A Pittsburgh diner has been serving breakfast and lunch inside a downtown office building for more than 40 years. Nicky’s Grant Street isn’t easy to spot from the sidewalk, but its retro counter and old-school menu have made it a familiar stop for downtown workers.
Located inside the historic Grant Building, the diner serves Belgian waffles, Grecian omelets, home fries, and a Pittsburgh Melt loaded with steak, provolone, caramelized onions, and home fries.
It’s open weekdays from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., with breakfast available all day. The restaurant also offers daily specials, desserts, and office catering.
Finding the entrance is part of the experience. Once inside, you’ll discover a downtown lunch counter that has kept its place in Pittsburgh’s dining scene for four decades.
A Retro Counter Inside the Grant Building
Nicky’s Grant Street sits at 310 Grant St, Suite 100, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, inside the historic Grant Building. The address puts it right in the heart of the city’s government and business district.
The diner doesn’t face the street like most restaurants. You reach it from inside the building, and some visitors come in through a side entrance off the alley.
That makes it feel a little like a secret, even though the doors have been open for decades.
Inside, the main feature is a long, curved counter in a classic 1950s style. Rows of counter seats line it, and a few booths sit nearby.
Since the counter takes up so much room, booths can be limited, so plan on a stool if you arrive with a small group.
I find the setting interesting because it sits so close to the county courthouse and big office towers. Lawyers, office workers, and travelers can all grab a seat side by side.
Knowing where it is matters, because the schedule is tight. The hours shape every visit, and they deserve a closer look next.
Weekday Hours Built for Working Folks
Seven in the morning is when the grill gets going. Nicky’s Grant Street opens at 7 a.m.
Monday through Friday and closes at 2 p.m.
Weekends are a different story. The diner is closed on Saturdays and Sundays, so a lazy weekend brunch here isn’t an option.
That schedule makes sense for a spot surrounded by offices, courtrooms, and city buildings that empty out on weekends.
Those seven hours cover two clear windows. Early birds can grab breakfast before work, and the lunch crowd can slip in around midday.
One visitor mentioned walking in at noon and finding a seat with no wait, though that can change any day.
My advice is simple. Plan around the 2 p.m. closing time, since a late lunch could leave you standing at a locked door.
If you have jury duty or a meeting at the courthouse, this timing works well. You can eat a full meal before your day starts and still be on time.
Once you know when to go, the next question is what to order first. Breakfast is where many people begin.
Breakfast Plates That Keep It Classic
Eggs, bacon, home fries, and toast make up the kind of breakfast that never goes out of style. Nicky’s builds its morning menu around these familiar plates.
You won’t find trendy toast creations here. The focus stays on basics like eggs cooked your way, ham, sausage links, crispy bacon, and pancakes.
Home fries come up again and again when people talk about this place.
Simple doesn’t mean boring, though. A plate of eggs and home fries at a real counter can feel like a small reward on a busy workday.
Several guests have said the food reminds them of a breakfast a grandparent might make.
Here’s a practical tip. If you have special requests, just ask.
One visitor asked for heavy cream with coffee and bacon cooked a certain way, and the staff happily helped.
Breakfast here also tends to be budget friendly for a downtown spot. That matters when you’re eating out often near work.
Of course, eggs are only half of the morning lineup. The sweeter side of the griddle has its own fans, starting with something round and golden.
Golden Waffles and French Toast
Syrup lovers, this one’s for you. The Belgian waffle is one of the most talked-about items at Nicky’s Grant Street.
Waffles come up more than almost any other dish when diners share their thoughts. One younger guest even named the Belgian waffle as a favorite.
It’s the kind of order that makes a weekday morning feel a bit more like a treat.
French toast is another regular pick, often paired with sausage links and coffee. Pancakes round out the sweet side of the menu.
One diner noted that two pancakes, bacon, and orange juice made a filling meal at a fair price.
None of these dishes try to be fancy. They stick to the classic diner style, which is exactly the point.
If you’re visiting with kids, the waffle or pancakes make an easy choice. Families on vacation have said their children loved the meal.
I’d probably split a waffle with a friend and add an egg plate on the side. That way you get a little sweet and a little savory without picking just one.
Still, if you want something heartier, the omelets deserve a look.
The Grecian Omelet Has Fans
Feta-style Mediterranean flavors in a downtown diner might surprise some people. The Grecian omelet is a dish the owners themselves call one of their favorites.
Omelets are a big part of the breakfast lineup at Nicky’s. They show up often when guests talk about their meals, alongside the home fries that usually come with them.
The Grecian version gets special attention. One diner described it as fresh and full of Mediterranean flavor.
The team replied that it’s a personal favorite in the kitchen too, which tells you something.
