Mexican$$south-side
La Palapa on East Carson Street in the South Side serves regional Mexican cooking in Pittsburgh. Mole, tacos and margaritas on the bar strip.
Signature: Mole, Tacos
Order: A plate of mole and a round of tacos, with a margarita.
Tip: Good before a South Side night out. The mole is the standout; reserve weekends.
Belgian$$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$$$lawrenceville
Senti on Butler Street in Lower Lawrenceville serves seasonal Italian cooking in Pittsburgh. Handmade pasta and a garden patio on the renaissance strip.
Signature: House pasta, Seasonal Italian
Order: A fresh pasta and a seasonal main, with a bottle off the Italian list.
Tip: The garden patio is the seat in summer. Reserve for weekend dinner.
Vietnamese$lawrenceville
Ineffable Ca Phe on Penn Avenue in Lawrenceville serves banh mi and Vietnamese coffee in Pittsburgh. A relaxed cafe with a small, sharp sandwich menu.
Signature: Banh mi, Vietnamese coffee
Order: A grilled-pork banh mi and a Vietnamese egg coffee.
Tip: Cafe by day; the Unspeakable speakeasy operates from the same address by night.
Burgers$$north-side
Burgatory on the North Shore serves build-your-own burgers and spiked milkshakes in Pittsburgh. A homegrown chain near the stadiums and rivers.
Signature: Build-your-own burger, Spiked milkshakes
Order: A build-your-own burger and a hard milkshake.
Tip: Handy near the North Shore stadiums. The spiked shakes are the gimmick worth trying.
British$$south-side
The Pub Chip Shop on East Carson Street in the South Side serves British fish and chips and savoury pies in Pittsburgh. A pub kitchen on the bar strip.
Signature: Fish and chips, Savoury pies
Order: Fish and chips wrapped in paper, or a savoury meat pie.
Tip: Deep-fried British comfort on the South Side. Good ballast before a night out.