Cellar on Penn: A Masterclass in How Not to Run a Restaurant
If you’ve ever wanted to experience what it feels like to be stranded on a deserted island—minus the island, plus a rude waiter—then Cellar on Penn is the place for you!
Let’s start with the drinks. Or rather, the lack of drinks. It took over 30 minutes for our cocktails to arrive, and by the time they did, I was considering taking up meditation just to cope. But hey, at least they came—unlike our food, which was apparently being prepared by a team of invisible chefs who only cook when the planets align.
We were there for over an hour before the waiter even bothered to take our food order, and then another 45 minutes passed before anything hit the table. And when it finally did? Wrong orders. Missing dishes. A complete mess. One of our party members never even got their food. Maybe it’s still coming—who knows?
The whole restaurant was in chaos. Every table was visibly frustrated, and at least one group had enough, dropping cash for their drinks and walking out before their food even arrived. Honestly, I wish we had done the same. Instead, we wasted over two hours only to leave hungry so we could make it to a show.
And the cherry on top? When we expressed our (very valid) frustrations, our waiter rolled his eyes at us like we were inconveniencing him. Sir, you have one job.
Bottom line: If you have a deep love for bad service, long wait times, and incorrect orders, Cellar on Penn is your dream destination. Otherwise, save yourself the frustration and go literally anywhere else.
Ashley Chilleo
I had a wonderful birthday dinner! The owner was so friendly and helpful with choosing a wine. The food was fantastic and the staff even sang Happy Birthday to me! I would highly recommend the Cellar on Penn!! ❤️
Chromaphonic Recordings
I had the egg and steak bowl for brunch and it was delicious. Steak was tender not tough and the gravy was well seasoned. If you want that hearty meat and potatoes breakfast this spot is for you.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Alicia Fitzgerald
Worst service I've ever experienced. Went for a group meetup and were seated at a table for over an hour before even being acknowledged it brought water. Even after flagging down a server to try to order, she says she'd be right back but it was another 20 min after that. And just as she came back, so did the person who appeared to be an owner or manager, more interested in moving us and shuffling tables around than letting us order or bringing water at least.
When at finally got to order, we were informed they're out of hash browns and wouldn't allow any substitutions. They brought our drinks relatively quickly but took at least 30 min to bring our food. When it did arrive, it was lukewarm at best and did not have any flavor. They knew we had to wait around forever and did thank us for our patience but offered no compensation.
I had read such great reviews from others and was really excited to try this place but was severely disappointed all around.
I'm hoping maybe they were just super short staffed and having an off day, but at this point, I'm not rushing to try them out again.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 1
Service: 1
Bennett
Cellar on Penn was a great find! Absolutely amazing food with lobster Mac and cheese and salmon baklava. Our server was kind, considerate, and very engaging. Very pleased to find this gem in Pittsburgh with a great atmosphere, wine, and nice people!
Chris
Great atmosphere, great experience, great staff, just overall great experience. The wine is delicious, the food is delicious, and the price is very reasonable. I give the highest recommendation to experience a great wine tasting and dinner at R.
Jacqueline Vinski
Cellar on Penn is one of our favorite spots. They are great for brunch and dinner. I rarely have a hard time getting a table. The food is always amazing, day and night. AND it’s so affordable. Service is always great. i believe the owner or managers usually drops off our drinks and is so sweet. Our hostess who is doing wine tasting is the sweetest. We will keep coming back!
The chicken and waffles were amazing. I'd go back today to have them. The brunch menu was awesome and had a great selection for the kids. I had the sangria which was your typical nice sangria. Somehow a meal wasn't put in(two of us ordered the same thing) and they made it right. Staff was very friendly and accommodating. All around was a great experience and my second favorite brunch place so far.
Allison H K
A great Saturday in the Strip district. Wine was delicious. Had the sweet flight and a red sangria slushy. Great service. Only order the spinach and artichoke dip if you love artichokes. It was different from others I have had before.
Outstanding service!!!! Food was great and very inexpensive
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
V G
Super nice wine bar with very reasonable prices and very nice bar tenders. We definitely recommend a visit if you are in the area! We had wine flights and got very good recommendations so very much enjoyed our wines :) Should you not know Glühwein or think you had good Glühwein so far, try their Glühwein! It really is good!!! M
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Juan Carlos (Silva)
We order a Chicken and was old and taste really bad. We had to send it back. ??
MSMO412
Nothing special. I wouldn't even call it brunch based on the lack of options...I have zero Idea what other reviewers were thinking by calling it one of the best brunches in Pittsburgh.
Loved the local wine selections! Food was fantastic, ambience is great! We sat outside so noise level was higher but that's to be expected. Great for a quick casual bite, business meal, or celebration!
