The Zenith

Restaurant · South Side Flats

The Zenith

Restaurant · South Side Flats

2

86 S 26th St, Pittsburgh, PA 15203

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The Zenith by fawerlang (Atlas Obscura User)
The Zenith by fawerlang (Atlas Obscura User)
The Zenith by fawerlang (Atlas Obscura User)
The Zenith by fawerlang (Atlas Obscura User)
The Zenith by fawerlang (Atlas Obscura User)
The Zenith by fawerlang (Atlas Obscura User)
The Zenith by fawerlang (Atlas Obscura User)
The Zenith by fawerlang (Atlas Obscura User)
The Zenith by fawerlang (Atlas Obscura User)
The Zenith by fawerlang (Atlas Obscura User)
The Zenith by fawerlang (Atlas Obscura User)
The Zenith by fawerlang (Atlas Obscura User)
The Zenith by fawerlang (Atlas Obscura User)
The Zenith by null
The Zenith by null
The Zenith by null
The Zenith by null
The Zenith by null
The Zenith by null
The Zenith by null
The Zenith by null
The Zenith by null
The Zenith by null
The Zenith by null
The Zenith by null
The Zenith by null
The Zenith by null
The Zenith by null
The Zenith by null
The Zenith by null
The Zenith by null
The Zenith by null
The Zenith by null
The Zenith by null
The Zenith by null
The Zenith by null
The Zenith by null
The Zenith by null
The Zenith by null
The Zenith by null
The Zenith by null
The Zenith by null
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The Zenith by null
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The Zenith by null
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The Zenith by null
The Zenith by null
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The Zenith by null
The Zenith by null

Highlights

Eclectic eatery with a variety of vegetarian menu items is also an art gallery & antique shop.  

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86 S 26th St, Pittsburgh, PA 15203 Get directions

zenithpgh.com

$

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86 S 26th St, Pittsburgh, PA 15203 Get directions

+1 412 481 4833
zenithpgh.com

$

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Last updated

Mar 4, 2025

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@atlasobscura

"The Zenith is an antique shop and restaurant that also claims to be Pittsburgh’s oldest vegetarian eatery. Its unassuming façade hides a cornucopia of quirkiness within. Packed shelves and racks display collections of all sorts. Creepy dolls, teapots, religious statuettes, and decorative Dutch clogs are a few clusters that stand out. Mannequin heads peek from inside hutches. An assortment of owls adorns one of the bathrooms. It’s hard to find an empty space on the walls, even the ceiling is taken. Prom dresses, a vacuum cleaner and a skeleton-angel are among the items that hang just above the visitors’ heads. For the fashion-oriented, there are vintage clothes, hats, shoes and jewelry. Sports fans will get a kick out of the shrine dedicated to Pittsburgh’s major teams (Pirates, Penguins, and Steelers). The L-shaped dining room keeps the whimsical atmosphere going. No two tables are alike. Each one has its unique set of chairs, glasses, and silverware. Everything in the dining area can be purchased, too, including the table you may be sitting at. As you test out the furniture, sample the menu, as well, which gets updated regularly with fresh vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options. Dishes might include the likes of a seitan pot roast, a roasted eggplant hummus wrap, and a lentil burger. While they’re mostly vegan, some menu items may have cheese added to them, and eggs are served at brunch. The menu also features an extensive list of teas. The Zenith triples as an art gallery, supporting local artists by housing their work." - ATLAS_OBSCURA

A Guide to the World's Most Wondrous Vegetarian Eateries
View Postcard for The Zenith
@atlasobscura

"The Zenith is an antique shop and restaurant that also claims to be Pittsburgh’s oldest vegetarian eatery. Its unassuming façade hides a cornucopia of quirkiness within. Packed shelves and racks display collections of all sorts. Creepy dolls, teapots, religious statuettes, and decorative Dutch clogs are a few clusters that stand out. Mannequin heads peek from inside hutches. An assortment of owls adorns one of the bathrooms. It’s hard to find an empty space on the walls, even the ceiling is taken. Prom dresses, a vacuum cleaner and a skeleton-angel are among the items that hang just above the visitors’ heads. For the fashion-oriented, there are vintage clothes, hats, shoes and jewelry. Sports fans will get a kick out of the shrine dedicated to Pittsburgh’s major teams (Pirates, Penguins, and Steelers). The L-shaped dining room keeps the whimsical atmosphere going. No two tables are alike. Each one has its unique set of chairs, glasses, and silverware. Everything in the dining area can be purchased, too, including the table you may be sitting at. As you test out the furniture, sample the menu, as well, which gets updated regularly with fresh vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options. Dishes might include the likes of a seitan pot roast, a roasted eggplant hummus wrap, and a lentil burger. While they’re mostly vegan, some menu items may have cheese added to them, and eggs are served at brunch. The menu also features an extensive list of teas. The Zenith triples as an art gallery, supporting local artists by housing their work. Know Before You Go The Zenith is open Thursday through Sunday." - fawerlang, blimpcaptain

The Zenith – Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania - Gastro Obscura
View Postcard for The Zenith

j

SerpAPI
I love Zenith! I’ve been coming here for years, and it remains one of my favorite restaurants in Pittsburgh. I love everything about it: the whimsy, the food, the ambience… I could go on forever. The aesthetic of this place is what I dream my home will be someday. If you don’t go for the food (which you should), just go and walk around their awesome vintage store. Everything there, food and items, is affordable. The music played aloud is great. The food itself is fantastic. I dream about their grape leaves. My friend had a potato leek soup here two years ago that she still talks about to this day. For my last visit, I got a (vegan) roast beef sandwich. It was a taste I haven’t had since I became vegetarian almost six years ago! It tasted like an Eat n Park sandwich on a Sunday afternoon with your grandma. Thank you to Zenith for returning a long lost flavor to my taste buds! PS I absolutely love your mismatched silverware and fancy goblets.

