PENNSYLVANIA — A nationwide survey of 3,024 self-described foodies has ranked Lancaster as Pennsylvania’s leading destination for affordable, high-quality dining, placing the city ninth overall in the country. The survey, conducted in September 2025 by loan provider Advance America, highlights Lancaster’s Central Market and its growing restaurant scene as proof that eating well does not require breaking the bank.
“Lancaster is more than Amish quilts and rolling fields — it’s also a rising culinary hub,” the report noted. The Central Market, one of the oldest continuously operating markets in the nation, offers fresh, local ingredients at fair prices, while cafés and restaurants across the city focus on quality meals that remain accessible to everyday diners.
Two other Pennsylvania locations made the national list: Philadelphia’s Reading Terminal Market, ranked 24th, and Pittsburgh’s South Side, ranked 40th. Both destinations were praised for combining variety with affordability, making nutritious meals available to a broad range of residents and visitors…