Our 1906 at Longwood Gardens restaurant review begins on a snowy February afternoon.
A short drive from The Inn at Whitewing Farm took us along quiet country roads lined with winter scenery before we arrived at Longwood’s distinctive entrance, where well-marked signs guided us in.
Dining at 1906 gives you access to the breathtaking indoor gardens above at Longwood | Photo: Better Living
Named for the year Pierre S. du Pont purchased the Kennett Square property, this stunning restaurant reopened in fall 2024 as part of the $250 million Longwood Reimagined project.
Located within Longwood Gardens’ Conservatory District, 1906 offers a unique dining experience where guests can enjoy seasonal cuisine and explore the lush, climate-controlled gardens above. With access to this vibrant indoor oasis no matter the weather, the setting alone makes it an ideal winter dining destination.
A short winter walk from Longwood Gardens Visitor Center to 1906 | Photo: Better Living
💡 Before you arrive, here’s a helpful tip: Reaching 1906 requires a five-minute walk through the outdoor gardens. Yes, that might seem daunting on a cold winter day, but don’t let it deter you. The walk actually enhances the experience, immersing you in the serene beauty of the grounds before your meal. The staff at the visitors center will give you a Longwood Gardens map and tell you exactly how to get there.
Just dress appropriately. And, don’t worry about bulky winter gear once inside. The restaurant’s excellent coat check will store everything from hats, gloves, and umbrellas. They’ll even hold onto your leftovers while you explore the gardens.
After our visit, it’s clear—1906 is not just meeting expectations; it’s exceeding them.
The Setting: Where Winter Meets Warmth
The main dining room at 1906 overlooking winter gardens | Photo: Better Living
Stepping into 1906 feels like discovering a secret greenhouse that’s been transformed into an elegant dining room. The designers have achieved something remarkable here – a space that feels special occasion-worthy, yet genuinely comfortable.
Floor-to-ceiling windows frame the snow-covered Main Fountain Garden. Above, vaulted ceilings with their basket weave lattice create an airy atmosphere that somehow still feels intimate. Custom tables, crafted from fallen Longwood trees, add character and history to the room. Even on the grayest winter day, the space glows with natural light and warmth from amber colored wall sconces.
The 1906 bar and lounge showcases illuminated botanical displays | Photo: Better Living
With its dramatic archway and illuminated shelves, the bar and lounge area immediately captivates, highlighting an impressive collection of spirits. Comfortable seating invites you to settle in for a pre-lunch cocktail, against a wall of display cases housing botanical curiosities under cloches – a clever nod to The Conservatory setting that adds to the room’s sophisticated charm.
Signature arched windows at 1906 overlooking snow-covered gardens | Photo: Better Living
Our table offered an expansive view of the winter gardens, and we quickly understood why the restaurant has nearly doubled its seating capacity to 240 in this new space. Despite its size, purposeful design elements and well-spaced tables let you hold a conversation comfortably – a detail we particularly appreciated during our meal.
A Garden-Inspired Cocktail Program
The Frosted Violet cocktail at 1906 | Photo: Better Living
Speaking of cocktails, the 1906 beverage menu is something special. We tried the Frosted Violet, a vibrant, gradient-purple creation that matched the orchids blooming in the gardens. The combination of mezcal, reposado tequila, pineapple, and crème de violette created layers of flavor as complex as the drink’s appearance. It arrived on a crisp, linen-like napkin emblazoned with “1906” – one of many elevated touches that were soon to follow.
There’s also a menu of non-alcoholic mocktails, with creative elixirs that incorporate garden-fresh ingredients.
A Menu Blooming with Flavor
A chef selecting fresh herbs from the indoor grow cabinets at 1906 | Photo: Better Living
Executive Chef George Murkowicz has created a menu that artfully divides into three categories: Flora, Fauna, and Funga – the latter, a thoughtful nod to Kennett Square’s mushroom heritage.
What makes the menu truly special is its connection to Longwood’s gardens. Through the dining room, we could see the new Ornamental Kitchen Garden where many ingredients are grown. But this isn’t just for show. Twice weekly, the culinary and horticulture teams meet to discuss what’s growing and ready for harvest. We even watched a chef carefully selecting herbs and edible flowers from indoor grow cabinets near the kitchen – a level of care that showed up on every plate.
The Food: Artwork on a Plate
The Flower Salad featuring edible flowers and honey vinaigrette | Photo: Better Living
From the Flora menu, we started with the Flower Salad – a dish that brought springtime to our winter table. Crisp mixed greens were adorned with edible flowers (vibrant yellow and purple violas), creating a beautiful garden on the plate. Sunflower sprouts provided a nutty base, while bee pollen and honey vinegar added subtle sweetness. Each forkful mixed shades of purple and gold with bright green leaves and no two bites were quite the same.
Mushroom pâté with crispy enoki mushrooms and fresh herbs | Photo: Better Living
The Funga offerings showcased Kennett Square’s heritage brilliantly. A creative mushroom pâté arrived looking deceptively traditional but offering a delightful surprise – it was as rich and creamy as any classic liver version, but with deep umami notes from the mushrooms. Crispy enoki mushrooms crowned the top, providing a delightful crunch that made each bite more satisfying than the last. The warm brioche on the side, shaped like a mushroom, was a fun way to enjoy this innovative spread.
