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    Apteka

    4.4 (519 reviews)
    Closed 5:00 pm - 10:00 PM
    Updated 3 months ago

    Apteka Photos

    APTEKA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Hipster
    Casual
    Loud
    Outdoor seating

    Recommended Reviews - Apteka

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    Line at 5:30
    Theresa W.

    We had an amazing meal at Apteka, in celebration of Mother's Day. The food is worth 5 stars but the unnecessarily long wait gets 4 stars. I don't see why one of the many online check in or reservation systems couldn't be used. Our wait totaled 2.5 hours. That said, the food is pretty amazing. We were seated outdoors in a candlelight tent which was pretty cool. Staff were friendly and the food came quickly. I'd go back but only if I can lineup before everyone else ;)

    Kluski Slaskie, Smazone Pierogi
    Brenda Y.

    This is my first time having this kind of European cuisine and it was definitely a great experience! I have never tried any dishes that were like these and it is crazy that it is all vegan. It is definitely worth trying out and getting a bunch of dishes to share and sample with friends or family. There's also a great indoor and outdoor seating area with great decor. The kitchen works very fast and the food almost came instantly.

    Vinnie R.

    Apteka was such an interesting and enjoyable experience. One of my girlfriends invited me to dinner and I am so glad she did. It is a Central and Eastern European restaurant that serves all vegetarian food, which made it even more fun to try something different. When you first walk in, the ambience immediately stands out. It almost smells like wood burning or pinecones, which sounds random but was actually really cool and added to the whole vibe of the place. Once we sat down, it took us a little while to go through the menu and really understand everything, but after that we went up to the front and ordered multiple plates to share. I honestly think that is the best way to do it here so you can try a variety of dishes. Everything we ordered was really good and it made for such a fun group experience. Our servers were super sweet and kind. They answered all our questions and even took pictures of us so we could have memories from the night, which was really thoughtful. We were seated toward the back near the door and it got a little stuffy, so we asked if we could crack the door for some air. Our waiter was totally understanding and agreed it was warm back there, which we really appreciated. Overall, we had a great time and I definitely plan on coming back. It was a unique dining experience and we already talked about returning together as a group.

    Kotlet Selerowy
    Della S.

    On a short visit to Pittsburgh my friend insisted that we come here at least once. Even though there are still so many other restaurants I want to try in the city, I plan to come back every time I find myself in Pittsburgh again. I was so impressed by how delicious everything was (and trust me-- we ordered a lot), even as a non-vegan! The menu changes seasonally and I visited in mid-November, so I'm not sure how many of these items will still be around. We started with the Barszcz Ukrainski ($9)/borscht, which was smoky, savory, and comforting at the same time. Admittedly I haven't had a lot of borscht in my life, but I hope that every bowl I have in the future will be this good. We also got the Smazona Dynia w Ciescie ($11)/battered fried squash. This was a massive portion and the batter was so delicious that I did not miss having meat at all! I loved the nutty, almost bitter flavor that the charred pumpkin seeds added to the dish, and it balanced so nicely with the sweet plum sauce. Even though we had other dishes coming, I couldn't stop snacking on this dish (and probably ate too much). I couldn't come here without getting an order of their pierogi, so we went for the fried Smazone Pierogi ($20). The filling was so delicious and I also loved the slaw that came on the side. The vegan double fat added a lot of creaminess! The final dish we ordered was the Kotlet Selerowy ($22)/celeriac schnitzel. Again, I was super impressed! Every slaw it came with had a separate flavor profile and the celeriac was fried to the perfect crisp. The slaw added a lot of freshness to the overall dish so that it did not feel too heavy even though I was eating a fried dish. We chased the dishes with a pot of their wild tea ($6). I can't remember which one we picked (not the black tea), but honestly it just tasted like green tea to me. It kept us warm since we sat in the outdoor covered patio, but definitely did not stand out to me the way the rest of the dishes did! I hope it's clear that I really enjoyed my experience here. The wait is totally worth it, and I highly recommend anybody to check this place out!

