Spring fever has set in and we’re making our bucket list for warmer weather dining destinations. There is nothing like enjoying a stunning outdoor view with a dinner menu to match. From gardens to riverfront views, decks to hillside terraces, urban oases to countryside respites, the region’s top restaurants offer a wide variety of unique outdoor dining backdrops to accompany their exquisite menus.
Adams County
Photo courtesy Destination Gettysburg
1. The Pub
Watch the world go by as you dine directly on Lincoln Square in the heart of downtown Gettysburg. The Pub’s outdoor patio is situated on the brick-lined, historic square where traffic flows by in a circular pattern. The menu is extensive, offering entrées, house-made pizzas, a full lineup of unique burgers, another lineup of unique grilled chicken sandwiches, salads, soups (including The Pub’s clam chowder on Fridays), and “build a pasta dishes” served with The Pub’s traditional garlic bread knot.
21 Lincoln Square, Gettysburg, PA / the-pub.com
Photo courtesy Hauser Estate Winery
2. Hauser Estate Winery
The view from Hauser Estate Winery overlooks miles of farmland, orchards, and woods, including South Mountain and Gettysburg in the distance. Although the 360-degree, glass-enclosed tasting room does not have a restaurant, visitors are welcome to bring picnic baskets along. On weekends, Hauser After Hours features caterers and live music. Wine tastings available every day.
410 Cashtown Road, Biglerville, PA / hauserestate.com
Photo courtesy Sidney Willoughby Run
3. Sidney Tavern and Sidney Willoughby Run
Located in the colonial town of East Berlin, Sidney Tavern is housed in a circa-1830 building; terrace dining adjoins the restaurant’s herb garden, black water pool, and fountain. Sidney’s renowned chef and owner, Neil Annis, offers a modern American menu influenced by classic French cooking.
Sidney Willoughby Run, overlooking gardens and green, rolling hills, is situated on National Park Service land that saw fighting on the first day of the Battle of Gettysburg, July 1, 1863. Both restaurants regularly offer special four- or six-course wine and beer dinners.
101 E. King St., East Berlin, PA / 730 Chambersburg Road, Gettysburg, PA / restaurantsidney.com
Cumberland County
Photo courtesy Cumberland Valley Visitors Bureau
4. Rock Bass Grill, Dukes, and Dockside Willies
Three restaurants along Wormleyburg’s riverfront—Rock Bass Grill, Dukes, and Dockside Willies—are all affiliate restaurants owned by Donald Carter, Jr. Diners at all three restaurants can enjoy extensive beer, wine, and cocktail menus plus waterfront views of the Susquehanna River, Market Street Bridge, and Harrisburg. Rock Bass Grill and Dukes pride themselves on featuring fresh seafood and steaks; Dockside Willies features a full American menu including pizza, calzones, and giant stuffed baked potatoes.
Rock Bass Grill, 461 S. Front St., Wormleysburg, PA / rockbassgrill.com / Dukes, 313 S. Front St., Wormleysburg, PA / dukesbarandgrille.com / Dockside Willies, 449 S. Front St., Wormleysburg, PA / docksidewillies.com
5. The Barn Restaurant at Allenberry
With a terrace overlooking the Yellow Breeches Creek and rolling countryside, The Barn Restaurant at Allenberry combines a picturesque location with history (there’s an original limestone wall dating back to the late 1700s plus a vintage painted mural) and an ever-changing seasonal menu.
1559 Boiling Springs Road, Boiling Springs, PA / allenberry.com/food-drink/the-barn
Photo courtesy Cumberland Valley Visitors Bureau
6. Hellenic Kouzina
Hellenic Kouzina Greek Café in Mechanicsburg bills itself as Central PA’s premier go-to for authentic Greek food. A tightly-knit family-run restaurant, Hellenic Kouzina offers traditional gyros, as well as moussaka, souvlaki, outstanding desserts and pastries, and a coffee bar. Its outdoor garden-like patio seating transports visitors from Main Street to Old World Greece.
