Nestled in the heart of Pennsylvania, Happy Valley is famed for its scenic beauty, Nittany Lions pride, and a growing culinary scene. Whether you’re craving comfort food or sophisticated farm-to-table dining, Happy Valley restaurants offer a delightful variety for food lovers.
Allen Street Grill
Perched elegantly on the corner overseeing the buzz of College Avenue, Allen Street Grill offers a classic dining experience with a view. Its storied history and refined ambiance blend harmoniously with a menu that celebrates American cuisine.
It’s not just about serving dishes; it’s about crafting experiences.
You can’t say no to the antipasti platter piled high with artisan cheeses and meats, seasonal accouterments, and the most wonderful focaccia bread ever.
Allen Street’s Lobster Bisque, renowned for its creamy texture and depth of flavor, has a reputation all its own, but the Butternut Squash Soup with spiced chestnuts should also be considered.
While savoring the perfectly grilled grass-fed ribeye steak Au Poivre, you can soak in the warm and inviting atmosphere that Allen Street Grill is celebrated for. Other courses include Duroc pork chops, coffee-rubbed half chicken, and fried bronzini.
I went rogue from these tasty choices and settled for the Bucatini Carbonara, with forest mushrooms, bacon, and cracked peppercorn. It was a very satisfying choice.
I want to mention that Allen Street Grill is a gorgeous restaurant with a tremendous second-story outdoor patio. Or, if you are in a hurry, you may find seating in the more relaxed bar area.
The genuine and stylish ambiance makes diners want to linger a little longer. Reservations are recommended.
Want more travel ideas for PA? How about Pittsburgh, home to the best football team in the nation?
Federal Tap House
Federal Tap House is your go-to destination for a delicious Happy Valley restaurant if your definition of the perfect meal includes an artisan pizza with a selection of handcrafted beers. Home to over 100 beers on tap, it’s a gathering place for connoisseurs and casual drinkers alike.
But the Tap House is more than just beer – it’s a culinary delight.
I enjoyed the vibe of this place, with huge windows lining the rectangular-shaped eatery. There was so much natural light! There’s also a 360-degree bar area, should you prefer that to a table setting.
You can catch your favorite sporting events on the TV(s) and enjoy happy hour Monday through Friday, 4:20 to 6 PM.
Federal Tap House’s wood-fired pizzas (check out that beautiful oven!) boast a perfect char and toppings that range from the classic to the creative, like the Green Mountain infusion, with apples, bacon, garlic butter, spinach, red onions, and a maple drizzle.
The Spinach & Artichoke Dip should not be missed when choosing appetizers, though the Potato & Cheese Pierogies are spot on, too. I’d heard all about the Crab Fries, so I chose them for my main course.
Picture a heaping helping of warm hand-cut fries topped with crab meat, Old Bay seasoning, and a luscious three-cheese sauce drenching them in a blanket of tasty goodness. OMG, this dish is easily a 10/10!
Vegans and vegetarians will go gaga over this local eatery.
Original Waffle Shop
Sometimes simplicity wins the day, and that’s where Original Waffle Shop shines. A breakfast haven that residents flock to, expect to find no-fuss, hearty breakfasts, and yes, the world-famous waffles are cooked to golden perfection.
This local eatery is a staple for anyone desiring a genuine, home-cooked start to the day. And just the hanging planters alone brightened mine (see pic 4 below).
Original Waffle Shop waffles are not just a breakfast item; they’re the canvas for flavors ranging from sweet, indulgent strawberries and cream to chocolate chips or Georgia peaches. And the pancakes are a close runner-up.
I settled on a three-egg Greek Omelet with feta, spinach, and tomatoes. Omelets are served with a choice of two sides, one of which is a two-stack buttermilk pancake, so I had the best of both worlds—sweet and savory.
Shout out to the home fries, which are so tasty and full of flavor; they’ve received attention just like the rest of the meal, as opposed to just being an add-on with no real taste, which so many restaurants do.
Original Waffle Shop’s style is light and airy, adding an even greater mystique to why this location is always booming with business. The website insists, “Penn State students, alumni, faculty and staff alike have treated the restaurant as a “must visit’ spot,” and I would concur.
Anyone who has been to Happy Valley has likely eaten here and made a few culinary and sentimental memories.
Pine Grove Hall
Over in nearby Pine Grove Mills, Pine Grove Hall is not just a delicious Happy Valley restaurant, but also a site of cultural convergence. Here, the culinary arts mingle with live music and local artistry.
Down-home charm meets sophistication and history in a bold and picturesque setting that is unlike anywhere I’ve been.
With a menu that offers fresh, locally sourced produce, dishes like the Braised Beef Short Rib capture the authentic taste of Pennsylvania’s countryside, combined with the cosmopolitan flair of modern gastronomy.
Menus change often, but a few of the fantastic tapas-style items I tried were:
- Spring cabbage served with peanut salsa matcha and smoky bonito.
- Chicken fried quail with green garlic ranch and spiced hot honey.
- House-made mozzarella with Italian rosemary ham and grilled Gemelli sourdough.
- Quail egg toast on rye bread with creme fraiche, fish roe, and pickled mustard.
Pine Grove Hall is the sort of place that satisfies your appetite and feeds your soul. Please reserve a concert, seasonal event, or special occasion as early as possible; they fill up quickly.
RE Farm Cafe
At RE Farm Café, every dish tells a story of sustainability and community. Nestled within the Windswept Farm, it demonstrates a harmonious balance between agriculture, culinary craftsmanship, and ecological stewardship.
Guests at RE Farm Café will experience a seasonal menu that echoes the farm’s ethos, with ingredients picked fresh from the surrounding fields. The Roasted Carrots, sourced straight from the garden, carry the whispers of the land, while their pasture-raised meats, like the succulent Lamb Chops, offer a richness that only responsible farming can produce.
I was there for a special event on my visit, and the chef went to the farm to pick out most of our ingredients. My group and I watched her prepare it from the high-top bar area.
We started with a simple green salad with radishes and Morel mushrooms. Lunch was a lamb roulade with mushrooms and a finger-licking good sauce.
To our surprise, the chef served dessert with mystery ingredients and asked us to guess what was in it. We all recognized mushrooms, but the secret ingredient was black garlic.
Never in my life would I have thought this would be a good combination, but it was brilliant! It was creamy and somewhat Swiss chocolatey but without the richness. It was delightful.
Several people around Happy Valley said they loved RE Farm Cafe or wanted to go there, as in bucket list worthy. Even without having dinner, you can still come by the patio on weekends for beverages.
Check the website for current hours.
Rev Up the Engine: Full Steam Ahead
Ready to savor the culinary delights of Pennsylvania’s Happy Valley? These five must-visit eateries are just the beginning of the tasty offerings. But your exploration should continue; Happy Valley is ripe with activities and sights.
Extend your experience beyond the table by discovering what else awaits you in this charming Pennsylvania enclave at Wherever I May Roam Blog. Indulge, explore, and fall in love with Happy Valley – a destination where every meal and every moment is infused with passion and agritourism.
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