Back for another fantastic meal at the forge. They have a summer drink menu, I got the Lemongrass is greener. Super delicious, nice ginger flavor. We shared the rainbow platter, shawarma hummus, gambas al ajillo, labneh, and a peach! Pizza. The shawarma hummus had a delicious flavor. The pickled veggies had a nice kick. read more

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I'm confused about why this place is so beloved; but knowing Pittsburghers, I have a small clue. Upon walking in you realize it's just as small and cozy as many other establishments on Butler in Lawrenceville. It's cute but crowded with plush seating. I can't imagine being here on a busy night, it must feel like there's no breathing room. Service was fine. Our order was correct and servers were friendly. The best part about this place is the cocktails but don't expect them to be strong. My drink was absolutely delicious but with the mood effects of a mocktail, meaning nothing. I ordered two because why is this almost $20 with no buzz in sight, are we not a lounge? The menu was plentiful though I think the chef may be a little off about the origins of some of the menu items- just be Greek, friend, it'll be okay. I didn't try the pizza, which is almost half of the menu because I wasn't impressed by the small plates. How can you get pickled cauliflower wrong in Pittsburgh. That should be a sin. The hummus was okay but could use a little more ancient influence... like maybe 4,000 years worth, idk. Overall, I wouldn't be back and wouldn't recommend. It's trendy in it's ambience but doesn't deliver anything better than 25 other spots along the same street. AVVA in Aspinwall is a better option. I came here based on reviews by Elite's and this place was incredibly misrepresented. read more

Amazing experience from start to finish. Loved the ambiance - felt high end without being stuffy. My husband and I got 2 very interesting cocktails- one was like a spicy dill margarita and one was a dirty martini with a black pepper/curry taste to it. The dirty martini was fairly pungent and strong so not sure I would get it again but I'm also not big on dirty martinis so probably just the wrong choice on my part. But the food was the star of the show. We ate so many good dishes- starting with the rainbow platter. Loved the baba ghanoush and the roasted cauliflower - those were my favorite of the 7 dishes on the platter. We also ordered the labneh, hummus with chicken and lamb shawarma, and the kafta kebabs (rolled up in some sort of tortilla) which were all fantastic! If we come back (which we will) I would just order the baba ghanoush instead of the rainbow platter, all the other dishes we ordered, and maybe one additional plate. I felt like I didn't really need the Israeli salad (tomato and cucumber) or the pickled cauliflower and radish that came on the rainbow platter. The hummus was SO soft and fluffy. This was some of the best food we've had in Pittsburgh. After having lived in a Philly for 4 years, we know good mediterranean/lebanese food and I'd be surprised if you can find better in Pittsburgh. Service was also very good. read more

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What a great place!!!!! The falafels are made to perfection. I think this is the best place for falafels ever. There were sooo many vegetarian options on the menu and everything sounded so delicious. The drink menu looked delicious too! Tiramisu wasn't bad, but I've had better. All the mezze dishes we ordered were amazing and came out pretty fast. The babaganoush was my favorite by far (and if you couldn't tell, the falafel as well). I loved the just peachy pizza. My cocktail was delicious, even if it was a bit on the sweet side. The people here were friendly and service overall was fast, while maintaining the quality of the food. Come check out the forge if you haven't already!!! read more

The Forge - Davey's Pizza - Lounges Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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Beautiful space! We came in without a reservation on a Wednesday. It was busy, but not crowded. We were sat quickly and enjoyed the romantic date night atmosphere. We got drinks and 4 mezze / small plates. I liked my kiss my anise cocktail. It's rye based and was peppery and lightly sweet. My husband's cocktail was slightly sweeter and smoky. We shared four plates. I thought the stuffed grape leaves were a little slimy, but otherwise delicious. The Pierogi peppers were the most interesting item for me. They were pierogi filling in a sweet pepper with crispy onion on top-kudos on that dish! Out other two plates were the seared ahi tuna which had a nice savory crust and the chicken souvlaki, which was pretty standard. Our server was friendly and pleasant. The space was beautiful. Would highly recommend coming here for cocktails and small plates, the pizza at other tables looked pretty tasty too! read more

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Very nice atmosphere. Really great staff. The tapas were fantastic. Recommend for a fun night out.

