Unfortunately, my roommate and I had a profoundly disappointing experience at The Zenith. Upon entering, we were not greeted or acknowledged or any way for close to ten minutes — and we were the only customers in there at 3:30 on a Friday.The ambiance of the establishment was lacking — dimly lit and cluttered, with a smell that reminded us more of a grandmother’s basement than an establishment we’d be inclined to dine in. The entire establishment had a a feeling to it that I can only describe as heavy — it was uncanny.The greeting we did receive was by a woman who, at first, uttered a flat “hello” and walked past us. After a few moments of bewildered silence, she returned and asked if we needed help, although to describe her enthusiasm as lacking is an understatement. I don’t expect to be treated like a king, but I do expect pleasant customer service and a helpful attitude, especially considering it was our first time at this business.Our excitement that we once had on our walk to The Zenith was, by this point, replaced by a feeling of uneasiness and discomfort, as if we weren’t even supposed to be there.After finally being seated in what I can only describe as one of the most awkward initial encounters I’ve ever had in a business, we sat through another grueling few minutes of near silence at our table, barring an uncomfortably long delivery of our water and menus, including yet another awkward moment of being instructed to move our table cloth due to the previous customers, where our waiter implied that we were likely to pull the table cloth being clumsy. I understand that this was not intended to be an insult, but it felt belittling to us as customers that you felt the need to interrupt our very first encounter with that, before we were even properly sat and introduced to the cuisine.But what truly sealed the deal for us as a poor experience — and what convinced us to walk out before even placing an order — was the ignition of some sort of industrial heater in the adjacent room, which filled the entire dining room with a noxious gas or charcoal-like odor that left us feeling lightheaded within just a few minutes. The second the scent hit my nose I knew we’d be unable to dine there.I understand that we were not there at a peak time, but this experience was an unacceptable lack of customer service from start to finish. Rarely do I take the time to write a review, but our experience was so exceptionally poor that I felt it necessary. I hope that this experience was an outlier and isn’t indicative of their usual practices. We won’t be returning to find out.
Atmosphere: 2
Service: 1
William Belch
Great vegan food , worth the drive from
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Nick Trout
Very good food, great atmosphere. Cash only but very friendly and quick service.Vegetarian options: Menu changes every week but always good options.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Vegan
Diane Dansevicus
It's great to see that Zenith is still open and had really expanded their shop. Love their food and enjoyed a little shopping. So
Atmosphere: 5
JeAmour Matthews
My home away from home, prices reasonable, buffet awesome, or just on a Thursday night, even had them cater an event, always amazing & enjoyable delight.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Matt Klink
Wait was longer than expected though there was only one server. The atmosphere is...interesting, in that it's inside a vintage shop with eclectic inventory.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 3
Recommended dishes: Vegan
Zachary Davis
Delightful veg restaurant always with at least one hearty gluten free option, stage in an an eccentrically decorated antique shop. Food was great, environment was very good roomy and interesting. Lots of big tables! Their menu changes weekly so check back often!Vegetarian options: All menu items vegetarian or veganDietary restrictions: Gluten free items clearly marked
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Thomas Rainbolt
Very unique restaurant/antique store. The food was very good, extremely filling, and the experience was good! The brunch was very well priced for what you get, I will be going back soonVegetarian options: They only had scrambled eggs on the menu that was not vegan, everything else was veganParking: It’s just finding street parking in a mixed residential-commercial area along the south side, so fairly hardWheelchair accessibility: Will be somewhat harder to make work with a wheelchair, since it’s an old building in Pittsburgh
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Bundt Cake
Madeline Whitehill
Awesome jewel of a restaurant, with incredible decor, all of which is for sale. Fresh, vegan food and incredibly reasonably priced. Love the communal table seating.Parking: Free parking on Sundays
This spot has an amazing buffet. The main dishes are also delicious. The atmosphere is amazing and the antiques are very cool. we have been here many times and will continue to come here. The restaurant is mostly vegan so we love it! There are many different options here!
This place is worth a visit! Such an eclectic atmosphere, and the food was delicious! Made with so much love. Menu is all vegan - 10/10 recommend the cabbage soup and whatever cake they have available.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Taylor Colpitts
The best meal I had in DC. The food has that home made with love feeling and their pricing is shockingly fair. I can't recommend this place enough. I also haven't had cake in many years and was finally given the chance thanks to their vegan cake. Definitely grab a piece!Vegetarian options: A mostly vegan menu with a few vegetarian items
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Vegan
Connie Belk
I was visiting Pittsburgh on vacation this week and stumbled upon Zenith while wandering around the South Side while my family was taking in a Steelers game at a local bar. This place is a Brigadoon-like experience in an otherwise typical downtown area filled with bars, tattoo shops, sandwich places, etc. I got brunch since it was Sunday and the food was incredible. It can be difficult finding good quality vegetables and vegetarian food when traveling but Zenith provided and then some. You’d never guess there is a cute little restaurant in the back of an antique store but as soon as you open the door the smells of good food draw your in. If I lived anywhere near South Side I’d be a regular for sure! Love you guys and congrats on your 20 years of business!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
kerrman
Great place. So much unique and cool stuff on the walls. Religious room, creepy room, doll room. Room with jewelry and cloths for sale. Vegan meals only $11. Got a soup or salad with it. Had onion soup fantastic. Had the portebello mushroom-yum yum. Everyone in our party loved there food. Service great. People wonderful. Cash only
Donna Sebastian
Such a funky atmosphere and servers. Great Sunday vegan/ vegetarian buffet!
