Fabulous brunch at Passerine. From the moment you enter this charming restaurant, you'll feel welcome. Be sure to begin your brunch with a cup of their robust coffee or your favorite brunch cocktail. We stuck with coffee but the cocktails looked divine. Small but interesting brunch menu. Really appreciate Passerine's commitment to local producers. read more

My wife and I dined at Passerine in Lancaster for Valentine's Day and chose the $75 per person fixed-price five-course menu. Unfortunately, the evening was very disappointing. When we were seated, we were given the prix fixe food menu but never provided with a drink menu. We were served water, but our waitress didn't ask if we'd like cocktails, wine, or any featured Valentine's drinks. For a special occasion dinner, that felt like a major oversight. The bigger issue, though, was the food. Several courses were noticeably undercooked and difficult to enjoy. The carrot salad had hard, undercooked carrots and a very bitter sauce that overwhelmed the dish. The grilled Badger Flame beets were also undercooked and had an unpleasant flavor. The beet risotto was firm and lacked the creamy consistency you expect from a properly prepared risotto. The halibut tasted overly fishy and seemed undercooked in the center. For $75 per person on Valentine's Day, we expected a polished, thoughtfully executed experience. Instead, the meal felt poorly prepared and not worth the price. It was an unsatisfying way to spend what should have been a special evening. The ambiance was very nice but the rest of the experience left a lot to be desired. read more

We were in town for a wedding and decided to have dinner here the night before. We had an excellent dinner! Our waitress was friendly and helped with recommendations. Their cocktail menu was wonderful! I had two drinks and both were fabulous. The restaurant was a cozy and inviting space with a lot of natural and found elements. All the food we ordered was fantastic! Great for a date night or special evening out! We will definitely come back when we're in town again! read more

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Really wanted to love this restaurant, but there were several issues that kept it from being top notch. I made a reservation at least two weeks out but when we arrived our table wasn't ready. We were offered a seat at the bar to wait where we ordered two glasses of wine because it's awkward to sit at a bar and not drink anything. It would have been nice if the wine was comped. They ended up seating our party of two at a table for 5 in an alcove that separated us from the rest of the restaurant. So much of what I love about eating in restaurants is sharing the experience and the ambience with the other guests - I definitely missed that here. Service was friendly and earnest but lacking. Our server had to be flagged down to open our bottle of wine after she forgot to do it the first time. Our glasses were never refilled, not even once. The dirty glasses from the bar stayed on our table long after we were finished with them. We also flagged her for bread, salt and the check. The food was uneven. The crepe cake was very unique and enjoyable. The cabbage dish was delicious, the char on the leaves mingling with the cheese in a very happy way. The steak tartare was a miss. Too much cheese and acidic ingredients muddying it up, and nothing crunchy as a counterpoint. The special salad was yummy but also could have used some crunch. The pork porterhouse was a big disappointment. We rarely treat ourselves to such a pricey main, and it was very dry, with sides that did little to elevate it. The sameness of the menu was also a problem. Wanting to use local and seasonal ingredients is admirable, but some consideration has to be taken to ensure that the dishes showcase unique flavors and textures so that they work in sequence with each other. Lots of potential here! With some thoughtful tweaks Passerine could shine.. read more

The French toast. Whoever heard of Japanese Milk Bread?! Whatever it is, it makes the fluffiest French toast ever beheld by anyone. It soaks up the amazing syrup without getting soggy! Highly recommend. I also got a nonalcoholic beverage with lavender and it was the perfect accompaniment. The coffee was amazing, the service was great. Our waiter was friendly and funny without being overbearing. A win for us since we chose it because we were starving and it was the first place we encountered. read more

Passerine - My French toast was out of this world!!!! - New American Near Me - Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Small portions, but good food and a cute space! Came here for Sunday brunch, which was busy but we were able to get walk-in. We shared the biscuits and gravy, french soft scramble, and french toast. While everything was good, the french soft scramble was our unanimous favorite. We were hungry again a few hours later so I wouldn't come expecting to gorge yourself, but I'd return for the cute ambiance and yummy bites. read more

