Food and service good but irritated with high end restaurants increasing their food prices and then adding on fee for using credit card.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Sarah L
Amazing! I love Sovana Bistro and will continue to go there. The food is always delicious. Their appetizers are on the smaller side but are great quality. They have the lunch and dinner portion option for their pastas and the lunch portion is perfect for me. (Most people will probably want the dinner portion, I just get full quickly.) The cocktails are amazing and hit every time.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Andrew Wagner
I have eaten at Sovana Bistro many times over the years and never had a bad experience. Tonight, however, was beyond fantastic. In addition to the wonderful food and drinks, the service was spectacular. I can't recall the last time a server was as helpful with menu recommendations (thanks FQ!) or staff being so attentive with beverages or the clearing of plates. It is a level of service that, sadly, one doesn't find many places anymore. For those curious about what we ate, we started with the cheeseburger egg rolls (a special) and potato latke. The apple compote on the latke should be jarred and sold on its own! For entrees, we had the ravioli, the sweet corn pizza (always a must-have this time of year) and the pasta special (can't remember the shape but it also had sausage and a basil pesto). All wonderful choices. We even saved room for creme Brulé and peach shortcake for dessert. I can't recommend this place enough.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Michael Howe
First time at Sovana. Enjoyed our lunch. Sandwich and soup special included a salad and dessert. French Toast was very tasty. Fast and friendly service.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Scenic Virginia
I have been a patron of SB for over 20 years. This past week, I was in town and had dinner there on Thursday and Friday nights, but our meals were inconsistent. The tuna tartare was delicious as always. The pork entree was too salty to eat and the pasta too spicy. The servers didn't notice we only had a couple of bites of the entrees as they were so busy and we didn't want to add to their busy evening. The next evening we did appetizers that were ok. Not the usual SB quality.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 4
Elle
We had a truly wonderful dining experience at Sovana Bistro in Kennett Square. From the moment we walked in, the friendly wait staff made us feel welcome. Francesca was absolutely delightful—attentive, warm, and knowledgeable about the menu.
The atmosphere struck the perfect balance—warm and cozy, yet upscale without being stuffy. It’s the kind of place where you can celebrate a special occasion or just enjoy an elevated evening out.
We both enjoyed a cocktail, the “Pre-Prohibition Old Fashioned” which was expertly crafted and one of the best we have ever had.
For our appetizers we chose the Greens plate, which was fresh and beautifully dressed, and the corn chowder, which was hearty and flavorful.
For entrees, we chose the pork chop and the steak, both were perfectly cooked and full of flavor. We shared two sides: the mushrooms and the street corn, and honestly, both were completely amazing—rich, savory, and the perfect complement to our entrées.
To end our meal, we shared the crème brûlée, which had the ideal crackly top and smooth, creamy custard underneath. A flawless finish to a fabulous meal.
We’re already looking forward to our next visit—Sovana Bistro is a gem in the area and a place we’ll be recommending often.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Paul Richards
Love this place every time we go!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
christopherbI7352LU
Visiting Longwoods Gardens in the early afternoon allowed us to stop at Sovana for a great meal ahead of our visit. We arrived shortly after opening and the staff was ready to go. We had the special Benny of the day (short ribs with a peach jalapeno sauce) as well as a brie and proscuito sandwich. Both were freshly made and so flavorful. We saved a little room for dessert - a scoop of housemade ice cream and sorbet. Awesome flavors all around. We highly recommend.
Suzanne Tulloch
Great outdoor seating
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Aster L
We had such a wonderful experience eating here despite our dietary restrictions in our group and needing proper accommodations for my grandson. We were a table of 6–plus a toddler—and we were able to fit comfortably at a nice long booth. Drinks and appetizers came out promptly and steaming! Chelsea took great care of us with every aspect of our dining experience. She was able to fix 2 wobbly tables, take everyone’s orders quickly and correctly, and also bring food outside to the patio where some of my family moved to bring my grandson outside. The quality of food and service were top notch with no hiccups at all. Anytime there was an issue, Chelsea would take care of it without a second thought. You can tell that Brendan manages this restaurant well and keeps his staff performing at a high standard. We are extremely happy with the experience we had here and would love to come back here in the future. I have dined here before but this visit really demonstrated just how well they can provide us with an excellent dining experience. I look forward to dining here with my family again. I was told that they also have a sister restaurant in Westchester PA—called “The Pear”—that I am now eager to visit if they can provide a comparable experience to the one I had today.
