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The Ultimate Erie Guide as a 25+ Year Native!
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items As a lifelong Erie local with over 25 years of exploring the city, I’ve put together the ultimate guide to the best restaurants, hidden gems, and must-do activities that make Erie so special.
Map
Sections
2
Good Eats
Fun Things To Do
Good Eats
Some of the best restaurants and dessert options in the area!
They have the best sushi you can get in the area - the Ichiban Roll specifically is to die for. They offer a standard menu or as much as you want for one price with a select menu. The staff are super friendly, the ambience is gorgeous, and the prices...
Ichiban
Such a great place to go for awesome drinks, a unique menu with rotating specials, and a comfortable ambiance. Staff are so friendly, and the restaurant occasionally has live music and/or bingo nights. The tri-colored potato salad is a MUST!
U Pick 6 Harbor House
The staff here is super friendly, and the ice cream is perfect for a hot summer day! Double Dipper is also dog friendly and incredibly affordable with generous portion sizes. This is my go to for a vanilla cone with cherry dip!
The Double Dipper
I’ve never been to Federal Hill and NOT seen a line out the door - if you like barbecue, this is your place. Federal Hill is named Food & Wine Magazine’s best bbq in Erie for a reason. Definitely an Erie must have!
Federal Hill Smokehouse - Erie
Bar Ronin has the most unique Japanese style cuisine in the area. Their menu rotates regularly, and their atmosphere is perfect for a quick photo op!
BAR RŌNIN
Such a great local seafood option! Their clam chowder and chicken cordon bleu are to die for. Staff are incredibly accommodating, and the atmosphere is cozy and next to a ton of nice tourist spots.
Syd's Place
You can’t go wrong with great barbecue - or at least it should be illegal to! Underdog has a wide variety of options, and their meats are always fresh, tender, and full of flavor.
Underdog BBQ
This is easily one of the coolest and most unique restaurants in the area. Their food is wonderful, their bubble and milk tea are so fresh and delicious, and they serve everything on cat robots!
Noods Station 3 & Tsaocaa bubble tea
Absolutely delicious seafood with a gorgeous view of Lake Erie. They occasionally have live bands here, and sometimes they’ll even have a pirate ship sail by, making it a fun experience for both you and the kids!
Rum Runners
Some of the best Mexican dishes and baked goods in the area! Highly recommend if you love Mexican as much as I do.
Casa Café
Fine dining that’s worth it and has a stunning view of Lake Erie!
Oliver's Rooftop
A beautiful rooftop bar with good eats and drinks!
Pier 6 Rooftop Bar & Restaurant
Genuinely the best wings you can get, and the ranch is THE BEST I have ever had, and I believe the recipe is so secret, the staff doesn’t even have it. The pizza and apps are great, too!
My Dad's Pizza & Deli
They have dozen of wing flavors and none of them have failed me yet! Perfect place to go with your friends or to watch a sporting event.
Odis 12 Sports Bar & Grille
Get these while they’re fresh! The best bagels to bring to the office.
Jo's Brooklyn Bagel
My personal favorite pizza in Erie! Always so fresh and yummy. The wings are so good, too!
Porky's Pizzeria
Best cookies, cupcakes, and other sweet goods around! Perfect for large gatherings or a quick sweet treat.
Ye Ole Sweet Shoppe
Mac and cheese with so many customizable options! So cheesy and delicious.
CheesErie | Erie PA
Erie home grown burgers and birria! Definitely one of the best places to get a real burger in the area.
Bro Man’s Sammiches
If you love Italian, you’ll love Valerio’s! Their menu is HUGE and always delicious.
Valerio's Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria
Fun Things To Do
The best time to visit is definitely the summer, but there’s always something to do!
Perfect for adults and kids!
Round1 Bowling & Arcade Millcreek Mall
Perfect for driving along the isle, biking, or walking the beautiful scenery. There’s also plenty of beaches to frequent!
Presque Isle State Park | Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
Even though it almost every city has a mall, this one is booming and has a lot of great businesses to shop at!
Millcreek Mall Complex
So much to see if you love animals! Very interactive and enjoyable for the kids.
Erie Zoo
If you love rollercoasters and water rides, visiting Waldameer is an absolute MUST. There’s fast thrill rides, relaxing rides, kid and family rides, and a waterpark large enough to appeal to everyone. If you’re in Erie in the summer, this is a must d...
Waldameer & Water World
A fun place to go that everyone in the family will love in the heart of the city!
Splash Lagoon
So much fun to do with friends!
Stumpy's Hatchet House - Erie Axe Throwing
If you’re looking to go out and party, this is a place that everybody goes to! They often have live music, such as cover bands, as well.
BIGBAR
If you’re in town for an Otters game, make sure to catch one!
Erie Otters -
Another must do during the baseball season! They often have fun family events for everyone to enjoy.
Erie SeaWolves | MiLB.com