Taverna Reviews

I went to meet a friend for lunch on Saturday. I arrived at the restaurant, they were a little busy, but the hostess didnt even acknowledge I walked in. I saw who I was going to meet after standing there for a couple minutes, so I went to sit down. As I looked around, none of the wait staff were smiling. That was disconcerting. I had to ask the waitress to order our food. I ordered the crab eggs benedict and orange juice. She brought the meal but never brought my orange juice. when I went to eat, the crab meat was hardly visible, the english muffins couldn't be cut with a knife and the white of the eggs were not cooked at all. They were charging 16.00 for that meal. I could have gone to The Broken Egg and got a real crab cake the was amazing on my eggs benedict for less than that. The manager Givenchy Salmeron came over and I was trying to tell him why I was sending my order back, he kept cutting me off to apologize. There is a lesson he should learn that he should listen to understand rather listen to respond. I couldn't get a word in edgewise, finally I had ro raise my voice a bit to get him to listen. I ordered two eggs over medium with no runny whites, he asked if I wanted them well done, I said no, that I wanted over medium with the egg whites not runny. So he brought my eggs to the table and the eggs were burnt with the eggs all brown and crusty. So I just had them take them back and didnt eat at the restaurant. Enjoyed the orange juice that I finally got. Then the person beside me ordered the crab benedict and he had to send his back as well. It is amazing to me that a restaurant that is supposed to be good, even let those dishes get out of the kitchen. I was very disappointed and will not be going back. He apologized but did not say I hope you give us another chance. This restaurant needs to understand what customer service means.

Located in the heart of uptown (Knox Street), Taverna offers a lot in atmosphere, service as well as good Italian food. The wait staff was attentive but not obtrusive and we enjoyed several parties celebrating birthdays complete with the waiters singing birthday songs in Italian accompanied cake with "rocket flare" candles! We had several selections from the entrees, including a great crab cake/lemon sole combo with excellent cauliflower side dishes; others had shrimp entrees. Topped off with some delicious Tiramisu. Parking is in short supply but there's a good valet lot right across the street. We'll be back!

Some of the best Italian food I have had. Muscles were excellent. Salads fresh and well dressed. Had a lamb chops with mint pesto and risotto that rivaled any lamb dish I have ever had, and I order lamb often. Others in my party had various pasta and risotto and all raved about it. Extensive wine list. Service was top notch. We sat outside under the awning, Which was s nice touch. Valet parking. I will return here as it might be my second favorite Dallas restaurant, and right next door to my favorite, Toulouse. Will return often.

We used to go to the Sundance Square location frequently. It was nice. Some of the staff were actually Italian. The garganelli pomodori was light and a dish that you might get in Italy. The desserts were good. Flash forward. That location is gone. Years have passed, and the garganelli on knox street was literally disgusting. Overcooked pasta drowning in sweet dark red sauce that tasted like it came from a jar, with I kid you not, diced tomatos (almost raw) and large pieces of carrot as a soffritto afterthought. It did not in any way resemble the dish that I had ordered numerous times at the Fort Worth location. At $19??? Che Ca**o? The bill said Taverna Armstrong? On the website the restaurant is still under the Lombardi name. I am not sure what happened, but sadly a lovely concept in Italian really went to **** in the past few years.

While I won't go so far as to call it the best in Dallas it certainly deserves attention as one of the best The service is impeccable. Fresh ground Pepper and Parmesan cheese was always ready to add to your dish if you desired The pizzas are thin crusted but stiff. A very good size for a single meal or for sharing as an app. The pasta dishes at lunch time were proportioned well and not too large. The marinara was flavorful. The grilled octopus was delicious served over small potato pasta and garlic chips. Management was social and checked on each diner. Very interested in making sure everything was as it should be We will make it our go to spot when we return to Dallas

I have been by this place many times and decided to try it with my wife. Parking across the street complicated things a little as it was raining when we arrived. That aside we dove into the menu in the hopes of finding originality. Several items caught our eye and we decided to try two entrees - both pastas with red sauce. One had some blue cheese, pear and arugula, the other short pasta "tubes" with chicken. We also had a large focaccia bread appetizer. All were ok...nothing really stood out. The appetizer was far from transcendent but would have been better had we chosen salad instead of pasta. I suspect its a variation on their pizza dough and would probably be a good choice if thats the case. The blue cheese entree was limited in size (given the price) and over spiced. The second entree was simply uninspiring. We ate most of it but didn't take anything home. In such a competitive market I am surprised the meal wasn't better. Maybe we just hit it on an off night or chose the wrong entrees.

Salty, salty, salty. Somebody needs to banish the salt shaker from the kitchen. From the crab cake special appetizer and the calamari, to the special orange roughy, all I could taste was salt. The osso bucco was marginally better. We'd spent the day traveling and I'd had nothing to eat, so I was prepared for a great meal, but disappointed to spend a lot of money on an unremarkable meal. In addition, we sat outside on the patio (70 degrees today, despite it being Dec), and it was broiling out there (maybe not as hot inside, but we'd requested first available--perhaps a mistake on our part, but when we'd arrived, the patio heaters were not in use and the temp was just fine without any help). We asked for the heater to be shut off, and it was--briefly. Then we were back to broiling. The service was good. Such a disappointment all around. I would not go back. There was nothing to justify a return.

