Keep driving past those big name restaurants for your next meal. Instead, look out for the best little-known restaurants in Pennsylvania that will tantalize your taste buds. Pay attention, however, because if you don’t know where to look, you may just pass right by these hidden gems.

1. Under the Pier – Levittown
Yelp/Marlyn V.
Yelp/JouJou N.
Stop by Under the Pier for a delicious seafood lunch or dinner. The quaint restaurant, a neighborhood staple for decades, ensures all of their meals are made without trans fat and cholesterol. Choose from such entrees as fried flounder, cod, lobster, scallops, chicken, and steak. To learn more, visit their website here.
2. Letterman's Diner – Kutztown
Yelp/Ben H.
Yelp/Lori A.
Head to Letterman's Diner early for breakfast, brunch, or lunch because the restaurant closes in the early afternoon. The cash-only diner features such traditional American fare as omelets, cheese steak, cream dried beef, and cheeseburgers with gravy fries. To learn more, visit their Facebook page here.
3. Aunt Jennie's 41 Diner – Gap
Facebook/Aunt Jennie's 41 Diner
Yelp/Aunt Jennie's 41 Diner
Combine delicious food with an old-fashioned friendly atmosphere and you're guaranteed a delightful meal at Aunt Jennie's 41 Diner, which is open daily starting in the early morning. Try the diner's popular pancake sandwich (breakfast is served all day) with eggs, cheese, ham, and bacon sandwiched between two pancakes. To learn more, visit their Facebook page here.
4. Mediterranean Cafe & Grill – Fogelsville
Yelp/Maria D.
Yelp/Mediterranean Cafe & Grill
Spoil yourself with a homecooked meal at the Mediterranean Cafe & Grill. Bring your favorite beer to this BYOB spot that features a delicious array of dishes, such as hummus, meat bourak, lamb kebab, kafta, and stuffed eggplant. To learn more, visit their website here.
5. Bowmanstown Diner – Bowmanstown
Yelp/Nicole O.
Yelp/JouJou N.
Drench your fries in gravy anytime of the day or the night at the 24/7 Bowmantown Diner. The cozy diner offers home cooked food and the French fries are made from scratch, fried in peanut oil, and are a must-have with any meal. Stop by for breakfast, lunch, dinner, a late night snack, or dessert. To learn more, visit their Facebook page here.
6. Hay Creek Shack – Birdsboro
Yelp/Shelby R.
Facebook/Hay Creek Shack
Treat yourself to delicious food at Hay Creek Snack Shack, a self-described burger restaurant with a menu starring such favorites as the chicken and waffle sandwich, subs, sweet potato fries, and both traditional and veggie burgers. The Hay Creek Snack Shack welcomes customers for breakfast, lunch, and dinner on Tuesday - Saturday. To learn more, visit their Facebook page here.
7. Tom and Joe's – Altoona
Yelp/Jae L.

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Yelp/Alyssia C.
Add Tom & Joe's to your food bucket list. The cozy diner, a popular Pennsylvania restaurant since 1933, dazzles diners with their scrumptious meals. Choose from one of the numerous daily specials or browse the menu to find such entrees as omelets, burgers, spaghetti, sloppy Joe's, and ham pot pie. To learn more, visit their website here.
8. Tim's American Cafe – Altoona
Yelp/Iggy I.
Yelp/Paul B.
Stop by Tim's American Cafe for a well-deserved home cooked meal. Indulge in mouthwatering seafood, steaks, or other traditional diner fare. To learn more, visit their Facebook page here.
9. Peggy's Diner – Claysburg
Yelp/James N.
Yelp/James N.
Embrace old-fashioned America - good food, good prices, and friendly faces - at Peggy's Diner, which has been a neighborhood favorite for decades. Make sure to save room for Peggy's famous dessert pies or be sure to take a piece of pie home with you. To learn more, visit their Facebook page here.
10. Coney Island – Johnstown
Yelp/Josh L.
Yelp/Veronica N.
Go ahead. Treat yourself to a good, old-fashioned hot dog drenched in chili or your favorite toppings at Coney Island Hot Dogs. Not in the mood for a hot dog? No worries. The popular Johnstown restaurant also serves burgers, sausage, and breakfast. To learn more, visit their website here.
11. Darto's Restaurant – Bethlehem
Yelp/Warren R.
Yelp/Warren R.
Start your day off right or get a burst of energy at Darto's Restaurant, which serves breakfast and lunch daily. (Darto's is closed on Sundays.) Enjoy large portion sizes of breakfast favorites - such as omelets and home fries - and lunch dishes at affordable prices. To learn more, visit their Facebook page here.
12. Ernie's Texas Lunch – Gettysburg
Yelp/Corey K.
Yelp/Tee J.
Stroll back in time - to the 1930s, to be exact - when you visit Ernie's Texas Lunch, which is open every day except Sundays. Boasting a 1930s feel, the popular diner promises all of your old favorites: a hot dog and fries, sloppy Joe's, gravy fries, and hoagies. To learn more, visit their website here.
13. The Hellertown Diner – Hellertown
Yelp/Christopher C.
Yelp/Vivi C.
Sit back and enjoy a homemade meal, just like mom used to make, at the Hellertown Diner. Choose from a variety of dishes, including a taco salad, a Philly cheesesteak wrap, and stuffed cabbage with mashed potatoes. The Hellertown Diner is open daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. To learn more, visit their website here.