    Kotlet Selerowy
    Katie H.

    Love a good vegan spot and Apteka did not disappoint! There was a pretty long wait for four of us on a Saturday evening but they take your phone number and text when a table is ready. You order at the counter and then are seated and food is brought out to you. The entire menu is vegan, and they make sodas and drinks in house too! I had a hard time deciding what to order (everything sounded so good and unique). We eventually settled on the borscht, potato pancake, kotlet selerowy, and mushroom dumplings. The borscht and mushroom dumplings were the standouts...I would definitely order those again. The potato pancake was good but I wasn't a fan of the kotlet (a little too fried for my liking). We also tried a few of the house made sodas (pumpkin, black pepper, and poppyseed) as well as the sparkling apple and mint kompot beverage. The black pepper soda was excellent, just the right amount of spice on the back. The apple and mint drink was great too, a nice apple flavor with a hint of mint. The pumpkin soda was good but didn't really taste like pumpkin, and the poppyseed soda tasted a bit like drinking a bagel...not a big fan of that one. All in all a good experience though and I would definitely go back to try more things. Dziękuję, Apteka!

    Beet soup
    Madi N.

    We loved adventuring to Apteka! The menu was unique, exquisite, and the taste was unlike anything I've tried before. Staff at the bar was incredibly helpful with explaining each item and giving recommendations. Cocktails were exceptional--particularly the apple one currently on menu. Ambiance is quaint and homey, it's special in that you order at the bar and staff serves you according to a number on your table. Will be back!

    Tyler P.

    Eastern European vegan cuisine with everything tasting like it was just plucked out of the garden. Lovely takes on classic dishes. For those non-vegans or vegetarians, frequent visits could make you a convert. You've never had salad like this. I'm taking a few friends here and more than once I heard the cocktails were the best they'd ever had, and I have to agree. Arrive early to lineup for one of the most amazing and unique dining experiences Pittsburgh has to offer.

    Austin G.

    Apteka is worth the wait and there's usually a wait because it's that good. Growing up in Eastern Europe, I was intrigued by a vegan Eastern European restaurant, but Apteka nailed it. Walking up on a Saturday in May around 5:15pm, there was a line, but we only waited for 20-25 minutes before snagging a table for three. Here's our experience. 1) Experience: Their system is a little different than other restaurants. Once you get to the front of the line, you'll order at the register. You can either close out right away or start a tab. You're given a table number and escorted to an open table inside or on their back patio. Whenever you want to add to your tab, you go up to the register again. 2) Food: The menu changes and is written on a massive parchment paper as you walk into the restaurant. Everything is vegan and inspired by Eastern European cuisine. Once seated, the food comes out as it's ready. To feed three of us, we ordered the potato and sunflower dumplings in carrot and sunchoke sauces, potato salad, potato dumplings with creamy mushrooms, stuffed cabbage, and chocolate cake. Every single dish was full of flavor and executed well. Dishes we'll crave are the potato salad, dumplings in carrot and sunchoke sauces, and the chocolate cake. The only dish we didn't love was the cabbage roll, but it was still executed well. 3) Drinks: Don't sleep on their wine list. They also have drinks like kompot and housemade sodas with unique flavors like poppyseed and black pepper. 4) Space: It's a simple restaurant with appealing design. The tables are the right size. The bar seating is also recommended. 5) Service: Everyone was helpful and attentive.

    Chris C.

    wow, I hate veggies like I will take them out of my food hate veggies and this place was actually so edible. wine is good too. Would come back

    Pierogies
    Ken L.

    This place is consistently one of PGH's most highly rated restaurants for a reason. The vegan food is done so well here. You don't see vegan Eastern European food in other places. The salad was so so good. The pierogis are amazing. I appreciate they make them vegan here and they have a few types since I am dairy free. We tried a lot of their dishes and it was all amazing. They really know how to season and cook cabbage. It was really good in the kluskie. The desserts were really interesting too. Definitely worth a try if you're in town and really like vegetable forward meals. There's always a bit of a wait since they're only open on weekends. We got sat outside during a wind storm so it was pretty scary. I would recommend sitting inside. It was rainy and windy the day we went and stuff was blowing around and there were heat lamps and fire under the tent so it seemed pretty dangerous.

