A Hidden Gem in Lambertville - Cocktails, Cuisine & Character All in One Spot! We came to Lambertville, PA on a whim during a trip from Miami, looking to explore a charming small town with history, heart, and hopefully some hidden treasures. With zero expectations and a love for antiquing and supporting small businesses, we were immediately smitten by the cobblestone beauty and old-town charm. But the real gem of this visit? T 54 - a restaurant that completely stole our hearts (and taste buds). From the moment we walked into this quaint little spot that seats no more than 68 people, we knew we were somewhere special. The greeting was warm, welcoming, and relaxed - a "sit wherever you'd like" vibe that instantly made us feel like locals. But then came the moment that made the entire trip: David, the bartender. Let me just say this - if Lambertville has a mayor of cocktails, it's him. I asked David to surprise us with something extraordinary, and WOW did he deliver. First up, the espresso martini - a drink I've had hundreds of times, yet never like this. Smooth, bold, balanced - truly remarkable. I asked him what his next best was and he handed me the Green Hope - a gin-based masterpiece that was bright, herbaceous, and perfectly crafted. Drink three? The showstopper: The Lambertville David-Aayyyy - his own off-menu spin on their Lambertville Rose cocktail, and an absolute knockout. The man is a cocktail magician. Now let's talk about the food. I ordered the burger and fries and let me be real with you - this wasn't just a burger. This was a BURGERRRRR. Perfectly seasoned, juicy, and topped with a torched cheese interior (yes, torched... and yes, it matters), fresh toppings, and a house-made aioli that I wanted to bottle and take home. The fries? Imagine a single potato sliced into thick, golden quarters, crisped and seasoned to perfection. They're rustic, hearty, and addictive. My man had the eggs benedict with prosciutto, and I kid you not - I've never seen a plate licked so clean. It was that good. Like, "don't even need to run this plate through the dishwasher" level good. From the intimate atmosphere to the elevated drinks, and seriously impressive food, T 54 is a place that blends soul, flavor, and genuine hospitality in a way that's rare to find. Whether you're a local or just passing through like us, make the time to visit this place. Ask for David. Trust him. And bring your appetite. This is the kind of place that makes you fall in love with small towns all over again. read more

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We finally got around to trying Taverna 54. We called ahead to check on seating, and Maximo told us to come in. When we arrived, though, we were told there weren't any seats. After a few minutes, they said they could squeeze us in. It felt a bit odd -- the space isn't very large, so you'd expect the dining room to be easier to manage. We shared the burger and the carbonara. Both dishes were underwhelming, especially given the expectations we had for this spot. The burger was on the bland side, and the carbonara was made with store‑bought noodles, which took away from the dish. While the food missed the mark, the dining area itself is very nice and the service was great. read more

Taverna 54 - Burger - Italian Near Me - Lambertville, New Jersey

Taverna 54 has a lot going for it in terms of atmosphere and service--the ambiance is warm and stylish, and the staff is friendly and attentive throughout the meal. It's a place that feels special and welcoming, great for a night out with friends or a date. We started strong with the appetizers--the meatballs and burrata were excellent. Flavorful, well-prepared, and a great way to kick off the meal. Unfortunately, things took a nosedive when we got to the main course. My friend ordered the lasagna, and his verdict was harsh but honest: it reminded him of high school cafeteria food. I ordered the New York strip steak, and I can only describe it as awful--tough, flavorless, and poorly presented (photo attached if you're reading this somewhere that allows images). Thankfully, dessert helped redeem the experience. Everything we tried was delicious, beautifully done, and left a great final impression. Bottom line: Taverna 54 is worth visiting for its appetizers, drinks, and desserts. Skip the mains. With such a beautiful setting and solid service, it's a shame the entrees don't live up to the rest of the experience. read more

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Really like the space, nicely done with a good size bar. Weather was poor so no outdoor experience. Staff were very attentive and overall great service. We ate at the bar and David provided a great experience. The food was a little inconsistent... I love good bread, especially at an Italian place. The bread provided was average, either reheated too often or just old. Next was octopus which was delicious, tender. For entrees we had salmon which was very good with crispy skin and celery puree. However the classic Italian dish, carbonara, was just ok...too salty, the guanciale and pecorino already add a lot of salt, it was over seasoned for my taste. Definitely my kind of place, I think they can improve though. If not for the service we experienced I would have dropped it a star. Will try again for a read more

Taverna 54 - Salmon with celery puree very good . - Italian Near Me - Lambertville, New Jersey

