Moonlight Cafe
4140 Carlisle Rd, Dover, PA, 17315
Moonlight Cafe Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Dover for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Dover for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Dover for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
4140 Carlisle Rd
Dover, PA, 17315 - Phone (717) 292-5643
- Website https://www.moonlightcafeyork.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Tue
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : No
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Loud
Alcohol : No
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Dogs Allowed : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
Categories
Italian Cuisine
The immense popularity of Italian cuisine globally isn't unknown. You can find an Italian Pizzeria around every corner of almost every city in the United States. Not to forget that in every house, people enjoy mac and cheese as comfort food. But it would be wrong to believe that Italian food starts with pizza and ends with good pasta as this Mediterranean country has much more to offer other than these two dishes. In Italian Cuisine, there is a high use of fresh tomatoes, all kinds of herbs, great quality of cheese, all types of meat, seafood and fresh handmade pasta. Many find it hard to believe that Italians have been making noodles long back.
Italian and Greek cuisines are always mistaken to be same, but they are poles apart. The primary difference between the two cuisines is the use of cheese in most of the Italian dishes. Italians love to cultivate their own cheese and process them as per their food requirement. It is believed that some cheese is so expensive that cheese producers secure them in lockers.
If you are bored eating the same old pasta or pizza, you can try some of the authentic Italian dishes like Risotto, Polenta, Ribollita, Lasagna, Fiorentina Steak, Bottarga, Ossobuco, Carbonara, Focaccia, Arancini and Supplì. Another item which Italians love to relish every morning is a good cup of Italian Coffee. Once you taste a freshly brewed cup of Italian Coffee, you might not visit Starbucks ever again. Authentic Italian food is made with heart and soul, so go find a restaurant where you can relish Italian cuisine in your city.
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Lamont T.
Awesome! Great Italian food. The food is fresh and exciting. My favorite spot for Italian.
(5)Joe D.
The best Italian restaurant ever. The food is absolutely awesome, service great and atmosphere unique.
(5)Ryan E.
This restaurant was great. The coffee was perfect, the room beautiful, the service great and the food was amazing plus the prices were great. I recommend the bruschetta
(5)Mandy N.
Never dissatisfied. OBSESSED with the red sauce and every dish I've eaten has been quite tasty. If you don't like noise, crowds, or authentic Italian, don't go here. The place is teeny tiny with a few tables, limited parking, and, if you come during dinner hours, there will almost always be a wait... But it's worth it! Unique dining experience. Very friendly staff. BYOB and I'm like 99% sure that they now accept credit cards! YES PEOPLE, THEY TAKE PLASTIC!
(5)Philip G.
Oh my gawd. This place sits right on 74, is just a few miles from York City, and serves up excellent panini's, italian food, and cappuccinos. The owner/chef is passionate about what he does. Don't miss!
(4)Daniel H.
Love this tiny little Italian eatery! My mother brought me here to eat one time. Let's just say my initial idea that no person would ever open a little gourmet Italian eatery in Dover was completely wrong. Don't judge it by the outside appearance or the size of the parking lot. The food is fresh and excellent, so be prepared to wait in line because the place only seats approximately 20 people. But don't worry the owner of this place wants to keep it small and has no plans to expand. Because part of the charm of this place to me is its size. So enjoy a big city menu in this small rural town.
(5)Leslie R.
Went to the Moonlight Cafe for the first time last night and it was AMAZING. We live in Mechanicsburg and I would say Moonlight doesn't just have the best Italian in all of York, but in all of Central PA. Even my 100% Italian mother loved it!! We will definitely be going back.
(5)Mary M.
Best kept secret in York County! Not much to look at from outside and tiny inside, but the food is great, service is efficient and very friendly, and the prices reasonable. They do take credit cards now.
(5)John K.
Service was good, of the four of us, all were pleased except it was not pleasant atmosphere because their exhaust was not working. So a bit smoky and it was very cold out so they probably had the fresh air turned off. The lasagna was a casserole and not listed as a bowl of sauce and cheese. Uhh. But other than that- I might try it again.
(3)russell c.
Having actually been to italy, this place is great and about as close to authentic Italian as I've had state side. They do have some regular American style dishes as well. But I would recommend ordering off there spirals menu. You won't be disappointed. As stated else where, it's CASH ONLY and BYOB/wine.
(5)Michael Y.
This place is very small, loud and crowded the interior leaves a lot to be desired. That being said the service is ok at best the food was so so the prices are crazy out of control I had a cup of soup and a sald and it cost $11.00 this doesn't include my drink . It just is not worth ever going back
(2)H. C.
Italian restaurant for a gluten free gal is almost always a no-no. Not the case at Moonlight Cafe! You can add gf pasta to any dish!! I was over the 'moon' !!!!!! We were greeted at the door by the lovely Rosalyn, who's taken over the place with husband and chef- Marc. Stellar food, great service, adorable ambiance. Cozy and delightful. We will be coming back every time we come home to York! By on and cash only!
