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Cafe Momentum - Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA

Cafe Momentum - Pittsburgh

4.7 (162)
$31 to $50
Contemporary American
268 Forbes Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15222

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 7 times today
Experiences are available.

About this restaurant

  • Innovative
  • Good for groups
  • Good for special occasions
Café Momentum is more than just a restaurant—it’s a nonprofit culinary training program transforming the lives of justice-impacted youth. Our locally sourced, chef-driven menu provides the backdrop for hands-on learning, where young people rotate through every aspect of the restaurant, from front-of-house service to kitchen prep, all under the guidance of award- winning Chef Robert "RC" Carter.

Don't miss our signature smoked fried chicken, served with mashed potatoes, collard greens, a southern buttermilk biscuit, and black pepper gravy. Plus, we’re BYOB! Enjoy your favorite beverage with dinner for a $5 per person corkage fee.

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Contemporary American
  • Hours of operation
    Tue–Fri 11:00 am–2:00 pm Thu–Sat 5:00 pm–9:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (412) 315-7765
  • Website
    http://www.cafemomentum.org/pittsburgh
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Business Casual
  • Executive chef
    Robert "RC" Carter
  • Catering
    Learn more about our catering, private event options, and view the menu at https://cafemomentum.org/cafe-momentum-pittsburgh-catering/.
  • Private party facilities
    With our stunning event space, state-of-the-art kitchen, and a tailor-made menu to suit your vision, Café Momentum is the perfect place to host your private event. By choosing us, you're not just serving a meal; you're helping write a success story for Pittsburgh’s justice-impacted youth.

Experiences

  • Plating With Purpose - Italian Style

    $65.00 per person

    Prepaid

    May 14, 2025 only
    5:30 PM
    A 3-Course, Family-Style Italian Feast Wednesday, May 14 5:30pm $65 per person Beer & Wine are complimentary Tax & Service Charge included in price! 1st Course Charred Leek Focaccia w/ black garlic butter Tre-Colore Caesar Salad romaine hearts, grana padano, croutons, house-made dressing 2nd Course Eggplant Parmesan san marzano, fresh mozzarella, parmesan AND Chicken Romano battered and pan-fried scallopini, pecorino, lemon AND Lotsa Pasta w/ Red Sauce 3rd Course Tiramisu

Menu

Cafe Momentum - Pittsburgh's menu was last updated on 5/11/2025.

$85 Menu

    Last updated: May 11, 2025

    What 162 people are saying

    Cafe Momentum - Pittsburgh reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

    Overall ratings and reviews

    Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

    4.7
    4.7 based on recent ratings
    • 4.7Food
    • 4.6Service
    • 4.7Ambience
    • 4.6Value

    Noise • Moderate

    Loved For

    • Pittsburgh / Western PA

      Best Value

    • Pittsburgh / Western PA

      Innovative

    • Pittsburgh / Western PA

      Healthy

    • Pittsburgh / Western PA

      Hot spot

    • Pittsburgh / Western PA

      Contemporary American

    • Pittsburgh

      Best Value

    • Pittsburgh

      Innovative

    • Pittsburgh

      Healthy

    • Pittsburgh

      Hot spot

    • Pittsburgh

      Contemporary American

    Review summary

    AI-generated from verified diner reviews
    Cafe Momentum in Pittsburgh offers an "exceptional experience" with "outstanding food" and "excellent service." The restaurant's unique mission supports young individuals, making it a "wonderful experience" overall. Guests appreciate the "beautiful modern space" and "creatively prepared" dishes like salmon and short ribs. It's a "nice little gem" downtown, perfect for dining with purpose.
    162 Reviews

    1. Samuel VIP

      Pittsburgh57 reviews

      5.0

      Dined 1 day ago

      1. Overall 5
      2. Food 5
      3. Service 4
      4. Ambience 4
      Our server, Ashton, was very pleasant while he and the entire staff continue to learn and understand the restaurant industry as servers and cooks. The food was very very good, fresh, hot, and flavorful. It was our first visit and Carly was kind to explain the program that the staff is learning all of the positions and rotates positions over a year of learning. Great experience, we will return for sure.

      Is this helpful?

    2. Amy

      New York City3 reviews

      5.0

      Dined 3 days ago

      1. Overall 5
      2. Food 5
      3. Service 5
      4. Ambience 5
      Food was excellent. Presentation was very nice. Service was prompt.

      Is this helpful?

