By The Rebecca Francis Team
One of the first things our clients ask when they are considering a move to the Lehigh Valley — or when they are settling into a new neighborhood — is where the locals actually go. And brunch, more than almost any other dining occasion, reveals a community's character. The Lehigh Valley's brunch scene has grown remarkably over the past several years, and what you will find across Allentown, Bethlehem, and Easton ranges from landmark Sunday buffets with live music to farm-to-table spots where the menu changes with the week's harvest. These are the places worth knowing.
Key Takeaways
- The Musical Sunday Brunch at Historic Hotel Bethlehem is one of the region's most celebrated dining experiences, combining a lavish buffet with live entertainment
- Bolete Restaurant in Bethlehem is the Lehigh Valley's most acclaimed farm-to-table destination, offering Sunday brunch with a menu built around local ingredients
- Union and Finch in Allentown brings creative, bistro-style brunch to the city's west end with a loyal local following
- The region's brunch scene spans historic settings, riverside rooftops, and lively neighborhood spots — something for every mood and occasion
Historic Hotel Bethlehem: The Sunday Institution
If you have not experienced the Musical Sunday Brunch at Historic Hotel Bethlehem's 1741 on the Terrace, it belongs on your list. This is the Lehigh Valley's most iconic brunch experience — a lavish buffet with live entertainment held in one of the region's most beautiful dining rooms. Floor-to-ceiling Palladian windows overlook the UNESCO World Heritage-nominated Moravian Church Settlements and the historic Main Street that USA Today named the number one Main Street in the country. The food is seasonal, farm-connected, and consistently excellent, running from breakfast staples through carving stations, seafood, and an array of desserts.
The Musical Sunday Brunch runs Sundays from 10 AM to 2 PM and draws regulars from across the region. Reservations are strongly recommended, particularly for holiday Sundays. If the full brunch is not what you are looking for on a given morning, the Tap Room on the ground level offers a more casual setting with its own menu throughout the day. Hotel Bethlehem is located on Main Street in the heart of historic Bethlehem, and a morning here pairs naturally with a walk through the Moravian district or a visit to SteelStacks just across town.
The Musical Sunday Brunch runs Sundays from 10 AM to 2 PM and draws regulars from across the region. Reservations are strongly recommended, particularly for holiday Sundays. If the full brunch is not what you are looking for on a given morning, the Tap Room on the ground level offers a more casual setting with its own menu throughout the day. Hotel Bethlehem is located on Main Street in the heart of historic Bethlehem, and a morning here pairs naturally with a walk through the Moravian district or a visit to SteelStacks just across town.
What to know about Hotel Bethlehem's Sunday brunch:
- Musical Sunday Brunch: Sundays 10 AM–2 PM at 1741 on the Terrace; reservations recommended
- Location: 437 Main Street, Bethlehem — on the historic Main Street corridor in the heart of downtown
- The experience combines a rotating seasonal menu with live music and the grandeur of the hotel's original 1922 dining room
- Adjacent to Historic Bethlehem's galleries, the Bookshop, and an easy walk to the Greenway Trail
Bolete Restaurant: Farm-to-Table Brunch in Bethlehem
Bolete is the Lehigh Valley's most celebrated farm-to-table restaurant, and its Sunday brunch is among the most sought-after reservations in the region. Chef Lee Chizmar changes the menu to reflect exactly what is available from local farms and purveyors each week, which means no two brunches are quite alike. The space is a converted stagecoach inn on Seidersville Road, warm and intimate with the kind of atmosphere that encourages lingering over a second cup of coffee. Regulars return for dishes like the duck confit hash, the oysters, and whatever Chizmar has built around the week's local harvest.
Bolete operates Sunday brunch service only, so reservations are particularly important — and they fill quickly. The restaurant is BYOB for wine, which adds a pleasantly personal touch to the experience. Located off Seidersville Road in south Bethlehem, it is a short drive from Upper Saucon Township and the southern Lehigh County communities where many of our clients live. For neighbors in Valley Green, Weyhill Woods, or Blue Ridge Estates, Bolete is essentially a local treasure.
Bolete operates Sunday brunch service only, so reservations are particularly important — and they fill quickly. The restaurant is BYOB for wine, which adds a pleasantly personal touch to the experience. Located off Seidersville Road in south Bethlehem, it is a short drive from Upper Saucon Township and the southern Lehigh County communities where many of our clients live. For neighbors in Valley Green, Weyhill Woods, or Blue Ridge Estates, Bolete is essentially a local treasure.