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The ambiance at Passerine is a cool almost laid back one. We were seated in the back near the kitchen. They have antique cups and saucers on some shelves on the wall. The bar area was fully stocked and the cocktail and wine menu was extensive. I was there with my dinner club of 10 people. We were excited to eat at a NYT top 100 restaurant! Our table was ready immediately, and we were given menus and a wine list. Our server came over right away to take our drink orders. We like to order many appetizers and share them. Although the appetizer menu is small, we enjoyed everything. We had the beet tartare, the potatoes, the cheese platter, carrots and the cabbage. Each one was different and was full of flavor. My favorite were the crispy potatoes. They did not offer any nightly specials, but the steak was a New York strip. Those who ordered it felt it was cooked to perfection, and they liked the side of squash. Some in the group ordered the lamb Ragu and felt it was the perfect size. I ordered the pasta with mushrooms and it was so creamy and packed full of flavor. For dessert , we tried the apple dessert and the sorbet. We would order both again. Everything was amazing and I would like to come back for brunch. The New York Times got this right, it is a top restaurant and I'm happy it is so close! read more

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A lovely addition to the Lancaster food scene... a really beautiful location and well appointed venue. The service is top notch- we visited for Sunday Brunch- so not a reflection of their full menu. The Sunday Brunch offers great selections for anyone- covers vegetarian options. Our party had the amazing ricotta stuffed French toast which is incredible, the farmers breakfast- we ordered a side of the roasted potatoes don't miss these. Great drinks to sip on while dining as well. read more

We've been here twice for brunch and loved it both times. Great service and the place has a nice clean vibe. Food was very well prepared and served. I had the farmers breakfast and the grits were some of the best I've had. Looking forward to trying another meal here. read more

We had an incredible dinner at Passerine in downtown Lancaster. The space is beautiful with exposed brick, wood floors, and a welcoming vibe that works whether you're dressed up or casual. It's relaxed but still feels special. The menu changes frequently based on what's in season, and every dish we tried was unique and delicious. Highlights were the spring peas in broth (sounds simple, but blew us away), the beetroot carpaccio with crispy sunchoke chips, and the whole grilled branzino, which was perfectly cooked and easily the best we've had. The snap pea crepe cake with caviar was also fantastic. Everything is meant to be shared, and the staff was helpful at guiding us through the options. Big shoutout to Weston, who made us feel totally taken care of without rushing us. Cocktails paired well and there's even a wine shop inside. Expect to spend $50-$100 per person, and definitely make a reservation, especially after their New York Times shoutout. Passerine is awesome. Hyper-local, hyper-seasonal, and deeply creative. One of the best meals we've had in Downtown Lancaster. Search "Passerine Better Living" to see our complete review! read more

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The area around Passerine is undergoing some construction so getting to the restaurant is a little challenging, but not awful. On street parking around the area unless you park in the garage across the street. From the moment you walk into this New York Times top 100 restaurants you can feel the buzz. Plenty of packed seating so reservations are highly recommended. There should be a better enforced dress code for such a high end establishment but the food and drinks make up for it. I may have had the best meal of my life and it was something as simple as roasted chicken but it was so much more than that from the first euphoric bite to my regrettable last. The team in the kitchen obviously know how to cook and they cook with passion which is hard to find these days. Again this is a high end establishment so don't be shocked by the prices, it's so worth it. We also had the rustic mushroom soup which was velvety smooth and so creamy and delicious. The cheese plate was a meal in itself and paired perfectly with our wine selection with was the red Wayvine. The citrus salad was earthy and crisp. The Passerine potatoes were crispy and soooo good! The duck breast was perfectly prepared and was just as good as the roasted half chicken. For dessert we had the house made sorbet and delicious tiramisu. Staff are super friendly and very accommodating. When you first arrive you may be placed at the communal table until your reserved table is ready but staff quickly start drink orders to pass the time. I would highly recommend Passerine the next time you are looking for a special occasion spot or a place to go with friends to enjoy excellent food and drinks. read more

