Korean$$bloomfield
Soju in Garfield serves Korean-American cooking and soju cocktails in Pittsburgh. A small family-run room plating fried chicken, bibimbap and banchan.
Signature: Korean fried chicken, Bibimbap
Order: Korean fried chicken, a bibimbap and a round of the soju cocktails.
Tip: The soju and craft cocktail list is half the fun. Reserve for weekends; the room is compact.
Northern Italian$$$east-liberty
Alta Via in Fox Chapel serves Northern Italian cooking from big Burrito in Pittsburgh. Wood-fired pizza, handmade pasta and a strong by-the-glass list.
Signature: Wood-fired pizza, House pasta
Order: A wood-fired pizza, a fresh pasta and a glass off the Italian list.
Tip: There is also a downtown Alta Via location. Reserve ahead for the Fox Chapel original.
Thai$$shadyside
Senyai Thai Kitchen in Shadyside serves Bangkok street-style Thai in Pittsburgh. A small room known for boat noodles and properly spiced curries.
Signature: Boat noodles, Pad see ew
Order: Boat noodle soup and a curry ordered at the heat level the kitchen recommends.
Tip: Ask for Thai-spicy if you want it. Small room; expect a short wait at peak.
Indian$$east-liberty
Reva Modern Indian in East Liberty serves contemporary regional Indian cooking in Pittsburgh. A bright room plating tandoor dishes and chef-led curries.
Signature: Tandoor plates, Regional curries
Order: A tandoor plate to share and a regional curry off the chef's list.
Tip: More modern than the city's older Indian rooms. Good for groups; reserve at weekends.
Vegan Eastern European$$bloomfield
Apteka on Penn Avenue in Bloomfield is an all-vegan Central and Eastern European restaurant in Pittsburgh. Handmade pierogi and a James Beard nod.
Signature: Pierogi, Bigos
Order: The handmade pierogi and whatever Central European special the kitchen is running.
Tip: Cafe-style ordering; reservations only for parties of four or more. Open Thursday to Sunday.
Spanish$$$lawrenceville
Morcilla in Lawrenceville pours sherry and Spanish tapas in Pittsburgh. Justin Severino's charcuterie-driven room and a James Beard semifinalist.
Signature: Croquetas de jamon, Charcuterie
Order: The charcuterie board and whichever pintxos the kitchen is running, with a glass off the sherry list.
Tip: Reservations on Resy go fast for weekends. The standing bar holds space for walk-ins early in the evening.