Cafe Chocolade — Restaurant in North Fayette Township

This small, quaint café in Oakdale left a lasting impression on me and my boyfriend today before we decide to move away from Pittsburgh. I had visited it once before and was drawn in by the inviting pictures, but upon arriving, I realized how quite small and intimate the space truly was. There was only one worker—who, impressively, seemed to have handled everything himself. I find it very outstanding of a chef. The display cases showcased an array of handmade desserts, pasta, and pastries, with a menu thoughtfully catering to gluten-free and vegan diets. Though I’m not vegan, I have an interest in trying options that I personally feel will be better for myself.I appreciate places that provide inclusive options, and I especially have a heart for local businesses who emphasize fresh and handmade.

Inclusivity & Craftsmanship: 10/10

Before visiting, I read reviews about the chef’s demeanor, with some describing him as indifferent and off-putting. However, understanding that the café has a European influence, I took this with an open mind as well as with an understanding that the Chef himself may not be from here. Social norms can be completely different from people abroad compared to the norms here. American customers here may not take lightly how he may represent himself or appear to others. Although, from my perspective and in taking in consideration everything I've read, he just appeared quiet and reserved—perhaps a bit awkward—but certainly not rude at all. In fact, my boyfriend and I can agree that his food spoke for him and represented a lot of his personality in itself. The atmosphere, while peaceful, could feel a little tense without background music (although that may be just being that me and my boyfriend were the only customers at the time) Its kind of funny to say but personally even the seating had an oddly awkward charm just as much as the chef did himself.

Atmosphere: 7/10

For my first visit, I ordered a freshly made zucchini pasta and a tiramisu-flavored latte. The chef was able to quickly brew the coffee up and even brought to me to my seat. Tasting the coffee, I could feel just how refreshing it was. Unlike other coffee spots, the coffee wasn't too sweet nor was it too harsh, it was the perfect balance for me. Crafted with almond milk which catered to its plant-based menu. Not a lot of coffees I’ve had that made me feel it as refreshing. As I was sitting, waiting for my pasta I could see and watch from a distance that the Chef was right there hand making the pasta from scratch! I can see that he really puts in the effort to his word of it being fresh. The dish was zesty, flavorful, and bursting with fresh vegetables. The pasta was phenomenal. I can tell that this cafe was dedicated to getting good ingredients, possibly local/organic. You can tell just by how it taste!

On our most recent visit today, my boyfriend and I tried the tarte pastries. They were a little dry at first which seems to be the only thing I seemed to have disliked, but despite that, the flavors of the tarte itself were layered and rich. I had a chocolate pistachio tarte, and he chose a walnut one—both were satisfying. The coffee was just as refreshing as before, and I was surprised to see the pumpkin spice flavor was still available! We ended the visit with an assortment of macaroons, which were phenomenal, each offering distinct flavors and textures, from light and fluffy to crisp and tart.

Food: 9/10

Despite how quiet and awkward the atmosphere may be, as my boyfriend says, the personality of the place came with the food that was served and thats what tied it altogether. The awards on the wall hint at a deeper story of how it became, and this little local gem is one I won’t forget after leaving Pittsburgh. We’ll definitely return for brunch and review that as well before we go, and I highly recommend others to give it a try. Enjoy a handcrafted coffee and pastry in this quiet, unique, unassuming spot—don’t let the awkwardness deter you, because the food...

Gluten-free deliciousness, from soup to nuts!

There is a dearth of dedicated gluten free restaurants with a full service menu (i.e., not just sweets). In fact, I don't know of ANY others in Pittsburgh, and honestly, dedicated GF is the only fail-safe way to dine out with celiac. Cafe Chocolade is not only dedicated gluten-free, it is whole food, all made from scratch, and much of the menu is plant-based.

And you can get actual meals - and what a meal that is. From gourmet appetizers like the avocado fries (so perfect: avocado dipped in a from-scratch bread crumb mixture, sauteed, and served with a plant-based creme, made, of course, from scratch), the entrees feature hand-made pastas, house-made plant burgers, dairy-free cheeses (again, made in-house), and pierogie - and these are just the menu items I've tried! The menu changes weekly, so you can always get something a little different.

The chef is an experienced gourmet, truly excited about good food. And oh, the house-made bread pastries, chocolates, and cakes are remarkable. Light and fluffy cakes and breads that lack the heaviness of some gluten-free baked goods. Nothing missing here - except the gluten.

You can order a cake for a special occasion, as I did for my sister and brother-in-law's 50th wedding anniversary lunch. It was gorgeous and delicious, filled with ganache, berries, and frosted with plant-based "buttercream". My pic isn't perfect, as the cake had been boxed to-go and we un-boxed it on the spot, but we couldn't resist digging in right there, after our superb lunch.

And get a french-pressed coffee with your dessert while you're there. Roasted in-house daily. Mmmm.

(Also offers hand-made GF pastas to go, for cooking at home. What more could...

I went here after hearing they roast coffee on premises. I met Chef James and he said he only had one kind of coffee. I'd never heard of this but I got a pound anyway. It was the best, most perfectly roasted coffee I'd had. It's pretty much all we drink now.

I picked up a baked goods while there and was very pleasantly surprised. The chocolate croissants are unbelievable. The bread is tender with a beautiful crust and great flavor.

Next visit we tried the cupcakes. My wife pointed at a beautiful chocolate cupcake with chocolate ganache on top. Chef James said it was a Guinness cupcake. Beer-flavored cupcakes? I love cupcakes and I love beer, but not together. Right? Wrong. These cupcakes were the most exciting synergy of flavors I've ever experienced in a cupcake for sure. These were delicious, tender, chocolatey cakes, not too sweet, with the best part of the Guinness flavor playing harmony. Crazy good with espresso.

Last week, my wife got a birthday cake for me from Cafe Chocolade. I'll tell you this much. We'll never buy a birthday cake anywhere else. It was exquisite. The room fell silent as the cake was consumed and our guests are still talking about it.

I rarely write reviews, but this guy has got something going here that merits review. I haven't tried the lunches or dinners, although I hear they're great. Stop by this place. Have an espresso, a piece of biscotti, and take home a pound of coffee. You won't be sorry. Huge gluten-free...