New American$$$oakland
Spirits & Tales atop the Oaklander Hotel serves New American plates with a rooftop view in Pittsburgh. Seasonal cooking above the university district.
Signature: Seasonal plates, Rooftop cocktails
Order: Share seasonal plates and a cocktail on the rooftop at sunset.
Tip: The rooftop is the draw in warm weather. Reserve a terrace table ahead.
Italian$$downtown
Sienna Mercato on Penn Avenue downtown is a three-floor Italian marketplace in Pittsburgh. Meatballs at Emporio and a rooftop beer garden up top.
Signature: Meatballs, Rooftop pizza
Order: Build-your-own meatballs at Emporio, then a beer on the Il Tetto rooftop.
Tip: Each of the three floors is a different concept. The rooftop fills before shows.
Food hall$$north-side
Federal Galley on the North Side is a food hall of rotating chef concepts in Pittsburgh. Four kitchens and a bar across from the Children's Museum.
Signature: Rotating chef stalls, Bar plates
Order: Graze across the four rotating stalls and grab a cocktail at the central bar.
Tip: The stall line-up changes; it incubates new chefs. Good for groups who can't agree.
Pizza$$lawrenceville
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$$lawrenceville
Umami on 38th Street in Lawrenceville serves izakaya skewers and ramen in Pittsburgh. A lantern-lit room with a koi pond patio off Butler Street.
Signature: Yakitori, Ramen
Order: A spread of yakitori, a bowl of ramen and a Japanese highball.
Tip: The koi pond patio is the seat. Late kitchen on weekends; walk-in friendly midweek.
Mexican$$south-side
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.