Checkers Bistro

Lancaster, United States

4.2

Open now

20 reviews

Accepts Credit Cards

Contacts

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Telephone:
+1 717-509-1069
Website:
www.checkersbistro.com
Address:
398 Harrisburg Ave Ste 700, Lancaster, PA, 17603
Nearby public transportation stops & stations:
0.6 miLancaster
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Bussiness info

Takes Reservations
Yes
Delivery
No
Take-out
Yes
Accepts Credit Cards
Yes
Accepts Bitcoin
No
Good For
Dinner
Parking
Private Lot
Bike Parking
Yes
Wheelchair Accessible
Yes
Good for Kids
No
Good for Groups
Yes
Attire
Casual
Ambience
Casual
Noise Level
Loud
Alcohol
Full Bar
Outdoor Seating
No
Wi-Fi
No
Has TV
No
Dogs Allowed
Yes
Waiter Service
Yes
Caters
Yes

Today

Today 11:30 am – 2:00 pm
5:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Open now
Local time (Lancaster) 21:51 Thursday, 29 May 2025

Business hours

Monday –
Tuesday 11:30 am – 2:00 pm
5:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Wednesday 11:30 am – 2:00 pm
5:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Thursday 11:30 am – 2:00 pm
5:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Friday 11:30 am – 2:00 pm
5:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Saturday 11:30 am – 2:00 pm
5:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Sunday 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Description

Specialties

One of Lancaster’s most favored restaurants, Checkers Bistro welcomes guests to enjoy its unique blend of French, Asian, and American cuisines, that have come to be recognized as the signature Checkers Bistro style, with its warm hospitality, and its unparalleled service. Chef Daniel Quishpe’s inventive seasonal menu consists of elegant dishes with a rustic influence that showcases the restaurant’s relationships with local farms and purveyors.

The restaurant can be enjoyed through two distinct dining experiences: in the Bar and in the Dining Room, both serving the full menu, while the bar also offers special happy hour selections.

Opened in 2006 by proprietors David Payne and Masami Kawano, originally in an intimate neighborhood location, the restaurant recently relocated to a historical building just a few blocks around the corner, in a building known as Champion Forge. Alison McIndoe of AK Interiors has beautifully redesigned the new space.

The owners and staff of Checkers Bistro look forward to serving you. It is our pleasure to provide you with excellent food and service each time you visit with us, and we encourage each of you to «live, love, eat.» Is always a beautiful day at Checkers Bistro.

Reservations are recommended.

History

Established in 2006.

Opened in 2006 by proprietors David Payne and Masami Kawano, originally in an intimate neighborhood location, the restaurant recently relocated to a historical building just a few blocks around the corner, in a building known as Champion Forge. Alison McIndoe of AK Interiors has beautifully redesigned the new space.

The restaurant can be enjoyed through two distinct dining experiences: in the Bar and in the Dining Room, both serving the full menu, while the bar also offers special happy hour selections.

Checkers Bistro welcomes guests to enjoy its unique blend of French, Asian, and American cuisines, that have come to be recognized as the signature Checkers Bistro style, with its warm hospitality, and its unparalleled service. Chef Daniel Quishpe’s inventive seasonal menu consists of elegant dishes with a rustic influence that showcases the restaurant’s relationships with local farms and purveyors.

Meet the Business Owner

David P.

Business Owner

David Payne — Proprietor

David was born in the United Kingdom and graduated from Thames Valley University in England with a degree in Hotel Management. He received his management training at the Savoy Hotel in London, and was recruited by Sheraton Hotels in GA. David left the Sheraton company to pursue an opportunity at the Dolphin Hotel at Disney World in Orlando, FL. He arrived in Lancaster, PA as the opening General Manager of the Lancaster Arts Hotel. He and Masami started Checkers Bistro in 2006.

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20 reviews of Checkers Bistro

