If I had reviewed The Aviary based on my previous experiences I would not have given it a one star review. Based on my experience from this Friday night I will never return. The service was good and it's a nice spot. But the food was horrible. Never did hear from the manager after I left a message on Saturday. read more

We visited Aviary yesterday with a group of five and unfortunately had a very disappointing experience overall--especially given that the bill came to $165 before tip. We started with two orders of calamari for the table. I'm vegan, so I didn't try it, but the others each took a couple of bites and immediately lost interest--it was that underwhelming. Both plates were essentially untouched and eventually cleared away. We didn't request a refund, but it was disappointing to see food go to waste. I ordered the beet salad, which sounded promising but ended up being extremely bland. The greens looked tired and wilted, so I mostly picked at the beets just to have something to eat. At our table, the lobster eggs Benedict was described as overcooked, and the waffles ordered by two guests were surprisingly poor--more like something out of a toaster than a proper brunch dish. I also ordered a fruit plate, which was another letdown. Some pieces still had rind attached, and overall the fruit was hard and not very enjoyable. To top it off, $4.50 for iced tea that wasn't even good felt excessive. On a positive note, our server was friendly, attentive, and genuinely tried to accommodate my vegan preferences, which I appreciated. However, the person who delivered the food came across as dismissive and not particularly welcoming. Overall, the experience didn't match the expectations for the price, and I hope the restaurant takes a closer look at food quality and consistency read more

Food was a little better than average, and the server was very good. The front of restaurant, woman left a lot to be desired, snobbish and not at all accommodating. Wouldn't go back if the meal was free! read more

I have only been here once, but I was very pleased. I had an espresso martini and a specialty cocktail and both were very good. The quality of service was good too; they were friendly and attentive, which is always appreciated. The spot was super nice too; the lighting and mood were really nice. It was of a higher standard than most other restaurants in the area. I would like to go back again for more cocktails and to try their food too. I've heard nothing but really good things! read more

I've been a regular here since they opened, but I've noticed a disappointing drop in quality recently. They used to provide a complimentary bread assortment that included pretzels; now, that's been replaced by a $4 bread basket on the appetizer menu. My wife and I ordered it hoping for the original variety, but it was just a few small ciabatta rolls that felt like frozen, mass-produced bread. Unfortunately, the rest of the meal followed suit and felt low-quality. I'm sad to see the standards slip read more

Had a great meal, filet was cooked perfectly as was the cod that melted in your mouth. Service by Jesse was excellent, she made it a great experience! Great work, we loved it! read more

A friend and I were staying in the area and after a quick review of the local restaurants we selected The Aviary and boy were we happy with our choice! From the moment we walked in were greeted with such hospitality. The restaurant is beautiful, but the gardens and outdoor seating were amazing and they had heaters above every table-perfect for fall in New England. The appetizer, drinks, food, and dessert were all outstanding!!! Additionally, I am gluten free and the server was very knowledgeable about what options in the menu were safe for me. This place is worth a visit and we just wish it was closer to home! read more

The Aviary - Espresso martinis and triple chocolate cake - New American Near Me - Swansea, Massachusetts

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Just got back from our New Year's dinner. She got the lobster parpadelle. The flavor was good, plenty of lobster but the pasta was way under done. I ordered the steak au poivre. Steak was cooked correctly but for what we paid they could have at least trimmed the fat and sinew, veggies were not seasoned, and the mashed potatoes were a solid ball on the plate. I could pick the mashed potatoes up with a fork all at once. Gross. I showed the server, they didn't really care. Almost $200 for this meal and it was less than average. Honestly I looked at the meals at the tables next to us and nothing looked appetizing. For context I work in food service and have high standards, especially at these prices read more

Great experience with lifelong friends visiting from Sweden. We were informed by our excellent waitress Linda? That they have a new chef, new menu, farm to table using the best/freshest ingredients possible. They delivered, excellent meals that were delivered with an inspiring look and great taste. We wish we lived closer. We will be back!! We were fortunate enough to eat outside in their beautiful garden area. read more

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I haven't been here in a while and nothing really excited me on the main menu so I ended up ordering two appetizers and they were SO good. I got a bowl of clam chowder and the mini crab cakes. The chowder was very yummy but kind of had a lot of potatoes in it (more than I would usually like) but other than that tasted delish. The crab cakes although small were so filling and tasted amazing. Whatever that little mixture is on top really made the whole dish. read more

