Two cups of ice cream topped with a mini pretzel from Big Bertha's Grill
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30+ Places to Enjoy Ice Cream in Berks County 2025

Life is sweeter with ice cream. And in Berks County, you’ll find plenty of ice cream parlors, sweet shops, and restaurants serving everyone’s favorite dessert. Some are open seasonally, some are slinging cones year-round, but here is a list of more than 30 places to get ice cream in Berks County:

Reading

chalkboard advertising burger specials at Franklyn's in Reading, PA

Franklyn’s Breakfast, Burgers, Shakes
1007 Penn Street

If you haven’t had one of Franklyn’s shakes, you’re missing out. The small diner along Penn Street has great meals at breakfast, lunch and dinner, but make sure to save room for one of 16 flavors of shakes, including strawberry banana, passion fruit, and mocha coffee.

interior of the Pennside Drive-In REading, PA

Pennside Drive-In
916 Carsonia Avenue

Just outside Reading in the Pennside Neighborhood, the namesake Pennside Drive-In got new owners in 2025, but you can still get your fill of ice cream and fast food favorites.

Sunset Mexican Ice Cream
835 Hiesters Lane

Located along Hiesters Lane in Reading, Sunset Mexican Ice Cream scoops a variety of flavors, but the highlights are their fruity concoctions like the spicy-sweet mangonada.

Barto

A close-up photo of a cone of pecan ice cream with an old fashioned soda fountain in the background

Longacre’s Modern Dairy
1445 PA-100

You can find Longacre’s ice cream in local stores, especially in eastern Berks County, but you can also visit their home base in Barto. It’s a small scoop shop and diner that also has tubs to go. Longacre’s ice cream is somehow a little creamier than others – a great treat on a hot summer day.

Bernville

Two milkshakes and a glass bottle of orange soda on a table at Plum Creek Farm

Plum Creek Farm Market & Creamery
5035 Bernville Road

Plum Creek has become one of our favorites, especially since they expanded the creamery in 2020. The homemade soft serve flavors rotate seasonally, and we especially love the snickerdoodle in winter and peach in the summer.

cow-print cup with whipped cream and red and blue sprinkles visible on top

Way-Har Farms
7701 Bernville Road

Growing up in Western Berks County, Way-Har is the first I can remember trying. Stop by their shop and pick up containers to-go or enjoy a fresh seasonal sundae with their homemade ice cream.

Bethel

large menu board reading "ice cream menu" with an arcade game in the background at Kauffman's Bar-B-Que Restaurant

Kauffman’s Bar-B-Que Restaurant
254 Gravel Pit Road

Yes, Kauffman’s is known for their BBQ chicken, but their ice cream is also popular, especially in summer. Grab a cone of hard or soft-serve, or enjoy a milkshake, sundae or Razzle (soft-serve blended with candy or cookies).

Birdsboro

stainless steel tables with stools of red, white, yellow and green

Scoupe De Ville
3365 Main Street

One of several retro-style ice cream parlors in Berks County, Scoupe De Ville has the checkered floor, stainless steel tables and chairs, and vintage posters to take you right back into the 50s. Scoupe de Ville offers hand-dipped and soft serve ice cream as well as the Fat Elvis challenge – 10 scoops plus toppings, free if you finish it in 30 minutes or less.

Blandon

a young boy looks into an ice cream freezer as a worker in a yellow shirt scoops ice cream

Fiore’s Chill-n-Grill
833 Park Road

Fiore’s is a classic drive-in: quick serve hot food with cold treats. Fiore’s Chill-n-Grill has a freezer full of hard ice cream and rotating seasonal soft-soft serve, along with sundaes, milkshakes, and granitas.

Boyertown

glass dish with an ice cream sundae in a bear-shaped waffle

Peppermint Stick Candy Store
26 E. Philadelphia Avenue

After a recent expansion, the Peppermint Stick in Boyertown is more than a candy store. While they already offered ice cream, the store now has an old-fashioned ice cream counter. They also offer the unique cub sundae, served in a bear-shaped cone.

coffee and smoothie bar at Frecon Farms with chalkboard menu boards behind the counter with espresso machines and flavor syrups

Frecon Farms
501 S. Reading Avenue

Frecon Farms is more than a farmers market, it’s also a great place to grab lunch, enjoy a cup of coffee or specialty drink, and indulge with hand-dipped gelato.

Douglassville

Statue fountain in front of an old-time railroad station in Boyertown, PA

Colebrookdale Creamery
64 S. Washington Street

The Colebrookdale Railroad has paired with Ridgewood Winery to create the Colebrookdale Creamery. Step inside the converted rail car to get ice cream and floats every Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Oliviero’s Pizzeria & Ice Cream
101 Park Lane

Is there a better combination to keep the whole family happy than pizza and ice cream? Oliviero’s in Douglassville has a seasonal stand serving a dozen flavors of ice cream.

Fleetwood

Exterior of a large building with a sign that reads "Kirbyville Farm Market"

Kirbyville Farm Market
14030 Kutztown Road

The Kirbyville Farm Market offers hand-dipped ice cream year-round and seasonal soft-serve. Though there is limited indoor seating, there are picnic benches and a playground outside for families to enjoy.

Willy’s Ice Cream Saloon
3700 Pricetown Road

At the crossroads of Pricetown Road and Route 662, Willy’s Ice Cream Saloon has grown from a small stand connected to Willman’s Automotive into one of the most popular seasonal ice cream shops in Berks County.

Hamburg

Adams & Bright Drugs
306 State Street

An old-school soda fountain inside a family-owned pharmacy: Adams and Bright is a true step back into time with their delicious ice cream treats.

Hamburg Sweet Treats
234 State Street

Hamburg Sweet Treats has everything to satisfy your sweet tooth: cakes, pies, cupcakes, candy, and of course, ice cream.

Kutztown

selfie of a man drinking a chocolate milkshake at Hive in Kutztown, PA

HIVE
236 Sacony Alley

If you’re looking for a vegan option, check out HIVE in Kutztown. Their Big Foot shakes – organic oat milk soft-serve – are amazingly indulgent. I like the chocolate Oreo, but you can’t go wrong with any of their seven flavors.

Red and white leather booths against a pink wall covered in retro signs in Pop's Malt Shoppe's dining room

Pop’s Malt Shoppe
208 W. Main Street

Stepping into Pop’s is like stepping into a 50s diner. And while they offer a full food menu (kids meals are served in a paper cutout classic car), the ice cream is the star. Pop’s offers hard and soft ice cream, plus shakes, floats, and of course, malts.

Morgantown

sign reading "Orchard View Ice Cream" hanging above a display of potted plants for sale

Weaver’s Orchard
40 Fruit Lane

From late spring through early fall, the Orchard View Ice Cream Deck is open at Weaver’s Orchard. The deck serves hand-dipped hard ice cream plus sundaes, shakes, and more.

Nuse’s Deli
3160 Main Street

More than a deli, Nuse’s in Morgantown is also a dessert destination. They’re serving ice cream cones, dishes, and sundaes, but the real stars are the specialty milkshakes.

Muhlenberg

K&L Dairy
2934 N. 5th Street Highway

Enjoy a sweet treat while shopping at the Fairgrounds Farmers Market. Saddle up to the counter at K&L Dairy to enjoy your ice cream or shake, or grab some to-go.

La Eterna Primavera Ice Cream
3045 N. 5th Street Highway

The 5th Street Highway is lined with national chains, but turn into the Penn Plaza to find La Eterna Primavera, a locally owned Mexican ice cream shop and restaurant.

Oley

Jen & Jessie’s Creamery
798 Memorial Highway

Jen & Jessie’s, the seasonal scoop shop in the Oley Valley, has a dozen staple flavors plus a rotation of seasonal hard ice cream. You can also choose from a variety of frozen treats like sundaes, shakes, and Jen-Z’s, their version of a flurry.

Reppert’s Candies
2708 W. Philadelphia Avenue

Reppert’s is primarily known for their chocolate candies, but if you stop into their store near Oley, you can also sit down and enjoy a sundae from their ice cream bar.

Robesonia

Photo of two milkshakes in styrofoam cups

Lori’s Candy Station
21 West Penn Avenue

This one is personal because Lori is my mom, and I dipped more ice cream cones here than I can count. My favorite things are custom milkshakes. Order one with half strawberry, half death by chocolate for the best chocolate-covered strawberry you’ve ever tasted. Or get a shake with vanilla ice cream and mango ice. It’s better than a Blendini.

Shillington

Simple Delights by DJ
10 S. Summit Avenue

The sweetest stand at the Shillington Farmers Market is Simple Delights by DJ. They are serving up ice cream, sorbet, and milkshakes, along with candy and other treats.

Shoemakersville

ice cream sundae and flurry from the Kiwk Shoppe in Shoemakersville, PA

Kwik-Shoppe
555 Shoemaker Avenue

Another drive-in with food and ice cream, the Kwik Shoppe is a popular stop along Route 61. Enjoy hard or soft ice cream and treats like Flurries, sundaes, and milkshakes.

Candy’s Homemade Ice Cream
1085 Pottsville Pike

As the name suggests, Candy’s offers a variety of homemade hard ice cream flavors. You can also mix and match from a wide menu of toppings to create your own sundae or candy swirl.

Sinking Spring

Two cups of ice cream topped with a mini pretzel from Big Bertha's Grill

Big Bertha’s Grill
499 Mountain Home Road

Giant sandwiches and ice cream are two things that Big Bertha’s is known for. Located adjacent to the Sittler’s Golf driving range and mini golf in Sinking Spring, Big Bertha’s is great for a treat after hitting a bucket or anytime.

Temple

Schell’s Dairy Swirl
4625 N. 5th Street Highway

Schell’s is a Berks County classic – both the restaurant and neighboring Dairy Swirl. The Twisters – the Dairy Swirl’s version of the Blizzard – are our go-tos after a round of mini golf or a hamburger BBQ at the restaurant.

Topton

order counter and ice cream prep area at Herman's Drive-In

Herman’s Drive-In
50 W. Weis Street

Herman’s is a classic drive-in with quick service comfort food and cold treats. The restaurant offers soft-serve ice cream – vanilla, chocolate and seasonal flavors – plus water ice, gelati, and 14 flavors of Flurries.

Wernersville

The Cone
55 Penn Avenue

The Cone is the only place in Berks County where you can get a cone from a cone. The uniquely shaped building along Penn Avenue in Wernersville attracts quite a crowd for their soft serve.

West Lawn

pair of cowbgirl boys and a matching white hat on the wall of Lilli's Ranch House

Lilli’s Ranch House & Creamery
West Lawn

When new owners took over the Ranch House in 2022, they embraced dessert. Lilli’s Ranch House & Creamery now offers more than a dozen flavors of hard ice cream, milkshakes, malts, and sundaes including the Bulldog, a mix of vanilla and chocolate ice cream topped with strawberry and pineapple sauces, chocolate syrup, peanuts, and whipped cream.

West Reading

Photo of an ice cream sandwich with vanilla ice cream between two chocolate chip cookies

Sweet Ride Ice Cream
542 Penn Avenue

From ice cream cart to ice cream truck to one of the most popular brick-and-mortar ice cream shops in Berks County, Sweet Ride has been a local favorite for more than 10 years. Try their ice cream sandwiches made with homemade cookies and Sweet Ride’s homemade ice cream.

Wyomissing

Russo Gourmet Foods Market

Russo Food Market
1150 Bern Road

Russo is primarily an Italian market and grocery store that also serves lunch and dinner, but you can also get rich and creamy hand-dipped gelato to enjoy in their seating area or to go.

Two cups filled with frozen yogurt and toppings on a confetti-like countertop

YoGo Crazy
2733 Papermill Road

At the height of the fro-yo fad, there were seemingly endless options for frozen yogurt. Now, only YoGo Crazy is still going strong. Located in the Target shopping center, YoGo Crazy offers a dozen fro-yo flavors and a wall of toppings to choose from.

Soft Pretzel Corner
845B Woodland Road

Inside the PA Dutch Farmers Market of Wyomissing, the Soft Pretzel Corner has hand-dipped ice cream. Enjoy a free soft pretzel when you order their featured milkshake flavor.

Outside Berks County

Boehringer’s Drive-In
Adamstown

No, it’s not in Berks County. But you can see Berks County from the outdoor seating area at Boehringer’s so their homemade ice cream makes the list. They have a wide selection of hand-dipped flavors. Enjoy it at one of the picnic tables by the creek or in your car – there’s no indoor seating.

shelves surround an antique stove at Wanamakers General Store

Wanamakers General Store
Kempton

Though just north of Kempton and across the line into Lehigh County, Wanamakers is the place to get Nesting Box ice cream. The Nesting Box used to have a creamery and store on their Kempton farm but now focus on mobile events and serving local restaurants and stores, like the Wanmaker’s General Store where you can get scoops and shakes.

Got a favorite spot for ice cream? Know of a place we missed? Let us know in the comments or by emailing zach@berkscountyeats.com.

More Berks County Dining Guides

Dining Guides
Red and white checkered tablecloths adorn tables in front of an exposed log cabin wall
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Review: P&J Pizza

Light brown building with dark brown shutters around white windows and a sign that reads "P&J Tavern"

I have a lot of childhood memories of P&J Pizza in Womelsdorf. Playing baseball for teams in town, we often had post-game pizza. And my church was less than a block away so P&J was an easy stop to feed us for youth group nights and other activities. 

But P&J was just a takeout place then. Sure, there were a couple booths, but the majority of the customers came in, got their orders, and left. 

It’s a little bit different now. Sure, customers still stream through the storefront to pick up pies and sandwiches to-go, but since P&J opened their Tavern in 2023, there are a lot more dine-in meals. 

Red and white checkered tablecloths adorn tables on hardwood with a dark yellow wall in the background and an exposed wood wall on the right

The Tavern is located in the adjacent building. Unassuming from the outside, a step through the front door reveals the historic log cabin frame that was hidden long ago by vinyl siding. A brick side wall separates the Tavern from the neighboring property, but the remaining walls are wood and mortar. The wood floor is new, but fits with the rustic style. The walls are painted a yellow-brown to complement the exposed slats of the original log building. Only the red and white tablecloths provide a pop of color, a reminder that this is still a family restaurant. 

Red and white checkered tablecloths adorn tables in front of an exposed log cabin wall

On the left side of the room is the bar. In addition to the six-packs that were always available for carryout, guests can now sit down and enjoy a draft beer or cocktail while they catch a game on the TVs. (We watched the Phillies lose a heartbreaker in extra innings as only the Phillies can do). 

The Tavern has the same food menu as the takeout side but with full table service. On our most recent visit, our server doubled as hostess, seating us by the window where menus were already sitting at each seat.  

meatball sandwich in a small roll that looks like a hollowed-out loaf of Italian bread from P&J in Womelsdorf, PA

We ordered and in short order, our food had arrived. For me, that meant a meatball sandwich and a side order of fries. 

I have always loved P&J’s rolls. They are like small loaves of Italian bread cut into pockets, rather than the standard hard or soft rolls. They also use a sweet sauce on their meatball subs – a perfect combination with those delicious rolls. 

close-up photo of a basket of fries with red and white checkered lining from P&J Tavern

The fries were good, too – a large portion of crinkle fries. I threw a little salt and a little garlic powder on them for a perfectly snackable side. 

basket with red and white checkered paper with an Italian wrap cut in half and a side of fries

Julie got herself an Italian wrap (and a side of fries, as well). There is nothing spectacular about the wrap, but it was a solid and filling meal with plenty of meat and cheese inside. 

white paper plate with a slice of pepperoni pizza from P&J in Womelsdorf, PA

Next to her, Jakob quickly downed his large slice of pepperoni pizza. Their pizza is always on-point. It was cooked well and loaded with pepperoni. 

white bowl filled with red sauce with cut-up meatballs from P&J in Womelsdorf, PA

We also ordered a kid’s order of meatballs for Lukas, who at 22 months old has decided that meatballs are his favorite food. We couldn’t cut it fast enough for him, but the first one (there were three in the order) filled him up. 

Our total was just over $40 for the four of us – that included a lemonade for Jakob and an unsweet tea for me. Anytime we can get out of a restaurant for about $10 per person, especially when the food is as good as it is at P&J, I consider it a win. 

This was our second time dining in at the Tavern, and it is quickly becoming one of our favorite places to enjoy a meal – quick service, good food, and great prices are a hard combination to beat. 

BCE Rating

Food: Good
Service: Excellent
Ambiance: Very Good
Price: $

P&J Pizza
133 W. High Street
Womelsdorf, PA 19567

Original Review: October 11, 2015

A bike leans against a white building with an awning and a sign that says "P&J Pizza Hot & Cold Subs"

October is National Pizza Month, and Berks County Eats is celebrating by visiting some of our area’s best pizzerias all month long.

Most weeks on Berks County Eats, I take you — my readers — with me as a visit a new place and try something different.

Discovering new places and foods is one of my favorite parts about doing this blog.

But I would be doing a disservice to everyone if I didn’t also throw in some old favorites, places that I have enjoyed since childhood. Places that I frequented before the blog began. Places like P&J’s Pizza.

Opening on High St. in Womelsdorf in 1989, Pete and John (the P and J in P&J’s) have been serving western Berks County for more than 25 years.

Growing up in nearby Robesonia in the 90s, I can’t remember a time without P&J’s. They were always there in the store, and their pizza was at every party and every post-game meal throughout my childhood.

A menu in a stand atop a pizza serving tray at P&J Pizza in Womelsdorf

Through the years, the restaurant has remained much the same. The seven booths are surrounded by wood paneled walls. If not for the brand new TV in the corner, you would never know it wasn’t still 1989.

I have had more meals than I can count at P&J’s, trying much of the menu. Their subs are incredible, served in rolls that are more like hollowed-out loaves of Italian bread. The strombolis are also very good.

But what I love more than anything else on the menu is the Sicilian pizza.

Box of square Sicilian pizza topped with cheese and pepperoni

Sicilian pizza, for those who have never tried it, is a little bit different from your traditional pie. The most obvious difference is that it’s square. Sicilians fit much more snugly into the carry-out boxes.

It’s also a thicker crust, more like a Chicago-style pizza that rises in the oven instead of remaining flat.

P&J’s does Sicilians as well as anyone. It’s baked until the edges are crispy and the cheese is perfectly melted. The sauce is sweet and the pepperoni is just a little spicier than other restaurants.

close-up of the edge of a Sicilian slice of pizza from P&J Pizza in Womelsdorf

The slices are hearty, but I still managed to put down three of them before my stomach threw up the white flag.

In addition, Sicilian pies are a great value if you have a lot of mouths to feed. The large pie, which measures 16-inches square, is sliced in 12 pieces for $12.50 (toppings are $2.25 each so ours was $15.00).

Julie and I shared our pie with my parents, and between the four of us we still had three slices left at the end of the meal. If you do the math, it comes to about $3 per meal, a value no matter how you look at it.

Every small town has a place like P&J’s — a little pizza shop that locals come back to over and over again.

For me, as much as I love new and different, I will always keep going back to P&J’s as long as they keep putting out the same great pizzas I remember from my childhood.

BCE Rating
Food: Good
Service: Very Good
Ambiance: Fair
Price: Very Reasonable

More Womelsdorf Area Restaurants

More Pizza Places in Berks County

Lunch & Dinner Pizzerias Reviews
Chef Dale Reitenauer drizzles sauce on a ravioli plate during the Riedenau House Pop-Up Dinner
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Review: Riedenau House Pop-Up Dinner

Round table with dark blue tablecloth with empty wine glasses, a menu and a folded black polo shirt

There are lots of places to get a good meal. There are fewer places that offer great meals. But, what exactly is it that takes a meal from good to great? 

Of course there are the flavors – it has to taste exceptional, and likely beyond what the patron could make themselves. 

It helps when the ingredients are fresh – there’s a clear difference between something made-from-scratch that day versus something pre-made and frozen.

Presentation is important, too. We eat with our eyes first. So the food has to have an appeal before it ever hits our tastebuds. 

What all of these things add up to is a great story as told by the author, in this case the chef. Great stories, like great meals, make you feel something. They make you experience something. Maybe it’s something new or something familiar. Maybe it’s both. 

Chef Dale Reitenauer prepping plates in the kitchen at the Reidenau House Pop-Up Dinner

Chef Dale Reitenauer has been writing the story of the Riedenau House for three years. Originally he had planned to open a restaurant in the former Oley Valley Inn, now the Inn on Main. When those plans fell through, he persevered, working and learning in kitchens across Berks County.  

This spring, he wrote the latest chapter in his story, an eight-course fine dining pop-up dinner to be held at Friedens UCC, just a few doors down from the Inn he never got to cook in.   

I was very surprised to see Berks County Eats tagged in a Facebook comment personally inviting me to the event. Of course I accepted – an eight-course tasting menu is something Julie and I couldn’t miss. 

Riedenau House Pop-up meal printed menu

When the menu was revealed four days later, I was even more excited. The meal was going to showcase two proteins throughout: pork and rabbit. 

The first time I had rabbit was at Ralph’s of South Philly, an Italian restaurant that once was inside the Sheraton Valley Forge. That night, it was rabbit Bolognese with the rabbit featured in a traditional meat sauce over rigatoni. 

Chef Dale pointed out that rabbit is still used often in Mediterranean cuisine, but that his dishes were more French-inspired. 

“Inspired” was a good word because every dish felt inspired, each one building on the previous to tell a story. 

wood square plate with a cracker topped with duck and shredded carrots and green onions

It started with a delightful amuse-bouche, just a little taste of what was to come. It featured a buckwheat cracker topped with bacon jam, rabbit and shaved vegetables that was a nice sweet-and-savory snack. 

blue plate with round cut of meat made to look like a pinwheel with two-colored sauce

The official first course was pork primal terrine, a medley of ground pork shoulder, pork loin and pork tenderloin, bound together with spring onion ash and served with apple butter and mushroom reduction. I didn’t know that mushroom and apple would work together, but they did. The best bites were the ones that had both sauces.

black bowl with broth, dehydrated mushrooms, greens and bacon cubes

As good as the first course was, the second course was the first to blow me away. This was the rabbit consomme, a bone broth served with dehydrated mushrooms, fried carrot, spring onion nest, fondant potatoes and bacon lardon. Julie commented that the bowl looked like the forest floor, and it certainly felt like a forager’s feast. But it was the bacon lardon – chunks of bacon with beautiful smokiness – and the potatoes that shone. I would love to see a plate of those potatoes accompanying an entree someday. 

clear glass square with two chips - one topped with pork pate and an apple cube and one topped with rabbit pate and carrot dust

Of all the things we tried, the pork and rabbit pate – course three – were the most out of our comfort zone. Surprisingly, the rabbit pate was my favorite of the two. It was served on a crispy potato chip with carrot powder. Perhaps it was the salty chip that played better than the sweet apple chip did with the pork pate. 

square mirror used as a plate wtih a rabbit croquette drizzled with orange and green sauces

The rabbit croquette was our fourth course. It had a buckwheat crust and was served atop carrot puree and charred spring onion emulsion. Again, two sauces that played perfectly together. The croquette was soft, not hard-crusted like a deep-fried chicken croquette I’m used to. Like the rest of the menu, it had a pleasant earthy flavor to it. 

clear round plate with a large, dark-colored ravioli topped with dark pieces of puffed buckwheat and green onions

Following the croquette was the pork ravioli, Julie’s favorite item of the night. The mushroom pasta dough was filled with braised pork cheek and topped with puffed buckwheat, and a rabbit au jus. The pork cheek was so tender, and the little bits of buckwheat were like crunchy popcorn. It was a big hit. 

white bowl with soup of pork and rabbit and sliced potato

So, too, was the pork and rabbit hotpot. It was a hearty bowl of pulled pork and rabbit with mushrooms, carrots, buckwheat, and scallop potato topping. It was a mini feast in a bowl, meatier than the consomme but still very much rooted in the local produce.

round blue plate with a potato and spring onion waffle topped with a rabbit thigh and sprinkled with bacon dust

My favorite course came next: rabbit and waffles. This non-traditional take on a traditional comfort food favorite really shone. The waffle was a potato and spring onion waffle which was more like a delicious hash brown. The rabbit thigh, which was glazed in honey, was perfect. Yet again, Chef Dale had played with sweet and savory and toyed with the traditional, and once again it was a success. 

buckwheat apple tart topped with bacon ice cream

Dessert was also a huge success. Bacon ice cream atop an apple tart with buckwheat crust. Prior to the course, Chef Dale told us more about his journey, which saw him start with baking and desserts before gaining the skills of a well-rounded chef. That background was fully evident in this unique closing dish. It harkened back to the amuse-bouche with the buckwheat and bacon. The addition of the apples and change from bacon jam to bacon ice cream (which did have pieces of candied bacon inside) took it from good appetizer to great dessert. 

But it still held to the throughline of the meal, nine cohesive courses, each one building upon the next in creativity and flavor. 

The meal really told two stories: first, the story of Pennsylvania and our food producers. PA Preferred ingredients were used throughout, from the meats to the vegetables to the dairy, even down to the drinks which included a selection of Reading Draft sodas and other locally produced non-alcoholic drinks. Some of the producers were even in attendance, and even they were trying their products in new ways. 

Chef Dale Reitenauer drizzles sauce on a ravioli plate during the Riedenau House Pop-Up Dinner

But it was also the story of Chef Dale and the Riedenau House. It was his food, his concept, and his continued commitment to bringing a completely different experience to Berks County. 

At the end of the night, we learned of the ongoing plans for the Riedenau House, which includes more pop-up dinners (look for a surf and turf meal coming in June), a food truck that will have more familiar items, and a meal prep service. 

Ultimately, the goal is a restaurant. But there are more chapters in these stories to be written. And I look forward to watching them unfold. 

BCE Rating
Food: Excellent
Service: Excellent
Ambiance: Good
Price: $$$$

The Riedenau House will continue to hold scheduled pop-up meals throughout the year. They have also debuted a new food truck, We Are PA Proud, that can be found in and around Berks County. Check their Facebook page for the latest information.

More Fine Dining in Berks County

Finer Dining Reviews
The exterior of Emily's facing south on Route 10
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Restaurants that closed in 2024

All good things must come to an end, and unfortunately that’s also the case for restaurants. Here’s a look at the Berks County restaurants that closed in 2024:

The exterior of Emily's facing south on Route 10

Emily’s
Mohnton

Emily’s, the fine dining restaurant along Route 10 in soutern Berks County, has closed after 20 years under the current ownership. New Year’s Eve was the final night for dinner at the historic restaurant in the former Beckersville Post Office. The location will get new life in 2025 as Emily’s Event Venue with a focus on private events with Catered with GRACE (Greater Reading Academy for Culinary Education). The venue will also hold public events with live music on select Friday nights.

Munchiez Cafe
Shillington Farmers Market

One year after opening, Munchiez Cafe has closed. The cafe had been open in the Shillington Farmers Market since November 2023. The last day was on December 28. According to their social media posts, Munchiez will continue as a food truck, which is how the business got its start.

Plaza Azteca
Boyertown

Plaza Azteca’s Boyertown location closed its doors as of October 18. The restaurant took over the former Greshville Inn in 2021. It closed in November of the same year because of septic issues and finally reopened in April 2023. Plaza Azteca still operates three Berks County locations: Wyomissing, Mt. Penn and Blandon.

Maverick Sports Bar
Pennside

A little more than a year after taking over the former Klinger’s on Carsonia in Pennside, the Maverick Sports Bar is closed. The restaurant’s last day was October 13. The location did not stay empty for long as Klinger’s has once again taken over the business, this time operating as the Carsonia Park Grill & Bar.

A look behind the counter at Latin Taste

Latin Taste
Wyomissing

Latin Taste, located in the Berkshire Mall Food Court, closed its doors in late 2024. The last post on the stand’s social media was in September. A new restaurant, Pollo’s Don Juan 2, opened in December, though more than half of the food court remains empty.

Beer Wall on Penn Wall of Taps

Beer Wall on Penn
West Reading

A staple of West Reading for more than five years, Beer Wall on Penn closed at the end of September. When it opened, Beer Wall was unique for its self-pour drafts. Restaurant Blackbird, a new restaurant from the owners of FRESH, opens in 2025.

Briano’s Italiano
Mohnton

One of three Italian restaurants in Mohnton, Briano’s Italiano closed in July. Briano’s operated out of the former Maniaci’s Italian Bistro, which had been featured on an episode of Restaurant: Impossible. Signs appeared in 2025 for Casa Cortes Mexican Restaurant, which has a location in downtown Reading.

The West Reading Motor Club will open in fall 2019 in the former A to Z Vacuum in West Reading

West Reading Motor Club, Nitro Bar, and Say Cheese
West Reading

Three West Reading restaurants under the same management – the West Reading Motor Club, the Nitro Bar, and Say Cheese – abruptly closed in June. The West Reading Motor Club will reopen under the management of B2 Bistro while Say Cheese was sold to the owners of Nonna Alby’s and is opening as Midtown West Reading.

Shillington Curry Masala
Shillington Farmers Market

Shillington Curry Masala has come and gone at the Shillington Farmers Market. The small stand tucked in the corner next to the burger place lasted just a few months. It is now home to Lenka’s Pasta.

Four Twelve Exterior

Four Twelve
Hamburg

Four Twelve, a popular coffee shop and cafe in Hamburg announced its closing in May after seven years in business. Hazel’s Cafe, which moved to Hamburg from Kutztown, opened in the space at the end of October.

Thai Cuisine
Muhlenberg

In May, Thai Cuisine closed after a long run in Muhlenberg Township. The restaurant was located near the Fairgrounds Square Mall on Eisenbrown Street. The property was subsequently sold in July.

The Hitching Post
Reading

Berks County lost one of its finer dining restaurants in March with the closing of the Hitching Post along Route 183. The owners continue to operate Telia and Willoughby’s on Park in Wyomissing. It was announced that new owners were taking over, but the restaurant has remained closed since.

Musso’s Restaurant
Exeter Township

Musso’s, an Italian restaurant in pizzeria in Exeter Township, announced its closing on March 1. The location is now home to Bella Roma, a new restaurant from the owner of Gino’s Cafe and Blue Marsh Italian Restaurant.

Takkii Ramen
Kutztown

The Kutztown location for Takkii Ramen closed in January after a little more than a year in business. The West Reading location is still open. In September, Sajal Hot Chicken & Gyro opened in the former Takkii Kutztown location.

Papa Bernard’s Pizzeria
Bechtelsville

In late 2024, Papa Bernard’s Pizzeria in Bechtelsville closed while a new restaurant, Maurizio’s Pizza, opened in its place at 801 Route 100.

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Weekend Brunch in Berks County

Reading and Berks County have some great brunch spots. From upscale selections to bar food with breakfast, themed brunches and classics, you’ll find your next weekend spot from these places to get brunch in Berks County. 

Looking for weekday breakfast? Check out our favorite breakfasts in Berks County.

Photo of outdoor sidewalk seating at a restaurant with a sign on the wall that reads "3rd and Spruce Drafthaus"

3rd and Spruce Drafthaus
West Reading
Sundays

Every Sunday starting at 10 a.m., 3rd and Spruce Drafthaus opens for brunch. The menu includes omelets, burgers and breakfast pizza.

Building with a red awning and the words "Barley Mow Craft Beer House" on the wall

The Barley Mow Craft Beer House
West Reading
Sundays

Sunday brunch at The Barley Mow changes regularly, but always features upscaled breakfast and lunch items

Two plates, one with enchiladas, rice and beans, and another smaller plate with a tamale at Castanedas

Castaneda’s Mexican Restaurant
Robesonia
Saturdays

Opening at 11 a.m., Castaneda’s adds breakfast items to the menu for Saturday brunch. Specials include egg and cheese empanadas, huevos rancheros, and breakfast burritos.

A salmon BLT, toasted and cut in half, on a plate alongside a metal basket of fries at Doc & Bubba's in Mohnton, PA

Doc & Bubba’s
Mohnton
Sundays

From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sundays, Doc & Bubba’s serves up creative brunch dishes like ube pancakes, short rib breakfast bowls, and tortilla quiche.

The exterior of Grind Restaurant, Boyertown, at twilight

Grind
Boyertown
Sundays

Sunday brunch at Grind – served from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. –  includes breakfast favorites like crepes and galettes along with lunchtime staples like burgers and BLTs, all paired with brunch cocktails.

dining room in the Inn on Main featuring dark, modern wooden tables and chairs and a wall hanging of six barrel tops

Inn on Main
Oley
Sundays

Every Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Inn on Main in Oley offers a brunch menu that expands on the daily lunch offerings to include breakfast favorites.

Jimmy G’s Beverly Hills Tavern
Sinking Spring
Sundays

Opening at 10 a.m. on Sundays, the Beverly Hills Tavern offers breakfast classics like omelets, French toast and breakfast sandwiches. Sundays are also all-you-can-eat wings, shrimp and fries.

Kempton Hotel
Kempton
Wednesday – Sunday

The Kempton Hotel serves brunch Wednesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Features change every month but have included the Kempton breakfast (eggs, Dutch fries, bacon and toast), French toast and breakfast burritos.

plate with two tortillas topped with chili, egg and avocado

Louie’s Kitchen & Bar
Flying Hills
Saturdays & Sundays

During the week, Louie’s is known for their burgers. But on Sunday mornings, the kitchen opens at 9 a.m. and it’s all about the breakfast specials. Louie’s offers French toast, benedicts, and four types of bacon: double smoked, whiskey pepper, caramelized (our favorite) and housemade bacon jam on crackers.

sign on a post outside a restaurant with the words "Other Farm"

Other Farm Brewing Company
Boyertown
Sundays

Boyertown’s Other Farm Brewing Company opens at 10 a.m. for brunch every Sunday. Unique menu additions include the breakfast donut burger with over easy egg and bacon, the PA Dutch breakfast sandwich with scrapple and apple butter, and pork belly benedict.

Pour House American Grille
Fleetwood
Sundays

The Pour House American Grille at the corner of Routes 73 and 12 near Fleetwood offers Sunday brunch from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Brunch features build-your-own omelets and breakfast sandwiches along with French toast, waffles, skillets and more.

Saucony Creek Franklin Station Brewpub Interior

Saucony Creek Franklin Station Brewpub
Reading
Sundays

Saucony Creek’s location in downtown Reading hosts a jazz brunch every Sunday starting at 10  a.m. The menu includes favorites like chicken and waffles and steak and eggs along with vegan burgers and vegan brussels sprout hash.

blackened salmon over rice and green sauce

State Hill Craft Cocktails & Kitchen
Wyomissing
Saturdays & Sundays

Brunch is served Saturdays and Sundays at State Hill Craft in Wyomissing. In addition to signature bloody Marys and a selection of breakfast bowls and egg dishes, the restaurant hosts theme brunches. Past themes have included a Girl Scout Cookie Brunch in February and a Hocus Pocus Brunch before Halloween.

nighttime view of the Stouch Tavern in Womelsdorf

Stouch Tavern
Womelsdorf
First Sundays

On the first Sunday of the month, the Stouch Tavern in Womelsdorf opens for brunch starting at 10:30 a.m. The menus rotate each month with a mix of breakfast and lunch items available on the buffet until 1:30 p.m.

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order counter and blue tables at Rollie's Place in Reading, PA
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Review: Rollie’s Place

logo graphic with a to-go coffee cup and the words "Rollie's Place" over it

There are many considerations we make when choosing a place to eat. As a parent, I’m always on the look-out for kid-friendly atmospheres. And on those rare occasions when Julie and I get a date night, we seek out places of an upscale elegance. 

I’ll admit, accessibility has never been high on my list of things to look at when checking out restaurants. But Rollie’s Place – the new cafe from Abilities in Motion – has made it part of the restaurant’s mission. 

order counter and blue tables at Rollie's Place in Reading, PA

The team invited me to experience the cafe recently, and it was clear that this place was different in the best possible way. 

The organization’s Vision Statement sums up AIM well: 

Creating communities where people of any ability have equal access. AIM will facilitate
disability inclusivity through community engagement, civic participation, and education

private booth for two with a table at Rollie's Place in Reading, PA

I met Chef James Kraemer who serves as the General Manager of Rollie’s Place. He explained how the cafe is an extension of AIM’s mission. Some accessibility accommodations are obvious: a wide-open floorplan with plenty of room for visitors using mobility devices, the blue oversized privacy chairs that help alleviate overstimulation from the surroundings, and the large accessible bathroom to name a few. 

But others are more subtle, such as the door handles on the fridge to make it easier to open, noise-cancelling bottoms on the tables and chairs, and the large-print and braille versions of the menu available at the order counter. 

Rollie's Place coil-bound menu with words that read "Large Print and Braille Menu"

With all these added features, the cafe retains a cool vibe. The multi-colored chairs feel modern. And the room is flooded in light from the large front windows. 

Chef James has curated a breakfast and lunch menu – breakfast bowls, parfaits and ciabattas to start the day; soups, salads, and sandwiches at lunch; and fresh baked goods in the case all day. And of course you can get your favorite cafe drinks, as well. 

white plate on a blue table with French dip sandwich, spiral fries, cup of au jus and cup of ketchup next to a to-go coffee cup

I tried the French dip sandwich (from the specials menu) and a cup of hot chocolate during my visit. It’s clear that despite the impressive setup, the food is not an afterthought. 

The French dip was awesome – one of the best variations of the sandwich that I have tried. The sandwich was tufted with thin-sliced beef, Gruyere cheese and horseradish cream. I had almost forgotten about the horseradish until I bit in, but it really enhanced the flavor of the meat. I really enjoyed the homemade au jus for dipping, loaded with herbs and spices. This definitely felt like a high-end French dip. 

The sandwich was served with a side of seasoned swirl fries. Instead of a traditional cut, the fries were more like a thick spiral, dotting the plate with curls of potatoes. I dipped them in the au jus, too, for a delicious side. 

to-go coffee cup next to a laptop sitting on a coffee table

My hot chocolate was delicious, as well. It was very creamy and rich, tasting more like dessert than a morning pick-me-up. 

The sandwich combo and hot chocolate would have cost around $16. Most breakfast and lunch offerings are in the $9-13 range with the French dip being a little higher as a special. The drinks, including the hot chocolate also feel very reasonably priced. 

esports arena at Abilities in Motion

In addition to the cafe, Abilities in Motion is opening more spaces to the public. Before my meal, I got a chance to check out the new AIM Gaming Center with around a dozen esports gaming stations where people of all abilities can take part in competitions for Fortnite and other popular titles. If I was about 10 years younger, I would be a regular. 

I still will likely be a regular to Rollie’s Place, though. The food, the atmosphere, the connectivity – it’s the perfect place to spend a morning or a lunch hour, and I look forward to my next visit. 

BCE Rating
Food: Very Good
Ambiance: Excellent
Service: Excellent
Price: $$

Rollie’s Place
755 Hiesters Lane
Reading, PA 19605

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Review: West Reading Motor Club

It’s one thing for a restaurant to get a second chance. Sometimes it doesn’t work and you end up with much of the same. But sometimes it’s a home run as new owners bring fresh ideas and a new approach. 

This iteration of West Reading Motor Club is a home run. 

wooden sign on a brick wall reading "West Reading Motor Club"

We had first visited West Reading Motor Club a year ago when it was under the previous ownership, before it and the Nitro Bar upstairs were closed (along with Say Cheese). We had always enjoyed Say Cheese, and I had a good first impression of the Nitro Bar, but we left our meal at WRMC feeling underwhelmed. 

In late 2024, the West Reading Motor Club was reopened under new management, the same team behind B2 Bistro. It had been a few years since our last visit to B2, but we had always enjoyed the food, even if the service had never wowed us. 

Certainly we had some preconceived notions entering West Reading Motor Club in January. 

dining area of the West Reading Motor Club

The first thing we noticed was that despite our early reservations – 5:30 on a Saturday – the place was already busy. The dining room wasn’t packed, but there were plenty of people already enjoying their meals by the time we arrived. We were led to a table for two by the front window that looked out onto Penn Avenue. 

place setting at the West Reading Motor Club

The dining room has an elegance to it with wood floors and dark tables against brick walls. But it’s also bright and inviting, not relying on the candlelight on the table. 

a fruity drink and an ice tea in stemmed glasses

Our waiter, Josh, stopped by quickly and couldn’t have been more delightful or helpful. When Julie asked if they had mocktails available, he asked the bar and returned quickly to let her know that they could, then delivered her a deliciously fruit-flavored drink to go with my iced tea. 

Looking over the menu, and having seen a few desserts delivered to the tables around us, we decided to skip the appetizers to save a little room at the end. 

Well, to be more accurate, I decided to double-up on the appetizers and make it a meal. 

bowl of French onion soup covered in cheese

I started with a bowl of their “ultimate” French onion soup. What separates this from a traditional French onion is the inclusion of braised short ribs. 

The short ribs made a huge difference. It made the dish not only heartier but more savory than the standard brothy version. But everything in it was delicious, from the broth, itself, to the French bread and cheese. It’s definitely high on my list of favorite soups. 

Caesar salad with crispy prosciuitto

For my “main,” I ordered the grilled chopped romaine. I’ve had grilled Caesar salads before, most notably at Lancaster’s Belvedere Inn, but those were whole romaine hearts while this was chopped. 

The salad was very good, not too different from a traditional Caesar, but what really set it apart was the inclusion of crispy prosciutto. This thin-sliced deli meat, not quite ham, not quite bacon, was fried and sprinkled throughout. The salty and savory bites really popped. Every bite with a piece of prosciutto was just a little better than a bite without. 

Even before dessert, I was very happy with my selections. 

stuffed pork tenderloin with mashed potatoes and asparagus

Julie, meanwhile, ordered a more traditional dinner: the pork tenderloin roulade. Roulade means “roll,” and in this case, the pork was rolled and stuffed with spinach, shallots, sun-dried tomato, and Parmesan, and topped with a demi-glace. It was a delicious mixture with subtle sweet notes. As good as my meal was, I think the pork was my favorite (even though I only had one small taste of Julie’s meal). 

Her pork came with potato puree and asparagus. Though both were good, the pork was the star. 

slice of chocolate cake drizzled with chocolate syrup and garnished with a strawberry

The real star of the evening, however, may have been dessert. We ordered a slice of the chocolate layer cake, and all I can say is “wow.” 

First of all, the slice was huge. (Thank goodness we skipped appetizers and saved room). It came with sliced strawberry and blueberry, whipped cream, and chocolate drizzle. What made this so good was the ganache or frosting. It was absolutely decadent. I wished I could have just eaten a bowl of it, but the cake was a nice vessel for it anyway. 

After the cake, we were definitely full, but extremely happy after a stand-out meal. In total, it cost a little under $100. It’s certainly not a price we’d pay for an everyday meal, but for a romantic date night, $50 per person didn’t feel out of place. 

And with food and service like West Reading Motor Club delivered, it may not be a weekly stop, but I get the feeling we will be back for more. 

BCE Rating
Food: Very Good
Service: Excellent
Ambiance: Excellent
Price: $$$

West Reading Motor Club
416 Penn Avenue
West Reading, PA 19611

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plate with four half-slices of French toast and another plate in the background with homefries
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Review: Queens’ Cafe

outside of a building with a red flag reading "Cafe"

There is nothing like the atmosphere at a popular coffee shop. It’s hard to put your finger on what makes it work, but you know it when you feel it. 

And you can feel it when you step inside Queens’ Cafe in Wyomissing. 

Queens’ Cafe has a unique location inside the Riverfront Federal Credit Union building along Keiser Boulevard in Wyomissing. It was the former home of one of my favorite restaurants, Squawk Cafe. 

corner of a dining area with two windows an orange mural wall with neon lights reading "Queens Cafe"

Despite occupying the same space, the two cafes couldn’t be more different. While I always enjoyed Squawk for the food, Queens’ Cafe feels more vibrant. The dining area is filled with bright colors – from the selfie wall in the corner to the artwork on the walls to the chalkboard highlighting the specials. 

When Julie and I visited on a January afternoon, we found nearly every table full, which only enhanced the vibe. We ordered our meals at the counter and found an empty table – there weren’t many, and there were even less by the time we left. 

order counter with video menu boards in the background

And while Squawk focused on elevated dishes, Queens’ Cafe offers a simpler menu with classics like omelettes and pancakes at breakfast and cheesesteaks and BLTs at lunch. 

The cafe serves breakfast all day so I ordered a couple of those breakfast staples: French toast with a side of homefries. 

plate with four half-slices of French toast and another plate in the background with homefries

The portions aren’t huge, but they’re not small either. My French toast came in four triangles topped with powdered sugar with a cup of syrup on the side. It wasn’t fancy or inventive, just really good French toast. 

I could say the same for the home fries. I opted to add grilled peppers and onions to it, and there was something about it that just tasted like homemade in the best way. 

pink plate with scalloped edge holding a grilled cheese sandwich and a cup of vegetable soup

While there are certainly familiar items on the menu, that’s not to say that everything is “boring.” Julie found an exciting offering on the specials menu: the apple and brie grilled cheese. 

The sandwich was on the smaller side, but packed with flavor. The sweetness of the apple played well with the creamy cheese, and the multigrain bread was the perfect counterbalance to both. It was enjoyable from the first bite to the last. 

It came served with a cup of soup, and Julie opted for the vegetable. It was a little brothy, but filled with hearty vegetables like cauliflower, carrots, celery and more. Enjoyable, but not the star like the sandwich was. 

green and white matcha latte in a Mason jar next to a jar of iced tea

Julie also got one of the cafe’s drink specials: an iced cinnamon roll matcha tea. The matcha tea was lightly sweetened with the maple syrup and topped with cold foam and cinnamon for a not-too-sweet pick-me-up. 

In all, our meal cost around $35 which felt reasonable. You could certainly spend less (the tea added to the cost) and still leave full at breakfast or lunch. 

I still miss Squawk sometimes, but at least I know there’s a cool new spot in its place. And I have a feeling I’ll be enjoying more meals at Queens’ Cafe in the near future. 

BCE Rating
Food: Very Good
Service: Good
Ambiance: Very Good
Price: $$

Queens’ Cafe
2609 Keiser Blvd
Wyomissing, PA 19610

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two takeout pizza boxes with lids open - one has a pepperoni pizza, the other a plain cheese
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Review: 10 West Pizzeria

rectangular building with a door in the center and windows on either side and an awning that reads "10 West"

Great pizza comes in many shapes and styles, but it’s also a matter of taste. One person may prefer the crisp crust of a wood-fired oven while others see it and call it “burnt.” One person may enjoy a classic round pie while another likes the thick square crust of a Sicilian. 

Great pizza places are similar. Some are great because they do one thing really well. Others are great because of the variety that they offer. 

booths next to a window at 10 West Pizzeria

10 West Pizzeria in Wernersville is a little of both. 

The restaurant is located inside the town’s old freight station. Over the years, it’s been home to many restaurants, almost exclusively pizza places. The longest-tenured restaurant in the space was the Lebanon-based A&M Pizza which was there throughout the 90s and made a short-lived return before 10 West arrived on the scene in 2022. 

display with bags of potato chips in front of a wall with a pizza kitchen in the background

Our first taste came a year later when we stopped in for slices. The counter was filled with both traditional round pies and square grandma pies to choose from.  

Jakob, being the picky eater of the bunch, had the standard cheese which he really enjoyed. Julie and I, however, opted for grandma slices. 

square slice of pizza with tomato sauce and fresh basil on a paper plate

I had the grandma margherita with a sweet red sauce, drops of mozzarella, and fresh basil leaves. It was a great pizza, and I especially love the sweet red sauce. There’s something about a pizza with a little sweetness that just does it for me. 

Julie also enjoyed her grandma pie, but it was closer to a standard cheese pizza. The only differences were the square shape and the sweet sauce, both of which resulted in a delicious slice. 

We enjoyed the pizza so much that when it came time to cater Jakob’s birthday at the nearby Sinking Spring YMCA, we knew that 10 West was the only choice. 

two takeout pizza boxes with lids open - one has a pepperoni pizza, the other a plain cheese

For a party of six- and seven-year-olds, we went with the more traditional round pies. Both pepperoni and plain cheese were offered, and both were delicious. 

What I really liked were the crusts. They were crisp without being burnt and were dusted with something on the bottom – not exactly sure what – but it definitely added a little something to every bite. 

slice of cheese pizza on a paper plate

And 10 West, like all pizza places, is a great place to feed a lot of people without spending a lot of money. Their 18-inch New York style pie cost $16.50 (about $2.00 per slice) while the pepperoni cost $19.75 ($2.50 per slice). 

Whether it’s the grandma pies or the New York-style round pies, 10 West does them well. And it’s that variety that makes them one of our favorites. 

BCE Rating
Food: Very Good
Service: Very Good
Ambiance: Fair
Price: $

10 West Pizzeria
10 W. Penn Avenue
Wernersville, PA 19656

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mural featuring a truck, cowboy hats and colorful birds beneath strips of yellow, blue and red - the colors of the Colombian flag
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Review: Cafe de Colombia

entrance to Cafe De Colombia in Reading, PA

The most underrated foodie destination in Berks County, hands down, is the City of Reading. There is such a diversity of culture and food, it really is incredible. 

Cafe de Colombia stands out among Downtown Reading’s dining options.

mural featuring a truck, cowboy hats and colorful birds beneath strips of yellow, blue and red - the colors of the Colombian flag

The cafe opened in late 2020 at 645 Penn Street. It’s tucked back from the street, its entrance in the courtyard adjacent to the Santander building, just steps from the Reed & Court Garage where I paid $2 for an hour of parking at midday. 

When I arrived around 12 noon, the restaurant was busy. Only a few tables remained but after placing my order at the counter, I was directed to the last table for two in the dining room where I waited for my food to arrive. 

wall made to look like a home in Latin America with white walls and green doors and red trim

At the opposite end of the room was the cafe’s signature design element: a floor-to-ceiling recreation of a traditional facade of a home in Colombia, complete with veranda and porch accents in red, white and green. 

The menu features a range of meal options including Colombian rice dishes and a unique hamburger, the haburguesa Columbiana topped with pineapple sauce, tartar sauce and Colombian pink sauce along with the usual lettuce, tomato and onion. 

But the cafe was offering a great lunch special: a protein and two sides for $10. And I just couldn’t pass that up. 

white rectangular plate with two slices of thin-cut steak, a scoop of yellow rice and some fried plantains

I ordered the carne asada with yellow rice and plantains, and about 10-15 minutes later, it was on the table in front of me. 

It looked amazing, and it was. The steak was beautifully done – tender and juicy with a really nice flavor from the marinade. It was salty but also a little earthy from the herbs. I really enjoyed it. 

The yellow rice was good, too, not too different from other yellow rice I’ve had, and the plantains were delicious, as expected.

bakery case at Cafe De Colombia in Reading, PA

It was a really delicious meal all the way around. Add on a mango juice that I grabbed from the fridge and the parking, and I still had lunch for less than $15.

Cafe de Colombia is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner so I’m thinking my next trip will be for breakfast. 

But there are so many more places to visit in the city, too. And I look forward to trying as many as I can. 

BCE Rating
Food: Very Good
Ambiance: Very Good
Service: Excellent
Price: $$

Cafe de Colombia
645 Penn Street
Reading, PA 19601

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