With Lancaster's food scene sometimes likened to a "mini Brooklyn," it shouldn't come as a surprise that the county has plenty of passionate food bloggers who are at the ready to tell you their tried-and-true favorites.
We spoke with to the women behind five Lancaster County Instagram food blogs, each with their own spin of what it means to be a foodie.
Whether it's posting the newest vegan-based finds at restaurants, or highlighting local businesses with newsy blog posts, these Instagram accounts are a rich source of information for those wanting to get more acquainted with Lancaster County's food scene — and beyond.
Here's what these foodies had to say, in their own words.
Editor's note: Answers have been edited for length, clarity and grammar.
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Erin Fitzgerald - @taste_of_lancaster
East Hempfield Township resident Erin Fitzgerald is a 41-year-old referral coordinator for Penn State Health who started her Instagram food blog in 2017. Fitzgerald says she was inspired to create her Instagram account after she posted plethora food reviews to her personal Instagram page.
When you recommend someone a place or food to eat in Lancaster County, what are your first few choices that come to mind?
Oh boy. There are so many places to eat here in Lancaster, but here are a few that I recommend.
— Diyo Fusion, Issei Noodle and Silantra if you're looking for lunch or dinner.
— Endo Cafe, Butter and Bean, La Petite Patisserie, Lancaster Beignet and Lancaster Pie and Coffee if you're looking for coffee, baked goods or breakfast.
— For dessert, Mezcla Ice Cream, KelSas Sweetbox, The Urban Farmhouse, Rolled Cold Creamery and the Lancaster Sweet Shoppe.
Which Lancaster County restaurants on your bucket list?
I definitely want to try Nahual Maya Restaurant — their food looks amazing and the restaurant looks so vibrant and inviting. Passerine is also on my list. ... Every time they post a picture of their food I'm like I need to try that. ... Another place I want to try is Hi-Fi Izakaya located in the back of Issei Noodle. It seems like such a chill atmosphere with small bites, drinks and music playing. How could you not relax?
How do you keep track of where you've gone, or where you want to go?
Honestly, sometimes I will have to go back go my Instagram to see if we have been (to a restaurant) already or I'll ask my husband. He has a pretty good memory of where we have or haven't been.
Vicky Ly - @eatswith_vicky
Manheim Township resident Vicky Ly is 35 years old and works in the financial services industry. Ly started her foodie Instagram account in 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, though she originally posted food content on her personal Instagram page. Ly's mom used to own a bakery, and thus she has always been interested in food and cooking.
When you recommend someone a place or food to eat in Lancaster County, what are your first few choices that come to mind?
Route 66 is one that I recommend, and the first thing that comes to mind. Rachel’s Cafe & Creperie is another. (I also recommend) Gracie’s on West Main, Jake’s on Main and The Bread Pedaler. I love a good brunch spot.
Which Lancaster County restaurants on your bucket list?
I’ve been meaning to visit Issei Noodle's new concept, Hi-Fi Izakaya, as well as Hudson Botanical and the Hudson Cafe. Lancaster County has become a foodie paradise.
How do you keep track of where you've gone, or where you want to go?
I don’t have a system in place. I want to say I have a pretty good memory. But, I take photos of everything. If it’s where I want to go, I’ll save it in a folder on Instagram, or I'll save a screenshot. If I do plan a day, my best friend and I send each other pages and dishes we should try in a particular area such as Downtown Lancaster or Lititz, etc.
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Abby Young - @lancasterpafoodie717
Ephrata resident Abby Young is a 34-year-old foodie who works full time for a law firm that aids in business development. Young started her foodie Instagram during the COVID-19 pandemic as a means to promote offerings from local restaurants. Pre-COVID, however, she says that she followed a lot of restaurant and food accounts on her personal Instagram account.
When you recommend someone a place or food to eat in Lancaster County, what are your first few choices that come to mind?
