Came here with a group of six girls for a birthday dinner, and our server was Kyle. The vibe inside was super cute and cozy, and the drink menu was insane. They had such fun cocktails--we all ordered different ones to try, and none of them disappointed. The food was 10/10 and the service was impeccable. We shared the fried mushrooms, spicy rigatoni, and tuna tartare as appetizers- all beyond good. For entrées, we ordered the short rib, pork chop, duck, scallops, and tagliatelle pasta and every dish impressed us. Kyle was incredibly knowledgeable about the menu and gave amazing recommendations. Such a great experience--we will definitely be returning!! read more

Very disappointing experience. We were seated next to an extremely loud and disruptive table that completely ruined our evening. What was most frustrating was the complete lack of management oversight--both the waitress and manager clearly saw what was happening, yet neither took any meaningful action. No attempt was made to address the disruptive guests, relocate us, or even acknowledge the situation with an apology. This level of inattentiveness and disregard for guest experience reflects very poorly on the service standards. The food was ok, but it wasn't nearly good enough to justify the high prices or make up for the poor service and lack of concern for our dining experience. We will not be returning, nor will we ever recommend. read more

This was once my favorite restaurant, and I would have described it as exceptional. Unfortunately, my recent visit was anything but. The wait was far longer than expected, and the $55 steak was disappointing both in presentation and quality. Most concerning was the seasoning--the dish was so heavily salted that it overwhelmed every other flavor and ultimately had to be sent back. What makes this especially disappointing is how much the restaurant seems to have changed. A place that once felt unique and worth going out of the way for now feels like just another overpriced, mediocre dining experience. It's unfortunate to see such a decline from a restaurant I once loved. After this visit, I don't see myself returning. read more

Landed in La Guardia and staying in Newalk area so as navigator, I had to find somewhere close to our Airbnb. Thanks to Yelp, I found this amazing restaurant! A bit confusing where to park since it was dark and we had no idea where we were. But then saw valet sign so that was nice. I went in and greeted kindly by hostess & luckily didn't need a reservation for the 3 of us. Sat right away and offered water (bottled, sparkling or tap!). Also offered bread. My mother-in-law & I split the Cesar salad (they actually split for us!) love that it had real anchovies and crispy lettuce. We also split the Shrimp & Polenta. Nice large shrimp & creamy polenta. Our friend had lobster & pasta dish which was delish. I had the Gimlet, which was super tasty & she had a lemon drop martini and our friend had a nice margarita. Service was great, we enjoyed everything! read more

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We popped in on a whim and a had great experience dining at the bar during the NCAA tournament. The TVs were on but muted and unobtrusive. Beautiful location--a good spot for date night or dinner with the in-laws. Amazing, professional service. Delicious food. I had the duck. It was cooked nicely, with perfectly rendered fat and a medium rare temp. My wife has the scallops. They were cooked well too. We started things off with the roasted oysters and beet salad. Both excellent. Overall, a very good meal. I will return. read more

Had the privilege of dining at this fine establishment in November of last year (2024). The food was fantastic and so was the atmosphere. The only issue we had was with the service. The staff seemed rather rude at first and not very accommodating. Eventually, the seemed to come around though. Fantastic pasta! We ordered the same dish twice. It was that good!! read more

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Dinner with Wife and Daughter, who was home on college break. Appetizer's of Burrata and the Brussel Sprout - both were good. Nice cocktails. Decent wine list. Ambiance is nice. Waiter was nice. Wife & Daughter ordered the Gruyère burger - ordered Medium. Pink center. Burger 101. Both were red cold raw in the middle. Raw. Manager took both back. Apologized. Replaced burger's were the same. Daughter's even more raw than 1st one. We actually briefly felt bad for the manager. But...seriously ruins the whole dinner. Can't even make your gourmet burger medium? And again on a re-do..? At least the manager gave us a comped kiddie cup of ice cream.... $300+ dinner. It's now known to us as "Raw Barn"... No reason for us to go back here... read more

As always it was the best fall treat to dine on the patio at Tavern - the service is always above and beyond, the dishes just the perfect temp and taste and combos, and overall you just feel "special" being here! Tucked away in the magical Silvermine area of Norwalk - It feels like you're states away when I'm only 10 minutes from home. The scallops were so perfectly cooked and the polenta the perfect accompaniment. Duck is always on point here as are the crack-like mushrooms haha Desserts weren't needed but the descriptions just didn't allow us to pass up on the opportunity to waddle out of here - elegantly of course. Until next time ... read more

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Lovely reconstruction of a New England tavern. Decent drinks and good in a friendly setting.

