The 9 best restaurants in East Liberty

Mexican, Tacos · $$ · 5906 Penn Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15206

Mexico City-style tacos that taste like the real deal. Counter-casual; the al pastor is the order.

Order: Tacos al pastor off the trompo

Seafood · $$$ · 6018 Penn Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15206

A sleek raw bar and seafood spot. Crudo is the move; quality ingredients, prices to match.

Order: Hand rolls off the sushi bar

Ethiopian, East African · $$ · 5929 Baum Blvd, Pittsburgh, PA 15206

The city's go-to for Ethiopian, and a genuine community table for Pittsburgh's Ethiopian and Eritrean families. Everything lands on one big sheet of spongy injera. Tear, scoop, eat with your hands. Get the doro wat for the slow berbere heat and a generous spread of the vegetarian wots to round it out. Service can wander when it's busy; the food is worth the patience.

Order: Doro wat with a hard-boiled egg over injera

Seafood, Oyster Bar · $$$ · 130 S Highland Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15206

A proper oyster bar in a landlocked city, which should not work and does. Tight room, good shucking, and a martini list that knows what it is doing.

Order: A dozen on ice and a martini

Breakfast, Brunch · $$ · 134 S Highland Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15206

A sunny all-day breakfast spot with local art and good pancakes. Wholesome and reliable; expect a weekend wait.

Order: All-day breakfast + local art on the walls

Cocktail Bar, New American, Small Plates · $$$ · 120 S Whitfield St, Pittsburgh, PA 15206

Folded into the historic YMCA-turned-Maverick Hotel, this throwback lounge nails the moody-music, low-light, order-another-round vibe the old Ace corner always wanted. Cain and Hirst know this scene cold, and the seasonal bites punch above 'hotel bar.' Walk-ins only. Embrace the no-plans energy.

Order: Crispy eggplant with whipped feta, pine nuts, and basil oil

Coastal, South American, Small Plates · $$$ · 5996 Centre Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15206

Herky Pollock built a Palm Springs fever dream in the East End, terrazzo, palm fronds, vintage glam, and the coastal small plates mostly keep up with the looks. The Truffle Spaghettios are a wink that actually works. It's a scene first and a meal second, but the scene's a good time.

Order: Truffle Spaghettios with parmesan cream and black truffle

American, Bar · $$ · 6012 Centre Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15206

A retro bar with great mac-and-cheese and a stiff drink. Charm over ambition. And that's the whole point.

Order: Mac & cheese + a stiff Manhattan

Pizza · $ · 420 N Highland Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15206

East Liberty slice shop that keeps the lights on long after the kitchens around it have given up. Exactly what you want it to be at midnight.

Order: A late slice, folded