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Just got a write up in the New York Times and for good reason! Jen is an incredible highly knowledgeable bartender and I can only hope you get the opportunity to sit at her bar! Incredible wine and cocktail program that is innovative and unique. Truly a special Lancaster gem. Run don't walk read more

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The food wasn't bad, but nothing great either. Half empty joint and the workers knew about our large party consisting of 7 kids and 6 adults. But they continued to roll their eyes everytime a child made some noise. Our bill was 900$ and the couple next to us was sharing two apps for the evening and for some reason they got better service than us. Wouldn't return . Zucchini crepe cake was delicious, and kids liked the potatoes , don't remember anything else read more

I came here twice for brunch and loved it. The food is excellent with careful, thoughtful unique touches. It has something for everyone but with a slightly unique twist to each item. Really nice presentation as well. My only complaint is that both times we went, they had run out of some items. The service is impeccable. Really sweet chill waitress. The ambiance inside is great too but a tiny bit tense for some reason. Really well decorated though and beautifully lit. Light and airy, and the tables are well spaced out. The whole place feels like art. read more

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Made reservations for Galentine's Day. We did the Grand Prix fix menu. Very lovely ambience soft lighting. The place was packed. The server was very knowledgeable. She had all the information about everything on the menu and made wonderful recommendations. Our meal was absolutely delicious from the starting salad to the poached fish. The Basque cheesecake was absolutely divine. Wonderful date spot. Is directly across from one of the downtown Lancaster parking garages. It's within an easy walking distance of the market and many other shops. Give it a try. read more

We went not knowing it had such a great reputation. We have eaten in many places,highs and low, across PA and world. This was top notch. Service was friendly and unrushed. Clothing is very informal. Space is bright with brick and modern furniture and wood. Kitchen is visible from back half which I liked. The exec chef came by and served some plates which we don't know until sever brought him into conversation. That is class and grace in my book. It is about five dishes in each section. We got four starters or salads combo, and then three mains. Two of the starters did a lot with local tomatos. Server, Amani, recommended grilled sourdough to soak up tomato goodness. Great call. We also got a tuna crudo with a whimsical chow-chow touch. My main was a whole bronzino in a Med style pepper and fennel broth. It had cipollini onions inside. 10/10 as a fish dish. Daughter got a fantastic pork chop. Meat was 10/10 quality. Instead of desert, I got more bread to do more soaking. The cocktail was excellent. A play on an old fashioned. We got a bottle of orange wine which I like. Panna Cotta desert was a smart size, delicate and still vibrant. read more

A friend recommended Passerine after seeing it on the New York Times list of America's Best Restaurants 2024. So it was the obvious choice to meet a friend for dinner. Ambiance: Passerine is beautiful with modern, light-colored furniture and decor contrasted with more rustic, darker wood flooring and brick walls. The restaurant was full, and it was much louder than I was expecting. My friend noted that the techno music that was playing in the background didn't really seem to fit with the overall vibe, but it wasn't so loud that we weren't able to carry on a conversation. Service: The service was very attentive without being intrusive. I would note that after about two hours, we were asked to move to the bar so they could turn the table. Something to be aware of when you plan your visit. My friend and I were pretty much wrapping up our visit, so we were not bothered and decided instead to head home. Food: The food was excellent. We started our meal by sharing the killed greens salad, which was perfectly seasoned and dressed. I think it really says something about a restaurant when the veggie dishes are something special, and that was certainly the case at Passerine. For my main, I ordered the bouillabaisse and my friend opted for the fusilli. The bouillabaisse was magical with incredibly flavorful broth and perfectly seasoned and cooked head on shrimp, mussels, and clams. It was served with irresistible grilled sourdough bread for dipping. I tried to only eat a bit of the sourdough because of the gluten and self-imposed wedding diet, but I ended up caving and eating it all. My friend liked her fusilli but did not appreciate or realize that the stracciatella surrounding it would be cold. She wasn't expecting the cooler ingredient on the plate, which when mixed made the pasta cold. She also noted that it probably would not have bothered her if she had known in advance. But notwithstanding my friend's experience with the stracciatella, we both agreed that the food was great. Overall, I highly recommend checking out Passerine, and I absolutely plan to return next time I visit Lancaster. read more

