posted Sep 29, 2025

Historic Restaurants in Lancaster, PA

Lancaster County takes immense pride in the wide variety of culinary experiences it offers. Whether it’s a long-time Lancaster County favorite or a more recent establishment located in a historic setting, there is something for every kind of foodie historian.

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Historic Taverns & Speakeasies

Bube’s Brewery
102 N Market St, Mount Joy | (717) 653-2056
Founded in 1876 by Alois Bube, this 19th-century brewery complex was restored beginning in the 1960s. Today, you can dine in the underground catacombs, relax in the beer garden, or explore their historic taverns.

Bully’s Restaurant & Pub
647 Union Street, Columbia | (717) 684-2854
Originally built in 1903 as the Union Hotel, the site was restored and reopened as Bully's Restaurant & Pub in 2000, with an inn added in 2010.

Bulls Head Public House / Lititz Springs Inn
14 E Main Street, Lititz | (717) 626-2115
Dating back to 1764, Lititz Springs Inn has welcomed guests for over 250 years. Today, it's home to Bulls Head Public House, an authentic English-style pub with award-winning pints, as well as the Inn’s restaurant, where guests can enjoy refined dining in a historic setting.

Railroad House Inn Restaurant
280 W Front St, Marietta | (717) 426-4141
Located in the hidden gem of a town, Marietta, The Railroad House Inn has been in operation for over 200 years. Stay in one of their historic rooms, enjoy a meal in their own restaurant and make special memories in one of their event spaces.

Horse Inn
540 E Fulton St, Lancaster | (717) 392-5528
Tucked in a former carriage house, the Horse Inn’s second‑floor hayloft was converted into a speakeasy in the 1920s. Today, its wagon‑wheel chandeliers and horse‑stall booths frame one of Lancaster’s most beloved kitchens.

Shank’s Tavern
34 S. Waterford Ave, Marietta | (717) 426-1205
Built in 1814 and family-owned since 1930, Shank’s is Lancaster County’s oldest continuously operating tavern.

The Log Cabin Restaurant
11 Lehoy Forest Drive, Leola | (717) 626-9999
Originally built in 1929 as a speakeasy during Prohibition, The Log Cabin officially opened as a restaurant in 1933. It offers fine dining surrounded by woodland views, historic charm, and a collection of both classic and modern art.

Breweries & Distilleries in Historic Buildings

Lancaster Brewing Company
303 North Plum Street, Lancaster | (717) 826-9555
Reviving Lancaster’s brewing tradition after a 39-year pause, Lancaster Brewing Company opened in 1995 in the historic Edward McGovern Tobacco Building, built around 1880. Brewing under the German Reinheitsgebot purity law, it’s known for quality beers that honor the city’s proud heritage.

Thistle Finch Distillery
417 W Grant St, Lancaster | (717) 478-8472
Housed in the Walter Schnader Tobacco Warehouse, built in 1912 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1990, Thistle Finch distills rye whiskey and craft spirits in a setting full of historic character.

South County Brewing Co.
26 W. King Street, Lancaster | (717) 740-5555
South County Brewing Co. opened its Lancaster location in 2025 inside the Historic Steinman Hardware Building, a Victorian Queen Anne–style landmark built in 1886. The space, once home to the Steinman family’s hardware business, now continues its legacy of local enterprise through craft brewing.

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Classic Lancaster Dining

John J. Jefferies
300 Harrisburg Ave., Lancaster | (717) 431-3307
During renovations of the Lancaster Arts Hotel, workers found a tobacco inspector’s stamp from 1890 signed “John J. Jeffries.” The restaurant continues that legacy with locally sourced, farm-to-table cuisine.

Lombardo’s
216 Harrisburg Ave, Lancaster | (717) 394-3749
Serving Italian favorites since 1946, Lombardo’s remains family-run and beloved by locals. A recent renovation has refreshed the space while preserving its longtime tradition of warm hospitality and classic recipes.

Cork & Cap Restaurant
480 New Holland Avenue, Suite 3000, Lancaster | (717) 735-2025
Located in the former Armstrong Cork & Kerr Glass complex, Cork & Cap is part of the Cork Factory Hotel.

Osteria Avanti at The Inn at Leola Village
38 Deborah Dr, Leola | (717) 656-8983
Housed within the historic Inn at Leola Village, originally an 1867 Amish homestead, Osteria Avanti offers a refined Italian dining experience in the heart of Lancaster County. Guests can enjoy fresh, seasonal dishes inspired by rustic Italian traditions, paired with warm hospitality and the charm of a nationally recognized Historic Hotel of America.

The Greenfield Restaurant & Bar
595 Greenfield Road, Lancaster | (717) 393-0668
The restaurant is the former home of the Clymer family, which farmed the land that eventually became Greenfield Corporate Center.

The Belvedere Inn
N Queen St, Lancaster | (717) 394-2422
Built in 1869, this Victorian Italianate-style city mansion was once the home of John S. Rohrer, who entertained guests with views from the belvedere tower overlooking downtown Lancaster. The Belvedere Inn opened in 1998 and is celebrated for its contemporary American cuisine and elegant dining atmosphere.

PA Dutch Favorites

Miller’s Smorgasbord Restaurant & Bakery
2811 Lincoln Highway East, Ronks | (717) 687 6621
Since 1929, Miller’s Shas been serving traditional Pennsylvania Dutch dishes, starting with Anna Miller’s famous chicken & waffles for passing truckers.

S. Clyde Weaver, Inc.
5253 Main St, East Petersburg | (717) 569-0812
S. Clyde Weaver has been in the business of smoking meat, aging cheese, and rolling out cookies by hand for over 100 years, using time-honored recipes.

Conestoga Restaurant
1501 E. King St., Lancaster | (717) 208-3265
Housed in an 18th-century stone inn, the Conestoga Restaurant has been renovated to have a modern, elegant feel inside, while keeping the original stone facade.

Tomato Pie Café
23 North Broad Street, Lititz | (717) 627-1762
This downtown building was first a confectionery and ice cream shop built in 1900. Today, it's home to Tomato Pie Café.

McCleary’s Public House
130 W. Front Street, Marietta | (717) 426-2225
On the site of the 1850 Eckman’s and Indian Queen hotels, McCleary’s was transformed into an Irish pub in 2000, keeping history alive in Marietta’s river town.

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Author

Olivia•

Senior Marketing Manager

Olivia is a Lancaster County native, born and raised in the quaint, small town of Manheim. She fell in love with the impressive diversity of Lancaster, from its vibrant food scene to its endless array of activities, believing there's truly something for everyone here. She hopes visitors experience the warm and welcoming spirit of the local community. Having traveled to five countries and nearly 30 US states, Olivia's appreciation of her hometown grows with every trip. Outside of writing, she enjoys exercising, playing soccer, and reading.

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