ShadoBeni - Trinidadian Vegan Cuisine

So, we tried the doubles. Please save your $$. The bara (bread) was stiff as if frozen and then microwaved before serving, the channa (garbanzo) was missing the doubles flavor by a whole mile, while yellow as it should be, it was NOT tasty at all. Then, the "pone" supposed to be a cassava and coconut cake/sticky bread like pastry was an absolute disappointment, dry, hard and borderline burnt-absoluty flavorless. It was all 2x disappointing because it was overpriced and we drove 2.5 hours for it.

Some of the best plantains we've had. Sorrel wine was great (like sangria but not too sweet), as we're the desserts, the mac pie, and then coconut rice bowls, especially with the soya.

Absolutely delicious food! Got the dal roti with the mushrooms and chickpeas, and it was so flavorful! The oyster mushroom sandwich was also seasoned so well and very very delicious. The tamarind ginger and spiced hibiscus drinks were also very unique and refreshing as well. The banana pudding is to DIE FOR and we almost ordered another one because it was so fantastic. We will definitely be back; highly recommend!

Quaint, clean restaurant with super friendly staff and fast service. The food was incredible. Highly recommend the crispy oyster mushroom sandwich and macaroni pie. Yummmmmmy sprinkle cookies.

Wow! This place is great. The menu items are extremely well seasoned and tasty. I think I've tried nearly every food item on the menu. The from scratch healthy meals always leave me feeling satisfied. This is food I could eat everyday. The portion sizes are large, which is great, because the leftovers taste just as good the next day. The indoor seating area is small but cozy . They also have a couple tables outside on the sidewalk where it's okay to dine with your dog.

Amazing food and staff. Loved the food here. Fresh and tasty food. Staff is very welcoming and everything is clean and welcoming. Will visit again.

Solid restaurant. I got a bowl and my friend d got the bread, which he really liked. The iced coffee wasn’t that good but the flavors were fresh and the service was very friendly. Nice addition to the area where healthy food is hard to find!!!

This place is a real gem, Asa was so friendly and knowledgeable of the menu, very cool atmosphere with huge tropical mural and reggae music, instantly transported to the Caribbean! And the food!!! I started with the Oyster Mushroom Sandwich with Spicy Pickled Veggies and chocolate cake, it was so good that I had to order more to go! I will definitely back soon! Billy D

This is the spot for vegan food on Pittsburgh's north shore Every time we have been here the food has been excellent

We were very lucky to catch the reopening of ShadoBeni! We stopped here after visiting the mattress factory (which is close by). The ordering was a little slow but I didn't mind it. The woman working the register was very nice. We ordered a roti (the burrito like picture) and then the buss up shut (which is the balled up dough with accoutrements). I also ordered a mango smoothie which is not pictured, but let me say it was the best smoothie I have ever had. It was so fresh and sweet. They had to sub the normal milk with coconut milk and honestly, it was awesome. The buss up shut plate that I ordered came with pumpkin, soya, and spinach. I think I would order the chickpeas if I came back. The pumpkin was my favorite. I ordered the mango sauce on the side which was so delicious. Ripping apart the bread and getting a little bit of each side in one bite was a spectacular flavor combo. Everyone was really nice and they had plenty of seating. Hopefully I can come back and try some of their other dishes soon. Highly recommend!

I got a bowl with mushrooms, soya, chickpeas/potatoes. It was so delicious! This was my first vegan Trinidadian experience, and I loved it! The portion was quite generous that I had to take it to go. They're running on limited hours. I was glad to catch them for lunch on Sunday. There was also limited seating inside. But it was well worth the wait. Staff were friendly and prompt. I will definitely come back for more!

This northside Pittsburgh Trinidadian vegan restaurant is outstanding. Having read rave reviews of their Oyster Mushroom sandwich, I had to start with it, and it lived up to its excellent reviews. Spicy Pickled Vegetables were also very good, although not very spicy. Counter staff were very efficient and friendly. This is a small restaurant, so the seating is limited. Many people seem to be ordering take out (via their website), but I didn't have any trouble finding a seat for my dinner - not that crowded on a Wednesday night. I was in Pittsburgh again recently, but alas on an evening when they weren't open, or I would have come back again. Note that they are currently open only until 7:00pm.

Some of the best vegan food I've had in a long time. I got a bowl with half coconut rice and half greens - the coconut rice could have definitely used more coconut flavor but the greens were excellent and the mango sauce was unreal. Their plantains were straight fire and my partner said the roti was excellent. Super cute place in the north side that I would recommend to anyone looking for delicious Trinidadian food!

