The results of our 21st annual Restaurant Awards are officially here! Get to know the reader-voted winners in categories ranging from cuisine to atmosphere to location.
Sette Luna
Favorite Italian
Dig in to pizza, pasta, salad and more Italian specialties amid cozy, candlelit tables at this rustic Tuscan trattoria.
219 Ferry St., Easton | 610.253.8888 | setteluna.com
Komé Fine Japanese Cuisine
Favorite Japanese
Prepare to be wowed at this multifaceted dining destination that’s been serving the Lehigh Valley for more than 15 years. Offering a variety of culinary experiences under one roof, Komé boasts a lively hibachi area, a cocktail lounge and a tasteful dining room.
Promenade Saucon Valley | 610.798.9888 | komerestaurant.com
Photography by Alison Conklin
ShangWei Szechuan
Favorite Chinese
Chinese food restaurants are plentiful in the Lehigh Valley, but Bethlehem residents with a hankering for fried rice, spring rolls and wonton soup know where to go. ShangWei Szechuan set up shop at the foot of the Fahy Bridge in 2018. The restaurant specializes in Sichuan cuisine, which originated in China’s Sichuan province and is one of the country’s most popular food styles, renowned for its bold, distinctive flavors. Traditional Sichuan dishes combine a variety of spices and ingredients. To get the full experience at ShangWei Szechuan, go for the kung pao tofu, beef tripe in chili oil or sliced pork belly.
1 E. 3rd St., Bethlehem | 610.882.1248 | shangweiszechuan.com
White Orchids Thai Cuisine
Favorite Thai
White Orchids is known for its scratch-made specialties like pad Thai ramen, seafood paella and crab fried rice as well as craft cocktails like the Lychee Daiquiri and Thai Lemon Drop.
Promenade Saucon Valley | 610.841.7499 | whiteorchidsthaicuisine.com
Torre
Favorite Mexican
Specializing in modern Mexican cuisine, Torre’s dinner menu features an array of tacos, enchiladas, fajitas and Platos Fuertes (entrées).
Promenade Saucon Valley | 610.841.9399 | torrerestaurant.com
Daddy’s Place
Favorite Mediterranean
At Daddy’s Place, you can see and taste the freshness of the food. Don’t miss the hummus, fatoush salad or the grilled kabobs.
650 Northampton St., Easton | 610.438.4442 | daddysplaceeaston.com
The Bayou
Favorite Southern & Favorite Cajun
Find catfish po’ boy, buttermilk fried chicken, jambalaya, Cajun chicken Caesar salad and more unique offerings at this beloved Southern kitchen and bar in Bethlehem.
702 Hawthorne Rd. Bethlehem | 610.419.6669 | datbayoulv.com
Photography by Alison Conklin
PHo Nom1nal
Favorite Vietnamese
Tucked into an unassuming strip mall in Allentown, next door to one of a national pizza chain’s many local spots, is one of the Valley’s best Vietnamese restaurants. Pho Nom1nal took a chance and opened its doors in early 2021, when the pandemic was making entering the already challenging restaurant business even more of a gamble. Pho may be the quintessential Vietnamese dish, and naturally, Pho Nom1nal doesn’t disappoint, offering up a number of variations of the traditional noodle soup, among other favorites.
319 S. Cedar Crest Blvd., Allentown | 610.477.1144 | pho-nominal.com
Photography by Alison Conklin
Lazeez Fresh Mediterranean Grill
Favorite Middle Eastern
Lazeez is an Arabic word that means “delicious,” and the family-run Lazeez Fresh Mediterranean Grill has been doing its name justice ever since opening in South Whitehall Township in 2009. Owner Adnan Haddad credits his mother with imparting her superior cooking skills to him. “Our signature dish is our original and famous chicken shawarma wrap,” he says. “It’s out of this world but we also make the best rice bowls.” There are other popular Mediterranean dishes on the menu, too, like falafel and baba ghanouj. Everything is made fresh from scratch—no cans or preservatives. Lazeez also has vegetarian and glutenfree options.
4666 Broadway, Allentown | 610.351.6897 | lazeezgrill.com
Photo by Geoff Conklin
Apollo Grill
Favorite Modern American
Apollo Grill is on a mission to make every dining experience fun and memorable. From burgers to filet mignon, they’ve got something for everyone.
85 W. Broad St., Bethlehem | 610.865.9600 | apollogrill.com
Tapas on Main
Favorite Spanish
Find this authentic Spanish tapas-style restaurant in the heart of Historic Downtown Bethlehem! Gather friends to share small plates like the datiles con tocino, gambas al ajillo, brochetas de carne and more.
