Sweet Girlz Bakery
Best Cupcake
Confectionery creativity knows no end at Sweet Girlz Bakery, where cupcake flavors range from Almond Joy and Banana Split to Christmas Cookie to Unicorn Kisses.
40 N. 3rd St., Easton | 610.829.1030 | sweetgirlzbakery.com
Egypt Star Bakery
Best Bread
Egypt Star Bakery has been perfecting the art of bread for more than 80 years, calling their hearth baked bread (rye, pumpernickel and Vienna) the freshest, most delicious baked bread around.
Multiple area locations | egyptstarbakery.com
The Modern Bakery
Best Macaron
This sweet meringue-based confection gets its fair share of seasonal twists at The Modern Bakery, where they celebrate monthly menu drops. Try the mookieron, which features a cookie stuffed with a macaron!
128 N. 3rd St., Easton | 484.578.9040 | themodernbakery.com
Carl’s Corner
Best Hoagie
Whether you opt for the Combination Cheese Sub, the Club Sub or the Cheeseburger Sub, you won’t be disappointed. Carl’s Corner uses Amoroso bread delivered fresh daily.
2 W. Elizabeth Ave.,Bethlehem | 610.691.1541 | 848 Nazareth Pike, Nazareth | 610.994.3384 | carlscornersteaks.com
The Udder Bar
Best Ice Cream
Hayley DeLong says she and her husband, Mike, held their breath when they first opened The Udder Bar in 2017. Perhaps now it’s safe to exhale. The ice cream shop has become a mainstay in Allentown’s West End theater district. “Everything is made in small batches to ensure it is just right,” says DeLong. “We want to make sure our customers are not only receiving the best ice cream, waffles and shakes, but an experience.” And, with 42 flavors, including favorites like honey cinnamon, caramel salted pretzel and cinnamon bun, there’s sure to be something tasty for even the most discerning ice cream connoisseur.
1852 W. Allen St., Allentown | 484.221.8653 | theudderbar.com
Bayou Boys Pierogies
Best Pierogi
Established in 2020, Bayou Boys Pierogies makes small-batch pierogi with love and care. Order 12 in a Rogie Box at Wiz Kidz Cheesesteaks!
bayouboyshg.com | Facebook | Instagram
Don Juan Mex Grill
Best Burrito
Indulge in a warm flour tortilla rolled around the delicious ingredients of your choice at Don Juan Mex Grill.
Multiple area locations | 610.438.5661 | donjuanmexgrill.com
The Flying V Poutinerie
Best French Fry
The Flying V’s classic poutine promises fresh-cut fries straight from Idaho, the “best” cheese curds from Wisconsin and the poutinerie’s own signature house-made gravy. There’s no shortage of poutine varieties on the menu, but customers can also enjoy Naked Fries, tossed with kosher salt and fried in peanut oil, or the Parmesan Truffle Fries, made with black truffle oil, Parmesan and fresh parsley.
201 E. 3rd St., Bethlehem | 610.419.2530 | flyingvpoutinerie.com
Easton Wine Project
Best Grilled Cheese
Find two delectable grilled cheese variations under the “handhelds” section of Easton Wine Project’s menu. The Focaccia Grilled Cheese combines three of Klein Farms’ cheeses (Boursin, Cooper and Monterey Jack) on top of toasted focaccia bread. The Brisket Grilled Cheese has all this plus slow-roasted brisket, jalapeño chive spread and caramelized onions. Both come with a side of chips.
1247 Simon Blvd. Suite N103, Easton | 610.438.2533 | eastonwineproject.com
Photo by Alison Conklin
Photo by Alison Conklin
Mia & Maddie's Bakery
Best Chocolate Chip Cookie
Doctor turned professional baker Eileen Mason-Newman conducted a lot of trial and error to nail down her chocolate chip cookie recipe. “Being a scientist, I did many delicious research runs to bakeries I enjoyed the most in New York City and around the world,” she says. Mason-Newman owns Easton’s Mia & Maddie's Bakery, a company she founded in 2019 and named after what she calls the “sweetest things” in her life—her daughters. Her signature cookie is bursting with chocolate that she says is among the most decadent and delicious on the market. And each batch of batter gets a good old-fashioned hand mixing. “It’s a labor of love, it’s huge, it’s delicious and people can really taste that,” says Mason-Newman.
