What went well? Everything! Awesome dining experience. Everyone's dish was excellent. Party of 20, no complaints. You tell me.

Serendipity! Everything was Excellent. Should have been coming here for years. Warm and Welcoming. Definitely will return and Recommend.

Ok I don't know if I want to rate this place because then I'm gonna lose my spot when I come back aaaaaaa amazing! We were here for the Jazz fest in Reading. I looked up this place was greeted by Frank getting his mail. We asked if it was open or the bar he said come on in great guy to talk to the place was a little dark but you could read a menu everyone there was amazing the food unbelievable. I couldn't believe we were in Reading.PA they had the lamb chops for an appetizer and a leek soup wow! Drinks are fabulous. I even tried the pickle martini. Inlove a dirty one and wanted to see the difference of the pickle one it was a little different drinkable , bread you want to send for more I had the linguine and clam my cousin had the ribeye. My husband, and my other cousin had shrimp with scallops. It was a specialty meal a little spicy, not too much with noodles. My husband said it was amazing. Frank thank you! Bringing us back to Brooklyn and the places we remember, I can't wait to see you next year. Please save my table.Debbie from Stroudsburg oh and I didn't mention the desserts off the charts the ambience was chill. A lot of people were talking, but you can still hear your conversation and Frank always stopped by to chat to every table phenomenal! read more

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Food tasted excellent. Service was exceptional. Server Jake was the best. Food is just a small percentage above local prices but it is only worth noting because the servings on some choices were not very generous. For example... Burrata Fritta is a generous sized and tasty fried cheese appetizer but, it only came with two small pieces of crustini so you'll end up eating most of it with a fork. Seared scallops tasted excellent as well but there was only 3 and they were the size of a 50 cent coin and about 3/8 of an inch thick. They were served over a generous bed of seasoned peas but, you are buying the scallops not the peas. Like I mentioned before, food tasted excellent there just could have been a little more thought out into appetizer creation. Entrees we selected were a just satisfying portion size and tasted excellent as well. We usually like to take home some of our main entrees for a later small meal but we ended up eating them both in restaurant. One thing important to note of importance to local diners is that entrees do not come with sides or salads. They must be ordered separately. Portions could have been maybe 8% to 10% bigger. I am not complaining but rather suggesting. I will definitely go back again to try some of the other entrees offered. read more

What a pleasant surprise. We have lived her almost 5 years and are always looking for a good, nearby restaurant. Cozy place with great food. I loved my salmon, which came with a delicious salad and vegetables. My husband's burger was big and delicious (Thursday is burger night). Even my roll was delicious! Had the homemade blood orange cake with cream cheese icing. Yum! Nice owner came to our table, and Molly is a fantastic server! read more

A hidden gem Food is exceptional Server Vee is knowledgeable about the menu & very attentive Intimate setting read more

I've had some memorable meals over the course of my career; The Abby in Atlanta, Pamplemousse Le Restaurant in Las Vegas, The Signature Room at the 95th in Chicago, and Julius' Castle in San Francisco among them. I'm pleased to say that I can now add The Arbor Inn in Reading, PA to the list of dinners worth remembering. And so close to where we live! My wife had been yearning for a properly prepared rib eye for months. Frank certainly delivered on the promise of all the positive Yelp reviews! For myself, the sesame encrusted salmon with sweet and savory Unagi sauce was a wonderful surprise. It was good enough that I was prompted to ask the server if it would be out of line to lick the plate! The service was excellent as was my after dinner Irish Coffee. I will say, the bar is not stingy in the least. Some might say the decor is dated with dark, paneled walls from a by-gone era. I'd rather say retro. There's nothing wrong with being reminded of the way things once were, and how different they can be from the sterile, "fast food" era we live in. If you're looking for excellent food, great service and a relaxed atmosphere where you can savor a leisurely dining experience, make The Arbor Inn your destination. Though The Arbor Inn will do everything they can to accommodate walk-ins without reservations, the dining room is small - my guess, seating for about 25, give or take. Make reservations to ensure there's a table waiting just for you. Overall? Outstanding! You really do get what you pay for! To paraphrase Arnold, "Ve vill be Bach." read more

We enjoyed the entire dining experience from the creative drink menu, on to the variety of appetizers, then to the varied main offerings, finishing with a nice variety of desserts. We also happily experienced great service from beginning to end. Thanks again !!! read more

