Café Phipps

Based purely on customer service, can’t say much about the food. Unilocal stated they’re open but their small sign in the corner stated different hours of operation. Before I noticed it though, I was in line, as the staff walked by and chuckled and not having the common courtesy of telling anyone they weren’t open yet. You could already tell the staff were people that would find pleasure from such a trivial thing.

This place is surprisingly good! My family and I were captive customers, having already ponied up for pay-​parking and having paid our admission to Phipps. Then we got hungry.
They have a nice menu, with plenty of fresh items, NOT the standard frozen chicken nuggets and hot-​dogs. I had some vegetarian chili that was very good, and came with some interesting flat-​bread instead of crackers. My kids enjoyed their lunches, as did my wife.
Overall, this is a solid choice, so do not hesitate to give it a try and let us all know what you think.

Sitting here watching one of the counter staff wipe her nose on her shirt collar the pick at her nose with her fingers. This is scary.

One of my favorite cafes with an outdoor seating area. The view of the adjacent gardens was beautiful. The staff was friendly and we were served our food quickly. I enjoyed the apple havarti panini with fruit salad. All the food is super fresh and flavorful.

I wanted to like my meal here, I really did. But it was really lackluster for me. I ordered the vegetarian sandwich with a side of the jalapeño corn salad. It also comes with cole-​slaw. The sandwich was only «ok». I like roasted veggies, but the whole wheat sandwich bread didn’t do it for me. For a deli turkey, perhaps, but when you have just roasted veggies without anything «meaty» like a giant portabella cap or fatty like avocado, low-​profile bread is a let-​down and would really be better off on something thicker like ciabatta or foccacia. Also, it soaked up the juice from the slaw and the mushroom salad that I received by mistake, and soggy bread is just no bueno on any occasion. Because I’m not that fussy and it was busy, I didn’t say anything about receiving the mushroom salad instead of the jalapeño corn salad, and that’s on me. I do like mushrooms very much, but unfortunately the flavor profile of this salad wasn’t balanced enough. It was so heavy on the vinegar that it overwhelmed the plate. The slaw was the same – mostly just vinegar and no mayo or oil and not enough sugar (if any) to balance the taste. If I ever went back, I would probably just try something else, because some of the dishes looked great (the salmon salad being one of them), and the price wasn’t *too* horrific for a museum setting.

I was really excited about this menu… Everything looked fresh and delicious and I was pumped to have some healthy options. The execution of this menu, though, fell a little short.
I ordered a salad and a sandwich and a glass of wine. The salad was quinoa, apples, lettuce, cheese, etc. It was under-​dressed and under-​seasoned, but otherwise a good concept. The sandwich was really where I had the problem. The menu description didn’t really say either way, but I sort of expected it to be hot since it was a grilled chicken variety. It was served cold, though, which was fine. What wasn’t fine was the ratio of fixins to bread. Way off. I could barely taste the meat, sauce, etc. — there just wasn’t enough of it and there was entirely too much bread. And I am a bread lover, so that is saying something. All of my companions who ordered sandwiches had the same problem. Those who ordered soup fared better — the soups all got good reviews. The quiche also looked really good. I just can’t get past that skimpy sandwich though.
As far as seating, it was definitely limited. I snagged a table in the back next to some really LOUD families. It’s a café, so I didn’t mind it. There were a lot of people waiting for seats though.
Overall, a decent lunch place (skip the sandwiches though). Not really a dinner vibe for me.

We decided to eat here based on previous Unilocal reviews. I have to say I was a little disappointed. There is an awkward cafeteria-​type bar set up with a separate coffee/​drink bar to the right. A fair beverage warning: they do not serve regular soda, lemonade, or sweet tea at the Café Phipps. On the plus side you can get a beer. :-)
I had a bowl of tomato basil soup that was fresh and delicious. It came withe some homemade breadsticks, also yummy. I also had a really decent cappuccino. So, while I though the café was fine, I just wish that it also catered to more plebian tastes like… Diet Coke.

This place is a hidden gem and you should eat here even if you aren’t touring the conservatory. We ended up here accidentally because the restaurant across the street where we intended to go was closed for a private party.
All of the menu items are perfect for lunch — filling, but not huge and healthful without being annoying.
I had a salad and sandwich combo. The salad was supposed to have chicken, but they forgot to put it on. When I asked one of the staff, she cheerfully apologized and very quickly brought me the chicken.
I had my 10-​year-​old niece with me and she was able to find something on the menu (an almond butter and berry sandwich) that she enjoyed and I could feel good about giving to her.
Right across the street (behind the other restaurant) is an access point to the Schenley Park trail where we went for a hike after lunch. It was perfect!

Though it’s been while since I’ve been here, I used to come here with a friend who needed to eat gluten free sometimes. Although I’m not too big on salads in general, I’ve really enjoyed the salads I’ve ordered here. All of them have been fresh, healthy, and delicious, as well as more creative than those I’ve ordered from some other local establishments serving salads. I’ve also really enjoyed the fruit juices I’ve ordered here, which are always squeezed fresh. I appreciate their emphasis on local, in season ingredients, which fits in well with Phipps’s theme. The recycling and composting, as others have mentioned, do too. The ambiance is bright and clean, given that it’s part of the greenhouse itself. My only complaint is that it can sometimes be difficult to get a table during peak lunch hours, but this problem is nearly ubiquitous in Oakland. Overall, a great option for people who attend or work at Pitt or CMU who desire a healthy lunch option.

