This review is long overdue. I've visited Apteka several times and am consistently blown away by the entire experience. The flavors are indescribable. Apteka uses fresh, unique ingredients to create impressive Eastern European dishes. I crave the beet soup often, the pierogi fillings are unlike any other pierogi I've had, the potato dumplings with mushroom sauce brought to life flavors I've never had before, the stuffed cabbage is savory and filling, and the ever-changing desserts are never too sweet. They offer tons of beer, wine, and homemade cocktails. The staff works so well together; they are friendly, helpful, and efficient. There is always a wait to get in, but it is worth it every time. Once seated, service is quick and attentive. The atmosphere is unique and cozy.
I must also mention "Crapteka" --- a few weeks at the beginning of the year where they forego their typical menu to serve "junk" food...a variety of burgers, fries, and shakes!
10/10 EVERYONE must try this place, vegan or not. You will not leave disappointed!!
aeryus
absolutely delicious food every single time
veghen
I was excited to try this place. It's definitely a different experience. The food was great. It was maybe a little pricey, but about what you would expect for this area. I would go back. Parking was not as difficult as I expected.
Tiskers
APTEKA is AMAAAAAAZING!
It was my first time here. We got there right at 5 pm, and there was a line already (though it went fast!) Menus were handed out while in line by a very friendly and gracious staff member. You order and pay once you enter the building and before sitting down. (You can add on later, if desired, for example - dessert.)
The atmosphere is so pleasant, service is friendly, and the food is simply DIVINE. (And the water, served from glass bottles is delicious - I’m fussy about the water I drink and this water is obviously filtered and clean.)
We got the pierogi and it was delicious. APTEKA is a wonderful 100% vegan experience. We will definitely be back. If we didn’t live 2 hours away, we’d be there weekly and make it a goal to try everything in the menu.
RUN, don’t walk, to APTEKA!
simpleworldme
Apteka blew my mind. Their food, ambiance, and service are top-notch. Their approach to Polish food is unique and guarantees an unforgettable experience!
Updated from previous review on 2024-12-26
Smalltownvgn
Split 1 small plate and 1 large plate and 2 desserts between 2 and it was the perfect amount!
greenlily
Went here for birthday dinner and had a wonderful experience. We waited about 20 minutes to put our names down, then maybe 15 more to get a table. Once we ordered, the food arrived within five minutes. The potato dumplings with rye crumbs are one of the best bites I’ve ever eaten. Also had the onion and cabbage pie and the celeriac schnitzel; both very good but slightly less mind-blowing. The drinks are also amazing and made with in-house syrups.
Khayriyyah Mohd Hanafiah
Love that this trendy vegan Polish restaurant that is actually welcoming to families with small children! Our first time dining here while in town and we were excited to try the dishes. There was a queue when we arrived even before restaurant opened but the wait was not actually that long and the maître’d was efficient in getting people menus & assigning tables. Ordering at the front register was different but also efficient, the only thing that bugged us was when some people were allowed to cut queue. Otherwise the person taking orders was very informative & service was overall good. Ambience was nice but very loud.
Now for the food. We ordered the potato dumpling (small plate), apple pancakes, borscht, fried pierogi (large plate), something with polenta & peppers (large plate), and a cake with plum jam. We loved the potato dumplings & apple pancakes. Both were well balanced, good flavors & textures and a bit different. The borscht was good, but a bit too acidic. However the nut cream & rye bread balanced it out. More rye bread would’ve been nice! We would come back for these & maybe try other small plates if we had the chance.
The large plates, particularly the fried pierogis were disappointing. The sides that came with it did little to elevate the dish. The dessert was also not very good.
We still had an enjoyable evening out trying new foods, and it was definitely food done well. Bonus that it is vegan.
Vegetarian options: All vegan
Kid-friendliness: Very nice high chair
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Robert Jordan
This place seems to get better every time we go. A blessing to Pittsburgh's culinary scene.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Geoffrey H
Outstanding! This was our first visit, we got in line shortly after 5:20 and were seated just after 6:20. Well worth wait. All our courses were delicious, the drinks were good too.
I’m updating my review after a terrible experience there. I’ve been going to Apteka for years (back when they only did pop-ups). Their food is amazing but the service is terrible. It’s not necessarily the servers’ fault; it’s mostly due to not enough staff and lack of reservations.
It’s a long story, but basically I waited over two hours for a single seat at the bar, only to be treated rudely. I was looking forward to that dinner and they ruined that experience. If you want to be an esteemed establishment, then reservations are a must. Or at least get a decent host to organize the waitlist. My family has owned restaurants and I know how difficult it can be, so I’m always cognizant of treating the waitstaff politely. They didn’t seem to want to treat me in the same manner. I sadly won’t be going back.
SabrinaJaffe
Great food and atmosphere! We ordered two small plates, two big plates, and two drinks. Everything was delicious. We will definitely be back.
Kylen Tennies
This food is the best in Pittsburgh. It’s so flavorful, unique, and somehow they always bring out the next dish right when you’ve finished the one before. This place makes me so happy and proud to eat plant-based. I want to eat here every day!
Best restaurant in Pittsburgh. Insanely good food. Something for everyone. Literal wizards in the kitchen. Servers attentive to everything. 10 out of 5 stars. I could eat here every day. Order the borscht please.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Vegan
Amanda Sharrai
Excellent food. Great cocktails. The seating on the patio was a little awkward but it worked ok.