    3. Kristyn

      Unspecified1 review

      5.0

      Dined 5 days ago

      1. Overall 5
      2. Food 5
      3. Service 5
      4. Ambience 5
      Our meal was delicious! Would go back in a heartbeat!

      Is this helpful?

    4. deb

      Pittsburgh1 review

      5.0

      Dined on May 3, 2025

      1. Overall 5
      2. Food 5
      3. Service 5
      4. Ambience 5
      First time for our anniversary dinner. I don’t typically enjoy dinning out due to my expectations. However, quality of meals exceeded my standards. I value well prepared food. The braised short ribs melted in your mouth. The smoked southern fried chicken is the house dish and was incredibly prepared. If you like mushrooms the appetizer is delish. Service was outstanding friendly. Atmosphere was city vibe relaxed with dimmed lighting. Music was at a level that conversation was easy. Above all the concept of mentoring young people makes you feel great to be apart of. Looking forward to returning and sharing with others.

      Is this helpful?

    5. Edward

      Pittsburgh10 reviews

      5.0

      Dined on April 19, 2025

      1. Overall 5
      2. Food 5
      3. Service 5
      4. Ambience 5
      Excellent food. Great service. Enthusiastic staff.

      Is this helpful?

    6. Brian

      Pittsburgh2 reviews

      5.0

      Dined on April 17, 2025

      1. Overall 5
      2. Food 5
      3. Service 5
      4. Ambience 5
      Service was wonderful; friendly and welcoming. The food was outstanding.

      Is this helpful?

    7. Vanessa

      New York City5 reviews

      5.0

      Dined on April 12, 2025

      1. Overall 5
      2. Food 5
      3. Service 5
      4. Ambience 5
      What a wonderful experience! Excellent food, attentive service.

      Is this helpful?

    8. Gregory

      Grand Rapids17 reviews

      5.0

      Dined on March 27, 2025

      1. Overall 5
      2. Food 5
      3. Service 5
      4. Ambience 5
      We chose this restaurant because of its mission to mentor and inspire young people coming out of the criminal justice system. We had heard good things about the quality of food, as well. The restaurant more than lived up to our expectations! The food was creatively prepared and delicious. Service, too, was excellent. We are eager to return and to visit other CM locations!

      Is this helpful?

    9. Deborah

      Hawaii28 reviews

      5.0

      Dined on March 21, 2025

      1. Overall 5
      2. Food 5
      3. Service 5
      4. Ambience 5
      It is always an exceptional experience to dine here. The young staff members are attentive and work hard to make sure your needs are met. They are mentored by adults who help them be their best selves. Plus the food is top notch.

      Is this helpful?

    10. Alanna VIP

      Pittsburgh36 reviews

      5.0

      Dined on March 14, 2025

      1. Overall 5
      2. Food 5
      3. Service 5
      4. Ambience 5
      The food and service was great. Nice little gem downtown with a great menu and even better mission. Will definitely return!

      Is this helpful?

    FAQs

    Cafe Momentum - Pittsburgh is rated 4.7 stars by 162 OpenTable diners.

    Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

    1. Home
    2. United States
    3. Pittsburgh / Western PA
    4. Pittsburgh
    5. Downtown

    Make a reservation

    2 people
    7:00 PM
    Booked 7 times today
    Experiences are available.
    Google Map for Cafe Momentum - Pittsburgh

    268 Forbes Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15222

    Additional information

    • Neighborhood
      Downtown
    • Hours of operation
      Tue–Fri 11:00 am–2:00 pm Thu–Sat 5:00 pm–9:00 pm
    • Price
      $31 to $50
    • Cuisines
      Contemporary American
    • Dining style
      Casual Elegant
    • Dress code
      Business Casual
    • Parking details
      None
    • Payment options
      AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
    • Executive chef
      Robert "RC" Carter
    • Additional
      BYO Wine, Corkage Fee, Gluten-free Options, Vegan
    • Website
      http://www.cafemomentum.org/pittsburgh
    • Phone number
      (412) 315-7765
    • Catering
      Learn more about our catering, private event options, and view the menu at https://cafemomentum.org/cafe-momentum-pittsburgh-catering/.
    • Private party facilities
      With our stunning event space, state-of-the-art kitchen, and a tailor-made menu to suit your vision, Café Momentum is the perfect place to host your private event. By choosing us, you're not just serving a meal; you're helping write a success story for Pittsburgh’s justice-impacted youth.
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