Dining Around Delco: A Day Out in Lansdowne & Clifton Heights

The borough of Lansdowne may be small (just one square mile!), but it has a lot of personality! Wide, leafy streets, stunning old Victorian homes and a proper train station are just a few of the charming features of the town, and running through it is an old-school main street, Lansdowne Avenue. Here is where you’ll find many of the retail, restaurants and community features, like the public library. It’s also where the local farmers market sets up each Saturday! 

While there are a good handful of fun cafes, restaurants and bakeries in Lansdowne, we’re adding Clifton Heights, which borders Lansdowne to the southwest, to round out a day out in Delco. Here’s how to make the most of each meal each day in Lansdowne and Clifton Heights: 

 

Breakfast

Camellia Coffee House brings a really nice daytime gathering place to Lansdowne Ave. In addition to sustainably sourced coffee and creative seasonal drinks, like the cardamom-orange mocha and white chocolate matcha, there is a small-but-mighty menu of housemade food. For breakfast, we like the bacon-egg-and-cheese biscuit sandwich, or a slice of the daily quiche. Don’t forget to add a chocolate chip cookie or a pasteis de nata (Portuguese custard tart) for a treat later in the day. 

20 N. Lansdowne Ave., Lansdowne; (484) 898-5592.

 

Comfy and community-centered, Leo’s Breakfast & Lunch is a favorite in Lansdowne for its friendly service and unique fusion of Dominican cuisine and classic breakfast. For the first meal of the day, you can choose from familiar plates, like a stack of pancakes or a cheesy omelet, or try something from the “Latin Choices” section of the menu, like Mangu (mashed green plantains with red onions, fried cheese, Dominican sausage and fried eggs empanadas) or sweet plantains with mozzarella. A perfectly golden, flaky empanada is a must-add to any order! 

36 E. Baltimore Ave., Lansdowne; (484) 466-2071.

 

Diner fans, this one’s for you! B&B is housed in a former ice cream parlor that has been transformed into a casual breakfast and lunch spot with an old-school vibe. Grab a booth and take a look through its extensive menu, which starts with a.m. dishes, like French toast, bagel and cream cheese and, over-easy eggs with home fries. If you’re in midday, there are lots of lunch options, like burgers, wraps and hoagies, too! The gelato is a house specialty, with flavors rotating each day. For a serious breakfast treat, try the waffles topped with two scoops of gelato.    

550 S. Oak Ave., Primos; (610) 394-1212.

 

Lunch

For next-level fried chicken, look no further than Crisp Chik’n, a fast casual joint on Lansdowne Ave. Satisfy your fast-food cravings with chicken by the piece, or fried chicken sandwiches in a bunch of tasty set-ups; think Nashville Hot and Korean BBQ. The fries or onion rings make the ideal accompaniment, along with a thick black & white or strawberry milkshake. They also make a mean burger, and even offer a veggie burger for plant-based diners.  

27 N. Lansdowne Ave., Lansdowne; (484) 461- 2165.

 

For soul food and seafood, stop by Serenity Cafe in Clifton Heights. This friendly spot serves up American-style comfort food with a twist; some popular menu items include turkey burger sliders with fries, salmon salad, and the ultimate crab cake sub. On the “Vegan-ish” menu, find a portobello cheesesteak and vegan crab cakes, and for the kids, grilled cheese and chicken fingers. Serenity Cafe does a brisk takeout and delivery business, making it a great option for lunch on a busy day.   

24 S. Springfield Rd., Clifton Heights; (484) 544 8000.

 

 

Give your midday a boost with a sweet bite from Kia’s Cakes Bakery & Cafe, a cute bakery that offers so much more than cake! In addition to coffee, tea and cocoa, treat yourself to a baked good, pastry or dessert. For a creamy delight, try a parfait with pudding, cubes of cake and fruit, or a cupcake with buttercream frosting. Or, try a muffin, brownie or cookie! The cafe has a comfy sit-down atmosphere with free Wi-Fi to catch up on work, and books and puzzles for a relaxing afternoon. 

