Are you a new resident or thinking about moving to the Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, area? One of the many benefits of living in or near Pennsylvania’s vibrant capital city is the proximity to the Susquehanna River.
This picturesque waterway, which forms Harrisburg’s western boundary, offers plenty of recreational opportunities. Venture to City Island, a mile-long island in the middle of the river that’s home to a minor league baseball stadium, miniature golf course, arcade, batting cages and much more. You can even take a ride on a riverboat, steam engine or horse-drawn carriage.
Of course, you’ll also want to patronize the numerous outstanding restaurants that line both sides of the river in the Harrisburg area and points farther north and south. You’ll find a variety of excellent cuisine choices to suit any palate. Many of these establishments also offer beautiful views of the Susquehanna, which you can enjoy along with your meal.
The East Shore region encompasses the city of Harrisburg, including the bustling downtown district. It’s the perfect spot for walkers who want to enjoy an evening of pub crawling, hanging out with friends or grabbing something good to eat. Examples of the many exceptional East Shore eateries include:
Located just north of Downtown Harrisburg at 4425 N. Front St., this family-owned and operated sports bar and grill is the ideal spot for watching the big game or hanging out on the spacious patio. The extensive menu has something for everyone, including wings, wraps, burgers, soups, salads, pizza and more. You can also quench your thirst by choosing from a wide selection of draft and bottled beer, liquor and wine.
If you’re out and about in Harrisburg, but it’s a bit too late for a large meal, Boro Bar & Grill also offers a late-night menu loaded with tasty appetizers, which is available from 10 p.m. to 11 p.m. And if you’re an unabashed wing connoisseur, you won’t want to miss “Wacky Wing Wednesday”!
You’ll find the comfortable, unpretentious Front Street Diner just a few blocks south of the Boro Bar & Grill at 4003 N. Front St. The fare is nothing fancy, but the establishment is open 24 hours a day, and you can order breakfast around the clock.
The Front Street Diner is an omelet lover’s paradise. The menu offers plain, mushroom, western, Spanish, ham, bacon and several other options. You can also select from breakfast favorites like Belgian waffles, pancakes, French toast and pretty much any version of eggs that comes to mind. Many diners opt for the Front Street Special consisting of two eggs, two strips of bacon and two fluffy buttermilk pancakes.
Seafood is also a specialty of this popular riverside eatery. If you like your fish broiled, consider taste-tempting choices like the sea scallops in lemon butter sauce, boneless brook trout or salmon filet. Fried seafood lovers can go for homemade crab cakes, jumbo butterflied shrimp or the combo platter filled with goodies like oyster, crab, shrimp and clam strips.
The Glass Lounge at 4745 N. Front St. has been a Harrisburg institution since 1984. This family-owned establishment is open Tuesday through Saturday for lunch and dinner. Regular patrons rave about the daily lunch specials featuring a choice of two items each day and served with a mouthwatering soup.
If you’re coming for dinner, you can order a tantalizing USDA Choice Delmonico, New York Strip or super sirloin steak, or the grilled chicken breast, baby back ribs or fresh-cut pork chops. Seafood lovers can go for the lobster tail, shrimp in a basket, fried clam platter or fresh sauteed sea scallops. A wide selection of burgers and sandwiches is also available.
When it’s time for dessert, The Glass Lounge offers cheesecake, carrot cake, a creamy chocolate sundae and the “Death by Chocolate” cake that will satisfy any sweet tooth. And it’s hard for anyone to pass up Emily’s Homemade Peanut Butter Pie.
Although Millworks doesn’t rest along the Susquehanna — it’s a couple of blocks to the east at 340 Verbeke St., adjacent to the Broad Street Market — it does feature a 165-seat rooftop “Biergarten” that offers a stunning view of midtown Harrisburg and the surrounding areas. The restaurant derives its name from the building’s previous life as the Stokes Millwork. It consists of preserved timber and brick from the former structure, providing an authentic bohemian atmosphere.
