Melissa’s guidebook
Food scene
Upscale, southern themed cuisine. Eat in bar area as well as dining only. Nice vibe and decor.
56 locals recommend
Gigi's Southern Table
2080 Cato AveUpscale, southern themed cuisine. Eat in bar area as well as dining only. Nice vibe and decor.
Farm to table restaurant open on weekends, recently got liquor license and make great craft cocktails as well as nonalcoholic drinks. Set menu and price with 3 choices per course. Drinks are extra. Outside seating has lovely views. They do a tapas menu on Thursday and Friday.
13 locals recommend
RE Farm Cafe at Windswept Farm
1000 S Fillmore RdFarm to table restaurant open on weekends, recently got liquor license and make great craft cocktails as well as nonalcoholic drinks. Set menu and price with 3 choices per course. Drinks are extra. Outside seating has lovely views. They do a tapas menu on Thursday and Friday.
New-ish restaurant downtown, attached to Local Whiskey. Farm to table, upscale. Usually need a reservation. Really fun decor. A lot of fish and seafood on the menu.
6 locals recommend
Central Reservation
101 East Beaver AvenueNew-ish restaurant downtown, attached to Local Whiskey. Farm to table, upscale. Usually need a reservation. Really fun decor. A lot of fish and seafood on the menu.
Try out the original - or head to the new location downtown. Best Mexican restaurant around!
Lupita's Authentic Mexican food
3180 W College AveTry out the original - or head to the new location downtown. Best Mexican restaurant around!
Cafe Alina
421 East Calder WayExcellent Pakistani/Middle Eastern cuisine.
Great steak and excellent salads. Plenty here to enjoy even if you're not a meat eater.
90 locals recommend
Kelly's Steak & Seafood
316 Boal AvenueGreat steak and excellent salads. Plenty here to enjoy even if you're not a meat eater.
A solid US style Mexican offering. Always busy - but great service makes it a good experience anyway. Spinach and Chicken enchiladas are my fave - and there are a lot of vegetarian offerings.
24 locals recommend
Plaza Mexican Bar & Grill
1550 S Atherton StA solid US style Mexican offering. Always busy - but great service makes it a good experience anyway. Spinach and Chicken enchiladas are my fave - and there are a lot of vegetarian offerings.
A local favorite with extensive beer offerings and a solid wine list. Great cheese board!
104 locals recommend
Happy Valley Brewing Company
137 Elmwood StA local favorite with extensive beer offerings and a solid wine list. Great cheese board!
A local favorite with an eclectic menu that goes from burgers to gumbo. Outdoor seating in season.
66 locals recommend
American Ale House
821 Cricklewood DrA local favorite with an eclectic menu that goes from burgers to gumbo. Outdoor seating in season.
Unassuming to look at - yet serves up some excellent, foodie status meals. Great Cuban Sandwich and tomato soup! Plenty here for the meat lover as well.
11 locals recommend
Four Ways Pub & Eatery
685 Pleasantview BlvdUnassuming to look at - yet serves up some excellent, foodie status meals. Great Cuban Sandwich and tomato soup! Plenty here for the meat lover as well.
A bit pricey for my taste given what it is - but solid pizza and pasta offerings!
57 locals recommend
Faccia Luna Pizzeria
1229 S Atherton StA bit pricey for my taste given what it is - but solid pizza and pasta offerings!
All burgers here - but that includes a veggie burger. And, their salads are phenomenal, as are their fries. Beautiful outdoor seating overlooking the golf course in season.
37 locals recommend
The Field Burger & Tap
1 Country Club LnAll burgers here - but that includes a veggie burger. And, their salads are phenomenal, as are their fries. Beautiful outdoor seating overlooking the golf course in season.
Locals and alumni love their Creamery! In addition to icecream and milkshakes, it also offers additional dairy items like milk and cheese.
86 locals recommend
Penn State Berkey Creamery
Locals and alumni love their Creamery! In addition to icecream and milkshakes, it also offers additional dairy items like milk and cheese.
Bars
One of my favorite places to chill. Outdoor seating in the shade of the hillside, excellent choice of their own ciders, indoor vibe is laid back and friendly. No menu - but they have cheese, crackers and some charcuterie for sale onsite.
35 locals recommend
Good Intent Cider LLC
167 S Potter StOne of my favorite places to chill. Outdoor seating in the shade of the hillside, excellent choice of their own ciders, indoor vibe is laid back and friendly. No menu - but they have cheese, crackers and some charcuterie for sale onsite.
Phenomenal drink offerings with a reasonable foodie-type menu. Great place to hang out - inside or out.
58 locals recommend
Big Spring Spirits
198 Match Factory PlacePhenomenal drink offerings with a reasonable foodie-type menu. Great place to hang out - inside or out.
Farm to table ciders, with the bonus of food trucks on a regular basis. Outdoor seating and entertainment during the season makes for a great family outing too.
22 locals recommend
J.L. Farm & Cidery-814 Cider Works
3392 Shingletown RdFarm to table ciders, with the bonus of food trucks on a regular basis. Outdoor seating and entertainment during the season makes for a great family outing too.
City/town information
Victorian downtown, great shops and restaurants, beautiful Talleyrand park all make Bellefonte worth a visit.
51 locals recommend
Bellefonte
Victorian downtown, great shops and restaurants, beautiful Talleyrand park all make Bellefonte worth a visit.
Historic downtown and cemetery, PA Military Museum, farms with produce and horse riding, great food and drinks at Duffy's Tavern - all right next to State College.
20 locals recommend
Boalsburg
Historic downtown and cemetery, PA Military Museum, farms with produce and horse riding, great food and drinks at Duffy's Tavern - all right next to State College.
Groceries
Giant is 3/4 mile from the house, headed up North Atherton, away from downtown and the golf course.
55 locals recommend
GIANT Food Stores
2222 E College AveGiant is 3/4 mile from the house, headed up North Atherton, away from downtown and the golf course.
Trader Joe's
243 Patriot LnTrader Joe's is under two miles from the house.
Traveler advice
Getting around
You'll need a car.
From our house you can walk to downtown State College, main campus, and the stadium/BJC. Chances are you'll need a car to get around beyond that.
Book before you go
Restaurants on high traffic weekends
If you're coming to town for graduation, a holiday, or a home game - I recommend making restaurant reservations before you get here. On those occasions, there are more people who want a meal than there are fine dining opportunities in the area!
Don't miss
Arboretum
A one mile walk from our house, the Arboretum is a lovely, low key activity for adults and children alike.
Traveling with kids
Kid friendly town
There are a lot of options for families here - from the Arboretum to The Discovery Space, to a plethora of parks with play structures and biking paths and trails. Not to mention the Berkey Creamery on campus!