Main Line Wine and Dine
From Bryn Mawr to Paoli, the Main Line abounds with food and drink destinations known for flavor, quality, and craftsmanship.
America’s great food cities are known far and wide: New Orleans, with its bevy of Cajun and Creole influences; Chicago and its deep-dish pizza and beef franks on poppyseed buns; and, of course, Philadelphia, which we’ll gleefully defend as one of the world’s great sandwich capitals. The Main Line doesn’t get nearly as much attention for its vibrant culinary scene, but it certainly should.
While there is no one flavor or design profile that fits all the restaurants in this particular part of the world, there is a certain expectation of elegance and quality that folks expect from businesses in this area, and restaurants and cocktail spots are certainly no exception. Whether it’s a patisserie crafting artisanal macarons and croissants, a lively marketplace packed with wares of all kinds, or a cozy and dimly lit cocktail bar serving up whimsical cocktails and small plates, every great Main Line food destination mentioned here boasts an intense commitment to craft.
Knowing this region is home to a host of fantastic places for food and drink, we offer more than a dozen hot spots you’ll want to check out.
Dining out is fully optional. With no shortage of eateries around, why opt for anything less than fantastic? One of the likes of, say, The Choice, a cozy Bryn Mawr gem with an unassuming exterior that belies the wealth of artfully plated offerings inside. Guests can treat themselves to rich and satisfying entrées such as the whole butter-poached lobster, Chilean sea bass with truffle sauce, and Wagyu beef steak. A particular house favorite: scallops wrapped in a nest of phyllo, fried and served alongside creamy wasabi sauce. Luckily for diners, there are no wrong choices here. thechoice-restaurant.com
Bold Sichuan and Taiwanese flavors are the order of the day at Dan Dan’s three locations, two of which are on the Main Line (Ardmore and Wayne). With varying levels of spice ranging from mild to extra hot, dishes comprise an array of heat levels to suit any palate. Diners love the eponymous Dan Dan noodles, a spicy, savory, umami-rich choice that can be accompanied by proteins like tofu and minced pork. Make sure to eat your veggies here—the ginger soy Chinese broccoli, for example—and not just because Mom said so. In terms of beverages, the plentiful choices of house and seasonal cocktails include the Lychee Martini, a blend of Stateside vodka, house lychee liqueur, and St. Germaine. Teetotalers, rejoice! Nonalcoholic bevvies like the house-made ginger ale (ginger simple syrup, lime, club soda) are absolutely stellar. dandanrestaurant.com
Brothers Joseph and Antonie Amrani (CEO and pastry chef, respectively) opened Delice et Chocolat’s flagship Ardmore location in 2017, and a second in Wayne just last year. Today, both locations glow with the French-born duo’s longtime passion for hospitality and Antonie’s Ritz Escoffier Paris training. Delicacies include pastries, cakes, desserts, chocolates, macarons, and other sweet delights familiar to anyone who has visited France, plus seasonal featured items that rotate on a weekly basis based on what’s most available at the local farmers market. Holiday offerings include the yuletide bûche de Noël, galette des rois, and croquembouche, or cream-puff towers. For a savory bite, visitors love the Croque Monsieur sandwich. delicechocolat.com
Excellent pastas and house-made bread served with roasted garlic butter shine among the Italian-influenced stars on the menu at Bryn Mawr’s Exit 13 Gastrobar. The space itself mixes industrial-style architecture with bold, vibrant color to create an ambiance that is eye-catching without being kitschy. Dishes include staples such as gnocchi, lasagna, puttanesca, risotto, and Bolognese, as well as a few unexpected items like the house burger and “the Jawn,” a blend of prime ribeye and Cooper sharp cheese nestled into house-made bread. As expected, the vodka sauce and marinara are fantastic. Don’t skimp on dessert, either; the house-made tiramisu is rich, but not too sweet. exit13gastrobar.com
People will travel for good food. We’re here to make the case that you should absolutely make the pilgrimage to Ground Provisions, which is in West Chester rather than on the Main Line. Brought to life by the culinary artisans behind Philadelphia’s much-celebrated Vedge, Ground Provisions specializes not so much in serving meals but in crafting experiences built around food. Everything on the multi-course “Farmer’s Feast” menu is made from plants cultivated by local farms. Though it may be somewhat diminutive, Ground Provisions is a culinary powerhouse. It’s also a bold example of why no one should be put off by restaurants that serve only plant-based cuisine. groundprovisionspa.com
Chef Marie Lavizzo-Mourey credits her West Philadelphia roots for sparking her passion for food, which only grew as she worked under the likes of Michael Solomonov, Marc Vetri, Robert Aikin, Joe Monnich, and Jean-Marie Lacroix. Now, at il Fiore in Bryn Mawr, she and her team serve up a modest yet mighty selection of dishes that includes several fantastic steaks finished with herbed dry-aged beef fat; artisanal pizzas featuring a house-devised dough recipe; and pastas like the crab ravioli, which is served with lemon beurre blanc, chive, and chili oil. Festive craft cocktails include the “Stand by Me,” which blends Bulleit bourbon, Amaro Nonino, honey mango simple syrup, lemon juice, and a hint of smoke for flavor and drama. ilfioremainline.com