Unfortunately, my roommate and I had a profoundly disappointing experience at The Zenith. Upon entering, we were not greeted or acknowledged or any way for close to ten minutes — and we were the only customers in there at 3:30 on a Friday.The ambiance of the establishment was lacking — dimly lit and cluttered, with a smell that reminded us more of a grandmother’s basement than an establishment we’d be inclined to dine in. The entire establishment had a a feeling to it that I can only describe as heavy — it was uncanny.The greeting we did receive was by a woman who, at first, uttered a flat “hello” and walked past us. After a few moments of bewildered silence, she returned and asked if we needed help, although to describe her enthusiasm as lacking is an understatement. I don’t expect to be treated like a king, but I do expect pleasant customer service and a helpful attitude, especially considering it was our first time at this business.Our excitement that we once had on our walk to The Zenith was, by this point, replaced by a feeling of uneasiness and discomfort, as if we weren’t even supposed to be there.After finally being seated in what I can only describe as one of the most awkward initial encounters I’ve ever had in a business, we sat through another grueling few minutes of near silence at our table, barring an uncomfortably long delivery of our water and menus, including yet another awkward moment of being instructed to move our table cloth due to the previous customers, where our waiter implied that we were likely to pull the table cloth being clumsy. I understand that this was not intended to be an insult, but it felt belittling to us as customers that you felt the need to interrupt our very first encounter with that, before we were even properly sat and introduced to the cuisine.But what truly sealed the deal for us as a poor experience — and what convinced us to walk out before even placing an order — was the ignition of some sort of industrial heater in the adjacent room, which filled the entire dining room with a noxious gas or charcoal-like odor that left us feeling lightheaded within just a few minutes. The second the scent hit my nose I knew we’d be unable to dine there.I understand that we were not there at a peak time, but this experience was an unacceptable lack of customer service from start to finish. Rarely do I take the time to write a review, but our experience was so exceptionally poor that I felt it necessary. I hope that this experience was an outlier and isn’t indicative of their usual practices. We won’t be returning to find out.
Atmosphere: 2
Service: 1
Great vegan food , worth the drive from
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Very good food, great atmosphere. Cash only but very friendly and quick service.Vegetarian options: Menu changes every week but always good options.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Vegan
It's great to see that Zenith is still open and had really expanded their shop. Love their food and enjoyed a little shopping. So
Atmosphere: 5
My home away from home, prices reasonable, buffet awesome, or just on a Thursday night, even had them cater an event, always amazing & enjoyable delight.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Wait was longer than expected though there was only one server. The atmosphere is...interesting, in that it's inside a vintage shop with eclectic inventory.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 3
Recommended dishes: Vegan
Delightful veg restaurant always with at least one hearty gluten free option, stage in an an eccentrically decorated antique shop. Food was great, environment was very good roomy and interesting. Lots of big tables! Their menu changes weekly so check back often!Vegetarian options: All menu items vegetarian or veganDietary restrictions: Gluten free items clearly marked
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Very unique restaurant/antique store. The food was very good, extremely filling, and the experience was good! The brunch was very well priced for what you get, I will be going back soonVegetarian options: They only had scrambled eggs on the menu that was not vegan, everything else was veganParking: It’s just finding street parking in a mixed residential-commercial area along the south side, so fairly hardWheelchair accessibility: Will be somewhat harder to make work with a wheelchair, since it’s an old building in Pittsburgh
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Bundt Cake
Awesome jewel of a restaurant, with incredible decor, all of which is for sale. Fresh, vegan food and incredibly reasonably priced. Love the communal table seating.Parking: Free parking on Sundays
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Couscous, Vegan, Salads, Noodle Salad
This spot has an amazing buffet. The main dishes are also delicious. The atmosphere is amazing and the antiques are very cool. we have been here many times and will continue to come here. The restaurant is mostly vegan so we love it! There are many different options here!
Restaurantji Recommends
This place is worth a visit! Such an eclectic atmosphere, and the food was delicious! Made with so much love. Menu is all vegan - 10/10 recommend the cabbage soup and whatever cake they have available.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The best meal I had in DC. The food has that home made with love feeling and their pricing is shockingly fair. I can't recommend this place enough. I also haven't had cake in many years and was finally given the chance thanks to their vegan cake. Definitely grab a piece!Vegetarian options: A mostly vegan menu with a few vegetarian items
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Vegan
I was visiting Pittsburgh on vacation this week and stumbled upon Zenith while wandering around the South Side while my family was taking in a Steelers game at a local bar. This place is a Brigadoon-like experience in an otherwise typical downtown area filled with bars, tattoo shops, sandwich places, etc. I got brunch since it was Sunday and the food was incredible. It can be difficult finding good quality vegetables and vegetarian food when traveling but Zenith provided and then some. You’d never guess there is a cute little restaurant in the back of an antique store but as soon as you open the door the smells of good food draw your in. If I lived anywhere near South Side I’d be a regular for sure! Love you guys and congrats on your 20 years of business!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great place. So much unique and cool stuff on the walls. Religious room, creepy room, doll room. Room with jewelry and cloths for sale. Vegan meals only $11. Got a soup or salad with it. Had onion soup fantastic. Had the portebello mushroom-yum yum. Everyone in our party loved there food. Service great. People wonderful. Cash only
Such a funky atmosphere and servers. Great Sunday vegan/ vegetarian buffet!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Vegan, Creole Stew, Salads, Noodle Salad