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Had first dinner experience there on October 18 and had the squash dinner which was very tasty. I would definitely order that again. The servers were very great as well. Will definitely revisit again. read more

Great bar and bartender! We were seated at an unfortunately noisy table directly across from a big loud group. Otherwise, our dining experience was excellent. Thanks to our server for recommending we share the cabbage small plate. The serving was huge, even for two, but delish. My squash soup was very tasty. We each ordered the whole branzino, which was good not great. Service was top notch, ambience very pleasant (except for our noisy neighbors). For dessert we had the blood orange sorbet and caramel miso ice cream, which was wonderful. Would definitely go back. read more

Incredible meal. Appetizers of Tuna Crudo and Mushroom soup were 5 stars and the main entrees of mushroom pasta and half chicken were delicious!! Our server Octavia was perfectly attentive! Will definitely be back!! read more

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Very good restaurant, but pricey. Very small menu but all food very good. Would be 5 stars if not so expensive. Our expectations were very high as it was listed as a New York Times top 100 restaurant and I think it fell slightly short of these expectations. Still very good though and will return. I don't think it's better than some of the other Lancaster fair however such as Prime 405 or Belvedere for which it's priced similar if not higher. Drinks were delicious and great wine selection. Service was very good not fantastic and ambiance quaint in a very small but nice restaurant. Despite a reservation we had to wait 20-30 min for our table which was frustrating. read more

This restaurant has it all - amazingly delicious food, outstanding service and a comfortable, relaxing ambiance! read more

Passerine - New American Near Me - Lancaster, Pennsylvania

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My wife and I had a delightful meal at Passerine recently. Friendly, helpful staff and delicious food with a cozy, casual atmosphere. Even fellow customers were friendly and engaging. We loved the crepe cake and our entrées were delightful: squash and beans, grilled branzino, both delicious and bright. The desserts were beautifully created: butter rum cake and concord grape sorbet. We'll definitely be back! read more

I was genuinely excited to try Passerine after seeing it featured on the NYT Best Restaurants list, but the experience was a huge disappointment across both food and service. We went for our anniversary dinner and spent $210 for two people -- which would have been fine if the meal and service delivered even close to what we expected. We ordered the tuna crudo, crepe cake, mushroom soup, charred cabbage, potatoes, mushroom pasta, and branzino. Unfortunately, everything was far below average and extremely salty. We could barely get through the potatoes and cabbage because they tasted like pure salt, and we had to add water to the mushroom pasta just to eat about half of it. The flavors were unbalanced and just not enjoyable. Even worse than the food was the service. It was rude, slow and inattentive. After appetizers, we waited ~40 minutes for our entrées to arrive. If you describe yourself as an upscale restaurant, the service needs to match. Sadly, this was honestly one of the worst service experiences I've had at a restaurant in this price range. Overall, the vibe felt pretentious and not welcoming at all. We really wanted to love this place, but we left disappointed and pretty stunned that this is considered one of the "best" restaurants in Lancaster. Definitely wouldn't recommend and would not return. read more

This is not a breakfast place. The food is very artsy. They serve French toast and eggs, which are both excellent. In fact, the potatoes were also very good, but there were no breakfast meats? I feel that without breakfast or sausage, a meal is not breakfast. The service was very good and the waitress was very nice. It has the fuel of a nice little neighborhood restaurant. Interestingly, I don't think they paid as much attention to the bar as they do to the food. The drinks seem like an afterthought. I love Bloody Mary's but the one I got was blah. read more

