Pennsylvania may have a diverse geography that is breathtaking, but nothing can top the amazing food that you can get here. ?
Aside from its great geographic lands and features, the state is also widely known for its importance in the industrial field in the history of the United States.
The renowned Philly Cheesesteak, available almost everywhere, deserves special mention as a top-iconic dish.
Keeping to this theme, here are some of the best restaurants in Pennsylvania to indulge yourself in!?
Top 10 Restaurants in Pennsylvania
- Pastificio Deli, Philadelphia
- Woodrow’s Sandwich Shop, Philadelphia
- Primanti Bros, Multiple Locations
- The exchange, Lancaster
- Cleavers, Philadelphia
- Bolete, Bethlehem
- John’s Roast Pork, Philadelphia
- Melting Pot, Multiple Locations
- La Maison, Pottstown
- Shady Maple Smorgasbord, East Earl
Best Restaurants in Pennsylvania That Will Leave You Hungry for More
Pastificio Deli, Philadelphia
Cuisine: Italian, Sandwiches
Best for: Making a quick stop for great comfort food.
Must try: Classic Italian Hoagie, the Buffalo Chicken Cutlet Sandwich, and the Cobb Salad.
A great place to fill your stomach with healthy and delectable food is this well-known deli/bodega in the southern part of Philadelphia. ?
Some of the state’s best Italian hoagies are available at this shop. The hoagie essentially consists of a sandwich with your choice of meat, such as salami, ham, or even mortadella, and provolone cheese to enhance the flavors of the meats mentioned above.
This dish is fantastic because of the cheese and cured Italian meat pairing. You must go and visit Pastificio if this interests you.
The meats and bread served at this palace are of the highest quality. You can also treat yourself to waffle fries, Cobb salads, and these Italian sandwiches.
They have great options for everyone. Although the ambiance may not be upscale, the food served here has a flavor!?
Pastificio Deli Location
Woodrow’s Sandwich Shop, Philadelphia
Cuisine: Sandwich Bar
Best for: Great sandwiches in an outdoor seating
Must try: Woodrow’s Whiz Wit, Coffee BBQ Brisket, and House-cut cajun fries.
This place’s urban yet casual vibe will take your breath away as soon as you enter. But there’s more! You get some of the best authentic sandwiches here that you will totally swoon over. ?
The sandwiches are made using plentiful, great-quality meat, perfectly toasted bread, and perfectly melted cheese, making this one of the best spots to try out great Cheesesteaks in the entire state.
The sides, like Cajun fries, are a must-have at this restaurant! The fries served here come with a great truffle sauce that is a fan favorite.
They have vegan sandwich options and great salads, so you get a variety from the classic steaks and sandwiches served here. ?
Note that the seating inside is small, but that’s nothing to worry about since they have outdoor seating too!
Woodrow’s Sandwich Shop Location
Primanti Bros, Multiple Locations
Cuisine: American
Best for: A classic joint serving authentic American dishes.
Must try: Roast Beef sandwich and Fish Sandwich
The restaurant began as a cart selling its delectable food, and it now has more than ten locations across the state. ?
The chain of sandwich shops, Primanti Bros., is proudly a Pittsburgh favorite. The place, founded in 1933, is a classic American restaurant serving the area’s greatest sandwiches.
These sandwiches are packed with meat, cheese, and every other American-style goodness! The soft bread, great prices, and usually casual dining experience make this a must-visit place in the state!
Pro tip: These sandwiches may be heavy since they’re packed with so much goodness! We strongly suggest going on an empty stomach to indulge in every bite of their large portions fully!?
Primanti Bros Location
The exchange, Lancaster
Cuisine: American/ Bar
Best for: Night out with fine-crafted drinks
Must try: Piri Piri grilled shrimp and spicy Italian pizza
If you are looking for a restaurant with a view, look no further than The Exchange, located in the heart of Lancaster. ?
You get fantastic city skyline views and a light, moody, and romantic atmosphere. If you happen to be in the area of Lancaster, this is a great place to relax with your friends.
Apart from the great modern ambiance and view, the menu is up to the mark. They offer everything from salads to toast to pizzas for every preference you may have.
However, their amazing cocktails and drinks totally steal the show! The restaurant’s view will appear even more stunning thanks to one of their exquisite cocktails, which tastes great and is well made.?
The exchange Location
Cleavers, Philadelphia
Cuisine: American/ Cheesesteaks
Best for: Best cheesesteaks in Philly
Must try: garlic parmesan fries, fried mozzarella moons, and the cheesesteak hoagie.
If you’re in the mood for some traditional cheesesteaks, head over to Clevers, situated in the center of Rittenhouse. ?
Being in Philly, you’re lucky to have the best classic cheesesteaks with a unique twist served at the cleavers.
The meat is as fresh as it gets and cooked to perfection for you.
The melty cheese added to every sandwich oozes out and will make you drool! The sides like chicken wings and fries are also a must-have with your steaks, that is, if there is more space in your stomach!
Because of the size of the portions, we advise against eating anything beforehand so that you can fully appreciate the deliciousness of the excellent side dishes served here. ?
The drinks are also excellent. Large groups can also enjoy the location because it has excellent seating for those sizes. But be warned—you might be gushing about how wonderful your visit was for hours afterward!