I can’t imagine anyone returning to this «café» again if what they ordered the first time around was the sausage pizza. Starting with the appearance alone, that «pizza» was an unappetizing and unattractive concoction. It looked like a big tortilla with some tomato sauce smeared on it and some strange tasting «mystery meat» sprinkled on top.
I am not a fussy eater and certainly not one who often complains about the food in «fast food» places., but this was an inedible dish and i can’t imagine ever returning there to try other menu items.
We did have a great waiter though. He was kind, impressive and i hope he can find a work place where he can rave about the food to the customers. I wonder if the wait staff actually eats there or if they bring food from home.

I had high hopes for the Café at Phipps because I had heard a lot of great thins about it. I am wondering if it was «good» just because of local ingredients and no «bad for you» food rather then actually being a place people loved for the taste and service.
We arrived shortly before 2:00 on a Sunday. Apparently at 2:00, you can no longer order anything from the menu other than the pizzas. This meant the selections were limited to prepackaged salads, sandwiches and soups. I was disappointed because there were several sandwiches I was trying to decide between. There was nothing on the website or in writing at the café that showed there was a limited menu at a certain point. I might expect that if you come in at 4 (when Phipps closes at 5) that they would limit it, but why three hours before closing time?
Beverage choices are limited to the «Pittsburgh Seltzer» or a coffee bar. The options sounded great — various fruit flavors such as orange and pineapple mixed with seltzer water. However, the day we were there they were out of seltzer, so for the same price, we got very minimally flavored tap water. I chose the orange pineapple and I’m sure it would have been better with the seltzer and right amount of flavor. However, there was very little juice added so it lacked flavor. I drank it anyway, but I heard at least two people go back up and ask for more juice to be added.
I chose the grilled chicken and poached pear salad. It was served with greens, cucumbers, tomatoes and of course, pears. It had a pear vinaigrette dressing. I enjoyed the salad, but it was nothing special, especially for the $ 9 price tag. I was glad I don’t eat tomatoes, because the ones in my salad were soggy and limp. It did make me wonder how long the pre made salad had been sitting in the cooler. My husband ordered the Margherita pizza. He enjoyed it, but said the dough was grainy and wished there was more cheese. I also tried the carrot soup. It was good but certainly not the best I’ve ever had. It was a large portion size which was nice.
Overall, not a bad experience, but I expected more, especially for the price.

Absolutely delightful menu! Gourmet, anything but ordinary. Quite enjoyable after touring Phipps Conservatory, the jewel of Pittsburgh. Only one tiny request — please carry butter.

I absolutely love Café Phipps, and eating here is always a treat. Combined with an actual trip into Phipps, and a meal here can easily be part of a perfect afternoon or evening.
The café itself is a lovely, bright, colorful part of Phipps’ main lobby and floor. In my experience it’s always been well maintained, i. e kept very clean with plants and candles put out on the tables. The framed photos of fields and fresh produce hanging on the walls just complete the café’s fresh and vibrant look and feel.
While the menu itself (and the ingredients of what’s sold here) often changes with the season and availability of produce, the general idea of the menu is always the same — you can order or mix-​and-​match soups, salads, sandwiches, a couple entrée-​items at times, and a quiche of the day. There are also usually smaller bites and side dishes like fruit cups, as well as dessert options like cupcakes. And as far as I know, all of the items are made from fresh, organic, and local ingredients, or brought in from local vendors.
And I have to say, nothing here has let me down. The soups in particular always impress me — you can tell that their tomato soup is freshly made and it’s always very think and pulpy; I feel healthier and happier just looking at it! Their salads are always a lovely blend of veggies and dressing (and meat if you opt for it, although Phipps is very vegetarian friendly), and the sandwiches have been perfectly toasted and to die for in my experience. Honestly it’s impossible for me to leave without a smile on my face after eating here, the ingredients used are just so wonderful and perfect together.
Oh, and since Phipps is one of the green leaders in town, it should come as no surprise that they aim to recycle and compost the few dishes and silverware items that can’t be washed and reused.
I seriously have no complaints about this little eatery. The best part about the café is that a visit to Phipps, while recommended, is not required. So if you want a healthy and/​or tasty meal, this is definitely the place to go!

When the Phipps made great strides on becoming more green and sustainable, they also made a commitment to making the Café more healthy and environmentally friendly. The foods are locally sourced, the menu items are organic and thoughtfully prepared. For example, it’s hard to find healthy options for children, however the Phipps has gotten rid of their high sugar drinks in favor of healthier options.
The soups are quite wonderful, and so are the salads.
The Café is careful about recycling, too, which I find to be a thoughtful touch.
The sunshine streams into the glass walls, this café is a good place to change your mood to positive.