Celebrated my son's birthday at Passerine--couldn't have been better. Great apps and every dish delivered was delicious. Chef Kevin and team nailed it. Staff was warm and attentive, and the vibe is relaxed and welcoming. One of the best restaurants I've been to. read more

The staff were lovely and the cheese board was just the right size. Highly recommend! read more

Passerine - Cheese board - New American Near Me - Lancaster, Pennsylvania

I have been here twice and have yet to have a complaint. The service, food, and ambiance are amazing for a quick bite or an outing with loved ones. Regardless its reviews and ratings speak for itself. read more

Passerine - The soft scramble... best eggs in ever had in my life! - New American Near Me - Lancaster, Pennsylvania

I can't believe this restaurant does not have a Michelin star! and I'm being serious. it's a gem! tucked in Lancaster PA the food was divine every time I was there! unique use of local and other products, in an amazing presentation that would not shame a big New York, Atlanta or other big name restaurant. the atmosphere is eclectic, cozy, rustic all at the same time. the service was fantastic. The drinks were creative and delicious all at once - I think I've only had this quality drinks at the very high end restaurants and not always. so this place is top shelf! what can I say more... go check it out - you will not be disappointed! read more

Better espresso martini than 401 prime. Great atmosphere and welcoming staff. Plan to become a regular

My sister and I returned to Passerine for brunch again, as I'd been missing it! I was pleasantly surprised to see they had rotated and changed up items on the menu! Our server was the loveliest person. He made us feel immediately welcomed, and was great with my baby niece! Every dish we ordered was fabulous! Our return did not disappoint. We ordered: 1) Passerine POTATOES, stracciatella dip, roasted garlic ($12): We ordered this the first time we visited and remembered how delicious they were, so couldn't pass it up! Not only are the potatoes perfectly crispy, but the stracciatella dip really gives it that je n'ai sais quoi. 2) Tarte TATIN, shishito peppers, spelt puff pastry, schmaltz schmear, everything spice, poached egg ($14): This was my sister's favorite! We both agreed that not only was the egg perfectly poached, but the shishito peppers were a surprising complementary touch! This is one to order again! 3) Organic egg OMELETTE, humboldt fog, buttermilk beurre monte, espelette, petit crisp greens ($15): The omelette was perfectly made and delicate, but the cheeses incorporated inside the omelette in addition to the creamy sauce was a little bit too much for us. Still loved it, but I can probably only handle a few bites! 4) Buttermilk WAFFLE, frozen coffee whipped cream, caramelized white chocolate, sour cream caramel ($10): As our waiter said, "Don't sleep on that maple syrup! It's delicious!" And right he was! I loved the addition of coffee ice cream, which added the kind of creamy goodness you want with that incredible maple syrup. This is one that really hits the sweet tooth spot for breakfast! We came to the restaurant when it opened at 10 am on a Saturday, and didn't struggle to be seated right away! Even though the summer weather is nice enough to sit outside, I still prefer the beautiful ambiance of the interior. I love this restaurant! Everyone should come and try it out. read more

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I am so happy I finally got in here. Passerine absolutely lives up to the hype. For starters, the Purple Sweet Potato Crepe Cake was actually one of the most delicious things I've ever had. Such a unique mix of flavors. Same can be said about the Chilled Sorrel Soup, which was absolutely perfected by the olive oil generously drizzled on top. I was also pleasantly surprised that the fennel in the Citrus and Parsnip was prepared so well that it did not have the bitter taste that sometimes plagues fennel. Finally, the beet carpaccio special was to die for, the beets were perfectly prepared. When a place knows how to make vegetables exciting, I am always delighted. For drinks, we had the La Vie en Rose, the Cherry Hill Boulevard, and the Jasmine & Tonic Mocktail. Both cocktails were delicious, and I'm happy to say the Mocktail was just as good. Always appreciate when as much care is put into the Mocktails as the cocktails. For mains, we had the Butter Braised Beans & Fennel, Fresh Bucatini Pasta, and Local Roasted Half Chicken. Once again, such unique flavors and clear care put into the dishes. Finally, we had to get dessert. Come on. The chai and pistachio ice cream with chocolate whipped cream and pistachio brittle and date caramel was to die for. The olive oil cake was the perfect mixture of light, sweet, and savory. I'd also like to shout out our kind waitress and extremely charming hostess, and the beautiful decorations inside that absolutely make the experience. If it wasn't clear by this extremely lengthy review you've just read, I loved Passerine. Come here. One of my favorite dining experiences in all of Lancaster. read more

