Pennsylvania, United States Food Guide: 10 American food Must-Eat Restaurants & Street Food Stalls in Harrisburg

December 27, 2019 Augustus Redeker

Reviews on American food in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, United States. Nestled in the fertile Susquehanna Valley, Harrisburg has played a pivotal role in the shaping of American history, both as a major link in rail and water transportation and as the setting of major Civil War battles. Having bounced back from economic distress in the 1980s, the city is now a vibrant hub of family activities, from cruises along the Susquehanna to arcades and athletics on City Island. The annual Pennsylvania Farm Show is the largest indoor agriculture exposition in the U.S.
Things to do in Harrisburg

10. Harvest Seasonal Grill & Wine Bar - Harrisburg

2625 Brindle Dr, Harrisburg, PA 17110-9786 American, Wine Bar Lunch, Dinner, Drinks Takeout, Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Parking Available, Television, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Accepts American Express, Accepts Mastercard, Accepts Visa, Free Wifi, Accepts Discover, Private Dining, [email protected] +1 717-545-4028 http://harvestseasonalgrill.com/harrisburg-restaurant
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere
Overall Ratings

4 based on 528 reviews

Harvest Seasonal Grill & Wine Bar - Harrisburg

Harvest Seasonal Grill & Wine Bar of Harrisburg is a local organic restaurant that features a farm to table menu served in an upscale casual atmosphere. Every three months, we update our menu to celebrate the new flavors that accompany the change in seaso

Reviewed By MrOcho

This was my first time to this “area chain” restaurant which features a local purveyor, wholesome farm to table concept. It is very similar to another chain called Seasons 52.My order was the Fall salad ($7) - Bibb lettuce, kale, apple, dried cranberry, agave-glazed walnut, aged Bleu cheese, cranberry vinaigrette, Harvest Turkey Chili ($7) - Cannellini, kidney & black bean, smoked cheddar, sour cream, scallion, and the Cider-Brined Bone-In Duroc Pork Chop ($28) - Winter squash risotto, apple-celery slaw, Smokey tamarind-tomato jam, haricot vert (green beans).What I Liked:- The overall décor and ambiance- They have a very appealing and well-balanced menu - The Fall salad was great, I wish I ordered the full portion!- The turkey chili was very good with a lot of dimension of texture and flavor- The grilled pork chop was tender and juicy- Service was very attentive and engagingWhat I Did Not Like:- The Happy Hour is limited to the bar area and not the entire restaurant- The lighting in the restaurant was too seductive and dim. Also, hard to read the menu with black print on a beige background.- The turkey chili needed some spice to heat it up a notch- The risotto was dead on arrival. Instead of being moist and cream, it was dried out and the worst I have ever eaten. No excuse can be made, when you portray yourself as a higher quality restaurant, for serving awful risotto.- Lack of consistency where it mattered. Both my cousin and I ordered the same entrée. My pork chop was thicker and smaller, while his was thinner and wider. My pork chop was juicy and cooked perfectly and his was dry because it was overcooked.My overall rating placed this restaurant at #19 of the 115 restaurants I have eaten at in the Carlisle area since February 2019. Better “good” consistency (pork) and less “bad” consistency (DOA risotto) could have landed this place in my Top 5 ranking.Thank you for your detailed insights - we truly appreciate them. We are glad you enjoyed your visit overall, but do apologize about the issues you experienced. Our entire management team has been made aware of your feedback, and we hope you'll dine with us again. - Melissa Zirolli Social Media Director

9. Tomato Pie Cafe

3950 Tecport Dr, Harrisburg, PA 17111-1465 American, Cafe, International Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Brunch Takeout, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Parking Available, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Accepts American Express, Accepts Mastercard, Accepts Visa, Free Wifi, Accepts Discover, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service, BYOB [email protected] +1 717-836-7051 http://www.tomatopiecafe.net
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere
Overall Ratings

