Wow. I had never been to Johnny's and tried it tonight with three others. First of all, our server, "Karen 2" (on the bill) was fabulous! I swear the woman could read our minds, anticipating our questions. Now to the food. We started with fried brussel sprouts. Huge portion. Flavorful, not overcooked, just the right amount of crispness...and those bacon pieces!? Yum. I had the chicken wings and a beet salad. I'm a Buffalo, NY native folks, and thus have had my share of great chicken wings. Johnny's wings were on par with anything I've had in the Queen City. My only suggestion to make it real Buffalo style is thick blue cheese dip. The other meals served were amazing - two pasta dishes and the fried chicken. All tasty. Everyone loved their dishes. The prices were very fair for the quality and quantity of food brought to the table. I'm surprised at the 4.1 Yelper average. The meal and service we had tonight was excellent. read more

I took my daughter to Johnny's for her birthday and was looking forward to trying the restaurant again. It had been a while since I was last there. We ordered the calamari for an appetizer and it was very good as usual. Calamari (fried) is served atop an aioli that's heavy with garlic. For my main course I opted for the branzino with seafood risotto. I would not recommend this dish. The branzino came out slightly warmer than room temperature with a big dollop of room temp butter on it. I wonder if the intention was to put the plate under the salamander to warm / crisp things up prior to service but was forgotten. So I scraped the butter off the fish and onto the side plate it went. I was hoping for crispy skin but alas it was not to be found on this dish. Off came the skin and onto the side plate as well. The fish did have a good flavor to it. The seafood risotto was swimming in butter and was not edible. There were several mussels (in the shell) in the risotto, as well as small bay scallops, and several shrimp. The scallops and shrimp were incredibly overcooked and the mussels so gritty that they were inedible. This place used to be my favorite restaurant. I think that this is the last time that I'll dine at Johnny's in Amherst. read more

Nice atmosphere and good service. I really loved the fish and chips! Something different about fish and chips when you're up north!! Yum read more

Johnny's Tavern - New American Near Me - Amherst, Massachusetts

See all

The ABSOLUTE BEST spaghetti bolognese I've had! This is actually the standard that I base all other bolognese dishes on. The beet salad is also very good and fresh. Chef's kiss read more

Went on a busy Friday but we had a reservation and were seated quickly. The drink list was extensive and we ordered drinks served in giant tiki glasses. We shared the fried Brussels sprouts with lemon aioli and bacon. My burger was juicy with very crispy fries. Solid meal and I would return. read more

Service was phenomenal from the start! Our server was super attentive without being suffocating, and she was great with cracking jokes and keeping the mood light. Ambiance went from good to great when the restaurant dimmed the lights for dinnertime. The food was great with the brussel sprouts as the highlight--super rich and had a creamy aioli on top that we ordered extra of on the side. The gnocchi had great texture and didn't feel too heavy. The bread served as an appetizer was DELICIOUS, mainly bc of the sauce (some sort of tomato sauce + oil that was sweet and salty). 9.5/10! read more

See all

Even though my partner went to school nearby we've never eaten there until last night. I have to say it was some of the best food I've ever had. The bar tender was amazing and eating at the bar was a fun experience too. Roasted chicken with garlic mashed and carrots was fantastic! The fish tender and flavorful l, the beet salad with a delicious dressing was a perfect start, and the bread, outstanding! I can see why so many college families come here. It's a staple of the town and an institution. read more

See all

The place looks great, service was good, and the ambiance was welcoming and fun! Unfortunately, the most important part of any restaurant, the food, was seriously lacking. I hate writing anything negative but it was hard to eat what was served. The Salt and Pepper Style Calamari sounds simple enough but covered in a sweet teriyaki glaze, the sauce just killed the dish. At least put it on the side and not drizzled all over the calamari. Served with cocktail sauce or ranch would've made the dish much more appetizing. We had to dig to find pieces without any of that goop. The french onion soup looked great but it had a potent peppery taste to it making it weirdly spicy. Not good. The Coulotte Steak was way undercooked being a chewy red and we had to send it back and even then it was void of any flavor. I should've taken a picture but my appetite wasn't there anymore. I'm sure the beer is great and I believe that every restaurant has a good dish. You just have to know what to order. I will probably come back for drinks again and maybe the fish and chips next time. Every place deserves a second shot. Until then.... read more

