FIRST OFF, BEFORE I START SAYING ANYTHING. PATRICK IS AN ABSOLUTE SAINT AND AMAZING INDIVIDUAL. So me and my girl were feeling some rustic Italian food when we stumbled onto tavernas. At first glance I thought it would be your typical Italian restaurant but oh boy was I sorely mistaken. From customer service to quality of food I guarantee this place will blow your expectations out of the park. The ambiance with accompaniment of scents that make you feel like you're getting wine and dined in the back alley of Italy's finest restaurant is just the beginning of the amazing dining experience that taverna provides. What're you going to do? Make pasta at home? F THAT! Go to tavernas. Ask for Patrick. P.s. they got an amazing drink selection specifically the old fashions. How ya dooooooin 5 out of 5 tortellinis
Michael S.
We stopped for lunch; the restaurant was quiet and we got a friendly greeting from the floral hostess. Our orders came quickly, and it was clear that the kitchen is attentive to detail: perfectly grilled shrimp, meltingly tasty roasted peppers, crisp crostini. Delicious food, and the menu was full of good things we wish we had tried. But the best addition to the experience was our very cheerful and quick waiter, EDGAR, let his name be written in caps. To any question or request, he grinned and replied, "Absolutely!" and then went off in a flash and did it. Would we love to eat there again? ABSOLUTELY.
Kyle D.
Wonderful evening atmosphere with unique dishes compared to the rest of main street. I especially liked the lamb meatballs. Our server was wonderful :)
Bill N.
Overpriced and not very good. Better than the stone balloon but not much. Have I hit 85 characters?
Ray C.
The food is so good the manager is the nicest person I've met if you're looking looking for fresh good food come here
Gabriella C.
Very good atmosphere, and the service was great. I would love to come here again, and the wait was not long.
Kathryn N.
The whipped ricotta appetizer alone was enough for me to want to go back. If you like ricotta, definitely get the whipped ricotta. There was plenty of it to go on the bread that came with it and also enough to add to my pasta entree. I had the Calamarata and bf had tbe Manicotti with a side of meatballs. The pasta was very good, especially with the added ricotta. We had plenty of food that we both took home leftovers for another meal. The meatballs were all beef, so that was pleasant for the bf who doesn't eat pork. The marinara sauce was flavorful, so we will definitely be back to try the pizzas. They had a seasonal Downeast cider on tap, so that was also a plus since we really enjoy Downeast ciders.
Lisa O.
This place is a five since it hits all the notes for me personally. I always stop when I'm in the general vicinity of Newark. I absolutely love the pizza and the rest of the food is also great. You must get the budino for dessert. The craft beer selection is strong and the bartenders are the best. I love the atmosphere here. Something just clicks with Taverna. Definitely give it a try.
Lisa L.
Excellent food and service! Can't wait to go back! We were thee at Xmas time and it was packed but our server made us feel like we were the only people there!! Top notch service!
Delaware R.
Excellent Food, Service, and location. We typically visit during off season (i.e. UD is not in session), and love this place. At the front of the house, the bar tenders are top notch and know how to make a proper drink, and in the back of the house the food and table side service are excellent. We've tried the meatballs, pizza, gnocchi, free range chicken, beef brasato, and most of the salads offered. All are high quality and delicious! If you're a fan of Italian food, this is a safe bet!
Good food good staff good ambience. Comfy cozy! Lunch or dinner give it a try. Good spirits to match
F. W.
This is definitely not an accommodating restaurant! I reserved a table two week's prior for a holiday office party for 6. My first clue was how dismissive the person was regarding a table with enough room for us and presents. Called again to confirm and considerately reduce our number by 1. When we arrived we were placed at a table for 4 with an added chair. Isn't there some fire regulation for a chair in the aisle??? When we asked for a more accommodating table, they were very dismissive. In effort not to spoil the mood we sat and began to order. The manager later came by to ask if we were enjoying ourselves. I flatly said, "no" and explained why. He too was dismissive. "This is all we have." I saw several tables that we would have been more comfortable and we could have waited!! I don't understand the purpose of making a reservation in advance if they aren't going to go the extra mile to find comfortable seating, for all of their customers!!! The manager really care how we were doing! He was walking around as a formality! The one star is partly for the food and the look of the restaurant. Everything else at this restaurant is 'piss poor'. A bad impression on 5 newbies that could have brought others if we had a different experience!!
Nicole R.
The food served here is great! I think this is the best Italian place to eat on Main St. Always great service, super nice staff. The best appetizer on the menu is the calamari for sure, highly recommend! The chicken fettuccine is also a great special to get if you're there on a day that it is served.
Emily M.
Pleasantly surprised! We have eaten here twice now. I believe the food restaurants on main street are few and far between because let's be honest it's a college town/street. We stopped in here with a friend the first time and got really unlucky with our wine selection 0/3. Each time we asked for a bottle the waitress would leave and come back to say they're out of stock. We eventually took it as a sign to have seltzers or beer. The door was actually really good and fairly priced. definitely a place I would come back too. The apps were great and the entrees hit all the marks.
Naomi R.