34 N. 2nd St., Easton | 484.548.2045 | mia-maddie.com
Donerds Donuts
Best Doughnut
Donerds Donuts’ roots stretch more than 5,000 miles south of the Lehigh Valley. It got its start in Santiago, Chile, the home city of Annabel Figueroa, who founded the business with her husband, Andrew Underwood. “We purchased a 1981 VW microbus and started a doughnut and coffee food truck in 2016 using Andrew’s grandpa's doughnut recipe,” Figueroa says. They opened two brick-and-mortar locations there before expanding here with shops in Jim Thorpe and Bethlehem. Their menu is constantly changing; top sellers include the cannoli doughnut, and the tiramisu and French toast cinnamon roll. Donerds also does the classics. “People say we have the best Boston cream doughnuts they've ever had,” says Figueroa.
76 Broadway, Jim Thorpe | 570.732.8508 | 3 E. 4th St., Bethlehem | 484.655.2885 | donerdsdonuts.com
Photo by Alison Conklin
Union & Finch
Best Burger
Union & Finch keeps diners on their toes with their burger of the month offering, but one thing that’s for certain? It never disappoints.
1528 W. Union St., Allentown | 610.432.1522 | unionandfinch.com
Three OAK Steakhouse
Best Mac & Cheese
Three OAK Steakhouse’s lobster macaroni and cheese is available as a side to share—but who says you have to?
323 Northampton St., Easton | 610.559.5510 | threeoaksteakhouse.com
Ciao! Sandwich Shoppe
Best Sandwich
First on the list of more than 20 specialty sandwiches, The “Ciao” features imported prosciutto, fresh mozzarella, roasted red peppers and balsamic glaze.
325 Cattell St., Easton | 484.545.0082 | 12 N. 3rd St., Easton | 610.510.0295 | eatatciao.com
Geakers Tacos
Best Taco
Spice up your taco meat (whether it’s beef, chicken, gator, fish or shrimp) with one of five different flavors available at Geakers: regular, jerk, buffalo, Asian sesame or bourbon. Can you really go wrong?
3531 Freemansburg Ave., Bethlehem | 5150 Game Preserve Rd., Schnecksville | 610.419.4869 | geakers.com
Chopfin Poke + Taqueria
Best Poke Bowl
Chopfin Poke + Taqueria is known for its rolls and bowls. Go all out with the Kickin’ Crab or Lobster Lobster.
1403 N. Cedar Crest Blvd. Suite 140, Allentown | 610.351.9230 | chopfin.com
Vegan Treats
Best Cake
Strawberry-Encased Vanilla Shortcake, Boardwalk Fudge, Peanut Butter Tandy, Lemon Pineapple, Coconut Almond, Pistachio Layer, Orange Creamsicle… Vegan Treats is prepared to make any curious customer a cake lover.
1444 Linden St., Bethlehem | 610.861.7660 | vegantreats.com
Daddy’s Place
Best Hummus
Daddy’s Place has six different hummus varieties on its menu, including a classic option (chickpeas blended with garlic, lemon and tahini) as well as Beirut-style hummus (this one adds parsley and sumac), spicy hummus (with Lebanese cayenne pepper) and Daddy’s hummus (made with sautéed beef, onions and pine nuts). Is your mouth watering yet?
650 Northampton St., Easton | 610.438.4442 | daddysplaceeaston.com
Photo by Matthew Cannon
SURV Restaurant
Best Chicken & Waffles
SURV offers its own twist on the classic chicken and waffles with a waffle made from macaroni and cheese. Add maple aioli, house-made bread-and-butter pickles, their house-made hot honey sauce and it’s no surprise the dish is ordered more than 300 times a month.
1800 Sullivan Trl., Easton 484.544.0624 | surveaston.com
La Kang
Best Pad Thai
La Kang cuts zero corners when it comes to their Pad Thai, making the dish with traditional ingredients like tamarind and palm sugar that other restaurants skip.
