Best of Montgomery County
Eat, drink, and be merry in Montco.
When community theater does its job well, audience members come away from the experience feeling entertained, engaged, and eager to start conversations. Act II Playhouse in Ambler offers the best of community theater, led by a creative team devoted to achieving perfection, or close to it. The productions are inventive, the performances are nothing short of electric, and the space feels intimate, as every community theater should. act2.org
Nobody does baked goods quite like the French. Alice Bakery, a French-inspired bakery in North Wales, is a go-to for fresh-baked baguettes (other breads, too), croissants, quiche, etc., plus a lineup of breakfast sandwiches that will put a smile on your face. Of course, if you need an artisanal cake for a birthday, anniversary, or some other special occasion, Alice will be happy to help. alicebakery.com
Among Montco’s molti ristorante Italiani, one of our favorites is Bacco Italian Restaurant in North Wales. The fare is exceptionally well made, and the dining room is fun and festive. Suggestion: Set up at the bar for a glass of Super Tuscan (or two) and make a few new friends. When in Bucks County, be sure to check out Bacco’s sister restaurants—Bacco Bistro in Doylestown and Bacco Centro in Richboro, both BYOBs. baccobacco.com
Conshohocken’s A-plus culinary scene includes Bar Sera, a close, communal, and dramatically lit dining room sure to leave a lasting impression. The space feels more “city” than “suburbs,” with a vibe that is both smart and fun; note the wine list’s “weird” and “not weird” selections. The compact menu features some terrific dishes, many of which are made with locally sourced ingredients. barsera.com
Blue Taj is a diminutive Indian BYOB that packs every dish, from the papri chaat to the crispy garlic naan to the biryani, with a flavorful punch. Our favorite dish: the mutter paneer, a delightful concoction made with cheese cubes and peas, heavy on the heat. bluetajambler.com
You can get a half-decent cup of coffee (or tea) just about anywhere, but Broad Street Grind gives good reason to be more discerning. It’s a fine example of Souderton’s culinary and cultural awakening: elevated but not fancy, sophisticated yet down to earth. The baristas take their time in crafting each cup to order, and the quality is evident. The food menu is a breath of fresh air, too. The “Basic Egg” sandwich tastes anything but ordinary. broad-street-grind.com
Introduce yourself to jaguars, tamarins, muntjacs, ocelots, red pandas, river otters, chuckwallas, Gila monsters, hognose snakes, macaws, ibises, eagles, and so many others at Elmwood Park Zoo in East Norriton. Besides offering opportunities to meet the resident animals, Elmwood Park Zoo educates patrons about the dire need to conserve wildlife, both in the United States and around the world. elmwoodparkzoo.org
The season of planting and pruning has come to an end, but there’s always a good reason to visit Floral & Hardy in Skippack Village. The garden center and gift shop has a lovely assortment of horticultural offerings, as well as yard décor. Need more ideas? Floral & Hardy hosts a busy schedule of classes and other in-person events to get the creative juices flowing. floralandhardyofskippack.com
For anyone craving a respite from the rest of the world, look no further than Tilly Mint’s Tea Room in Souderton. Tilly Mint’s celebrates the tradition of the English tea service. Guests can choose from a dizzying assortment of teas, from the everyday to the exotic, accompanied by lovingly prepared finger sandwiches, desserts, and other goodies. Unrushed, relaxing, and distinguished, an afternoon at Tilly Mint’s is an afternoon very well spent. tillymints.com
When Amber’s Ristorante San Marco closed its doors at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, many locals were understandably despondent. The building has since been remade as something else and, dare I say, something even better: Tresini. Like its predecessor, Tresini serves up exceptional Italian fare, with the kind of elegance, attitude, and ambience guests are more likely to find downtown. Arrive at least 30 minutes before your reservation time so you enjoy a glass of red or a cocktail at the posh bar. tresiniambler.com
Montco’s Best and Brightest
These professionals and service providers help make Montgomery County a truly special place: Matt Ushler and his team at Amada Senior Care (amadaseniorcare.com), Carr Home (carrhome.com), Gehman Design Remodeling (gehmanremodeling.com), North Penn Pediatric Dental Associates, led by Michael Wong, D.D.S. (nppda.com), PTM Wealth Management (ptmwealth.com), and The Skin Rejuvenator (theskinrejuvenator.com).
Photo courtesy of Bar Sera
Published (and copyrighted) in Suburban Life, September 2026.