The service was great and I love the food! Especially the feta feta bang bang pizza. I miss their whipped herb ricotta. The drinks are always so creative. I think the seating isn't ideal for dinner but great for drinks! read more

The Forge - Lounges Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

This is a Perfect place for a girls night out. Staff was very helpful with hovering. The cocktails are amazing. I started with the gin based blackberry honey lemon cocktail named TWO IN A BUSH. The other special GREEN BEE has Barr Hill Gin, Honey, Genepy, Lime, Mint, Cucumber. It was too cucumber forward for me. Moving on to small plates, the hummus has a heavy Smokey flavor that complimented gluten free chips the waiter brought me to replace the pita. The star of the evening was the perfectly cooked Sicilian Tuna steaks with avocado garnish. They melted in your mouth and I highly recommend them! Hummus salad ----- Smokey Sicilian tuna steak read more

The Forge - Entrance - Lounges Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

I stumbled on this place looking for a nice date night to celebrate our anniversary. The experience was top shelf and I think we will be making this place a regular stop. The place is small but cozy and intimate. We sat in two soft seat swivel chairs with a coffee table for our food and drinks. It was like being at home! Our drinks were amazing! My wife had a bartenders choice, where you give them ideas and they whip something up for you. I had a summer take on an old fashioned and it was amazing! For dinner we had a cheese board and the seasonal peach pizza. Both were excellent. Service was great being attentive but never rushing us through the evening. They even brought us a slice of tiramisu on the house for our anniversary. I highly recommend this place! read more

The moment you walk into The Forge, you are transported to a Mediterranean oasis. The beautiful lounge area has soft couches and chairs with beautiful Moroccan lamps. The ambiance is unlike anywhere in Pittsburgh. The cocktails are always creative and clearly a labor of love. Last time I was there I had a clarified fruit loop milk punch that was to die for. The cocktail menu changes seasonally and appeals to any spirit lover and unique palate. Can't find that Goldilocks "just right" cocktail? They offer bartender's choice where you can give them your preferred spirit and flavor combination (spicy, herbaceous, sweet, tart, etc.) and they'll get to work. Now on the food...they have a great mix of Mediterranean small plates and wood fired pizzas. Do yourself a favor and order the Labaneh Board (Labaneh topped with olive oil, za'atar, sautéed garlic, olives, tomatoes, herbs, and served with za'atar fried pita chips). Other small plates that slap: Seared Ahi Tuna, Loaded Hummus, and the Warm Olives. Indecisive? Get the Rainbow Platter (seven mezze salads including hummus, babaganoush, grape leaves, cauliflower, house-made pickled veggies, Israeli salad, rotating salad). As for the pizzas, there isn't a dud in the bunch. My personal favorite is the Feta Feta Bang Bang, The Fun Guy, and the Margherita. Finally, the people. The staff that work there are incredibly attentive and passionate about what they do...even down to the kitchen staff and owners. The service is always good and even when they are buys, they do their best to continually check in and ensure that you are having an enjoyable experience. Pro tip: Love sitting at the bar like I do? You can reserve the bar seats as well as the lounge tables. Make sure to do so a few days in advance as they fill up quick! read more

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Came here for a drink before my dinner at another establishment. The service was great and their house specialty mixed cocktails were very good. I got the jalapeño spicy mixed drink, and my wife got the olive one. Both were excellent. A little pricey, but I was OK with it. The quality matched the price in my opinion. Five stars read more

The Forge - Jalapeño Cocktail - Lounges Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

This is definitely a cool spot in Lawrenceville. They have an awesome cocktail selection but also a really great food menu. I went in right as they opened to meet a friend for a drink and app. I had the Dragon's Garden mocktail & it was amazing. Not too sweet - made with dragonfruit, pineapple, and honeydew. We ordered the whipped ricotta which was good but was only served with 4 very small pieces of pita. I know they mentioned they only had one cook in the kitchen but there were only three tables total and it took 30 minutes for a (cold) whipped ricotta. I thought that was a bit odd - I thought they forgot about our order. Overall this was a nice spot and I do want to return to try more food items. It is on the pricier side too. read more

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This place is excellent! A wonderfully relaxed, intimate lounge/bar atmosphere, with a nice assortment of charcuterie, fabulous Mediterranean-themed small plates, and pizza! Cocktails weren't the best I've had but were still very good, and the service was friendly and easy-going. An excellent spot for a date night. The hummus was some of the best I've had, and you must try the mushrooms! read more

