Are you and your family or friends ready for a fun evening out at a restaurant? There’s no better way to spend a few hours than in a relaxing dining room enjoying some good food, a fun atmosphere and of course, some very good company.
But you’re not sure where to go. Sure, you have your old standbys that are tried and true and are some of your favorite places to go. Still, even the best places begin to grow a little old after you’ve been there so many times. Maybe it’s time to go back to the drawing board and search out some new favorite restaurants near and in Harrisburg, PA.
Whether you’ve just moved to Harrisburg or you’ve lived here all your life, we’re willing to bet we can tell you about a few gems that you might never have heard of otherwise. Browse through our list of places to eat in Harrisburg, PA and see how many of these places you’ve been to. More to the point, though, jot down everyone that looks like a place you and your crew want to check out next time you feel like heading out for a bite.
For your convenience, we’ve broken this guide up into sections based on different neighborhoods and towns in the areas surrounding Harrisburg. This way, you’ll be able to have a sense of location as well as a quick look at what makes each restaurant not to be missed.
Right in the middle of it all, Harrisburg’s downtown neighborhood is home to the Capitol Building as well as plenty of great restaurants, coffee shops and other amazing places to grab a bite to eat.
This stylish little restaurant is located just a block away from the Capitol building, making it a great place to stop and eat after playing tourist for a few hours. Home 231 serves seasonal American food that largely draws its inspiration from plants you might find growing in a local garden.
Home 231’s delicious food owes much of its flavor and appeal to the dedicated local farmers who supply its main ingredients. This New American restaurant is dedicated to offering dishes made from — and highlighting — local produce, dairy, cheese and meat. They have plenty of delicious gluten-free options as well.
If you’re stopping for lunch, you can enjoy a light soup and salad. If dinner is more your speed, indulge in a roasted vegetable board, curry cauliflower or grilled corn and zucchini. Keep in mind that their menu is seasonal, meaning you can come back at different times of the year and you might be able to try something entirely new.
If a traditional steak is your go-to meal when you eat out, then you can’t miss Harrisburg’s own 1700 Degree Steak House, Central PA’s finest steakhouse. Here, you’ll be able to taste the very best in dry aged beef, Midwestern prime beef, certified Angus beef and more.
The food isn’t the only appeal, either. This restaurant offers a true fine dining experience, complete with beautiful décor, impeccable service and an integrated lobby lounge.
If you’ve heard of this restaurant, the chances are good that you heard of it as a bar. While that’s true and there are plenty of great drinks to be had here, Ad Lib Craft Kitchen and Bar also has a large food menu that is completely worth checking out.
This restaurant offers live music, a relaxed atmosphere and plenty of great menu options whether you’re in the mood for lunch, brunch, breakfast or dessert. And of course, if you’re looking for appetizers or snacks while you’re out on a Friday night, you can always count on finding something delicious here.
If you like delicious epicurean fare and a fun French-inspired atmosphere, then you need to check out Rubicon. This restaurant has a standard bar with plenty of delicious drinks to choose from, but the menu doesn’t end there. Choose from salads, seafood sandwiches and much more, all with a French twist.
While this might not be a place you could visit for breakfast, it is absolutely the place to be for brunch, dinner or a fun night out. The best part of all is that they use fresh and locally grown food so that you can feel good about supporting your community as you enjoy your meal.
Midtown Harrisburg is located just a few minutes from the hustle and bustle of the downtown area, and while it’s less crowded and busy, there are also plenty of great eateries in this neighborhood.
At Millworks, it isn’t just about the food. It’s about the place itself. Millworks is a destination for all things local and Harrisburg. It’s a large old mill that’s been converted into a restaurant and an art gallery that showcases local artists’ work. And while you may have heard of this restaurant primarily in terms of its drink menu, there’s also plenty to eat here as well. Millworks uses local ingredients to produce a wide variety of delicious dishes including gluten-free and vegetarian options.
When you visit Millworks, you can enjoy a unique atmosphere, view some great art, enjoy some food and support your local community all at once. This is one place you definitely don’t want to miss out on.
Yellow Bird Café is evolving into a cornerstone of the new businesses populating Harrisburg’s Midtown neighborhood. This little restaurant serves up delicious breakfast, brunch and lunch treats. While you won’t be able to stop for dinner here as they close at 3 pm every day, their food makes it worth making the trip earlier in the day. Quiet and simple, Yellow Bird offers a thoughtful and fresh take on traditional cafe offerings from paninis to wraps and pastries to beverages. Enjoy your choice of breakfast sandwiches, soups, salads, paninis, wraps and more.
Half of the charm of Yellow Bird Café comes from the cozy and welcoming atmosphere itself. The tiny dining room is always bustling with life, and the walls are decorated with artwork created by local talent. It’s also located conveniently close to the river. Whether you’re looking for a full meal or just a quick cup of coffee, this is a place that every Harrisburg native should visit at least once.
If you’re a pizza connoisseur, be sure to check out Brother’s Pizzeria. They’re located right in the middle of midtown, close to the Susquehanna Art Museum and not far from the Midtown Scholar Bookstore and the Broad Street Market, making them both a delicious and a convenient choice. If you don’t happen to be in Midtown when you’re craving pizza, however, don’t worry. They also offer free delivery.
Of course, it also goes without saying that their pizza is as tasty as it gets. Choose thin crust pizza or deep dish style, and add all the toppings you want. And if pizza isn’t quite your style, try some of the other menu options like French fries, salads, soups.
