The Refectory

Name: The Refectory
Address: 862 Lancaster Avenue, Villanova, PA, United States, 19085
Telephone: (610) 519-5786
Price range: $31 to $50
Rating: 4.6

4.6

261 Reviews

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Top Tags:

The Refectory is a stunning new restaurant located on Lancaster Avenue in Villanova. The menu (designed by Director of Culinary & Hospitality, Chef Biff Gottehrer, and executed by Chef Michael Murray) features modern and upscale interpretations of American comfort classics such as homemade pastas, wood-fired flatbreads, a raw bar, craft cocktails and specialty 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 goal is to let each ingredient shine.

The Refectory is open for lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch. For parties of 7 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.

Make a reservation

Party Size

2 people

DateTime

May 26, 2022

May 2022

Sun

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

11:30 PM

Booked 38 times today

Dining areas

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Elegant
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–2:45 pm Dinner Mon–Thu, Sun 4:00 pm–10:00 pm Fri, Sat 4:00 pm–11:00 pm
Phone number
(610) 519-5786
Website
http://www.refectorynova.com/
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, Jessica Jefferson at jess@refectorynova.com.

Location
862 Lancaster Avenue Villanova, PA 19085
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, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Private Room, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Popular dishes

Refectory Tower$75.00
Nova Tower$110.00
a little bit o' this, a little bit o' that
Oysters*$18.00
1/2 dozen, corpse reviver #2 mignonette
Shrimp Cocktail$17.00
cocktail sauce, marie rose sauce
Chilled 1/2 Lobster$21.00
smoked dijon, marie rose sauce
Cobia Crudo*$13.00
pomegranate, tarragon, pinenut, radish
Spicy Tuna*$16.00
red chili, ginger, puffed wild rice

Wood-Grilled Flatbreads

Cheese$9.00
cheddar, grana padano, marinara
Spicy Pepperoni$11.00
oregano, hot honey
Brisket$14.00
onion purée, smoked cheddar, bleu cheese, horseradish
Wild Mushroom$13.00
sweet onion purée, truffle, egg yolk
Squash$13.00
butternut squash, goat cheese, spiced pepitas, pinenut
Steak Tartare$17.00
beef tenderloin, capers, arugula, parmesan
Tuna Pizza*$19.00
sashimi, flour tortilla, jalapeño aioli, serrano

Shareables

House-Made Bread Basket$9.00
parker house rolls, focaccia, multigrain
Brussels Sprouts$13.00
bacon lardon, apple, balsamic mustard
Baked Cheese$18.00
grilled bread, honeycomb, black garlic mustard, pesto
Mahi Tacos$14.00
plantain crust, cabbage, chipotle mayo
Grilled Octopus$18.00
ricotta, smoked tomato, black olive oil
Saffron Maine Mussels$19.00
foccacia, andouille, white wine
Buffalo Cauliflower$14.00
house hot sauce, buttermilk ranch
Grilled Shrimp Toast$14.00
ricotta, multigrain, avocado, beurre blanc
Nova Fries$9.00
brisket, house whiz, pickled onion
Deviled Eggs$9.00
crawfish salad, tarragon bread crumb

Soups & Salads

Caesar Salad$13.00
baby gem, focaccia croutons, dill, cured yolk
Lyonnaise Salad$14.00
bacon lardon, soft egg, frisee, fingerling potatoes
Green Salad$11.00
avocado, radish, cucumber, green goddess dressing
Truffled Apple & Celery Root Soup$14.00
flaxseed granola, sourdough croutons
Fall Harvest Salad$12.00
apple, beet, date, goat cheese, candied pecan, balsamic mustard dressing

From the Land

Nova Cravers*$18.00
(3 2oz. burger patties) cooper sharp, jalapeño aioli, house slider buns
Roasted Chicken$22.00
salsa verde, honey roasted carrot, chicken jus
Kobe NY Strip*$33.00
onion soubise, royal trumpet, cippolini, bordelaise
Bone-In Shortrib*$32.00
maitake mushroom, hollandaise, bearnaise bread crumb
Whole Duck$36.00
duck leg confit, foie gras, corn cake, blackberry jus

Potatoes

Fries$6.00
tomato & vinegar emulsion
Crispy New Potatoes$8.00
chili oil, salsa verde
Hash Brown$8.00
hollandaise, chive
Mashed Potatoes$7.00
chive butter
Loaded Hasselback Potato$8.00
bacon bits, fondue, scallion

Pasta & Grain

Spicy Vodka Rigatoni$16.00
calabrian chili, tito's vodka
Spaghetti & Meatballs$19.00
marinara, parmesan, oregano
Coq au Vin Risotto$24.00
braised chicken, barbera, parmesan
Saffron Casarecce$27.00
clams, lobster, crab, sauce americaine
Bucatini*$26.00
cacio e pepe, black truffle, soft egg
Ricotta Raviolo$25.00
braised lamb, lamb jus, root vegetable

