Contemporary American$$$$strip-districtSun-Thu 16:30-21:00, Fri 16:30-22:00, Sat 16:00-22:00
Eleven in the Strip District is big Burrito Group's flagship in Pittsburgh. Contemporary American cooking and a longtime special-occasion address.
Signature: Seasonal tasting, Composed mains
Order: Let the kitchen run the seasonal menu; pair it off the deep cellar list.
Tip: The dressiest of the city's big rooms. Reserve well ahead for celebrations and ask about the chef's counter.
Contemporary American$$$east-libertyMon-Thu 16:00-22:00, Fri-Sat 16:00-23:00
Hey Babe in East Liberty serves seasonal small plates and a serious cocktail list in Pittsburgh. A bar-forward room ranked among the city's best.
Signature: Seasonal small plates, Cocktails
Order: Small plates to share and whatever the bar is mixing off the seasonal cocktail card.
Tip: Bar seats hold space for walk-ins. The cocktail program is the draw as much as the kitchen.
French Bistro$$$lawrencevilleTue-Sat 17:00-22:00
Poulet Bleu in Lawrenceville serves a Parisian bistro menu in Pittsburgh. Richard DeShantz's French room sits next door to Morcilla on Butler Street.
Signature: Roast chicken, Steak frites
Order: The roast chicken for two, or steak frites with a glass off the French list.
Tip: The room runs full-on belle-epoque French. Reserve ahead; the bar takes a few walk-ins.
American Comfort$$$north-sideTue-Thu 17:00-22:00, Fri-Sat 17:00-23:00
Fig & Ash in Deutschtown serves wood-fired American comfort food in Pittsburgh. A North Side room built around an open hearth and a strong weekend brunch.
Signature: Wood-fired mains, Brunch
Order: Whatever is cooked over the wood fire, and a cocktail or a brunch plate at weekends.
Tip: Brunch is the locals' pick. Reserve for weekend evenings; the bar takes walk-ins.
New American$$$north-sideWed-Fri 17:00-22:00, Sat 17:00-23:00
Siempre Algo in Deutschtown serves a New American tasting menu and cocktails in Pittsburgh. A small North Side room ranked among the city's best.
Signature: Tasting menu, Cocktails
Order: Let the kitchen run the set menu; the bar pairs it with house cocktails.
Tip: Small and reservation-driven. Book ahead on Resy for the counter and dining room.
Contemporary American$$$shadysideWed-Thu 17:00-21:00; Fri-Sat 17:00-22:00; closed Sun-Tue
Lilith in Shadyside serves contemporary cooking with Sicilian and Puerto Rican accents in Pittsburgh. A women-led room ranked among the city's best.
Signature: Seasonal plates, Sicilian and Puerto Rican dishes
Order: Share the seasonal plates and whatever the kitchen runs with Sicilian or Puerto Rican flavours.
Tip: A short walk off Walnut Street. Reserve ahead; the cocktails are as much a draw as the kitchen.