Vegan-friendly
American
International
Buffet

Vegetarian cafe and eclectic antique gallery and vintage clothing shop. Features a weekly changing menu, an extensive herbal tea menu, and live events some evenings. Sunday is brunch buffet. Open Thu-Sat 11:30am-9:00pm, Sun 11:00am-3:00pm. closed Mon-Wed.


Venue map for The Zenith
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38 Reviews

First Review by Nick Kyriazi

SLC

Points +113

Vegetarian
05 Jun 2011

Fantastic

Let me first say that this is a place that makes you feel like you are in San Fransisco or Berlin. It's simply awesome, different and delicious, and I forgot: not expensive! You will definitely end up eating something you haven't eaten before and you'll love it. One of the places I take all visitors to.

Pros: great vegan food, prices, excellent tea and coffee

SLC

17 Nov 2012

Unfortunately I have to revise my review after 2 very unpleasant visits to the Zenith. The first time was at their Sunday brunch which I am a huge fan of. The entree I ordered were tacos which I did not like at all but everybody else's food was good and the salad were as fantastic as ever. We went back for dinner on a Friday and I ordered their mushroom stew. It was absolutely horrid. My husband tried it, too and said he'd never eat it. After these 2 meals I wonder if the cook even samples his food. What made me really angry though is that not only were we never asked if everything was alright, but when I said I did not want a box and returned the entire (!) meal she pretended it didn't happen and charged us the full price. Sorry, 2 really bad meals and bad service..... I am very disappointed. I would still recommend the brunch because there are so many good salads to choose from and their sandwiches are good. So I think you'll be fine if you stick with that.

SharpVegan

Points +409

Vegan
20 Jan 2024

A Pittsburgh Staple

Absolutely love this place. They have been holding down the PGH vegan/veggie brunch for decades.
The eclectic atmosphere feels like going to a rad family member's house.
Food is always great. Brunch buffet is on point and huge. The "main" dishes are always delicious and classic.

Updated from previous review on 2024-01-20

Pros: Sunday brunch!, The buffet slays, Well made food at an extremely reasonable price

ponchoswindow

Points +710

Vegan
31 Aug 2023

Interesting experience but not mind blowing

The soup was very tasty and salty but the lasagna that I had lacked flavor. Strange place.

krpiasecki

Points +80

Vegan
21 Jun 2023

Love Zenith

We have been going to Zenith for 15 years or so, and have been to the Sunday brunch more times than anywhere else we have ever eaten. The all-you-can-eat buffet of salads, bundt cakes and pie, a choice of entree and unlimited coffee, hot tea or iced tea can't be beat for $12.50. Servers are very friendly, the surroundings are unique to say the least. We have taken many meat-eaters to Zenith and they have all been happy with the vegan food. Best macaroni salad ever! Also the peanut linguine. Hope Zenith stays for many more years!

Pros: Inexpensive, Friendly servers, Lots of food choices

Williamewq123ify

Points +1451

Vegan
18 Jun 2023

Amazing

All but 1 vegan brunch dish and the French toast is top notch

KelVonskratchmann

Points +73

Vegetarian
13 May 2023

Amazing food - unique ambience

Affordable, delicious and awesome place. Super laid back, and lots to look at and taste!

froessc

Points +995

Vegan
19 Feb 2023

So good

What a good staple restaurant

Pros: Very affordable, Lots of options, Free coffee

ndines

Points +551

Vegan
09 Jan 2023

Come for the setting, stay for the tasty eats

Visiting The Zenith is like a vintage eating experience. The setting is very chic and the food is great. You must try the peanut noodle dish!

Updated from previous review on 2023-01-09

guitargabe

Points +413

Vegan
19 Nov 2022

Real cool tea shop

I can’t speak for the food (though it looks like most options are vegan), but their tea selection is OUTSTANDING, and they’ve got a really cool ambiance. This was a great place to hang out and read a book in. Be aware though: it’s cash only.

