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The Refectory, Radnor, PA

The Refectory

4.6 (1096)
$31 to $50
Contemporary American
862 E Lancaster Avenue, Radnor, PA 19085

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2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 25 times today

About this restaurant

  • Good for groups
  • Good for special occasions
  • Charming
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–2:45 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 Happy Hour Mon, Tue, Thu–Sat 4:00 pm–6:00 pm Wed, Sun 4:00 pm–9:00 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, Cheli Chavez
  • Catering
    We offer a variety of catering options perfect for any occasion. Whether you're planning a corporate event, family gathering, or special celebration. Choose from customizable menus featuring fresh, flavorful dishes to suit every taste and dietary need. Let us take care of the food so you can focus on enjoying the moment!
  • Private party facilities
    We offer a range of private and semi-private dining options for any occasion. The President’s Room seats up to 14 guests, while the Friar Room accommodates 36 seated or 50 standing. Semi-private spaces in our main dining room can host groups of 25 to 80 guests. Please inquire at info@refectorynova.com
  • Location
    862 E Lancaster Avenue, Radnor, 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, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine
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Menu

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What 1,096 people are saying

The Refectory reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

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
  • 4.6Service
  • 4.6Ambience
  • 4.3Value

Noise • Moderate

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
The Refectory offers a "great atmosphere" with a "lovely ambiance" and "delicious food." Known for its "friendly and attentive service," this Villanova campus gem boasts a "beautiful dining spot" with a varied menu catering to diverse dietary needs. Although noise and occasional service hiccups occur, overall experiences are "amazing" and "excellent."
1,264 Reviews

  1. Amy

    Philadelphia County5 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We were there for lunch and it was nice and quiet. Menu was interesting and my mushroom BLT was tasty!
    The RefectoryResponded 1 day ago
    Hey Amy, Thank you so much for your positive review! We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed your lunch at The Refectory and found our menu interesting. It's great to know that you enjoyed our Mushroom BLT, we're always happy to hear when our guests enjoy it! We appreciate your feedback and look forward to serving you again soon. Best, The Management Team

    Is this helpful?

  2. angela VIP

    New York City8 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on June 28, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Again we had another amazing experience! Brought the whole family this time and everyone throughly enjoyed themselves.

    Is this helpful?

  3. sandra VIP

    Dallas - Fort Worth41 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on June 24, 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 5
    Got there when restaurant opened on a Tuesday morning. Only one other lady there at that time and she was seated in another area. Our waiter came over after 5 minutes, brought water and walked away. Finally came back and took our drink order. Another 10 minutes before he took our food order. Did not understand the slow service as he was not busy at that time. Other families came in closer to noon. Got our order / grilled chicken sandwich was good as was the salad with the lemon/dill dressing. My husband had the turkey sandwich which was good but the fries were terrible, not cooked properly and very limp. Finished eating - pushed our plates to the side and just sat waiting for waiter to return which he did not do, Finally able to flag down one of the women who got your check for us.
    The RefectoryResponded on June 29, 2025
    Thanks for the review, Sandra. We're glad to hear that you enjoyed your food and found our service satisfactory. That said, we’re truly sorry to hear about the service delays and the issue with the fries; that’s not the level of hospitality or quality we aim to provide. We hope you'll consider visiting us again and giving us the opportunity to provide you with a smoother and more enjoyable experience.

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  4. Jeffrey VIP

    Washington, D.C. Area1 review

    5.0

    Dined on June 21, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    This is my new favorite! Delicious food and cool vibe. Will definitely be heading there more often
    The RefectoryResponded on June 24, 2025
    Hey Jeffrey, we are thrilled to hear that we've become your new favorite! We're glad you enjoyed our food and found the vibe cool. We're looking forward to welcoming you back more often! Thanks for the great review!

    Is this helpful?

  5. angela VIP

    New York City8 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on June 21, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Excellent experience! Food was delicious, wait staff was friendly and helpful. We had a very great experience
    The RefectoryResponded on June 24, 2025
    Thanks for the feedback, Angela! We're thrilled to hear that you had an excellent experience at The Refectory. It's wonderful to know that our food and service met your expectations. We always strive to provide friendly and helpful service, and your feedback reaffirms our efforts. We look forward to serving you again soon!

