This rating need some clarification, as the ambiance at Circular Dining Room is spectacular - especially at sunset. The service is upscale and every member of the staff was extremely friendly. Cocktails were perfect and the sommelier was very helpful and knowledgeable. As for the food, there isn't anything to complain about, but far from great. The menu was uninspiring from first glance and the main course was the dullest part of the evening - felt like we just had to get through it to get on to the chocolate martini's that awaited us. If the Hotel Hershey could match the ambiance and service levels with the menu and food quality, this could easily be a 5/5 dining experience. I hope they will - I'd like to return - at sunset, of course. read more

The Circular - New American Near Me - Hershey, Pennsylvania

I met some friends here for some apps and drinks before going to Troegs brewery. The ambiance and feel of Hershey hotel just exudes high class and sophistication, so I was worried they might frown upon my trucker hat with a cat on it. Nonetheless they let me in and I joined my friends around the circular bar. This is a cocktail bar, but of course I ordered an IPA for my first beverage. Food wise, everything sounded good, lots of seafood on the menu. I ordered the cocoa crusted diver scallops, and the fried oysters. The scallops came out first. They were cooked perfectly. The meat was tender and not rubbery at all. The cocoa crust was interesting, giving it a burnt bark flavor which was better after every bite. The oysters came out next and the smell ruminating from them were intoxicating. Now I usually prefer my oysters raw, but these were awesome! Fresh oysters fried to perfection, with a lightly dresses coleslaw and BBQ sauce. With all this goodness in my belly, I needed a good stiff drink to wash it down. My bartender/mixologist (Kara, cute blonde) suggested the blind tiger. It was bangin! It had pomegranate in it which gave it a mild sweetness. Next time your in the sweetest place on earth, and you enjoy the company of cougars, check out the circular at hotel Hershey. read more

See all

This was one of the best dining experiences we have had in awhile. My boyfriend made reservations for us for a late Vday dinner celebration. We were in town visiting from Philadelphia for a country concert. Upon arrival we greeted by a friendly hostess who sat us within a few minutes of arriving. Once seated, we were greeted by the buser who asked us about our water preference. We were then greeted by our waitress, Patti, shortly after who was fantastic. She made some great suggestions with all courses and was very honest about the expectations with serving size and quality of food. We got the scallops and lobster bisque to start and both tasted delicious. You only get two scallops but it was enough to know if you wanted more, it was a safe decision for an entree. To drink, I order the pear martini which was light and refreshing. I would strongly suggest this drink. My boyfriend got the house red wine which was the perfect amount of dry and fruity. For our entrees, we both ordered the filet. I got the bearnaise sauce on the side and he received red wine demi. Both sauces were excellent and the steaks were cooked exactly how we ordered them. For our sides, we got the carrots and polenta. I was stuffed but couldnt stop myself from still indulging in both sides. They were very tasty and I am still thinking about the polenta. The atmosphere was quant. I do wish we got a seat closer to the windows but the evening was great. Patti was an amazing waitress and we would definitely request her for future visits. read more

Gourmet Chuckie Cheez How the mighty have fallen! We live local and went for a birthday celebration. The dining room was unruly kids every other table. Several tables away a "make me feel safe" dog was being fed under the table, and at the table next to us an infant was loud, screaming and at one point was eating a pretzel roll off the carpet! This is the Hershey Hotel!! This place is an icon, and this is their signature restaurant!! Not long ago gentlemen had to wear a sports coat just to step foot in the place. My advice to you is save your money ... Red Robin is a mile down the road. My advice to the restaurant is ... put a bouncy house in the corner and complete the transformation. 2 stars only because the service was very good. read more

My wife and I were in Hershey for a whirlwind trip; I'm glad we got to visit The Circular, they took good care of us! Sweet potato bread, good start! We ordered the cheese board, and I always appreciate the server pointing out what each item is. My wife ordered the skirt steak, and it was prepared perfectly. I ordered the ribeye, and it was a thinner cut than I was expecting, but was good. Expecting the best desserts in all the land, we saved room, and ordered the Grand Marnier Chocolate Soufflé. Now, I thought this was going to be a chocolate souffle, but it was a regular souffle atop a small amount of chocolate. I wouldn't go so far as to say I was disappointed, as it was good, but I was anticipating something different, so my expectations were off. Ambiance - I liked the restaurant, very high ceiling, surprise-surprise, it's round! An excellent view of the lawn, though hotel-guests going by in bathing suits was a bit distracting. The entire staff was fabulous. The manager checked on us a couple of times, our waiter Michael was very friendly, made great recommendations, and provided top-notch service. They did an excellent job taking care of us! read more

