Restaurants in Harrisburg

Breads 'n Spreads slings a menu of homemade sandwiches, soups, and salads, as well as gourmet coffees and teas, at sustenance-seekers. Strip frostbitten stomachs of their mittens for a relaxing dip in a bowl of soup ($3-$6.50), such as the cream of crab or asparagus and rice, or satisfy carnivorous cravings with a roast beef and cheddar sandwich topped with horseradish or curry spread ($6.50) or a ham salad sandwich ($5.50). Tea parties for four come customized with lunch, brunch, or finger foods, plus coffee or tea to energize eyelids to stay rapt at attention. Settle into Breads 'n Spreads' intimate dining area and sign into the free WiFi for a long, lazy afternoon of email-snaring.

The Soup Spot comforts Harrisburg tummies and tongues with toasted sandwiches, fresh salads, and a rotating selection of soups inspired by Dutch and Creole flavors. Typical bowl-fillers include dirty rice, a deceivingly fresh concoction of chicken, sausage, ground beef, and vegetables ($3.95 for medium), or stromboli soup, a creamy tomato-based soup once used by the Italians to quench the throats of erupting volcanoes ($4.65 for medium). Champagne salad forgoes corks for feta, almonds, craisins, and mandarin orange slices ($6.50), while lebanon bologna and swiss cheese wrestle to win the sweet affections of honey mustard in a Frying Dutchman sandwich ($4.95). Check the updated online menu or call ahead to learn soup specials or alternate uses for croutons.

The Midtown Tavern's menu's burger selection invites diners to wrap mitts around a fiery pepper burger kissed with jalapeño peppers and pepper-jack cheese ($8), or a greek burger crowned with tangy cucumber sauce and feta ($7). The towering Fat burger melds two massive ground-beef burgers with melted cheese and hearty slabs of bacon ($10), while the fresh bison burger swaps out a beef patty for a leaner alternative kissed with provolone ($9). Sidekick a meaty meal with mashed potatoes and gravy ($3), a side salad ($2), and coleslaw ($1), and quench parched palates with a sweetened phosphate. Although this Groupon is not valid for alcohol, a broad drink menu tickles the tongues of beer and cocktail connoisseurs.

The Irishness of Ceoltas Irish Pub is unmistakable. From the thick accent of owner and Ireland-native Des Conboy to the woodwork designed and built by Irish craftsmen, the pub is proudly steeped in its cultural inspiration. In addition to creating an authentic Irish environment, Ceoltas serves Irish pub staples such as shepherds pie, fish 'n' chips, and pints of Guinness.

The pub complements its old-fashioned look with live music that blares across two stage areas and events on the third-floor open-air bar. Here, chest-high plants surround about a dozen tables. The tables are barrels, though, topped with what resemble the ends of large cable spools. A glossy wood plank caps the cobblestone bar, and speakers line the walls just below the open air above, sending modern hip-hop tunes retro-translated to ancient Celtic over crowds of revelers.

Arepa City's menu presents a delicious, gluten-free medley of Venezuelan delicacies. The arepas of the restaurant's namesake are flat, round, corn buns grilled (or deep-fried upon request) and served as spongy vessels for safely transferring comestible cargo to awaiting mouths. Load an arepa with pabellon, a Venezuelan staple comprising shredded flank steak, black beans, fried plantains, and white cheese ($6.75), or fill a hungry empanada with picadillo—ground beef and green olives ($4). A delectable black-bean soup topped with crema and cilantro ($4.50) primes the palate for a diverse selection of entrees such as the pernil asado, a slow-roasted pork leg served with fried cassava, fried plantains, and potato salad ($12.25). The platano relleno poses a titillating tongue twister with its picadillo-stuffed, deep fried plantains intermingled with mozzarella cheese and spicy cabbage personally picked by Peter Piper ($8.75).

Carley's Ristorante and Piano Bar quells burning appetites for elegant flavors and family-style eating with an expansive dinner menu of shareables. Anchor incisors into The Meatball, a 12-ounce specialty studded with provolone cheese and three saucy dipping pools ($9.50), or prepare taste buds for scrumptious entrees with a variety of leafy delights, including the tuscan tossed salad with candied walnuts, goat cheese, and dried figs ($8.50+). Grain-grinding molars can chomp on mascarpone lasagna bolognese, built like an earthquake-ready skyscraper with secure layers of mozzarella, ricotta, and provolone cheeses ($13.50+). While soothing tongues with hugs of sophisticated flavors, enjoy live piano performances, including new-artist spotlights, open-mic nights, and group sing-along sessions of classic Beethoven sonatas.