I always go towards the Intercourse area, because if you’re not from here, that’s like the Amish life and there’s so much out there. So, I’m always telling people to go to Kitchen Kettle Village. They have a cute little cafe in there, but there’s also the kitchen and jams. … There’s also endless popcorn out there, Lapp’s Ice Cream and Smucker Village. … If they like the city scene or nightlife, I’ll recommend Tellus360 so they can get that vibe. And of course, the rooftop at Marriott, now called The Exchange.
Which Lancaster County restaurants on your bucket list?
Stoudtburg Village is on my list. Columbia Kettle Works. ... Jake’s on Main has been on my list. It just looks like a fun little cafe. You don’t hear about them. I also want to go to the Jigger Shop (in Mount Gretna, Lebanon County). Dave’s Diner looks cute. Loxley’s and Tobias Frogg.
How do you keep track of where you've gone, or where you want to go?
I don't really track. I spend a lot of time on Google Maps and kind of look at the area and new things that pop up. ... Because I follow so many (restaurants), something will pop up and I'll be like, 'I need to go there.' But, I actually have a lot of restaurant owners reach out to me. ... They'll give me a complementary meal, I'll do a post, interview them and learn more about what they do and their story.
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Kelly Loy - @vegan_eats_lanc
Manor Township resident Kelly Loy is a 30-year-old graphic designer. Loy has been vegan since 2017, and started her vegan-centric foodie Instagram in March 2022. Her inspiration came from local restaurants that started to offer more vegan options.
When you recommend someone a place or food to eat in Lancaster County, what are your first few choices that come to mind?
Decades, Norbu Lancaster, Nikki’s Custard, and Rachel’s Cafe & Creperie are my top recommendations in Lancaster because they offer great food and stand out as unique for this area.
Which Lancaster County restaurants on your bucket list?
I’m interested in trying breakfast at Amanita Cafe, brunch at Passerine and I’d like to try one of the occasional vegan dinner options offered at Horse Inn as well.
How do you keep track of where you've gone, or where you want to go?
I’ve been keeping a spreadsheet for years of everywhere I’ve dined — near and far — and all the spots I have yet to try. My Instagram account has become a great visual catalog for me to reference now as well.
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Lindsey Auman - @femmefoodie.lanc
East Lampeter Township resident Lindsey Auman is a 26-year-old training coordinator at a local food manufacturing facility. Auman started her foodie Instagram account in December 2023, inspired by her love of writing and food. Her Instagram has a different focus, though it's still foodie-related: Auman highlights woman-owned businesses and non-binary-owned businesses. Femme Foodie Lanc's mission is "to elevate the ventures and voices of local marginalized community members."
When you recommend someone a place or food to eat in Lancaster County, what are your first few choices that come to mind?
— Rachel’s Creperie is always a go-to! I think that they have something for everyone, and it’s an easy place to incorporate more downtown activities if you’re visiting for the first time.
— Central Market feels like an obvious choice, but with good reasons! It’s the perfect place to get a sneak peek of a lot of local businesses. I think it has the right combination of things that represent Lancaster’s image, as well as things that locals enjoy. The market has a deeply rooted history in the area, and features many female-owned businesses, which I love.
— For drinks, I love the vibe of the Coffin Bar (or any of Spring House Brewing’s locations). There isn’t anything else like it in the area so it’s truly unique. The menu is fun and the food and drinks are to die for — pun intended.
Which Lancaster County restaurants on your bucket list?
— Chi Maek: I haven’t tried Korean fried chicken yet so this is up there on my bucket list!
— Whispering Buddha: I love anything within Japanese cuisine and I’m excited to make a trip here soon.
— Nahual Maya Restaurant: My partner is from Guatemala and we both love to see more traditional Latin American restaurants growing in popularity around the area.
— Chellas Arepa Kitchen: I’m excited to see what they do with their new location downtown once they’re settled in later this year.
How do you keep track of where you've gone, or where you want to go?
I have a list of people/places to feature as a note in my phone that I add to whenever I see a new place or get recommendations of someone to feature for the blog. I also have categories (desserts, cuisines, etc.) within Google Maps to save my go-to favorites or new places I haven’t had a chance to check out yet.
MARY ELLEN WRIGHT | Staff Writer