Since June of 2012 I've eaten here three times and all three were a disappointment. Spoiled wine. Snotty bartender. Dinner served barely luke warm. Subpar wait staff. And just 100% underwhelming food. Used to be such a favorite . . .disappointed.

One of my favorites in Dallas. Eaten here many times and have probably reviewed before but it remains a dependable go to. I had one of my favorites, Gorgonzola ravioli with pears and walnuts. At lunch, I usually get the risotto with truffles. My husband got a pizza custom suggested by the waiter. Wonderful! We can bring the family here, the grandchildren love the pizza. The service here is always welcoming, friendly, makes you feel special. I love this place!

Well, Taverna has finally moved over onto Know St. The new location looks much like the old when they were on Armstrong, even down to the opening from the dining area into the kitchen. The staff were very excited to be there. It was obvious in their attitudes. Nothing has changed in how everything works. The menu has been tweaked. We went there for lunch. I had a chop salad with a small slice of grilled salmon. My companion has the lasagna. Both were presented beautifully. And for lunch the portions were just right.

I came here with a large group. We waited about 20 minutes for a table. I ordered the Focaccia with arugula and pancetta. It was very delicious. Enough for 2-3 people. $1 mimosas and belinis on Saturday and Sunday. Great service!

I love everything at Taverna! Very good place to go with friends or to take a date. The food is fantastic, and the service lives up to the hype. Its gonna run you a little more money than some other places.

Sorry there's not pictures accompanying this review, however the food was too good to stop and snap. Mussels as an appetizer, huge hit. Carbonara entree, destroyed it. Pork chop special of the day, home run. Great wines too. All at a price that won't break the bank.

One of my favorites in Dallas! Great food, fun, relaxed, and sophisticated atmosphere. Almost always has a wait, though, so be prepared.

Great place for date night for all ages. Good good and service. Rosottio great! Would recommend this place next to Katy Trail. Knox us a pretty street during holidays. Very decorated!

Good food, cute place, and special wait service! Nice atmosphere even though it was very busy at noon on a Sunday!

A great brunch, just go early if you want to get in and get a table! If you have a large group you definitely have to make it just as it opens unless you want to risk a long wait. Good omelettes, frittatas, and brunch along with great and cheap drinks.

What a disappointment.. It was not the first time we went there but it sure was the last.. We went yesterday for a late dinner (around 10.30) and even if the place was not packed anymore the service just sucked.. First of all, our waitress didn't even made an effort to smile or to be helpful ( maybe because she decide to charge a 20% gratuity in advance .. Party of 6) and it got worse.. After they served us food , they decided to start cleaning up (at 11.30, and according to their website they close at 12) leaving the back door close to our table open ..yes open and it was freezing !!! As for the food, the fritto misto appetizer was good but my pizza arrived at the table warm and not hot enough and overloaded of peppers ...

Taverna on Knox is one of my all time faves! I just love the Homemade Fiocchi al Gorgonzola! It is heavenly little Gorgonzola pasta pouches filled with caramelized pears, walnuts, arugula, and served with a luscious cream sauce -- $17.50 and well worth it!!!

This is my secret weapon when friends are in town. Good food, good service, nice atmosphere. I can't think of a bad experience here. We've celebrated birthdays, girls nights out, or a romantic dinner. Sometimes we make reservations and sometimes we just show up. We've never felt rushed.

We had a reservation but the table was not ready on arrival – still, not big deal as the people were rather smiley, and we had no problem to wait for the additional ~15 min at the bar …. The menu is very good, limited to a relatively short list of items and this is usually a sign of fresh ingredients. The buffalo mozzarella was clearly fresh and authentic. The Arancini and the fritto misto were well prepared. Wine selection of good quality with a price markup typical for restaurant but not exaggerated. Overall this is very nice Italian Restaurant with a great atmosphere and very good quality.

Went for lunch. Had salad with chicken. Chicken was very dry..almost unedible. Service was poor. Had to keep asking for items which some were never brought for example sliced lemon for water. For the price, you would expect better service and quality of food.

Taverna has become one of our go to places in our restaurant "rota" The food is good especially the chalkboard specials. Risottos are excellent as well as the fish and meat dishes. We always have good service with no feeling that we have to rush. And it's in uptown Dallas, so there's good people watching as your enjoying a glass of wine. They don't take reservations, so you can go last minute with only a small wait (15-20 min). Only downside is the BTG wine menu is not our favorite, and you pay a little bit for the uptown location.....still in the rotation, so not bad. Lastly, they have valet parking ($5), so you don't have to hunt for a parking spot.

