melt • ing pot (n) a place where different peoples, styles, theories, etc., are mixed together.

By Briana Webster Hess | Photography by Nick Gould

Visitors from all over the world have been flocking to Lancaster County for decades to taste that “foreign” delicacy known as Pennsylvania Dutch cuisine. Today’s visitor, however, is being given the opportunity to taste the world as a result of the area becoming more diverse. With our ever-changing population comes a mix of different ethnicities, cultures and traditions. In addition, Lancaster’s focus on organically grown produce beautifully lends itself to the vegan/vegetarian movement.

One tradition that runs deep, no matter where you’re from, is food. Food unites people and evokes a sense of community and togetherness. From a food perspective, Lancaster is becoming a “melting pot” that embraces different tastes and flavors from numerous regions and nations.

The following features a variety of popular food destinations across Lancaster County, each one showcasing its own unique flavor.

A Lancaster County Foodie Road Trip

While we were out and about, we asked locals to name their go-to dining destinations in Lancaster County. The responses

Restaurant Guide 2023-2024

Average Entrée Price: $: $1-$10 $$: $10-$20 $$$:

Options Abound!

Lancaster County is widely known for its Pennsylvania Dutch heritage. Rolling farmland, horse-and-buggies, fresh produce, homemade goodies and roadside stands

The Art of Ambiance

Cuisine, of course, is what draws people to restaurants, but ambiance is a vital piece of what makes dining out

Outdoor Dining

Warm weather, stellar vistas and beautiful landscaping help to make outdoor dining in Lancaster County a unique experience. Whether your

Lombardo’s Restaurant: A New Generation And Look

Lombardo’s, the family-owned, classic Italian restaurant that has been a fixture in Lancaster for 75 years, is turning heads after

The Belvedere Inn

The Belvedere Inn is one of Lancaster County’s most beloved and elegant dining destinations. The restaurant is housed in a

Decades

Housed in the historic Stahr National Guard Armory Building, Decades combines amusement, food and drink and a bit of nostalgia.

The Brickerville House Restaurant

The Brickerville House Restaurant and its surrounding shops have become a dining and shopping destination! The property is steeped in

Railroad House Inn

Built in 1823 along the Susquehanna River in Marietta, the Railroad House Inn has survived catastrophic floods, the effects of

Southern Market

Southern Market is Downtown Lancaster’s newest dining experience! This bustling food hall features cuisine from across the world created by

Per Diem

If you would like a side of rock ‘n’ roll with your meal, head to Per Diem at the Hotel

Bube’s Brewery

Housed in a 19th-century brewery, Bube’s Brewery offers a variety of dining experiences, ranging from casual to fine dining. Bube’s

John Wright Restaurant

A long the banks of the Susquehanna River in Wrightsville, York County, John Wright Restaurant provides guests with an unparalleled waterfront

Casey Jones’ Restaurant

Casey Jones’ Restaurant makes its home on the grounds of the Red Caboose Motel, where guests can experience a unique

Local Libations

BREWERIES Appalachian Brewing Company-Lititz 55 N. Water St., Lititz. Abcbrew.com Big Dog Craft Brewing 1559 Manheim Pike, Lancaster. Bigdogcraftbrewing.com BJ’s

Star Power

Where else in the world can you find a former White House chef, Food Network champions and James Beard Award nominees,

Beautiful Views

Along the banks of the Susquehanna River in Wrightsville, John Wright Restaurant provides guests with an unparalleled waterfront view. The

Outdoor Dining

Leave behind Lancaster’s farmland and make your way to the beach at T.J. Rockwell’s. Their deck, which can seat over

Cafés

With locations in both downtown Ephrata and Lancaster, Scratch Bakes is not only a convenient spot for those who may

Eat & Explore

Manheim Located in the REO Manheim Marketplace, Mill 72 Bake Shop & Café is a family-owned business offering a unique

Fine Dining

Enjoy the culinary creations of chef Daniel LeBoon at The Belvedere Inn, one of Lancaster County’s most beloved and elegant

Food & Fun

Decades combines amusement, food and drink and a bit of nostalgia. This six-lane boutique bowling alley and arcade boasts a

Nightlife

Tellus360, a downtown Irish pub and live music venue, provides an array of experiences under the same roof including live

Pennsylvania Dutch

You can’t say you’ve truly experienced Lancaster County until you sit down for a meal at Shady Maple Smorgasbord. What

Pubs

Attached to the Lititz Springs Inn & Spa, Bulls Head Public House is known for its selection of craft beers

Tastes of the World

Locals and visitors alike have made Issei Noodle (pronounced “ee-say”) a downtown dining destination. Owned by the Pham family, the

The Art of Food

Produced by Kaylee Rex and Nick Gould | Photography by Nick Gould | Styling by Nick Gould and Lexi Bonner

Artful Interiors

While the menus of Lancaster-area restaurants are works of art, their interiors also make artful statements. Again, the designs cover

Farm-to-Table: John J. Jeffries

Centuries ago, farm-to-table wasn’t a movement. It was a way of life. Packaged and processed foods started to become the

Trail-to-Table

Freddy States, who owns Marietta’s McCleary’s Public House and the Railroad House Inn, is of the opinion that Lancaster County’s

Belvedere Inn

402 North Queen Street, Lancaster 717-394-2422 or Belvederelancaster.com Hours of operation: Lunch, Monday-Friday, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.; Dinner, Sunday-Thursday, 5-10 p.m.,