This was one of our favorite meals this year. A beautiful interior but an even better menu. They had a mix of small plates and entrees but we dabbled in both. Their spicy rigatoni was very flavorful and honestly, I could've eaten another plate but every single dish was well made with fresh ingredients. We will definitely be back! Service was thoughtful and they did not rush us out the door. Highly recommend if you're in the area! read more

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Wowowow - we stayed at the inn next door for a couple of nights and were lucky enough to have a couple of meals here. The vibes are immaculate and everyone on staff is very helpful and kind. Everything is truly spectacular, but here are a couple of my faves: Spicy rigatoni - this is a need, not a want. It's the best spicy rig that I've ever had, and actually has a decent bit of heat ~cough, Carbone~ Steak tartare - this is really delicious and quite filling too Gazpacho - this was super savory and yummy - we couldn't believe that it didn't have cream! Tomato burrata salad - super fresh and seasonal! Prince Edward Island oysters - very very tasty and fresh The cocktail menu and wine list is also great! You will not regret stopping by :) read more

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Dinner here was such a treat. We ate outside with a view of the water feature and gardens. I recommend this if the weather is good. The burrata starter was great, and the Caesar had real anchovies which was a plus for me. My ribeye was ordered rare and cooked perfectly. A great local date spot, reservation needed. read more

Tavern at GrayBarns - Buratta - Wine Bars Near Me - Norwalk, Connecticut

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This use to be our favorite restaurant in the area for years. But after two recent dining experiences, it appears this is no longer the level of quality inventive cuisine or fine service. First positive mentions - the restaurant ambiance is still quite special, that is the main dining area by the fireplace. They also still have some of their inventive and delicious starters and I love their bread. The reason for the two star rating. So what is missing. First service - our last visit was the worst dining service experience I can ever remember having. It began with the waiter pouring a bottle of sparkling water. Initially he spilled about an ounce on the table while pouring for my husband. I thought ok, an error - he seemed oblivious to it. But then it happened to me and I pointed it out on both side. You would think the waiter would apologize, and offer to clean up, after made aware. He said nothing. I asked him for napkins so we could clean up the spilled water on our each side ourselves. He eventually brought one napkin though we soaked both of our napkins cleaning up the spills by each of our seatings. He never returned with more napkins, offered another bottle of sparkling water, or apologized. Prior to ordering I specified do not add any salt to any of the foods I shared or ordered. The first thing that came out was butter covered in salt. I mentioned but no offer to replace. Then my starter arrived, with very salty dressing. I had to wait and call out for our waiter, restating no salt please. Then my main course was covered in salt that could visually see and I asked my husband to verify and he too said it's covered in salt. I even asked that at least I keep the sides to eat as hungry, he just took the dish away. Both first and second course delayed, no apology by our waiter or manager coming who could clearly see I had no dish while my husband had to have his warm meal as otherwise would have been cold. Both of our main courses were 'meh'. Uninventive, blah taste. We have experienced so many restaurants in our area that are especially creative with non-salt seasoning, fresh herbs, and other food sources that can add amazing flavor with out salt as so many fine restaurants create. They also take their clients dietary restrictions seriously. I agree with Elizabeth S below - 'totally not worth it and definitely would not recommend this restaurant' anymore. read more

Venue, cocktails and waitress were great. Food was poor to mediocre at best. With those prices it better be excellent. The hostess was horrible. Made us feel like we were inconveniencing her. We would not go back. read more

Outstanding! A 10/10 experience from the ambiance, to the staff, and most importantly the food. The ambiance inside and the outdoor patio is beautiful and homey. The staff were courteous and very helpful explaining some things on the menu we were unsure about. The food was the star of the show. Went with a group of friends and we tried a variety of plates to share. There was not a dish we had any complaints about! I am obsessed with the fried oyster mushrooms so so good! We also loved the Cacio E Pepe and the duck!!! But truly everything was great. My friends raved about the beets. Would definitely recommend and be coming back! Oh and if you were thinking about skipping dessert, don't. The flourless chocolate cake is delicious ( I added a scoop of ice cream)! read more

