That special someone deserves an exceptional Valentine's dinner, and what better way to treat them than with reservations at one of Lehigh Valley's distinctive and delicious dining options. Here are 22 to choose from, each with its own unique cuisine, vibe and appeal.
1. 1741 on the Terrace
At the Historic Hotel Bethlehem, award winning executive chef Michael Adams invites you and your partner to dine, relax and partake in his menus inspired by locally sourced ingredients that put a twist on classic French dishes. Eat and enjoy the ambiance of the hotel's original garden atmosphere, Moravian tile floor, impressive Palladian windows and the extraordinary views of buildings and national landmarks dating back to when the town was founded on Christmas Eve in 1741.
hotelbethlehem.com/1741-on-the-terrace
2. 187 Rue Principale
You won't get modern French cuisine quite like this anywhere else in the Valley. Emmaus High School graduate Chef Dustin Selvaggio incorporates a farm-to-table ideology and focuses on preparing the classics, while playing with flavor and texture…and crepes. Grab your date and mix it up with 187 Rue Principale's culinary experiments.
3. Bell Hall
If you and your partner are into great beer and unbelievable burgers, this historic restaurant will surely make your dinner an unforgettable Valentine's date. Not only does Bell Hall offer an interesting setting as it neighbors the Yankee hiding spot for the Liberty Bell during the Revolutionary War, but it also serves an exquisite burger selection and craft beer for the chic hipster or casual foodie.
4. Diner 248
Keep it family friendly—with a wrap-around, full service bar. Located on 248 between Nazareth and Easton, Diner 248's massive menu spans from homemade soups to a Faroe Island salmon entrée. Save room for dessert as this premium diner-style restaurant not only offers house-made sweets, but also a menu that's easy on your wallet.
5. EDGE
Located in downtown Bethlehem, Edge is a casual, yet upscale dining experience. French and Asian cuisine influence Chef Timothy Widrick's menu, created to pair perfectly with selected wines and carefully crafted cocktails. Share a one-of-a-kind dinner with your Valentine.
6. Emeril's Chop House
There's nothing like keeping it all American. Emeril's distinctive cooking style makes its mark in his modern American chop house at the Sands Bethlehem Resort. As a steakhouse with an elegant spin, Emeril's Chop House will please any Valentine's couple looking for something tasty, familiar and fancy. Eat in the main or private dining rooms under crystal pendant light fixtures, choose from over 2,500 bottles of wine and take a stroll over to the Sands to test both of your luck.
7. Fiesta Olé Tequila House
Spice things up with your special someone. Claiming to have the best margaritas in the Lehigh Valley, this casual, upbeat tequila house serves 45 different kinds of tequilas, 12 draft beer options, fresh, table-made guacamoles and superb Mexican dishes from classic enchiladas to daring molcajetes. Try a tequila tasting!
8. Gio Italian Grill
Take your date to experience a slice of Sicily right here in Macungie. Mixing vintage European décor, Mediterranean recipes and first-rate Italian wines, Gio Italian Grill provides an inimitable authentic experience here in the Valley. The highest quality brick oven called a woodstone, an “open flame” hearth, creates consistent and delicious pizza and other Italian fare.
9. Hop's
Now serving its menu in two locations—The Paddock in Allentown and at the Fogelsville Hotel—these two Hop's restaurants are known for appealing to young and old, families and first-daters. This place is bound to please anyone, with a wide beer and liquor selection, and a classic American menu offering anything you could be craving, from hot wings to lobster ravioli.
hopsfogelsville.comhopspaddock.com
10. Keystone Pub
With a classic pub menu full of wings, burgers, cheese steaks, club sandwiches and all the fried appetizers you can think of, Keystone Pub at its Bethlehem or Whitehall locations can easily satisfy hungry couples from all corners of the Lehigh Valley. Trying stopping in on this “day of love” for some comfort food and a selection of over 51 draft beers.
11. Matey's Famous Steaks & Pizza
Travel back to the 50s at Matey's Famous Steaks & Pizza in Bethlehem, where a vintage atmosphere welcomes families, friends or dinner for two. Now operated by her son and grandson, this joint still cooks up Grandma Margaret Matey's secret recipes: soups, sandwiches, hand-pressed pizza and of course, her famous cheesesteaks.
12. McCoole's at the Historic Red Lion Inn
Enjoy a modern American twist on classic Irish pub fare with your valentine at this historic restaurant and bar. McCoole's mission is to “provide a fine dining experience, for a casual dining budget,” according to their website. Chef Todd Chiaradia aims to use humanely raised, antibiotic and hormone free foods sourced from local farms in order to offer weekly and seasonal special menus in combination with a full bar, microbrews from the Red Lion Brewery and featured wines of the month.
13. Prime Steak House
Prime wants you to consider it as “your friendly neighborhood steakhouse.” Wine and dine your date or bring the family for an elegant meal. Prime pays attention to the small things, whether it's your medium-rare, premium-cut steak or a delicately prepared seafood dish. Relax in the lounge, catch the game in the bar or even go for a private Valentine's party.