Omelets make a smart choice if you want protein to carry you through a long morning. They’re also easy to customize, so asking about fillings is a good move.
I like that a classic counter can offer a dish with a little personality. It shows the menu isn’t frozen in place, even if the decor feels like it is.
Pair an omelet with toast and coffee, and you have a full breakfast that’s ready fast.
By late morning, though, the kitchen starts shifting gears toward sandwiches, soups, and melts.
Melts, Wraps, and Fish Sandwiches at Lunch
Lunch at Nicky’s Grant Street runs on sandwiches. Melts, wraps, and fish sandwiches all get regular mentions from people who stop by midday.
The Pittsburgh melt is one name that stands out. A diner who usually came for breakfast finally tried lunch and called it a winner.
A sandwich named after the city feels right at home in a spot just steps from the courthouse.
Fish fans have options too. The Cajun grilled fish sandwich has earned praise, and a regular fish sandwich is also on the menu.
Homemade soups give lunch a cozy side. A bowl next to a melt makes a solid meal on a cold Pennsylvania day.
Speed matters at lunchtime, and food here tends to come out quickly. That’s helpful when you only have a short break.
One small heads-up is worth sharing. Prices can vary depending on what you add, so check the menu before ordering extras.
Sandwiches aren’t the only fresh lunch choice. A big bowl of greens has its own following, and it may be larger than you expect.
A Salad Big Enough to Share
Hungry for something lighter? The salads at Nicky’s might change your idea of light.
One diner ordered the first salad listed on the menu and described it as having just about everything. She could only finish about two thirds of it.
That’s a good sign the portion is generous.
Fresh ingredients and a neat presentation came up in her comments too. Another nice touch is that the dressing comes on the side, so you control how much goes on.
The owners even replied that dressing on the side is a must. It’s a small detail, but it shows they care how each plate leaves the kitchen.
A big salad works well for office workers who want something fresh and filling. If you’re not very hungry, consider splitting one or packing the rest for later.
Value is part of the story here. The same diner felt the salad cost far less than similar meals at fancier downtown spots.
After a salad, you might think you’re done. However, the kitchen has a sweet surprise that changes from day to day.
Scratch Desserts and Warm Cookies
Chocolate chip cookies fresh from the oven are a treat anywhere. At Nicky’s, they sometimes show up when you least expect them.
A family visiting Pittsburgh for spring break got complimentary cookies straight from the oven for their boys. Their 12-year-old later named Nicky’s his favorite stop of the whole trip.
The owners shared that the story made their dad very happy.
Desserts here are made from scratch. That fits the homemade spirit you see in the soups and daily specials.
The dessert lineup isn’t always the same. One regular’s advice was to simply ask what desserts are available that day, and that’s a tip worth following.
Free cookies aren’t promised, of course. Still, it’s nice to know a small kindness like that can happen at a busy city counter.
I’d save a little room after lunch, just in case. A homemade dessert can turn a quick meal into a small celebration.
Desserts aren’t the only thing that rotates. The daily specials give regulars a reason to check in often.
Daily Specials and Office Catering
Variety keeps a weekday routine from getting stale. Nicky’s Grant Street offers daily specials, giving regulars something new to try between their usual orders.
Lunch specials earn plenty of praise. One diner said they sound good and taste even better.
Since they change, it’s smart to ask about them as soon as you sit down.
The kitchen also handles catering. One local business has them cater regularly and describes the team as timely and easy to work with.
That’s useful information if you plan office meetings downtown. Breakfast trays or lunch spreads from a nearby diner can save time and keep things simple.
I like that a small counter-service spot can also feed a whole office. It shows the team knows its neighborhood and the people working there.
For anyone planning an event, reach out ahead of time. Giving the kitchen notice is always a good idea for bigger orders.
Specials and catering show what the kitchen can do. However, the people serving the food may be the biggest reason guests return.
A Family Team With Decades of History
More than 40 years is a long run for any downtown restaurant. Nicky’s Grant Street has been serving the city for over four decades, according to the team itself.
Names come up often when people talk about this place. Nicky and George are mentioned by guests, and George signs some replies to visitors.
Staff member Tamara also gets warm shout-outs.
Welcoming service is one of the most common themes in guest comments. One visitor said a server offered to take a family photo and asked where they were from.
Small moments like that help a city diner feel like a neighborhood spot.
The team also responds to feedback, both good and bad. They’ve publicly invited unhappy guests to reach out so they can make things right.
Some former downtown workers still come back after changing jobs. That says a lot about the bond between this counter and its guests.
When one diner asked them not to change a thing, the owners promised they wouldn’t. In a fast-moving city, that steady promise may be the most reassuring item on the menu.
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