Welcome to Café Phipps

Fresh Food that's Good for You and the Environment

Café Phipps is one of Pittsburgh's little-known foodie secrets
…and the food is outstanding.
Edible Allegheny Magazine, August/September 2011

One of the most significant ways we connect with plants every day is by consuming them as food. As an extension of the Conservatory experience, Café Phipps offers a variety of dishes that awaken the senses with colorful presentations, varied textures, complex aromas and fresh flavors. Our light-filled, spacious dining room and seasonal outdoor seating provide settings as natural as the foods we serve. Whether you stop by before or after a stroll among the flowers, or are grabbing a snack on-the-go, you'll walk away feeling refreshed.

A Healthy Planet, a Healthy You

As one of America's greenest public gardens and a leading participant in the White House Let's Move! Museums and Gardens campaign to improve the health of our nation's youth, Phipps is committed to providing fresh, healthy food that's good for you and the environment. From the offerings on our café menu to the dishes we serve them on, we aim to carry out our mission in everything we do.

Green Innovation

Nestled inside our LEED® Certified Welcome Center—the first of its kind in the U.S.—Café Phipps is proud to be a Green Restaurant Certified® eating establishment with the following sustainable features:

• Energy efficient earth-sheltered design is complemented by natural and sensor controlled lighting, low-e windows, recycled and local construction materials, and renewable energy
• Green roof and water efficient sustainable landscaping boosts energy efficiency, and reduces water demand and stormwater runoff
• Vegan, vegetarian and Meatless Monday offerings provide eco-conscious options for guests
• Organic, local and sustainable foods from family farms support environmentally-friendly practices and our local economy
• Real serviceware and china instead of disposables reduces resource demand
• 100% of the recycled paper products and plant resin cups we use are compostable
• 96% of café food and material waste is recycled and composted
• Cleaning products used in our café are biodegradable and non-toxic GreenSeal™ certified
• Low and no VOC sealants, paints and materials provide cleaner, healthier air for guests
• Filtered water rather than bottled water eliminates petroleum-based plastic bottles from production and the waste stream

A Fresh Approach

Going hand in hand with environmental stewardship is our commitment to offering you the cleanest, freshest food available, with a focus on organic and/or locally grown fruits, vegetables and herbs. During the harvest season, some of the produce even comes to your plate straight from our very own organic edible garden. Meat, dairy and eggs used in our dishes are also locally sourced as frequently as possible.

Safeguarding the health of our young visitors, our children's menu features whole grains, organic fruits and vegetables, and ingredients that are minimally processed, low fat and low salt with no added sugar. We have also eliminated beverages with high sugar content, including soda. Our kid's meals are so wholesome that we have partnered with the Environmental Charter School of Pittsburgh to provide nutritious lunches for their students too.

At Café Phipps, we truly go the extra mile, and we think you'll taste the difference. Bon appétit!

Café photography by Adam Milliron.