10 Best Pennsylvania Restaurants

Pennsylvania is famous for dishes such as the Philly cheesesteak, soft pretzels, hoagies, and scrapple. The state's food identity is strongly linked to the city of Philadelphia, where the cheesesteak was invented in the 1930s. For food tourism, Reading Terminal Market in Philadelphia is a central destination, offering a vast array of local specialties in one place. Another unique local food is scrapple, a loaf made from pork scraps and cornmeal that is sliced and pan-fried, originating from the Pennsylvania Dutch. The state is also the center of American pretzel production and has a strong tradition of Italian-American delis that perfected the hoagie.

The average cost of a meal in Pennsylvania at an inexpensive restaurant is $12 to $15. A three-course meal for two people at a mid-range restaurant costs an average of $75. Prices for meals at fine dining establishments in Philadelphia start at $75 per person and vary based on the specific restaurant and menu selections.

The most popular fast food in Pennsylvania includes major national chains and a strong presence of beloved regional brands. Wawa is the most notable local chain, a convenience store with a very popular made-to-order sandwich counter. Sheetz is another Pennsylvania-based convenience store chain with a similar model. These restaurants are listed below:

• Wawa: A Pennsylvania-based convenience store chain famous for its built-to-order hoagies, coffee, and breakfast Sizzlis.
• Sheetz: Another Pennsylvania-based convenience store chain known for its extensive MTO (Made-to-Order) menu of sandwiches, burgers, and fried appetizers, available 24/7.
• McDonald's: A global chain serving its classic menu of burgers, fries, and breakfast items.
• Subway: Offers made-to-order submarine sandwiches.
• Wendy's: Known for its square burgers, chili, and Frosty desserts.
• Taco Bell: Serves a menu of Mexican-inspired fast food.
• Dunkin': A popular choice for coffee, donuts, and breakfast sandwiches.
• Chick-fil-A: Specializes in chicken sandwiches and waffle fries.
• Rita's Italian Ice: A Pennsylvania-based chain famous for its Italian ice and frozen custard.

Pennsylvania's new restaurants offer fresh concepts and flavors, particularly in Philadelphia. Recent openings include Out West, a West Philly cafe, and The Lodge By Two Robbers, serving American comfort food. These best new Pennsylvania restaurants are listed below:

• Out West: A West Philly cafe from the team behind Down North Pizza that serves breakfast sandwiches, baked goods, and cheesesteaks. Located at 5127 Walnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19139.
• The Lodge By Two Robbers: A restaurant and bar in Bella Vista serving American comfort food like burgers and fish and chips, along with a full cocktail menu. Located at 738 S 11th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147.
• Mana Modern Chinese: A modern Chinese restaurant in Northern Liberties that serves a menu of dim sum, noodle dishes, and unique twists like tofu hummus. Located at 719 N Second St, Philadelphia, PA 19123.
• Lua Vietnamese Restaurant: A Vietnamese restaurant in Kensington that serves a menu of summer rolls, bánh mì, and phở. Located at 2534 Kensington Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19125.
• Ddukbaegi: A Korean restaurant in East Oak Lane where the menu includes gukbap, pork mandu, and bibimbap. Located at 6783 N Fifth St, Philadelphia, PA 19126.
• La Catrachita Taqueria: A 24-hour taqueria on East Passyunk known for its birria tacos, tortas, and al pastor fries. Located at 1201 S Ninth St, Philadelphia, PA 19147.

Yes, there are lunch spots in Pennsylvania worth trying, including Reading Terminal Market, DiNic's Roast Pork, and Federal Donuts. Reading Terminal Market in Philadelphia is a historic indoor market that houses dozens of vendors, offering a huge selection of lunch options from cheesesteaks to Pennsylvania Dutch specialties. Inside the market, DiNic's Roast Pork is a world-famous stand that serves a renowned roast pork sandwich with broccoli rabe and provolone. For a quicker and more unique option, Federal Donuts offers a simple but popular combination of fried chicken, donuts, and coffee at its multiple locations.

Yes, there are good places for dinner in Pennsylvania, such as Zahav, Kalaya, and River Twice. These Philadelphia restaurants provide distinct and acclaimed dinner experiences. Zahav is a modern Israeli restaurant that has won multiple James Beard Awards, offering a celebrated tasting menu that explores the culinary traditions of Israel. Kalaya specializes in the bold and authentic flavors of Southern Thai cuisine in a vibrant Fishtown setting and was also a James Beard Award winner. For a more intimate experience, River Twice in South Philadelphia serves a progressive, hyper-seasonal tasting menu focused on ingredients from the Mid-Atlantic region.

Pennsylvania offers a selection of restaurants serving vegan food, particularly in Philadelphia, such as Vedge, HipCityVeg, and Goldie. Vedge is an upscale, fine dining restaurant that serves an entirely plant-based menu of creative vegetable dishes in a historic mansion. HipCityVeg is a fast-casual chain with multiple locations that offers a 100% vegan menu of burgers, sandwiches, and salads that mimic classic American fast food. Goldie is a vegan falafel shop from the owners of Zahav, specializing in falafel sandwiches, falafel salads, and tehina shakes. In Pittsburgh, Apteka serves a fully vegan menu of Central and Eastern European cuisine.

The restaurants in Pennsylvania that serve gluten-free food are P.S. & Co., Georgina's, and The Happy Mixer Gluten Free Bakery. P.S. & Co. in Philadelphia is a 100% vegan, gluten-free, and organic cafe that serves a menu of juices, salads, sandwiches, and baked goods. In Lancaster, Georgina's is a restaurant that offers a dedicated gluten-free menu of Italian and Portuguese dishes. For baked goods, The Happy Mixer is a dedicated gluten-free bakery with locations in the Philadelphia suburbs that produces a wide range of breads, donuts, cakes, and other pastries in a celiac-safe facility.

Pennsylvania's most famous cuisines are American comfort food and Italian-American. The state's food identity is heavily influenced by its history of immigration and its agricultural heritage. Listed below are the most common and popular cuisines in Pennsylvania.

• American Comfort Food: This is the defining cuisine of the state, encompassing its most famous creations. It includes the Philly cheesesteak, the hoagie, and roast pork sandwiches. This category also covers classic diner fare and homestyle cooking.
• Italian-American: Strong Italian immigrant communities, particularly in South Philadelphia, established a robust culinary tradition. This cuisine is known for its "red gravy" pasta dishes, delis serving classic Italian hoagies, and neighborhood pizzerias.
• Pennsylvania Dutch: This is a specific regional cuisine from the German immigrants who settled in southeastern Pennsylvania. It is known for its hearty, farm-style cooking, with dishes like scrapple, chicken pot pie (with noodles, not a crust), schnitz un knepp (ham with dried apples and dumplings), and shoofly pie.
• Polish: Immigrants from Poland brought their culinary traditions, especially to neighborhoods like Port Richmond in Philadelphia and the city of Pittsburgh. This cuisine is characterized by dishes like pierogi, kielbasa, and golabki (stuffed cabbage).
• Modern Israeli: Philadelphia has become a national center for this cuisine, led by the acclaimed restaurant Zahav. It focuses on dishes like hummus, grilled meats, and salatim (vegetable salads), all served with fresh-baked laffa bread.