I had the pleasure of eating and drinking at Taverna this weekend. I have not been to this restaurant in years and it has a really beautiful open. Feel to it. The servers were really friendly and we got to sit in the bocce room. It felt like a VIP experience. We had the beat salad to start. It was really amazing how thinly they were able to slice the beets. This is a great salad to share next we had the charred octopus and we also shared this. It was so delicious and perfect texture with savory potatoes and olives. I definitely was surprised how much I enjoyed the octopus and it wasn't chewy like I expected. Last we had a pizza that was recommended to us that we all really enjoyed. It was a chicken pizza topped with fresh tomatoes, and avocado avocados. It was like a bruschetta, but on pizza crust. Very yummy! They have a great wine selection as well as cocktails. Although we were not here for a full dinner, it's definitely a place I will consider for my next special occasion. read more

Very mediocre Italian food and terrible service. Ordered calamari for an appetizer and it never arrived. Asked the waitress again after receiving the two main dishes and still seemed confused. Almost finished the meal and for giggles at this point I asked how's that calamari doing? She said it's out on the counter now and they're bringing it out. I said don't bother. The bolognese pasta was not even good. Hard to grab with the fork too. My date's truffle pasta was slightly better. They have large bottles of oil at every table. No bread was served. Doesn't make any sense. I asked if they were bringing bread and they said it's only per request. So I asked to bring some and it was little hard stale baguette looking things lol. Didn't even bother after one attempted bite. Also I ordered a Coke Zero to be brought out with the main dishes and they bring a Diet Coke before the food. I said I wanted Coke Zero and she tried saying it's the same thing and it's interchangeable. Really wish I could insert laughing emojis to these reviews. Sent that back as well. The place is very nice and it was completely empty at peak lunch time, besides the date and I, and one more party of two. Now I know why. Will absolutely not be back. Food photo looks way better than it tasted. read more

Sometimes you don't need a full meal, you just need dessert, and Taverna delivered. We stopped in downtown to satisfy a sweet tooth moment and ended up ordering three desserts to share, which felt very on brand for us. Everything came out looking so cute and intentional, which already set the tone. The key lime cheesecake was the clear winner. Perfect balance of tart and sweet, and honestly the one I kept going back to. We also tried the tiramisu, which was classic and well done, and a butter cake with cherry and orange zest that was surprisingly such a good combination. It's the kind of place that makes you want to linger a little longer, split a few things, and just enjoy the moment. Definitely a solid stop if you're downtown and craving something sweet. read more

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The food at Taverna is generally good but the restaurant is very loud and service not always very attentive. We went on a Saturday at 7 pm and were seated right away. We were immediately aware of the high noise level. The restaurant is pretty reflective, they were playing music, and there were a lot of large parties. We didn't have trouble hearing but it was pretty loud. We shared a Caesar salad. It was very good and even had whole anchovies on it, which we like. It was plenty large enough for two to share. My wife had the ravioli in brown butter, which she said was very good. I had the eggplant parmigiana, kind of my go-to in Italian restaurants lately. On the plus side, the dish was not heavily coated in bread crumbs and fried. It had a nice light coating that was baked. On the downside, I thought the eggplant could have been cooked more. It was a little green tasting. In comparison, the eggplant in the side of pasta alla Norma was excellent. It was cooked down and tasted nicely sweet. Next time, I would get just the pasta alla Norma as it entree. We shared a pistachio crème brulee for dessert. It was very good. With a glass of wine, our total bill was $100 plus tip, which is typical for any decent Austin restaurant these days. Overall, we liked the food at Taverna but wouldn't choose it for a nice quiet dinner because of how loud it was. read more

Checked out the place for brunch & what they had to offer. The seating was nice and so were the main hostess', but the bar guy had a sarcasm and level of attitude that wasn't warranted. read more

