The west Philadelphia suburb of Ardmore boasts small-town allure with big-city features. As such, it’s home to many local restaurants bursting with style and flavor. With plenty to explore and enjoy in the stellar culinary scene of this posh suburb, we’ve listed some of our favorite spots.
Local Wine & Kitchen
Local Wine & Kitchen is a laid-back eatery serving New American cuisine with an impressive wine menu. The restaurant and bar have a chic interior and outdoor patio, making it an elegant setting to enjoy their skillfully crafted dishes.
Menu highlights include lamb lollipops, risotto, grilled eggplant parmesan, and a bone-in veal chop. Local Wine & Kitchen is known for its outstanding charcuterie boards too, allowing patrons to choose from double cream brie, chorizo, manchego, or soppressata served with housemade bread.
Local offers quality red, white, and sparkling wines by the glass or bottle. For a more exciting cocktail, the bar has an assortment of house specialties with eccentric names such as The Emerald Lady and The Pink Chiclet. The restaurant also hosts a wine tasting every month where guests can sample various wines while learning about their historical origins and tasting profiles.
Nam Phuong Bistro
Nam Phuong Bistro is the place for authentic Vietnamese cuisine. This restaurant is small but popular, so reservations are a must. Complimenting the vibrant flavors of their dishes, the contemporary-designed interior is complete with an eye-catching red tree.
Nam Phuong Bistro has all of the traditional Vietnamese fixings. The restaurant is known for a few stand-out dishes — the Bùn is a hearty bowl of vermicelli noodles, protein, and veggies. The bistro’s Phở — the national dish of Vietnam — is a beef and rice noodle soup, and the Gỏi Cuốn is a mix of vermicelli noodles, protein, and veggies wrapped up in a refreshing rice paper roll and served with peanut sauce. The bistro has many Vietnamese beverages to go along with your meal too, from teas to freshly brewed coffees.
With its welcoming atmosphere and delicious menu, Nam Phuong Bistro is a favorite in the Ardmore community.
Ripplewood Whiskey & Craft
Ripplewood Whiskey & Craft whips up modern American cuisine and killer cocktails. Located on Ardmore’s Main Lain — the main street of the town — the restaurant touts two rustic-themed dining areas along with an outdoor patio complete with a pergola and garden. Cultivating a retro atmosphere, guests enjoy elevated pub fare and a variety of exciting cocktails.
Start your meal off with appetizers like Brussels sprouts tossed with balsamic mustard, apples, and bacon, or grilled garlic and Calabrian chili shrimp. When you’re ready for an entrée, Ripplewood’s burger topped with gouda, Lebanon Bologna, and their secret sauce is a popular choice. Save room for their delectable desserts like the ricotta donuts served with jam and Nutella, mouthwatering cookies, and an ice cream sandwich.
Ripplewood is also celebrated for its whiskey drinks like the signature Ripp Manhattan and Ripp Old Fashioned. The bar serves other exceptional cocktails like the Killer Rose, an intoxicating mix of gin, strawberry, lime, rhubarb, Lillet Rose, and egg white. You can savor Ripplewood’s mixed drinks at their happy hour from 3 to 5 p.m, Tuesday through Sunday.
Herosame Japanese Restaurant
For the best sushi and sashimi in Ardmore, locals make reservations at Herosame Japanese Restaurant. The authentic Japanese cuisine and decor are beloved by the community, and their welcoming customer service is unlike any other. Be sure to call ahead to snag a seat at Herosame’s genuine sushi bar counter.
Herosame skillfully creates inventive rolls and noodle dishes using only the finest ingredients. The restaurant’s focus on detail makes their plates not only delicious but aesthetically appealing as well. Herosame features an extensive assortment of sushi and sashimi entrees, filling out their menu with teriyaki plates, hibachi dinners, noodles, and classic rolls. If you stop by for lunch, you can order the sought-after bento box. This Japanese restaurant has a fine selection of beers and sake as well.
DePaul’s Table
DePaul’s Table is a sophisticated steakhouse specializing in bold Italian flavors alongside unparalleled service. Since this restaurant is a trendy spot for dates or occasions, make sure you book a table beforehand.
Apart from juicy cuts of steak, this Italian eatery serves fresh seafood, seasonal vegetables, grand salads, and delightful flatbreads. DePaul’s signature dishes include a Delmonico strip, tomahawk ribeye, bone-in veal Milanese, and king crab legs. The restaurant also features a raw bar showcasing fresh oysters, shrimp, and more.
DePaul’s Table features a 40-seat bar with a curated list of wines and house cocktails. Head to the restaurant’s happy hour Monday through Friday from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. for wine, martinis, and beer at reduced prices. Be sure to treat yourself to one of DePaul’s happy hour appetizers like the roasted beet salad, filet Kona tips, or white truffle parmesan fries.
Bam Bam Kitchen
Treat yourself to the adventurous flavors of a traditional Korean meal at Bam Bam Kitchen. The restaurant’s black and white design theme is accentuated with the colorful yet dim lighting throughout. This sleek Seoul kitchen is housed in a smaller space, so reserving your spot on a busy Ardmore weekend is best.
Bam Bam Kitchen serves all types of typical Korean foods such as fried wings, stir-frys, and fried dumplings. Order the popular Bibimbap, which is rice, protein, vegetables, a fried egg, and spicy sauce served in a sizzling hot bowl. Other favorites include the Kimchi fried rice and breaded chicken Katsu.
The kitchen sells a variety of bottled Korean drinks and even makes some of their own like the Dalgona Iced Coffee — milk topped with coffee foam, almost like a reverse cappuccino. There’s also the Misugaru, a Korean honey and milk multigrain drink.
Lola’s Garden
Lola’s Garden is a quaint eatery offering seasonally influenced cuisine and handcrafted cocktails. Located in Suburban Square, the restaurant’s interior is abundant with greenery and wooden accents. The restaurant also has one of the cutest outdoor patios in all of Ardmore, as it is full of lush flowers and plants. Additionally, Lola’s embrace of sustainability can be seen in much of their tables and chairs, as many are made from recycled and repurposed materials.
The menu at Lola’s Garden includes a range of modern American fare, as well as vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options. The restaurant is committed to sourcing local ingredients and revolves much of its menu based on what’s in season. Lola’s lunch and dinner menus feature items such as a grilled portobello sandwich, Mediterranean grain bowl, and seared scallops. You can even stop by for brunch and order a tasty smoked salmon omelet, baked french toast, or loaded egg sandwich.
As their bar, all of Lola’s beer comes from local breweries and the wine is professionally curated. The restaurant has an inventive list of cocktails available by the glass or in a flight. The Butterfly Gimlet is a gin-based drink infused with lime, cucumber, and basil, then topped with tea. Another titillating choice is The Rosebud Motel — a blend of rosemary-infused vodka, limoncello, and ruby red grapefruit juice.
Baer Real Estate
If interested in hearing about more restaurants or Ardmore, Philadelphia homes for sale, please feel free to contact The Baer Group. Their experienced and knowledgeable team would love to show you Ardmore real estate and homes for sale.