620 Main St., Hellertown 484.851.3232 | Facebook | 190 S. Greenwood Ave., Easton | 610.438.0301 | Facebook
Photo by Alison Conklin
Fiamma Italian Grill
Best Pasta
Fra Diavolo, Carbonara, Primavera… with a pasta selection this good, how is one to choose? And don’t even get us started on the Fettuccine Alfredo Bomb.
2118 Schoenersville Rd., Bethlehem | 610.419.6545 | fiammaitaliangrill.com
Plants + Coffee
Best Specialty Latte and/or Coffee Drink
Specialty is what Plants + Coffee does best. Always striving to be unique and fun, the shop aims to offer seasonal creations that customers won’t find anywhere else.
1458 Northampton St., Easton | 610.905.5030 | plantsandcoffee.com
Top Cut Steak House
Best Steak
Here, all cuts are hand selected by the restaurant’s specialty butcher in Chicago, assuring every steak offers superior marbling. Enjoy each perfect bite in Top Cut’s 1940s-style rooftop atmosphere.
2880 Center Valley Pkwy. Suite 625, Center Valley | 610.841.7100 | topcutsteak.com
Yocco's
Best Hot Dog
How would you like that cooked? Yocco’s hot dogs are served well done, allowing spices and flavors to caramelize to perfection.
Multiple area locations | yoccos.com
Nowhere Coffee Co.
Best Coffee Shop
Meeting someone? Need a WFH break? Go to Nowhere Coffee Co., where there’s good vibes, great coffee, free Wi-Fi and a camaraderie in finding plenty of others doing the exact same thing.
3127 Tilghman St., Allentown | 17 S. 9th St., Allentown | nowherecoffeeco.com
Steak & Steel Hibachi Inc.
Best Hibachi
Steak & Steel’s hibachi menu includes classics like chicken, shrimp and New York strip steak as well as elevated options like salmon, tilapia, scallops, filet mignon and lobster. All are served with soup, salad, vegetables and choice of fried rice and/or noodles.
44 W. Walnut St., Bethlehem | 610.849.2323 | steakandsteelpa.com
Photo by Alison Conklin
Stuffed to the Grills
Best Cheesesteak
Sauce? Onions? Mushrooms? All of the above? None of the above? What about cheese: American, provolone or Whiz? There’s no shortage of cheesesteak variations in the Lehigh Valley, and there’s no shortage of places to get them, either. So how does any chef who dares to enter the fray stand out from the pack? Michelle Cannon, who owns the Upper Macungie sandwich shop Stuffed to the Grills with her sister, Emily Cannon, has some thoughts: “We make our own sauce from a family recipe, we mix all the onions and banana peppers in with the meat, and we mix all the onions and banana peppers in with the meat, and we put cheese inside the steak meat and on top of the steak meat.”
6750 Iroquois Trl., Allentown | 484.274.6760 | stuffedtothegrills.com
3rd & Ferry Fish Market
Best Dirty Martini
If you like your dirty martini extra dirty, belly up to the bar at Easton’s 3rd & Ferry Fish Market. “Our dirty martini is more than dirty, it’s filthy,” says general manager Danya Kinsman. “Our secret is certainly that we love olive juice and want you to taste it! It's shaken until it is perfectly cold and topped with hand-stuffed blue cheese olives.” Gin or vodka will do for a standard martini, but Kinsman says they recommend vodka if you’re going dirty: “Gin has many
56 S. 3rd St., Easton | 610.829.1404 | thirdandferry.com
Photo by Alison Conklin
Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt
Best Frozen Yogurt
Did you know Menchie’s is a good source of calcium? The award-winning frozen yogurt is made with fresh milk from their California dairy, where only “smiley” cows reside.
943 Airport Center Dr., Allentown | 610.841.4913 | 353 S. Cedar Crest Blvd., Allentown | 610.841.1900 | menchies.com
The Shelby
Best Brunch Menu
At The Shelby, brunch is served every Saturday and Sunday until 3 p.m. No matter what you’re craving, it’s on the menu—from Morning Ramen to a Breakfast Chimichanga.
707 N. Krocks Rd., Allentown | 610.841.0808 | shelbyrestaurant.com
Lost Tavern Brewing
Best Locally Brewed Beer
Lost Tavern Brewing has something for every kind of beer drinker. Stop by their brewery or taproom location.