What a find! ShadoBeni is a cute little Trinidadian restaurant on the north side of Pittsburgh. The staff were very friendly. You order at the counter and they bring your order to you. The weather was beautiful so we sat outside. The mushroom sandwich was amazing. The pickled vegetables were a little spicy and a perfect accompaniment. We also ordered a side of plantains. They were cooked perfectly. They had about five tables inside, so not a ton of seating. They did seem to be doing a lot of carry out business. ShadoBeni is worth the trip. The food was tasty and Trinidadian food is not easy to find.

oh my. gosh ...this is a yum vegan place I was out working and so hungry drove past many times read a review headed on in its a little place with big flavor big bowl of coconut rice , greens and pumpkin with mango chutney just a teeny bit of warmth I am not a lover of spicy so this was just perfect and so flavorful I also had a coconut bake bread roll delish fresh with jelly you pick a bowl base and add to it parking on Brighton is easy enough it was a beautiful day they also have 2 outside tables my meal was 20 filling and so worth it

Coconut bowl very good. Mac chz not good. Wings okay, sammy good. Pretty clean food and reasonable prices

It's so great to encounter a vegan Trinidadian restaurant! I've tried other Trinidadian places but they're usually not great for vegetarian food and don't have many options, so this was really exciting. We tried two different things and loved both of them. The doubles were delicious!! The service was quick and convenient. I'd go here regularly if I lived close by.

Our visit was on a rainy Sunday in late September and since we were the first diners of the day, we scored one on the five tables inside (Inside seating totals 12 seats) but as the restaurant filled up both picnic tables outside also had diners. As it was our first visit I can't say if it's typical or not but the bread was not ready yet and they were out of pumpkin (one of only a handful of topping options) . Thankfully, I very much enjoyed my second choice, the Rainbow Salad. The staff was friendly and knowledgeable. After ordering at the counter, our food was delivered to the table quickly with no orders ahead of ours. Diners clear their own tables. The nicely renovated building was very clean. We all easily found street parking on the high traffic street.

Delicious food--you won't miss the animal products. You can see how colorful my salad was, and hubby's roti was large and came out absolutely steaming. Nice staff. Indoor and outdoor seating (bus your own table). Neighborhood gem with a cute interior that is clearly a beloved meeting spot. We'll be back!

This has to be some of the best food in Pittsburgh. The flavor is off the charts!!! I ordered a bowl with chickpeas, spinach, and pumpkin with all 3 sauces. The pepper sauce definitely has some kick to it. Everything is perfectly seasoned and goes well together. I also got a sea moss drink that was fantastic, with tons of nutmeg. The coco bread and jelly is also great. (I wanted to try everything!!) You don't have to be vegan to enjoy this place, you just have to love flavor!

Everything is beautiful. Fantastic food, generous staff and a lovely environment. Highly recommended!

My friend took me here for an early dinner and it was delicious! I was surprise to experience such flavorful vegan food. I got the rotti filled with spinach and curry chickpeas/potatoes. My friend got the bowl. They were fast and hot. The place was very decorative and theme. The service was amazing!

The food and atmosphere is very welcoming. It's a small dining room/area but they do have two tables outside. We got a coconut bowl with the chickpea and potato curry, pumpkin, and their vegan protein (soya? I forget exactly what it's called). Everything was so delicious and vegetarian! We would definitely be coming back! Everything was flavorful and the portions totally matched the price (which seems hard to find nowadays). It's nice to find some flavor in Pittsburgh, haha.

I was in Pittsburgh for a workshop and needed a spot that sold good food but no pork . This spot was highly recommended as a place to get vegan Trinidadian food and it's Black owned. The spot is nice and cozy. Not a whole lot of room for large crowds but what they lack in sq foot space that much more is added to the freshness and goodness of the food they serve. The menu has small amount of daily items that may change each day. ( Tip from a former tax auditor keep your menu small. this will definitely help you on your food costs. as long as you keep preparing small batches of food with love your customers are going to constantly come back and referring) I was in Pittsburgh for 2 days and this is the only restaurant I ate at. So on to the food I got : Buss up shut w/ channa, pumpkin, spinach and slight pepper 5/5 flakey and fresh buss up. Channa and pumpkin were on point with the right amount of spice Roti w/ pumpkin, spinach okra Tamarind 5/5 everything was fresh. The tamarind was good just not my flavor. I wasn't looking for a sweetness with my sauce..Next time I stick with pepper . 3.5/5 sorell When you're in Pittsburgh defly check this place out !!