I came here alone, so this wasn’t a problem, but my fiancée is currently in a wheelchair and it would be nearly impossible to navigate this space in one.

Updated from previous review on 2022-11-19

Pros: Immense tea selection, Real cool ambiance

Cons: Difficult to navigate with mobility issues., Cash only

Illeatyourgarden

Points +55

Vegan
14 Aug 2022

So f*#king good

Like going to a friend's house for a home cooked meal!! I loved every bite.
If I'm being completely honest, I was turned off by the look of the gazpacho but immediately changed my mind at first bite!! So delicious.


8/14/22 update: Back for Sunday brunch and The Zenith did not disappoint!!

Peanut noodles, potato salad, 2 different pasta salads, regular salad, fruit salad, broccoli salad, chickpea salad, hummus are just a few of the buffet options. Plus 5 different moist delicious cakes, bottomless coffee and pick one of 5 ever changing fantastic options. Everything was super yummy!!

This place is the best vegan restaurant in Pittsburgh IMO. Don't miss out!!

Updated from previous review on 2022-08-11

Pros: Fresh and delicious , Good service , Affordable

Cons: Makes me want to over eat, I wish I lived nearby so I could eat here more, Not located anywhere near my house

SwarmQueen

Points +20

Vegan
17 Apr 2022

Fabulous “mostly vegan” place!

Had a delicious Easter brunch of seitan ham and spicy beans and greens. For brunch, there is a salad bar with ~8-10 different vegan salads and fresh fruit. There were 6 different cakes for dessert. It is a fantastic deal for $12 including coffee/tea! Would highly recommend and will be going back soon. Cash only.

Pros: Great food, Excellent selection, Cakes are amazing

chrisma0

Points +144

Mostly Veg
12 Apr 2022

Cannot recommend enough - awesome brunch

The best vegan food we've had in Pittsburgh! The Sunday brunch was awesome. Great atmosphere with dining inside a vintage store. All the food was great, in particular the different salads, the pumpkin pancakes and the variety of cakes (carrot was my fav). Hard to beat!

Updated from previous review on 2022-04-12

Pros: Vegan cakes, Unique atmosphere, Delicious tea

Cons: No reservations for Sunday brunch, Cash only

Lynzer14

Points +27

Vegetarian
05 Jan 2022

The coolest dining experience with the best vegan food

Who doesn't love enjoying vegan/vegetarian fare inside an antique shop? Seriously. The COOLEST atmosphere. 10/10 do recommend

CloeSchauer

Points +62

Vegan
12 Aug 2021

Best food, people, and atmosphere.

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this place. Will always be my favorite vegan restaurant. Their seitan reuben and cakes are to die for! They have an amazing Sunday brunch but I prefer to go on other days of the week when it's more quiet. Their menu changes weekly as well.

Updated from previous review on 2021-08-12

Pros: Everything , Love the owners

Cons: None

Sara232

Points +40

Vegan
09 Aug 2021

Love!

I absolutely love this place! Delicious food including cake, many tea options, eclectic art and vintage resale shop in the front. Sunday brunch is fantastic too. Favorite dish is the tofishy sandwich or the TLT sandwich.

Updated from previous review on 2021-08-09

Pros: Lots of vegan options

Cons: Can get busy at Sunday Brunch, When busy you will sit with strangers

veghead80

Points +90

Vegan
15 Mar 2021

Good food but weird atmosphere

This is like a small restaurant tucked into the back of an eclectic antiques store. There were at least three mannequins back there too, which weirded me out a little. But the food was good. I had the seitan meatloaf.

Pros: Food was good

Cons: Creepy mannequins

artoonie

Points +255

Vegan
23 Dec 2020

I miss Sunday brunch

It’s a truth universally acknowledged that a Sunday that starts in The Zenith will be an exceptional day.
The food is wonderful. We have tried to replicate the peanut butter noodles in quarantine but have never hit the mark. Make sure you save room for cake, the cakes are SO good.
I recommend skipping dinner on Saturday so you can really go wild on Sunday.

