I love Solana Beach and this location lets you sit right on the street if you want and eat and drink before you go into the belly app it's wonderful to get a few drinks and some appetizers or food before you see your show. The staff was OK rushed around very quickly. It was hard to get their attention and lacked warmth and friendliness but the food and drinks were pretty good. The drinks could've been a little bit stronger if you want something strong go for a martini. read more

See all

Since we were attending a concert next door, we decided to arrive a little early and enjoy dinner. Not a huge space but very welcoming. The space is decorated with all kinds of music art. Even the menus pay homage to various bands. I really liked the vibe inside. We started out with some chips and guacamole to get our appetites going. We then enjoyed the Hokey Pokey, Braised Short Ribs, a Non Traditional Caesar Salad, and my daughter was happy they offered vegan choices. The salad was light and the produce tasted great especially the tomatoes. The Hokey Pokey and the Braised Short Ribs were just ok for us. We have had better. I was kinda surprised that the poke did not taste more fresh. We easily finished up right before showtime and were one of the first patrons let into the Belly Up. Service was quick and helpful. Again parking in this area can be very challenging, but eventually you will find a space. Fun Fact: The art posters hung up are custom wall to wall Scrojo concert posters. read more

See all

While I hate leaving even semi-negative reviews, Tavern seems really to exist and thrive due to its convenient location on the way into BellyUp for various shows. I left Tavern rather unimpressed and kinda of regretting the money I spent. The food was average, the drinks were okay, but the service ranged from great by one server to borderline atrocious by another. We won't be back, even if going to a show at BellyUp just based on our experience this time. read more

Always enjoyable! The food never disappoints and they have a few good gluten free options! read more

Tavern - House salad with chicken - New American Near Me - Solana Beach, California

See all

The food was delicious, and the service was superb and welcoming. Our server was Whitney S and she deserves kudos from her manager, she was absolutely delightful! We were seated at a wonderful, cozy outdoor table. The interior is very well-decorated with a splash of modern musical art. After our meal, we went straight to a show next door, and they let us through directly from the restaurant. I definitely recommend this quaint spot! read more

See all

Juan did a nice job with service and it's a really cool spot right next to the belly up. Cedros Avenue is a really cool spot to walk around and look at shops and then if you get a chance pop in the tavern and let them take care of you Parking sometimes can be a little tough, but we always seem to find one and just like the vibe with a whole area so I definitely recommend it. It kind of feels like you're on vacation. It's that kind of spot. read more

See all

2nd visit to Tavern, and this time it was before the Mike Love concert! We made reservations for Thursday at 5:30pm and by the time we left (6:30ish) it was packed! We were seated quickly and our waitress was amazing! This time I got the Sushi burrito and it was 10/10 DELICIOUS! I also ordered the Mrazzberry cocktail (again) because that's my FAVORITE beverage there! For dessert we shared a key lime pie... and its safe to say that was a great decision to end our visit. This spot is definitely a MUST if you want a chill spot to eat at...but even moreso a great spot if youre going to see a concert at the BellyUp later in the night. Go give them a try! read more

See all

Service- eh, at best. All the servers and bartenders are rude and seem to have a chip on their shoulders. They think anyone coming into order food or drinks is just there to sneak into BellyUp. We were going to eat, drink, and go to a show. The doors were already open, so we weren't trying to sneak in anywhere. They wouldn't even give us a food menu. But we kept getting lectured. It's a horrifying experience. I ended up getting the broccoli cheese soup, but it was extremely salty. And I only ate a couple bites. read more

Tavern - Pot stickers - New American Near Me - Solana Beach, California

Great margaritas but the vibes are just okay. Big party of 8 comes in after 1pm on a Sunday. We get asked bar or table, so we say table so we can all see each other and talk, plus wanted to stay outside, but as he's setting up the table he asks if it's just for drinks and not food, so we say yes and he makes us sit at the bar which we take every single seat. Why even ask then? Hah. I liked their Red Hot Chili margarita with Tajin on the rim, mmm. Service from lady bartender was nice; accommodated all our drink orders and closed each of us out smoothly. I felt too warm inside, wish the a/c was on. read more

See all

Tried this place for the first time and really liked it! Super cool interior. Sweet potato fries were sooo good. Shrimp tacos weren't my favorite, they had kind of an earthy flavor that's just not my preference. Calamari was good and I loved my coconut cocktail. Definitely will come back! read more

See all

Good place to meet up with friends before going to the show. The server we had for a table of 6 was good. He was attentive and got all our orders correct. The food was decent. The inside was cool with all the posters of the bands that played at the Belly Up. Liked that you're able to line up inside the bar after we ate. read more

