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Vegetarian in Pittsburgh

I was recently asked about good places for vegetarians to get their grub on in the ‘burgh. Full disclosure: I am not a vegetarian, but I thought this would be a good question to explore for the masses.

The Pittsburgh City Paper‘s 2009 reader’s poll named Quiet Storm the best vegetarian restaurant in their 2009 Best of the Burgh issue. Coming in second was South Side’s Zenith and third, Hoi Polloi on the North Side.

This past Sunday, I visited the Quiet Storm for brunch to see what the fuss was all about. I ordered the frittata, a generous square of eggs, spinach, tomatoes, onions and cheese in a potato crust served steaming hot with sun-dried tomato toast and a salad with dressing that was to die for. My dining partner ordered the apricot stuffed french toast which came with fakin’ bacon, fresh fruit and potatoes. Brunch entrees are $11 and come with coffee, soda, tea or juice. We were impressed by the great quality of the food and the friendly and attentive service on a blustery winter day when everything else felt miserable.

The Quiet Storm also offers wheat-free options and they are open to suggestions for future menu items.

Quiet Storm-8

A few people on the Never Tell Me The Odds board recommended some city favorites with many of vegetarian options: Spak Brothers, Sree’s, Pusadee’s Garden, Big Burrito restaurants, Over The Bar, Double Wide Grill, Green Mango, Tram’s, Aladdin’s, Abay, Paris 66, J’eet, Istanbul Grill and several others.

I found Spak Brother’s owner Ryan Spak on the board and he said: “We keep it local when possible and use a lot of organic ingredients. We offer carne, vegetarian, and vegan food so we get a lot of orders from offices where some of the people are veggies.”

I interviewed a few local vegetarians to get their take on the variety, quality and convenience of vegetarian options in Pittsburgh restaurants.

Val Head shared her favorite dishes from local restaurants:

Quiet Storm: Best tofu scramble ever. I’m partial to the country breakfast burrito with tofu scramble and the ginger lemonade (not at the same time, though).

Mad Mex (Multiple locations): So many options here. I usually get a spicy Mad Mex burrito with mushrooms or the hummus wrap.

The Greek Gourmet (Squirrel Hill): They really do have the best hummus in town.

Aladdin’s (Multiple locations): The veggie chili or the falafel are my usual choices.

Over The Bar cafe (South Side): Beer and Setain wings!

China Palace (Shadyside): Chinese with good faux meat options. I usually go for the hunan stir fried soy protein.

Thai Cusine (Bloomfield): Decent thai and home of the inexplicable veggie chicken ham. I usually get the spicy basil noodles.

People’s Indian (Bloomfield): Best Indian I’ve had in PGH. I usually get some kind of curry veggie dish, veggie pakora and some yummy naan bread.

Yo Rita (South Side): They change their menu and specials frequently, but there’s always at least a couple of vegetarian tacos to choose from and their soup is usually vegetarian too.

Kiku (South Side, Station Square): I usually get a couple of vegetable rolls and pieces. They have a pretty good list to choose from.

Val finds it easy to be a vegetarian in Pittsburgh, she noted that most restaurants seem pretty informed and open to vegetarian options.

A lot of the time waiters/waitresses will even mention non-vegetarian ingredients in a dish before I get a chance to ask (like fish flakes in the miso soup or fish sauce in the pad thai).  On any given day you have multiple options for vegetarian “wings” and beer or a vegan cupcake if either are your style. I’d say that’s pretty good.

Quiet Storm-9

Terra McBride likes to keep it local in the South Side.

My husband and I often find ourselves wanting to stay close to home so tops on my list is Zenith. I can’t really choose a favorite item since their menu changes weekly, but their Sunday brunch is simply divine. For $10, you get an entree and unlimited trips to the buffet which always has a myriad of side dishes and sweet breads. Everything is vegetarian and everything is unbelievably good. The funky atmosphere and communal seating only adds to the super hip vibe.

Terra also digs the Double Wide Grill where her favorites include vegetarian burgers, honey garlic wings and Caribbean coconut tofu. After spending New Year’s Eve at Mantini’s, Terra noted that they always have a great vegetarian special.

