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The Refectory, Villanova, PA

The Refectory

4.6
4.6
970 Reviews
$31 to $50
Contemporary American

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 33 times today
  • Good for special occasions
  • Good for business meals
  • Neighborhood gem
The Refectory is a stunning New American restaurant located on Lancaster Avenue in Villanova. The menu features modern and upscale interpretations of American comfort classics such as homemade pastas, wood-fired flatbreads, a raw bar, craft cocktails and specialty homemade desserts. Our kitchen's philosophy is to keep it simple and straightforward, with a lot of thought and technique put behind each dish and ingredient.

The Refectory is open for lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch. We validate parking in the I-1 garage across the street. For parties of 9 or more guests, please contact the restaurant directly by calling (610) 519-5786 or by emailing info@refectorynova.com. Please call or email with any questions and we will return your message.

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Contemporary American, Cocktail Bar, Oyster Bar
  • Hours of operation
    Brunch Sat, Sun 10:30 am–3:00 pm Lunch Mon–Fri 11:30 am–3:00 pm Dinner Mon–Thu, Sun 3:00 pm–10:00 pm Fri, Sat 3:00 pm–11:00 pm Happy Hour Daily 4:00 pm–6:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (610) 519-5786
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Executive chef
    Biff Gottehrer, Michael Murray
  • Private party facilities
    We offer several private and semi-private dining and event options. The private President's Dining Room accommodates up to 14 guests for a seated function, while semi-private areas of our dining room can be set up for guests ranging from 25-80. Inquire for restaurant buyouts. Contact our Event Director, Devin Simpson at devin@refectorynova.com
  • Neighborhood
    Villanova
  • Cross street
    Ithan Ave
  • Parking details
    Public Lot
  • Public transit
    PARKING GARAGE INFORMATION: Parking is only available across the street from The Refectory at the Villanova I-1 Parking Garage located on South Ithan Avenue. There are no timing restrictions for vehicles parked at the I-1 Parking Garage for guests dining at The Refectory. The rates are as follows: the 1st hour is free, two hours is $2, and up to four hours is $5. Currently, we do not validate parking. Upon entry, pull a ticket and park on any of the first 3 floors. A pay machine accepting cash and credit is located by the Main Pedestrian Entrance/Exit on Floor 2. The exit lanes only accept credit cards and do not accept cash. To get to the Refectory from the Parking Garage from Floor 2, use the pedestrian walkway across Ithan Avenue. The Refectory is located in The Commons, the stone mixed-use residential and commercial building on the corner of Ithan & Lancaster Avenue. Look for restaurant signage and call us at 610-519-5786 if you have any issues
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Private Room, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine
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What 970 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.6
4.6 based on recent ratings
  • 4.5Food
  • 4.7Service
  • 4.6Ambience
  • 4.3Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • Western Suburbs

    Contemporary American

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
The Refectory at Villanova offers "amazing food" and "exceptional service," making it a top choice for celebrations and casual dining alike. Guests praise the "beautiful decor" and "lively atmosphere," although it can get noisy during peak hours. With standout dishes like cheesesteak egg rolls and buffalo cauliflower, this campus gem is a must-visit.

1,138 Reviews
  1. Carolyn

    Atlantic City

    13 reviews

    3.0

    13 reviews

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 3
    Dinner was good, but really small portions for the price. My son ordered filet and received 4 individual slices of meat. Another pasta entree was maybe a spoonful or two and didn’t fill the entire bowl. Overflow from the bar caused people with drinks to stand next to our table while we were eating and they were just hanging out drinking. All in all, better restaurants around campus for dinner.
    The RefectoryResponded 2 days ago
    Hello MCGtable, Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback with us. We're glad to hear that you enjoyed your dinner at The Refectory, but we're sorry to hear that our portions didn't meet your expectations. We strive to provide a high-quality dining experience and your comments will certainly help us to improve. We understand your concern about the seating arrangement and we'll certainly look into this. We hope to have the opportunity to serve you again and provide a more satisfying experience. Best regards, The Management Team

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  2. GEORGE

    Philadelphia

    246 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    246 reviews

    Dined on November 30, 2024

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 3
    Cocktails, Beer and Food very good. Kevin, our waiter was also very good. Be prepared for a loud dining experience though. Lots of screaming babies on a Saturday Night.
    The RefectoryResponded 6 days ago
    Thank you for your kind words! We’re thrilled to hear you enjoyed the cocktails, beer, and food, as well as Kevin’s service. We do understand that our Saturday nights can get a bit lively, and we appreciate your patience with the noise. We hope to see you again soon for another great experience, perhaps during a quieter time! Thanks again for the feedback!

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  3. Scott

    San Francisco

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on November 30, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    This restaurant is a surprising little gem! We didn’t even realize it was on Villanova’s campus until we got close. Amazing atmosphere and friendly people that work there. Beautiful campus. The food was fantastic!! Highly recommend.
    The RefectoryResponded 6 days ago
    Thank you so much for the wonderful review! We're so glad you found us and enjoyed your experience. It’s great to hear you appreciated both the atmosphere and the food—we’re proud to be a hidden gem on Villanova’s beautiful campus. We truly appreciate your recommendation and can’t wait to welcome you back for another fantastic meal!

