“In a way, I was born twice. I was born in 1934 and again in 1955 when I came to Pittsburgh. I am thankful to say that I lived two lives.” —Baseball great Roberto Clemente
A vibrant humane scene makes Pennsylvania’s ‘second city’ The Oasis of Appalachia
When pondering humane-friendly metropolitan areas in the U.S., it’s understandable to envision Austin or Portland or Los Angeles. All have thriving, long-established progressive scenes. But hey, it’s not the 1990s anymore! A recent WalletHub article, sent by a non-veg friend while I was writing this piece, entitled “Best Cities for Vegans & Vegetarians (2024),” ranks the 100 largest populated cities in the U.S. by their “veg-friendliness.” While the article is seriously flawed, placing three Florida towns ahead of both New York and DC—insert eye-roll emoji—that the piece was published at all is a positive sign. When it comes to promoting animal kindness, there’s no such thing as bad publicity … or a faulty list.
Of course, I immediately looked up Pittsburgh, only to see it ranked near the top of the bottom half. Based on several recent visits, and with all due respect to Sammy Hagar, I simply can’t accept that the Steel City is ranked number 55. Still, with just north of 300,000 residents, Pittsburgh ranks 68th in population, meaning its veggie-ness is above average. Which is exactly what I discovered.
In addition to several quite unique veg and veg-friendly dining establishments, The ‘Burgh’ offers a healthy variety of humane events, an ample inventory of “must see” cultural and historic sites (including an impressive statue of a well-known vegetarian), three farmed animal sanctuaries within a short distance of downtown, several top-notch nature/outdoor destinations, and, of course, its famous and fabled sports teams.
With this many animal-friendly reasons to visit the City of Bridges (446 in total!), it’s time to start planning your adventure. Whatever time of year you decide to visit, you will find some veg-thing going on.
MUST TO-DO LIST
The Incline
Pittsburgh is a very hilly city, which surprises some. In 1870, the first of what would become
17 inclines, or “inclined railways,” was built to transport workers from the South Hills down
to their jobs in the city. Today two remain, the original Monongahela (still used mostly by commuters) and the more touristy Duquesne. Any
visit demands a ride, which is quick (Duquesne trains run every three minutes), inexpensive ($5 round trip), and offers panoramic views of downtown. The Duquesne is positioned just above the south shore at the headwaters of the Ohio River and directly opposite the…
Mister Rogers Memorial Statue
A beloved local favorite son, on par with the many sports heroes born of Pittsburgh, the late Fred Rogers, a long-time vegetarian and one-time co-owner of Vegetarian Times magazine, was a public television icon, hosting Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood for 33 years. Today he lives on in the form of an impressive 11-foot statue, seated
in front of a stone archway that broadcasts audio clips from his television show. The memorial is on North Shore Drive overlooking the convergence of the three rivers that helped put Pittsburgh on the map.
Andy Warhol Museum
117 Sandusky Street
Another, very different, renowned Pittsburgh native is artist Andy Warhol. You may have balked at the prospect of the controversial pop-culture guru wanting to “be your neighbor,” and most certainly would not have wanted to “star” in one of his “movies” (I’ll bypass my 15 minutes of fame, TYVM), but you will want to visit the museum dedicated to his work and life. The seven-story archive of Warhol’s career and legacy is the largest in the world and celebrated its 30th
anniversary in 2024.
GET YOUR HIKE ON AND SMELL SOME FLOWERS
Pittsburgh has not one, but two quit impressive and lengthy urban trail systems (no motorized vehicles) that make most other metro areas jealous. These are ideal places where you can walk, jog, or bike as you’ll want to burn off the many calories you’ll be ingesting from its delectable plant-based cuisine.
Three Rivers Heritage Trail
The Three Rivers Heritage Trail is a 33-mile, mostly vehicle-free, popular recreation jaunt that hugs the shorelines of the Allegheny, Monongahela, and Ohio Rivers in Pittsburgh proper. The urban trail snakes through business districts and neighborhoods, passing close to nearly every
important site in the city, from sports stadiums
to parks; universities to most of the 28 toll-free bridges that cross the various rivers, including the Smithfield Street Bridge, which opened in 1883 and is the city’s oldest.
The Montour Trail
South and west of downtown, in a rough arc through the suburbs, you’ll find the Montour Trail, which boasts bragging rights as “the country’s longest suburban rail-trail.” The main 46-mile section commences at Coraopolis on the Ohio River and ends at Clairton on the Monongahela. Several branches, including one to Pittsburgh Airport, bring the total mileage above 60. Even better, The Montour connects to other rails-to-trails systems in the northeast, including the Great Allegheny Passage and the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Towpath, stretching from Washington, D.C., into the West Virginia panhandle;
a total of nearly 350 miles of continuous trail. The Pittsburgh section is ADA accessible, offers parking at trailheads every few miles, and is even accessible via PRT, the city’s limited public transportation system.
Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
Situated inside Schenley Park, about five miles east of downtown in the Oakland ‘hood,’ is the Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens—what can only (and rightfully) be described as a breathtaking urban oasis. The Gardens features a LEED-certified welcome center, 14-room greenhouse, tropical forest conservatory, and seasonal flower shows in 23 unique gardens, all within its 15-acre property. Throughout the grounds “green” and “sustainable” practices are ubiquitous, including in Phipps Café. Named “Best Museum Restaurant” by Food & Wine magazine, the cafe offers no junk food or soda, composts all scraps, uses local and on-site organically grown food, and offers vegan and vegetarian options daily. What are you waiting for?
HUMANE HAPPENINGS™
From Monday night pizza gatherings to culture-and-art themed events to two annual outdoor vegan food festivals, there’s always some ethical fun going on in or around the Paris of Appalachia.
Monday Night Chill Lounge
758 Brookline Blvd.
Nearly every Monday evening at Antonio’s Pizza in Brookline is Monday Night Chill Lounge, an intimate gathering where anything might break out: trivia, board games, pinball, or even a book club. Antonio’s offers a substantial vegan pizza menu. BYOB.
Pittsburgh Vegan Festival Series
Few locales are blessed with as humane an entity as Pittsburgh Vegan, LLC. Beginning in 1997, with an event named Multi-Culture Fest, founder Amy Cottrill has been coordinating animal-friendly area events continuously for nearly 30 years. Pittsburgh Vegan (PV) stages anywhere from five to 12 outings every month (!), including four major events annually—corresponding with each season—along with their smaller events, including Monday Night Chill Lounge.
Historically, Pittsburgh Vegan’s largest annual event has been The Original Pittsburgh Vegan Expo and Festival, held each summer. In 2024, the event took place in July at the Allegheny Health Network Sports Complex. For the last two years, PV’s Halloween Festival has taken off; in 2024, its attendance surpassed the summer food festival for the first time. Ever flexible, Cottrill’s events are fluid, morphing and evolving with the times. Most Pittsburgh Vegan events are admission free. In 2025, VOktoberfest (as in “Vegan Oktoberfest”) will take place on September 27 and the Halloween Festival is scheduled for November 1. For the most up-to-date calendar, visit their website or Facebook page.
Pittsburgh VegFest
The Pittsburgh VegFest, a project of the
non-profit Justice for Animals, is another large Western PA annual happening. This year (2024) marked the tenth iteration, which remarkably managed to not miss a beat during the COVID years.
The outdoor event is free to the public. The 2024 Fest included 180 vendors, live music, cooking demos, yoga, and children’s activities. The Pittsburgh City Paper voted the event the Best Food Festival in 2017 and 2018. VegFest is held each August in Allegheny Park.
This year also marked the first VegFair, another Justice for Animals project. It is a “smaller, more intimate” VegFest, according to co-founder Leila Sleiman, with 80 vendors in an indoor/outdoor setting. VegFair was held in April; Sleiman expects it to become an annual event, as well.
Allegro Bakery & Sandwich Shop
Vegan bakeries come in many shapes and sizes: from the all-natural “healthy” style that won’t use white flour or white sugar to the over-the-top and colorful, offering treats that may not be any healthier than their cholesterol-laden cousins, but are OK to indulge in on special occasions. Just don’t let Dr. Furhman catch you.
Allegro Vegan Bakery & Sandwich Shop in Pittsburgh’s Squirrel Hill doesn’t fit either category. It’s a throwback to the traditional neighborhood shoppe, with the look, ambiance, aromas, and tastes of the classic old-school family bakery that 50-60 years ago could be found on nearly every block in any urban neighborhood. Allegro just happens to create its magic without butter, milk, or eggs.
See my full review of the Allegro Bakery & Sandwich Shop here.
SANCTUARY CITY
Three farmed animal sanctuaries, all headed up by women, call the greater Pittsburgh area home. Your visit would be incomplete without visiting at least one.
Hope Haven Farm Sanctuary
Sewickley, PA
Between Kindred Spirits and Pittsburgh, also northwest of downtown, is Hope Haven Farm Sanctuary, founded in 2011 and run (ever since) by full-time veterinarian Karen Phillips. A small sanctuary with a large impact, Hope Haven will be expanding after purchasing a second property this past January, five times larger than the original. When you visit be sure to search out Rigby, a 12-year-old emu
who loves people and the camera.
Kindred Spirits Rescue Ranch
Darlington, PA
A pleasant 45-minute drive northwest of downtown, between Pittsburgh and Youngstown, Ohio, is the home of Kindred Spirits Rescue Ranch, 20 acres of love founded in 2019 by Lisa Marie Sopko and her husband John. KSRR bills itself as a “farm animal rescue and sanctuary” and gives permanent homes to more than 200 animals, many liberated from horrible situations, including Lewis, a rhea who spent 12 years living in a basement and Umber, a ram saved from a canned hunt.
