The Lancaster food scene is thriving! We’ve curated our list of recommended locally owned restaurants below! These restaurants are definitely among the best to consider, as they offer diners a delicious variety of cuisines, with local, fresh tastes straight from Lancaster’s farmlands, as well as authentic and unique global flavors to satisfy their palate.

Belvedere, which means “beautiful view,” is an award-winning restaurant that integrates both unique global foods and the freshest ingredients and produce local to Lancaster County. The restaurant was built inside a Victorian Italianate-style city mansion, and is known for its elegant atmosphere, piano bar, and contemporary American cuisine. 

The Belvedere's sister restaurant, Josephine’s, provides unique cuisine inspired by local harvest. Located downtown right by Lancaster’s Central Market, everything the imaginative chefs produce is made completely from scratch, delivering highly creative and ornate fare. You can expect a sensory, hospitable, and satisfying fine dining experience at Josephine’s.

Looking out onto Penn Square and Central Market, Shot and Bottle is a charming modern space that offers a range of unique beverage options intentionally selected from across the Keystone state. In addition to the locally distilled craft spirits, craft beers and wines, Shot and Bottle’s full brunch, lunch, and dinner menus feature aesthetically appealing dishes that put a delicious fresh spin on some Pennsylvania Dutch favorites. Their drink and food menus are changed seasonally, often using locally sourced ingredients. 

John J. Jeffries Restaurant has been around for more than a decade and takes pride in its commitment to using the freshest, local produce and meats possible to deliver true farm-to-table dining. In addition to a seasonal menu full of sustainable ingredients, John J. Jeffries’ location within the iconic Lancaster Arts Hotel brings a delightful and cultivating aesthetic to visitors having dinner or simply enjoying an evening cocktail. 

The Horse Inn offers globally inspired pub food that use locally sourced daily fresh ingredients. Located somewhat “off the grid” within the city, locals favor its comfortable, historic atmosphere that almost feels like a speakeasy (which it once was!). The menu is updated regularly to keep the culinary-school-trained staff invigorated and the meals in-season, but it is the steadfast favorites such as the savory Horse Inn Cheeseburger or Tips ‘N' Toast that keeps this place top of mind with locals. If you find yourself waiting for a table (they do not take reservations), you can burn time playing shuffleboard, or visit their two bars and enjoy a few of their classic specialty cocktails.

LUCA is a farm-driven Italian kitchen that combines Lancaster County’s heritage with the culinary traditions of Italy. LUCA’s modern rustic space, which includes a wood-burning hearth and Neopolitan oven, brings both a casual and elegant dining experience for guests. At the bar, you can find wines from all over Italy and Italian bar culture-inspired cocktails. The menu, which incorporates impeccably sourced vegetables, handmade pasta, and wood-fired Neapolitan-inspired pizzas, changes seasonally.

The Bread Pedaler is a cozy, rustic, homey breakfast and lunch café with an open cooking space and self-serve coffee and tea bar. This spot’s menu is full of high-quality, organic, locally sourced small and large plate options, including traditional breakfast sandwiches and avocado toast, as well as signature dishes such as the Butcher Bowl or vegan French toast. For a quick-but-delicious grab-and-go or brunch with friends at a reasonable price, The Bread Pedaler is a great place to start your morning!

Located in The Keppel Building on the popular 300 block of North Queen Street, Cabalar Meat Co. is not your run-of-the-mill butcher shop. Also a restaurant, Cabalar serves brunch, lunch and dinner prepared with products almost entirely sourced from Lancaster County, including grass-fed beef, hormone-free poultry, and woodland-raised pork (using non-GMO feed when possible). Despite the many snack and sandwich options, it’s the hand-crafted burgers and delicious beef tallow French fries that have customers talking. Cabalar also partners with Voodoo Brewery, so you can enjoy a craft beer, wine or cocktail with your meal.

The Fridge is the perfect hybrid of a craft beer bottle shop and a flatbread pizza cafe. Voted "Best Pizza In Lancaster City" (and second in Lancaster County), each handcrafted pizza uses fresh, in-season ingredients from local merchants and farmers. The staff is super neighborly, and there’s a dog-friendly outside area! Their newly renovated and expanded space, “The Garage,” is also available to rent for private events. The Fridge is an awesome, laid-back hangout spot to grab a beer and catch up with an old friend. 

Located right in the heart of downtown Lancaster in the historic Steinman Hardware Building, The Pressroom offers upscale dining with menu options brought to you by local farm partners. The restaurant provides guests a warm, historic atmosphere with plenty of tables or booths, as well as gorgeous indoor and outdoor bars. During the spring and summer seasons, sitting in the beautiful Steinman Courtyard is a must. Food selections change seasonally, but you cannot go wrong with the specialty pizzas or the crisp kale Caesar salad.

Gracie’s on West Main, located in Leola, is a comfy neighborhood diner that serves breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner, and sweet treats. You can expect authentic, local homestyle Dutch Country fare with a twist, that uses locally sourced ingredients when possible. The baked goods and salad dressings are made fresh in-house, and their meats are smoked in-house. Locals love the Bacon Menu! If you’re in the mood for mimosas, Gracie’s is BYOB.

Bulls Head Public House, located in Lititz, is a refined English pub that serves American and British cuisine. Recognized as the "best beer bar in the U.S." by USA Today and "Pennsylvania’s best beer bar" by craftbeer.com, the ambiance resembles a comfortable traditional British pub. They offer a variety of local keg, bottle, and cask craft beers. You can also expect great food, courteous staff, and friendly conversation. Bulls Head is pub-style, so you can seat yourself and place your order at the bar. 

