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The Refectory, Villanova, PA

The Refectory

4.6
4.6
289 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

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 13 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

What 289 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

  1. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    London

    1 review

    vip
    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 1 day ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Amazing food amd beautiful atmosphere. So excited to come back!
  2. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Philadelphia

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 3 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great service, great food, and REALLY great happy hour value! :)
  3. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Philadelphia

    13 reviews

    5.0

    13 reviews

    Dined 4 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Delicious food, great atmosphere!
  4. DJ

    DanielleJ

    Chicago

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 4 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Was great!!!
  5. S

    Stillers

    Philadelphia

    42 reviews

    vip
    2.0

    42 reviews

    Dined 7 days ago

    overall2food2service3ambience4
    This is a beautiful space where nothing was done to dampen the noise bouncing off of brick walls and wood floors. The service was slow, menu limited and the noise factor made it soo uncomfortable and unpleasant to the point we had to leave and not have dessert.
  6. AP

    AliP

    Philadelphia

    17 reviews

    4.0

    17 reviews

    Dined on June 21, 2022

    overall4food5service5ambience5
    The atmosphere was nice, the food was good, BUT was shocked to find the margarita was $21!! The drink was not on the menu, but the most expensive cocktail on the menu was $14. This really put a bad taste in my mouth, I guess the restaurant is trying to keep college students away. It will wind up keeping grads away.
  7. C

    Corey

    Poconos

    3 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on June 20, 2022

    overall5food5service4ambience5
    Love the interior decor and the food was delicious! Portions were substantial so you definitely get what you’re paying for both in terms of taste and amount of food. I’ll be back!
  8. j

    janineb

    Philadelphia

    23 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    23 reviews

    Dined on June 19, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Every time I dine at this restaurant I have the best experience! I highly recommend this place!
  9. DC

    DonC

    Philadelphia

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on June 19, 2022

    overall5food4service4ambience5
    The shrimp toast was so delicious. We ordered a second serving after we finished the first. The portions for the meals were the perfect size to allow us to clean our plates and still have room for dessert. The desserts weren't as good as the meal. My son sent his back to try something else. He had something with peanut butter in it. The zebra cake was pretty good, but the brownie wasn't.
  10. CR

    CaityR

    Philadelphia

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 16, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The Refectory is the perfect place for a meal or a casual hang during happy hour. The food is next level, the service is friendly and attentive, and the interior decor is perfectly executed. Highly recommend giving this place a shot and/or a regular spot on your dining out rotation.
  11. SD

    SurprisedDiner

    Philadelphia

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 16, 2022

    overall2food4service4ambience2
    On a Thursday night at 7pm, with advance reservations, when the restaurant seemed only 75% full, our party was brusquely relegated to the corner (last) table by the service entry, with a view of the swinging door to the kitchen. It wasn't that the maitre d' wasn't thinking, he just didn't care. Very poor attention to customers' experience.
  12. ED

    EdwardD

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 14, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The entire experience was wonderful. The best fish and chips ever! The branzino was excellent. The service was outstanding which is very much appreciated.
  13. HC

    HilaryC

    Philadelphia

    14 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    14 reviews

    Dined on June 12, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great food, drinks, service, ambiance
  14. AM

    AMdiningclub

    Philadelphia

    44 reviews

    3.0

    44 reviews

    Dined on June 11, 2022

    overall3food3service4ambience1
    Location on Villanova campus was convenient to reunion activities. However, the dining room/bar was too loud to carry on a conversation or even hear the waitress. Very limited entrees. Waygu strip steak was tough and chewy. Small portion required a side at extra cost. Hash browns were flavorless. Mahi-mahi was dry and small. Donut dessert was very good with chocolate and blueberry sauces to dip. Waitress was friendly, helpful and attentive. Prices were too high for amount of food served.
  15. GC

    GeorgeC

    San Francisco

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 10, 2022

    overall5food5service4ambience5
    Dinner with college classmates. Nice place, will go there again with family and friends. Food was good and atmosphere nice as well.
  16. DW

    DavidW

    Philadelphia

    7 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on June 10, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    As always, food and service were terrific. Thanks!
  17. MG