    Isabel L.

    Every one of my friend's dishes and I were completely cleared at the end of our meal. Every bite was SO GOOD!! It's been a while since I last ate dinner at Apteka only because I try to avoid the line and crowd. I happened to stop in at a slower moment so my party and I got to order immediately at the counter and seated right after. The presentation of each dish was so creative and they really bring out the best flavors in each of their ingredients. Their wine options are also phenomenal.

    Dining area
    Andrea T.

    We have wanted to visit Apteka for a very long time. Every time we drive by there is a long line. They don't take reservations for parties of two. We got in line about 15 minutes after they opened and put our name on the list. It was an hour and 5 minute wait. They took our phone number and we went for a stroll to Lawrenceville. We got back to Apteka at the perfect time to get our table. They are definitely an upscale vegan restaurant with a full bar and unique alcoholic and n/a drink options. You order at the bar and then sit down with a number. We were seated at the bar. It is amazing how many staff can work together in a small space. They had service down to a science. Our food came out quickly. They have options of small plates and larger portions. I will definitely go again. There were so many items on the menu I would love to try. They have a black pepper soda that is on my list for next time. I am not sure why it took us so long, but i am happy we finally gave it a try. We were very pleased.

    Kotlet Selerowy

    Rated on of the top 50 restaurants in the USA by the NY Times. Everything was absolutely amazing. Food was spectacular. My husband's cousin was with us, who moved here from Poland 40 years ago, but he still has family and a business in Poland. He was amazed how good a vegan, polish restaurant could be. Atmosphere was noisy, but beautiful. Service was great. We will be eating here every trip to Pittsburgh. Well done chefs!

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    1 year ago

    Food was excellent. Staff was informative and patient. The ambiance was relaxed and intimate. Can't wait to return.

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    1 year ago

    Don't go on a Saturday night. Too busy. Must like vegetables. Very eclectic and European!

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    11 months ago

    A Pittsburgh gem, Amazing food, service and ambiance! And I am decidedly not Vegan. Flavors I did not know existed.

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    Apteka Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Apteka

    Do they have gluten free pereogies?

    I'm not sure, but they do have GF options. Also, on their website, it says they can make some items GF if requested. Its an awesome place! They're very proud of the food they serve (and should be), and I'm sure that would trickle over to… Read more

    Fernet scotch & apple cider? Sounds awesome! Feedback pls? TIA.

    I had this as a post-dinner drink and it was truly awesome! I love Fernet, but I'm not much of a one for Scotch but this was delicious, very well balanced. Highly recommend.

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    ShadoBeni Trinidadian Vegan Cuisine - Special - Shepherd's Pie

    ShadoBeni Trinidadian Vegan Cuisine

    4.9(64 reviews)
    3.5 miNorth Side

    This spot has been consistent every time we have shown up. If you love bread, the coconut bake is a…read moremust try. You can order it with avocado or sun dried tomato, and it is topped with fried mushrooms that add texture and flavor. You also get a choice between spicy vegetables or plantains. I always choose the vegetables. We have tried the roti as well, which can be filled with your choice of ingredients. The curry chickpeas with potato were excellent and full of flavor. The banana bread is made without eggs (right?) and still has a sweet glaze that makes it hard to pass up. They also offer vegan chocolate chip cookies for anyone with a sweet tooth. A great option when you want a flavorful meal without cooking after a long day.