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Taverna 54 was just good. Beautiful restaurant space. I ordered the branzino it was simple, cooked nicely maybe a little over salted, served with broccoli raab. My boyfriend ordered penne and got a side of shrimp. The shrimp flavor was good but slightly over cooked, pasta and the sauce was ok could've used more sauce read more

We were really looking forward to dine here unfortunately it didn't live up to the hype . Cocktails were fine but app portions were tiny and since we were sharing for the table it would have been nice if the waitress suggested perhaps ordering a few more . Our table ordered pork chops , filet mignon, pasta, burger and salmon . To say that each dish was pretty unremarkable would be right on point . Nothing was horrible yet nothing was standout . Our waitress was attentive and the dining room was comfortable yet a bit tight . The total for dinner that was ok was a bit expensive for the quality and portions . I'm glad we tried this restaurant however I don't foresee returning anytime soon . read more

We had dinner on the patio and it was just wonderful! The staff could not have been nicer and the food was excellent. We shared the mussels and Brussels sprouts and for meals we had the rigatoni and the veal lasagna. We can't wait to go back! read more

Taverna 54 - Italian Near Me - Lambertville, New Jersey

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Great new spot in lambertville. They have a beautiful outdoor patio with lots of large tables. Huge menu made it hard to decide. They have a great wine and cocktail list. Appetizers were all very tasty. We didn't love the oysters but it could have just been a bad batch. Calamari was so crispy with a great seasoning. Panzanella salad was so fresh. Weird that they offer a cheese or meat board but don't offer them together. We settled in the cheese and everyone was happy with their selection. Dinners were also very good but the duck was a bit too overdone for our liking so be sure to ask for the temp you like when ordering. All of their pasta can be made Gluten free which is nice if that's something you need. Pesto was very good but lots cheese. Make sure to leave room for dessert! They also off lunch and brunch. I'm interested to come back and try again. read more

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My partner and I went to T54 for a special occasion. We had reservations but that didn't help as we had to wait more than 20 minutes. We were seated or scrunched into a tiny table on top of a larger table. Since the space was so restricted and noisy we thought ... "well the food must be good". We were wrong. We ordered a nice bottle of cabernet but the waiter did not know to or know how to take the foil off. The wine was decanted through torn foil and tasted like aluminum. The food was undercooked, and over priced for the quality and portion size. We could not fathom how this restaurant got good reviews or stayed in business. It must be that locals are so desperate that they don't know quality dining when they see it. Skip this restaurant. It's more about being trendy than quality. read more

It's very expensive, but a rip-off. I ordered an expensive whisky, one of several offerings at $25, but the pour was very small -- maybe an ounce. For big money, I would expect at least 1-1/2 to 2 ounces. I hate expensive and chintzy. Also, they've crammed more tables into the space than it should hold, so as a result our table was so close to two others that it was like we were having dinner at the same table as four strangers. The food is good, but not as good as they think. I had grilled branzino which is a delicious fish, but they ruined it by stuffing it with slices of lemon before grilling which resulted in a lemony flavor that overwhelmed the fish flavor. There are plenty of very good restaurants in the Lambertville-New Hope area. Choose a different one than this one. read more

This was our first post-Deanna's visit and our first visit in a long time. The bar and dining room renovations are top notch. We were there on a chilly evening so the outdoor patio was closed. The fact that they have a parking lot is nice on busy evenings. We had a reservation but our table wasn't ready so we took seats at the bar while we waited. Our bartender and server were both FANTASTIC. Friendly but not over the top or cheesy. Seemed to know how to read the group. Professionals. Cocktails were great. Not inexpensive. Solid beer list. Beers are all canned and also priced on the high side. The hostess kept us updated on the table wait, promptly fetched us when it was ready, and asked us to settle up at the bar before moving to the table. Our apps and meals were solid. Nothing especially memorable but absolutely good. Portions were reasonable. Silverware was exchanged and the table cleaned between apps and entrees. Expected, for an upscale experience. We had a 4-top table. This gave us a bit of space since two tables were brought together to create it, putting us a bit further from neighboring tables. Otherwise, the dining room layout is CROWDED. Things they could improve on : 1. a couple fewer tables, to create some breathing room. the two-top table spacing is just obnoxious and being elbow-to-elbow with the couple beside you really takes away from the upscale experience that the restaurant is going for. 2. transfer checks from the bar to the table. a restaurant that's pitching an upscale atmosphere should never interrupt the flow of the evening by requiring a transaction. do it once. do it at the end. read more