Yum, steak of the night at The Circular at the Hotel Hershey! I don't know if i go here too much or Nate, my super friendly waiter, had an incredible memory! He remembered my name! He always picked out perfect wines to pair with my steaks! Great service all the time! I can't wait to come back! read more

See all

The waiter was ok, but he was a horrible listener. While ordering wine for our party of 5, I told him the Producer, grape, and vintage. He then returned to the table with the ipad & asked that I point to it. Clearly because he didn't know the wine list. This is supposed to be the most premier dining room in central Pennsylvania ... where's the professionalism? I also asked that the bottle of wine be served with our entrees since we all ordered 1st & 2nd cocktails with our appetizers. Instead, he rushed to the table then opened & poured the wine as soon as I ordered it. Consequently ... I had to order a 2nd bottle with our entrees. I ordered the 1855 Cowboy medium rare ... what I received was 1/8th of an inch thick & medium to mid-well. A true chef wouldn't have served me that piece of meat & called it an 1855 cowboy. Shame on you Hotel Hershey. Shame on you dated restaurant management. read more

I love the circular...I don't get here often, but we pulled it off for Valentine's Day. A great menu, food, and service...as has come to be expected. Circular because Milton Hershey never wanted anyone to have to sit in a corner. read more

The Circular is the fancier restaurant at the Hershey Hotel, and the service definitely reflected that. John was our waiter, and he was very nice and knowledgeable. After ordering, we were offered free tastings of their amuse bouche. We ordered the bread service and cheese plater as appetizers, and I ordered the duck breast for my entree. The cheese plater was the perfect size and was delicious, as was the bread. John told me the duck was cooked sous vide, which made it super tender, but it also prevented the crust from getting crispy, which sucks because that is the best part of duck breast. I also couldn't really taste the sauce (honey-lavender). It was good, but for the price, it could have been better. I also had the chocolate soufflé for dessert, and the texture was perfect, but it was overwhelmed by orange liqueur. I could barely taste the chocolate. However, we still had an enjoyable experience and we would definitely go there again. read more

When you go to this restaurant, you are truly paying for the atmosphere. The food was alright, but the waiter was quite rude. My daughter ordered the children's buffet (kids 11 and under), however, the waiter did not believe that she was actually 11 and was doubting that it was true. I think my kid know how old she is.... The French toast was extremely stale and I had to saw it with my knife to cut through it! The other people in my party enjoyed their food, but we all agreed that the restaurant could hold higher standards. read more

The service is pretty quick. But the buffet is very overpriced. The bacon is also extremely greasy. But the granola quinoa parfait is good. The grease on the other hand, not so much. The French toast is also stale. read more

Our server, Heather was a dream and the food was delicious. The lobster appetizer was amazing and the salmon was fresh and perfectly cooked. It was so nice to have an elevated meal for the adults and a comfortable space for the kids. We can't wait to come back! read more

I just love love love this place! I've been here twice, both times for the lunch buffet, and it was absolutely worth it both times! Atmosphere: (5/5) - It's a comfortable upscale atmosphere. They do have a dress code, business casual. The dining room is actually a circle and the decor is beautiful. You can see gardens right outside the windows and the natural lighting makes it very nice for taking pictures. Food: (5/5) - I can say with confidence that I love the food here because I have tried at least ten meat dishes, five vegetarian dishes, and twenty different desserts. The buffet is SO worth it! Just come prepared to eat like a Korean BBQ because you don't want to waste the moment! Service: (5/5) - Everyone is polite, quick and attentive. They have different levels of servers, some are busers and some will take drink orders. Cleanliness: (5/5) - Absolutely spotless. Water is crystal clear and refreshing. Food setup for buffet is sanitary. Good hang out spot: Yes Good date spot: Yes! Worth the price: So worth it! Buffet on Friday/Saturday is $28, and it includes all non-alcoholic drinks! Tip: Go on lunch buffet time and be sure to make reservations a week ahead of time because this place gets filled up quickly. read more