Vanessa Ciancio

SerpAPI
So far my best vegan experience in Pittsburgh!! Everything was full of flavor and very fairly priced!! I'm blown away!! Small menu, taste is prioritized over presentation but I'd prefer my food to taste better than it looks rater than looking fantastic and tasting bland. If you're in the area a enjoy yummy food in a funky environment don't miss out

Barbara Brutt

SerpAPI
On a scale of documentaries to romances, The Zenith is Alice in Wonderland. With an eclectic and thoughtfully laid-out collection of items sprawling from floor to high ceilings, The Zenith welcomes guests into an alternate reality. Walk deeper into The Zenith, and you'll arrive to the restaurant portion of the shop where they offer a weekly menu of Vegan and Vegetarian options. My partner and I ordered the Peanut Noodle Salad, Wedding Soup, Red Bean Tacos, and the Ratatouille. Every bite offered an explosion of flavor, and we were well pleased. Service was wonderful, but it's good to note that this is a more homey, mom-and-pop style restaurant. It's comfortable and intimate all at once. Pro Tip: Walk all the way into the back because they usually seat the far dining room before the mid-dining room.

Karl Dickey

SerpAPI
What a fantastic and unique find for vegans! Very impressed with this 19 year vegan restaurant. The food and service was great and look forward to returning each time I am in the Pittsburgh area. Staff was very nice and the decor is very unique and hard to describe. The food quality is good and there is nothing negative to say about this great place.

Anna W

SerpAPI
Lovely place with a friendly and competent staff! I was visiting Pittsburgh and so happy I found this place. The Sunday bunch buffet was incredible! At least 10 salads (pasta, broccoli, potato etc) and 5 different cakes. I also went to the shop area and bought a few vintage pieces. Their clothing selection is truly vintage (50s-80s) and prices were lower than what a lot of vintage places are charging nowadays. I’m going to stop here every time I’m in Pittsburgh now!

Prashanth

SerpAPI
We visited for Sunday brunch. The vegan buffet is amazing. The entrée is great as well. The food quality is top notch for the price. The service is really warm and the place has a very good vibe. Definitely one of the best vegan food we’ve had anywhere in the US. Highly recommend!

Lauren Clark

SerpAPI
Accidentally showed up for Sunday brunch and it was great. Entree, drink and buffet! The decor is amazing, and the food was great. We also had some great history discussion with the host. All around wonderful outing. Attached thrift store is cool too

Mark and Vanessa Siegel

SerpAPI
Like going to a friend's house for a home cooked meal! Everything is fresh and you can tell it's made with care. If I'm being completely honest, I was a bit turned off by the look of the gazpacho, but immediately changed my mind at first bite!! Seriously one of the best gazpachos I have ever had. I would come back for just the gazpacho alone, but wait, there's more!! Pot roast and Portobello mushroom dishes were full of flavor. So delicious. I loved every bite. We enjoyed our mid week lunch so much we came 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 and 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. Don't miss out!!

Sunny I.

Yelp
From the moment we walked into the restaurant, adorned with antique items, to the fantastic buffet spread, we had a wonderful experience. The service was excellent, and the atmosphere of dining among antique pieces while enjoying wholesome vegetarian and vegan food was delightful. It's very reasonably priced, and I highly recommend it to everyone.

Burt G.

Yelp
Zenith is like coming to a neighbors house who happens to own a lot of antiques and fabulous art. Browse around and enjoy the beauty of what they have. The 12 dollar dinner is a very good deal and comes with a side of soup, or salad right now, wot a bargain! I think that the tofu is spongey and the food is not that flavorful really, but not too bad. It also happens to be very healthy for you. The chocolate pecan cake is pretty good, but a bit dry. Everything is vegan, which makes it pretty fun. They have no A.C., so there are not many people there during the summer months. It is a very chill spot and a great place to go with friends.

Paige C.

Yelp
I had a chance to go here again with my friend and I got the seitan steak and mushrooms it was so good I finished the entire plate. It also came with a side salad and steamed broccoli. The inside was still decorated for Christmas and it looked so cute. I like how the menu is always changing and the Sunday brunch I am dying to go to it again.

Cayla S.

Yelp
What an eclectic gem! Love the decor inside. It's busy yet comforting. The food was very tasty. I loved the pepper steak, such great flavor with the tomatoes and onions! Even better, a friend and I ate here with two slices of banana cake (wonderful btw) for $31! C'mon where can you find that these days?

Kristy A.

