What’s not to love about Exton? This place that my family and I have called home for over 10 years has great shopping, quiet neighborhoods, easy access to all the major roads, Amtrak and Septa to whisk you into the city and, most importantly, a host of wonderful spots to dine in or take out. Here are our favorites:
Rino’s Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria
315 E. Lincoln Highway, Exton
Finding a pizza spot to love when we moved here from North Jersey was no easy task. We’d become accustomed to New York-style pie and its thin, crispy crust and wanted to find a comparable slice here in Pa. When we discovered Rino’s we knew we could finally call this place home (yes, that’s how important pizza is to us). We hit up Rino’s at least two or three times a month for a half-pepperoni/half-plain pie. Their beer case is also stellar! Top picks: pizza, fried ravioli, Greek salad.
Riverstone Cafe
143 W. Lincoln Highway, Exton
Riverstone is the first place my husband and I ate when we moved to Exton, before our son was born, and it’s a spot we’ve gone back to again and again for a fabulous meal and friendly service. Now that my son is older, it’s our special place to go for a mother-son “date night.” The Sunday brunch is phenomenal, with more choices than you could ever hope to consume in one sitting. Top picks: firecracker shrimp spring rolls, sesame tuna, broccoli rabe flatbread.
Limoncello Ristorante
499 E. Uwchlan Avenue, Chester Springs
As huge fans of Limoncello’s original location in West Chester, we were thrilled when they opened this second, bigger spot in our neck of the woods. Free parking! More tables! A bigger bar! And the Italian fare is just as amazing in Chester Springs as it is in West Chester. Limoncello is owned by the Mingrino family—the nicest group of people you’d ever want to meet. Top picks: antipasto Limoncello, shrimp and crabmeat fra diavolo, bananas foster cheesecake.
Chester Springs Creamery
521 E. Uwchlan Avenue, Chester Springs
Just down the road from Limoncello is my favorite place for ice cream in all of Chester County, Chester Springs Creamery. Wander around Milky Way Farm, where the creamery is located, and visit the resident sheep, pigs and cows. Enjoy your ice cream outdoors at one of the picnic tables and take in the beautiful countryside. Bring home cheese, eggs, meat and produce from local farmers. Oh, and the ice cream: it’s incredible! Rich, creamy and decadent, the dairy delights are named after Milky Way’s cows, the real stars at the farm. Top picks: Molly’s mint chocolate chip, Rosie’s rainbow sprinkle cake, Duchess’ chocolate supreme.
Indian Hut
260 Pottstown Pike, Exton
Although we just discovered Indian Hut, it’s quickly gained a spot on our list of favorites. Exton has several wonderful Indian restaurants, but it’s Indian Hut that gets my highest rating (and a nod from Craig LaBan, too—the critic recently reviewed the restaurant and gave it two bells). Like it hot? You’ll definitely appreciate Indian Hut’s spicy menu. Vegetarians will also be pleased with the long list of options. Indo-Chinese selections supplement the impressive menu of dosas, breads, biryanis, paninis, main courses and bakery items. Top picks: samosa chaat, karahi vegetables, gobi Manchurian.
Honorable Mentions
Choosing just five food favorites in Exton was quite a task, considering the number of wonderful culinary experiences I’ve had here. These five spots deserve an honorable mention:
Freskada Wood Fire Kitchen (120 Woodcutter Street). I love going to this BYOB spot with my fellow moms for a ladies’ night out! The lemon zesty crispy calamari and Greek salata are incredible.
Hill’s Seafood (354 N. Pottstown Pike). I credit this place with turning my son into a crab cake connoisseur. Hill’s offers up the best crab cakes anywhere, and their friendly, knowledgeable staff can answer even your most difficult seafood question.
Hot Wok (311 E. Lincoln Highway). Fast, fresh Chinese takeout—and they deliver, too. The food is always hot when it gets to my door, and the veggies are always crisp. The sesame chicken is a real winner!
Bistro 24 (100 Marchwood Road). My husband and son insisted that I add Bistro 24, their favorite place to go for breakfast. They’ve been Saturday morning breakfast buffet regulars for almost a decade, and they never tire of the bountiful selection and fast service.
Toot Sweet! (20 Marchwood Road). Adorable, delicious cupcakes, with a selection that changes every week (meaning, I can go there as often as I want—for research purposes, of course).
Photography credit: Riverstone photos credited to Nina Lea Photography; crab cakes image credited to Hill’s Quality Seafood Market, and remaining images credited to Michele Kornegay.
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