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John J Jeffries Restaurant

4.6
·491k reviews·,

An elegant farm-to-table experience in Lancaster, PA, celebrating hyper-local, seasonal ingredients from their own farm and partners.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Wed/Fri 18-21h

Blue hour photography, calmer galleries

CrowdLow
Our dining area within

John J Jeffries Restaurant

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

An elegant farm-to-table experience in Lancaster, PA, celebrating hyper-local, seasonal ingredients from their own farm and partners.

4.6
(491k reviews)

"One of the best restaurants on the planet, this is my new favorite restaurant in all the world."

TIP

Reservations Recommended

Book in advance, especially for peak times or special occasions, as the restaurant is highly sought after.

Share Small Plates

Consider ordering small plates to enjoy a variety of the seasonal and thoughtfully prepared dishes.

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Quick Facts

Open·Closes 9PM

Cuisine

American (Farm-to-Table)

Price

$$$

Phone

(717) 431-3307

Address

300 Harrisburg Ave, Lancaster, PA 17603, USA

Insta-Factor

High

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Farm-to-Table Excellence

Farm-to-Table Excellence

Experience hyper-local, seasonal fare with ingredients sourced from the restaurant's own farm and partner farms.

Restaurants in Pennsylvania Dutch CountryRestaurant Roundup: Going Out in Lancaster for $25/$50/$100Taste Lancaster, Pennsylvania's Farm-to-Table Food Scene+3
The Truth: Grass-Fed Beef Tartare

The Truth: Grass-Fed Beef Tartare

The signature grass-fed dry-aged beef tartare, a must-try dish that's consistently praised by diners.

7 Upscale Restaurants in Lancaster, PAThe 8 best steak places in Harrisburg, Lancaster and HersheyGoogle Review+1
Impeccable Service

Impeccable Service

Diners rave about the warm, attentive, and knowledgeable staff who anticipate needs and enhance the dining experience.

Google Review+3
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Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

Reservations Recommended

Book in advance, especially for peak times or special occasions, as the restaurant is highly sought after.

Share Small Plates

Consider ordering small plates to enjoy a variety of the seasonal and thoughtfully prepared dishes.

Embrace Seasonal Specials

Look for seasonal specialties, such as shrimp and grits or beef tartare, for a true taste of the local harvest.

Outdoor Ambiance

If weather permits, opt for outdoor seating to complement the elegant dining experience.

Tips

from all over the internet

Reservations Recommended

Book in advance, especially for peak times or special occasions, as the restaurant is highly sought after.

Share Small Plates

Consider ordering small plates to enjoy a variety of the seasonal and thoughtfully prepared dishes.

Embrace Seasonal Specials

Look for seasonal specialties, such as shrimp and grits or beef tartare, for a true taste of the local harvest.

Outdoor Ambiance

If weather permits, opt for outdoor seating to complement the elegant dining experience.

What Travellers Say

4.6
(491k reviews)

Reviews Summary

John J Jeffries is celebrated for its exceptional farm-to-table cuisine, sourcing high-quality ingredients that result in complex yet balanced flavors. Diners consistently praise the impeccable and warm service, noting the staff's attentiveness and knowledge. While prices are considered reasonable for the quality, some find certain dishes like the focaccia or ice cream to be underwhelming, though the overall dining experience is overwhelmingly positive and memorable.

"What a find! My wife and I wanted a special place to celebrate our 35th wedding anniversary, and we just happened to be in Lancaster, PA. The Yelp and Google reviews for this restaurant have it as one of the highest rated fine dining establishments in the entire area... I think the reviews are too low.

The meal was delicious... everything we ate, from appetizers to main course was top notch food. You can tell that they take the time to make sure that all their food is made with the best ingredients and finest preparation as it was all so good!

We wish there was one in our area... but this will always give us something to look forward to anytime we visit Amish country!"

John Koh

"We loved everything about this restaurant ; the food; the service and atmosphere. Abby our server was amazing; she anticipated our needs and brought everything we needed without us asking. Abby explained everything that was on the menu and off the menu.She checked on us frequently and our glasses were never empty. The food is so good. We will definitely be back. Thank you for a wonderful evening."

Fannie

"My husband and I decided to celebrate our 21st wedding anniversary here. We enjoyed the food immensely and Abby was a delightful server. She went above and beyond to make our evening even more special. I highly recommend coming for a special night out. We will definitely be back!"

Amber Cutting

What People Like

High-quality farm-to-table ingredients
Attentive and friendly service
Memorable special occasion dining

What People Dislike

Inconsistent focaccia/bread
Light pours on some cocktails

Frequently Asked Questions

The restaurant is renowned for its farm-to-table, seasonal cuisine, exceptional service, and its signature grass-fed beef tartare.

Restaurants in Pennsylvania Dutch Country7 Upscale Restaurants in Lancaster, PAGoogle Review

Yes, reservations are highly recommended, especially during peak times or for special occasions, as the restaurant is very popular.

