Pizza$$lawrencevilleDaily 17:00-22:00
Pizza Lupo on Butler Street in Lawrenceville serves naturally-leavened pizza and natural wine in Pittsburgh. A pizzeria and bar on the renaissance strip.
Signature: Naturally-leavened pizza, Antipasti
Order: A naturally-leavened pie and a glass off the natural wine list.
Tip: Pairs pizza with a serious natural-wine list. Walk-in friendly midweek.
Japanese Izakaya$$lawrencevilleTue-Thu 16:30-24:00; Fri-Sat 16:30-02:00; closed Sun-Mon
Umami on 38th Street in Lawrenceville serves izakaya skewers and ramen in Pittsburgh. A lantern-lit room with a koi pond patio off Butler Street.
Signature: Yakitori, Ramen
Order: A spread of yakitori, a bowl of ramen and a Japanese highball.
Tip: The koi pond patio is the seat. Late kitchen on weekends; walk-in friendly midweek.
Mexican$$south-sideTue-Thu 16:00-22:00; Fri-Sat 11:00-22:00; Sun 11:00-21:00; closed Mon
La Palapa on East Carson Street in the South Side serves regional Mexican cooking in Pittsburgh. Mole, tacos and margaritas on the bar strip.
Signature: Mole, Tacos
Order: A plate of mole and a round of tacos, with a margarita.
Tip: Good before a South Side night out. The mole is the standout; reserve weekends.
Belgian$$regent-square
Point Brugge Cafe in Point Breeze serves Belgian moules frites and bistro food in Pittsburgh. A corner cafe near Frick Park with a deep Belgian beer list.
Signature: Moules frites, Belgian beer
Order: Moules frites and a Belgian ale on the corner patio.
Tip: No reservations; put your name in. The patio near Frick Park is the seat.
Italian$$$lawrencevilleTue-Thu 17:00-21:00; Fri-Sat 17:00-22:00; closed Sun-Mon
Senti on Butler Street in Lower Lawrenceville serves seasonal Italian cooking in Pittsburgh. Handmade pasta and a garden patio on the renaissance strip.
Signature: House pasta, Seasonal Italian
Order: A fresh pasta and a seasonal main, with a bottle off the Italian list.
Tip: The garden patio is the seat in summer. Reserve for weekend dinner.
Vietnamese$lawrencevilleMon-Sun 08:00-15:00
Ineffable Ca Phe on Penn Avenue in Lawrenceville serves banh mi and Vietnamese coffee in Pittsburgh. A relaxed cafe with a small, sharp sandwich menu.
Signature: Banh mi, Vietnamese coffee
Order: A grilled-pork banh mi and a Vietnamese egg coffee.
Tip: Cafe by day; the Unspeakable speakeasy operates from the same address by night.