Loved every minute in this resturant. Ive eaten dinner and breakfast here. The breakfast was a bit crowded for my likes. Dinner was excellent. Service is amazing here! The best! 5 star read more

Food was delicious! Staff was phenomena, very attentive and very friendly and informative. Went out of the way to make our meal special! Would absolutely recommend! read more

Like the hotel it resides in, this place is a wonder. The appearance reminded me of a cruse ship dining hall. The service is beyond excellent. As soon as we entered workers offered to take our coats. The externally friendly waiter as well as another waitress were extremely kind and engaged in conversation and made us feel welcome. One personally lead an elderly person to the bathroom. They were very tentative and continue to check on us. As for the food, wow, just wow. The bread was the best ever and the chicken with carrot puree and macaroni and cheese was superb. The crab cake slider and raspberry dessert were good as well. This is just an all around great place. read more

See all

BRUNCH REVIEW The brunch is worth going to if you are really hungry and want something special. It isn't cheap but I believe it is worth going to. There are fresh fruits, seafood, crepes, omelets, bacon, etc. Pretty much everything you can expect from a brunch buffet. The menu seems to change weekly so make sure you check the online menu before going! read more

The view was incredible. The food was amazing! The wine list was extensive. Great customer service our waited was very attentive! I ordered the porterhouse and it was cooked perfectly! The sides we ordered were amazing. We ordered the brussel sprouts and Mac and cheese. read more

The restaurant is hands-down the only technically "fine dining" restaurant in Central PA. It is a recipient of the AAA Four Diamond Award, the DiRoNA Award, and a Wine Spectator award (although we know these awards are not necessarily indicative of good food, as evidenced by The Golden Sheaf). The restaurant is beautifully appointed, has a beautiful view, and the service is excellent. It allegedly has a dress code, so make sure to check the website ahead of time for the parameters. The menu is seasonal, so I can't steer you toward any specific recommendations except for dessert. Because it's Hershey, the restaurant manages to sneak a little cocoa powder in EVERYTHING, which is clever at first but becomes annoying when it seems arbitrary. I remember tasting one specific dish where we thought the cocoa took away from the overall flavor--but only one, so don't be discouraged. For dessert we had a citrus medley dessert plate. The toasted blood orange marshmallow was inventive and amazing. This restaurant serves creative, interesting, and beautifully-plated cuisine. It is also frankly reasonably-priced to downright inexpensive given the quality of the food--but that is the upside to being located in the middle of nowhere. Also, tell the receptionist if you're making reservations for a special occasion (we dined here to celebrate my law school graduation)--after dessert, the chef presented me with a plate of chocolate-covered strawberries with "Congratulations" written on it on chocolate. Very sweet, pardon the pun. I would definitely recommend this place for a night on the town. read more