Lancaster County Farmer’s Market on Lancaster Avenue in Wayne is a Main Line staple, brimming with shops selling all manner of food, fresh flowers, and home décor. Local vendors such as Heebner Meats, which has been selling USDA Prime cuts to hungry home chefs for more than 40 years; Nancy’s Candy Corner; S. Clyde Weaver’s meats and cheeses; and Countryview Barbeque are among the veterans. Newcomer Lancaster County Juice has quickly made a name for itself for its glorious selection of fresh fruit and veggie concoctions. “Try the Strawberry Ginger juice” is a vastly insufficient statement to convey the necessity of sampling this particularly glorious blend. lancastercountyfarmersmarket.com
What isn’t better with butter? At this haven for all things baked and beautiful, not too darn much. From breads and cakes to cookies, croissants, and more—a selection of salads and sandwiches, for example—Malvern Buttery has something for the carb-lover in everyone. Veggie-lovers will dig the harissa roasted vegetable sandwich, with spiced, roasted rainbow carrots, eggplant, sweet potato, tahini-lime yogurt, greens, and mango amba, a Middle Eastern pickled mango sauce, nestled between hearty slices of bread. Bright natural light courtesy of floor-to-ceiling windows and generously spaced seating offer a relaxed, semi-industrial vibe perfect for penning the Great American Novel, or just people-watching while hope-scrolling for good news on social. malvernbuttery.com
Owned and operated by Virin Cha and her husband Jae, Manorah has made itself known in Bryn Mawr for its vibrant and authentic Thai flavors. House favorite dishes include the pad see ew, a flat rice noodle dish, and Thai basil fried rice, as well as curries like the panang and crab iterations. There are also fusion options such as green curry penne. The restaurant is named for the southern Thai performance art of the same name, a nod to Virin’s grandmother, who not only took Virin to many such shows as a child, but also spent countless hours alongside Virin in the kitchen. manorahthai.com
Lobster, butter, bread—what more do you need? Borne from a group of friends looking to bring the flavors of Maine to the Jersey Shore, the first Quincy’s Lobster Rolls location opened in Cape May in 2015. Since then, Quincy’s has blossomed into a small family of eateries that includes locations at a number of shore points and one right here in Paoli. While the shore locations are seasonal, the Paoli Quincy’s has been serving up seafood year-round since 2018. Our personal favorite is the simple yet elegant Connecticut-style lobster roll featuring butter-dunked lobster atop a soft, buttered bun. For a big appetite, order two. We won’t think you’re being shellfish. quincysoriginal.com
For its proximity to a high-traffic music venue (Ardmore Music Hall), you might think Ripplewood Whiskey & Craft could shoot for average and do well enough, but just so-so is far below the standard at this intimate cocktail bar and eatery. Pretzeled Parker House rolls with whipped truffle butter are great for sharing, as are the tempura green beans or the garlic honey pork ribs. As you’d expect, the cocktails are notable here. Spirited names match the whimsy of the drinks themselves (alcoholic and non) in iterations such as the Buzzed Bunny, a medley of bourbon, carrot juice, ginger, and lemon. ripplewoodbar.com
A blend between upscale and down to earth, Ron’s Original Bar & Grille has become a cherished community spot whose dishes prioritize customers’ health without sacrificing taste. Its filet mignon is made from antibiotic- and hormone-free Angus steer, its breads and pastas incorporate imported Italian flour, and, as of this year, the kitchen is eliminating seed oils for its cooking/production process in favor of olive oil, avocado oil, and/or ghee. Exton-based Ron’s has become a favorite dining destination for folks with food allergies and sensitivities; it even made the Templeton List as one of the healthiest restaurants in America. That’s all well and good, but it wouldn’t mean all that much if the meals skimped on taste or presentation. Ron’s, we’re happy to say, delivers across the board. ronsoriginal.com
Going round and round on your hunt for the ultimate bagel? Look no further than Up-Ryes Bagel in Bryn Mawr. Just down the street from Bryn Mawr Hospital off Route 30, this petite café offers one of the finest hand-rolled Asiago bagels you’ll find in the area, plus an array of sandwiches, juices, salads, and schmears to suit an early morning appetite. Love a latke? You’re in the right place for that, too. Order any number to be served alongside applesauce and sour cream. Or, if you’re in the mood for a hearty, meaty sandwich, give the North Shore a try: roast beef, Cooper cheese, crispy shallot, barbecue sauce, and mayo on a challah bun. up-ryes.com
More to Love on the Main Line
There’s a lot more to love on the Main Line than some of the region’s best restaurants. These professionals, enterprises, and institutions also add a lot of flavor to the elevated quality of life enjoyed by those who live, work, and play in this remarkable sliver of the Philadelphia area: The Agnes Irwin School (agnesirwin.org), Realtor Mary Delozier (mary@marydelrealestate.com), CM Counsel (cmcounsel.com), Dunwoody Village (dunwoody.org), Gale Nurseries (galenurseries.com), G. Fedale (gfedale.com), Gross & Kenny LLP (philaworkerscomp.com), Inevitable Wealth Coaching (brendan@coachgee.com), Realtor Dianne Giombetti (foxroach.com/bio/diannegiombetti), IntegraCare’s communities in Exton and Glen Mills (integracare.com), La-Mon’e Aesthetics (lamoneaesthetics.com), Main Line Smile (mainlinesmile.com), Mastaj Orthodontics (lynannmastaj.com), The Ady and Megan McGowan Team of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Fox & Roach Realtors (adymcgowan.foxroach.com), The Law Offices of Sheryl R. Rentz (srrentzlaw.com), and Think Oral Implants and Periodontics (think-oral-implants-and-periodontics.org).
Bill Donahue contributed to this report.
Photo courtesy of Manorah
Published (and copyrighted) in Suburban Life magazine, April 2025.
