The owner once found a pearl while shucking clams, and his mom framed it with his shirt and clam knife. That framed keepsake still hangs on the wall. I love a restaurant that treats its own history like a family photo album.
The man behind that pearl started working here as a teenager. He later bought the place in 2001 and kept the old-school seafood house spirit alive. The signature baked clams even arrive on a one-of-a-kind steel tray.
This spot sits in a modest brick building in Pennsylvania that doesn’t beg for attention. Inside, you’ll find wood-paneled walls, nautical decor, and a glowing fish tank. I believe the best places often let the food do the bragging.
So what keeps people coming back for over six decades? The answer starts with a tray of clams.
1. Those Famous Baked Clams Arrive On A Tray You Won’t Forget
Middleneck clams roasted whole in a steel tray are the star at The Clam Tavern in Clifton Heights.
They get finished with Italian seasonings and a tangy, mysterious red dot on top.
That little red dot is the kind of secret you won’t solve in one visit.
Honestly, that’s part of the fun, and a great excuse to come back.
These baked clams have earned honors like Best of Philly and an Inquirer Favorite Pick.
That’s serious praise for a dish that started as a humble neighborhood appetizer.
The tray itself is a big part of the charm.
It’s a distinctive piece that makes the dish easy to spot as it heads toward a table.
A squeeze of lemon pairs nicely with the savory seasonings.
Bread on the side helps you catch every last drop of the juices left in the tray.
Sharing is smart here, especially if you want room for other dishes.
Then again, nobody would blame you for keeping the whole tray close.
If this is your first visit, start here.
It’s the dish that built the reputation, and it still sets the tone for the whole meal.
2. Clam Fans Get More Than One Way To Celebrate
Bacon, peppers, garlic, and onion make a strong case for Clams Casino.
The chopped clams are baked right in the shell with all of those savory extras.
It’s a classic seafood house starter for a reason.
The red and green peppers add color, while the bacon brings that smoky, salty bite.
Steamed clams offer a different mood entirely.
You can get them in a red sauce, a garlic white sauce, or simply with butter.
That choice matters more than it sounds.
Red sauce feels hearty and bold, while garlic white sauce leans rich and comforting.
Butter is for purists who want the clam flavor front and center.
No wrong answer exists, though your tablemates may try to steer you.
Freshness gets real attention at The Clam Tavern.
New seafood shipments arrive three to four times a week, which helps keep quality high.
A smart plan for a group is ordering a couple of clam dishes to share.
That way everyone can compare styles and pick a personal favorite.
Just be prepared for a friendly debate.
Clam loyalty can run surprisingly deep around a dinner table.
3. A Spoonful Of Chowder Might Steal The Show
Creamy or tomato-based?
That’s the big question when the soup list comes around.
The New England Clam Chowder is packed with clams and potatoes.
It’s creamy, filling, and exactly what you’d hope for from a seafood house with this much history.
On a chilly Pennsylvania evening, a bowl like that feels like a warm blanket.
It also makes a solid starter if you plan to share entrees.
Team tomato has a great option, too.
The Manhattan Clam Chowder features a rich clam and tomato broth infused with bacon.
That bacon adds a smoky depth that sets it apart.
It’s lighter than the creamy version but still has plenty of personality.
Then there’s the Seafood Bisque, a tomato cream base loaded with fresh seafood.
Think of it as a middle ground for anyone who can’t pick a side.
A good tip is to order two different soups and swap spoonfuls.
You’ll learn your favorite fast, and you’ll have a fun story for the ride home.
Soup might seem like a simple choice.
Here, it can easily become the most talked-about part of dinner.
4. Crab Cakes And Fried Platters Make Choosing Tough
Clams may be in the name, but The Clam Tavern menu goes well beyond them.
The seafood lineup reads like a greatest hits album.
Jumbo lump crab cakes are a major draw.
They’re pan-seared and then finished in the oven, a method that gives them care from start to finish.
Fried seafood platters bring a little bit of everything.
They can include flounder, a jumbo lump crab cake, jumbo shrimp, and sea scallops.
Prefer something lighter?
Fresh flounder is also available broiled, and it’s priced daily based on the market.
Fried calamari served with marinara is a popular way to kick things off.
It’s a crowd-friendly appetizer that disappears quickly at a shared table.
Shrimp Lejon deserves a spot on your radar as well.
It features jumbo shrimp wrapped in bacon with a Dijon horseradish sauce.
Crab Imperial also shows up across the menu, including stuffed options.
It’s a rich, classic touch that fits the old-school seafood house style.
The real challenge here is narrowing it down.
You may need a second visit just to finish your wish list.
5. Not A Seafood Person? The Kitchen Has You Covered
Every group has that one friend who orders chicken at a seafood place.