This review is long overdue. I've visited Apteka several times and am consistently blown away by the entire experience. The flavors are indescribable. Apteka uses fresh, unique ingredients to create impressive Eastern European dishes. I crave the beet soup often, the pierogi fillings are unlike any other pierogi I've had, the potato dumplings with mushroom sauce brought to life flavors I've never had before, the stuffed cabbage is savory and filling, and the ever-changing desserts are never too sweet. They offer tons of beer, wine, and homemade cocktails. The staff works so well together; they are friendly, helpful, and efficient. There is always a wait to get in, but it is worth it every time. Once seated, service is quick and attentive. The atmosphere is unique and cozy. I must also mention "Crapteka" --- a few weeks at the beginning of the year where they forego their typical menu to serve "junk" food...a variety of burgers, fries, and shakes! 10/10 EVERYONE must try this place, vegan or not. You will not leave disappointed!!
absolutely delicious food every single time
I was excited to try this place. It's definitely a different experience. The food was great. It was maybe a little pricey, but about what you would expect for this area. I would go back. Parking was not as difficult as I expected.
APTEKA is AMAAAAAAZING! It was my first time here. We got there right at 5 pm, and there was a line already (though it went fast!) Menus were handed out while in line by a very friendly and gracious staff member. You order and pay once you enter the building and before sitting down. (You can add on later, if desired, for example - dessert.) The atmosphere is so pleasant, service is friendly, and the food is simply DIVINE. (And the water, served from glass bottles is delicious - I’m fussy about the water I drink and this water is obviously filtered and clean.) We got the pierogi and it was delicious. APTEKA is a wonderful 100% vegan experience. We will definitely be back. If we didn’t live 2 hours away, we’d be there weekly and make it a goal to try everything in the menu. RUN, don’t walk, to APTEKA!
Apteka blew my mind. Their food, ambiance, and service are top-notch. Their approach to Polish food is unique and guarantees an unforgettable experience! Updated from previous review on 2024-12-26
Split 1 small plate and 1 large plate and 2 desserts between 2 and it was the perfect amount!
Went here for birthday dinner and had a wonderful experience. We waited about 20 minutes to put our names down, then maybe 15 more to get a table. Once we ordered, the food arrived within five minutes. The potato dumplings with rye crumbs are one of the best bites I’ve ever eaten. Also had the onion and cabbage pie and the celeriac schnitzel; both very good but slightly less mind-blowing. The drinks are also amazing and made with in-house syrups.
Love that this trendy vegan Polish restaurant that is actually welcoming to families with small children! Our first time dining here while in town and we were excited to try the dishes. There was a queue when we arrived even before restaurant opened but the wait was not actually that long and the maître’d was efficient in getting people menus & assigning tables. Ordering at the front register was different but also efficient, the only thing that bugged us was when some people were allowed to cut queue. Otherwise the person taking orders was very informative & service was overall good. Ambience was nice but very loud.
Now for the food. We ordered the potato dumpling (small plate), apple pancakes, borscht, fried pierogi (large plate), something with polenta & peppers (large plate), and a cake with plum jam. We loved the potato dumplings & apple pancakes. Both were well balanced, good flavors & textures and a bit different. The borscht was good, but a bit too acidic. However the nut cream & rye bread balanced it out. More rye bread would’ve been nice! We would come back for these & maybe try other small plates if we had the chance.
The large plates, particularly the fried pierogis were disappointing. The sides that came with it did little to elevate the dish. The dessert was also not very good.
We still had an enjoyable evening out trying new foods, and it was definitely food done well. Bonus that it is vegan.
Vegetarian options: All vegan
Kid-friendliness: Very nice high chair
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
This place seems to get better every time we go. A blessing to Pittsburgh's culinary scene.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Outstanding! This was our first visit, we got in line shortly after 5:20 and were seated just after 6:20. Well worth wait. All our courses were delicious, the drinks were good too.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Vegan
Restaurantji Recommends
I’m updating my review after a terrible experience there. I’ve been going to Apteka for years (back when they only did pop-ups). Their food is amazing but the service is terrible. It’s not necessarily the servers’ fault; it’s mostly due to not enough staff and lack of reservations.
It’s a long story, but basically I waited over two hours for a single seat at the bar, only to be treated rudely. I was looking forward to that dinner and they ruined that experience. If you want to be an esteemed establishment, then reservations are a must. Or at least get a decent host to organize the waitlist. My family has owned restaurants and I know how difficult it can be, so I’m always cognizant of treating the waitstaff politely. They didn’t seem to want to treat me in the same manner. I sadly won’t be going back.
Great food and atmosphere! We ordered two small plates, two big plates, and two drinks. Everything was delicious. We will definitely be back.
This food is the best in Pittsburgh. It’s so flavorful, unique, and somehow they always bring out the next dish right when you’ve finished the one before. This place makes me so happy and proud to eat plant-based. I want to eat here every day!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Vegan, Kotlet Seterowy, Apple, Smażone Pierogi Fried, Dumplings, Pickled, Celeriac Schnitzel, Potato Pancakes, Small Plates
Best restaurant in Pittsburgh. Insanely good food. Something for everyone. Literal wizards in the kitchen. Servers attentive to everything. 10 out of 5 stars. I could eat here every day. Order the borscht please.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Vegan
Excellent food. Great cocktails. The seating on the patio was a little awkward but it worked ok.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Kluski Śląskie
Loading...