Some of the region’s favorite foodie hangouts are found throughout Erie’s downtown. An assortment of breweries, cafes, restaurants, and taverns are dishing up everything from classic pub grub to inspired cuisine. To help you navigate through all the delicious choices, we’re serving up our suggestions one course at a time to give you the tastiest foodie day experience. We’ve even added in some food for thought stops along the way. Bon Appetit!

Breakfast

The Bayfront Grille at the Sheraton Erie Bayfront Hotel
Begin your day with a hearty breakfast paired with amazing waterfront views at this atypical hotel restaurant. The chef-inspired cuisine features a menu of traditional breakfast items (they use real eggs!) and seasonal selections. Our hands-down favorite is the chorizo breakfast bowl. This heaping helping of Cajun breakfast potatoes, two over easy eggs, house-made sauce, scallions and a blend of red bell pepper, onion, and chorizo is everything you crave for breakfast, all in one flavor-packed bowl.

Take a Break

Tucked around the corner of 5^th and State Streets, Glass Growers Gallery is filled with unique items including kitchenware. From novelty kitchen towels and oven mitts to pottery pieces for serving and baking, Glass Growers has a tempting selection of fun foodie gifts.

Unlock your taste buds with the flavor sensations found inside Buona Cucina Oils and More. With more than 55 varieties of single-source olive oils, infused olive oils, vinegars, cooking salts, and herbs, they have all the ingredients (and recipes) you need to create the perfect dish.

Lunch

The Flagship City Food Hall is downtown Erie’s newest culinary kid on the block, boasting nine local vendors offering everything from bagels and baba ghanoush to shrimp boils and sundaes. There are so many delicious choices, we don’t think you should settle on just one dish. Get creative and make your own Flagship City Food Hall lunch sampler! Here’s our picks:

• Apple pie smoothie - Taste & See Fruit and Veggie Bar
• Orange cranberry bagel - Jo’s Brooklyn Bagel Too
• Baba ghanoush and falafel wrap - Shawarma Station
• Garlic parm shrimp boil – Taste of Love
• Tostones (twice-fried plantains) – Dina’s Authentic Dominican Kitchen
• Pierogi Day pizza – Perry’s Pizza
• Royal Japchae – Noodlelove
• Cheesesteak – North Row Philly
• Butterscotch and red raspberry sundae – The Straw Hat

Intermission

Visit the Hagen History Center for their extensive collection of Griswold Ironware products, set inside the Watson-Curtze Mansion. Founded in Erie in 1868, Griswold had a world-wide reputation for high quality, cast iron cookware that is lighter and smoother than large-scale manufacturers, making them popular collector’s items.

Dinner

Get transported south of the border at Julius, where authentic Mexican cuisine comes with a twist. Your journey begins with sopes, crispy masa cakes served with beans and salsa. Continue on with the house special, Chuleta de Puerco, a tender braised pork chop flavored with orange juice and spices. End your meal on a sweet note with a creamy, dreamy flan custard dessert served with a layer of caramel.

End on a High Note

Toast to your fabulous foodie day with a pint at Erie Ale Works. One of the original craft breweries of the Lake Erie Ale Trail, Erie Ale Works combines simple ingredients and a passion for the craft to produce a unique assortment of beers with funky flavors and names such as Key Board Warrior and Feisty Seagull. Their most popular beer, Tattooed Lady, is a light, crisp, and refreshing blond ale with 4.6% ABV.