New AmericanChef Bridges & Bourbon kitchen$$$$$$$downtownMon-Thu 16:00-23:00, Fri 16:00-24:00, Sat 11:30-24:00, Sun 11:30-23:00Book 1 week ahead
Bridges & Bourbon on Penn Avenue downtown pairs a high-end cocktail program with New American plates in Pittsburgh. A room for a dressed-up night.
Order: A cocktail off the long bourbon list, then share New American plates.
Tip: Handy before a Cultural District show. The cocktail program is the headline draw.
ItalianChef Talia kitchen$$$$$$$downtownTue 11:30-14:00, Tue 17:00-21:00, Wed 11:30-14:00, Wed 17:00-21:00, Thu 11:30-14:00, Thu 17:00-21:00, Fri 11:30-14:00, Fri 17:00-22:00, Sat 16:00-22:00Book 1 week ahead
Talia Cucina on Sixth Avenue downtown serves modern Italian in a film-noir room in Pittsburgh. Handmade pasta and rotisserie meats in the Cultural District.
Order: A fresh pasta and whatever is turning on the rotisserie, with an Italian red.
Tip: Dark and dressy downtown. Reserve for pre-theatre dinner in the Cultural District.
MediterraneanChef big Burrito Restaurant Group$$$$$$$shadysideMon-Thu 11:30-21:00, Fri 11:30-22:00, Sat 16:30-22:00, Sun 11:00-21:00Book 1 week ahead
Casbah in Shadyside serves Mediterranean wood-grilled cooking and a serious wine list in Pittsburgh. A long-running big Burrito Group room on South Highland.
Order: Mezze and a wood-grilled main, paired off the by-the-glass list.
Tip: The patio is the seat in warm weather. Reserve for weekend evenings.
ArgentineChef Fernando Navas$$$$$$$strip-districtDaily 17:00-22:00Book 1 week ahead
Balvanera on Smallman Street in the Strip District serves Argentine asado in Pittsburgh. Chef Fernando Navas runs the wood grill in a 1920s warehouse.
Order: Empanadas, a grilled cut with chimichurri and a Malbec.
Tip: The dining room takes reservations; the bar and bodega are first-come.
New AmericanChef Siempre Algo kitchen$$$$$$$north-sideWed-Fri 17:00-22:00, Sat 17:00-23:00Book 1 to 2 weeks ahead
Siempre Algo in Deutschtown serves a New American tasting menu and cocktails in Pittsburgh. A small North Side room ranked among the city's best.
Order: Let the kitchen run the set menu, paired with house cocktails.
Tip: Small and reservation-driven. Book ahead for the counter and dining room.
ItalianChef Dave Anoia$$$$$$$strip-districtTue-Thu 08:00-21:00, Fri-Sat 08:00-22:00, Sun 15:00-20:00Book 1 week ahead
DiAnoia's Eatery in the Strip District serves chef Dave Anoia's house-made pasta in Pittsburgh. A corner room often voted the city's best Italian.
Order: Whichever hand-rolled pasta is on the board, with a cocktail.
Tip: Open early for breakfast; dinner books up on weekends. Reserve ahead.