Coakley's Restaurant and Irish Pub: A Casual Irish Pub With Fun for All

Coakley's Restaurant and Irish Pub promises fun times for all. The menu is as classic as you can get with everything from steak sandwiches to pub pretzels, sliders, buffalo chicken dip, and even Nathan’s Famous Hot Dogs served warm with a side of fries. A few local treats include Pittsburgh Pillows (fried pierogies) and an unbeatable French dip sandwich. Nightly drink specials offer up classic beers in cheap pitchers and pints along with marked down food offerings, while ongoing game nights and special sports events keep the atmosphere lively and socially involved. Coakley's is the place to come with good friends and good spirits.

Coakley's Restaurant and Irish Pub
305 Bridge Street
New Cumberland, PA 17070
(717) 774-5556
www.coakleys.com

Spice: The Only Place in Town Serving a 15 lb. Lobster

There’s nothing small about Spice, a refined dining establishment with a lot of bite for each buck. Health-dedicated chef Jeff Utzman (formerly the personal chef for exercise guru Richard Simmons), turns out hearty plates of simply prepared, yet filling choices. Modern American meets the Mediterranean in mindful creations such as the crabacado salad (crab meat and avocado with tomatoes, mozzarella, and mixed greens in a lime-cilantro-champagne vinaigrette) and lemon chicken Tuscany (sautéed chicken in a Tuscan lemon cream sauce served over pasta) for an overall dining experience that is at once nutritiously balanced and deliciously satisfying. Oh, and a word to the wise—if you want to try the specialty of the house, a 13-15 pound lobster stuffed with crab (it feeds 4-6 people) call up and order it in advance.

Spice
201 North Second St.
Harrisburg, PA 17101
(717) 441-1556
www.spiceharrisburg.com

Pavone's: Serving Authentic Italian Food For Over 30 Years

For more than 30 years, Pavone's has been serving authentic Italian food, fresh seafood, and USDA choice steaks to its loyal customers. From comfort classics like hand-breaded provolone and peel & eat shrimp to mouth-watering pork chops and smoky, flame-grilled ham steak, the menu is full of filling options for hungry diners. Though the carefully categorized menu—including sections called “butcher’s block” and “low carb”—offers hefty choices for everyone, be sure to save from room for the dessert, which changes up daily.  The Garden Room is a nice smoke-free escape for family meals, whereas Ruby’s Red Garter Saloon is a fun, old timey lounge and bar. Take your pick—whatever you’re in the mood for, Pavone's has you covered.

Pavone's
300 South Hershey Rd.
Harrisburg, PA 17112
(717) 545-2338
www.pavones1.com

Fire House Restaurant: A Local Eatery with a Big Personality

Housed in a restored historic fire station—complete with exposed brick walls and tall ceilings—Fire House Restaurant offers a welcoming atmosphere that is inviting yet unpretentious. Priding itself on "serving Harrisburg's finest foods," the menu reflects pure American cooking and rich flavors. True to the restaurant's locale, courses thematically correspond to a fire alarm number (1st Alarm: appetizers; 4th Alarm: entrées) and are all designed to satisfy hearty appetites. From potato wrapped shrimp and baked goat cheese to horseradish encrusted Chilean sea bass and award-winning baby back ribs, there's a range of savory items to suit every preference. The Fire House is a great stop for a big gathering or easy-going meal on the town—and be sure to stop off on the Monday of your birthday week for a $10 discount on your meal.

Fire House Restaurant
606 North 2nd Street
Harrisburg, PA 17101
(717) 234-6064
www.thefirehouserestaurant.com

Passage to India: All You Can Eat Indian Classics in Harrisburg

Passage to India doesn’t promise any far-flung journeys, but for a reasonably priced Indian restaurant, there’s not much to complain about. The bountiful menu offers all the classics with only a few surprises, so plan on stopping by for dinner or just ordering your favorite combination to take out and enjoy at home. Those with hearty appetites would do better coming by for lunch when the abundant buffet is spread out for anyone whose stomach can match their all-you-can-eat eyes on the fluffy naan, rich curries, crispy samosas, and well-seasoned meats.