500 E. Main St., Mechanicsburg, PA / hellenickouzina.com
Dauphin County
7. The Millworks
With a mission “to create a regional destination which showcases Central Pennsylvania’s wonderful artistic talents as well as our region’s bountiful, sustainable agriculture,” The Millworks is a 24,000-square-foot facility featuring an eatery with an outdoor courtyard, rooftop biergarten, craft brews, a farm-fresh menu, and art galleries. Located in Midtown Harrisburg, The Millworks incorporates salvaged lumber, a Pennsylvania railroad car, 1920s-era lighting from the Broad Street Market, and bricks from an 1830s Perry County farmhouse for the wood-fired oven.
340 Verbeke St., Harrisburg, PA / millworksharrisburg.com
Photo courtesy Char's Tracy Mansion
8. Char’s Tracy Mansion
With a North Front Street view of the Susquehanna River, Char’s Tracy Mansion was built in Tudor Revival style for industrialist David Tracy in 1913. Restored by owner Char Magaro, the restaurant features chef Ron Canady’s classic, French-inspired menu. Diners can enjoy the riverfront view either al fresco or indoors among original artwork.
1829 N. Front St., Harrisburg, PA / charsrestaurant.com
9. Ad Lib
The Hilton Harrisburg’s Ad Lib is described as “the traditional American Tavern, reinvented.” Featuring an outdoor patio in the heart of Harrisburg, Ad Lib features locally-sourced food and beer and a comforting, unpretentious menu by chef John Reis.
One N. Second St., Harrisburg, PA / adlibrestaurants.com
Photo courtesy Hershey Entertainment & Resorts
10. Trevi 5
Located in the Hotel Hershey, Trevi 5 offers an authentic Italian dining experience, complete with an outdoor garden terrace transporting guests to the Old World and overlooking the splendid grounds of the renowned hotel. From Italian wedding soup to house-made ricotta gnocchi, plus a full line-up of pizzas, the menu is sure to please both Italian and Italian-loving tastebuds.
100 Hotel Road, Hershey, PA / thehotelhershey.com/dining/trevi-5.php
11. Greystone Public House
A historic stone structure, Greystone Public House was built in 1798 by one of Harrisburg’s earliest settlers, Godfrey Fritchey of Germany, to resemble his former home in Bavaria. By 1805, he was operating Fritchey Tavern. Today, chef/co-owner Jason Viscount, formerly of Bricco, has developed a rustic American menu that relies on an extensive network of local farms and producers. Bonus: Outdoor seating is being expanded for 2018.
2120 Colonial Road, Harrisburg, PA / greystonepa.com
12. Moose’s LZ Bar & Grill
Located off the base of Fort Indiantown Gap Military Reservation, Moose’s LZ Bar & Grill was a penny arcade in the 1950s where soldiers and local patrons could enjoy a cold beer and sandwich. They still do—thanks to a remodel including a large deck (and partial roof) that seats up to 150 people. Enjoy a full menu, dinner specials, homemade soups, and 18 beers on draft.
211 Fisher Ave., Jonestown, PA / mooseslz.com
Lancaster County
13. The Sutter
The patio at the Sutter combines relaxed dining with a historic downtown Lititz backdrop. The inn was built in 1764 and became The General Sutter Inn in 1930 to honor California Gold Rush pioneer John Augustus Sutter, who lived his final several years in Lititz. Diners can enjoy Adirondack chairs, a big fountain and a full menu weaving classic English pub fare with a contemporary American menu.
14 E. Main St., Lititz, PA / atthesutter.com
14. Copper Hill Public House
Located on Crossgates Golf Course, this casual American restaurant and bar overlooks the greens, featuring a fountain and pond, and offers sunset views too. The diverse American menu pays homage to the region with a Lancaster BLT (including Groff’s bacon) and rotating chef’s specials. See their Facebook page for special events featuring local musicians.
1 Crossland Pass, Millersville, PA / facebook.com/CopperHillPub
15. The Belvedere Inn
A “beautiful view,” or belvedere, sits atop the Victorian Italianate style mansion built in 1869 by tobacco dealer John S. Rohrer, now known simply as The Belvedere Inn. Offering a diverse, creative American menu, The Belvedere has a small but lush patio thanks to blooming baskets, a fountain, and twinkling lights that make it one of the most coveted outdoor dining spots downtown.
402 N. Queen St., Lancaster, PA / belvederelancaster.com
16. Tobias S. Frogg
Whether it’s a cool evening or a warm, starry night, the patio at Tobias S. Frogg will keep you comfy—offering heaters and firepits for chilly nights or misters and a waterfall to keep you cool in the summertime. Locally owned and operated since 1993, this Lancaster destination offers a full seasonal menu.