Johnny's Tavern - Salt and Pepper Style Calamari - New American Near Me - Amherst, Massachusetts

See all

A consistent favorite. Everything at Johnny's is high-quality, top-notch, and delicious. I LOVE the barramundi on seafood risotto - the seafood risotto is a delicious meal unto itself, but add the barramundi on top and it's downright decadent, in a good way. The braised short rib is also delicious - very tender. Oh and the truffle fries - perfection! I've never been disappointed by Johnny's! read more

Johnny's Tavern - Truffle fries and a cosmopolitan. - New American Near Me - Amherst, Massachusetts

I went there with the love of my life. He took me out for dinner. It was my first time going there and it was the best food. He had salmon and I had a burger. It was absolutely delicious, cooked to perfection. I also met the chef's fiancé/wife. She is an amazing server! Johnny's as well worth your money! The ambience was great just a tad bit loud because of the bar, but it didn't stop us from having a great time! You should definitely check out Johnny's. read more

Yeah. Food is marginal. Service is excellent. What a conundrum. Went here on a quick overnight to get out of dodge and stayed in Amherst because my credit score of 820 was too low for any of the hotels in Lennox. So we did our usual and sat at the bar. Both bartenders Rachael and Schuyler (like the town) were spot on. Johnny's has an almost chain restaurant feel lurking somewhere and the water dripping from the light fixture was distracting but we "mussel'd" thru it. They were excellent but the tapenade for the bread was kinda gross. Heavy on the evoo and what looked like tomato paste squeezed in for color. She settled on the chicken and I squarely had a hankering for a pork chop. Rachael explained the chef prepared it a little pink...perfect! And it came out bone dry. Ugh. So let's try that again. I get it. Chops can be tough to cook. So I had a bite of her boneless chicken. It was ok. Then round 2 with the pig. I think they literally waved it past the grill and threw it on the plate. The inside was as pink as the outside of miss piggy. I give up. I'm done. The did offer a free dessert...sticky toffee cake which was really good. And I also understand it's difficult to get qualified help. But it's a Saturday and whatever A team you've got should be working. And what about a good old fashioned instant read thermometer? Works for me all the time. Pull it at about 135 and let it rest for a few minutes. Oh well, maybe next time. read more

Very nice place in downtown Amherst. We went about 2 weeks ago when my daughter was visiting U Mass. We stopped in for lunch and had an excellent time. The interior was nicely laid out and very clean. The service was great. Our server was knowledgeable about the menu and cocktails. She made good choices. I had a fantastic golden beet salad with flank steak. It was full of flavor and the steak was perfectly prepared. Give this place a try! read more

See all

Sadly I never had the chance to eat here, but I came by to say what kind and considerate people run this restaurant. It was graduation weekend at UMass Amherst and my family and I could not find a reservation for lunch. The people at Johnny's Tavern were so kind and accommodating in making our large group Reservation happen!! Ultimately we had a family emergency. and had to cancel after all their hard work and leave to go home! When we canceled, they even called us back and confirmed that we didn't cancel accidentally!! Amazing people and I've heard- great food! read more

There was incidents and accidents- Call me Al was playing as we walked in. So first impression: great music. Second impression: nice interior (horse racing theme.) Our waiter, Curtis, was nice. This place is putting out some good stuff here but it just isn't my flavor profile: 1. French onion soup- Why is it spicy? I have never had spicy French onion soup before? I ended up asking Curtis and his response was they make big batches and maybe at the bottom we got a lot of pepper. Either way- not a fan. 2. Carbonara- (note: we switched the shrimp for chicken) Fresh pasta (Curtis told all pasta is made on site) but this did not taste like carbonara and end result- don't want corn in my carbonara after trying this. 3. Friend chicken sandwich. The chicken was cooked perfectly, great crisp. This dish was fine but they delivered tomato jam as a garnish for the fries. It wasn't my jam. They did an awesome job separate the fried chicken sandwich for two people. greatly appreciated. I would suggest give this palce a try and see if it's for you. read more

