C'est La Vie is a trusted Restaurant serving customers in Lancaster, PA, with quality products and dependable service for restaurants of all sizes. Rated 4.30 out of 5 from 436 reviews, we’re proud to offer great service and quality and accessible facilities to help you find what you need quickly and easily.
Popular Items
Frequently ordered and highly recommended items at C'est La Vie
Our Story
Welcome to a place where great food meets warm hospitality. We believe dining is more than just a meal - it's an experience to be savored and shared.
Our kitchen is dedicated to creating dishes that bring people together, using recipes that honor tradition while embracing innovation.
Photos
A glimpse of our restaurant experience
Food & Drinks
Aperol, champagne, splash of club soda, garnish with orange twist
Aperol, champagne, splash of club soda, garnish with orange twist
Hear from our valued guests
Went to Cie la Vie for our son's birthday dinner. Our server, Tia, was absolutely wonderful, checking back "just enough" but still being attentive. Very knowledgeable about all the dishes as well. I had the pizza, my wife had the croissant BLT, and our son had the filet, which he said was the best he had ever had. Place had just decorated for Christmas, which while glitzy, was not overdone. Portion size was sizeable but not ridiculous. Pricey but was well worth the money . Will most likely become our "to-go" place for special occasions.
We’ve been to C’est la Vie every Valentine’s Day for the past 3 years, and this year we decided to come for our anniversary too! We had the same server as V-day (Mike D) and he is spectacular! He’s so kind and personable; we will be asking for him the next time we visit. We’ve also had Benjamin before and he was great too. As for food, my partner gets something different every time we come because you can’t get anything bad on this menu. I on the other hand am a creature of habit, so I always get Chef Daniel’s Crab Cakes because they’re simply the best crab cakes I’ve ever had! Highly recommend getting dessert as well. The creme brûlée is out of this worlddddd 😍
I made reservations this morning via the Open Table App for my first dining experience. It was a perfect day for al fresco dining and people-watching as shoppers came and went at the historic Lancaster Central Market. Our server Ben asked my daughter and me our first names and addressed us by our names when checking in for our orders, a first in all my years of dining out. Chef’s kiss for the Surf & Turf: filet mignon and crab cake. C'est La Vie is worth the drive from Harrisburg.
A very nice menu… we got the berry salad and that was great. Also, the best onion soup I’ve had, ever! Short rib sandwiches for lunch…with great fries. Exceptional coffee! The wait staff was very friendly and professional.
A fantastic experience. Great for lunch date as well as dinner with friends or favorite someone. Our server was great. His knowledge of the menu helped to guide us from appetizer to main course to desert. He also helped us to select a delicious mocktail with ginger beer. Food was so delicious that we brought food home for our family. I had the Crab Asparagus Soup followed by a Short- rib Sandwich with Horseradish sauce. I had carrot cake for desert. All delicious! We were celebrating my friend’s birthday.
What a wonderful meal we had last night! Kyle, our server was terrific. He was very helpful with suggestions and helped my dairy allergic partner find options on the menu. I started with a half portion of the tropical salad, which was full of delicious fruit and cashews, goat cheese, everything seasoning, and perfectly balanced dressing. My partner started with the deviled eggs with crab that he enjoyed. He also had the crab cakes, which were all crab meat (gluten and dairy free!), and was super happy with his meal. My entree was the trout special with tons of jumbo lump crab meat, mash, green beans in an almond and butter sauce. My friend also loved her filet mignon. Everything was cooked perfectly. Desserts were tasty too and I loved the plum and walnut ice cream special. We enjoyed our dinner outside. The ambiance is nice both inside and outside. Would definitely come back again!
C'est La Vie was a fantastic experience! My friend and I had an amazing time enjoying their delicious pizza, which had a perfectly crispy crust and fresh toppings. The chicken was juicy and full of flavor, a great complement to our meal. We paired everything with a couple of their signature cocktails, which were expertly made and refreshing. The atmosphere was charming, with a relaxed vibe that made it easy to unwind. The service was friendly and attentive, making the whole dining experience even better.
A Long-Overdue Love Letter to C’est La Vie It’s not often you come across a restaurant that gets *everything* right, consistently — but C’est La Vie in downtown Lancaster has quietly, confidently been doing just that for years. And frankly, this glowing review is long overdue. From the moment you step through the door, it’s clear that every detail of the space has been curated with intention. The ambiance is effortlessly chic — a blend of trendy comfort and belle époque elegance that transports you. The warm lighting, rich textures, and thoughtful spatial design all work in harmony to create an atmosphere that feels both vibrant and intimate. It’s the kind of place where you can settle in for hours, lost in great conversation, without ever needing to raise your voice. The acoustics are a minor miracle in themselves. But let’s talk about the food — *mon dieu*, the food. The French-inspired cuisine never ceases to amaze. Every dish is a marriage of high-quality ingredients and meticulous presentation. Whether it's traditional mussels beurre monte, a perfectly seared duck breast, or a decadent crème brûlée, there’s a certain *je ne sais quoi* to every plate that leaves you both satisfied and eagerly anticipating your next visit. The menu strikes a beautiful balance between innovation and tradition — French classics elevated with subtle, modern twists that surprise and delight. The cocktails are no less impressive. Creative, balanced, and beautifully presented, each drink is a testament to the skill and imagination behind the bar. Whether you're indulging in something floral and aromatic or bold and spirit-forward, there’s always something on the cocktail menu that feels just a little bit special — like it was made just for you. As for the service: friendly, professional, and perfectly timed. The staff at C’est La Vie have mastered the art of being present without ever hovering. They seem to have an innate sense of when to appear — whether it’s for a water refill,
We enjoyed an excellent dinner last evening. Our team of 13 was well taken care of by Michael, he was amazing. The food and atmosphere exceeded our expectations, we will be returning!
What incredible flavors and textures! I had the butternut squash soup, fig flatbread pizza, salmon bites (special), and Dubai chocolate dessert. The service was impeccable, the ambiance lovely, and volume a bit noisy, but worth it!
Common questions about C'est La Vie
C'est La Vie is located at 18 N Market St, Lancaster, PA 17603, United States, Lancaster, PA, United States.
You can reach C'est La Vie by calling +1 717-299-7319.
C'est La Vie has a rating of 4.3 out of 5 based on 436 customer reviews.
C'est La Vie features the following accessibility: Wheelchair-accessible entrance, Wheelchair-accessible seating, Wheelchair-accessible toilet.
C'est La Vie features the following service options: Outdoor seating, On-site services, Takeaway, Dine-in, Delivery.
C'est La Vie features the following highlights: Great cocktails, Great dessert, Great wine list.
C'est La Vie features the following popular for: Lunch, Dinner, Solo dining.
C'est La Vie features the following offerings: Alcohol, Beer, Cocktails, Coffee, Healthy options, Small plates, Spirits, Wine.
C'est La Vie features the following dining options: Lunch, Dinner, Dessert, Seating, Table service.
C'est La Vie features the following amenities: Bar on site, Restroom.
C'est La Vie features the following atmosphere: Cozy, Romantic, Trendy, Upmarket.
C'est La Vie features the following crowd: Groups, Tourists.
C'est La Vie features the following planning: Dinner reservations recommended, Accepts reservations.
C'est La Vie features the following payments: Credit cards, Debit cards, NFC mobile payments.
C'est La Vie features the following parking: Paid parking lot, Paid street parking, Plenty of parking.
Business Features
We look forward to welcoming you. Make a reservation or stop by - walk-ins welcome!
Request a table and we'll confirm your booking shortly.