See all

This is a great place to grab a bite and some drinks before a show at the Belly Up! I would definitely recommend making a reservation on nights, which have shows as it's a decently small place. The menu here has something for most, a nice selection of appetizers ranging from poki to pizza. They have a pretty decent burger, and their filet is tender. Ask your server about specials as they do have those here and there! read more

Tavern - New American Near Me - Solana Beach, California

My boyfriend and I came here before a concert on a Friday night. We had reservations which was good because the place filled up quickly! To drink I got the classic margarita and my bf got the lime in the coconut. I liked both a lot and it's awesome that you can just bring your drinks next door with you to the concert For food I got the seared ahi and he got the fish and chips. The ahi was cooked really well and the rice it came with was super flavorful! The fish and chips was cooked really well and fried perfectly. Our server who took care of us was friendly and it was so fun to look at all the art on the walls. Next time we go to a concert we'll definitely come back! read more

Tavern - New American Near Me - Solana Beach, California

I debated whether this review should for Belly Up. And decided to place it here since it's specifically for food and service during a show. My server Alexandra was great. She made her way in the dark to take and deliver orders. I had the chicken tenders and really enjoyed them. The order came with a load of fries. My friend and I wanted to move down to the floor, so the next time I saw her I asked to close out. She came back right away so that I could pay. read more

There's a small restaurant in the Arts District of Solana Beach. It was previously named "Wild Notes," which closed for restoration and reopened as the Tavern. I an happy to say, it has the same owners, and more importantly, the same quality food and specialty cocktails. During my last two visits here, our server was WHITTNEY! She provides EXCELLENT service from the moment you walk in the door throughout your dining experience. The food, vibe, decor is well thought out and planned. Enjoy, steak, seafood, pasta, chicken or vegetarian meals. You will feel like a VIP!! It is IMPORTANT to mention, this restaurant is in the same building as the Belly Up Tavern and concert venue. The kitchen is toward the front and center and serves customers in the restaurant, patio, main concert floor and upstairs loft. On concert nights, it is extremely busy, seating is limited and reservations are a must (Open Table app). Customers receive PREFERENTIAL service so you can have your dinner AND gain EARLY access to the concert through a special door in the back. Show your dinner receipt to the security guard. If you don't eat in the restaurant, you must wait on the sidewalk for the doors to open at 7PM. What are you waiting for, adventures await you! Check the website, buy concert tickets, make dinner reservations and hit me up, I want to go back! You know the drill, don't forget to tell 'em Rosemary sent ya! read more

See all

My wife and I tried Tavern a while back during a birthday day trip down to Solana Beach. After looking at the menu and loving the music themage inside, I was hooked and knew that this was the place I wanted to try. The place was not at all busy as we were the first guests inside, and we decided to sit outside on the patio as it was a nice day out. We were quickly seated and given our menus and a few minutes to look them over. We both ordered iced teas to drink, and I opted to go with the butternut squash tacos for my meal as this has become a favorite of mine (butternut squash) when on the menu. These came accompanied by Spanish rice as well. Despite being the only people inside for the time being, the food took an extraordinarily long time to come out to us. It felt like we had waited an eternity for the food. When the food did arrive, the presentation was nice, and everything looked fresh and vibrant, but everything was just OK. The butternut squash was a bit bland and not seasoned much, and despite the salsa and rice, everything was just a little too plain for my tastes. After waiting that long and then not liking the quality, it was hard to decide what to rate our visit. Despite the shortcomings of our visit, the place had a cool vibe to it, the server we had was friendly enough but for the price and quality I don't know that I would come back, although I do believe in giving places second chances so we will see. Overall, this was a very so so experience but not bad by any means. read more

Came here for a late lunch today and was happy to find something good still open at 3pm! Been to Belly Up a handful of times but never realized this place was next door! The food was great, service was wonderful, and it was nice to have open air seating. My friend had the pollo asado tacos and I had the Mediterranean blackened salmon salad. Both were tasty and reasonably priced for the area. Thank you for the lovely experience! read more

Tavern - Mediterranean blackened salmon salad - New American Near Me - Solana Beach, California

Ordered a calamari appetizer that was gross. Tasteless with way too much coating deep fried in oil that smelled old. The $38 Mediterranean Salad with 4 blackened shrimp was mostly arugula with not much else. Should have just ordered a pizza. read more

This cool place is a great start before a show at the Belly Up. We started with the sushi burrito as our appetizer and it was a nice size and good flavor. Next we shared the Surf & Turf Enchiladas Suizas - these were a bit fishy and cold (even though the plate was super hot). Then, we had the Seared Anchiote Crusted Tuna - this was awesome. The tuna was terrific, the bok choy was fantastic and the pineapple fried rice was perfect. For dessert, we had the Warm Chocolate and Banana Cake - again awesome. Definitely will be back. read more

See all

It gets you in Belly Up. The food isn't anything special. I wouldn't go if I wasn't seeing a show.