This unique establishment is a restaurant, microbrewery and artists’ showcase all rolled into one. You can enjoy a fine meal, then stroll through the various art galleries and view the works of the local talent.
The seasonal menu features ingredients sourced from local family farms that implement sustainable or organic growing methods. If you decide to venture upstairs to the rooftop Biergarten, you can select from various beers from the on-site craft brewery and an assortment of cocktails, wines and Pennsylvania ciders. You’ll also find a scaled-down food menu featuring wood-fired pizzas, salads, burgers and sandwiches.
Located at 270 North St., just outside the Pennsylvania State Capitol Complex and a stone’s throw from the Susquehanna River, Rubicon is a French cuisine lover’s dream. If you venture there during the warmer months, you can enjoy a fine meal while soaking in the vibrancy of the downtown Harrisburg nightlife in the outdoor courtyard.
The Rubicon’s menu consists of “honest Epicurean fare.” All meals consist of farm-raised meats, freshly grown local produce and an assortment of gourmet specialties. You can start with appetizers like the Boutique Oysters or a caprese salad. If you’re feeling adventurous, try the Polpo, a unique blend of grilled marinated octopus, pimenton patatina and lemon aioli.
Entree choices range from filet mignon and pancetta-wrapped pork tenderloin to grilled magret duck breast, hand-cut ribeye, linguini with clams and the fresh fish of the day.
If you prefer dining in the comfort of your home, Rubicon offers takeout, delivery and at-home catering options. The restaurant is also available for small in-house gatherings.
Do you live or work in downtown Harrisburg and want a place to grab a quick breakfast or lunch to take with you? Deco Grab & Go at 240 N. 3rd St., Suite 102, is an excellent choice. The restaurant’s proximity to the Pennsylvania State Capitol Complex makes it a popular spot for state workers who want a fast dining option. If you have a little extra time, you can even make the short walk to the river and enjoy your meal on a waterside bench.
The Deco Grab & Go breakfast menu includes freshly baked cinnamon rolls and an assortment of mouthwatering bagel sandwiches that will start your morning on the right foot. When it’s time for lunch, try one of the amazing sandwiches like the BLT, chicken with pesto, Greek chicken or the veggie sandwich. If you’re up for a salad instead, your choices include Greek, Caesar, Cobb and caprese.
If you can’t get away from the office or prefer a contactless dining experience, Deco Grab & Go also offers online ordering with fast delivery.
Keep in mind that Deco Grab & Go isn’t open for dinner or on weekends. The restaurant’s operating hours are Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Located just a short block from the Susquehanna River at 1 N. 2nd St., the 1700 Degrees Steakhouse is the place to go if you want a “great American steak.” The dinner menu contains an array of steaks and chops featuring Midwestern prime beef, certified Angus beef and dry-aged beef cooked to perfection by executive chef Anthony Bianco. Whether your tastes lean toward filet mignon, T-bone, ribeye or veal, you’ll surely find something to please your palate.
This fine-dining establishment also offers sustainable seafood options, including salmon, roasted halibut and monkfish. The scrumptious pork tenderloin, served with gooseberries, pickled onion, fava beans, pea shoots and corn puree, is a house favorite.
After finishing your excellent meal, you’ll want to explore the extensive 1700 Degrees Steakhouse dessert menu filled with cakes, puddings and brownies. If you’re too stuffed to make room for a full dessert, consider the mini “sweet tastes” like macarons or the cheesecake du jour. Wash it all down with your favorite domestic or imported beer or one of the featured red or white wines.
The “other side of the river” from Harrisburg is known as the West Shore and consists of lots of small, friendly riverfront towns like Lemoyne, Wormleysburg and Marysville, to name a few. Like its East Shore counterpart, this region offers endless divine dining opportunities. Some of the more popular West Shore eateries include:
This riverfront establishment at 313 N. Front St. in Wormleysburg is a fantastic spot. Enjoy gazing across the river at nighttime and taking in the Pennsylvania State Capitol Complex and the many other captivating Harrisburg sites at Duke’s Bar & Grille.
