Cafe Moulin

The menu options and food quality was excellent in my opinion. I ordered a French toast dish and love it, though found myself wanting to try many other items too. The items were priced reasonably for the quality of food and atmosphere in a cafe in Pittsburgh. Portions were also ideal. The disappointing part came with the hidden costs in the bill. I had asked for walnuts to be added to my French toast, and about 2 tablespoons cost me $2. I was part of a party of 7 and they failed to inform any one of us beforehand that the gratuity would be included for the bill (it wasn't on the menu), which wouldn't have been an issue except that my $15 dish (would have been $13 without the walnuts) cost me a 20% tip for a dish priced at $22 dollars. This too would not have been an issue if the service was actually pleasant but our server had a noticeably blank demeanor which caused us to suspect he was high. Once given our bill a different employee informed us it was unusual for them to split the check seven ways which gave us the impression that this was an unwelcome inconvenience. Then of course I found out that I was being charged gratuity for something greater than the cost of my meal and that some crushed walnuts would cost me $2. For many this would seem like a trivial expense but I felt like I was being overcharged since the price I was charged was only made available to me once I was obliged to pay it. As a college student living off of summer savings, eating out with friends is a rare luxury and every dollar matters; if we had split into two tables and I didn't get the stupid walnuts I would have been able to afford another bus fare.

I've actually never had an actual crepe before, so when I heard really good things about the crepes from this cute little cafe in Shadyside, Pittsburgh, I decided to come check it out for myself. I came here on a Sunday around 11AM for brunch. The wait time was over 30 minutes, but it was definitely worth the wait. Here's what I tried:

Super Belgium (a sweet crepe):
* Filled with belgium cookie spread & dark chocolate; topped with strawberries & bananas; and comes with a side of cream
* The belgium cookie spread tasted like biscoff cookies but in liquid form -- it was sooo smooth and yummy
* The cookie spread and dark chocolate was warm & smooth and paired so well with crepe and fruit -- it melted in my mouth so well and was so satisfying
* Crepes were thin & had such a nice, soft texture
* A bit too sweet and filling to finish the whole thing alone, so I recommend sharing with someone else!

Alaska (a savory crepe):
* Filled with spinach, pesto, & herbed cream; topped with smoked salmon; comes with a side of salad and I added avocado on the side for an additional $3
* The combination of everything together was so flavorful and yummy & the avocado just topped everything off...A literal chef's kiss, I don't even know how to explain in words, you just have to try it for yourself
* If I had to choose...I'd say I liked this crepe more than the Super Belgium, because I prefer savory items

Freshly Squeezed Orange Juice:
* OMG this was the best orange juice I've ever tasted. YOU MUST TRY IT. I'm literally drooling dreaming of drinking that OJ right now
* Not sure how they managed to get oranges that were that sweet, but it was amazing
* I only like orange juice that's freshly squeezed because I don't like the added sugars and bitter artificial taste in the non-freshly squeezed OJs, so I was so happy to find out they have a juicer here

I am definitely coming back to try all the other variety of crepes they have!

Cafe Moulin is a cute breakfast spot in Shadyside. I tried the Bristol crepe, and my friend had the Liege Waffle Toast. Both were good, but lacked on the flavor side. The quantity of food was okay for the price, but the quality fell short for me.

Also, buyer be ware, this place does not do substitutions except for a $2+ up charge. Like adding tomato to an omelette or swapping a side salad for fruit. This was a cute place to check off of my Walnut St bucket list, but it's not one I am eager to return to.

Cafe moulin is one of my favorite brunch spots off walnut street in Shadyside. It has a cute coffee job ambiance and I love their chai. If you don't like sweet drinks you may not like it though.

For breakfast, I got the eggie veggie toast which came with a side salad. I found this toast to be kind of dry and definitely needed ketchup/hot sauce. But I generally get the crepes which are much better. If you are thinking of getting the eggie veggie toast, definitely ask for a sauce like harissa or aioli. The service also pretty quick and helpful.

Cafe Moulin is a perfect brunch spot with your friends! The inside is fun and cute and it's perfectly placed around plenty of places to shop.
The chai lattes was one of the better ones I've had if you enjoy your drinks sweet (I do), and everyone loved their crepes. I ordered the one with Salmon (The Alaskan?) and it was perfectly balanced and delicious, adding the avocado is worth it.
The bathroom was also very cute and tidy.
The place was very busy when we arrived but despite that, our host and server were both patient and very nice and overall seemed like cool people.

The vibe here is great, the prices are good too especially with the quality and amount of food, I for sure recommend!

Cafe Moulin serves up some truly enjoyable breakfast and brunch options! The lox toast is my go-to; the tomatoes are fresh and the sauce they come with is outstanding. eggs are a bit thick for my taste, but the dish is still a zinger!

The bustling cafe atmosphere is complemented by a vibrant roaster mural that I think is just so fun to look at and intriguing wall decor that adds character to the space.

Service can be a tad slow, likely due to the constant crowd. Not very prompt about refilling our empty carafe. While the attention from staff isn't always prompt, the overall experience is quite satisfying.

Lived too close to this place so I've been here more times than I can count. It was definitely one of the go-to brunch spot in Shadyside for college students in Pittsburgh, which is justified because the food is consistent and it's overall a solid option for brunch!

It's a cute small cafe with pretty small tables -- wouldn't recommend this place for bigger groups (especially because of the wait). They have a ton of savory and sweet options -- crepes, but also toasts, shakshuka, and french toasts. I've probably tried a majority of their menu and haven't found anything I dislike. The flavors and ingredients they use are really familiar and simple -- you won't really find anything surprising or groundbreaking here, but they do it well. My favorites on the menu are the shakshuka, the eggie veggie toast, and the bristol crepe. Portions are pretty large and it's really filling! I always walk out in a minor food coma. The sweet crepes & french toasts are REALLY sweet, if you're into dessert for breakfast. Pictured is the super belgium crepe, with cookie butter, dark chocolate, bananas, strawberries, and whipped cream. So decadent and rich.

Since this place is so popular, there's almost always a crazy long wait. You put your name down at the front and wait for your name to get called. Once you're inside, service is quick and efficient. All the workers are really friendly and polite!

The food is not bad but also not impressive. Would recommend it's Tivoli if you like Italian food -- it was yummy. Wouldn't recommend the Ottawa because it was bland. Unfortunately doesn't plan to come back.

One last note is that the rating is based on San Francisco food scene standards / haven't tried a lot of varieties in Pittsburgh, but the Geppetto Cafe in Pittsburgh in my standards was 5/5.

I can't say enough good things about Cafe Moulin! Whether you're looking for a classic eggs and bacon breakfast, a crepe, or beautiful gourmet toast, they've got you covered. This is one of my favorite places for brunch between the friendly, low-key atmosphere and beautifully prepared food. It can get busy on the weekends, but try a weekday if you're in a hurry!

Cafe Moulin is the perfect spot to get a quick brunch with friends. Only sad thing is it's gotten more expensive over the years.

I also like how their menu has some original items, especially recommend here if you are tired of the same old brunch food. Their crepes are always good, nothing too fancy but they have consistency in quality. As my friend puts it, "homemade vibe but Instagram styled brunch." My favorite savory crepe is the Alaska. The herb cream they have in the crepe is so good. Service is fast, and I often come here in between classes.