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!
“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!”
The Uncrustaburger at Decades
How did Lancaster City Restaurant Week come to be?
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 starting early in his life bussing tables to working his way towards managing restaurants such as Gibraltar and Penn Square Grille (now Plough). He also became, at the time, the youngest ever Pennsylvanian to receive sommelier status. Since, Chris has started Decades (and continues there as Operations Manager & Partner) while also maintaining Lancaster City Restaurant Week.
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 as it is today.
“I love the diversity of cuisine that is offered here within the City of Lancaster,” added Chris. “There is so much variety that the food scene in the City offers customers and guests.”
Diyo Fusion
Participation in Lancaster City Restaurant Week continues to grow, with almost 50 restaurants participating in Fall 2026.
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 Discover Lancaster, Lancaster City Alliance and Downtown Investment District, Visit Lancaster City, The Restaurant Store, and Chuck Honabach Realty.
“We are grateful for our sponsors and the community support we have for the event,” said Tony Gorick, Marketing Coordinator for Restaurant Week and Sales & Marketing Manager at Decades. “Our goal is to elevate our fantastic culinary scene we have in the City of Lancaster, one we feel is as good as any other in the US.”
The restaurant scene in the City of Lancaster has grown exponentially over the last decade and has 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. Josh Shapiro, Governor of Pennsylvania, recently visited Decades as part of his Great American Getaway initiative while Southern Market was recently named the #2 Best Food Hall in America by USAToday.
“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.”
Get ready to eat!
Learn more about Lancaster City Restaurant Week at lancastercityrestaurantweek.com.