Yelp
I'm not vegetarian and I don't really love buffets, but I really enjoyed brunch here. Looking at the menu online, I didn't realize that you order something from the menu in addition to the buffet, which has a bunch of salads and stuff along with desserts. I selected eggs, which came with a spiced rice that was really good. Pricing was really reasonable and you can BYOB too. I'll definitely be back.

Chris K.

Yelp
Such an amazing find! We were a little hesitant at first because we didn't think we had the right place (the entrance is through the thrift shop) but we persisted and were treated to a bomb ass lunch. Tip: get the soup. And everyone was so friendly, they came out and chatted with us for almost an hour. It's a hidden gem and we will definitely go back.

dan g.

Yelp
I appreciate history and the OG vegetarian places across the country but my visit to the Zenith was a disappointment. The space itself is a strange but interesting combination vintage shop, cafe, and crazy Nana's house. This is a positive thing. Apparently there's a somewhat rotating menu. We had- Mongolian seitan Cold peanut noodle salad Burrito the seitan was homemade strips which were fine but they were over under cooked brown rice and the only other thing in the dish was an overly generous amount of scallions. My daughter had the noodles as an entree and liked them overall but didn't rave about them. The burrito was fine but basic. We wanted to try one of the 5 or 6 cakes they had on display but they told us they only had one flavor available for some vague unclear reason. We passed. We were the only customers in the entire place which the guy working ascribed to the vegan fest taking the business that day.

Neli R.

Yelp
Food was really good. I had the Buffalo hummus which was good but too salty. Then I had the chickpea sandwich and it was sooo good. I gave it a 4 out of 5 because of the salty hummus. The place was really cool. It looks like a thrift store. I'm not sure if the items there are for sale.

Alex D.

Yelp
brunch is always great here! I got the seitan hot sausage last week and it was next level! get there early, the best entrees sell out for brunch.

Je'Amour M.

Yelp
Seitan gyros are everything and the wild rice soup is everything, awesome meal. oh the cakes are yummy, and the peanut noodles are crack that good, the tofishy is yummy too, so many good things to eat just yummy never disappointed, and I just used them for catering the seitan Italian sausage rock the house

Karl D.

Yelp
What a fantastic and unique find for vegans! Very impressed with this 19 year vegan restaurant. The food and service was great and look forward to returning each time I am in the Pittsburgh area. Staff was very nice and the decor is very unique and hard to describe. The food quality is good and there is nothing negative to say about this great place.

Sarah E.

Yelp
They offer a great rotating menu, with their staple peanut noodle salad every week. Everything is reasonably priced and the atmosphere is great - there are tons of plants and it is a shared space of dining and antiques, so there is always something to look at and treasures to find.

Barbara B.

Yelp
On a scale of documentaries to romances, The Zenith is Alice in Wonderland. With an eclectic and thoughtfully laid-out collection of items sprawling from floor to high ceilings, The Zenith welcomes guests into an alternate reality. Walk deeper into The Zenith, and you'll arrive to the restaurant portion of the shop where they offer a weekly menu of Vegan and Vegetarian options. My partner and I ordered the Peanut Noodle Salad, Wedding Soup, Red Bean Tacos, and the Ratatouille. Every bite offered an explosion of flavor, and we were well pleased. Service was wonderful, but it's good to note that this is a more homey, mom-and-pop style restaurant. It's comfortable and intimate all at once. Pro Tip: Walk all the way into the back because they usually seat the far dining room before the mid-dining room.

Keenan A.

Yelp
Definitely the most hipster place in Pittsburgh that I've been to since the east end food coop. Fun spot, great little brunch buffet with one of the more unique displays I've ever seen. I love the mismatched plates, silverware, mugs, and decor who doesn't love a vintage shop. My only complain is that I felt a little lost when I entered, and when I ordered.. Also be aware that the tables are shared tables so you might be sitting with your next best friend you never knew before!

Sabrina E.

Yelp
Zenith had the most amazing vegan brunch and buffet!!! And an amazing shopping experience with fantastic vintage finds!!!

Jenn G.

Yelp
This place is dreamy. They have an incredible buffet, where everything tastes amazing. They have bundt cakes that won't let you down. They have a tea list that's long and varied. I love taking people here from out of town, especially if they're vegan or vegetarian. The interior of this place is a thrift shop, mismatched sets of dining, all kinds of crazy cool old art and junk that just make a beautiful mish-mash of an old antique home-y vibe. It's lovely and I can't wait to go back. On buffet days, if you don't come as a party, there's a chance you will sit at another table with other couples or singles. It's actually a lot of fun!

Arlene M.