Passage to India
525 S. Front St.
Harrisburg, PA 17104
(717) 233-1202

 

Stocks on 2nd: A Charming Eatery in Harrisburg with An Eclectic Menu

A little restaurant with a lot of attitude, Stocks on 2nd encompasses a range of flavors and influences in its mixed menu and diverse clientele. With classic American cooking as its base, the food selection also features accents of Asian and Southern influence that blend together naturally—and deliciously. Try surprising combinations like lamb sliders served with tzatziki sauce on brioche buns, or a candied cherry pear salad with walnuts, gorgonzola, and fuki plum sauce to start, before making your way into well-balanced entrees such as smoked gouda and leek-stuffed chicken or rum-glazed snapper. The charming and spacious atmosphere sets the tone for a relaxed meal, or a leisurely drink at the granite bar—the first martini bar in Harrisburg—and lounge area. And if you're dining on a Saturday night, there is always a live motown/jazz band on schedule—click here to find out who's playing.

Stocks on 2nd
211 North Second St.
Harrisburg, PA 17101
(717) 233-6699
www.stocksonsecond.com
 

Confit French Bistro: French Comfort Food with an Elegant Touch

Confit French Bistro combines the sophistication of a French bistro with the comfort of countryside cuisine. Following the success of his New Orleans-style restaurant Bayou, Chef Matthew Black opened Confit to explore the rustic side of classic French cooking, with a menu that focuses on simple ingredients and uniquely tasteful dishes. From savory crepes (including rabbit with chorizo sausage, vegetables with goat cheese, and slow braised beef short ribs) to provincial specialties (Dijon and herb marinated chicken with leeks and mushrooms) to perfectly seasoned varieties of mussels, this is a destination for anyone who likes clean, discernable flavors with a polished edge. Though there is a bar to accommodate the constant overflow of patrons, Confit maintains a free spirited bring-your-own-beverage policy, so be sure to come equipped with a bottle of your favorite French vin to enjoy with the meal.

Confit French Bistro
2138 Market Street
Camp Hill, PA 17011
(717) 763-1102
www.confitfrenchbistro.com

Al Mediterraneo: Contemporary Italian Cuisine

As its name suggests, Al Mediterraneo feels like a trip to the Mediterranean Sea. The restaurant serves top-notch Southern Italian cooking with an emphasis on traditional cooking methods, high quality ingredients, and a knowledgeable staff. From handmade pastas, sauces, bread, and mozzarella to carefully selected boutique wines, artisan cheeses, and locally grown produce, Al Mediterraneo’s attention to every delectable details and slow cooking process makes for a meal that goes above and beyond typical fast food and pre-packaged Italian fare. The Antipasto Rustica is a great appetizer to sample with its light selection of charcuterie items, but don’t be surprised if you find it harder to share some of the notable entrees like smoked gruyere ravioli with sautéed spinach and caramelized onion broth or veal meatballs with mascarpone polenta and wilted greens. Al Mediterraneo’s culinary quality and unique ambiance make it a perfect choice for special occasions or romantic getaways.

Al Mediterraneo
288 East Main Street
Hummelstown, PA 17036
(717) 566-5086
www.al-mediterraneo.com

Top Notch Italian Cuisine – Zia's at Red Door

Merging the best of food and drink, Zia’s Trattoria and Red Door Wine Bar joined forces to create Zia’s at Red Door. The resulting establishment serves top of the line edibles and beverages to satisfy refined palettes and hearty appetites. Zia’s prides itself on the quality of its products as well as its clientele, inviting diners to sample a range of new flavors and drinks. Thursdays are a particular treat for curious culinary seekers, as the in house wine expert leads a wine tasting happy hour from 5:30–7:30 P.M. that includes complimentary food pairings to really bring out the zest in each sip. The restaurant’s lounge feel and private rooms also make for a good destination for special events, but the apperativo menu of Italian-inspired tapas is also a good choice for an evening snack and drink—the artichoke and gouda is a heavy mix of rich flavors, while the sriacha mussels make for a lighter option.

Zia’s at Red Door
110 North Second Street
Harrisburg, PA 17102
(717) 920-0330
www.ziastrattoria.com

Las Delicias Restaurant: Latin Flair

Las Delicias offers all the spice and flair of Latin cuisine. This family-run restaurant offers a pan-continental offering of dishes and specialties from both Central and South America. There is nothing “fast” about the food served at Las Delicias—from juicy chicken to tender Puerto Rican roast pig (pernil) to sweet and salty stuffed plantains (platanos rellenos), everything is made fresh and has the kind of deep aromatic flavor that only come from dedicated preparation and love. The interior looks a bit run down with its weathered vinyl booths, but the food is authentic and the loyal customers give off an intimate, family atmosphere that make it well worth a trip.

2060 Derry Street
Harrisburg, PA 17104
(717) 233-3664

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