The food is amazing, especially the breaded oyster mushrooms. We had the Buss Up Shut, the Rainbow Salad, the "wings", and the crispy mushroom sandwich. The fried plantains are SO GOOD, nicely charred and crispy. You order at the counter and there's plenty of seating inside and a couple tables outside, and the staff is so nice! Highly recommend!

Yesterday was my first time having Dominican food, vegan or otherwise, and I loved it. This is a small place with 4 or 5 tables but they're pumping out great food. Everything was very good: the soup special (it seemed like a tomato broth/cauliflower soup, which sounds weird but was excellent); the bread with jelly; the rice and pigeon pea special; and the main course, which was a ripped up bread with stewed spinach, curried chickpeas and a sweet potato soy blend. 5 stars also to the spicy pepper sauce that came on the side. Very hot but extremely tasty also, which is rare. Too many places have too much heat and that's all you taste, but this was burning hot and very flavorful.

ShadoBeni is a restaurant that serves Trinidadian vegan food. Customers may order the food for takeout or may eat inside the small casual dining area. Please see my attached photos to see a recent menu of foods. This past weekend, I visited this restaurant for the first time. I parked my vehicle on the street in front. Inside, an employee immediately greeted me and showed me the bulletin board of specials on the wall. The employees cooked my food in about 15 minutes. They forgot that I had ordered takeout, so they brought out my food on plates. My husband reminded them that we had ordered for takeout, and then they put the food inside biodegradable containers. The employee wished us a "good day." Here are my reviews for the foods: Doubles - $5 - 4.5 stars - Inside fried flatbread were chickpeas, chutneys, tamarind, pepper sauce, and curry. The flavors were spicy and good. Crispy Oyster Mushroom Sandwich - $12 - 3.5 stars - The bread was crispy, and inside were large crispy mushrooms. The taste was spicy. The ingredients were a high quality, but I just did not feel like eating all of the sandwich. Plantains - $5 - 5 stars - These several large pieces of plantains tasted sweet.

Bring all your vegan friends! That's what I plan to do. We parked on the street for free. We entered ShadoBeni and took a small table. There were only about 14 seats in the place. It's smaller. We ordered: -Buss the Shut (bread that looks like a busted up shirt, use it to pick up and eat the sides that go with it) and picked pumpkin, chickpeas and potatoes, and soya as the side. The pumpkin was soooo good! I love food I eat with my hands. -plantains as a side: sweet treat and a classic. A must get. -BBQ ChickUN sandwich. It comes with slaw on it and plantain chips on the side. It was okay. -pineapple chow: was like pineapple but slightly salty from being marinated in mango chutney. It was okay. -sorrel the drink: made there, a hibiscus tea. Very good, like a non alcoholic Sangria. They've a sign toting it's benefits. -SeaMoss Smoothie. Delicious! I expected it to be weird but it was creamy and nutmeggy! Delicious. Highly recommend.

Really remarkable food that you will love. They have been at the North Side Farmers Market for some time, but their brick and mortar location is a welcome addition to the City's food scene. Everything we tasted was delicious. It's food from Trinidad, so I don't think you can find this anywhere else.

No pics because I was too busy stuffing my face with amazing food. As a vegetarian, it's hard to enjoy the big flavors of Trinidad and other Caribbean cuisine without meat. But walking into ShadoBeni, I was thrilled to see a menu filled with vegan options that did not skimp on flavor. I got two entrees because I could not help myself. 1. oyster mushroom wings. The crunch and texture was everything a veggie girl could hope for and the mango sauce was lovely, with a side of spiced fresh pineapple. 2. roti stuffed with okra, eggplant, and chickpeas with three dipping spaces (mango, tamarind, and hot pepper--get them all!). It was hearty and healthful, and a dance on my tastebuds. Will come back on my next visit to Pittsburgh! The murals and bright colors of the restaurant only add to its appeal.

Got here as soon as they opened on a Saturday! Love the decor on the inside, very Caribbean and cool. I am from Trinidad so very very proud of this spot. I ordered 'Doubles' which is a famous Street food from Trinidad. Composed of 'Bara' think of a flat bread but softer and better :) and Channa. Yummy please try it! They also have other Trinidadian dishes and Shado Beni has a wide range of vegan food.

