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The Refectory, Villanova, PA

The Refectory

4.6
4.6
964 Reviews
$31 to $50
Contemporary American

Make a booking

2 people
23:00
Booked 37 times today
  • Good for special occasions
  • Good for business meals
  • Neighbourhood 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
  • 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 Lancaster Avenue, Villanova, PA 19085
  • Area
    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
    Gluten-free Options
Gift card

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Menu

Dessert

  • Ricotta DoughnutsUS$11.00

    seasonal jam, nutella

    • Peanut Butter CakeUS$11.00

      housemade rocky road ice cream, peanut butter ganache, chocolate sauce

      • Cosmic Deep Dish BrownieUS$11.00

        fudge, chocolate chip candy

        • Bread PuddingUS$11.00

          housemade rum raisin ice cream, fig & red wine reduction

          • Autumn TartUS$17.00

            Apple, pear, housemade cream cheese ice cream, salted caramel bourbon sauce

            • Black Forest Chocolate TartUS$11.00

              cherry mousse, cherry puree, chocolate ganache

              • TiramisuUS$11.00

                a traditional favorite!

                Amaro

                • AvernaUS$15.00

                  • BraulioUS$15.00

                    • CardamaroUS$13.00

                      • Contratto FernetUS$11.00

                        • CynarUS$10.00

                          • Fernet BrancaUS$12.00

                            • Lazzaroni AmaroUS$12.00

                              • Meletti AmaroUS$11.00

                                • MontenegroUS$14.00

                                  • NoninoUS$21.00

                                    • Santa MariaUS$11.00

                                      • SfumatoUS$10.00

                                        • UnderbergUS$7.00

                                          Port

                                          • Quinta RubyUS$9.00

                                            • Quinta TawnyUS$9.00

                                              • Quinta WhiteUS$9.00

                                                Sherry

                                                • El Maestro Sierra PXUS$19.00

                                                  • El Maestro FinoUS$17.00

                                                    • Aurora AmontilladoUS$13.00

                                                      • Aurora ManzanillaUS$15.00

                                                        • Aurora OlorosoUS$15.00

                                                          Brandy

                                                          • Ansac CognacUS$10.00

                                                            • Chte. de Pellehaut ArmangacUS$15.00

                                                              • Gilles Brisson Cognac VSUS$13.00

                                                                • Gilles Brisson Cognac VSOPUS$20.00

                                                                  • Gilles Brisson Cognac XOUS$47.00

                                                                    • Laird's Bonded Apple BrandyUS$12.00

                                                                      • Resurgent Apple BrandyUS$18.00

                                                                        • Sibona Madeira GrappaUS$10.00

                                                                          Other Tasty Treats

                                                                          • DisaronnoUS$10.00

                                                                            • FrangelicoUS$12.00

                                                                              • Five Farms Irish CreamUS$11.00

                                                                                • Meletti ChocolateUS$10.00

                                                                                  • Meletti LimoncelloUS$10.00

                                                                                    • Pineau des CharentesUS$14.00

                                                                                      • SambucaUS$12.00

                                                                                        Backyard Beans Coffee

                                                                                        • DripUS$6.00

                                                                                          • EspressoUS$7.00

                                                                                            • CappuccinoUS$7.00

                                                                                              • LatteUS$7.00

                                                                                                Organic Hot Tea

                                                                                                $6

                                                                                                • English Breakfast

                                                                                                  • Decaf Earl Grey

                                                                                                    • Green

                                                                                                      • African Nectar

                                                                                                        • Mint

                                                                                                          • Chamomile

                                                                                                            Last updated: 27 October 2023

                                                                                                            What 964 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
                                                                                                            • 4.2Value

                                                                                                            Noise • Moderate

                                                                                                            Diners' Choice Awards

                                                                                                            • Western Suburbs

                                                                                                              Contemporary American

                                                                                                            Review summary

                                                                                                            AI-generated from verified diner reviews
                                                                                                            The Refectory offers a delightful dining experience on Villanova University's campus, impressing guests with its "amazing service" and "delicious food." The elegant ambiance and wide-ranging menu options contribute to its appeal. While noise levels can vary, the "fantastic atmosphere" and attentive staff consistently enhance the overall experience.

                                                                                                            1,132 Reviews

                                                                                                            1. Tara

                                                                                                              New York City

                                                                                                              24 reviews

                                                                                                              vip
                                                                                                              5.0

                                                                                                              24 reviews

                                                                                                              Dined 3 days ago

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

                                                                                                              Is this helpful?

                                                                                                            2. Stephanie

                                                                                                              Philadelphia

                                                                                                              1 review

                                                                                                              5.0

                                                                                                              1 review

                                                                                                              Dined 6 days ago

                                                                                                              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 3 days ago
                                                                                                              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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                                                                                                            3. Celeste

                                                                                                              Philadelphia

                                                                                                              41 reviews

                                                                                                              vip
                                                                                                              5.0

                                                                                                              41 reviews

                                                                                                              Dined 7 days ago

                                                                                                              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 6 days ago
                                                                                                              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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                                                                                                            4. Janis

                                                                                                              Philadelphia

                                                                                                              5 reviews

                                                                                                              vip
                                                                                                              5.0

                                                                                                              5 reviews

                                                                                                              Dined on 17 November 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 6 days ago
                                                                                                              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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                                                                                                            5. janine