The Circular truly needs to be reviewed separately from its predecessor the Circular Dining Room. With the exception of the room, this is a different restaurant altogether. My wife and I went to the Dining Room less than a year ago and while it was a pleasant experience, we were in no hurry to get back. Seeing that it was revamped and reopened we decided to give it another go. We were pleasantly surprised. The new Circular is an upscale modern fine dining experience. It is certainly not as stuffy as it used to be. It catered to an older crowd and that was fine, but it was refreshing to see it update with the times. We arrived early for our reservation and sat at the bar for a cocktail. They were fantastic! I had the Blind Tiger and she had the Death by Chocolate Martini. Good start, so far, We enjoyed checking out the new decor while we sat. We were then seated and presented with our menus. The menus were pretty limited as far as entree plates go but they had a decent a la carte selection for apps, meats and sides. I hope that they expand their entrees a bit as they get established. We chose the Cocoa Dusted Scallops and Prezel Crusted Rock shrimp as sharing apps. These were both out of the park good. The scallops were the best I've ever had. I described the shrimp as the best bar food anyone could want. That is a compliment. They tasted great and had a really good tasty crust and mustard dipping sauce. The bizarre downside is that the portion was HUGE. Usually this isn't a bad thing but because they were so good it was hard not to fill up on them. For our entrees I ordered the Veal Porterhouse and she ordered the shrimp and scallop skewers (overkill, right?). My porterhouse was very good tasting, but a little on the dry side for a cut that think. I can get over that pretty easily though knowing that they are still getting into their rhythms. The skewers were good, but after the shrimp and scallops of the appetizers, they just couldn't hold up. The twice baked potatoes we ordered as sides were excellent. I don't remember what cheese is in them but I recommend. They are on the smaller side, so even though the sides are meant to be split, in this case they might not. So far we were very pleased. For desert we couldn't turn down the signature Dark Chocolate Fondue for Two. It is served flambe with assorted dippers and was a very good finish. My wife also ordered the Chocolate Almond Kiss (yes, overkill, again). The quote upon taking a few sips of that drink was "whoever thought of this drink is a frickin' genius!" Yeah, it was pretty darn good. All in all the updates to the restaurant have made it new again and I think they did a great job including the service, which I should mention was quite good considering its only been officially open for a week. It is now on our rotation of Central PA fine dining. I hope they update the menu regularly and add some more entrees which is really all that kept it from 5 stars. Oh, and in keeping with some traditions, bring back the Chocolate Cherry Bread! That was the only thing we remembered from our first visit. I look forward to seeing how the Circular progresses and wish them the best of luck. read more

As part of our day of indulgence, we treated ourselves to the buffet lunch ($23) here at the Hotel. The Circular Dining Room is absolutely magnificent. Floor to ceiling windows stretching over 20 feet in height illuminate this grand ballroom, and allow everyone seated to view the majestic gardens and serene pools outside... A peaceful countryside setting that will give you one of the most relaxing dining experiences you've ever had. Unlike most buffets where you find dressing / country gravy / croutons splashed all over the place like a typhoon just hit, the presentation here was kept exceptionally clean and was visually prepared to perfection. At this buffet there was no fried chicken wangs, no Velveeta cheesy fries, no dried up Tombstone pizza slices, none of that crap... Every dish here was of 5-star high class bourgsieness. I'm talkin' creamy lobster bisque, cocoa seared scallops, honey glazed chicken breasts, pan roasted wild salmon, lightly buttered NY strips so juicy they make your mouth water like a wishing well... the first class service to match your every request. And of course, make no doubt about it... The desserts were eFFF'n faaaaantastic... I mean it's Hershey baby, whaddaya expect? So you know, fellow patrons here are a bit older with fatter than average wallets. The class and elegance of this place requires that you make reservations in advance for lunch, dinner, and sunday brunch. If your coming in for dinner or brunch there's a dress code. Guys gotta wear sports coats and women must be in dresses or dress pants. Only lunch time allows jeans / shorts, Nikes, and t-shirts. read more

Perhaps a 4.5. No question - the ambiance is superior. Windows allow for a beautiful view of the Hershey Garden, Tiffany (style?) lighting. Servers were knowledgeable, efficient, and personable. Exception: Overly officious manager whose detailed instructions to a hostess made for an awkward wait to be seated. Dining: The kitchen excels at presentation, particularly at dinner. Cucumber Curls, rack of lamb served "tommyhawk" style, etc. Our most successful dinner offerings: Lobster "rolls" were small pieces of delicious lobster in a crust made from brioche, served with blistered tomatoes, watercress, and an aoli - Honey and jalapeno sauce for Salmon. Not so successful; bland Cream of Corn soup, fatty Rack of Lamb, and pedestrian fingerlings. Breakfast Buffet: High point was the Pastry Bar. Mini Croissants, Danish, Muffins, and warm Sticky Buns. The buffet offers well prepared usual offerings: Omelets, French Toast, Waffles, breakfast meats, etc. Missing were some "special" offerings. Perhaps, they could offer lox to go with their very good bagels and a quiche or strada. Recommendation: Definitely go if you are looking for an experience that combines a setting reminiscent of the long-ago elegant dining rooms and good traditional offering, some with a more contemporary twist. read more

