Since opening its doors in 1999, Apollo Grill has been the beating heart of Historic Downtown Bethlehem’s dining scene. 🍽️
This locally-owned bistro pioneered the area’s restaurant culture, blending casual comfort with upscale sophistication in a way that keeps locals coming back year after year.
This Bethlehem restaurant gem has earned its reputation through consistently wonderful food and unique cocktails.
Voted Best Restaurant year after year since its inception, Apollo Grill proves that dedication to quality creates lasting success in Pennsylvania’s competitive dining landscape. 🏆
How Apollo Grill Won Bethlehem’s Hearts
The story of Apollo Grill’s rise to prominence begins with a simple yet revolutionary vision: create a casual yet upscale bistro that serves exceptional food in an atmosphere where everyone feels welcome.
When the restaurant first opened in 1999, downtown Bethlehem desperately needed an establishment that could bridge the gap between neighborhood bar and fine dining destination.
The owners committed to serving wonderful food made fresh with care, paired with unique cocktails and signature martinis that would become the talk of the town.
This locally-owned Bethlehem establishment quickly discovered that its diverse menu—ranging from a simple chicken sandwich at lunch to perfectly cooked filet mignon with a glass of wine at dinner—resonated deeply with the community. 🍷
Diners appreciated that Apollo Grill offered over 30 appetizers, giving groups endless options for sharing and sampling.
The restaurant’s versatility meant date nights, family gatherings, business lunches, and weekend brunches all found their perfect home under one roof.
Food Highlights
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Braised Short Ribs: Served with garlic mashed potatoes and asparagus alongside braised local mushrooms and crispy shallots, this tender masterpiece has become one of the restaurant’s most beloved entrees.
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French Onion Soup: This baked classic features thick, fresh, crusty bread with a slight crunch, generous amounts of caramelized onions, and delicious melted cheese in a rich broth that customers call the best they’ve ever tasted.
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Lamb Shank: The chipotle BBQ braised lamb shank arrives with roasted cauliflower grits, green beans, and house pickles, delivering fall-off-the-bone tenderness with perfectly balanced seasoning.
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Ahi Tuna: Available pan-seared or blackened, the sesame-crusted ahi tuna comes with cilantro jasmine rice, sautéed asparagus, soy yuzu glaze, scallion, cilantro, and radish for a lighter yet flavor-packed option.
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Crab Cakes: The Apollo Crab Cake features fingerling potatoes, bacon, arugula, garlic green beans, and lemon aioli, making it a must-try for seafood enthusiasts seeking premium ingredients.
- Lump Crab Macaroni & Cheese: This decadent appetizer combines Boursin and Parmesan cheese sauce with elbow pasta and chunks of lump crab, creating the ultimate comfort food indulgence.
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Filet Mignon: The 7 oz. Filet mignon comes with garlic mashed potatoes and green beans, plus your choice of horseradish hollandaise or red wine shallot sauce for an upscale dining experience.
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Mesa Fried Calamari: Customers rave that this calamari is fried to perfection—crispy outside yet soft and seasoned inside—served with your choice of marinara, sweet and hot peppers with lemon aioli, or all sauces together.
Atmosphere
The vibe at Apollo Grill perfectly balances comfortable and sophisticated, creating a space where jeans-clad diners and dressed-up date-night couples both feel at home. 🎶
The lively yet friendly atmosphere features warm lighting and tasteful decor that reflects the restaurant’s commitment to being approachable without sacrificing elegance.
The outdoor seating area provides seasonal charm, while the bar stays open late for those who want to extend their evening with craft cocktails and conversation.
Bottom Line
Visit Apollo Grill for award-winning dishes that have earned Best Restaurant honors year after year, an incredible menu spanning 30+ appetizers plus premium entrees, Therapeutic Thursday happy hour with unbeatable specials, and nearly 27 years of proven excellence. ⭐
Experience why this locally-owned Bethlehem restaurant remains a cherished community gathering place.
Address:
85 West Broad Street, Bethlehem, PA 18018
📞 (610) 865-9600
🕔 Open Tue-Sat, 11 AM–10 PM, Bar Open Late (closed Sun-Mon)