Is the thought of dining at one of these little known restaurants in Pennsylvania getting you hungry yet? Don’t stop with these amazing restaurants. Check out these 11 mom and pop restaurants that will satisfy that craving for home cooking.

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More to Explore

best little known restaurants in Pennsylvania

Elisa Regulski | May 21, 2020

What are the best hidden gem restaurants in Pennsylvania?

If you’re looking for the best hidden gem restaurants in Pennsylvania, we have loads of amazing options for you. Hotel Manor Restaurant, located in Slate Run, is proof that you don’t have to go to one of Pennsylvania’s big cities in order to get a wonderful meal. This exciting eatery is as gorgeous as it is delicious. You’ll love munching on wonderful BBQ pork ribs and tasty cake on their scenic patio. Believe us, this place is worth going out of your way for. But don’t stop there! Treetops Restaurant, located in Acme, is a charming dining destination that’s far away from the hustle and bustle of city life. The atmosphere is romantic and scenic, making it perfect for a relaxing date night or celebration. Diners always rave about their wonderful steak and seafood dishes. On sunny days, you can enjoy a delicious meal on their picturesque patio. What could be better than that?

What are the best small towns in Pennsylvania?

There’s so much to love about small towns in Pennsylvania. For a lovely day trip, visit Hamburg. This town, named after the one in Germany, is most known for its annual festival. But even if you don’t visit during this exciting time, there is so much to explore. The Reading Railroad Heritage Museum is endlessly fascinating, and the Gallery of Hamburg is a must-visit. Kaercher Creek Park is full of tranquil views and Kernsville Dam Recreational Area will take your breath away. If you loved this enchanting place, pay a visit to Lititz. This historic area was once named America's Coolest Small Town, and it’s easy to see why. Their main street is full of fabulous boutiques and eateries. If you need more travel inspiration, check out our article about the best small towns in Pennsylvania.

What are the best diners in Pennsylvania?

You’re going to love munching at all of the best diners in Pennsylvania. From down-home eateries to mom and pop cafes, there are so many wonderful places to enjoy a meal. Summit Diner, located in Somerset, is known for their wonderful burgers. And Donna’s Diner, located in Sharon, will dazzle you with its old-timey atmosphere.

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Featured Addresses
7600 Bristol Pike, Levittown, PA 19057, USA
242 W Main St, Kutztown, PA 19530, USA
41 Gap Newport Pike, Gap, PA 17527, USA
7720 Main St, Fogelsville, PA 18051, USA
642 White St, Bowmanstown, PA 18030, USA
310 E 1st St, Birdsboro, PA 19508, USA
1201 13th Ave, Altoona, PA 16601, USA
1600 Crawford Ave, Altoona, PA 16602, USA
US-220, Claysburg, PA, USA
127 Clinton St, Johnstown, PA 15901, USA
46 W North St, Bethlehem, PA 18018, USA
58 Chambersburg St, Gettysburg, PA 17325, USA
29 Main St, Hellertown, PA 18055, USA