    One of the most unexpected meals I had in Pittsburgh was at this unique eatery. I was spending the…read moreafternoon strolling the North Side from the Andy Warhol Museum to the Mattress Factory. I noticed this spot on Google Maps because the idea of Trinidadian vegan fare appealed to me after gorging at Primanti Bros. the day before. It was a cute, bright space and fortunately not crowded. The menu looked tempting with unique dishes like Buss Up Shut (pull-apart bread with fillings) and Coconut Bake (traditional Trini bread). I decided to order the $15 Bowl of Coconut Rice with the choice of three toppings and a sauce. I went with okra, pumpkin, and stir-fried mushrooms.with a side of mango chutney (Photo 9). It was a delightfully housemade melange of Caribbean-style flavors. I've had similar West Indian food before, and this was definitely one of the fresher executions. Although intrigued by the Tamarind Ginger Drink, I decided to order the $4 Iced Coffee to wet my whistle (Photo 6). This led to my quick indulgence of the $3 Key Lime Cookie (Photo 8). If I lived in Pittsburgh, I'd be coming here often. Making Caribbean food vegan and delicious is no small feat. FOOD - 5 stars...really fresh tasting Caribbean food that happens to be vegan AMBIANCE - 4 stars...a small spot but comfy with Trinidadian art SERVICE - 4.5 stars...attentive TOTAL - 5 stars...uniquely unexpected find in Pittsburgh RELATED - Exploring Pittsburgh? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://yelp.to/qN_tq21lnL

    Photos
    ShadoBeni Trinidadian Vegan Cuisine - Photo 2: Interior

    Photo 2: Interior

    ShadoBeni Trinidadian Vegan Cuisine
    ShadoBeni Trinidadian Vegan Cuisine - Counter for orders and pickups

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    Counter for orders and pickups

    Essence

    Essence

    4.7(11 reviews)
    3.0 miSouth Side

    This Illy Philly is out on a dinner date in the Southside, and I've always wanted to experience…read moreEssence for their vegan and Caribbean fare. It was a Saturday and the restaurant had a nice ambiance. They don't have their liquor license yet, so it is BYOB! I wish I'd known because I would have definitely brought a bottle of wine! The server greeted me with a smile and knew the menu. She made the suggestions of the Fried Dumplings ( you can get them steamed) with spinach and tofu, and it was sooo good!!! Delicous!!! My date ordered the Buffalo Cauliflower, and it was definitely hot, but good. For dinner, I ordered the Black Bean Bowl, which was a rice bowl packed with black beans, grilled veggies, and corn with a cream sauce, but that is not quite what I got. It was rice and beans, mixed, corn with no cream sauce, broccoli, and two plantains. The rice was not too savory, the broccoli was a bit bland and there was no cream sauce on the corn....sad face. I will definitely give this place another go to try their other dishes because the Dumplings were so good. There is off street parking, the service was really good and next time I'm bringing some friends. A couple bottles of wine and a palate ready for some Caribbean vegan goodness!!!!

    I went to Essence for Mother's day brunch during Chef Earl's popup and even though it didn't have…read moregreat ambience due to the restaurant being completely empty, it had great food and service! We got the fresh juices, pineapple ginger apple and the mango one and both were super fresh and tasty. For appetizers we got the spinach sambosa and the no crab cake. The sambosa was great with the sauce and the no-crab cake was tasty but didn't hold its shape together. I really loved the jollof rice, falafel burger, and the ful madammas. Everything was vegan and really good. Even my mom loved it! Would recommend coming here and trying out some of everything! The waitress was really attentive and gave lots of recommendations and tips on what to get!

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    Essence
    Essence
    Essence

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    Bae Bae's Kitchen

    Bae Bae's Kitchen

    4.5(746 reviews)
    2.9 miDowntown
    $$

    Love this place!! Hidden gem in downtown pittsburgh. Only thing is I feel like their hours are a…read morebit all over the place