My wife and I used to look forward to eating at the circular dining room for special occasions but never again. Last time we were there was for our wedding anniversary at the end of December 2013. Many other visits were before it was renovated. The food has become just OK and service was a couple notches lower than all the other previous experiences. The room was noisy and was only about half full. We never experienced this in prior visits. Lastly, we didn't care for the new decor. Two stars awarded solely for remembering the good times in the past. Sorry to say "The Circular" is no longer worth the money. read more

In sum: gross and overpriced. Positives: Great Service and Desserts and Slammin' Dirty Martinis Negatives: Everything else. The room smelled old and fishy. Even though we'd made the reservation for my sister's birthday over a month in advance, we weren't given a window table. The portions were small, VERY small (especially considering the price) and were ill-executed. Plus, I get it, it's the Hershey Hotel, but why must you ruin time-tested recipes by adding chocolate? A few touches of chocolate or cocoa in some dishes would be nice...but not in so many! The food was really uninspired and plain for a place that charges $30-40 for most entrees. My thoughts: If you want good food, go to Bricco instead. read more

I have to say, I'm a little surprised by the mixed reviews for the Circular Dining Room on Yelp. I've come here for my birthday the last few years, and I love it here. Everyone does seem to agree though on two things: 1) The service is nothing less than outstanding. Sometimes when you're at an upscale restaurant like this, you expect, whether its real or imagined, that there can be a bit of an attitude among staff. That is not at all the case at The Circular Dining Room. The host, waiters, and servers are sincerely friendly, attentive, and not at all overbearing. The flow of the meal is always excellent; not too long between courses, but enough time to enjoy them and not feel rushed. 2) This place is to say the least, really, really nice to look at. Just a beautiful, moody ambiance, not to mention a great view overlooking the gardens and reflecting ponds. I have to respectfully disagree with the criticisms I've read on Yelp of the food. Everything my parties have had here were delicious, well-seasoned and cooked to perfection. Usually with an interesting presentation. During my last visit, I had the chocolate/cherry bread, and the sour dough bread to start. As always, loved the Cocoa Dusted Scallops. For my main course, I had the Grilled Filet of Beef, with baby carrots and Charred Corn Custard; all delicious. Last year I had lavender ice cream, which I exaggerate not, was the best ice cream I've ever eaten. Unfortunately, they didn't have it this year, so for dessert I went with the Black Sesame Penna Cotta/Sour Cherry Pearls/Yuzu Meringue/Mandarin Orange Sorbet. Really interesting combination of tastes and textures. Between the appetizers and entrees, the waiter brought out a complementary bit of brie with jam - a tiny bit. It really was more a preview of the available cheese plates available post-entree. Also, I had mentioned in my Open Table reservation that it was my birthday, so after desert, a plate of chocolate covered strawberries were brought out with "HAPPY BIRTHDAY" written in chocolate on the dish. Nice touch. Before or after dinner, be sure to check out the beautiful indoor courtyard outside the restaurant entrance; it has a painted sky ceiling, fountain, mosaic tile floor, and a mezzanine balcony. Just outside is a veranda, which has live jazz music during the summer. read more

Very disappointing!! After enjoying the Circular Dining Room a couple of times a year for scores of years, our last two visits in June and October were a real turnoff! Gone were tablecloths and an appropriate dress code! In were brown plastic placemats, clunky brown furniture, a noisy central bar. We were surrounded by people in plaid shirtsleeves with suspenders and jeans! A mix of Kmart and Applebee's. When we voiced our disappointment, we were met by surly indifference! No more a grand hotel dining room. Standards have been lowered, but not prices. Food was quite good and service excellent, but there is more to fine dining. Stay away if you expect a lovely, quiet experience in an elegant, classy environment! read more

Our family enjoys fine dining and we were excited to try this restaurant. What a disappointment it was when our dinner was served an hour and forty minutes after we were initially seated. To alleviate our displeasure the manager took 1 of the 2 steaks off our bill. After cutting into my well done steak (which I ordered medium rare) they decided not to charge us for both. At this point we lost extra time to preview Hershey Park as well. Double disappointment. I was not only unimpressed with this restaurant but the hotel as well. I have no problem paying high prices if the experience is such. If this Hotel would like to charge up to $500 a night for some rooms they will need to increase the quality. Sadly, they do not have much competition which allows for them to get away with it. read more