See all

BE WARNED: I am a frequent customer of Johnny's; the food is good and the atmosphere is excellednt. Service can be spotty though... and last night was truly egregious. I brought special guests to Johnny's last night. We wanted an outdoor table since one of our party had a sniffle. I have been to Johnny's many times; we usually sit at the bar, and from that vantage point I have heard the host tell customer after customer that outdoor seating cannot be reserved. As I prepped for the dinner, I double-checked the website, which says "RESERVATIONS STRONGLY ENCOURAGED FOR INDOOR SEATING." Not very clear, so I looked for further confirmation. I checked OpenTable and it says, under Dining Areas: "The patio tables are available on a first come, first served basis. No reservations will be taken for the patio. Its availability is weather dependent; we do not seat this area in the rain or when the temperature is too high for staff to serve it comfortably. Well behaved dogs are welcome." That seemed quite clear. Still, knowing that getting an outdoor table was important to my gathering, I ALSO called about an hour in advance and asked again about outdoor seating. The person on the phone told that outdoor seats "cannot be reserved" and are "first come, first served.. like bar seating." I arrived about 10 minutes early and found two patio tables empty. PERFECT. I sat down at one to wait for the rest of my party, and they arrived promptly. We had just a couple moments of conversation before we were approached by a waiter who asked if we had a reservation. I mentioned that it was my understanding that patio seating was first come first served. A few minutes later, another person (host, I assume) came out and asked if we had a reservation. I explained again. I won't go into the details, but suffice it to say that the host made every possible excuse for why a reservation was actually required, essentially saying they are required "because we are quite busy tonight." After diffusing that statement, new excuses were offered, none of which made any sense. To say that the host was grasping at straws is an understatement. (e.g. to paraphrase: "the policy says patio use is weather dependent, and it's nice out right now, so that means we need this space for reservations.") I didn't even bother to point out the common definition of "weather-dependent" since clearly we had passed beyond the boundaries of rational conversation. Simply put, the Johnny's host took every opportunity to blame US for the error, and they flatly denied the policy that's listed in plain English on their OpenTable listing. They also denied that the policy had been quoted to me over the phone just moments earlier -- an assertion which had already been proven questionable by how much they were casting about for excuses. I read their own policy to them, verbatim, then offered my phone so they could see it themselves. No dice. We offered flexibility, but they made ZERO attempt to accommodate us. It was WILD. They acted almost as if we were vagrants who had wandered into their restaurant. (NB: We were well dressed.) When I asked "So, are you asking us to leave?" they replied essentially that yes, we would need to vacate the table. Throughout the entire interaction, it was 100% "the customer is wrong" without even a whisper of the hospitality and grace that would have been appropriate even if we HAD been wrong -- which we were not. They were callous and, and I would even say unprofessional in terms of the most basic standards of hospitality. The only offer they made was to put us on the waiting list, which would mean at least an hour wait. We said YES, please, and they took my phone number -- BUT THEY NEVER ADDED ME TO THE LIST. (How do I know? Because I never received any of the automated text messages that they typically send.) This was just another instance where they clearly showed no concern for their words or commitments; they simply told us to leave and then deleted us from their waitlist. I've probably spent thousands of dollars at Johnny's. I live not even a mile away, and it has been a go-to spot for us. We've held several larger gatherings there over the years, and I often recommend it to people who are looking for a better restaurant in Amherst. Service has always been a little spotty, but this experience was egregious. I worry that it signals deeper issues at the restaurant. How did the night work out? Well, after working through our astonishment at the whole interaction, my party found an outdoor table at 110 Grille, a few miles away. The folks at 110 were thoughtful, kind, and accommodating, and their professionalism allowed the night to end on a high note. Perhaps the hosts or managers or owners from Johnny's should dine there as a source of professional development. read more

When you advertise that reservations are not taken for outdoor patio seating but are effectively shown the parking lot after waiting 10 minutes for service, next to another empty table, it's time to consider another dining option. Citing her 35-45 min. waiting list, the hostess / manager / whomever doubled down on us with an unwelcoming tone, despite showing her the OpenTable entry referencing that reservations for outdoor seating are not required (and despite the fact that outdoor tables stood empty and that we'd been waiting for service - clearly no urgency). Could've been accommodating, was not, business hence provided to 110 Grill, which had a pleasant fire pit and great menu. read more

Johnny's Tavern - New American Near Me - Amherst, Massachusetts

One of the best burgers I've had in a minute! Cooked perfectly at med rare, closer to rare, as requested. Fries extra crunchy as requested! Great food, good vibe. I'd go back in a minute. read more

