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

981 Reviews

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Make a booking

2 people

26 Dec 2024

19:00

Booked 19 times today

Good for special occasions
Good for business meals
Good for groups

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 10:30–15:00 Lunch Mon–Fri 11:30–15:00 Dinner Mon–Thu, Sun 15:00–22:00 Fri, Sat 15:00–23:00 Happy Hour Daily 16:00–18:00
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
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

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

English Breakfast
Decaf Earl Grey
Green
African Nectar
Mint
Chamomile

What 981 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
4.6Ambience
4.3Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

Western Suburbs
Contemporary American

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

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

1,149 Reviews

R
Richard
Greater Boston
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined 5 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Always excellent food and great service in a cozy, comfortable setting
Is this helpful?
B
Bonnie
New York City
13 reviews
4.0
13 reviews
Dined on 18 December 2024
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Potato and Leek soup was excellent. A little noisy though. Hard to have a conversation
The RefectoryResponded 7 days ago
Thanks for the review, Bonnie! We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed our potato and leek soup. We appreciate your feedback about the noise level and will look into how we can make your next visit even more enjoyable. We look forward to serving you again soon!
Is this helpful?
b
bob
VIP
Atlantic City
22 reviews
5.0
22 reviews
Dined on 17 December 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
we had a great time and a great meal. the place was full and it is a great place to eat before a Nova game
The RefectoryResponded 7 days ago
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We're thrilled to hear that you had a great time and meal at The Refectory. We're delighted that you enjoyed the ambiance and food before a game. Your kind words mean a lot to us. We look forward to serving you again soon. Best regards, The Management Team
Is this helpful?
D
Debbie
New York City
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on 17 December 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Excellent atmosphere and food. We had an excellent time before a Villanova game.
The RefectoryResponded 7 days ago
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We're thrilled to hear that you had an excellent time before a Villanova game at The Refectory. It's great to know that you enjoyed our atmosphere and food. We strive to provide an exceptional dining experience for all our guests and your feedback is a testament to that. We look forward to welcoming you back soon! Best, The Management Team
Is this helpful?
D
Dorothy
Philadelphia
2 reviews
4.0
2 reviews
Dined on 17 December 2024
1. Overall 4
2. Food 5
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 5
So nice inside but waited 45 minutes for someone to help us - good long for a mid day lunch
Is this helpful?
F
Frank and Patti
Philadelphia
1 review
3.0
1 review
Dined on 16 December 2024
1. Overall 3
2. Food 4
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 5
The restaurant was at about 1/2 capacity, not overly busy, but the staff was rushed to clear our table. I felt like we needed to get in and get out. The food was good, and the venue is lovely. It's a great place for parents to take their student attending the local college for a meal.
The RefectoryResponded on 18 December 2024
Thanks for visiting us at The Refectory. We're glad to hear that you enjoyed our food and found our venue to be lovely. We apologize if the pace of service seemed rushed. We're always working to ensure a comfortable and enjoyable dining experience for all our guests. Your feedback is valuable to us and we'll certainly use it to improve. We hope to welcome you and your student back for another meal soon!
Is this helpful?
E
Edwin
Philadelphia
14 reviews
3.0
14 reviews
Dined on 13 December 2024
1. Overall 3
2. Food 3
3. Service 2
4. Ambience 3
We’ve been to Happy Hours and they are always on point. A bit disappointed with a sit down dinner for six this time. Tables service was slow and seemingly untrained. They took app plates and flatware before we were finished (food was on the plates). Brought entrees we had no flatware. We literally had our flatware replaced five times with just a bread basket, entrees, and dessert (note to servers: always bring extra dessert spoons for those who didn’t order dessert to share or sample others). Food was just okay. Short rib while tender, lacked any depth of flavor, chicken parm was just okay. REALLY miss the hash brown app, so we opted for the garlic potato dish which didn’t come close. Cocktails and Mocktails were good. The ambience is nice and holidays festive.
The RefectoryResponded on 14 December 2024
Hello Edwin, Thank you for taking the time to share your experience at The Refectory. We're sorry to hear that your dinner experience didn't meet your expectations. We appreciate your feedback regarding the service and food. We're always looking to improve and your input helps us do just that. We're also sorry to hear that the food didn't meet your expectations, we strive to provide a great dining experience. We hope you'll give us another chance to impress you in the future. Best wishes, The Management Team
Is this helpful?
b
bernadette
VIP
San Francisco
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on 13 December 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We were seated as requested at a quiet Our server Kevin was excellent., giving us sufficient time to catch up on our news and enjoy starters, entrees and dessert⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The RefectoryResponded on 18 December 2024
Hey, thanks for the fantastic review! We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed your time at The Refectory, from the service to the food. We're especially glad to know that you found the environment quiet and comfortable. It's always our goal to provide an enjoyable dining experience for our guests. We appreciate your support and look forward to your next visit. Cheers! - The Management Team
Is this helpful?
J
Jeff
Philadelphia
10 reviews
5.0
10 reviews
Dined on 13 December 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Tasty food that was well prepared. Service was also great.
The RefectoryResponded on 14 December 2024
We're delighted to hear that you enjoyed our tasty food and found it well prepared. It's great to know that our service met your expectations as well. We're always working to provide the best experience for our guests at The Refectory. We appreciate your feedback and look forward to serving you again soon.
Is this helpful?
YD
YumDeeDum
Philadelphia
4 reviews
4.0
4 reviews
Dined on 11 December 2024
1. Overall 4
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 5
Excellent food and service was good. Would have given five stars except the service was very slow. Our friendly server didn’t have time for us.
The RefectoryResponded on 12 December 2024
Thanks for the review! We're delighted to hear that you enjoyed the food and service at The Refectory. We apologize for the slow service you experienced during your visit. We strive to provide efficient service and your feedback helps us improve. We're glad that you'd give us another chance to provide a better experience. We look forward to serving you again soon!
Is this helpful?

FAQs

The Refectory is rated 4.6 stars by 981 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

26 Dec 2024

19:00

Booked 19 times today

862 Lancaster Avenue, Villanova, PA 19085

Dining areas

Additional information

Cross Street
Ithan Ave
Area
Villanova
Hours of Operation
Brunch Sat, Sun 10:30–15:00 Lunch Mon–Fri 11:30–15:00 Dinner Mon–Thu, Sun 15:00–22:00 Fri, Sat 15:00–23:00 Happy Hour Daily 16:00–18:00
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 booking

Dining areas

Additional information

Gift card

Branzino Filet

Salmon BLT&A

Atlantic Salmon

Dessert

Ricotta DoughnutsUS$11.00

Peanut Butter CakeUS$11.00

Cosmic Deep Dish BrownieUS$11.00

Bread PuddingUS$11.00

Autumn TartUS$17.00

Black Forest Chocolate TartUS$11.00

TiramisuUS$11.00

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

English Breakfast

Decaf Earl Grey

Green

African Nectar

Mint

Chamomile

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 bookings?

Make a booking

Dining areas

Additional information

Gift card