782 Main St., Hellertown | 444 Main St., Bethlehem | 484.851.3980 | losttavernbrewing.com
Torre Restaurant
Best Nachos
Start dinner off right with Torre’s nachos, found under the Bocaditos (snacks) section of the menu. This fully loaded app comes topped with black beans, guacamole, Chihuahua and cheddar cheese, chili, crema and your choice of shredded chicken, pulled pork or shredded brisket.
2960 Center Valley Pkwy., Center Valley | 610.841.9399 | torrerestaurant.com
Apollo Grill
Best Salad & Best Appetizer/Small Plate Menu
Apollo’s appetizer menu is one of the longest in the Valley, and their salad selection includes all the favorites like Caesar, Cobb, wedge and beyond.
85 W. Broad St., Bethlehem | 610.865.9600 | apollogrill.com
Porters’ Pub
Best Beer Menu
Porters has 60 different beers, all with varying origins, on their Brew Guide. Join the Mug Club, established in 1990 (the oldest running in the Valley), and once you make it through the full list, you’ll be awarded a mug!
700 Northampton St.,Easton | 610.250.6561 | porterspubeaston.com
Grumpy’s BBQ Roadhouse
Best Barbecue
Established in 2004, Grumpy’s calls itself the Valley’s very first barbecue joint. Here, they’re barbecuing at low temps for long periods of time in a hickory wood cooker.
3000 Mauch Chunk Rd., Allentown | 610.769.4600 | grumpysbbq.net
Notch Modern Kitchen & Bar
Best Mocktail Menu
Mocktails never get tired at Notch Modern Kitchen & Bar, where guests are invited to ask for dealer’s choice. Tell the bartender what you like—tart, sweet, savory, smoky, floral, fruity, herbaceous, vegetal, creamy—and they’ll whip something right up.
5036 Hamilton Blvd., Allentown | 610.841.4610 | notchmknb.com
Joey B’s Bar & Restaurant
Best Drink Flight
Joey B’s in Palmerton has long been the kind of bar where everyone knows your name. It also happens to be the kind of bar that serves up an exceptionally long list of delicious sangrias. “We generally offer around 20 flavors of sangria at any given time,” says Chip Solt, who owns Joey B’s with his wife, Shari. The sangrias change weekly and include a ton of variety. Their garnish game for the four-drink flights is strong, too. House favorite Peachy Mango is topped with fresh peaches or peach-flavored sweets. Bananas Foster is enhanced by whipped cream, cinnamon sugar and banana slices. There’s even a Sangria Sippers Club that culminate
638 Delaware Ave., Palmerton | 610.826.6620 | joeybsbar.com
Photo by Alison Conklin
3 Men & A Bagel
Best Bagel Shop
Every day, 3 Men & A Bagel serves up fresh batches of bagels baked to perfection.
3350 Schoenersville Rd., Bethlehem | 610.868.5805 7150 | Hamilton Blvd., Trexlertown | 610.366.9520 | 3menandabagel.net
Rising River Brewing
Best Local Brewery Experience
Rising River invites locals to come and enjoy palm trees in Macungie. Intrigued? Go experience their Big Sky Deck for yourself!
1955 Willow Ln., Macungie | risingriverbrewing.com
Back Home Bagels
Best Breakfast Sandwich
Sometimes, the morning after a night on the town, you just need a really good breakfast sandwich. That’s why Back Home Bagels makes the Hair Of The Dog, combining grilled Boar’s Head buffalo chicken, avocado, applewood bacon, fried egg, pico de gallo, chipotle Gouda and chipotle ranch on a toasted jalapeño cheddar bagel. That should do the trick.
4041 Route 309 #103, Schnecksville | 610.760.3262 | backhomebagels.com
Billy’s Downtown Diner
Best Breakfast Spot
Don’t sleep on Billy’s Berry Krunch, featuring a French baguette dipped in a crème brûlée mixture and topped with homemade granola and candied pecans, strawberries and dried cranberries, drizzled with vanilla bean glaze. The dish is finished with whipped cream and a dusting of powdered sugar.
10 E. Broad St., Bethlehem | 610.867.0105 | bethlehembreakfast.com | 123 S. 3rd St., Easton | 610.438.3100 | eastonbreakfast.com
Photo by Alison Conklin
Social Still
Best Cocktail Menu
Social Still’s menu is categorized by spirit, which means there’s plenty of options no matter if you’re a vodka, gin, whiskey, rum or agave drinker.