We just finished the best Italian meal of our lives. Here with my mom and aunt for a girls weekend. We searched Trip Advisor for a great meal. We walked right here from shopping at all the cute stores nearby. We had bruschetta, and the house beet and goat cheese salad for appetizers-WOW! Seriously amazing. Main Entree was the Risotta with Chicken that our waitress Andrea recommended. I’m a risotto snob, and this was by far the BEST I’VE EVER HAD. Not at all heavy like most risottos, and the most tender thin chicken rolled with grilled vegetables, slice on top, with a balsamic drizzle on top. I will dream of this risotto until I can get back to Texas! We had espresso cream brûlée and tiramisu for dessert. Again, THE BEST. We even called over the manager and told him our waitress Andrea was the best service we have ever had, and the entire meal was the best of our entire lives! And we meant every word! Ask for Andrea, and try one of everything!

I ended up with four stars, but I thought about giving Taverna three because of the service. This northern Italian restaurant is located in a very cool building on Knox Street in Dallas. There is limited street parking nearby. A small parking lot a block to the northeast sometimes has availability. The low one-story restaurant has four different types of seating. All along the street is open-air patio seating. The awning pulls back and the garage door windows go up to give full outdoor access in nice weather. The side patio along the east side is more cozy with plants and private atmosphere. Inside there is a huge bar with seating and a little space for people waiting on a table. To the left of the bar is interior seating. It has a very warm feeling with acme brick walls, archways, pictures and rough cement floors. It's a five star look and feel. The food was very good. The Taverna Focaccia was awesome. It's a paper thin flatbread baked in their woodstone oven. The pancetta, mushrooms and red onions had great flavors. The beet salad was wonderfully executed. The spaghetti carbonara was creamy. The pancetta bits and egg yolk blended really well in the creamy parmasan sauce. The homemade fiocchia al gorgonzola was as wonderful as the rest of the food. Pears and Gorgonzola come together very nicely. Kudo's to the chef. Service here is slow, really slow. We arrived around 7:20 PM on a Thursday night and were seated right away. It took well over 20 minutes for our drink orders to be taken and delivered. We waited another 10 minutes for the waiter to return and take our order. We then waited almost 40 minutes for the food to arrive. It was awesome when it arrived, but that was way too long.

My daughter suggested we go for a sat lunch. Family noisy. We were seated quickly. Our waiter was very attentive, but I did not get his name. Wine list was extensive. We ordered Masi Pinot Grigio that was crisp and great with our meal. We ordered the antipasto table sampler, very good. Bruschetta was marvelous! Strong flavor. My daughter ordered pizza, leftovers were great for late nite. I ordered the salmon, came with asparagus and a wilted green. Flavor and portion was perfect after antipasto appetizer. Will definitely make a return visit on future trips. I really liked the atmosphere!

This is my absolute #1 favorite place to brunch in Dallas. It offers brunch and $1 mimosas on both Saturday and Sunday which is rare. The food is amazing, and the service is fantastic.

Our first visit to the new location of Taverna, next door to one of our favorite neighborhood places, Toulouse. Loved the spacious bar and renovations and was surprised to see a former valet driveway transformed into a great outdoor patio complete with twinkling lights overhead and bright red table cloths. Really loved the menu options and there were several specials. Sure this location can get some serious Dallas sun in the afternoon and it's a busy corner but once inside you can relax and enjoy the Uptown hustle and bustle.

For decades Lombardi Family have had restaurants. I remember when their restaurant were the place to dine. We enjoyed our meal here, but did not come away with any item we just had to go back for, I found the choice of Antipasti to be rather limited. I have had the Bruschetta, it was not impressive, the Mozzarella Di Bufala Alla Caprese, the cheese was bland and a real let down. The Beet Salad was good and I would have it again. The Secondi are good but not great. I had the special which was a trout stuffed. I was not very good. I will eat here again as the quality is great but the menu lack the I can't wait to come back and have this item again.

Delightful Italian atmosphere, reasonable prices, great, friendly service, delicious food. My favorites were the gluten-free focaccia bread and the gluten-free Paglia E Fieno (tagliolini pasta tossed with chicken, mushrooms, truffle oil and cream sauce). They even had a fabulous gluten free dark ale which I loved. After such a pleasant experience, I will look forward to sampling all of the many gluten free choices on their menu.

I love Taverna! All of their risotto dishes are wonderful. They had a Valentine's Day menu with Risotto de Amarone. It has a flavorful light Italian red wine and a warm piece of ricotta on top. You mix the ricotta with the rice and a light drizzle of balsamic vinegar and it is heavenly. We had a nice bottle of California wine with the risotto and a pizza for about $90.00 and it was a great value. I skipped the Budino chocolate dessert tonight but I will be back soon. Ricardo was our exceptionally wonderful waiter.