I can't believe it took me this long to finally get to ShadoBeni. Online ordering made take out super easy. The staff were friendly and service was quick. Got the bowl with pumpkin, Chana, and cauliflower + 50/50 rice/greens. Added pepper and tamarind sauce. SO GOOD! my fav was the pumpkin and I'll definitely be getting it again. Also got a coconut bread with seasonal jam. Loved it! I'll definitely be going back soon.

Nestled in the middle of a residential Pittsburgh neighborhood, you might not find this place randomly. Good thing it's worth a special trip. On the day we were there, the special was a Doubles - think Trinidadian tacos. The chickpeas were spiced just right. The pickles could have been spicier, and they were out of plantains. After a few bites, you will forget all that. Everything was good and eating vegan will leave you feeling clean. We lucked into a table, but the space is small. If you can, carryout. Recommended.

Probably the only place in town offering this sort of thing. Probably the only place for 100 miles at least that offers this sort of thing. Much cheaper than the 2352 mile flight to South America you'd need to take to have this food at its source! Sorrel: an awesome drink. Roti (Dahlpuri) -- awesome and customizable! Friend plantains - amazing. This food - don't miss out.

Wow! Oyster sandwich was fabulous, cabbage slaw was very fresh and veggies were terrific. Bun tasted very fresh and nutty, sweet tones. Sorrel beverage was refreshing change from routine drinks and food was prepared fresh, friendly and fast at lunch time. If you are vegan or gluten free or even a foodie like me, go here!

I ALWAYS make sure to come here when I'm back in Pittsburgh. This is one of the best restaurants in the city. I am not vegan and I still say that. The flavors are bright, fresh and always inspired. Also the staff and owner and such kind people. I recommend everything on the menu but especially love their doubles, fried plantains, and smoothies. Come for an intimate date night or a chill brunch, the space is bright with beautiful decorations and colors. Truly a Pittsburgh hidden gem!

I absolutely loved this place. An amazing array of Trinidadian food that you simply must try. The staff were very friendly, the food came out quick, and everything was excellent. The sauces were a wonderful addition to my dish; the mango is simply excellent but the pepper sauce was amazingly hot and very flavorful; so rare among hot sauces. The seating area is small, and one group was rather loud because I think the ladies thought each other were hard of hearing, but it was wonderfully Pittsburgian to listen to their conversation. There's a very nice bathroom in the back and something for everyone. Try this restaurant if you are in the area. Right next to the Mattress Factory- make sure and visit this quirky museum before or after a wonderful meal.

Oooooo, this Illy Philly was hungry, it was lunchtime, and I wanted some seriously good vegan grub! I've been wanting to go to ShadoBeni for some time now and decided today was the day! ShadoBeni is located in the Mexican War Streets section of Pittsburgh, and it is this really cute vegan restaurant serving authentic Trini fare. I walked in, and the staff greeted me with a smile and explained the menu to me. I ordered the Bowl with Coconut rice, spinach, Charma, and a Mango Chutney sauce on the side. I also ordered a few cookies (Oatmeal Raisin, Cherry Chocolate Chip, and a Snickerdoodle. I also ordered a dessert called Pone, which is made with Yuca. The cookies were delicious, but I don't know about the Pone. It's definitely an acquired taste. The bowl was so good. I ate every drop. It was warm, savory, and filling. They have a variety of options on their menu, dine in seating, but the parking is off street and scarce. This is one you should definitely try.

Possibly the greatest food experience we had on a recent trip to Pittsburgh, the food at ShadoBeni, and the people who make and serve it, are delicious. I'm primarily pescatarian, but this restaurant would make me convert to veganism in a heartbeat if I lived nearby. No matter what you order, ADD the MAC & CHEESE. That's not what it's called but OMG that's what it tastes like and I'm still dreaming about it. The fried oyster mushroom sandwich was a total delight - the homemade bun, the spicy pickled slaw, the perfectly crispy mushrooms...oh wow! My hubby had the special, which was a chickpea curry in a sloppy sandwich style on roti. Also yum! The fresh juices are a perfect accompaniment, and if you're so inclined you can add rum. Serious party vibes in a cozy, colorful cafe. We can't wait to go back!

Friendly service. Tasty vegetarian dishes. Prices are very reasonable as well. I'll definitely visit again when I'm in the neighborhood next time.