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This was out first time at Grey Barnes and we were hoping for an excellent experience which we did not get. First of all we had to wait 45 minutes after we finished our appetizers to get our main course. Inexcusable and not even an apology. My duck was way over salted!! My husbands Cod arrived cold and had to be sent back. The other couple we took to the restaurant both had the branzino which I believe they linked but it's not going to win any awards on presentation! No bread at the table which would have been nice since we had to wait so long to eat and especially at those prices. Totally not worth it and I definitely would not recommend this restaurant! The chef and our server should be embarrassed. I will say the atmosphere and physical surroundings are very pleasant. read more

shocked as i have eatten here before and love the atmosphere ordered a $28 cheeseburger was not impressed cheese was not melted and was cold burger was fine should be piping hot read more

Four of us went for dinner for the first time on the recommendation of friends. It was well worth the expense. Each of us started with different cocktails (something that I never do) which were tasty, and the went onto wines during the meal. The appetizers of roasted oysters and large shrimp were excellent. The main courses of the duck frites for two, the swordfish and the beet salad - all very tasty and enjoyable. Feeling satiated, we shared one dessert; the chocolate mousse. I give the place five stars, a very rare score for me. Our waiter was personable and knowledgeable and attentive - one could not ask for more. We were amongst the last diners in the place but were never rushed. If we are back in the area again we would dine here again, and recommend the restaurant to friends. read more

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Very nice restaurant, wonderful ambiance, great staff and consistently good food. Highly recommend Tavern at GrayBarns

The Valet parker's aren't too swift. We asked to park our car ourselves, because it is an extremely valuable car,and we tip big to allow us to park ourselves, they said no. Park down the street. We asked the hostess for an outdoor table, and she said that they were all reserved. As we dined indoors, we watched those tables, and there were two available, the entire meal! Our waiter was absolutely awful. There is no excuse for any of this terrible service. I absolutely can not recommend this ridiculous establishment to anyone at all. It's a shame that all of the employees that we encountered were so unfriendly and acted as though they were doing us a favor, as opposed to serving us. When we walked out, we noticed an entire area of outdoor seating that wasn't even being used. I have no patience for all the stupidity we came across. The food was very undercooked, and our waiter made us feel ignorant for even gently mentioning it. Just awful all around! read more

Upscale eatery inside (or just outside) of a beautiful building that overlooks a river The building began as a textile mill in the early 1800s, became a speakeasy in the 1920's, and then transformed into an inn and restaurant after that Reservations are highly recommended, but I was lucky that I came for a late lunch and they had a seat at the bar that was available The menu is comprised of a bunch of different American classic entrees, as well as a bunch of creative cocktail creations (alliteration for the win) I got a pasta dish and it was very tasty. I also got a coffee old fashion and it was very strong (the bartender was awesome). The food came out very quickly The downsides are that all of the parking is valet and the food is pretty pricey 9.5 read more

Tavern at GrayBarns - Wine Bars Near Me - Norwalk, Connecticut

Outstanding all around. We visited for our anniversary on the recommendation of a local friend and were not disappointed. My wife and I shared the hamachi crudo and gazpacho while she enjoyed the "Garden Party" cocktail. All were excellent. The gazpacho flavors were like nothing I had ever tried before and the broth for the hamachi was so fresh and delightful ... a perfect complement to the fish. For our mains, she had the branzino, with crispy skin and beautiful flavors. I had the duck breast which we also wonderful. The sweet peach was a nice touch. I paired my duck with a French Bordeaux that the server recommended. We finished off with some chocolate and a glass of port. We left totally satisfied. At about $235 with gratuity, Tavern at GrayBarns is not cheap in any sense. But it's a five star meal without the hassle of going to Manhattan and, I'd say, worth it for that special occasion. read more

Tavern at GrayBarns - Honey Glazed Duck Breast - Wine Bars Near Me - Norwalk, Connecticut

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Never disappoints. One of my top places to go when I want to have a special evening out - cozy across four seasons. Food is outstanding.