Post Grad Burger

Post Grad Burger$25.00
rogue smokey bleu, pickled onion, truffled mushroom, special sauce (served with nova fries)

From the Sea

Pistachio-Crusted Salmon*$24.00
broccolini, lemon beurre blanc, trout roe
Blackened Mahi Mahi$22.00
papaya salad, jalapeño emulsion, coconut curry
Grilled Yellowfin Tuna*$27.00
brown butter spaetzle, leeks, pepita togarashi
Fish & Chips$21.00
tempura fried line-caught cod, tartare sauce, lemon
Branzino Filet$23.00
butternut squash, celery root, brown butter, red chimichurri

Vegetables

Sumac Dusted Carrot$9.00
golden raisin, pine nut
Charred Broccolini$9.00
garlic conserva, chili, pickled lemon
Maitake Mushroom$9.00
sherry butter, hazelnut, herbs
Cheesy Cauliflower$9.00
bechamel, cheddar, parmesan
Crispy Baby Sweet Potato$9.00
tamarind, ancho chili glaze

What 261 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

4.6Food
4.6Service
4.7Ambience
4.3Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

Western Suburbs
Contemporary American

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Filters

BW
BruceW
1 review
2.0
1 review
Dined 3 days ago
overall2food2service1ambience5
Service was terrible. On a Monday when it want crowded. No ice. Drinks came late or not at all. Veggies with meal were cold.
The RefectoryResponded 2 days ago
Hello Bruce, We would like to thank you for your honest feedback and sincerely apologize for our performance yesterday. That is certainly not the standard we have trained our staff to provide. We would greatly appreciate the opportunity to regain your trust in The Refectory and would like to invite you and your guest back for a complimentary dinner, with the guarantee that your experience will only be positive!
SG
SuburbanGal
Philadelphia
37 reviews
vip
5.0
37 reviews
Dined 4 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience4
The food is excellent! We loved the roasted chicken Coq au Vin Risotto! The sides were delicious and can easily serve 2 people. Can't wait to return!
S
Surgchair
Philadelphia
15 reviews
vip
3.0
15 reviews
Dined 5 days ago
overall3food3service3ambience2
Very loud. Small portions. Food was just average. Pricey.
AF
AlexF
New York Area
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined 5 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
Fantastic from start to finish! Such a bonus to have this beautiful restaurant right on Villanova’s stunning campus.
J
Jane
Philadelphia
9 reviews
5.0
9 reviews
Dined 5 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great service. Friendly staff. Love the atmosphere. A little pricey but what isn’t these days!
J
Jenna
Philadelphia
3 reviews
vip
5.0
3 reviews
Dined 6 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
Always an enjoyable time at Refectory. Great service, tasty food, can’t wait to come back in 2 weeks!!
NN
NoNoSmith
Philadelphia
20 reviews
vip
5.0
20 reviews
Dined 6 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience4
We decided to try Refectory due to recommendations of a friend. Parking was easy as Villanova classes are over and the parking garage is across the street. Our waitress was pleasant and the food excellent. We came at the tail end of happy hour, so it was a bit loud, but after happy hour ended, noise level was good. Food sizes were substantial, so next time we won't order a flatbread as an appetizer. But the brisket flatbread was excellent. Great find. We will be back this summer as The Refectory will be open during the summer months this year.
k
kris
Philadelphia
11 reviews
vip
4.0
11 reviews
Dined 7 days ago
overall4food4service5ambience4
Food and service were very good. This is our 2nd visit and we will be back.
p
pedro
Philadelphia
17 reviews
vip
5.0
17 reviews
Dined 7 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience4
First time eating there. It exceeded every expectation. Great drinks, great menu, great service. We will be back.
LD
LanD
Philadelphia
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on May 14, 2022
overall5food4service5ambience5
Amazing food and wonderful service !!
w
writeway00
Philadelphia
23 reviews
vip
4.0
23 reviews
Dined on May 11, 2022
overall4food5service3ambience4
Good food. Lunch service was very slow. Would still recommend.
S
Stephenj
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on May 10, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
It was a wonderful experience for me and my guest. The food was fresh and the service was good.
R
Renee
Philadelphia
2 reviews
3.0
2 reviews
Dined on May 8, 2022
overall3food3service4ambience2
My chicken was overcooked but most of the food was pretty good.
MR
MollyR
New York Area
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on May 8, 2022
overall4food5service4ambience5
Every dish that we had was well-executed and delicious, and the seafood was fresh and delightful. Great ambiance and décor, and friendly service. We were there late in a brunch shift and the staff seemed tired, but they were very friendly and accommodating.
MS
MarkS
Philadelphia
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on May 7, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Nice place. Would revisit. Portions were in the smaller side for the price point
J
Jerome
Philadelphia
2 reviews
4.0
2 reviews
Dined on May 6, 2022
overall4food3service4ambience5
Good ambiance, friendly staff, comfortable seating.
OT
OpenTable Diner
Philadelphia
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on May 4, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great food. Awesome drinks. Great service.
J
Jessica
Philadelphia
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on May 4, 2022
overall4food3service5ambience5
It was very nice and low-key, but the food could have been better. Their lemonade is amazing, but their deep-dish brownie a solid 3/10.
NM
NancyM
Philadelphia
2 reviews
4.0
2 reviews
Dined on May 2, 2022
overall4food4service5ambience5
service is outstanding and cocktails were great! Harvest salad is wonderful . Some foods were overdone but overall a pleasant experience.
J
Jennifer
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on May 1, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Everything we had was delicious! We just had shareables and they were all great - muscles, shrimp toast, baked cheese, mahi tacos, tuna pizza. Will definitely return when we are back in the area.
OT
OpenTable Diner
Philadelphia
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on April 30, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
