Apteka

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.

Obligatory disclaimer: I went for their special Wigilia (Christmas Eve, a week early) 2.5 hour tasting menu, not for regular service. But there's no way they'd be able to pull off something that spectacular if they weren't that good in regular service.Particular top highlights from the Wigilia meal include: the best rye bread I've had in the US outside of Chicago, a really intense dried mushroom broth with incredible handmade dumplings, and super-tender and fresh rwaki potato dumplings (sort of like Polish gnocchi). All of their pickled salads were also excellent, great balance of sour and crunchy.Really the only caveat I'd have is that because of how the pierogi were fried, they're not my favorite pierogi in Pittsburgh, I prefer places that either just boil them or don't use so much oil that the dough puffs up. But for as deeply Polish as Pittsburgh is, it's amazing how much of the rest of their menu is pretty unique here.

I've heard rave reviews and was excited by their unique menu, and while the vibes were exactly what I was expecting (Greenwich village), the food was very hit or miss. To start with the hits: the potato dough dumplings with roast butternut squash, griddled onion, rye breadcrumb, fresh dill and dried majoram. Wow. This was such a comforting dish that had such an interesting flavor profile with a fun interplay of several textures-- the rye breadcrumb with the pillowiness of the dumplings was just so great. Their plum kompot was also a very unique drink. The pierogi were fine, with a nice crisp that needed the help from their sides of onion with double fat and mustard salad.Meanwhile the walnut milk soup was incredibly confusing and tasted like a grainy, bitter soup. I imagine the bitterness came from the blanched whole walnuts... l was also not a fan of the western pa wild teas which smelled like winter but also tasted like the fragrance too. I'd come back for two servings if the potato dough dumplings.

Crapteka is such a joy especially in the middle of winter! I really appreciate they did an online ordering system this year ahead of time so that we could get takeout and plan ahead of schedule. The sandwiches were so good. One was like a pulled pork and the other a bbq chicken.

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.

What a unique spot! Eastern European vegan menu with seasonal ingredients. Eclectic eastern European wine list, coctails, and local beers.Bar seating as well as indoor and outdoor tables. You are seated and then go up to the bar counter to order. They then bring your drinks and plates to your table.A mix of small and large plates to share.Delicious flavors, friendly serviceStreet parkingWhat we ate:*Fazerowane Papryczi: peppers stuffed with ealnut, onion and bulgar in tomato jus with rye toast*Smazone pierogi: fried pierogi with 2 different fillings (lentil, onion, zucchini and cabbage, potato and majormRed and green csbbage, carrot sauce*kluski Slaski: Silezian potato dumplings with celeriac, onion, white wine, roast mushroom, mushroom jus, herb de pittsburgh, spring onion*Ciasto z gakerka: layer cake with black raspberry cream, jello on a base cake layerMy rating rationale +1 Service+1 Food~Taste/flavor/quality+1 Presentation+1 Atmosphere/vibe+1 Value

Be me. Be in Pittsburgh for a little vacay. Decide to visit an Eastern European spot. Reap Reward.I found myself in Pittsburgh for Anthrocon, a Pirates game, and a Riverhounds game. I brought my partner who was not hungry and I was starving because I spent all day wearing a giant carpet. We roll up in the Uber and they ask if this is the right place, and I play it cool, and say "totally". It is the right place. I love the cemetery as a neighbor. The outside is pretty unassuming. I checked in at the host station and was told it would be about a 40 min wait. It was worth it. You order at the bar and get a number and shown to your table or seat. The menu is on some nice paper or it's written on the wall. I would recommend going earlier in the evening. They were out of a few things by the time I got there. The restaurant is pretty minimalist and has a lot o earth tones and I like that. There's an inside and outside area and a small bar. Buy yourself a beer, have a shot of vodka, have some kompot, or listen to a drink suggestion. They were all an amazing way to start our experience. I got the pickle plate and it was incredible. I cannot explain to you how flavorful the pickled mushrooms were, or how good the carrot paté was on the homemade bread. The salad was expertly dressed and was really well balanced. The pierogi pair were amazing with the horseradish whip on top. I had to make a whole new paragraph for you to understand how good the noodles with strawberry puree were. I have never seen/heard/had something like this before. This was life changing. Truly. Every once in a while I'm moved by a dish and impressed that it sparks my passion for food once again and I feel creative again. This meal was so good and I didn't even really notice that it was vegan. It was so good I called my grandmother the next day and had to tell her about it. Please come here. Please experience everything they have to offer.

All I can say is the quantity of the food can be matched by the quality. My ignorant self was very skeptical of the whole 100% vegan concept but I've never been so glad to be wrong.Me and some friends sat outside, ordered almost everything on the menu, got some bottles and had one of the best meals I've had in Pittsburgh. The staff was really nice and patient when explaining the meals as well. I also appreciated the ambiance of being able to sit outside in nice weather and eat vegan food with friends. It felt very earthy chic. I would definitely go back

The famous vegan place in Pittsburgh never disappoints. It's my fourth/fifth time there and I really enjoyed every single dish. They offer the most unique dishes and everything are made from scratch. I appreciate the most for the way they curate the food combination and bring the natural taste of the ingredients out to us. There are some staples on the menu that don't really change but the seasonal stuff are the gem!The roasted cauliflower with cauliflower puree was very unique and the tomato/cucumber salad was screaming summer to me.Those cabbage wraps were so delicious - the kale and wild rice fillings tasted umami like and the texture was amazing. So are the potato dumplings with mushroom sauces. Love this place and regardless of the long line, I will be back in fall/winter.

This was the best meal that I have ever had in my life. After every bite I was speechless with how good it was. Very sad that I live 5 hours away or I would be here all the time. We arrived around 7pm on a spring Friday and we didn't have to wait at all.The only thing that I don't like is that you have to order at the counter. I think since it was my first time I felt a little rushed. But I had looked at the menu ahead of time so I kinda knew what I wanted. The person at the register also helped me make some decisions. We went with the pickle plate, some perogies, the schnitzel, and a dessert. The waiters did a great job of coursing the food. Some highlights were the fennel salad on the pickle plate, the potatoes and the beet salad that came with the schnitzel. And for dessert, we just had to notify a waiter that we were ready and it came out promptly. Everything was delicious.I was really impressed with every aspect. This felt cozy and relaxed. I can't wait to come back to pittsburgh and eat here again.