Leila Sleiman and Natalie Fristick, co-founders of Pittsburgh VegFest and Justice for Animals, share with TABLE readers some veggie dishes that won’t leave you missing meat.

Black Cat Pizzeria: Roman-Style Pizza

Black Cat Pizzeria is doing a great job delivering high-quality Roman pizza to the masses in Pittsburgh. They are found on IG only. It’s an Instagram secret. Veggie options abound.

Chick Habit at Onion Maiden:Vegan Fried Chicken Sandwich

639 E. Warrington Avenue
While popular vegan restaurant Onion Maiden recently announced it was closing its physical location, we’re lucky to have them and their sister operation, Chick Habit, remain as pop-ups. This Chick Habit sandwich is always a huge hit at VegFest!

Sugar Spell Scoops: Ice Cream

1014 N. Canal Street
A sundae counts as a dish, correct? Sugar Spell Scoops is constantly changing its specials, and there’s always something colorful, creative, and whimsical.

Chip and Kale: Broccoli Cheddar Soup

2012 Broadway Avenue
We have been really into meal delivery lately, and Chip and Kale has knocked it out of the park for our family! The broccoli cheddar soup (not always on the menu) recently topped my list of favorite dishes: with chunks of potatoes and a creamy base, it tastes like a loaded baked potato soup.

Story by Leila Sleiman and Natalie Fristick / Photo courtesy of Chick Habit Instagram

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Content creator and recipe developer Liz Fetchin takes good care of family members with food sensitivities, which was the inspiration for her allergen-free website, octofree.com. Here she shares with TABLE readers a few delicious, responsive, and responsible Western PA Options.

Off the Hook

908 Warrendale Village Drive, Warrendale
Food allergies, sensitivities, and dietary restrictions are taken very seriously at this upscale restaurant, which has become one of my favorites for special occasions. Your food will come out with an “allergy” dish marker if you indicate that you have one, so you can relax and enjoy the beautiful atmosphere and impressive wine list.

Girasole

733 Copeland Street
This traditional Italian restaurant offers gluten-free pasta as an option for many of their signature dishes, and the atmosphere is romantic. Sit on the patio in the summer months and watch the world go by.

Bella Frutteto Express

2569 Brandt School Road, Wexford
The online ordering process for this pick-up or delivery-only spot includes an entire gluten-free menu, plus food-allergen drop-down menus for each dish so that you can customize your order to accommodate your group’s allergies and sensitivities. The staff will call if they have any questions about your order. Some favorites include the beans and greens and the gluten-free pasta dishes.

Mercurio’s

Fox Chapel and Shadyside
Mercurio’s offers the best gluten-free, wood-fired pizza crust in town (although if you have celiac disease, this may not be the best option, since the pizzas are fired in the same ovens as the conventional ones), and there’s usually a dairy-free sorbetto on offer for dessert.

Soergel Orchards

2573 Brandt School Road, Wexford
This farm’s sprawling campus is worth a visit if you’re in the North Hills, especially if you have food allergies or other dietary restrictions. There’s an entire shop, called Naturally Soergel’s, dedicated to allergen-free foods, a sandwich counter where you can request gluten-free bread, produce grown on-site, and Arsenal Cider, a cider house that creates gluten-free ciders and sorbets.

DiAnoia’s Eatery

2549 Penn Avenue
At this friendly, traditional Italian spot in the heart of the Strip District, you can order any pasta dish gluten-free, and there are many dairy-free sauce options and delicious, fresh salads on offer. Be sure to check out the bakery case as well, where you’ll regularly find gluten-free cookies, cakes, and other delicious sweets.

Mediterra

Sewickley, Mt Lebanon, Lawrenceville
Mediterra’s fresh, gluten-free bread is some of the best we’ve ever tasted, and you can find items such as gluten-free oat waffles, farm-fresh salad bowls, and seasonal cocktails made with local distillery Boyd & Blair’s gluten-free potato vodka on the menu.

Story by Liz Fetchin / Photography by Dave Bryce

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Good food and good surroundings combine in ways that are greater than the sum of their parts. TABLE staff shares some local spots with delicious-beautiful characteristics.

Ritual House

524 William Penn Place
New to the Pittsburgh restaurant scene, no detail was overlooked when planning the Downtown space. A ceiling of flowers and greenery greets guests upon entering, while modern chandeliers provide soft mood lighting for a two-story dining area filled with lush leather and velvet seating. Ritual House calls the restaurant “an atmosphere designed for the senses.”

Hyeholde

1516 Coraopolis Heights Road, Coraopolis
Hyeholde is located in a unique home where Old-World touches of stained glass, huge fireplaces, and massive wooden beams create a backdrop for the excellent food of Chef Chris O’Brien. Note: For parties of 12 to 20, the old garages have been transformed into a lovely private dining room.

Eleven Contemporary Kitchen

1150 Smallman Street
An old warehouse space in the Strip District was transformed into an attractive multilevel restaurant. Comfortable circular banquettes nestle with a few roundtops, giving off an Old Hollywood glamour vibe. Other tables are handcrafted with intricate inlaid patterns. Nice second-floor terrace in good weather.

Monterey Bay Fish Grotto

1411 Grandview Avenue
Perched atop Mt. Washington, Monterey Bay Fish Grotto features a commanding view of the city’s skyline, unobstructed by the clean modern lines of the space.

FL.2 Modern American

510 Market Street
On the second floor of Fairmont Pittsburgh, you’ll find fl.2, which utilizes woodwork and burnished brass to pay homage to Pittsburgh’s history while providing a luxurious dining experience. Renowned Barcelona-based designer Lázaro Rosa-Violán took the lead on the restaurant’s execution.

Story by Jordan Snowden