500 Main St., Bethlehem | 610.868.8903 | tapasonmain.com
Photography by Alison Conklin
Cachette Bistro & Creperie
Favorite French
This French-style bistro and creperie celebrates an approach that’s rustic, funky and upscale all at once. Stop here for coffee or cocktails!
504 Main St., Bethlehem | 610.419.2091 | Facebook: Cachette Bistro & Creperie
Photography by Alison Conklin
Aman’s Artisan Indian Cuisine
Favorite Indian
Family owned and operated, Aman’s celebrates bold flavor rather than spicy heat with its menu of North Indian Punjabi cuisine, so all dishes are available to order according to each guest’s heat preference.
336 Northampton St., Easton | 484.298.0400 | amanseaston.com
McCarthy’s Red Stag Pub & Whiskey Bar
Favorite Irish
Delight in a true Celtic experience at McCarthy’s, where the food is made from scratch and celebrates the flavors of Ireland and the British Isles.
534 Main St., Bethlehem | 610.861.7631 | redstagpub.com
Little Miss Korea
Favorite Korean
Bring date night home with you! Touting dynamically bold Korean flavor, locals can find Little Miss Korea at the Allentown Fairgrounds Farmers Market Thursday through Saturday.
1825 W. Chew St., Allentown| 610.841.3444 | littlemisskoreaallentown.com
PA House
Favorite Hellertown
Highlighting its wood-fired oven kitchen and craft cocktail bar, PA House is a low-key premium restaurant. Save room for dessert and indulge in favorites like the half-baked cookie, affogato al caffe, fritelli and beyond.
662 Front St., Hellertown | 484.851.6662 | thepahouse.com
Photography by Alison Conklin
Youell’s Oyster House
Favorite Seafood
For decades, locals have counted on Youell’s for its nextlevel seafood offerings. House specialties include favorites like lump crab, shrimp scampi linguine and chicken fettuccine. You can also build your own seafood tower!
2249 Walnut St., Allentown | 610.439.1203 | youellsoysterhouse.com
Yianni’s Taverna
Favorite Greek
Exemplifying the fresh, simple flavors and wholesome cooking of Greece, the team at Yianni’s celebrates the traditional style of Greek cuisine from their childhoods.
3760 Old Philadelphia Pike, Bethlehem | 610.410.9300 | yiannistaverna.com
Photography by Alison Conklin
Kabinett
Favorite German
Named after the spot where German winemakers would historically store their most special bottles to share with family and friends, Kabinett brings a wine list to Easton that showcases German, Australian, European and coveted international bottles as well as select Aussie and German beers. Riesling lovers rejoice!
125 Northampton St., Easton | 484.545.7670 | kabinettwinebar.com
Photography by Alison Conklin
Capo & Co.
Favorite Emmaus
Antonio Mannino’s first restaurant was all about transporting patrons to his native Sicily. Now that same restaurant—with a different name and a much different look—is more like a trip back in time to 1920s Chicago. Mannino is the owner of Capo and Co., a modern speakeasy that occupies the space that previously housed Italiano Delite, Mannino’s first foray into the Emmaus restaurant scene in the 1990s. Capo serves up a variety of modern American fare, like wings, burgers and house-made meatballs. And, of course, what’s a speakeasy without booze? “We have a self-tap beer and wine wall with a rotating range of 22 craft microbrews and four Italian wines,” says general manager Lauren McMakin.
1375 Chestnut St., Emmaus | 610.967.9000 | caponco.net
Top Cut
Favorite Steakhouse
Top Cut boasts 1940s tradition with today’s perfection. Here, you’re in for the ultimate steakhouse experience.
Promenade Saucon Valley | 610.841.7100 | topcutsteak.com
Green Vida Co.
Favorite Healthy Fare
Serving exclusively clean food and drinks, Green Vida Co. hopes guests feel empowered by knowing exactly what they’re putting in their body. The Power Kale Quinoa Bowl is amongst the café’s most popular.
1800 Sullivan Trl. Suite 330, Easton | 610.438.4112 325 Northampton St., Easton | 484.541.5309 greenvidacompany.com
Drip the Flavor Lab
Favorite Gluten-Free
There’s no shortage of glutenfree options on Drip the Flavor Lab’s menu, from salads to fried chicken sandwiches, to gourmet burgers. And, yes, the fries are gluten-free.
1310 Main St., Hellertown | 484.851.3700 | driptheflavorlab.com
Three OAK Steakhouse
Favorite Easton
A multistory, handmade marvel, Three OAK is an old-fashioned New York-style steakhouse that serves traditional favorites in the heart of Downtown Easton.
