Pennsylvania

Every Destination Brings a Different Flavor

There is not a single food culture for the whole state. Local character varies depending on neighborhoods, agricultural zones, college towns, immigrants, and historic sites. This diversity is the reason why selection of restaurants works better if started with location rather than an overarching ranking of the whole state.

Philadephia offers a natural starting point for visitors interested in food options ranging from simple meals at counters to elaborate meals prepared by chefs and international cuisine. Pittsburgh has its own character, which is formed by taverns of various neighborhoods, Eastern European heritage, contemporary spaces, cooking of plants, and independence of attitude. Between these two cities, there is another range of places offering visitors unique dining experiences: Harrisburg, Lancaster, York, State College, Allentown, Bethlehem, Scranton, Hershey, Gettysburg, and Erie.

These guides are created in order to help compare all these different local food cultures. There is no need to consider all destinations in the same way, and there is an opportunity to consider cuisines, prices, occasions, and kinds of meals appropriate for a certain location.

From Pennsylvania Dutch Cooking to Modern Kitchens

One of the best-known sets of traditions in the Commonwealth comes from southeastern and south-central communities. For example, Lancaster County is traditionally known for its Pennsylvania Dutch food, family meals, smorgasbords, pastries, hearty comfort food, and products with a farm background. It is true, but not the whole picture. There are also some modern bistros, international cuisine, cafes, and fancy restaurants in downtown Lancaster.

Moving to the east changes the palette drastically. Of course, one cannot forget about traditional sandwiches of Philadelphia, but such an approach does not describe all culinary traditions of the city at all. There are Italian, Mexican, Vietnamese, Chinese, Ethiopian, Middle Eastern, South Asian, Mediterranean, and many other cuisines in the city, as well as various bakeries, BYOBs, neighborhood bars, upscale fine dining, and unique small plate restaurants.

There is another type of atmosphere in Western Pennsylvania. Near Pittsburgh, one will be able to meet such culinary traditions as pierogi culture, tavern cuisine, modern American cuisine, vegan and vegetarian options, breweries, international cuisine, and chef-owned restaurants with their local flavor. Also, there are more family-operated restaurants, historic backgrounds, roadside eateries, and comfort food in small western communities.

Choose the Right Place for the Meal You Want

Instead of focusing first on a location’s popularity, start by considering your destination and the type of meal that you need to have. What is considered the best lunch destination might not necessarily be appropriate for an anniversary dinner, family vacation, brunch with your friends, or pre-theater meal. Factors such as budget, ambiance, cuisine, special needs, parking, reservation, and opening time might matter as much as reputation.

If you have some time, consider visiting places of different nature during the same trip. For instance, when you travel to Lancaster, you can visit both a restaurant that would allow you to taste regional traditions and a trendy downtown eatery. You can visit established establishments and new establishments alike when traveling to Philadelphia or Pittsburgh and thereby avoid the monotony of the whole trip. In small towns, an establishment like a diner, a bakery, a pub, or a family restaurant might be more representative of the region than the best place nearby.

People with particular preferences can focus on the best restaurants offering seafood, Italian, Mexican, Chinese, vegan, vegetarian, farm-to-table, buffet, casual, fine dining, or family-oriented meals instead of going through a general guide to restaurants throughout the state.

Good Food Fits Every Kind of Trip

A proper stop may influence the speed of the visit. The visit to Gettysburg will involve a simple lunch in the historic area and a leisurely dinner afterward. The visit to Hershey is likely to focus on kid-friendly locations. A visit to the Poconos is likely to favor scenic or resort area options, as well as a casual place to go after a day outdoors. In State College, the activities like weekends when there are games will influence the choice of restaurant, which is why prior planning is needed.

The same principle is applicable when exploring the places around your city or town. The locals are looking for places in their neighborhood that they know well, something new, date night spots, takeout, brunch, or a place for a large company. Exploration by community makes the decision-making process easier since it is all relevant to specific areas of your city.

Look Beyond the Biggest Names on the Map

There are many places that get lots of attention, like Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, but there are great meals that can be found in other smaller places. The places to have good food can be sought out in Glen Mills, Kutztown, Bedford, Paoli, Tunkhannock, Lititz, New Hope, Carlisle, Selinsgrove, Ligonier, and all other places in Pennsylvania.

These are small places where one can have a completely different experience than the big places with much less hype, old buildings, family businesses, season-specific menus, and so on. These places are more likely to give you an experience worth having on a road trip. Instead of waiting to find a place where you would like to have your dinner in some big city, you can have your meals on the way there.

Explore Pennsylvania One Table at a Time

With an endless number of options for eating healthy in the Commonwealth, the most appropriate one is determined by your location and what you fancy at the moment. Consult the location information provided on this page to check out the local delights, unique cuisine, special experiences, and convenient eateries.

If you are looking for the best restaurants in Pennsylvania, dining spots in a small town, regional delicacies, or a special destination for a special occasion, start with the location that matters most to you. The more specific your recommendation is to the area, the better it will be.