We live in Dallas and Taverna has become one of our "go to " places. It have a great local area feel to it, the waiters are always good and the food is fantastic. Great specials always including a soup special as we as a salad, and several entrees. Their risottos are the best I have ever had, including when in Italy. Prices are mid range , well worth it. Bar scene is also good

Festive, full restaurant. Good service. Food was mediocre, though. Focaccia was bad; not Italian. Salad was fine. Shrimp risotto was good, but the "lemon zest" was actually strips of lemon peel -- tons -- like a two inch strip of lemon peel in each bite. Really distracting. Margarita pizza was dry; barely any tomato sauce.

My friend and I recently had a delicious and relaxing lunch here. We were seated in the alley which made us feel as if we were dining in Italy. Our waitress was great, the butternut squash soup was rich and thick, and our entrees were fantastic. The manager checked on us several times and is always so nice. Perfect!

Visiting the city for the weekend and this is a true gem. $2 mimosas were awesome. The salmon eggs benedict was amazing! And all plates that passed by looked great too.

I frequently go to Taverna for business lunches. They have a great menu, lots of variety, and the food is always fresh,well presented and tasty. It's also a great place to go in the evening for dinner with friends or just with the one you love. They have indoor and outdoor seating and are conveniently located right next to the Katy Trail, in case you need to stretch your legs after a big meal.

.... since I was here last, shame on me. This casual place with both indoor and outdoor seating is as comfortable and delicious as could be. The brick walls, open kitchen and chalkboard specials give you a good feel. A Taverna spritz and nice salad and main dish all flow well together and if you have a dining partner or two share the fritto misto appetizer. Our party had 2 pastas (paglia e fieno and the special) and 2 riosottos (burrata and the tartufo) -- all were of ample size and delicious. Complimentary thin foccia was a nice addition. I need to return more often.

The service was very good. The food was excellent. The entire experience was top notch. Each dish seemed to have a little change to all the old favorites. They are all very good.

Recently ate here for brunch and had such a good time. The wait wasn't too long, the service was fantastic and the food was delicious. Add $2 mimosas on top of that and it's a perfect brunch spot. Will definitely return the next time I'm in town.

The atmosphere was very quaint and very Italian. We sat at a round table which I always like when visiting with a group. Service was quick and courteous. The eggplant was one of the best I have had. It was not rich with tons of cheese or breadcrumbs. The portion was appropriate as well. Enjoyed some Moscato wine as well.

My daughter knows that I love true Italian food so we stopped in for dinner after an afternoon of shopping. The brick walls and exposed wooden beams takes you back to a time when people sat and actually communicated with each other. Ray was our waiter and his attention to detail was amazing. We learned so much about the food and ingredients used from Italy on a daily basis. We also learned so much about wine pairings from him. Our food was delicious and it was so nice just to sit and truly enjoy a meal in peace. Thank you for a wonderful end to our mother daughter outing. We will be back.

This was my first time to this restaurant so can only comment on our meals. Overall I felt the ambiance was great, service was reasonable but the prices for their specials for the quality was simply not a match. They were out of the Risotto special so ordered the pasta with Lobster and Shrimp in a pink sauce. Lobster was tasteless though shrimp was good and sauce was light and enhancing. The cost of $32 was outrageous though, considering most entrees are between $15 and $20 on their menu--guess I should have asked... My date had the Tenderloin special with crab cakes. The crab and sauce was good. The asparagus was under cooked and tough and the tenderloins were terrible--left them on the plate. Again, $32 for this special.. Simply was not special.

I was in Dallas this past week visiting friends and one particular evening we didn't have a reservation at any restaurant and just thought we'd "wing it". We were on Knox street and stopped in a very cool-looking restaurant, Taverna. They were packed and had no reservations available. But after speaking with Alyssa W., the general manager, we had our name on the list and were on our way to a most enjoyable evening. The food was excellent as was the service. I thanked Alyssa for being so kind to get us in and making our night so enjoyable. We can't wait to return to Dallas and dine at Taverna once again! A truly great experience~ MP

Excellent service. Terrific menu offerings for a classic/traditional Italian flair. Inside and outside seating. And a very nice atmosphere for dining.

I've been her for brunch and for dinner, both experiences were OK. It is a pretty decent Italian restaurant located in a quiet street, and has a neat little terrace. The pizza is good at a reasonable price, and my recommendation is to order the Gorgonzola and pear pizza. The mussels were not very good. Service was good enough. For a brunch they have mimosas for $1, but be aware that they do not have full bar, only beer and wine; that is a minus for me.

Small and quaint with a great atmosphere. Went during the busy holiday weekend but was well attended by our server and food was on point. Everything we ordered was delicious!

I recently visited for the first time on 12/23. I had to circle around a second time after I realized there was no parking available and used their valet service (5.00). The restaurant had a nice atmosphere, but it was uncomfortably packed. I don't mind a full restaurant, but when you are practically sitting on top of each other, it takes away from the experience. Our table was near the window from which the servers pick up the meals, so anytime someone from my table had to go to the restroom, we would have to pause for the various servers coming or going (most did give us the right of way if you will). I expected that bread would be a given at an Italian restaurant, but we had to ask for some after 20 minutes. Everyone seemed to enjoy their food and I found it to be neither great or bad, just average. I will probably visit again to see if I have a better experience when it is less crowded.

