Brian Nagele
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is specifically known for several foods, including Primanti Brothers — a popular sandwich spot — and Pennsylvania-style pierogies, which are cheese-stuffed dumplings.
However, with various meat, cheese, and butter options around town, you might find it difficult to eat in Pittsburgh as a vegan.
But don’t worry — there are plenty of vegan spots in Steel City, and I’m here to share all the best places with you, so you’ll know where to go next time you’re searching for a vegan meal in town.
Here are our favorite vegan restaurants in Pittsburgh.
APTEKA
4606 Penn Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15224
Phone: 412-251-0189
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APTEKA is an extremely popular Eastern European-inspired vegan restaurant south of Little Egypt in Central Lawrenceville park here in Pittsburgh.
I love going to APTEKA because of its relaxed vibes, airy atmosphere, and, of course, delicious vegan dishes.
They have tasty fried vegan pierogies, vegan borscht with an alternative sour cream, and an array of small plates that even my meat-eating friends from Ukraine and Poland rave about.
Since this place is so popular, I highly recommend making a reservation, especially if you want to eat there for dinner.
Onion Maiden
639 E Warrington Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15210
Phone: 412-586-7347
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Onion Maiden is an Asian-inspired vegan spot near Emerald View Park in the Knoxville area.
They perfectly fuse Asian and American comfort fare, and if that wasn’t challenging enough, they make it all vegan!
And right when you thought there couldn’t be another twist, the decor is also punk-themed, which creates a trendy vibe and unique atmosphere.
I love many things about Onion Maidan, but the food is the best, with delicious vegan hot dogs, tater tots, and incredible dumplings.
They even serve vegan donuts, the perfect finishing touch on such a tasty, savory meal.
The Zenith
86 S 26th St, Pittsburgh, PA 15203
Phone: 412-481-4833
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If you’d like to dine at an eclectic, artsy eatery and peruse through an art gallery and antique shop after you eat, make your way to The Zenith.
The Zenith is an ultra-funky, ultra-colorful space that offers several delicious vegan food options, including a vegan buffet!
I enjoy their couscous, stuffed grape leaves, vegan Reuben, seitan tacos, and much more.
If I have a sweet tooth, I won’t hesitate to get a slice (or two) of their well-loved bundt cakes.
It’s cash only, so come with bills and leave full and happy.
Abeille Voyante Tea Co
211 Grant Ave, Millvale, PA 15209
Phone: 412-821-0832
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I’m much more a tea fan than a coffee fan, so when I heard about a cute little tea shop in Millvale by the Allegheny River, I knew I would check it out.
Then I found out they served tasty vegan treats, and I was sold!
Abeille Voyante Tea Co offers an all-vegan menu filled with lots of delights like soba noodles, sandwiches, and baked goods.
Sometimes they have a particular scone that looks like it has fruity pebbles in it, and it was to die for.
Go on Thursdays for curry nights because the curry is so flavorful!
Allegro Hearth Bakery
2034 Murray Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15217
Phone: 412-422-5623
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If you have a sweet tooth and can’t find any vegan bakeries that don’t leave you with a strange taste (or consistency) in your mouth, check out Allegro Hearth Bakery near the Giant Eagle Supermarket in Squirrel Hill North.
This bakery is highly-rated and for good reasons.
You can get all sorts of vegan treats that taste incredible: sweet but not too sweet and with the perfect soft consistency.
I also go here to pick up whole loaves of bread after I stopped trying to make bread myself!
Their sourdough is my favorite and is perfect for veggie-filled sandwiches.
Nicky’s Thai Kitchen
Multiple locations
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Although a lot of Thai food is generally plant-based before adding protein like chicken or fish, some dishes you have to worry about as a vegan, given the common addition of milk in curries or eggs in noodles.
At Nicky’s Thai Kitchen — located Downtown near the David L. Lawrence Convention Center — they make vegan Thai dishes so you can enjoy that pad thai or sautéed vegetable dish once again.
They have an extensive vegan menu, but also have non-vegan items, so you can still go with non-vegan friends, and everyone will be pleased!
ShadoBeni
1534 Brighton Rd, Pittsburgh, PA 15212
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Have you ever tried Trinidadian food? Or have you thought about it but are afraid the meat-heavy cuisine might not work for your vegan diet?