I stopped in here recently to try the food after passing by many times. I saw it was Trinidadian food, which intrigued me since my grandma was from Trinidad. Upon entering, I loved how cute and cozy the space is. There is a little bit of outdoor seating as well. I checked out the menu and quickly realized that this is a vegan Resturant. I'm not vegan, but I'm always up to try something new. I ordered a few things on the menu with the intention of sharing some with my parents. Literally everything I ordered was delicious. My favorites were the pickled vegetable side dish and the plantains. So so good. I ordered my food to go and it did not take long- maybe15 min max. The staff were also super friendly. I will definitely be back again, especially because I live so close!

Everything and every time I order it's delicious. I've only pick up a togo order but the woman at the service counter was so thoughtful and nice.

Phenomenal. Healthy and delicious. I got the bowl with rice and greens, curry chickpeas, okra, and stewed soya. So good!

This is spot to get a 'taste of Trinidad flavor'! The restaurant has a small space for dinning in, but the warmth and hospitality is certainly not small. Very bright tropical colors for the interior decor that makes one feel like they're transported to Trinidad. We tried the 'doubles' which is a favorite on the menu and amongst Trinidadians. The 'bara' which is the wrap was very good. The texture and thickness is not easy to ace. the chick peas was soft and the cucumber chutney a great component to the flavor. Given that I have this dish many times in its original context I know that adding Tamarind or curry mango will be the next steps. However, these ingredients may be near impossible to find In the 'burgh'. Good work Shadobeni. I look forward to trying other items on the menu!

I mean, there's not much to say here that wouldn't just sound repetitive as anything. After getting "doubles" from Shadobeni when they popped up at breweries and places, we were thrilled to hear they were getting a physical location all throughout last year. We have been several times since it opened--it's in walking distance from us--and everything is amazing. The coconut bake with Jelly is so good. The smoothies are refreshing and unique and the doubles are so good. Everything is incredible. You cannot go wrong wit anything, and the flavors are lovely. Everyone is also so lovely and nice.

After two long years my favorite vegan farmer's market stand now has their own place! Shado Beni has been serving Trindad vegan food practically every week at various farmer's markets and at the annual vegfest throughout the city. Now Chef Ulric has his own place! Today was the soft opening of the small restaurant. His Lenten special was called "bake and not shark" made from oyster mushrooms along with spicy slaw and seasonings. You can either eat in or take out. I got mine to go and believe me that sandwich was amazing!! Chef Ulric's specialty staple is called "doubles" which is usually made from chicken peas and adding spicey sauces including a Caribbean season known as "Shado Beni." Normally he would offer that and one other Trindad creation such as "Buss up shut", "paleo" and even corn soup. I've never been disappointed with anything he makes. He also makes desserts and specializes in a drink called Sorrel. Everything he serves is vegan. For the new restaurant they plan to start regular operating hours next week. They plan at this point to serve brunches. At this point they don't have a phone. Weekly orders can be done on their website and they will chat with you via email. I'm looking forward to trying out their brunches in the future. Located on Brighton Rd on the North Side limited parking is available.

This is an updated review for their new location. It's always great to see a vegan popup launch itself into a "real" business. This was only its second week when I visited and I could see some opening jitters - I've been to enough new stores to know this is entirely normal, and would smooth out soon. The space is tiny, but plenty big enough for the people there, well lit, and as expected the staff were super friendly. Everything I ordered was tasty (my only minor complaint was items across two different menus) and thankfully for me, few things had onions or were spicy. Street parking here is easy, and even though it's across town for me, it's not a hassle to get to, unlike other city locations. Be back for sure.

AMAZING! Omg if I cooked eat this everyday for the rest of my life, I would be perfectly happy and fine being vegan! The food here is wonderful, the staff is incredible, and the ambiance is so cute! I asked the lady what she recommended, and she said that she LOVES the Buss Up Shut, which comes with three fillings and some paratha! I got mine with what she recommended: okra, pumpkin, and Chana, all of which were incredible (but my favorite was the pumpkin)! They were also so nice and let me try all three of their sauces: the tamarind being sweetest, and the mango being mild, and the pepper sauce having an amazing kick to it! I also got an order of their doubles, which is what they said they're known for! And these are the perfect snack option if you're not that hungry and want delicious food! Lastly, whenever I see plantains on a menu, I HAVE to get them! This are different than the South American plantains I grew up on, and were less sweet, but equally as tender! If you're in the area, you HAVE TO COMR HERE! Please give it a try if your skeptical, because you'll end up loving it!