Note that the menu has real eggs (marked loud and clear!). I wish they’d get rid of the eggs and just go all in on a vegan menu, there’s only one or two items that aren’t vegan.

jenshuss

Points +41

Vegan
17 Feb 2020

Best Sunday brunch buffet

Everything tasted fresh and flavorful! Cakes, bread, cold salads with coffee, or tea included. This is in addition to a cooked entree choice. Left full 😋

Pros: Only $11.50!, Warm staff

AmenBey

Points +19

Vegetarian
20 Sep 2019

Vomit

I'm a foodie and I eaten a lot of restaurants but I've never been in a restaurant that I had to hold back my vomit. most of the foods are right out of cans like the grape leaves and the red peppers I saw them walk by me carrying both cans. basically I think that all the good reviews are there for people that like weird environments but you have to look past the dust on half of the junk in there. I ordered some type of lasagna the sauce which was right out of a can was way too sweet after the first bite I could not hold it in. my wife ordered some type of vegetable and rice dish and it was just as disgusting. I would give one star if permitted.

Pros: Easy to find parking near there

Cons: Horrible food Dusty environment

ElizabethCatalano

Points +414

Vegan
30 Aug 2019

Missed the mark

I’ve read all the reviews for this place, and was so excited to visit. However, I was underwhelmed to say the least. There was first no parking, and then they seated me at a table with another group (instead of tucking me in my own table), and THEN put another group with me after the first left!

The food was nothing to write home about. I went for the Sunday brunch, which they didn’t explain, and it was really not that good.

I’ll be sticking to my real restaurants in Pittsburgh from here on out.

Cons: No parking , Terrible service , Poor food

Tstephe

Points +15

Mostly Veg
21 Jul 2019

Food. Oh the food.

Brunch. Their brunch is amazing. They don't usually have a very wide menu, but enough for everyone to choose something delicious. The brunch buffet bar surpasses all expectations with how good vegetarian side items can be. And the 12 or so cakes every Sunday. Whenever I am in town, this is a must visit.

veggie666

Points +627

Mostly Veg
27 Mar 2019

Good

Didn't love the entree options. Could probably have just done buffet and cake and Been satisfied. Friendly servers. Nice seating area.

MBO'Frank

Points +115

Vegan
06 Jan 2019

Love this Eclectic Place

Fun atmosphere. Awesome food choices. Greek platter. Seitan pot roast. Stuffed peppers. Are a must.
Things of good for very reasonable price. I feel like I'm back in my grandma's house.

Pros: Tons and tons of vegan food. Cool ambiance., Grear music. Perfect location., Very affordable. Eat.

sdfsmc

Points +98

Vegetarian
01 Dec 2018

Restaurant and second hand shop

The stroganoff was very good

Pros: Great selection , Friendly staff, Great food

Cons: None

zombiesoybot

Points +92

Vegan
12 Feb 2018

great Sunday brunch spot

The buffet is great (spicy peanut noodles are the best) and all the cakes are vegan too. The meals are pretty good. Was very disappointed when they added eggs and cheese to the menu. It was out of the blue and no heads up.
Not to be that guy but my take on why they added dairy was they were under the radar for a long time. The paper wrote a great piece on them. Then everyone started flocking there. People complained about all vegan options and finally gave in.

Pros: ton of options

Cons: didn’t stay true

GenevieveJackson

Points +38

Vegan
30 Aug 2017

love the atmosphere

The food is just alright. I've only been twice. The cakes are very delicious though.

PartTimeVegan

Points +83

Mostly Veg
10 Jul 2017

great Sunday brunch!

Really good food at a nice price

Pros: very cool vintage shop in front, great decor, fantastic brunch buffet choices

Cons: no take-away options for Sunday brunch




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