Looking past the outdated, stale décor, Frank & Diannah's Arbor Inn serves up a memorable dining experience, playing to their strengths while spurning short-sighted modern day trends and instead focusing on comfort food that warms the soul. The interior is basically your grandma's house reincarnated. Carpeted floor, heavy drapes, wood-paneled walls, tiny lamps in every window. I suppose the design was on purpose to elicit warm memories buried deep within our subconsciousness? Hey, if we're reminded of grandma, we're gonna be happy and tip more! Not a bad strategy, to be honest. When it comes to the food and service, it was top notch. Yeah, one of the steaks we ordered was slightly overdone (asked for medium rare, came out medium well), but management addressed the situation admirably and offered free desert to quell our dissatisfaction. The other steak aside, my ribeye was cooked to perfection. So tender, so juicy, so full of flavor. It truly made me fall in love with the ribeye all over again and confirmed my belief that the ribeye is truly the king of steaks, trouncing both the lean, buttery filet and heavily marbled prime rib. If you're feeling in the mood for shellfish, but your craving has gone beyond the normal standard and you are now "selfish for shellfish," F&D's will still be able to satisfy your need. In addition to coconut curry mussels and fried calamari, they also serve up steamed clams with chorizo, a magnificent marriage of littlenecks, chorizo sausage, diced tomato, and shallots in a white wine, garlic and herb broth. And as always, with dishes like these, be sure to dip the bread in that leftover broth! Heaven. Oh, and those were just some of the appetizers. If you really want to go all out with the shellfish, try the Linguine Pescatore, where you get an assortment of shellfish served in a flavorful white or red wine sauce over a bed of soft, housemade pasta. Mussels, clams, and as an added bonus - scallops! Just an absolute delight. For the born-and-raised Berks-Countians (aka PA Dutch folk), there is an assortment of schnitzel dishes (no less than four the last time I checked). Anyone with a sliver of German ancestry, rejoice! Your childhood fav is on the menu. After my first and only visit, I immediately fell in love with this place. Great experience all around. To top it off, my old friend was working at the bar. I hadn't seen him in years before this. It was great to catch up. A special occasion brought me here. It turned into more special occasions and great memories. One trip was all it took. Now Frank and Diannah's will always have a special place in my heart. read more

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Was here for a dinner with some work colleagues recently and loved the focused and enthusiastic service. I'd actually stopped by around Christmastime to scout it out and knew I wanted to take everyone here and was glad I did this time. Decent prices and the proprietor will often wander around to check on you. Will be back. read more

Had not been to this place in a number of years. Took my parents and my sister out for dinner and we had an incredible time. The staff was very friendly and a tentative. The owner stopped by to say hello. The food was beyond expectations, and the menu was enormous With more offerings than I could count. I would absolutely recommend this place. read more

Frank is just fabulous. The place has an intimate vibe and has top notch food! Always pleasant and will help you with whatever you request. CALL FOR RESERVATIONS! They book fast. If in and around exeter pa 19606 , this place is a MUST read more

We just went back to celebrate our anniversary again and still... WOW!!! Frank & Diannah's is just as great as it was last we were there. Frank sat us and continued to check in on us. Had special appetizer which was stellar. Drinks all on point. Dinner was mouthwatering. And dessert didn't disappoint. Not to mention we overheard Frank talking to another table and they just celebrated 25 years being open!!! Do yourself a favor and go there for dinner, for a special occasion, or for any reason. It's truly a gem! read more

Always a pleasure, always a charming experience. The owners are fantastic, the staff is fantastic, love the ambiance, and the passion that gets put into every meal they prepare. No mediocrity, as an amateur chef myself going out to dinner usually isn't very exciting to me, I'm a pretty good cook, the food here is always amazing, exciting, and flavorful. Highly recommend. read more

Frank & Diannah's Arbor Inn - Epic delicious food every time! - American Near Me - Reading, Pennsylvania

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My fiancé and I ate here for the first time and I have to say we really enjoyed it! He got the burger and I ordered the pasta special, and it was all delicious! The drinks were refreshing and our waitress even helped surprise him with a candle in our dessert for his birthday! All around great place to eat! read more

My favorite not so hidden gem! Burger night is always epic and the beer and cocktails are always on point! It's my most missed restaurant since moving out of the area read more

Food and service were great! Our waitress Katelyn was attentive and on point with the food and drinks. Both the main dishes my wife and I ordered was delicious. Will be back again. read more