I came here for a birthday dinner. Food was really great and unique. The service was very good. The atmosphere was relaxing and had a lot of space and it was a very lively environment with music.
s
slink
Philadelphia
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on April 29, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
We had driven up from the eastern shore of Maryland to watch the Villanova/Georgetown lacrosse game on Friday night. Found your restaurant online and decided to give it a try. Food and service were excellent! We’ll be back again!
OT
OpenTable Diner
Philadelphia
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on April 28, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
We've dined at the Refectory after special occasions on Villanova's campus twice in the past few months and both experiences were excellent.
OT
OpenTable Diner
Philadelphia
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on April 28, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience4
Meeting friends on a weeknight. Great experience.
LZ
LorraineZ
New York Area
8 reviews
vip
5.0
8 reviews
Dined on April 24, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Food was fabulous and the service was excellent would definitely return!
HD
HenryD
New York Area
2 reviews
4.0
2 reviews
Dined on April 24, 2022
overall4food5service4ambience5
This is a great dining option right on the campus of Villanova U. We had a great brunch there. Kids were raving about pancakes, eggs, and the BACON
r
russellp
Baltimore
2 reviews
3.0
2 reviews
Dined on April 23, 2022
overall3food3service4ambience4
Overpriced for the food, Nova fries however were excellent but a small portion
OT
OpenTable Diner
Philadelphia
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on April 22, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Just awesome. Loved every minute and everything we ordered! Our servers were awesome, friendly, attentive and personable. Five stars…
ML
MainLiner
Philadelphia
3 reviews
vip
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on April 21, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Amazing in every way!
JS
JSRR
New York Area
5 reviews
4.0
5 reviews
Dined on April 18, 2022
overall4food3service5ambience5
We went for a dinner on Monday evening. Place was somewhat busy but quiet. We were seated quickly. Great ambience. Our service person was very friendly and explained menu options and drinks. The drinks were on the smaller size for the price. Food portions were also smaller than expected we had to order extra dish to supplement. Salads were fresh albeit were topped with a sprinkle of salt which wasn’t expected. One of the pasta dishes was also topped with salt and we had to get it replaced without the unwanted topping. Overall great place on campus for a lunch or dinner. Will return to try more on the menu sans the salt.
OT
OpenTable Diner
Philadelphia
4 reviews
4.0
4 reviews
Dined on April 18, 2022
overall4food4service3ambience5
Loved the ambience of the restaurant! Food was delicious, I will say, if you are really hungry expect small portion sizes. My boyfriend and I had pasta dishes and it wasn’t nearly as much as we were expecting. The service could have been better, we waited a while to place our order but other than that it’s a great spot for a meal.
MB
MaryB
Philadelphia
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on April 17, 2022
overall5food5service4ambience5
Brussel Sprouts & cauliflower appetizers were exceptional! And salmon was wonderful! Great ambience, restaurant was busy for Easter dinner, so service took a little longer, but our table of 5, all thoroughly enjoyed our dinners!
E
Elelvee
Philadelphia
37 reviews
vip
5.0
37 reviews
Dined on April 17, 2022
overall5food4service5ambience5
We went for Easter dinner. The service was amazing from our hostess, server, busboy, and a manager checking in! We loved our food, particularly the lamb lollipops, mussels and branzino. The atmosphere was lovely. My only negative was the calamari appetizer. It was extremely chewy, but it was flavorful so we ate it!
m
michellet
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on April 17, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Literally, the BEST restaurant on Lancaster Avenue. Food is outstanding, staff is friendly, atmosphere is fantastic! Overall it was PERFECTION!
P
Patricia
Philadelphia
23 reviews
5.0
23 reviews
Dined on April 17, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Easter Brunch. Wonderful restaurant.
T
Tony
Philadelphia
7 reviews
vip
5.0
7 reviews
Dined on April 17, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great food and ambiance ease of parking . Excellent.
KO
KatyO
Philadelphia
16 reviews
vip
4.0
16 reviews
Dined on April 16, 2022
overall4food4service5ambience5
Our server was excellent. Friendly, professional, accommodating. I’d skip the bread basket next time. The calamari special and lamb special apps were both excellent. One son ordered the coq au vin risotto. I blanked that the traditional dish has mushrooms and it was not listed on the menu. There was hardly any rice at all, which the teenage boy wasn’t thrilled about. But most important is that he won’t eat mushrooms. Since it wasn’t on the menu, I asked that it be taken back - which I NEVER do - and they replaced it graciously with pasta and meatballs. Husband loved the fish and chips, desserts were great. The cocktails were delicious. I’m looking forward to sharing some apps at the bar without the kids, but also to a post-Confirmation brunch we have in a few weeks. The menu is so tempting that I can’t wait to try the other items I was contemplating!
OT
OpenTable Diner
Philadelphia
3 reviews
4.0
3 reviews
Dined on April 15, 2022
overall4food4service5ambience4
We loved it! Had a great time, ate delicious food and had nice server and hostess! Had a tough time finding the restaurant. We used GPS and still had a hard time. But definitely worth the effort. Thanks to the student walking by that directed us to the parking garage and restaurant.
EO
EileenO
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on April 13, 2022
overall4food4service5ambience4
As Villanova alumnae, my friend and I were delighted to be back on campus. We were greeted warmly when we arrived; our food was well prepared; our server, Maggie, was friendly and professional. And I love the echoes of monasticism in the name "The Refectory". So glad you're open again -- The Refectory is a wonderful addition to the Main Line.
EF
EFoodie
Washington DC
50 reviews
vip
5.0
50 reviews
Dined on April 12, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Excellent all around!