Taverna 54 - Pasta alla Ruota with Prawns - Italian Near Me - Lambertville, New Jersey

terrible food, bad atmosphere, ornery staff! there are so many better choices! this place is so noisy bring earplugs. the food is so hit or miss, bring a barf bag. the prices are so unreasonable, bring a lot of cash! read more

My wife and I enjoyed T54 so much, we decided to dine here two nights in a row! The food was, as always, right in point. The olive oil cake was perfection. Our waiter, Christopher was very warm and regaled us with more than one entertaining story. The owner, as always was exceedingly welcoming and we shared a nice conversation with him at the end of the evening. We hope to come here for years to come. Each time is magical. read more

This quaint, authentic Italian restaurant was sensational. My family traveled a distance to visit this location as we love Italian food (we are not Italian) and the reviews raved about this place. The reviews were right. The food was delicious. We got the Bolognese, Amatriciana, NY Strip, Branzino, Pork Chop, and Cheese Wheel Pasta. Every single one was so good, especially the Branzino and Pork Chop. Everything was super fresh and flavorful. The desserts were great too particularly the Bomboloni. Our server was so friendly and explained the menu very well. The ambience was warm and cozy, it was a very inviting spot. Massimo was also another huge +++ to our experience. I had to change our party size 3 times and each time he was SO patient and accommodating. He was even kinder in person. At the end of it all, we received limoncello shots on the house as a thank you and part of our birthday celebration. Overall, the entire experience was fantastic with great food. 10/10 experience. One thing to be mindful of is that the prices are a bit high for smaller portions but for good reason since a lot of the ingredients are imported from Italy. All in all, if you're thinking of coming here definitely do. Also a quick tip-- make a reservation if you come here, it's small inside! But they do have a bar area too. Thank you for the grand time! read more

Taverna 54 - Calamari, sticky ribs, pork belly, pear martini, cheese wheel pasta - Italian Near Me - Lambertville, New Jersey

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The service was horrible. We waited 45 minutes for a round of drinks. We ordered the specials which the waiter recommended only to be told an hour later there was no more. When we ordered what we were forced to order was dry, overcooked and had no taste. No one offered us any explanation or even a discount of maybe a free dessert. All we got was a bill for $356.00 and indigestion. I would not go back the service was horrible and the food was worse. read more

Really loved our meal here at the new spot where Deanna's once was in Lambertville. It's an Italian restaurant with an authentic and friendly Italian chef, knowledgeable servers and a full bar. They completely revamped the inside and they also have a large outdoor patio area. The pastas are homemade, the cheese wheels are super fun, the appetizers are filling and classic Italian with a few flairs and great wine selection as well! Highly recommend checking it out for dinner in Lambertville! read more

This is a cozy little place with a great vibe. Hood was nicely made and attractively presented. The service was excellent. Very friendly and engaging. Definitely worth a visit!!! read more

Came here while on vacation in the area, what a cute place and oh so delicious. My son luckily was on pretty good behavior here. Service was great and quick as my boy usually gets restless and starts trying to make friends with others in the restaurant. :P read more

The service and the ambiance were great! My wife ordered the short ribs and that was also great! The pasta wheel was average and nothing special and the GF pasta wheel was under cooked pasta in a liquid cheese sauce. They shouldn't even call it a pasta cheese wheel. Drinks were just ok but not worth it. We had a dirty martini, the Lamberville rose and the pear martini. Our bill for my wife and two kids and me was just under 400 with tip. We would not go back. read more

Beautiful ambience, great vibe and outstanding service. Food was phenomenal! Owner, and wait staff including bartender were most professional and pleasant. Waiter, Robert was excellent. Excellent Espresso Martini, pesto pasta, pork chop (the juiciest ever) short ribs. If this restaurant was near my home, I'd be a regular! read more

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Eh. Ambience is nice but the food was less than wonderful. My $50 steak was way overcooked. My husband's lasagna was all cheese and barely any meat. Our server was a nice guy but was never present. We don't have to go back. The restaurant can definitely put more effort into each table seating Vs packing tables in. read more

Taverna 54 - Owners response to my poor review. Now we definitely won't be back. We will stick with Bell's Tavern. - Italian Near Me - Lambertville, New Jersey

My friends and I throughly enjoyed our recent visit to t54 in Lambertville. Every staff member was friendly, attentive and helpful & the ambience was very modern yet inviting. Our server provided us with excellent wine recommendations that paired perfectly with the entrees we selected. I couldn't recommend more trying the Branzino. Tiramisu to finish the experience was the cherry on top of a great night. read more

We loved the atmosphere and food was good. The food took a little longer then expected. The only disappointing part was when we received our check, the waiter automatically added the credit card percentage. Good thing we looked because we were paying with cash. I have never been charged the fee before I paid for my check. I think the server should ask or wait till the customer decides how they will be paying for the bill. Thank you read more

