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10 Best Allentown Restaurants

10 Best Allentown Restaurants

Q: How Expensive is Fine Dining in Allentown, PA?

The cost of fine dining Allentown PA establishments is between $75 and $150 per person for a multi-course meal with a drink. Entrees at fancy restaurants in Allentown PA like Grille 3501 or Henry's Salt of the Sea generally start in the $35 to $50 range. The final bill depends on the specific dishes ordered, the number of courses, and beverage selections such as wine pairings.

The top restaurants in Allentown include Union and Finch, Grille 3501, Henry’s Salt of the Sea, The Shelby, McCall Collective Brewing, Iron Hill Brewery, The Dime, Pennsylvania Rye Company, Cali Burrito, and Starlite Cafe Diner. The city is famous for its local food institutions, especially Yocco's Hot Dogs, which has been serving its secret chili sauce-topped hot dogs since 1922. Pennsylvania Dutch heritage is also a prominent restaurant, with traditional foods like shoofly pie and scrapple available.

Allentown restaurants dotting the city reflect a blend of long-standing tradition and modern dining. The revitalized downtown Hamilton Street corridor is a center for brewpubs and contemporary American eateries, while the West End features established neighborhood bistros. The city’s food identity is also shaped by its diverse communities, with a strong presence of authentic Latin American and Middle Eastern cuisines alongside classic American diners. This mix of old and new provides a full spectrum of dining experiences.

Allentown is located in the Lehigh Valley of Eastern Pennsylvania. Its proximity to Philadelphia influences the local availability of items like cheesesteaks. Among the city's top establishments, Union and Finch stands out for its high quality inventive menu and welcoming neighborhood atmosphere. The most famous fast-food option is Yocco's Hot Dogs, while Grille 3501 is a top choice for fine dining with its sophisticated setting and fusion menu. For visitors seeking unique dining, the Allentown Market is one of the fun places to eat in Allentown, PA, offering multiple food vendors under one roof.

10 Best Allentown Restaurants are listed below.

1 Union and Finch
2 Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant
3 The Dime
4 Cali Burrito
5 Grille 3501
6 Henry’s Salt of the Sea
7 The Shelby
8 McCall Collective Brewing
9 Pennsylvania Rye Company
10 Starlite Cafe Diner

What Food is Allentown Famous For?

Allentown is famous for foods rooted in Pennsylvania Dutch and regional traditions, such as shoofly pie, fastnachts, and scrapple. The city is home to Yocco's Hot Dogs, a local institution since 1922 known for its secret chili sauce. As part of the broader Lehigh Valley, the food in Allentown PA is also influenced by its proximity to Philadelphia, with cheesesteaks and hoagies being widely available. The Great Allentown Fair is a major annual event where food is a central attraction, featuring classic fair items and local specialties.

What is the Average Cost of a Meal in Allentown?

A meal for one person at an inexpensive restaurant in Allentown costs between $15 and $25. A three-course meal for two people at a mid-range restaurant is between $60 and $100.

How Expensive is Fine Dining in Allentown, PA?

The cost of fine dining Allentown PA establishments is between $75 and $150 per person for a multi-course meal with a drink. Entrees at fancy restaurants in Allentown PA like Grille 3501 or Henry's Salt of the Sea generally start in the $35 to $50 range. The final bill depends on the specific dishes ordered, the number of courses, and beverage selections such as wine pairings.

What are the Most Popular Fast-food Restaurants in Allentown?

Allentown's fast-food landscape includes Pennsylvania-based favorites like Wawa and national chains such as Chick-fil-A. These quick-service spots are popular for their convenience and signature menu items. The most popular fast-food restaurants in Allentown are listed below.

Yocco's Hot Dogs: A local institution famous for its hot dogs served with chili sauce, onions, and mustard.
Wawa: A beloved Pennsylvania-based convenience store chain known for its built-to-order hoagies, coffee, and sizzli breakfast sandwiches.
Potts' Hot Dogs: Another local hot dog rival, serving steamed hot dogs with a similar set of classic toppings.
Chick-fil-A: Known for its chicken sandwiches, waffle fries, and customer service.
Sheetz: A regional competitor to Wawa, popular for its MTO (Made-to-Order) menu of sandwiches, burgers, and appetizers available 24/7.
Taco Bell: A go-to for quick Mexican-inspired fare like tacos, burritos, and Crunchwrap Supremes.
McDonald's: A global standard for burgers, fries, and breakfast items.
Wendy's: Popular for its square burgers, Frosty desserts, and chili.

What are the Newest Restaurants in Allentown?

