4. Restaurants

William Penn Inn

1017 Dekalb Pike, Gwynedd, PA, 19436
  • (215) 699-9272
  • Store is closed

William Penn Inn Menu

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  • Jc J.

    Had a business lunch and ordered the crab salad. The salad was great!! Crab meat not over cooked nice sized salad. The bread delicious and the setting great for a business meeting. Not noisy at all. The service was great and we were seated immediately. Definitely will visit the restaurant again.

    (4)

  • Char K.

    We've been enjoying the Inn's cuisine for the past 25 years & it remains excellent. Sadly the French onion soup is made differently than it was before - less & different cheese... Salmon is always cooked beautifully. The short rib dish was not good- small pieces, eggy noodles & tomato sauce?? Bad choice. French dip sandwich - yum. Complimentary breads are just always good. Lovely esp at Christmas time. Sunday brunch is 5 stars- SO tasty!!! Worth the $30.

    (4)

  • Amy A.

    Attended a bridal shower. I was a little hesitant with buffet food, but overall the quality was great. I could've had a whole buffet pan of the califlower au gratin. Service was great. My only complaint was they were really pushing us out the door once it hit 4pm. I understand they needed to setup for the next event, but they were a little rude.

    (4)

  • Jamie G.

    Best prime rib I have ever had! I was taken here for the first time by my boyfriend and he has been here many times before. It is a very nice place to go, I liked every part of my meal, especially the main entrée and the sides. I can't wait to go back here, the only downfall to this place is having to make a reservation and that is the only way you can get a table here. I feel also that the tables should be a little bit more spaced out, but it's a great place to go, the food is amazing and the servers are great.

    (5)

  • P M W.

    Brunch: Beautiful atmosphere, nice food, elegant surroundings. Nothing was stale or old. Our favorites: Eggs Florentine, belgium waffles with toppings, deviled eggs, salads, french toast.

    (4)

  • Jay B.

    I had the buffet, which I enjoyed and thought was worth the $28. My wife had the Shrimp Francaise and a bowl of Maryland crab soup (both were very bland and not worth $29). No free refills on the dixie cup sodas is bush league.

    (3)

  • Steven W.

    Great for special occasions, but don't come for holidays. Easter valentine's and mothers day are chaos.

    (4)

  • Elena N.

    Had lunch there today and fell in love with this place at first sight. Beautiful high end restaurant , excellent service, pleasant atmosphere. We ordered Escargot appetizer, to die for!!!! Scallops on horseback were overcooked and bacon was actually burnt ( that is the only reason why I gave 4 stars) Filet Mignon was cooked perfectly and had plenty of flavor, we enjoyed every single bite of it!

    (4)

  • Anat S.

    As a preface I have to admit that I didn't pay the bill, so I'm only talking about the experience and food that I had and not the cost per value for the entire table. We came here for dinner on a weeknight. The ambiance of the place is just so stuffy. It's clear that their targeted audience is older, middle class, without high expectations of the food itself. The decor reminded me of my Polish grandma's house. The place is huge and aged, and their ladies bathroom was bigger than my freshman dorm. I had the duck, and it came with a salad and a side of potato (to our choosing). My partner had the prix-fix three course meal with french onion soup, meatloaf wellington, and chocolate cake. The food was alright, at best. They serve in a very traditional way, with the waiters bringing out portion at a time, changing the plates for you, so your salad is basically your appetizer. This would be fine, if the salad wasn't drenched in dressing and lackluster. If it was put next to my entree, I probably wouldn't have touched it at all. My duck entree was alright. I have to be honest about my partner's meatloaf wellington. It was dry and unappetizing, and he actually ended up eating from everyone else instead. The servers were very kind and they did their job well. But it's clear this place does not live up to the image it projects.

    (3)

  • Charles R.

    The good things are that the breads are wonderful, the service is great and the place at Xmas is very pretty. I also think the cost for what you get is verygood. The menu could use a little updating and a couple of the dish's were a little off. The salads were good, but the short ribs were not so great. The chicken dish was ok, and they do have some great looking desserts. Huge free parking lot, and at this time of the year a nice place to have dinner or at least stop in at the bar and have a drink and enjoy the decorations.

    (3)

  • L N.

    I have been here handful of times for dinner and Sunday brunch and the food is very good with amazing service especially if you go for a la carte menu but there isn't much to expect in service on a Sunday afternoon. Their brunch is probably the best in town; however, since it's usually super crowded, your server won't be as attentive. I was here 2 Sundays ago with my boyfriend and our server was great even when he was busy with other tables, the only things I have to say is attitude of this other waitress that was helping us to get his drink refilled. She saw us looking for our server and came over asked if we needed anything then we said we just needed the orange juice to be refilled & she replied with okay, I can get your server to get that for you with an unwelcome attitude as we were bothering her when she didn't seem to be busy standing at the station. I understand that the restaurant is busy, that's why we did not get impatient with our server but it's definitely not hard to say "sure, of course I'll be right back with your orange juice" in a warmer and more welcoming way. Also, we weren't even greeted by the hostess after at the door when she walked right by us and the seating time was over and it wasn't even busy. The hostess left us with a not so good impression when hostess is the very first person we see at the restaurant as well as the last person you see when you walk out. We felt very unwelcome there but decided to try it again the past Sunday because we loved the food and had Jenn as our server, and she was excellent and very attentive as well! Would return again & we love the place! but hoping the staff would be more welcoming..

    (3)

  • Charles W.

    I was recently given a gift certificate to the William Penn Inn and invited a friend to join me. I heard many great reviews about the restaurant and knew I was going to have a good time. I made reservations for the formal dining room. I was a bit disappointed that the restaurant has slipped in the dress code requirements and I saw patrons in casual clothing. Considering the current economy, I have noticed other restaurants allow casual dress in formal settings. In the past, I have seen patrons denied service at Ruth Chris Steakhouse for not having a dress shirt but have recently seen patrons in jeans and a t-shirt. I am not fine clothing snob but for highly formal settings, I would hope people would dress accordingly. Service from the maitre'd to the hostess was exceptional. The cocktails were too strong but I would prefer too strong than too weak. We had a tomato platter for an appetizer. I had the blackberry BBQ pork and my friend had the duck. I have had better duck but the pork was a 5 star dish. We had key lime pie for dessert that my friend kept raving about. I highly recommend the restaurant and hope to return again. While a bit pricey, a 3 hour dining experience for 2 people cost ~$100 including tip.

    (4)

  • Taffy's M.

    Horrible. Here are the reasons why: ordered a dirty martini and it was served with a warm martini glass and tasted like sea water. The fresh (and I use that term lightly) oysters and clams of the seafood salad bar were slimy and tasteless. The prime rib was cold and tough. The potato au gratin was clumpy and cold. The spinach tasted rancid. Not to mention that they seated our party of six in a small room with a bigger, louder party of 12. It was difficult to talk and hear our guests . Then, when the bigger party left, the servers started to break down the room, moving in round tables while we were still finishing up our meal. Haven't had a dining experience this poor in a long time.

    (1)

  • Michael B.

    Went with my folks and wife. Prix Fixe for $30. Soup. Entree and dessert (coffee $2 extra) onion and veg soup were passable. Kind of bland really. The entree... After assuming soup is $6 and dessert is $5 that leaves $19 for entree, even if ala carte. Shrimp Francaise= 8-10 PIECES of shrimp, not egg battered but fried and breaded shrimp. Sauce over the angel hair was bland and lifeless. Scallops= 5 PIECES of scallops, whole ones cut in half ( so really, 2 1/2 scallops) PLUS a $4 supplementary charge. I will not comment on entrees my parents had. They said they would not return unless it was free. We have to agree. You are possibly thinking why didn't I mention my dis-satisfaction to my server, I did and was promptly told, " well that's the way it comes, and it IS what you ordered" Who says that? In any case, I think the value was far below expectations. Ambiance was from a bygone era, one in which you feel like you are "dining". Not dated, just not a style you see too often. The place was packed by the way. Reasons escape me.

    (2)

  • John L.

    I have been here a couple of times for business and pleasure. While I can safely say this place has potential, the food just simply doesn't live up to it. The best way I can describe the place is.... That friend's mom who works alot so can't make great food, its fine when you're hungry and are more focused on the TV or the game so you enjoy it. But if you don't have the right atmosphere or company the reliance on food itself is simply not enough to stand on its own. The decor from the outside is amazing, and great for the romantic dates, or the Sunday morning crowd. The wait staff and folks there are very nice and attentive which is the only reason I'd give this 3 stars. But food... meh.

    (3)

  • Bryna O.

    I was recently in a bridal party at the William Penn Inn and I must say, I was not impressed. I knew going in I would be critical because I work at a venue myself in Indiana, but things were worse than I could have imagined. When we arrived the afternoon of the wedding the coordinator was someone the bride had never met. Of course that made her uneasy from the beginning since on the big day she was just handed off to a stranger. Once we got upstairs in the bridal suite we were surprised that there wasn't even any water in the room. Matter fact, later on when we asked for some they told us to go to the bar and get it ourselves! At one point the grooms mother, who had been in the banquet room, had to come over to the bridal suite and when I asked if we could go through the building so she didn't have to walk through the hot humid parking lot, they told me no, appalling! Turn and burn is the phrase that comes to mind with the William Penn Inn, there were several weddings there that day and another one taking place at the same time as ours. Not only does this take the spotlight off the bride, but it's confusing for guests and very awkward. Matter of fact, we pretty much shared a cocktail hour with the other guests since we were all milling around in the same lobby when the ceremonies concluded, how weird is that? The banquet staff was good, but asked us all what we had ordered when there were place cards that clearly indicated that. They even gave us a chance to change our mind. I mention this because later that night the coordinator thought it was appropriate to discuss the bill with the bride during the reception and tell her that she owes more money because of her guests changing their orders. There was also a babysitter who was supposed to get chicken fingers and was served prime rib! This was a lovely ceremony and reception and in the end the bride and groom were happy, but I would not recommend this wedding factory to anyone who wants there own special day. Nothing unique about the venue and they make you feel like just another number. Wait staff good, but coordinator was rude.

    (2)

  • Mark W.

    The chef is back. The food was perfectly prepared, the service was excellent, and the seating area at the commonwealth club was ideal for a quiet anniversary dinner for two.

    (4)

  • Cara L.

    Thank you William Penn Inn for being such a great wedding venue! I had my wedding there last week! Your service was of the highest quality and your staff went above and beyond! I worried and wanted for nothing. My guests left happy and equally impressed by the venue. Your experience and quality of service is very evident when planning an event. My wedding coordinators Brian C. and Monica G. were readily available and extremely helpful! We also used the onsite Bakery and Florist. They delivered incredible results within our allotted budget! Kate Marshall (florist) did a fantastic job. Everything was delivered on time and looked beautiful! The food was incredible and accommodated all tastes and diets. Wait staff was incredible during the event. They offered to wrap up food for those who didn't have time to eat. They They even wrapped up wedding cake for my husband and I to enjoy in our suite as well. My little flower girl had to leave early and she was sent home happy with a piece of cake as well! The bartender delivered very friendly, professional service the whole night. We wanted for nothing. The inn provided us with a complimentary brunch the next morning. Outstanding selection and a wonderful way to end the celebration. So happy to have celebrated our momentous day at The William Penn Inn! Highly recommended!

    (5)

  • Frank S.

    As good as you can get. The Inn is decorated for Christmas beautifully, with lights on every large tree, Christmas trees and wreaths everywhere. You are treated like royalty as soon as you walk in. The dining rooms are beautiful and clean. You can look at the menus and clothes on display going back over 100 years, I had the snapper soup and filet. All done to perfection with perfect seasoning and temperature. My wife has lobster bisque and filet. PERFECT. Ya also gotta have the Crème brûlée for dessert. In all an amazing night..

    (5)

  • DJ M.

    Ah to be able to stuff yourself silly and still be able to take in more. Well that was my game plan, I was going to try everything on the Mother's Day grand buffet and then go back and indulge in more of my favorite dishes, ha! I so do envy those who are a bottomless pit at times like these. After searching numerous buffet menus, the William Penn Inn was hands down the best deal @$36.95 for adults and $12.00 for children, the selections were top notch and had the most inventive variety of foods to stuff your face with. I must say I did quite well, although I hate to take food and then waste it, so when I was done, poor hubby got my leftovers and then I went back for more. Along with my son and his family ( see pic ), eight of us were accommodated graciously with two very attentive servers at a large corner table by the windows and out of the way of traffic, I could not have been more pleased. The large buffet tables were set up in the middle of the beautiful ballroom and most of the foods were duplicated on the other side of each table so there was never a cluster of folks hovering around one dish. Did I mention the William Penn Inn is the oldest Inn in all of Pennsylvania, built in 1714? The building is well maintained and simply beautiful. Many weddings and celebrations are held here with plenty of parking and gorgeous grounds. I also have to give a shout out to Andie, I'm assuming that is how she spells her name, as she was very helpful when the two of us had booked our table well in advance and then my son wanted to take us out to eat. At that point, five days before Mother's Day, they were totally booked, on the Friday before she called to say, " I am so thrilled that we will be able to accommodate your party of eight, as we had a cancellation"! Thanks Andie for making my day! I filled my large dinner plate with peeled shrimp and cleaned crab claws, along with one tablespoon of roasted corn and black bean salad, another tablespoon of very good country chicken salad, a couple of marinated artichokes and mozzarella balls with grape tomatoes and basil. I ate all of that! Whole tenderloins of beef were prepared to a perfect rare to medium rare with three choices of sauce bearnaise, horseradish or sauce au poivre. Very thick cuts were passed out of the most tender and flavorful filet, I was in seventh heaven as I lathered the beef with a very good bearnaise sauce. I passed on the smoked loin of pork with a Cumberland sauce, but sampled the Polynesian shrimp that was prepared with a tempura batter, tossed with honey, then coconut and served with a sweet and sour sauce, so yummy. Another favorite was the grilled salmon brushed with a tangy tangerine and mustard sauce, I went back for more of this dish. The mini crab cakes were a bit larger than Diver scallops and were a nice surprise since they were not listed on the buffet menu. They were loaded with lump crab meat, they had a nice flavor and simply fell apart when you cut into them. Oh and hello, lobster mac & cheese with big chunks of lobster all through it! The regular mac & cheese was just as good with a sharp cheddar taste and I also had a tablespoon of the baked ziti, au gratin potatoes and the fresh green beans with mushroom and onions. The crispy roasted duck with an orange, Grand Marnier and champagne vinaigrette was a table favorite, the scaloppini of capon, with sauteed spinach and a lemon, butter caper sauce, just melted in my mouth with so much flavor. There were many other choices of side dishes, but I was getting stuffed and had to check out the desserts! Like a fool, I instead headed for the salad bar station when I noticed lots of red onion, sliced mushroom, chopped egg and the bleu cheese just pulled me in. Back to the table I go with my salad while everyone else was enjoying seconds of their favorites or on desserts. The Inn has their own bakery which is open to the public and I can understand why, talk about sugar heaven! Mirror image tables were set up along the back with the thickest lemon bars, loaded with filling and very little cookie like delectable crust. Mini cheesecakes, as good as you would get in NY, toffee brownies, pecan honey squares, mini fruit tarts, caramel cream puffs, tiramisu cups in an actual chocolate cup with a bitable handle! Assorted cookies, chocolate tarts, coffee eclairs, butterscotch bars, lemon meringue tarts, raspberry and coconut slices, napoleons, chocolate dipped strawberries, carrot cupcakes and miniature creme brulee. I was good, I ate my fair share without a lot of waste and I fought the urge to fill my cloth napkin with food to go! You would find a hard time finding food this good, with such an array of choices at any other buffet, especially considering the price!

    (5)

  • Liz P.

    Pretty good! I've been here a couple times for brunch and they were both good experiences. The salad bar was nice. I've seen better, but it was reasonable. Carving station is wonderfully delicious! Dessert station is comprised of multiple finger food dessert items - lots of tarts, chocolate covered strawberries, mini cheesecakes, etc = delightful. Good service, no complaints there. Only complaint about the food is that the hot chocolate here is nothing more than brown water. :P

    (4)

  • Craig D.

    (3.5) ~ Overall Food & Service OUR SUNDAY BRUNCH MENU: * "Pom-Pagne" = (4) very good ~ Pomegranate Juice & Champagne * Orange Juice = (3.5) good * Water (tap) = (3) ok * Coffee = (3.5) good * Omelet = (3.5) good * Eggs Benedict = (4) very good * Scrambled Eggs w. Chives = (3.5) good * Deviled Eggs = (3) ok * Fruit = (3) ok * Chocolate Mousse = (3) ok * Apple Tartan = (3.5) good * Lemon Square = (3.5) good * Mini-Stcky Bun = (3) ok NOTES: Sunday Brunch is served Buffet Style with a fixed price and Juice & Coffee is included.

    (4)

  • Suzanne S.

    The WPI is not to be missed. They have a array of selections on their lunch and dinner menus, and always provide outstanding service. The buffet brunch on Sunday is the best. I also know they have a Thursday buffet dinner which I will have to try sometime soon.

    (5)

  • Colleen M.

    The William Penn Inn is a fixture in the Bluebell area. This historic building is beautiful and well maintained. The interior is not my taste, but it's very old school and it's fitting considering the age of the place. (Think paintings of hunting scenes and a lot of maroon) The crowd is definitely older. I attended a wedding here last month in their ballroom and it was very nice. The food was great and the service was good. I also went to brunch here this past weekend and again the food and service were good. We had a reservation and it took a few minutes to get seated. The Host was very nice, considering he was getting yelled at by my Grandma. The brunch buffet is tasty- fresh made waffles, an omelet station, etc. However, it is a bit pricy. But for special occasions with the Grandparents it's not bad. I wouldn't go here every weekend but it's nice for an occasional visit.

    (4)

  • John L.

    Lots of potential in this great setting. Offerings and preparation are good - good as in predictable and average, not exceptional or memorable. Never had a bad bite or nite there but never had a spectacular one either.

    (3)

  • David L.