Frank & Diannah's Arbor Inn - Malaysian Shrimp and scallops - American Near Me - Reading, Pennsylvania

phenomenal food and reminiscent decor of distinguished restaurants in the past which is alive in Reading PA! Impeccable service from everyone in the restaurant. The owner certainly takes pride in making sure your dining experience is worth every minute read more

We were passing through on our way back to Washington DC after skiing at Bear Creek and wow what a great find this restaurant was! Our server Talisa was super friendly and warm. Frank was also very hospitable, took time to meet us and made us feel welcomed. The star of the show is Diannah, the chef for the evening. The food was so delicious! From the baked Brie, salad (the Asian salad dressing was so good!), the duck breast was perfection, steak frites with the crispiest fries ever, and the crème brûlée was arguably one of the best I've ever had. Highly highly recommend anyone to come visit this place! read more

Frank & Diannah's Arbor Inn - Duck breast - American Near Me - Reading, Pennsylvania

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Burger night! Done exactly as I asked- crisp fries- and the desserts were fabulous- even some gluten free options. Great value and wonderful service. read more

Fantastic food at this local institution. Thursday is burger night. The entrees have never disappointed us and the premise made desserts are delicious. read more

A local favorite. We can always rely on Frank for wonderful hot, fresh rolls, a great dinner and perfect beverage accompaniments in a comfortable "old school" atmosphere. read more

I've been hearing about this place for years, so my husband and I decided to come here for date night. Upon arriving, we were quickly greeted and sat. We did have reservations, which I recommend as they seemed somewhat busy when we arrived around 6:30. They offer indoor and outdoor seating. Our server was AWESOME! She was able to give great recommendations for food and beverage. She even had the owner (who loves tequila) come over and ask me my interest in it. It's always nice to see a manager or owner go out of their way to do this. Our drinks and meals came out in impeccable timing. The flavors of everything - awesome! I also thought the prices were fairly reasonable. The portions were excellent. I had a seafood pasta dish and I ate it all, which I normally can't finish a plate, but was so good. They were taking COVID-19 precautions. Sanitizer was in use as well as cleaning in between every guest. They used plastic silverware as well as a dump tray to put all your trash in. The staff was wearing masks and asked customers to wear theirs to the table. Overall, really enjoyed it here and can't wait to go back. Highly recommend. read more

First timers at the Inn. We were greeted by the pleasant Talisa, who seated us inside. She continued to be our server. She provided Excellent service and was attentive to our experience. She presented a welcoming smile , friendly, and a sense of humor. The steaks were cooked to our taste and delicious. They provided a generous portion that was just as delicious the next day. We enjoyed the meals and the cozy atmosphere. We will be returning in the near future. read more

It's not just about their burger night!! Amazing service, top notch cocktails, a variety of amazing entrees, and homemade desserts! It's a hidden gem! read more

The food is always the best, attentive servers, the indoor and outdoor ambiance works for me. Frank's always there to welcome you.

I moved away from Exeter about 14 years ago. Prior to that I loved having dinner here. When I get home I always try to stop in for a delicious meal that I cannot get in Nashville. Frank's veal is just the mouth watering bomb. I absolutely love his Veal Milanese. I wish I could do desserts because Diannah is a genius with her dessert offerings. Love that I can come home and get quality meals from a restaurant that cares about the food they deliver. read more

Had dinner here last night. Not so good. My scallops and shrimp were over cooked. Dish had too much sauce. My husband had schnitzel, which was good. We didn't complain at all but the owner (very nice man) offered us free dessert, we declined. Owner can really read people well! I do feel that my dish may had just had an off night but I doubt if we will go back, first impressions really are lasting. I'm giving 3 stars due to great service, reasonable drink prices, nice atmosphere , and good schnitzel. read more

Great food and great service! The owner is present and engages with everyone dining. The desserts are incredible and made in house.

The staff was great, the food was pretty good. The restaurant was very quiet, but the staff were very friendly and welcoming, and service was excellent. Prices were a little high but not outrageous. The ambience is good for dinner, and not too crowded. read more

Frank & Diannah's Arbor Inn - American Near Me - Reading, Pennsylvania

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Food was good as it always is. My wife had Shrimp Scampi and loved it. We were seated outside. When making reservations I would recommend asking about the seating arrangements and indoor/outdoor availability . Adjustments made for covid. Very appreciative owner and nice server. read more

This is one of Berks County's best restaurants. We found them by accident on Yelp and have been visiting regularly ever since. Thursday is burger night and their burgers are the best I've ever had. We regularly visit on Tuesday/Wednesday for the 'pub menu' specials as well. Everyone from the owners to the bartenders and servers take great care to present the highest quality dishes and deliver a casual but refined dining experience. Check their Facebook page for daily updates and dessert specials. read more

Excellent food & great atmosphere! My go to place every time!!! Recommend the filet for dinner & clams for appetizers!!