4.5 Stars I'm not so sure why the ratings are so low. The Happy hour has $6 glasses of wine and is from 4-6. The interior looks so classy (date night worthy) and the outside patio is casual. I had a few bites of the shrimp scampi ($28) and it was amazing - omg, that sauce was so buttery and flavorful, and the fresh pasta had a wonderful soft chew. The Mussels Fra Diavolo ($18) were delicious - the mussels could have been fresher (a few were rancid tasting) but other than that they were fine. There was this burrata pizza someone next to us was eating - DEFINITELY getting that next time. AJ was very polite and pleasant. read more

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Next level juicy & the fries were to die for - perfectly crispy. The buttered bun set this hamburger apart & when sliced in half, you could immediately tell, this would be one of the best burgers in recent experience. It's a YES! From me. read more

Taverna - Next level juicy - Italian Near Me - Austin, Texas

Had a great brunch here after my friend ran the half marathon! She made the reservation for us and we arrived right at 10:30 am after she finished. We were seated on the patio which was perfect for people watching. Our server was great. We wanted to order mimosas and he informed us of their 50% off bottles of bubbles, so we did that instead. We had 2 bottles of prosecco and it was a great deal. We also ordered a small glass of orange juice that we shared to splash in our bubbles. I had a veggie omelette and it was huge! It came with potatoes and was super filling. The mushrooms were especially yummy. My friend got a burger with fries, and the portion was also impressive. I went inside to use the restroom and noticed how beautiful the dining room is. Can't wait to go back for dinner. I thought the brunch prices were super reasonable! read more

Taverna - Avocado toast - Italian Near Me - Austin, Texas

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Went for a birthday dinner with a party of ten, server was a slight bit unorganized but very kind and helpful. The place was very beautiful but the food is a little pricey for the quality. Other than that i had a great time! I had a 7oz tenderloin cooked to a perfect medium rare, the potatoes on the side could use some loving and the veggies were not seasoned. Im glad our service was very accommodating read more

Taverna - 7oz - Italian Near Me - Austin, Texas

We started with cocktails. L had a Whiskey Sour, R had a Martini and Regina and I had Margaritas. All very good. L and I ordered Caesar salads that were fresh and well prepared. For entrees, R had Pescatora, L had Lasagna, Regina had Branzino Al Formosa and I had Ravioli Carbonara. Each dish was excellent in terms of presentation, flavors and amounts. Server was knowledgeable and attentive. The kitchen had a glitch with a piece of equipment (the dishwasher) that paused service for awhile. Enjoyable environment. read more

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Love this spot! As a local, I bring all my visitors here. Great food, great service, and beautiful views! read more

Taverna - Bruschetta, Caesar Salad, Mimosa - Italian Near Me - Austin, Texas

Great restaurants to grab some drinks and food at while downtown ATX. Their espresso martinis are great and the service is even better. read more

Taverna - Italian Near Me - Austin, Texas

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Went to Taverna for brunch with the girls and had such a good time! They had $3 mimosas which were amazing, and the fries were honestly some of the best I've had. I ordered pasta along with the focaccia bread topped with prosciutto--the bread was a little hard, but still good overall. The service was excellent, our waiter was super attentive and friendly, which made the whole experience even better. Definitely a fun brunch spot I'd come back to! read more

Taverna - Focaccia, pasta, fries - Italian Near Me - Austin, Texas

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I took my order to go and really enjoyed the quantity AND quality. Truffles fries were still crisp and branzino just fell off the fish. The host was also incredibly kind when I picked up and asked if I needed any additional house sauces or utensils. Def recommend if in the area. read more

Taverna - Truffles fries - Italian Near Me - Austin, Texas

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Menu descriptions are not accurate! We ordered two appetizers -- what were listed in the menu as "focaccia bread" and "beignets". They could not have been farther from these. The focaccia was actually a thin pizza crust with what looked like canned Parmesan cheese put under a broiler. The beignets were actually cream puffs with sweet cream -- as an appetizer??? The "short rib sandwich" was actually a Philly cheese steak! These are misleading menu descriptions and the servers don't seem to know any better. Would not return. read more