    Is this helpful?

  6. Antionette

    Philadelphia County2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on June 18, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Bailey was the best! His energy and attention to our needs was awesome.
    The RefectoryResponded on June 24, 2025
    Hi Antionette, We're thrilled to hear that you had such a fantastic experience at The Refectory! It's always a pleasure to know that our team's efforts to provide top-notch service are appreciated. We're glad you enjoyed your meal and found value in our offerings. We look forward to serving you again soon. Best regards, The Management Team

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  7. Robert VIP

    Philadelphia County4 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on June 17, 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Ate outside because noise level was so loud inside. Food and service were very good.
    The RefectoryResponded on June 24, 2025
    Thanks for the review, Robert! We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed your meal and the service at The Refectory. It's great to know that you appreciated the quiet ambiance outside our restaurant. We're always striving to provide an excellent dining experience for our guests. We've noted your feedback about the value and will certainly take it into consideration. Looking forward to serving you again soon!

    Is this helpful?

  8. Wendy

    Philadelphia County4 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on June 16, 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 4
    The service was very slow but the food was good. There was an issue with one drink thinking it was a tea but it was espresso and the waiter was not very nice about it. I did not check if was taken off bill because we were in such a rush to leave because of how long it took to get our food. We usually have a great experience here so was surprised by this.
    The RefectoryResponded on June 24, 2025
    Thanks for visiting us, Wendy! We're glad to hear that you enjoyed our food and service. We apologize for the slower service and the misunderstanding with your drink order. We strive to provide excellent service and value, and it's clear we fell short in this instance. We appreciate your understanding and patience, and we're continuously working on improving our speed of service. We hope to welcome you back soon, and promise to make your next experience better!

    Is this helpful?

  9. Janine VIP

    Philadelphia County44 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on June 15, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    As always the service and food was excellent! My family and I love and enjoy our time when we dine at this restaurant.
    The RefectoryResponded on June 24, 2025
    Thanks for the review, Janine! We're thrilled to hear that you and your family always enjoy your time at The Refectory. It's wonderful to know that our service and food continue to meet your expectations. We can't wait to welcome you back for another enjoyable dining experience.

    Is this helpful?

  10. Larissa

    Philadelphia County2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on June 15, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    It was my second time here and I was not disappointed! Had the burger, honestly 10/10. Service was fast and friendly
    The RefectoryResponded on June 24, 2025
    Thanks for visiting us, Larissa! We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed your second visit to The Refectory. It's great to know that our burger hit the mark for you. We're also glad to hear that our service met your expectations. We appreciate your feedback and look forward to serving you again soon.

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

The Refectory is rated 4.6 stars by 1096 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.

  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. Philadelphia County
  4. Western Suburbs
  5. Villanova

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 25 times today
Google Map for The Refectory

862 E Lancaster Avenue, Radnor, PA 19085

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Cross street
    Ithan Ave
  • Neighborhood
    Villanova
  • Hours of operation
    Brunch Sat, Sun 10:30 am–2:45 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 Happy Hour Mon, Tue, Thu–Sat 4:00 pm–6:00 pm Wed, Sun 4:00 pm–9:00 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, Cheli Chavez
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Website
    http://www.refectorynova.com/
  • Phone number
    (610) 519-5786
  • Catering
    We offer a variety of catering options perfect for any occasion. Whether you're planning a corporate event, family gathering, or special celebration. Choose from customizable menus featuring fresh, flavorful dishes to suit every taste and dietary need. Let us take care of the food so you can focus on enjoying the moment!
  • Private party facilities
    We offer a range of private and semi-private dining options for any occasion. The President’s Room seats up to 14 guests, while the Friar Room accommodates 36 seated or 50 standing. Semi-private spaces in our main dining room can host groups of 25 to 80 guests. Please inquire at info@refectorynova.com
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Send gift cards instantly by email or print to present in person.

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