Always a great experience!! Popped in for lunch and wasn’t disappointed. Our visit started with a warm, friendly welcome at the door. Seated in my favourite high top table not that they know which I like. Service was very attentive and even made changes to my lunch so I could have a warm soup. Food was delicious. Best onion soup I’ve had in a while. Look forward to my next visit.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
golflefty
Absolutely our favorite discovery given our frequent trips to the Brandywine Valley. The chef at Sovana Bistro knows how to creatively integrate local ingredients - like mushrooms - with a rustic spin on italian food and beyond. The pizzas are insanely good - light, airy but charred dough topped with fresh ingredients that don't overwhelm but complement it. The cheese board (as well as the chévre chad) was delicious as a start. The steaks are beautifully prepared as well as the fish dishes and sides. We have been her five times so far - and every time has been a great meal. And the bar is worth hanging out in - great spot while the cocktails were excellent.
Jessica Ann
We ate here last night, we had the best food and the best waiter! It was a treat all around!
Melaney Scott
A rare gem with a farm to table feel.
This venue gave a perfect balance of modern and rustic decor with a staff of old school American hospitality and excellence. The owners at the Sovana must have taken great care in hiring, training, and maintaining their staff. Brendan, the manager, and Even, our server, took every available measure to ensure that our two person party was given a dining experience that would become one of our greatest.
We came for the charcuterie boards and nothing was left to chance. Each component was fresh, proportionate, and expertly paired with just the right additions. The pickled carrots quickly my favorite. The number of cheese options was unmatched! I have had boards in and out of the country, but I’ve never come across a menu with so many options, cheese variations, and or customizable side boards.
By the time we left, Brendan had welcomed us into the Sovana Family, Even had filled our bellies with a meal to cry over, and on the drive home my husband and I planned our next visit. This experience will become a recurring part of our self care.
dshafs
Tasty and creative menu that did not disappoint. Made reservations and was accommodated on time. Food was presented artfully. Mushroom toast tasty but not worth the inflated price. Branzino special was delightful. Squid ink pasta a big hit and the duck confit was superb but portion on the small side. Our server was new and the service was slower than we would have preferred but it did not detract from our festive spirits or terrific food. The place was JUMPING !! We would return.
Food and service good but irritated with high end restaurants increasing their food prices and then adding on fee for using credit card.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Amazing! I love Sovana Bistro and will continue to go there. The food is always delicious. Their appetizers are on the smaller side but are great quality. They have the lunch and dinner portion option for their pastas and the lunch portion is perfect for me. (Most people will probably want the dinner portion, I just get full quickly.) The cocktails are amazing and hit every time.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
I have eaten at Sovana Bistro many times over the years and never had a bad experience. Tonight, however, was beyond fantastic. In addition to the wonderful food and drinks, the service was spectacular. I can't recall the last time a server was as helpful with menu recommendations (thanks FQ!) or staff being so attentive with beverages or the clearing of plates. It is a level of service that, sadly, one doesn't find many places anymore. For those curious about what we ate, we started with the cheeseburger egg rolls (a special) and potato latke. The apple compote on the latke should be jarred and sold on its own! For entrees, we had the ravioli, the sweet corn pizza (always a must-have this time of year) and the pasta special (can't remember the shape but it also had sausage and a basil pesto). All wonderful choices. We even saved room for creme Brulé and peach shortcake for dessert. I can't recommend this place enough.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
First time at Sovana. Enjoyed our lunch. Sandwich and soup special included a salad and dessert. French Toast was very tasty. Fast and friendly service.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
I have been a patron of SB for over 20 years. This past week, I was in town and had dinner there on Thursday and Friday nights, but our meals were inconsistent. The tuna tartare was delicious as always. The pork entree was too salty to eat and the pasta too spicy. The servers didn't notice we only had a couple of bites of the entrees as they were so busy and we didn't want to add to their busy evening. The next evening we did appetizers that were ok. Not the usual SB quality.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 4
We had a truly wonderful dining experience at Sovana Bistro in Kennett Square. From the moment we walked in, the friendly wait staff made us feel welcome. Francesca was absolutely delightful—attentive, warm, and knowledgeable about the menu.
The atmosphere struck the perfect balance—warm and cozy, yet upscale without being stuffy. It’s the kind of place where you can celebrate a special occasion or just enjoy an elevated evening out.