Google Review

The menu changes seasonally based on the availability of ingredients from local farms, ensuring fresh and unique dishes.

A Local's Guide to Lancaster RestaurantsThe 8 best steak places in Harrisburg, Lancaster and Hershey

Yes, the restaurant is accommodating to dietary restrictions, including gluten sensitivity.

Google Review

Yes, outdoor seating is available and is recommended to enjoy the ambiance, weather permitting.

'The Truth' is the restaurant's signature grass-fed dry-aged beef tartare, a must-try item for meat lovers.

7 Upscale Restaurants in Lancaster, PAThe 8 best steak places in Harrisburg, Lancaster and HersheyGoogle Review

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Not only do the chefs here source organic produce, dairy, and eggs from local farms, but the restaurant also operates a grass-fed cattle ranch, abattoir, and nose-to-tail butcher shop in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania so you know the ingredients are top-quality. The menu does change seasonally, but mains might include braised lamb or a tartare of grass-fed beef, and the appealing wine list is well-priced. The restaurant is located in the Lancaster Arts Hotel, which occupies a former tobacco factory.

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John J. Jeffries (johnjjeffries.com) serves American cuisine, including dishes like lamb steak, beef tartar and mushroom bisque. The upscale interior features exposed brick walls, white tablecloths and wood beam ceilings. The restaurant lies just 10 minutes on foot from Clipper Magazine Stadium, home to the professional baseball team, the Lancaster Barnstormers.

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John J Jeffries has designed its menu based on local, seasonal, sustainable and organic agriculture and delicious recipes inspired by availability. Whether you belly up to the bar for cocktails and to share some small plates, or experience an intimate evening in the dining room, JJJ’s menu brings you the best of what’s available at any given moment in Lancaster County. A favorite small plate is the Jim Bim Bop, which features a spicy pork with rice, kimchi, seasonal vegetables, chili paste, sesame ginger soy sauce and a fried egg.

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To experience one of Lancaster’s longstanding classic restaurants, head to Horse Inn for upscape pub fare in a warm, rustic space; Belvedere Inn for a well-made cocktail in a restored Victorian mansion; or John J. Jeffries, in the Lancaster Arts Hotel, for fine dining focused on sustainability and locally sourced ingredients. Wherever you land, finish the night at Lancaster Sweet Shoppe with Stroopies, i.e., Dutch stroopwafels made on site with cinnamon waffles sandwiching homemade caramel.

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Located in the stylish and modern Lancaster Arts Hotel, John J. Jeffries is home to chefs Sean Cavanaugh and Mike Carson who fully embrace eco-friendly dining. The emphasis at JJJ is hyper-local with the restaurant even owning its own beef farm in rural Pennsylvania. Knowing the source of their products allows the chefs to confidently create dishes like The Truth, a grass-fed dry aged beef tartare served with seasonal accoutrements.

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Chef Cavanaugh has visited small organic family farms in Lancaster County to source the perfect ingredients for your dining experience. Our Lancaster, Pa. restaurant is the leading consumer of local organic meats and vegetables in Central PA, showing a true commitment to the local economy and healthful food. Our bar and wine menus feature many local beers, wines, and ingredients for some original and memorable cocktails.

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Besides delicious seasonal food, at John J. Jeffries inside the Lancaster Arts Hotel, patrons can dine in a converted tobacco warehouse that adds a character all its own to the experience. Menus here change seasonally depending on what's available from the restaurant's partner farms, so what is listed online may not always be what is on the menu. Whatever they're serving is sure to be fresh and delicious.

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What's available right now at John J. Jeffries might not be the same cut of beef you had last week or even yesterday. At this locally-sourced farm to table restaurant, the menu changes continuously. Grass fed, confinement free beef turns up on the plate as signature The Truth, dry-aged beef tartare ($23), beef liver with onions ($7) or as New York Strip or tenderloin.

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If you dine at John J. Jefferies, pull out your formal attire to dine in style. Located downtown inside the Lancaster Arts Hotel, John J. Jefferies is a restaurant that focuses on using local products to create fine-dining menu options. Try the trio-liver mousse or crispy pork belly as a starter before moving on to the grass-fed beer tartar or braised lamb shank.

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Native to Pittsburgh, Chef Cavanaugh has been in the resaurant industry since he was 15. Starting as a dishwasher to a fill time cook throughout high school; eventually leading he to the prestigious Culinary Institute of America. After graduation in 1985, Chef Cavanaugh was hired by The Marriott Group.

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300 Harrisburg Ave, Lancaster, PA 17603Phone: (717) 431-3307 Visit Website. A post shared by John J. Jeffries (@johnjjeffries). Another locally sourced and farm-fresh restaurant, John J. Jeffries, doesn’t disappoint when it comes to keeping things local.

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