The Refectory

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

4.6 (1094)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

862 E Lancaster Avenue, Radnor, PA 19085

Make a reservation

2 people

Jun 27, 2025

7:00 PM

Booked 29 times today

About this restaurant

Good for groups
Good for special occasions
Good for business meals

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
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, Devin Simpson at devin@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, Non-Smoking, Private Room, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Gift card

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Popular dishes

Dry-Aged Cravers*$20.00
(3 2oz. burger patties) american, onion, special sauce, house slider buns
Salmon BLT&A$19.00
alfalfa sprouts, smoked tomato, dijonnaise, focaccia
Grilled Chicken Sandwich$17.00
ciabatta, honey mustard, kunik, smoked tomato, arugula
House Turkey Sandwich$18.00
cranberry walnut sourdough, LTO, cheddar, dukes mayo, bacon
Fried Chicken Sandwich$16.00
sesame seed bun, pickles, romaine, pickled cabbage, comeback sauce
Beets on Weck$15.00
caraway bun, horseradish aioli, beet jus

Soups & Salads

add chicken $5, add shrimp $8, add salmon $10, add filet mignon $10

Mushroom Soup$15.00
shallot, yukon gold potato, oat milk
Fried Chicken Cobb Salad$18.00
fried chicken, iceberg lettuce, cherry tomatoes, hard boiled egg, avocado, bacon, bleu cheese, ranch dressing
Caesar Salad$15.00
baby gem, croutons, dill, cured yolk
Green Salad***$15.00
avocado, radish, cucumber, green goddess
Winter Salad$15.00
spring mix, craisin, bleu cheese, beets, pear, balsamic, spicy walnuts
Citrus Salad$17.00
endive, blood orange, grapefruit, pomegranate vinaigrette, granola

Shareables

Brussels Sprouts***$15.00
bacon lardon, apple, balsamic mustard
Mahi Tacos**$16.00
plantain crust, avocado, cabbage, chipotle mayo
Rock Shrimp Tacos$18.00
sweet chili sauce, avocado, cilantro
Buffalo Cauliflower***$16.00
house hot sauce, buttermilk ranch
Oysters*$18.00
1/2 dozen, mignonette
Shrimp Cocktail$16.00
cocktail sauce, fresh lemon
Fries$6.00
tomato & vinegar emulsion
Nova Fries$11.00
brisket, house wiz, pickled red onion

What 1,094 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
4.5Ambience
4.3Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

Western Suburbs
Contemporary American

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

The Refectory, nestled on Villanova's campus, offers a "fun atmosphere" and "fantastic location" perfect for date nights or meet-ups. Guests praise the "excellent service" and "delicious food," highlighting the scallops, branzino, and seafood dishes. While some note noise levels during events, overall, it promises a "great dining experience."

1,262 Reviews

s
sandra VIP
Dallas - Fort Worth41 reviews
4.0
Dined 3 days ago
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.
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Jeffrey VIP
Washington, D.C. Area1 review
5.0
Dined 6 days ago
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 3 days ago
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!
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a
angela VIP
New York City7 reviews
5.0
Dined 6 days ago
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 3 days ago
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!
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A
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 3 days ago
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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R
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 3 days ago
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!
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W
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 3 days ago
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!
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J
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 3 days ago
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.
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L
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 3 days ago
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.
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L
Lynda VIP
Atlantic City / South Jersey Shore22 reviews
2.0
Dined on June 15, 2025
1. Overall 2
2. Food 4
3. Service 1
4. Ambience 4
Wanted to try something new for Father’s Day. Interior was lovely, right down to the silverware! Just beautiful. Brunch was good, food plated so nicely. Service, however, was just awful. Waiter was clearly not happy about something the minute he arrived to our table. No amount of courtesy from us earned any pleasant respinse back. Each interaction was ridiculously slow. 45 min to get food. For-ever just to get the check and leave. Not sure i can go back, that waiter literally ruined our meal. Felt badly as it was Father’s Day. Definitely recommend providing feedback to male brunch waiter.
The RefectoryResponded 3 days ago
Hello Lynda, We're truly sorry to hear about your recent experience at The Refectory. We're glad you enjoyed our interior and our food, but we're disappointed that our service did not meet your expectations. We appreciate your feedback and will use it to improve our service. We hope you'll consider giving us another chance to provide a better dining experience.
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A
Amy VIP
Philadelphia County81 reviews
4.0
Dined on June 13, 2025
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
This place sits on the edge of Villanova’s campus. Parking garage adjacent which is convenient. Nicely designed interior - comfortable banquettes and tables. Nice menu and good bar. Food was good though I would take off points for specifying “filet” on the menu and serving slices of filet tip. Priced accordingly but Not the same! Service started out strong but then weirdly trailed off to the point we had no water or beverages. Had to flag someone down to get the bill.
The RefectoryResponded 3 days ago
Hello Amy, Thank you for taking the time to share your experience at The Refectory. We're glad to hear that you enjoyed our interior design and our menu. We're sorry to hear that the service didn't meet your expectations. We strive to provide excellent service and we're sorry if we fell short. Your feedback is valuable and will be used to improve our service. We hope to have the opportunity to serve you again and provide a better experience. Best Regards, The Management Team
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FAQs

The Refectory is rated 4.6 stars by 1094 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

Jun 27, 2025

7:00 PM

Booked 29 times today

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–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

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, Devin Simpson at devin@refectorynova.com

Gift card

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

Send a gift card

The Refectory

Make a reservation

About this restaurant

Dining areas

Additional information

Gift card

Branzino Filet

Salmon BLT&A

Smoked Salmon

Wood-Grilled Flatbreads

Cheese$12.00

Spicy Pepperoni$14.00

Brisket$15.00

Wild Mushroom$15.00

Pasta

Spicy Vodka Rigatoni$21.00

Short Rib Stroganoff$21.00

Handhelds

Dry-Aged Cravers*$20.00

Salmon BLT&A$19.00

Grilled Chicken Sandwich$17.00

House Turkey Sandwich$18.00

Fried Chicken Sandwich$16.00

Beets on Weck$15.00

Soups & Salads

Mushroom Soup$15.00

Fried Chicken Cobb Salad$18.00

Caesar Salad$15.00

Green Salad***$15.00

Winter Salad$15.00

Citrus Salad$17.00

Shareables

Brussels Sprouts***$15.00

Mahi Tacos**$16.00

Rock Shrimp Tacos$18.00

Buffalo Cauliflower***$16.00

Oysters*$18.00

Shrimp Cocktail$16.00

Fries$6.00

Nova Fries$11.00

Overall ratings and reviews

Loved For

Review summary

FAQs

How is The Refectory restaurant rated?

Does The Refectory offer gift cards?

Is The Refectory currently accepting reservations?

Make a reservation

Dining areas

Additional information

Gift card