The Refectory

4.6

1021 Reviews

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Make a reservation

2 people

Feb 25, 2025

7:00 PM

Booked 28 times today

Good for special occasions
Lively
Neighborhood 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
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 1,021 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
4.5Service
4.7Ambience
4.3Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

Western Suburbs
Contemporary American

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

The Refectory, located on Villanova's campus, offers a vibrant dining experience with "delicious food" and "impeccable service." Guests enjoy a cozy yet lively atmosphere with "friendly staff" and "great menu options." Though some mention noise levels, overall, it's praised as a "hidden gem" ideal for various occasions.

1,189 Reviews

K
Kristin
VIP
Philadelphia
82 reviews
3.0
82 reviews
Dined 2 days ago
1. Overall 3
2. Food 3
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 3
First time, nice bar, liked the menu. Spicy tuna taartare wasn’t great but okay. I’d return for apps and a big salad. Happy to see it’s busy. Good addition to the neighborhood.
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D
DEBORAH
Philadelphia
2 reviews
4.0
2 reviews
Dined 2 days ago
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 3
The Refectory is a beautiful dining spot. The food and service were very good. I would definitely return. The only less than ideal factor was the noise. It's rather boisterous.
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E
Elizabeth
Philadelphia
17 reviews
4.0
17 reviews
Dined 4 days ago
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 5
Very cozy and welcoming atmosphere. It’s pretty noisy because of wood floors. Menu had some interesting choices. Service was good. I would recommend it for a nice change of pace.
The RefectoryResponded 2 days ago
Hello Elizabeth, Thank you for taking the time to review The Refectory! We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed our cozy atmosphere and found our menu interesting. We're also glad that our service met your expectations. Your recommendation means a lot to us. We hope to see you again soon for another nice change of pace! Best, The Management Team
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E
Eileen
Philadelphia
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on February 16, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Great service, food was yummy but a bit pricey. Easy to make a reservation & seated promptly
The RefectoryResponded 6 days ago
Thanks for the feedback, Eileen! We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed our food and service at The Refectory. We understand your concern about the pricing and are always looking for ways to improve our guests' experiences. We hope to see you again soon, maybe for another yummy meal!
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S
Seth
Philadelphia
5 reviews
5.0
5 reviews
Dined on February 16, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Great spot right on Villanova’s campus. Food is always good, service is always impeccable. Free / validated parking is a bonus.
The RefectoryResponded 2 days ago
Thanks for visiting us, Seth! We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed our food and service. We strive to provide the best for our guests and your feedback is a testament to that. We look forward to serving you again soon!
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B
Bob
Philadelphia
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on February 16, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Had only been to their for drinks before a game. Pleasantly surprised how good the food was.
The RefectoryResponded 6 days ago
Thanks for visiting us, Bob! We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed your dining experience at The Refectory. It's fantastic to know that our food was a pleasant surprise for you. We always strive to provide top-notch service and it's great to know we hit the mark during your visit. We hope to welcome you back soon for another enjoyable experience. Best wishes, The Management Team
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W
Willa
VIP
Richmond
22 reviews
5.0
22 reviews
Dined on February 16, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Delicious brunch with friendly, prompt service. We had a group of 13 accommodated in a private room which was a lovely way to visit.
The RefectoryResponded 6 days ago
Thanks for visiting us, Willa! We're thrilled to hear that you and your group had a lovely time at The Refectory. It's great to know that our brunch was to your liking and that our private room was a comfortable choice for your group. We always strive to make every visit a memorable one for our guests. We appreciate your kind words and look forward to welcoming you back soon! Best regards, The Management Team
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SR
StephanieR
Philadelphia
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on February 15, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Nice vibe and good food.
The RefectoryResponded 6 days ago
Hello StephanieR, Thank you for your kind words and for taking the time to leave us a review. We appreciate your feedback on the value and will strive to continually improve. We hope to welcome you back soon. Best regards, The Management Team
Is this helpful?
J
John
VIP
Philadelphia
22 reviews
4.0
22 reviews
Dined on February 15, 2025
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 3
The only downside was that the two hostesses were somewhat unfriendly. However, the food was excellent, the service was attentive, and the venue had a lovely ambiance.
The RefectoryResponded 6 days ago
Hello John, Thank you for your feedback. We're glad to hear that you enjoyed our food and found the ambiance of The Refectory to be lovely. We're sorry if you felt the service was not as friendly. We strive to provide a welcoming and attentive environment for all our guests. Your comments are valuable to us and will be taken into consideration as we continue to improve. We hope to see you again soon for another excellent dining experience. Best regards, The Management Team
1 person found this helpful
A
Angelica
VIP
Philadelphia
5 reviews
5.0
5 reviews
Dined on February 14, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Awesome dinner! Food was delicious and service and ambiance was even better. A hidden gem on Villanova’s campus! \\// alum love!
The RefectoryResponded 2 days ago
Hello Angelica, Thank you so much for your glowing review! We're thrilled to hear that you had an awesome dinner at The Refectory. It's wonderful to know that you enjoyed our delicious food and found our service and ambiance to your liking. We appreciate your kind words and your support as an alum. We're so glad that we're a hidden gem on your campus! We can't wait to welcome you back soon. Best regards, The Management Team
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FAQs

The Refectory is rated 4.6 stars by 1021 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

Feb 25, 2025

7:00 PM

Booked 28 times today

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–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

Dining areas

Additional information

Gift card

Branzino Filet

Salmon BLT&A

Roasted 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