The top Restaurants in Lancaster, Pennsylvania

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Restaurant, Australian, American, $$$

A pairing of Australian and American flavors from Sydney-born Colin Morrell, his partner and Lancaster native Julia Garber and her grandfather Frank Fox, Aussie and The Fox opened in 2013 in downtown Lancaster to rave reviews. Smart and chic, but still warm and inviting, the restaurant’s menu features dishes such as the Aussie burger, a half-pound beef patty topped with lettuce, tomato, pineapple-onion chutney, pickled beetroot, smoked gouda and a fried egg in a ciabatta bun, and grilled 10 ounce rib-eye with shaved cauliflower, frisee, crispy provolone and a black garlic vinaigrette. From spring until late fall, guests can get coffee and pastries to-go from Aussie and The Fox’s side street service window, the Tucker Box.

Located in the heart of downtown Lancaster, The Belvedere Inn resides in a beautiful Victorian mansion and is known throughout the city for its modern American menu and elegant atmosphere. Executive chef Corinna Killian, a Le Cordon Bleu graduate, puts a contemporary spin on classic recipes, using seasonal and local ingredients to craft dishes such as the pumpkin mac ‘n’ cheese appetizer with butternut squash, braised brisket and maple-walnut panko and the pork rib-eye entrée with balsamic braised cabbage, apple and potato hash and Brussels sprouts while The Belvedere Inn’s second-floor terrace is great for cocktails on warmer evenings.

Brewery
If craft beers and locally inspired, scratch-made American fare are your idea of dining heaven then look no further than the Lancaster Brewing Company , an award-winning brewery and brewpub perfect for fans of beer and upscale pub grub. Its on-site brewery, which guests can take a tour of, produces over 30 of its own brews, of which currently ten are on tap including the Double Chocolate Milk Stout which goes perfectly with its maple-smoked baby back ribs (with a side of house-cut fries, coleslaw and barbecue sauce) or its Lancaster Lager, best paired with a dish like the pretzel-crusted chicken breast.

Consistently raved-about seafood and an outstanding wine list of over 350 selections recognized by the Wine Spectator’s Award of Excellence place Gibraltar firmly within Lancaster’s community of fine-dining establishments. Chef Carl Vitale, who cut his teeth working in some of New York City’s top restaurants, expertly blends contemporary American fare and locally sourced ingredients with Mediterranean flavors and techniques to craft exquisite dishes such as the tuna tartare and guacamole appetizer or the Maine lobster fettuccine entrée with sweetcorn, cherry tomatoes, crème fraiche, herbs and parmigiano, while Gibraltar’s interior, full of warm colors reminiscent of the Mediterranean, perfectly complements its menu.

Bar, Restaurant, Italian, American, Beer, $$$

Opened by friends Kevin James and James Futty, who decided to turn their mutual love of great pizza and beer into a downtown Lancaster dining reality this is a cozy beer bar with a sideline in tasty, casual fare. Fans of beer won’t be disappointed with The Fridge’s constantly evolving inventory of craft brews, currently including favorites such as Dogfish Head’s Piercing Pils and Funk Brewing’s Funk Citrus IPA. Eats include a number of specialty flatbread pizzas, sandwiches and small bites and culture fans will love its regular live music events and local art-decorated walls.

Restaurant, French, Vegetarian, $$$
Describing itself as an ‘urban cookery’, Ma(i)son brings a touch of refined rustic charm and respect for seasonal farm-to-table to Lancaster’s dining scene. The restaurant is a beautiful, intimate space full of old world charm and design details such as rustic reclaimed barn wood and exposed brick while an open kitchen allows diners to see the owner Taylor, who doubles as Ma(i)son’s chef, make their dishes. While Ma(i)son’s menus change each week according to the seasons and availability of locally sourced produce, guests can expect dishes such as mouth-watering pheasant breast sausage with buttermilk biscuits and country-style pheasant leg gravy.

Restaurant, Bar, American, Mediterranean, Beer, Wine, $$$

Located on Lancaster’s arty Gallery Row, POUR is a sophisticated, urban restaurant pairing cosmopolitan New American fare with drinks that include fine cocktails, fine wines and over 50 draft and craft beers. Opened in 2011 by Carolyn Kepner and her husband Bryan, who also own the adjoining Artisans Gallery, POUR occupies a sleek and modern space befitting of head chef Anthony’s Davis’ creative, contemporary dishes; try the elk tartare and brioche toast appetizer and wild steelhead trout and curry couscous entrée. Guests should also not miss the duck fat fries, served daily and accompanied by roasted garlic aioli for dipping.

Cafe, Diner, Coffee, American, Vegetarian, $$$

Ideal for either breakfast, lunchtime dining or a casual evening meal Prince Street Café is an independently owned café and coffee shop and one of downtown Lancaster’s most popular hangouts. The trendy brick-walled cafe sells its own hand-selected coffees alongside tea, smoothies and milkshakes and hearty all-day breakfasts such as breakfast burrito or baked oatmeal, all a great kick-start to any diner’s day. Other menu items include sandwiches, quesadillas, soups and salads and Prince Street Café’s popular over-roasted turkey croissant with apple butter spread, cheddar, bacon and green apple slices.

Restaurant, American, Beer, Seafood, $$$

A charming restaurant located on the banks of the Conestoga River, The Waterfront is housed in a former century old millhouse and offers guests a casually elegant dining experience of eclectic New American fare. In chilly winter months, guests can relax in The Waterfront’s warm, stylish dining room with cozy, fireside seating while dining on dishes like jumbo lump crab cakes with lemongrass-sriracha cream, coconut basil rice and Napa cabbage or the grilled Long Island duck breast with mashed sweet potato and a saffron and vanilla sauce. The riverside patio is great for drinks in summer.

Bar, Restaurant, American, Vegetarian, Vegan, $$$

Located in Urban Place, a mixed-use community residing in the various properties of a redeveloped former 19th century cork factory, Cork & Cap is a restaurant wholly local in focus. It takes inspiration from Pennsylvania Dutch comfort food and locally sourced produce to craft simple but cosmopolitan dishes that pay tribute to Lancaster County’s rural bounty. A hip, laidback space with plush banquette seating and a beautiful, rustic bar sets the scene in which to try dishes that include beer-brined roasted chicken with mashed potato and vegetables or the ground beef, pork and veal meatloaf served with three-cheese macaroni, wilted spinach and fresh tomato relish.