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I reserved a table near the fireplace, I heard it was nice. I had a gift card from coworkers and they highly recommended the Aviary. We were seated near the fireplace, I'm glad I did. Was beautiful atmosphere. Our waitress Laurie was excellent. The pear martini, highly recommended, so yes. Had that. Was perfect. Laurie's timing was spot on. Took our order after we received the cocktail so that we were able to have a relaxing dinner. I ordered filet mignon medium, mashed potato. Husband ordered chicken piccata. Both came to the table by the server piping hot. That is hard to find these days. My steak was perfect in every way. More than enough I brought some home. My husband finished his with delight. We both wished we could have had dessert. We highly recommend this restaurant. The dining area was still lit up for Christmas and is beautiful this time of year. Looking to back in summer. read more

We enjoyed a beautiful birthday meal by the fireplace. It was so beautifully welcoming, perfect for a date night. We shared crab cakes which were good but not as good our main course. My husband had the seabass and I devoured a filet with brandy cream sauce, loaded mashed potatoes and asparagus. It was cooked perfectly and the portions were perfect to leave you with a little room for dessert. He had the vanilla bean creme brulee and I had the layered chocolate cake. And while I thoroughly enjoyed it, my husband tried both and said I should have ordered what he had. But only after he had eaten it! Lol. Wil definitely be back! read more

The Aviary - Drinks menu - New American Near Me - Swansea, Massachusetts

The Scallops with Corn Risotto was incredible. The scallops were cooked perfectly, with a very nice amount of caramelization. The corn flavoring of the risotto was addictive. We sat outside during sunset, and it was very beautiful. read more

The Aviary - Scallops and Risotto - New American Near Me - Swansea, Massachusetts

Beautiful and delish!!! We happened upon this place and what a pleasant surprise. Beautiful classic bar too.

Really great meal here, and incredibly delicious cocktails too. I ordered a seasonal "strawberry rhubarb" which was essentially a spiked lemonade, and was super refreshing and delicious. Our group share brussels sprouts and fried cauliflower for appetizers. Both were pretty good but the cauliflower was a highlight, tasting similar to general tso's chicken. I ordered the cod and while I would try something else next time, the cod was fantastic. Very moist and tender and perfectly cooked, very fresh, and a thin layer of herb crust on the top. On the bottom the 'crust' had become soggy but was thin enough to not be any issue. The cod was served with potatoes and cauliflower. Others in our group got salmon and many got chicken, which I got to enjoy a bite of. The chicken was extremely flavorful, tender, juicy, and would be something I'd try next time. The atmosphere is upscale yet not too formal, definitely would not say casual. The summer night we went, storms had just rolled through, so the patio was empty but by the time we left there were plenty of tables occupied outside. Our server Lori was truly fantastic. She was patient when we were still deciding what we wanted, and she was also super accommodating for any specific questions or requests with our orders. She was quick-witted and seemed very upbeat. I would come back here anytime. read more

Food, service, ambiance. Went here for a business lunch and was very happy with the turnout. The steak sandwich was delicious.

The food was amazing! I had the cod dish and my husband had a chicken dish. We both loved it! The chowder was excellent! Really hot and so tasty! Not too creamy. Just right! The bread basket was delicious! That is an xtra charge but so...... worth it! The server was excellent and the ambiance is awesome... read more

The Aviary - cod fish dish - New American Near Me - Swansea, Massachusetts

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Had a late dinner at the Aviary tonight ( Wednesday 7:30pm). So glad I decided to treat myself after a long and difficult day. Our server Lori could not have been nicer and went above and beyond to make us feel comfortable. We were presented with warm fresh rolls and butter, so a good start. We split the crab cake appetizer which consisted of two large crab cakes, and the spinach salad that the kitchen kindly divided into two portions. The portions are ample and delicious. The atmosphere near the bar was quiet and subdued, which is exactly what we needed. We look forward to returning when in the area again. Well done Aviary and thanks again for your hospitality. We were excited to eat, so no food photos lol. Before our meal appeared, I did snap a shot of the cool chandelier near the bar. read more

The Aviary - Atmosphere at the Aviary - New American Near Me - Swansea, Massachusetts

Fabulous Aviary Restaurant, Swansea MA Rt. 6. A gem of a restaurant, with impeccable service and cozy ambiance. Celebrating Suzanne St. John and her most recent accomplishments... realtor supreme! As unbelievable as it may seem, at the very next table sat her favorite and most prized couple, for whom she was able to get for them a superb deal! (: Suzanne feasted on delicious Honey Citrus Salmon, her date Richard Raposo enjoyed Herb Baked Cod, Lauretta Gonyon Baked Stuffed Shrimp, and Daryl Gonyon Tuscan Chicken. Yummy meals! We sat in the main dining room, overlooking their beautiful fireplace, that was busy warming us with its gentle flames. Our wait person, Morgan, was a special treat. Truth be told, she crowned the Five-Star rating we give for our experience tonight. Attentive, amazing knowledge of menu items, and Personality Plus. read more