First time visiting because we heard you could use the restaurants back door to enter the adjoining concert venue. It's a true story! We entered the venue before the general public affording us great seats with a table to watch the 3 hour concert. Be aware that you must order a plate per person in order to gain access through their back door. A bottle of wine, surprisingly, does not count. And you can tote your beverages inside the concert from the restaurant. The restaurant was surprisingly good. Affordable, great wine choices and food. We shared the lobster dumplings and fish & chips. The fish and chips were great. Not Irish Pub great, but tasty, thick mahi, lightly breaded, fried goodness. We would order that dish again. The staff all around were friendly and attentive. We will definitely be returning to nosh before our next event. There is a 5% charge added to all bills (really hoping the staff shares in that mandatory fee). This review is for anybody who wishes to hear my opinion... read more

I come here every time I see anyone at Belly Up. It attaches to the venue and if you eat there (need a stamped receipt) you can go in the side door a little early. The food is pretty good. I always get the lobster dumplings. My husband got the poke. He loved his. Mine was good (a little cold, but tasty), but always is. Had a couple of delicious dirty martinis which were poured to the brim with an extra shot on the side. Here's where my issues are... 1) I asked if I could get a side of fries (not on menu). Was told absolutely. Asked how much they were and was told $4. Then I was asked what kind of fries I wanted. I okayed the truffle fries but no mention of an upcharge. 2) My husband got his Jameson with a fancy round ice cube. That doesn't melt. So he asked for it to please be changed to regular ice. No problem. 3) After we finished eating and had ordered a second round of drinks I asked if they had any bread, as there was still some yummy sauce on my plate. I was asked if I wanted grilled or buttered bread and I said no...just a piece of whatever plain bread they had and explained why I wanted it. We get the check. There's a 4% help-us-pay-our-people surcharge, which irks me but was detailed on the menu, so whatever. It is what it is. I'd much rather you just raised the menu price. But the OTHER nickel and dime-ing these folks do is insane! $1 up charge for ICE! Ice. Frozen water. And it was for the ice chips that everyone else got free in their water - not the fancy round ice. $1 for saying no that. The fries were actually $5.50, not the $4 I was quoted. And the final thing was the bread. I received 2 slices of heavily buttered, grilled bread, which I didn't end up eating more than a few bites of because the butter overwhelmed the sauce I wanted it for. Well, I was charged $2 for that. I like going out and I understand costs...just be upfront about them. Long and short, I had a chat with our server about the $1 ice upcharge. She was nice enough to take that off, plus the bread (which I didn't mention). Yes, it's only $1 but to be upcharged for ice is brutally bad form. On what planet? Be more transparent about upcharges. That gives people a chance to say yes or no. Sneaking them in is just horrible customer service. Also I had to practically beg for a reservation because my husband is disabled and I didn't want him to have to stand to wait, but the place was empty between the early and late shows. I'll always return but keep an eye on your check. Between the surcharge and all the little upcharges, almost $10 extra on our check alone. Given how many people are in and out of there... Just know going in. Also their hours are wrong here on yelp, as are all the menu prices. read more

Tavern - $1 upcharge for ice. You cannot make this up. - New American Near Me - Solana Beach, California

Our server was absolutely great! Hopefully you get lucky and having her she made it fantastici

I have been here twice since this place has been rebranded to "Tavern" at Belly Up (this restaurant was previously named Wild Note Cafe, and any Yelp reviews showing up here that are dated before the year 2021 are actually for the Wild Note Cafe and not Tavern: although still part of the Belly Up umbrella, they redid their menu and in all likelihood changedthe great majority of its staff given that the restaurant was closed for over a year during the remodeling/rebranding). Both times the dinner and service has been very good. Depending on what one orders, one is paying a little bit more for dinner than the atmosphere might warrant (the burger comes to mind), but the trade-off for that is that if you eat dinner here you can get access to the BellyUp's concerts through their special entrance rather than standing in the main line on the street. The restaurant staff is very attentive to making sure that one gets out of dinner on time to be in time for the concert, and both times are servers were very friendly. I have been very happy with the food upgrade since the rebrandring to Tavern. Last night all four of us got their daily special, which was a grilled salmon, shrimp, scallop plate with veggies and israeli cous cous with a cream sauce that had the perfect amount of spice to it. I believe every one of us thought it was delicious: kudos to the chef for providing a sauce that had spiciness, which I enjoy, without overpowering the flavors of the food. The previous time my group got the sushi burrito, the burger, and the enchiladas...all of which were tasty, but more of a 4 star experience rather than the 5 star experience that the special gave us last night. read more

