The Best Restaurants in State College, PA: A Student's Guide (2027)
From late-night slices on College Ave to date-night dinners at the Allen Street Grill, here's a Penn State student's guide to eating well in downtown State College.
TL;DR
The best restaurants in State College, PA cluster along College Avenue, Beaver Avenue, and Allen Street — a walkable few blocks from Penn State's University Park campus. Highlights include the Corner Room and Allen Street Grill for classic sit-down, Canyon Pizza and Are U Hungry for the 2 a.m. crowd, Federal Taphouse for craft beer, and The Waffle Shop for a Penn State breakfast tradition. Living downtown at Calder Commons or Meridian on College Avenue puts every one of these within a 5-minute walk.
Key takeaways
- Downtown State College's restaurant density is one of the highest in central PA.
- The Corner Room, Allen Street Grill, and The Tavern are the classic PSU sit-down picks.
- Canyon Pizza, Are U Hungry, and Baby's Burgers dominate late-night after bars close.
- Herwig's Austrian Bistro and Kimchi Korean BBQ are the go-to date-night surprises.
- The best coffee-and-work spots are Saint's, Rothrock, and Webster's.
The classic Penn State sit-down list
A handful of restaurants have been feeding Penn State students, parents, and alumni for generations. If you're eating in downtown State College for the first time, these are the anchors.
- The Corner Room (100 W College Ave) — the oldest continuously operating restaurant in State College, right at the corner of College and Allen. Classic American diner-style menu, all-day breakfast, and the go-to for parents' weekend brunch.
- Allen Street Grill (upstairs at the Corner Room) — the sit-down date-night version with a rooftop patio overlooking Old Main.
- The Tavern Restaurant (220 E College Ave) — white-tablecloth, been open since 1948. The move for parents' weekend dinner or a graduation meal.
- The Deli (113 Heister St) — sandwiches, salads, and one of the deepest beer lists in town.
Late-night after the bars close
Downtown State College runs on late-night food. Nearly every kitchen along the College Ave / Beaver Ave corridor keeps a slice window open until 2 or 3 a.m. on weekends.
- Canyon Pizza (260 E Beaver Ave) — the $2 slice institution. Open until 3 a.m.
- Are U Hungry (218 E College Ave) — cheesesteaks, wings, and gyros. Peaks at 1:30 a.m.
- Baby's Burgers & Shakes (131 S Garner St) — retro diner, milkshakes, and late-night breakfast.
- D.P. Dough (208 W College Ave) — calzones delivered late.
Date night & special occasion
- Herwig's Austrian Bistro (132 W College Ave) — schnitzel, spätzle, and Austrian wines in a tiny room. Reservations strongly recommended.
- Kimchi Korean BBQ (418 Westerly Pkwy) — tableside grill, worth the short drive.
- Zola Kitchen & Wine Bar (324 W College Ave) — modern American with a serious wine program.
- Spats Cafe (142 E College Ave) — Cajun/Creole with a New Orleans feel and a good bar.
Cheap eats between classes
- Chick-fil-A on College Ave — the busiest one in central PA on gamedays.
- Chipotle & Panera at the corner of College and Allen — standard rotation.
- Rita's Italian Ice (140 W College Ave) — spring/summer standby.
- MamaLu's Dumplings — inside The Corner Room building, quick and cheap.
- The Original Waffle Shop (364 E College Ave) — Penn State breakfast institution; lines on gameday.
Walking distance from downtown apartments
Every restaurant in this guide is within a 5–10 minute walk from Calder Commons (520 E Calder Way) or Meridian on College Avenue (646 E College Ave). That's the single biggest lifestyle argument for living downtown: no parking hunt, no Uber home at 1 a.m., no car needed at all if you don't want one.
Frequently asked questions
What are the most iconic restaurants in State College PA?
The Corner Room, Allen Street Grill, The Tavern, The Deli, and The Waffle Shop are the classic Penn State restaurants — most have been operating for decades and are within a 5-minute walk of downtown Calder Way and College Avenue apartments.
Where do Penn State students eat late night?
Canyon Pizza on Beaver Ave, Are U Hungry on College Ave, D.P. Dough for calzones, and Baby's Burgers on Garner Street are the main late-night picks, most open until 2–3 a.m. on weekends.
What are the best date-night restaurants in State College?
Herwig's Austrian Bistro, Zola Kitchen & Wine Bar, The Tavern, Spats Cafe, and Kimchi Korean BBQ are the top date-night restaurants in State College. Reservations are strongly recommended on football weekends and parents' weekends.
Sources & further reading
- Downtown State College Improvement District — Downtown State College
- Visit Penn State — Happy Valley Adventure Bureau