Bar → Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant
Downtown’s immovable anchor, Iron Hill offers six house beers on tap and a solid list of monthly new releases, plus filling small plates and a newly revamped menu. 3 W. Gay St., West Chester, (610) 738-9600, ironhillbrewery.com.
Brunch → Roots Café
Any brunch that champions community-supported agriculture certainly puts the fresh in house-made. Perfect for vegetarians and omnivores alike, Roots manages both a hearty ALT (avocado, lettuce and fried tomato) and an equally filling slow-roasted Italian pork sandwich, along with standard morning fare. 8 W. Gay St., West Chester, (484) 887-8290, rootscafewc.com.
BYOB → Avalon Restaurant
Creative, rustic Italian trumps a liquor license any day. Pair your favorite libations with exceptional, locally sourced dishes like veal agnolotti dal plin, grilled beef cheeks, lamb Bolognese and cioppino, embark on a four-course small-plates tour, or let the chef choose at his own table. Whatever you do, don’t skip the outstanding cheese-and-charcuterie plate. 312 S. High St., West Chester, (610) 436-4100, avalonrestaurant.net.
Cheesesteak → Lorenzo’s Steaks & Hoagies
At this downtown favorite, the Amoroso’s rolls are somehow softer, the meat less greasy and the toppings abundant. Helpful ordering tip: The mini is actually six inches, and the small a foot long. 216 E. Market St., West Chester, (610) 436-1222, lorenzossteaksandhoagies.net.
Ice Cream → Jenny and Frank’s Artisan Gelato
It’s like ice cream—only better. Gelato is the essence of real Italian dolce, made by hand in micro-batches with seasonal ingredients. Flavors include chocolate supreme and classic vanilla, plus cinnamon-honey, rustic lemon, natural pistachio, sea-salt caramel, coconut cream and more. Hit Saturday’s West Chester Growers Market to grab your cup. 208 Carter Drive, West Chester, (610) 715-3343, jennyandfranksartisan.com.
Pizza → America’s Pie
Everything here is made from scratch, right down to the crushed tomatoes. That means big, authentic flavors, whether it’s upside down (cheese on the bottom), Southwestern taco, or surf and turf. Add fresh basil—it’s so worth it. 323 E. Gay St., West Chester, (484) 947-5115, somuchmorethanpizza.com.
