When you think of Berks, you just might think of food – and drinks! After all, there’s no shortage of spots to stop and enjoy a fabulous cocktail, delicious small bite, an amazing entrée or a decadent dessert. We’ve rounded up 20 ideas for you to get on your “must-try” list.
KICK IT OFF WITH A COCKTAIL.
The Brick House Pub
Bloody Mary
photo by Rayna Salvatori
What started as 6-ounce Bloody Mary flights, featuring flavors including Triple X Hot, Horsey Hot, Tequila Maria and Dill Pickle, Bloody Mary has evolved to see the offering of full 16-ounce options that can be ordered loaded or not. All come with celery, bacon, shrimp and steak. The loaded options see the addition of a cluster of King Crab Claws and bacon-wrapped scallops on the Seafood Frenzy version, or a full Monte Cristo Sandwich on the appropriately named Monte Cristo Bloody Mary. Bartender Rayna can customize creations to your liking. She prefers to add a cheeseburger slider and 6-ounce lobster tail.
The Brick House | 1348 Brooke Blvd., Kenhorst | 610.775.1443 | thebrickhousepub.com
Craft 2700 at Freymoyer’s
The Hyde Park
Revivalist Botanic Gin is infused with Butterfly Pea Tea and Blanc Vermouth to create a cocktail meant to represent the community Craft 2700 is proud to be a part of and to serve. It serves up diverse and bold flavors but is still a perfect evening drink to sip casually. Pair it with the Salmon New Orleans topped with a tangy beurre blanc sauce.
Craft 2700 at Freymoyer’s | 2700 Kutztown Rd., Muhlenberg Township | 610.463.3233 | craft2700.com
Fork & Ale
The Garden Party
Lavender flower infused Stateside Vodka from nearby Philadelphia, citrus juices, elderflower and hibiscus syrup, egg white, rosewater and hopped grapefruit bitters come together in a refreshing spring/summer cocktail. There’s nothing artificial in this one! Fork & Ale infuses spirits with fresh or high-quality dried ingredients, squeezes their own cocktail juices and makes their own syrups and bitters.
Fork & Ale | 1281 E. Main St. | Douglassville | 610.953.3675 | forkandale.com
The Bridge Inn Pleasantville
The Bridge Inn-Tini
Feel like you’re in South Beach, but don’t leave the boundaries of Berks when you sip this cocktail with Sapphire gin, muddled red bell pepper and mint, lime juice and a few secret ingredients, of course. Sound unusual? Trust fans; it’s good! It pairs perfectly with the Inn’s Blackened Seared Ahi Tuna.
The Bridge Inn Pleasantville | 3 Covered Bridge Rd., Oley | 610.689.5818 | bridgeinnpleasantville.com
Ganly’s Irish Pub & Restaurant
Brunch Coffee Flight
Each flight features four distinct flavors that can change based on the season, holidays and other events. Think pistachio ice cream, gingerbread, chocolate-covered pretzel and the like. Created by server and bartender Giovanna, she asserts, “Everybody loves coffee and alcohol, so let’s put it together.” Offered Sundays from 11am to 4pm.
Ganly’s Irish Pub & Restaurant | 500 Brownsville Rd., Sinking Spring | 610.678.2000 | ganlysirishpub.com
SCRUMPTIOUS SMALL BITES.
Jimmy G’s Railroad House
Maryland Tots
Indulge the kid in you – or your kid – and order a basket of these Tater Tots tossed in Old Bay seasoning and topped with Cheddar cheese sauce and lump crab meat. The app has been a time-tested Railroad House favorite for 15 years. Don’t forget to share and save room fora perfectly paired cheesesteak.
Jimmy G’s Railroad House | 152 Woodrow Avenue, Sinking Spring | 610.678.1177 | railroadhouse.net
B2 Bistro + Bar
B2 Bang Bang Shrimp
Like your shrimp with a bit of a kick? Order these. Lightly fried shrimp are seasoned with sesame seeds and served with a side of pineapple ponzu sauce sure to tickle your tastebuds. For those looking for a perfect trio, try pairing it with a salmon entrée and one of their delectable desserts. The outside garden patio is the perfect spot to enjoy it all this summer.
B2 Bistro + Bar | 701 Reading Avenue, West Reading | 610.898.4315 | b2bistro.com/west-reading
Saucony Creek Kutztown Brewery + Pub
Sweet Thai Chili Bites
Crisped to perfection and tossed in an exquisite, gluten-free sweet Thai chili sauce, then nestled on a bed of fresh spring mix, these tofu bites stand apart from others because of their simple vegan preparation.
Bonus: they’re a healthy alternative to traditional pub favorites. Try these with Saucony’s kimchi bowl and your favorite brew.
Saucony Creek Kutztown Brewery + Pub | 15032 Kutztown Rd., Kutztown | 610.683.3128 | sauconybeer.com
Say Cheese! Restaurant & Cheese
Cheese & Charcuterie Plate
It’s the perfect shareable app for cheese fans. This one features an assortment of cheeses and charcuterie, cornichons, pickled red onion, mixed nuts, dried fruit, toasted almond honey, baguette croutes and fennel seed crackers. Vegetarian options are also available.
Say Cheese! Restaurant & Cheese | 600 Penn Avenue, West Reading | 610.406.5390 | saycheese-restaurant.com
Dans at Green Hills
Sweet Potato Soup
The light but hearty puree of sweet potatoes and cream with hints of white wine and cinnamon is a crowd favorite. Dans adds spiced Granny Smith apples for tartness, a dollop of homemade cream with nutmeg and cinnamon for sweetness, and sunflower seeds and thyme for earthy and floral notes. A nod to Berks comes from a touch of crushed pretzels.
