Best of Chester County
Your guide to dining, imbibing, shopping, and more in Chesco.
by Bill Donahue

I grew up in Northeast Philadelphia and, later, Bucks County, so my early impressions of Chester County were practically nonexistent. I knew it was out there, somewhere, and it took on an almost mystical air in my young mind. All I knew was that I would likely spend some time there someday, once I reached adulthood.
 
My first Chesco experience was a late-night trip to visit friends at West Chester University—much fun, from what I recall, but not exactly a snapshot of all the good things Chesco has to offer. Only later would I discover the rolling hillsides, the arboreta and museums, and the many wonderful establishments at which to eat, drink, and be merry. Today, the likes of Exton, Kennett Square, Phoenixville, and West Chester are among my favorite places to visit.
 
On the following pages we celebrate some of the area’s many jewels—our 2025 Best of Chester County.
 
Named for a Sicilian town on the Ionian Sea, Avola Kitchen + Bar in Malvern scores three out of three in terms of the boxes all great Italian restaurants should check: inviting ambiance, exceptional service, and well-crafted Old World dishes that linger in the memory. (It also boasts a fantastic wine list.) Highly recommended: the margherita and artisanal pizzas. We feel a little guilty ordering pizza at a place like this, but not so guilty that we wouldn’t do it again. avolakitchenandbar.com
 
Kennett Square has its high-profile mushroom festival. Doylestown has one of the best arts festivals going. And Phoenixville has (cue eerie music) BlobFest. Named for the classic 1958 horror film, parts of which were filmed in Chester County, BlobFest is a multi-day celebration held in and around the Colonial Theatre on Bridge Street, held this year from July 11 to 13. Past iterations have included a vendor-rich street fair, a parade of food trucks, and multiple film screenings of horror classics, including the festival’s namesake—The Blob—complete with a recreation (or two) of the famous scene in which theater-goers try to escape the gelatinous monster from another world. thecolonialtheatre.com/blobfest
 
Most art lovers in Chester County know the Brandywine Museum of Art all too well. For those who have somehow evaded a visit to this Chadds Ford icon, it’s time to make it a priority. The Brandywine is an artistic masterpiece, both inside and out, situated alongside the creek from which the museum takes its name. The museum focuses on American art and artists, particularly the Wyeth family—N.C., Andrew, and Jamie. A current exhibition, “Andrew Wyeth: Human Nature” (through June 15), features rarely seen paintings and drawings that illustrate the role that human figures played in the artist’s journey. brandywine.org/museum
 
Chefs Rich Landau and Katy Jacoby have spent years making headlines with their inventive approach to plant-based cuisine. Vedge, the couple’s flagship restaurant in Philly’s Gayborhood, remains one of the city’s best and brightest. The same high praise applies to Ground Provisions, Landau and Jacoby’s nine-table wonder in West Chester. Guests are assured of a memorable experience, with extraordinary service, lovely atmosphere, and a sensational multi-course meal, all of which features ingredients harvested from local farms. groundprovisionspa.com
 
Having made its share of “best of” lists, La Cabra Brewing continues to craft some sensational beers. Discover your new favorite IPA, pilsner, or lager, among many other styles, at La Cabra’s brewhouse in Berwyn (or its smokehouse in Bryn Mawr). The vibe is fun and neighborly, the food does not disappoint, and the beer is—well, don’t take our word for it; drop by the taproom and find out for yourself. lacabrabrewing.com
 
Longwood Gardens is a dendrophile’s dream. Located on more than 1,100 acres in Kennett Square, Longwood is among the country’s most-popular gardens for good reason. The landscape abounds with horticultural wonder, architectural beauty, and rich history, with roots stretching back to the early 1700s. While Longwood is in full bloom in the warmer months, it’s well worth visiting all year long; the grounds change with the seasons, and the glass-housed Conservatory, which spans several acres, teems with vibrant foliage year-round. longwoodgardens.org
 
A combination of casual and upscale, Exton-based Ron’s Original Bar & Grille offers options to suit every palate. The carefully cultivated menu features an array of intensely satisfying dishes made with premium ingredients that not only taste great but also keep guests’ health in mind. Choose from make-your-own pasta dishes, gut-busting burgers, hearty hoagies and sandwiches, farm-fresh salads, and pizzas made with imported Italian flour. We could keep going. ronsoriginal.com
 
Exton’s Wellington Square Bookshop has everything a good community bookstore should: a comfortable vibe that encourages browsing, a genuine interest in building community, and, of course, aisles of books from just about every genre. Not only does the shop peddle some of the finest literature any reader would consider adding to their TBR piles, but it also supports literacy and enlightenment through a full calendar of in-store events. wellingtonsquarebooks.com
 
There’s nothing quite as comforting as a neighborhood breakfast spot that turns out reliably good breakfast staples, along with a few good surprises: buttermilk pancakes, omelets, biscuits with sausage gravy, etc. West Chester’s Two Birds Café, owned by a husband-and-wife team born and bred in Chester County, is one of those places. This restaurant focuses squarely on scratch breakfast and lunch, made with locally sourced ingredients wherever possible, and they do a fabulous job. twobirdscafewc.com
 
Welsh rarebit, bubble and squeak, bangers and mash, Scotch eggs—these iconic English-pub dishes are tough to come by in the Philadelphia suburbs. Head to Coatesville and take a seat at The Whip Tavern for memorable fare traditionally found only in Britain. The food is authentic (and fantastic), and the intimate setting makes for a festive (if not raucous) time. It’s one of those places that’s not only worth checking out but also returning to and reliving the experience. thewhiptavern.com
 
More to Love in Chester County
These vibrant enterprises add to the exceptional quality of life for people who live, work, and play in Chester County.
 
BAMBOO MANAGEMENT
Chester County Bamboo
Malvern
ccbamboo.com
 
BANKING AND LENDING
Meridian Bank
Malvern
Meridianbanker.com
 
CUSTOM CABINETRY
Dilworth’s Custom Design
Phoenixville
dilworthscustomdesign.com
 
GENERAL AND COSMETIC DENTISTRY
Main Line Smile
Devon
mainlinesmile.com
 
INDEPENDENT LIVING
Freedom Village at Brandywine
Coatesville
fvbrandywine.com
 
LANDSCAPE AND HARDSCAPE DESIGN
Main Line Gardens
Malvern
mainlinegardens.com
 
PERSONAL CARE AND MEMORY CARE
Exton Senior Living
Exton
integracare.com/exton-senior-living
 
ROOFING, WINDOWS, AND MORE
Reaction Exteriors
West Chester
reactionexteriors.com
 
POOL DESIGN AND INSTALLATION
Ted’s Pools
West Chester
tedspools.net
 
Photo by Jeff Fusco for VISIT PHILADELPHIA
 
Published (and copyrighted) in Suburban Life magazine, March 2025.