Fox Meadows Creamery & Country Market

2475 West Main Street, Ephrata 717-721-6455 or Foxmeadowscreamery.com Hours of operation: Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Friday & Saturday, 11 a.m.-

Harvest Seasonal Grill & Wine Bar

1573 Fruitville Pike (The Shoppes at Belmont), Lancaster 717-545-4028 or Harvestseasonalgrill.com Hours of operation: Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Friday &

Horse Inn

540 East Fulton Street, Lancaster 717-392-5528 or Horseinnlancaster.com Hours of operation: Tuesday-Thursday, 5 p.m.-12 a.m.; Friday & Saturday, 5 p.m.-1

John Wright Restaurant

234 North Front Street, Wrightsville 717-252-0416 or Jwrpa.com Hours of operation: Breakfast, Saturday, 8-11 a.m.; Lunch, Monday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.;

Miller’s Smorgasbord & Restaurant

2811 Lincoln Highway East, Ronks 717-687-6621 or Millerssmorgasbord.com Hours of operation: Monday-Thursday, 4-8 p.m.; Friday & Saturday, 11:30 a.m.-8 p.m.;

Oregon Dairy

2900 Oregon Pike, Lititz 717-656-2856 or Oregondairy.com Hours of operation: The Restaurant, Sunday-Saturday, 6 a.m.-8 p.m. You can’t beat the

Per Diem

50 Rock Lititz Boulevard, Lititz 717-500-3436 or Perdiemlititz.com Hours of operation: Coffee bar, 6-11 a.m. daily; Breakfast, 7-10:30 a.m. daily;

Railroad House Inn

280 West Front Street, Marietta 717-426-4141 or Railroadhouseinn.com Hours of operation: Wednesday & Thursday, 4-10 p.m. (kitchen closes at 9

Root

223 West Walnut Street, Lancaster 717-826-9130 or Rootoflancaster.com Hours of operation: Monday-Friday, 4-11 p.m.; Saturday & Sunday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m.

The Greenfield Restaurant & Bar

595 Greenfield Road, Lancaster 717-393-0668 or Thegreenfieldrestaurant.com Hours of operation: Lunch, Tuesday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.; Dinner, Tuesday-Saturday, 5-10 p.m.; Brunch,

The Log Cabin

11 Lehoy Forest Drive, Leola 717-626-9999 or Logcabin1933.com Hours of operation: Open for dinner Tuesday-Saturday; Brunch, Sundays, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Barbecue

Smokehouse BBQ and Brews 121 Old Philadelphia Pike, Bird-in-Hand. 717-431-8400 or Smokehousebbqandbrews.com Hours of operation: Open daily at 11:30 a.m.

Asian-Fusion

Blue Pacific Sushi & Grill 1500 Oregon Pike, Lancaster. 717-393-9727 or Bpsushi.com Hours of operation: Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday

Puerto Rican

Christina’s Criollo Lancaster Central Market, 23 North Market Street, Lancaster. 717-475-0875 or Christinascriollo.com Hours of operation: Tuesday & Friday, 7

Caribbean

Callaloo Trinidadian Kitchen 351 North Mulberry Street, Lancaster. 717-824-3964 or Callalootrinidadiankitchen.com Hours of operation: Tuesday, 5-9 p.m. Wednesday & Thursday,

French

Bistro Barberet & Bakery 26 East King Street, Lancaster. 717-690-2354 or 26eastlancaster.com/barberet Hours of operation: (Bakery) Tuesday-Thursday, 7 a.m.-9 p.m.

Chinese

Hong Kong Garden 1807 Columbia Avenue, Lancaster. 717-394-4336 or Hongkonggardenpa.com Hours of operation: Tuesday-Thursday, 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m. Friday, 11:30 a.m.-10

Italian

Luca 436 West James Street, #101, Lancaster. 717-553-5770 or Lucalancaster.com Hours of operation: Tuesday-Thursday, 5-11 p.m. Friday & Saturday, 5

Vietnamese

Rice & Noodles 1238 Lititz Pike, Lancaster. 717-481-7461 or Riceandnoodlesrestaurant.com Hours of operation: Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Friday & Saturday,

Vegan & Vegetarian

Root 223 West Walnut Street, Lancaster. 717-826-9130 or Rootoflancaster.com Hours of operation: Monday-Friday, 4-11 p.m. Saturday & Sunday, 11 a.m.-11

Indian & Nepalese

Himalayan Curry & Grill 22 East Orange Street, Lancaster. 717-393-2330 or Himalayanlancaster.com Hours of operation: (Lunch) Monday-Saturday, 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m.

Latin American & Mexican

El Serrano 2151 Columbia Avenue, Lancaster. 717-397-6191 or Elserrano.com Hours of operation: (Lunch) Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., and Friday, 11

Pennsylvania Dutch

Miller’s Restaurant & Smorgasbord Driving down Route 30, you’ll find this little slice of Pennsylvania Dutch heaven just west of

Ice Cream

From old-fashioned parlors to dairy farms to All-American drive-ins, Lancaster County is home to many locally owned ice cream shops.

Breweries, Cideries, Wineries & Distilleries

BREWERIES Appalachian Brewing Company-Lititz55 N. Water St., Lititz. Abcbrew.com Hours of operation: Sunday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. (Kitchen closes at 10

In This Issue

melt • ing pot (n) a place where different peoples, styles, theories, etc., are mixed together.

ashley