I stumbled upon this gem after my day trip to Springfield. I am very happy that I stopped in. This beautiful little Tavern is aesthetically pleasing and the food is quite good. You wouldn't expect a tavern to push out this type of intricate cuisine but they are. You won't be disappointed with the variety of drinks and what the bartenders can whip up and the food from the chefs. Go check this place out. It is on the pricey side for a Tavern but def worth it. Try them out. read more

Johnny's Tavern is a must stop restaurant if you are in the area! Every single thing we order from the menu is always so consistently delicious... Make sure to try their homemade pastas, you can't go wrong with any of them! Their food and service is always top notch ... I never make a trip to Amherst without stopping here! read more

Johnny's Tavern - Spaghetti Bolognese - New American Near Me - Amherst, Massachusetts

See all

This was our 2nd visit, this time on a Saturday evening. It was really busy, as expected, but we were still seated quickly... and lucked out getting a parking spot as we drove in. Their menu offers a good assortment of choices from appetizers to entrees and their prices seem on par with other restaurants. We were a little surprised at the cost of their cocktails that seemed to range from $14 to $17. Although we can easily afford the price, I have reached my limit on what I am willing to pay for a few ounces of liqueur, so I opted for a diet coke. The staff was wonderful and seemed to help one another with deliveries to the table, which was great to see. We will be back again sometime and do recommend it to others. It's a mixed crowd from college aged to seniors, so it has broad appeal. It is handicapped accessable, but would be challenging to navigate a wheelchair inside due to the narrow pathways between the tables. If you found this review helpful, please let me know by tapping the thumbs up. Thanks! read more

Another wonderful lunch. I wish I remembered our waitresses name, she was super nice, funny and attentive. I absolutely love the fried chicken sandwich and often order this. Crispy and wonderfully battered. Yum! Bathrooms are nicely clean, although parking is usually full, we seem to luck out There are many food choices in Amherst, but we enjoy Johnny's so my b that it's usually a stop for us when traveling here. read more

See all

Terrible Brussels sprouts. scallops were tiny bay scallops not large scallops bay scallops were not listed in description just scallops. Our seats were in poor condition deep cracks tears in upholstery. My drink had a banana chip as a garnish very unattractive a real banana dipped in banana liquor would have better. Unfortunately I was very disappointed. read more

Let me just say--yum! I had taken a break from Johnny's in Amherst after a couple of less-than-great visits, but I'm so happy to say... they're back and better than ever! We sat at the bar--our bartender (with a long braid) was outstanding. Even though the place was packed, service didn't miss a beat. Our food arrived perfectly timed, hot, and absolutely delicious from appetizer to entrée. I'm ready to go back right now!!! read more

Occupying a prime spot on Amherst's Boltwood Walk, Johnny's Tavern offers a traditional menu with an Asian flair. The menu does change periodically which keeps it interesting. First up was the Fried Salt and Pepper Calamari. If you're looking for traditional calamari, this is not it. It is loaded with garlic and scallions in addition to unagi (eel) sauce and five spice. Main was the house made Spaghetti Bolognese consisting of braised beef and finished with a touch of cream, ricotta and pecorino. They do bring out bread for the table with red pepper garlic aioli. The bread was cold and an indication of being previously frozen. Johnny's is attentive to detail but this one they missed. Ambiance is jockey motif stemming back from the family's history. Johnny's is not 5 star but realistically a high "3" to "4" and one of the best that Amherst has to offer. read more

Johnny's Tavern - Calamari - New American Near Me - Amherst, Massachusetts

See all

Some of the best buffalo wings I've ever had! Burgers were good too! A little more upscale too for a tavern.

Great place, great food, good service, and many choices for the whole family. Highly recommended...