You will love this place! Fantastic and relatively cheap food! We had a Chorizo omelette and a shrimp and asparagus omelette and each were about $11 with awesome breakfast potatoes! They had $1 mimosas an bellinis that were being continually refilled. We were only charged $4 for those, but we had Ti have drank twice that! The service was amazing! Very nice staff and great environment. Perfect for adults only or families. You must do brunch here sometime!!

Another great example of why restaurants can be open as essential. Well done in every way from table spacing to masks etc. felt very safe there eating some of Dallas’s best Italian. Friendly servers, very attentive, and a great patio for cocktails, snacks or full menu. Love it here. Try the bolognese, especially good and most of their meals. Perfect spot.

New Year's Day it is our tradition to go find a French Restaurant and have some French Food. This year we had selected Toulouse on Knox Street in Dallas. Toulouse and Taverna are next to each other in same building and share the valet parking. We added our name to the list and waited 30 minutes for a table thinking we were waiting for the French Restaurant. When I sat down and saw the menu, I realized we were in wrong restaurant. When my friend sat down she did not believe me and thought I was crazy for wanting to leave after waiting so long. We decided to stay and ordered. Waitress was all over and barely interested in us. I had Shrimp Rissotto. Rissotto was undercooked and looked as if some of the rice was burned. The shrimp was cut up, so not able to see a complete shrimp. Looked like pieces of of mock crab. Lemon zest was like bunch of extremely salty pasta. Yuck. My friend had the brunch eggs any style and she thought it was just okay. Would not return there, food was pricey for the quality offered. Don't know why it was so crowded. We did end up at Toulouse next door for dessert and the waiter was so nice and handsome. The desserts were great. They saved the day. We had the chocolate mousses with raspberries. Soooo good. Also had the beignets with espresso cream sauce. Excellent and the espresso cream sauce is addictive.

This is a favorite pre-theater place to eat that provides consistently good food and service. We normally choose one of the risotto dishes - last night's Risotto Con Burrata was yummy. The toppings on Taverna Focaccia were also tasty.

We enjoyed a lovely dinner with friends on a Friday night. The place was busy but service was good and consistent. We appreciated the wine tastings so we could pick a bottle that everyone was happy with. If you want Italian and are in the area, we’d recommend.

I still give this four stars, but was inclined to downgrade them a bit. I love this place….I love all the Lombardi brands, but they are slipping here to me. It’s service, and when service is not up to par, they make decisions on your order that make the experience not what you expect. If you serve clams and mussels both with red or white sauce …. Don’t guess what I want, come ask me. The Lombardi brand at Penne Pomo door has the best meatballs in Dallas. Why should this important brand only make turkey meatballs….I don’t get it. It wasn’t my best experience here, but still, I love coming here. I hope Alberto gets involved with the expectations of the serve

My wife and I dined at Taverna on March 30th, 2011. We have been to Taverna five or six times a year since 2005. It was where we went on our first date, so it holds real sentimental value for us. However, sentiment aide, it is one of the best and most consistently excellent restaurants in Dallas. Food is fresh, with authentic ingredients, and always reminds us of meal we've had in Tuscany. Most recently we had the Burratta and Prosciutto starter, then we shared a Truffle and Parmesan Rissotto as a first course. My wife had the Truffle pasta, and I had the Pan Fried Snapper as our mains. Dessert was gelato from their sister restaurant Cibus. Wine selection is fantastic, particularly if you like Italian Whites, several nice options to choose from, including a Vernaccia di San Gimignano--one of our favorites. Service was fantastic, our waitress was fun, engaging, made great suggestions and was knowledgeable on the menu and wine list. She made just enough conversation to make us feel like special guests, but not so much we wanted her to leave us alone. Overall, one of the better nights out we've had in a while, we left very full, but very happy. If you tend to like other Lombardi restaurants (Mi Piaci, La Fiorintina, Cibus, etc.) you'll love Taverna. If you want Tuscan or Northern Italian, you'll love Taverna. If you are looking for Southern Italian, red sauce and meatballs, this may not be your place. Highlights: Real Truffles in the risotto, so hard to find in Texas, but so tasty! Wine list is great if you like Italian wine, includes Brunellos and Amarones. Great ambiance and patio seating if that's your thing Be Aware: No reservations for parties less than 6 Very small bar area to wait on a table Beer and Wine only... no cocktails Noise level can get loud when they are hopping

My Husband and teenage boys loved this place. Service and food were great. I had the mushroom Truffle Oil pizza which I thought was missing something so I ordered arugula to top It off then it was perfect. My “sometime hard to please” sons had the ravioli and Spaghetti Bolognese and they loved it. My husband had a Calzone which he loved and was so big he couldn’t finish it. My sons girlfriend had the Cali Chicken Pizza and even though she is not a fan of tomatoes, she loved them on this pizza. The Mimosa’s were strong and delicious!!