We stopped in on a random night because we had an appointment in the area. The food was meh, the service meh and the price expensive for what we received. There was a 4% service charge on the bill for who know what reason. It's cafeteria food at best read more

Solana Beach, Ca. This place works in conjunction with The Belly Up Tavern next door. What this means to me is that you get really great food instead of the crap usually served at music venues. As an extra benefit if you actually order a meal here, you are allowed to line up at the side door to the music hall which is accessible from inside the restaurant. I usually get in line at 6:30, the doors open at about 7:00. The gatekeeper prescans the ticket, does the metal check thing, stamps your hand and you're good to go. I almost always get the seat of my choice this way. The foods we enjoyed this time were the shrimp enchiladas, absolutely amazing. The Poke was also awesome as well as the shrimp salad. We also had a green salad that was fresh and tasty. The featured desserts were a highlight. The Reese's peanut butter pie at first was too sweet on the palate but became quite addicting. It was also a huge portion, get it to share. The chocolate bread pudding was unlike any bread pudding I've had. It was a large decadent portion topped with gelato. We had desserts with their rich excellent coffee. read more

See all

My wife and I wanted to go to a show at Belly Up (see separate review) and learned that the best way to handle GA seating there is to have dinner at Tavern (attached), as that gets you in earlier than the standard doors opening. So using Yelp to make sure it was edible food (it is), we used Open Table to make a reservation for three at 6:30pm. First impressions - good name....it clearly is an old fashioned tavern. Light(ish) alcohol menu (one non-IPA on draft), but a reasonable selection of wine, and one NA beer - Bud (which is not really a beer, IMHO, but I digress). We ordered our drinks and my wife ordered an appetizer - Thai Chicken Dumplings, and then took a dive into the (again, smallish) menu. We ended up ordering fish and chips (one can NEVER go wrong with this), surf and turn enchiladas suizas, and braised short ribs. Ok, let's get the bad out of the way - dumplings are steamed. Period. These were fried, and WAY over cooked. Soooooo not recommended. That said, the rest of the food was most excellent. Fish and chips were perfect, the short ribs were devoured, and the enchiladas were licked clean. I ended up getting up a bit early to get a space in line - lesson learned, go for a 6pm reservation, as the line starts forming about 6:40ish for the Belly Up private entrance (and yeah, they check for receipts, so don't bother trying to sneak in). Definitely a good find, and all of our Belly Up shows will start here.... read more

Made a reservation the app for Tavern. Once we arrived on time they sent us away and said the app reservations do not work and they are fully booked, but if we had called they would have secured a reservation for us. This made no sense since the app was from their website. I strongly suggest they get that fixed or put something on their on their website saying do not waste your time making a reservation and driving over for nothing. read more

Went to a concert at Belly Up on 8/18/24. After trying and failing at another restaurant down the road, I headed here to be close to the venue as it was nearing showtime. Fast friendly service and I was able to get a seat outside. Inside was nice, but the weather was perfect. BBQ chicken pizza on the starters menu and a side of truffle fries is a lot for one, but it was all delicious. Also found out if you eat at the Tavern, you can walk straight into the venue and not have to wait in lone outside. SCORE! read more

In Solana Beach for a live music performance next door at Bellyup. On Ran time. Meaning early. like seven hours early. That's just how I roll. Also, I'm looking for information. Parking. Etc. The cool gal at the desk at Bellyup tells me to go eat next door at their restaurant. She didn't have to ask me twice. I went. Sat at the bar. Or counter. There's both indoor and outdoor seating. The manager just tells me go and sit where I'm comfortable. I was comfortable at the bar. Don't remember the server's name. Asked for suggestions. Wanted to just snack. Appetizers for lunch. Lobster Dumplings and Truffle Fries. Couple fingers of Bourbon Rye (Bulleit) and a Jack Daniels Pecan Pie to live up to my mantra - dessert is never optional. Enjoyed the food. Note - rye whiskey isn't a good paring for the dumplings. Too strong. Once the whiskey subsided, the dumplings in the Port Wine sauce hit the spot. Same thing with the truffle fries. Had to order a different beverage. The rye whiskey was great - just not with the food I ordered. It was fine with the dessert though.The Jack Daniels must have burned off in the cooking process. The whiskey helped bring out the flavor for me. Service was wonderful. Both the manager and the server. Efficient. Friendly. Attentive. An enjoyable lunch. read more

See all

Frick ya I recommend this place! Food is amazing and the service is always incredible!!!

