The Noble Goat — Restaurant in Downingtown

We were excited to try this place after eagerly awaiting its opening, but unfortunately, our first experience fell short of expectations. I understand that new restaurants often work out kinks in the first few months, but the larger entrees lacked the excitement we were hoping for. There’s a focus on braised meats, and I’m wondering if they’re trying to compete with East Branch Brewing.

The Rigatoni Genovese, for example, was disappointing. The flavors of mushroom, white wine, and pork weren’t balanced, and the meat was overly salty and poorly integrated into the dish. The lamb shank ragú also left much to be desired—it lacked color and the cabbage, while potentially interesting, was far too salty. The slightly pickled flavor of the cabbage could have worked if the salt had been dialed back. On a brighter note, the chickpea fritters were a nice touch, but I couldn’t help but think a lamb kofta with a smear of hummus or tzatziki might have been more elegant especially with the well bodied and hearty pulled lamb. The halloumi cheese was nice but I think that could have been paired with a different cut of lamb with another chimichurri sauce or a brighter tasting dish. The pulled meats gave off a pub vibe, and the one-dimensional, salty flavor was overwhelming.

On the positive side, the sourdough bread was delightful, made in-house, and reasonably priced at $8 for three slices, though some might see it as a bit steep. Overall, the portions were acceptable, but the dishes lacked the depth and balance needed to justify the price.

The service was friendly, and our server was attentive, asking for feedback on the meals. However, a comment like “food eats first” while we took photos for our review felt unnecessary.

In the end, the bill for two entrees and bread came to around $65. While I’m open to returning for the pizza or lunch menu, I’m hesitant to order from the small platter section again given the current price-to-quality ratio. The restaurant has a chic, modern atmosphere and is in a high-traffic location, so I’m hopeful they’ll find their footing. I wish them the best as they work through these...

The Noble Goat in Downingtown is a welcome addition to the area, bringing a modern and fresh atmosphere complemented by friendly and attentive staff. The clean and inviting space creates a great first impression, but beyond the ambiance and service, the overall experience was underwhelming.

We began with the Tempura Cauliflower, which was light and flavorful but lacked enough sauce to fully coat each piece. The Mushroom Bao Bun was another appetizer that fell short; while the filling was enjoyable, the bun itself masked the flavors, leading us to eat the filling on its own.

For the main course, the Sherry-Scented Risotto was visually stunning, with its vibrant presentation, but its flavors were subtle to the point of being forgettable. The Bucatini, while cooked perfectly, was unfortunately bland and lacked any depth, tasting more like plain pasta than a fully realized dish.

Dessert was the Lemon Tart with Berries, a dish that looked beautiful but disappointed in execution. The tart was watery, and the crust was so firm it was difficult to cut with a fork, making it a frustrating end to the meal.

The biggest surprise of the evening came with the bill. As a BYOB restaurant, we were prepared to pay the $5 per glass fee noted on the menu, but were instead charged $10 per cocktail. It became clear that the additional $5 was for mixers like olive brine or soda water, but this wasn’t explained by staff or clarified on the menu, leading to confusion and frustration. A fee for mixers is understandable, but $10 for a BYOB cocktail feels excessive and poorly communicated.

While the Noble Goat shines in atmosphere and service, the food and overall execution left us underwhelmed. Downingtown needs more high-quality dining options, and we genuinely hope this restaurant evolves to meet its full potential. With clearer pricing and more thoughtful, flavorful dishes, it could become a true standout in the area. For now, though, it’s a work...

Absolutely love this place. We visited during their opening weekend and it was amazing. We ended up ordering a bunch of the small plates, and boy, did they not disappoint! My partner loved the octopus and I devoured the tuna. We also found the mushroom pizza to be absolutely AMAZING. But I must say the star of the show was most definitely the CHICKEN LIVER MOUSSE! I cannot rave about this dish enough. We loved it so much, we actually had gotten a second order...for dessert! I have a feeling that we will always order this dish each visit. Please never take it off your menu! We are looking forward to trying the mushroom bao buns next time! Our server was great! We very much appreciate the complimentary wine options. And the "frankly my dear" mocktail... so delicious! My partner had gotten it while I had a glass of wine and I ended up trying a sip of the mocktail, it was so good that I had to order my own! The décor is very well done. The tables were placed a bit close together for my liking, but what are you gonna do about that? It's a smaller venue and they're trying to serve as many patrons as possible. The food is totally worth any space grievances. Plus, having been that close to our seat neighbors actually lended itself to a more interesting dining experience for us. Quite funny hearing people discuss their (invalid) issues with their food (we had ordered some of the same dishes that they ended up complaining about). We can't wait to visit again and are excited for their liquor license to come through as well as the announcement of their lunch hours. My partner and I love a boozy...