Great atmosphere!The owner was very friendly and welcoming the food was just ok had the pizza it was good and salad with salmon it was ok the coffee was cold asked for another cup and it was luke warm it was busy though maybe we just ordered the wrong thing??

My wife and I were "craving" spaghetti carbonara and I googled "best in Dallas". It turned out great! We will definitely be returning to Taverna!

very busy night life scene in Highland Park, Seems we should have done the piazza which every one else was enjoying. Our dishes we just OK the service and ambience were fine.

The stables are teeny, the lighting 25 watt; the crowds all around you --however the food is 500 watt! this restautant deserves a higher rating in Dallas--slow and romantic no! more lke snappy and frantic but what fun--the main thing is the delightful originality and taste of the food, I wanted everything on the menu and will keep returning until I manage it. Here is innovation and excitment and simply fabulous cuisine.

This has been one of my favorite places to eat in Dallas for years now. PIZZAS: I really like their pizzas--the pear and gorgonzola is something I crave every now and then. PASTAS: My fave pasta is the Fiocchi al gorgonzola e pera--gorgonzola & pear filled pasta with walnuts, arugula--oh my gosh it's so good! Used to be a smaller portion which I didn't like but it seems like you get more for your money recently. RISOTTO: I'm a huge risotto fan and so am happy with Taverna's (see pic) DESSERTS: And their desserts and cappuccino are always good and fresh (see pics). LOCATION/AMBIANCE: I like this location better than the Fort Worth one--it seems especially cozy in the winter months. STRONG POINTS/PERKS: Has patio seating that is covered in summer months so you don't get totally blasted by the hot sun, and has the little heaters for the colder months. I think it's a good balance between nice ambiance but not too upscale or too casual. Also I LOVE that they have several risottos to choose from at any given time--NOT just mushroom flavored! :) LEAVES MUCH TO BE DESIRED: I've had slow service a time or two--but it's always been friendly! I also have gotten not-so-impressive portions on pasta dishes before.

They serve only beer and wine, no hard liquor. Pasta, pizza and a few other things Their pasta and rissoto are good, the service is good. Dont try the Pork Chop Milanese, absolutly no flavor, I had to returned it. Has valet Parking

We visited Dallas recently, and our daughter and son-in-law took us to Taverna for lunch. The food was delicious, with a nice variety of choices. We didn't have a "lite" lunch, but nothing was heavy or greasy. It was well-prepared and attractively plated. Service was prompt and friendly, and there is a nice drink menu. The ambiance is lovely, and there is both indoor and outdoor seating. I would definitely recommend lunch at Taverna, and imagine dinner would be just as good.

A authentic Italian restaurant with a capable kitchen. Weekends feature $2 Mimosas with brunch, but diners may also order off menu. We're regulars, and we have never had a bad experience.

We had planned to go to another restaurant but with 1 1/2 hr wait at 6 PM we decided to go to an old favorite, Taverna. Valet parking located right across the street is the way to go. I always love the risotto. This time we were celebrating a birthday so after our meal was completed, the lights in the room dimmed and a sparkler lighted piece of cheesecake was brought to the table along with singing waiters. Everyone in the restaurant listened and applauded. The noise level is pretty high when it’s full but well worth it.

The vibe here gives you that true, authentic, Italian feeling. This place reminded me of being in Florence, Italy! The specialty new strip steak was to die for, season and sautéed to perfection! We shared the seafood Alfredo which was also delicious! 5 Stars for sure!

Very tasty dinner with excellent service. I had the eggplant. My husband had the Ahi. Neither of us was dissappointed. The chocolate cake was delish! We arrived 6:30ish on a thusday and all was smooth. It was pretty crowded when we left so if crowds bother you I'd suggest arriving early.

Small and upscale and great people watching. Fun brunch on the weekends

Very good lasagna. Fruitti del mar very good. House salad was good. Service was very attentive. Nice wind selection, and priced fairly.

Charming, busy but with great service. We went as a family and the appetizers for thr table were fantastic, one platter of mixed Italian cheeses, olives, meats, bruschetta, artichokes, the other clams to perfection. All enjoyed their various entrees, we were a large group seated outside surrounded by lights and brick walls, great atmosphere feeling quite sophisticated but funky. Heaters kept us toasty.

We were regulars when they were a block away on Armstrong and are very happy that the move hasn't changed them! The great food & wonderful staff now have a beautiful new location to welcome old friends and all the new ones who are just now discovering this gem.

I LOVE italian, and it was one of the most authentic italian meals I have ever had. The risotto was fantastic and the pasta was rich! I loved that when the waiter finished giving us the specials he said we are an italian kitchen so if you don't see what you want tell me and we will make it for you. That is what you want in a restaurant, a chef that is up for any challenge and I was confident they could deliver. Don't miss out on this dallas secret!