We were celebrating a special day and chose Frank & Diannah's Arbor Inn. I ordered a steak medium rare and another ordered the same. His was perfect and he raved. Mine was a bit over done. The restaurant was very solicitous, the gentlemen offered to take it back and bring another. I declined and he provided a free dessert. The others were very pleased with their choices. The server was gracious and friendly, providing excellent service. We were not rushed and enjoyed our time. I would recommended Frank & Diannah's Arbor Inn. read more

Great menu. Love that Frank engages with the patrons. Food is always great and the servers are attentive.

We found Frank and Diannah's on a Yelp Search- can't believe we never stumbled upon the Arbor Inn before. Cozy and elegant define the decor and the staff and atmosphere are friendly and casual. All of the food was amazing as was our server Michelle. We started with mussels that were prepared perfectly with a slight zip but not enough to mask the savory mussel taste. While enjoying these, the bread arrived. Hard to describe how good these rolls were. For entrees, my wife had the Escolar fish of day special and I tried the Gouda schnitzel. Both were outstanding, large portions and creatively prepared. Michelle kept the rolls coming which made dessert a decision. Glad we decided to have the Tiramisu. Homemade and worthy of licking the bowl- thanks for a great time- we'll be back! read more

Could be the best in Berks. The place to go if you're a food person. As my fellow Berks county foodie friends know, our choices for fine cuisine are somewhat limited. Frank & Diannah's Arbor Inn is the place I go when I need my fix and I don't want to drive to Philly. Let's start with the décor. I've heard it described as drab and dated. It's certainly not trendy. Dark wood paneling dominates the theme. The first time I stepped into this restaurant, I felt like I was time-warped back to the 1960s. But not the flower child '60s. More like the darker but uber cool Frank Sinatra '60s. The large trapezoidal bar whispers mid-century modern and I picture it as the type of place where Mad Men's Don Draper would take one of his girls for a martini after a hard day at the office. Personally, I love it and I hope they never change a thing. You can draw your own conclusions. But don't come here for the décor. Come for the food. I was surprised to see that another reviewer gave this place only 2 stars. But then I read his complaints that they left the tails on his shrimp and that a Malaysian dish was (gasp) spicy! The same reviewer gave 5 stars to Red Robin and Shady Maple...'nuff said. I like food that surprises me with vibrancy, complexity and fun. Food that makes me smile. You'll find that here in addition to some old standards, done to perfection. The chef is creative and inventive, fusing flavors and cuisines from around the world. She's the real deal. If you like mussels at all, I'd highly recommend the mussels appetizer. They come in a green curry and coconut broth with a no-sh** authentic southeast Asian flavor, which, as it turns out, is the optimum way to serve mussels. Try these and tell me if I'm wrong. Other great app favorites of mine include the fried calamari, jerked shrimp or roasted red peppers and fresh mozzarella. I see they now have an octopus carpaccio on the app menu as well. I'll have to try that on my next visit. Suddenly, I have a serious octopus jones. Entrees are just as good. They usually have some amazing specials so I often lean that way. But ordering off the menu, you really can't go wrong. The Middle Eastern style lamb chop is freakin amazing. The steak frites are every bit as good as what I had at Les Halles. Likewise, the wiener schnitzel is easily the best I've had this side of Munich. Portions are ample as they should be. They have a nice selection of quality beers on tap. The wine list is small, but interesting. The wait staff is generally very competent and professional. Prices are not cheap, but in line for this quality of dining. It is perfect? No. I wish the wine list had a little more depth to it and included a few stars like a Caymus or Joseph Phelps for those special occasion dinners. My only other real gripe is that the dining room is on the small size and can feel a bit cramped when they have a full house. Not a show stopper, but just saying. All in all, I think this is the best restaurant in Berks County. If you haven't been there, give it a try. read more

