Home → Dining

Welcome to The Dining Room

With the closure of the Inn to support Student Housing during the Covid 19 Pandemic, the Dining Room and Whiskers will remain closed to public dining.

Guests at The Nittany Lion Inn and local diners agree that The Dining Room, which was awarded the 2016 Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence and Wine Spectator’s 2019 “Best of” Award of Excellence is the top destination for fine dining in State College. With tempting lunch and dinner selections, and an award-winning wine list, The Dining Room at the Inn creates a fine dining experience perfect for special occasions as well as any day of the week.

A Penn State Tradition Since 1931

Open daily for breakfast, lunch, and dinner from 6:45 a. m. to 9 p. m., The Dining Room is the perfect on-campus spot to get together with friends or family for a delicious meal. We feature signature American dishes including our signature lobster bisque, and our second-to-none wine list, featuring an extensive selection of fine wines from around the world, has won the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence for 13 years in a row. Since 2016, our wine list was recognized with Wine Spectator’s “Best of” Award of Excellence.

The Dining Room is your destination when you’re in the mood for an authentic steakhouse-style dinner. Our sizzling, cooked-to-perfection premium steaks, delicious sides, and extensive wine list combine to create the ultimate steakhouse experience, right here at the Inn, any night of the week.

Make a reservation for The Dining Room.

Special Dinner Events

Besides featuring excellent menu options every day of the week, we offer several dining specials. Check out The Dining Room’s popular Sunday Brunch, featuring waffles, omelets, carved meats, and much more. Our educational wine pairing dinners, Tastes of the World, are each themed to a specific wine region, and guests can learn about the cuisine and wines of these regions while they wine and dine. Sign-up to be emailed with upcoming wine pairing dinner information.

We also offer call-ahead seating in one of our Writing Rooms or in the Gilpin Room, when available. Please call 814-865-8590 for dining reservations.

Allergen Notations

The menus listed below have notations for allergens: DF (dairy-free); GF (gluten-free); NF (nut-free). Allergen-free menus are available in The Dining Room and Whiskers. Please let your server know of any allergens, and our chefs will prepare your meal tailored to your needs.

Our mashed potatoes contain dairy, but can be substituted with a dairy-free option. Ask your server about our daily-selected vegetable and possible allergens. Our fried foods are cooked in a fryer that may contain gluten. All rolls can be substituted with a gluten-free option.

Call us at 814-865-8590 for more information or to make a dining reservation.

Breakfast Menu

Starters and Sides

English Muffin or Toast

1.50

Oatmeal with Raisins & Brown Sugar

2.25

Toasted Bagel with Cream Cheese

3.25

Grilled Stickies

2.25

Fresh Fruit Cup

3.75

Fresh Seasonal Berries

6.95

Chilled Grapefruit Half

1.95

Cereal

3.00

Special K, Raisin Bran, Total, or Cheerios

Home Fries

3.00

Bacon or Sausage

4.00

One Egg Any Style

2.00

Omelets

Ham & Cheddar Cheese Omelet

8.50

Sugar cured ham with melted sharp cheddar cheese

Asparagus & Swiss Cheese Omelet

8.50

Tender asparagus & Swiss cheese

Chef’s Special Omelet

9.50

Applewood smoked bacon, Muenster cheese, chipotle cream cheese sauce, & roasted Roma tomatoes

Three Cheese Omelet

8.50

Swiss, Muenster, and Sharp Cheddar

From the Griddle

Belgian Waffles

5.25 / With strawberries & whipped cream 6.50 / With caramelized bananas & pecans 7.50

French Toast

5.25 / Banana Nut Bread French Toast 6.50

Buttermilk Pancakes

Short Stack 3.00 / Full Stack 4.00

Blueberry Pancakes

Short Stack 4.50 / Full Stack 5.50

Chocolate Chip Pancakes

Short Stack 4.50 / Full Stack 5.50

Egg Delight

Two Large Eggs

6.50

Two eggs prepared any style served with home fries & your choice of toast or English muffin

