Where can you nosh on homemade pastachiotti, pierogies, Pad Thai and one of the country’s best burgers all on one avenue? Toss in a seasonal farmer’s market, a slew of distinct eateries, bars and pizzerias, and award-winning restaurants and cafes, and you’ve got Pittsburgh’s own foodie enclave. A virtual United Nations of Gastronomy, boasting authentic eats from all around Europe and Asia — as well as nouveau American fare and hometown culinary favorites — Bloomfield has earned and surpassed its status as “Pittsburgh’s Little Italy.”

Conveniently located smack dab in the middle of the Burgh, Bloomfield’s Liberty Avenue, as well as it’s many quaint side streets, has emerged as a top-notch dining destination for both city dwellers and residents of the region. And unlike many Pittsburgh neighborhoods, food and drink can be come by at all hours in Bloomfield, from classic diner breakfasts served ’round the clock and easy-on-the-wallet lunch buffets, to outdoor dining and late-night tapas.

Dubbed home to some of the city’s best sausage, sandwiches, burgers and brews, Bloomfield boasts more than 45 eateries on its neighborhood menu. At many long-time Bloomfield staples, three generations of bakers, butchers and chefs are still whipping up secret family recipes, from sweet salami to wedding soup.

If one Pittsburgh neighborhood could host its very own show on the Food Network, it would have to be Bloomfield. Any conversation about Bloomfield will inevitably involve food. So whether you’re grabbing a slice on the go, stocking up on homemade pasta or craving upscale bistro fare, Bloomfield’s got your all of your culinary needs covered. With Bloomfield originals like Donatelli’s, Del’s Bar and Ristorante and Lombardozzi — which have been feeding Bloomfield families for some 50 years — to brand new restaurants like J’eet and Stagioni, which just swung open their doors in 2009, Bloomfield is known for its thriving district of independent family-owned eateries.

Wide welcoming sidewalks along Liberty Avenue provide diners with the perfect setting for al fresco fare spring, summer and fall. An independent, family-owned focus is thriving in Bloomfield, where the community has successfully fended off the chain store takeover.

Did someone say dessert? No visit to Bloomfield is complete without a stop at Grasso Roberto, Pittsburgh’s one and only place for traditional European spaghetti ice cream (trust us: it sounds weird, but tastes great!). From homemade cannoli and pizelles to glorious gelato, Bloomfield’s got your sweet tooth covered.

Serving up popular “red and white Polish platters,” pierogies and a mélange of micro brews, the Bloomfield Bridge Tavern (a.k.a. BBT) is a nightlife magnet for independent musicians and the college crowds. Known for its vibrant murals of Polish leaders and convenient location at the base of the bridge, the club features live bands, local DJs and a popular new deck.

At the corner of Liberty and Pearl, the scent of fire-grilled food and roasted coffee beans will leave you light-headed. At Pittsburgh institution Tessaro’s, first opened in 1980, those lucky enough to snag a table or bar seat line up for one of the restaurant’s famed steaks, or to savor what Playboy Magazine calls one of America’s best burgers. Carnivores rave about the signature bacon blue cheese and mushroom burgers. For some fans, it’s the Pittsburgh rare, for others it’s hockey puck burnt. Either way, Bloomfield butcher Dominick Piccola still grinds the fresh beef every morning after 20-plus years of service.

For classic diner fare, Bloomfield boasts 24-hour hang-out Ritter’s Diner, which has served up omelets and hotcakes since 1975 further down Liberty towards Shadyside. And in the heart of town, it’s hard to resist Rocky’s, with it’s colorful outdoor menu signs and bright green facade.

With 14 varieties of ravioli made by hand by Gloria Mezzotta, Bloomfield staple Groceria Italiana — opened 46 years ago — is your one-stop shop for homemade pasta, sausage and oh-so-decadent ricotta-filled sfogliatelli. Italian breads are to die for at Sanchioli Brothers Bakery, run by siblings Alex and John, who stock Morton’s Steakhouse with its legendary egg and onion bread.