Kelly Miser recently moved to Pittsburgh from a small Midwest town and has loved exploring the restaurant scene in Pittsburgh. A lover of Thai food, she frequents the Green Mango in Regent Square, Thai Place II in Shadyside, Lemongrass Cafe downtown and the Silk Elephant in Squirrel Hill. She also gave props to the Square Cafe in Regent Square and the Taj Mahal in the North Hills for great vegetarian options. She also loves Giant Eagle’s vegetable sushi for a quick meal option.

Emily Levenson, the Reluctant Vegetarian, decided to join her husband in a vegetarian lifestyle after overcoming some health issues. I asked her about the challenges she has faced and her thoughts on being a vegetarian in Pittsburgh.

I think the biggest challenges of being a vegetarian are self-created. And yes, we could have more vegetarian and vegan friendly restaurants in Pittsburgh, but I think you would be hard-pressed to find someone in this city that decided not to be a vegetarian because there weren’t any options. Vegetarianism is a choice, just like any other eating style or diet. A lot of people complain that vegetarian or vegan food is bland, which has never been the case for us. In fact, we eat better now than when we were meat-eaters! We have tried so many new foods and new flavors that eating is a truly enjoyable (and fun) experience.

I’m glad I took on this little research project, it seems like it’s pretty easy to have a vegetarian lifestyle in Pittsburgh. Most restaurants are open to the needs of people on restricted diets, providing them several options rather than just one or two.

Photos by Robjdlc via Flickr

Comments

  1. Anonymous says

    Finally got to try the Smiling Banana Leaf for lunch last week – everything was great – that place looks totally different on the inside too. I will need to try the Panang Curry next time.

  2. Anonymous says

    "Quiet Storm: Best tofu scramble ever. Iu2019m partial to the country breakfast burrito with tofu scramble and the ginger lemonade (not at the same time, though)."nnWARNING: "Quiet Storm Tofu Scramble" is the second worst properly-prepared food I ever ate, after stinky pig-bowels/ "Chitlins."

  3. Anonymous says

    thanks for sharing the link to VegoutPittsburgh – great site – I usedrnit to look up some places this weekend. looking forward to readingrnmore.rnrnrnrn2010/3/11 Disqus <>:

  4. Anonymous says

    I'm glad I came across this post, I am constantly searching out advice on vegetarian food in and around Pitt. In fact since I hadn't been able to find a devoted resource to great vegetarian food in the Burgh (as I am not only a veg but a devoted foodie) I decided to start posting my own reviews as I eat my way through the city. Check it out and hopefully I can help you avoid some of the meaty mishaps I have experienced, and enjoy some of the best meat free meals in the Burgh!n nwww.vegoutPittsburgh.com

  5. Anonymous says

    Thanks for the Smiling Banana Leaf suggestion – I was just having lunch withrnsome friends who are in search of Thai food in Pittsburgh.

  8. Anonymous says

    Udipi Cafe: All vegetarian Southern Indian, best food in town. Recommend: Potato Bonda, Paneer Dosa, Chana Batura.nnTana: Immensely superior Ethiopian to Abay, and only a few blocks away. nnDinette: Yay, expensive and fabulous mini-pizzas!nnSmiling Banana Leaf: Under-acknowledged and limited seating in Highland Park. Best Thai in Pittsburgh, no question. Their Panang Curry is not to be trifled with!n

  9. Anonymous says

    I have not been to Udipi yet – but I have heard great things! Thanks for the other links too – very helpful. Which Indian restaurant is your favorite?

  11. Anonymous says

    I think you must have just had a bad night at Mad Mex. I've been going there for the last 14 years, and in that time they've screwed up my order a few times but are usually very quick to remedy it! (and I am a VERY strict vegan)

  12. Anonymous says

    not a vegetarian but thoroughly enjoyed this roundup – thanks so much! It's always good to find further options in pittsburgh!

  13. Anonymous says

    Good discussion here. I really like the options at Harris Grill (Shadyside), but no one mentioned them. And Thai Gourmet (Bloomfield) is also very good.