Great place for delicious Italian food. Nice ambiance, friendly service, yummy food choices. Will return again when back in town .
FIRST OFF, BEFORE I START SAYING ANYTHING. PATRICK IS AN ABSOLUTE SAINT AND AMAZING INDIVIDUAL. So me and my girl were feeling some rustic Italian food when we stumbled onto tavernas. At first glance I thought it would be your typical Italian restaurant but oh boy was I sorely mistaken. From customer service to quality of food I guarantee this place will blow your expectations out of the park. The ambiance with accompaniment of scents that make you feel like you're getting wine and dined in the back alley of Italy's finest restaurant is just the beginning of the amazing dining experience that taverna provides. What're you going to do? Make pasta at home? F THAT! Go to tavernas. Ask for Patrick. P.s. they got an amazing drink selection specifically the old fashions. How ya dooooooin 5 out of 5 tortellinis
We stopped for lunch; the restaurant was quiet and we got a friendly greeting from the floral hostess. Our orders came quickly, and it was clear that the kitchen is attentive to detail: perfectly grilled shrimp, meltingly tasty roasted peppers, crisp crostini. Delicious food, and the menu was full of good things we wish we had tried. But the best addition to the experience was our very cheerful and quick waiter, EDGAR, let his name be written in caps. To any question or request, he grinned and replied, "Absolutely!" and then went off in a flash and did it. Would we love to eat there again? ABSOLUTELY.
Wonderful evening atmosphere with unique dishes compared to the rest of main street. I especially liked the lamb meatballs. Our server was wonderful :)
Overpriced and not very good. Better than the stone balloon but not much. Have I hit 85 characters?
The food is so good the manager is the nicest person I've met if you're looking looking for fresh good food come here
Very good atmosphere, and the service was great. I would love to come here again, and the wait was not long.
The whipped ricotta appetizer alone was enough for me to want to go back. If you like ricotta, definitely get the whipped ricotta. There was plenty of it to go on the bread that came with it and also enough to add to my pasta entree. I had the Calamarata and bf had tbe Manicotti with a side of meatballs. The pasta was very good, especially with the added ricotta. We had plenty of food that we both took home leftovers for another meal. The meatballs were all beef, so that was pleasant for the bf who doesn't eat pork. The marinara sauce was flavorful, so we will definitely be back to try the pizzas. They had a seasonal Downeast cider on tap, so that was also a plus since we really enjoy Downeast ciders.
This place is a five since it hits all the notes for me personally. I always stop when I'm in the general vicinity of Newark. I absolutely love the pizza and the rest of the food is also great. You must get the budino for dessert. The craft beer selection is strong and the bartenders are the best. I love the atmosphere here. Something just clicks with Taverna. Definitely give it a try.
Excellent food and service! Can't wait to go back! We were thee at Xmas time and it was packed but our server made us feel like we were the only people there!! Top notch service!
Excellent Food, Service, and location. We typically visit during off season (i.e. UD is not in session), and love this place. At the front of the house, the bar tenders are top notch and know how to make a proper drink, and in the back of the house the food and table side service are excellent. We've tried the meatballs, pizza, gnocchi, free range chicken, beef brasato, and most of the salads offered. All are high quality and delicious! If you're a fan of Italian food, this is a safe bet!
Restaurantji Recommends
Good food good staff good ambience. Comfy cozy! Lunch or dinner give it a try. Good spirits to match
This is definitely not an accommodating restaurant! I reserved a table two week's prior for a holiday office party for 6. My first clue was how dismissive the person was regarding a table with enough room for us and presents. Called again to confirm and considerately reduce our number by 1. When we arrived we were placed at a table for 4 with an added chair. Isn't there some fire regulation for a chair in the aisle??? When we asked for a more accommodating table, they were very dismissive. In effort not to spoil the mood we sat and began to order. The manager later came by to ask if we were enjoying ourselves. I flatly said, "no" and explained why. He too was dismissive. "This is all we have." I saw several tables that we would have been more comfortable and we could have waited!! I don't understand the purpose of making a reservation in advance if they aren't going to go the extra mile to find comfortable seating, for all of their customers!!! The manager really care how we were doing! He was walking around as a formality! The one star is partly for the food and the look of the restaurant. Everything else at this restaurant is 'piss poor'. A bad impression on 5 newbies that could have brought others if we had a different experience!!
The food served here is great! I think this is the best Italian place to eat on Main St. Always great service, super nice staff. The best appetizer on the menu is the calamari for sure, highly recommend! The chicken fettuccine is also a great special to get if you're there on a day that it is served.
Pleasantly surprised! We have eaten here twice now. I believe the food restaurants on main street are few and far between because let's be honest it's a college town/street. We stopped in here with a friend the first time and got really unlucky with our wine selection 0/3. Each time we asked for a bottle the waitress would leave and come back to say they're out of stock. We eventually took it as a sign to have seltzers or beer. The door was actually really good and fairly priced. definitely a place I would come back too. The apps were great and the entrees hit all the marks.
Great place for delicious Italian food. Nice ambiance, friendly service, yummy food choices. Will return again when back in town .