Coda Rouge — Restaurant in Harrisburg

Coda Rouge – A Hidden Gem Honoring Legacy Through Flavor and Atmosphere

Located just outside the heart of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, on 6th Street, Coda Rouge is a refreshing, soulful spot I discovered during a simple Google search. My wife and son were spending time with my in-laws, and I was looking for a quiet, peaceful place to enjoy brunch and break out of the usual routine. Harrisburg can often feel limited when it comes to fresh culinary experiences, and I was hoping to find something different.

That’s when I came across Coda Rouge—a name that stood out. The photos looked promising, and the menu was intriguing. But nothing prepared me for how exceptional the actual experience would be.

From the outside, the building is modest. But stepping inside is a completely different story. I was immediately taken by the atmosphere: warm lighting, rich colors, and an artistic layout that felt both personal and inspiring.

One of the owners, Jameson Christopher, greeted me at the door and was kind enough to seat me even though I didn’t have a reservation—a heads-up for others: make a reservation if you can. They do accept walk-ins when possible, but this is a space you’ll want to plan for.

As I waited for my meal, I took in the powerful history that lives on the walls. Jameson shared that Coda Rouge was inspired by his grandfather, a member of the legendary Tuskegee Airmen. The restaurant is a heartfelt tribute to that legacy, lined with authentic photographs and memorabilia. One photo in particular shows the Airmen gathered around a bar in uniform, smiling in fellowship. It’s a striking reminder that this is more than a place to eat—it’s a living memory, a place of pride and honor.

There’s even a mural outside and curated artwork inside that’s available for purchase. The third floor boasts a sleek lounge that offers the perfect space to unwind with a drink and conversation.

Right now, Coda Rouge serves brunch and lunch, having opened on Father’s Day of last year. They plan to introduce dinner service later this year, which is something I’ll definitely be back for.

The food? Outstanding. Every dish is made from scratch, prepared fresh to order with no shortcuts—no frozen ingredients, no pre-packaged bases. The chef, who is also a co-owner, hails from California and brings a West Coast freshness to each plate.

I started with their smoked salmon bagel—layered with creamy spread, fresh avocado slices, thin red onion, capers, and dill, resting on a perfectly toasted bagel. It was elegant and deeply satisfying.

Then came one of the highlights of the meal: a scrambled egg-topped open-faced toast layered with lump crab meat.

The crab was moist and sweet, seasoned lightly to let the natural flavor shine. The scrambled eggs on top were fluffy and delicate, creating a rich contrast that didn’t overpower the seafood. All of this sat atop a crusty, toasted slice of bread that soaked up the flavor without becoming soggy. Each bite was comforting and gourmet at the same time.

To pair with it, I enjoyed a mango mimosa—bright, tropical, and refreshing, rounding out the meal with a touch of citrus sweetness.

During my visit, I saw people from all walks of life. Young professionals, groups of friends, solo diners—everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves. I even overheard a few people at nearby tables talking about how glad they were to find this place. That sense of shared discovery and community was genuine, and it made me want to return soon—this time with my wife and son.

Coda Rouge – Essential Info

Address: 2013 N 6th St, Harrisburg, PA 17102

Phone: (717) 226-3884

Website: www.thecontinentalhbg.com

Reservations: Highly recommended. Walk-ins are welcome if space allows. Savor the flavors.

If you’re in or around Harrisburg, make the trip. Support this vibrant, legacy-driven restaurant. Celebrate...

We visited Coda Rouge for a birthday breakfast at 9:30 a.m. with two adults and two children. When making the reservation, the system asked if we were celebrating any special occasion, and I noted “birthday.” Unfortunately, nothing was mentioned or acknowledged during our visit, which left me wondering about the purpose of asking in advance.

When we arrived, there were only two other tables—one with two guests who already had their meals, and another with a group of five waiting for theirs. Despite the light crowd, our food arrived at 10:12 a.m. While I don’t mind a relaxed pace, it would be helpful—especially for families with children—if the staff communicated that the wait might exceed 30 minutes for a simple breakfast of eggs, pancakes, bacon, and similar items.

There were also a few small service details that could be improved. When my wife ordered coffee, no sugar was provided, nor were we asked if we needed any. There were no condiments on the table, which is fine, but again, offering them would have been appreciated.

I also noticed an automatic gratuity applied to our bill for a party of four (two adults and two children). While I have no objection to the gratuity itself, the policy is not listed on the website or receipt. In my experience, it’s usually reserved for parties of six or more, so a brief explanation from the staff would go a long way toward transparency.

Finally, I recommend providing parking guidance when confirming reservations. The only notice we saw was a small sign on the door, which is difficult to read when arriving with cars behind you. A simple message in the confirmation text or email would be very helpful.

Overall, the food was fine, and the atmosphere has potential, but with a few communication and service refinements, the experience could be much smoother—especially for families celebrating...

Absolutely horrible experience. We got a really good recommendation to try this place an all the reviews looked good so we decided to try. It was my friends birthday and we decided to treat her to brunch. Upon arriving for our reservation, we had to wait a bit which was fine but after 20 mins past our reservation time a group of 4 people came out and let us know they were leaving due to the fact that they have been waiting over 50 minutes without even water being presented to them. We still decided to give them a try but wished we had left. When we were seated our server asked about drinks and we ordered water and 1 drink which came out quickly, when we ordered our orders took over 30 minutes to arrive and when they did, we had no utensils and my omelet was made incorrectly. When I pointed that out and just asked for a side of sausage instead of remaking the entire thing, that took another 30 minutes and our server kept forgetting. She never checked on us and we had to keep asking another server for assistance. I'm not sure if the gentleman is the manager or owner that was walking around but I did bring the issues my party of 3 faced and said we would like the gratuity to be removed from the bill. He did appear to not care seeing that all he said in response to the complaint was "ok". No apology was ever given and our original server never said anything to us once our meals were dropped off. I will never recommend this place to anyone. The food was underwhelming and the service...