  14. Anonymous says

    Great post. Though I must add a recommendation for a local vegetarian/vegan favourite, Udipi Cafe in Monroeville, for vegetarian south Indian food.

  17. Anonymous says

    I usually have no problems eating as a vegetarian in Pittsburgh. Even places that don't have a lot of menu items will still work with me, and help me find what I can eat. Surprisingly, I've had some really great meals in seafood restaurants – they don't generally have much on menu, but because they actually cook there (as opposed to say TGIFridays or similar), they can make me something special.nnLove Zenith, and always have a wonderful meal there. Taj Mahal and People's are both excellent choices. And Tram's is always consistently good.nnMy worst experience hands down was a Mad Mex; they sent out my chickpea chili burrito with chicken (though I hadn't asked for it to be added to that veggie entree), and when I sent it back they obviously tried to pick it out and failed because it was still full of chicken! And they acted like I was hurting their feelings by leaving at that point. Very bad service, which I totally expected better of. So be careful with Mad Mex, vegetarians!

  18. Vanessa says

    I usually have no problems eating as a vegetarian in Pittsburgh. Even places that don't have a lot of menu items will still work with me, and help me find what I can eat. Surprisingly, I've had some really great meals in seafood restaurants – they don't generally have much on menu, but because they actually cook there (as opposed to say TGIFridays or similar), they can make me something special.Love Zenith, and always have a wonderful meal there. Taj Mahal and People's are both excellent choices. And Tram's is always consistently good.My worst experience hands down was a Mad Mex; they sent out my chickpea chili burrito with chicken (though I hadn't asked for it to be added to that veggie entree), and when I sent it back they obviously tried to pick it out and failed because it was still full of chicken! And they acted like I was hurting their feelings by leaving at that point. Very bad service, which I totally expected better of. So be careful with Mad Mex, vegetarians!

  21. Vanessa says

    I usually have no problems eating as a vegetarian in Pittsburgh. Even places that don’t have a lot of menu items will still work with me, and help me find what I can eat. Surprisingly, I’ve had some really great meals in seafood restaurants – they don’t generally have much on menu, but because they actually cook there (as opposed to say TGIFridays or similar), they can make me something special.

    Love Zenith, and always have a wonderful meal there. Taj Mahal and People’s are both excellent choices. And Tram’s is always consistently good.

    My worst experience hands down was a Mad Mex; they sent out my chickpea chili burrito with chicken (though I hadn’t asked for it to be added to that veggie entree), and when I sent it back they obviously tried to pick it out and failed because it was still full of chicken! And they acted like I was hurting their feelings by leaving at that point. Very bad service, which I totally expected better of. So be careful with Mad Mex, vegetarians!

    • Anonymous says

      I think you must have just had a bad night at Mad Mex. I’ve been going there for the last 14 years, and in that time they’ve screwed up my order a few times but are usually very quick to remedy it! (and I am a VERY strict vegan)

  24. Holly says

    Great post. Though I must add a recommendation for a local vegetarian/vegan favourite, Udipi Cafe in Monroeville, for vegetarian south Indian food.

  25. shorty1973 says

    Good discussion here. I really like the options at Harris Grill (Shadyside), but no one mentioned them. And Thai Gourmet (Bloomfield) is also very good.

  26. Courtney says

    not a vegetarian but thoroughly enjoyed this roundup – thanks so much! It's always good to find further options in pittsburgh!

  27. Holly says

    Great post. Though I must add a recommendation for a local vegetarian/vegan favourite, Udipi Cafe in Monroeville, for vegetarian south Indian food.

  28. Anonymous says

    Good discussion here. I really like the options at Harris Grill (Shadyside), but no one mentioned them. And Thai Gourmet (Bloomfield) is also very good.

  29. Courtney says

    not a vegetarian but thoroughly enjoyed this roundup – thanks so much! It’s always good to find further options in pittsburgh!

  30. arvin_clay says

    I think you must have just had a bad night at Mad Mex. I've been going there for the last 14 years, and in that time they've screwed up my order a few times but are usually very quick to remedy it! (and I am a VERY strict vegan)

  32. IheartPGH says

    I have not been to Udipi yet – but I have heard great things! Thanks for the other links too – very helpful. Which Indian restaurant is your favorite?