We got the old world falafel, Ricc and Morty pizza, and Fun Guy pizza with vegan cheese. The falafel was incredible and some of the best we've had (5/5)! The Ricc and Morty pizza was good but a little greasy (4/5). The Fun Guy pizza was also good, but the vegan cheese wasn't the greatest (3.5/5). The service was good (4/5), but it was a little inconvenient they had a special Valentine's Day menu but didn't mention it at the time of booking or have it up in their website a few days before. The interior of the restaurant is nice (4/5)! They have a lot of nice couches instead of traditional tables, which makes for a unique experience! read more

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I have been meaning to try the Forge for a while and the cocktails lived up to the hype! We ordered the Fortune Teller and the Sydney Packs A Punch. Both were fabulous, different, and well made in their own ways. The Bar was super inviting and the chairs were cozy and comfortable. The service was great. I saw that they were still serving pizzas later into the evening so that is a big plus. Absolutely looking forward to trying the pizza and food on my next visit! read more

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Overall, the food and service were good! The drinks were delightful and crafted well. The whipped feta, mushrooms, and shrimp had a wonderful flavor. Would order those again. We tried the chicken and hummus... the hummus was flavorless and dry. The chicken was not bad, but the other dishes were much more tasteful. The ambiance was enjoyable! read more

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If you're looking for a spot with great vibes and cozy seating, look no further than The Forge! There's a bunch of plush armchairs in fun colors that add to the cozy vibe. We stopped by for dinner on Tuesday and everything on the menu looked so good that that we definitely over ordered. My favorites were the loaded hummus, drunken mushrooms, lemon tiramisu, and their new seasonal cocktails! Our server was super nice and patient. We ordered the ahi tuna and she apologized when it came out that it didn't come with avocado (they subbed cucumber) because the ones they had on hand were not up to standard. She then took off our two ahi tuna orders when the bill came because they weren't made the way they were supposed to be which was very generous. read more

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I was visiting Pittsburgh for a meeting and rather randomly decided to make a visit to The Forge for a solo meal/drinks. I sat at the bar and had an amazing time with the food and drinks. I asked the friendly bartender for her recommendations, and she suggested the falafel and babaganoush. Both were delicious. The falafel were crunchy on the outside, and warm and fluffy on the inside, like little clouds. The babaganoush had a great smoky flavor, and the warm pita + babaganoush were excellent together. The drinks were also great, and the ambiance and music were really cool. Would definitely come back if I'm ever in Pittsburgh again, especially with vegetarian companions! read more

It takes a lot for me post a review about a restaurant, The Forge was absolutely phenomenal! My wife is a vegetarian and myself, let's just say I'm not. We had several items, Israeli salad, whipped feta, old world falafel, pierogie peppers, cauliflower steak, and pizza. Israeli Salad---5 stars Whipped Feta---5 stars Pierogies Peppers---my favorite of all we had Cauliflower Stake-5 Stars--so yummy! Old World Falafel--I didn't like falafel until I had this tonight. The Pizza was so good, the crust light a fluffy, had 4 slices. This will not be the last time we go here. My wife said this will definitely be her birthday restaurant. If you want a place that servers great food with great service and a fantastic vibe, do yourself a huge favor and go, you won't regret it. read more

Food was fabulous!!! Staff was really friendly. Highly recommend the cheese board!!! Can't wait to go back!

Everything was delicious and the atmosphere is perfect for a date. I really loved everything about it!

I came in for a week long business trip and after a long day of work my first day I stumbled in. I got a Bianca pizza and was blown away by the combination of flavors, and the freshness of the dough. I come for a pizza but stayed for the nice vibe and friendly conversation. The next two nights I came right back to try different pizzas and signature drinks...every time I was impressed, satisfied, and excited to come back. If you come, make sure to ask for a bartenders choice. They'll create a drink on the spot based on your preferences and it's always spot on and awesome! Definitely make sure to check this place out! I might argue it's the best pizza in town read more

The Forge - An amazingly creative and delicious pizza tailor paired with a Pinot Noir - Lounges Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Life changing falafel. We went for a friend's birthday and they were incredibly accommodating to a dairy intolerant and pescatarian diets. For the first round of cocktails I had the Forge Dirty Martini with a blue cheese stuffed olive - delicious. Their birthday girl had a bartender's choice with a gin preference and not dairy and she was given some sort of cucumber with a little spice cocktail. We began with the vegan cheese board which is made with a local business's vegan cheese and was SO GOOD. We then shared the caprese pizza and falafel and I'm not kidding, the falafel was out of this world. We had another round of drinks and did the bartender's choice for both. You can really tell they curate the cocktails to the people (or they have a wheel they spin) because every cocktail is different. For round two the birthday girl got something that resembled an old fashioned but easier to drink. I gave spritz and not coconut for my preference and got a gin spritz with pear, prosecco, a cherry and I'm not sure what else. Everything was so good. It is a little pricey but very much worth the price tag. The interior has a gorgeous bar and very casual seating including tables, bar tops, lounge chairs and sofas. read more