5 stars doesn't give this place justice! If you are a fan of a casual yet intimate setting with a menu that is more diverse than anything you have ever seen before than you will love this joint. Here is why I believe this may just be the best spot in Reading, and if I would ever move to Philadelphia, you better believe I would make the drive back to get a meal here. First of all Diannah is a mad scientist behind the scenes, she can make a dessert that would make The Pillsbury Dough-boy blush. However this doesn't mean that the meals are just okay, they are phenomenal! They have specials each night of the week, my favorite is Thursday nights, why you ask? Because they make burgers that are made with filet and prime rib. To put these burgers in comparison with Red Robin or 5 Guys, it would be like comparing a Ferrari to a Huffy bicycle you bought at Ames in 1984. Another thing I must add is that usually consistency can be a problem with restaurants. I have never had something that is more consistent than what I have had here, week after week it is still just as good. The burger is served with lettuce and tomato on the side and the toppings range from mushrooms to a fried egg. My choice is bacon with mushrooms and cheddar cheese. The burger also includes a pickle spear and french fries. Now my wife isn't even a burger person, however she really enjoys these as well. My wife will sometimes substitute a burger with chicken, and the french fries with a vegetable medley (green beans with carrots cut long). So if you are a man and have a craving for a damn good burger, you better place this on the top of your list. If not you will be pissed at yourself after you sink your teeth into this phenomenal out of this world creation. Enough about burger night, if you find yourself there on another day of the week the menu includes some rare dishes like weinerschnitzel (I hope I spelled that right?) also one of my favorites is the Filet Gorgonzola (this looks like a meal you would get at a restaurant owned by Wolfgang Puck). Finally I did mention very briefly about the desserts, I will run through the several that I have had, these are not in any particular order: Double Chocolate Pudding - Damn! Lemon cello Ice Cream - Holy Crap! Strawberry Cobbler - Speechless - Get it A la Mode Key Lime Pie - Best North of Key West Florida (if Jimmy Buffet ate this - he would release another album about this pie alone!) S'more Pie - Yes it is as good as it sounds (they even toast the marsh-mellows on top!) Enough about the food, lets chat about the beers. I am a pretty cheap guy, in other words I am happy with a Yuengling. I do enjoy craft brews over the major commercial beers. This place has some really great beers on tap. Another thing that they have going for them is that they love to hear of your suggestions. I fell in love with this Hawaiian beer (Kona) this was a suggestion by a frequent patron, and now I must purchase these beers to add to my house collection. Okay, I will now discuss the cons with this place. Since I gave it a 5 star review I will hold true to all of my words above, however every place in the world can use improvement. The only thing about the Arbor Inn, it's improvements I would have to say are out of control of the establishment. I would love to enjoy a burger outside in an even more casual environment, however since it is the parking lot it is a restriction of the location. If there is anything I would change I may offer burgers on a few nights (however since I do not run the business I am sure this is Frank's design to ensure his waitstaff gets business on usually down nights). Speaking of Frank, what a nice guy. He makes you feel welcome as soon as you come into the door. He also has a good sense of humor and knows his returning patrons. Therefore, I must conclude and say I can not say anything negative about this place to effect the rating of 5 stars. I would give this place 10 stars if I could - it is just that good. So check it out, you will not be disappointed read more

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Frank & Diannah's Arbor Inn is hidden in the Mount Penn/St. Lawrence area just outside of Reading off Perkiomen Ave. This really is a restaurant that is very classy and has great food. The servers are very friendly and the owners are very down to earth and sometimes come into the dinning area to meet the guests. Apparently Thursday evening is the big burger night. They are like gourmet burgers, but all the other nights they serve more elaborate entrees. They have a full bar area, where you first walk in and then into the dinning room. The prices are a little on the high side (considering this is Reading and not Philly or NY), but well worth the price. It's a nice breather from the chain restaurants. I strongly suggest this restaurant!! read more

Love it here!!!!! I had heard about Frank & Diannah's famous Thursday "burger night" and decided to give it a shot. Although I didn't even order a burger, I was very pleased with my grilled salmon (I was trying to eat healthy); usually salmon doesn't WOW me, but it does here. Since, my first visit, I've had the burgers and understand why "burger night" draws a crowd. In fact, my husband orders one every time we go there. I think he likes that you can literally order ANYTHING you want to top your burger (there is no list of this cheese or that, etc, etc) and they are obviously homemade. In addition to the burgers, Diannah is known for her homemade desserts. I have yet to save room for one but they sound delicious! Although the decor isn't trendy or modern, I love the atmosphere. read more