Been to the Aviary a hand full of times now and have had a lot of mixed opinions on the place. The food is generally really good, easily 4 stars. I'll be honest, the first time I didn't care for the food at all and didn't really want to go back but friends wanted to go so gave it another try and have been happy with the meals the following times. They still serve you fresh, tasty rolls at the start of your meal. If you enjoy outdoor dining, you'll love their outdoor patio which is open year round. Heated in the winter! The drinks sadly have been awful every time. They have good concepts/concoctions for beverages, however, they tend to be really weak with very little alcohol. If you ask for an extra shot in your drink, be prepared to shell out $25 for your drink. This is pretty laughable but the only way to make them tolerable. (I joke saying this but seriously need to bring and add your own nips). $10 for an extra shot of vodka, come on!! No thanks! In the future, I'll go and enjoy their food but will skip ordering their drinks and drink beforehand. If their drinks were better, they'd easily be 4 or 4.5 stars. 2 stars for drinks, 4 stars for food. read more

The Aviary - Tuscan chicken - New American Near Me - Swansea, Massachusetts

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I told my server I have a dairy allergy (I break out in hives) and my dish was still served with dairy in the meal. I told her before I ordered and again before I started eating to ensure I wasn't consuming any dairy products. I also asked for no bacon (as the dish came with it) and received bacon on my plate. needless to say I'm currently covered in hives and very disappointed. I understand if the dish was premade and already had dairy in it, however the server never mentioned the possibility of that. very unprofessional. the scene was pleasant but had a terrible food experience. read more

Food was delicious and service was great. The ambiance was a bit rustic chic. We really liked it and will definitely go back.

Went to the Aviary for a celebratory dinner with friends. Tracy was our server. She was terrific, attentive, never felt rushed and made good suggestions. The food was fabulous, we all devoured our meals, not a crumb left on the plates. Great place for special occasions. Welcoming atmosphere, terrific food and great staff. Can't wait yo return. read more

It is so nice to have such a beautiful and delicious restaurant right up the road. I have been to The Aviary a few times for brunch and dinner and I always have a wonderful meal. We went last night and they had a special Valentine's Day menu, which looked amazing. I decided to get the Cod that is on their regular menu. If you are looking for a special place for Valentine's Day I would recommend The Aviary. The Mustard and Herb Crusted Cod was delicious. The cod was very fresh and nice and flaky. The crust on the cod gave the fish a nice crunch but you could still taste the cod. I loved the pairing of the cod with the green beans and potatoes. The aioli and garlic glaze was delicious on all parts of this dish. Taking a bite of all the flavors together really was the perfect bite. We also got appetizers, the Cauliflower, Brussel Sprouts and for dessert the Creme Brûlée I will recommend this restaurant to anyone who wants a delicious meal with a wonderful atmosphere! read more

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The Aviary is a casual fine dining spot everyone should try. Upon entry, it was obvious my party was the youngest people there besides staff but we didn't let that change the energy of our meal! I think the vibe definitely is for older clientele but really it is a great spot for a quiet drink and a few appetizers. I really enjoyed the watermelon margarita and spinach & artichoke dip as well as the fresh oysters. The stuffie was flavorful and wasn't dry too! I also thoroughly enjoyed the apple walnut gorgonzola salad with shrimp. Our entrees were good but the appetizers definitely were the highlight of the meal. I will be back to try more for sure! read more

The Aviary - Apple Walnut Gorgonzola salad with grilled shrimp - New American Near Me - Swansea, Massachusetts

Delicious Sunday Brunch & I do miss the store in the Gift Shop in The ( Original) Tea Room. I haven't been in a few years. Covid changed a lot of Sunday morning plans & replaced them with virtual church & home yummies & coffee while still chillin out ! lol wink I'll get back there! Maybe with an invitation, maybe , not dining alone, next time? read more

Limited menu but everything I've ever gotten here was delicious. Great ambience and staff too. Recommend!

To anyone that goes here please check and make sure they don't put a 33 percent tip on your credit card like they did to me. I am beyond pissed. I've been going there since they opened 10 years ago and to be treated like that? Just unbelievable. They are thieves and shady as hell. They should have comped my meal after I found out what they did instead all I got is a "oh well we refunded the tip that you didn't leave". Who knows who else they have done this to. TOTALLY ILLEGAL! read more

We came here for a holiday dinner with a larger group. The Aviary was decorated very beautiful and festive for the holidays. Unfortunately, the service was incredibly slow and inattentive - it took an hour for our orders to be taken, and took 3 hours for us to finish dinner. The waitress was very difficult to get when needed. Food was good, but seemed to be priced expensive for what it was. Usually love lunch here, but not sure I'll be back for dinner! read more