We love this place. A great place for a special night out. The food is always great and the menu changes with the seasons. The atmosphere is upscale but still inviting because of the servers. The servers have always been down to earth and provide great recommendations. Recently we went for a birthday dinner and some standout dishes were the fried oyster mushrooms- they were like a sour cream and onion flavored calamari. So good. We also got the smoked carrots-much spicier than expected and the burrata. Entrees are always good-can't go wrong with duck and the branzino. For dessert, the chocolate budino was not too sweet or heavy-great ending to dinner. read more

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I went out for a special birthday lunch here with a girlfriend. It was a bluebird day and perfect for Al fresco dining. First off- I absolutely LOVED the decor and ambiance of the place. It was rustic, yet modern - simple and elegant. Beautiful. The menu is small, which is fine, especially since a lot of it seemed to be farm to table items, but there wasn't anything on it that I was particularly excited about. So I ordered a salad off the "small plate" menu and my friend ordered a raw tuna dish from the same menu. When the waitress took our order she informed us that "small plate" meant appetizer and asked what we wanted for our entree. Well I didn't really want anything off of it and it was pricey, so we stuck with what we had ordered. My "butter lettuce" salad was quite good. And my friend's very small portion of tuna was good too. The staff was attentive and their politeness seemed a bit forced- but maybe we were just not a high dollar table and they were annoyed. I don't know. My friend had notified them when she made the reservation that it was a birthday lunch and when they brought out our dessert there was candle in my friend's ice cream. Unfortunately, it was my birthday, not hers. They didn't ask-and she got a semi polite "happy birthday" from our waitress. So I'm giving it 3 stars because although it was beautiful and the food was fresh, it wasn't my cup of tea. It was a bit too stuffy for me and it was expensive. Go there for company lunch or dinner and let your boss pick up the tab- it's perfect for that! read more

Tavern at GrayBarns - Beautiful barn-themed lobby - Wine Bars Near Me - Norwalk, Connecticut

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Overpriced, horrible food long wait do not recommend.... This place is full of pompous, hostess and servers who think they are too good to be waiting on you. If you ask them for a glass of water, it seems like it's a huge effort. read more

The food and ambiance was very good! The service was not good. Several mistakes by our server with no apologies. Never once did she ask how our meal was or offer to get us anything else. Brought us the check without us asking for it. Left empty bottles on our table through our whole meal. We left 15percent tip and she whispered something negative about it to someone else. read more

Bar area is a great room for cocktails and small bites. And the excellent service makes for an enjoyable experience here. read more

Tavern at GrayBarns - ROASTED OYSTERS roasted garlic & sundried tomato chili butter - Wine Bars Near Me - Norwalk, Connecticut

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WOW, I have to say I have not tried this place based on so-so Yelp reviews but after more than one person said I had to try it, I finally did for lunch today..... and it was a TOTAL WOW. I also realized I have not been putting any photos up of food and this place screams- take a photo.... as the presentation of dishes/drinks is exceptional! First and foremost, the tavern is beautifully decorated.... truly one of a kind in the area. The seating layout is very comfortable and yet stylish. You literally will want to take the light fixtures and furniture home with you. There is a huge fireplace that is so pretty, very cool "new" farm kind of bar, and the outside view of the Silvermine area is gorgeous and just relaxing to look at. The waitstaff was very accommodating and professional. They really allow you to dine (and relax) at whatever speed you would like! We had a wonderful cocktail called a Cin City..... bourbon, pineapple juice and cinnamon with probably a few other ingredients I am forgetting- very balanced flavors and way too easy to take down. We opted for smaller plates to share, my favorite way to dine- wagu beef tartare which came with the most interesting bread flats and paired with whipped ricotta that all melted in our mouths literally. The rockfish tartare was like nothing I have ever had before- I will never give it justice to state the ingredients but it was so fresh, had grapefruit, red pepper purée and much more. Hands down must try if you are a raw fish/tartare fan.... no way you will be disappointed. The eggplant and burrata was also amazing..... again so interesting how they handled the ingredients and made it something you can not duplicate. We ended with dessert (chocolate mouse with brownie crumble and salted caramel bottom- sorry no photo of that, forgot and just dug in) and espresso which was equally delicious and would totally get again. Overall- so so happy I finally got to experience Gray Barns and I say experience on purpose because it was just that....such a wonderful dining experience! I will definitely be back, maybe for dinner and perhaps might uber next time and enjoy more than one Cin City! read more