Cleavers Location
Bolete, Bethlehem
Cuisine: American
Best for: Great ambiance with fresh food
Must try: Roasted Kabocha Squash Soup and Bolete Mushroom Tart
You can be assured of a great dining experience at this place. According to the owner, “Bolete” means to be an experience, an escape from the fast-paced world we live in. ?
So we know you will find some serenity and peace of mind while enjoying the great food served here in an ambiance that will blow your mind.
Everything is usually prepared fresh here, so while you wait for your order to be custom-made just for you, you can breathe in the surrounding serenity.
The cocktails served are exceptional. They make their own stocks, sauces, and portions of pasta, which you can enjoy in the quaint atmosphere. ?
The staff is patient and helpful and will help you throughout your dining experience at this place. We highly recommend you visit this place for brunch; you will not regret it!
Bolete Location
John’s Roast Pork, Philadelphia
Cuisine: American
Best for: trying out the original roast pork place
Must try: roast pork sandwich and plain steak sandwich
The only original roast pork sandwich place is known as the “home of the ultimate cheesesteak.”
The family business has been around since the 1930s. Their roast pork is perfectly seasoned, thanks to their old family recipe. ?
If you order a cheesesteak here, you will surely find yourself in front of a large cheese-loaded sandwich with extra Spanish onions inside and good quality meat and sesame seed-filled fresh bread.
What more could one want? The sides here are great, too, and definitely worth a try.
The indoor seating is also great, so you can enjoy dining and indulging in your hearty meal.
John’s Roast Pork Location
Melting Pot, Multiple Locations
Cuisine: Fondue
Best for: One-of-a-kind dining experience.
Must try: Vegan Cheese Fondue and spinach artichoke
The atmosphere at almost every location will surely leave you amazed at how good this place is. ⭐
The friendly and knowledgeable staff ensure you have a great time and experience at Melting Pot.
Melting Pot is actually a chain of restaurants around Pennsylvania that serves fondues or heated pots of cheese, chocolate, or broth for dipping and cooking.
Some of the melting pot locations are Harrisburg, Pittsburgh, and Bethlehem, but the experience here will be wonderful no matter where you dine. The chain also offers great vegan and vegetarian options. ?
Apart from great fondues, they have a range of other great dishes to try, so we recommend trying a little bit of everything at this place, along with the classic fondues served.
Melting Pot Location
La Maison, Pottstown
Cuisine: French
Best for: amazing ambiance with great French food.
Must try: We recommend ordering a prix fixe menu to get your hands on everything French this palace offers.
This small restaurant pays homage to the tiny “mom and pop’ eateries in France and tries to replicate the same concept here in the Pennsylvania countryside. ?
The beautiful and quaint environment is something you will absolutely love and make you want to come back here for a great sense of serenity over and over again.
The restaurant owners, Chef Martin Gagné and his wife, Janet Gagné, are extremely friendly and hospitable.
There is a great ambiance of serenity and positive energy around this place. The palace is in a 1920s historic home and serves some of the most delicious French food.
You can enjoy authentic French food here while great music plays in the background, and great lit candles fill up the room. It really gives you the impression that you are in a European country!?
La Maison Location
Shady Maple Smorgasbord, East Earl
Cuisine: Dutch
Best for: family meals
Must try: We recommend you get your hands on everything you might see on the buffet!
This restaurant in East Earl offers authentic Pensylvanian dutch style cooking that will blow your mind. ?
This establishment serves the food on buffet-style smorgasbords in a setting that resembles a cafe.
It has one of the largest smorgasbords in the nation and serves freshly made food that is made according to traditional family recipes that date back generations.
Numerous large buffet counters throughout the establishment give you many options when choosing what to choose and take. ?
East Earl is a great dining destination if you want to try authentic Dutch cuisine.
Shady Maple Smorgasbord Location
Frequently Asked Questions for Restaurants in Pennsylvania
Why is Pennsylvania known as the Keyhole State?
“keystone” refers to the central wedge-shaped stone in an arch that holds all the other stones in place. It is an architectural term. Thus, a keyhole state was formed.
What is the most famous snack found here?
Tastykakes are a popular snack found here. Tastykakes have been a beloved Pennsylvanian snack for almost a century now! They are available in every corner store or any other convenience store around the state. We highly encourage you to try them out!
What is the most popular dish widely eaten in Pennsylvania?
The ultimate iconic dish served in Pennsylvania is the Philly cheesesteak. The dish contains beef and cheese wrapped up in a crusty bread roll. This truly classic Pennsyvanian food will have you licking it right off your fingers! We recommend going to this place called “Geno’s Steaks” in Philadelphia for some of the best cheesesteaks in the state.
What is the best dessert to check out in Pennsylvania?
The popular Philadelphia-style vanilla ice cream is a must-have in the state. The ice cream is found only here with specks of vanilla beans, strengthening the flavor. The famous ice cream parlor called “The Franklin Fountain” serves some of the best authentic Philadelphia-style vanilla ice creams, so if you have a sweet tooth in Philly, you know just the place to go!
What are Pennsylvania’s iconic breakfast foods?
Scapple is Pennsylvania’s traditional breakfast food and a must-try for anyone interested in the diverse cultures of this historically-rich state. The dish combines ingredients like pork trimmings and cornmeal to make the base dough, which is then sliced and fried and served along with eggs or any other topping of your choice. Truly a classic dish!
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