While uptown Harrisburg might not have the busyness of the downtown area or the trendy nature of midtown, there’s still plenty of great places to visit here and new restaurants to discover.
If you love good bread, pastries, desserts and Italian food, you can’t miss the treats at Alvaro Bread and Pastry Shoppe. Between all the fresh breads, gelato and other desserts, this might be as close to Italy as you can get while still remaining in Central PA.
The only trick with Alvaro’s is to catch them when they’re open, as their hours are somewhat irregular. Don’t be discouraged, however, as the food is worth it. They’re open Monday through Wednesday from 10-6, and Thursday through Saturdays from 10-9.
No list of restaurants would be complete without an old-fashioned barbeque restaurant. If you’re looking for a good barbeque in Harrisburg, look no further than Camp Curtin Barb-B-Que Station. Camp Curtin is located in an old renovated fire hall, making it a unique location that adds a fun dose of atmosphere to your dining experience.
Their menu specialized in delicious smoked entrees as well as a variety of other entrees. Choose from ribs, chicken, sandwiches and sides like fries, coleslaw and more.
While Colonial Park is a little further away from the center of Harrisburg, it’s worth taking the drive even if for no other reason than to check out some of the wonderful restaurants there.
At the Colonial Diner, you can choose your favorite meal, whether it’s breakfast, lunch or dinner, no matter what time of day it is. They serve up a delectable menu of appetizers, salads, burgers, breakfast foods and so much more.
Craving some of the Colonial Diner’s delicious food, but don’t feel like making the drive? You can also order their food for delivery. These are just a few of the reasons that the Colonial Diner is one of the best restaurants in Colonial Park.
Located just across the river from Harrisburg, Camp Hill is so close that it’s easily included on this list, especially as it also offers plenty of fun and exciting restaurants to try.
Flinchy’s isn’t just a restaurant — it’s an experience unlike any other. Here, diners get to cook their own dinners on a volcanic stone. The end result isn’t just a delicious meal, but also the satisfaction of having cooked itself yourself in a fun and exciting way. This is a great place to go with a group, where you can all enjoy this unique cooking experience together.
Choose to cook yourself either a meat or vegetarian dish, or opt for a more traditional meal of pizza, salads, soups or any of the other options on the extensive menu.
Sophia’s on Market is the perfect place for a casual, daytime dining experience. Sophia’s is primarily a bakery and café, meaning that you can enjoy California-style sandwiches as well as wraps, burgers, soups and more. And if you’re looking for breakfast, you’ll find that here as well.
The bakery is also absolutely worth checking out, as the chef’s at Sophia’s prepare the finest in cakes, pastries, pies, cookies and other delicious baked goods. You can walk into the bakery and buy whatever catches your eye, or you can place a special order for a birthday cake, wedding cake or something else of that nature.
At Summit Family Restaurant, it’s all about serving comfort food and serving it right. Here, you can enjoy hot dogs, salads, pulled pork and more for lunch and dinner, and French toast, oatmeal, pancakes and more for breakfast. You can enjoy all these great tastes in a casual, comfortable and family-friendly atmosphere.
They’re open all day every day, from 5 am to 9 pm, meaning that no matter how early you need to grab some breakfast and no matter how late you’re craving some tasty food, they’re always ready to serve you. Be aware of their limited Sunday hours, however, when they’re only open from 7 to 2.
While not technically a neighborhood of the city, this bustling town lies just a short drive across the river from Harrisburg, making it close enough to visit whether you live in Harrisburg or anywhere in the surrounding area.
If breakfast is your favorite meal of the day, then you need to check out Diener’s. It serves lunch, but everyone knows that breakfast is where this little restaurant really shines. It’s open from 7-1 every Tuesday through Saturday, opening an hour later on Sunday, and it serves breakfast for the entire time it’s open. Choose from breakfast standbys like bacon and eggs or get adventurous and try things like peanut butter pancakes, cream-chipped beef and warm, gooey cinnamon rolls.
The inside of the restaurant is small and cozy, almost making you feel as though you’ve stepped back in time. However, because of the small space, be aware that this might not be a place to bring a large group of your closest friends.
Sometimes, there’s nothing better than some classic comfort food. And when it comes to finding delicious helpings of sandwiches, subs, pizza, pasta and more, there’s no better place than JoJo’s Pizza and Pasta. It’s also easy to find, located right on Main Street in Mechanicsburg.
While takeout is always available, JoJo’s is also a great place to sit down and eat. The atmosphere is comfortable, relaxing and extremely spacious, making it the perfect place to bring a large group that might have trouble fitting into a smaller restaurant.
Every town has one restaurant that boasts the best burger in town. In Mechanicsburg, that restaurant might just be Dad’s Garage Grill & Burger House. The burgers here are absolutely delicious, and they can always be accompanied by lots of tasty sides like onion rings, French fries and more.
Burgers aren’t the only things they do either, as their menu also includes salads, chicken, quesadillas and much, much more. And if you’re too early for lunch, Dad’s is also a great place to get breakfast.
Restaurants aren’t the only reason to come live in Harrisburg. If you’re thinking of making the move, why not live in style and comfort in one of Triple Crown Corporation’s rental communities? Our communities are spread throughout the area so that you can decide which area is best suited to you and your travel needs.
Browse our different rental communities and see which one might be best for you. If you have any questions, reach out to us with our online contact form or call us at 717-657-5729.
