Josephine's Downtown

08/19/2026

Introducing Wine Wednesday at Josephine’s 🍷

Experience an evening of curated wines and chef-inspired pairings, thoughtfully selected to complement every flavor.

This week’s featured appetizer:

Octopus Bolognese
Mint, peas and breadcrumbs | $22

Paired with Conca Tre Pile Barbera d’Alba from Piedmont, Italy—an expressive, full-bodied wine with aromas of citrus, red currants, cinnamon, red cherries, smoke and licorice, followed by supple fruit, velvety tannins and a crisp finish.

6 oz. $18 | 9 oz. $27 | Bottle $73

This week’s featured entrée:

Mesquite-Spiced 10 oz. Bison Ribeye
Country sausage and confit tomato-stuffed fairytale eggplant, Parmesan and breadcrumbs | $50

Paired with Bodegas Ateca Old Vine Garnacha from Calatayud, Spain—a rich, deep-cherry-colored wine offering ripe fruit, dried herbs, creamy oak, dark chocolate, warm spice and smooth, rounded tannins.

6 oz. $14 | 9 oz. $21 | Bottle $54

Additional sommelier selections include:

🍷 Château La Caminade Malbec
Cahors, France | Bottle $48

🍷 Teliani Valley “Glekhuri” Kisi
Kakheti, Georgia | Bottle $60

🍷 Chevalier de la Crée Chardonnay
Burgundy, France | Bottle $110

Join us at Josephine’s for Wine Wednesday—a refined evening of exceptional wines, seasonal cuisine and perfectly considered pairings.

Reservations are recommended.

08/19/2026

Introducing Wine Wednesday at Josephine’s 🍷

Experience an evening of curated wines and chef-inspired pairings, thoughtfully selected to complement every flavor.

This week’s featured appetizer:

Octopus Bolognese
Mint, peas and breadcrumbs | $22

Paired with Conca Tre Pile Barbera d’Alba from Piedmont, Italy—an expressive, full-bodied wine with aromas of citrus, red currants, cinnamon, red cherries, smoke and licorice, followed by supple fruit, velvety tannins and a crisp finish.

6 oz. $18 | 9 oz. $27 | Bottle $73

This week’s featured entrée:

Mesquite-Spiced 10 oz. Bison Ribeye
Country sausage and confit tomato-stuffed fairytale eggplant, Parmesan and breadcrumbs | $50

Paired with Bodegas Ateca Old Vine Garnacha from Calatayud, Spain—a rich, deep-cherry-colored wine offering ripe fruit, dried herbs, creamy oak, dark chocolate, warm spice and smooth, rounded tannins.

6 oz. $14 | 9 oz. $21 | Bottle $54

Additional sommelier selections include:

🍷 Château La Caminade Malbec
Cahors, France | Bottle $48

🍷 Teliani Valley “Glekhuri” Kisi
Kakheti, Georgia | Bottle $60

🍷 Chevalier de la Crée Chardonnay
Burgundy, France | Bottle $110

Join us at Josephine’s for Wine Wednesday—a refined evening of exceptional wines, seasonal cuisine and perfectly considered pairings.

Reservations are recommended.

DowntownLancaster LancasterDining

08/18/2026

A beautiful start to your evening at Josephine’s Downtown ✨

Our Paella Spiced Halibut brings together delicate halibut with the warm, aromatic flavors of saffron, paired with braised sweet corn and cauliflower rice and finished with a vibrant mango gel.

Elegant, colorful, and layered with flavor—an appetizer designed to awaken the palate and set the tone for the evening.

ChefDriven

08/06/2026

At Josephine’s Downtown, every plate is a celebration of craftsmanship, elegance, and the finest seasonal ingredients.

Executive Chef Rafe Hottenstein presents his exquisite Duck Duo—a masterful composition featuring tender red wine-braised duck leg alongside perfectly seared duck breast. Paired with a vibrant summer squash panzanella, decadent duck fat brioche, local greens, and finished with a delicately balanced pickled cherry jus, each element is thoughtfully designed to create an unforgettable dining experience.

Refined, sophisticated, and unmistakably seasonal, this is a dish that embodies the artistry and passion behind every menu at Josephine’s.

Reserve your table and indulge in one of Lancaster’s most distinctive culinary destinations.

07/22/2026

We Are Now Open!

We are pleased to share that Josephine’s is now open and welcoming guests once again.

Following the small fire in our coat room, we are incredibly grateful that no one was injured and that we were able to reopen safely.

We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the Lancaster City Bureau of Fire, all first responders, and the Lancaster City Health Department for their prompt response, professionalism, guidance, and support throughout the process. We truly appreciate your dedication to keeping our community safe.

Thank you to our amazing guests, neighbors, and community for your patience, encouragement, and countless kind messages while we were temporarily closed. Your support has meant the world to our team.

We look forward to welcoming you back and serving you once again. Thank you for standing with us—we can’t wait to see you at Josephine’s!

❤️ With gratitude,
The Josephine’s Team

07/20/2026

EDITOR'S NOTE: A previous version of this story listed the incorrect street designation for Cabalar's first location and misspelled Callaloo.

04/14/2026

04/12/2026

🌸 Celebrate Mother’s Day at Josephine’s Restaurant 🌸

Treat Mom to a special day filled with delicious food and warm memories. We’re happy to announce that Josephine’s Restaurant will be open on Mother’s Day from 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM.

Bring the family, relax, and let us take care of everything while you celebrate the amazing moms in your life 💐

We look forward to serving you!

04/09/2026

✨ Sea Bass Tikka Masala ✨

A dish that travels the world in one plate 🌍

Perfectly seared sea bass, buttery and delicate, layered over a vibrant tikka masala—rich, spiced, and reimagined. Paired with green lentils and sweet red pepper for that fresh contrast, then elevated with pops of preserved lemon gel for a bright citrus kick 🍋

Finished with a sprinkle of za’atar for an herby, nutty twist that ties it all together.

Bold. Balanced. Unexpected.

FoodArt BaltimoreEats ChefLife PlatingInspo

04/06/2026

⚜️ 𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐩 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐚𝐧 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐟 𝐂𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐜 𝐄𝐥𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞🍷
Experience something exceptional during Lancaster City Restaurant Week Spring 💐 2026 • April 13-19 with a visit to Josephine's Downtown!
Tucked in the heart of the city, Josephine’s offers a fine dining experience that goes beyond the plate—where elegant, scratch-made cuisine, attentive service, and a warm, inviting atmosphere come together to create a full sensory experience.
🍷✨ Curious what’s on stage for Restaurant Week? Take a look and start planning your night out:
https://www.lancastercityrestaurantweek.com/josephinesdowntown