Caf 33

Business Details

6 Years

experience

Authentic Taiwanese Dining in Pittsburgh's Squirrel Hill

Caf 33 is a Taiwanese restaurant located in Pittsburgh's Squirrel Hill neighborhood, offering an innovative dining experience in a transformed laundromat space. Our menu showcases authentic regional Taiwanese cuisine, moving beyond generic Chinese-American fare to feature specialties like potstickers, scallion pancakes, soup dumplings, and unique dishes such as marinated turnips and jellyfish with celery. The restaurant's stylish interior provides comfortable seating and outdoor dining options, creating a welcoming atmosphere for exploring Taiwan's culinary traditions. With a focus on housemade ingredients and traditional preparation methods, we deliver rich flavors and textural contrasts that highlight the diversity of authentic Chinese regional cooking. Our commitment to quality extends to carefully prepared vegetables, expertly cooked proteins, and thoughtfully balanced sauces that elevate every dish.

Customers consistently praise our ability to connect cultures through food while maintaining Pittsburgh's practical charm. Since opening in 2020, we've become a destination for those seeking genuine Taiwanese flavors presented with modern refinement. The menu's extensive selection caters to adventurous eaters while remaining accessible to newcomers through clear descriptions and approachable presentation. Our operating hours accommodate both casual weekday meals and weekend dining experiences, with convenient online ordering options for pickup or delivery. Whether enjoying our pork with chives, pan-fried noodles, or signature squid in sa cha broth, every visit offers new discoveries in Taiwan's vibrant culinary landscape.

Services

Potstickers Scallion Pancakes Soup Dumplings Sa Cha Squid Smelly Crispy Bean Curd Pan-Fried Noodles Pork with Chives Cucumber Salad

Details

Year established: 2020

Highlights and features

We specialize in authentic Taiwanese cuisine beyond generic Chinese-American dishes
Our housemade dumplings and noodles showcase traditional preparation techniques
We transformed a Pittsburgh laundromat into a stylish dining destination
Our menu balances adventurous flavors with approachable presentation
We offer convenient online ordering with quick pickup times

What people say

Authentic Taiwanese cuisine Transformed laundromat space Housemade ingredients Textural contrasts Flavor balance

Website

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Services

Potstickers

Our housemade potstickers feature bite-sized wrappers with lightly crisped exteriors and seasoned pork fillings. The balanced preparation preserves traditional texture contrasts while maintaining approachable flavors. Each order delivers the savory experience of authentic xiaochi street food from Taiwan's night markets.

Soup Dumplings

Taiwanese-style soup dumplings offer rich pork broth within delicate wrappers. Slightly smaller than standard versions, they maintain the signature burst of savory liquid while avoiding excessive soup volume. Served with ginger-infused dipping sauce for flavor balance.

Sa Cha Squid

Squid in sa cha broth features tender seafood in a clear, savory broth with subtle sour notes. The preparation includes bamboo shoots and cabbage for texture contrast, served in traditional sharing bowls with dipping cups.

Pan-Fried Noodles

Crispy birds-nest noodles support stir-fried vegetables, chicken, and shrimp in a light sauce. The dish showcases ultra-thin noodles with perfect texture contrast and velveted seafood preparation techniques.

Smelly Crispy Bean Curd

Fermented tofu served with spicy sauce and kimchi-style pickles offers bold umami flavors. The dish balances funkiness with freshness through crisp vegetable accompaniments and controlled seasoning.

Questions

What makes Caf 33's menu different from typical Chinese restaurants?

We focus exclusively on authentic Taiwanese cuisine rather than generic Chinese-American dishes, featuring regional specialties like sa cha squid and smelly crispy bean curd.

Can I order food for pickup or delivery?

Yes, we offer online ordering with pickup ready in 25-30 minutes or delivery with variable timing and applicable fees.

What are the restaurant's operating hours?

We're open daily from 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM (10:00 PM Friday-Saturday).

Is outdoor seating available?

Yes, our transformed laundromat location includes a pleasant forecourt with outdoor dining space.

What should first-time visitors try?

Start with our housemade potstickers, soup dumplings, and signature dishes like pork with chives or pan-fried noodles.

Reviews (6)

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Ken P.

Jan 29, 2022 Report

My sister took me to the Bistro. Service was excellent. The food was better. We had fish with pickled sour mustard soup, mini soup dumplings (they aren't mini), shredded pork with dried bean curd, double sauted sliced pork, Be Feng Tong squid (salt and pepper squid with fried vegetables), and home style tofu with black bean sauce. Everything was delicious. It was a real joy to find good Asian food that wasn't Americanized.

Tammy L.

Jan 28, 2022 Report

I love coming here to get my fix of soup dumplings and authentic Taiwanese/Chinese food. My parents loved it too, and that's saying a lot about this place already. There's not many places to get soup dumplings in Pittsburgh, but this place has to be one of the best. I always order a side of scallion pancakes too, it's my favorite and they make it super crispy here. I would totally recommend the shrimp with black pepper sauce! That was my favorite dish, because it had the right amount of pepper kick and savory-ness. Not to mention - it's stir fried with veggies on the bottom

Shay H.

Jan 08, 2022 Report

Three cup chicken - 5/5, pretty decent and comparable to other places I've eaten at in other cities. I do like that the chicken has no bones in it and they give a lot of food. Soup dumplings - 5/5, also would recommend getting! Nothing special but lives up to what I've had in other places.

Beef noodle soup - 3/5, would not get again. The broth lacked depth and tasted pretty watery and flavorless. The noodles were over cooked, thus felt like they were leftover noodles... worst of all it was barely warm. The components of this dish could not have been freshly prepared. Service - 4

Jin Z.

Dec 26, 2021 Report

This is probably my third or fourth time ordering from Cafe 33. They serve authentic Taiwanese dishes. Probably the best in the Pittsburgh area. They have--hands down - - the best eggplant dish in town. (Also the best pig ear appetizer in town as well). It's truly a must order. Flavors are always on point each time I eat here.

Jon McCusker

Dec 03, 2021 Report

Hmm, hole in the wall restaurant with a wide and fantastic menu. The place was packed and yet the service was still excellent and fast. Kitchen had everything out with admirable timing. To make the point, the squid was perfect. Proper flavor, proper mouth feel. To do squid right, under pressure, my hat is off to the kitchen. The stinky tofu is also amazing! My thanks to the staff, you made my day.

Natt A.

Oct 30, 2021 Report

Tip: come for an early dinner so you won't have to wait because they can and will get busy! Parking is tough so it's best to park on a side street and walk over. Your party needs to be present for them to seat you too.

I've been here and ordered take out more than a handful of time and every time friends/family visits, I'll take them here! It's a hustling and bustling Taiwanese restaurant where the owners and asian mothers run the front of the restaurant. They h e an assortment of Taiwanese, Chinese, and some Hong Kong style cuisines but mainly stick to the Taiwanese