530 E. 3rd St., Bethlehem | 610.625.4585 | socialstill.com
Toastique
Best Avocado Toast
Topped with watermelon radish, marinated tomatoes with onions, chili oil and microgreens, it’s no surprise that the Avocado Smash is Toastique Bethlehem’s most popular menu item.
21 E. 3rd St., Bethlehem | 610.419.0950 | toastique.com/bethlehem
Photo by Marco Calderon
P.J. Whelihan’s Pub + Restaurant
Best Wings
Customers love P.J.’s signature sauces ranging from Hot ‘N Honey to Korean BBQ, but the restaurant always keeps things fresh with their wing of the month.
4595 Broadway, Allentown | 610.395.2532 | 3395 High Point Blvd., Bethlehem | 484.353.7200 | pjspub.com
Forks Mediterranean Deli
Best Specialty Grocery Store/Market
Forks Mediterranean Deli specializes in Middle Eastern cuisine, offering authentic fare like hummus, tabouli, falafel, shawarma, baklava and more, along with top-quality meats, cheeses and sandwiches.
1530 Sullivan Trl., Easton | 610.250.0711 | forksmediterraneandeli.com
The Other Fish
Best Sushi
The restaurant’s namesake roll, The Other Fish, is made with shrimp tempura and spicy tuna, topped with avocado and eel.
59 E. Broad St., Bethlehem | 484.821.1370 | theotherfish.site
Green Vida Company
Best Fresh-Pressed Juice Bar
Green Vida’s 100-percent organic, cold-pressed juices are as tasty as they are good for you! Now available as a flight of four, customers can sample the bestselling concoctions.
1800 Sullivan Trl. Suite 330, Easton | 610.438.4112 325 | Northampton St., Easton | 484.541.5309 | greenvidacompany.com
Photo by Alison Conklin
Blue Grillhouse
Best Patio/Outdoor Dining
Blue’s seasonal patio is the perfect location to enjoy the restaurant's Patio Mojito, made with white rum, muddled lime, basil, strawberries and soda.
4431 Easton Ave.,Bethlehem | 610.691.8400 | bluegrillhouse.com
Photo by Alison Conklin
Switchback Pizza Co.
Best Pizza
Try the Happy Pig, made with local thick-cut bacon, Italian sausage, fresh mozzarella and tomato sauce—or the Blue Moon pictured here.
525 Jubilee St., Emmaus | 610.928.0641 | switchbackpizza.com
Todd’s Island Seafood
Best Seafood Market
This family-owned fresh seafood market promises great quality products at affordable prices.
17th & Tilghman St. Allentown | 484.221.8385 | Facebook
Mister Lee’s Noodles
Best Ramen
Order the Mister Lee’s Noodles (one of the restaurant’s hot ramen offerings), made with local pork-mushroom dashi, chashu pork, Primordia Farm mushrooms, local greens and a 60-minute egg.
512 E. 3rd St., Bethlehem | 610.900.4888 | 325 Northampton St., Easton | 610.829.2799 | misterleesnoodles.com
Eight Oaks Farm Distillery
Best Local Distillery
At Eight Oaks, they drink what they grow. Enjoy farm-to-bottle spirits in seasonal craft cocktails at the New Tripoli distillery.
7189 Route 309, New Tripoli | 484.387.5287 | eightoaksdistillery.com
Mr. Bill’s Poultry Market
Best Public Market/Farmers Market Vendor
A Valley staple, Mr. Bill’s Poultry has been operating since 1992.
1825 W. Chew St., Allentown | 610.432.1108 | mrbills.com
Bodega Bistro
Best Food Truck
This family-run food truck is serving up delicious Puerto Rican cuisine all over the Valley. Head to their Facebook page to learn where to find them this week!
Macungie | 484.966.1438 | Facebook
U & Tea
Best Chinese Takeout
U & Tea in Bethlehem makes authentic Hong Kong-style Chinese food, available for dine-in, takeout or delivery. Don’t forget to try the bubble tea.