Good news, that friend will eat very well here.
The menu includes steaks like the New York Strip Steak.
It’s a hearty pick for anyone craving something from the land.
Italian-American comfort food also gets plenty of love.
Chicken Parmesan and Veal Parmesan both appear on the menu.
Chicken Marsala is another option, made with mushrooms, garlic, and herbs.
It shows the kitchen knows its way around more than just fish.
Pasta lovers can mix the best of both worlds.
Shrimp Scampi and Crab Ravioli bring seafood flavor in a cozy pasta form.
This variety makes The Clam Tavern a smart choice for families and mixed groups.
Nobody has to settle for a side salad while everyone else feasts.
It’s also handy for birthday dinners and big gatherings.
When picky eaters and seafood fans sit together, a wide menu keeps the peace.
So go ahead and invite the steak lover.
They might even sneak a baked clam off your tray when you aren’t looking.
6. The Decor Feels Like A Seafood House Time Capsule
Wood-paneled walls covered in fish and maritime touches set the scene.
Nothing here feels like a trendy makeover.
The nautical items aren’t a gimmick or a theme someone picked last year.
They’ve been part of the restaurant’s look for decades, giving it a mid-20th-century seafood house feel.
A large glowing fish tank adds a calm, eye-catching focal point.
Upstairs seating offers a view of the tank, which makes a nice backdrop for dinner.
Then there’s the lit-up Clam Bar sign.
It’s the kind of neon glow that instantly tells you where you are.
Warm, dim lighting keeps the dining room cozy.
You can still see your food clearly, which matters when clams are on the table.
The Clam Tavern has an old-school charm that’s hard to fake.
It feels lived-in, comfortable, and proudly cared for.
One tip if you sit upstairs is to bring a light sweater.
The cool air can feel chilly for some diners.
Take a moment to look around between bites.
The walls have plenty of character worth noticing.
7. A Tiny Pearl Tells A Big Family Story
Most pearls end up in jewelry boxes.
This one ended up in a frame on a restaurant wall.
Owner Tony Blanche found it one day while shucking clams.
It turned out not to be valuable, but his mother saved it anyway.
She also kept the shirt he was wearing and his clam knife.
Then she framed all three together as a keepsake.
That framed memento hangs at The Clam Tavern today.
It’s a sweet reminder that this place runs on family roots as much as seafood.
Tony’s story goes back even further.
He started working at the restaurant as a teenager and took ownership in 2001.
He has called the restaurant an anchor in the community.
People have celebrated big life moments here for generations.
The Clam Tavern was founded in 1962, so those roots run deep.
Many Pennsylvania families have made it a tradition across decades.
Keep an eye out for the frame during your visit.
It’s a small detail with a lot of heart behind it.
8. Plan Ahead So You Don’t Miss Your Shot At A Table
A small dining room plus a loyal following means tables go fast.
Reservations are a smart move, especially on Friday and Saturday nights.
You’ll find The Clam Tavern at 339 E Broadway Ave, Clifton Heights, PA 19018.
It sits in Delaware County, an easy trip from Philadelphia.
The restaurant opens at 4 PM every day of the week.
It closes at 9 PM Monday through Thursday, 10 PM on Friday and Saturday, and 8 PM on Sunday.
That evening-only schedule makes it a natural dinner destination.
An early arrival can help if you want a calmer start.
There’s a small bar to the right where guests check in.
Bar seating is a good backup when the tables are booked.
Parking can take a little patience.
Free street parking runs along E. Broadway Avenue, and parking is also available at CAPP USA just up the street.
Give yourself a few extra minutes to find a spot.
It beats circling the block while your clams wait.
A little planning goes a long way here.
Your future self will thank you.
9. Across The Street, The Same Family Serves Up Plan B
Full house at the Clam?
Just cross the street.
Broadway Bar and Grille sits directly across from The Clam Tavern.
It’s run by the same family and serves as the comfort-food counterpart.
The menu there takes a different direction.
You’ll find a raw bar, burgers, fresh pastas, and brick-oven pizza.
That setup gives East Broadway Avenue a fun one-two punch.
One side leans into classic seafood, while the other mixes pizza and casual favorites.
Both spots share a commitment to Delco hospitality.
It’s a clever way for one family to offer two distinct dinner experiences.
This also helps with picky groups.
Someone craving pizza and someone craving baked clams can both end up happy on the same block.
Back at The Clam Tavern, the old-school charm keeps it a true Pennsylvania classic.
It earns a 4.6-star Google rating across more than 1,350 ratings.
Not bad for a modest brick building that never shouts for attention.
Sometimes the quiet ones have the best stories, and the best clams too.
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