Forty-four West Chester establishments were selected among Main Line Today‘s “Best of the Main Line.” That includes 22 editorial-selections and just as many Reader’s Choice winners. There were so many I couldn’t include them all but here is what a stroll through town would look like if we stopped by some of the editors’ favorites.
You can see the complete list including hundreds of regional favorites at Main Line Today.
Bagels, Baguettes and Breakfast Drinks
West Chester had not one but two bagel shops recognized by the editors of Main Line Today. Of Country Bagel and Bakery, they said the bagels were, “Fresh and flavorful” and ”great with cream cheese.” But if you have your heart set on an everything bagel, hold out for Rolling Stars, about which they declared: “This kettle-boiled, hand-rolled, NY-style everything will become your everything.”
Should your morning tastes tend more to the croissant, brioche, or baguette, head over to La Baguette Magique on Market Street for a little look-see at how the French do mornings. A personal favorite of ours for a while now, it is now run by acclaimed West Chester Chef Anthony Andiario and team.
Need something to wash down those carbs and the Sunday Scaries? Head over to Bar Avalon where you can secure the best bloody experience on the Main Line. Editors applauded Bar Avalon owner John Brandt-Lee for his: “innovative ‘bloody-board.”
Best Bagels
Country Bagel and Bakery
145 E. Gay Street
Best French Bakery
La Baguette Magique
202 W. Market Street
Best Everything Bagel
Rolling Stars Bagel
706 E. Market Street
Best Bloody Mary
Bar Avalon
116 E. Gay Street
Happy Hours and After Hours
If you are on your way to meet friends after work, start the evening with a stop at Stove & Tap where you’ll find some of the best deviled eggs in the region, then head down the street to Sedona Taphouse for a selection of award-winning handhelds to share then wind around the corner to Greystone Oyster Bar for some, well, oysters. Where I think the Main Line editors said it best with, “West Chester finally has a new oyster spot.” Amen to that.
Finish it off with one of Dia Doce’s ever-changing, always-delicious, line up of cupcakes and beer from the area’s best new brewery. Yep, that’s a big one, but with 18-taps on rotation Wrong Crowd can handle the hype. Their easy-drinking Borough Pils is fast becoming my drink of summer.
Best New Brewery
Wrong Crowd Beer
342 Hannum Ave
Best Handhelds
Sedona Taphouse
44 W. Gay St.
Best Deviled Eggs
Stove & Tap
158 W. Gay Street
Most Creative Cupcake Menu
Dia Doce
100 S. High Street
Best Oysters
Greystone Oyster Bar
7 N. Church Street
Main Courses
Sure West Chester took home some novelty categories but it also scored some coveted prizes. Often overshadowed Dolce Zola, on E. Gay Street, took home the highly coveted “Best Pasta” honors. Main Line Today editors applauded its “pastas shaped, twisted and draped to rustic perfection.” Consistency earned Opa Taverna the area’s best Greek Cuisine while Mabel’s Barbecue claimed Best Soul Food for its barbecue, fried chicken, mac and cheese and collard greens. “As for the amazing 7-Up cake,” the editors said. “Don’t ask – just eat.”
And if you believe dining out should be more than just a fine meal, try again to get reservations at Andiario. Front-of-house expert Maria van Schaijik was praised for her ability to “make everyone feel like family.”
Best Pasta
Dolce Zola
34 E. Gay Street
Best Greek Cuisine
Opa Taverna
40-44 E. Gay Street
Best Front-of-the-house expert
Maria van Schaijik, Andiario
306 W. Gay Street
Best Soul Food
Mabel’s Barbeque
607 E. Market Street
Food Trucks and Meals To Go
Over the last year eating out has gone from an ode to convenience to a treat unto itself and West Chester establishments were not to be left out. Slow Hand got props for its “not a pizza box” concept that piled a variety of apps and handhelds into, you guessed it, a pizza box.
West Chester also apparently is this place to go for meat from a truck. Borough-based businesses took home Best Food Truck for Burgers (Buddy’s Burgers) and Best Food Truck for Smoked Foods. According to the editors Southbound BBQ’s Brad Webb is “making waves in the region’s increasingly crowded barbecue space.”
Best Dinner To Go
Slow Hand
30 N. Church Street
Best Food Truck for Smoked Food
Southbound BBQ
401 W. Washington Street
Best Food Truck for Burgers
Buddy’s Burgers
11 W. Gay Street (but you can get the food truck wherever you want.)
Walk It Off
After gorging yourself on a selection of the best food and drink the area has to offer. Walk over to the Art Trust Gallery in the lobby of the Meridian Bank on Market Street. This hidden gem of a gallery was described as a “contemporary art mecca.”
If you feel the need for something a little more ambitious, pop into WhirlAway Travel’s where the area’s best travel agent, Jamie Jones, is sure to find you a fabulous destination that will inspire you to want to get all your steps in.
Best Nonprofit Art Center
Art Trust Gallery
16 W. Market Street
Best Travel Agent
WhirlAway Travel’s Jamie Jones
26 W. Market Street
And this is just the beginning, I didn’t even get to your favorites. Reader’s Choice for Best Farm to Table Restaurant, Best Wine List and Best Breakfast all reside within the Borough. As does Best New Restaurant, Best Cakes, Best Chocolate and Best Date Night location. Visit the virtual issue of Main Line Today for the big reveal and all the area winners.
But, while you’re here, 15-amazing ways to kill an hour in West Chester and the best place for coffee, in my humble opinion.
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