119 E. 3rd St., Bethlehem | 610.866.4900 | uandteabethlehem.kwickmenu.com
Copperhead Grille
Best Lunch Spot
Serving up All-Star Burgers, MVP Sandwiches and Sizzlin’ Fajitas, Copperhead is the ultimate dining destination for all things lunch.
5737 Route 378, Bethlehem | 610.282.4600 | 1731 Airport Rd., Allentown | 610.403.4600 | copperheadgrille.com
Java Joint Drive Thru
Best Smoothie
Get two-plus servings of spinach and kale in every one of Java Joint’s 20-ounce Veggie Fusion Shakes. Try the Magic Matcha!
7370 Hamilton Blvd., Trexlertown | 610.530.3171 | javajointdrivethru.com
Photo by Alison Conklin
Youell’s Oyster House
Best Happy Hour
At Youell’s, they celebrate Happiest Hour Monday through Friday from 4-6 p.m. Head to the bar to enjoy discounted wine, beer and cocktails, buck a shuck (six or 12 raw clams and raw Bluepoint oysters) and loads of appetizer specials. They even celebrate on the weekends with drink specials from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and bites until 3 p.m.
2249 Walnut St., Allentown | 610.439.1203 | youellsoysterhouse.com
ThreeBirds Coffee House
Best Iced Coffee
ThreeBirds celebrated five years this spring. Rejoice with an iced Americano—or skip the ice and enjoy the cold brew nitro in all its frothy goodness.
226 Bushkill St., Easton | 325 Northampton St., Easton | 484.544.0737 | threebirdscoffee.com
HOEM Kitchen
Best Locally Premade Meals
HOEM’s meals are designed to easily heat, serve and recycle, with delivery offerings every Tuesday and Thursday.
Northampton | 484.891.1027 | hoemkitchen.com
HandHeldz
Best Vegetarian/Vegan Menu
The recently rebranded Hummus House, HandHeldz’s craft vegan/vegetarian sandwich selection includes a veggie monster panini, falafel gyro, Brussels sprout burrito and many others to choose from.
518 E. 3rd St., Bethlehem | 610.434.8800 | handheldzcraftsandwiches.com
Josh Early Candies
Best Specialty Candy
Since 1904, Josh Early Candies has been delivering chocolates made fresh. Favorites include nonpareils, peanut rolled eggs, chocolate pretzels, sea salt caramels, cashew patties, caramel marshmallow bars and more.
4640 W. Tilghman St., Allentown | 610.395.4321 | 3620 Nazareth Pike, Bethlehem | 610.865.0580 | joshearlycandies.com
Tapas on Main
Best Sangria
Tapas’ sangria selection changes seasonally, so there’s always the opportunity to discover a new favorite.
500 Main St., Bethlehem | 610.868.8903 | tapasonmain.com
Saylors & Co
Best Butcher
Let Saylors & Co cut their antibiotic- and hormone-free beef, pork and poultry according to your preference.
1105 Main St., Hellertown | 610.838.6363 | 325 Northampton St., Easton | 484.544.4810 | saylorsandco.com
Historic Hotel Bethlehem
Best Espresso Martini
An espresso martini is a nightcap with a kick. Its origin story is somewhat murky, but we do know this: the bartenders at Historic Hotel Bethlehem can shake up a tasty one. “We brew fresh Italian espresso for each martini we make. No syrup or ‘taste likes’ for us!” says Diane Castaldo, executive restaurant manager. Vanilla vodka, Kahlúa and Baileys chocolate liqueur complete the palate perfection. Bottoms up!
437 Main St., Bethlehem | 855.264.2598 | hotelbethlehem.com
Photo by Alison Conklin
Franklin Hill Vineyards
Best Winery
Franklin Hill Vineyards touts an approachable vibe and unforgettable wines. That’s a winning combination, don’t you think?
7833 Franklin Hill Rd., Bangor | 610.588.8708 | franklinhillvineyards.com
Seasons
Best Gourmet Food Shop
A home cook’s paradise, Seasons is committed to sourcing and producing the freshest, healthiest extra virgin olive oils and vinegars possible.
508 Main St., Bethlehem | 610.866.2615 | seasonstaproom.com
Published as “Best of the Lehigh Valley” in the July 2024 edition of Lehigh Valley Style magazine.