We popped in this afternoon on the spur of the moment for dinner. My girlfriend and I, neither of whom are big eaters asked to split everything which they did with no question, very elegantly in the kitchen. Every single item we ordered was delicious, from the wine a BIG red burgundy, to the Beet Salad, to the Gnocchi (oh my goodness soooo good!). We finished our meal with a tiramisu which was perfect. The bar tender Hugo was very knowledgably and helpful, he is a great credit to the Taverna. Wonderful atmosphere and ambience, we will be back!

We get returned for dinner after a long absence, it was great and talked about why we had forgot about the place , a mistake, with all the new places sometime we forget about the regulars. The service , menu and food were great many items to select from ,but one stand out was the sea bass...what a dish..., the only serve wine and beer , but the selection is great...go early or make a reservation 😎JP and Lisa, ps love the atmosphere !

First of all, service. We called ahead and put our name on the list, we were told that we would be seated at 7:30 and we got a taqble at 7:45, not bad so far. We then waited twenty minutes for our waiter to appear. He took our drink and dinner orders and we waited again another fifteen minutes with no drinks while we watched, through the window, while our waiter chatted up a table seated outdoors. At that point, my husband went to the hostess and complained, she apologized and said that she would get our drinks right away. Still nothing happened for another fifteen minutes. My husband then went to the manager and our drinks arrived soon afterward. The food came shortly after that. Food was pretty good but not in large enouth portions for my three teenage grandwons. The manager did offer free deserts for everyone. All in all, our meals were fine but it would have been a far better experience had we not had to talk to both hostess and manager to get things started. If you are looking for a romantic night out or want to talk with your companions, this is not the place for you.....NOISY!

Had dinner with my daughter at Taverna. The food was very good and the servicer was nice and helpful with any questions. We enjoyed the place and never felt rushed.

Part of dining out is the experience . . . the waitstaff at any restaurant should have knowledge of the menu, know how to pronounce the items, and offer any suggestions on what is popular. Our waiter was none of these. The fact that he was unaware of the difference between a sparkling rose' and a regular sparkling wine should have been an instant indicator, but when we received a plate of bruschetta instead of the focaccia (which is gratis), I began to get a clearer picture. The portion sizes are also too big. No one wants 5 pounds of risotto for lunch. The portions should be reasonably sized and the prices should be adjusted accordingly. This was just a "meh" experience and I would not go back.

I made reservations for a group of 9 and most had never been to this restaurant. I took some time deciding on the restaurant because I wanted everyone to be pleased. I was praised for my selection and some have gone back there. The food was wonderful and the atmosphere was great. Would always recommend!

I’m Brazilian and come 3-4 times a year to the US, mainly west coast... this is the best food I ever had here, sizing are compatible in a 3 course menu... fresh and flavored!! Congrats!

Wow. Best meal I’ve had in a while. We were seated on the patio and the ambiance was dreamy! Great date spot. I had the best gnocchi with braised short rib, we had focaccia and hubby had a pizza! We loved our meal. Our wine was good & our waiter was the right amount of attentive! Would order the gnocchi 1000 times over!

The food and atmosphere are great - nice patio, and good service. Fresh made pasta - the tortellini with pears and walnuts is sinful.

I love it here. The patio is great, and its a super place to Sit and visit people watch on the patio. The foods here are well selected for the menu, and prepared perfectly. Plenty of well chosen and diverse items, great appetizers and wine list. Wait staff is very friendly and efficient. Many have been there a long time, and that says a lot about a restaurant to me. Trying sharing plates here, they have no issues with trying a few things that way.

I have been seeking REAL Pasta Carbonara for months. So many restaurants use Alfredo Sauce in the Carbonara....NO People...Yuk! My friend found this place and we went for my birthday. I got chills when I tasted the Pasta Carbonara, really, it was that good. The service was spectacular. So glad we went early because by 6pm the line was out the door. This place is a real jewel in Dallas dining. At the top of list in the #1 spot.

I was there during the first weekend of February. Get there early if you plan to come on Sunday for brunch because the place is packed and there is a wait of about 30 minutes. Their Sunday special is mimosas for $1 which I love to drink! While you wait for your table you can go to the bar and get a mimosa. You can stand next to the bar or hang outside with your drink. Food is great, I really loved their chicken pizza and the waffles. It is a tiny place and restrooms need a little renovation, but overall I'd recommend it. I am definitely heading back again!

With family or friends is always a good choice ! Nice place and very polite employees! Deserts are also good choice !

Had dinner hear with a group recently and everything was pretty average. The veal saltimbocca I had was actually probably the worst thing I had. There just wasn't anything to it and was quite bland. Also tasted the Carbonara which wasn't that great and the pizza, which while not great, may have been the best thing I had. Great atmosphere, but can't say the food was worthy of a return.

