Tony Gorick, Sales and Marketing Manager at Decades

A feature piece from our Spring 2026 issue of the Lancaster Thriving Publication.

In Lancaster County we focus on quality ingredients–but that expands well beyond a recipe for food. It’s a mindset that transcends from what’s on the table to how the overall dining industry blends agriculture, tourism, hospitality, and a unique combination of local tradition & global influence to establish a critical economic pillar for our County. The industry continues to shift, elevate, and transform as we look to what’s next in Lancaster and how we maintain intentional, positive growth within Lancaster County dining.

Plants to Plates

The agriculture and farming industry in Lancaster County proves invaluable for restaurants.

“Lancaster County’s agriculture sector is exceptionally strong compared to the rest of the state, producing roughly six times more economic output than the average Pennsylvania county, and that strength directly supports our restaurant community,” says Ezra Rothman, President of the Economic Development Company of Lancaster County. “Our deep base of local farms gives chefs access to fresh, high-quality ingredients, which helps differentiate Lancaster’s dining scene. In turn, restaurants that prioritize local sourcing help sustain small and mid-sized farms, creating a mutually reinforcing local economy.”

It’s a symbiotic relationship between local farms and restaurants.

“Sourcing locally is critical to the success of both Plough and The Exchange,” says Mia Carlson, Director of Restaurants at the Lancaster Marriott at Penn Square. “When we work with local farmers, markets, and producers, we’re not just elevating the quality and freshness of what we serve – we’re reinvesting in the local economy, supporting jobs, and preserving the agricultural heritage that defines this region.”

With many farmers markets, dairy farms, and local grocery stores, there is no shortage of fresh ingredients for menus across the County.

Global Influence & Local Traditions

Lancaster boasts a history of flavors rooted in Amish and Pennsylvania Dutch traditions while welcoming global influences shared by many refugees and immigrants who have moved here.

For instance, Soltzfus Meats brought their handmade meats and Pennsylvania Dutch recipes to the New Castle Farmer’s Market in 1952 and continued to grow–now offering a restaurant featuring their time-honored traditions.

In addition, Lancaster welcomes global options to coincide with these traditional flavors creating a delicious cultural collision, which is represented well at Southern Market Lancaster.

“Everybody is so welcoming to our food and open to trying something different,” says Ron Buitrago, Owner of Mekatos Eatery, a Columbian and Laos stand at Southern Market. He is grateful to Lancaster for accepting his cuisine. “You don’t understand how good it feels when somebody loves your food.”

Guests can experience everything from traditional Pennsylvania Dutch to authentic Nepalese, Greek, Irish, Mexican, and more, all in one community. This blend of traditional and global has made Lancaster stand out–and succeed due to delicious diversity.

The Tourism Impact

Lancaster has long been a destination for tourists, historically seeking to explore Amish culture and cuisine. Whoopie pies, pot pie, scrapple, donuts and other traditional treats have been featured in many restaurants and tourist destinations ranging from nationally-known Miller’s Smorgasbord and Achenbach’s Pastries, to attractions like Kitchen Kettle Village and Dutch Apple Dinner Theater.

“Lancaster County’s heritage of hearty, Pennsylvania Dutch cooking has welcomed in more recent years the addition of delicious upscale, international, and diverse dining & drink experiences in Lancaster City and beyond,” says Jeff Vasser, President & CEO of Discover Lancaster. “This rich culinary combination continues to draw the enthusiastic attention of visitors from all over, not to mention the appreciation and support of local residents as well.”

There is no sign of tourism to the area slowing down anytime soon.

“Tourism plays a vital role across all of our businesses at Thomas E. Strauss, Inc., from Miller’s Smorgasbord and Smokehouse at Plain & Fancy Farm to AmishView Inn & Suites and our retail shops,” says Tom Neely, CEO of Thomas E. Strauss, Inc. “According to Discover Lancaster’s most recent data, Lancaster County welcomes more than 10 million visitors annually who generate approximately $2.7 billion in economic impact, and dining is an essential part of how those visitors experience the destination.”

It isn’t just tourists choosing Lancaster as a destination. Large, national events look towards Lancaster for quality experiences–like the 2024 Women’s US Open at the Lancaster County Country Club. Food was key in making it successful.

“I provided breakfast and lunch for about 125 guests for seven consecutive days at the US Open in 2024,” says Emily Gisselle Gonzalez, Owner of GEMs Catering, LLC. Emily also owns Inna’s Pierogies based in Lititz. “It was an incredible experience that helped elevate my business and opened many doors for me.”

Other award-winning favorites like Passerine, The Belvedere, Bulls Head Public House, LUCA, Bube’s Brewery, Shady Maple, and Chellas also keep Lancaster County in headlines all around the nation–further strengthening the area as a foodie destination.