So its Date Night again! I found this place with a little search and wow!! So cute outdoor patio area with propane heaters and lights on trees. Guy was our server and he was upbeat, funny and definitely knew the menu. We ordered the bacon wrapped dates stuffed with blue cheese. A must order! My wife ordered the Tuba Poke bowl.... she said it was amazing... all of it, just delicious. After much debating I decided on the pretzel burger. Cooked perfectly, med rare! Add the sweet fries and perfection. As a rule, if there is Lemoncello on the menu I get it... didn't disappoint! We will definitely be back. Food was great, service was awesome and the atmosphere was perfect for date night! read more

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I said I'd be back and I have all week. It's the best place near my hotel for dinner. Tonight; however, was not as good. Zac the bartender was aces, and the wait staff is great. They have a salad called the nest I was interested in. It comes with grilled chicken which is a $9 addition normally. I wanted to substitute the flat iron steak, which is an $18 add. I postulated that substituting an $9 add with an $18 add would net an additional $9, but no! My bartender went back to the chef and asked. I'd have to pay the full $18. Okay, new plan. I ordered the Caesar salad, funny there were no anchovies. When I asked they brought out some canned dark anchovies. I would think a place like this would have white anchovies for their Caesar, but no. The flat iron steak entree was tasty and cooked properly. Still, the entire experience was not what I had come to expect. read more

I love this place. The ambiance is what you'd expect from a bigger city. It'd swarm and cozy and sophisticated as well. I've eaten here a few times and never disappointed. My one complaint is the truffle aioli for the great burger. Where are the truffles or truffle oil. It tastes like plain mayonnaise. Please fix this. read more

This spot is easy to get to off the highway, has a stunning patio, a gorgeous bar, and amazing staff. Really top notch place to have a more upscale lunch or night out. There are some nice staples on the menu along with some more adventurous items. We tried the bacon wrapped dates, which were very yummy. This would be a great place to hold a private party as well. Can't wait to come back! read more

The Aviary - Chicken Caesar wrap, perfect fries, craft beer - New American Near Me - Swansea, Massachusetts

I can't speak to the food, but the service is outstanding. I used The Aviary for a special event and everyone was Spectacular. The owner was personally involved. They were flexible and adaptable and extremely professional. If you're looking to do something special, look no further. Also the ambiance is just incredible. read more

The Aviary is one of my go-to restaurants. The food is always consistently great. The service is hit or miss but most recently it was good. You cannot go wrong with any of the food. My favorite has been the sweet chili chicken sandwich. All of their appetizers are great too! Both the inside and the outside of the restaurant are beautiful. They have an outdoor patio that is great to enjoy these summer months on. read more

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We have been coming here for a long time. The food is always delicious, the workers are always friendly and accommodating and the grounds are just beautiful. We went on a weekday for brunch when they first opened and noticed the menu only had lunch items we later learned brunch is only on Sunday so we will definitely be back to experience that! read more

The Aviary - Barbecue chicken pizza without onions - New American Near Me - Swansea, Massachusetts

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This place has a nice atmosphere and good service. The food left us wanting - which is exactly the review we were given before coming here. It wasn't bad, but it also didn't make us feel like we wanted to come back. It's one of those places that you try just to check the box and then never come back because it's just not that great. Mediterranean appetizer was good but not amazing. The tabouleh was bland and the hummus needed salt. The guacamole needed to be replaced with baba ghanoush or something else since guacamole is not Mediterranean nor flavorful. Flat iron steak needed a bit more salt and less char. The tiny amount of roasted red pepper butter was practically nonexistent and wasn't even noticeable. The haricot vert needed more time in steamer and was also bland. The sweet potatoes needed salt and the seasoning wasn't consistent - almost like they cooked them standing up in whatever seasoning they used. The prosciutto fig jam & brie pizza was just OK. It tasted like the prosciutto was on the verge of being tossed out and the crust was chewy and it came covered in a salad's worth of arugula. It definitely tasted worse the day after -we shouldn't have bothered boxing it up. read more

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We decided late to go but we were able to make reservations. It was a busy Saturday and our first trip here. We were not disappointed the food and service were excellent presented in a very pleasant atmosphere. We pass through Swansea on a regular basis and this restaurant will be at the top of our list. Being on Open Table is a plus. read more

Lovely atmosphere and the food complements the surroundings! Great place for date night!

ordered swordfish- was charred on outside and not coded on inside took 5 min to get the attention of a waitress then someone rudely replied- another waitress - it's edible but will get it cooked more then 6 -7 minutes later it was returned - yes it was cooked but no comp per manager because it was returned to table timely NOT GOOD CUSTOMER SETVICE AT ALL WILL NOT GO AGAIN AND WILL MOTVRECOMMEND read more