1766 Columbia Ave., Lancaster, PA / tsfrogg.com
17. T.J. Rockwell’s
Owned by two brothers, T.J. Rockwell’s features an expansive, multi-level deck, a bar, and a full American menu with everyone’s grill and pub favorites plus a creative lineup of desserts. During the summer, look for the seafood feasts on Thursdays and Sundays—all-you-can-eat hard shell crabs, clams, shrimp, coleslaw, corn on the cob, and more.
800 Mt. Gretna Road, Elizabethtown, PA / tjrockwells.com
Photo courtesy Discover Lancaster
18. Loxley’s
Quite possibly the most unique outdoor dining spot in Central PA, Loxley’s is part deck, part patio, and part treehouse. Added onto Heritage Hotel, Loxley’s features an open air layout, a tree growing up through the center, multi-level seating, three bars, and an American menu as adventuresome as its surroundings.
500 Centerville Road, Lancaster, PA / heritagelancaster.com/loxleys-restaurant
Photo courtesy Discover Lancaster
19. The Biergarten Restaurant at Bube’s Brewery
A historic, 19th century brewery, Bube’s Brewery offers several restaurants including the casual Biergarten—a traditional outdoor German biergarten. Among the shaded, brick-lined walkways and mature trees sits the original boiler and smokestack used to create the steam power needed to run the brewery. The full menu includes unique German touches—Pumpernickel funnel cakes, Bavarian hot pretzels with Bube’s hot beer cheese dip, Reuben hush puppies and Bube’s beer braised bratwurst.
102 N. Market St., Mount Joy, PA / bubesbrewery.com/restaurants/biergarten
20. The Log Cabin
Surrounded by Pennsylvania Dutch farmland near Zook’s Mill Covered Bridge, The Log Cabin was originally built in 1929 and includes a back patio. Chef Steven Painter has established a full menu relying on relationships with local growers. House specialties include two-day marinated fried chicken (including honey butter drizzle, pan gravy, Yukon Gold potato puree and red cabbage slaw).
11 Lehoy Forest Dr., Leola, PA / logcabin1933.com
York County
Photo courtesy York County Convention and Visitors Bureau
21. John Wright Restaurant
Riverfront dining on the Susquehanna River’s York County side. John Wright Restaurant combines casual dining, a seasonal menu based upon locally-produced foods, a large restored brick warehouse enclosed with glass on three sides, and riverfront views including the Route 462 bridge. Built in 1916, the historic building operated as a silk mill for many years. Today, the restaurant is a destination that also includes a pizza deck and retail shop, plus Allegro Wine Shop.
234 N. Front St., Wrightsville, PA / jwrpa.com
22. Wyndridge Farm
Central PA’s agricultural heritage is celebrated at this historic York County farm, restaurant, and brewery surrounded by lush, rolling green hills. The expansive patio features a huge stone fireplace and sweeping farm vistas. Chef Matthew Siegmund offers a nature-inspired, full-service menu featuring brick-fired pizzas. Plus sip crafty ciders and beers brewed on site.
885 S. Pleasant Ave., Dallastown, PA / wyndridge.com
Photo courtesy Taste Test
23. Taste Test
A “restaurant incubator,” Taste Test provides a platform for aspiring restaurateurs to gain experience with “test runs” in the audition space, and for those who move on, the restaurant space. Located in York’s Royal Square District, the Courtyard Cantina at Taste Test offers a shaded space brightened by a color mural, where guests can enjoy drinks and ever-rotating menus of York’s up-and-coming chefs.
101 and 105 S. Duke St., York, PA / tastetestyork.com
24. Iron Horse York
Situated on historic Continental Square, Iron Horse offers the perfect place to watch the comings and goings of Downtown York via indoor or outdoor seating. An American bistro, Iron Horse pays homage to York’s industrial past with its décor.
One W. Market St., York, PA / ironhorseyork.com
25. Roosevelt Tavern
On the outskirts of downtown York, Roosevelt Tavern’s secluded outdoor patio offers a great place to escape the hustle and bustle, while enjoying farm-to-table fare sourced locally. A York landmark, the building dates back to the 1860s.
50 N. Penn St., York, PA / roosevelttavern.com