16 S. Lansdowne Ave., Lansdowne; (484) 461-3793.

 

Happy Hour

Romarco’s is the unlikely combination of an Italian restaurant and an outdoor tiki bar. The newly reopened tiki bar brings a tropical feel, with colorful decor, fruity drinks and firepits. Weekly events, like DJs, Quizzo and live music, keep the party going strong. It’s a lively place to wind down after the workday; if you stay through dinner, everything from the Italian restaurant menu is available; the coconut shrimp and clams casino make great savory pairings with the tiki cocktails!   

451 E. Baltimore Ave., Clifton Heights; (610) 626-7414.

 

Locals know that for a great post-work hang, Broadway Bar & Grille is the place to go. Every Tuesday through Friday from 3 to 6 p.m., enjoy half-price appetizers and buy-one-get-one pizzas. There are also special happy hours on weekend evenings from 9 to 10 p.m.! There are always sports games on the TVs, friendly service and affordably priced snacks and entrees from its neighboring sister restaurant, Clam Tavern (more on that below).

329 E. Broadway Ave., Clifton Heights; (484) 461-2802. 

 

Dinner

Right across the street from Broadway Bar & Grille is The Original Clam Tavern, a restaurant and bar that feels of another era (in the best way). The nautical-themed decor, real fish tanks and no-frills but always-fresh seafood, it’s been a hidden Delco gem for generations. The baked clams, served on a specially shaped platter are a must! The menu also includes Italian specialties, like veal parmesan and chicken marsala, as well as a full bar. Reservations are recommended.

339 E. Broadway Ave., Clifton Heights; (610) 623-9537.  

 

Dinner and a show? At Jamey’s House of Music you can catch great jazz in an incredible live room with an intimate vibe. Grab a drink from the bar, with beers on tap from Conshohocken Brewing Company, plus Pennsylvania-made wines, spirits and craft cider. In fact, Jamey’s is the first restaurant in Lansdowne to sell alcoholic beverages since prohibition in the 1920s! Explore the menu of Asian-inspired American fare — sweet-and-spicy ribs with sweet potato fries, rock shrimp tempura, and spicy Szechuan noodles are just some of the fan favs. Sunday brunch is also served every month! 

32 S. Lansdowne Ave., Lansdowne; no phone.

 

Modern and charming, Sophusion is a finer dining restaurant in the heart of Lansdowne, with well-composed dishes sure to please your palate! Appetizers, like soy-glazed wings and lobster bisque, are a festive start to the meal. New York strip steak, lamb chops and veggie pasta are just a few of the tempting entrees to consider. The interior, with luxe touches, like velvet banquettes, hanging plants, crisp linens and gauzy curtains, makes for an elevated, upscale experience.  

24 N. Lansdowne Ave., Lansdowne; (484) 466-3583.

 

Backstage Tap + Grille is Lansdowne’s newest restaurant — and one of the first bars to take advantage of the fact that the borough is no longer a “dry” town. It just opened in late July, with upscale pub grub, like beer mussels, hummus and flat bread, loaded burgers and larger plates, as well. There are plenty of vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options. Don’t miss the craft beer from Conshohocken Brewing Co. and fabulous cocktails, like the Curtain Call, with vodka, lime juice, chipotle and ginger beer and the Showstopper, with rye, apertivo, nocino and lemon. Backstage Tap is right across the street from the newly restored historic Lansdowne Theater, making this duo an awesome new date night or outing with friends!  

22 N. Lansdowne Ave., Lansdowne; no phone.

 

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Want to know more about everything Delco? We’re more than just your source for good eats — we’re your source for where to stay, what to do and more in Delaware County, Pennsylvania. We’re Visit Delco, PA. They say we’re A LOT…and they’re right! Contact us at (610) 565-3679, by email or online.

– Emily Kovach