Allentown's dining options continue to expand with several new additions. Recent openings like Tacos & Tequila Express and the breakfast-focused Morning Call have brought fresh concepts to the city. A list of new restaurants in Allentown is provided below:

Tacos & Tequila Express: A fast-casual spot offering a menu of tacos, burritos, and other Mexican street food.
Morning Call: A modern diner concept located in the former Morning Call newspaper building, serving breakfast and lunch.
The Hummus House: A restaurant specializing in Mediterranean street food, with a focus on hummus bowls, shawarma, and falafel.
LPA Cafe: A new cafe in the Lehigh Valley International Airport offering coffee, pastries, and grab-and-go items.
Pocono Brewery Company: A brewpub that opened a location in the Lehigh Valley, serving craft beer and a menu of pub fare.

Where are the Best Restaurants in Downtown Allentown?

The best downtown Allentown restaurants offer a mix of upscale dining and casual brewpub experiences, concentrated around the city's revitalized Hamilton Street corridor. The restaurants listed below are popular choices for dinner before an event at the PPL Center or a night out:

The Dime: Located in the Renaissance Hotel, this restaurant serves contemporary American cuisine in an upscale setting with panoramic views of the city.
Grille 3501: A fine-dining establishment offering a sophisticated atmosphere and a menu of American fusion cuisine with Asian influences.
Union and Finch: A neighborhood bistro with a rustic-chic vibe, serving an inventive menu of modern American comfort food.
Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant: A spacious brewpub offering a large selection of house-brewed beers and a full menu of American comfort food.
Allentown Market: A modern food hall that houses several vendors, including the Pennsylvania Rye Company, known for its smoked meat sandwiches and rye whiskey cocktails.

Are There Fun or Unique Places to Eat in Downtown Allentown?

Yes, there are unique places to eat in downtown Allentown such as the Allentown Market and Pennsylvania Rye Company. The Allentown Market offers one of the most distinct dining experiences, as it is a modern food hall rather than a single restaurant. Inside, guests can choose from multiple food vendors, such as the Pennsylvania Rye Company for smoked meat sandwiches or Doughnut Love for specialty doughnuts, creating a communal and varied meal. This setup makes it one of the fun places to eat in Allentown, PA because friends or family can all get something different from various stalls and eat together. Another unique spot is Brü Daddy's Brewing Co., which features a self-serve beer wall, allowing patrons to pour and sample different craft beers at their own pace.

What Restaurants in Allentown Serve Vegan Food?

Allentown has restaurants that serve vegan food, including The Hummus House, Cali Burrito, and Union and Finch. The Hummus House is a Mediterranean street food spot with many naturally vegan items like hummus bowls and falafel. Cali Burrito offers California-style Mexican food and can customize most burritos and tacos to be vegan. Union and Finch, an American bistro, provides marked vegan options on its menu, such as a specific vegan burger. Veg-e-licious Cafe is a nearby plant-based restaurant specializing in vegan soul food. Many Indian and Thai restaurants in the area also offer extensive vegetable-based dishes that are suitable for vegans.

What Restaurants in Allentown Serve Gluten-Free Food?

Restaurants in Allentown that serve gluten-free food include Grille 3501, The Shelby, and Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant. Grille 3501 is a fine-dining establishment with a sophisticated menu that can accommodate gluten-free requests. Shelby offers a contemporary American menu and notes its gluten-free options. Iron Hill Brewery provides a specific gluten-free menu that includes burgers on gluten-free buns and other modified dishes. Many pizzerias in the area also offer gluten-free crusts as an option.

What are the Most Famous Cuisines in Allentown?

Allentown's most famous cuisines are Pennsylvania Dutch and classic American diner fare. The city's food offerings are a direct reflection of its history, local institutions, and diverse population. Listed below are the most common and popular cuisines in Allentown:

Pennsylvania Dutch: This is the historical culinary backbone of the region. Foods like shoofly pie, apple butter, scrapple, and fastnachts are local specialties found in markets and traditional eateries.
American (Diner & Pub): Allentown is home to many classic diners and pubs. Places like the Starlite Cafe Diner serve all-day breakfast and comfort food, while local institutions like Yocco's define the city's hot dog culture.
Italian: The Lehigh Valley has a strong Italian-American heritage, resulting in numerous pizzerias and family-owned restaurants serving classic dishes, from pizza and stromboli to pasta entrees.
Latin American (Puerto Rican & Dominican): A significant portion of Allentown's population has roots in the Caribbean. This has led to a large number of restaurants and cuchifritos serving authentic Puerto Rican and Dominican food, such as mofongo, pernil, and empanadas.
Middle Eastern (Syrian & Lebanese): Allentown has one of the oldest and largest Syrian-Lebanese communities in the United States. This is reflected in the availability of authentic Middle Eastern restaurants and grocers offering dishes like kibbeh, hummus, and shawarma.