This place seems favored by many people because of its fresh and healthy food. But I really has no feeling for it… The salads have nothing special; the amount of the Phipps Special I ordered is just as much as appetizer in other café or so, and taste really bad…(I can’t remember the name); the fruit cup is very small and thus pricy. I expected there will be juice in this healthy place, but nope. they gave me soda… the only thing seems ok is the pizza my friend order… Well

Café Phipps has some of the best food in walking distance of CMU’s campus. We take many of our visitors here for lunch.
It is nearly impossible to have an unhealthy or bad tasting meal here. They serve delicious, healthy, organic, local, and fresh ingredients. The menu consists of sandwiches, salads, and soups, and you can get combinations of those. There are vegan options and gluten-​free options. For someone with allergies who is trying to eat healthy, it’s a dream come true. Don’t be afraid to try something new – they get it right here – from quinoa pasta to vegan sandwiches.
They even have a children’s menu! The side dishes: a small serving of a fruit AND a veggie. A mom’s dream!
Great atmosphere. Clean, modern, hip. Living plants on every table.
They even encourage composting and recycling such that finding an actual «trash» can is nearly impossible.

I think this place has the best food and atmosphere of anywhere to eat within easy walking distance of CMU campus. I have lunch here at least once or twice a week and am hardly ever disappointed.
My favorite thing to order (and, in my opinion, the best bang for your buck) is their quiche of the day. With that order, you get a generous slice of quiche, your choice of a soup or salad side, and — at least if you pick a soup side — it all comes with a refreshing vinegar-​based coleslaw (no mayo). Their quiches are always excellent! Perfect crust, excellent filling texture, and well chosen mix-​ins. They are also almost always vegetarian.
All of their soups that I have tried have been great! I especially like the butternut squash soup and tomato fennel, but you really can’t go wrong with whatever one strikes your fancy. I’ve tried many of their daily soup specials and enjoyed them all. Soups come with a yummy flatbread triangle for dipping.
Nice salads too. My favorite is the detox salad! It’s absolutely loaded with super nutritious things, but the ingredients come together well in a way that makes the salad much tastier than it sounds from the list of what’s in it! But… beware, if you order the detox salad as a side to the quiche (and I assume to other mix-​and-​match options, too), they charge extra. They didn’t tell me this once until after I was rung up and my credit card already swiped, so I was kind of annoyed to have paid $ 2 extra without being warned.
The environment is very pretty — go figure, it’s in the botanical gardens building. There is outdoor seating that has a gorgeous view when it’s warm enough to sit outside, but the inside feels fresh and clean as well. It’s a nice place to take guests out for lunch if you are limited to the Oakland area.
There is a big chalkboard menu that you can check out when you enter, then you order your food at the checkout counter, they give you a number, and you seat yourself. When your food is ready, they bring it to you. There is no room for tipping; I guess service is complimentary. You bus your own food at the end, and they have lots of different bins to maximize environmental friendliness of the waste process.
Sometimes this place can get extremely crowded from 12 – 1:30 with lunchers. I have been on occasions where there were no seats available at all! Also, it is baby-​friendly, so sometimes the space can get cluttered with strollers and toddlers crying, etc.
All in all, I think this place has solid food and am glad to have a place like it in Oakland!

The Phips Café is decent. They have options for soups, sandwiches, and even some homey foods. Unfortunately, the quality of the food is to be desired. Most of the time I get soggy wraps or greasy sandwiches and I am pretty sure I can get that anywhere else in oakland for half the price. I gave them 3 stars because they claim most of their foods are organic but overall the quality/​price index is very low.

This is a cute place to stop to grab a bite to eat. We ate here for a tiny snack after our Phipps flower trip, so I cannot fully rate the place because all we got was a Hummus wrap and a green been salad. However, they were both delicious. I loved my green beans. There were onions and cranberries within the green bean salad which added a very delicious part to the plate.
The atmosphere of this place is also fantastic. It is very trendy and clean. One can see the cleanness based off the fact there is 5 different kinds of cans for garbage. Very cool and very trendy. I wish more places were like this.
I want to come back here and actually have a real lunch, so I can actually have a good opinion, but based on what I experienced, I would definitely come back.

Maybe it’s the jet lag, maybe it’s because neither Mom nor I liked what we ordered. But I’ve gotta dock Café Phipps a star.
My husband Rick and I had been away for a week in Hong Kong and my mom wanted to take me out to lunch when I returned. Shame Mom and I normally love Café Phipps, and since Mom has a membership at the Phipps Conservatory, she comes here a lot.
Anyway, Mom ordered the turkey meatball sub with a side of citrus coleslaw and she didn’t like it one bit. I think my mom forgot that she just doesn’t like turkey meatballs, turkey sausages, turkey bacon, etc. As for me, I went for the grilled vegetable wrap which was decent but wildly unspectacular. And I should have ordered a side of that citrus coleslaw. But nope, I went for the lentil salad. I like lentil soup but I’d never had lentil salad before.
And I discovered one thing…
I hate cold lentils!
Yuck!
I tried forcing them down, ‘cos I don’t believe in wasting food, but to no avail!
So ya, Mom and I will come back, but now we know what to avoid here!