The best part about this restaurant is the décor and the views. I felt that the food was overpriced for what it was. Presentation was good, but the food was lacking flavor and the proportions of the dishes were a little off (my grilled cheese appetizer came with tomato soup in a dipping sauce bowl). My Caesar salad dressing didn't taste like Caesar- maybe even more ranch. I haven't tried the dessert, so I can't comment on that. Service was attentive. read more

This was first time I was ever at this restaurant. If I hadn't come here once before, I would have been surprised at how gorgeous it is inside, but I already had an idea seeing the other parts of the building while at The Spa. From the entrance, Valet takes your car. Then once you walk inside it looks just like a hotel lobby and you're guided to the left around corners, up elevators, around more hallway corners and finally after a long hike you've reached the restaurant. We sit down, waitress is friendly and kind. Also, the staff pouring our drinks and cleaning off the plates/crumbs from the table are just so OVERLY nice that it's annoying. Maybe I'm just not used to this type of service but, please stop your acting. I guess you get the service that you pay for. The menu was TINY! It's Hershey, so I figured... Options?? I stuck with my 7oz. salmon for $24.00, it was good. It also came with a side of 3 cherry tomatoes. They gave you bread, which was surprising but decent as well. The waitress told us the sides are so big you could share it. - which was true. The side of asparagus and mushrooms were pretty tasty. I took a taste of the Lamb that my boyfriend had. Almost puked right at the table (and I love eating Lamb). Also, I tried the Lobster Bisque, again, almost puking all over the table. I had to go to the bathroom, it was in the direction of the way we came.. took about half of that hike we took to actually get there. Hopefully customers can hold it on their journey. The most expensive thing on the menu was the Louis xiii Remy Martin wine which was $275.00 - Needless to say, I stuck with water. Afterwards we walked through the back and took a stroll. It was all a good experience, but people definitely talk up this place more than they should. Again for Hershey Hotel, it was probably a one-time experience! read more

I wanted to love the Circular Dining Room. We went for a special occasion and I had heard that this was "the" fine dining spot for the Harrisburg area. Unfortunately, the food was so average that I really can't mislead yelpers with more than two stars. The decor is striking and the atmosphere gives this place all of the trappings of a fine dining restaurant. The wait staff was professional and attentive (special shot out to the sommelier). The food just didn't measure up. My dishes were under-seasoned, lacking flavor and not cooked well. Those I dined with agreed- fish was overcooked, salads lacked flavor and the cut of my meat so fatty I couldn't finish it. Main courses are all $30-$40, and I'd just expect better for that price range. I got a tip from a friend to try the Circular Dining Room again in the fall or winter when the Hershey Hotel isn't as busy, but the restaurant wasn't full when we went. I will probably give it one more try in six months or so, as I really do want to like the place! For now though, I'm not convinced. read more

This review is for brunch at the Circular Dining Room. We've been going here now twice a year for the last several years. This past Sunday I had the pleasure of dining here again and it was wonderful as it always is. The restaurant itself is beautiful where almost every table is a good one (espcially if you come with a larger group, you will get a table close to the windows). The Hotel is currently remodeling, so it can get a little confusing getting from the parking space to the dining room, but that certainly doesn't make any difference to me. The brunch is served as an upscale buffet with multiple tables for the different food items. There are two hot food tables, two hors d'oeuvres tables, omlette station, raw bar, soup/bread table, and desserts. Every time I visit they have a different selections, but I'm not sure how often they mix it up, as I usually go about every 6 months. The quality and variety of the food is high-level gourmet. Here are some of the items from this Sunday (note I only eat seafood & veg selections, so I am leaving out a lot of meats): raw oysters, raw clams, cold shrimp, crab claws, variety of cold mussels, smoked salmon. Pasta salads, endive ceviche, smoked trout, duck something or other, cucumber dill cold soup, many other salad selections. Hot items: gnocchi with cheese walnut sauce, fennel with tomato, risotto & poached egg benedict (something like that), blintzes, scallops and shrimp dish, bacon/sausage, a baked fish dish, other meats. The dessert table is large (as to be expected), they always have a variety of small things and chocolate items, so you can try a variety. This trip I tried the berry pannacotta, dark chocolate mousse, and creme brulee. Also, they have wonderful coffee! I think the brunch is $40 (I could be wrong tho!), so its a pretty good deal considering what you get. Reservations are recommended/may be required. Jackets are required for men, I usually dress business casual. read more

