Our company was founded in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, and has been here for 12 years since. One of the things we love about where we work is the vast amounts of small, local businesses that make incredible products. Amish produce stands line the roads with some of the best fruits and vegetables you’ve ever had, and mom-and-pop restaurants all around that serve up incredible food from generational recipes. To spread that small-business love, here are a few local restaurants in the Lancaster area that we here at Vatter love!

Cork & Cap:

Full of deep Lancaster roots, Cork and Cap is a gorgeous farm-to-table restaurant whose food is made from scratch with local ingredients. It’s built into the Cork factory Hotel; a brick factory building resorted into one of the Historic Hotels of America. They focus on high-quality meat as the basis of their dishes, along with fun seasonal cocktails. Check out their gorgeous patio seating when you go!

Agape Cafe and Grille:

One of the newer restaurants on our list, Agape is a family-owned cafe and restaurant that opened in 2020 and has been booming ever since.

The owners of Agape originally owned the Dutch Family Restaurant in Maryland, but they had a goal of opening a restaurant in their hometown of Strasburg. Their dream was a restaurant whose atmosphere demonstrated the love of Christ—which is shown through their name. Agape is Greek, translating as the Fatherly love of God towards man.

Their food is amazing, ranging from charcuterie to burgers to breakfast platters. They also have a great coffee selection, from fun seasonal drinks to amazing signature lattes (try their honey cinnamon latte first!).

While you’re there, check out their sister company, Beautiful Home Interiors, located within the restaurant. They have beautiful modern and boho decor and accessories. Check them out too!

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Cabalar Meat, Co:

Another small business recommendation is Cabalar Meat, Co. They are a butcher and restaurant with some phenomenal burgers—I mean, they butcher and make them entirely in-house—how could they not be? Their smashburgers are particularly legendary.

They also partner with a local brewery, Mad Chef, to provide high-quality craft brews in-house.

They’ve also done pop-up stands through summer weekends - next time you’re in the city for some amazing grub, go check them out!

Union Station Grill

Located in Colombia, Union Station grill is a burgers-and-beer bar focused on their welcoming atmosphere, friendly staff, and great food and craft beers. They’re the perfect spot for a Friday night beer or a lunch meetup with friends.

The owners also run Square Mile Public House and The Floating Squirrel in Mountville. Go check them out!

Sprout Rice & Noodles: Vietnamese Eatery

Sprout is located in the heart of Lancaster city, serving up fresh and authentic Vietnamese cuisine on the corner of Prince Street since 2016. Their commitment to fresh and local ingredients shows up in the incredibly fresh and light noodle dishes - there's no heavy takeout food here! My personal favorite is their Vermicelli Salad Bowls with either pork or beef with egg rolls on the side. If you're craving some clean eating and want to support a family-run business, check them out and—also check out their sister restaurant on Lititz Pike.

Souvlaki Boys

Greek-American Mike Kambouroglos decided to bring his cultural food to his hometown of Lancaster and opened shop in 2012 to rave reviews. Souvlaki Boys serves up authentic Greek street food like gyros, souvlaki skewers, falafel, and Greek oregano fries that I could eat by the bucketful. If you’re ever in the city and craving a friendly environment with some of the best authentic street food, go check them out!

All photo credits go to the respective restaurants.