Looking for somewhere to dine out in Easton, Allentown or Bethlehem? How about Macungie, Walnutport, Center Valley, Emmaus or Boyertown? Maybe you’re feeling like pizza, seafood, Italian or, perhaps, just a nice atmosphere. We’ve got you covered no matter the location or craving. Hold on to this reader-voted list of chefs and specials that are sure to satisfy, every night of the week.
Photo by Alison Conklin
The Shelby
Favorite New
The Shelby just opened in June, so it’s as new as new can be. In its location at the Hamilton Crossings, it stands out for a few reasons. First, it’s the only non-chain concept there and it serves brunch, lunch and dinner. Secondly, it’s owned by Donny Petridis, who operates The Hamilton Kitchen & Bar in Downtown Allentown. When you step inside, it’s not a surprise—Petridis says they commissioned Celano Design from New York, the same firm that created a vision for The Hamilton. Third? It’s the fare, which is comfortable and recognizable, with enough options to make you indecisive or, at the very least, cover all the bases if you come with a crowd. It’s approachable, but with some distinctions—think pierogies, but with goat cheese, and cheesesteaks, but with prime rib.
The best part? The garage door that opens up onto the patio, which houses live music several nights a week (Thursday through Saturday).
707 N. Krocks Rd., Allentown | 610.841.0808 | shelbyrestaurant.com
Photos by Alison Conklin
Bolete
Favorite Farm-to-Table
At Bolete, there are no shortcuts—everything is made fresh and from scratch. A decade of success later, their goal remains the same: to provide an escape from the hurried world we live in. And Chef Lee Chizmar's efforts have not gone unnoticed—in September, Bolete was named the most popular restaurant in Pennsylvania by People magazine.
1740 Seidersville Rd., Bethlehem | 610.868.6505 | boleterestaurant.com
Photo by Alison Conklin
Gio Italian Grill
Favorite Gourmet Pizza
Husband-and-wife owners Tony and Giovanna DiMaio welcome the Valley to enjoy a little bit of Italy, right here in Macungie. With their woodstone oven, they have duplicated the Old World style of cooking, producing the best gourmet pies around! Order the Margherita pizza—what they call the original plain pie—and add as many toppings as you’d like!
6465 Village Ln., Macungie | 610.966.9446 | gioitaliangrill.com
Photo by Shelbie Pletz
Diner 248
Favorite Diner
The visual cues speak for themselves. Regardless of the time of day you drive past Diner 248, the parking lot will be packed. During peak dining hours, especially weekend mornings, expect a bit of a wait. But that doesn’t deter the hungry masses.
Like a diner, the menu is vast, and includes many staples you’d expect, with quite a few unexpected twists: dishes that are slightly more contemporary (Bang Bang Shrimp, pulled pork Cuban sandwich), televisions broadcasting sports events and breakfast fare that stops at 2 p.m. Located on a busy stretch of Route 248, the place is well known for its quippy signage meant to entice you off the road, its rotating selection of craft beers (especially local ones) and a super-popular wing night (Wednesdays, of course, for the alliteration). Come with an empty stomach; you won’t leave that way, if owners John and Stavros Gougoustamos have anything to say about it. It’ll be a singular experience. “Our roots are grown in traditional diner ground but we have evolved into somewhat of a breakfast, grill and bar offering,” says John.
Photo by Shelbie Pletz
Black Forest Deli
Favorite Deli
This mother-daughter duo refers to their deli as the Valley’s Cheers—when you’re there, you will most likely know someone that walks through the door.
745 Union Blvd., Bethlehem | 610.865.3036 | bethlehemdeli.com
Photo by Donovan Roberts Witmer
Aladdin Restaurant
Favorite Middle Eastern
Family-owned and-operated for 30 years (and counting), the Youneses must be doing something right. Dine underneath a starlit sky while enjoying freshly made hummus and babaganouj.
651 Union Blvd., Allentown 610.437.4023 | aladdinlv.com
Photo by Alison Conklin
My Tequila House
Favorite Mexican
Forty-five different kinds of tequila means My Tequila House knows how to make a mean margarita to pair with your enchilada, burrito, quesadilla, taco or fajita!
1808 MacArthur Rd., Whitehall | 484.664.7109 | mytequilahouse.com
Photo by Andrew Tomasino
White Orchids Thai Cuisine
Favorite Thai
At White Orchids, fresh seafood is delivered multiple times a week straight from Philadelphia. They use top-shelf imported Thai product, like crab and shrimp paste, tamarind juice and fish sauce—never the typical street cart Pad Thai ingredients like soy sauce and brown sugar.
The Promenade Shops at Saucon Valley | 610.841.7499 | whiteorchidsthaicuisine.com
Photo by Andrew Tomasino
Youell’s Oyster House
Favorite Seafood
Youell’s is the name in seafood in the Lehigh Valley—it’s been in business in one place or another (first Easton and currently Allentown) since 1895. They know a few things about seafood, which is super fresh, with deliveries coming daily (and oysters six days a week!). It's clear Youell’s knows what it’s doing when you hear stories from owner Christian Filipos about regulars who go out of their way, in downpours and snowstorms, to dine here (being located in a neighborhood helps facilitate that). Maybe it's the seasonal soft-shell crabs, or the no-filler crab cakes. Or the fact that they offer two-pound lobsters, which most other places don’t.