(5)Andrea S.
Have been several times and enjoyed every meal. It's very crowded loud small café that is cash only. Be prepared to wait for a table by standing by the door or outside - but it is worth the wait. I've gone in small groups of 3-5 and we've always been seated within about 15 minutes. Everyone has always enjoyed their choice of meal. Price has been fair for the portion sizes having often taken home what I can't finish in one sitting. Definitely worth a try if you have the time, and patience, to wait :)
(4)Ryan N.
Excellent italian food. A little cramped, but a nice no frills aptmosphere. The kitchen is practically in the dining area which can be noisy at times Cash only is a down side.
(4)Bryan T.
This place would be a hidden gem in big cities like NYC or PHL, but to be located in Dover, PA is a 10K, hearts on fire, diamond in the ruff!!! I'm not exaggerating. Do yourself and your significant over a favor and go there to experience a great Italian dining experience. Bring cash cuz no cc accepted, however it will be well worth it!!
(5)Dave W.
Sat here and stared at those darned rating stars, trying to decide--just how many to give... The other commenters got the ambiance about right - don't go if you're looking for a quiet, romantic meal. Every seat (and there aren't many) was full, and the place was approaching boisterous, with plenty of activity from the kitchen, which is in full view of the seating space. Okay by me - it's kind of a fun, casual vibe, and we were forewarned by fellow Yelpers. So how was the food? Overall, pretty good. Appetizers are a bit odd - unless you want to go with calamari (which is supposedly pretty good), you're at a loss to get an Italian-themed item. The Asian app is just plain odd at a place like this. We chose the fried green beans and sadly, T.G.I.Friday's does a better job (shudder). Salads were fine (the dressings were quite good actually). I can only hope somebody at the Cafe has a critical look at that appetizer menu - it's just plain weird. I don't even want to talk about that weird cream cheese 'bruschetta' thing. Ew. Entrees were the highlight - clearly made just for us. My wife chose the lobster ravioli with the rosa sauce; I think she'd have drank the sauce with a straw had they given her one. The raviolis themselves seemed purchased, not house-made, but tasty. I chose an old standby: veal saltimbocca. It was a little better than okay - great white wine garlic sauce, although the veal was not well breaded (so it was soggy by the time it got to the table), and devoid of the sage that makes the classic proscuitto + sage that creates the 'jump in the mouth' that is the dish's namesake. Service was uneven; our server was attentive, for a while, although our request for extra rolls was near-ignored (think she forgot) until late in the meal, when two blackened briquettes were brought to the table with a dismissive "I left them in too long; hope that's okay". So much for sopping up the aforementioned rosa sauce. So, I'm still looking at those stars. I'll go with four, on the strength of the sauce, and a couple of touches that shows a chef-owner who cares. I'd like to think the missteps are anamolies, and I'm more than happy to give them a second shot - after all, there's far more Eye-talian food in these parts than Italian. Hoping next time goes better, or there's gonna be some falling stars in my update.
(4)J E.
I cannot say enough about the Moonlight Cafe. It really doesn't look like much from the outside and its very small on the inside. However, the food is outstanding. I've enjoyed a few dinners here and every time it is delicious. Menu includes a lot of pastas. Homemade gnocchi, rich wine-based pasta sauces, absolutely delicious crab soup. Everything I've ordered here tastes 100% homemade and gourmet. If you ever find yourself in Dover, definitely try the Moonlight Cafe.
(5)Carol W.
Another amazing meal at a great price at Moonlight Cafe! This place is well worth the drive. Puttanesca pasta was perfectly spiced and flavored. The cream of crab soup was better than any at the shore. What a find in Dover!!!
(5)Jason R.
love the food ....best place to eat in dover...byob aswell....i like to bring a bottle of wine in w me!
(4)Don K.
I have been coming to Moonlight Cafe for the last 3 years. Selfishly I never wrote a review before because I didn't want everyone else to know about my secret spot! Now that I'm moving out of the area I figured I would finally share. It was by far my favorite restaurant in the york area. We went to several nice dinners in both Harrisburg and Lancaster, but none of them lived up to the food we had at Moonlight. Moonlight cafe has a great atmosphere. It is not a swanky 5 star restaurant nor is it a trendy gastropub. It is a laid back, local, casual place that fits the area well. There is a small area to wait for a table when you first walk in. The place is small and fills very quickly. If you don't hit it right you could wait a while for a table. We've had best luck either going early or closer to closing time. It is a BYOB, which adds to the local/personal feel. I don't believe there is a corking fee which is also nice. It is cash only so hit the ATM before you go. The main reason for the 5 stars is the food. The best food we had eating out in York. I don't believe we ever got appetizers, but if we did they were average. The entrees are incredible. I am a big fan of the stuffed flounder, as well as anything in the vodka rose sauce. A meatball on the side is always a good addition to any meal. The Menu is large and they are willing to make combinations or adjust your order. All entrees come with a warm roll and a house salad with a great balsamic dressing. Portions are large and we always left full after a bottle of wine, salad, and entree. Desserts are very good I typically get a canoli to go home with as I am usually to full to eat it then. Possibly the best part is that the owner of the restaurant is always there working. Every time we have gone he has personally come and said hello and asked us how our meal was. As the place is dying down you will see him grab a table and possible have the same meal you just ate. I think its a good sign if the owner/chef is eating the same thing you are.
