Greek, Lebanese, Japanese and more: 14 food destinations worth the drive from York County
There's no denying that York County is a community dedicated to food and drink.
But what if I told you that less than an hour drive from town will take you to a world of hidden gems and unique charm?
Yes, York boasts exceptional food businesses and a variety of cuisines from flavorful Thai to Indian fusion and, more recently, traditional Portuguese barbecue. But I'm here to shed light on some spots that you may not find in York County that deserve your attention.
In no way is this list intended to overshadow the treasures of York's culinary scene, but rather to offer a range of nearby destinations that might surprise you.
Hellenic Kouzina
Where: 500 E. Main St., Mechanicsburg
There are a few places in town that serve gyros and tzatziki, but outside of the festival season, I think I speak for many of us when I say that it's hard to find delicious, homemade Greek food. I can cook it at home, but sometimes I just want to go out and enjoy it.
The food at Hellenic Kouzina reminds me of my mother's cooking and doesn't disappoint. Here, you'll find more than just gyro and baklava. If you're looking for dinner and a show, try the saganaki cheese flambéed before your eyes, grilled octopus and tirokafteri (spicy feta dip).
Casa Mariachi
Where: 5206 Simpson Ferry Road, Mechanicsburg
This family-owned restaurant serves trendy and classic Mexican dishes, including my personal favorite, birria tacos.
Try the chimichanga de pollo asado, filled with refried beans, rice, onion, cilantro, sour cream, four Mexican cheeses and chicken, or the taco de birria, filled with slow-cooked beef stew, and bring a cold Modelo for a filling and delicious meal.
Grand Illusion Hard Cider
Where: 26 W. High St., Carlisle
Located in downtown Carlisle, Grand Illusion Hard Cider is definitely not your average cider bar. They have a hidden bathroom, infinity mirrors on the staircase landing, magic nights, comedy nights, and two escape rooms. They have a rotating selection of five Pennsylvania beers and eight Pennsylvania wines on tap.
Try the Mystic Pineapple Cider or the Hocus Hibiscus, a lemony tart and berry-rich cider with a hint of sweet hibiscus tea, or let's be real, try a flight.
Cedars Lebanese Cuisine
Where: 2153 Market St., Camp Hill
For this next spot, run, don't walk. This family-owned Lebanese restaurant is a true hidden gem if there ever was one. This BYOB offers authentic Lebanese cuisine and features traditional belly dancing performances on the weekends.
For starters, try the hummus, it may be the best one you try in Central Pa. Also be sure to try tabbouleh, an herb salad containing parsley, bulgar wheat, tomatoes, onions and spices. For your main course, I highly recommend shish tawook, grilled marinated chicken served with rice, roasted vegetables and garlic aioli.
La Dolce Vita Courthouse Bakery
Where: 9 N. Duke St., Lancaster
Nestled in downtown Lancaster, this family-owned Italian bakery brings out the kid in all of us.
Named after the iconic Italian movie, this colorful bakery offers a variety of freshly baked Italian treats, from cookies to cannoli to lobster tails to sfogliatelle to individual cake slices. For lunch, enjoy a freshly made pasta salad or panini. And don't leave without an espresso.
The Pressroom
Where: 26 W. King St., Lancaster
Located in the Steinman Hardware building, The Pressroom is an upscale restaurant that brings the charm of the 1700s with craft cocktails and a modern menu to downtown Lancaster.
Anytime I see a meat and cheese board on a menu, I almost always order it, and The Pressroom's cheeses and charcuterie are paired with house-made garnishes and crostini, a great pairing for journalists and non-journalists alike with a glass of red wine.
Helena's Chocolate Café and Crêperie
Where: 36 W. High St., Carlisle
In downtown Carlisle, Helena's is serving up coffee, homemade macarons, and a variety of specialty crepes.
Alongside an espresso or a cafe bombon with equal parts of espresso and sweetened condensed milk, try crepes sweet to savory, including bacon, egg, and gruyere cheese, or fresh spinach and feta filled, to Nutella or dulce de leche, to name a few.
Issei Noodle
Where: 54 W. High St., Carlisle
Using quality ingredients, authentic flavors, and fresh produce, the family behind Issei Noodle is serving up freshly made ramen, pan-fried noodle dishes, eggrolls, dumplings and homemade desserts and mochi.
