Diners' Choice: Best Ambiance restaurants in Central Pennsylvania

OpenTable

Updated November 05, 2026

Looking for restaurants with the best ambiance 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!

Allen Street Grill

4.8

4.8 (1182)

$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 Alex Singh 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

MichaelGold

Dined 1 day ago

Overall excellence in every category. Highest recommendation

Grace at the Carnegie

4.8

4.8 (783)

$31 to $50

Contemporary Italian

State College

About the restaurant

Grace at Carnegie House is a local favorite for Italian-inspired cooking built around handmade pasta, prime cuts, and thoughtful flavors. The experience is warm, comfortable, and designed to be enjoyed often—whether you’re stopping in for a relaxed weeknight dinner or gathering with friends over great food and drinks. With a Wine Spectator–recognized wine program, distinctive spirits, and craft cocktails, Grace makes it easy to come back again and again.

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

JoanGold

Dined on Oct 27, 2026

Grace is an exceptional restaurant for the State College area. The food is outstanding and the atmosphere is relaxing. We attended a special dinner for Octoberfest with beer pairings from a local brewery. The event ran flawlessly. The menu of five courses plus a dessert was a perfect array of German delights finely crafted by the chef. The beer was excellent as well. Service was impeccable. I cannot recommend this restaurant enough for special occasions or simply a night out to treat yourself.

Breaker Brewing Company

4.9

4.9 (550)

$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

Anthony

Dined 3 days ago

Beer and in particular the food is very good, my wife and friends love going to Breaker Brewer, we all love the Ivan Putski pizza. Apps are also very good and tasty.

The Rock on the River

4.4

4.4 (36)

$31 to $50

American

Clearfield

About the restaurant

Located along the riverfront in downtown Clearfield, Rock on the River offers a relaxed atmosphere, great food, handcrafted drinks, and live entertainment in a scenic setting. Whether you're joining us for a casual lunch, date night, family dinner, or an evening out with friends, our menu features crowd favorites, fresh flavors, and seasonal specials designed to bring people together.

Guests can enjoy indoor or outdoor dining, river views, live music, and a welcoming local vibe that makes every visit memorable. From signature cocktails to hearty meals and weekend entertainment, Rock on the River is where good food and good times meet.

Top review

Mary

Dined 7 days ago

Rachel was awesome! Fun evening, very accommodating.

Kevin's

4.9

4.9 (436)

$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

MarkGold

Dined 3 days ago

Always a great experience at Kevin’s. Jen, as always, provided great service and Danny mixing up the beverages is top dog in our community. It’s easy to recommend Kevin’s with such a tight team making it happen on Tuesday “Oyster” night. Thank you everyone !

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Popular dish

STEAK FRITES

The Greens at Irem Clubhouse

4.8

4.8 (200)

$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. We 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

Douglas

Dined 6 days ago

The Greens has a nice menu with plenty of choice. The service was fine and the food was delivered on time.

Lionne - The Nittany Lion Inn

4.6

4.6 (285)

$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

EdwardGold

Dined on Oct 28, 2026

Lynne and Zach were very attentive and fun, we really enjoyed our time with them. Overall the food was delicious, special Bison entree was fabulous. Beef filet mignon was a bit thin and slightly cooked beyond desired medium rare, but good flavor. Desserts over the top. Connie in the 1855 Lounge was very nice!

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4.8

4.8 (390)

$30 and under

Italian

Wilkes-Barre

About the restaurant

We are now taking reservations on our website at cafetoscana.net or click the link below to go there directly https://cafetoscana.menu11.com/wilkesbarre/reserve

Bringing a taste of the Old World to downtown Wilkes-Barre, Cafe Toscana is located at One Public Square in downtown Wilkes-Barre.

Our recipes are tried and true family favorites that represent the best that Tuscany and the surrounding region has to offer.

Cafe Toscana’s Northern Italian cuisine is light and delicate and allows the individual flavors to come through. We feature an array of tried and true family favorites, including veal, pasta, risotto, fish, steak and seafood, with a variety of specials to keep the menu always fresh and exciting. There are also an abundant asortment of homemade desserts on the menu.

A new and greatly expanded wine list gives customers plenty of choices for every dish and every palette.

Top review

Susan

Dined on Oct 28, 2026

Service exceptional and the food was great. Highly recommend.

Cork Bar & Restaurant

4.8

4.8 (497)

$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

Michelle

Dined 7 days ago

The food was delicious and service outstanding! My husband and I really enjoyed our dinner! He had the braised short ribs, I chose the ahi tuna, both entrees excellent. We will definitely return!

The Tavern Restaurant

4.6

4.6 (254)

$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

Jody

Dined on Oct 28, 2026

Food was very good. John provided great service. Great menu selections.

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Explore Diners' Choice best of Central Pennsylvania