4 based on 374 reviews

Tomato Pie Cafe

Full Service Urban Style Eatery. Unique selection of Panini's, Soup, Salads, Breakfast Dishes, Lunch, Dinner. Full Espresso Bar

Reviewed By 99cooks111

Having enjoyed the Café in Lititz many times, we had the opportunity to visit the one in Harrisburg. Wonderful service from Michaela, terrific food, very good value, not much changes between the restaurants. Well, not counting the rest rooms, not much changes. While very clean etc. just not quite the "charm" of the one in Lititz. OK there is a big one upstairs.We had 2 great soups- tomato bisque and ham and bean. Then of course the Tomato Pie. We brought a friend who had never been to either TPC and she loved it.

8. O'Reilly's Tap Room & Kitchen

800 E Park Dr, Harrisburg, PA 17111-2807 American, Irish, Bar, Pub Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Brunch, Late Night Takeout, Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Parking Available, Television, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service, Free Wifi, Live Music [email protected] +1 717-564-2700 http://thecentralhotelharrisburg.com/dining-drinks/
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere
Overall Ratings

4 based on 462 reviews

O'Reilly's Tap Room & Kitchen

Reviewed By Louis59

I usually don't opt for dining in hotel restaurants, but in this instance, with such great reviews, I thought I'd give it a try. Glad I did!O'Reilly's is a comfortable, clean, and friendly place for a really good meal. My server, Jessica, was prompt, friendly, and gave honest and enthusiastic answers to the questions I posed about a few of the entree choices. I settled on the roasted 1/2 chicken and it was super tasty, just as she promised. Served hot, with very good mashed potatoes and a side of al dente green beans, it hit the spot.I'm looking forward to coming back to try some of the other entrees on my next visits through Harrisburg!

7. The Millworks

340 Verbeke St, Harrisburg, PA 17102-2052 American, Brew Pub, Bar Lunch, Dinner, Brunch Takeout, Reservations, Private Dining, Seating, Parking Available, Street Parking, Free Off-Street Parking, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Accepts American Express, Accepts Mastercard, Accepts Visa, Free Wifi, Accep [email protected] +1 717-695-4888 http://millworksharrisburg.com/
Food
Service
Value
Overall Ratings

4 based on 558 reviews

The Millworks

The Millworks features a brewery, a rooftop biergarten, a local & sustainable restaurant, an outdoor courtyard, and 3 art galleries with 23 artist studios...all under one roof.

Reviewed By yyyzzz111

Typical trendy brewery/"farm to table" place. The view from the bar was nice overlooking the courtyard which unfortunately we could not use due to the rain. The bartenders were friendly. All of the staff were really young and bit unpolished. I bought something rather nice at the gift shop "gallery" and they threw it in the bottom of a bag. The waitress was nice but in a real rush to clear our plates and glasses. The food was ok, the rice in my dish was barely cooked at all. The beer was good, typical craft beer stuff. It was nice to be able to take 6 packs and even individual cans and bottles home. Would have liked more info on the history of the place. There were artists' studios we were told we could visit upstairs, but we felt really awkward walking in on the sole person working up there.

6. Char's at Tracy Mansion

1829 N Front St, Harrisburg, PA 17102-2213 American, International, Contemporary Dinner Outdoor Seating, Seating, Parking Available, Free Off-Street Parking, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Accepts American Express, Accepts Mastercard, Accepts Visa, Accepts Discover, Reservations, Private Dining, Table Service, Accepts Credi [email protected] +1 717-213-4002 http://www.charsrestaurant.com/
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere
Overall Ratings

4 based on 304 reviews

Char's at Tracy Mansion

Located overlooking the Susquehanna River, Char's offers inventive cuisine, impeccable service with a relaxed, dinner party atmosphere in a grandiose setting.

Reviewed By oldstocks

Really a treat for Hburg. Fun views and great food.Their in-house wine menu is more extensive than online and they have delicious specials. I had the schnitzel and my wife had the coulotte steak. Both were big portions so don’t fill up on soups and apps.Perfect for special occasions and a night out.