I commend the owner for completely redesigning the interior. DeAnna's was iconic and Massimo has done a nice job with the transformation. It may seem petty, but my gripe is $27 for a casamigos cocktail is a bit ridiculous. The first tequila cocktail with Milagro silver was $16 and underwhelming so I upgraded to Casamigos reposado. $27, really? We still tipped well and enjoyed the service and food but having been gouged on the drinks was disappointing. Here is a photo of my $27 libation. They also charge $0.50 per blue cheese stuffed olive so if you are the mood for a martini be prepared to pay extra for what clearly should be included. read more

Taverna 54 - The most expensive cocktail in Lambertville. - Italian Near Me - Lambertville, New Jersey

This restaurant blew me away!!! Service was excellent. Loved my server Elliot. The food was excellent and perfectly seasoned. The tuna and calamari appetizer were spectacular. I loved the duck special and my grandma said her branzino fish was her new favorite meal because it was light and full of flavor. Tiramisu was the best I've had in a while. Telling everyone I know about this place and going again soon! Thank you read more

Taverna 54 - Duck special with micro greens - Italian Near Me - Lambertville, New Jersey

Wife and I decided to try this cute little restaurant in Lambertville very upscale inside. When seated a server brought two pieces of bread in a little basket- we both enjoy Italian bread but two pieces with no refill is unacceptable. The bartender was very good at making drinks I had two old fashions that were smoked. I tried the special gazpacho soup which was peach with some tomato added however it was very vinegary and no hint of peach flavor at all. When I questioned this they told me the peaches were not ripe yet and that's why there was no flavor...? Why would you proceed to make a soup if the ingredients were not at peak flavor--? I got the octopus appetizer which was good just not much of it -one small tentacle with a good helping of arugula. I had the risotto with yellow fin tuna a very good dish the tuna was prepared very well the risotto was tasty. My wife got the short rib entrée which was also tasty she opted out instead of polenta she asked for mashed potatoes they didn't have any which was odd -a simple side dish -and instead gave her crunchy potato wedges. I got whiskey ice cream dessert which was scoops of vanilla ice cream and a side shot of whiskey which you pour over the ice cream. So overall a nice place very pricey $23 for the gazpacho. Our bill came to about $200. When paying your bill they bring you an electronic Scan device the waiter holds in front of your face which is a little offputting as you have to choose several different tip levels while they're holding the device- awkward and uncomfortable-- They have a lot of choices to eat so give it a try see what you think more than just Italian.. read more

Overall I would rate T54 around a 2.5. Food: average. Dishes here seem to be hit or miss. My husband had the mussels appetizer which comes with a side of steak fries which were undercooked. My friends said their tuna tartar app was very good. I had the branzino entree which was ok. I think it would have preferred a preparation with a crispy skin but that's my personal preference. The side dishes broccoli rabe and shishito peppers were good. My husband enjoyed his lamb entree (the special of the evening). Drinks: these were a highlight the cocktails were creative and delicious! Service: each individual waiter we had was good or at least decent. However we had 4 different people serving our table throughout our 2 hour meal. Our waiter switched two different times and then at the end it was the manager or owner (unsure) who brought out the check. After our second waiter switch we started to worry it was something about us but they said it was because the inside was much busier than the outside patio where we were eating so they had to move more staff indoors. Our drinks and appetizers came out quick and there was a long wait for our entrees (not sure why). We were not in a rush so we didn't mind but I gather Saturdays are busy here. Ambiance: our group loves outdoor dining and we sat on the patio. It was nice however tables and umbrellas arranged so that when the sun moves the sun can start beating down right on you. I think I may have had the worst seat on the patio for the 6-7pm hour because as the sun moved it was just beating down on me and directly in my eyes. To the wait staffs credit they tried to move an umbrella but it didn't help. I would have appreciated them offering us to move tables because plenty were still shaded. My dining partners were better off it really depends where you're sitting. I'd recommend the folks at T54 rearrange tables to avoid this or have bigger coverage. Finally I should also note this place is relatively expensive. That might be typical for Lambertville, this was my first time visiting. read more

Went for Sunday brunch. They are still getting up to speed on brunch. Server Sookie was great. Food was fabulous. Decor is fresh and modern. They didn't fire up our order on time but we weren't in a rush and they brought complimentary pastries to make up for the wait. Can't wait to go back for dinner. read more

Sukie gave us great service at this amazing Lambertville Italian restaurant. A little pricey, but I'll be back!

