The essential places to eat and drink in Ardmore
A friend and I set out on foot to eat and drink our way through a happening neighborhood the other day. We downed black and tans over fish tacos in an old-school Irish pub; sampled tart cherry saison in a brewpub screening cartoon clips; warmed up with a hot toddy and a cream-capped Duke of Suffolk cocktail at a coffee shop-meets-bottle shop; and noshed on grilled flatbread slathered with mustardy Welsh rarebit. We were traipsing around Ardmore — home to a food, beverage, and shopping scene so jam-packed and hip (as suburbs go), I’d argue it’s the Main Line equivalent of Fishtown, the city’s buzziest neighborhood. Some may find the comparison between these two places unflattering, but there are undeniable commonalities. (Read about them in the full version of this story here.) Here are some of our favorite spots to eat and drink, presented in map form.
Bam Bam Kitchen
Mandoo dumplings, Korean fried chicken wings, seafood pancake, LA galbi ribs, and kimchi jjigae — this Lancaster Avenue BYOB has the works. If you want Korean food with a full liquor license, head to Songsan Korean BBQ on Rittenhouse Place.
Char & Stave
Bluebird Distilling’s ingenious marriage of caffeine and booze is set in a cozy, exposed-brick cafe. In keeping with its grain-to-glass mentality, the Phoenixville distillery roasts its own coffee.
Delice et Chocolat
Expect one of the area’s finest croissants, picture-perfect macarons, and elaborate cake slices from this bakery/cafe owned by two French brothers, including a former Le Bec-Fin executive pastry chef. Quiche, panini, and cold sandwiches roll out at lunchtime.
DePaul’s Table
This posh steakhouse from the owners of Stove & Tap and Joey Chops might be your best chance for a celebrity sighting in Ardmore: Saquon Barkley recently paid a visit.
El Limon Taqueria
There’s good reason there are a lot of locations of this Conshohocken-born indie chain: You can count on them to serve up very good Mexican food. Inquirer critic Craig LaBan likes the hand-pressed sopes, meats al pastor, smoky chicken tinga, and marinated shrimp tacos.
Izzy’s
For this intimate cocktail lounge, owner Peter Martin took inspiration from New York’s KazuNori and the SG Club in Tokyo. There’s an impressive selection of Japanese spirits, plus fun food (bao buns, hand rolls) to snack on.
Maido
Visiting this Ardmore staple is like taking a mini trip to Japan. Don’t miss the lunch (and early dinner) counter; Craig LaBan’s pick is the okonomiyaki, a savory omelet/pancake laced with dashi, cabbage, scallions, pickled ginger, and grated yam. If that’s outside your comfort zone, there are noodle dishes, rice bowls, and tonkatsu (crispy fried pork cutlet). Afterward, roam the aisles of the market, where they sell everything from snacks, sauces, and sushi rice to stationery, puzzles, and kitchen supplies.
Manatawny Still Works
At any given time, there are upward of 15 cocktails on the menu at this bar/bottle shop from Pottstown’s award-winning distillery. As of January, you can get Autana’s excellent arepas, empanaditas, and patacon plantain sandwiches here on Friday and Saturday nights — an excellent perk.
Ripplewood Whiskey & Craft
This gastropub made a big splash when it first opened, introducing Ardmore to Caesar-filled croutons, pretzel-ized Parker Rolls, and a burger that can lure Inquirer critic Craig LaBan to the Main Line. Almost seven years in, it continues to deliver creative food and cocktails that make it a must-visit.
Tired Hands Fermentria
It’s not clear whether there’s still a “dude-bro culture” at Ardmore’s James Beard-nominated brewery, but the beers are unquestionably still very good.
Ardmore Farmers Market
It’s a bit of a misnomer, but this Reading Terminal-style hall in the Suburban Square vicinity has a fishmonger, a produce stand, an Amish stall, a Mediterranean vendor, a Di Bruno Bros. outpost, and public restrooms.
Ardmore Pizza
Main Line realtor Erica Deuschle endorses the Caesar salad at this standard-issue neighborhood pizza place as “the best around.” Purists will be happy to know that it includes anchovies.