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Great ambience and location. Our server Cesar V. made great recommendations. They have a very nice drink menu, and a nice selection of wines. We had the coffee old fashion and the lonely hearts both very good. We had several small plates the best were the roasted oysters and prime beef tartare. For dessert we shared the butterscotch Budinot which was very good, my wife had the espresso martini which was delicious. I recommend you ask for a table next to a window, But the bar looked very nice and the service was second to none. Parking is very limited they only seemed to offer valet reservations recommended bon appétit. read more

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My husband and I have had many wonderful dinners at the Tavern at GrayBarns. It's a gem - amazing food in a lovely setting. Recently I had my daughters Bridal Shower there and it couldn't have been more perfect. Olivia, the event's manager was wonderful ! She assisted me in all aspects of the event - from decor, menu selection and more. I received so many compliments from guests on how wonderful the day was. From the service, to the food, to the ambience, it truly was a beautiful event - highly recommended ! read more

Great food and service. Setting is amazing. 5 stars The bar staff is extraordinary. Anything you are looking for is possible. read more

We've been coming back here pretty often now. We have our favorite drinks and selections of appetizers/main courses. But I want to share my opinion on three specific drinks that should be ALWAYS on the menu, especially now during the fall - Beet me to It! Watermelon Patch (BUT done the clean way, the way it was the very first week, please DO NOT change it to a pink watermelon gin drink - The Clean way is waaaay better!!! And third drink is Trace of Peaches! We will be coming back for more! read more

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Come here, and you won't feel like you're in Norwalk anymore. The entire vibe of this place inside and out makes you feel like you are on vacation and completely relaxed. They have fabulous valet parking right in front, which is key since the lot is small. From there, you enter this beautiful restaurant that is perfectly decorated and honestly stunning. With Covid, make sure to make reservations, especially if you want to sit outside. It's always busy here! Our server was excellent and knew everything about the menu and answered every question. He also had great recommendations (thank you for suggesting the fries with the tartare). Their burrata was the very best I have ever had. I wanted to order a second one to eat as my meal. However, my meal was equally as good. I ordered the spicy rigatoni, and it was out-of-this-world. It's almost like a spicy vodka sauce, and it delicious! It's a meal I would drive an hour to get. This is the perfect place for a fancy date night and a fancy girl day! Bravo! read more

We had an absolutely lovely time here! We all started with cocktails, and I think the Saluki Fizz was the winner of the day. Super refreshing and complex with that fun, party-drink feel. Then we had a few small plates--the fried burrata only came with one piece of toast for the four of us but otherwise was solid, the duck confit was made perfectly, but the Tuna crudo was the star. The fish was so tender and delicious, I would recommend that the highest. For my main course I had the lobster. I was a bit disappointed by this. While it was prepared well, the lobster itself was quite small and I was still hungry after I ate it. The lobster also didn't taste like the sauce the was under the shell (that sauce was an Asian-inspired sauce--delicious! Really wish it was on the actual lobster). The way the lobster was presented also made it rather difficult to eat. Others at my table had a beautiful steak and two delicious pasta dishes I wish I would've ordered instead. Definitely skip the lobster. The dessert was the BEST I've had in a long time. The butterscotch pudding was smooth and delicate, with a shortbread crumble that was divine. Overall I had a great experience with Tavern and I'd love to come back! read more

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Amazing dinner. You have to book your reservation out a bit since they're so busy, but worth it. The entire staff is friendly and safe. We had a table in the bar area and there was a plexiglass divider between us and other patrons. My wife had an amazing pasta with braised pork and I had their cheeseburger. That may sound boring but trust me, it wasn't. Garlic aioli and a slice of pickled green tomato made this an amazing burger. We had the pavlova with lemon curd and the pine-nut toffee tart for dessert. Wonderful. read more

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Beautiful ambiance - 3rd time having dinner there. Tuna Tartare was ok; menu is limited and odd. Nothing excited me so I ordered the chicken breast which was thick, tough and very bland on a base of pea puree with cream. Service was good. Overall ...underwhelmed for the price. Don't bother calling for any special requests. They never pick up and inform you via vm that any requests by phone are not confirmed. read more

Good food, drinks, and decor. Unpleasant hostesses and manager. Would like to return but was not an enviable experience.

Rewarding country inn dining. Food is really unusual and delicious. For sure experimental. Great design which feels cozy and exciting at the same time. Worth the effort read more

We always have such a lovely experience when we come here for Sunday brunch. The French toast with bread butter filling is to die for. I believe it's on their special menu. Don't second guess whether you should get it, just get it!! read more