Located on what may as well be called Restaurant Row in The Domain is Taverna, an Italian restaurant with a genuine European feel and great food. Parking is very accessible nearby and the options to sit inside, covered, and outside allow for a lot of variation here. We came for an early dinner when the place was very quiet so service was quick and attentive as well. The inside features some TVs and a bar so it may be a decent place to sneak in a game while eating a nicer dinner than one you'd get at a sportsbar. To start our meal we ordered the chef's focaccia which comes with olive oil, vinegar, and parmesan cheese baked into it as well as an order of the meatballs. The focaccia was alright, pretty bland to be honest with not much of the parmesan coming through, definitely helped out by the olive oil and vinegar. The meatballs however, were fantastic. Very soft and light, unlike a lot of other places where finishing one is a meal in itself. The meatballs come plated with a nice cream and sauce alongside it. They do also bring our table bread with a tomato sauce which was decent, nothing to write home about. For our main course we got a spaghetti pomodoro (not on the menu) and the strozzapreti lamb ragu. The spaghetti was hearty and covered with a heaping amount of sauce, very filling. The strozzapreti was also very good with a nice, light citrus flavor to it matching a nice chew to the pasta and a very well cooked and tender lamb. The portion sizes are a bit smaller so be prepared for that, but it doesn't take away from how good the food was. Between good service, very good food, and a nice setting, Taverna is an excellent choice for Italian in The Domain, maybe even the best. A great spot for a casual date night, hangout, or just a drink. Be sure to give it a try. read more

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This place was fine. It does the job at having plenty of seating, being located at the Domain, and having a dog friendly patio. Service was so-so but I think that might have been hit or miss because other tables were definitely getting their orders faster or getting waters to the table (despite being seated after us so maybe our guy just sucked ass). Food wasn't bad though the focaccia was not what I expected--less fluffy and more flat. My only review was it was fine...I've just had better food and better service in the Domain so if I had to choose between here and elsewhere. I'd take the few extra steps read more

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First visit to Taverna, but it definitely won't be my last. They have three different dining areas to choose from. We arrived for an early dinner and decided to sit inside. The friendly hostess seated us at an accessible table, and our waiter Michel appeared almost immediately to take our drink order. The layout inside was easy to navigate and comfortable, which I always appreciate. They offer a great variety of cocktails, wine, and craft beers on tap. The restaurant itself feels fresh and open with views into the kitchen and out to the patio, but somehow our dinner still felt cozy and intimate. Around six o'clock they turn down the lights. With the dim lighting and candlelit table, it had a slightly romantic vibe that made it perfect for date night. A fellow Yelper had posted a photo of the grilled octopus, which is what originally brought me in, so of course we had to order it. It was everything I hoped for and more. Tender, flavorful, and beautifully prepared. If you go, this is a must try. My husband and I were both torn between two entrees, but with Michel's excellent guidance we ended up loving our choices. I ordered the Paglia e Fieno and honestly couldn't stop talking about how delicious it was. My husband ordered a pizza and said the same about his. We finished the night sharing the pistachio crème brûlée, which was served uniquely cold and made for a fun and delicious dessert. As great as the food was, Michel was truly the star of the show. I will absolutely request him every time we come back. He was knowledgeable about the drinks and the entire menu, and his friendly, professional demeanor helped create such a relaxed and enjoyable evening. Pro tip: the grilled octopus is a must, and if Michel is working, request his section. Great food, great service, and a fantastic first experience. Already looking forward to our next visit. read more

Taverna - Menu - Italian Near Me - Austin, Texas

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We got the hot honey pepperoni pizza, fritto misto, chicche della nonna al Gorgonzola. My favorites were the hot honey pizza and fritto misto. The pizza wasn't too salty and had the perfect sweet and savory flavor. I usually like my crust thicker but it's just a personal preference. The fried vegetables and calamari were so fun to snack on. They were crispy and I thought the dish tasted better with a side of ketchup as well instead of just their house dipping house. Octopus was okay, nothing memorable. Gnocchi was soft and decent. Sauce was decadent but wish it had more flavor. Good service, everything came out quick. Their patio is very pretty! Definitely a cute spot for a date night. read more