Bam Bam Kitchen
Mandoo dumplings, Korean fried chicken wings, seafood pancake, LA galbi ribs, and kimchi jjigae — this Lancaster Avenue BYOB has the works. If you want Korean food with a full liquor license, head to Songsan Korean BBQ on Rittenhouse Place.
Carlino’s Market
Brace for temptation at this Italian institution, where you can buy sauce sampler packs, a zillion pasta shapes, antipasto platters, trays of lasagna, and much, much more.
Char & Stave
Bluebird Distilling’s ingenious marriage of caffeine and booze is set in a cozy, exposed-brick cafe. In keeping with its grain-to-glass mentality, the Phoenixville distillery roasts its own coffee.
Delice et Chocolat
Expect one of the area’s finest croissants, picture-perfect macarons, and elaborate cake slices from this bakery/cafe owned by two French brothers, including a former Le Bec-Fin executive pastry chef. Quiche, panini, and cold sandwiches roll out at lunchtime.
DePaul’s Table
This posh steakhouse from the owners of Stove & Tap and Joey Chops might be your best chance for a celebrity sighting in Ardmore: Saquon Barkley recently paid a visit.
El Limon Taqueria
There’s good reason there are a lot of locations of this Conshohocken-born indie chain: You can count on them to serve up very good Mexican food. Inquirer critic Craig LaBan likes the hand-pressed sopes, meats al pastor, smoky chicken tinga, and marinated shrimp tacos.
Izzy’s
For this intimate cocktail lounge, owner Peter Martin took inspiration from New York’s KazuNori and the SG Club in Tokyo. There’s an impressive selection of Japanese spirits, plus fun food (bao buns, hand rolls) to snack on.
Jeannie’s Deli
There’s nothing fancy about this bustling backstreet deli, and that’s what makes it special. Prices are beyond reasonable and the service is swift.
Lentil & Co.
Two friends teamed up to pull off a hard feat at this Mediterranean-tinged spot: healthy food that’s also delicious. Think lentil bowls, salads, hummus and pita, and smoothies. For a similar spin with Asian influences, try Sesami on Wynnewood Road.
Lu & Aug’s
Soft-serve and affogato all year long? We are in, especially with one-off flavors like key lime, bourbon, and masala chai apple pie.
Maido
Visiting this Ardmore staple is like taking a mini trip to Japan. Don’t miss the lunch (and early dinner) counter; Craig LaBan’s pick is the okonomiyaki, a savory omelet/pancake laced with dashi, cabbage, scallions, pickled ginger, and grated yam. If that’s outside your comfort zone, there are noodle dishes, rice bowls, and tonkatsu (crispy fried pork cutlet). Afterward, roam the aisles of the market, where they sell everything from snacks, sauces, and sushi rice to stationery, puzzles, and kitchen supplies.
Manatawny Still Works
At any given time, there are upward of 15 cocktails on the menu at this bar/bottle shop from Pottstown’s award-winning distillery. As of January, you can get Autana’s excellent arepas, empanaditas, and patacon plantain sandwiches here on Friday and Saturday nights — an excellent perk.
McCloskey’s Tavern
Claiming to be the oldest Irish pub on the Main Line, McCloskey’s stays current with craft beer selections and food specials (think grouper tacos), but its warm charm never changes.
Ripplewood Whiskey & Craft
This gastropub made a big splash when it first opened, introducing Ardmore to Caesar-filled croutons, pretzel-ized Parker Rolls, and a burger that can lure Inquirer critic Craig LaBan to the Main Line. Almost seven years in, it continues to deliver creative food and cocktails that make it a must-visit.
Tired Hands Fermentria
It’s not clear whether there’s still a “dude-bro culture” at Ardmore’s James Beard-nominated brewery, but the beers are unquestionably still very good.
Villa Artigiano BYOB
Main Line Realtor Erica Deuschle gives high marks to this family-owned Italian spot, which serves lunch and dinner six days a week. You’ll find tried-and-true favorites like burrata, lobster ravioli, and chicken piccata.