5. Cafe Fresco Center City

215 N. 2nd Street, Harrisburg, PA 17101-1468 Asian, Fusion, Contemporary, American Breakfast, Drinks, Lunch, Dinner, Brunch, Late Night Seating, Television, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Accepts American Express, Accepts Mastercard, Accepts Visa, Free Wifi, Accepts Discover, Takeout, Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Table Service, Accepts Credit Card [email protected] +1 717-236-2599 http://www.cafefresco.com/
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere
Overall Ratings

4 based on 203 reviews

Cafe Fresco Center City

Urban Café By Day. Metropolitan Gourmet By Night. Located in the heart of restaurant row, Café Fresco Center City continues to be an innovative leader in the Harrisburg dining scene since opening its doors in 2005. The Feng-Shui inspired setting offers co

Reviewed By southford

My date and I went here for dessert and drinks. I ordered the special of the night~ brownie creme brulee and a millionaire's coffee. My date ordered their signature mojito. The creme brulee was orgasmic, I kid you not. With each bite I literally was like oh my goodness this is so good, oohhh ahhhh mmmmmm. Seriously! The drinks were fabulous as well and I do not even like mojitos normally, but this one was out of this world. My only complaint was the waiter we had. Normally, the wait staff is above par and simply exceptional. Ours, was attentive, but to the extreme. He could clearly see we were on a date, we told him as much, and we asked to be given some time alone and we would let him know if he was needed. He had other tables, so I do not understand what his hurry was as we felt like he was pushing constantly for us to leave (we were quiet and keeping to ourselves). His other tables were no where close to being done, so even if we left, he still had at least two other tables still there, which meant he could not leave anyways. He was just kind of annoying and definitely took away from our date being peaceful and romantic. The owner had died very recently, so maybe that was the issue as this has never happened before. Regardless, the food and drinks are fantastic and I would highly recommend both.Hello!We are so happy to hear that you enjoyed your drinks and your meal! Our creme brulee is made in-house daily, and our signature drinks are all hand-crafted by our highly skilled bartenders. We will most certainly share your commendations with them!We are sorry to hear that your server came across as overbearing -- our goal at Café Fresco Center City is to exceed guest expectations in food and in service, but it is never our intention to make a guest feel rushed or annoyed. We sincerely apologize for that. We certainly hope you will consider us on your next date night, and when you call to make your reservation, please let us know you would like an intimate, more private table. We can take extra steps in choosing your table and overseeing your service to ensure we deliver the experience you expect when out for a romantic evening. While we miss Nick dearly, we did want to mention that he sold Café Fresco Center City to us almost five years ago. We were extremely thankful for the opportunity to be mentored by one of the best in the business, and we strive everyday to carry on the legacy he created. Like him, we sincerely appreciate your ongoing support and your five star review! We hope to see you again soon!

4. Home 231

231 North St, Harrisburg, PA 17101-1125 American, International, Street Food Lunch, Dinner, Brunch Takeout, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Parking Available, Free Off-Street Parking, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Free Wifi, Reservations, Accepts American Express, Accepts Mastercard, Accepts Visa, Accepts Discover, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service [email protected] +1 717-232-4663 http://www.home231.com/
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere
Overall Ratings

4 based on 431 reviews

Home 231

Reviewed By woosailor

We just happened to be in Harrisburg on our way to Chadds Ford and stumbled upon Home231. What a pleasant surprise!We decided to try some”shares”We had the duck meatballs, General Tso cauliflower, beignets,And an appetizer somewhat like scotch eggs. We were really impressed with the flavors. They were unique and refreshingly different. Very friendly bartender who helped us to make some excellent choices. Would return in a heartbeat and if the entrées are anything like the appetizers should be an excellent place for dinner.