I just popped in after another restaurant didn't have availability and boy was I surprised by Taverna. We were sat immediately during the week as the place seemed slightly busy but otherwise easy to get into. I prefer the bar and the staff was quick to seat us and serve. The focaccia was awesome and plentiful - honestly enough for 4 people with a great oil/vinegar for dipping. I ordered the eggplant parm and the portion was perfect, and the spaghetti was al dente! The vibe of this joint makes for a great date spot or anniversary dinner. I'll be back to try the outdoor seating along the street once the weather improves. read more

Taverna - Italian Near Me - Austin, Texas

Bad experience. Not recommended at all. Waited 15 min for a waiter to come to us, we ordered, 30 minutes and no food, and we only ordered an omelette... We asked a waitress what's going on and she said they're really busy, because there was a table of 10 girls in the restaurant. Ridiculous. We left without eating. Don't go there. read more

I'm giving Taverna two stars, and that feels generous. I ordered the Paccheri alla vodka, which is described as having a spicy vodka sauce. The pasta was undercooked, and the sauce tasted like it came straight from a jar in my pantry, completely lacking any spice or depth of flavor. When I mentioned this to a nearby waiter while waiting for my server, he suggested adding red pepper flakes, which missed the point entirely. When my server returned, I raised the issue again and was advised to order something else from the menu - which was fine but I eventually refused. The experience declined further when my daughters received a side of broccolini with a gnat crawling on it. While it's possible the insect landed there after serving, we had already been dealing with flies and gnats around the table from the moment we sat down. We chose not to make an issue of it initially, but this clearly reflects a broader problem with the dining environment. I asked another server to remove the dish immediately. A manager then approached the table asking if I had requested him. I had not, but assumed he was following up on the issues. His response was dismissive, he simply said he would "talk to someone about it," without offering any apology or acknowledgment of the experience, which was surprising and disappointing. Having grown up in NYC and experienced many Italian dishes and restaurants and now residing in Houston, I can confidently say this is not one I would recommend. The food overall was bland and uninspired; even the pesto pizza ordered by my other daughter lacked flavor. The bread was the only best part of our meal. While the restaurant did remove the pasta from my bill, there was no meaningful follow-up by manager or effort to address the experience. Between the food quality, lack of attentiveness, visible pest issues, and poor managerial response, this is not a place I would revisit or recommend. read more

Sat at the bar, met a new friend, and got to try a few wines. Lasagna was delicious. Service from Andrew was great! Be back soon.

Every time I go to Austin. I walk around the lake, look at happy couples, get sad, realize I'm a chud, then start my walk over to to Taverna. Because this is the only food that makes me feel something. When you have an Italian waiter serenading you with pizza names that you can't pronounce, it makes me the Italian taste so much better. Only thing I would change is that the chairs are slippery and the music is not Italian opera. Other than that, Taverna, I WILL be coming back. read more

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What the hell happened to this place??? Used to be good food and great service. Definitely off their game tonight. Service was fine, and the zucchini chips are always top notch, but both my wife's Manhattan and my Old Fashioned were terrible.... Like from a first time bartender. Just horrible. Then the main: the pasta that came with my eggplant Parmesan dish came out cold... I mean no heat whatsoever. Inedible. It was taken back to the kitchen and replaced with a new order, The new dish was mid at best. I will say that our server kept his professionalism throughout. VERY disappointing. This is how the back of house (horrible bartender and weak kitchen) can totally screw their service staff. I might give this place another try, but it won't be soon read more

