Cafe Momentum: Eating for a Cause, and Now a Proud DNA Member

Written by Tori Sako

Dine with purpose at Cafe Momentum, a nonprofit restaurant in Downtown Pittsburgh that doesn’t just serve up delicious meals– they are committed to fostering a supportive community. Cafe Momentum isn’t just a restaurant; it’s an environment for justice-involved youths to learn new life and job skills, receive mentorship from professionals in the field, and participate actively in the downtown community.

Image Courtesy of Cafe Momentum’s Instagram

Opening in downtown’s Market Square in March 2023, their second location in the U.S., Cafe Momentum has since established strong roots, offering lunch, dinner, and catering services— and they’ll only keep moving forward. 

The specialized internship allows students, ages 15-19, to grow confidence and learn necessary life skills. Every student is provided with resources to further themselves and their careers including, mental support in the form of in-house therapy sessions, career guidance and employment opportunities with the help of their local partners, and communal  “flex spaces” where the students can talk, study, or relax. 

Image Courtesy of Cafe Momentum 

Cafe Momentum is a vital member of the Pittsburgh community. The restaurant serves as a pathway for incarcerated youth to bounce back when they usually face barriers to employment, creating opportunities for students to foster growth within themselves, and helping each student move forward in their life and career.

Here for the summer, the cafe has new menu items for both lunch and dinner! Hop in and grab some Maryland crab cakes (available for both lunch and dinner and as add-ons for salad), funghi pizza with locally grown mushrooms being featured (available for dinner), and a grilled pork chop with an in-season peach glaze (available for dinner). Cafe Momentum doesn’t serve alcohol, but they are BYOB and offer seasonal mocktails like this summer’s Butterfly Splash and Dragon’s Breath.

Beyond the incredible work they do every day, Cafe Momentum has taken one more step to connect with our city.

We’re proud to welcome Cafe Momentum as one of the newest business members of the Downtown Neighbors Alliance. As one of ourLiving Well Initiative and Welcome Kits partners, they continue to make an impact beyond their kitchen. Their membership reflects a shared commitment to strengthening our community, and we are excited to continue growing our network with businesses that care deeply about Pittsburgh’s future.