Behind The Flavor: A Quick History Of 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!
A spread at DIYO Fusion
“When it all started, many of us still had the mindset that some people were hesitant to come to Downtown Lancaster,” said Chris Trendler, lead creator 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. We have found a lot of success promoting Lancaster City Restaurant Week, because of what Lancaster City has to offer now. The entire mindset of what Downtown Lancaster is has shifted and people come downtown all the time!”
Smores beignet from Lancaster Beignet Company
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, restaurant, bar, and events space in Lancaster City. Chris has always been part of the hospitality industry–from bussing tables to managing restaurants throughout Lancaster County. He also became, at the time, the youngest ever Pennsylvanian to receive sommelier status.
It was this passion for the industry, and the incredible people in it, that helped drive the growth and intentionality of Lancaster City Restaurant Week.
“I love the diversity of cuisine that is offered here within the City of Lancaster,” added Chris. “I love the vibe and how much variety it offers customers and guests.”
A variety of food at Decades
Participation in Lancaster City Restaurant Week continues to grow, and the most recent event in Fall 2025 had almost 50 restaurants participate ranging from familiar favorites to brand new destinations.
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. Some of the annual sponsors include the Lancaster City Alliance and Downtown Investment District, Discover Lancaster, The Restaurant Store, Toast, and Chuck Honabach Realty.
“It is so cool to see so many restaurants participate in Restaurant Week,” said Trendler. “I also really enjoy that it is a Citywide event that spans a week across so many individual locations, that aspect of it is really a unique feeling to admire.”
Guests enjoying food and beverages at The Belvedere
The restaurant scene in the City of Lancaster has continued to grow and become nationally recognized. The Belvedere Inn was named one of Open Table’s 100 most romantic restaurants in the US, Chellas Arepa Kitchen was number five in Yelp’s Top 100 Spots To Eat In The US, and Passerine was noted by the New York Times as one of the best restaurants in the US. Governor Shapiro recently visited Decades and Southern Market as part of his Great American Getaway initiative while Alton Brown dubbed a salad at LUCA the best in the world.
“Special Number Five” at Chellas in honor of their Yelp honor
And with incredible new destinations receiving acclaim including DIYO Fusion, Hi-Fi Izakaya, and South County Brewing Company, the culinary scene looks to be stronger than ever as Lancaster City looks to cement itself as a food destination for locals and tourists alike.
“My family and I have found all of our favorite restaurants, where we are considered regulars, through exploring Restaurant Week,” said Chris. “I highly encourage guests to use Restaurant Week as a time to find a new favorite place.”
Learn more about Lancaster City Restaurant Week at lancastercityrestaurantweek.com.
