Pizza$$lawrenceville
Driftwood Oven on Butler Street in Lawrenceville bakes sourdough pizza and bread in Pittsburgh. A food-truck-turned-bakery with naturally-leavened pies.
Signature: Sourdough pizza, Naturally-leavened bread
Order: A naturally-leavened pizza and a loaf from the bread counter.
Tip: The sourdough crust is the point. Pies sell out late; bread goes early.
German$$north-side
Max's Allegheny Tavern in Deutschtown serves German tavern food in Pittsburgh. Schnitzel, sauerbraten and steins in a North Side corner room.
Signature: Schnitzel, Sauerbraten
Order: Schnitzel or sauerbraten with spaetzle and a German beer.
Tip: A nod to the North Side's German immigrant roots. Good for groups.
Pizza$regent-square
Slice on Broadway in Beechview runs an award-winning by-the-slice pizza in Pittsburgh. A local chain that has won national pizza competitions.
Signature: By-the-slice pizza, Specialty pies
Order: A specialty slice or a whole pie; the crust is the draw.
Tip: Quick counter pizza with several locations. The Beechview shop is the original.
Caribbean$$strip-district
Kaya on Smallman Street in the Strip District serves Caribbean cooking from big Burrito in Pittsburgh. Jerk, plantains and rum cocktails in a bright room.
Signature: Jerk plates, Plantains
Order: A jerk plate, fried plantains and a rum cocktail.
Tip: A big Burrito Group room good for groups. The brunch and rum list are draws.
Thai$$shadyside
Noodlehead on South Highland Avenue in Shadyside serves cash-only Thai street noodles in Pittsburgh. A big Burrito room built around bowls and bold spice.
Signature: Street noodles, Curries
Order: A bowl of street noodles and a Thai iced tea.
Tip: Cash only and no reservations. Quick, loud and good value; expect a wait.
Detroit-style pizza$$strip-district
Iron Born Pizza in the Strip District bakes crispy-edged Detroit-style square pizza in Pittsburgh. A pan-pizza specialist that grew out of a stall.
Signature: Detroit-style pizza, Pepperoni square
Order: A Detroit-style square with crisped cheese edges and pepperoni.
Tip: Different from the Pittsburgh-square style; this one is Detroit pan. Squares sell out.