The Refectory

4.6

965 Reviews

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Make a reservation

2 people

Nov 30, 2024

7:00 PM

Booked 39 times today

Good for special occasions
Good for business meals
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

Ricotta Doughnuts$11.00
seasonal jam, nutella
Peanut Butter Cake$11.00
housemade rocky road ice cream, peanut butter ganache, chocolate sauce
Cosmic Deep Dish Brownie$11.00
fudge, chocolate chip candy
Bread Pudding$11.00
housemade rum raisin ice cream, fig & red wine reduction
Autumn Tart$17.00
Apple, pear, housemade cream cheese ice cream, salted caramel bourbon sauce
Black Forest Chocolate Tart$11.00
cherry mousse, cherry puree, chocolate ganache
Tiramisu$11.00
a traditional favorite!

Amaro

Averna$15.00
Braulio$15.00
Cardamaro$13.00
Contratto Fernet$11.00
Cynar$10.00
Fernet Branca$12.00
Lazzaroni Amaro$12.00
Meletti Amaro$11.00
Montenegro$14.00
Nonino$21.00
Santa Maria$11.00
Sfumato$10.00
Underberg$7.00

Port

Quinta Ruby$9.00
Quinta Tawny$9.00
Quinta White$9.00

Sherry

El Maestro Sierra PX$19.00
El Maestro Fino$17.00
Aurora Amontillado$13.00
Aurora Manzanilla$15.00
Aurora Oloroso$15.00

Brandy

Ansac Cognac$10.00
Chte. de Pellehaut Armangac$15.00
Gilles Brisson Cognac VS$13.00
Gilles Brisson Cognac VSOP$20.00
Gilles Brisson Cognac XO$47.00
Laird's Bonded Apple Brandy$12.00
Resurgent Apple Brandy$18.00
Sibona Madeira Grappa$10.00

Other Tasty Treats

Disaronno$10.00
Frangelico$12.00
Five Farms Irish Cream$11.00
Meletti Chocolate$10.00
Meletti Limoncello$10.00
Pineau des Charentes$14.00
Sambuca$12.00

Backyard Beans Coffee

Drip$6.00
Espresso$7.00
Cappuccino$7.00
Latte$7.00

Organic Hot Tea

English Breakfast
Decaf Earl Grey
Green
African Nectar
Mint
Chamomile

What 965 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
4.7Service
4.6Ambience
4.3Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

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.

1,133 Reviews

T
Tara
New York City
24 reviews
vip
5.0
24 reviews
Dined 6 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?
S
Stephanie
Philadelphia
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on November 21, 2024
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 6 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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C
Celeste
Philadelphia
41 reviews
vip
5.0
41 reviews
Dined on November 20, 2024
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 on November 21, 2024
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
Is this helpful?
J
Janis
Philadelphia
5 reviews
vip
5.0
5 reviews
Dined on November 17, 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 on November 21, 2024
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
Is this helpful?
j
janine
Philadelphia
14 reviews
vip
5.0
14 reviews
Dined on November 16, 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 on November 21, 2024
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!
Is this helpful?
A
Aaron
Philadelphia
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on November 15, 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 on November 21, 2024
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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D
Drew
San Francisco
8 reviews
5.0
8 reviews
Dined on November 14, 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 November 15, 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?
J
John
Philadelphia
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on November 10, 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 November 15, 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!
Is this helpful?
V
Vincent
Philadelphia
169 reviews
vip
3.0
169 reviews
Dined on November 10, 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 November 12, 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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k
kaitlin
Greater Boston
22 reviews
5.0
22 reviews
Dined on November 8, 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 November 12, 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!
Is this helpful?

FAQs

The Refectory is rated 4.6 stars by 965 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

Nov 30, 2024

7:00 PM

Booked 39 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

Atlantic Salmon

Dessert

Ricotta Doughnuts$11.00

Peanut Butter Cake$11.00

Cosmic Deep Dish Brownie$11.00

Bread Pudding$11.00

Autumn Tart$17.00

Black Forest Chocolate Tart$11.00

Tiramisu$11.00

Amaro

Averna$15.00

Braulio$15.00

Cardamaro$13.00

Contratto Fernet$11.00

Cynar$10.00

Fernet Branca$12.00

Lazzaroni Amaro$12.00

Meletti Amaro$11.00

Montenegro$14.00

Nonino$21.00

Santa Maria$11.00

Sfumato$10.00

Underberg$7.00

Port

Quinta Ruby$9.00

Quinta Tawny$9.00

Quinta White$9.00

Sherry

El Maestro Sierra PX$19.00

El Maestro Fino$17.00

Aurora Amontillado$13.00

Aurora Manzanilla$15.00

Aurora Oloroso$15.00

Brandy

Ansac Cognac$10.00

Chte. de Pellehaut Armangac$15.00

Gilles Brisson Cognac VS$13.00

Gilles Brisson Cognac VSOP$20.00

Gilles Brisson Cognac XO$47.00

Laird's Bonded Apple Brandy$12.00

Resurgent Apple Brandy$18.00

Sibona Madeira Grappa$10.00

Other Tasty Treats

Disaronno$10.00

Frangelico$12.00

Five Farms Irish Cream$11.00

Meletti Chocolate$10.00

Meletti Limoncello$10.00

Pineau des Charentes$14.00

Sambuca$12.00

Backyard Beans Coffee

Drip$6.00

Espresso$7.00

Cappuccino$7.00

Latte$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 reservations?

Make a reservation

Dining areas

Additional information

Gift card