Two Large Eggs Entrée

8.50

Prepared any style & served with home fries, your choice of toast or English muffin, & bacon or country sausage links

The Inn’s Traditional Eggs Benedict

12.00

Toasted English muffin, smoked ham, soft-poached eggs, and house made Hollandaise Sauce

Cathy’s Blue Eggs

8.50

Eggs simmered in tomatoes topped with goat cheese & rosemary

Bagel Sandwich Entrée

Two eggs cooked any style with cheddar cheese on a bagel, served with home fries 8.25 / With ham or bacon 10.25

Specialties

Bagel & Smoked Salmon

12.00

Egg, red onions, cream cheese,lettuce, tomato, & capers

Chorizo Goat Cheese Quesadilla

9.50

Spicy chorizo sausage with tangy goat cheese, egg, & melted Monterey Jack cheese

Wild Mushroom & Muenster Cheese Quesadilla

9.50

Sautéed Pennsylvania wild mushrooms, Muenster cheese, & egg

Santé Fe Egg Quesadilla

9.50

A delicious combination of onions, egg, bacon, & tomato, sprinkled with cheese and serrano chilies

Biscuits & Gravy

8.75

Beverages

Coffee

2.25

Decaf & regular

Hot Tea

2.00

Regular, decaf, and herbal

Milk

1.50

Skim, 2%, and whole

Freshly Squeezed Orange Juice

3.75

Juice

1.85

Cranberry, grapefruit, grape, apple, tomato, V8, or pineapple

Chocolate Milk

2.00

Lunch Menu

Lunch service will be in Whiskers through April 6.

Appetizers and Soups

Chickpea and Kale Stew

Hearty dish thickened with cashews, filled with fresh vegetables and chickpeas. Contains cashews. DF, GF

Nittany Lion Inn Lobster Bisque

Cup 7 / Bowl 14

A Nittany Lion Inn tradition. Our house-made creamy lobster bisque is a must have. Contains dairy, gluten, shellfish. NF

Soup du Jour

Cup 5 / Bowl 9

Ask your server about the house-made soup of the day. Ask your server about possible allergens.

Quesadilla

Flour tortilla, shredded cheddar and pepper jack blend cheese, Creamery sour cream, seasonal salsa, and your choice of: Chicken, Beef, or Vegetables. Contains dairy and gluten; NF

Pretzels and Dips

Fresh Gemelli pretzels served with house cheese sauce and wholegrain mustard. Contains dairy and gluten. NF

Fried Whiskers

A heaping bowl of our fresh-cut fries. Fries are made in-house in a fryer that may contain gluten. Sauces and seasonings are DF, NF. French fries served with your choice of seasoning: Cajun, Old Bay, or salt & pepper.

Sweet Potato Wedges

Served with Sriracha honey barbecue. DF, GF, NF

Vegan Broccoli and Cauliflower Soup

Cup 5 / Bowl 9

Broccoli, cauliflower, onion, carrot, tomato, chipotle. DF, GF, NF

Salads

Add Chicken (6), Spice-Rubbed Sirloin (7), Shrimp (8), or Grilled Salmon (8) to Any Salad

House Salad

Local salad greens with tomato, cucumbers, and julienned carrots. Depending on dressing: DF, GF, NF

Traditional Caesar

Half 7 / Whole 12

Crisp romaine, house-made Caesar dressing, crouton Contains dairy, eggs, and fish. NF

Warm Spinach Salad

Half 7 / Whole 12

Baby spinach, Cambozola cheese, spicy pecan, bacon, seared apple and Kennett Square mushroom, warm sherry garlic vinaigrette. GF

Traditional Cobb Salad

Crisp romaine, chopped bacon, avocado, blue cheese, diced tomato, green onion, boiled egg, black olive, ranch. NF

Vegan Thai Salad

Baby spinach, spring mix, red and green cabbage, julienned carrot, red bell pepper, green onion, cucumber, almond, orange, edamame, crunchy wonton, ginger Thai dressing. DF, GF. Contains Nuts.