We both enjoyed a cocktail, the “Pre-Prohibition Old Fashioned” which was expertly crafted and one of the best we have ever had.
For our appetizers we chose the Greens plate, which was fresh and beautifully dressed, and the corn chowder, which was hearty and flavorful.
For entrees, we chose the pork chop and the steak, both were perfectly cooked and full of flavor. We shared two sides: the mushrooms and the street corn, and honestly, both were completely amazing—rich, savory, and the perfect complement to our entrées.
To end our meal, we shared the crème brûlée, which had the ideal crackly top and smooth, creamy custard underneath. A flawless finish to a fabulous meal.
We’re already looking forward to our next visit—Sovana Bistro is a gem in the area and a place we’ll be recommending often.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Love this place every time we go!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Visiting Longwoods Gardens in the early afternoon allowed us to stop at Sovana for a great meal ahead of our visit. We arrived shortly after opening and the staff was ready to go. We had the special Benny of the day (short ribs with a peach jalapeno sauce) as well as a brie and proscuito sandwich. Both were freshly made and so flavorful. We saved a little room for dessert - a scoop of housemade ice cream and sorbet. Awesome flavors all around. We highly recommend.
Great outdoor seating
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We had such a wonderful experience eating here despite our dietary restrictions in our group and needing proper accommodations for my grandson. We were a table of 6–plus a toddler—and we were able to fit comfortably at a nice long booth. Drinks and appetizers came out promptly and steaming! Chelsea took great care of us with every aspect of our dining experience. She was able to fix 2 wobbly tables, take everyone’s orders quickly and correctly, and also bring food outside to the patio where some of my family moved to bring my grandson outside. The quality of food and service were top notch with no hiccups at all. Anytime there was an issue, Chelsea would take care of it without a second thought. You can tell that Brendan manages this restaurant well and keeps his staff performing at a high standard. We are extremely happy with the experience we had here and would love to come back here in the future. I have dined here before but this visit really demonstrated just how well they can provide us with an excellent dining experience. I look forward to dining here with my family again. I was told that they also have a sister restaurant in Westchester PA—called “The Pear”—that I am now eager to visit if they can provide a comparable experience to the one I had today.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Always a great experience!! Popped in for lunch and wasn’t disappointed.
Our visit started with a warm, friendly welcome at the door. Seated in my favourite high top table not that they know which I like.
Service was very attentive and even made changes to my lunch so I could have a warm soup. Food was delicious. Best onion soup I’ve had in a while. Look forward to my next visit.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Absolutely our favorite discovery given our frequent trips to the Brandywine Valley. The chef at Sovana Bistro knows how to creatively integrate local ingredients - like mushrooms - with a rustic spin on italian food and beyond. The pizzas are insanely good - light, airy but charred dough topped with fresh ingredients that don't overwhelm but complement it. The cheese board (as well as the chévre chad) was delicious as a start. The steaks are beautifully prepared as well as the fish dishes and sides. We have been her five times so far - and every time has been a great meal. And the bar is worth hanging out in - great spot while the cocktails were excellent.
We ate here last night, we had the best food and the best waiter! It was a treat all around!
A rare gem with a farm to table feel. This venue gave a perfect balance of modern and rustic decor with a staff of old school American hospitality and excellence. The owners at the Sovana must have taken great care in hiring, training, and maintaining their staff. Brendan, the manager, and Even, our server, took every available measure to ensure that our two person party was given a dining experience that would become one of our greatest. We came for the charcuterie boards and nothing was left to chance. Each component was fresh, proportionate, and expertly paired with just the right additions. The pickled carrots quickly my favorite. The number of cheese options was unmatched! I have had boards in and out of the country, but I’ve never come across a menu with so many options, cheese variations, and or customizable side boards. By the time we left, Brendan had welcomed us into the Sovana Family, Even had filled our bellies with a meal to cry over, and on the drive home my husband and I planned our next visit. This experience will become a recurring part of our self care.
Tasty and creative menu that did not disappoint. Made reservations and was accommodated on time. Food was presented artfully. Mushroom toast tasty but not worth the inflated price. Branzino special was delightful. Squid ink pasta a big hit and the duck confit was superb but portion on the small side. Our server was new and the service was slower than we would have preferred but it did not detract from our festive spirits or terrific food. The place was JUMPING !! We would return.
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