A Food Lover's Guide to Downtown Erie Restaurants
Monday Jun 22nd, 2026
Estimated Read Time: Six Minutes
Downtown Erie is home to some of the region’s most exciting dining experiences. Local breweries, cafés, bakeries, and restaurants are serving everything from elevated comfort food to creative new flavors, making downtown a must-visit destination for food lovers. If it’s been a while since your last visit, you’ll discover a downtown that continues to grow, with new locally owned eateries bringing fresh energy to the district. In the past five years, over 10 new restaurants have opened their doors in the downtown area. If you're ready to dig in, use this guide to explore some of the best restaurants in the downtown region.
Breakfast
Located in the heart of downtown Erie, Bakery on 5th is a women-owned bakery that opened its doors November 2023. Start your day off right with a Pistachio Cappuccino and a freshly made pogača, a Turkish-inspired bread roll filled with either seasoned ground beef or potato with spinach and fetta cheese. If you prefer something a little sweeter, their baklava is a must-try item. The spacious seating area features green velvet chairs and a picture perfect backdrop to snap a photo of your delicious goodies.
Take a Break
Tucked around the corner of 5th and State Streets, Glass Growers Gallery is filled with unique items including kitchenware. From novelty kitchen towels and oven mitts to pottery pieces for serving and baking, Glass Growers has a tempting selection of fun foodie gifts.
Looking to stretch your legs? Take a walk around the Flagship City District for a short stroll or head a few blocks northwest to find the Erie sign in Bayview Park. This picture perfect spot features a large Erie sign that overlooks the Presque Isle Bay.
Lunch
Erie's newest lunch spot, Franco's is best known for its impressive salad bar. This local favorite's brand new location is now located across from the Erie Art Museum steps - a great place to eat your lunch outside. Their famous salad bar is packed with crisp greens, fresh vegetables, and plenty of toppings to customize the perfect plate. The menu also features paninis, wraps, burgers and homemade soups. Inside, you'll find a modern dining area filled with natural light highlighting the vibrant murals by local artist Caesar Westbrook that add color and energy to Erie's best salad bar.
Intermission
Visit the Hagen History Center for their rare and extensive collection of Griswold Ironware products, set inside the Watson-Curtze Mansion. Founded in Erie in 1868, Griswold had a world-wide reputation for high quality, cast iron cookware that is lighter and smoother than large-scale manufacturers, making them popular collector’s items.
Dinner
For a casual downtown dinner, head to Lavery Brewing Company. Known for its handcrafted beers and creative pub fare, Lavery stands out for its vegan dishes, offering flavorful plant-based options alongside traditional favorites. Whether you're gathering with friends over a flight of beer or settling in for a hearty meal, this welcoming brewery delivers both great food and great beer.
Nightcap
End the day with a local pint at Erie Ale Works. One of the original craft breweries of the Lake Erie Ale Trail, Erie Ale Works combines simple ingredients and a passion for the craft to produce a unique assortment of beers with funky flavors and names, such as Key Board Warrior and Feisty Seagull. Their most popular beer, Tattooed Lady, is a light, crisp, and refreshing blond ale with 4.6% ABV.