What to know about Bolete:
- Sunday brunch only; dinner service Tuesday through Saturday evenings
- Location: 1740 Seidersville Rd, Bethlehem — a short drive from Upper Saucon and southern Lehigh communities
- BYOB for wine; reservations essential and should be made well in advance
- Menu changes weekly based on seasonal local sourcing; farm-to-table with genuine commitment from a chef who has earned national recognition
Union and Finch: Creative Bistro Brunch in Allentown
Union and Finch is a Lehigh Valley reader favorite for a reason. This west Allentown bistro consistently delivers creative brunch with a neighborhood warmth that keeps people coming back. The menu balances comfort with originality — waffle sandwiches built around savory breakfast ingredients, brûléed French toast, a solid Cubano, and a cocktail program that includes a well-constructed mimosa flight. The outdoor patio fills up on warm mornings, and the indoor space is cozy enough for rainy-day brunching.
This is the kind of spot that becomes a weekly ritual for residents of the neighborhoods around it, and for families exploring the west side of Allentown, it is worth building an outing around. Union and Finch serves brunch on weekends, and while it can get busy, the experience consistently delivers on quality and service.
This is the kind of spot that becomes a weekly ritual for residents of the neighborhoods around it, and for families exploring the west side of Allentown, it is worth building an outing around. Union and Finch serves brunch on weekends, and while it can get busy, the experience consistently delivers on quality and service.
What to know about Union and Finch:
- Location: 1528 W. Union St., Allentown
- Weekend brunch; outdoor patio seating available when weather allows
- Known for creative takes on breakfast sandwiches, waffles, and weekend cocktails including a mimosa flight
- Consistently ranked among the Valley's top brunch destinations by local readers and publications
A few more brunch spots worth adding to your rotation:
- McCarthy's Red Stag Pub and Whiskey Bar: 1342 Chelsea Ave, Bethlehem — boxty Eggs Benedict, Irish coffee, weekend brunch tradition
- The Wilbur Mansion: 201 Cherokee St., Bethlehem — elegant Sunday brunch in a beautifully restored South Bethlehem landmark
- Thyme Rooftop Grille: The Commodore building, Easton — rooftop views of the Delaware and Lehigh Rivers, contemporary New American brunch
- The Shelby: 707 N. Krocks Road, Allentown — creative fusion menu beloved for brunch across multiple occasions
FAQs
Do I need reservations for brunch in Lehigh Valley?
For the most popular spots — particularly Bolete and Hotel Bethlehem — yes, and often well in advance. Weekend reservations at Bolete can fill up days or weeks ahead, especially for larger groups. Union and Finch and some of the more casual spots are walk-in friendly, but expect a wait on busy Sunday mornings. Calling ahead or checking restaurant reservation platforms is always worth the two minutes it takes.
What neighborhoods are closest to the best brunch spots for Lehigh Valley residents?
Residents in the southern Lehigh County communities — Upper Saucon Township, Center Valley, Lower Saucon Township, and Hellertown — are within an easy 10 to 15-minute drive of both Bolete and Hotel Bethlehem, and also close to several strong dining options along the Route 412 corridor into Bethlehem. Allentown's west side neighborhoods have direct access to Union and Finch. Easton residents have the region's most active riverfront dining scene just steps away.
Is the Lehigh Valley's brunch scene still growing?
Yes — meaningfully. Downtown Bethlehem and Allentown's Hamilton District have seen continued restaurant openings over the past several years, and brunch service has expanded at many existing establishments. The Lehigh Valley's food culture has become genuinely notable at the regional level, drawing attention from Philadelphia food media and beyond. Newcomers to the area consistently describe the dining scene as a pleasant surprise.
Find Your Home in Lehigh Valley With The Rebecca Francis Team
The Lehigh Valley's lifestyle — including a dining scene this strong — is part of what makes this market so compelling for buyers relocating from Philadelphia, New York, and beyond. If you are exploring a move to the area, our team knows every neighborhood from the inside out.
Reach out to us, learn more about our work across the Lehigh Valley luxury market and let's start a conversation.
Reach out to us, learn more about our work across the Lehigh Valley luxury market and let's start a conversation.