Asparagus and Walnut Salad

Crisp spring asparagus, toasted walnut, feta cheese, shaved fennel, mixed greens, tarragon & mint vinaigrette. GF

Vegan Spring Grain Salad

Bulgur wheat, farro, red quinoa, brown rice, freekeh, steel-cut oat, arugula, kale, dried cherry, Dijon mustard vinaigrette. DF, NF

Sandwiches

All Sandwiches Served with a Pickle and Your Choice of Fresh-Cut Fries or a Side Salad. Substitute Sweet Potato Wedges for Additional $2.

Thai Pulled Pork

Slow-roasted pulled pork, Thai flavors, heap of cilantro slaw. DF, NF

Crab Cake Sandwich

A hearty crab cake served with lettuce, tomato, onion, and Cajun Rémoulade. Contains dairy, eggs, gluten, shellfish. NF

Deli-Style Chicken Salad

Chicken salad with egg, house pickle, mayo, onion, celery, lettuce, red onion, and tomato. DF, NF

The Classic NLI

Your choice of 8oz chicken breast or 8oz beef burger, topped with cheddar and sautéed Kennett Square mushrooms. Contains dairy. GF, NF

Bacon Cheese Burger

Your choice of 8oz chicken breast or 8oz beef burger, topped with cheddar cheese and crisp bacon. Contains dairy. GF, NF

California Turkey Ciabatta

Boar's Head turkey, bacon, pepperjack cheese, avocado, oven-roasted tomato, red pepper ailo, ciabatta. NF.

Vegan Mediterranean Wrap

Roasted red pepper hummus, marinated artichoke heart, kalamata olive, vegan feta, tomato, cucumber, spring greens, spinach flour tortilla. DF, NF

Dinner Menu

Dinner service will be in Whiskers through April 6.

Firsts

Crab Cake

Pan seared crab cake with tangy slaw and Cajun rémoulade. Contains dairy, eggs, gluten, shellfish. NF

Charcuterie and Local Cheese Board

PSU summer sausage, Parma of Pittsburgh's hot sopresatta and prosciutto de parma, Port Salut cheese, cherry mostarda, wholegrain mustard, house-made sweet and zesty pickle, toasted torpedo. NF

Three Cheese Board

Port Salut, Cambozola, Manchego, quince paste, cherry mostarda, wholegrain mustard, house-made sweet and zesty pickle, toasted torpedo. NF

"Bloody Mary" Shrimp Cocktail

Chilled shrimp, "Bloody Mary" cocktail sauce, lemon, Old Bay dust

Crispy Pork Belly

Korean-style fried pork belly, cilantro, quick-pickled vegetable. DF, NF

Graham Cracker Calamari

Graham cracker-crusted, crispy-fried, spicy sweet & sour Thai sauce. NF.

Salads

Add Chicken (6), Spice-Rubbed Sirloin (7), Shrimp (8), or Grilled Salmon (8) to Any Salad

House Salad

Local salad greens with tomato, cucumbers, and julienned carrots. Depending on dressing: DF, GF, NF

Traditional Caesar

Half 7 / Whole 12

Crisp romaine, house-made Caesar dressing, crouton Contains dairy, eggs, and fish. NF

Warm Spinach Salad

Half 7 / Whole 12

Baby spinach, Cambozola cheese, spicy pecan, bacon, seared apple and Kennett Square mushroom, warm sherry garlic vinaigrette. GF

Traditional Cobb Salad

Crisp romaine, chopped bacon, avocado, blue cheese, diced tomato, green onion, boiled egg, black olive, ranch. NF

Vegan Thai Salad

Baby spinach, spring mix, red and green cabbage, julienned carrot, red bell pepper, green onion, cucumber, almond, orange, edamame, crunchy wonton, ginger Thai dressing. DF, GF. Contains Nuts.

Traditional Wedge

Crisp iceberg, double smoked bacon, buttermilk bleu, green onion, diced tomato. Can be DF without dressing; GF, NF.