Taverna - Italian Near Me - Austin, Texas

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Our server (Cody?) was great. I've been to Taverna a couple times, but they recently revamped their menu and got rid of a gnocchi and cacio e Pepe dish I loved. I tried a new one with eggplant which I thought was lacking. I had to season a lot with salt and it had like two flimsy pieces of eggplant. We also ordered the bruschetta which came out well with a tomato purée on top. I'm sure the dishes will hit the spot for some people but looks like I'll have to find a new Italian joint I love. read more

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My gfs and I had an amazing time here and our server was super sweet and made an insane espresso martini. The restaurant itself wasn't too packed when we came and was pretty calm the rest of the night. We got the calamari, paglia e fieno, paccheri alla vodka, brasato al barolo, and tiramisu for dessert. Overall, the amount of food we got and how much we paid was fairly priced. Calamari/fritto misto: huge portion sizes, the sauces weren't too rich. Paglia e fieno: the truffle sauce wasn't too overpowering which was really nice. Paccheri alla vodka: has a slight kick to it, slightly rich but still good. Brasato al barolo: the beef was super tender. read more

Taverna - Fritto Misto - Italian Near Me - Austin, Texas

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Met some longtime family friends couple weekends ago for dinner at Taverna. I've been several times and it's consistently good. Our server was Justin and he was helpful with recommendations. Unfortunately, they were out of many red wines that day and the ones they could give us to try were not available but we found a good, reasonably priced bottle for the table. There were 8 of us at dinner that evening and everyone enjoyed their food, drinks, and desserts! We had a variety of meals from pasta, pizza, fish, and sweets that we enjoyed. I'm sure I will find myself back at Taverna again with other friends soon! read more

Popped into Tavernas for a Friday lunch, and this place was exactly what we needed. Super convenient location, fast service, and best of all... no crowds! It was quiet enough to actually hear each other talk (a rarity these days). The food was delicious. We had the short rib gnocchi--tender, melt-in-your-mouth perfection--and the saffron & sausage risotto with a rich, comforting flavor that hit the spot. The bruschetta' is a great starter! If you're hunting for a relaxed lunch spot with solid Italian dishes and zero wait time (during lunch), Tavernas is it. We'll definitely be back! read more

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This was my first time dining here at Taverna in the Domain. The restaurant was empty. Our party was the only table dining at the time. The ravioli was delicious. The salads were very small for the price. I was disappointed with my tiny house salad. The appetizers were tasty. Delicious food but small portions for my liking. I won't return. read more

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This place could make SOOOO MUCH MORE MONEY with better mgmt. Yo, if you're the owner do you care about making money??? The best location out of any restaurant in the domains, beautiful outdoor/indoor patios that extend to a lawn in a beautiful people watching intersection across the street from apple. Potentially extremely delicious food. This restaurant could be full all the time and the epicenter of the domains social scene. Management does not care about upholding restaurant standards in its staff, understaffed, hired host positions that couldn't care less about their jobs. Some servers are amazing, other couldn't care less. Their friends taking up tables hanging out. Customers allowed to smoke in the patio. So crazy to me. With better mgmt, this place could make so much more money. Talk about "leaving food on the table." read more

Food quality has slipped a tiny bit but still very good. My risotto tasted like it had been cooked quickly instead of the slow process that makes it creamy and delicious. Loved the outside patio, it was lively without being overly loud. You can watch kids playing soccer in the adjacent field/park. Service was a little slow too but we didn't mind since we were chatting. Nothing terrible, just more like European service. read more

Taverna - Risotto Porcini & Tartufo - Italian Near Me - Austin, Texas

Great meal, great service, great atmosphere. We tried the beet salad--get it! So bright and flavorful. We tried the lasagne--a dish I normally avoid but will order my own next time, the tagliatelle à la bolognese--pretty standard, and the biggest hit, the risotto gamberi et prosecco--memorable. Great fun. Can't wait to return. read more