323 Northampton St., Easton | 610.559.5510 | threeoaksteakhouse.com
Photography by Alison Conklin
Pizza Joe’s
Favorite Nazareth
There is no shortage of pizza places and Italian restaurants in the Lehigh Valley area, and in Nazareth in particular. And yet, no roundup of the best pasta and pies in the region would be complete without Pizza Joe’s. Husband and wife Jerry and Janel Bubba have been at the helm since 1993, when they took the reins from thenowner Giuseppe Triscari. “We expanded the menu from pizzas, calzones and a few dinners to a full menu of a variety of pastas, chicken, seafood, veal, cold and hot subs and various lunch specials,” says Janel. It’s a nofrills, family-friendly kind of place where the penne vodka is a huge hit, and so is the Sicilian pizza.
550 S. Main St., Nazareth | 610.759.8414 | Facebook: Pizza Joe’s Italian Restaurant
Social Still
Favorite Bethlehem
Production and hospitality collide at this bottle shop, cocktail bar and full-service restaurant known as Social Still. Guests are instantly immersed in the process of craft spirits as they enjoy a delicious menu of food and drink inside of a Prohibition-era bank.
530 E. 3rd St., Bethlehem | 610.625.4585 | socialstill.com
Point Phillips Hotel
Favorite Bath / Walnutport
Celebrate great history and great food at Point Phillips Hotel, which features local cuisine and craft beers in a historic backdrop.
943 Point Phillips Rd. Bath | 610.837.1544 | pointphillipshotel.com
Photography by Alison Conklin
Assante Ristorante Italiano
Favorite Northampton
The Assante family has been running Northampton’s go-to spot for Italian cuisine from the Naples region for more than two decades. Mario and Luisa Assante established the restaurant in 2003, two years after emigrating from Naples with their four children: Rosanna, Giulio, Nic and Nunzia. All of the Assantes are still heavily involved in running the place. “We strive to make everyone feel like family when you dine with us,” Rosanna says. She recommends the Gnocchetti Di Mauro. “It’s fresh gnocchi sautéed with garlic, fresh tomato, crab meat and shrimp in a light cream sauce with a touch of marinara.”
2050 Main St., Northampton | 610.262.1301 | assanterestaurant.com
Union & Finch
Favorite Allentown
Union & Finch combines the nostalgia of a long-lost neighborhood joint with a modern bistro setting, serving up comfort foods along with familiar favorites with a twist.
1528 W. Union St. Allentown | 610.432.1522 | unionandfinch.com
Acasia Thai Restaurant
Favorite Phillipsburg, NJ
No matter the time of year, at Acasia guests enjoy the best of the season with ingredients that are fresh and local. The expansive menu features stirfry entrées, authentic Thai curries, Bangkokian dishes and so much more.
755 Memorial Pkwy. Phillipsburg, NJ | 908.387.0200 | acasiathairestaurant.com
Photography by Alison Conklin
Gio Italian Grill
Favorite Macungie /Fogelsville
It all began with an oven for Tony and Giovanna DiMaio; a Wood Stone open-flame oven, to be exact. In the mid-2000s, the husband and wife, each with Sicilian roots and experience working in family restaurants, were looking to open their own place but needed just the right kind of oven to perfect that old-world style of cooking. Once they settled on that, the food, wine and décor that would become Gio Italian Grill began to take shape around it. Naturally, the open-flame pizza is a must-try, but there’s much more to the menu than that. “We have old Italian classics yet unique items also,” says Giovanna. That includes the eggplant caponata and homemade sausage.
6465 Village Ln. Route 100 Macungie | 610.966.9446 | gioitaliangrill.com
Casa Toro Mexican Grill
Favorite Center Valley
Casa Toro is famous for its margaritas—and guests love the Latin-fusion cuisine. Try the fried avocado!
7001 Rte. 309, Coopersburg | 610.282.8888 | casatoromexgrill.com
McCoole’s at the Historic Red Lion Inn
Favorite Quakertown
McCoole’s is a colonialperiod gastropub promising upscale dining, a warm atmosphere, great service and delicious food.
4 S. Main St., Quakertown | 215.538.1776 | mccoolesredlioninn.com
Photography by Alison Conklin
The Shelby
Favorite Bar
Even without the promise of an expertly crafted cocktail, The Shelby’s bar is an enticing gathering space all on its own, with a sizable seating area, roomy bar tops and green and tropical accents. Owner Donny Petridis describes the vibe as polished casual. But let’s get back to those drinks. The espresso martini is a crowd pleaser, and so are the old fashioneds. In fact, The Shelby’s version was so popular that they recently added an entire old fashioned section to the menu. “We now have old fashioneds with barrel-aged gin, tequila and a spicy rye whiskey,” Petridis says. You don’t even need to be boozy to belly up to the bar. The Shelby does upscale mocktails, too.
