Cantonese$$lawrenceville
The Parlor Dim Sum in Lawrenceville serves Cantonese dim sum and barbecue in Pittsburgh. Chef Roger Li's room plating dumplings, buns and char siu.
Signature: Har gow, Char siu bao
Order: Har gow, char siu bao and whatever Cantonese barbecue the kitchen is running.
Tip: Small and popular; weekends get a wait. Dim sum is the whole point, order broadly.
Seafood$$$east-liberty
Muddy Waters Oyster Bar in East Liberty serves a raw bar and Gulf-leaning seafood in Pittsburgh. Oysters, po'boys and one of the city's long happy hours.
Signature: Oysters, Po'boys
Order: A dozen oysters and a po'boy, with a cocktail off the happy-hour list.
Tip: The oyster happy hour is the value play. Walk-in friendly; bar seats face the shuckers.
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.