1st time at Central Reservation. Loved the look and feel of the interior. Food was fine but not that different from a lot of places and State College in terms of sandwiches and burgers. A decent enough beer list and Cocktails. I had a fried oyster sandwich which was pretty good.Vegetarian options: Smoked beet burger is supposed to be goodWheelchair accessibility: It would be really hard for a wheelchair to maneuver in this restaurant.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 3
Andi C.
Did not expect this sort of cuisine in central PA tbh. The pork belly is amazing, the barramundi is crisp and flakey (also a rare fish to find in restaurants), everything was super tasty. Waitresses are great, and the vibe is nice. Did not get rushed at all and truly enjoyed spending time there. Would go back 10/10
Michael Rosenberg
Stopped by for an early dinner. The mushroom soup was just super! They've revamped the menu a bit - the fried oyster Peacemaker sandwich is a nice addition. And sold cocktails as always.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Madison Starcher
Best Philly cheesesteak I’ve ever eaten. I would drive miles to eat it again.
Food: 5
PA BeerFan
Very dumb management decisions. A few friends and I had some take-home boxes from another restaurant and were told that “outside food was not permitted” so we would have to leave it somewhere.That stupid policy lost a good $200 in bar tab.Also, the places next door are all owned by the same clown, so don’t try to grab drinks if you have the audacity to not eat all your food somewhere else.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 3
Service: 1
John H
What a great restaurant in State College. Have enjoyed their food several times and never disappointed. Excellent menu options and drinks.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Duck Confit with Pasta, Duck Ragu
Meghan R.
In town and wanted a sit down place that was somewhat low key so ended up here on a Friday night. Even though it's a bar it wasn't busy but maybe that's because the college was still on break. Overall, it was a really good meal, with surprising menu options, and decent drinks, but kind of spoiled by crappy service. Started off with the lamb lollipops. They really melted in our mouths and we were super happy with the choice. For entrees we got the elk medallions and the fall gnocchi. The elk was amazing and there was a fair amount of it on the plate. We potentially could have split it. I liked the side it came with too (creamed celery root with potatoes and bacon on top). The gnocchi would have been better if it was actually in a cream sauce, but the veggies that were part of it were super good. Drinks wise we had the dark and stormy, which although a classic cocktail was made really well. Also had the seasonal G&T which was super citrusy and light.
Morgan
ignorant staff. let me have my drink at the table and snatched the can out of my hand and poured it out as i was waiting for the bathroom. took 45 minutes to get two egg rolls.
Oryna Ivashtenko
Plenty of people – probably the place is loved by everyone. I had a Caesar salad, it was not too good: only half a piece of a tomato and maybe one egg or less – mostly lettuce under not the best sauce. Gnocchi portion is quite small. Other than that, everything was great, the interior was beautiful, and the barmen was making pretty cocktails in front of our eyes.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 4
JJ G.
Fantastic place. One of the better restaurants to dine in. It is part of a little group of restaurants side-by-side with a dive bar and a basement. They all have one liquor license and this is a great place to check out and historic. The decor is amazing, it represents love affairs between like famous actors on the back of the chairs and on the wallpaper and other types of decor. Food is fantastic. Got the duck Ragu and it was yummy.Duck Ragu
This is my go-to spot when I'm in town! The old fashioneds are always on point and they have a good variety of items on their food menu. I've tried everything from the cheesesteak & fries to seasonal risotto to fried oysters & salad! All were great and it will continue to be my go-to spot.
kelly ngigi
One of my favorite places in state college. The food and drinks are always great. My regular recommendations are: fried oysters, pork belly, fries, frog legs, live burger, duck ragu. Today I had the pan seared walli and wasabi potatoes and oyster and spinach velaute gravy. The meal was perfection!!!! Obviously I’m coming back.
Central Reservation has an AMAZING CRABCAKE SANDWICH that I highly recommend. -RF.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Thomas S.
I really wanted to like it...I was honestly underwhelmed. Decent burger and fries, mediocre cheesteak, pretty good Calamari with asian sauce, and a Gnocchi dish that was sub standard, the Gnocchi was not properly cooked (gummy and tough) and the pesto and goatcheese sauce seemed largely "low effort". We may give it another chance, but no time soon.
Mohsen Moradi
Get a table by the window on Allen St. lets the breeze hit your face, all while soaking in the urban flow of people passing by – a surefire way to catch those good vibes.