    We've been meaning to try Bae Bae's for a very long time and I'm bummed that we didn't try it…read morebefore it's latest reinvention under the Bar and Supper Club banner. I wouldn't really call this a supper club to be honest but the place definitely carries a house music bar vibe and the back bar area and seating is very dimly lit, perfect for cozying up and enjoying a drink late night. The ladies' room was so dark, I mistook it for a storage area because I could only make out a white ladder in the corner that was being used as cute shelving. The place is seat yourself. Our waiter was not super friendly and didn't offer to give us napkins or anything when our wobbly table caused our drinks to splash all over the place. The cook served our chicken with a big smile and happy interaction and we really loved his personality. The bartender also stopped by to bus our table and he was very pleasant as well. We enjoyed the perfectly fried small plate cauliflower with the plum sauce and the fried cheese/garlic wonton bites with the sriracha mayo spicy dipping sauce. The fried chicken breast on the large plate was slightly overcooked with a maple gochuchang sauce that was very bland. We were so thankful that the large plate fried chicken came with a side salad to offer some respite from the heaviness of the fried dishes. It would have been great to have some side acidic or fresh vegetable options like Kimchi or something. Maybe we tried the wrong dishes and there are other not fried things that are delicious? The dirty martini cocktail was just so-so, not really much flavor at all, but the mojito was very good and refreshing. It's probably a good late-night place for a bite and drink.

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    Bae Bae's Kitchen - Baebae's kitchen is the newest fast casual Korean restaurant in downtown pittsburgh!!

    Baebae's kitchen is the newest fast casual Korean restaurant in downtown pittsburgh!!

    Bae Bae's Kitchen - Baebae's kitchen serves LOCAL, ORGANIC, FAIR TRADE COFFEE

    Baebae's kitchen serves LOCAL, ORGANIC, FAIR TRADE COFFEE

    Bae Bae's Kitchen - Thai iced tea with boba!

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    Thai iced tea with boba!

    Veggies N'at

    Veggies N'at

    4.9(7 reviews)
    3.0 miDowntown

    I was introduced to Veggies N'at at a Garfield Community Farm fundraiser. Their food is absolutely…read moreamazing. The chef changed his diet in 2017, on a path to eating more healthy foods. Everything on the menu is connected to mindful eating, loving and appreciating yourself, and improving your health and the way you feel about yourself. That sounds pretty heavy, but I recommend that you try it. It may not change your life, but at least you can appreciate how delicious it is, and how vibrant and healthy you feel after eating it. All the ingredients are fresh and healthy, you couldn't ask for anything more. Bottom line, it tastes fantastic.

    I visited them last August while attending the VegFest and like many other places I've enjoyed over…read morethe years that I have yet to review I am just now getting around to leaving them one. So, actually a guy at the information booth was eating something from here and I asked him where he got it from because it looked very good and he recommended them to me. So we headed their way. Tbh: Every place that we wanted to eat at had a line 25-50 deep and we were super hungry and their line was only like 5-7 people deep which was a blessing. First off, the service in general was kind of crappy, but I understand as it was a hot and very busy day and from what they told my gf at the time they were getting low on food as well and only had a couple items that were left from the menu. After deciding what we wanted which was one of three things my gf at the time ordered us the Mac and Cheese and a container of ranch to take home while I looked for a place for us to eat. So after they handed her our food we headed over to an area with tables and chairs to eat the Mac and Cheese. I must say we both thoroughly enjoyed every single bit of it and my gf at the time isn't even vegan. So that says a lot! I highly recommended it :) FYI: The person who took her order also forgot to give her the container of ranch she paid for. I wasn't made aware that she purchased it until afterwards because my gf at the time wanted to surprise me but they didn't give her a receipt so she had no proof. Oh well, you live and learn, sadly! The vibe on this day was on point so we let the little things go in regards to the crappy service and the shorting us of an overpriced container of ranch fall to the wayside and continued on with our wonderful day, smiling and enjoying the amazing festival and area. If I decide to stop by your food trailer again this year at the festival or whenever I am somewhere you are posted up in front of, I hope you make up for your mistakes from last year because that's the right thing to do.

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    Veggies N'at - Loaded Nachos

    Loaded Nachos

    Veggies N'at - Delish :)

    Delish :)

    Veggies N'at

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    Apteka - vegan - Updated May 2026

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