Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, has a wide variety of excellent restaurants spread throughout the large city that are very well–known with the locals, as well as the vast number of tourists that visit Bethlehem. However, 2 hidden gems are widely popular with the locals. Both are truly unique in many ways, and the food at both is top–shelf.

The Bayou

This “southern-inspired haven” makes you feel as if you are in the heart of Louisiana bayou country. The building looks unassuming from the outside with white walls and red trim, while the interior features large wooden floors, exposed brick walls, wooden tables and chairs, and dim lighting. And then there’s the food…

  • Corn bread: Slightly sweet, it is served warm with a golden crust, along with honey butter.
  • Po' Boy Sandwiches: All served on crusty French bread. The fried shrimp po’ boy – plump, succulent shrimp fried to golden perfection and piled onto the bread, with lettuce, tomatoes, and a tangy, creamy remoulade sauce. The fried catfish po’ boy – tender, flaky fish with a cornmeal coating. Brisket po’ boy – slow–cooked beef with aged cheddar and a bourbon marmalade.
  • Fried green tomatoes: Slices of firm, tart tomatoes coated in a cornmeal crust and golden fried, then topped with pimento cheese.
  • Sweet mash casserole: Sweet potatoes with a brown sugar pecan streusel topping that is a dessert–like side dish.
  • Jambalaya: The “show stopper” of all the dishes. Russet–colored stew with a tomato–based sauce, plump shrimp, smoky, spicy andouille sausage, rice, chicken, bell peppers, onions, celery, thyme, bay leaf, and other herbs and spices.

The Wooden Match

A very unique property with Victorian–era architecture and a modern gastropub feel. The building has a brick exterior, a distinctive mansard roof, and historical gravitas. There is also an outdoor beer garden with twinkling string lights. The interior pays homage to the Wooden Match’s historical roots as a railroad station. Black and white photos of the station in its heyday are mixed with local, modern art and adorn the walls. Exposed brick and wooden beams frame the space, while Edison bulbs recreate an old–time atmosphere. Even the name references its past, as wooden matches were once used by the railroad workers and passengers. And the food is unlike anything you will find anywhere else. As soon as you walk in you can smell the unmistakable aroma of fresh pretzels and smoked meats.

  • “Reality Bites” Bavarian Pretzels: Called “life changing,” the pretzels are boiled in a baking soda solution that give them a perfect mahogany sheen. These garlic Montreal–seasoned Bavarian pretzels are served with a house–made beer cheese sauce and have a soft, pillowy interior.
  • The “Angry Birds”: Wings that are smoked perfectly in a separate smoker that absorbs flavors that cannot be created by a sauce, then flash–fired with a combo of tender meat and crispy skin.
  • The “Fatman’s Scoop”: Pierogies topped with Cooper Sharp cheese, shaved ribeye, caramelized onions, and cooked over an over–easy egg.
  • The “Californication”: Stacks of shaved ribeye, caramelized onions, American cheese, organic herb aioli, served on a tortilla.
  • “Jericho Missile”: This fusion dish is ahi tuna with Sriracha tahini, cucumbers, carrots, avocados, and a wasabi tortilla.

Hotel Bethlehem

And of course, we can’t forget one of the city’s most famous places—the Hotel Bethlehem. For the 5th straight year, the Hotel Bethlehem was voted the “Best Historic Hotel” on USA Today’s “10 Best Historic Hotels.” Only 1% of USA Today’s contest winners have won 5 consecutive times in any category! The Hotel Bethlehem has remained a community cornerstone for over 100 years and features a wonderful restaurant and bar, along with an incredible banquet facility that hosts countless weddings and special events.

Bethlehem is truly lucky.

Moving to Bethlehem? We’re Here to Help

If you’re planning a move to or within Bethlehem, we at O’Brien’s Moving & Storage are here to make it simple, efficient, and stress–free. We’ve proudly served the Lehigh Valley for decades and know this area’s rich history, local charm, and vibrant food scene inside and out.

  • Local and long–distance residential moves
  • Commercial and office relocations
  • Packing and unpacking services
  • Secure short– and long–term storage options
  • Compassionate senior moving services

Whether you’re moving closer to Bethlehem’s beautiful downtown, settling in near one of its historic districts, or starting fresh in a new home, we’ll handle every detail so you can focus on enjoying all the city has to offer.