Restaurant Week: Exploring the Flavors of Downtown York Cuisine
Foodies and savory seekers alike, you’ll be in for a treat. Satisfy your taste buds with a variety of flavors that downtown York restaurants have to offer during the 8th Annual Restaurant Week. Between February 24 and March 3, you have the opportunity to visit York’s best restaurants, market stands, bars, cafes, and pop-ups, and choose from prix-fixe menus that include chef-selected exclusive dishes for the week.
Breakfast and lunch prices range from $5 to $15, and dinner prices range from $20 to $40. As an added bonus, Collusion Tap Works is brewing up a special beer for this week which will be available at participating downtown bars: a #RWBEER 5.5 percent blonde ale hopped with citra and rakau hops. Be on the lookout for that.
This celebration of cuisine is the perfect opportunity to try a dish that’s out of your comfort zone or make a break from your usual food spot in York. Restaurant Week is a showcase of food innovation at its best in the heart of the city.
Restaurant Week’s Impact on Downtown York
In addition to your stomach benefiting from the great food and drink, York’s economy gains from all this activity as well. Supporting your local food places during Restaurant Week greatly impacts York’s economy in a positive way.
According to the York County Economic Alliance, this week yields a minimum of a 100 percent increase in sales for most of the restaurants. It was reported that over $300,000 in sales were generated during this week in 2017. Restaurant Week also supports the downtown economic surge. This past July, the York County Convention and Visitors Bureau recorded $217.6 million spent on the food and beverage industry, second only to transportation.
Make Your Reservations Early
To take part in this week, no tickets are needed: Just visit any participating restaurant. You might want to plan ahead, though, as reservations are highly encouraged given that this week is one of the busiest of the year for York City dining. Below you can find all the participating restaurants that are accepting reservations.
Coomb’s Tavern | 717.854.8146
Hamir’s Indian Fusion | 717.430.4173
Iron Horse York | 717.846.4766
Mudhook Brewing Co. | 717.747.3605
Revival Social Club | 717.430.2981
Rockfish Public House | 717.893.5928
Roosevelt Tavern | 717.854.7725
The Handsome Cab | 717.793.2413
The Left Bank Restaurant & Bar | 717.843.8010
Tutoni’s | 717.873.0270
World Grills | 717.650.2886
Explore Distinct Dining Options
Carryout will be available depending on the restaurant. Along with the prix-fixe menus, participating restaurants will continue to offer their daily menus. Many will offer a vegetarian feature during the week as well. Vegans, don’t think you’re forgotten about. Zwild Vegans in Penn Market (380 W. Market St.) has an entire menu that will meet your needs.
Best Restaurants in 2017
If you’ve never experienced Restaurant Week, and you’re not quite sure where to start your food quest in the city, no worries. Start your exploration with the previous Restaurant Week award winners of 2017, listed below.
Best Breakfast – York City Pretzel Company
Best Lunch – Roost Uncommon Kitchen
Best Dinner – Roosevelt Tavern
Most Bang for Your Buck – Granfalloons
Best Dessert – Revival Social Club
Best Place for a Quick Bite – York City Pretzel Company
Best First Experience – Forno Bova
Best Ethnic Option – Essan Thai Restaurant & Mi Caldero Restaurante
Best Vegetarian Option – LettUsKnow
New to Restaurant Week in 2018
Hamir Patel debuted his Indian Fusion cuisine in the Taste Test restaurant incubator series. In response to the overwhelming success and his growing popularity within the community, he opened a permanent restaurant at 24 S. George St.
Herb & Herd provides authentic Italian flavors in York’s Central Market with cheeses that are imported and domestic, freshly sliced charcuterie, and scratch-made pasta.
This restaurant is a fast and casual version of current Issac’s Restauants and features many of the chain’s famous grilled sandwiches and signature menu items in an express format.
The SteakOut is home to authentic Philadelphia cheesesteaks. Here you can also order burgers, fries, breakfast meals, and other delicious comfort foods.
Zwild Vegans is an all-vegan, fresh, organic, non-GMO cafe that offers fresh exotic smoothies, nourishing juices, fair-trade coffee and teas, and an array of healthy vegan treats.
Full Restaurant Lineup
J.R.’s Fries at Central Market
The Left Bank Restaurant & Bar
Pepper’s Grille at Central Market
Taste Test Restaurant Incubator
You have eight days to explore the most popular restaurants in York and try their exclusive menus for Restaurant Week. You may find your new regular go-to spot for breakfast, lunch, dinner or happy hour. Don’t forget to share your tasty findings on social media using the hashtag #RWYORK.
Story by Kirsten McWilliams
Photography provided by YRK Magazine