Dans at Green Hills | 2444 Morgantown Rd., Reading | 610.777.9611 | dansatgreenhills.com
ENTICING ENTRÉES.
The Barley Mow Craft Beer House
Henhouse Brunch Entrée
A longtime customer favorite, you can’t go wrong with the tender roasted herb brined chicken atop of a butter-crisped savory cheddar waffle paired with more crispiness in the form of confit potatoes with sweet pea sprouts, finished with a fresh farm egg, a drizzle of hot chili honey and house frim fram sauce.
The Barley Mow Craft Beer House | 719 Penn Avenue, West Reading | 484.926.2094 | barleymowbeer.com
Savory Grille
Do the Duck
Here, Duck is always in season. The preparation is based on the freshest and finest ingredients available at the time to craft an inspired dish. Savory Grille’s duck is sourced from Joe Jurgielewicz & Son, Ltd., known to serve America’s Tastiest Duck. For wine lovers, consider a Duck and pinot noir pairing. Both offer moderate intensity, with pinot noir's acidity balancing out the fattiness of duck. Since duck often cooks well with fruit, the fruity notes in pinot couldn't be a more perfect match.
Savory Grille | 2934 Seisholtzville Rd., Macungie | 610.845.2010 | savorygrille.com
Grind Restaurant
Grind Signature U-10 Scallops
Fresh ingredients are used to highlight the true star of the dish – the fresh wild caught 100 percent chemical-free dry U-10 scallops! Regarded as the “candy of the sea” due to their natural sweetness, Grind complements them with a fine herb cream corn. It’s all topped off with crispy prosciutto for a texture sensation sure to please and that sweet-and-salty combo. Get ready to be a member of the clean plate club when you order this one.
Grind Restaurant | 45 S. Reading Avenue, Boyertown | 484.415.9318 | grindrestaurant.com
Wyomissing Restaurant and Bakery
Fried Chicken
What makes this fried chicken special? It’s fresh and they keep things simple – no fancy dips, no frilly flours. Fresh, never frozen, chicken pairs with flour and spices you can find in your own pantry at home. Moist and juicy, it’s cooked up right in front of customers’ eyes. Pair it with the homemade from scratch garlic mashed potatoes and gravy and add a trip to the bountiful salad and dessert bar. Don’t forget the donuts!
Wyomissing Restaurant and Bakery | 1245 Penn Avenue, Wyomissing | 610.373.3353 | wyomissingrestaurantandbakery.com
Bella Italia Pizza Restaurant
Extra Large Pizza
When they say extra-large, they mean it. Inspired by pizzas cooked up on the Jersey Shores, the owner, who worked there at one time, thought, “Why not here in Oley?” Many love Bella Italia’s giant slices and many 28-inch Napolitana pies are purchased for parties, birthdays and get-togethers. Also popular is the lunch special featuring two giant slices and a medium soda. The dough is made fresh, covered in Bella Italia’s homemade pizza sauce, topped with real mozzarella cheese and baked to perfection. Sounds like a great grab to us!
Bella Italia Pizza Restaurant | 1064 Memorial Hwy., Oley | 610.987.6040 | bellaitaliaoley.com
SWEET TREATS.
Trooper Thorn’s Irish Beef House
Salted Caramel Guinness Float
The boozy dessert doubles as a cocktail and is celebrated for its deliciousness and uniqueness. It’s the perfect finish to any entrée.
Trooper Thorn’s Irish Beef House | 451 Morgantown Rd., Reading | 610.685.4944 | theirishbeefhouse
Coastal Grille
The Chocolate Bag
An actual bag of goodies formed by melting a mixture of semi-sweet and dark chocolate and painting it to the inside of a waxed bag, making the shell itself is a three-day process. Inside is a sweet cream filling and fresh fruit in a simple syrup. You’ll be wowed when it’s delivered to your table.
Coastal Grille | 2713 N. Meridian Blvd. Wyomissing | 610.743.4006 | coastalgrille.com
Judy’s on Cherry
Mrs. Wesner’s Coconut Cake
A family recipe handed down to owner Judy Henry’s family by an elderly neighbor, Carrie Wesner, the moist, buttery cake is best enjoyed on a hot day when the icing is so warm it’s almost dripping. A customer favorite, it pairs perfectly with a glass of sparkling wine like a Spanish Cava or Champagne. Cheers!
Judy’s on Cherry | 30 S. 4th St., Reading | 610.374.8511 | judysoncherry.com
Jimmie Kramer’s Peanut Bar Restaurant
Frozen Chocolate-Covered Pretzel Ice Cream Pie
Made entirely in house with locally sourced ingredients, don’t pass up a slice of this pie featuring broken frozen chocolate folded into vanilla ice cream and placed inside a crushed pretzel crust. Fabulously sweet and salty, it’s a one-of-a-kind dessert available as a single portion, or you can purchase a whole pie. In 2024, you can order it to celebrate the Peanut Bar’s 100th anniversary!
Jimmie Kramer’s Peanut Bar Restaurant | 332 Penn St., Reading | 610.376.8500 | peanutbar.com
Folino Estate Winery
Tiramisu
A crowd favorite for a reason, the creamy texture of this decadent Italian dessert pairs perfectly with a hint of coffee and cocoa powder, and will have you eating every last bite. Pair it with a glass of Folino’s Chambourcin wine for the ultimate sweet treat.
Folino Estate Winery | 340 Old Route 22, Kutztown | 484.452.3633 | folinoestate.com
