Avalon has plenty going for it: beautiful beaches, striking homes, and charming boutiques. But its fine dining scene has always centered on one name, The Diving Horse. Since opening in 2010 from the team behind Carina Sorella in Bryn Mawr and Roach and O'Brien in Haverford, the seasonal BYOB has built a following on innovative, farm-to-table American cooking with a strong seafood focus. The 70-seat space blends a modern farmhouse feel with oversized windows overlooking Avalon's main street, and the back patio, strung with vintage Edison bulbs, remains one of the more sought-after seats in town.
The name itself is a nod to Atlantic City history, the Steel Pier's famous diving horses performed from 1928 until the late 1970s, a detail reflected in the understated horse-and-diver plaque outside instead of a traditional sign. The kitchen sources from local farms and day boat fishermen, and reservations are strongly recommended, especially on summer weekends.
- The Diving Horse has served Avalon since 2010, from the team behind Carina Sorella and Roach and O'Brien
- The 70-seat BYOB features a modern farmhouse feel with an outdoor patio strung with vintage Edison bulbs
- The restaurant's name honors the horses that once dove off Atlantic City's Steel Pier from 1928 into the late 1970s
- The kitchen sources ingredients from local farms and day boat fishermen, with a menu centered on seafood
For anyone spending time in Avalon this season, The Diving Horse remains the reservation worth planning around. Book ahead, especially for a weekend table.
Attribution: Main Line Today
Photo Credit: Courtesy of Main Line Today