14. Roar Social House
Located across from Allentown's arena, Roar occupies a historic downtown building that now provides a comfortable and lively dining experience; take your partner out on the town and enjoy this contemporary dining gem. Owned by the Saylors, who operated the Shanty for decades, Roar's menu features local ingredients prepared in global favorites—and a restaurant-long, full service bar as well.
15. Saranda's on Broadway
Take a stroll down “Lovers Lane” at Saranda's on Broadway, a special Valentine's Day celebration featuring a special one-time a la carte menu and live jazz music to enhance the already romantic ambience. Located in Fountain Hill—just a few miles from Sand's Casino and Lehigh University—this family operated restaurant attempts to incorporate the best and freshest ingredients into classic French dishes, from foie gras to miso Chilean sea bass.
16. Social Still
Inside a prohibition era bank building in south side Bethlehem, Social Still invites you and your Valentine to experience a special, multifaceted destination—a bar, restaurant, cocktail lounge and, yes, a distillery all in one. Enjoy signature, locally harvested and distilled cocktails paired with their American style “tapas” food menu in a vibrant and refined dining space. Experience Social Still this Valentine's Day for lunch, dinner, tastings, tours or to just lounge and sip some exclusive spirits.
17. Steelworks Buffet & Grill
The Steelworks, one of the newest dining options at Sand's Casino Resort in Bethlehem, bids you and your partner countless culinary options. Whether you're searching for a sleek and cozy restaurant or need to satisfy your hunger after gambling, the Steelworks has options for everyone. Choose from the a la carte menu featuring all-day breakfast, sandwiches and salads with a sophisticated touch and many build-your-own options. Also, the buffet offers a sushi station, carvery, pasta, pizza bar, burger bar, homemade soups, a variety of breads, self-serve frozen yogurt and, of course, a chocolate fountain. This Valentine's weekend, come experience Steelwork's seafood-themed Saturday buffet with your sweetheart, with lobster filet, snow crab legs, jumbo shrimp, raw oysters, mussels and crab cakes.
pasands.com/dining/steelworks-buffet
18. Tap Room
Beside a vintage mahogany bar, try dining at the Tap Room in the Historic Hotel Bethlehem this Valentine's Day. Casual, yet chic, this breakfast and all day lunch-dinner hot spot serves up comfort food done right, from their signature meatloaf to a popular seafood cobb salad. Relax and enjoy the jazz-age vibe while eating made-from-scratch dishes with farm-to-table ingredients.
19. The Dime
Upscale with local flare; this is The Dime at Allentown's Renaissance Hotel. Its menu is inspired from locally sourced ingredients spanning all regions of the state, including not just Lehigh Valley, but also Lancaster County, the Greater Pittsburgh area, historic Philadelphia and a constantly expanding list of culinary capitals. Partake in the Pennsylvanian American menu with ever-evolving specials such as a 32-ounce porterhouse steak “under smoke” or Yuengling braised country pork ribs. The Dime's full-service bar features an array of local craft beers, wines and cocktails.
20. The Hamilton Kitchen & Bar
Another brand-new addition to downtown Allentown's revival, The Hamilton Kitchen & Bar has that metropolitan feel while encompassing the vibe of old world public houses. Located at Seventh and Hamilton, bring your Valentine here for seasonal cuisine inspired by American regional classics like shrimp n' grits, chicken potpie or a prime New York strip streak. With a carefully selected beverage program aimed to innovate classical cocktails, incorporate American whiskey and showcase a New-World-focused wine list, The Hamilton's heartwarming ambiance will surely make for a spirited date with great conversation and charismatic cuisine.
21. The Market Gourmet Express
An event-filled, busy Valentine's weekend warrants a quick stop for a bite to eat. But who says it can't be gourmet? If your bustling about the Bethlehem area, pop in at the Sand's Casino's Market Gourmet Express food court, with an assortment of tastes for everyone. Keep it classic at Nathan's Famous hot dogs or try one of Villa Enterprises six independent food brands: Green Leaf's, South Philly Steaks & Fries, Villa Fresh Italian Kitchen, The Market, Casa Java, Bananas, Far East and Mo Burger.
22. Youell's Oyster House
After a devastating fire demolished Youell's Oyster House in January 2013, which until then operated since it began in the early 1800s as a speakeasy, the restaurant was resurrected as a spacious and ornate fine-seafood house in March 2014. Bring your Valentine and enjoy longtime favorite entrees or discover the classic appeal that is Lehigh Valley's Youell's. Accompanied by an extensive craft beer selection and generous wine offerings, this seafood destination still serves fresh, seasonal fish, shellfish, hand picked jumbo lump crabmeat and also prime steaks and poultry for those non-seafaring patrons. Youell's serves the age-old, exclusive recipes as well as daily, specially prepared Chef's features, usually finished with fresh herbs from the Youell's rooftop garden.
