Golden Gai

4.8

42 Reviews

$50 and over

Japanese

Make a booking

2+ people

25 Nov 2024

19:00

Booked 14 times today

Good for special occasions
Hot spot
Great for creative cocktails

Welcome to Golden Gai, a hidden gem nestled in the vibrant heart of Pittsburgh’s East End, conveniently located in Bakery Square. Step inside and embark on a culinary journey to the bustling streets of Japan with our Izakaya-style dining experience.

As you enter Golden Gai, you’re greeted by the warm ambiance of traditional Japanese decor fused with modern touches, creating an inviting atmosphere that is both chic and cozy. The soft glow of our stunning light fixtures over the intimate dining space, where the wooden bar top that spans the length of the space, and slate accents evoke the charm of Tokyo’s iconic Golden Gai district.

At the helm of our kitchen is Executive Chef Michael Taylor, a master of Japanese cuisine renowned for his innovative approach to flavor and presentation. With a background honed at the esteemed Gi-Jin, Chef Taylor brings his passion for culinary excellence to every dish, infusing each bite with creativity and precision.

Dining areas

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Price
$50 and over
Cuisines
Japanese, Izakaya, Creative Japanese
Hours of Operation
Tue–Sat 5:00 pm–10:00 pm
Phone number
(412) 844-6688
Website
https://goldengaipgh.com/
Dress code
Business Casual

Location
116 Bakery Square Blvd, Pittsburgh, PA 15206
Area
Point Breeze
Cross Street
Penn Avenue
Parking details
Public Lot

Nigiri & Maki Box
chef's choice: 8 pieces nigiri / 1 maki / 1 sashimi / edamame / ginger / wasabi
Maki Box
chef's choice: 3 maki rolls / 1 sashimi / ginger / wasabi / edamame
Nigiri Box
chef's choice: 10 nigiri / 1 sashimi / edamame / ginger / wasabi
Sashimi Box
Chef's choice: 10 sashimi / edamame / ginger / wasabi

What 42 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.8

4.8 based on recent ratings

4.8Food
4.7Service
4.8Ambience
4.6Value

Noise • Moderate

Diners' Choice Awards

Pittsburgh / Western PA
Best Value
Pittsburgh / Western PA
Hot spot
Pittsburgh / Western PA
Lively
Pittsburgh
Best Value
Pittsburgh
Hot spot
Pittsburgh
Lively

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

Golden Gai offers an "absolutely delicious" dining experience with creative cocktails and an "interesting menu." The ambiance is both upscale and casual, perfect for a memorable night out. While some find the music "very loud," the "excellent service" and "great food" make it a must-visit spot.

42 Reviews

L
Lelia
Pittsburgh
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined 1 day ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Excellent new spot for Bakery Square! The food and service rival some of the best restaurants in Pittsburgh.
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M
Matthew
Pittsburgh
33 reviews
vip
4.0
33 reviews
Dined 1 day ago
1. Overall 4
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Very good sushi and drinks. Pricy, but not terribly so given the quality and the experience. Outstanding service. We traveled 45 minutes to try it out. I wouldn’t suggest making a special trip to go there, but if in the vicinity I could see going there once every 2 or 3 months.
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D
Dena
Pittsburgh
41 reviews
vip
5.0
41 reviews
Dined 2 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We had such a great experience! This was our first visit and defiantly will be back again. Every dish was delish and perfect! Julie was our server, she was so fun and helpful with the menu. She made our evening even more memorable!
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J
Jessica
Pittsburgh
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined 5 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
It’s unfortunate that my date and I only have two mouths and two stomachs total between us, because I absolutely wouldn’t feel bad about ordering the entire menu in one sitting. Well, my wallet might. We did order a lot, though, and we ended up closing down the place. The ambience was sexy and upbeat (not the drowsy kind of sexy, you know what I mean). It paired perfectly with the cocktails and a bottle of sake, and the staff were super stoked to give recommendations based on what we were feeling. The food came out as it was prepared, plated to perfection and ready to share. Did we order too much? I mean, it looked like it, but we ate every crumb. I’d have licked the plate if I didn’t like my outfit so much. And like I said, we closed down the place but never felt like we were being annoying or rushed out. Next time I come back, I’m ordering the rest of the menu.
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L
Lee
Pittsburgh
15 reviews
5.0
15 reviews
Dined on 16 November 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Delish! Can’t wait to go back.
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A
Alex
Pittsburgh
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on 16 November 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Absolutely incredible experience from walking in to leaving.
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c
chris
Pittsburgh
13 reviews
vip
5.0
13 reviews
Dined on 16 November 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Exceptional food, service, and atmosphere. A positive experience across every measure. This will be one of our new go to places for Sushi and Japanese inspired cuisine.
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T
Tracey
Pittsburgh
3 reviews
vip
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on 15 November 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
The food was amazing. Service was also very friendly and prompt. Loved Golden Gai and will definitely go back.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Pittsburgh
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on 13 November 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
If you’re looking for a sushi experience that goes beyond the ordinary, this new spot is an absolute must. I went expecting a good meal, but I left with my culinary standards forever changed. The nigiri is hands-down the best in town – the freshness and quality are unparalleled. And the miso cod? Utterly buttery, flaky, and executed to perfection; it melts in your mouth. But the surprise standout was the matcha tiramisu, which was to die for, combining rich matcha flavor with the perfect creamy texture. I can’t recommend this place enough – it’s more than just a meal, it’s a revelation.
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J
Jocelyn
Pittsburgh
6 reviews
vip
4.0
6 reviews
Dined on 13 November 2024
1. Overall 4
2. Food 3
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 5
It’s possible that my expectations were too high, but the sushi wasn’t anything special, unfortunately. The cocktails were very good—beautiful ice. It was SO LOUD. The music was blaring so much that you couldn’t hear the person sitting next to you.
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FAQs

Golden Gai is rated 4.8 stars by 42 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a booking

2+ people

25 Nov 2024

19:00

Booked 14 times today

116 Bakery Square Blvd, Pittsburgh, PA 15206

Dining areas

Additional information

Cross Street
Penn Avenue
Area
Point Breeze
Hours of Operation
Tue–Sat 5:00 pm–10:00 pm
Price
$50 and over
Cuisines
Japanese, Izakaya, Creative Japanese
Dining style
Casual Dining
Dress code
Business Casual
Parking details
Public Lot

Website
https://goldengaipgh.com/
Phone number
(412) 844-6688

Golden Gai

Make a booking

Dining areas

Additional information

Starters

Edamame

Spicy Edamame

House Salad

Cucumber

Miso Soup

Bowls

Chirashi

Miso Tuna

BBQ Eel

Nigiri / Sashimi

Salmon / Sake

Tuna / Maguro

Eel / Unagi

Yellowtail / Hamachi

Scallop / Hotate

Fatty Tuna / Toro

Salmon Roe / Ikura

Maki

Spicy Tuna

Salmon Avocado

Yellowtail Scallion

California

Spicy Scallop

Eel Avocado

Tuna Cucumber

Toro

Omakase, Maki, & Sashimi Boxes

Nigiri & Maki Box

Maki Box

Nigiri Box

Sashimi Box

Overall ratings and reviews

Diners' Choice Awards

Review summary

FAQs

How is Golden Gai restaurant rated?

Is Golden Gai currently accepting bookings?

Make a booking

Dining areas

Additional information