Great service, lots of options on the menu. Fresh ingredients. Great for a group of six colleagues. We called a head and they had a table ready for us! read more

Johnny's Tavern - Scallops - New American Near Me - Amherst, Massachusetts

Overall: exactly the type of hometown restaurant you'd expect in a smaller town like Amherst serving up more traditional American-Italian food. Come for the traditional small American town vibes and leave on a full stomach with a smile on your face by how amazing the service is. Food: the fried Brussels sprouts are a tad bit salty, which is why I would consider it more of a side dish as it pairs nicely with any carb dish. The sprouts themselves are cooked to a flaky layer by layer texture that can absorb the fatty bacon flavor. Huge portion so would recommend sharing. Short ribs (entree) were absolutely mouthwatering melt in your mouth flavor. When chewing you feel each fiber break down without the dryness typically associated with short ribs. Flavor wise the red wine sauce strongly complements the short rib as it doesn't overpower one or the other. The mashed potatoes were extremely creamy to soak up all the rich flavors. Ambience/Decor/Service: the waitress was super kind regularly checking up without intruding on the conversation. The decor was well thought out highlighting the bar, table tops, and the like. Ambience felt like a small town community. read more

Johnny's Tavern - Fried Brussels Sprouts - New American Near Me - Amherst, Massachusetts

See all

Generally the food is good. If you want good service sit at the bar. It's iffy if you sit at a table.

Ordered the steak coulotte. The steak was very hard to cut and chew, it was also burned on the outside. I could not eat it. I made my server, Bridgette aware. I was surprised to see that I was charged for a steak that I could not masticate. It's common courtesy to remove food from bill. The service could have been better. Positives: drinks were great and the calamari was amazing. I would go back if my service was better and this would have been corrected on the bill. read more

Don't mean to be rude, but shockingly surprisingly good. Atmosphere is very old-school New England pub vibe. But the fresh pasta rivals anything you get in Boston and the calamari was amazing. read more

Delicious food and drinks! Get the calamari. It is usually busy so try to make a reservation.

Had a very good meal here. The menu has a wide range of options, and the staff were all very friendly. I had the Fried Chicken Sandwich, which was good. Just wished I had gotten more sauce on it, so next time I'll ask for extra. My wife had the Beet Salad and added tune. The ingredients were very fresh and the tuna was cooked perfectly. They have a range of beers on tap and a full bar. Interior is very nice, though perhaps a little cramped. Definitely a good option in Amherst. read more

Johnny's Tavern - Fried Chicken Sandwich - New American Near Me - Amherst, Massachusetts

See all

This is one of my favorite restaurants in western Massachusetts. Excellent service, fabulous apps, fresh ingredients and delicious deserts!

A popular spot that has long since past it's prime and is now plagued with inconsistencies. Tonight the room was cold and loud and there were several open tables. The beet salad (we've had a dozen times) was nothing more than cubed beets and thick slabs of red onion atop a small handful of greens and too much goat cheese and 3 walnuts. My wyf ordered a special (NY strip over pasta with mushrooms and onions. The steak was well-done (not done well, but overcooked). The pasta was this side of Al dente and would have benefited from two additional minutes in the water. It lacked any salt, pepper, or Parmesan. Seriously? I opted for the burger. It's been on the menu for a decade and this was the only item done well. Service was attentive. Will any of this matter? Prob not. read more

I have consistently had a great meal there. Many times I have had an excellent meal there. At certain times during the school year it's impossible to get in there without reservations. read more

Nice atmosphere and food is good. A little pricey. Parking lot is usually full, so parking is an issue. Clean inside and service was good. Will return read more

Amazing!!! Such a large menu with the kindest staff. Never disappoints! Gives customers the perfect tavern ambiance. Dim lighting, good drink choices, lots of different kinds of seating including a bar. One of my favorite places in Amherst! read more

What do you need after a long day of walking around campus and bringing the charm with new people? Pasta!!! My daughter kicked me to the curb for her admitted students night and I had the evening to myself? What is this miracle??!' So, what's a girl to do? I popped my hiney at the bar and ordered a glass of red wine and some creamy pasta. Hello!! Service was great. Since I have no idea what to do with myself when I'm alone, I hustled the staff's personal conversation and they are soooo nice!! read more

Johnny's Tavern - The bar was packed on a Tuesday night. - New American Near Me - Amherst, Massachusetts

Simply our family's go to restaurant for years. Great, incredibly fresh food, amazing wine and beer, and friendly service. Warm, comfortable dining with a classic bar. House made pasta, great salads. Probably some of the best PEI muscles anywhere - wine, lemon, roasted garlic cloves. Delicious barrata. Wings top notch. Roasted cod generous and perfectly cooked...perfect. read more

Johnny's Tavern - Now that is truly a tasty burger!!!! - New American Near Me - Amherst, Massachusetts

See all