No registration required
Place rating: 2
Lancaster, PA
In one visit, Checkers went from my favorite restaurant in lancaster, to I’ll never go back. We visited on the Friday before Valentine’s Day. I’m not sure if there is a new chef, but on previous trips we were blown away by the food. I ordered the braised veal short ribs with horseradish mashed potatoes and brussel sprouts. The brussel sprouts were slightly undercooked and completely unseasoned, but the mashed potatoes were very good. However, the braised veal was ultra fatty and rubbery. The texture was so bad that I couldn’t eat it and sent it back. This is something I don’t think I’ve ever done before. The waitress was very helpful and offered to take it off the bill and asked if I wanted to order something else. I then ordered the espresso marinated filet with asparagus. Again, I was disappointed. The asparagus was entirely unseasoned (I think it was simply steamed) and the filet had very little flavor. There was a sauce surrounding the filet which was very good but did not make up for the unseasoned filet. I got a single bite of the steak that had some sort of seasoning on it that was delicious. If the whole filet had that type of flavor I would have been blown away. After this experience, I would most likely not go back. I would not want to risk paying those types of prices for that kind of disappointment.
Place rating: 5
Lancaster, PA
I love the food here! We had a late lunch at the bar. The bartender was a great server and he was very knowledgeable about the menu as well as the superb selection of drinks. My favorites are the French onion soup and the roasted chicken. I would eat here daily if I could!
Place rating: 4
Lancaster, PA
Absolute favorite restaurant here in Lancaster. From the salad, to the entrée, to the desert… you will not be disappointed! However, my only complaint is the new location and its ambiance. Waiters, although very professional come off kind of hoighty toighty. I preferred the original location, found it more unique and down to earth. Last time I was here we asked to sit at a different table and the woman seating us gave us an attitude. Although this isn’t a reason to not come back to the restaurant, I was still not impressed. Décor is far too dark and overrated, but the food is divine. Recommend, but only on special occasions!
Place rating: 4
Lancaster, PA
We are back at Checkers after a long hiatus for early drinks and light fare on New Year’s Eve at around 430 pm. Staff were very nice and they have dropped the attitude that we have experienced in the past. Only criticism is salt and pepper should be served with every meal, as many dishes are not salted to our liking. The Italian Pinot Noir by the glass which was featured that night, was a very poor choice, which I witnessed was collaborated by others seated at the bar. This is a great place to go with the appeal of a city restaurant, without getting shot in a drive by.
Place rating: 4
Boston, MA
Very friendly staff. Super beautiful atmosphere. I had the fish special and the food was super bland. I had the crème Brule and that was very tasty. Don’t get the fish special.
Place rating: 3
Portsmouth, NH
Good experience but so many thoughts;
1) The name does not properly denote the beautiful interior of this restaurant — please, please change the name.
2) Menu was focused and has some great choices with different portion sizes which is a great option for me.
3) Service was slow and not the best. The tables were very close and our party sat at a booth in the corner, so the wait staff had to lean over us to fill water, drop food or to take dishes away. We had to hand them our dishes to clear so that would not happen.
4) Drinks took way too long for a beer and martini.
5) Food was slow to arrive but was good when we finally did receive our meal.
All in all I would go back and it is worth the visit, but they have some things to work on for me to become a regular guest.
Place rating: 5
Beacon Falls, CT
We celebrated our anniversary here and had such a good experience.
Our server was personable & knowledgable of the menu and made us feel comfortable.
The atmosphere of the place was dimly lit, cozy & on the romantic side. It felt a bit crowded, lots of tables in close proximity of each other.
My husband had ordered a steak with asparagus and really enjoyed it. I had ordered the seared scallops with creamed leaks. DIVINE. The entire dish was so flavorful and melted in my mouth. In my top five favorite meals, ever!
They had noted it was our anniversary and provided us with lemon sorbet, on the house, and a beautiful red rose.
Place rating: 2
Lancaster, PA
My wife and I have been going to Checkers since their opening on Mulberry Street, and sadly our recent visit compelled me to write this review.
Our last visit started out roughly as we walked in confirmed our reservation, I turned around to ask my wife and guests to have a seat in the lobby, turned back around and was asked if I had a reservation. It was literally 5 seconds and the maitre d had already forgotten me!
No biggie, until after being seated when we were forgotten about again. 10+ minutes for a drink order — 10 more for drinks to arrive. Orders were placed, and although I was told I could substitute leaks for any other side (with the scallop dish), my choice of risotto apparently didn’t please our server. Never the less, the order was placed. Apps came out to the wrong people at the table, and bread didn’t even come until after our entrees arrived. Several of us sat for 5+ minutes with empty drinks and water at multiple times throughout the meal. At one time we did learn that the server had never tried one drink or one meal that they sold on us being «their favorites» earlier in the meal. :/​
Several times when using the restroom, our napkins were never refolded (this would absolutely have never happened once when at the old location). This may seem like a small point, but I think its the perfect encapsulation of the current state of Checkers. Servers used to be extremely friendly and attentive, the owner was always visible and running a tight ship, and while I’m at it — prices used to be reasonable.
The food is still fantastic, even if the same meals that were once small plates are now $ 10 more and called entrees (with absolutely no increase in size of the meals). Really? You think people wouldn’t notice that???
We’ve been to Checker’s literally a hundred times and watched the owners fall all over the obviously wealthy, while paying us no mind despite being frequent diners. We’ve endured price hikes, and obviously unhappy and overwhelmed servers, but a complete failure on almost all dining fronts (save the delicious food) leaves me feeling like we’ll never return — but wishing we could return to the old days at Mulberry Street.
