is La Gondola's soft-spoken, middle-aged owner Sergio who happened to have a Fleetwood Mac concert on the television when I arrived. With him I had a wonderful conversation that touched on the subjects of pizza, food in general, classic rock, Pittsburgh, and life itself. I'd been missing that also. "You know," he told me, pointing his finger at the lights above, "People get leery of comin' in. We have people peek in, the same people, day in day out, but they won't come in. But when they finally do, they end up lovin' our food. All of it's homemade, from scratch. When you make stuff from scratch or anything from the bottom up, you're givin' your heart and soul as well." "Like that guy, he's pretty damn good, I'll tell you what," Sergio proclaimed while halfway air-guitaring as Lindsey Buckingham performed a solo. La Gondola is miles and miles more than pretty good, its staying power fueled by a sense of tradition and economy. Ignore the hype of their next door neighbor Winghart's and give the old-school a chance to charm your jaded palate.
(5)Derek C.
Looks shady, tastes great. Lunch for under $5 a person and you walk out stuffed. What a deal! Service is fast and friendly. Prices are fair for pizza anywhere, let alone downtown. When we walked in the door, we were the only customers. Combined with the dated decor, we weren't sure that we had made the right decision. We sat down, ordered a pizza and it was served within 15 minutes. By the time we left, the place was packed with only a few open seats left so it would appear that the secret is out.
(4)Lela M.
Excellent pizza, I got a large slice of silcian pizza with lots of toppings, the toppings were very generous. Definitely will be back to try more menu items. Price was great!
(5)