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    The Refectory

    3.8 (115 reviews)
    Closed 11:30 am - 10:00 pm

    Order The Refectory Takeout or Delivery

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    THE REFECTORY ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Classy
    Happy hour specials
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - The Refectory

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    That is NOT a martini
    Jill B.

    An odd experience for Valentine's Day, perhaps I should've sat at the bar or done some research. My martini was served in a julep glass, the lobster on my risotto was rubbery and there was barely any fruit in my tart. Everything felt a little off. But my server asked, "Isn't it wonderful?" Or "how are enjoying that delicious treat?" She was clearly a fan of the mediocre food. Other staff were quick to fill my water glass or bring me coffee. I'll give them another try as friends have enjoyed their meal there. Is it a training restaurant for students? That was what it felt like.

    Nova Fries
    Patrice M.

    I first went there for a lunch meeting, where I ordered a turkey BLT sandwich. Although it was $20, it was well worth the price, as the sandwich was great and filling. Despite the lunchtime rush, the service was still prompt and attentive, making the overall dining experience enjoyable. It's definitely a great place for work lunches because it doesn't get loud or distracting, allowing for productive conversations. The cozy atmosphere and quality food make it a top choice for future meetings or casual dining experiences. The friendly staff and efficient service contribute significantly to this establishment's overall value of dining. I visited again for dinner, and once again, the service was consistent, and the food was quite good. I highly recommend this restaurant to anyone seeking a satisfying dining experience of great value. I enjoyed the steak, crab cakes, deviled eggs, and Nova fries, which were cooked to a tee and tasted great. I even tried a Caprese salad despite not liking tomatoes, and to my surprise, it was actually quite good. The drinks were good as well, they had a kick to them. The atmosphere was pleasant as well. We were seated in a separate room in the back, which was ideal for our large group. It allowed us to socialize without being a nuisance to other diners. The restaurant is also aesthetically pleasing. I will say I had low expectations for this restaurant because it is attached to a school, which led me to assume the food would be mediocre. However, I was pleasantly surprised by the dishes and attentive service. Don't let the location fool you; this restaurant is genuinely good! The menu offers a variety of options, and the presentation of the dishes was great, too.

    Loaded brisket fries, Rock Shrimp Tacos, and Buffalo Cauliflower

    Came here for lunch. Service was good. Food was delish. Ordered the brisket loaded fries, shrimp tacos, and the cauliflower. Very clean.

    Mahi Tacos
    Nia D.

    I've been here a number of times over the last year for lunch meetings and was there again this past Thursday. The decor of the restaurant definitely gives you a feel of being in an upscale, refined yet casual and relaxed place. Also, it is a pretty spacious restaurant that can accommodate table parties of 2 or 10 seemingly very easily. The staff are always very professional, courteous and friendly. The food is always on point. Great portion sizes, filling, tasty and made at the right temperature. This time I tried the Mahi Tacos with the Strawberry Fields cocktail, but I've had a few other dishes before like the Green Salad with salmon and the Salmon BLT&A with no bacon. I don't think there's a menu item anyone could go wrong with. If you are on/near Villanova's campus, highly recommend them. I definitely will keep coming back.

    Strawberry spritzer
    Quinn L.

    The Refectory is a great place to enjoy an upscale lunch/dinner (or brunch on weekends!) while visiting the Villanova campus. The menu boasts several types of cuisine, from seafood to pasta dishes. I originally booked my 7/13 reservation on OpenTable for 3 people, but it was easy to change it to 4 once we arrived at the restaurant. We sat in a booth near the back of the dining room, surrounded by charming accents that really elevated the restaurant's aesthetic. The only thing I didn't love about the restaurant was the dim lighting--I understand it was for ambiance, but it made it hard to read the menu and was really more annoying than quirky. The Refectory is known for their signature cocktails, and after asking the waiter which was the best one, I tried the strawberry spritzer. It tasted like a strawberry candy, and it was even better when I added lemon juice. I totally recommend this drink to anyone who enjoys sweet, fruity cocktails. The 4 of us split the bread basket for an appetizer, which came with homemade focaccia, pretzel buns, and something that looked like Texas Toast. I really liked the focaccia, especially with the homemade garlic butter. I did not enjoy the pretzel bread, however, probably because I didn't like the sesame seeds on top. For dinner, I had the Nova Cravers, which were 3 hamburger sliders and a side of fries. I ordered them medium rare but they were a tad overcooked. My sister ordered the buffalo chicken nachos off the Summer Spritzers menu, and the plate was so large it definitely could have been shared amongst our whole table of 4. My mom wanted the Master Class Burger with no mustard, but when it was delivered to our table, it had mustard on it. Luckily, our waiter brought it back and had it fixed in no time. Her burger came with a side of Nova Fries, which were topped with smoked brisket and cheese. My aunt loved her rigatoni with vodka sauce, but she did say it was spicier than normal vodka sauce. We ended the night with an order of ricotta donuts, and they were a lot better than I expected. The crispy outside perfectly complimented the fluffy inside, and the chocolate and blueberry dipping sauces added another level of flavor. My mom was also treated to free ice cream because it was her birthday. Overall, I really enjoyed the Refectory, and I would recommend it to anyone craving quality food while visiting the Villanova campus.