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Great spot for some shareable plates and cocktails. The vibe is soooo cozy! I definitely recommend making a reservation. Our table wasn't ready exactly at our reservation time, but some of our party was running late so it worked out. The bar seemed a little slow to get drinks out, but our server was great and took care of us! read more

The Forge - Ahi tuna - Lounges Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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Nice place. Mature crowd. Excellent service. Free parking. Great place to come with a group yet bar seating with one other is just as enjoyable. Bar tenders are great. read more

The room was a little dark but so cozy. Lots of comfy chairs and tables. The cocktails were amazing. The drunken mushrooms and whipped feta were amazing. We also had the fig pizza which was so delicious. read more

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Cozy lounge atmosphere with great cocktails, Mediterranean small plates, and wood fired pizza. As a party of 4, we were seated on a comfy couch and oversized chairs suitable for spending a couple hours sipping our drinks and sharing numerous plates and pizzas. The waitress kept our water filled and gave us extra pita for our dips. Great spot for relaxed vibes, good service, and excellent food & drinks. read more

The Forge - Winter Sangria - Lounges Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Food was good. Waiter came over during our meal and turn the heat way down when it was 15 degrees outside. My wife had to put her coat on. A bunch of other people sitting on here with coats on. Zero awareness of costumes. read more

Went here to get drinks with a few friends on a Wednesday night around 9pm. It was pretty empty so the ambiance felt a little too quiet for our liking, but I'm sure on a Friday or weekend night it would be a lot more lively. Decor inside is beautiful and feels really upscale and luxurious, and their bathroom is really nice as well. The drinks here are stunning and pretty good -- sadly they were out of some things when we ordered around 8:30. Drinks took a while to come out though. We didn't order food but they have a good selection of small bites and shareables (the kitchen closes before the bar). Overall a good place to sit and chat with friends in a fancier cocktail lounge if you have a lot of time, since service moves pretty slowly. Feels like a place for a trendy older crowd (early to mid 20s+). read more

The Forge - drinks - Lounges Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

This place is super tiny and intimate, so definitely get a reservation!! The chairs were super cute and I loved all of the decor. I went here with some friends for snacks and drinks, which was great. The whipped ricotta was super interesting and different, but really good. It had mint in it or something. I also loved the variety of cheese on the board. I found it weird that they literally gave us like 4 pieces of bread for each appetizer. There were 5 girls there and only 4 pieces of bread - so that was weird and we had to order extra so we could actually eat the ricotta and cheese board hahaha. I personally didn't get pizza, but my friend did and it looked AMAZING. I'd definitely order it next time and split with one other person. Overall, this was a really cute place and I'd definitely recommend to those in the area! read more

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OMG, we found this place by accident one night and was SO glad we did!! It was beyond amazing as was the waitress who was pretty much on her own. We loved all the food that we had!! It's very nice inside as well and we came back with friends to introduce them to The Forge and they loved it too!! read more

A super cute craft-cocktail and Mediterranean small plate bar/restaurant.  A unique, chill lounge bar with a contemporary vibe.  Great spot for sharing, as their plates are made to share.  But it was great as we were able to try lots of different things.  I loved the Rainbow which was an amazing platter of seven mezze salads, including hummus, babaganoush, grape leaves, cubed feta, house made pickled veggies, Israeli salad & a rotating seasonal salad.  WOW, just WOW! Honestly the perfect way to try a bunch of menu items! Then tried the wood fired caprese pizza which was so light and flavorful. We had to try their famous homemade tiramisu, which did not disappoint!!!! Great cocktail menu as well, they rotate seasonally. Bartender was very knowledgeable and helped me pick the perfect cocktail! Will definitely be back! read more

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My wife and I had a nice evening at the Forge. We were seated at one of their high top tables. It was perfect. I specifically reserved a table because I don't think I would have enjoyed sitting in one of their lounge chairs while trying to eat my dinner. We shared 3 things - the pulled brisket pita appetizer, the fun guy pizza and the ricc and Morty pizza. Service was excellent. All of the dishes were good. The best thing about the brisket was the horseradish sauce - delicious. The ricc and Morty pizza was also really good, though I wish it had a bit more mortadella. I would say the mushroom pizza was maybe a slight letdown. It tasted fine, but it was pretty much equivalent to a small mushroom pizza you'd order at your local pizza shop. And it cost $20. Generally, I found prices on the high end relative to what we got. My wife and I spent over $100 for the food plus one glass of wine and a beer. But nonetheless, it was overall a very positive experience and I wouldn't hesitate returning. read more

