Best of the Best: Wayne

Morning: Matines Café

757 Lancaster Ave.
484-580-2982 / MatinesCafe.com

Transplanted Parisians, Matines’ owners Amanda and Arthur de Bruc ask you to savor the rich aroma of its coffees, lattes, espressos and tea. Take in the luscious, sweet smell of their pastries and breads. Taste their delicious quiches and breakfast sandwiches. You’ll be taken back to a glorious morning by the Seine. The sounds of conversation, the bistro chairs, the small, round tables, the uncomplicated framed watercolors, the shelves of mustards, jams, chocolates, books and Eiffel Tower souvenirs, all enhance the Gay Paree vibe. Tres bien! The folks in Wayne find it an excellent place to hang out with friends.

Morning: Minella’s Diner

320 Lancaster Ave.
610-687-1575 / MinellasDiner.com

For a different vibe, there’s reliable and beloved Minella’s Diner, with fast, friendly service, a family-run feel, serving generous portions. It’s a local staple for its classic diner setting and comfort food. Breakfast is served all day, with French toast, omelets and eggs Benedict most often recommended. But for the true experience, order the Wayne Special, which typically includes scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, pancakes, home fries and toast. The dish often arrives, because of its size, on two plates. Minella’s is also known for its baked goods, entirely homemade, especially its blueberry and apple muffins.

Noon: The Goat’s Beard

103 N. Wayne Ave.
484-584-4979 / TheGoatsBeardPhilly.com

Co-owners Sean Coyle and Mike MacCrory named the Goat’s Beard after a native Pennsylvania plant — a tall, bushy perennial that produces cream-colored flower plumes (resembling a goat’s beard) and attracts a wide array of pollinators, including bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. The name intends to emphasize the restaurant’s culinary focus on regional, seasonal sourcing of its food. Serving locally sourced fare, such as sweet potato cornbread, shrimp paella, cheesesteak egg rolls, maple carrots, pastrami roasted turkey club and smash burgers, the menu is also widely praised for its inventiveness.

Night: Rosalie

139 E. Lancaster Ave.
610-977-0600 / RosalieWayne.com

The Wayne Hotel’s front porch is a perfectly mellow place to watch the sun set. Inside Rosalie, you’ll find a lively bar, the sophisticated main dining room, an airy space with vaulted ceilings, as well as several smaller spaces for private parties. The restaurant, owned by Marty Grims and daughter Sydney (of the Fearless Restaurant group), boasts Italian “soul food” — wood-fired pizzas, homemade pastas, main courses like branzino and beef osso buco, and desserts like olive cake, cannoli and gelato. A pleasant and comfortable spot for satisfying Italian fare, plus a see-and-be-seen bar scene.

Night: At The Table

118 W. Lancaster Ave.
610-964-9700 / AtTheTableWayne.com

Order the Royal Seafood Tower, consisting of a dozen oysters, shrimp cocktails, salmon crudo, scallop ceviche, mussels and crab Louis & claws. You’ll need to share, but wow! You can order a six-course tasting menu, which changes seasonally, or off an a la carte menu as well. Alex and Tara Hardy, owners and Executive Chefs, declare At The Table’s mission is to evoke “oceanic vibes” and offer a high level of service and thoughtful cuisine. The small restaurant’s modern, beautifully decorated interior gives it an intimate, upscale feel. It’s lively when full, with positive energy. Wayne diners appreciate the friendly and attentive staff.

Happy Hour: The Great American Pub

4 West Ave.
610-964-9535 / TheGreatAmericanPub.com

On weekdays, come quitting time, the Great American Pub becomes a popular, high-spirited place, drawing in customers from Wayne and beyond, with discounts on beer, cocktails and snacks. Happy Hour offers $3 for Miller Lite drafts, $5 for Levante, Allagash or Sly Fox beers, White Claws for $5, and $8 for an orange crush or Moscow mule. You’ll easily forget your workplace blues. They also serve an assortment of bites, wings, pretzels and fries for $6 to $10 in a space with plenty of TVs and, when the weathers allows, lots of seats on the inviting rooftop.

Gem: Autograph Brasserie

503 W. Lancaster Ave.
610-964-2588 / AutographBrasserie.com

The walls are covered with vintage vinyl, framed celebrity photos and other pop culture memorabilia — over 1,000 pieces! At Autograph Brasserie, the mood is romantic and nostalgic, just right for date night. The cuisine is upscale, featuring premium steaks — the dry-aged Angus ribeye is especially good — seafood, homemade pasta and an expansive wine list. Lobster bisque, lobster mac & cheese, and the Autograph burger are very popular. Go to enjoy weekly half-price wine specials and live music on Tuesdays and Fridays. And the staff is praised for being attentive, friendly and knowledgeable.