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Great place in Lancaster. All fresh food and ingredients. Will come back alone for the potatoes and steak. The vibe was immaculate. My friends train was running late getting into Lancaster and they even stayed open for us on a Friday night. Can't wait to come back! read more

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I came for brunch, the experience was excellent. Beautiful restaurant, very clean and thoughtfully styled. You can see thought went into every party of the guest experience. The food was excellent. I had the steak shakshuka. I also got to taste the mushroom soup and French toast. All of it was wonderful. Their mimosas were the best I've had in a long time. The service was friendly, sharp and knowledgeable about all of the menu. I'd love to return and explore more of the menu and cocktails / mocktails. I highly recommend. read more

Passerine - Steak Shakshuka - New American Near Me - Lancaster, Pennsylvania

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So so good. The food was amazing. Everything we ate felt like it was thoughtfully created. The ambiance was eclectic, quiet, and you could dress up or down and feel comfortable. I would imagine during the day it may be loud w/ a construction site next door, but it would still be worth it to eat here. The service was wonderful. He anticipated our every need. Great experience. read more

Brunch with sister. - biscuits & MUSHROOM GRAVY, fried egg, mixed greens - japanese milkbread FRENCH TOAST, seasonal compote, labneh, cinnamon whipped cream, maple syrup read more

5/24/24 My wife and I had a really nice dinner at Passerine for her birthday! I had the Pate for an appetizer then the steak for my entree and I really enjoyed both! I also had a Millfleur beer and it was really really tasty ! My wife had the mushroom soup and the peppardelle for her entree in addition to a glass of wine and she really liked it. The service was great, they were friendly and prompt and brought over some extra bread for the Pate app that I had. Overall it was a great dinner in a really cool building! The only thing that prevents it from getting 5 stars was the price, not over priced but ya know you're definitely going to be going in for a solid $130 for what we had plus tip. read more

First, the food is fantastic. Second, the drinks are fantastic. The ambience was nice. Attention was spent on creating an inviting space. Beautifully decorated. If you want a nice brunch with quality, local source ingredients prepared by a high class chef or a nice romantic dinner, this is your place. We will definitely be back when in the area, and may even make a special trip like we did today! Great place to stop in for bottles to go as well! read more

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A very pleasant surprise! Almost appears to be a store at first sight, but is a hidden gem of a restaurant! A smaller, but beautifully crafted menu! Also appreciated the non-alcoholic beverage options, my blood orange spritz was fantastic! Our table shared the rolls, carrots and a salad for starters. I ordered the cacio e Pepe for my entree and very much enjoyed it! We finished with an apple dessert. The dishes were thrifted and thought that was a very cute and thoughtful touch of personality. Everything was 10/10. Couldn't recommend it enough! read more

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The cocktails are the star of the show here. Most of the food is well thought out, but the execution is just meh. With only four entrees I would have expected perfection. My rib-eye was tough and overcooked and the mushroom pan sauce was flavorless. The half chicken however was fantastic. I will double down on the cocktails, they were brilliant and prepared perfectly. I had the mezcal tequila old fashioned and it was amazing. Sadly, with ever growing competition, I don't think this is a place we would come back to. Enjoy it while it lasts. read more

Passerine - New American Near Me - Lancaster, Pennsylvania

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