Been to Bear Creek three times and ate at the Shelby 7x. From northern Jersey and know great food. This is it. 4.5 is almost disrespectful on google reviews lol. Julian & Samantha above and beyond thank you! BLT on sourdough with Avocado, bao buns with pork belly, Shelby burger, Cobb Salad, tater tots, cheesecake, etc. We had it all and can't miss. 5️⃣*️⃣ We were there the last two nights.
Tracey Smith
We discovered The Shelby by chance today, but were really happy we decided to dine here. We enjoyed brunch on their spacious and stylish outdoor seating area, but inside the restaurant also had vibrant, eclectic decor. Our server Ari helped us with our menu choices, answering any questions we had. She was wonderful. A manager, Lauren also stopped by our table to ensure everything was to our liking, which was a nice touch. My husband loved the chicken and waffles. Ari made sure to mention it was spicy, to make sure he was aware. He said it had the perfect "heat". My omelette of the day was a Mediterranean style, with a delicious olive tapenade, tomato and feta. They have an extensive drink menu, and the Tito's Bloody Mary did not disappoint! We do not reside in the area, but agree that we'd travel the extra distance to try the dinner menu. And soon! Highly recommend.
Tracy Smith
Great atmosphere I got the chicken skewers and the proportions were awesome and delicious would recommend this place
Sam Costa
An excellent place to eat. The food, service and atmosphere were all terrific.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Kerry B
It was expensive.. and enormous. If you are looking to sit and relax, don't pick this place. This is Moreso a local large pub where people come to party. Everyone was very nice though.. the menu was not my style.. but others seemed to enjoy it .
Corey G
I took my wife to the Shelby recently for a nice lunch date. This was our first visit. I’ve got to say, it’s been a very long time since we have had a phenomenal experience at a restaurant. We were greated at the hostess podium and sat quickly. My first impression was that of nice modern facility with some new edginess to it. There were many places to sit including a sun room, outdoor area and bar seating with high tops. We chose a booth. I was afraid that with it being lunch time that it would get so busy and loud that we couldn’t have an intimate time together. Our server Megan, greeted us with warmth like family. She went through a couple drink options for us as well some specials. She was very well spoken and professional. 5 stars to her !! The Shelby has many cocktail and mocktail options as well as beer selections. A very nice custom combo that should suit any person. It came time to place our meals. I chose the chicken parm and my spouse chose the Mac n cheese with short rib. Our entire experience was great all through out. It was quiet, spacious and very nice. There is many options on the menu. I can not wait to come back and bring the family to dinner soon. A must try (maybe several times) kind of experience.
Maritza Avendano
Very nice place, top notch service. Our waiter Megan was amazing, very patience and pleasant. We will definitely go back.
Kirsten Block
The Shelby offers a beautifully curated atmosphere that makes it a go-to for a stylish night out in Allentown. The new outdoor seating is a huge plus—airy, comfortable, and well-designed, perfect for spring and summer dining.
The cocktail program is truly excellent. The espresso martini is rich and well-balanced, and the seasonal “Whiskey Spring Fling”—featuring Jameson Orange, tangerine and lemon juice, mint simple syrup, orange bitters, and egg white—is outstanding. It’s refreshing, complex, and one of the best seasonal cocktails I’ve had in a while. Overall, the bar is clearly a strong point.
Service is another highlight. The staff is friendly, professional, and attentive without being overbearing, adding to the welcoming vibe of the place.
However, the food doesn’t quite measure up. A friend ordered the short rib mac and cheese, which was a letdown: it lacked flavor and featured a disappointingly small amount of short rib. I had the grilled chicken skewers, which were fine, though the accompanying pita was overly greasy. In general, the menu feels overpriced, especially considering that the dishes are just average in quality and execution.
In summary: come for the atmosphere and cocktails, and you’ll likely have a great time. But if you’re expecting standout food, you may find the experience falls a bit short.
Vincenzo
Over priced mediocre food . Very expensive for what you get.
Birth Doula
Too much butter in the food. If you are use to eating clean this is not the place for you.
Our experience at The Shelby was excellent overall. The atmosphere felt vibrant and welcoming, and the service team was attentive and accommodating.
We sampled a variety of dishes and were impressed by the creativity and bold flavors throughout the menu. The House Cured Wings with gochujang were a standout—perfectly crispy with just the right level of heat and sweetness. The Crab Arancini were rich and satisfying, while the Bao Buns were fluffy and packed with flavor.
The Lamb Kebab Skewers were juicy and paired nicely with the fresh pita and tzatziki. The Chicken Parm was comforting and well-executed, and the Chicken & Waffles balanced savory and sweet in a fun, indulgent way.
The Morning Ramen with shrimp was flavorful and hearty—though a bit intense for my mom's palate, the staff quickly and kindly provided hot water to mellow the broth, which was much appreciated. The Tofu Rice Bowl offered a great vegetarian option with solid texture and balance. The Paella Del Mar was rich with seafood and layered flavor, and the Prime Ribeye was cooked to perfection and beautifully seasoned.
If I had one suggestion, it would be to continue making sure that spice levels or intensity are communicated clearly on the menu—especially for guests who might be sensitive to bolder flavors. But overall, everything was well presented, thoughtfully composed, and delicious.
We’re already looking forward to our next visit!
Eric Roden
This place continues to impress. The bartenders are second to none! They have done a remarkable job continuing to keep this restaurant fresh, relevant, and awesome
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jamie Neshkoff
Had the Shelby Burger, Guinness Draft and side salad. Fresh out of the garden salad greens with juicy sweet tomatoes chopped into delightful chunks. Burger was good. Waitress was great but when the staff brought the food and drinks there was some confusion. VERY CLEAN. Fair prices.
