Japanese izakaya$$lawrenceville
Umami on 38th Street in Lawrenceville serves izakaya skewers and ramen in Pittsburgh. A lantern-lit room with a koi pond patio off Butler Street.
Signature: Yakitori, Ramen
Order: A spread of yakitori skewers, a bowl of ramen and a Japanese highball.
Tip: The back patio with the koi pond is the seat. Walk-in friendly midweek; weekends get busy.
Asian seafood$$east-liberty
Mola in East Liberty serves Asian seafood, sushi and rice bowls in Pittsburgh. A bright room working closely with fish vendors for the freshest catch.
Signature: Sushi, Bao buns
Order: Sushi off the daily fresh list, plus bao buns and a rice bowl.
Tip: Casual and quick for the East End. Reserve for weekend dinner; lunch is an easy walk-in any day.
Taiwanese$$squirrel-hill
Everyday Noodles in Squirrel Hill serves Taiwanese soup dumplings and hand-pulled noodles in Pittsburgh. Watch the dumpling team work behind glass.
Signature: Xiao long bao, Hand-pulled noodles
Order: Xiao long bao soup dumplings and a bowl of hand-pulled noodles in broth.
Tip: Watch the dumpling pleating through the front window. Expect a wait at peak; it is worth it.
Argentine grill$$$downtown
Gaucho Parrilla Argentina on 6th Street downtown grills Argentine meats over a wood fire in Pittsburgh. A counter-order room with a citywide following.
Signature: Wood-grilled meats, Chimichurri
Order: A grilled cut with chimichurri, plus the grilled provoleta cheese.
Tip: Order at the counter; lines form at lunch. The room moved to 6th Street downtown from the Strip.
American grill$$bloomfield
Tessaro's in Bloomfield grills its burgers over a hardwood fire in Pittsburgh. A neighborhood bar widely argued to make the city's best burger.
Signature: Hardwood-grilled burger, Steaks
Order: The hardwood-grilled burger, cooked over the open fire behind the bar.
Tip: No reservations; put your name in and wait at the bar. Cash and card both fine.
Cantonese$$lawrenceville
The Parlor Dim Sum in Lawrenceville serves Cantonese dim sum and barbecue in Pittsburgh. Chef Roger Li's room plating dumplings, buns and char siu.
Signature: Har gow, Char siu bao
Order: Har gow, char siu bao and whatever Cantonese barbecue the kitchen is running.
Tip: Small and popular; weekends get a wait. Dim sum is the whole point, order broadly.