Yelp
I was so glad I was finally able to visit this place. It is an antique store and restaurant combined. Each table is uniquely dressed and can accommodate a small group. Their menu changes weekly and I was pleased that they had a lunch menu. They also will hold events here such as a bridal shower or anniversary. Just contact the business for more information. Staff was very pleasant and explained everything to me. Their food is basically vegan but hey, it's all good! I chose for my lunch a platter that consisted of two lentil patties, curried potatoes, and apple chutney. This platter also comes with your choice of salad or soup. Today's soup was vegan chili. It too a bit of time to get the food but it was well worth it. My chili which I was expecting a cup was a whole bowlful! I saw people at a nearby table order a salad as their side and believe me it looked like a meal in itself. Afterwards I got the main course. Those lentil patties were so filling and so good that I could only eat one of them. The chutney and the potatoes also were awesome! I saw they had brought out a cake earlier which was a vegan lemon cake. When I was done my waitress asked if I wanted a slice of it. Regrettably I had to turn it down since I was so full but it looked delicious! She told me the cuts on the cake were also generous. This place really gives you a lot of bang for your buck when I realized my meal with water was only $9.00 plus tax. I only wish they were open more days of the week but to make up for that you get free two hour parking on Sarah St where the entrance is. This shop has so much in it that you can take hours looking around. Everything is for sale but I was just glad to finally have the opportunity to dine here. Zenith is located near the Southside shoppes. Although the address lists 26th St the entrance is on Sarah St.

Abby L.

Yelp
The Zenith is one of my favorite brunch spots ever. Not only is the food fantastic, but the restaurant doubles as a unique antique shop and there are tons of things to look at. If you have no attention span, you'll definitely be a fan! I've been going to Zenith for a few years now, and I even follow their Instagram account to peep the weekly menu. My favorites are their lentil burgers (best vegan mayo in town) and the almond pancakes. On my last visit a couple weekends ago I got almond French toast that came with some delicious, sweet blueberry syrup. The buffet is only $11.50 for tea or coffee, a buffet of cakes and different cold salads, and your choice of an entree. It's a steal for the amount of food you get. Also, who doesn't love a bar of cakes? Zenith is in the South Side of Pittsburgh, and if you are visiting the area it's a great place to shop around after eating. The antiques here are fun to look at and you may be able to take something unique home. Even if you don't adopt the vegan or vegetarian diet you'll leave here happy and full!

Lacie M.

Yelp
If you're looking for amazing vegan food and an incredibly friendly staff, look no further!!! I look forward to driving out here to eat as often as I can! Nobody, and I mean NOBODY does vegan cake as well as Elaine does at the zenith!!! It's true what they say about the peanut pasta salad (vegan crack) too, it's irresistible!!! Be sure and get an order to go as well for leftovers!!

Miriam B.

Yelp
When my friend suggested a vegan restaurant for brunch I was hesitant but she convinced me with the all you can eat salad bar and cakes. Came here on a weekend around noon for brunch. There's plenty of free street parking. The restaurant is attached to a thrift shop, you have to go to the back to put your name in for seating. It took about 20 minutes to get a table but there were plenty of sofas to sit and wait, or you can browse at their extensive collection of items in the store from clothes to jewelry. The brunch menu let's you choose an entree in addition to access to their salad bar which has hummus, fruit salad, Thai style noodles, etc, in addition to 5+ cakes they have on display and coffee/tea. All this for the price of $11. I chose the tofu style Philly cheesesteak and helped myself to a sampling from the salad bar. The sandwich I had came with this rice that was delicious. Honestly it was my favorite part of the whole meal. To top it off at the end, I tried various of their cakes. The winner was the almond poppy seed. If you're in the neighborhood, definitely come check this place out. You won't leave hungry, I promise.

Meghan B.

Yelp
Easter Sunday and my boyfriend takes me on a surprise brunch date. I was ECSTATIC when I realized we were going to Zenith. I have driven past this place, literally hundreds of times and probably every single time said "I really want to go there!" We waited in line for a minute and chose to seat with another group in order to be seated more quickly. No problem at all. We grabbed ourselves a coffee to start, had some water, ordered an iced tea and our entrees and headed over to the buffet. It was unbelievable how much food was there. With the $11.50 purchase you receive: a drink, the buffet and an entree. How cheap is that?! Here's a list of some of the items I had at the buffet and a description of how delicious they were: Peanut Noodles- this was most definitely my favorite item on the buffet by far. The cold noodles were so tasty and I couldn't stop eating them. SO DELICIOUS. Macaroni Salad- reallllllly good. Potatoes with a chimichurri sauce- SO GOOD Broccoli with mushrooms- so good. the broccoli was crunchy and the mushrooms were juicy and packed with flavor Veggie Orzo salad- YUM. Again, packed with flavor Fruit salad- fresh and tasty Spinach & Strawberry Salad- Amazing. Do you see a pattern here? Everything was incredible. It was all cold items, and all packed with flavor. I wasn't sure how my carnivorous boyfriend would react to this place, but he and I agreed on every item we tried. In addition to the cold salads at the buffet, they had different bread options, as well as a desert table with pies and tons of cakes. I tried a lemon mint rum pound cake, strawberry vanilla pound cake and a chocolate almond one. ALL of them were so delicious. Was that all we ate? Of course not. In addition to the incredible buffet, you get to pick an entree. The list of options weren't too big, about 8 options. I went with the vegan lemon pancakes with strawberry topping. My boyfriend went with the vegan bbq seitan sandwich. I really enjoyed my pancakes- they were SO tasty and moist and just insanely delicious. My boyfriend wasn't as crazy with his sandwich- he ate it and liked it but thought it was a little dry. Both of our meals came with a curried rice, which actually wasn't super good, but it didn't matter, because there were SO many buffet items to compensate for it. The most random insanely delicious item we had there? The ICED TEA. It was literally the best iced tea I have ever had. It was just black iced tea, but it was so tasty and bolder than other teas I've had. We were sad we couldn't take a pitcher home with us. In addition to the food, I LOVED this place because of the experience of it. Chairs and other decor hanging above your head while you eat, different colored rugs on the floor, pictures and other items all over the walls- it was so entertaining to look at everything. After I ate, I walked around the store for a bit to look at the clothes, shoes, jewelry and everything else they had to offer. Basically, I'm obsessed with this place. The service was great, the food was unbelievable, the atmosphere was so fun... I am anxiously anticipating when I can return again! :)

Abby K.