We did brunch here for a birthday. This is a great place to have a birthday brunch. The food is good and the space is super cute. Also, you don't have to worry about parking because you can get it validated. All you have to do is park in the parking garage behind. So there's no need to worry about dealing with having to find a parking spot which is nice. The service here was also great. Our waiter was super sweet and gave us a lot of suggestions on what to pick. Most importantly, the food did not disappoint. I recommend getting pasta here because you really can't fail with that. I believe they make their own pasta, which is why it tastes so good. We went for brunch, but I still got the pasta. Specifically, I got the eggplant Parmesan. I will say it probably was not the healthiest meal, but it still really liked it and ate all of it. Also if you have to pick between a mimosa and a Bellini always go for the Bellini because it's just better. This place has tons of vegetarian options which also means I can come here again and try different meals and I love that. I'm sure they would be able to accommodate vegans since there are so many vegetarian options but I did not ask. Overall, this was a great meal I recommend this place as a fun brunch spot for a celebration! read more

Taverna - Eggplant Parmigiana - Italian Near Me - Austin, Texas

Good food. My main dish lacked flavor though but overall pretty decent. I would give it another try for sure

The restaurant is bright, modern, and welcoming the minute you walk in. The service is typical of upscale casual. Drinks to a very long time to arrive but were worth the wait. Unique flavors and high quality made every sip a treat. I especially enjoyed the Blood Orange margarita. The menu boasts authentic Italian with a few unique complements. The gnocchi in a short rib ragu was amazing. The beef was slow cooked to perfection and the gnocchi was the perfect texture. Their pesto is also tasty and well appointed with colorful vegetables. I do not recommend the focaccia. It seemed to be just the pizza crust with a few, superficial accoutrement that did not add to the taste. Our table did quite enjoy the squash chips with truffle aioli; it was a savory complement to our cocktails. Will definitely go back any time I'm in Austin. read more

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Came to Austin for my cousins bachelorette we were walking downtown and stumbled upon taverna and had AMAZING SERVICE sat right away Diana was literally the sweetest they also had gluten free options for the bride which was appreciated highly recommended trying it out if you're in Austin read more

Super cute, and immediately sat our last minute party of 8! Our server was Diana and she was SO sweet, patient and went through several menu items with us super clearly! Highly recommend! read more

The service and food quality were both very disappointing. We started with the bruschetta, which was extremely wet. It consisted of what tasted like pureed tomatoes with very little flavor, served on hard, overly crusty bread. Wife ordered the Eggplant Parmigiana. The pasta was served refrigerator cold, while the eggplant itself was burnt and dried out, making it seem as though it had been prepared well in advance. . I ordered the lasagna, which was overly moist and mushy, giving the impression that it, too, had been cooked previously and reheated rather than freshly prepared. When we politely mentioned our concerns to our server, Charles, his attitude changed immediately. Rather than addressing the issues professionally, he became defensive. He offered to bring additional sauce to pour over the cold pasta instead of replacing the meal, then insisted the lasagna was made to order. When he removed our plates, he snatched them from the table and displayed obvious negative body language. Overall, this was a very disappointing dining experience. Between the poor food quality and the unprofessional response to our concerns, I cannot recommend this restaurant. read more

Taverna: We popped into this place for a cocktail after a disappointing meal next door. Celeste, the bartender makes a terrific espresso martini. She was friendly and efficient. I loved the design aesthetic overall. The vibe was classy but not stuffy. They have a diverse menu. I will definitely try this place for lunch the next time I'm in the area. read more

The Service was on Point! We asked about the specials , She knew them. We asked about a few different plates, She offered Her Likes about the dish. The food; Holy Hell it was Amazing!! The Carbonara Ravioli were a New twist on a fav!! The Bolognese Sauce was the Plate of the Night!!! The deserts You can't Go Wrong!! Just order as Many as You can for the table and pass them around, again and again!! Hope to be back soon. read more

Was in Austin waiting for the Amtrak train that was very delayed so went out into town searching for dinner. This place was a great find, quality wines at a reasonable price. The eggplant parm was absoultely perfect and Im a hard judge for eggplant. If in town I highly recommend a visit here. read more

