If you haven’t been to downtown Allentown recently, you may not recognize it at all. The newly built and opened PPL Center sits at the center of a bustling downtown filled with shops, bars and restaurants, including one of the newest eateries to grace the downtown landscape—Bell Hall. The restaurant has taken its name from the oldest home in Allentown (Trout Hall) and the most famous bell in U.S. history (the Liberty Bell). The name also comes from the giant hallway layout filled with images of bells hung throughout.
Located adjacent to the church that once hid the Liberty Bell during the Revolutionary War, Bell Hall may get its name from historical references, but its menu is firmly seated in the present. You’ll find a proprietor and a chef who make the most of local produce, meats and brews, all in the name of keeping things fresh, approachable and affordable.
Upon entering, you are greeted by a beautiful bar adorned with plush leather chairs, as well as ample seating near the floor-to-(almost) ceiling windows looking out onto Hamilton Boulevard. The bar boasts five fixed taps as well as 10 taps on rotation, pouring beers from in and around the Lehigh Valley, including Allentown’s own HiJinx beers as well as Weyerbacher and Funk. Craft beer is certainly here to stay, and that fact is evident in the varieties available not only on tap but also in the 80-plus bottle list. We mention the beers first, as that’s where the inspiration came from when creating Bell Hall. Owner Jeff Brown said his vision was to serve elevated yet approachable food, driven fully by the craft beer movement.
Burgers are a must-order at Bell Hall, and when browsing the menu, one finds a multitude of gourmet burger options made with local grass-fed beef, lamb, chicken and fish. There are also vegetarian sandwich options that include a house-made black bean burger and Italian portobello burger. While there are plenty of burger options available, our favorite is the lamb burger. Most lamb burgers we have encountered typically come with Greek-style condiments such as Tzatziki sauce, feta cheese, cucumber and the like. Bell Hall’s lamb burger strays from the Greek variation and instead pairs the mildly gamey meat with the sweet, bitter and sour flavors of brie, lemon preserves and tart green apple.
A bevy of sides, appetizers, salads and non-sandwich entrees round out the varied menu. Not to miss are the chef’s Southern-inspired, honey-stung brussels sprouts. They offer a sweet and savory complement to any burger or sandwich on the menu.
Another must-try option: the Wonton Nachos. Chef Cody Maxwell’s unxious pulled pork is piled atop super crispy fried wontons and layered with pepper Jack cheese, tomato, scallions and sour cream. No need to rush through these nachos to avoid soggy chips at the bottom. Bell Hall’s nachos are crispy through the last chip.
What makes Bell Hall unique is that in a downtown area packed with restaurants and bars offering high-quality food and drink, you can enjoy a very tasty burger, brew and even a side for well under the cost of a single burger at some of the other downtown establishments. Diners in the area have obviously noticed the affordability of Bell Hall’s offerings, including the crowds of Phantoms fans who pack the bar and restaurant areas after games.
Whether you are looking for a new spot for a work lunch or need a new dinner option for the family to grab a tasty meal, Bell Hall should certainly be on your list. Hours of operation are as follows: Monday–Thursday, 11 a.m.–1 a.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m.–2 a.m.
Find Bell Hall at 612 W. Hamilton St. in Allentown; phone: (610) 437-1825.
- Photos: Betsy Wurstner Swope
