5 more Bucks County spots we wish made USA TODAY's 2024 Restaurants of the Year list
A great meal isn’t hard to find in Bucks County.
And if you’ve lived here long enough, you probably have a few favorite restaurants you’ve discovered, regularly return to and recommend to your friends and family.
That was at the heart of the 2024 USA TODAY Restaurants of the Year list, which included The Speckled Egg Café, a local hidden gem in the outskirts of New Hope that stood out for its extraordinary menu, over-the-top service and cozy ambiance.
More: New Hope eatery named one of the best restaurants in US. Everything to know before you go
No doubt, they earned their spot, but picking one favorite spot among all the diverse offerings in this county is never easy.
So, in an effort to highlight a few more amazing restaurants, we wanted to share some places we wish could have made the list:
Rosetta’s Jazz Café, Morrisville
Rosetta’s Jazz Café delivers food and music to feed the soul thanks to owners, Kevin Stephens and Kerry Nicholas, a father-son team, who opened the restaurant together in 2022, in hopes of filling a niche they said had been missing in the suburbs.
Tuesday through Thursday, the café is open 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., offering classic and southern-style breakfast and lunch items, including their popular deep-fried Basa fish, a recipe passed down by Stephens' late grandmother and the café’s namesake, Rosetta.
On Fridays and Saturdays, the café stays open until 10 p.m. to host onstage performances by local jazz musicians and vocalists, transforming the mellow daytime atmosphere of the café into an even livelier space at night. On those nights, they offer a dinner menu with Southern favorites, like Rosetta’s Jazziest Salmon, Bourbon Street Chicken and French Quarter Jambalaya, made with shrimp, chicken, sausage, peppers and onions mixed with yellow rice.
Go: 826 W. Bridge St., Morrisville; 267-799-4183
Fieldstone Coffee Roasters, Ottsville
Located just around the corner from Nockamixon State Park, Fieldstone Coffee Roasters provides hikers, cyclists, paddlers and daytrippers a casual spot to refuel and unwind.
This cool little bistro has an inspired menu of breakfast and lunch items, such as their Ottsville Omelet, a one-of-a-kind combination of eggs, ham, apples, sage and goat cheese; Bacon Bananas Foster French Toast, made with two thick-cut piece of brioche topped with bacon, bananas, vanilla, almonds and cinnamon; or the BBQ Chicken Pizzadilla, stuffed with barbecue chicken breast, mozzarella, cheddar and basil pesto all melted together on the grill.
There are plenty of gluten-free and vegan dishes to choose from, as well as substitutions, including gluten-free bread for sandwiches.
Even more extensive than their food offerings are the drinks. From a variety of specialty tea and espresso drinks, made using their own freshly roasted coffee, to fresh juices, kombucha, lemonades, hot chocolate, apple cider, seltzers, bubble teas, frappes and smoothies — you’d be hard-pressed to find a nonalcoholic drink they don’t make.
Go: 4203 Durham Road, Ottsville; 908-219-7300; fieldstonecoffeeroasters.com
Harper & Penny’s, Doylestown
This small bar and restaurant inside the Main Street Marketplace offers a laidback, yet stylish spot for a date night or dinner with friends.
Chef Jamal Harper delivers a Southern fusion menu, such as Carolina barbecue chicken wings, sauteéd shrimp served over creamy grits, or their popular French onion fries topped with mozzarella and caramelized onion gravy.
Adding to the appeal of the place is their engaging bartenders, who go out of their way to ensure customers feel at home from the moment they walk through the door, while mixing up a specialty cocktail or two.
And be sure to check out their Sunday Brunch, which is made even better with drink specials, like their “Bottomless” mimosas or a Bloody Mary topped with a charcuterie skewer.
Go: 22 S. Main St., Doylestown; 267-454-7638; harperandpennys.com
Maize, Perkasie
Chef Matthew McPhelin takes his customers on a culinary journey one unique dish at a time. It is the perfect spot for curious foodies or anyone who appreciates a multi-course dining experience.
Thanks to its expertly crafted tasting menu that changes weekly and is centered around fresh, local ingredients — no two visits are ever the same.
To top it all off, there’s no arrogance to Maize. From its friendly and attentive staff to its open kitchen concept, the place feels like an intimate gathering with friends.
And for those with dietary restrictions or allergies, be sure to bring this to their attention when making your reservation. With advanced notice, McPhelin makes every effort to accommodate, so all his guests can enjoy the entire meal from beginning to end.
Go: 519 W. Walnut St., Perkasie; 215-257-2264; maizeonwalnut.com
Jesse’s Barbecue, Souderton
Jesse’s Barbecue combines a mix of Southern styles — Kansas City, Georgia, Carolina and Texas — to offer a variety of country-style comfort foods.
Their highly sought-after burnt ends, cut from the brisket, are crispy on the outside and moist on the inside. These are very limited, aren’t available until later in the day and sell out within the hour. So, to increase your chance of trying these tasty bits, aim to arrive around 3:30 p.m.
With a rotating menu of homemade sides and desserts, it can be hard to choose a favorite. But a few include their sweet potato fries, dill pickle macaroni salad and chocolate peanut butter cake.
Go: 98 N. County Line Road in Souderton; 215-723-4600; jessesbarbecue.com
This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Bucks County restaurants near me: We wish these made USA TODAY's list