3. The Melting Pot

3350 Paxton St, Harrisburg, PA 17111-1464 American Dinner, Drinks, Late Night Reservations, Private Dining, Seating, Parking Available, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Wine and Beer, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service [email protected] +1 717-564-6358 http://www.meltingpot.com/harrisburg-pa/
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere
Overall Ratings

4 based on 250 reviews

The Melting Pot

Whether with friends, family, or business acquaintances when you fondue together, you stay together. Come Savor Every Moment at The Melting Pot. We offer a completely customization experience of 1, 2, 3, or more courses!

Reviewed By dextersadventures

We celebrated our daughters 23rd Birthday here and am really glad we chose this place.We had the 4 Course Experience. I chose the Classic, my wife the Limitless, and our daughter the steak lovers. There's a lot of choices to choose from in what types of cheese, what type of entre and how you want to cook it. Different salads included in the 4 Course Experience. (I had the California. A bit on the sour side, but I loved it!). Lots of choices for the fondue too. (We had Ying and Yang. It looked and tasted amazing. Different sauces too. Our server Kim was excellent and they even brought out a special plate showing "Happy Birthday" with some rice crispy treats as the cake with a candle. The whole thing was fun and very tasty. So much food, we could barely finish the desert. Be sure to make a reservation in advance.

2. The Game Table Cafe

4900 Carlisle Pike Next to the UPS Store, Mechanicsburg, PA 17050-7709 American, Cafe Late Night, Lunch, Dinner, Brunch Takeout, Reservations, Free Off-Street Parking, Free Wifi, Accepts Credit Cards [email protected] +1 717-695-0836 http://www.gametablecafe.com/
The Game Table Cafe

The Game Table Cafe is Central Pennsylvania's first board game cafe. What is a board game cafe? Well first and foremost it is a place to gather with friends and family and connect. In our fast-paced online world many people are seeking an entertainment fo

Reviewed By VictorTheGeek

The Game Table Cafe has been a fantastic addition to the Central PA area. As a cafe, their food and drink selection is wonderful, and the atmosphere is inviting. As a place to play board/tabletop games, the cafe is a true blessing. It's a great place for those who are new to modern board games AND for veteran tabletop gamers.Pros:- They have a nice variety of sandwiches, drinks, and baked goods.- Their soup of the day is always good.- There's a huge board game library that customers can utilize.- The atmosphere is inviting and has great lighting.- During each month, the cafe hosts many different gaming events (role playing, Magic the Gathering, board game demos, etc).Cons:- From time to time, Saturdays are so busy that table space is limited.- Some people may be turned off by the fact that customers have to pay a coverage charge to sit and play games.

What to do and see in Harrisburg, United States: The Best Places and Tips

1. Cafe Magnolia

4700 Gettysburg Rd Ste 2, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055-4529 American, International, Healthy Lunch, Dinner Takeout, Reservations, Private Dining, Seating, Parking Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Table Service, Outdoor Seating, Highchairs Available, Free Wifi, Accepts Credit Cards, BYOB [email protected] +1 717-901-9700 http://www.cafe-magnolia.com
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere
Overall Ratings

4 based on 296 reviews

Cafe Magnolia

Cafe Magnolia is a locally owned and award winning hidden gem. With the quaint dining rooms of this 1901 farm house you are sure to enjoy this unique atmosphere. Deck dining in the summer is a must for the outdoor lovers. Our chefs prepare your selections

Reviewed By Courthouse067

Had a steak I ordered before. Seems to taken from the freezer-tough, highly salted for flavor. Waitress never asked if it was good/acceptable. Not happyThank you for taking the time to leave us a review. I apologize for your disappointing experience, our goal of providing top-notch service and food was missed. Consistency really is important and is something we're striving for each and every day. We do not freeze our steaks, but perhaps it was a bad cut. This could have easily been corrected should your server had checked on you. I'll be sure to address the front of house to make sure they're making it a priority at every single table. I hope that you'll consider dining with us again as that is not our server. We hope to see you in the near future!

Harrisburg Food Guide: 10 Must-Eat Restaurants & Street Food Stalls in Harrisburg

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