Taverna - Italian Near Me - Austin, Texas

I came here just for desserts. I sat at the bar so there was no wait. I got the torta di ricotta e mascaprone and the espresso creme brûlée. You must get the espresso creme brulee! It is absolutely divine with a nice coffee and creamy texture. It's not overly sweet either and the burnt sugar on top was great. Skip the torta di ricotta e mascarpone. It had red velvet and dark chocolate layers in a cheesecake slice. It was okay and not worth $14. read more

Taverna - Torta di ricotta e mascarpone - Italian Near Me - Austin, Texas

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While attending a conference I met with some colleagues for lunch here and we were all very pleased with our dishes. The restaurant is very light and airy with a sense of fine dining. Our waiter was so kind and helped my colleague with the menu and he was super attentive and funny too. My the halibut was decadent and our waiter suggested the perfect wine pairing for my fish. The tiramisu is my favorite dessert and this did not disappoint. The fruit sorbets tasted like real raspberries and mango. So delicious! read more

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I had high expectations for Taverna, especially since it always looks packed whenever I pass by-- day or night. The space has a clean, modern vibe, but navigating between tables is a challenge--it's cramped and closely packed, which I'm not a fan of. I could even smell the person sitting next to me, and trust me, it wasn't pleasant!! The menu offers pizzas, pastas, and basic breakfast items, but nothing particularly exciting. The one thing worth mentioning? $3 MIMOSAS. On weekends, The Baci Room is open for patrons as part of dining in the day and offers the same menu. But at night, the Baci Room comes live and turns into a lively cocktail lounge. read more

Really great food, wine and the staff was amazing! We loved the Caesar salad, truffle risotto and tiramisu.

A friend and I went for dinner here on Saturday before walking to the W to listen to my DJ friend spin for the evening. I've been to Taverna downtown and in the Domain several times. The food was great but the service was spotty. Our server forgot to put our drink orders in so we got our food before our cocktails. We had to attempt to flag him down several times to ask about our drinks and finally another waiter saw us trying to get his attention and made him look our way. He also kept trying to get us to order a tuna appetizer and my friend had already said she didn't like tuna. When my friend asked for sparkling water when we first sat down, he brought out a huge family sized bottle so we thought maybe that was the only size and of course the two of us couldn't finish it (try as we might since it cost $9!) but since he'd already poured some into her glass we figured we couldn't return it. We later saw a lady next to us get a normal size bottle of Pelligrino and that's when we knew we could have asked him why he brought such a big bottle. We also thought it was weird because I had already just ordered regular tap water for me so we weren't planning to share the sparkling. We were thankful we were able to walk in and get a table on a Saturday evening and that the food was good. read more

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Ambience 10/10. The food was also really good, our server was super friendly, attentive, and gave great recommendations. We went on a Monday night and sat out on the covered patio as it lightly rained, which was lovely. Would be a great brunch, lunch or dinner spot. Fantastic part of Downtown Austin! read more

We popped in for a quick bite after a show at ACL Live. The kitchen was open on a Friday night until 10:30 which was great news. The drinks were good, but the food was a bit of a let down. The short rib gnocchi was much more oily than anticipated. This could be due to it being close to closing hours, but I was severely underwhelmed. read more

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the food and service were awesome! my server, diana, was really friendly and made sure my party's dining experience went well. cocktails were well made, the passion fruit negroni was my favorite! read more

I ordered the lasagna from Taverna for takeout, and it was fantastic! Even after taking it home, the flavors were rich, and the pasta was perfectly cooked. You can really taste the quality and care in every bite. I'll definitely be back to try more of their menu. Highly recommend Taverna for anyone craving authentic Italian flavors! In the past I'd usually get the gnocchi with ragu- the best thing I like to get from their menu. The waitstaff is okay, I wouldn't say they have exceptional service. read more

Taverna - Homemade Lasagna Rustica - Italian Near Me - Austin, Texas

Food was great! The chicken & waffles were done to perfection. The gravy was so tasty that we couldn't stop eating it. Loved this place!