Been to Bear Creek three times and ate at the Shelby 7x. From northern Jersey and know great food. This is it. 4.5 is almost disrespectful on google reviews lol. Julian & Samantha above and beyond thank you! BLT on sourdough with Avocado, bao buns with pork belly, Shelby burger, Cobb Salad, tater tots, cheesecake, etc. We had it all and can't miss. 5️⃣*️⃣ We were there the last two nights.
We discovered The Shelby by chance today, but were really happy we decided to dine here. We enjoyed brunch on their spacious and stylish outdoor seating area, but inside the restaurant also had vibrant, eclectic decor. Our server Ari helped us with our menu choices, answering any questions we had. She was wonderful. A manager, Lauren also stopped by our table to ensure everything was to our liking, which was a nice touch. My husband loved the chicken and waffles. Ari made sure to mention it was spicy, to make sure he was aware. He said it had the perfect "heat". My omelette of the day was a Mediterranean style, with a delicious olive tapenade, tomato and feta. They have an extensive drink menu, and the Tito's Bloody Mary did not disappoint! We do not reside in the area, but agree that we'd travel the extra distance to try the dinner menu. And soon! Highly recommend.
Great atmosphere I got the chicken skewers and the proportions were awesome and delicious would recommend this place
An excellent place to eat. The food, service and atmosphere were all terrific.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
It was expensive.. and enormous. If you are looking to sit and relax, don't pick this place. This is Moreso a local large pub where people come to party. Everyone was very nice though.. the menu was not my style.. but others seemed to enjoy it .
I took my wife to the Shelby recently for a nice lunch date. This was our first visit. I’ve got to say, it’s been a very long time since we have had a phenomenal experience at a restaurant. We were greated at the hostess podium and sat quickly. My first impression was that of nice modern facility with some new edginess to it. There were many places to sit including a sun room, outdoor area and bar seating with high tops. We chose a booth. I was afraid that with it being lunch time that it would get so busy and loud that we couldn’t have an intimate time together. Our server Megan, greeted us with warmth like family. She went through a couple drink options for us as well some specials. She was very well spoken and professional. 5 stars to her !! The Shelby has many cocktail and mocktail options as well as beer selections. A very nice custom combo that should suit any person. It came time to place our meals. I chose the chicken parm and my spouse chose the Mac n cheese with short rib. Our entire experience was great all through out. It was quiet, spacious and very nice. There is many options on the menu. I can not wait to come back and bring the family to dinner soon. A must try (maybe several times) kind of experience.
Very nice place, top notch service. Our waiter Megan was amazing, very patience and pleasant. We will definitely go back.
The Shelby offers a beautifully curated atmosphere that makes it a go-to for a stylish night out in Allentown. The new outdoor seating is a huge plus—airy, comfortable, and well-designed, perfect for spring and summer dining.
The cocktail program is truly excellent. The espresso martini is rich and well-balanced, and the seasonal “Whiskey Spring Fling”—featuring Jameson Orange, tangerine and lemon juice, mint simple syrup, orange bitters, and egg white—is outstanding. It’s refreshing, complex, and one of the best seasonal cocktails I’ve had in a while. Overall, the bar is clearly a strong point.
Service is another highlight. The staff is friendly, professional, and attentive without being overbearing, adding to the welcoming vibe of the place.
However, the food doesn’t quite measure up. A friend ordered the short rib mac and cheese, which was a letdown: it lacked flavor and featured a disappointingly small amount of short rib. I had the grilled chicken skewers, which were fine, though the accompanying pita was overly greasy. In general, the menu feels overpriced, especially considering that the dishes are just average in quality and execution.
In summary: come for the atmosphere and cocktails, and you’ll likely have a great time. But if you’re expecting standout food, you may find the experience falls a bit short.
Over priced mediocre food . Very expensive for what you get.
Too much butter in the food. If you are use to eating clean this is not the place for you.
Restaurantji Recommends
Great place good drinks an the food was amazing
Our experience at The Shelby was excellent overall. The atmosphere felt vibrant and welcoming, and the service team was attentive and accommodating. We sampled a variety of dishes and were impressed by the creativity and bold flavors throughout the menu. The House Cured Wings with gochujang were a standout—perfectly crispy with just the right level of heat and sweetness. The Crab Arancini were rich and satisfying, while the Bao Buns were fluffy and packed with flavor. The Lamb Kebab Skewers were juicy and paired nicely with the fresh pita and tzatziki. The Chicken Parm was comforting and well-executed, and the Chicken & Waffles balanced savory and sweet in a fun, indulgent way. The Morning Ramen with shrimp was flavorful and hearty—though a bit intense for my mom's palate, the staff quickly and kindly provided hot water to mellow the broth, which was much appreciated. The Tofu Rice Bowl offered a great vegetarian option with solid texture and balance. The Paella Del Mar was rich with seafood and layered flavor, and the Prime Ribeye was cooked to perfection and beautifully seasoned. If I had one suggestion, it would be to continue making sure that spice levels or intensity are communicated clearly on the menu—especially for guests who might be sensitive to bolder flavors. But overall, everything was well presented, thoughtfully composed, and delicious. We’re already looking forward to our next visit!
This place continues to impress. The bartenders are second to none! They have done a remarkable job continuing to keep this restaurant fresh, relevant, and awesome
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Had the Shelby Burger, Guinness Draft and side salad. Fresh out of the garden salad greens with juicy sweet tomatoes chopped into delightful chunks. Burger was good. Waitress was great but when the staff brought the food and drinks there was some confusion. VERY CLEAN. Fair prices.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Great food and service!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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