This is a review for their breakfast buffet only. Although we didn't stay at the Hershey Hotel we did make it to breakfast at the Circular for one of our vacation days. The restaurant is beautiful, with huge windows that opened up to a garden outside. We were a large party and were seated at our own private table with tall wine cabinets separating us from the rest of the dining room. That may sound odd but the effect was pretty and gave us some great privacy. The food was excellent as well. I will say that we had been eating our hotel's medicore continental breakfast so that may have colored my perceptions. The chocolate bread pudding was fantastic. I am not a huge fan of bread pudding but this was great and I happily enjoyed ruining my calorie counting. Most of the buffet was standard menu items: eggs, bacon, blintz, sausage, made to order omelets, fruit etc. The staff was very friendly and got us in and out quickly without feeling rushed. I would without a doubt go back to enjoy the food as well as walking around the hotel. read more

We made a reservation on OpenTable for 9:30pm. We came 9:33pm and reservation desk refused to sit us. They even had a nerve to tell us that the kitchen is closed, while there was clearly a number on people in the restaurant. If I would be able to put 0 star review I would as it was the WORST customer experience in my life. Driving 30 min to the destination just to be turned back. read more

There are few hotels in the country from the pre-WWII era that are substantially unmodified from the days when live dance bands came to play, and that alone, along with the fact that this restaurant is in one of the great dining rooms in America, should be enough to get you here. I did not find the service attentive enough to recommend, but I thought the food was terrific and well worth a visit. Also the furniture, which are finely upholstered supple leather thrones, are worth the price of admission by themselves. And the stained glass is something to see. If you are an out of towner, come just to see the place. read more

Although we stayed at a less expensive hotel, our three-generation family of six ate at the Thanksgiving buffet and two breakfast buffets. We had a great experience. The people at Hotel Hershey and the Town of Hershey itself are very polite and accommodating. The Thanksgiving buffet was well appointed, seating quick and efficient and the staff friendly but professional. All of us found several items we particularly recommended to the others that particularly stood out and above the other tasty entrees. The vegetarian in the family would have liked a few dedicated vegetarian dishes - not tofu, soybean or whatnot - just good vegetables done in a nice sauce. Also, she stated the bread selection was limited and hard to find. She reminds us that vegetarians pay the same price as the meat eaters. The next day we attended the breakfast buffet. Although there was nothing fantastic that can't be had at other venues, the selection, service, comfort and ambiance made for a delightful morning so much so we returned the next morning. The price is a bit on the high side but the few extra dollars was worth it for the quality. The young lady who made our omelettes was friendly and skilled. The fresh-squeezed all you can drink orange juice was a treat. There was one astounding negative: the home fries were horrible. They must have come out of a frozen bag being small evenly diced and TASTELESS nubs - there's no excuse for such a shabby entree at a place like this. read more

I would agree with "letdown" when it comes to the food. Do not get me wrong the food is okay but the problem is that it's just OKAY. For the price and all the fuss the flavours should be amazing if they rave about their chef so much. I would say our starters and entrees we just as nice as a few other places in the Hershey/Hummelstown area except they seemed to add an extra $10 per dish. I ordered the venison and my other half had the halibut both prepared well but the sauces and sides really lacked any flavour. Well presented but just not worth the price. As for the atmosphere, I will have to say the holiday lights and tree were very pretty and the place does hold its fine dining reputation. lvoely service, candlelit and they catered to our party of 20 effortlessly. Will I go back? Maybe for a romantic date once in a great while but my tastebuds prefer many other dishes in the area. read more

