Best of Yardley
Where to shop, dine, reflect, and more.
Point to any spot on the map of Bucks County and you’ll find several locales radiating with small-town charm. Doylestown, Lahaska, and New Hope certainly come to mind. As do Newtown, Perkasie, and Richboro.
Then there’s Yardley, a flourishing yet quaint town by the river that has just about everything a resident might want: a bustling “downtown,” top-ranked schools, ample recreation (including nearby Washington Crossing Historic Park), and ready access to the many attractions of Philadelphia and Princeton, as well as New York City.
In other words, there’s a lot to love in Yardley, as proven by the following destinations for dining, shopping, culture, and more.
You learn a lot about a community by how much it embraces, elevates, and provides access to the arts. AOY Art Center, a nonprofit artistic hub on Mirror Lake Road, provides countless opportunities for residents to embrace their artistic side as a vehicle for growth, creativity, and profound joy. Through adult classes, youth programs, and public events, AOY Art Center uses the arts to not only inspire community members but also connect them to one another. aoyarts.org
Charcoal BYOB has been serving up “locally sourced, seasonally inspired” fare since the mid-1990s. There’s a good reason why it’s withstood the test of time. From the ingredients to the presentation to the freshness and flavor, Charcoal’s dishes are like works of fine art. Pro tip: Don’t skimp on the homemade bread or the desserts. The location is worth raving about, too, especially for anyone who appreciates the opportunity to enjoy a meal while looking out over the river. charcoalbyob.com
Located in a building with centuries-old roots, the Continental Tavern effectively blends history with modernity. Omnivores and herbivores alike will be happy with the menu of tavern fare. Like some other Bucks County taverns of historical significance, the Continental comes with its share of ghost stories and curious goings-on that may be of interest to those fascinated by all things paranormal. Even so, the experience is all about the food and libations, the hospitality, and a special brand of ambiance that’s tough to duplicate. contav.com
There’s nothing commonplace about the Commonplace Reader, Yardley’s gem of a bookstore devoted to “community exploration, inspiration, and connection.” Whether you prefer history or horror, New York Times bestsellers or tomes from emerging authors, the Commonplace Reader scratches the itch for those who treasure the written word. It’s also a community hub, home to book clubs, writers groups, and author events, among other engagements. commonplace-reader.com
If you’ve ever been to Yardley’s DeLorenzo’s Tomato Pies (or its sister location across the river in Robbinsville), you know that not every pizza is created equally. DeLorenzo’s pies are in a class all their own. Built on a thin, crispy, and slightly charred crust, these remarkable pies are well worth the price of admission. It’s tough to improve upon perfection, but we prefer ours topped with black olives and hot peppers; we also hear good things about the homemade meatballs. delorenzostomatopies.com
Fewer and fewer places remain where we can walk or sit without interruption or the expectation of paying money. One exception: the Garden of Reflection 9-11 Memorial, built to honor the nearly 3,000 lives lost in the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. The memorial park pays particular respect to the 18 Bucks County residents lost that day. Somber yet hopeful, it’s a place where we can go not only to reflect on everything the world lost on that day more than 20 years ago, but also to celebrate life and the prospect of peace for future generations. 9-11memorialgarden.org
Shop small and shop local at Krysset, a distinctive boutique and market offering bath-and-body items, handcrafted jewelry, and home décor (including Yardley-themed wares), among other artisan-made goods. Patrons come away confident that every item is of the highest quality, with the added bonus of knowing that every purchase supports an artisan, maker, or designer from the United States or Canada. krysset.shop
Who needs a homogenized coffeehouse experience when there are standouts like Pretty Bird Coffee? Pretty Bird pours a fabulous cup, with the full spectrum of roasts, and the food menu is rather good, too—scones, avocado toast, breakfast sandwiches, etc. If you’re in the mood for something a bit meatier, we hear there’s a smashingly good burger joint nearby. prettybirdcoffee.com
Uncle Dave’s Homemade Ice Cream at Shady Brook Farm strives to follow in the footsteps of the world’s best and boldest makers or ice cream. We’d say they’re hitting the target. What to expect: hand-crafted small batches made with super-premium ingredients. Some of its flavors are pretty standard—coffee, mint chocolate chip, cotton candy—but you can also expect a few surprises, like lavender, watermelon and basil, and sweet summer corn, as well as some amazing ice cream sandwiches. While the world always seems to look a little brighter when you’re holding an ice cream cone, you can purchase Uncle Dave’s by the pint, too. uncledavesicecream.com
Local favorite Vault Brewing makes beers some might refer to as inspired. Find out for yourself at the restaurant and brewery on South Main Street. There you’re likely to discover some new favorites: a new hazy IPA perhaps, or an oatmeal stout, or an American pilsner. You might also happen upon a new favorite pub-style dish, nearly all of which are perfect for sharing. If you’re looking for an imperial stout to go with an excellent burger or a chicken BLT, you’re in luck. vaultbrewing.com
In addition to the standouts already mentioned, the following artisans, institutions, and professionals contribute to Yardley’s distinctive character and high standard of living: Anej Skin Studio (anejskinstudio.com), Carmen Campanelli, M.D., and his colleagues at Yardley Dermatology Associates (yardleyderm.com), Cathleen George, D.M.D., and Jordan Cogan, D.M.D., of CG Orthodontics (teethstraight.com), Chris Gruber, CFP®, CAIA, of Morgan Stanley Wealth Management (advisor.morganstanley.com/chris.gruber), and the Mary Ann O’Keeffe Team of Keller Williams Real Estate (bucksrealestatesite.com).
Did we miss one of your favorites? If you have a suggestion for a can’t-miss restaurant, shop, cultural icon, or other “must” destination (in Yardley or elsewhere), let us know. Email us at editor@suburbanlifemagazine.com.
Photos by Kevin Crawford Photography/courtesy of Visit Bucks County
Published (and copyrighted) in Suburban Life, April 2024