(5)Zi S.
The bet Italian food around. Small and loud but seeing your meal cooked just for you and so flavorful. Never walking into an Olive Garden again that's for true. CASH ONLY place. The rolls are hot and fresh. Love the old man cooking and how you can see he puts his love into every meal. Five stars are for the food and cook. Definitely going back for more soon.
(5)Nathan F.
Unfortunately, my words here can only make my future at this establishment less pleasant. The place is a little small, and I'm scared that word may get out and people will flock from all over and I'll never get a table again. I was recommended by friends, and so far have been there about a dozen times. There is nothing there that I haven't loved. It seems the "big secret" is that they are the only people in York County that actually know how to use garlic. While it is a small place and it is ALWAYS packed, I've never waited more than 5 minutes for a table. The food is priced low for the exquisite quality, and you're never waiting around long for your meal or a drink. I even get coffee to go and that's terrific! I just heard about this website yesterday. Yes, I live under a rock. However, I needed to let people know about this place and give them the good press.
(5)Randy T.
Had been here once before a few years back, OK food. Today, 3 of us had dinner here. To be fair, one of the 3 of us thought the food was OK, a chicken dish (3 stars). The 2nd person had salmon, very bland, tasted frozen thawed with no flavor (2 stars). I was the problem child (1 star at best). The french onion soup only filled half the small bowl, was 90% small croutons (totally hard), and little cheese or broth. The chicken francais was a disaster The first time it came, the chicken was delivered, it was so obviously raw, that when I cut into it and saw it was completely fleshy, not a hint of white in the meat, the waitress said "Oh My!" when I pointed it out to her. She immediately took it to the kitchen area, and a few minutes returned, somewhat sheepishly, and said "he said it is cooked fine, and that's how we serve it". I stated that I doubt they intentionally serve raw chicken, and asked that they cook it a lot more, or I would not eat it. She returned about 10 minutes later with the dish. She stated that, "although it still looks the same, they did cook it more", and if I wasn't satisfied, I could pick something else. Since my 2 companions were already nearly done their meals, I accepted it. Half of the chicken was just barely cooked enough that I hopefully will not get food poisoning from eating it, but the other half was still red and completely raw. I mostly ate the pasta. I can understand an accidental undercooking (although for chicken, I've never seen this degree of undercooking - like none), but then to be told it was cooked properly was insulting and inappropriate. I knew that, the waitress knew that, but apparently the cook did not. None of us will be returning. It's unfortunate, since we like supporting local small restaurants, but this was a real disappointment. I'd personally give it 0 stars, but to be fair, I went with the average of the 3 of us. Better luck to you if you go there.
(2)John M.
There is simply nothing I can say except Moonlight Cafe is simply the BEST! The restaurant itself is small and sometimes parking is a pain, oh and they only except cash. That one threw me the first time I visited. Had to quickly run down to an ATM to get cash. Other than that it is simply the best Italian food around authentically prepared by a true Italian working his magic in the smallest kitchen I've seen. Everything is prepared in a kitchen which is pretty much viewable from any table and to watch him work is amazing. Go try this place. You won't be disappointed.
(5)Kelley M.
Moonlight Cafe is the epitome of "looks can be deceiving". The restaurant is a small little place just off of the road with a name that just doesn't suggest that unbelievably delicious Italian food is waiting inside. Our group of six waited not much more than a half-hour for a table on a Friday night. From the start, the service was excellent. Our server was sweet and friendly. So, about the food...it is incredible. We started with a couple orders of fried calamari, which was lightly fried to perfection and tasty. Next we feasted on salads and the most delicious fresh baked rolls. By that time, we were all pretty satisfied and probably could have skipped our entrees. Fortunately, we did not and we all enjoyed a variety of dishes including Penne a la Vodka with Scallops and Chicken Parmesan. Note: The restaurant does not serve alcohol, but you can BYOB. Also, the prices are incredibly reasonable! If you're in the area or even close by, absolutely stop in for some homemade Italian deliciousness.
(5)Brian S.
Best Italian food in central PA. Nuff said!
(5)