Prior to my visit, I had flown in my sister from KS for my dad's birthday as well as a Christmas present for the rest of the family. Seeing as this was a special occasion on 2 accounts I decided to take my dad and sister here for a special meal. I have always heard nice things about The CDR, only to discover it has since been remodeled and renamed "The Circular". Either way, I booked reservations for 3 with much anticipation and even higher expectations. Now, I should mention that I have dined at higher-end Hershey establishments before, so I knew what to expect in some capacity. Easter Brunch at the Hershey Lodge for two years had me expecting a large bill for an elegant meal. But, in my own opinion, I only received one of these things. Let me go on to say that the place was immaculate. For those who don't know, the Circular is one of several restaurants at the Hotel Hershey. Of them all it is the only one I have dined in. Having now done so, I plan on trying the rest. As the name implies, The Circular is a round room with fancy table settings and a bar in the center. I really liked the design of the restaurant as the shape gave it a very open feel, unlike some other places that feel cramped and crowded. Another major plus is the spectacular use of natural lighting. The perimeter of the room is primarily glass doors and windows that not only allow the sun to illuminate the room, but it also allows for diners to look out at more of the scenic layouts The Hotel Hershey has to offer. A+ to the remodeling team; especially to the designer. My only complaint would be that the restroom, any restroom, is a far piece away from the restaurant itself. This makes for an inconvenience should nature call; in particular urgent calls. Moving on, as I have mentioned above, my visit here centered around the lunch buffet: a myriad of edibles ranging from an elaborate salad bar complete with greens, pasta, smoked meats and fish; a meat and cheese display with fresh bread and humus; hot entrees with a selection of meats and side dishes; and of course the desserts; among them was plenty of Hershey's best: chocolate. I enjoyed everything I ate and I made sure to eat everything. Not a dish went un-tasted: a personal feat for every buffet. And the damage: a hundred bucks; this includes gratuity. And I left an extra hefty tip for our extra friendly server. I believe the actual meal for three cost about seventy dollars give or take. For all of you gasping out there you probably aren't accustomed to "fine dining", but let me tell you, this is the best deal I have found. Hope to do it again someday. read more

See all

I feel like two stars is pushing it for this place, but maybe I expect too much because I'm spoiled living in SoCal. Buffet style restaurants can make or brake ya. The selection was mediocre and could be found just about anywhere. The service was hospitable. The thing I enjoyed best was the coffee, it must have been frenched pressed. Sorry Kush M. but I'm going to have to disagree with your review of this place. I think there's a reason your the first to review this place and I might be the last....hahaha! Jk buddy. Getting back to the point of my review here, the food was just okay. Maybe pennsylvanians have simple diets. This place is nice compared to the local restaurants I drove by but then again there's no competition. Just go to the hotel convenient store and pick yourself up some hershey candles, they're original and can only be bought from the register, so I've heard. read more

We arrived early for our 7:30 Saturday night reservation to try a drink at the bar. I unfortunately forget the bartenders' names, but they mixed righteous cocktails. It's been like six weeks and I still remember how good that julep was. High marks all around for the bar and bar staff. We were seated on time and ordered wine and an appetizer. Our server provided recommendations for pairing and generally did a fabulous job attending to us. We started with a rock shrimp appetizer. It's basically a tricked out version of a "popcorn shrimp" bar snack, but still, we cleaned the plate. For the main course I went with a pan-roasted halibut and my date ordered the swordfish, with an a la carte side of roasted heirloom carrots with caraway. We both thoroughly enjoyed dinner. I'll ding them for slightly overcooked fish, but otherwise the flavors were nice and the presentation admirable. Despite being full we ordered a desert to share, which if I recall was a take on a rhubarb pie. Whatever it was, it was both overcomplicated and absolutely delicious. A few notes about the ambiance of the Circular: remember that you're at a resort. The Circular looks fancy, but the vibe is more relaxed. So dress nicely, but don't overdo it. More importantly, again remembering that you're smack dab in the middle of a busy resort, expect hustle and bustle. For instance, while we ate there was both a large corporate event on the lawn directly outside the restaurant's beautiful windows, and a wedding reception in full force one level up. So while it was relatively peaceful inside, I wouldn't at all call the Circular intimate. All in all, we had a great experience, enhanced mightily by top flight staff, and will absolutely come back again. read more

Customer service surpasses everything. We went for dinner here and they do so much to make the customer happy. Dinner is ok. Portion sizes are small for adults but better for kids. The bread and butter are delicious! The desserts are ok, nothing to brag about. The buffets are definitely what you want to come for. read more