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We loved our experience here. We had a fantastic server named Daniel who was kind, attentive, and polite. The pasta is the key star here. The pasta is made fresh and cooked al dente. The flavors were strong and intentional. Daniel went above and beyond to make us feel comfortable. I enjoyed the ambience as it was light and a great indoor and fully enclosed patio as well. Daniel even went above and beyond when we told him we were visiting from San Antonio. He provided us complimentary bread and some freshly made pesto to take home with us. We were astonished by his kindness and very happy we chose to dine here in the Domain! read more

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This place was good. Only complaint were the prices didn't add up the portion of food you got, but I didn't enjoy the flavor of the hash. Waffles didn't really have much sugar, a bit bland. We loved the complimentary green dip and bread. That was delicious. Our server was good and we got our food fast as well. Very cute spot, perfect for brunch with the girls type of thing. read more

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Taverna Domain is centrally located in the Domain and one of the best places to get Italian food in Austin. While a lot of their menu is meat-heavy, there are some delicious vegetarian options to be had. During my first visit to Taverna, I had a seasonal pumpkin ravioli dish that unfortunately was not on the menu this time around. I was super hungry, so I had an appetite for the burrata pizza and zucchini chips. The zucchini chips are definitely a must as an appetizer. They are super crisp and come with a delicious aioli sauce. The burrata pizza comes out in eight slices, but the crust is on the thin side so for one *hungry* person, it is the perfect side. I also had some aioli sauce left over, so it was useful to dip the pizza crusts into! All-in-all Taverna is a must-visit if you are looking for good Italian food in Austin for choices that appease all dietary needs. My rating is four stars as more vegetarian options is always welcomed. read more

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I have dined at Taverna at the downtown location where this was my first visit at the Domain NORTHSIDE. Overall very nice, elegant, and delicious food. I had a very nice experience here. I had lunch here right when they opened at 11:00 AM on a Monday. The morning was still nice so sat in the enclosed patio. The staff was very friendly. I ordered the Ravioli Maremmani where menu stared was buffalo ricotta cheese, spinach, and butter sage sauce. It was very good and love ravioli in general. It was very rich with exceptional flavor. Nice filling inside the soft pasta shell. Taverna is more adult and relaxing restaurant with a bar inside and a nice view of the Northside Lawn. I did not need reservations this early. read more

Taverna - Ravioli Maremmani - Italian Near Me - Austin, Texas

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The drinks were okay, the only one we enjoyed was the "cold day in hell". We enjoyed the bruschetta as well, wish it had a little more balsamic. We got the Tagliolini Agli Scampi which was mediocre, couldn't taste much of anything except salt water. The Pollo Scarpariello was better, would probably order again if I was to go back. We waited probably 10-15 minutes before a server came to greet us and give us water/take our drink order, however outside of that, the service was good! Good restaurant for a date night, wish the food was better and more flavorful. read more

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We came to Taverna for brunch and overall had a pleasant experience. The brick oven pizza was really good and definitely one of the highlights of the meal. The servers were all very friendly and helpful, and the atmosphere was nice and relaxed--not too loud, which made it easy to enjoy the meal and conversation. My wife ordered a traditional breakfast, which unfortunately was a little bland. She also tried the Bloody Mary, and it wasn't what we expected from a typical Bloody Mary and wasn't very good. Overall, the service and atmosphere were great, and the brick oven pizza is definitely worth trying. read more

Did not have a great experience here, host made a rude comment about my friends & I, then the server told me they couldn't make the cacio e Pepe on the patio, which I explained was totally but that I still wanted it and it could be cooked in the kitchen, he then proceeded to bring out the cheese wheel and make the pasta but 15 feet away from my table so I didn't even know it was for me since he didn't say anything. Food is okay, basic chain Italian place read more

The fish was perfectly cooked. I sat outside on the patio. It was beautiful night with wonderful food. The service was excellent. read more

Taverna - Branzino Al Forno - Italian Near Me - Austin, Texas

First date night of the year and the Bean wanted Italian. Reservations for Taverna are made through open table but pretty easy. The atmosphere was casual elegance. Quiet for a restaurant. But as the evening went on, the crowd became a bit more lively. Our server was pleasant, and nice enough. Her attentiveness could definitely use some work. But service was good. After some time reviewing the menu we decided on the bruschetta bread for an appetizer, gnocchi and veal carpaccio as the entrees. Served elegantly and deliciously, the serving sizes were NOT standard at all. Unusually small for an Italian restaurant. The gnocchi was excellent. The veal carpaccio was not my cup of tea. But to be fair, I was not aware the veal would be served raw (read the details ). The evening's libation was the house limoncini. I think that might be the best drink on the menu!!! All and all, a good night with the wife. read more