Yelp
This is one of my favorite places to take people who are visiting from out of town! The atmosphere is great! It's decorated floor to ceiling with vintage items that change seasonally. One of the best vegan spots in Pittsburgh! There brunch is a must try. You get to choose your main dish and then you have access to their sides buffet. Differently try the pasta salad! While their sides are always good there entrees can be hit or missed but honestly the buffet makes up for that short coming!

Peter N.

Yelp
Despite being nominally vegetarian, the take out menu appears to be fully vegan, and I've gotten some nice meals the couple of times I've been. Parking is kind of a mess on the South Side, so that's really my reluctance to come here (and Virdis) more often. Inside is one of the most eclectic collections of vintage stuff (and I've been in an awful lot of such stores), as well as super nice staff - I got the impression that business has been slow though, and they may not last. But they did through in free cake, so win!

Darius D.

Yelp
You want to talk about a hidden gem, well this place is it! The pass 2 years my girlfriend and I have been doing a vegan diet and The Zenith is the perfect place to go to pig out on vegan goods! Our 1st visit there, I was surprised upon entry at all the antiques and what seemed like ancient furniture all over the place! Certainty a retro vibe going on, didn't mind it not one bit. As you walk through all the fun decors, you make your way to the dining area. Almost felt like grandmas house with all the fabric table mats. My girlfriend and I were quickly greeted by a nice waitress who took our order and insisted we hit the buffet! We both went with the pancakes! So good and tasty because it comes with this strawberry jelly on the side. Also, served with seasoned brown rice. Surprisingly, a nice combination of sweet and savory. Pancakes were great, but the real highlight is the buffet! This vegan buffet is the best I have ever seen! There is a mixture of noodle and veggie pastas to choose from, the peanut butter noodle (my gf's favorite) and they usually have a few different spinach base salads. My favorite had to be the pesto spiral noodle pasta with tomatoes and veggies. Hands down the best part of the buffet are the desserts! I have never seen as many vegan sweet treats in my life. This day they had; lemon poppy seed cake, hazelnut coffee cake(unbelievable) and three other cakes to pick from. I'm greedy at buffets so I tried them all :) What really puts a cherry on top for The Zenith for me, are the take home boxes! Each time we visited, it was close to there closing time. As it gets closer to time, the waitress will eventually come around and offer take home boxes for the guests still eating. Not only is that good to cut down on waste, but that means we get to take as much vegan goods home as we can! In case, you were curious, my box was full of cake! I recommend The Zenith for anyone who wants to try something different. You do not have to be vegan to eat here and enjoy good food. If you still aren't sold on the food or the wonderful cakes, they also have eggs on the menu! Go visit!

Phil G.

Yelp
I've read the reviews so knew pretty much what I was in for. Kind of like going on a roller coaster for the first time but knowing what to expect because you spent months talking to your friends about it. I thought the experience was pretty cool, perhaps ghoulishly cool. We parked around the corner, and once we were on the street we walked right past it. There isn't a sign or anything but because of all the pictures on yelp I recognized it just as I passed it. We walked in, and right into what could be an art exhibit. Or a garage sale, depending on your point of view. Even the bathrooms are loaded with stuff. Other restaurants that use pieces of Americana as decor are mere imitators of this place. The Zenith is the real McCoy. Now about the food: I was there on a Saturday, and had the wheat berry salad. It was large, and filled me up. It tasted good and I was pleased with it. I will be back to try other items.

Alyssa B.

Yelp
Well this place is amazing. Had brunch and everything was so good! My suggestion is order something sweet as your main dish because most things on the buffet are savory (other than the table of cakes that is). That said I had a Malkin Melt as my main, it was delicious and I don't regret getting it. All of the pasta salads are wonderful, the potato salad is a little different but very tasty, dolmas are excellent. The cakes and pie are superb - my favorite was the hot chocolate (the spicy kick was so good!). Go with an open mind. The vibe reminds me of another off beat vegan spot in Connecticut named Bloodroot, though this place has a feeling all its own. If the decor doesn't keep you entertained the random people you may be seated with will. Oh and the price can't be beat! All this for $11.50 is incredible.

Tina B.

