Best of Bucks County
Celebrating the area’s exceptional cuisine, world-class culture and entertainment, and so much more.
Recently my wife and I attended a show at the Sellersville Theater in Sellersville, right next to the historic Washington House. On the drive home I reflected on how fortunate we are to live in a part of the Philadelphia area with so much to offer: world-class entertainment, exceptional cuisine, endless cultural enrichment, and, thankfully, still plenty of tracts of open space.
That’s Bucks County in a nutshell—the best of everything, right in our backyard.
When I moved to Bucks County as a teenager, it was a place I wanted to escape. Having gotten away for a time, I came to realize it was a place I wanted to come back to. I’m thrilled that I did. Given the many wonderful institutions highlighted on the following pages, you can begin to see why. To be fair, these “best of” hot spots represent the proverbial tip of a much-grander iceberg.
Head to 59 Almshouse—the Richboro restaurant’s name and its address—for a dining experience that is both casual and elevated. We’re particularly fond of the temperature-controlled patio area, which hosts guests comfortably regardless of the weather or time of year. Our favorite starter is the blistered shishitos with goat cheese, followed by the falafel handheld. 59alms.house
Try to piece together the perfect gourmet market and it would probably look a lot like Altomonte’s, which has locations in Warminster and Doylestown. Whether you’re craving an old-school Italian hoagie, freshly baked bread, imported cheeses, or a made-to-order cake in celebration of a special occasion, Altomonte’s never disappoints. altomontes.com
An independent theater is a telling indicator of a community’s strength and health. Doylestown’s County Theater is one of the best and most beloved, especially after relatively recent renovations. From newly released arthouse films to classics such as One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Cool Hand Luke, and The Muppet Movie (yes, the 1979 film starring Kermit and Miss Piggy is, indeed, a classic), the County specializes in programming meant to get people thinking and talking. countytheater.org
Stop into the Mill Street tasting room of Dad’s Hat Distillery in Bristol for craft cocktails made with its signature spirits—including flights of rye whiskey—and other adult libations. For those interested in getting a closer look at all the time, hard work, and years of history that get poured into each barrel, book a tour of the nearby distillery. dadshatmillst.com
It’s always a good time for ice cream. One of our favorite spots to order up a cone or cup is The Hickory Stick, which has two locations in Perkasie. Choose from a seemingly unending assortment of flavors—the Tandy Cake and Peanut Butter Cup are tough to beat—or, if ice cream isn’t up your alley, a host of other sweet treats. Options include fresh-baked Stock’s poundcake, a Philly-area treasure. hickorystickicecream.com
Suggestion: Get on the Delaware Canal Towpath at either New Hope or Tinicum and head north. If you bike or walk long enough, you’ll hit Homestead Coffee Roasters, an Upper Black Eddy institution known for excellent coffee, terrific sandwiches and baked goods, and old-fashioned hospitality. It’s an ideal place to sit back and relax before heading off to wherever life—or the towpath—takes you next. homesteadcoffee.com
One of the area’s most unique cocktails bars is located inside Doylestown’s Main Street Marketplace. It’s called Hops/Scotch, where mixologists serve up some truly inspired cocktails, as well as a lineup of draft beers. While it doesn’t serve its own food, patrons can order off the menus from restaurants within the marketplace, including Spuntino’s always fabulous pizza. hopsscotch22.com
The Inn at Bowman’s Hill in New Hope has been a linchpin of Bucks County’s hospitality community for more than 20 years. Now helmed by Inga Jakobovich, the inn immerses guests in an atmosphere of refinement and relaxation, including beautifully appointed rooms, a full menu of in-house spa services, and, in kinder weather, a heated pool. A stay at The Inn at Bowman’s Hill also includes a multicourse English-style breakfast, prepared to order by an in-house chef. theinnatbowmanshill.com
John & Peter’s on New Hope’s Main Street has become a destination for soulful music of all genres, cold craft beer and other cocktails, and an innate sense of community that is almost impossible to duplicate. The menu of casual fare is tough to eclipse, too. The word on the street is that John & Peter’s wings and tater tots are some of the best in Bucks. johnandpeters.com
Naked Chocolate has roots in Philadelphia, once considered the nation’s candy capital, so it should come as no surprise that its small-batch chocolates and confections are so extraordinary. Naked Chocolates’ roots have since been planted in Newtown soil, much to the benefit of local residents. While we haven’t had everything on the menu, we can personally vouch for the artistically rendered bonbons. nkdchocolate.com
Set your course for Vecchia Osteria in Newtown for some of the best Italian food—or food of any cultural origin, really—in all of Bucks County. On the busiest of weekend nights, the restaurant’s interior is boisterous and collegial. Based on our experience, just about every item on the menu delivers. It’s a BYOB, so be sure to bring along a favorite bottle of red, white, or whichever libation you prefer. vecchiaosteriabypasquale.com
Warwick Farm Brewing, which is set on 22 acres in Jamison, pours craft brews cultivated with the utmost care and creativity. From hazy IPAs to pale ales, German lagers to Czech pilsners, Irish stouts to fruit-forward ciders, Warwick Farm always has something inventive on tap. The brewers grow their own hops and other ingredients on the spacious grounds, which are, simply put, quite gorgeous. warwickfarmbrewing.com
Photo courtesy of Naked Chocolate
Published (and copyrighted) in Suburban Life, February 2026.
