Retirement should leave room for the things you enjoy most: lingering over a great meal, discovering a new favorite restaurant, meeting friends for coffee or saying yes to a spontaneous trip to a local pizza parlor.
With an elegant on-site restaurant at The 501 at Mattison Estate and the charming town of Ambler, Pennsylvania just a stroll away, residents at this thriving senior living community don’t have to go far to find a nourishing meal and an opportunity to connect with others.
Ambler, nestled in beautiful Montgomery County, has developed a surprisingly sophisticated dining scene, with everything from intimate BYOBs and chef-driven restaurants to neighborhood favorites, international cuisine and casual spots perfect for lunch with friends. And, of course, when you’re in the mood for something beyond Ambler restaurants, the surrounding communities offer even more choices, with the culture and culinary energy of Philadelphia also just a short drive or train ride away.
For those considering where to spend their next chapter in retirement, that variety is one more reason Ambler is such a delicious place to call home.
An Enviable Meal Plan
One of the best things about dining in Ambler is how easy it is to make a restaurant outing part of the experience of enjoying this charming, infinitely walkable small town. Much of the dining scene is concentrated along Butler Avenue, creating a lively atmosphere where enjoying a meal can easily be paired with a little shopping, a performance at Act II Playhouse or a movie at the historic, nonprofit Ambler Theater.
There are plenty of cuisines, dishes and tastes to choose from along the main street and surrounding blocks that make up the restaurants in Ambler, PA. For an elegant evening, Bridgets offers a modern take on the classic steakhouse, while La Provence occupies the historic Ambler train station, bringing French-inspired dining to a memorable setting.
Craving something unique? Geronimo’s Peruvian Cuisine, serves authentic Peruvian cuisine with a BYOB option, while Sushi Hatsu puts a contemporary spin on Japanese favorites. For Indian cuisine, Saffron Indian Kitchen is another BYOB option turning out dishes made fresh in-house daily. El Limon Ambler is a popular choice for tacos, enchiladas and other Mexican favorites.
Some places can make an ordinary day feel a little more special. Sweet Briar Cafe and Ice Cream pairs breakfast and lunch with a walk-up ice cream window. If Italian ice and frozen custard are more to your liking, Rita’s also has a walk-up window open from spring into mid-fall. These opportunities for gathering are part of the neighborhood feel The 501 residents note when describing their love of Ambler.
And when they are looking to stick closer to home for a great meal? Residents can easily meander to The 501’s dining room, where chef-curated menus offer a variety of nourishing options.
The 501’s Lindenwold Dining Room
Our culinary team provides lots of reasons for residents to visit the community’s own Lindenwold Dining Room for a great meal and good company. With table-side service and a rotating menu of fresh-made, healthy dishes, Lindenwold is highly rated by residents and their families.
The culinary team takes pride in working closely with residents to accommodate special requests and dietary needs. With more than 280 residents representing a variety of backgrounds, cultures and preferences, the team strives to create a welcoming dining experience with something for everyone. Whenever possible, meals are prepared from scratch using fresh ingredients, with an emphasis on flavor, nutrition, and variety.
Inspired by the exceptional culinary scene in Ambler and the surrounding area, the community’s dining venues bring a friendly spirit of competition to every meal. The goal is to provide residents with an outstanding dining experience, serving delicious, thoughtfully prepared meals that rival the best local restaurants.
Restaurant Q&A With The 501
The sheer variety of area restaurants is part of Ambler’s appeal, and residents and staff at The 501 have their favorites. We checked in with Candise Smart, sales specialist with The 501 and longtime Ambler resident, to get her take on the best restaurants in Ambler.
Q: How would you describe the restaurant vibe in the area?
A: Eclectic and vibrant. Lots of variety and fun vibes in this small town!
Q: Which restaurant in Ambler is the perfect go-to lunch spot for the staff at 501?
A: “For staff, Costa Deli is a local spot that makes yummy sandwiches.”
Q: What area restaurant do you recommend for a celebratory, special dinner?
A: Bridget’s is really beautiful fine dining in town; great for special occasions.
Q: What restaurant do you hear is a favorite among residents of The 501?
A: From the Boot is an Italian restaurant right next to the Ambler Theater. It’s great for post-movie dining!
Q: Is there anything you wish you had here in town that you do not?
A: A bakery, for sure!
Q: What makes dining here at The 501 different from simply going out to a restaurant in town or the surrounding area?
A: Dining at The 501 offers a sense of family and belonging.
Venturing Beyond Ambler
Of course, living in Ambler doesn’t mean limiting yourself to Ambler.
If you’re looking for restaurants near Ambler, a short drive opens up the restaurants of Blue Bell, Fort Washington, Horsham and other neighboring communities. Historic settings, neighborhood taverns, sophisticated dining rooms and casual cafés offer plenty of reasons to get together with friends outside of Ambler.
Blue Bell Inn offers an appealing setting for a leisurely lunch, dinner or special occasion. In Fort Washington, Zakes Cafe is a longtime favorite for breakfast, brunch and lunch.
It’s part of what makes life in this corner of Montgomery County so appealing: you can enjoy the intimacy and convenience of a small town while having a remarkably broad range of experiences within easy reach.
Retirement in Ambler doesn’t mean giving up the excitement of being near Philadelphia either. Just minutes from The 501 at Mattison Estate, SEPTA’s Landsdale/Doylestown Line runs to the city roughly every hour from the Ambler Station.
As one of America’s great food destinations, Philadelphia offers everything from celebrated fine dining to neighborhood gems, destination bakeries, international cuisine and the quintessential Philly cheesesteak.
Variety Is the Spice of Life
So, the choice is always yours. Have a quiet dinner with neighbors at The 501 one evening. Seek out the best restaurant in Ambler the next. Meet friends in nearby Blue Bell. Head into Philadelphia for a concert and dinner.
It’s a wonderful kind of flexibility, and one that’s easy to overlook when you’re thinking about where to retire. Because the best retirement destinations aren’t simply places where you can live comfortably. They’re places that make you want to get out and enjoy yourself. The 501 and Ambler do that beautifully.
Life here offers something particularly appealing: the freedom to make every meal an occasion, every outing an adventure and every week a little different from the last. If that’s the kind of retirement lifestyle you’d love, come visit us for a tour. Contact us here.
Featured Images: Jeremy Hess, The Premise Studio