Trivia: If you see anything on the menu with honey, it’s sourced close to home from the restaurant’s rooftop hives. That honey goes into a special beer Fegley’s brews just for Youell’s.
2249 Walnut St., Allentown 610.439.1203 | youellsoysterhouse.com
Asia Oriental Cuisine
Favorite Asian
Husband-and-wife owners Alex and May’s retirement from the restaurant business lasted only two years, after a trip back to Asia reignited Alex’s passion for cooking. And while Chinese cuisine has always been his specialty, the restaurant’s menu incorporates the flavors of Thailand, Vietnam, Korea and Japan.
1102 E. Susquehanna St., Allentown | 610.798.7777 | asiaorientalcuisine.com
Photo by Alison Conklin
187 Rue Principale
Favorite French
Their daily brunch starts at 8 a.m. and includes the restaurant’s renowned savory and sweet crepes, as well as its egg dishes, tartines, salads and quiche. Rue follows the French tradition of no tipping—the cost of service is already included in the price of each dish on the menu.
187 Main St., Emmaus | 610.928.0418 | 187rueprincipale.com
Photo by Colin Coleman
Historic Hotel Bethlehem
Favorite Brunch
Hotel B combines live music and made-to-order omelets for a magical brunch only dreams are made of.
437 Main St., Bethlehem | 610.625.5000 | hotelbethlehem.com
Photo by Alison Conklin
The Mint Gastropub
Favorite Modern American
Since The Mint’s opening in 2011, Dom “Mimmo” Lombardo has been pushing boundaries—or, as he puts it, “pushing the curve, whether it’s on the plate, or in your wallet or in the atmosphere”—of his restaurant, located in and named for a former bank.
Take, for instance, the progressive menu approach of flat pricing he launched this past summer, which he instituted to see if people would order “what they want to rather than what they want to pay for,” and it was successful. The Mint is always progressing with something innovative on the menu, so fall’s “total menu flip,” with the exception of the burger, chickpea fries and fish and chips, will be worth checking out. Oh, and if there’s an award for most unusual brunch, The Mint would win—they’re themed, they fall on the last Sunday of the month (typically) and have included Harry Potter, Indiana Jones and the Ides of March.
1223 W. Broad St., Bethlehem | 610.419.3810 | bethlehemmint.com
Photo by Shelbie Pletz
Tapas on Main
Favorite Spanish
Don’t leave here without trying the legendary sangria, with a side of tapas, of course.
500 Main St., Bethlehem | 610.868.8903 | tapasonmain.com
Yianni’s Taverna
Favorite Mediterranean
Currently closed due to a recent fire, the Style team wishes Yianni’s Taverna a quick recovery, as this reader-voted win proves how much the community truly loves them!
3760 Old Philadelphia Pike, Bethlehem | 610.867.8821 | yiannistaverna.com
Photo by Alison Conklin
Landis Store Hotel
Your Neighborhood Favorite
They were recently rated number two in the state for their al fresco dining experience. Try the crab bisque; it doesn’t disappoint.
4 Baldy Hill Rd., Boyertown | 610.845.2324 | landis-store.com
Photo by Alison Conklin
Favorite Chef & Favorite Special Occasion
Shawn Doyle, Savory Grille
For 20 years, chef-owners Shawn and Dorothy Doyle have been running the Savory Grille with warm service and stellar, locally sourced food—much of it from their own garden, in season. Savory Grille is what some like to call a destination restaurant, because it’s nestled in the countryside, away from the cities. It consistently takes its inspiration from seasonal changes, its own garden and the food the Doyles can source really easily, often within mere miles of the restaurant. That inspiration directly translates to the beautiful presentation on the plate.
The door to the kitchen is glass for a reason—it’s all part of the transparency and level of engagement Shawn Doyle wants with his guests. He understands that hospitality means making people happy—and if you’ve met him at his restaurant, he’s hard to miss: He’s always talking, and he’s guaranteed to make you laugh.
That personality comes through with the service and the food, and so it makes sense that, for special occasions, the bucolic setting and intimate dining space are hard to beat.
It’s ironic, though. “Twenty years ago, we didn’t set out to become a special occasion kind of place—I’d love it if people came here once a week,” says Doyle. But he says dining habits have changed—people are so pressed for time. “We do have people who come here once a month as their date night,” he says, in addition to more spectacular things like 50th wedding anniversaries.