Well, you’re in luck with ShadoBeni, a Trinidadian vegan restaurant in the Old Allegheny Rows Historic District near Brighton Garden.
This small but colorful and welcoming eatery has a range of vegan-friendly meals like plantains, guacamole, and roti with spinach, pumpkin, and chana.
I also love their stuffed roti with chickpea and potatoes, as the chickpeas are always cooked perfectly — not too soft and not too firm.
Sugar Spell Scoops
1014 N Canal St, Pittsburgh, PA 15215
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Getting vegan baked goods is often a hassle, but finding vegan ice cream can be even more challenging.
And when you do find a spot, they usually have only one or two flavors you can choose from.
Luckily, Sugar Spell Scoops scoops up fantastic vegan ice cream with many different flavors to choose from because the whole shop is vegan-only!
What a treat!
As someone who hasn’t always been vegan, I can vouch that I wouldn’t be able to tell this is vegan ice cream.
It tastes and feels a lot like the real thing.
But you won’t regret whichever flavor you choose!
Chip and Kale
2102 Broadway Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15216
Phone: 412-328-2417
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If you’re a busy person, don’t always like going out to eat, or have a difficult time finding the energy and time to cook delicious vegan meals (or the skill), Chip and Kale could save the day.
I love ordering from this meal delivery service because they always use fresh, highly-quality ingredients and prepare tasty and nutritious vegan meals.
There is a range of cuisines you can choose from, too, such as Chinese takeout meals, veggie-loaded pizzas, and even next-level plant-based burgers.
You can find Chip and Kale between Banksville and West Liberty, but you can also order directly from their website.
Kaibur Coffee
3138 Dobson St, Pittsburgh, PA 15219
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Kalibur Coffee is a warm, cozy coffee shop on the corner of Dobson and Hancock near Herron Avenue Flower Garden. Donuts are my favorite thing to get here, especially since I’m not much of a coffee person.
Their vegan chocolate cheesecake donut is truly out of this world! But my friends say they make really excellent coffee as well.
They also have plenty of non-sweet vegan options, such as a vegan egg sandwich, avocado toast, and a chickpea burrito.
Dobrá Tea Pittsburgh
1937 Murray Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15217
Phone: 412-449-9833
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Like Abeille Voyante Tea Co, I appreciate having a cafe specifically centered around tea, and Dobrá Tea Pittsburgh does just that.
The decor is colorful, cozy, and Bohemian – complete with art on the walls and comfortable floor cushions.
All that said, it’s a great spot to chill out with friends for several hours and chat while sipping tea and eating vegan snacks.
Dobrá is located near the Manor Theater in Squirrel Hill North, and while not all of their food is vegan, they have quite a few tasty options like goji squares, dried fruits, and almond butter brownies.
Bae Bae’s Kitchen
951 Liberty Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15222
Phone: 412-391-1890
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Bae Bae’s Kitchen is a Korean fusion restaurant in downtown Pittsburgh, not too far from Market Square.
The vibe here is casual and fun, perfect for groups of friends or a date night.
The menu is also quite large, so you’ll have no problem finding something to eat no matter what your dietary restrictions are.
While they don’t have any vegan entrees, their appetizers and sides make for a filling meal.
I love their vegetable tempura, noodles, and side salads.
They also provide soy and almond milk for tea and coffee, which I highly appreciate.
Ultimately, Bae Bae’s is a great place to suggest if you have non-vegan friends who don’t like all-vegan restaurants and still want a nice meal and a delicious drink.
Roots Natural Kitchen
3610 Forbes Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15213
Phone: 412-904-3190
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Roots Natural Kitchen is a popular health food restaurant.
There are two locations, including one on Liberty Ave, but I usually frequent the one on Forbes Ave, near the University of Pittsburgh.
I’m a big fan of Roots Natural Kitchen, as it’s one of the best vegan restaurants in Pittsburgh for a supremely healthy meal.
Many vegan restaurants try to make substitutes for meat and dairy products, which I also love!
However, those substitutes aren’t always the healthiest options.
At Roots Natural Kitchen, you can create a bowl filled with plenty of colorful, fresh, and filling ingredients.
They have signature bowls, but I tend to stick with the custom bowls to ensure that nothing non-vegan ends up in my meal, as they offer cheese and meats.
