Where To Eat On The Near Main Line

Published 2 weeks ago• 1 minute read

Ah, the near Main Line—the collective name for the bedroom communities like Narberth, Wynnewood, Ardmore, and Bryn Mawr along the historic main line of the Pennsylvania Railroad. The area and its restaurants have a reputation for being stodgy, and it’s sometimes well deserved. Hang around long enough and you’re guaranteed to hear there’s nowhere good to eat in the ’burbs. But as it turns out, that’s all changed.

These towns are a quick train ride to Center City, and sure, while we’d happily trade our SEPTA Key Cards for a Main Line Blue Corn, Pizzeria Beddia, or Mawn with free parking, many of Philly’s great restaurants already have outposts on the near Main Line. Others are worthy destinations in their own right—great barbecue (really!), burgers, pizza and noodles up there with Philly’s best. And there are even standout places for Ethiopian, Thai and real-deal Xi’anese. Here are twenty of the best spots in the near Main Line, from Bala through Bryn Mawr, that are worth staying in–or coming out to–the suburbs for.