    Old Fashion
    Ian K.

    Tucked into Villanova's campus, right off 476, Refectory is your place for a beautiful brunch, lunch or dinner. The ambiance is IT and very well put together. They have booths, tables, and a HUGE bar that I hear have a dope HH. What we snagged: -Mussels with Coconut Curry. (One of the best mussels dishes I've had. Mussels were huge and the sauce was flavorful) -Bronzino (Good, with the orzo. Little over cooked, but fine since the Mrs. is pregnant) -Scallops with Spoetzl (Amazing flavor, wish I had 1-2 more scallops) Overall, we'll be back. This joint is perfect for a quick brunch or even a beautiful anniversary dinner. Our waitress was stellar. She was bartending and serving at the same time!

    Nova Fries
    Yoshi L.

    food was great but i expected a little better but enjoyable. our server's really energetic but the service during our second course is a little slow. we come in for dinner on friday but surprisingly it's not as busy as we thought it would be. the decor are really aesthetic and cozy. we had the summer menu instead of the regular menu.

    Chad V.

    Fantastic meal with fine dining appeal in a more casual, but elegant setting. Surface was excellent, knowledgeable and attentive. Location right on Villanova campus can't be beat if you're visiting the college. it's a fantastic idea to have such a good restaurant right on campus Certainly will be back when I'm in the area.

    Crab omelette, pancakes , eggs your way
    Daisy A.

    Food was great. Crab omelette was 7/10 Home fries potatoes were delicious very unique taste. Buttermilk pancake was delicious Focaccia is served instead of your regular toast with the eggs your way plate . Service was okay nothing special. Bar tender had to service our table due to the waitress being who knows where. Slow/ dead Saturday at noon. Ambiance was great

    Chicken & waffles
    Julia B.

    Villanova students are certainly lucky to have a restaurant of this quality right on their campus! The Refectory toes the line between a modern and cozy atmosphere with comfy booths surrounded by books but a high energy vibe. Their brunch menu, while a little overwhelming with all of the choices, has something for everyone. The salmon flatbread was perfect for sharing (comes with four pieces), and the chicken & waffles was delicious (the chicken was still juicy but also crispy, and I would definitely recommend adding a poached egg on top). The brunch cocktails are also great, whether you go individual (as I did, last picture) or for bottomless mimosas (definitely try the hibiscus lemonade flavor). I definitely would like to come back to try their happy hour/dinner menu at some point! Food: A- Drinks: A Atmosphere: A- Service: B+

    Pasta
    Mitch C.

    Unique Campus location. Delicious homemade food. Started with the bread basket. Came with a ramekin of butter and an additional one with garlic/oil. Shared Brussels that had thick bacon chunks. My main was pasta puttanesca which had mini shrimp and a few steamed clams. The sauce was slightly spicy yet incredibly delicious. Pasta home made, al dente. No room for dessert. I'll recommend and be back!

    Corn and truffle flatbread w/ bacon wrapped dates.

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    2 months ago

    It was ok. No bread or starters. The food was good, although servings were on the small side. Good service.

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    3 years ago

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    Onna P.

    Thanks for the great review, Dan!

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    1 year ago

    Food was amazing and love the inside and the workers were fast and nice and I loved the lights

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    Thanks so much for the great review, Muhammad!

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    Lu & Aug's - Strawberry shortcake cheesecake thingy.

    Lu & Aug's

    4.3(47 reviews)
    3.2 mi
    $$

    Lu & Aug's is such a special place. If not for the massive number of calories I consume every time…read moreI enter the place I would go there ALL THE TIME. Each visit is a discovery of new deliciousness and temptations for the tastebuds. Last time I went with a decaf affogato with vanilla softserve, the classic. SO GOOD! 5*/5. I've been dreaming about getting it again so finally went today. and was immediately distracted by their extensive hot chocolate and drinking chocolate menu which now I need to go back and try. While I thought I'd go for the classic decaf affogato, I was enticed by the espresso X version which includes a warm chocolate chip brownie, hot fudge, rice krispie sprinkles, and the decaf espresso (at my request), vanilla and chocolate twist (other options just vanilla or just chocolate) - for the same price as the classic. How could I resist? Amazing - 5*/5 I have yet to try something at Lu & Aug's that isn't outstanding.

    This place is so cayute! Helpful staff. They noticed we were first timers and they explained menu…read moreand how to order. They have good amount of pints 'to go' a TON of toppings and VEGAN OPTIONS!!! Open space, tables to sit down and eat. Clean large bathroom too. Now the dessert creations were impeccable. Fresh waffle cones and fresh toppings. I kept it simple with a pecan crumble on vegan vanilla. Wifey got a strawberry 'something' with pieces of cheesecake. When I tell you they are precise with the placement of the toppings to ensure you have even bites--- I mean it.

