Best Restaurants & BARS In THE Harrisburg AREA
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.
View of Harrisburg from City Island
BEST RESTAURANTS IN HARRISBURG
Best Overall:
The Millworks
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
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
Photo via @littleampscoffee on Instagram
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 c.1860, Broad Street Market is one of the oldest continuously operating farmers markets in the country. It’s a must-visit for fresh food, local vendors, and casual bites. 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 all the sushi restaurants in the Harrisburg area. This one is my favorite.
Best Take Out:
Pho King
This one made the list mostly because of the name (say it out loud, correctly 😄). It’s also a great takeout option, and the food is genuinely good.
Best Burger:
Jackson House
Rumor has it this is where all the senators go for lunch—and that the owner drives to Philly every morning for authentic cheesesteak rolls. I don’t know if that’s true, but I do know they have the best burgers in the city.
Note: Open weekdays only, 10:30–2.
Best IN SHIPOKE:
Los Tres Cubanos
Located in the historic Shipoke waterfront neighborhood, Los Tres Cubanos serves traditional Cuban dishes in an old-world atmosphere. Dining in the street during the summer is sublime.
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
Spicy Tuna Wontons
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, you can enjoy sunshine and skyline views along the river. There’s an outdoor bar (sometimes two on busy summer days), live music, and a food truck. In winter, you can even reserve an igloo.
Spring Gate Vineyard & Winery
SpringGate Vineyard offers wine, beer, hard cider, food, and live music in a beautiful rural setting. They also host markets and tours—I once made a stunning edible flower salad during one of their foraging tours.
Let me know if I’m missing any in the comments!