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Came here for a girl's brunch on a Sunday morning. The restaurant was starting to get full around 10:30 but we had a reservation. Service was pretty slow - our waitress only came around once to fill our water cups and I'm not sure if this is how the service usually is during brunch but I feel it could definitely be improved! I got the Taverna breakfast hash and a side of fruit and was very underwhelmed by the flavor (had to add a lot of salt for it to taste like something) and the brisket itself was incredibly dry and didn't taste like brisket itself but an overcooked pot roast. For the price, the amount of food was not justified in my opinion. The fruits on the side were 90% grapes and had only sparingly placed strawberries and melons, so very unbalanced in terms of variety. Overall, I was very underwhelmed by both the service and the food at this restaurant unfortunately! read more

Taverna - Taverna Hash - Italian Near Me - Austin, Texas

Generally speaking, good food (especially the fresh pasta). Ambiance is nice, outdoor patio dining is an option if it's not too hot. Food service was fine, however, just be careful when ordering wine by the bottle. I was informed that the day we were there that certain wines were 50% off under a certain price range which was great. Unfortunately, they only had 1 bottle available. And, then, when I ordered a different bottle, he immediately gave everyone a new glass and immediately filled those before they were even done with their first glass without even asking. Basically, he was trying to pad the wine bill...not cool. That being said, I would come back. read more

A few weekends ago, I came to this location for the first time with a friend. We ordered a pitcher of Mimosas and a few menu items. I elected to order the chicken and waffles. Chicken and waffles are like bacon and eggs, not so much an individual dish as an imaginative fusion of two different things indelibly joined in a celebrated coupling. Historically, chicken and waffles could be three different dishes: creamed chicken and waffles, broiled chicken and waffles, and fried chicken and waffles. Each of which has had its moment in the sun. Chicken and waffles is a classic American dish that's so popular because it combines sweet and savory flavors and soft and crunchy textures: The salty, crispy chicken pairs well with the sweet, soft waffle. Syrup: Pouring maple syrup over the chicken and waffles ties the dish together. Texture: The dish offers a balance of tender and crispy. This chicken and waffle dish is served with bacon, truffle fries and gravy, however. The bacon amps up the savory factor by adding a hint of hickory and salt to the dish while the gravy if poured onto the chicken and waffle is something special. Although this is a chicken and waffle dish, the added bacon, gravy and pico type sauce allows those who order this dish to be creative with the flavor combinations. I elected to eat the chicken and gravy together as opposed to pouring in a top the waffle and using the gravy as a 'dipping sauce' for my truffle fries. I was pleasantly surprised by the chicken and waffles dish as it started away from the traditional concept. However, the chicken was on the dry side. read more

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Service was horrible and the food was just average. I would almost rather eat at a mid level chain Italian restaurant than here. Nothing here was impressive. read more

Ate here last night and got food poisoning- I'm currently sick. On top of that the food wasn't worth the price or poisoning!

The food and service have gone significantly downhill. We went there on Thursday night with our children. The restaurant was not busy at all. Five servers stood around and played Uno right in front of our table. I was pretty surprised to see total lack of disregard for any kind of service. The food was mediocre at best and quite pricey relative to what I remember it (our bill was $190). We will not be back. There are far better options in the domain with much better service. read more

Nothing special really here. Presentation of the food was good but flavor wasn't the best. Staff were not very fast to wait and constantly talking and not working. We were here and wanted to grab some good Italian, I'd say pass next time. Was very quiet on a Tuesday evening but still terrible service. read more

Taverna - Italian Near Me - Austin, Texas

Appetizer was good. Had the zucchini chips and the dip was awesome. Also had the calamari shrimp and zucchini fries which was alright. Main course was the squid ink pasta with shrimp scampi, which was alright. Other two people had salmon and fried chicken with arugula. No word from them whether it was alright or not since we were so engrossed in convo. But overall, it was alright - a mix between not bad and alright. read more

