Moya sits on Race Street--one of the most beautiful and historic little streets in town--and the setting is just as much a part of the experience as the food itself. The restaurant is tucked into the hand-built stone rowhouses, surrounded by vibrant colors, artwork, and even a few birds outside the windows. It caught my eye right away, and I'm glad it did.
Note for diners: Moya is closed Monday-Wednesday, and I'd recommend making a reservation if you can. I visited on a very busy weekend in Jim Thorpe and managed to get seated around 4:30pm on Saturday without one, but the restaurant filled quickly and I think I got lucky.
Inside, the space is eclectic and beautiful--rich colors on the walls, abstract art throughout (which I later learned is by the chef's wife, who co-owns the restaurant and has her studio in the same building). The atmosphere felt upscale yet comfortable, and the quiet dining room was perfect for good conversation.
Our total bill came to $95.90 before tip, and it was worth every penny. Moya's menu is designed for sharing, and that's exactly what we did.
Drinks:
Pineapple Cosmo ($13) - perfectly sweet without being over the top, even enjoyed by a bourbon drinker.
Apple Brandy Sidecar ($14) - well-balanced and beautifully made.
Plates we shared:
Burrata ($18) - served warm on focaccia with an olive & herb tapenade. My first time trying burrata, and I loved it. The warmth was unexpected but wonderful, and the tapenade set it off perfectly.
Fresh Gnocchi ($29) - with jumbo lump crab meat and fresh tomato cream sauce. The gnocchi were perfectly dense without being heavy, and the crab chunks were huge--bigger than the gnocchi themselves! So fresh, flavorful, and satisfying.
Prosciutto Salad ($18) - spinach, dried figs, gorgonzola, spiced candied nuts, balsamic glaze. Generous prosciutto on top, and the dried figs added such a clever texture and depth. A lighter dish that paired beautifully with the richness of the burrata and gnocchi.
What stood out most about Moya's food was its simplicity. No over-complication, no excess of ingredients--just perfectly chosen flavors that worked in harmony and allowed each element to shine. Every dish felt thoughtful and intentional.
Service was excellent--attentive without being intrusive. The bathrooms were clean, the vibe inside was intimate, and everything about the evening felt special.
No on-site parking, but there's plenty of street and community parking nearby, and Jim Thorpe is a lovely walking town. My suggestion? Spend the afternoon strolling through town, enjoy dinner at Moya, then take a romantic walk down to the train tracks and water afterward.
Moya isn't an everyday dinner spot for me, but it's absolutely on my list for celebrating something special--or just celebrating each other. read more