Asparagus and Walnut Salad

Crisp spring asparagus, toasted walnut, feta cheese, shaved fennel, mixed greens, tarragon & mint vinaigrette. GF

Vegan Spring Grain Salad

Bulgur wheat, farro, red quinoa, brown rice, freekeh, steel-cut oat, arugula, kale, dried cherry, Dijon mustard vinaigrette. DF, NF

From the Grill

Dinner Begins with a Served Cup of our Seasonal Soup du Jour or a Fresh Green Salad with Balsamic. A Cup of Lobster Bisque, a Caesar Salad, or a Wedge Salad are available for Upgrades.

8oz Filet Mignon

Served with shallot red wine demi-glace. DF, GF, NF.

14oz Ribeye

Served with shallot red wine demi-glace. DF, GF, NF.

12oz NY Strip

Served with shallot red wine demi-glace. DF, GF, NF.

12oz Berkshire Pork Chop

Served with whisky apple glaze. DF, GF, NF.

Arab-Spiced Lamb Chops

Served with Tzatziki. GF, NF.

Side Options

Asparagus

Sauteed asparagus. Vegan, GF, NF.

Boursin Creamed Spinach

Boursin cheese, spinach. GF, NF.

Olive Oil & Garlic-Roasted Broccoli and Cauliflower

Vegan, GF, NF.

Sherried Button Mushrooms

GF, NF.

Vegetable du Jour

Ask your server about our ever-changing Vegetable du Jour, and corresponding allergens.

Fresh-Cut Fries

A side of our fresh-cut fried Whiskers. GF, NF, DF.

Side of Sweet Potato Wedges

A side of our sweet potato wedges. GF, DF, NF.

Herb-Roasted Fingerlings

Herb-roasted fingerling potatoes. DF, GF, NF.

NLI Signature Mashed Potatoes

Our signature mashed potatoes. Contains dairy. GF, NF.

Mac and Cheese

Pasta with our house-made cheese sauce. Contains gluten and dairy. NF.

Entrées

Dinner Begins with a Served Cup of our Seasonal Soup du Jour or a Fresh Green Salad with Balsamic. A Cup of Lobster Bisque, a Caesar Salad, or a Wedge Salad are available for Upgrades.

Our Signature Lump Crab Cakes

Signature lump crab cakes pan seared, served with Cajun Rémoulade, mashed potatoes, and local vegetables. Contains dairy, eggs, gluten, shellfish. NF

Confit Duck

House-cured confit duck leg, farro, garlicy sauteed greens, cherry balsamic reduction

Boneless Beef Short Ribs

Boneless beef short ribs slowly braised until fork tender, served with mashed potatoes and local vegetables. Short Rib is DF, GF, NF

Chickpea and Kale Stew

This hearty dish is thickened with cashews and filled with fresh vegetables and chickpeas. Contains cashews. DF, GF

Pork Shank Osso Bucco

Berkshire pork shank braised with garlic, clove, star anise, & cinnamon, pan gravy, mashed potatoes, local vegetables. DF, GF, NF.

Harissa-Roasted Chicken Breast

European-style chicken breast, harissa, roasted tomato couscous, charred baby carrot, maple butter. NF

Tagliatelle & Taleggio

Fasta & Ravioli Co. tagliatelle, taleggio cream sauce, sweet spring pea, shallot, garlic, grilled chicken, house-cured egg yolk. NF

Vegan Roasted Vegetable and Orecchiette Mac & "Cheese"

Baby carrot, cauliflower, broccoli, green and yellow squash, creamy vegan cheese sauce, orecchiette. DF, Contains Nuts

Ginger Soy Lime-Glazed Salmon

Bay of Fundy salmon, ginger soy lime glaze, sauteed vegetable, glass noodle. DF, GF, NF

Jumbo Sea Scallops

Pan-seared, goat cheese polenta, braised Belgian endive, black garlic herb butter. GF, NF.