Vegan dishes done well. Trinidadian cuisine is influenced a lot by Indian cuisine, due to the migration of Indian immigrants to another British colony for farm work. We ordered the buss up shut, which is kind of like a lachcha parantha. It came with 3 sides and you can choose from a selection. We picked, spinach, chickpeas, and okra for ine and replaced the okra with the pumpkin and soya chunks for the next We also ordered a side of plantains. Everything was fresh and perfectly seasoned and spiced. The channa and spinach were the highlight for me. I'd probably give the plantains a miss the next time. The buss up shut was made beautifully. They also. packed some sauces with the meals. My favorite was the scotch bonnet pepper sauce (not for the faint of heart) and the pineapple one. Next time, I want to try out the double with the chickpea. I am so glad for places like Shadobeni. A small menu, wonderfully prepared dishes, and a lovely concept.

The oyster mushroom wings and plantains were so incredible. Service was great, place was so cute. Love love love.

Nice ambiance & service! Definitely recommend if you're in Pittsburgh and want some good vegan food! I'm happy to have had somewhere I could get my home food doubles! What's not to love about food!!

My best friend and I always research vegan restaurants when we travel, and I was delighted to try ShadoBeni during our recent visit to Pittsburgh. I was looking forward to ordering doubles (which I tried in Trinidad during a visit a few years ago), but they're only on the weekend brunch menu. On a Friday evening before heading to the Warhol Museum, I therefore ordered a bowl with rice, greens, okra, mango chutney, pumpkin, and chana & aloo (chickpeas & potatoes). The flavors & textures were delectable!! The portion was generous and I didn't think I'd finish...but I did. Great staff, beautiful chic yet welcoming decor, and amazing food--plus it's all vegan! Pittsburgh is lucky to have ShadoBeni!

Shado Beni is a destination! From the great decor to the delicious food and friendly service, you are transported. The food was delicious. I had a bowl with half rice half greens. The greens added much-needed crunch and freshness to what have been a mushy (and tasty) bowl otherwise. Pro tip - they only serve doubles on weekends!

Lets start off by saying, ShadoBeni has some of THE BEST Mac and cheese I've ever had. It's absolutely packed with flavor. This was our first time ordering from here and we are just blown away by the combination of flavors and the nutrition. Immediately when walking into the restaurant, I was greeted with smiles from the two young women working there. While I waited for my food to be ready, I noticed how cute and inviting the inside is with a beautiful mural on one of the walls. I can't wait to come back and actually sit inside with some friends, enjoying some amazing Trinidadian comfort food.

You don't have to be vegan to enjoy these delicious offerings. The doubles......YUM! I have always picked up, but I am super excited to visit this cute spot for quality food! The owners are the sweetest!

I am so glad this place is here---and in my neighborhood! On Brighton Road in the North Side, they are on the edge of the Mexican War Streets, so they actually aren't too hard to find, if you are willing to come to the North Side. And you should. This is a small, unique restaurant that serves Trinidadian vegan food that even non vegans will like. I love it. Shado Beni is the kind of business that I like to support, for good reason. Though I don't eat meat, I'm not vegan. But I have liked everything I've eaten here. The Doubles, the crispy oyster mushroom sandwich, the roti, and all their sides. I'm addicted to the pickled veggies, the spicy slaw, the pineapple chow, and the plantains, and get them for take-out regularly. I haven't tried the bowls yet, but plan to soon, especially after seeing another customers bowl yesterday---it looked almost too pretty to eat! The only item I thought could have been better was the Chick-Un sandwich, but that was just because I thought the bread was a little thick. They also have good cookies, drinks, and smoothies. The staff is lovely, and the small space is charming, with beautiful big murals on the walls.

I first tried Shado Beni's incredible doubles (a Trinidadian street snack made with a chickpea curry and fried flatbread) at the Squirrel Hill farmers market, and immediately fell in love. Everything Shado Beni makes is vegan, but none of it lacks for flavor. The doubles come with tamarind, mango, and cucumber sauces, as well as a spicy hot pepper sauce. After finding success for several years at area farmers markets, Shado Beni has now opened this cute little restaurant in the North Side. I have gotten takeout from there, which was all well packaged and survived the trip home just fine. Unfortunately, though, I don't think the restaurant sells the doubles. If they did, I'd probably go there several times a month. The other foods at Shado Beni are still great, just not as good as the doubles. The Dhalpuri roti are probably the next best thing they make, with yummy vegan fillings that you can mix and match, all tucked inside a flaky Trinidadian "wrap." Make sure you also get the plantains and the pineapple chow when you go.