Senyai Thai Kitchen in Shadyside is a modern Thai spot serving up classics as well as lesser-known dishes in a comfortable atmosphere. Although you'll of course find popular options like pad thai and curries, we'd recommend sticking with dishes on the Chef's Recommendations section of the menu for more unique flavors.
Be sure to snag a reservation if you want to sit inside the converted house with clean, modern decor, or walk in and enjoy patio seating.
Titusz in Lawrenceville is an Austrian-Hungarian restaurant serving up comforting but elevated cuisine in an inviting atmosphere. With classic dishes, seasonal specials, and an outstanding wine and cocktail menu, there's a lot to love at this highly anticipated spot. The attention to detail here in everything from the decor to the printed menu itself seals the deal and makes Titusz an all-around gem.
If you've been following the Pittsburgh dining scene over the past decade, you're well aware of Chef Csilla Thackray's past success at beloved restaurants like The Vandal and Legume Bistro. So it should come as no surprise that the buzz around Titusz's opening was real. The spot finally gives Thackray a chance to showcase the food of her Austrian-Hungarian background.
Senza in Etna is an intimate wine bar and restaurant with a focused menu of plates perfect for sharing. You may remember the original Senza in this location – we loved the former Senza concept and were sad to hear the owners left the area for a new opportunity elsewhere.
But, we were thrilled to learn the folks behind Bar Marco swooped in, keeping the vibe true to the intent of the original concept, while bringing all the best things we love about Bar Marco.
The Vandal is an intimate spot in the heart of Lawrenceville with trendy bistro vibes, a focused seasonal menu utilizing local ingredients, and helpful, friendly service. Although the restaurant's concept has grown and evolved over the past decade of its existence, we feel like it's really hitting its stride now.
It's the kind of cozy spot perfect for a date night or friend's night out- just be sure to make a reservation since seats are limited.
Reva is a casual restaurant in East Liberty serving up modern Indian cuisine. The communal tables and huge menu are perfectly suited for bringing a group of friends and ordering tons of dishes for family style dining.
On our visit it was just the two of us, but we still tried several appetizers and entrees and loved it. The dishes were customized with our spice preference, and everything was packed with flavor.
Every once in a while a restaurant leaves us feeling so happy, nourished, and cared for that we are still thinking about it weeks later. Pocha by Kye-Won in Saxonburg is just that kind of restaurant.
The food includes classics like mandu; bibimbap; and complete meals with meats, japchae, and rice, but it also includes American classics with Kye-Won's own personal spin like burgers topped with kimchi and gochujang mayo. On top of all that, the hospitality here is off the charts- you're guaranteed to leave feeling like family.
We were guests of Pocha courtesy of Butler County Tourism, and immediately fell in love with this unassuming gem in Saxonburg.
Note: Pocha by Kye-Won also has a Sunday brunch menu that primarily features non-Korean dishes. The regular menu is not available until the dinner hours on Sundays. We have not visited for brunch yet and have not included it in our review.
Camino is a Mexican restaurant in Bloomfield with a fast-casual vibe. From the owners of other local Mexican spots Tocayo and Totopo, Camino offers a similar menu with cocktails, burritos, bowls, tacos, and more.
The space is bright and cheery, and while some of the entrees hit the mark for us more than others, the cocktails were respectable, and, perhaps most important of all, the food came in at an incredibly good value.
So if you want a reasonably priced Mexican restaurant, Camino has a lot to consider.
Hyeholde is a Pittsburgh fine dining institution housed in a castle in Moon Township.
Built in 1937 originally as a combination restaurant and living space, the ambiance here is hard to beat with dining tables tucked into dozens of nooks and rooms around the castle. It's a special occasion spot for sure, serving up seasonal, high-end food and drinks.
Palm Palm is a vibrant small plates restaurant located in Shadyside near East Liberty. The restaurant, the second venture from the folks behind Ritual House, aims to blend the vibes and food from Palm Beach and Palm Springs, along with nods to other cuisines from around the world.
With good flavor combinations in the dishes, tropical-leaning cocktails, and coastal vibes, the spot has a feel-good ambiance that's sure to draw crowds.
Nan Xiang Soup Dumplings got its start in Flushing, New York, a few decades ago and has since garnered a huge following, expanding to multiple locations in several states. Needless to say, the opening of a location right here in Pittsburgh created a huge initial buzz and anticipation.
We visited soon after opening and enjoyed the fun vibe, the variety of soup dumplings on offer, and several of the non-dumpling menu offerings.