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    Lu & Aug's - Blackcomb Affogato: Chocolate Dirt, Chocolate Pocky Sticks with a shot of Espresso

    Blackcomb Affogato: Chocolate Dirt, Chocolate Pocky Sticks with a shot of Espresso

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    Le Mignon Cake & Playroom - Classic Tiramisu

    Le Mignon Cake & Playroom

    3.8(13 reviews)
    4.7 mi

    I keep coming back to Le Mignon Cake & Playroom for their desserts, and their new 4oz coconut…read morepudding series is such a smart idea. As someone who loves coconut but gets full easily, the smaller size is perfect. The original flavor is light and classic, but the coconut latte was my favorite--the slight bitterness from the coffee balances the sweetness really well. The osmanthus fermented rice one is also worth trying if you like more complex flavors. Everything feels thoughtfully made, not overly sweet, and the portion size makes it easy to try multiple flavors without feeling overwhelmed. Definitely a great spot if you enjoy trying new desserts without committing to a huge portion.

    I've been here several times with my daughter. We really enjoy the playroom here. Today we ordered…read morefood and it never came. I kept checking and the cashier kept telling me 10 minutes. 30 mins later still not ready. People who ordered after me were getting the same food. I asked for a complimentary croissant to hold over my hungry toddler. They gave me such a hard time with that alone. 45 minutes later, they tell me they forgot to cook the chicken nuggets . The owner yelled at me do you want "refund or nuggets". I told her I should have both but refused to do so. Apparently 9$ is too much to correct a mistake they made. Bad business practice. My friends and I won't be back. The service sucks and you won't get your microwavable chicken nuggets. Also never cleaned up fecal matter on floor.

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    Le Mignon Cake & Playroom
    Le Mignon Cake & Playroom
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    Hope's Cookies

    Hope's Cookies

    4.0(277 reviews)
    1.0 mi
    $

    When I last reviewed this place 11 years ago, I was disappointed and stayed away for years…read more I started going again around 2021, and they are so back. They still make the best cookies in the world (nostalgia may be a factor). Fresh, flavorful, and not too sweet. I've tried most flavors, and they're fantastic. FAVE COOKIES - caramel pecan (delicious, love the soft caramel) - lemon cooler (totally unique to Hope's, get one) - sugar (they use the best sprinkles, sweet and crunchy but not waxy!) - peanut butter (classic) - pumpkin spice (seasonal, tastes like actual pumpkin!) The vanilla ice cream is also better than what you can find in stores, so I pick up a pint whenever possible. Goes great with the cookies! The service is always friendly and quick even when they're busy with huge college orders, and it's easily one of my favorite counters to order from in the area. I always tip, because other quick service restaurants have made me appreciate this so much. They share the space with a pizza place, so unfortunately there isn't much Hope's-specific indoor seating. But the benches outside are cute, and cozy in decent weather. I wish their other locations were still open, so appreciate this one if you have regular access! The only other one I've found is a mini stand in a souvenir shop in Reading Terminal Market, and their selection isn't as good.

    I made a stop at Hope's after a somewhat disappointing dinner and this totally made up for the…read moredinner. First off, the inside decor and decoration on the outside of the building are super cute and perfect for an ice cream/cookie shop! The employees at the shop are really friendly too. I didn't sample any of the many ice cream flavors, but they look great. The cookies got me, they are amazing! So many fantastic recipes and they're super fresh, too. I think these are some of the best cookies I've had! Make a stop!

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    Hope's Cookies
    Hope's Cookies
    Hope's Cookies - Hope's Cookies

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    Handel's Homemade Ice Cream - Mud Pie

    Handel's Homemade Ice Cream

    4.5(263 reviews)
    5.4 mi
    $

    The ice cream is still great quality (when it's a proper serving) but there are a lot of location…read moreand staff issues that have gone downhill. -They never answer the phone anymore, nor do they return messages. -Online ordering randomly doesn't allow quarts which is what my family buys to take home, super annoying. -New location parking lot is shared with adjacent strip mall area and is a downgrade from prior location's private parking lot. -New location has one way street rules to enter and exit which are confusing and someone is always messing up or deliberately disobeying to cause chaos. -Staff is lazy and either deliberately cheats people or doesn't care about quality when they serve pints or quarts with none of the flavor components mixed in (I.e. Oreo was plain vanilla with virtually no cookie). For a long time Yelp has had this listed as "permanently closed" but they just moved across the street. I've reported to Yelp but they don't care and are/have been hurting this business as a result.

    Great ice cream and location but very expensive. $15 for two people…read more... We did each get two scoops but $15 for 4 scoops of ice cream is a bit much Mint was great and refreshing. The peanut butter chocolate brownie is incredible. I would go back for that flavor over and over again!! The kids who work there are always very friendly and helpful. They're always offering samples and being patient when it takes too long to decide. There's seating available outside.

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    Handel's Homemade Ice Cream - Chocolate Raspberry Truffle & Coffee Chocolate Chip

    Chocolate Raspberry Truffle & Coffee Chocolate Chip

    Handel's Homemade Ice Cream
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    The Refectory - newamerican - Updated May 2026

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