A local guide to Harrisburg’s best food & drinks

When I moved to Harrisburg from Philadelphia, I had a hard time finding restaurants and bars that I really loved. Philadelphia has an incredible food scene, and I was used to having no shortage of great options.

Over time, though, I found them. Harrisburg has some excellent restaurants and bars — they’re just a little less obvious at first. If you’re visiting for a short or extended stay, this guide highlights my favorite places to eat and drink in Harrisburg, PA.

Kate Sisk Blog Harrisburg, PA - City Island Skyline View — *View of Harrisburg from City Island*

BEST RESTAURANTS IN HARRISBURG

Best Overall:

The Millworks

Photos via @the_millworks on Instagram

The Millworks is a restaurant, brewery, and art gallery with a rooftop biergarten. Located in Midtown Harrisburg, the space is housed in a former millwork building and designed using reclaimed lumber from the original structure, preserving the historic timber and brick while creating a warm, bohemian atmosphere.

The restaurant focuses on local and sustainable food sourced from growers throughout Central Pennsylvania, a philosophy that carries through to the on-site brewery and craft beer program. In addition to dining, you can explore galleries and artist studios throughout the building and shop locally made art and goods. Between the courtyard, rooftop biergarten, and seasonal menu, it’s one of Harrisburg’s most distinctive dining experiences.

Best Midtown restaurant:

Rubicon

Photos via @rubiconhbg

Rubicon is a modern Italian restaurant with a refined, city feel. The menu features well-executed classics and elevated dishes, along with excellent cocktails and a strong wine list. Coming from Philadelphia, this is one of the places that felt most like home — polished but welcoming, and ideal for a proper night out.

The space is set inside a beautifully restored historic building with high ceilings and elegant details, giving it a special-occasion feel without being stuffy. I especially love their oyster happy hour special — $1 oysters, available at the bar only, Tuesday through Saturday.

Best Coffee Shop:

Little Amps Coffee

Little Amps Coffee is Harrisburg’s go-to specialty coffee shop, known for thoughtfully sourced and roasted coffee, chill vibes, and a strong sense of place. Founded in 2010, Little Amps was Harrisburg’s first specialty coffee roaster and remains a favorite for both locals and visitors.

They have two locations: the original Midtown shop on Green Street, which has a small kitchen and free street parking, and a downtown location on State Street, just steps from the Capitol and riverfront. Both are great spots for a reliably excellent cup of coffee, whether you’re lingering or grabbing one to go.

Best Historic Pub:

The Watershed Pub

The Watershed Pub sits in one of the oldest buildings in Camp Hill, dating back to the early 1800s, and is the first pub in the borough since Prohibition. The space was thoughtfully renovated to preserve its historic character while adding expanded outdoor seating.

The menu is fully from-scratch and intentionally sourced, with a focus on local and sustainable ingredients that reflect the Susquehanna River Valley and greater Chesapeake watershed. In addition to great food, they offer a well-curated selection of cocktails and thoughtfully crafted mocktails, making it an easy choice whether you’re drinking or not. If you’re looking for a place with history, a strong sense of place, and genuinely good food, this is it.

Best Farmer's Market:

Broad Street Market

Established in 1860, Broad Street Market is one of America’s oldest continuously operating market house and a longtime anchor of Midtown Harrisburg.

The market is open Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, with vendors generally operating between 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM (many keep extended hours). Inside, you’ll find dozens of vendors offering locally grown produce, meats, baked goods, freshly prepared meals, coffee, hometown brews, and more. It’s an essential stop for both everyday shopping and casual eating in the city.

Here is a current list of vendors.

Best View:

Waterfront Grill

Photo via @Waterfront Bar Grill on Facebook

You would think that since Harrisburg sits along the river there would be a waterfront restaurant downtown—but there isn’t. However, just a 15-minute drive away in Marysville, Waterfront Grill offers a deck with lovely views of the river and surrounding mountains.

Best Sushi:

Takashi Sushi

I’ve tried just about every sushi restaurant in the Harrisburg area, and this one is my favorite. Takashi consistently delivers fresh, well-prepared sushi made with quality ingredients. It lives up to its tagline, the art of sushi — when you dine in, you can see the care that goes into both preparation and plating. The atmosphere is comfortable and unfussy, making it just as good for a casual dinner as it is for a business lunch or night out.

Best Burger & CHEESeSTEAK:

Jackson House

A longtime lunch favorite in the city, Jackson House is known for its incredible half-pound burgers and great sandwiches. Their cheesesteaks hold their own against some of the best in Philly, and the hand-cut fries are always solid.

Note: Open weekdays only, 10:30–2. Cash only.

Best CARIBBEAN RESTAURANT:

Los Tres Cubanos

Located in Shipoke — my favorite neighborhood in Harrisburg — Los Tres Cubanos is an authentic Cuban restaurant known for traditional dishes and a lively, old-world atmosphere. The food is classic and comforting, and the space itself is part of the experience.

The bar is especially memorable: curved wood, bistro-style seating, and a colorful, hand-built look that feels more Havana than central Pennsylvania. With exposed brick, patterned ceiling tiles, and playful architectural details throughout, it’s the kind of place where you want to sit for a while. Dining outside on the street in warmer months only adds to the charm.

Best Cooking Classes & Culinary Experience:

The Kitchen Shoppe

The Kitchen Shoppe & Cooking School isn’t a traditional restaurant, but it’s absolutely worth including if you care about food. Family-owned and operated since 1974, it began as a kitchen retail shop and grew into a full cooking school focused on teaching people how to actually use the tools in their kitchens.

You can eat here during classes, and I’ve taken everything from sushi making and knife skills to pasta from scratch. The classes are consistently excellent, with knowledgeable instructors and a hands-on format that makes it both fun and genuinely useful. In addition to classes, the shop carries high-quality cookware, tools, and specialty foods, making it a great stop for anyone who loves to cook or wants to learn.

BEST BARS IN HARRISBURG

Best Brewery:

Ever Grain Brewing Company

Located just across the river in Camp Hill, Ever Grain Brewing Company is one of the best breweries in the Harrisburg area. They have a constantly rotating lineup of beers, from classic styles to more experimental releases, and a spacious taproom with a dedicated bar area and a relaxed, welcoming feel. There’s also a large outdoor space that’s great in warmer weather.

What sets them apart is Ever Grain Farms — their own farm initiative that supports the brewery’s focus on local ingredients, including produce and honey that show up in the kitchen and seasonal menus. And speaking of food: their food is genuinely great, not an afterthought, which makes this an easy pick for both drinks and dinner.

Harrisburg Beach Club

While you can’t actually swim here, Harrisburg Beach Club is all about sunshine and skyline views along the river. Located on City Island, it’s Harrisburg’s largest outdoor bar and a lively seasonal spot for beer, wine, and cocktails. Expect fire pits, lawn games, live music, and usually a food truck, with one or two outdoor bars open on busy summer days. In the winter, you can even reserve an igloo.

Best Winery:

ROYAL WINERY

Formerly known as SpringGate Vineyard, Royal Winery is an easy place to spend an afternoon — wine, beer, hard cider, food, and live music in a relaxed, scenic setting. It feels like a little escape without going far.

They host markets, tours, and special events throughout the season. I once joined a foraging tour here and made an edible flower salad!

Let me know if I’m missing any in the comments!

Best Restaurants + Bars in the Harrisburg Area