Collaboration for Local & National Growth

A culture of collaboration and mutual support within the culinary industry has proven to be critical in creating a foundation of success that expands out of the Lancaster area while also drawing people to it.

“Lancaster’s food scene is one of our most important assets—and personally one of the things that inspired me to move to the city five years ago,” says Cara Cherry, Managing Director at Fig Industries. “I’m proud to be part of a team that believes in supporting our locally owned restaurants, and I’m equally honored to get to partner with other businesses and organizations who also want these small businesses to shine.”

With organizations like the Lancaster Chamber, the Lancaster City Alliance, Discover Lancaster, the Lancaster Tourism Alliance, ASSETS, and the Economic Development Company of Lancaster County, along with media partners like Fig and Lancaster County Magazine, there is a collective push to elevate small businesses–like restaurants–for sustainable growth.

“We just had such a great opportunity to start Oola Bowls in Lancaster where we have a supportive community and a place that’s open to adopting new concepts and being trend-forward,” says Joe Ferderbar, Co-Founder of Oola Bowls. The business has now expanded nationally, including stands within Hersheypark and shops in Florida and

Massachusetts. “It gave us the confidence to take it into larger markets outside of Central Pennsylvania.”

Not only is the area a launchpad for expansion, but it also draws businesses to choose Lancaster in their expansion strategy.

“We had been visiting open storefronts for years before finding our current location,” says Matt Ramsay, Founder / Owner of Denim Coffee. “While Lancaster had a phenomenal coffee scene already, we knew Lancaster was on a growth trajectory and still had room for our offering. It is our responsibility and honor to be part of the tremendous hospitality offered by the Lancaster community.”

Having the resources for businesses to both start here and expand here is a great asset to the local economic landscape.

A Future of Flavors

This article is just a glimpse of the expansive dining Lancaster has to offer–there is also a crucial beverage pillar featuring local liquor, craft beer, and wine, while a robust lineup of bakeries, confectionaries, and creameries are spread across the County adding to the eclectic experience mix.

With a multifaceted landscape of agriculture, farms, purveyors, and restaurants, a combination of storied traditions and global influences, an ever-growing demand for tourism, and a platform for local and national expansion, the restaurant industry within Lancaster County showcases an expansive, interlocking strategy for economic success.

As margins continue to be tight, and with consumer confidence rapidly swinging in different directions, it’s imperative we all do what we can to support restaurants and their web of impact–from buying gift cards to taking staff out for team-building.

As we look to what’s next, there is always room to grow–and with a continued focus on collaboration, resource-sharing, and multi-sector integration, the Lancaster County restaurant industry is poised to be a major economic factor in both the local and regional landscape.

Featuring Flavor: A Refreshed Lancaster City Restaurant Week

It all started with an idea: how do we best collaborate as restaurants in downtown Lancaster?

A few restaurants near Penn Square in downtown Lancaster, Pennsylvania, started an event called “On The Square” which became the foundation for Lancaster City Restaurant Week, the bi-annual culinary celebration that began in 2014 has now grown to include around 50 restaurants.

“When it all started, many of us still had the mindset that some people were hesitant to come to downtown Lancaster,” said Chris Trendler, Founder of Lancaster City Restaurant Week. “We have seen the weeklong event evolve drastically in that time to include all City restaurants that want to participate, not just those near the square.”

Chris helped start the concept of Lancaster City Restaurant Week and continues to manage the event along with a small team. He has since also started the Lancaster Craft Beerfest and Decades–the latter a popular retro arcade, bowling alley, bar, restaurant, events space, and seasonal ice cream bar in the City of Lancaster.

“We love participating in restaurant week because it gives up the opportunity to come up with creative specials,” says Chris Grove, Owner of The Gloomy Rooster at Southern Market. “Last year one of the specials even ended up becoming a full time menu item.”

The success of the week is also attributed to key community sponsors that help make it possible to not only promote the event, but keep it free for any restaurant within the City of Lancaster to participate. Annual sponsors include the Lancaster City Alliance and Downtown Investment District, Discover Lancaster, The Restaurant Store, Toast, Decades, Sysco Foods, and Chuck Honabach Realty.

“The collaboration of Lancaster City restaurants is crucial to the success of the vibrant dining scene Lancaster has to offer,” adds Chris. “Through collaboration coordinated by Lancaster City Restaurant Week, our goal is to support downtown Restaurants and create a strong citywide culinary destination for local customers and tourists alike.”

Spring Lancaster City Restaurant Week is Monday, April 13 through Sunday, April 19, 2026. Explore the newly-designed website at lancastercityrestaurantweek.com.

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