The city of Allentown has recently been ranked 27th out of the 200 largest metropolitan areas in the United States for building wealth for the year 2025. Zillow bases this data on 10 key housing metrics, including home value growth, sale-to-list ratios, increases in home value over the past two years, and price-cut frequency, to determine the top cities where real estate is most likely to generate wealth in the coming year. Basically, Allentown showed strong price growth and market resiliency.

Why Allentown Continues to Grow in Popularity

One of the reasons Allentown is so popular is its abundance of quality restaurants, such as:

  • Union and Finch:

    Seasonal, modern, comfort-driven American cooking in an atmosphere that is relaxed yet refined.

  • Grille 3501:

    A blend of Asian, French, and Mediterranean influences all presented in a unique style. The loft section of 3501 makes you feel as if you are at a Colorado ski resort.

  • The Dime:

    Located in the Renaissance Allentown Hotel in downtown Allentown, The Dime blends upscale comfort with consistent, polished, satisfying food and a few unique menu options.

  • Notch Modern Kitchen & Bar:

    Located on the western side of Allentown, Notch has a unique setup, with a large oval bar, front-facing patio, balcony, and private dining spaces. The restaurant features an Asian-American fusion menu with delights such as Wagyu truffle burgers, brisket chow mein, and drunken noodles.

  • Henry’s Salt of the Sea:

    Don’t let Henry’s unpretentious exterior fool you. It is one of the top two seafood establishments in the area. It is hard to believe you can get this quality of seafood so far away from the ocean, but Henry’s delivers incredible seafood dishes every time, with specialties such as broiled scallops and assorted seafood combinations.

  • Aladdin:

    Aladdin has been an Allentown fixture for years and features delicious Middle Eastern cooking, such as creamy hummus, fragrant rice dishes, and perfectly spiced proteins. The portions are also extremely generous, so bring your appetite.

  • Damascus Restaurant:

    Syrian home cooking with aromas that hit you as soon as you walk in the door. Longtime passed-down recipes such as shawarma, tabbouleh, and baklava are local favorites.

  • Cali Burrito:

    Cali Burrito brings West Coast-style Mexican-American food to the East Coast. It has a loyal following and uses a build-your-own format, featuring a wide variety of burritos, quesadillas, and tacos.

  • La Bicicleta Arepa Bar:

    La Bicicleta celebrates Venezuelan culture through its colorful décor and very unique food. This is a must-stop for those who really want to try something different and delicious.

  • Ringer’s Roost:

    A longtime local restaurant with a rustic, relaxed, communal spirit, Ringer’s Roost also has a very loyal following that loves the traditional American favorites such as burgers, sandwiches, and wings.

Allentown’s Popular No-Frills Favorites

Allentown also has several no-frills restaurants that are extremely popular:

  • Yocco’s:

    The “Hot Dog King” of Allentown since 1922. It is simple: a hot dog served on a steamed roll with mustard, chopped onions, and their secret chili sauce.

  • Ritz Barbecue:

    An Allentown staple for over 90 years, with its classic neon sign and car-hop service. It is famous for its local barbecue style, crispy fries, and homemade ice cream.

  • Wert’s Café:

    A beloved local neighborhood bar that is famous for one thing: its incredible, award-winning burgers, along with onion rings.

  • Louie’s Restaurant:

    Another longtime Allentown classic, this family-owned restaurant has featured wonderful red-sauce Italian food for over 60 years.

  • El Coqui Restaurant:

    A local favorite for people who love Caribbean flavors, El Coqui features authentic and delicious Puerto Rican food.

Coca-Cola Park Continues to Shine

Also located on the east side of Allentown is the Best Minor League Ballpark in America, as voted by readers of USA Today, Coca-Cola Park. Coca-Cola Park is home to the Philadelphia Phillies minor league team, the IronPigs. It is truly an event watching a game there. Congratulations to Coca-Cola Park!

Thinking About Moving to Allentown?

With strong home value growth, excellent dining, entertainment, and a growing economy, it is easy to see why more people are choosing to call Allentown home. At O’Brien’s Moving & Storage, we provide trusted residential moving services for local, long-distance, and interstate moves throughout Pennsylvania and beyond.

Whether you are relocating to the Lehigh Valley for work, retirement, or a lifestyle change, our experienced team is here to make your move smooth, organized, and stress-free from start to finish.