City Cast Philly logo

The Off-the-Beaten-Path Restaurant in Pennsylvania That Is Worth the Day Trip

Posted on October 31, 2024   |   Updated on September 30, 2025
Only In Pennsylvania

Only In Pennsylvania

The outside of John Wright Restaurant.

The John Wright Restaurant opened in 1988 as a sandwich shop. (John Wright Restaurant Facebook / Amanda Naylor Photography)

As I explore more and more of Pennsylvania, I'm blown away by how much there is to discover. There's Philadelphia in the east, Pittsburgh in the west, and hundreds of smaller cities and charming small towns in the middle that all have intriguing little surprises waiting. A perfect example is Wrightsville, a small town of a little over 2,200 people and a lot of historic charm. It's home to John Wright Restaurant, a historic waterfront restaurant in Pennsylvania that combines fantastic dining with one of the best views in central Pennsylvania and a commitment to farm-to-table cooking, making it one of the most unique restaurants in the Keystone State. We think it's worth visiting from anywhere in the state, and we're pretty sure you'll agree.

The John Wright Restaurant is a local institution, housed in a restored warehouse with a wonderful historic vibe. The restaurant is committed to a local farm-to-table menu, spotlighting produce from some of the best farmers in the area.

The inside of a pizza oven.

One of the more popular dishes is their pizza. (John Wright Restaurant / Facebook)

One of the highlights is the seasonal pizza patio, featuring an old-school pizza oven, where the restaurant bakes some of the state's best and most unique pizzas.

In the main dining room, you'll find some amazing internationally-inspired dishes. The restaurant focuses on seafood, not surprising for a waterfront restaurant. But the large menu has something for just about every taste.

If the produce here tastes fresh – and we mean really fresh – that might be because some of the components in your meal, including the herbs, come directly from the patio garden outside the restaurant.

The patio at a restaurant.

A meal with a view of the Susquehanna River. (John Wright Restaurant / Facebook)

If you visit when it's warm, request a seat on the outside dining patio; it promises one of the most amazing views in the area. And if you're in town on Sunday, check out the restaurant's famous prime rib brunch buffet.

You can see the current seasonal menu on the John Wright Restaurant website, and the John Wright Restaurant Facebook page is a great place to see all the latest specials as they're announced. While in the area, visit PA's newest state park, Susquehanna Riverlands State Park, only a 12-minute drive away. And if you're staying the night, it's only a short drive over to nearby Marietta, where you'll find the incredible B. F. Hiestand Bed & Breakfast, which is a fascinating journey into historic hospitality.

Share article

Hey Philly

Stay connected to City Cast Philly and get ready to join the local conversation.

Can't subscribe? Turn off your ad blocker and try again.

The latest in Philly

Sponsored

Moving to Philadelphia? What to Check Before You Pick a Neighborhood, Book a Truck, and Sign a Lease

With this guide, you can move to Philadelphia, move from another place to Philadelphia, or just see if living in Philadelphia fits your d...

Wellknown Moving Company Logo
Philly, ExplainedSeptember 25

Play Our Philly Crossword Puzzle

This mini-crossword is filled with clues on Philly history and headlines.

City Cast Philly Crossword
Keep It LocalSeptember 24

Learn to Make Cool Things at NextFab

NextFab is a membership-based makerspace that helps people turn ideas into products. Here are three hobbies you can pick up at NextFab.

A person wearing safety gear and work gloves stands beside a metalworking workstation with a large ventilation hood and welding equipment at NextFab.
Food & DrinkSeptember 24

Your Guide to New Restaurants, Bars & Cafés in Philly

Philly’s culinary scene is constantly growing and changing. Here’s a recap of some of the restaurants, bars, cafés, and other delicious s...

(Courtesy of Michael Persico)
Keep It LocalSeptember 24

Become a Person With Hobbies This Fall

Whether you want to make something, move your body, learn a skill, or just get really good at something new, here are a few places around...

 Inside the wood shop at Philadelphia Woodworks, with a woman working at one of the workshop tables in the background. A large table in the foreground is lined with dozens of clamps along its edges; walls are hung with organized rows of tools and clamps; there is a drill press in the corner.
Philly, ExplainedSeptember 18

Prove Your Weekly Philly Knowledge

How well do you know Philly's latest headlines and historical facts? Try your hand at this quiz to find out!

A golden statue of a woman with wings holding up a globe is in the foreground, with an Emmy Awards sign and foliage in the background.
Keep It LocalSeptember 17

Philly Spirits Worth Trying (and Bringing Home)

Philadelphia has a long tradition of distilling that has evolved from colonial rum and whiskey-making into a new generation of small prod...

Two blue glass bottles of Philadelphia Distilling Co.’s Bluecoat American Dry Gin are displayed on a bar counter inside the distillery alongside a glass of the gin with an orange peel.
Keep It LocalSeptember 17

Philly Quiz: How Well Do You Know Local Liquors?

Test out your local Philadelphia business knowledge with this quiz.

New Liberty Distillery’s Kinsey line of spirits shows a bottle of bourbon whiskey, American whiskey, and rye whiskey.