Tarte Flambée with caramelized onions, wild mushrooms, and fresh goat cheese | Photo: Better Living
The Tarte Flambée arrived as our second mushroom exploration – a thin, crackling crust layered with caramelized onions, wild mushrooms, and pancetta, finished with dollops of fresh goat cheese and bright herbs. Served on a rustic wooden board, it struck that ideal balance between refined technique and classic comfort food.
Atlantic Halibut with miso beurre blanc sauce | Photo: Better Living
Moving onto Fauna/Ocean, the kitchen’s expertise shined particularly bright with the Atlantic Halibut. A generous portion of fish arrived beautifully seared. Buttery and flaky, it practically melted on the fork. The miso beurre blanc sauce added velvety richness and the bright pops of trout roe with fresh radish provided wonderful texture and bursts of flavor.
Handmade trofie Bolognese pasta with garden fresh herbs and goat cheese | Photo: Better Living
Lastly, from Fauna/Pasture, the handmade trofie Bolognese was absolutely addictive. The pasta itself strikes that ideal balance of tenderness and chew that only comes from careful hand rolling.
The sauce, a harmonious blend of lamb, veal, and pork, coated each pasta twist perfectly. Crumbles of fresh goat cheese melted into the warm pasta, adding tangy complexity, as fresh herbs brightened each bite. It’s the kind of dish that has you planning your return visit before you’ve even finished your plate. Even after writing this, I want to go back right now.
Dessert: A Sweet Finale
The ‘Banana’ dessert at 1906 | Photo: Better Living
Dessert at 1906 is pure theater. The “Banana” dessert arrived as a mysterious caramel-colored sphere that transformed as warm dulcey sauce was poured over it, melting away the shell to reveal banana cake and coffee ice cream within.
Caramelia – A whimsical mushroom-shaped dessert pays homage to Kennett Square | Photo: Better Living
But the true star was the Caramelia – a whimsical mushroom-shaped creation that pays homage to Kennett Square’s fungi heritage. Rich chocolate mousse, accented with espresso caramel is set on a “forest floor” of cocoa soil and adorned with edible flowers. Our server then sliced it in half to reveal layers of mousse and cake within. Caramelia managed to be both playful and sophisticated, proving that even dessert could tell a story about its setting.
Beyond the Plate: Details That Delight
What elevates 1906 from excellent to exceptional is the attention to detail. Our server’s suggestions were spot-on and she even shared interesting facts about both the food and the gardens throughout our meal. When we couldn’t finish our plates, she provided a numbered check ticket – like a coat check for leftovers – so we could explore the gardens without carrying takeout bags.
Even the restaurant’s sustainability efforts add to the experience. The space is heated and cooled by an innovative geothermal system, and the kitchen maintains a comprehensive composting program. Any unused produce from the garden goes to a local food pantry. It’s the kind of community-minded effort that makes you feel good about choosing to dine here.
Timing Your Visit to Longwood Gardens
A colonnade in The Conservatory at Longwood Gardens with vibrant seasonal plantings | Photo: Better Living
💡 One crucial piece of advice: Plan your timing carefully. 1906 serves lunch and dinner and is closed on Tuesdays. The gardens close at 5 PM, so you’ll want to think about whether you prefer to explore before or after your meal. We arrived for our 1:00 PM lunch reservation, enjoyed a wonderfully unhurried meal, but that left us only about 90 minutes to explore The Conservatory afterward. While that was enough time to take in the immediate surroundings, we could have easily spent longer, and we regret not arriving earlier.
A new option worth considering is “1906 Nights” – special evening dining experiences that include garden admission. These reservations give you access to the new Longwood Reimagined spaces during dinner hours, though note that other areas of the gardens won’t be accessible.
Tips for Visiting 1906 in the Winter
A winter view of the outdoor gardens during our walk to 1906 | Photo: Better Living
To brighten grey winter afternoons, there’s no better cure than lunch in 1906, followed by a wander through Longwood’s conservatories. Just remember to dress for that five-minute walk – trust us, you’ll be glad you did.
If you’re traveling from out of town or thinking about a staycation. See where to stay and explore around Longwood Gardens.
Essential Details
- Make reservations through Tock, especially for dinner service
- The restaurant is open Wednesday through Monday for lunch (11 AM – 3:30 PM)
- Special dinner hours are available on select evenings through March
- Dress is garden casual, so come comfortable for exploring
- Allow time before and after your meal to enjoy the gardens
- Consider timing your visit to catch the fountain shows during warmer months
Pricing
Yes, 1906 may be a splurge. Expect to pay $35-40 for main courses, with the five-course tasting menu at $90. But the quality of food, service, presentations, and setting definitely justify the cost. The entire experience delivers.
The Final Word
The Conservatory’s main hall with hanging baskets of tropical flowers
While any meal in 1906 would be special, there’s something magical about dining here in winter.
The contrast between the snowy landscape outside and the warm, plant-filled space inside creates an atmosphere you won’t find anywhere else. Sure, you’ll need garden admission to dine here (unless you’re booking one of those special evening reservations), but consider that part of the experience. 1906 isn’t just a meal, it’s an escape into a world where winter blues don’t exist.
On a cold winter day, there might not be a better retreat for warmth, beauty, and exceptional cuisine. It’s just what you’d hope for from a destination restaurant at Longwood Gardens, and exactly the fine dining experience that these great gardens deserve.
1906 is located in the lower level of The Conservatory district within Longwood Gardens. In addition to a reservation, admission to the Gardens is required. Make a reservation for 1906.
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