Cellar on Penn: A Masterclass in How Not to Run a Restaurant If you’ve ever wanted to experience what it feels like to be stranded on a deserted island—minus the island, plus a rude waiter—then Cellar on Penn is the place for you! Let’s start with the drinks. Or rather, the lack of drinks. It took over 30 minutes for our cocktails to arrive, and by the time they did, I was considering taking up meditation just to cope. But hey, at least they came—unlike our food, which was apparently being prepared by a team of invisible chefs who only cook when the planets align. We were there for over an hour before the waiter even bothered to take our food order, and then another 45 minutes passed before anything hit the table. And when it finally did? Wrong orders. Missing dishes. A complete mess. One of our party members never even got their food. Maybe it’s still coming—who knows? The whole restaurant was in chaos. Every table was visibly frustrated, and at least one group had enough, dropping cash for their drinks and walking out before their food even arrived. Honestly, I wish we had done the same. Instead, we wasted over two hours only to leave hungry so we could make it to a show. And the cherry on top? When we expressed our (very valid) frustrations, our waiter rolled his eyes at us like we were inconveniencing him. Sir, you have one job. Bottom line: If you have a deep love for bad service, long wait times, and incorrect orders, Cellar on Penn is your dream destination. Otherwise, save yourself the frustration and go literally anywhere else.
I had a wonderful birthday dinner! The owner was so friendly and helpful with choosing a wine. The food was fantastic and the staff even sang Happy Birthday to me! I would highly recommend the Cellar on Penn!! ❤️
I had the egg and steak bowl for brunch and it was delicious. Steak was tender not tough and the gravy was well seasoned. If you want that hearty meat and potatoes breakfast this spot is for you.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Worst service I've ever experienced. Went for a group meetup and were seated at a table for over an hour before even being acknowledged it brought water. Even after flagging down a server to try to order, she says she'd be right back but it was another 20 min after that. And just as she came back, so did the person who appeared to be an owner or manager, more interested in moving us and shuffling tables around than letting us order or bringing water at least.
When at finally got to order, we were informed they're out of hash browns and wouldn't allow any substitutions. They brought our drinks relatively quickly but took at least 30 min to bring our food. When it did arrive, it was lukewarm at best and did not have any flavor. They knew we had to wait around forever and did thank us for our patience but offered no compensation.
I had read such great reviews from others and was really excited to try this place but was severely disappointed all around.
I'm hoping maybe they were just super short staffed and having an off day, but at this point, I'm not rushing to try them out again.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 1
Service: 1
Cellar on Penn was a great find! Absolutely amazing food with lobster Mac and cheese and salmon baklava. Our server was kind, considerate, and very engaging. Very pleased to find this gem in Pittsburgh with a great atmosphere, wine, and nice people!
Great atmosphere, great experience, great staff, just overall great experience. The wine is delicious, the food is delicious, and the price is very reasonable. I give the highest recommendation to experience a great wine tasting and dinner at R.
Cellar on Penn is one of our favorite spots. They are great for brunch and dinner. I rarely have a hard time getting a table. The food is always amazing, day and night. AND it’s so affordable. Service is always great. i believe the owner or managers usually drops off our drinks and is so sweet. Our hostess who is doing wine tasting is the sweetest. We will keep coming back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Slider, Cheese Plate, Meatballs, Bread and Olive Oil Dip
The chicken and waffles were amazing. I'd go back today to have them. The brunch menu was awesome and had a great selection for the kids. I had the sangria which was your typical nice sangria. Somehow a meal wasn't put in(two of us ordered the same thing) and they made it right. Staff was very friendly and accommodating. All around was a great experience and my second favorite brunch place so far.
A great Saturday in the Strip district. Wine was delicious. Had the sweet flight and a red sangria slushy. Great service. Only order the spinach and artichoke dip if you love artichokes. It was different from others I have had before.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Charcuterie Board
Many choices in this wine ?️ desert city.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Restaurantji Recommends
Outstanding service!!!! Food was great and very inexpensive
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Super nice wine bar with very reasonable prices and very nice bar tenders. We definitely recommend a visit if you are in the area!
We had wine flights and got very good recommendations so very much enjoyed our wines :)
Should you not know Glühwein or think you had good Glühwein so far, try their Glühwein! It really is good!!! M
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We order a Chicken and was old and taste really bad. We had to send it back. ??
Nothing special. I wouldn't even call it brunch based on the lack of options...I have zero Idea what other reviewers were thinking by calling it one of the best brunches in Pittsburgh.
Loved the local wine selections! Food was fantastic, ambience is great! We sat outside so noise level was higher but that's to be expected. Great for a quick casual bite, business meal, or celebration!
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