Diners' Choice: Lively restaurants in Central Pennsylvania

OpenTable

Updated April 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants that have the most vibrant bar scenes in Central Pennsylvania? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Cork Bar & Restaurant

4.8

4.8 (348)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Wilkes-Barre

About the restaurant

Cork Restaurant opened in Wilkes-Barre in 2007, bringing an innovative, hospitality-focused concept with a unique array of dining, cocktail and wine menus. Cork is located in a quaint neighborhood in the north end of Wilkes-Barre and is a place where customers become friends. Our spacious, multi-level floor plan features a classy, yet contemporary decor and a relaxed cosmopolitan ambiance perfect for dining or entertaining. Cork’s second floor dining area provides the ideal setting for a romantic dinner for two or a larger dinner group of friends or family. Visit Cork Bar & Restaurant in Wilkes-Barre today for hospitality at its finest!

Top review

Mary Ann

Dined 4 days ago

Perfect choice to celebrate graduation. Everything was fantastic will definitely return.

Kevin's

4.8

4.8 (295)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Wilkes-Barre

About the restaurant

Owner Rob Friedman invites you to join us at Kevin’s for a casual, fun, and creative dining experience. The culinary team at Kevin’s headed by Chef Matt Gilbert offers a wide range of dishes including fresh seafood, handmade pasta, hand cut steaks, and so much more. Specialty cocktails are featured daily and are sure to be enjoyed! Most of our staff have been with us from when the restaurant opened, lead by General Manager, John Lahr, with many years experience in the industry and who also creates our famous table side Caesar Salad and Bananas Foster. Our family strives to make your dining experience the most memorable one, and we invite you to celebrate any occasion with us!

Top review

Kristi

Dined 3 days ago

Beth was a wonderful server. Very efficient. The Manager, John, was extremely helpful, very visible, and engaged with all the guests. Busy place with wonderful food. Will be back! Thank you’

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Breaker Brewing Company

4.8

4.8 (509)

$30 and under

Brewery

Wilkes-Barre

About the restaurant

Welcome and thank you for your interest in Breaker Brewing Company. We are a Micro Brewery & Brew Pub in Northeast PA’s coal region that brews, serves and delivers handcrafted beer to local bars and pubs. Our small batch craft brews are dedicated to the hard-working people who have been and still are examples of our rich heritage.

Top review

Mike

Dined on Apr 12, 2025

A hidden gem in the Wilkes-Barre area. The beer selection was excellent. Highly recommend the flight, since all of the choices were delicious. Excellent service too. Food was very good as well. We’ll be back a lot more.

Allen Street Grill

4.8

4.8 (942)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

State College

About the restaurant

Located in the heart of downtown State College, our newly restored space offers an honest, no-fuss menu featuring modern American cooking. The bar program features classics-inspired craft cocktails and a thoughtfully curated biodynamic wine list including plentiful wines by the glass.

Located on the second floor of Hotel State College, an iconic corner of hospitality in the community, the Grill has offered the community and alumni one of the grandest views of town and Penn State through floor-to-ceiling windows for more than 40 years. Thoughtfully restored and reimagined by new owners, Chef Karen Nicolas and the team set out to re-establish the Allen Street Grill as the epicenter of the downtown dining scene with a focus on local, quality ingredients and great hospitality.

Top review

RickVIP

Dined 4 days ago

Very friendly staff. Food is always well prepared and flavorful. Highly recommended.

The Tavern Restaurant

4.7

4.7 (118)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

State College

About the restaurant

The Tavern Restaurant has proudly served downtown State College, Pennsylvania since 1948.
A newly renovated historic institution, The Tavern specializes in contemporary classic American cuisine in the ambiance of a colonial tavern. Join us for elevated comfort food, timeless cocktails and first class service.

Top review

WalterVIP

Dined 2 days ago

The food was delicious and the service was attentive.

Grace at the Carnegie

4.6

4.6 (711)

$31 to $50

Contemporary French / American

State College

About the restaurant

Grace Restaurant at the Carnegie House has been awarded for 10 consecutive years by State College Magazine the Best Fine Dining Restaurant and Best Romantic Restaurant!

As you enter the dining room through the French doors from the library, a feeling of warmth and elegance beckons you to enjoy leisurely modern trending dining. A bow window allows dinner guests to view the beautiful flowers that surround Carnegie House and the woods surrounding the golf course. China, crystal, and silver grace the tables on crisp white table linen. Servers are attentive in providing for the needs of the guests who dine on trend-setting cuisine.

From breakfast to elegantly prepared hors d'oeuvres and dinner selections, dining at Carnegie House is as spectacular as it is relaxing. The Library invites casual conversation while savoring a favorite cocktail or glass of wine from the Wine Spectator award winning selection.

Top review

JudyVIP

Dined 3 days ago

Grace at Carnegie House is always good. I make it a point to visit every time I am in State College - it’s the best restaurant there.

The Greens at Irem Clubhouse

4.6

4.6 (114)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Wilkes-Barre

About the restaurant

With a welcoming and comfortable atmosphere at The Greens you are sure to have a great time. The Greens offers you seating from our cozy Dining Room to our beautiful Patio and Terrace which overlook the Irem Golf course, to the inviting surrounding in our pub. Chef Frank will fulfill your requests when it comes to looking for delicious food. Our friendly staff will always be willing to help you with any questions or concerns you may have. The Greens will be your go to restaurant for all special occasions to come, after all we are Friedman Hospitality Group.

Top review

Maxine

Dined on Apr 19, 2025

Most outstanding experience. Great servers and great food. Thank you very much. We will be back. Fourth time here since November.....

Gigi's Southern Table

4.5

4.5 (1894)

$30 and under

Southern

State College

About the restaurant

Gigi's is as casual as it is chic; it’s a local farm-to-table experience capturing the sophisticated yet laid back ideals of southern hospitality. It’s a social gathering place for friends, whether you're aiming to impress out-of-town guests, linger over a romantic dinner or just want to enjoy a local craft beer in the lounge, come join us at our table.

Top review

Beverly

Dined 5 days ago

Gigi’s is always reliable for a very good dining experience. The food and cocktails are tasty and the friendly and competent servers are always ready to make your meal out an enjoyable one. The fried green tomato bruschetta is a must to start the meal.

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Popular dish

Fried Green Tomato BLT

Popular dish

Shrimp Carbonara

The Greek

4.5

4.5 (269)

$30 and under

Greek

State College

About the restaurant

BYOB Authentic Greek Cuisine in State College, PA.

After many years of serving the perfect American breakfast, The Original Waffle Shop's founder John Dimakopoulos brings his traditional Greek cuisine to you!

From fresh and abundant vegetables to the most succulent kebabs, each dish has been perfected to showcase genuine Greek flavors.

Top review

BeatriceVIP

Dined on Apr 12, 2025

The food and service were great! I am definitely going back!!

Lionne - The Nittany Lion Inn

4.5

4.5 (125)

$31 to $50

American

State College

About the restaurant

At Lionne, each dish is meticulously crafted with the freshest regional ingredients, celebrating Central Pennsylvania’s bounty of small farms and culinary artisans. From classic Inn dishes to exquisite plated creations, our menu reflects a dedication to superior quality.

Top review

MarisaVIP

Dined 3 days ago

The food and service was excellent. The ambiance was perfect . We’ll definitely visit Lionne again when we return in the Fall!

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