Yelp
I've been wanting to try The Zenith for years after hearing so many great things, especially about the brunch buffet. Finally made it here this summer and honestly, I was kind of disappointed. While I appreciate the restaurant/antique store combination and eclectic atmosphere, it just felt a little cluttered to me. When I first walked in, there was a large fan by the entrance, which I found was blowing dust around. In fact, a large piece of dust flew right into my left eye. It irritated me so much, I couldn't enjoy my meal and had to take my contact out. I know that happens so I didn't think much of it. However, I didn't quite enjoy my food either. The menu changes often, but I got some type of Polynesian burrito. The entrees come with the salad and bundt cake buffet. I must say the flavors of every salad were so similar to one another, and they were also very similar to my burrito. I felt like I was eating the same thing. I guess the flavoring wasn't all too bad, but when everything tastes the same, it can get a little old after a couple bites. I think next time, I would definitely like to check out the antique store. They seemed to have a large collection of very interesting antiques.

Brenda C.

Yelp
We were visiting Pittsburgh for a week and ate here 3 times. I dinged them a star because of no alcohol. Beer and wine would be nice. But besides that the place has wonderful vegan homemade food. I'll admit, it's weird when you first walk in because you cannot see the restaurant at all from the door. You're basically standing in a very crowded thrift store environment. I knew this ahead of time but it is still off putting. They are only open Th- Sun. Sunday brunch was out of this world! So. Much. Food. And a lot of desserts. Heaven. Also, I don't think they have A/C because they have lots of fans on. It was July. So don't expect to walk in to a refreshingly cool environment on a hot day. Just saying. I would go back here in a heartbeat!!

Eddie S.

Yelp
Love this place. All vegan deliciousness. You get an entree with the buffet for a great deal. I had the seitan pot roast which was extremely tasty. Everything on the buffet was delicious, including the desserts. Sure made up for my last vegan meal. I highly recommend this cute, artsy place and will certainly come here again.

Jeff B.

Yelp
I flew all the way from Seattle just for the Almond French Toast!!! Everything in this place is unbelievably delicious and will keep you wanting to come back for more!!!! Service couldn't have been more professional, extremely clean and amazing decor!! Thanks for showing the world that vegan food can taste soooooooo good!!!!!

Krisha C.

Yelp
I eat here because the buffet has a really nice offering however the actual brunch meals are getting pretty nasty. On the last few occasions that I have gone to brunch at the Zenith my food has been bought to me cold or luke warm on one such occasion I send my almond French Toast back and asked that it pleased be warmed up. Today I ordered the cinnamon French toast and it was both cold and burnt. Such a pity that food is no longer served warm here. The cold salads are absolutely devious. I wish there was an option to pay $3 less dollars and just eat from the cold bar rather then paying for cold French Toast or Cold pancakes.

Margo G.

Yelp
I can't believe I haven't stopped in before! This is definitely my new favorite spot. I live right down the road, but today was my first time stopping by. Not only did I get a cute, vintage outfit for only $10, but I also grabbed some vegan, spicy penne pasta while I was there. I will be coming back all of the time!

Laura T.

Yelp
The best brunch deal in PGH!! $11.50 for an entree, buffet salad bar with 10+ options, and 10 types of cake and pie for dessert- ALL VEGAN. Plus bottomless coffee or tea included in that price!! The Zenith is a very cool funky spot, crammed with antique decorations (literally lining the floor to ceiling) so there's no lack of things to look at while you dine. The price is low because there are very few ~frills~ and it's not incredibly fancy food, but it is sooooo good. We got the "beans and greens" and pancakes for our entrees. Both came out lightning fast and were quite good. They weren't very large, but that was easily supplemented by many trips to the buffet. Zenith cuts the cakes into tiny slivers so you can try all the flavors and not feel too guilty. It was such a family friendly place, with lots of different types of people and a fun energy. After eating, we went and explored the vintage shop (really more of a museum) attached to the restaurant. I could have spent hours in there, and so will definitely be back to munch and shop more!

Sandya N.

Yelp
I was in town for a friend's wedding and was looking for a good brunch place that would be vegan/vegetarian friendly (for me) and also have gluten-free options (for a friend). My local friend said she had tried Zenith for lunch and that it was awesome! She also said that the brunch was supposed to be even better so the three of us decided to go for Sunday brunch. What a funky, cool spot! The thrift shop upfront provided more than an eyeful as we grabbed our coffees and waited for a table. We were quickly seated and handed menus. I ordered the barbecue seitan sandwich and both my friends got the roasted portabella plate with mashed sweet potatoes and greens. Then it was on to the table groaning with all kinds of salads: fruit salads, grain salads, pasta salads, vegetable salads, etc. Wow, what a spread! I chose about five different kinds to try out and returned to my seat. Our main courses quickly joined our overloaded table. Upon taking a bite of my seitan sandwich, I immediately noticed how sweet it was. It had some spice to it, but the overwhelming flavor was sweetness. My friends took bites of their dishes and said the same thing. We then all tried our various salads. Good, but again, too sweet! What was going on here? Did whoever prepared the food have a serious sweet tooth? At least the cakes were good and sweet, as expected. The food was okay but not nearly as good as I was hoping for. My local friend said lunch was much better and was also confused as to why it was so different this time. Hopefully it was a one-time thing and the food is normally seasoned better. If not, stay away unless you love your sugar.

Julie D.