    There's no doubt that the William Penn Inn is horrifyingly expensive, but it's also a very good place to impress someone, be the occasion a date, business appointment, or just taking the parents out to prove that you really do have a job and a life. The menu is exactly what one would expect for an upscale restaurant of this kind, featuring some stabs at the new and chic but falling back on genuinely good traditional fare. Appetizers are impressive visually and generally strong in flavor, entrees range from the light to the hearty, with portions large but not unreasonable, and the Inn has some of the best "decadent" desserts in the region. The occasions I've dined there, I was most impressed with the "hearty, decadent, and traditional" end of the spectrum; their chefs produce a very good steak and a truly impressive chocolate mousse. Seafood is definitely another strong point, but don't walk in expecting to find some new Asian fusion style of fish preparation. So long as you stick to the fare that they've served since their founding, you won't be disappointed. That said, the relative lack of "new and chic" does limit your options and stifle any adventurousness you might have had coming in the door, and vegetarians will be similarly confined by the fact that most of their specialties are, well, meat. This isn't to say there aren't some very good vegetarian dishes available; there are, I've tried one or two... but they're not the centerpiece or the strength of the WPI's menu. The atmosphere and ambiance are exactly what one would expect and demand from a restaurant of this caliber, and despite a relatively young waitstaff the service is generally quick and professional. Most of the people who walk in will have a "five-star" experience; I myself rank the WPI as a four, simply because I'm not all that big on traditional, heart-attack-inducing fare.

    (4)

  • Bobby P.

    Came here for a special occasion with the wife and in-laws. Great service, great ambience, great food (I'd say its more traditional than new American). Although my first time here, it was as if we were transported back in time to the Sunday brunch spot we'd go to after my parents would drag me to church. We started with a variety of appetizers. I'd recommend skipping the clams casino, but go for the seafood cocktail. The bruschetta was ok as well, but a little skimpy. Probably a good thing considering how much I was enjoying the zucchini bread, as well as the decadent entree headed in my direction. I went for veal with artichoke hearts and lump crab over pasta. The crab wasn't necessary in my opinion. The other flavors blended so phenomenally, probably due in part to the melted butter coating my food that was still slightly visible. Although in general I frown upon willfull ignorance, in this situation my choices were to enjoy my meal or worry about my skyrocketing cholesterol... My recommendation - come here if you want to treat parents, family or clients that are at bare minimum mid forties. It's a little too stuffy in my opinion for a younger crowd or a date.

    (4)

  • Marianne M.

    The food was very good, however we were put in the Monet room, which was very crowded. The tables were very close together and the waitstaff walked into my chair about a half dozen times. My husband had to get up out of his seat, to let another guest walk by, he was on a walker and there was not enough room for him to get to his table. We did mention this to the manager on staff that we were not happy with our table. he said there was nothing he could do.

    (2)

  • Jake F.

    Went for Mother's Day. Service was great, food was so-so. Let me elaborate. Went for a buffet. Some things were great some things lousy. The roasted duck was definitely cooked about 12 hours before it was served, if not the day before. Barely even tasted like poultry let alone duck. Crab cakes downright stunk. Not just bland, but baad. I love both of these things, and was very disappointed they couldn't deliver on my favorites. The Polynesian shrimp and beef tenderloin were both excellent. The dessert bar was great, as were the salads. Considering the expense, which was extraordinary, I won't be returning. There WAS a time when you could count on the William Penn Inn to serve outstanding food at every turn for the most important events in your family. No more. I really feel bad to have to say this, because we have had a long history there, including my parents' wedding reception, my grandparent's 50th wedding anniversary, my son's confirmation. And countless post-funeral gatherings. I feel like the rug has been pulled out from underneath me, and a little betrayed. I can't help but wonder if there are new owners that don't have a high regard for fresh food.

    (3)

  • Karen F.

    I love coming here for an old-school memory. I first came here with my parents as a child and had shirley temples and Chicken Cordon Bleu in the '80's. I have been to luncheons here and weddings - but to simply come and dine off the regular menu is the best. Great service and conutry-style decor. (Could use a bit of a re-fresh) I will bring my daughter now! Shirley Temples all around! Oh - and it is beautiful for a Christmas or Winter dinner - lots of twinkly lights all around,

    (4)

  • Dave H.

    I've been here a fair share of times, for a graduation lunch (not mine, and upstairs), Mother's Day brunch (in the Penn's Tavern dining room, near the windows), for a variety of professional organization talks (in the Penn's Tavern dining room), a post-funeral event, and just for Sunday brunch. The building (especially the architecture and decor) is of historical significance, and is a pleasure to see, if you're into that. Generally service is good-to-great - never poor. The last time I was there, our server (Jim) was outstanding, checking on us often to ensure we were happy, refilling our orange juices discreetly, and clearing our plates. Dishes there are generally tasty (check out their prime rib), and always well-prepared. The Sunday buffet brunch selection isn't bad and will set you back around $25 (pre-tip, pre-drink). Staff are helpful and will prepare omelettes if you want. The Inn can get crowded, so make reservations! Recommended.

    (4)

  • Abby K.

    I love coming to the William Penn Inn for their Sunday brunch! They have an extensive buffet that includes my favorites: an omelette station and a waffle bar. They also have a carving station, an assortment of traditional hot breakfast foods, a salad bar, and a desert station. Service wise, the wait staff is extremely attentive and professional. It definitely seems targeted at an older crowd as I was about 40-50 years younger than the average brunch guest.

    (4)

  • j w.

    Brunch for New Years whole family came-twelve of us. We arrived at 9:50, our parents and sister and her husband were there already with coffee. The waitress came over and said she would be back with coffee. We sat twenty minutes while the rest of the party trickled in. Said waitress came back and topped off the parents' and sister's cup, all the while I was pointing to my cup and she snapped, "I'll get to you." My husband ordered a tomato juice which never came. The room was decorated for Christmas and it was very nice. However the set up for the different food stations was a mystery. We ended up with scrambled eggs and bacon, not realizing there was seafood, lox bagels etc in another room. There was also pastries in another room, a carving station and omelettes and poached eggs. It was so spread out it was not clear all the offerings. The food was good. It was all hot and fresh. All in all we had a nice meal and visit despite the poor service.

    (3)

  • Danan R.

    Went to a banquet dinner here and was pretty happy with the meal and service. I had the iceberg lettuce wedge (not the best...the dressing was watery and there was barely any bacon), chicken marsala (tender piece of chicken breast stuffed with ricotta and toped with mushrooms - this was good and the sauce creamy, although I couldn't really taste the marsala), broccoli almondine (light and seasoned with a hint of butter), and mashed sweet potatoes (fantastic and creamy!). Dessert was the frosted chocolate layer cake with white chocolate mousse on a raspberry puree. The cake itself was very dry but the mousse was creamy and decadent. Coffee was very good and full-bodied. Service was pretty decent; the servers were all very young. Anyhow, a solid dining experience but nothing great. The zucchini bread here is delicious, though, so grab a loaf or two to take home.

    (3)

  • Chris K.

    Beautiful, elegant, romantic and delicious! Our favorite resturant ever! We had our wedding here too and everyone still says it was the best wedding food ever. Their wedding planners can not be beat. Everything was so easy for me and surprisingly reasonable. The best room is the Senator room. Small elegant and white glove service. The food is out of this world. My husband and I love their crem brulee cheesecake (which is not always on the menu). However, last year on our anniversary he asked (ahead of time) if they could make it just for us and they did! The only improvement would be if they could offer dancing with dinner. That would really make it the most romantic evening around.

    (5)

  • Jason T.

    Always look forward in dining at the William Penn Inn. Never disappointed in both food quality and attentive service. The beautifully displayed outside evening ground lights really stand out too. Keep up the good work!

    (5)

  • John A.

    The Spring House Tavern offers a lovely dining experience. The restaurant itself offers a variety of dining environments from more formal (though slightly outdated) dining areas to a modern and cozy bar. The wait staff were attentive and helpful. However, if you visit, pray that you do not have issue with the hostess (who is also the owner's wife). Even the loveliest of evenings can be spoiled by her condescending and insulting tone, if you are even able to catch her attention to get a response. I have not decided whether the hassle of another night spent combatting the hostess is worth the wonderful crab cakes, but hopefully she will not be in such a public role should I decide to visit again.

    (3)

  • Bret C.

    This place is amazing! From a romantic dinner for two in a gorgeous, intimate setting to an event with hundreds of guests in an ornate dining room, and everything in between, you will be delighted. Our organization recently had a luncheon meeting for fifty members and it came off without a hitch. The handsome dining room was just the right size for our group, the service was attentive and professional, and the food was delicious. For a group this size one might expect to get ho-humm food ie rubber chicken with mushy vegetables. Quite the contrary, our meals were perfect. We started with warm rolls and a delightful mixed greens salad with choice of dressing. This was followed by our entrees, either chicken or tilapia accompanied by sauteed slivered vegetables that were fresh with a bit of a crunch and mashed potatoes that were hot and tasted like real mashed potatoes. The chicken and fish were moist, tender, and nicely seasoned. The fruit sundae with graham cracker crumbs was imaginative and good to the last drop. If there was any fault with our experience it would be that one of the several servers created a bit of a racket when clearing tables between courses. Rather than placing dishes in the clearing containers, he had a tendency to drop them in. This was disturbing to some who were in the middle of conversation. This has been a go-to place for many of us for several years because of their consistency, service, and tasty food.

    (5)

  • Moo K.

    I patronized the William Penn as part of a large wedding party - It was not my money being poured into this place. The event planner had arranged everything, including the menu so this is a review of the overall experience and does not reflect what it would be like for "civilians" to show up for dinner or brunch. On the day of the wedding, our experience was excellent - The service was set up outside in a beautifully decorated private setting. Lots of high-end flowers, a string quartet - everything first-class. Being a protestant ceremony the service didn't last more than 20-30 minutes, so from there it was on inside to PARTY. First, open bar (thanks bride and groom) and hors d'oeuvres from strolling waiters/waitresses. All were tasty. There was an appetizer "buffet" with grilled veggies, high-end cheeses, and other nicely prepared items. Then dinner service. Three courses - Salad - Main Course - Dessert. The main courses chosen was choice of either Salmon or Fliet Mignon - I split one of each entree with my wife and both were excellent considering they had to serve 200 or so of us. The wait staff did an excellent job of keeping the wine and coffee flowing the whole time - the food all came out hot (or cold, as was appropriate). There was an excellent live band for the reception - lots of dancing - more booze - etc. I should also mention that the Inn had arranged for shuttle service that ran continuously between the reception and our group's hotel, a couple miles away. Overall it was a great first-class evening. Food and service much better than the typical wedding fare. I would absolutely, positively recommend this place to handle this kind of an affair - they were obviously consummate pros - everything came off without a hitch. And it should have been, considering the obscene amount of money the bride and groom spent on that party. So why don't I give them FIVE stars ? Because this place is a wedding factory, at least in summer. We were the SIXTH wedding party handled that day - and a bartender told me they did 10 total for the weekend !. On Saturdays, they book two services / receptions at a time, starting at 10 AM and running well into the evening as our party was. The one-star mark-down was because of the way they made us do the "rehearsal" on the Friday night before. Because the actual outdoor space where our wedding was going to happen was being used by an actual wedding having a Friday night ceremony - they made us do a very quick cursory run-through IN THE PARKING LOT behind the Inn among the parked cars, people zipping in and out, etc. . That's about as UN-DIGNIFIED as it gets folks, and they lose a star as a result - and honestly I should dock them two stars . This was a $30,000 wedding reception plus the open bar. Terribly inappropriate to force the party spending this kind of money to meet and practice in the searing hot sun, on the black asphalt PARKING LOT. The wedding party had people ranging from their late 80s to small children. It was unbearably hot, smellly, and DANGEROUS having to rehearse in the parking lot. I could tell it was stressing the hell out of our friends the bride and groom to force their families to mill around in the parking lot. 100% completely UNACCEPTABLE WILLIAM PENN INN. At the very least, there should be some inside space set aside where groups can run through their service. But no - this is the high season in the high-rent district of Philadelphia - and every last square inch of the facility was being put to use cramming in more wedding services. We would have been much better off asking the Courtyard Marriott nearby (where most of us were staying) if we could use their breakfast area for the run-through. Or maybe the food-court at the mall across the street. ANYWHERE BUT THE HOT, STINKY, NOISY PARKING LOT AT THE INN.

    (4)

  • Noell M.

    The William Penn in made my wedding dream become a reality. Our day felt like a royal wedding with only the best food and drink in all the land! Five years later I still look back on that special day and think to myself how magical the event was, I felt like a Disney Princess (Cinderella, to be exact). Now back to reality..... My husband and I visit the Inn at least once a year for various occasions: anniversaries, birthdays, holidays, etc. We are embraced with the same class and sophistication for brunch and dinner as we were on our wedding day. The food is divine, the desserts are beyond decadent. The dining areas are stately and make me feel like I should be sipping Cognac. All of the employees, from the wait staff to our wedding planner, provide service that is outstanding! A nice perk to having your wedding at the William Penn is that they have their own in-house bakery and florist who work with you ( and your William Penn Inn wedding planner) to make sure that everything ties together. Their florist made all of our flowers (centerpieces, bouquets, church flowers- you name it) and worked with the bakery to match all of our colors that adorned our cake. Almost everything under one roof- a bride's dream! I can go on and on about the William Penn.....but I think that you need to experience the luxury for yourself!

    (5)

  • GusGus R.

    Went to an anniversary party here and it was just extraordinary! Great traditional atmosphere and a friendly staff so it was all really enjoyable. The food was just all right, but can't say it wasn't enjoyable as well! Hope to come again in the future.

    (4)

  • john k.

    The William Penn Inn is our "Date Night Dinner Out Grand Style" to go to place. We went Friday night and it continues to exceed our expectations! We both had the weeks specials; my Fiance had a cup of French Onion Soup followed by the Grilled Pork and Peaches, which consisted of medallions of pork tenderloin and sweet Southern peaches char-broiled and gratinéed with crumbled goat cheese; accompanied by grilled asparagus and a timbale of quinoa pilaf. I had a full crock of the Chef's most excellent French Onion Soup and then the Filets Orleans, which was two petite filets mignon pan-seared and topped with andouille sausage & sautéed spinach; finished with a Kentucky bourbon demi-glace and presented with a timbale of Creole rice pilaf. Both dishes were outstanding and prepared to a new level of excellence. We both enjoyed dessert and coffee to complete our special dinner. I only wish the chef would make my favorite "winter special" which was the Meatloaf Wellington I had last winter. According to our server, Miles, this is one of the Chefs most requested specials. While the William Penn Inn is not an inexpensive stop, we always feel that the value we receive is well worth what we spend; It is a beautiful restaurant, filled with old world ambiance and a wait staff that is very old fashioned in wanting to insure that you enjoy both the food and the service. It's about a 60 minute drive across the bridge and through the Northeast to get there but this is one case where it's not the journey but the destination that's important. The William Penn Inn stands head and shoulders above any other place we've been. If you can, get there over the Christmas Holidays as with all the decorations, it's even more beautiful and festive and guaranteed to raise your spirits even higher.

    (4)

  • tory s.

    In the first 20 minutes I had 2 drinks spilled on me, front and back. I have been here for a bridal shower, baby shower, and small luncheon, and have never been very impressed. I had a vegetarian pasta dish, it was drenched in oil. "Upscale", but not good food, by any means.

    (1)

  • Chris R.

    I have been to Wm. Penn Inn for lunch twice in the last 2 months and both times the food was excellent. Both entrees were served with soup or salad. Both times I opted for the salad because I love the house dressing, a creamy tarragon dressing. They sell the dressing in the gift shoppe around the holidays. The Chicken Potpie is a fairly decent size plate filled with tender juicy chicken, vegetables in a creamy sauce and topped with a very flaky puff pastry crust. It would be an excellent choice on a cold winter day. On my second luncheon visit I decided to try something different and went with the Mushroom Brocoli Quiche served with fresh fruit. The Fruit served with the Qucihe was a nice balance. I had my own "brunch on a plate" going on. The serving of Quiche was a very generous portion. Also, I would like to ad that on our most recent visit, our server was wonderful! She made sure everyone in our party was well taken care of. Water and drinks were refilled before we even realized they were getting low. For dessert, I decided to take the advice of our server and try the warm bread pudding topped with Ice cream. Yum!

    (5)

  • Steve V.

    Went here for the infamous weekend buffett brunch they offer. I was taking future in-laws so I wanted to impress. This definitely did the trick. It is a very nice setup they have. I called two weeks in advance for a reservation for 7. It was one of the only times (12:30pm) they had left. We sat upstairs and all fit at a large round table. Their selection was great. Everything from lox, to made to order omelettes. They had every dessert you can imagine, which were pretty good. It is pricey, but worth it for that special occasion.

    (4)

  • Larry K.

    You have to give these guys six stars on ambiance alone. But over the last 20 years their food quality has definitely declined. Bland at best. And I had my wedding reception there- no regrets. I only wish they would hire back their old chefs.

    (3)

  • Tara C.

    I'd go back here as long as I didn't have to pay for it. Like others on here, it's good for the memories. The portions are "fancy restaurant style," you know, really tiny with a garnish, really big price tag. It's usually chilly in the restaurant regardless of the year. That said, this is a decent place to enjoy a private conversation or to make memories with the family. It can get crowded for your special event if you don't pick a room large enough--sometimes they cram too many people in a small space at weddings.

    (3)

  • Andy S.

    I won't re-hash all the "historical institution" rhetoric, and will cut right to the chase. Family dinner, late December. Everyone is all dressed up (it happens once or twice a year), and we are ready to feast. During the holidays it is really hard not to love the WPI. Just driving by is a treat, what with all the lights and junk. Just looks like an old-timey warm and cozy happy fun place. This trend continues to the inside as well. Really, really nice. Service is very good. Not world class, but very good. A few minor details could use some attention (like how to hold a plate of food) but nothing at all serious. The food itself is also very good. I've had better, no question, but it was still most enjoyable. The Smoked Salmon appetizer was the bomb. And they can even cook a fillet as specified, which never seems to happen anymore. So kudos to you, meat man. The mashed potatoes were kinda lame and seemed like they had been sitting around for a while. Weird consistency. I had a martini with my meal and it was so-so. A Manhattan was slightly better but still tasted like it was cranked out way too fast. Oh well. The WPI is around so you can take the family during the holidays. It makes for a very nice evening and that is the most important thing. I can't really imagine coming here in the summer or whatever, mostly because I am not a senior citizen (the main clientele it seems), and also because you can get better food in the area for comparable (or cheaper) prices. It gets 3 stars for the total winter holiday package experience...would get 4 if some kinks were ironed out.