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The Forge was so fabulous we visited twice on our recent trip to Pittsburgh. First tip- make a reservation. The Forge is a very popular neighborhood spot, not large and is a spot where people drink, eat and linger in the relaxing atmosphere. The food selection is wonderful. Presentation is beautiful. Staff are attentive. Cocktails are gorgeous & unique. Wine & liquor selection is deep. read more

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I've been trying to come to the forge for years, but for once decided to go with a reservation on a week day! Was not disappointed with the pizza, babaganoush, or drinks we ordered read more

The Forge - Lounges Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

My girlfriends and I picked The Forge to celebrate our collective summer birthdays and it did not disappoint! We loved the shareable nature of everything on the menu. We had three pizzas, a cheese board, and eggplant fritters, and everything was exceptional. The pizzas really stole the show! Our service was pretty slow, which I think I would attribute to the bartender, who seemed new. That's the only reason I'm giving a 4 because otherwise, we had a great experience! I don't love the seating because it's mostly couches and it's hard to reach the food, but the vibes are good overall! Would be a perfect spot for apps and drinks before dinner! read more

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I recently had my daughter's bridal shower at The Forge, and I cannot express my gratitude enough to Elaine and her entire team. From the initial planning stages to the final moments of the event, the service was truly top-notch. The owner is incredibly personable and hands-on. Elaine ensured every single detail was noted and executed perfectly. The time, effort, and thoughtfulness put into our event were beyond words. Prompt communication is so crucial when one is planning and hosting an event, and all my calls and messages were returned promptly. The food was outstanding, the atmosphere was beautiful, and the entire staff was professional and attentive. They made the whole celebration feel seamless and special. I highly recommend The Forge for any special occasion. They truly exceed expectations! read more

Came here mainly for drinks and small plates. The dreamsicle cocktail is delicious (and masks its strength behind its tangy sweetness). The falafel is perfect and the pizza is tasty. The atmosphere is very hip and comfortable. The service was wonderful. The restaurant is just on the border of Lawrenceville/The Strip District, in an area where street parking is actually fairly easy to find. I would definitely return again to try more of the options on the menu. read more

Food is out of this world. Service is outstanding. We tried various items on the menu. Vegan shawarma is incredible. They make incredible mushroom dishes. Gourmet pizza is incredible too. read more

This was my first time dining at The Forge (previously I had only been for an after dinner espresso martini), and it was a mixed bag experience. The ambiance is definitely cool, and I liked that our big group was sat in a circle using couches & velvet jewel tone arm chairs. The aesthetic definitely lends itself better to cocktails & appetizers, however, because the tables were so low that we had to eat our food in plates on our laps. As a group, we started out with a round of various cocktails, and they were of wildly different qualities. Some (like mine - the "will ube mine" - and the butterscotch cocktail) were quite good! Mine was super smoky (the burnt cloves in the orange peel were a nice touch) & the butterscotch cocktail tasted like a boozy milkshake. Others, however, were so unbalanced that they were basically undrinkable. The "rosemary claus" gin cocktail was literally just gin with some glitter in it & anyone who ordered it struggled to finish. For the high price point, I expected a lot better. The food itself was really good, though! It's definitely meant to be eaten family style, and that's a great way to try a bunch of things too. My favorites were the shrimp & brie flatbread, date & feta pizza, drunken mushrooms, & stuffed grape leaves. Service was ok. It wasn't a problem that food came out at totally different times (that was actually good cuz it paced the meal with our tapas style dining), but the cocktails were wildly inconsistent with their pacing which was a little weird. Someone would be almost completely done their drink before someone else who ordered at the same time would get theirs. Also, it is a pet peeve of mine to sit at a table with dirty dishes when you're out to eat, and empty dishes weren't cleared until we were leaving which made the whole setup feel a little messy. We ended the night with espresso martinis which may have rescued the drink score, because those are delicious. The tiramisu dessert was also pretty good. Overall, I would come back for apps & a glass of wine to avoid the cocktail issues, or stick to the dessert & espresso martini option as opposed to a full dinner. Food: B+ Drinks: C Service: C+ Ambience: A- read more

The Forge - Lounges Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania