With Erie being known as the Gem City, it’s appropriate to sometimes dust off the gleaming jewels in the crown, many of which are hiding between the more bodacious, fancier stones, but shine just as brightly.
With this in mind what follows is a list of a few eateries we consider to be the “hidden gems” of the Gem City’s dining scene.
Benny’s Paninis
Benny’s Paninis, 262 W. Eighth St. Puerto Rican restaurant moved from the Sacred Heart Ushers Club to its own store downtown, offers a huge selection of Latin American flavors and snacks. It seats only about 15, but the takeout is well worth the trip. Menu highlights include Puerto Rican, Spanish cuisine as well as pasta, burritos, Mexican food and wraps.
Trawka’s
Not just a corner grocer at 712 Payne Ave., Trawka’s also turns out hot lunches for neighbors and nearby factory workers. They also sell more than a dozen types of sausage and hot sticks they make themselves as well as Polish food ingredients. The owners took over the decades-old landmark in 2023, and the transition was seamless.
Chipper’s Tavern
Chipper’s Tavern: This modest white brick building at 4608 Wattsburg Road is known to its regulars for its variety and flavorful chicken wings and other bar foods. Erie has plenty of wing spots, but you can’t do better than these guys.
Madeline’s Dining & Events
It’s hard to say when Erie folks will stop calling Madeline’s Dining & Events “The old Crowley’s,” but this beautiful one-of-a-kind restaurant at 8844 Route 18 in Cranesville more than deserves its own identity by now. The food is great, the views spectacular, and its sprawling dining room offers plenty of ambiance. It’s great for brunch, dinner, events and parties, and the catering service is top-notch as well.
Triple D’s
He’s been around the block a few times, but Darrell Roberts seems to have finally settled into Triple D’s at 1301 Parade St. The barbecue and soul food offerings are just as good as they were when he started out. He spent some time as a food truck, and at the Flagship City Food Hall, and now has moved into the former Red Hot. Takeout is the way to go for now. He features fried chicken, burgers and fries, catfish and perch and much more. The food is always fresh, hot and delicious.
Oba Sushi
Oba Sushi snuck onto the downtown dining landscape in 2025, at 516 State St., with bright, fresh, fast sushi, sashimi and other Japanese cuisine. The decor and mural are worth a visit all by themselves, but the food is fantastic, too. Also, as sushi always should be, it’s beautiful to look at and even better to eat.
Lawrence Park Dinor
An eastside fixture since 1948, Lawrence Park Dinor is the closest you can get to an old-fashioned diner in Erie. Owner Dawn Van Scoter bought it in 2022 and has done everything she can to keep it as close to the original as possible. She got a creative bug recently and opened a new restaurant, Toast, in North East, where she can branch out culinarily, but if you want a true diner experience, LPD is the place to tuck yourself into a booth and enjoy.
Pineapple Eddie’s
Pineapple Eddie’s defines the term “hidden gem.” The Southern-style fusion bistro serves food you’d never expect from walking into its modest neighborhood corner location at West 11th Street and Weschler Avenue. It has atmosphere to spare and you’ll never have a bad meal there. The service is outstanding and the only problem is, once you’re seated, fed and lulled into its slow Southern vibe, you won’t want to leave.
Tasty Bowl
If you’re hankering for an authentic Chinese Szechuan food experience, give yourself the gift of reservations at Tasty Bowl, 7400 Schultz Road. They specialize in hot pots, but everything is great. Be careful how you order if you’re not a fan of spicy food. You can still eat there and enjoy it. Just tell them what heat level you care for on a scale of one to five.
Casa Café
A former Dairy Queen was converted into Casa Café, Erie’s first Mexican bakery at 3505 W. 26th St. in 2023. It’s changed hands since then, but it’s still a popular place for breakfast on the west side of town. You can order online, but it’s fun to go in and peruse the authentic Mexican pastries. It’s a bright place, full of natural light and yummy smells.
Avonia Tavern
Avonia Tavern, 7321 West Lake Road, Fairview, has been serving up its popular wings and creative cuisine for it seems like forever. The spot is popular despite its location in a quiet residential community called Avonia Village. It makes a great half-way meeting place for friends who live on either side of Ohio/Pennsylvania state line.
Give a Crepe
What began in the neighborhood of Federal Hill as a takeout-only place, Give a Crepe is now at 1909 Chestnut St. There, it has a bright and spacious dining room to serve its savory and sweet crepes wrapped around any all and all manner of ingredients. Whether you’re in search of a hearty breakfast or light lunch, the family affair has you covered.
Gem City Dinor
It’s almost too perfect for this list, breakfast and lunch spot Gem City Dinor, at 3545 W. 12th St. can’t help being, well, perfect. The pancakes are huge, the menu is classic, the food always fantastic. We regret that we only have one stomach to bring to this restaurant, hidden in the corner of a modest Millcreek plaza. You have to get up pretty early in the morning to get a table on the weekends, but they have plenty of coffee to get you going.