While you’re admiring the view, you can also munch on some of the delicious items from the wide-ranging menu. Duke’s is known throughout the Harrisburg area for its mouthwatering crab pretzels, which you can wash down with your favorite cold adult beverage. Other menu favorites include the brick oven pizza, stuffed potatoes and entrees like Duke Stax, which comes in a choice of chicken, Italian, barbeque and other tempting options.
If you’re a night owl, you’ll be happy to know that Duke’s is open until 2 a.m. seven days a week for your casual dining and drinking pleasure. While you are in the area, feel free to visit the Duke’s affiliated Dockside Willies, a popular bar and grill located right next door at 449 S. Front St.
If you’re up for venturing a few miles north of the Harrisburg area, the Waterfront Bar & Grill at 13 S. Main St. in Marysville is well worth the short drive. This establishment offers a captivating view of the Susquehanna River, and you can still see the lights of downtown Harrisburg in the distance.
The expansive menu features something for every taste. Start by choosing from an assortment of surf appetizers like steamed shrimp, little-neck clams, fried calamari, mussels or crab bites. You can also opt for loaded fries, mozzarella sticks, homestyle onion rings or nachos.
The main menu consists of popular items like traditional wings, fried haddock and chicken tenders. You can also select from an assortment of specialty salads, sandwiches, burgers, wraps and subs. Entree options come from the land and the water — whether you’re hungry for steak, chicken, salmon, scallops or crab cakes, you’ll be able to satisfy your craving. And if you’re up for Italian cuisine, you’ll find everything from spaghetti and cheese ravioli to pasta alfredo and chicken parmesan pasta.
If you feel like making a road trip, it’s easy to find more fantastic restaurants on the Susquehanna River with a view. Area favorites include:
Located approximately 35 miles southeast of Harrisburg in the small town of Wrightsville, Pennsylvania, the historic John Wright Restaurant offers a casual dining environment in a restored warehouse along the Susquehanna River. The timbered structure is enclosed by glass on three sides, offering a breathtaking view of the river. You can also dine outdoors on the seasonal Pizza Patio that serves wood-fired pizza and other delicious items.
If you’re coming to the John Wright Restaurant for lunch, you’ll find an abundance of appetizers, soups and salads to start your meal. The grill offers burger, chicken, tuna and Southwest black bean vegan options, all served on a fresh kaiser roll.
The dinner menu includes an assortment of small plate items for appetizers. The choice of entrees includes seafood manicotti, grilled swordfish and hickory smoked ribeye, to name a few.
After your meal, you’ll want to check out the new Real Food Emporium by John Wright Restaurant and take home one of the delectable house-made items like cakes and ice cream or locally sourced milk, cheese, eggs and more.
If you’re up for a one-hour drive north of Harrisburg, Penn’s Tavern in Sunbury, Pennsylvania, can provide a memorable dining experience. The expansive deck is the perfect place to enjoy an excellent meal and a magnificent river view. Select from an assortment of craft beers from some of Pennsylvania’s finest microbreweries.
The Penn’s Tavern menu contains a variety of appetizers, burgers, salads and sandwiches. The restaurant also offers dinner entrees on Fridays and Saturdays, such as cowboy steak, lobster ravioli, crab cakes and salmon filet. Enjoy live music on the deck every Tuesday evening, weather permitting, from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
If you’re looking for a great place to live in or near Harrisburg, Triple Crown Corporation offers several beautiful rental communities throughout the area. We’ve been providing excellence in real estate services since 1977, and we’re ready to help you call Central Pennsylvania home.
Contact us for more information or to schedule a convenient property tour today. We might even be able to give a few more suggestions for wonderful restaurants along the Susquehanna River!