Mad Chef Craft Brewing Company, located in East Petersburg, is an industrial-inspired brewpub featuring signature craft brews and simple but elegant food. The space uses locally grown ingredients as often as possible and provides a relaxed atmosphere for their visitors. Some fan favorites include their French dip, fish tacos, and extensive collection of dipping sauces.

Rooster Street Butcher in Lititz is a butcher shop creating quality and healthy meat products. All food is made fresh from scratch with ingredients and meat farmed and sourced locally with no hormones/antibiotics, chemicals, or fillers. Rooster Street Butcher also offers gluten-free and vegetarian options on their menu. The Restaurant and Bar is located on Cedar Street, and the Butcher and Deli is on Broad Street at Market at The Wilbur. 

Located just outside of Lancaster City in Lititz is Per Diem, a trendy restaurant inside the ornate Hotel Rock Lititz. Per Diem serves contemporary American-style dishes with ingredients sourced from local farms, foragers, and producers. But it’s the bar — with its well-trained staff and wide selection of spirits, craft beers, wines, and house cocktails — that is definitely a cornerstone of this Lititz eatery. Live music and hand-crafted drinks such as the Last Word, Smokey Old Fashioned, and Esperanza are certainly worth the trip.

Plough provides a contemporary American dining experience in Penn Square, the heart of historic Lancaster City. This new-age restaurant integrates local ingredients sourced from the region’s farmlands and oldest running farmers market in the country, bringing an eclectic taste of Lancaster’s finest to the table.

Floras Latin Fusion is a BYOB restaurant that features ever-changing Latin cuisine. The menu is updated daily so that dishes from Colombia, Peru, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Brazil, Puerto Rico and more can all be presented. Flora’s supports the Lancaster art community, displaying local artwork throughout the space. The staff, especially chef Flora, are extremely welcoming, and make Monday’s much more exciting with all-you-can-eat empanadas.

Inspired by food from Trinidad, Callaloo Trinidadian Kitchen pairs south-Asian and African-creole influences into their creative and savory dishes. Their food is a unique and delicious fusion made with tropical ingredients that offer an inspiring and unforgettable range of flavors authentic to the colonial-Caribbean island, in a shabby-chic casual environment. There are plenty of gluten-free and vegan options, and it’s BYOB!

Himalayan Curry and Grill features traditional dishes from Nepal and India, and provides a relaxed, intimate setting with top-notch service. Their all-you-can-eat buffet lunch is one of the most affordable and best meals in downtown Lancaster. Himalayan is also sought after for their variety of vegetarian options and appetizing curry, masala, and tandoori dishes. This spot is also BYOB – a highly recommended option for date night. 

Kefi at Yorgos Mediterranian Tervana adds a modern flare to traditional Greek dishes. Kefi means “good humor” in Greek, which aligns perfectly with the dining experience and atmosphere you can expect from this establishment. 

Issei Noodle offers a pan-Asian cuisine and dining experience in a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Here you will find artful fresh forms of Ramen, Vietnamese Pho, and other Asian-infused style noodles from the Pacific Rim ... a hidden gem of Lancaster County.

Mojo Lancaster is home to a variety of Chinese, Japanese and Thai cuisine, as well as a sushi bar. Nestled in the Shoppes at Bloomfield Village, the interior is quite trendy with low wait times for tables and excellent service. If you’re a fan of sushi, you can’t go wrong with Mojo’s fresh, hand-rolled selections.

Rice and Noodles and Sprout are both known for their simple, authentic Vietnamese dishes, including various pho recipes, spring rolls, salads and rice platters. The atmosphere at both restaurants are very casual and makes for a pleasant dining experience for lunch or dinner. They are also vegan-friendly.

Awash is one of the only Ethiopian restaurants Lancaster has to offer, big on authentic flavor in a friendly, comfortable atmosphere. Since there are so many options, the combination platters or buffet are recommended for first-time visitors.

The family-owned Sai Gòn Café is perfect for those looking for authentic and fresh Vietnamese food at a reasonable price. Sai Gòn has an extensive menu; their pho bowls, hoanh tanh soups and crispy spring rolls come recommended by newcomers and regulars alike. 

Caribbean Wave is a family-owned restaurant that serves authentic Jamaican cuisine. At Caribbean Wave you can expect an extensive menu, generous portions, and welcoming staff, as well as a light, fun atmosphere with upbeat music. For first-timers, they’ll recommend the jerk chicken and callaloo yams, but really you can’t go wrong with anything on the menu. 

(717) 626-0105
Chilangos, offering authentic Mexican cuisine, has an at-home along with comfortable deck seating. A family-owned and operated restaurant, located in Lititz, the menu is filled with Mexican favorites such as nachos, tortas, and burritos. Chilangos is a BYOB establishment and offers free chips and salsa when you dine in. 

While this list of restaurants is a good starting point, Lancaster County is full of many more outstanding places to eat, drink, and enjoy good company. Finding your favorite restaurants will be a fun challenge as you taste dishes and experience cultures from both near and far, without having to be far from home to have a wonderful meal. You will never have a shortage of places to try!

Local Tip: Be sure to check out the annual Taste the World, a wonderful event that allows diners to experience seven or more different downtown eateries in one delicious meal! In 2019, their 10th year, they expanded to include a Central Market tour and a Columbia tour. Learn more at http://www.tastetheworldlancaster.com.