                                                                                                              Philadelphia

                                                                                                              14 reviews

                                                                                                              vip
                                                                                                              5.0

                                                                                                              14 reviews

                                                                                                              Dined on 16 November 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 6 days ago
                                                                                                              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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                                                                                                            6. Aaron

                                                                                                              Philadelphia

                                                                                                              4 reviews

                                                                                                              5.0

                                                                                                              4 reviews

                                                                                                              Dined on 15 November 2024

                                                                                                              1. Overall 5
                                                                                                              2. Food 5
                                                                                                              3. Service 5
                                                                                                              4. Ambience 5
                                                                                                              Everything was fantastic at The Refectory. It is on campus, so our parking was validated for the on campus parking garage, which was nice. The service and food was terrific, and the seasonal cocktails and menu items were a nice touch. We visited for my wife's birthday and the food from appetizers, to entrees, to dessert were delicious.
                                                                                                              The RefectoryResponded 6 days ago
                                                                                                              Thanks for the feedback! We're thrilled to hear that you had a fantastic experience at The Refectory. It's great to know that you enjoyed our service and food, and our seasonal cocktails and menu items. We're especially pleased that your wife's birthday was memorable with your delicious food. Your kind words mean a lot to us. We look forward to serving you again soon.

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                                                                                                            7. Drew

                                                                                                              San Francisco

                                                                                                              8 reviews

                                                                                                              5.0

                                                                                                              8 reviews

                                                                                                              Dined on 14 November 2024

                                                                                                              1. Overall 5
                                                                                                              2. Food 5
                                                                                                              3. Service 5
                                                                                                              4. Ambience 5
                                                                                                              We decided to go to our favorite restaurant for our son’s birthday and the staff was amazing.
                                                                                                              The RefectoryResponded on 15 November 2024
                                                                                                              We're overjoyed to hear that you chose The Refectory for your son's birthday and had a wonderful time! It's wonderful to know that our staff made your experience even better. We strive to make every occasion special for our guests, and your kind words truly make our efforts worthwhile. We look forward to serving you again soon.

                                                                                                              Is this helpful?

                                                                                                            8. Vincent

                                                                                                              Philadelphia

                                                                                                              169 reviews

                                                                                                              vip
                                                                                                              3.0

                                                                                                              169 reviews

                                                                                                              Dined on 10 November 2024

                                                                                                              1. Overall 3
                                                                                                              2. Food 4
                                                                                                              3. Service 1
                                                                                                              4. Ambience 4
                                                                                                              Service was extremely slow took 15 minutes plus to get a drink
                                                                                                              The RefectoryResponded on 12 November 2024
                                                                                                              Thanks for visiting us, Vincent. We're sorry to hear that you experienced slow service during your visit to The Refectory. We always aim to provide prompt service and it's disappointing to hear that we fell short during your visit. We appreciate your feedback and will use it to improve our service speed. We hope to welcome you back soon for a more prompt and enjoyable dining experience. The Management Team

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                                                                                                            9. John

                                                                                                              Philadelphia

                                                                                                              1 review

                                                                                                              5.0

                                                                                                              1 review

                                                                                                              Dined on 10 November 2024

                                                                                                              1. Overall 5
                                                                                                              2. Food 5
                                                                                                              3. Service 5
                                                                                                              4. Ambience 5
                                                                                                              Nice place to go before women’s game. Bartender doubled as waiter at table. Had his hands full but did a great job.
                                                                                                              The RefectoryResponded on 15 November 2024
                                                                                                              We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed your visit to The Refectory before the women's basketball game! It's wonderful to know that our team was able to provide excellent service and that you appreciated the attention to detail. We always strive to make every visit a memorable one. We've taken note of your feedback on the value and will certainly work on improving this aspect. We look forward to welcoming you back soon!

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                                                                                                            10. kaitlin

                                                                                                              Greater Boston

                                                                                                              22 reviews

                                                                                                              5.0

                                                                                                              22 reviews

                                                                                                              Dined on 8 November 2024

                                                                                                              1. Overall 5
                                                                                                              2. Food 5
                                                                                                              3. Service 5
                                                                                                              4. Ambience 4
                                                                                                              Such great food and service! Seriously. Salmon BLT is enormous and delicious and the harvest salad with salmon was amazing. It’s relatively loud during Friday lunch but still a great vibe. I’ll be back!
                                                                                                              The RefectoryResponded on 12 November 2024
                                                                                                              Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed our food and service. We're especially delighted that you loved the Salmon BLT and harvest salad! We always aim to create a great vibe and it's great to know that we succeeded. We're sorry if the noise level was a bit high during your visit, but we're glad you still had a great time. We look forward to welcoming you back to The Refectory soon!

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                                                                                                            FAQs

                                                                                                            The Refectory is rated 4.6 stars by 964 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 booking

                                                                                                            2 people
                                                                                                            23:00
                                                                                                            Booked 37 times today
                                                                                                            Google Map for The Refectory

                                                                                                            862 Lancaster Avenue, Villanova, PA 19085

                                                                                                            Dining areas

                                                                                                            Additional information

                                                                                                            • Cross Street
                                                                                                              Ithan Ave
                                                                                                            • Area
                                                                                                              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
                                                                                                              Gluten-free Options
                                                                                                            • 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

                                                                                                            Gift card

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