Yelp
I've been hesitant to review The Zenith because it truly is one of Pittsburgh's best kept secrets and I want it to stay that way! You really can't beat their $11.50 Sunday brunch which includes coffee or tea, an entree, and a delicious buffet of pasta, noodle, and potato salads, bean dishes, fruit, breads, and SO MANY cakes. The best part about their food is that it's all vegan (except for the scrambled eggs) and their menu changes weekly. Check their Instagram to see the menu for the week. Apart from the food being insanely good, the place itself is super cool. You actually walk into an antique shop, and then the restaurant is in the back of the store. Take the time to look around, they have some neat stuff at decent prices! It's a really cool set up because you can spend time looking at the antiques if there's a wait. They seat multiple parties at the same table, so there usually isn't too long of a wait if any, and it's fun getting to chat with other customers. I would recommend The Zenith to anybody looking for a cool brunch spot, vegan or not. There's always something on the menu to satisfy everyone and the price really can't be beat.

Ragini G.

Yelp
I took my vegetarian friend to The Zenith when she came to visit after a suggestion from another vegetarian friend. THIS IS A GREAT DEAL. I thought I was reading the website/menu wrong when I saw that you get an entree, drink and a sides and dessert buffet all for about $12-13. The charm of this place is the environment. It is in the back of a antique store and basically looks like a huge dining room. Guests will fill up large tables, which affords you the opportunity to meet different people and have chats (if you want). The decorations are very eclectic, with each corner/section having a theme (e.g. Christmas). You order an entree (full on breakfast, lunch and brunch options are on the menu) and you can also get unlimited servings of delicious sides like hummus, pasta salads, etc. There is also a huge table of desserts. The Zenith is unlike any other eatery I have been to - which is pretty cool. Plus, it was approved by my picky vegetarian friend :)

Bridgette S.

Yelp
This place is a hidden gem tucked away in South Side. Doubling as a antique shop, the entrance can be miss leading but don't worry just walk straight back and you'll see a host stand. I recommend going for brunch. For $11.50 you get to pick and item off the main menu and get an unlimited buffet full of a wide verity of foods from salads to peanut noodles to delicious bunt cakes. Usually they have around 6 different types of dessert cakes. Each one mouth drooling good. Oh and you get a drink such as a coffee or juice included. Crazy, right!? So this places is completely 100 percent vegan. Go for brunch to get the buffet and enjoy!

Sue T.

Yelp
The buffet on Sunday is the only reason why I go here. The price is very reasonable and rings up to about $12.31 including tax. I really enjoy how I am able to choose from an entree, coffee or tea and the lovely spread of vegetarian side dishes for a low price. The food always tastes super fresh and the decor is so wonderfully kitschy. The service is a little slow and we had to wait about 20 minutes to get our bill.

Brandywyne D.

Yelp
If I could give this place all the stars in the world, I would. Amazing place. From the food, the options, the location, atmosphere, service; it was amazing. I went here with a friend for lunch and ordered a hummus platter for an appetizer and for my meal I purchased the seitan Reuben of the week. Delicious. The service is also very hospitable and friendly. They even gave us samples of the cakes they were making (we were the only people in the restaurant). The whole place is very eclectic and very interesting. The restaurant is within an antique store but the overall experience is a must for all vegetarians, vegans, or those who like to try new things. Edit: They also have changing menus weekly, so keep up on their website for new items!

Jasmin B.

Yelp
My husband and I decided to check out this restaurant based on the reviews and menu. The location is really interesting. You walk through an antique store type area before you get to the back restaurant area. It has a cool, unique vibe and the servers were friendly. Your meal comes with an entree and then you get to pick all the sides you want from the buffet. I liked all of the food and variety but I found that a large majority of the items tended to be overly sweet. I think it would still be appealing to non-vegetarians.

Abraham K.

Yelp
The brunch here is amazing. I love that they take credit card and that the front is a giant antiques store. When you're sitting down and eating, it's like being at someone's house. It's very homey. Overall, the brunch entrees were alright. The vegan buffet is where the true shining star is. Everything from the grape leaves to the tomato and cucumber salad were seasoned so well and kept me coming back for more. The fruit was also so fresh and tasty.

Brianna W.

Yelp
VEGETARIAN BRUNCH. Top three things to love about Zenith: 1. Out of this world decor 2. Elaborate veggie dishes 3. $11.50 I realize to the average bear that might not get you going, but breakfast has a lot of fatty meats in it (sausage, bacon, grits, whathaveyou) and it makes brunch a lot less fun when you don't partake in those items. Easily a vegetarian brunch could just mean a Comfort Inn Continental Breakfast. This is not the case. The buffet is made of couscous, broccoli salad, vegan cakes... Really 75% of what's going on those tables are raw and clean foods. Super healthy. I ordered veggie burger. Admittedly I was recovering from a doosie of an evening that my friend group called "Galentine's Day." At any rate, this was just what the doctor ordered. And all those veggies replenished my vitamin supply. It's regularly an antique shop from what I gather. It's very over-the-top, dancing on the line of creepy. Millions of angels, a few mannequins, and an oddly placed Santa doll later and you've got the Zenith deco scheme. I dig it. It's a hidden gem just off of Carson Street and one worth making a trip to uncover. P.S. The coffee wasn't amazing, but Big Dog Coffeeshop is just a hop and a slip away to complete your Sunday morning checklist.