    MGKing

    Philadelphia

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on June 9, 2022

    overall5food5service4ambience5
    Great atmosphere and food and hot date. 💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯
  18. a

    andiswim

    Philadelphia

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 8, 2022

    overall5food4service3ambience4
    We had a good visit. The cocktails were absolutely amazing and we will be returning for those alone. The food was good but disappointed that some options were not available. Overall a good experience and we will be back.
  19. J

    Jimm

    Philadelphia

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 8, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The service and food were great. The servers were attentive, but not bothersome. They let you relax and enjoy your dinner. I highly recommend the Refectory. We will be back soon.
  20. JG

    JuliaG

    Philadelphia

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 6, 2022

    overall5food5service4ambience3
    Our dinner was excellent. We especially enjoyed the garden salad with a buttermilk dressing unusual with watermelon radish and avocado. Entrees were cooked just right and delicious. Our waitress was attentive and thoughtful. Our first time here and we will definitely be back.
  21. QS

    QingS

    New York Area

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on June 5, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Went for dinner with my family, everything we ordered is delicious from appetizer to dessert. Service is a little bit slow on Sunday night but our waitress is very friendly. We all agreed that we would come back again .
  22. S

    Sammy

    Philadelphia

    8 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on June 5, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    A real gem: excellent service, excellent food, great ambiance. A first-class, blue-ribbon place.
  23. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Philadelphia

    2 reviews

    2.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on June 5, 2022

    overall2food4service1ambience5
    Our waitress was very rude to us in the beginning. Never had a waitress treat me like that
  24. DP

    DrewP

    Philadelphia

    17 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    17 reviews

    Dined on June 3, 2022

    overall3food3service3ambience4
    Wait staff was short waitress did a great job Management was very understanding
  25. p

    pedro

    Philadelphia

    18 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    18 reviews

    Dined on June 1, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Great food from diverse and fascinating menu. Chef is doing things no other restaurant on the main line is doing. Quickly becoming my favorite restaurant outside a city I don’t venture into anymore.
  26. K

    Knitone

    Philadelphia

    17 reviews

    5.0

    17 reviews

    Dined on May 26, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The French Dip was the best I've ever had. I was surprised to hear that the bread was baked in house - it was delicious! Dessert portions are huge and are perfect for sharing.
  27. BW

    BruceW

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 23, 2022

    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 on May 24, 2022Hello 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!

  28. SG

    SuburbanGal

    Philadelphia

    37 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    37 reviews

    Dined on May 22, 2022

    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!
  29. S

    Surgchair

    Philadelphia

    15 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    15 reviews

    Dined on May 21, 2022

    overall3food3service3ambience2
    Very loud. Small portions. Food was just average. Pricey.
  30. AF

    AlexF

    New York Area

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on May 21, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Fantastic from start to finish! Such a bonus to have this beautiful restaurant right on Villanova’s stunning campus.
  31. J

    Jane

    Philadelphia

    9 reviews

    5.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on May 21, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great service. Friendly staff. Love the atmosphere. A little pricey but what isn’t these days!
  32. J

    Jenna

    Philadelphia

    3 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on May 20, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Always an enjoyable time at Refectory. Great service, tasty food, can’t wait to come back in 2 weeks!!
  33. NN

    NoNoSmith

    Philadelphia

    20 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    20 reviews

    Dined on May 20, 2022

    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.
  34. k

    kris

    Philadelphia

    11 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    11 reviews

    Dined on May 19, 2022

    overall4food4service5ambience4
    Food and service were very good. This is our 2nd visit and we will be back.
  35. p

    pedro

    Philadelphia

    19 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    19 reviews

    Dined on May 19, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    First time eating there. It exceeded every expectation. Great drinks, great menu, great service. We will be back.
  36. LD

    LanD

    Philadelphia

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 14, 2022

    overall5food4service5ambience5
    Amazing food and wonderful service !!
  37. 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.
  38. 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.
  39. 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.
  40. 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.

FAQs

The Refectory is rated 4.6 stars by 289 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 13 times today
Google Map for The Refectory

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.

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