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    The Tavern

    3.2 (300 reviews)
    Closed 5:00 pm - 9:00 PM
    Updated 2 months ago

    The Tavern Photos

    Business Info

    THE TAVERN ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Classy
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Dogs allowed

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    Recommended Reviews - The Tavern

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    Maricar T.

    I like the history and location. Not much to expect from a restaurant but was quite okay for a small town destination. Mom celebrated birthday here.

    Bolognese
    Zoe G.

    Went with a group of five on a Thursday night and quickly got a table. We shared the crab dip for an app. That was very good as was the bread. I had the bolognese which was also very good. Other members of our group had the salmon, chicken and tuna salad which we were a bit underwhelming especially for the price. Our server was very friendly, funny and nice which we enjoyed but I think for the upscale vibe the service could've been elevated a little like having servers box leftover meals up. All and all a good meal but I wouldn't have to go back.

    hummus
    William W.

    Came during game wknd. Got a table in bar area just in time. Our waiter/bartender gave us excellent service. He made sure all the food was cooked to our asking and kept checking on us. We had the hummus, scallops as starters and for our main meals, we had the sea bass and prime rib and both were cooked perfectly. For dessert we had the dubai torte.

    Interior and windows that look out at College Avenue.
    Steve K.

    I paid this time-honored restaurant a visit, and it was well worth the trip. I was greeted warmly and seated quickly. Ambiance is very much from another time with prints and physical items from long ago in the history of the school (and even farther back in time to the area) paint a picture all to itself. All my food items were Tavern speciality dishes and did not disappoint. The surf and turn egg rolls were interesting, unique and chock full of flavor. My Pasta Bolognese was also full of flavor on over pasta (mostly elbows, a few rotini were thrown in and if I had one issue, I'd go all rotini). I finished my meal with their cheese cake which has a distinctive flavor, different than most standards cheese cakes and that was excellent. Lauren C. was outstanding as my wait person and represents the best of this establishment. This is "really nice" dining experience (not inexpensive) in a college town, but when in town you should take advantage of it.

    Entrance & patio
    Kat V.

    I'm not sure how The Tavern gets such mediocre ratings. The food was wonderful. The service was amazing and I like the look and feel there, too. Prices were reasonable for what you got and the vibe was good. Not sure what else I could ask for in a restaurant. I'd definitely return.

    Prime rib with mashed potatoes and green beans.
    Mark B.

    Service - The host greeted us promptly. Not sure what was up with the other reviewer today, but the host was great. She promptly had us seated and had staff ready. We were led through the labyrinthian maze to our table and promptly seated. Service by Timothy was great and he was always just the right amount of attentive and cordial. The rest of the staff followed up with great support and brought cohesion to the entire experience. I did need to ask for horseradish for my prime rib, and Timothy correctly observed I had no steak knife for it. The ambiance was of an upscale tavern dining room. The last I ate at the Tavern years ago was near abysmal, and this post-renovation Tavern was modern/elegant, yet stuck to the roots of the establishment of an old tavern. Very well done and balanced. The food was good. We were provided some dinner rolls and butter shortly before the mains arrived. I had the prime rib and my spouse had the Tavern Chicken. Both were great dishes. My prime rib wasn't the most tender cut, but it was earlier in the day maybe not quite fully "slow and low" cooked. Very flavorful however. The mashed potatoes and green beans were both very well done and made great sides. Overall a much better experience of the last time and definitely will consider again. No reservations - for a football game weekend it is first-come, first-serve so plan accordingly.

    Brielle P.

    Probably as close to "fine dining" as you can get in State College. Lovely table on a football weekend for a friends engagement celebration. Our waiter was awesome - very friendly and funny. We started with the chicken corn soup and it was out of this world delicious. Perfect after being out in the cold! I got the greek chicken and it was HUGE. 3 large chicken thighs - who could possibly eat all of that. The orzo had no flavor so it was a bit disappointing. my husband got the fried chicken dish and it was amazing. Spicy sauce below with fresh cheese and arugula on top. I would definitely order that next visit. The drinks here were mediocre - my french 75 was served in a water glass (weird?) and it was more like a spritzer than a true F75. Later on in the weekend we stopped by upstairs in their new area overlooking college ave & the campus. It was cold so they had the fires on. We wanted drinks only so we went to the bar but the bartender didn't acknowledge us so we went outside and sat at the firepits. A waitress came over and gave us menus and then came back and basically scolded us because those seats are for dining - not drinks only. She said we could go to the bar and get drinks and bring back to the firepit. Very weird and really rude..

    Great Classic Old Fashion, I'm from TN and this was spot on. Cheers!
    Jeff D.

    Classic! I have been coming here for 40 years. They recently upgraded the place and it looks amazing! Upstairs there is a great bar and seating outside, a fire pit is out side to keep you warm on a cool evening. The fine dinning food is very good and the service was also very good!

    Tavern chicken

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    2 months ago

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    2 days ago

    Our meals were yummy! Great atmosphere and Hunter did a great job taking care of us!

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    Very nice restaurant in the hardest State college. Food is quite good although slightly pricey. Weight staff is excellent.

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    Ask the Community - The Tavern

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