FAQs

The Refectory is rated 4.6 stars by 261 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a reservation

Party Size

2 people

DateTime

May 26, 2022

May 2022

Sun

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

11:30 PM

Booked 38 times today

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–2:45 pm Dinner Mon–Thu, Sun 4:00 pm–10:00 pm Fri, Sat 4:00 pm–11:00 pm
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, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Private Room, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Website
http://www.refectorynova.com/
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, Jessica Jefferson at jess@refectorynova.com.

The Refectory

Make a reservation

Dining areas

Additional information

Salmon

Fries

Brussels Sprouts

Raw Bar

Refectory Tower$75.00

Nova Tower$110.00

Oysters*$18.00

Shrimp Cocktail$17.00

Chilled 1/2 Lobster$21.00

Cobia Crudo*$13.00

Spicy Tuna*$16.00

Wood-Grilled Flatbreads

Cheese$9.00

Spicy Pepperoni$11.00

Brisket$14.00

Wild Mushroom$13.00

Squash$13.00

Steak Tartare$17.00

Tuna Pizza*$19.00

Shareables

House-Made Bread Basket$9.00

Brussels Sprouts$13.00

Baked Cheese$18.00

Mahi Tacos$14.00

Grilled Octopus$18.00

Saffron Maine Mussels$19.00

Buffalo Cauliflower$14.00

Grilled Shrimp Toast$14.00

Nova Fries$9.00

Deviled Eggs$9.00

Soups & Salads

Caesar Salad$13.00

Lyonnaise Salad$14.00

Green Salad$11.00

Truffled Apple & Celery Root Soup$14.00

Fall Harvest Salad$12.00

From the Land

Nova Cravers*$18.00

Roasted Chicken$22.00

Kobe NY Strip*$33.00

Bone-In Shortrib*$32.00

Whole Duck$36.00

Potatoes

Fries$6.00

Crispy New Potatoes$8.00

Hash Brown$8.00

Mashed Potatoes$7.00

Loaded Hasselback Potato$8.00

Pasta & Grain

Spicy Vodka Rigatoni$16.00

Spaghetti & Meatballs$19.00

Coq au Vin Risotto$24.00

Saffron Casarecce$27.00

Bucatini*$26.00

Ricotta Raviolo$25.00

Post Grad Burger

Post Grad Burger$25.00

From the Sea

Pistachio-Crusted Salmon*$24.00

Blackened Mahi Mahi$22.00

Grilled Yellowfin Tuna*$27.00

Fish & Chips$21.00

Branzino Filet$23.00

Vegetables

Sumac Dusted Carrot$9.00

Charred Broccolini$9.00

Maitake Mushroom$9.00

Cheesy Cauliflower$9.00

Crispy Baby Sweet Potato$9.00

Overall ratings and reviews

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FAQs

How is The Refectory restaurant rated?

Is The Refectory currently accepting reservations?