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  4. Tim

    San Diego

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 27, 2024

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 4
    Food was just OK, I would stay away from the mahi tacos… more breading than fish. I mentioned it to the server and he told me I “might of just got a bad piece” without offering to replace the food or remove from bill. No happy hour because of home Villanova basketball game. Everything a bit over priced. Probably won’t be back
    The RefectoryResponded 3 days ago
    Thanks for the feedback. We're sorry to hear that your experience at The Refectory didn't meet your expectations. We strive to provide a variety of delicious dishes and top-notch service, so it's disappointing to hear that we fell short in your case. We also apologize for any confusion regarding your bill. We value your feedback and will use it to improve our service. We hope you'll consider giving us another chance in the future. Best regards, The Management Team

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  5. Tara

    New York City

    24 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    24 reviews

    Dined on November 24, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great food and wonderful service! Will definitely visit again.

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  6. Ron

    Philadelphia

    27 reviews

    5.0

    27 reviews

    Dined on November 23, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    An amazing hidden gem in the middle of Villanova campus. As a visiting team fan, we found the staff to be lovely and location to be perfect for the game. The menu was incredible and prices were quite fair. The food was absolutely delicious! Our waitress (from Boothwyn) was delightful and friendly and offered great suggestions. The bar was able to produce any drink and did a fine job! We ordered the champagne breakfast special and loved it. The bloody mary's were delicious as well! Had avocado flat bread, shrimp and grits, eggs Benedict, chicken and waffles... Each was DELICIOUS!! You must order the mini donuts for dessert! IF YOU'RE EVER IN VILLANOVA LOOKING FOR A PLACE TO EAT, YOU MUST GO HERE!!

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  7. Stephanie

    Philadelphia

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 21, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    It was perfect for a birthday lunch with my 2 sons who attend Villanova!
    The RefectoryResponded on November 24, 2024
    Thank you so much for choosing The Refectory for your birthday lunch and for the perfect rating! We're thrilled to hear that we were able to make your birthday lunch special. It's always wonderful to know that our efforts to make our guests' experiences memorable are appreciated. We look forward to welcoming you back for more celebrations in the future. Thanks again for your kind words!

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  8. Celeste

    Philadelphia

    41 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    41 reviews

    Dined on November 20, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Met up with a longtime friend for a long overdue lunch. We chose The Refectory since it was mid way between our two homes. This was the first time each of had dined there and the experience was very enjoyable. Food, service, and atmosphere were all great. Definitely a return visit will be in the works.
    The RefectoryResponded on November 21, 2024
    Thank you for choosing The Refectory for your lunch and for taking the time to share your experience. We're thrilled to hear that we were able to make your first visit a memorable one. It's wonderful to know that you found our food, service, and atmosphere to be great. We're especially delighted that you plan to return - we look forward to welcoming you back for more delightful experiences. Best regards, The Management Team

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  9. Janis

    Philadelphia

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on November 17, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Never disappoints - love it here. And the oysters and the salmon were perfection. .
    The RefectoryResponded on November 21, 2024
    We're overjoyed to hear that you love The Refectory! It's wonderful to know that the overall experience met your expectations. Your kind words mean a lot to us. We strive to consistently deliver top-notch food and service, and your feedback reaffirms the hard work we put in every day. Thank you for your support and we look forward to serving you again soon! Best, The Management Team

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  10. janine

    Philadelphia

    14 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    14 reviews

    Dined on November 16, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Wonderful dinner and the best server made our evening a delightful experience. Will be back.
    The RefectoryResponded on November 21, 2024
    Thanks for the review! We're thrilled to hear that you had a wonderful dinner at The Refectory and that our team made your evening enjoyable. It's always our goal to provide the best service possible, and we're so glad we hit the mark for you. We can't wait to welcome you back for another delightful experience. Cheers!

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FAQs

The Refectory is rated 4.6 stars by 970 OpenTable diners.

The Refectory does offer gift cards which you can purchase here.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 33 times today
Google Map for The Refectory

862 Lancaster Avenue, Villanova, PA 19085

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Cross street
    Ithan Ave
  • Neighborhood
    Villanova
  • Hours of operation
    Brunch Sat, Sun 10:30 am–3:00 pm Lunch Mon–Fri 11:30 am–3:00 pm Dinner Mon–Thu, Sun 3:00 pm–10:00 pm Fri, Sat 3:00 pm–11:00 pm Happy Hour Daily 4:00 pm–6:00 pm
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Contemporary American, Cocktail Bar, Oyster Bar
  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    Public Lot
  • Public transit
    PARKING GARAGE INFORMATION: Parking is only available across the street from The Refectory at the Villanova I-1 Parking Garage located on South Ithan Avenue. There are no timing restrictions for vehicles parked at the I-1 Parking Garage for guests dining at The Refectory. The rates are as follows: the 1st hour is free, two hours is $2, and up to four hours is $5. Currently, we do not validate parking. Upon entry, pull a ticket and park on any of the first 3 floors. A pay machine accepting cash and credit is located by the Main Pedestrian Entrance/Exit on Floor 2. The exit lanes only accept credit cards and do not accept cash. To get to the Refectory from the Parking Garage from Floor 2, use the pedestrian walkway across Ithan Avenue. The Refectory is located in The Commons, the stone mixed-use residential and commercial building on the corner of Ithan & Lancaster Avenue. Look for restaurant signage and call us at 610-519-5786 if you have any issues
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive chef
    Biff Gottehrer, Michael Murray
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Private Room, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Phone number
    (610) 519-5786
  • Private party facilities
    We offer several private and semi-private dining and event options. The private President's Dining Room accommodates up to 14 guests for a seated function, while semi-private areas of our dining room can be set up for guests ranging from 25-80. Inquire for restaurant buyouts. Contact our Event Director, Devin Simpson at devin@refectorynova.com
Gift card

Gift card

Send gift cards instantly by email or print to present in person.

Send a gift card
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