  33. beardedmatt says

    Udipi Cafe: All vegetarian Southern Indian, best food in town. Recommend: Potato Bonda, Paneer Dosa, Chana Batura.Tana: Immensely superior Ethiopian to Abay, and only a few blocks away. Dinette: Yay, expensive and fabulous mini-pizzas!Smiling Banana Leaf: Under-acknowledged and limited seating in Highland Park. Best Thai in Pittsburgh, no question. Their Panang Curry is not to be trifled with!

  35. Anonymous says

    Udipi Cafe: All vegetarian Southern Indian, best food in town. Recommend: Potato Bonda, Paneer Dosa, Chana Batura.

    Tana: Immensely superior Ethiopian to Abay, and only a few blocks away.

    Dinette: Yay, expensive and fabulous mini-pizzas!

    Smiling Banana Leaf: Under-acknowledged and limited seating in Highland Park. Best Thai in Pittsburgh, no question. Their Panang Curry is not to be trifled with!

    • IheartPGH says

      Finally got to try the Smiling Banana Leaf for lunch last week – everything was great – that place looks totally different on the inside too. I will need to try the Panang Curry next time.

  37. IheartPGH says

    Thanks for the Smiling Banana Leaf suggestion – I was just having lunch withsome friends who are in search of Thai food in Pittsburgh.

  38. Janelle says

    I'm glad I came across this post, I am constantly searching out advice on vegetarian food in and around Pitt. In fact since I hadn't been able to find a devoted resource to great vegetarian food in the Burgh (as I am not only a veg but a devoted foodie) I decided to start posting my own reviews as I eat my way through the city. Check it out and hopefully I can help you avoid some of the meaty mishaps I have experienced, and enjoy some of the best meat free meals in the Burgh! <a href="http://www.vegoutPittsburgh.com” target=”_blank”>www.vegoutPittsburgh.com

  39. Janelle says

    I’m glad I came across this post, I am constantly searching out advice on vegetarian food in and around Pitt. In fact since I hadn’t been able to find a devoted resource to great vegetarian food in the Burgh (as I am not only a veg but a devoted foodie) I decided to start posting my own reviews as I eat my way through the city. Check it out and hopefully I can help you avoid some of the meaty mishaps I have experienced, and enjoy some of the best meat free meals in the Burgh!

    http://www.vegoutPittsburgh.com

    • IheartPGH says

      thanks for sharing the link to VegoutPittsburgh – great site – I used
      it to look up some places this weekend. looking forward to reading
      more.

      2010/3/11 Disqus :

  40. IheartPGH says

    thanks for sharing the link to VegoutPittsburgh – great site – I usedit to look up some places this weekend. looking forward to readingmore.2010/3/11 Disqus <>:

  41. Hal Smith says

    "Quiet Storm: Best tofu scramble ever. I’m partial to the country breakfast burrito with tofu scramble and the ginger lemonade (not at the same time, though)."WARNING: "Quiet Storm Tofu Scramble" is the second worst properly-prepared food I ever ate, after stinky pig-bowels/ "Chitlins."

  42. Hal Smith says

    “Quiet Storm: Best tofu scramble ever. I’m partial to the country breakfast burrito with tofu scramble and the ginger lemonade (not at the same time, though).”

    WARNING: “Quiet Storm Tofu Scramble” is the second worst properly-prepared food I ever ate, after stinky pig-bowels/ “Chitlins.”

  43. IheartPGH says

    Finally got to try the Smiling Banana Leaf for lunch last week – everything was great – that place looks totally different on the inside too. I will need to try the Panang Curry next time.

  44. IheartPGH says

    Finally got to try the Smiling Banana Leaf for lunch last week – everything was great – that place looks totally different on the inside too. I will need to try the Panang Curry next time.

  45. Robyn says

    Not sure if you knew, but the Dunkin’ Donuts in Squirrel Hill is Kosher and has a full vegetarian menu, including veggie bacon, sausage and stakelet sandwiches as well as a spicy egg, veggie and cheese burrito.  Great options for the vegetarian breakfast eater!

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