Lindsey C.

Yelp
Finally made it back to Zenith's Sunday brunch over the weekend, oh man did I miss this place! It was just as delicious and eclectic as ever. We arrived a little before 1 PM on Sunday and the timing was perfect. We first helped ourselves at the coffee station to a warm, delicious cup of joe. They have a nice little coffee station with tons of mugs, warm coffee and a selection of non-dairy and dairy creamers + sugars, where you can help yourself while you wait for your table. We then got seated right away at a table with another couple. Reminder it's communal seating here so if you're with a smaller group they will seat you at a table with other patrons. During Sunday brunch, for $11.50 you get the choice of an entrée, buffet access, plus unlimited coffee, iced tea, or hot tea. What an incredible deal! Typically they'll have about six entrée options including both breakfast (pancakes, eggs, etc.) and lunch (house-made veggie burger, pasta, etc.) options. Zenith is 100% vegan/vegetarian establishment, they just serve eggs on Sunday brunch and do have cheese & milk creamer as options. I used to come to Sunday brunch years ago but this past Sunday showed not much has changed - and I loved it! The buffet includes tons of varieties of salads, like an orzo curry, mayo-based macaroni salad, potato salad, fresh strawberry spinach salad, a black bean Mexican salad, chick pea salad, Asian peanut salad, delicious hummus, a huge tray of bread, plus an entire table of Bundt cakes and pies, just to name a few things!! I can't get over the deliciousness of those Bundt cakes - grapefruit & ginger, chocolate & vanilla, almond poppy seed (just a few standouts) - every single one baked to perfection. Our waitress was so polite and very attentive, checking on us regularly and offering us fresh coffee refills. Our entrées came out very quick, everything was warm and cooked just right. I opted for the house-made chickpea patty and my boyfriend the French toast - I think I liked his better than the burger, but I will say, the fixins on the burger were SO fresh and just made the sandwich so tasty. Overall fabulous experience, first time for my boyfriend and I know we'll be back time and time again. Left very full and very happy.

Nick L.

Yelp
One of THE most unique restaurants i've ever been to. The Zenith is an old art gallery turned thrift shop, turned restaurant with all vegetarian food, and a weekly menu that's never the same. I saw this place on Yelp and online and had to give it a shot. The side salad i had was top notch, as was the portabella mushroom with mashed yams and an apple salsa. Worth a visit just to see the interior, but a delicious, filling, home-made meal as well.

Jackie B.

Yelp
YUMMMMMMOOO. food was fresh and homemade. great chat with the owners son. enough space to spread out and walk around and look at the fun and funky shop.

Marie C.

Yelp
I enjoy good food, and vegan dishes fall in that category. We went for Sunday brunch. The sundries tomatoes were delicious! I enjoyed my entree option, stuffed pepper, sooooo good. The buffet dishes were delicious. We shared a table with another group, they had to be some of the best strangers on the planet. We were lucky to have been seated with them. The front half of the restaurant is an antique store. It's a neat personality of a place.

Hugh R.

Yelp
Came by on the basis of a lonely planet recommendation while passing through Pittsburgh. Ordered the vegan toficken, the spicy peanut noodle salad and the green potato salad. Thorough disappointment. Vegan tofiken--patties were bland, about half an inch too thick and rubbery. Spicy peanut noodle salad--not remotely spicy but drowned in peanut sauce. Potato salad--passable but not enjoyable. The bag of chips and bottled cream soda were great though.

Melody G.

Yelp
I was visiting my friend from out of town with another vegan friend, and she took us here for Sunday brunch. It is hands down my favorite place and I wish they had one in NY/CT! We got there early to make sure we could get a seat since the line apparently gets long. The brunch included an entree PLUS the brunch. That was definitely more food than needed, I would have been happy with just the brunch, but wanted to try the entree as well. So I tried to take tiny portions of the brunch food just to get a taste. The setting was super cute too! Very quirky and fun. The prices were a great deal too. I had to drive around a block for parking but found parking on the street. I hope to go back next time I'm in Pittsburgh!

Michael C.

Yelp
Probably the best vegan place I have ever eaten! Zenith is located in the back of a vintage shop, which really confused me. After walking past all of the interesting, eclectic selection of things one could buy before or after a delicious vegan meal, you'll find the open seating area for the restaurant. They have unique decor that will keep your eyes wandering, and would certainly make for interesting conversations. The food is presented in a self-serve 'buffet' style. What can be frustrating is that things can run out, but their selection is so broad that you'll never find your plate empty less you've had your fill. Salads and desserts are incredible. I've only been twice and am always looking for more opportunities to take friends who have never been. Overall, a hidden gem that must be checked out, even if you're a carnivore!!

Alyssa B.

Yelp
So pleased now that I have finally tried this place. I am rarely in this area but now I will go out of my way to come eat here for Sunday Brunch. I had vegan French toast and it tasted like the simple and wonderful classic before Veganism. But the buffet did me dirty. The overwhelming joy consumed me as I ate all the different sides. There was some Asian peanut noodle dish kinda thing that really stood out for me. I'm still so full, probably won't eat til next Sunday so I can come back with an even bigger appetite.