Place rating: 5
Lancaster, PA
Usually need reservations, but they know how to do things right. If you are visiting Lancaster, or just looking for a special night out then this is your place.
What is good/​great? Beet salad. Sweet potato fries. Duck tacos. Coffee cured petite filet. And steak frites. Oh my god their steak frites.
Loved them at their old location, and now so in their new home.
Place rating: 4
Manhattan, NY
My first visit to Lancaster! Reviews seem promising about this place at Trip advisor so we made a reservation at this restaurant. 3 of hungry girls ordered Fish of the day, crab cake and Lancaster roasted chicken dish.
Fish was my favorite for sure. Very savory and generous portion. Crab cake was delicious but everyone complained about their tiny portion. 3 of us had just one bite each. Lancaster chicken was gigantic. May be its only me but little plain to me. Could’ve use little salt and seasoning.
We did enjoy cozy ambiance and great food there.
Place rating: 4
Baltimore, MD
Very nice discovery for us. Deserves 4 ½ **, but Unilocal does not give us this option and 5** would be probably misleading from one time visit.
The food was great, the ambiance (though dark) is cozy and romantic, the service is attentive and very professional. The only confusion for us was their advertised dress code is «casual dress» when it’s more like smart casual/​special occasion place (judging from the inside interior). We felt a bit uncomfortable being in casual. We’ll definitely be back when in the area.
Place rating: 5
Lancaster, PA
At checkers for their special bastille day diner event!
Did order some duck liver pâté with baguette, and a bouillabaise to follow.
Together with a glass of pinot noir this should do the job for the french guy I am!
Well, this was really good. The pâté might have been more dense. It was a very light foam version but still good. The bouilllabaise would need a deeper plate and more juice too. Bit salty but enjoyable and very close to the french version I know.
Third course with desert trio: tartelette fraise, éclair chocolat and napoleon. yummy…
Final with a chartreuse verte as digestive liquor because they did not have an armagnac! :(
Place rating: 5
Brooklyn, NY
Just amazing. Favorite restaurant of 2015 so far, and I live in NYC. Going back again. Everything here, especially the kale salad, is amazing. The atmosphere is beautiful. Score.
Place rating: 5
Tucson, AZ
Had a wonderful dinner here. The restaurant is in a strip mall area and looks unobtrusive on the outside but is quite nice on the inside. Although there are a number of tables, it still feels like a intimate setting. The service was excellent-​one of those places where if you get up, they re-​fold your napkin. They offer fresh local ingredients and the dishes were presented very nicely. I had the beet salad which was delicious as was the shrimp cavatelli entrée that had parmesan sauce and crushed pistachios. For dessert I had the crème brûlée which was good. They do take reservations-​including on opentable and there is parking out front. They have a take out entrance as well as the dining room entrance.
Place rating: 5
Lancaster, PA
The best. Amazing service, great food and always fun.
My only complaint is that I’m not there more.
Place rating: 3
Santa Rosa, CA
A lovely restaurant to have lunch. Looks attractive for dinner too.
Food was quite tasty, but the special of the day, the Oyster Po Boy had just a few tiny oysters. The Sweet Potato Chips were good and crisp, but I found them over salted.
We will try it again, but order other items from their menu.
Place rating: 5
Lancaster, PA
I love everything about this restaurant. Décor is warm and inviting. The service is top notch. The food is consistent every time.
Things to try: Salt Crusted Calamari/​Coffee-​Cured Petite Filet/​Steak Frites/​Shrimp and Grits
Place rating: 3
Santa Rosa, CA
This was our first visit to Checkers. The setting and, ambiance are very nice, and comfortable. Service was excellent and the noise level was low at lunch.
Oyster poor boy was the special of the day. That is one of our favorites and all three of us ordered it.
It was served with a very nice side salad of local apples, organic spring mix, caramelized walnuts and crispy sweet onions which two of us enjoyed. The other had the sweet potato chips which he said were way too over salted.
The oyster poor boy was OK but there were only a few small oysters so the bread overwhelmed the contents. We all ate the contents and left half the bread.
All this sandwich needed to be great was three or four large oysters with the nice crispy coating. As an oyster lover I want to be able to taste the oyster.
They seem to have a lot going for them here but need to step up to a better oyster poor boy.
Place rating: 5
PA, PA
A couple of weeks ago, Georgia and I had the pleasure of dining at Checkers Bistro in Lancaster. Kelly, our server could not have been nicer or made us feel more at home.
She and the entire experience was wonderful. I love that she took the time to write out the welcome to Lancaster (in French). It’s those little extras that separate one great restaurant from another.
Place rating: 5
Raleigh, NC
I can’t help but gush when I think of Checkers; literally, this is one of my all-​time favorites, anywhere. I was so excited to visit their new location and see their redesigned space. As usual, it did not disappoint.
I always order the duck tacos to start, because if I don’t I feel as if I’ve missed out on something. They’ve added a newer entrée item that I’m also totally obsessed with, ahi tuna frites. If you’re a tuna fan, order it rare and prepare to have your mind blown with the wasabi aioli and crispy French fry combination. Total perfection. Checkers also has great cocktails, and I tried the summer sangria (which could have been a special) and was very impressed. Beautiful display in the glass and a great, subtly-​sweet taste.
When I’m not raving about the food quality and presentation, I’m also consistently impressed with the service. On our most recent visit, Jan was our waiter and he did such a phenomenal job. Incredibly attentive, friendly, and offered a great wine suggestion that paired really well with my boyfriend’s coffee-​cured filet (his go-​to). The Lechthaler Teroldego Rotaliano was so good, I’ve been on the hunt to nab it here in North Carolina. Definitely one of the better reds I’ve had.
I love a restaurant that can really execute a clean menu with impeccable service. Add to that a lovely new location with a more modern vibe and you have a total win-​win. Hats off to Checkers!