Pittsburgh, like many other cities worldwide, is experiencing a vegan renaissance. I’ve witnessed a remarkable evolution in my city, which now boasts multiple fully vegan eateries, and vegan options are springing up on menus everywhere.
Dining out is a completely different – and wholly easier – endeavor than it was when I began my transition to veganism in the 90s. Back then, my meal always ended up being a side salad (often sans dressing), fries with copious amounts of Heinz ketchup, and sometimes a bowl of rubbery microwaved vegetables, hold the butter please.
It’s an entirely different experience these days. Though I’ve still had lackluster meals out, chefs are overall more accommodating to vegan customers and have been more plant-inspired than ever. When I go out with my friends, we have options to choose from now which makes it much more exciting. It’s fun to be able to decide what kind of vegan food fits my mood: crunchy hippie, raw, from-scratch high-vibe, straight up classic American, or something else entirely. The choices are endless, and there’s always something that strikes my fancy.
I also love to use Vegan Pittsburgh as a resource in finding vegan-friendly restaurants. They are a group that works alongside restaurants to incorporate and clearly label vegan items on their menus thereby making it a breeze to find a bite to eat. Participating restaurants are listed by region on their website, and restaurants also display a Vegan Pittsburgh decal on their front window. That way, they’re easy to find and it increases the visibility of the v word!
I thought it would be fun to share some of my favorites in the Pittsburgh dining scene with you chic readers. Options abound!
B52 is a self-described “American-Palestinian fusion cafe and bakery with full espresso bar.” Everything they do is done impeccably, and there is huge emphasis on making food from scratch. My favorites include the sourdough pancakes, kofta scramble with a harissa sauce I could eat by the spoonful, chai latte with house-made almond milk, avocado toast (the preserved lemon, which they make there, and tahini drizzle take it over the top!), and anything with their (yep, house-made) cashew cheese is scrumptious. On your way out, grab a few bakery items – I highly recommend their brownie –and chocolates to go.
Burgatory is home to my favorite veggie burger in the ‘burgh. It’s made with lentils, mushrooms, and cashews among other ingredients, and you can order it with vegan cheddar. They have vegan specials and milkshakes on Tuesdays, though word is they’ve switched to offering vegan milkshakes every day. Good move! Their milkshakes vary in flavor but are always awesome, and they come with rich and luscious vegan whipped cream. I suggest sharing the shakes because they’re massive!
Apteka is new on the block. The 100% vegan restaurant serves up simple Central and Eastern European food with a flare. The food is fresh and flavorful, and my 90 years young Eastern European grandma gives the pierogies an A+. Need I say more?
Spak Brothers is awesome for new and seasoned vegans alike. No more pizza cravings beckoning you back to the dark side of meat and dairy! You can order pizza with vegan cheese, as well as seitan wings and a variety of hoagies like the seitan cheese steak which is always a favorite.
El Burro is a hole-in-the-wall Mexican joint that has a separate vegan menu. The owners, from San Diego, have introduced authentic, bold, and mighty fine Mexican food to Pittsburgh. Their potato rolled tacos, flying saucer, and chile relleno burrito are incredible, and their house-made chips and salsas are a nice appetizer to munch on at the counter seating while you’re waiting for your order.
And this is only the tip of the iceberg. We still haven’t gotten to the beloved vegetarian brunch favorite, Zenith (cake buffet, anyone!?), the all-vegan locales Randitas, Loving Hut, and Fortuitea, and vegan-friendlies like Franktuary, Mixtape, YinzBurgh BBQ, Srees, Liliput, Eden, All India, Thai Cuisine, etc…phew, I’m outta breath here!
While it’s always fun to travel to places like New York City that have a vegan version of everything under the sun, clearly Pittsburgh has become a vegan destination in its own right!
If I’m ever in Pittsburgh, now I’ll know where to go!