Both Kindred Spirits (Goatoberfest!) and Hope Haven (Fall Festival) stage events on a regular basis. Check their websites and social media for the latest.
Misfits Coven
Washington, PA
The new kid on the block of local animal forever homes is Misfits Coven, just south of the city in Washington, PA. Founder Britt Menhart prefers the term micro sanctuary to describe her effort, located on her family’s property. Founded in late 2020, and obtaining nonprofit status in 2024, Misfits plans to “stay small” so that it can “give animals a lot of attention.” Follow Misfits Coven on Facebook and Instagram.
Fully-veg establishments in the area aren’t yet numerous, though there definitely are a few “don’t miss” gems. Additionally, the all- volunteer website Vegan Pittsburgh coordinates a robust effort to increase veg dining options in traditional eateries—with much success.
VEGAN EATERIES
If there is one gentle criticism of the Pittsburgh veg restaurant scene, it’s that you may go hungry early in the week, as several establishments are open limited days. Plan accordingly.
ShadoBeni
1534 Birighton Road, Pittsburgh
Another welcome and unique eatery, ShadoBeni, serves up Trin-idadian vegan cuisine. Everything is made from scratch and the flavors burst from each dish, including a stuffed roti (with nine filling options), corn soup made with coconut milk (amazing), or crispy “wangz” (wings from oyster mushrooms). We would have liked to have sampled everything in the menu. Open Wednesday-Sunday, 11:30am-7:00pm.
The Zenith
86 S. 26th Street, Pittsburgh
The City’s oldest veg eatery, eclectic would be an understatement. Half vintage shoppe—selling antiques, clothing, jewelry, and other repurposed treasures positioned alongside an ever-changing art installation—and half restaurant, The Zenith is well known for its all-you-can-eat and always popular Sunday brunch. Open Friday and Saturday, 11:30am-7:00pm; Sunday Brunch, 11:00am-2:00pm.
Udupi Café
4141 Old William Penn Highway, Monroeville
Standard India veg restaurant serving fresh, affordable, and authentic South Indian cuisine (dosas, idles, sambar, and uthappam) as well as North Indian curries. Also, don’t miss the selection of Indian breads and desserts. Open Wednesday-Monday, 11:30am-9:00pm.
Sugar Spell Scoops
1014 N Canal Street, Sharpsburg
You had us at vegan ice cream. Pittsburgh’s, and possibly Pennsylvania’s, first all-vegan frozen dessert shop, SSS serves up cashew, hemp, and other nut milk-based concoctions. Check website for days and hours.
Onion Maiden
639 East Warrington Ave., Pittsburgh
The hard rock and punk-themed dining area of Onion Maiden fits perfectly with its menu, featuring items including Kale ’em All, Balls to the Wall, Terror-Misu, and Bao Haus (pictured).
Open Friday-Sunday (check website for hours) Note: While Onion Maiden’s website says take-out only, we ate in the quite charming dining area.
Apteka
4606 Penn Ave., Pittsburgh
A vegan restaurant serving Central and Eastern European cuisine, all locals agree that Apteka is a must-visit. I agree. It’s rare to find vegan Polish and Ukrainian food and even rarer of this quality. Apteka also runs an impressive wine shop; the current menu has selections from 15 countries, mostly European. Restaurant and Bottle Shop open Friday-Sunday, 5:00pm- 10:00pm; Bottle Shop only: Wednesday/Thursday, Noon- 7:00pm.
VEG-FRIENDLY (AND WORTHY)
Non-veg eateries recommended by locals include Mad Mex, a lively 30-year-old area chain (nine locations) with the motto FUNKY. FRESH. CAL. MEX., and a healthy selection of plant-based options. Likewise, Jolina’s Mediterranean (Brookline), a family establishment serving already veg-friendly Mediterranean cuisine, is known for its vegan baclava, a real treat for those of us who let honey be(e).
Coffee/Tea/Juice/Smoothies
I was a bit surprised (pleasantly!) to discover a wide variety of independent coffee and tea cafés, juice bars, and smoothie shops during my visits—
I stopped counting at a dozen. While not necessarily completely plant-based, these offer some chill time where you can grab free WiFi while planning your next stop. For an up-to-date listing, visit Vegan Pittsburgh.
While researching this article, I visited Pittsburgh multiple times, spending many days touring around the sprawling city, and yet still feel I barely touched the surface of all the area has to offer the humane traveler. For example, at press time, I discovered The Epochary Inn—a bed-and breakfast with a vegan menu—a bit northwest of the city in Ambridge, PA, which looks quite charming and deserving of its own review.
In addition, for those a bit more adventurous, about an hour southwest outside Wheeling, WV, is the New Vrindaban Hare Krishna intentional community. A living memorial to Swami Prabhupada, widely recognized as the individual who brought Krishna consciousness to the West, the property is open to the public and worthy of a visit just to see the Palace of Gold, an impressive mini-Taj Mahal built for Prabhupada, or to dine in its vegetarian restaurant.