707 N. Krocks Rd., Allentown | 610.841.0808 | shelbyrestaurant.com
Photography by Alison Conklin
Surv
Favorite Forks / Bangor
Count on scratch-made food and an impressive dining experience at Surv, where every evening is unique and memorable.
1800 Sullivan Trl., Easton | 484.544.0624 | surveaston.com
Edge
Favorite Private Dining
Plan a private dining experience at Edge, where their private dining rooms can hold up to 40 guests! Private parties can opt to offer a pre-set menu or the restaurant’s regular dinner menu.
74 W. Broad St., Bethlehem | 610.814.0100 | edgerestaurant.net
Copperhead Grille
Favorite Casual Dining
At Copperhead, guests can count on a diverse selection of more than 50 beers and an extensive menu of American fare. Throw in sports on the big screen and an array of music on a state-of-the-art sound system, and it’s the ultimate casual dining experience.
5737 Route 378, Bethlehem | 610.282.4600 | 1731 Airport Rd., Allentown | 610.403.4600 | copperheadgrille.com
Keystone Pub & Grill
Favorite Whitehall
A cornerstone of the community, Keystone Pub & Grill is known for its award-winning wings, but the menu features a wide selection of new favorites to discover.
3259 Easton Ave. Bethlehem | 610.814.0400 | keystonepub.com
Photography by Alison Conklin
The Wilbur
Favorite Special Occasion /Fine Dining
The Wilbur offers an elevated dining experience that is rooted in European technique and draws inspiration from around the world. Indulge in locally sourced, seasonally inspired dishes and handcrafted beverages.
201 Cherokee St., Bethlehem | 610.419.1101 | wilburmansion.com
Photography by Alison Conklin
Thyme
Favorite View
Atop the 7th floor of The Commodore, Thyme promises a front-row seat to the most picturesque dining experience in Easton. Whether indoors or out, diners are privy to breathtaking views of the Delaware River and the Easton skyline.
100 Northampton St., Easton | 610.510.0309 | thymeeaston.com
Grille 3501
Favorite Overall Vibe
While there are a bevy of different dining spaces to choose from at this Lehigh Valley favorite, the vibe remains consistent across each. Grille 3501 takes pride in its sophisticated yet unpretentious atmosphere and menu, calling it a standalone in the region.
3501 Broadway, Allentown | 610.706.0100 | grille3501.com
Photography by Alison Conklin
Meli European Taverna
Favorite Design
“Meli” is derived from the Greek word for “honey,” which is complemented by the restaurant’s sweet and sanguine aesthetic which includes honeycomb designs adorning the establishment. The team credits James Tracy “JT” Norman of JT Norman & Co with the restaurant’s winning design.
322 Northampton St., Easton | 610.672.4730 | melieaston.com
The Wooden Match
Favorite Live Music
Head to thewoodenmatch.com to check out the restaurant’s full event calendar. From music festivals to live jazz every Tuesday, there’s always a reason to visit.
61 W. Lehigh St. Bethlehem | 610.865.1777 | thewoodenmatch.com
Photography by Alison Conklin
Historic Hotel Bethlehem
Favorite Hotel Restaurant
Historic Hotel Bethlehem’s thoughtful approach to crafting seasonally inspired American dishes has earned them a devoted following from hotel guests and locals alike. Choose between a more casual dining experience in the Tap Room or an intimate meal in 1741 on the Terrace.
437 Main St., Bethlehem | 855.264.2598 | hotelbethlehem.com
ZEST Bar+Grille
Favorite Rooftop
Make reservations to enjoy a rooftop refreshment! An espresso martini, perhaps? Zest’s three-season terrace offers unbeatable views of SteelStacks, the Hill to Hill and Fahy bridges as well as the Bethlehem public library, City Hall and beyond.
306 S. New St., Bethlehem | 610.419.4320 | zestbethlehem.com
Photography by Alison Conklin
La Maya
Favorite New
Locals raced to make reservations when La Maya opened its doors on Hellertown’s Main Street in July—and there’s been no sign of the excitement slowing down since. Touting coastal Mexican cuisine with a modern flair, it’s sure to be a must-visit for years to come.
650 Main St., Hellertown | 610.628.2134 | lamayarestaurant.com
Published as “The 2024 Restaurant Awards: 46 Reader-Voted Favorites” in the November 2024 edition of Lehigh Valley Style magazine.
