
Last updated on February 8th, 2025
Beautiful, historical, and culturally varied, the state of Pennsylvania is famous for many things. The home of the original Declaration of Independence, one of the original colonies that would one day become the USA, the home of Hershey’s and Heinz, and much of the Amish population living in the US today, Pennsylvania is also a surprisingly foodie-oriented state. If you’re visiting for business or pleasure, a few fine dining establishments have cemented their place in the US fine dining hall of fame. If you love to eat and experience some of the most incredible service in the state, these are the restaurants you must try before leaving for home.
Friday Saturday Sunday — Philadelphia
Being one of Philly’s oldest restaurants has not slowed Friday Saturday Sunday down at all. This beloved eatery received an incredible gift for its 50th birthday: being named the James Beard Foundation’s Most Outstanding Restaurant In America. Excellence is the standard here and always has been through every year and season for this unique and delectable restaurant. The balance of classic Philly neighborhood spirit and the “destination restaurant” feeling you get when you walk through the door is only one part of what makes Friday Saturday Sunday a can’t-miss dining opportunity.
Becoming a top rated restaurant in Pennsylvania doesn’t come easy, but the team makes it look that way. To begin with, maintaining a walk-in-only policy for the ground floor bar means that no one is disappointed, even if they can’t get a reservation. The team put just as much effort into the gourmet cocktails — we recommend trying the Assassin’s Handbook — and the a la carte nibbles as they do into the full-course dining that takes place in the dining room upstairs. Take a tasting-menu adventure in this cozy, plush hideaway — you’ll experience the team’s entire repertoire, from spiced coconut sabayon and beet agnolotti to jerk quail (with perfectly baked coco bread) and chawanmushi (a savory Japanese egg custard) topped with Berbere-spiced crunch. The options offered here are enough to tantalize the tastebuds of the most seasoned gourmet. Also, be sure to note the best hotels around Nashville.
Le Mont Restaurant — Pittsburgh
Opulence is the best word to describe Le Mont in Pittsburgh. Heavy golden curtains hang above the windows, intricate floral carvings make their way down the pillars in the dining room, and warm lights glimmer from the ornate chandeliers that hang overhead. This Pittsburg institution has been in business since 1960; the tradition of style, elegance, and divine food is one that the team happily carries on today.
To go to Le Mont is to experience the grandeur of a bygone age and dine in true style. First, you can satisfy your thirst with a drink and some nibbles in the softly lit bar; then, you can move across to your table to indulge in the real feature: the delicious meals that come out of the kitchen or are cooked at your table. Start with something original: the baked brie with chutney is an excellent choice. If you prefer something more classic, why not have a shrimp cocktail instead? Choose from delicious red or white meats for your main, and finish with something sweet — perhaps the apple strudel or creme brulee. Eating at Le Mont is a truly decadent experience — one you should be sure not to miss.
Henry’s Salt of the Sea — Allentown
Henry’s does seafood like no other. Join the team in “the culinary ballet,” an exchange of service and revel in the delicious dishes created and served by the chefs and the staff alike. Henry’s has become a destination seafood restaurant, bringing in patrons from afar to experience the French-influenced seafood fare. Henry’s food quality is second to none, but the atmosphere still manages to be relaxed and even a little rustic. So, enjoying the restaurant’s ambiance is easy while indulging. Kick off your experience with a perfectly flavored and silky smooth soup. Or maybe you’d prefer a baked Clams Casino? What Henry’s is best known for — its truly special specialties — are the Maryland-style lobster tails (with crabmeat imperial) and the Fruits de Mer (lobster, shrimp, scallops, and crabmeat served in a creamy garlic sauce over perfectly al dente linguine). If you like your fine dining a little more relaxed, Henry’s Salt of the Sea is the place for you.
Wrap-Up
Tasting some of the best food in Pennsylvania is easy when you know where to look. Any one of these dining experiences will leave your mouth watering for more, so be sure to have the reservation numbers on speed dial for your next visit.