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Visited Taverna and had the best experience! Food and drinks were so good. Our server Raegan was the best server we've had in a long time. Very knowledgeable and helpful! We can't wait to come back and sit with her again! read more

Review is specifically for Brunch (haven't been to lunch/dinner) Chicken and waffles was bomb!!!!! It comes with a spiced mango salsa which honestly steals the show - I would order that by the pound if I could. read more

I'm so mad I could scream!! I knew something was off about the Kale Salad that I ordered and I wish I would have spoken up. Hastily thrown into the bowl -- 90% spinich. Singular site of kale. Five, yes I counted, pomegranate seeds One cubed sweet potato 1/2" square with 2 see-through circular slices of sweet potato. NO hazelnuts!! As this was my entree I ate 1/2 and gave the other 1/2 to my partner. I would have taken a photo because I just knew this couldn't be right and unfortunately my dining partner is the mindset of don't rock the boat so I chose to be silent. Now that I see this image on their website I'm sick to my stomach. What a waste of a dining experience. I'm so pissed at my self for not speaking up and for them pawning off that dish to me. read more

Taverna - This is NOT what my salad looked like!!!! - Italian Near Me - Austin, Texas

Food and service were both very average, was expecting more! They used to have nice Happy Hour deals, that would be the only reason I'd go back. read more

Taverna - Italian Near Me - Austin, Texas

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So overpriced, pretentious, and just all around disappointing. Where to start? The food was terrible. I ordered the salmon and, despite asking what temp I'd like it (medium-rare to medium, as recommended), it came out very well done. I really don't enjoy chalky, dry salmon. My husband ordered the branzino, and it was overcooked to the point of rubberiness. Both were extremely under-seasoned, needing several generous shakes of table salt just to have some flavor. The service was so bad it was weird. Our server didn't come back to ask how the food was until my husband was already done with his plate. Meanwhile, our friend was literally still lifting a forkful of food to her mouth when someone unceremoniously cleared her plate without a word. She tried to stop them but they were too fast and she was still chewing! They tried to take my plate, too, but I was at least able to tell them I wasn't done. Our server dropped dessert menus for half the table while the other half was still eating their entrees. Then he tried to drop off the check before asking if we actually wanted dessert (which we did), and still before I was done with my entree. We asked for more dessert menus, which were never brought. They left empty glassware from our initial round of drinks on the table the entire meal. We eventually put them on the neighboring table ourselves to make room for shared desserts and share plates. The service at least was friendly. The atmosphere is nice enough. That's about it tho. And there are way too many birthday parties. I recommend you find literally anywhere else to eat. read more

I'll always remember this restaurant for an absolutely wonderful first meeting. The restaurant itself is nice and pretty. We got the Frittura Mista Di Mare which was good and I liked the sauce that came with it. We also got the Spaghetti Alla Carbonara and the Gnocchi Di Patate Rustici. read more

Amazing made from scratch pasta. Hidden little gem, nicely decorated and great vibe. Service was very good also. Very attentive server. We will be back! read more

Say what you will about the Domain, but I've found some great spots sprinkled throughout the shopping center, like Taverna. Would definitely recommend checking out the place if you haven't already. We ordered a pizza (which might have a few too many peppers) and a pasta dish. Both came out fairly quickly and disappeared just as fast into our bellies. I wouldn't say that we felt transported to Italy, but they have nice decor and our server (Mossimo) was outstanding! read more

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Service was mediocre. Food was not worth the money. It smelled like cleaner. I will never eat here again. Wouldn't recommend.

Great service and amazing food. I ordered Paccheri Alla Vodka. The pasta was perfectly cooked with great tooth feel. Then the vodka sauce was flavorful with just enough spicy. The hidden gem was the crispy pancetta pieces. A few pieces with each bite made the meal amazing. read more

Taverna - Paccheri Alla Vodka - Italian Near Me - Austin, Texas

The food was amazing!! We got the meatballs as an appetizer, easy 7/10. The real kickers are the salmon and pizzas! Both 10/10 and the truffle fries were to DIE for. 10/10 recommend, would go again!! read more