    (3)

  • Phillip Y.

    I was here for a company Christmas lunch. It was crowded and managed to get a table. I even remembered that there was turtle soup on the menu. I stayed with something safe which was the fish. There was even a dessert sampler which I still remembered. It was probably the best company Christmas lunch in this area for me.

    (5)

  • Jack S.

    I hate that I am giving this place 2 stars.... I was contemplating 3, but the more I think about it, it just doesn't warrant anything higher than 2. I was visiting family and old HS friends up near Philly way, and it was suggested we grab dinner at the William Penn Inn. The place looks historic, and you feel the aura all around you. And there's a cool harpest in the lobby area. They actually pipe his music throughout the restaurant. I ordered a salad appetizer, and for the entree scallops with baked potato and some broccoli rabe greens (I think that's what they were). The scallops were slightly overcooked and chewy, the greens were bitter. The scallops supposedly came with some sauce, but there wasn't much on there. The salad was iceberg lettuce. Overall, the food was VERY bland. Decent atmosphere, but not worth the price.

    (2)

  • Chuck H.

    This is a fine traditional hotel/inn that has stood tall for a long time. I have attended various functions both professionally and personally and have enjoyed the food and the service. However, I think the WPI no longer can live on its tradition. Longevity may be good advertising but quality food and service need to remain the deliverables. All that being said I do understand the attraction to those who have some history with the WPI. Please continue to enjoy, this is simply one persons opinion.

    (2)

  • Larry H.

    Been going there for years. But this year they have increased the prices and quality of food went down. Same tired menu.

    (2)

  • Peter S.

    I ate dinner this evening at William Penn Inn with a group of friends. I started with the snapper (turtle) soup. I've never had snapper soup before, so I can't vouch for the authenticity of William Penn Inn's version. The soup was dark-brown and viscous, with a smattering of what (if I hadn't known better) I might have taken to be finely-minced clams but which must have been the eponymous snapper meat. The soup was served only a few degrees above room temperature. I had expected it to be somewhat spicy but it was mild, even bland. Incidentally, I was later told by another diner that it's usually served with sherry on the side, but this was not the case for me today. Others in the group started with shrimp cocktail, crabcake, or salads and expressed satisfaction. For the entrée, I had the duck - a pan-seared breast and a slow-roasted leg, served with a citrus vinaigrette and a chutney. All were excellent. The duck was tender and flavorful (but not overpowering), with a crispy skin. I wish I could cook duck nearly so well. I had a baked potato and green beans on the side. Others at the table were happy with their filets mignon au poivre, prime rib, pan-seared sea scallops, and seafood combination (lobster tail, pan-seared sea scallops, salmon, crabcake, bacon-wrapped shrimp). For dessert, I had the key lime pie. It was prepared well, but sweet to an extreme, whereas I prefer the balance between sweetness and tartness to be pushed towards the tart side. So I won't be trying that again. Others in the group were pleased with their various ice creams and sherbets (I didn't pay much attention to the details), and one couple tried something called a pistachio bomb - which the wife said was excellent but the husband said not-so-much. In summary... for me, a disappointing soup, an excellent entrée, and a dessert not to my taste. But overall a good meal in a beautiful restaurant.

    (3)

  • Adam K.

    I've been here once with my wife last Valentine's Day and we really enjoyed it. Valet parking caught us off guard, but it added to the experience and we enjoyed it even though I don't usually like valet parking (I drive stick and you never know if *they* do, or how well anyway!). As it was Valentine's Day the attire was fairly dressy and I went in a suit while my wife went in a long evening dress. The exterior is gorgeous at night with lots of lighting wrapped around large trees, very charming. The food we got was excellent and we enjoyed our wine, it's been since February of this year so I don't entirely remember what I got unfortunately. Despite having a ton of people there for the special occasion, it didn't feel too crowded or noisy inside. The service was great, never had to think about it which means our server did a good job.

    (5)

  • Ken R.

    * 200 yr old trees out front are wound in fairy lights... Breathtaking at night! * a favorite during the day with monied seniors... Take grandmother out for a martini if she not out there already with her golf partners * tuxedoed host seats you in a very tasteful but packed main dining room. Our kids love it. * the foodies in our group give the food 3.5 stars... Buy deserts and main courses get 5. * the small bar area is overlooked and rarely seems crowded. Take a date here after a show to impress him or her. :) * ample parking. * lots of weddings and such here!

    (4)

  • S S.

    Hands down one of the best restaurants in the area. If you don't really feel the need to pay for everything al a carte, go to the Prix Fixe (Early Bird) meal. You get soup, salad, or fruit, your main entree, which is generous, and a dessert for $18.95. The food/menu is excellent and the ambiance is classy. The Sunday brunch is also delicious. The brunch is $36., but it is very well worth it. The staff is always courteous and professional.

    (5)

  • Melanie Y.

    Recently, I took my bridesmaids here for some luncheon after a morning of manicures the day before my wedding. We received a reclusive room all to ourselves, nicely decorated and the service was excellent and very attentive. Needless to say, the food was superb. We ordered the crabcakes, seafood combo and the salmon - each came with season mash potatoes on the side and either salad or soup. I got the spinach salad with balsamic vinagrette dressing and other than the fact that I should order the dressing on the side; everything was great. I wouldn't mind coming back here again.

    (4)

  • AD J.

    Back in the day, to hear one's grandmother talk, this place was the be-all and end-all. Scenic, historic, ooh-la-la! We've been here for several events (weddings, meetings) and the food could be really good... if it weren't STONE COLD. Minus one star for that. At one event, they actually tried to charge the hosting organization for re-heating food. Um... how can you re-heat something that wasn't hot to begin with? Boo, hiss! Minus a star for being jerks! There's also a local rumour that the rooms upstairs are haunted. Haven't stayed there myself, as we lived close enough to drive home. Plus one star for architectural beauty and potential ghosts.

    (3)

  • Nikki S.

    Had the Sunday brunch and all I can say is...YUM!

    (5)

  • Shannon G.

    I dig the William Penn Inn, and have been there several times for dinner. Coming here, especially in the winter, gives you a welcome feeling as you walk up to the entrance past the magnificent, light strewn trees. Staff is knowledgeable and attentive, probably among the best I've experienced so far in the area. The menu is solid, with a thorough selection and rotating weekly specials to keep things interesting. We've liked every meal we've ordered, which between my wife and I has included a variety of seafood, lamb, and beef dishes. Preparation has been top notch, which is big for me. Nothing aggravates me more than getting a meal where the meat isn't cooked as I ordered it, especially if it's overcooked. What was the point of me telling you how I want it done? Alright, deep breath.... Anyway, the point is this has never happened to me here, and I have to tip my hat to them for it. WPI is a great choice for dinner. There are a few caveats about the inn though. The upstairs is what you would think of for an old inn, with heavy wood trim, distinguished looking decor, just a very classy atmosphere. The downstairs dining room with painted floral walls looks like it's straight out of your grandparents dream house. The first time I got seated down here I thought, "oh, this is what the online reviews were complaining about", and I felt sad. Their buffets are overrated for the price charged. I've been to the brunch and Christmas Eve buffets, and came away with the same feeling at both. There's a ton of selection, but the quality is substantially lower than the dinner menu. The amount of people being served is too great, and they seem to offer a lot of uninspired fare as a result. Preparation wasn't spectacular either. One example, eggs benedict comes from a large basin of floating eggs in some apparently unknown state of poaching. Is it all the way done? The whites of my egg proclaimed no as they made a mad dash to the edges of my plate. There are some good parts to the buffets though. The carving station is excellent, and the desserts are among the best for buffets, lots of variety and creativity.

    (3)

  • Leonard S.

    Sorry to say it but the WPI is definitely slipping. In times past I almost never got a bad meal but in the last year or two I have become disillusioned. The old standards are there, crab cakes, bisque, etc but they were served warm rather than hot. I don't think I had a decent hot meal the last four or five times we went. The buffet for Easter is nice but sometimes it feels like they are resting on their laurels - going through the motions. I agree with a lot of the other folks that, as much as I loved this place, it may be past its prime.

    (2)

  • Bob K.

    Went here for Sunday Brunch with the siblings, for our monthly catch-up meeting. I have no idea how much it cost, because big brother picked up the tab (my turn is in April), but the selection was excellent and tasty. I started with lunch-type food, like pasta and tilapia, and then went back for the breakfasty stuff. There's an omelet bar with a large selection of stuff to put in it (alas, no brie), and a waffle bar as well. I stuck with your basic eggs, bacon and home fries, then for the third plate (this was all I ate that day) I went to the carving station for some excellent beef, very tender, with horse radish sauce that could have been stronger. The waitress was very quick with the coffee refills, and the manager hovered everywhere to ensure that all was well. I like the atmosphere, but as you might expect with an old building that has been added to many times, it would be quite hard to get around in a wheelchair. The last time I was here was 1997, for a luncheon following my dad's funeral, and that was well done also. The brunch was packed, so make your reservations a couple of weeks in advance.

    (4)

  • Joe U.

    The William Penn Inn is one of my favorite places to eat. The atmosphere is awesome and the food was always great. The bread is great and the prefix menu is a great deal. If you like quality food and wonderful atmosphere, this is the place for you!

    (4)

  • Paul C.

    Never been to a restaurant that offers that kind of quality service! Loved the food and it's atmosphere! If you want to impress a girl who likes more conservative settings, this is the place to be!

    (4)

  • Fred C.

    Always our go to place for an special meal. Service is always the best. Menu is good although not extensive. Can't beat the fixed priced menu that runs Mon-Fri and Sun. We go there every New Years for dinner and never disappointed. The Sunday brunch is excellent, desserts to die for.All and all this restaurant delivers constant good food and service. Marge

    (5)

  • Arti K.

    Very romantic atmosphere. Service was really good. I haven't eaten here in a while, but from what I can remember, the food was good. Did I mention the ambience? This place stands out as a truly romantic getaway dinner date place. Really fancy and posh.

    (5)

  • heather b.

    William Penn Inn is a very nice place, especially for special occasions. The food is delicious & the place is gorgeous.

    (4)

  • Daniel K.

    yea this place is awesome with their christmas lights during the holidays. when you have a party you're almost guaranteed a quiet private room. only complaint was that i worked here and the setup is not very staff friendly.

    (4)

  • Shaina F.

    DINNER REVIEW We have a classy, wonderful meal each and every time we dine here! Definitely a splurge type of place for a romantic fancy date or night out with the parents. We came for good Friday and the food was outstanding. As always, so was the service, even for large parties such as ours. The service here never disappoints! I got the Granny Smith Apple Salad to start, this upgrade from the house salad that comes with your entree is an amazing choice. Sweet and tart at the same time, and very light! I love how fresh it is. Next I got the twin 6oz lobster tails, perfectly cooked (as if I would expect anything less) with mashed potatoes and green beans as my side potato and veggie. I cleaned my plate and everything was cooked to perfection and the presentation was gorgeous. I know the filet mignon and duck are also incredible dishes, they sure know how to prepare everything on their menu so so well! So of course as the wine flowed we decided we NEEDED dessert, since they make all of these in house as well. We all shared the molten chocolate cake with vanilla gelato as well as the key lime pie - ugh, I would go back just for these! So friggin good. I cannot wait for another occasion to return!

    (5)

  • Boniface C.

    We had our nephews graduation dinner here on a Thursday night. Seafood buffet night, this was my third trip to the inn for their seafood buffet. If you like a quality raw bar this is the place for you. My parents are are tough critics on seafood and they could not stop themselves to the raw oysters and clams. There oysters were perfectly shucked and the meat plump. The clams just the right size for having raw. When you are full of raw bar move over to the hot foods. A great selection of flank steaks with the best gravy, baby back ribs and crab clusters. Our family had a great evening and left with full bellies and great memories of my nephews night. Service is great, with a very attentive well dressed staff. Professional and polite. I would defiantly recommend this fine establishment on Thursday night for there seafood feast.

    (5)

  • Peter N.

    Probably the best brunch buffet in the area. Sure, it's about $30 per person, and I can definitely order a la carte brunch for less than $30 somewhere else. But you're paying for the variety! I want an omelette. And then an eggs Benedict. And then some flank steak. Sure, I'll take bacon too. And oh why not, sausage and French toast too. I'll wash it down with coffee. Now I'm in the mood for orange juice. Next I'll take apple juice. You can have this freedom of choice all for a flat $30. The staff is very nice and very accommodating (requested slim milk with coffee). One ding was that every time our drinks were empty, we had to ask our server for a refill. For upscale brunch places like this, I'm used to getting my coffee refilled without even asking. But overall, the food is great for the price. For a buffet, the food was still perfectly cooked. My eggs Benedict was the perfect consistency. And the dessert spread had something for everybody - from flan to fruits to chocolate covered strawberries to French macarons to lemon squares... the list goes on! You couldn't not find something you didn't like. Reservations are highly recommended, since they will get busy. I also recommend men wear a button shirt and if possible, a blazer. The patrons dress pretty well here for the Sunday brunch. I look forward to dining here again!

    (4)

  • Sutirtha B.

    My wife and I here for the Easter buffet earlier this evening. This place tends to fill up way ahead of Easter and so when I called the restaurant the day before, the only time of the day that was available for a party of two was 5:30 p.m. We took it because I found that other places I had called were also short of spots. Besides WPI had solid reviews. We got to WPI around 5:30 p.m. and found the parking lot very full. The parking attendants offered complimentary valet parking but we were comfortable finding a spot by ourselves and so we went with that. Once in, we were promptly seated. The area of the hotel where the Easter buffet was being served was choc-a-full with people, many of whom were dressed nicely (formally?). A server came and described the layout - three sections - one of cold items (primarily salad), another of hot items, and finally the dessert section. In terms of selections, I found the salad section to be small in relation to many buffets, including the buffet I find at my workplace cafeteria. The hot food section was the section of most interest to my wife and myself (hardly surprising) but we found few items on it that we truly liked. Here were some of the things I tried out - au gratin, lobster mac n' cheese, country ham, sausage and peppers, crab cakes, crispy duck, and roasted leg of lamb (from the carving station). Of those items, the only two which I enjoyed were the sausage and peppers and the au gratin and those are both items that are relatively easy to make. The two items I had been most looking forward to as a lover of seafood were the crab cakes and the lobster mac n' cheese and sadly, both of them were very uninspiring. I have had crab cakes dozens of times but the crab cakes here on the buffet tasted nothing like crab cakes elsewhere, including frozen crab cakes that I regularly buy at grocery stores. The lobster mac n' cheese likewise had hardly any traces of lobster meat which was a disappointment. My wife had two servings of the lamb and on the second occasion, she found the lamb so tough to cut that she gave up but not before spilling some of the mint jelly on her nice dress. Boooo!!!! Thankfully we had better luck at the dessert section than in the two other sections. There were many desserts that we enjoyed and that alone pushed my ratings from a 2-star to a 3-star. We enjoyed the pecan honey squares, the vanilla hazelnut bombs (bombes?), and the fruit tarts. They were the right size, not excessively sweet, and most importantly hit the right taste buds. Our final bill (including 2 Diet Cokes) came to $98 including taxes. I found it annoying that soft drinks were not complementary to a buffet that costs $43 per person. This at a time when some restaurants offer a complimentary Bloody Mary or Mimosa on their Easter buffets. All in all, while I don't mind having come here once, my wife and I are unlikely to try out William Penn Inn again. If we did want to venture out again for an Easter buffet (next year perhaps), we might be tempted to try out places like Azie on Main / Black Powder Tavern, both on the Mainline where prices seemed a bit more reasonable, in the low $30s.

    (3)

  • Michael N.

    The William Penn is a nice treat for lunch around the holidays. While I do find the prices fairly expensive, the ambiance is interesting, the service is excellent and the food is above average. Located in a historic inn is this mixed used restaurant and party venue is a very popular spot in this part of the Philly suburbs. I've heard that the Sunday brunch buffet is great and the weddings here are nice, but I've only made it for lunch. On the last visit I went with the lobster bisque and the salmon stuffed with crab meat. The bisque was ok and could have used some more lump lobster. As for the salmon, it was very good. The asparagus were a nice touch too. I would not make it a habit of coming here, but once in a blue moon it isn't bad.

    (4)

  • Bob C.

    I have been here many times over the years. The food is always good, the service was always up to par, they have always been an easy 4 stars for me every visit, no matter who I was with, no matter when. What makes them a solid five stars for me is the depth of their professionalism. Not long ago my father passed away, and we chose the William Penn Inn as the place to hold the reception as it was a very special place for my family, especially my mother and father. The people we dealt with were absolutely amazing, from the manager on the floor to the waitresses, the chef, even the bus people. The food was probably one of the best buffets I had ever had, and keep in mind, I had no appetite. The bartender was perfect, classy, appropriate and kind, and being client facing, as all bartenders are, he was what needed. This was the tipping point. We had a lot of things on display in honor of my father's many accomplishments, the least of which were his Military awards. The bartender inquired about my father, and he knew that he was a Lieutenant Colonel in the Army, which helped us in the transition from the second most emotional thing I had ever experienced, my Dad's military interment, which was overseen by fellow high ranking officers in the Army. I was broken after that, but that bartender's one inquiry and help with setting up that table was what turned an incredibly sad day into a celebration of life. The good people at the William Penn Inn were amazing, they were the right people at the right place at the right time.

    (5)

  • Marie H.

    Review based on recent customer appreciation event- Food was more enjoyable at this private banquet rm then what I remembered in restaurant dining. Fresh Cheese/Fruit spread to start, clean area, creative side dishes, gorgonzola filet, salmon, mashed califlower, salads, etc. The client chose great dishes & WPI prepared it very well. The little finger deserts were delicious- all around outstanding food start to finish. Unfortunately, the two bartenders completely lacked personality- made grabbing a drink the unexpected 'buzz kill.' I don't understand how they forgot their tips reflect a clients 'positive' experience & I've worked the industry so I enjoy tipping well. I would def go back to WPI again. Overall above average experience.

    (4)

  • Priya R.

    My parents took me out for a fancy birthday dinner here. I had always driven by this place and admired how beautiful it looks from the outside. Needless to say the inside did not disappoint. I was immediately in love with the cozy interior, it felt like I was thrown back to a different time with so much history and beauty I was in awe. Just walking up and down the hallway was an experience alone. Atmosphere alone is 5 stars. The buffet style food is certainly impressive. The options are diverse and fancy, especially for a seafood-y like myself. My problem is that there wasn't one particular stand out dish I was like "ermergd must eat again." It was more like, there's a lot of fancy food here, I could sample a bunch of things and be very satisfied. I guess my problem is with buffet style dining in general. I think that providing so many options, you inevitably compromise the quality of the food. I guess personally I would rather have one great dish than a lot of okay ones. The service was pleasant, but again with buffet style service, there's very little for you to actually do except occasionally fill up water. There were times when plates were still on the table when we returned to our table for seconds and etc, but whatever they were a busy establishment and it wasn't like it was an inconvenience. Again pleasant service but nothing much to mention. (Also my dad ended up getting food poisoning from here and had to be hospitalized so it's not exactly the BEST first impression. But whatever freak accidents and things happen, so I didn't let that factor TOO much into my rating.)

    (3)

  • Terri B.

    Holy smokes, this place is great! I was here for a wedding. This review is primarily on the food and service. The food was fast, still hot, and de-licious. I haven't had salmon that yummy in quite a while. I love it when a place isn't stingy with the spices. The staff were helpful and kept the wine flowing. I really enjoyed the lemon palette cleanser between salad and entree, a pleasant surprise. Excellent place to host a wedding.

    (5)

  • mike v.

    If you like very plain, old people food then this place does it very well. The quality and ingredients are always very nice.

    (4)

  • M B.

    The Sunday brunch is ok. For $180 I can make a rocking breakfast for three adults and two kids though. The French toast was quite good, as were the hash browns. So too was the service. Does good service and good food cost this much? Not really in my experience. If history is your thing, go downtown and spend a fraction of the cost for a more ancient ambiance. Though parking is awful. Walking a little further never hurt anyone though.

    (3)

  • Jenna S.

    We just had my sister's bridal shower here. We had a Sunday brunch. There was SOOOOO much food, and all of it was absolutely delicious! The staff was extremely attentive and helpful. Couldn't have asked for more! If you're looking for a brunch space this is the place to go!

    (5)

  • Paul S.

    Sunday brunch was amazing! Could not find one thing I didn't like and for me, that is saying something. Service was good, not perfect but they were busy. So much good food that I didn't even have a chance to visit all the stations. We will definitely be back.

    (5)

  • Brian H.

    I've been coming here for more years than I will admit, being that my doppleganger is only 38 years old. ;-) I go mostly for business meetings or banquets, and last night, a business dinner for two was no exception. Upstairs you can hear each other speak, the tables are spaced nicely and the service I found better than a floor below. BTW, stay clear of the front door at around 7PM as you will get run over by the exiting stampede of FOP's (fucking old people). WTF time did they start eating, sheeesh, shoot me if I ever get like that. Now the William Penn Inn is normally an A-OK 3 stars, with a huge attraction around the holidays because of their outdoor lights (year round), their xmas decor inside, and consistent food year in and year out. But I had to bump to 4 for the food and service upstairs last night. Rachel was excellent, professional, careful not to interrupt conversation, very high marks for this server...she's a keeper. I had the baked chilean sea bass crusted with pine nuts, with pesto and leaks. This was simply delicious. Don't let the word "baked" scare you. The fish was fresh, tender and delightful, perfectly cooked. The dessert was a tad above average, a chilled chocolate pudding/mousse type thing. Not sure I would order that again. This place is there when you need it, I prefer it way more than that black hole up the road, the Joseph Ambler Inn.

    (4)

  • Teresa H.

    This review is only for the brunch. After making a reservation a few weeks ago (suggested) we drove an hour to have Sunday brunch here and it was well worth it. The service throughout the restaurant was excellent. Everyone was both polite and attentive. The buffet has a large assortment of items from cold to warm and a variety of bread too. As far as eggs go, there are scrambled, an omelet station and an eggs Benedict station. I love the omelet station and my husband likes the egg Benedict station, particularly the lucky Pierre (with crab). Besides eggs they have French toast, waffles, bagels, biscuits, and lots if bread. The seeded bread and honey butter are my favorites! As if that isn't enough, there is some lunch items like tortellini and tilapia. On the cold bar there are deviled eggs, fruit, salad, and smoked fish among other items. Lastly there is a carving station and dessert section. On this trip I tasted an omelet with potatoes, bread and honey butter, a deviled egg, tortellini, a biscuit, fruit, broccoli, a brunch mimosa, and coffee. I also tasted some desserts: pecan sticky, caramel brûlée, tiramisu tart, fruit tart, and choc strawberry. I did not like the deviled egg or fruit tart. The best things were: bread and honey butter, pecan sticky, tiramisu tart, brûlée, potatoes, omelet, and tortellini. As mentioned, the service was great. My only complaint is that I would have liked my coffee filled faster. This is the best brunch spot I've been too. The price is higher, so it is more of a special place rather than a usual brunch spot.

    (5)

  • Sophia L.

    I've been here for a few events, and the staff is very helpful! Now food wise, half the time the food is mediocre, the other half, the food is phenomenal! I don't know what to think, it's either one or the other~ Has a lot of parking space availabe for large parties. I would say a 3.5 if I could have given it.

    (3)

  • Alex G.

    After hearing rave reviews from friend and reviews online about the Thursday night buffet, we couldn't wait to try the William Penn Inn! We were seated a few minutes after our reservation time and enjoyed the ambiance of the restaurant. Our first course from the buffet was salad and shrimp. The house salad was good, although the Caesar was very soggy, The shrimp from the raw bar were great, as well as the corn chowder. Those were the only 2 items we really enjoyed though. From the hot line, the flank steak was very tough and flavorless. The crab cakes were mostly breading and filler. The chicken francaise had no flavor. The chili shrimp weren't tasty, and the fried shrimp were very salty. I was also surprised desert wasn't included for the $30 price tag. I think the best way to describe our meal was the equivalent of a cheap casino buffet - but overpriced. Clearly the "chef" picks the cheapest offerings from US Foods and put those items on the menu. Maybe the a-la-carte menu is better in the other restaurants there, but we were so disappointed with this meal I wouldn't even return to find out. Spend your $60 elsewhere.

    (1)

  • Frankie G.

    The food has significantly improved. Unfortunately, the service has not. I had the salmon which was delicious with the potatoes au gratin. I really have to complement the Chef on reviving this place. As far as the service it is pretty humorous and should be looked at that way instead of getting annoyed. I think they are the same servers from when I was a kid. The server for the table next to ours was a big big guy who has no problem slamming into your chair every time he went by. I was getting ridiculous. He knocked by nephew out of his chair onto the floor and didn't say anything. When he hit my chair I splashed water onto the table. Our server, Dianne was the eye roller. Every time we would ask for something she would roll her eyes. When she wished my Mother happy birthday she rolled her eyes. Very funny.

    (4)

  • Lisa P.

    My family and I have been here over the years on many special occasions. We had a terrific brunch here once that was even better than usual, when we went a second time it wasn't as amazing but still great. The brunch we attended was for Easter and they had Eggs Benedict, fresh bagels, Nova lox, fluffy crispy waffles with strawberries, whipped cream and powdered sugar, filet mignon with horseradish sauce, fresh jumbo scrimp and other special items that you don't normally make at home that were extremely delicious!

    (4)

  • Mikkimo T.

    Went to check out their thrusday night buffet so here we go. First of all make reservations the place gets packed. Average age is 60+ Salads are nice and food is good. Some is better than others (some was bland and I wouldnt do it again but other items were very good.) There were clams, shrimp and crab legs plus crab cakes, mahi mahi and crab imperial tilapia and mussels marinara. So for the seafood lover you should be satisfied. (shrimp small and floppy, crab cakes were mushy and the mussles proved to provide many unopened) the other seafood items were very tasty. Flank steak and pork on the carving also proved tasty. the wings and mandarin chicken my dining companion enjoyed. I need to address the Lobster mac and cheese as being a nice mac and cheese made with lobster stock or even a bisque base but there was no lobster to be found. The bread was lovely and the drinks were small and pricey. Iced tea in a wine glass $3 and mostly ice and 2 lemonades in a brandy snifter for $5.00. Bill was $69...not sure we will be back but may try the Sunday AM brunch.

    (3)

  • Andrew M.

    The people reviewing this place are the rich ignorant types from Lower Gwynedd where everybody is special. The same people who complain there are all old people eating here would also complain if it was full of families with loud kids. Then complain that you have to part with more of your precious money then you feel you should have to. But wait, you had no problem overpaying for a fancy car to try to impress your fancy neighbors. The food is decent but for the price it is not as good as it should be. The service has always been outstanding. The buffet is the way to go. But practice your snobbiness before you go. Hold your nose up high and practice speaking like you are in England. Move slow and laugh like a queen. And remember the place is historic because William Penn did actually stay overnight here 1 or 2 times.

    (3)

  • L M.

    I had the pleasure of having brunch today with 9 of my girlfriends. Our table was tended to by three separate servers that were pleasant and attentive. The brunch was as delicious as I remembered when I went several years ago. The variety is noteworthy and quality is on par. I tried a Lucky Pierre, which is a twist on the traditional eggs Benedict. The English muffin and poached egg are topped with crabmeat and sherry cream sauce. Absolutely delightful. Thank you for the wonderful service and scrumptious brunch!

    (4)

  • Jim K.

    It's not often you find a 300 year old restaurant! It was everything I hoped - traditional menu updated just enough to be relevant. Beautiful colonial building, dark wood paneling, beautifully appointed. I had the seafood platter and all was wonderful. Delicious tomato bisque soup - fine, fine old school experience.

    (4)

  • Matt R.

    I've only done banquets, special occasions, and the brunch here so I can't comment on a regular dinner but every time I go I am blown away by the service. They staff is incredibly accommodating from the moment you get there until the time you leave. Food is also some of the best I've ever had especially for a special event. The buffet is outstanding and there seafood selection is my favorite. Always fresh. Great desserts too.

    (5)

  • Robert T.

    Had a disappointing lunch here with my parents and out of town guests. First off, the waiter was rather odd. He had a very affected manner of speech, like he was straining to talk the way he did. And he was abrupt, not terribly, but he did convey a tad of impatience at times. Now on to the food: my dad ordered a sliced steak sandwich. The steak was cut very thickly, not easy to bite through. Also, the roll it was on was too big to fit the sandwich in your mouth. Many of us ordered the crab salad sandwich, and a few people thought their bread was stale. Not the same experience as with dinner. Very disappointed here.

    (2)

  • Dan O.

    Best brunch in the area

    (4)

  • Pamela G.

    I'm surprised by the good reviews. The food wasn't warm, the quality was substandard with few exceptions. The wait staff was professional and pleasant but not attentive. The historic building was special occasiony, but not maintained with upgrades befitting the beauty of the original building. I came with a gift certificate and it enjoyed it well enough. I wouldn't come back.

    (2)

  • Greg L.

    We've been here a few times for dinner and a few times for their Sunday brunch. All of our meals there have been excellent, but we especially like coming here for their brunches as they put on quite a spread. You'll find fresh fruit, made to order omelets, waffles with all the toppings, salads, french toast, breakfast potatoes, bacon, sausage, a carving station, and then other hot entrees like fish and pasta. If you still have room at the end of your meal, you'll find an assortment of pastries, cookies, cakes, etc. Service was excellent throughout with plates being taken away soon after we finished and drinks being refilled without having to ask. They do a good business and they tend to be pretty full, but there was never a shortage of food when you went to the various buffet stations. Some people dress up a bit but then there are others dressed casually in shorts or jeans. Minor complaint is that the bathrooms are outside the dining area, and when you try and come back in, there is often a line of people waiting to check-in and be seated and you tend to get stuck in that line. While it is pricey, we like to come here every so often for special occasions. Simply a beautiful place as well.

    (4)

  • Philip R.

    Have you ever seen, "Men in Black"? Remember Will Smith trying to get the attention of Kay and Agent B? He yells, "Yo!, Old Guys!". That's the William Penn Inn. It's 300 years old and the patrons are about 1/2 that.

    (3)

  • Ken M.

    For the past 10 years we have been going to the William Penn Inn for Sunday brunch. (we go once, every December) They have a decent salad bar (items such as Lox, whitefish, peeled shrimp, deviled eggs, chicken salad, etc.). They have a hot foods station (Talapia, chicken, vegetable, cream chipped beef, sausage, bacon, scrambled eggs, etc.). They have a carving station (turkey, roast beef & ham). They also have an omelette station and a waffle bar. The desert station is very good. I think the food is just A-OK. In some years, the food tastes fresher. The selection hasn't changed much. I don't know. I think I am getting bored with this place. I am spoiled by some of the creative brunch options that are being dished out at the pubs/restaurants in Philly. Yet, something about the old charm of the place keeps drawing us back as a yearly tradition with the in-laws. The restaurant staff are always cheerful and accommodating. See you next December (I think... we shall see)

    (3)

  • Elliot D.

    Plenty of choices and beautiful surroundings. So lucky to have such a lovely establishment where the food is only a part of the enjoyment. You need to love life to really enjoy being here and see people having a wonderful time.

    (5)

  • Donna K.

    We used to frequent William Penn Inn, however, our last few experiences have been less than average. The caterer or event planner was rude when we were trying to plan a cocktail party - we went elsewhere. Beware of the discounted gift cards you can purchase at Costco (two in a pack) - they will only accept one per dining experience and cannot be used with any other certificate or free birthday dessert earned through their own dining program. The salad bar in the Tavern was not up to par - shrimp was small and mushy. We were seated right away but waited a good 20 minutes before our waiter offered us a drink. William Penn Inn is just not what it used to be.

    (1)

  • Monique C.

    I'm starting this review with a caveat: we just booked our wedding here...but this is a brunch review. (As far as the wedding coordinating goes, so far, so good.) My mom, son and I visited the inn for Sunday brunch. We didn't have reservations but we were accommodated immediately by the friendly host who found a large table for us after a party cancelled. Our waiter, Christian, was phenomenal from start to finish. He was friendly, knowledgeable and attentive. The food was plentiful and delicious. There are two rooms of food so I recommend using the walk to burn some calories lol. Previous Yelp photos of the spread are still accurate. My mom was disappointed that they didn't have any turkey breakfast products but the carving station did include smoked turkey and roast beef for the non-pork eaters. Overall we had a wonderful visit and even received a visit from my wedding coordinator who remembered all of our names. (We just met her Friday so she's already better than me lol). Bravo William Penn Inn. Until we meet again.

    (5)

  • Brandyn R.

    This is our favorite special occasion place. The tavern is small, quiet and comfortable, which I prefer to the main dining room, which has a harp player. The prime rib is like butter, the lamb delicious and even the Thursday buffet is fantastic. Favorite drink, "perfect gentleman".

    (5)

  • Joe A.

    Just had a terrible experience when trying to celebrate Valentine's Day with my wife. The hostess sat us at a booth for 2 that was the smallest booth I've ever seen. Worse than that though was that it was positioned right next to an extremely busy server station, that caused waiters, waitresses, and bus persons to be literally running past the table the whole time we were there. Even worse, they frequently hung out there leaning against the wall awaiting their turns to use the computer. It was no doubt one of the least comfortable evenings out we had ever experienced and we couldn't wait to complete our meal and leave. We won't be going back there for a long, long time! If you ever go there and they try to seat you at Table #116, run for the door!

    (1)

  • Evelyn D.

    Lunch with clients last week. Enjoyed delicious stuffed salmon, short ribs veal oscar...dessert, soup and salad. Service should have moved along quicker. We were all at lunch. Can't wait to try Seafood on Thursday nites. Pricey menu, but the place is beautifully decorated for the holidays. Worth the splurge!

    (4)

  • Kevin H.

    I'm only reviewing their Sunday brunch. It is by far one of the best brunch buffets that I have ever been too. A good selection of breakfast and lunch food. A carving station with 3 meats, a made to order Eggs Benedict station, and the omelette station are their staples in my opinion. The waitstaff is very attentive and make sure your dirty plates are removed in a timely manner and they also make sure you drinks are always full. The only thing I wish they would do is have a rotating menu for the lunch food, and also some additional salads. I have probably been here about 4 or 5 times and it is always the same lunch entrees. The place gets very crowded so I would recommend reservations.

    (5)

  • Samantha G.

    This place is great. The food is wonderful. There is nothing too outlandish or wild on the menu as it is more like steak house/country club fare. But it is GOOD! They have fancier rooms upstairs for the more romantic, or a pub style downstairs to go more casual. My only cripe was that our waiter was pretty slow.

    (4)

  • Chris G.

    Can't comment on dinner - never had dinner here. But Sunday brunches are great! (Yes, there are some elderly "grande dames" with 60's poufed hair or helmet heads). However that doesn't take away from the freshness or high quality of the brunch choices. There is an omelet station, a really good salad/cold buffet and hot station with options that very week to week. This place will never surpass the options featured at the great center city brunch places -- Cafe Estelle or Jack's Firehouse, but it is a pleasant alternative in the 'burbs.......or just to make yr. granny smile when you take her out! Not inexpensive, but quality is above average.

    (4)

  • David L.

    There's no doubt that the William Penn Inn is horrifyingly expensive, but it's also a very good place to impress someone, be the occasion a date, business appointment, or just taking the parents out to prove that you really do have a job and a life. The menu is exactly what one would expect for an upscale restaurant of this kind, featuring some stabs at the new and chic but falling back on genuinely good traditional fare. Appetizers are impressive visually and generally strong in flavor, entrees range from the light to the hearty, with portions large but not unreasonable, and the Inn has some of the best "decadent" desserts in the region. The occasions I've dined there, I was most impressed with the "hearty, decadent, and traditional" end of the spectrum; their chefs produce a very good steak and a truly impressive chocolate mousse. Seafood is definitely another strong point, but don't walk in expecting to find some new Asian fusion style of fish preparation. So long as you stick to the fare that they've served since their founding, you won't be disappointed. That said, the relative lack of "new and chic" does limit your options and stifle any adventurousness you might have had coming in the door, and vegetarians will be similarly confined by the fact that most of their specialties are, well, meat. This isn't to say there aren't some very good vegetarian dishes available; there are, I've tried one or two... but they're not the centerpiece or the strength of the WPI's menu. The atmosphere and ambiance are exactly what one would expect and demand from a restaurant of this caliber, and despite a relatively young waitstaff the service is generally quick and professional. Most of the people who walk in will have a "five-star" experience; I myself rank the WPI as a four, simply because I'm not all that big on traditional, heart-attack-inducing fare.

    (4)

  • Chris G.

    Can't comment on dinner - never had dinner here. But Sunday brunches are great! (Yes, there are some elderly "grande dames" with 60's poufed hair or helmet heads). However that doesn't take away from the freshness or high quality of the brunch choices. There is an omelet station, a really good salad/cold buffet and hot station with options that very week to week. This place will never surpass the options featured at the great center city brunch places -- Cafe Estelle or Jack's Firehouse, but it is a pleasant alternative in the 'burbs.......or just to make yr. granny smile when you take her out! Not inexpensive, but quality is above average.

    (4)

  • tory s.

    In the first 20 minutes I had 2 drinks spilled on me, front and back. I have been here for a bridal shower, baby shower, and small luncheon, and have never been very impressed. I had a vegetarian pasta dish, it was drenched in oil. "Upscale", but not good food, by any means.

    (1)

  • Melanie Y.

    Recently, I took my bridesmaids here for some luncheon after a morning of manicures the day before my wedding. We received a reclusive room all to ourselves, nicely decorated and the service was excellent and very attentive. Needless to say, the food was superb. We ordered the crabcakes, seafood combo and the salmon - each came with season mash potatoes on the side and either salad or soup. I got the spinach salad with balsamic vinagrette dressing and other than the fact that I should order the dressing on the side; everything was great. I wouldn't mind coming back here again.

    (4)

  • Bobby P.

    Came here for a special occasion with the wife and in-laws. Great service, great ambience, great food (I'd say its more traditional than new American). Although my first time here, it was as if we were transported back in time to the Sunday brunch spot we'd go to after my parents would drag me to church. We started with a variety of appetizers. I'd recommend skipping the clams casino, but go for the seafood cocktail. The bruschetta was ok as well, but a little skimpy. Probably a good thing considering how much I was enjoying the zucchini bread, as well as the decadent entree headed in my direction. I went for veal with artichoke hearts and lump crab over pasta. The crab wasn't necessary in my opinion. The other flavors blended so phenomenally, probably due in part to the melted butter coating my food that was still slightly visible. Although in general I frown upon willfull ignorance, in this situation my choices were to enjoy my meal or worry about my skyrocketing cholesterol... My recommendation - come here if you want to treat parents, family or clients that are at bare minimum mid forties. It's a little too stuffy in my opinion for a younger crowd or a date.

    (4)

  • Marianne M.

    The food was very good, however we were put in the Monet room, which was very crowded. The tables were very close together and the waitstaff walked into my chair about a half dozen times. My husband had to get up out of his seat, to let another guest walk by, he was on a walker and there was not enough room for him to get to his table. We did mention this to the manager on staff that we were not happy with our table. he said there was nothing he could do.

    (2)

  • Jake F.

    Went for Mother's Day. Service was great, food was so-so. Let me elaborate. Went for a buffet. Some things were great some things lousy. The roasted duck was definitely cooked about 12 hours before it was served, if not the day before. Barely even tasted like poultry let alone duck. Crab cakes downright stunk. Not just bland, but baad. I love both of these things, and was very disappointed they couldn't deliver on my favorites. The Polynesian shrimp and beef tenderloin were both excellent. The dessert bar was great, as were the salads. Considering the expense, which was extraordinary, I won't be returning. There WAS a time when you could count on the William Penn Inn to serve outstanding food at every turn for the most important events in your family. No more. I really feel bad to have to say this, because we have had a long history there, including my parents' wedding reception, my grandparent's 50th wedding anniversary, my son's confirmation. And countless post-funeral gatherings. I feel like the rug has been pulled out from underneath me, and a little betrayed. I can't help but wonder if there are new owners that don't have a high regard for fresh food.

    (3)

  • Karen F.

    I love coming here for an old-school memory. I first came here with my parents as a child and had shirley temples and Chicken Cordon Bleu in the '80's. I have been to luncheons here and weddings - but to simply come and dine off the regular menu is the best. Great service and conutry-style decor. (Could use a bit of a re-fresh) I will bring my daughter now! Shirley Temples all around! Oh - and it is beautiful for a Christmas or Winter dinner - lots of twinkly lights all around,

    (4)

  • Dave H.

    I've been here a fair share of times, for a graduation lunch (not mine, and upstairs), Mother's Day brunch (in the Penn's Tavern dining room, near the windows), for a variety of professional organization talks (in the Penn's Tavern dining room), a post-funeral event, and just for Sunday brunch. The building (especially the architecture and decor) is of historical significance, and is a pleasure to see, if you're into that. Generally service is good-to-great - never poor. The last time I was there, our server (Jim) was outstanding, checking on us often to ensure we were happy, refilling our orange juices discreetly, and clearing our plates. Dishes there are generally tasty (check out their prime rib), and always well-prepared. The Sunday buffet brunch selection isn't bad and will set you back around $25 (pre-tip, pre-drink). Staff are helpful and will prepare omelettes if you want. The Inn can get crowded, so make reservations! Recommended.

    (4)

  • Abby K.

    I love coming to the William Penn Inn for their Sunday brunch! They have an extensive buffet that includes my favorites: an omelette station and a waffle bar. They also have a carving station, an assortment of traditional hot breakfast foods, a salad bar, and a desert station. Service wise, the wait staff is extremely attentive and professional. It definitely seems targeted at an older crowd as I was about 40-50 years younger than the average brunch guest.

    (4)

  • j w.

    Brunch for New Years whole family came-twelve of us. We arrived at 9:50, our parents and sister and her husband were there already with coffee. The waitress came over and said she would be back with coffee. We sat twenty minutes while the rest of the party trickled in. Said waitress came back and topped off the parents' and sister's cup, all the while I was pointing to my cup and she snapped, "I'll get to you." My husband ordered a tomato juice which never came. The room was decorated for Christmas and it was very nice. However the set up for the different food stations was a mystery. We ended up with scrambled eggs and bacon, not realizing there was seafood, lox bagels etc in another room. There was also pastries in another room, a carving station and omelettes and poached eggs. It was so spread out it was not clear all the offerings. The food was good. It was all hot and fresh. All in all we had a nice meal and visit despite the poor service.

    (3)

  • Danan R.

    Went to a banquet dinner here and was pretty happy with the meal and service. I had the iceberg lettuce wedge (not the best...the dressing was watery and there was barely any bacon), chicken marsala (tender piece of chicken breast stuffed with ricotta and toped with mushrooms - this was good and the sauce creamy, although I couldn't really taste the marsala), broccoli almondine (light and seasoned with a hint of butter), and mashed sweet potatoes (fantastic and creamy!). Dessert was the frosted chocolate layer cake with white chocolate mousse on a raspberry puree. The cake itself was very dry but the mousse was creamy and decadent. Coffee was very good and full-bodied. Service was pretty decent; the servers were all very young. Anyhow, a solid dining experience but nothing great. The zucchini bread here is delicious, though, so grab a loaf or two to take home.

    (3)

  • Chris K.

    Beautiful, elegant, romantic and delicious! Our favorite resturant ever! We had our wedding here too and everyone still says it was the best wedding food ever. Their wedding planners can not be beat. Everything was so easy for me and surprisingly reasonable. The best room is the Senator room. Small elegant and white glove service. The food is out of this world. My husband and I love their crem brulee cheesecake (which is not always on the menu). However, last year on our anniversary he asked (ahead of time) if they could make it just for us and they did! The only improvement would be if they could offer dancing with dinner. That would really make it the most romantic evening around.

    (5)

  • Jason T.

    Always look forward in dining at the William Penn Inn. Never disappointed in both food quality and attentive service. The beautifully displayed outside evening ground lights really stand out too. Keep up the good work!

    (5)

  • John A.

    The Spring House Tavern offers a lovely dining experience. The restaurant itself offers a variety of dining environments from more formal (though slightly outdated) dining areas to a modern and cozy bar. The wait staff were attentive and helpful. However, if you visit, pray that you do not have issue with the hostess (who is also the owner's wife). Even the loveliest of evenings can be spoiled by her condescending and insulting tone, if you are even able to catch her attention to get a response. I have not decided whether the hassle of another night spent combatting the hostess is worth the wonderful crab cakes, but hopefully she will not be in such a public role should I decide to visit again.

    (3)

  • Bret C.

    This place is amazing! From a romantic dinner for two in a gorgeous, intimate setting to an event with hundreds of guests in an ornate dining room, and everything in between, you will be delighted. Our organization recently had a luncheon meeting for fifty members and it came off without a hitch. The handsome dining room was just the right size for our group, the service was attentive and professional, and the food was delicious. For a group this size one might expect to get ho-humm food ie rubber chicken with mushy vegetables. Quite the contrary, our meals were perfect. We started with warm rolls and a delightful mixed greens salad with choice of dressing. This was followed by our entrees, either chicken or tilapia accompanied by sauteed slivered vegetables that were fresh with a bit of a crunch and mashed potatoes that were hot and tasted like real mashed potatoes. The chicken and fish were moist, tender, and nicely seasoned. The fruit sundae with graham cracker crumbs was imaginative and good to the last drop. If there was any fault with our experience it would be that one of the several servers created a bit of a racket when clearing tables between courses. Rather than placing dishes in the clearing containers, he had a tendency to drop them in. This was disturbing to some who were in the middle of conversation. This has been a go-to place for many of us for several years because of their consistency, service, and tasty food.

    (5)

  • Moo K.

    I patronized the William Penn as part of a large wedding party - It was not my money being poured into this place. The event planner had arranged everything, including the menu so this is a review of the overall experience and does not reflect what it would be like for "civilians" to show up for dinner or brunch. On the day of the wedding, our experience was excellent - The service was set up outside in a beautifully decorated private setting. Lots of high-end flowers, a string quartet - everything first-class. Being a protestant ceremony the service didn't last more than 20-30 minutes, so from there it was on inside to PARTY. First, open bar (thanks bride and groom) and hors d'oeuvres from strolling waiters/waitresses. All were tasty. There was an appetizer "buffet" with grilled veggies, high-end cheeses, and other nicely prepared items. Then dinner service. Three courses - Salad - Main Course - Dessert. The main courses chosen was choice of either Salmon or Fliet Mignon - I split one of each entree with my wife and both were excellent considering they had to serve 200 or so of us. The wait staff did an excellent job of keeping the wine and coffee flowing the whole time - the food all came out hot (or cold, as was appropriate). There was an excellent live band for the reception - lots of dancing - more booze - etc. I should also mention that the Inn had arranged for shuttle service that ran continuously between the reception and our group's hotel, a couple miles away. Overall it was a great first-class evening. Food and service much better than the typical wedding fare. I would absolutely, positively recommend this place to handle this kind of an affair - they were obviously consummate pros - everything came off without a hitch. And it should have been, considering the obscene amount of money the bride and groom spent on that party. So why don't I give them FIVE stars ? Because this place is a wedding factory, at least in summer. We were the SIXTH wedding party handled that day - and a bartender told me they did 10 total for the weekend !. On Saturdays, they book two services / receptions at a time, starting at 10 AM and running well into the evening as our party was. The one-star mark-down was because of the way they made us do the "rehearsal" on the Friday night before. Because the actual outdoor space where our wedding was going to happen was being used by an actual wedding having a Friday night ceremony - they made us do a very quick cursory run-through IN THE PARKING LOT behind the Inn among the parked cars, people zipping in and out, etc. . That's about as UN-DIGNIFIED as it gets folks, and they lose a star as a result - and honestly I should dock them two stars . This was a $30,000 wedding reception plus the open bar. Terribly inappropriate to force the party spending this kind of money to meet and practice in the searing hot sun, on the black asphalt PARKING LOT. The wedding party had people ranging from their late 80s to small children. It was unbearably hot, smellly, and DANGEROUS having to rehearse in the parking lot. I could tell it was stressing the hell out of our friends the bride and groom to force their families to mill around in the parking lot. 100% completely UNACCEPTABLE WILLIAM PENN INN. At the very least, there should be some inside space set aside where groups can run through their service. But no - this is the high season in the high-rent district of Philadelphia - and every last square inch of the facility was being put to use cramming in more wedding services. We would have been much better off asking the Courtyard Marriott nearby (where most of us were staying) if we could use their breakfast area for the run-through. Or maybe the food-court at the mall across the street. ANYWHERE BUT THE HOT, STINKY, NOISY PARKING LOT AT THE INN.

    (4)

  • Noell M.

    The William Penn in made my wedding dream become a reality. Our day felt like a royal wedding with only the best food and drink in all the land! Five years later I still look back on that special day and think to myself how magical the event was, I felt like a Disney Princess (Cinderella, to be exact). Now back to reality..... My husband and I visit the Inn at least once a year for various occasions: anniversaries, birthdays, holidays, etc. We are embraced with the same class and sophistication for brunch and dinner as we were on our wedding day. The food is divine, the desserts are beyond decadent. The dining areas are stately and make me feel like I should be sipping Cognac. All of the employees, from the wait staff to our wedding planner, provide service that is outstanding! A nice perk to having your wedding at the William Penn is that they have their own in-house bakery and florist who work with you ( and your William Penn Inn wedding planner) to make sure that everything ties together. Their florist made all of our flowers (centerpieces, bouquets, church flowers- you name it) and worked with the bakery to match all of our colors that adorned our cake. Almost everything under one roof- a bride's dream! I can go on and on about the William Penn.....but I think that you need to experience the luxury for yourself!

    (5)

  • GusGus R.

    Went to an anniversary party here and it was just extraordinary! Great traditional atmosphere and a friendly staff so it was all really enjoyable. The food was just all right, but can't say it wasn't enjoyable as well! Hope to come again in the future.

    (4)

  • john k.

    The William Penn Inn is our "Date Night Dinner Out Grand Style" to go to place. We went Friday night and it continues to exceed our expectations! We both had the weeks specials; my Fiance had a cup of French Onion Soup followed by the Grilled Pork and Peaches, which consisted of medallions of pork tenderloin and sweet Southern peaches char-broiled and gratinéed with crumbled goat cheese; accompanied by grilled asparagus and a timbale of quinoa pilaf. I had a full crock of the Chef's most excellent French Onion Soup and then the Filets Orleans, which was two petite filets mignon pan-seared and topped with andouille sausage & sautéed spinach; finished with a Kentucky bourbon demi-glace and presented with a timbale of Creole rice pilaf. Both dishes were outstanding and prepared to a new level of excellence. We both enjoyed dessert and coffee to complete our special dinner. I only wish the chef would make my favorite "winter special" which was the Meatloaf Wellington I had last winter. According to our server, Miles, this is one of the Chefs most requested specials. While the William Penn Inn is not an inexpensive stop, we always feel that the value we receive is well worth what we spend; It is a beautiful restaurant, filled with old world ambiance and a wait staff that is very old fashioned in wanting to insure that you enjoy both the food and the service. It's about a 60 minute drive across the bridge and through the Northeast to get there but this is one case where it's not the journey but the destination that's important. The William Penn Inn stands head and shoulders above any other place we've been. If you can, get there over the Christmas Holidays as with all the decorations, it's even more beautiful and festive and guaranteed to raise your spirits even higher.

    (4)

  • Chris R.

    I have been to Wm. Penn Inn for lunch twice in the last 2 months and both times the food was excellent. Both entrees were served with soup or salad. Both times I opted for the salad because I love the house dressing, a creamy tarragon dressing. They sell the dressing in the gift shoppe around the holidays. The Chicken Potpie is a fairly decent size plate filled with tender juicy chicken, vegetables in a creamy sauce and topped with a very flaky puff pastry crust. It would be an excellent choice on a cold winter day. On my second luncheon visit I decided to try something different and went with the Mushroom Brocoli Quiche served with fresh fruit. The Fruit served with the Qucihe was a nice balance. I had my own "brunch on a plate" going on. The serving of Quiche was a very generous portion. Also, I would like to ad that on our most recent visit, our server was wonderful! She made sure everyone in our party was well taken care of. Water and drinks were refilled before we even realized they were getting low. For dessert, I decided to take the advice of our server and try the warm bread pudding topped with Ice cream. Yum!

    (5)

  • Steve V.

    Went here for the infamous weekend buffett brunch they offer. I was taking future in-laws so I wanted to impress. This definitely did the trick. It is a very nice setup they have. I called two weeks in advance for a reservation for 7. It was one of the only times (12:30pm) they had left. We sat upstairs and all fit at a large round table. Their selection was great. Everything from lox, to made to order omelettes. They had every dessert you can imagine, which were pretty good. It is pricey, but worth it for that special occasion.

    (4)

  • Larry K.

    You have to give these guys six stars on ambiance alone. But over the last 20 years their food quality has definitely declined. Bland at best. And I had my wedding reception there- no regrets. I only wish they would hire back their old chefs.

    (3)

  • Tara C.

    I'd go back here as long as I didn't have to pay for it. Like others on here, it's good for the memories. The portions are "fancy restaurant style," you know, really tiny with a garnish, really big price tag. It's usually chilly in the restaurant regardless of the year. That said, this is a decent place to enjoy a private conversation or to make memories with the family. It can get crowded for your special event if you don't pick a room large enough--sometimes they cram too many people in a small space at weddings.

    (3)

  • S S.

    Hands down one of the best restaurants in the area. If you don't really feel the need to pay for everything al a carte, go to the Prix Fixe (Early Bird) meal. You get soup, salad, or fruit, your main entree, which is generous, and a dessert for $18.95. The food/menu is excellent and the ambiance is classy. The Sunday brunch is also delicious. The brunch is $36., but it is very well worth it. The staff is always courteous and professional.

    (5)

  • Andy S.

    I won't re-hash all the "historical institution" rhetoric, and will cut right to the chase. Family dinner, late December. Everyone is all dressed up (it happens once or twice a year), and we are ready to feast. During the holidays it is really hard not to love the WPI. Just driving by is a treat, what with all the lights and junk. Just looks like an old-timey warm and cozy happy fun place. This trend continues to the inside as well. Really, really nice. Service is very good. Not world class, but very good. A few minor details could use some attention (like how to hold a plate of food) but nothing at all serious. The food itself is also very good. I've had better, no question, but it was still most enjoyable. The Smoked Salmon appetizer was the bomb. And they can even cook a fillet as specified, which never seems to happen anymore. So kudos to you, meat man. The mashed potatoes were kinda lame and seemed like they had been sitting around for a while. Weird consistency. I had a martini with my meal and it was so-so. A Manhattan was slightly better but still tasted like it was cranked out way too fast. Oh well. The WPI is around so you can take the family during the holidays. It makes for a very nice evening and that is the most important thing. I can't really imagine coming here in the summer or whatever, mostly because I am not a senior citizen (the main clientele it seems), and also because you can get better food in the area for comparable (or cheaper) prices. It gets 3 stars for the total winter holiday package experience...would get 4 if some kinks were ironed out.

    (3)

  • Phillip Y.

    I was here for a company Christmas lunch. It was crowded and managed to get a table. I even remembered that there was turtle soup on the menu. I stayed with something safe which was the fish. There was even a dessert sampler which I still remembered. It was probably the best company Christmas lunch in this area for me.

    (5)

  • Jack S.

    I hate that I am giving this place 2 stars.... I was contemplating 3, but the more I think about it, it just doesn't warrant anything higher than 2. I was visiting family and old HS friends up near Philly way, and it was suggested we grab dinner at the William Penn Inn. The place looks historic, and you feel the aura all around you. And there's a cool harpest in the lobby area. They actually pipe his music throughout the restaurant. I ordered a salad appetizer, and for the entree scallops with baked potato and some broccoli rabe greens (I think that's what they were). The scallops were slightly overcooked and chewy, the greens were bitter. The scallops supposedly came with some sauce, but there wasn't much on there. The salad was iceberg lettuce. Overall, the food was VERY bland. Decent atmosphere, but not worth the price.

    (2)

  • Chuck H.

    This is a fine traditional hotel/inn that has stood tall for a long time. I have attended various functions both professionally and personally and have enjoyed the food and the service. However, I think the WPI no longer can live on its tradition. Longevity may be good advertising but quality food and service need to remain the deliverables. All that being said I do understand the attraction to those who have some history with the WPI. Please continue to enjoy, this is simply one persons opinion.

    (2)

  • Larry H.

    Been going there for years. But this year they have increased the prices and quality of food went down. Same tired menu.

    (2)

  • Peter S.

    I ate dinner this evening at William Penn Inn with a group of friends. I started with the snapper (turtle) soup. I've never had snapper soup before, so I can't vouch for the authenticity of William Penn Inn's version. The soup was dark-brown and viscous, with a smattering of what (if I hadn't known better) I might have taken to be finely-minced clams but which must have been the eponymous snapper meat. The soup was served only a few degrees above room temperature. I had expected it to be somewhat spicy but it was mild, even bland. Incidentally, I was later told by another diner that it's usually served with sherry on the side, but this was not the case for me today. Others in the group started with shrimp cocktail, crabcake, or salads and expressed satisfaction. For the entrée, I had the duck - a pan-seared breast and a slow-roasted leg, served with a citrus vinaigrette and a chutney. All were excellent. The duck was tender and flavorful (but not overpowering), with a crispy skin. I wish I could cook duck nearly so well. I had a baked potato and green beans on the side. Others at the table were happy with their filets mignon au poivre, prime rib, pan-seared sea scallops, and seafood combination (lobster tail, pan-seared sea scallops, salmon, crabcake, bacon-wrapped shrimp). For dessert, I had the key lime pie. It was prepared well, but sweet to an extreme, whereas I prefer the balance between sweetness and tartness to be pushed towards the tart side. So I won't be trying that again. Others in the group were pleased with their various ice creams and sherbets (I didn't pay much attention to the details), and one couple tried something called a pistachio bomb - which the wife said was excellent but the husband said not-so-much. In summary... for me, a disappointing soup, an excellent entrée, and a dessert not to my taste. But overall a good meal in a beautiful restaurant.

    (3)

  • Adam K.

    I've been here once with my wife last Valentine's Day and we really enjoyed it. Valet parking caught us off guard, but it added to the experience and we enjoyed it even though I don't usually like valet parking (I drive stick and you never know if *they* do, or how well anyway!). As it was Valentine's Day the attire was fairly dressy and I went in a suit while my wife went in a long evening dress. The exterior is gorgeous at night with lots of lighting wrapped around large trees, very charming. The food we got was excellent and we enjoyed our wine, it's been since February of this year so I don't entirely remember what I got unfortunately. Despite having a ton of people there for the special occasion, it didn't feel too crowded or noisy inside. The service was great, never had to think about it which means our server did a good job.

    (5)

  • Ken R.

    * 200 yr old trees out front are wound in fairy lights... Breathtaking at night! * a favorite during the day with monied seniors... Take grandmother out for a martini if she not out there already with her golf partners * tuxedoed host seats you in a very tasteful but packed main dining room. Our kids love it. * the foodies in our group give the food 3.5 stars... Buy deserts and main courses get 5. * the small bar area is overlooked and rarely seems crowded. Take a date here after a show to impress him or her. :) * ample parking. * lots of weddings and such here!

    (4)

  • AD J.

    Back in the day, to hear one's grandmother talk, this place was the be-all and end-all. Scenic, historic, ooh-la-la! We've been here for several events (weddings, meetings) and the food could be really good... if it weren't STONE COLD. Minus one star for that. At one event, they actually tried to charge the hosting organization for re-heating food. Um... how can you re-heat something that wasn't hot to begin with? Boo, hiss! Minus a star for being jerks! There's also a local rumour that the rooms upstairs are haunted. Haven't stayed there myself, as we lived close enough to drive home. Plus one star for architectural beauty and potential ghosts.

    (3)

  • Nikki S.

    Had the Sunday brunch and all I can say is...YUM!

    (5)

  • Shannon G.

    I dig the William Penn Inn, and have been there several times for dinner. Coming here, especially in the winter, gives you a welcome feeling as you walk up to the entrance past the magnificent, light strewn trees. Staff is knowledgeable and attentive, probably among the best I've experienced so far in the area. The menu is solid, with a thorough selection and rotating weekly specials to keep things interesting. We've liked every meal we've ordered, which between my wife and I has included a variety of seafood, lamb, and beef dishes. Preparation has been top notch, which is big for me. Nothing aggravates me more than getting a meal where the meat isn't cooked as I ordered it, especially if it's overcooked. What was the point of me telling you how I want it done? Alright, deep breath.... Anyway, the point is this has never happened to me here, and I have to tip my hat to them for it. WPI is a great choice for dinner. There are a few caveats about the inn though. The upstairs is what you would think of for an old inn, with heavy wood trim, distinguished looking decor, just a very classy atmosphere. The downstairs dining room with painted floral walls looks like it's straight out of your grandparents dream house. The first time I got seated down here I thought, "oh, this is what the online reviews were complaining about", and I felt sad. Their buffets are overrated for the price charged. I've been to the brunch and Christmas Eve buffets, and came away with the same feeling at both. There's a ton of selection, but the quality is substantially lower than the dinner menu. The amount of people being served is too great, and they seem to offer a lot of uninspired fare as a result. Preparation wasn't spectacular either. One example, eggs benedict comes from a large basin of floating eggs in some apparently unknown state of poaching. Is it all the way done? The whites of my egg proclaimed no as they made a mad dash to the edges of my plate. There are some good parts to the buffets though. The carving station is excellent, and the desserts are among the best for buffets, lots of variety and creativity.

    (3)

  • Leonard S.

    Sorry to say it but the WPI is definitely slipping. In times past I almost never got a bad meal but in the last year or two I have become disillusioned. The old standards are there, crab cakes, bisque, etc but they were served warm rather than hot. I don't think I had a decent hot meal the last four or five times we went. The buffet for Easter is nice but sometimes it feels like they are resting on their laurels - going through the motions. I agree with a lot of the other folks that, as much as I loved this place, it may be past its prime.

    (2)

  • Bob K.

    Went here for Sunday Brunch with the siblings, for our monthly catch-up meeting. I have no idea how much it cost, because big brother picked up the tab (my turn is in April), but the selection was excellent and tasty. I started with lunch-type food, like pasta and tilapia, and then went back for the breakfasty stuff. There's an omelet bar with a large selection of stuff to put in it (alas, no brie), and a waffle bar as well. I stuck with your basic eggs, bacon and home fries, then for the third plate (this was all I ate that day) I went to the carving station for some excellent beef, very tender, with horse radish sauce that could have been stronger. The waitress was very quick with the coffee refills, and the manager hovered everywhere to ensure that all was well. I like the atmosphere, but as you might expect with an old building that has been added to many times, it would be quite hard to get around in a wheelchair. The last time I was here was 1997, for a luncheon following my dad's funeral, and that was well done also. The brunch was packed, so make your reservations a couple of weeks in advance.

    (4)

  • Joe U.

    The William Penn Inn is one of my favorite places to eat. The atmosphere is awesome and the food was always great. The bread is great and the prefix menu is a great deal. If you like quality food and wonderful atmosphere, this is the place for you!

    (4)

  • Paul C.

    Never been to a restaurant that offers that kind of quality service! Loved the food and it's atmosphere! If you want to impress a girl who likes more conservative settings, this is the place to be!

    (4)

  • Fred C.

    Always our go to place for an special meal. Service is always the best. Menu is good although not extensive. Can't beat the fixed priced menu that runs Mon-Fri and Sun. We go there every New Years for dinner and never disappointed. The Sunday brunch is excellent, desserts to die for.All and all this restaurant delivers constant good food and service. Marge

    (5)

  • Arti K.

    Very romantic atmosphere. Service was really good. I haven't eaten here in a while, but from what I can remember, the food was good. Did I mention the ambience? This place stands out as a truly romantic getaway dinner date place. Really fancy and posh.

    (5)

  • heather b.

    William Penn Inn is a very nice place, especially for special occasions. The food is delicious & the place is gorgeous.

    (4)

  • Daniel K.

    yea this place is awesome with their christmas lights during the holidays. when you have a party you're almost guaranteed a quiet private room. only complaint was that i worked here and the setup is not very staff friendly.

    (4)

  • Jamie G.

    Best prime rib I have ever had! I was taken here for the first time by my boyfriend and he has been here many times before. It is a very nice place to go, I liked every part of my meal, especially the main entrée and the sides. I can't wait to go back here, the only downfall to this place is having to make a reservation and that is the only way you can get a table here. I feel also that the tables should be a little bit more spaced out, but it's a great place to go, the food is amazing and the servers are great.

    (5)

  • P M W.

    Brunch: Beautiful atmosphere, nice food, elegant surroundings. Nothing was stale or old. Our favorites: Eggs Florentine, belgium waffles with toppings, deviled eggs, salads, french toast.

    (4)

  • Jay B.

    I had the buffet, which I enjoyed and thought was worth the $28. My wife had the Shrimp Francaise and a bowl of Maryland crab soup (both were very bland and not worth $29). No free refills on the dixie cup sodas is bush league.

    (3)

  • Steven W.

    Great for special occasions, but don't come for holidays. Easter valentine's and mothers day are chaos.

    (4)

  • Elena N.

    Had lunch there today and fell in love with this place at first sight. Beautiful high end restaurant , excellent service, pleasant atmosphere. We ordered Escargot appetizer, to die for!!!! Scallops on horseback were overcooked and bacon was actually burnt ( that is the only reason why I gave 4 stars) Filet Mignon was cooked perfectly and had plenty of flavor, we enjoyed every single bite of it!

    (4)

  • Anat S.

    As a preface I have to admit that I didn't pay the bill, so I'm only talking about the experience and food that I had and not the cost per value for the entire table. We came here for dinner on a weeknight. The ambiance of the place is just so stuffy. It's clear that their targeted audience is older, middle class, without high expectations of the food itself. The decor reminded me of my Polish grandma's house. The place is huge and aged, and their ladies bathroom was bigger than my freshman dorm. I had the duck, and it came with a salad and a side of potato (to our choosing). My partner had the prix-fix three course meal with french onion soup, meatloaf wellington, and chocolate cake. The food was alright, at best. They serve in a very traditional way, with the waiters bringing out portion at a time, changing the plates for you, so your salad is basically your appetizer. This would be fine, if the salad wasn't drenched in dressing and lackluster. If it was put next to my entree, I probably wouldn't have touched it at all. My duck entree was alright. I have to be honest about my partner's meatloaf wellington. It was dry and unappetizing, and he actually ended up eating from everyone else instead. The servers were very kind and they did their job well. But it's clear this place does not live up to the image it projects.

    (3)

  • Charles R.

    The good things are that the breads are wonderful, the service is great and the place at Xmas is very pretty. I also think the cost for what you get is verygood. The menu could use a little updating and a couple of the dish's were a little off. The salads were good, but the short ribs were not so great. The chicken dish was ok, and they do have some great looking desserts. Huge free parking lot, and at this time of the year a nice place to have dinner or at least stop in at the bar and have a drink and enjoy the decorations.

    (3)

  • L N.

    I have been here handful of times for dinner and Sunday brunch and the food is very good with amazing service especially if you go for a la carte menu but there isn't much to expect in service on a Sunday afternoon. Their brunch is probably the best in town; however, since it's usually super crowded, your server won't be as attentive. I was here 2 Sundays ago with my boyfriend and our server was great even when he was busy with other tables, the only things I have to say is attitude of this other waitress that was helping us to get his drink refilled. She saw us looking for our server and came over asked if we needed anything then we said we just needed the orange juice to be refilled & she replied with okay, I can get your server to get that for you with an unwelcome attitude as we were bothering her when she didn't seem to be busy standing at the station. I understand that the restaurant is busy, that's why we did not get impatient with our server but it's definitely not hard to say "sure, of course I'll be right back with your orange juice" in a warmer and more welcoming way. Also, we weren't even greeted by the hostess after at the door when she walked right by us and the seating time was over and it wasn't even busy. The hostess left us with a not so good impression when hostess is the very first person we see at the restaurant as well as the last person you see when you walk out. We felt very unwelcome there but decided to try it again the past Sunday because we loved the food and had Jenn as our server, and she was excellent and very attentive as well! Would return again & we love the place! but hoping the staff would be more welcoming..

    (3)

  • Samantha G.

    This place is great. The food is wonderful. There is nothing too outlandish or wild on the menu as it is more like steak house/country club fare. But it is GOOD! They have fancier rooms upstairs for the more romantic, or a pub style downstairs to go more casual. My only cripe was that our waiter was pretty slow.

    (4)

  • Mark W.

    The chef is back. The food was perfectly prepared, the service was excellent, and the seating area at the commonwealth club was ideal for a quiet anniversary dinner for two.

    (4)

  • Charles W.

    I was recently given a gift certificate to the William Penn Inn and invited a friend to join me. I heard many great reviews about the restaurant and knew I was going to have a good time. I made reservations for the formal dining room. I was a bit disappointed that the restaurant has slipped in the dress code requirements and I saw patrons in casual clothing. Considering the current economy, I have noticed other restaurants allow casual dress in formal settings. In the past, I have seen patrons denied service at Ruth Chris Steakhouse for not having a dress shirt but have recently seen patrons in jeans and a t-shirt. I am not fine clothing snob but for highly formal settings, I would hope people would dress accordingly. Service from the maitre'd to the hostess was exceptional. The cocktails were too strong but I would prefer too strong than too weak. We had a tomato platter for an appetizer. I had the blackberry BBQ pork and my friend had the duck. I have had better duck but the pork was a 5 star dish. We had key lime pie for dessert that my friend kept raving about. I highly recommend the restaurant and hope to return again. While a bit pricey, a 3 hour dining experience for 2 people cost ~$100 including tip.

    (4)

  • Taffy's M.

    Horrible. Here are the reasons why: ordered a dirty martini and it was served with a warm martini glass and tasted like sea water. The fresh (and I use that term lightly) oysters and clams of the seafood salad bar were slimy and tasteless. The prime rib was cold and tough. The potato au gratin was clumpy and cold. The spinach tasted rancid. Not to mention that they seated our party of six in a small room with a bigger, louder party of 12. It was difficult to talk and hear our guests . Then, when the bigger party left, the servers started to break down the room, moving in round tables while we were still finishing up our meal. Haven't had a dining experience this poor in a long time.

    (1)

  • Michael B.

    Went with my folks and wife. Prix Fixe for $30. Soup. Entree and dessert (coffee $2 extra) onion and veg soup were passable. Kind of bland really. The entree... After assuming soup is $6 and dessert is $5 that leaves $19 for entree, even if ala carte. Shrimp Francaise= 8-10 PIECES of shrimp, not egg battered but fried and breaded shrimp. Sauce over the angel hair was bland and lifeless. Scallops= 5 PIECES of scallops, whole ones cut in half ( so really, 2 1/2 scallops) PLUS a $4 supplementary charge. I will not comment on entrees my parents had. They said they would not return unless it was free. We have to agree. You are possibly thinking why didn't I mention my dis-satisfaction to my server, I did and was promptly told, " well that's the way it comes, and it IS what you ordered" Who says that? In any case, I think the value was far below expectations. Ambiance was from a bygone era, one in which you feel like you are "dining". Not dated, just not a style you see too often. The place was packed by the way. Reasons escape me.

    (2)

  • John L.

    I have been here a couple of times for business and pleasure. While I can safely say this place has potential, the food just simply doesn't live up to it. The best way I can describe the place is.... That friend's mom who works alot so can't make great food, its fine when you're hungry and are more focused on the TV or the game so you enjoy it. But if you don't have the right atmosphere or company the reliance on food itself is simply not enough to stand on its own. The decor from the outside is amazing, and great for the romantic dates, or the Sunday morning crowd. The wait staff and folks there are very nice and attentive which is the only reason I'd give this 3 stars. But food... meh.

    (3)

  • Bryna O.

    I was recently in a bridal party at the William Penn Inn and I must say, I was not impressed. I knew going in I would be critical because I work at a venue myself in Indiana, but things were worse than I could have imagined. When we arrived the afternoon of the wedding the coordinator was someone the bride had never met. Of course that made her uneasy from the beginning since on the big day she was just handed off to a stranger. Once we got upstairs in the bridal suite we were surprised that there wasn't even any water in the room. Matter fact, later on when we asked for some they told us to go to the bar and get it ourselves! At one point the grooms mother, who had been in the banquet room, had to come over to the bridal suite and when I asked if we could go through the building so she didn't have to walk through the hot humid parking lot, they told me no, appalling! Turn and burn is the phrase that comes to mind with the William Penn Inn, there were several weddings there that day and another one taking place at the same time as ours. Not only does this take the spotlight off the bride, but it's confusing for guests and very awkward. Matter of fact, we pretty much shared a cocktail hour with the other guests since we were all milling around in the same lobby when the ceremonies concluded, how weird is that? The banquet staff was good, but asked us all what we had ordered when there were place cards that clearly indicated that. They even gave us a chance to change our mind. I mention this because later that night the coordinator thought it was appropriate to discuss the bill with the bride during the reception and tell her that she owes more money because of her guests changing their orders. There was also a babysitter who was supposed to get chicken fingers and was served prime rib! This was a lovely ceremony and reception and in the end the bride and groom were happy, but I would not recommend this wedding factory to anyone who wants there own special day. Nothing unique about the venue and they make you feel like just another number. Wait staff good, but coordinator was rude.

    (2)

  • Cara L.

    Thank you William Penn Inn for being such a great wedding venue! I had my wedding there last week! Your service was of the highest quality and your staff went above and beyond! I worried and wanted for nothing. My guests left happy and equally impressed by the venue. Your experience and quality of service is very evident when planning an event. My wedding coordinators Brian C. and Monica G. were readily available and extremely helpful! We also used the onsite Bakery and Florist. They delivered incredible results within our allotted budget! Kate Marshall (florist) did a fantastic job. Everything was delivered on time and looked beautiful! The food was incredible and accommodated all tastes and diets. Wait staff was incredible during the event. They offered to wrap up food for those who didn't have time to eat. They They even wrapped up wedding cake for my husband and I to enjoy in our suite as well. My little flower girl had to leave early and she was sent home happy with a piece of cake as well! The bartender delivered very friendly, professional service the whole night. We wanted for nothing. The inn provided us with a complimentary brunch the next morning. Outstanding selection and a wonderful way to end the celebration. So happy to have celebrated our momentous day at The William Penn Inn! Highly recommended!

    (5)

  • Frank S.

    As good as you can get. The Inn is decorated for Christmas beautifully, with lights on every large tree, Christmas trees and wreaths everywhere. You are treated like royalty as soon as you walk in. The dining rooms are beautiful and clean. You can look at the menus and clothes on display going back over 100 years, I had the snapper soup and filet. All done to perfection with perfect seasoning and temperature. My wife has lobster bisque and filet. PERFECT. Ya also gotta have the Crème brûlée for dessert. In all an amazing night..

    (5)

  • DJ M.

    Ah to be able to stuff yourself silly and still be able to take in more. Well that was my game plan, I was going to try everything on the Mother's Day grand buffet and then go back and indulge in more of my favorite dishes, ha! I so do envy those who are a bottomless pit at times like these. After searching numerous buffet menus, the William Penn Inn was hands down the best deal @$36.95 for adults and $12.00 for children, the selections were top notch and had the most inventive variety of foods to stuff your face with. I must say I did quite well, although I hate to take food and then waste it, so when I was done, poor hubby got my leftovers and then I went back for more. Along with my son and his family ( see pic ), eight of us were accommodated graciously with two very attentive servers at a large corner table by the windows and out of the way of traffic, I could not have been more pleased. The large buffet tables were set up in the middle of the beautiful ballroom and most of the foods were duplicated on the other side of each table so there was never a cluster of folks hovering around one dish. Did I mention the William Penn Inn is the oldest Inn in all of Pennsylvania, built in 1714? The building is well maintained and simply beautiful. Many weddings and celebrations are held here with plenty of parking and gorgeous grounds. I also have to give a shout out to Andie, I'm assuming that is how she spells her name, as she was very helpful when the two of us had booked our table well in advance and then my son wanted to take us out to eat. At that point, five days before Mother's Day, they were totally booked, on the Friday before she called to say, " I am so thrilled that we will be able to accommodate your party of eight, as we had a cancellation"! Thanks Andie for making my day! I filled my large dinner plate with peeled shrimp and cleaned crab claws, along with one tablespoon of roasted corn and black bean salad, another tablespoon of very good country chicken salad, a couple of marinated artichokes and mozzarella balls with grape tomatoes and basil. I ate all of that! Whole tenderloins of beef were prepared to a perfect rare to medium rare with three choices of sauce bearnaise, horseradish or sauce au poivre. Very thick cuts were passed out of the most tender and flavorful filet, I was in seventh heaven as I lathered the beef with a very good bearnaise sauce. I passed on the smoked loin of pork with a Cumberland sauce, but sampled the Polynesian shrimp that was prepared with a tempura batter, tossed with honey, then coconut and served with a sweet and sour sauce, so yummy. Another favorite was the grilled salmon brushed with a tangy tangerine and mustard sauce, I went back for more of this dish. The mini crab cakes were a bit larger than Diver scallops and were a nice surprise since they were not listed on the buffet menu. They were loaded with lump crab meat, they had a nice flavor and simply fell apart when you cut into them. Oh and hello, lobster mac & cheese with big chunks of lobster all through it! The regular mac & cheese was just as good with a sharp cheddar taste and I also had a tablespoon of the baked ziti, au gratin potatoes and the fresh green beans with mushroom and onions. The crispy roasted duck with an orange, Grand Marnier and champagne vinaigrette was a table favorite, the scaloppini of capon, with sauteed spinach and a lemon, butter caper sauce, just melted in my mouth with so much flavor. There were many other choices of side dishes, but I was getting stuffed and had to check out the desserts! Like a fool, I instead headed for the salad bar station when I noticed lots of red onion, sliced mushroom, chopped egg and the bleu cheese just pulled me in. Back to the table I go with my salad while everyone else was enjoying seconds of their favorites or on desserts. The Inn has their own bakery which is open to the public and I can understand why, talk about sugar heaven! Mirror image tables were set up along the back with the thickest lemon bars, loaded with filling and very little cookie like delectable crust. Mini cheesecakes, as good as you would get in NY, toffee brownies, pecan honey squares, mini fruit tarts, caramel cream puffs, tiramisu cups in an actual chocolate cup with a bitable handle! Assorted cookies, chocolate tarts, coffee eclairs, butterscotch bars, lemon meringue tarts, raspberry and coconut slices, napoleons, chocolate dipped strawberries, carrot cupcakes and miniature creme brulee. I was good, I ate my fair share without a lot of waste and I fought the urge to fill my cloth napkin with food to go! You would find a hard time finding food this good, with such an array of choices at any other buffet, especially considering the price!

    (5)

  • Liz P.

    Pretty good! I've been here a couple times for brunch and they were both good experiences. The salad bar was nice. I've seen better, but it was reasonable. Carving station is wonderfully delicious! Dessert station is comprised of multiple finger food dessert items - lots of tarts, chocolate covered strawberries, mini cheesecakes, etc = delightful. Good service, no complaints there. Only complaint about the food is that the hot chocolate here is nothing more than brown water. :P

    (4)

  • Craig D.

    (3.5) ~ Overall Food & Service OUR SUNDAY BRUNCH MENU: * "Pom-Pagne" = (4) very good ~ Pomegranate Juice & Champagne * Orange Juice = (3.5) good * Water (tap) = (3) ok * Coffee = (3.5) good * Omelet = (3.5) good * Eggs Benedict = (4) very good * Scrambled Eggs w. Chives = (3.5) good * Deviled Eggs = (3) ok * Fruit = (3) ok * Chocolate Mousse = (3) ok * Apple Tartan = (3.5) good * Lemon Square = (3.5) good * Mini-Stcky Bun = (3) ok NOTES: Sunday Brunch is served Buffet Style with a fixed price and Juice & Coffee is included.

    (4)

  • Suzanne S.

    The WPI is not to be missed. They have a array of selections on their lunch and dinner menus, and always provide outstanding service. The buffet brunch on Sunday is the best. I also know they have a Thursday buffet dinner which I will have to try sometime soon.

    (5)

  • Colleen M.

    The William Penn Inn is a fixture in the Bluebell area. This historic building is beautiful and well maintained. The interior is not my taste, but it's very old school and it's fitting considering the age of the place. (Think paintings of hunting scenes and a lot of maroon) The crowd is definitely older. I attended a wedding here last month in their ballroom and it was very nice. The food was great and the service was good. I also went to brunch here this past weekend and again the food and service were good. We had a reservation and it took a few minutes to get seated. The Host was very nice, considering he was getting yelled at by my Grandma. The brunch buffet is tasty- fresh made waffles, an omelet station, etc. However, it is a bit pricy. But for special occasions with the Grandparents it's not bad. I wouldn't go here every weekend but it's nice for an occasional visit.

    (4)

  • John L.

    Lots of potential in this great setting. Offerings and preparation are good - good as in predictable and average, not exceptional or memorable. Never had a bad bite or nite there but never had a spectacular one either.

    (3)

  • Jim K.

    It's not often you find a 300 year old restaurant! It was everything I hoped - traditional menu updated just enough to be relevant. Beautiful colonial building, dark wood paneling, beautifully appointed. I had the seafood platter and all was wonderful. Delicious tomato bisque soup - fine, fine old school experience.

    (4)

  • Matt R.

    I've only done banquets, special occasions, and the brunch here so I can't comment on a regular dinner but every time I go I am blown away by the service. They staff is incredibly accommodating from the moment you get there until the time you leave. Food is also some of the best I've ever had especially for a special event. The buffet is outstanding and there seafood selection is my favorite. Always fresh. Great desserts too.

    (5)

  • Robert T.

    Had a disappointing lunch here with my parents and out of town guests. First off, the waiter was rather odd. He had a very affected manner of speech, like he was straining to talk the way he did. And he was abrupt, not terribly, but he did convey a tad of impatience at times. Now on to the food: my dad ordered a sliced steak sandwich. The steak was cut very thickly, not easy to bite through. Also, the roll it was on was too big to fit the sandwich in your mouth. Many of us ordered the crab salad sandwich, and a few people thought their bread was stale. Not the same experience as with dinner. Very disappointed here.

    (2)

  • Dan O.

    Best brunch in the area

    (4)

  • Lisa P.

    My family and I have been here over the years on many special occasions. We had a terrific brunch here once that was even better than usual, when we went a second time it wasn't as amazing but still great. The brunch we attended was for Easter and they had Eggs Benedict, fresh bagels, Nova lox, fluffy crispy waffles with strawberries, whipped cream and powdered sugar, filet mignon with horseradish sauce, fresh jumbo scrimp and other special items that you don't normally make at home that were extremely delicious!

    (4)

  • Shaina F.

    DINNER REVIEW We have a classy, wonderful meal each and every time we dine here! Definitely a splurge type of place for a romantic fancy date or night out with the parents. We came for good Friday and the food was outstanding. As always, so was the service, even for large parties such as ours. The service here never disappoints! I got the Granny Smith Apple Salad to start, this upgrade from the house salad that comes with your entree is an amazing choice. Sweet and tart at the same time, and very light! I love how fresh it is. Next I got the twin 6oz lobster tails, perfectly cooked (as if I would expect anything less) with mashed potatoes and green beans as my side potato and veggie. I cleaned my plate and everything was cooked to perfection and the presentation was gorgeous. I know the filet mignon and duck are also incredible dishes, they sure know how to prepare everything on their menu so so well! So of course as the wine flowed we decided we NEEDED dessert, since they make all of these in house as well. We all shared the molten chocolate cake with vanilla gelato as well as the key lime pie - ugh, I would go back just for these! So friggin good. I cannot wait for another occasion to return!

    (5)

  • L M.

    I had the pleasure of having brunch today with 9 of my girlfriends. Our table was tended to by three separate servers that were pleasant and attentive. The brunch was as delicious as I remembered when I went several years ago. The variety is noteworthy and quality is on par. I tried a Lucky Pierre, which is a twist on the traditional eggs Benedict. The English muffin and poached egg are topped with crabmeat and sherry cream sauce. Absolutely delightful. Thank you for the wonderful service and scrumptious brunch!

    (4)

  • Sutirtha B.

    My wife and I here for the Easter buffet earlier this evening. This place tends to fill up way ahead of Easter and so when I called the restaurant the day before, the only time of the day that was available for a party of two was 5:30 p.m. We took it because I found that other places I had called were also short of spots. Besides WPI had solid reviews. We got to WPI around 5:30 p.m. and found the parking lot very full. The parking attendants offered complimentary valet parking but we were comfortable finding a spot by ourselves and so we went with that. Once in, we were promptly seated. The area of the hotel where the Easter buffet was being served was choc-a-full with people, many of whom were dressed nicely (formally?). A server came and described the layout - three sections - one of cold items (primarily salad), another of hot items, and finally the dessert section. In terms of selections, I found the salad section to be small in relation to many buffets, including the buffet I find at my workplace cafeteria. The hot food section was the section of most interest to my wife and myself (hardly surprising) but we found few items on it that we truly liked. Here were some of the things I tried out - au gratin, lobster mac n' cheese, country ham, sausage and peppers, crab cakes, crispy duck, and roasted leg of lamb (from the carving station). Of those items, the only two which I enjoyed were the sausage and peppers and the au gratin and those are both items that are relatively easy to make. The two items I had been most looking forward to as a lover of seafood were the crab cakes and the lobster mac n' cheese and sadly, both of them were very uninspiring. I have had crab cakes dozens of times but the crab cakes here on the buffet tasted nothing like crab cakes elsewhere, including frozen crab cakes that I regularly buy at grocery stores. The lobster mac n' cheese likewise had hardly any traces of lobster meat which was a disappointment. My wife had two servings of the lamb and on the second occasion, she found the lamb so tough to cut that she gave up but not before spilling some of the mint jelly on her nice dress. Boooo!!!! Thankfully we had better luck at the dessert section than in the two other sections. There were many desserts that we enjoyed and that alone pushed my ratings from a 2-star to a 3-star. We enjoyed the pecan honey squares, the vanilla hazelnut bombs (bombes?), and the fruit tarts. They were the right size, not excessively sweet, and most importantly hit the right taste buds. Our final bill (including 2 Diet Cokes) came to $98 including taxes. I found it annoying that soft drinks were not complementary to a buffet that costs $43 per person. This at a time when some restaurants offer a complimentary Bloody Mary or Mimosa on their Easter buffets. All in all, while I don't mind having come here once, my wife and I are unlikely to try out William Penn Inn again. If we did want to venture out again for an Easter buffet (next year perhaps), we might be tempted to try out places like Azie on Main / Black Powder Tavern, both on the Mainline where prices seemed a bit more reasonable, in the low $30s.

    (3)

  • Boniface C.

    We had our nephews graduation dinner here on a Thursday night. Seafood buffet night, this was my third trip to the inn for their seafood buffet. If you like a quality raw bar this is the place for you. My parents are are tough critics on seafood and they could not stop themselves to the raw oysters and clams. There oysters were perfectly shucked and the meat plump. The clams just the right size for having raw. When you are full of raw bar move over to the hot foods. A great selection of flank steaks with the best gravy, baby back ribs and crab clusters. Our family had a great evening and left with full bellies and great memories of my nephews night. Service is great, with a very attentive well dressed staff. Professional and polite. I would defiantly recommend this fine establishment on Thursday night for there seafood feast.

    (5)

  • Peter N.

    Probably the best brunch buffet in the area. Sure, it's about $30 per person, and I can definitely order a la carte brunch for less than $30 somewhere else. But you're paying for the variety! I want an omelette. And then an eggs Benedict. And then some flank steak. Sure, I'll take bacon too. And oh why not, sausage and French toast too. I'll wash it down with coffee. Now I'm in the mood for orange juice. Next I'll take apple juice. You can have this freedom of choice all for a flat $30. The staff is very nice and very accommodating (requested slim milk with coffee). One ding was that every time our drinks were empty, we had to ask our server for a refill. For upscale brunch places like this, I'm used to getting my coffee refilled without even asking. But overall, the food is great for the price. For a buffet, the food was still perfectly cooked. My eggs Benedict was the perfect consistency. And the dessert spread had something for everybody - from flan to fruits to chocolate covered strawberries to French macarons to lemon squares... the list goes on! You couldn't not find something you didn't like. Reservations are highly recommended, since they will get busy. I also recommend men wear a button shirt and if possible, a blazer. The patrons dress pretty well here for the Sunday brunch. I look forward to dining here again!

    (4)

  • Jc J.

    Had a business lunch and ordered the crab salad. The salad was great!! Crab meat not over cooked nice sized salad. The bread delicious and the setting great for a business meeting. Not noisy at all. The service was great and we were seated immediately. Definitely will visit the restaurant again.

    (4)

  • Michael N.

    The William Penn is a nice treat for lunch around the holidays. While I do find the prices fairly expensive, the ambiance is interesting, the service is excellent and the food is above average. Located in a historic inn is this mixed used restaurant and party venue is a very popular spot in this part of the Philly suburbs. I've heard that the Sunday brunch buffet is great and the weddings here are nice, but I've only made it for lunch. On the last visit I went with the lobster bisque and the salmon stuffed with crab meat. The bisque was ok and could have used some more lump lobster. As for the salmon, it was very good. The asparagus were a nice touch too. I would not make it a habit of coming here, but once in a blue moon it isn't bad.

    (4)

  • Bob C.

    I have been here many times over the years. The food is always good, the service was always up to par, they have always been an easy 4 stars for me every visit, no matter who I was with, no matter when. What makes them a solid five stars for me is the depth of their professionalism. Not long ago my father passed away, and we chose the William Penn Inn as the place to hold the reception as it was a very special place for my family, especially my mother and father. The people we dealt with were absolutely amazing, from the manager on the floor to the waitresses, the chef, even the bus people. The food was probably one of the best buffets I had ever had, and keep in mind, I had no appetite. The bartender was perfect, classy, appropriate and kind, and being client facing, as all bartenders are, he was what needed. This was the tipping point. We had a lot of things on display in honor of my father's many accomplishments, the least of which were his Military awards. The bartender inquired about my father, and he knew that he was a Lieutenant Colonel in the Army, which helped us in the transition from the second most emotional thing I had ever experienced, my Dad's military interment, which was overseen by fellow high ranking officers in the Army. I was broken after that, but that bartender's one inquiry and help with setting up that table was what turned an incredibly sad day into a celebration of life. The good people at the William Penn Inn were amazing, they were the right people at the right place at the right time.

    (5)

  • Marie H.

    Review based on recent customer appreciation event- Food was more enjoyable at this private banquet rm then what I remembered in restaurant dining. Fresh Cheese/Fruit spread to start, clean area, creative side dishes, gorgonzola filet, salmon, mashed califlower, salads, etc. The client chose great dishes & WPI prepared it very well. The little finger deserts were delicious- all around outstanding food start to finish. Unfortunately, the two bartenders completely lacked personality- made grabbing a drink the unexpected 'buzz kill.' I don't understand how they forgot their tips reflect a clients 'positive' experience & I've worked the industry so I enjoy tipping well. I would def go back to WPI again. Overall above average experience.

    (4)

  • Pamela G.

    I'm surprised by the good reviews. The food wasn't warm, the quality was substandard with few exceptions. The wait staff was professional and pleasant but not attentive. The historic building was special occasiony, but not maintained with upgrades befitting the beauty of the original building. I came with a gift certificate and it enjoyed it well enough. I wouldn't come back.

    (2)

  • Sophia L.

    I've been here for a few events, and the staff is very helpful! Now food wise, half the time the food is mediocre, the other half, the food is phenomenal! I don't know what to think, it's either one or the other~ Has a lot of parking space availabe for large parties. I would say a 3.5 if I could have given it.

    (3)

  • Priya R.

    My parents took me out for a fancy birthday dinner here. I had always driven by this place and admired how beautiful it looks from the outside. Needless to say the inside did not disappoint. I was immediately in love with the cozy interior, it felt like I was thrown back to a different time with so much history and beauty I was in awe. Just walking up and down the hallway was an experience alone. Atmosphere alone is 5 stars. The buffet style food is certainly impressive. The options are diverse and fancy, especially for a seafood-y like myself. My problem is that there wasn't one particular stand out dish I was like "ermergd must eat again." It was more like, there's a lot of fancy food here, I could sample a bunch of things and be very satisfied. I guess my problem is with buffet style dining in general. I think that providing so many options, you inevitably compromise the quality of the food. I guess personally I would rather have one great dish than a lot of okay ones. The service was pleasant, but again with buffet style service, there's very little for you to actually do except occasionally fill up water. There were times when plates were still on the table when we returned to our table for seconds and etc, but whatever they were a busy establishment and it wasn't like it was an inconvenience. Again pleasant service but nothing much to mention. (Also my dad ended up getting food poisoning from here and had to be hospitalized so it's not exactly the BEST first impression. But whatever freak accidents and things happen, so I didn't let that factor TOO much into my rating.)

    (3)

  • Terri B.

    Holy smokes, this place is great! I was here for a wedding. This review is primarily on the food and service. The food was fast, still hot, and de-licious. I haven't had salmon that yummy in quite a while. I love it when a place isn't stingy with the spices. The staff were helpful and kept the wine flowing. I really enjoyed the lemon palette cleanser between salad and entree, a pleasant surprise. Excellent place to host a wedding.

    (5)

  • mike v.

    If you like very plain, old people food then this place does it very well. The quality and ingredients are always very nice.

    (4)

  • Brian H.

    I've been coming here for more years than I will admit, being that my doppleganger is only 38 years old. ;-) I go mostly for business meetings or banquets, and last night, a business dinner for two was no exception. Upstairs you can hear each other speak, the tables are spaced nicely and the service I found better than a floor below. BTW, stay clear of the front door at around 7PM as you will get run over by the exiting stampede of FOP's (fucking old people). WTF time did they start eating, sheeesh, shoot me if I ever get like that. Now the William Penn Inn is normally an A-OK 3 stars, with a huge attraction around the holidays because of their outdoor lights (year round), their xmas decor inside, and consistent food year in and year out. But I had to bump to 4 for the food and service upstairs last night. Rachel was excellent, professional, careful not to interrupt conversation, very high marks for this server...she's a keeper. I had the baked chilean sea bass crusted with pine nuts, with pesto and leaks. This was simply delicious. Don't let the word "baked" scare you. The fish was fresh, tender and delightful, perfectly cooked. The dessert was a tad above average, a chilled chocolate pudding/mousse type thing. Not sure I would order that again. This place is there when you need it, I prefer it way more than that black hole up the road, the Joseph Ambler Inn.

    (4)

  • Teresa H.

    This review is only for the brunch. After making a reservation a few weeks ago (suggested) we drove an hour to have Sunday brunch here and it was well worth it. The service throughout the restaurant was excellent. Everyone was both polite and attentive. The buffet has a large assortment of items from cold to warm and a variety of bread too. As far as eggs go, there are scrambled, an omelet station and an eggs Benedict station. I love the omelet station and my husband likes the egg Benedict station, particularly the lucky Pierre (with crab). Besides eggs they have French toast, waffles, bagels, biscuits, and lots if bread. The seeded bread and honey butter are my favorites! As if that isn't enough, there is some lunch items like tortellini and tilapia. On the cold bar there are deviled eggs, fruit, salad, and smoked fish among other items. Lastly there is a carving station and dessert section. On this trip I tasted an omelet with potatoes, bread and honey butter, a deviled egg, tortellini, a biscuit, fruit, broccoli, a brunch mimosa, and coffee. I also tasted some desserts: pecan sticky, caramel brûlée, tiramisu tart, fruit tart, and choc strawberry. I did not like the deviled egg or fruit tart. The best things were: bread and honey butter, pecan sticky, tiramisu tart, brûlée, potatoes, omelet, and tortellini. As mentioned, the service was great. My only complaint is that I would have liked my coffee filled faster. This is the best brunch spot I've been too. The price is higher, so it is more of a special place rather than a usual brunch spot.

    (5)

  • Alex G.

    After hearing rave reviews from friend and reviews online about the Thursday night buffet, we couldn't wait to try the William Penn Inn! We were seated a few minutes after our reservation time and enjoyed the ambiance of the restaurant. Our first course from the buffet was salad and shrimp. The house salad was good, although the Caesar was very soggy, The shrimp from the raw bar were great, as well as the corn chowder. Those were the only 2 items we really enjoyed though. From the hot line, the flank steak was very tough and flavorless. The crab cakes were mostly breading and filler. The chicken francaise had no flavor. The chili shrimp weren't tasty, and the fried shrimp were very salty. I was also surprised desert wasn't included for the $30 price tag. I think the best way to describe our meal was the equivalent of a cheap casino buffet - but overpriced. Clearly the "chef" picks the cheapest offerings from US Foods and put those items on the menu. Maybe the a-la-carte menu is better in the other restaurants there, but we were so disappointed with this meal I wouldn't even return to find out. Spend your $60 elsewhere.

    (1)

  • Frankie G.

    The food has significantly improved. Unfortunately, the service has not. I had the salmon which was delicious with the potatoes au gratin. I really have to complement the Chef on reviving this place. As far as the service it is pretty humorous and should be looked at that way instead of getting annoyed. I think they are the same servers from when I was a kid. The server for the table next to ours was a big big guy who has no problem slamming into your chair every time he went by. I was getting ridiculous. He knocked by nephew out of his chair onto the floor and didn't say anything. When he hit my chair I splashed water onto the table. Our server, Dianne was the eye roller. Every time we would ask for something she would roll her eyes. When she wished my Mother happy birthday she rolled her eyes. Very funny.

    (4)

  • Mikkimo T.

    Went to check out their thrusday night buffet so here we go. First of all make reservations the place gets packed. Average age is 60+ Salads are nice and food is good. Some is better than others (some was bland and I wouldnt do it again but other items were very good.) There were clams, shrimp and crab legs plus crab cakes, mahi mahi and crab imperial tilapia and mussels marinara. So for the seafood lover you should be satisfied. (shrimp small and floppy, crab cakes were mushy and the mussles proved to provide many unopened) the other seafood items were very tasty. Flank steak and pork on the carving also proved tasty. the wings and mandarin chicken my dining companion enjoyed. I need to address the Lobster mac and cheese as being a nice mac and cheese made with lobster stock or even a bisque base but there was no lobster to be found. The bread was lovely and the drinks were small and pricey. Iced tea in a wine glass $3 and mostly ice and 2 lemonades in a brandy snifter for $5.00. Bill was $69...not sure we will be back but may try the Sunday AM brunch.

    (3)

  • M B.

    The Sunday brunch is ok. For $180 I can make a rocking breakfast for three adults and two kids though. The French toast was quite good, as were the hash browns. So too was the service. Does good service and good food cost this much? Not really in my experience. If history is your thing, go downtown and spend a fraction of the cost for a more ancient ambiance. Though parking is awful. Walking a little further never hurt anyone though.

    (3)

  • Jenna S.

    We just had my sister's bridal shower here. We had a Sunday brunch. There was SOOOOO much food, and all of it was absolutely delicious! The staff was extremely attentive and helpful. Couldn't have asked for more! If you're looking for a brunch space this is the place to go!

    (5)

  • Paul S.

    Sunday brunch was amazing! Could not find one thing I didn't like and for me, that is saying something. Service was good, not perfect but they were busy. So much good food that I didn't even have a chance to visit all the stations. We will definitely be back.

    (5)

  • Andrew M.

    The people reviewing this place are the rich ignorant types from Lower Gwynedd where everybody is special. The same people who complain there are all old people eating here would also complain if it was full of families with loud kids. Then complain that you have to part with more of your precious money then you feel you should have to. But wait, you had no problem overpaying for a fancy car to try to impress your fancy neighbors. The food is decent but for the price it is not as good as it should be. The service has always been outstanding. The buffet is the way to go. But practice your snobbiness before you go. Hold your nose up high and practice speaking like you are in England. Move slow and laugh like a queen. And remember the place is historic because William Penn did actually stay overnight here 1 or 2 times.

    (3)

  • Greg L.

    We've been here a few times for dinner and a few times for their Sunday brunch. All of our meals there have been excellent, but we especially like coming here for their brunches as they put on quite a spread. You'll find fresh fruit, made to order omelets, waffles with all the toppings, salads, french toast, breakfast potatoes, bacon, sausage, a carving station, and then other hot entrees like fish and pasta. If you still have room at the end of your meal, you'll find an assortment of pastries, cookies, cakes, etc. Service was excellent throughout with plates being taken away soon after we finished and drinks being refilled without having to ask. They do a good business and they tend to be pretty full, but there was never a shortage of food when you went to the various buffet stations. Some people dress up a bit but then there are others dressed casually in shorts or jeans. Minor complaint is that the bathrooms are outside the dining area, and when you try and come back in, there is often a line of people waiting to check-in and be seated and you tend to get stuck in that line. While it is pricey, we like to come here every so often for special occasions. Simply a beautiful place as well.

    (4)

  • Philip R.

    Have you ever seen, "Men in Black"? Remember Will Smith trying to get the attention of Kay and Agent B? He yells, "Yo!, Old Guys!". That's the William Penn Inn. It's 300 years old and the patrons are about 1/2 that.

    (3)

  • Ken M.

    For the past 10 years we have been going to the William Penn Inn for Sunday brunch. (we go once, every December) They have a decent salad bar (items such as Lox, whitefish, peeled shrimp, deviled eggs, chicken salad, etc.). They have a hot foods station (Talapia, chicken, vegetable, cream chipped beef, sausage, bacon, scrambled eggs, etc.). They have a carving station (turkey, roast beef & ham). They also have an omelette station and a waffle bar. The desert station is very good. I think the food is just A-OK. In some years, the food tastes fresher. The selection hasn't changed much. I don't know. I think I am getting bored with this place. I am spoiled by some of the creative brunch options that are being dished out at the pubs/restaurants in Philly. Yet, something about the old charm of the place keeps drawing us back as a yearly tradition with the in-laws. The restaurant staff are always cheerful and accommodating. See you next December (I think... we shall see)

    (3)

  • Elliot D.

    Plenty of choices and beautiful surroundings. So lucky to have such a lovely establishment where the food is only a part of the enjoyment. You need to love life to really enjoy being here and see people having a wonderful time.

    (5)

  • Donna K.

    We used to frequent William Penn Inn, however, our last few experiences have been less than average. The caterer or event planner was rude when we were trying to plan a cocktail party - we went elsewhere. Beware of the discounted gift cards you can purchase at Costco (two in a pack) - they will only accept one per dining experience and cannot be used with any other certificate or free birthday dessert earned through their own dining program. The salad bar in the Tavern was not up to par - shrimp was small and mushy. We were seated right away but waited a good 20 minutes before our waiter offered us a drink. William Penn Inn is just not what it used to be.

    (1)

  • Char K.

    We've been enjoying the Inn's cuisine for the past 25 years & it remains excellent. Sadly the French onion soup is made differently than it was before - less & different cheese... Salmon is always cooked beautifully. The short rib dish was not good- small pieces, eggy noodles & tomato sauce?? Bad choice. French dip sandwich - yum. Complimentary breads are just always good. Lovely esp at Christmas time. Sunday brunch is 5 stars- SO tasty!!! Worth the $30.

    (4)

  • Monique C.

    I'm starting this review with a caveat: we just booked our wedding here...but this is a brunch review. (As far as the wedding coordinating goes, so far, so good.) My mom, son and I visited the inn for Sunday brunch. We didn't have reservations but we were accommodated immediately by the friendly host who found a large table for us after a party cancelled. Our waiter, Christian, was phenomenal from start to finish. He was friendly, knowledgeable and attentive. The food was plentiful and delicious. There are two rooms of food so I recommend using the walk to burn some calories lol. Previous Yelp photos of the spread are still accurate. My mom was disappointed that they didn't have any turkey breakfast products but the carving station did include smoked turkey and roast beef for the non-pork eaters. Overall we had a wonderful visit and even received a visit from my wedding coordinator who remembered all of our names. (We just met her Friday so she's already better than me lol). Bravo William Penn Inn. Until we meet again.

    (5)

  • Brandyn R.

    This is our favorite special occasion place. The tavern is small, quiet and comfortable, which I prefer to the main dining room, which has a harp player. The prime rib is like butter, the lamb delicious and even the Thursday buffet is fantastic. Favorite drink, "perfect gentleman".

    (5)

  • Joe A.

    Just had a terrible experience when trying to celebrate Valentine's Day with my wife. The hostess sat us at a booth for 2 that was the smallest booth I've ever seen. Worse than that though was that it was positioned right next to an extremely busy server station, that caused waiters, waitresses, and bus persons to be literally running past the table the whole time we were there. Even worse, they frequently hung out there leaning against the wall awaiting their turns to use the computer. It was no doubt one of the least comfortable evenings out we had ever experienced and we couldn't wait to complete our meal and leave. We won't be going back there for a long, long time! If you ever go there and they try to seat you at Table #116, run for the door!

    (1)

  • Evelyn D.

    Lunch with clients last week. Enjoyed delicious stuffed salmon, short ribs veal oscar...dessert, soup and salad. Service should have moved along quicker. We were all at lunch. Can't wait to try Seafood on Thursday nites. Pricey menu, but the place is beautifully decorated for the holidays. Worth the splurge!

    (4)

  • Kevin H.

    I'm only reviewing their Sunday brunch. It is by far one of the best brunch buffets that I have ever been too. A good selection of breakfast and lunch food. A carving station with 3 meats, a made to order Eggs Benedict station, and the omelette station are their staples in my opinion. The waitstaff is very attentive and make sure your dirty plates are removed in a timely manner and they also make sure you drinks are always full. The only thing I wish they would do is have a rotating menu for the lunch food, and also some additional salads. I have probably been here about 4 or 5 times and it is always the same lunch entrees. The place gets very crowded so I would recommend reservations.

    (5)

  • Amy A.

    Attended a bridal shower. I was a little hesitant with buffet food, but overall the quality was great. I could've had a whole buffet pan of the califlower au gratin. Service was great. My only complaint was they were really pushing us out the door once it hit 4pm. I understand they needed to setup for the next event, but they were a little rude.

    (4)

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Map

Opening Hours

  • Mon :11:30 am - 9:00pm

Specialities

  • Takes Reservations : Yes
    Delivery : No
    Take-out : No
    Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
    Good For : Brunch, Dinner
    Parking : Private Lot
    Bike Parking : Yes
    Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
    Good for Kids : Yes
    Good for Groups : Yes
    Attire : Dressy
    Ambience : Classy
    Noise Level : Quiet
    Alcohol : Full Bar
    Outdoor Seating : No
    Wi-Fi : No
    Has TV : No
    Waiter Service : Yes
    Caters : Yes

William Penn Inn

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