Try the black garlic ramen or the spicy tan-tan ramen, and for dessert try a slice of homemade cheesecake or a refreshing iced boba tea.
Proof of Lancaster
Where: Lower Level, 30 N. Queen St., Lancaster
Walking downstairs to enter this luxurious cocktail spot, you'll feel like you've stepped into a New York City speakeasy. The soft couches and dimly lit bar give you the speakeasy experience with a variety of wines and whiskeys from around the world.
Try a drink or two along with the charcuterie, which comes with a rotating selection of cheeses, meats, jams, fresh breads and pickled vegetables.
Alvaro Bread and Pastry Shoppe
Where: 236 Peffer St., Harrisburg
On a corner of Uptown Harrisburg sits Alvaro Bread and Pastry Shoppe, an old-fashioned Italian bakery where Sal and Lina Alvaro are using family recipes and imported ingredients to create authentic Italian pastries, breads and pasta.
Monday through Saturday, Alvaro's bakes Italian delicacies such as cannoli, chocolate-dipped cannoli, pizzels, several kinds of amaretto cookies and so much more. Homemade ice cream is also available in a variety of flavors that change daily. Pre-order homemade breads including olive or sun-dried tomato Tuscan to name a few.
Yak N Yeti II
Where: 49 W. High St., Carlisle
Try traditional Bhutanese dishes and Nepali cuisine at Yak N Yeti. The variety of these cuisines is based on ethnicity, soil and climate related to Nepal's cultural diversity and geography. Much of the cuisine is a variation of foods hybridized with Tibetan, Indian and Thai origins.
Try the aloo sag, potatoes simmered with mustard greens, garlic and turmeric, or the datsi: meat cooked with vegetables in a smoked cheese sauce.
Sushi Heaven
Where: 25 Gateway Dr. Ste A-103, Mechanicsburg
Sushi Heaven is the perfect place for a sushi date. This full-service Japanese restaurant features an all-you-can-eat, fixed-price menu at $15.99 for lunch and $23.99 for dinner that allows you to enjoy all the items on the menu without restriction. Items such as fresh sushi, chef rolls, fried rice and more, are freshly prepared to order.
Nonna Ilva
Where: 204 N. Hanover St., Carlisle
Another gem of an Italian bakery is Nonna Ilva in Carlisle. While the interior is tiny and the selection is limited, the pizza and pastries are out of this world.
Mattio, the owner, will tell you what's good and even give you travel tips for Italy while he prepares your pizza, which he makes by hand right in front of you. While you wait, try an espresso and check out the pastry case so you can order some sfogliatelle to take home. After lunch, check out the thrift and antique shops downtown and stop by Grand Illusion for a cider.
Souvlaki Boys
Where: 1 W. James St., Lancaster
When you're voted the best gyro in the state, something tells me that you're worth the drive.
Founded in 2012, Souvlaki Boys is on a mission to make a name for Greek street food in the United States, and if you ask me, they're on the right track. When you walk in, the place doesn't look like anything special (that's how you know it's good). There is limited seating, Greek music playing, and a crowd of college kids behind the counter.
Try the Zeus pita, with freshly shaved Gyro meat and Chicken Souvlaki. The wrap comes with traditional tzatziki sauce, lettuce, tomatoes, red onions, feta cheese and finished with fries. You will not be disappointed.
Blackworth Live Fire Grill
Where: 52 N. Broad St., Lititz
Cooking up live-fire cuisine in downtown Lititz, Blackwork Live Fire Grill offers brunch, lunch and dinner as well as a variety of cocktails both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, and wine.
Signature dishes include charred, wild caught octopus served alongside taggiasca olives, and duroc pork shank cooked with white wine, sauerkraut and garlic. YDR reporter Angel Albring recommends the homemade cornbread, and grilled carrots with brown butter, fennel dust.
Lena Tzivekis is a Central Pa reporter. Email her at etzivekis@gannett.com, or message her on Twitter at @tzivekis
This article originally appeared on York Daily Record: Expand your palate with 14 exceptional eateries near York County, Pa.