Haven't been here in years. Eat and drink here before heading next door to Belly Up for a concert. I had a glass of crown and fried calamari. The calamari was yummy. Not chewy which is great. Also the edamame was good. Really flavorful seasoning. Service was also good. Forgot her name but she was really nice and kind. read more

See all

Sat outside with the dogs. In the old location of Wildnote Cafe. Menu similar, a few new changes. Had a delicious salmon salad with side of truffle fries and a glass of rosé. They redid the place after Covid. I love that they opened it up again. Large patio which means I will be back many times! Thank you for the great service. read more

Tavern - Patio - New American Near Me - Solana Beach, California

See all

We were here last when it was under a previous name. Like last time we came here before a show at the Belly up. The redesigned space is much more pleasant before the remodel the patio was not appealing. This time we sat on the patio and it was nicely decorated, and felt like a nice place to eat. We had a reservation and had us seated in moments. The service was great, from the hostess, to the busser, and our waiter. The place was busy for dinner and the bar. The drinks came quickly and the food was quick. We had the spare rib fries and the Italian sausage papardelle. We didn't expect much, just a place easy to eat before the show, and were very pleased with the food. Both were excellent. The portions were a good size. Best of all, we walked right into the show from there! We would definitely go back. read more

They're under the same ownership as Belly Up next door. There is art everywhere of musicians to commemorate its history over the years. It's very fitting given the nature of their ownership and overall vibe. You could see that they expanded to outdoor seating towards the front, thanks to the new law that allows businesses to do that. There is a pretty good selection of beer and wine. Admittedly, I came here with cost in mind. I also didn't want to be overly stuffed before the show, so I was careful with what I ordered and how much of it. The cheapest entree is the Brie Burger, which will cost at least $15. We also got a chicken quesadilla appetizer, which ended up being pretty filling. It's sliced into 6 pieces and arranged around a "sauce center" of the plate composed of sour cream, guacamole, and pico de gallo. Service is good. Our server, Vanessa, recognized that we were not about to pig out before the show, so when she asked if we wanted to split the burger we ordered, I pleasantly agreed. Overall, I enjoyed it here. Perhaps when I am a bit more financially able, I can try more of their fare. For what we had, it was a nice time out for my lady and me. Parking: Wherever you can find it on the street. If you're willing to walk down towards the southern direction of Cedros, you'll eventually find parking. FYI: - It is probably wise to make a reservation. - Beer and wine. (Not full bar) - If you dine here, you get access to a special line to the side of Belly Up. - Do not dine here if you are on a strict budget. - The crowd tends to get pretty lively, and it's anything but quiet. read more

Tavern - Quesadilla appetizer - New American Near Me - Solana Beach, California

1st time here tonight for dinner before our Van Gogh show in Del Mar and we enjoyed our time and experience here From our server Astrid so friendly and accommodating and great customer service The food was amazing, we ordered popcorn shrimp, surf and turf quesadilla and wagyu burger All made to order, fast service clean space, cool decor and ambiance Def we are coming back again read more

Tavern - Wagyu Burger - New American Near Me - Solana Beach, California

See all

This restaurant has great food and great service. Plus, if you have tickets to a show at the Belly Up, you can get into a separate line from the people waiting outside, which gives you a better shot at a good seat. The prices are reasonable and the servings are generous. You won't go hungry here! We don't drink alcohol so I can't comment on the cocktails. The only drawback is their choice of nonalcoholic beer: Bud Zero. There are SO many better ones out there! read more

Excellent lunch! Great service. Thick juicy turkey burger on soft grilled bun. Crispy thin fries. Added a side of tasty coleslaw. Friends had fish and chips with waffle fries and coleslaw. Also very good. Cloth napkins. Nice restrooms. Artistic decor with original music posters. read more

This is a bar, so it has bar food. It has a fun vibe, but if you want something that is not "bar food" this may not be the place for you. The drinks were strong and good. The service was slow. I'd go back for drinks and sit at the bar. read more

Great experience! Vanessa was awesome! We arrived around 5:30 and every table was reserved for people going to the concert at Belly Up. Vanessa offered us a table outside, but we had to be finished in an hour. The Halibut with crab in a lobster sauce over asparagus was delicious. The fish was cooked to perfection. The lobster soup was also good. Prompt service, quaint atmosphere,great food. read more