Love. Love. Love this restaurant. Pasta is over to top and drinks are delicious. Apps are insanely good. Try calamari, tuna or steak tartare! read more

Deanna's was exceptional and the server said that we would find the food even better. That didn't happen. The server in an attempt to offer excellent service seemed to hover over us and asked us, at minimum seven times, if we were ready to order. We finally told him we would search him out when we were ready. It almost seemed like he was new and trying to be attentive. I would not hold that against him as he was trying. The food, was okay, nothing special at all and far off from what Deanna's was. Pricing is high but it is everywhere so we were expecting it. However, we did expect a better meal. read more

Don't want to ding the place too bad; I've been there multiple times and had great food & service, but must relate this story: Friday night-7/19-reservation made for 7:15. Confirmed. Wife and I got there on time, even a few minutes early. Checked in, were told table ready in a few minutes. We were to be sat outside so we waited outside. Saw the hostess and Massimo(I believe, it was the Geno'vese in the brocade sports jacket) several times and were assured our table was but a moment away. Only to walk down towards the seating area and watch as Massimo looked me in the eye and gave away my table. I've told literally hundreds of people about the cucumber mignonette they serve, and how good the rest of the food is, how nice outer server was and that the place was very attractive. Massimo, what's the matter? Were we not attractive enough for you? You don't like Neapolitans? Did we not look hungry enough? Trust me, my money is just as green and folds just as well as the other guys and brother we start our tips at %20. You missed 4 cocktails, 2 apps, 2 dinners, after dinner drinks and possible desert. And a nice cash tip for the server. Ciao, Bella, ciao ciao ciao...... read more

Another establishment with poor menu design. You CAN'T have such a big menu come out of a small kitchen. It won't work. Just one example of the absurdity of the menu is in the appetizer section, there's a pork belly appetizer, a rib appetizer, a veal appetizer and a steak appetizer then have a pork, veal, and multiple beef entrees in the entree course, Then add more meat entree specials. I can't imagine what the walk-in looks like. Cut 1/3 of the menu. And dump the caviar. As for the food, it's average and not worth the price. Calamari was under par. The Burrata salad was almost all cheese with very few greens, they were more like a garnish for the a ball of Burrata. We had a special flatbread with radicchio and ricotta and it was a mess. Thin flatbread with way too much of the toppings, and didn't taste very good at all. Lastly, the server talked up the lamb chop special as some incredible dish that has been marinated for a day. I was sold. Asked for it medium-rare but was told that the chef preferred to cook it medium. Huh! Came out medium well, dry with no flavor and didn't seem to match how it was described to us at all. The place is clean, the service was fine And it does have a nice outside area to sit at but not worth a return trip. read more

So very overpriced. The salads?? You have got to be joking. Ordered some drinks. They were great. The food was very salty. Calamari, tuna Tatar Expensive for the amount and the quality. Ambiance was not the best, but not bad. Bartender was great. I don't know that I would come back, though. read more

Amazing food and outstanding service. Pleasant atmosphere. Highly recommend you include in your list of restaurants to enjoy.

Really really good food & service with a sophisticated, but fun atmosphere. It works as a special occasion venue or weekly/daily stop for those with fat wallets read more

Everything was perfect, the food was amazing, the cocktails were great. Our waiter was very attentive. I had the burger, which was out of this world and my wife had the short ribs and polenta, which tasted great. I had a "Figskey" Sour, made with bourbon and I loved it. My wife had "the perfect pear" which she enjoyed as well. The inside of the restaurant was beautiful and the ambience was great. I would absolutely recommend this place and we will be going back. read more

Food is amazing and the setting is cozy. Please ignore the little brat that left the 1 star review cause she is paranoid and cranky. Seriously this place was impressive. Going back for sure. read more

I'm currently sitting here.... Waiting for my food surrounded by gross coughing customers and employees. Specials were not explained clearly. Additionally the seating is ridiculous. The tables are absolutely too close and I can basically feel the breath of the stranger sitting next to me as I attempted to eat. The drink from the menu I had was delicious and when the food was fixed, that was actually pretty good. But not planning on returning unless I plan on catching a contagious disease. Additionally I was there for Valentine's Day as I have to work late on the actually holiday, so that really sums it up to an awful experience. read more

Beautiful patio & outdoor space. Food is amazing but you can bring pets and it's such a fun atmosphere with the music & fans to keep you cool, plus umbrellas. Service was prompt and friendly. Did I mention the food?? Perfection! read more

Taverna 54 - Patio fun - Italian Near Me - Lambertville, New Jersey

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