1st time at Central Reservation. Loved the look and feel of the interior. Food was fine but not that different from a lot of places and State College in terms of sandwiches and burgers. A decent enough beer list and Cocktails. I had a fried oyster sandwich which was pretty good.Vegetarian options: Smoked beet burger is supposed to be goodWheelchair accessibility: It would be really hard for a wheelchair to maneuver in this restaurant.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 3
Did not expect this sort of cuisine in central PA tbh. The pork belly is amazing, the barramundi is crisp and flakey (also a rare fish to find in restaurants), everything was super tasty. Waitresses are great, and the vibe is nice. Did not get rushed at all and truly enjoyed spending time there. Would go back 10/10
Stopped by for an early dinner. The mushroom soup was just super! They've revamped the menu a bit - the fried oyster Peacemaker sandwich is a nice addition. And sold cocktails as always.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Best Philly cheesesteak I’ve ever eaten. I would drive miles to eat it again.
Food: 5
Very dumb management decisions. A few friends and I had some take-home boxes from another restaurant and were told that “outside food was not permitted” so we would have to leave it somewhere.That stupid policy lost a good $200 in bar tab.Also, the places next door are all owned by the same clown, so don’t try to grab drinks if you have the audacity to not eat all your food somewhere else.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 3
Service: 1
What a great restaurant in State College. Have enjoyed their food several times and never disappointed. Excellent menu options and drinks.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Duck Confit with Pasta, Duck Ragu
In town and wanted a sit down place that was somewhat low key so ended up here on a Friday night. Even though it's a bar it wasn't busy but maybe that's because the college was still on break. Overall, it was a really good meal, with surprising menu options, and decent drinks, but kind of spoiled by crappy service. Started off with the lamb lollipops. They really melted in our mouths and we were super happy with the choice. For entrees we got the elk medallions and the fall gnocchi. The elk was amazing and there was a fair amount of it on the plate. We potentially could have split it. I liked the side it came with too (creamed celery root with potatoes and bacon on top). The gnocchi would have been better if it was actually in a cream sauce, but the veggies that were part of it were super good. Drinks wise we had the dark and stormy, which although a classic cocktail was made really well. Also had the seasonal G&T which was super citrusy and light.
ignorant staff. let me have my drink at the table and snatched the can out of my hand and poured it out as i was waiting for the bathroom. took 45 minutes to get two egg rolls.
Plenty of people – probably the place is loved by everyone. I had a Caesar salad, it was not too good: only half a piece of a tomato and maybe one egg or less – mostly lettuce under not the best sauce. Gnocchi portion is quite small. Other than that, everything was great, the interior was beautiful, and the barmen was making pretty cocktails in front of our eyes.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 4
Fantastic place. One of the better restaurants to dine in. It is part of a little group of restaurants side-by-side with a dive bar and a basement. They all have one liquor license and this is a great place to check out and historic. The decor is amazing, it represents love affairs between like famous actors on the back of the chairs and on the wallpaper and other types of decor. Food is fantastic. Got the duck Ragu and it was yummy.Duck Ragu
Restaurantji Recommends
This is my go-to spot when I'm in town! The old fashioneds are always on point and they have a good variety of items on their food menu. I've tried everything from the cheesesteak & fries to seasonal risotto to fried oysters & salad! All were great and it will continue to be my go-to spot.
One of my favorite places in state college. The food and drinks are always great. My regular recommendations are: fried oysters, pork belly, fries, frog legs, live burger, duck ragu. Today I had the pan seared walli and wasabi potatoes and oyster and spinach velaute gravy. The meal was perfection!!!! Obviously I’m coming back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Duck Ragu, Fried Buffalo Frog Legs, House Cut Fries
Central Reservation has an AMAZING CRABCAKE SANDWICH that I highly recommend. -RF.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I really wanted to like it...I was honestly underwhelmed. Decent burger and fries, mediocre cheesteak, pretty good Calamari with asian sauce, and a Gnocchi dish that was sub standard, the Gnocchi was not properly cooked (gummy and tough) and the pesto and goatcheese sauce seemed largely "low effort". We may give it another chance, but no time soon.
Get a table by the window on Allen St. lets the breeze hit your face, all while soaking in the urban flow of people passing by – a surefire way to catch those good vibes.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5