2934 Seisholtzville Rd., Macungie | 610.845.2010 | savorygrille.com
Photo by Andrew Tomasino
A Ca Mia Italian Restaurant
Favorite Italian
This spot in Walnutport is more than worth the drive for the Italian food of Eric Murphy and Paolo Nota, the notable chef behind Pane e Vino, his eponymous restaurant and this intimate, 60-seat spot, which opened in 2012. Translated from Italian, the name says it all—at my house—and it’s as though you’re eating in his dining room. He doesn’t skimp on quality or freshness. “I’d rather spend more money on the quality of the food and have less money in my pocket,” he says.
There’s much to love about A Ca Mia, whether it’s the open-kitchen concept, its BYOB status or the extensive menu. “We try to present uncommon dishes in a new way,” he explains. So there are authentically Italian preparations with items such as artichoke hearts, arancini, polenta and truffle cream sauce. But more specifically, Sea Bass Victoria includes tropical fruits and is a dish he used to make when he cooked in Torino, Italy.
4330 Lehigh Dr., Walnutport | 610.760.3207 | acamiapa.com
Photo by Shelbie Pletz
Jumbars
Favorite Café
Take something to go from the bakery or dine in for breakfast or lunch at the café. On weekends, they’re BYOC—bring your own champagne!
1342 Chelsea Ave., Bethlehem | 610.866.1660 | jumbars.com
Photo by Alison Conklin
Top Cut Steak House
Favorite Steakhouse
Oysters, lobster, salmon and, of course, steak, are all good choices here. Regulars come back for the meat, but they stay for the floor-to-ceiling windows that allow the panoramic view.
The Promenade Shops at Saucon Valley | 610.841.7100 | topcutsteak.com
Photo by Andrew Tomasino
Aman’s Indian Bistro
Favorite Indian
There’s a word for Aman’s, and that’s gracious. It’s really easy to order here if you are a vegan or gluten-free eater—those items, and there are many of them, are clearly labeled. Plus, the kitchen will customize the spice level to suit your preference. That tells you right there that Aman’s cooks your meals made to order. This isn’t a joke. Sukhjeet Bansal, along with his sister, Amandeep, and wife, Gagandeep Bansal, run what he calls an “artisan Indian kitchen,” wherein everything is made from scratch. None of the sauces are prepped ahead of time; vegetables are chopped for your curry as soon as the order hits the kitchen. “People have a hard time believing it, but then they taste it,” says Sukhjeet.
The dramatic dining room and friendly service at Aman’s help create an enjoyable experience, but if you’d rather feed your crew at home, you can get take-out fare, too. Whatever the case, the team behind Aman’s, who were complete restaurant newbies when they took over the space formerly occupied by Spice India in March 2016, will make sure you have left with a delicious meal.
3812 Easton-Nazareth Hwy., Easton | 484.298.0400 | amansbistroeaston.com
Photo by Colin Coleman
Jenny’s Kuali
Favorite Vegetarian
Kauli means wok in Malay, and at Jenny’s, they specialize in Malaysian and vegetarian cuisine, along with noodles and dumplings.
102 E. 4th St., Bethlehem | 610.758.8088 | jennyskuali.com
Photo by Alison Conklin
Mama Nina’s Foccacheria
Favorite BYOB
Italian restaurants are often winners—and hotly contested ones at that—in the favorites category, and for the bring-your-own (alcoholic) beverage category, it’s no exception. When you find a good place to dine that also welcomes your wine, it’s heaven. With its cozy and quaint atmosphere (think exposed brick) and ample portion sizes, Mama Nina’s is enticing. The chunky garlic knots, which you can see when you’re walking past its outdoor seating, don’t hurt, either—they’ve been known to stop traffic and lure in diners.
Mama Nina’s makes it easy for you to bring your own bottle, as they don’t charge a corkage fee. “About 80 percent of our diners bring their own,” says owner Frank Nele. Even if you haven’t brought your own bottle, Mama Nina’s can offer one complimentary pour of the house white or red.
546 Main St., Bethlehem | 610.867.9802 | mamaninabethlehem.com
Photo by Shelbie Pletz
Grille 3501
Allentown Favorite
Locals know that whether they dine inside the restaurant or outdoors in the rustic two-story Loft, the unparalleled fusion cuisine, hand-crafted cocktails and superb level of service will not disappoint.
3501 Broadway, Allentown | 610.706.0100 | grille3501.com
Photo by Colin Coleman
Apollo Grill
Favorite Bethlehem
Open since 1999, Apollo Grill has set the bar for dining out in Bethlehem. Go for apps with friends and share a bunch off of their extensive (30-plus options) menu.
85 W. Broad St., Bethlehem | 610.865.9600 | apollogrill.com
Photo by Donovan Roberts Witmer
3rd & Ferry Fish Market
Easton Favorite
56 S. 3rd St., Easton | 610.829.1404 | thirdandferry.com
A ceviche flight, raw bar selections and a killer Bloody Mary make this place a go-to for seafood lovers. Don’t miss their annual Clam Jam street festival celebrated throughout Easton.
Photo by Alison Conklin
Melt
Favorite Atmosphere
Pasta is their speciality, but at Melt, every dish is per cui morire—to die for.
The Promenade Shops at Saucon Valley | 610.798.9000 | meltgrill.com