A business associate who is a Dallas native recommended Taverna, So glad we took their advice. Went fairly early on a Friday night and got a table right away. Our waiter gave a great suggestion for a wine with which I wan't familiar -- and he was spot on. The bruschetta was great -- very fresh. I wish I could remember the pasta dish we shared -- something like a ravioli with pears, gorgonzola and walnuts. Scrumptious. Also had the lemon sole, which was cooked perfectly. Tiramisu was good but not particularly memorable. All in all a great experience.

We unexpectedly had a free Friday night and decided to try Taverna. First time there and we were impressed from start to finish. Perfect night to eat outside and a beautiful setting. Our server,Ricky, knew his menu and wine pairings. The lamb was great as was the pollo pasta. We just had a great time.

This is a popular restaurant and it isn't surprising why when you take your first bite! Brunch with a Mimosa or Bloody Mary is the best! Servers are attentive. Outside dining is preferable when the weather permits. We love the atmosphere and the food.

Loved eating outside! We didn't have reservations (and you probably should) but we were seated outside within 10 minutes. The bruschetta was delicious for our first course. They have an extensive list of risotto options, and I selected the prosciutto. Very good, not too heavy. My husband had the seafood special, and truly enjoyed the freshness of the dish. We will definitely be back when we travel to Dallas.

Great place to grab a meal when the weather is nice. Sitting right out on Knox. Great service and solid food. We had the Prosciutto with melon and was excellent. The homemade pasta is some of the best in Dallas. Had the Gnocchi and was very happy with it, not mushy and right sized. Wines are reasonable. Service was exactly what you would expect from an Italian restaurant. Overall, very happy!

This is a local love of mine as I live right around the corner. They have an incredible brunch on the weekends, with $2 mimosas and bellinis... need I say more? But I will! They also have a puppy-friendly patio with 7-8 tables and when it's not 100+ degrees outside, is pretty darn enjoyable. They have great pastas, salads, risottos and also breakfast specialties. I've never been disappointed in what I've ordered, and nor have my fellow enjoyers. The waitstaff is super attentive and they have an extensive gluten free menu that you hardly feel like you miss out on any of the fun with you order from it. The fruitti de mar risotto and the machego/chorizo omelet are both incredible. I also recently sampled the paglia e fieno, which was tremendous as well. Basically you can't go wrong, other than getting there too late after they open for brunch on the weekends because then you might have to wait a hot second to enjoy this great spot!

We have been regulars here for 10+ years. And when we do dine there, we see many familiar faces of other patrons who make this a weekly stop. It has a VERY LOYAL following for a reason - exceptional, professional and caring staff combined with outstanding food. We also see many friendly and familiar faces among the staff who have been with the restaurant for years. The Risotto Con Burrata is delicious as is the Chopped Salad with Salmon on the brunch menu. They also have wonderful daily specials on the menu. Givenchy is an amazing guy. He somehow manages to make this place hum along very smoothly while greeting every guest as an old (or new) friend. His goal is to make every guest feel welcomed - listened to - and very happy with their decision to dine at Taverna. He and his entire staff have succeeded on every visit we have ever made.

It is REALLY hard to find good Italian food in Texas. I'm from New England and there is great Italian food everywhere in Boston and new York but here in Texas, well... I lived in Ravenna Italy so I know my Italian food and this is some of the best I have had in Texas. The pasta was cooked perfectly as was the risotto we had. The service was friendly and professional and the atmosphere was very relaxed. I would go back in a second

Okay Italian food. More and more inconsistent. More and more disappointing (and more expensive). No longer one of our go-to spots. Further disappointment. Prices have increased substantially. Quality and consistency has gone down. Grilled octopus is not nearly as good as it was in the past. They have changed the bread a few times; the current focaccia is mediocre at best and a disappointment. The halibut special today was underwhelming and not cooked well... flavor was sub-par and it was kind of flakey, but chewy. The seafood in the special risotto was overdone (chewy). The flavors were weird... saffron, sausage, chicken, mixed seafood... just tasted off. Taverna used to be one of our favorite places. We started eating here many years ago when it was a few streets over. Taverna has become increasingly inconsistent and disappoints more and more. It will no longer be one of our regular spots in the neighborhood. Sad. :( ——————- Previous review: Good Italian food. Somewhat inconsistent at times... Sometimes things are perfect; sometimes they are just acceptable. I.e. sometimes things are perfectly cooked, sometimes not. Unfortunately they stopped carrying Paulaner Hefe-Weizen on tap some time ago; the bottles are not nearly as good. A little disappointing. Food quality is quite good. Service is good. Overall never a disappointment.

Solid food selection. Love brunch here. Mimosas keep flowing. Definitely crowded, so be prepared to wait a bit at the bar. Other than that, it's a great spot.

A very good experience from start to finish. Taverna is a small restaurant with an emphasis on rustic Italian. My dinner party cleaned their plates. Our server Alexis was most patient, knowledgeable and attentive during our brief visit..

It had been awhile since my last visit but I have always loved Taverna. The main entree I had was good BUT we ordered the Caprese salad to start and I bit down on a staple..A STAPLE?!?!?! Thankfully it didn't hurt my tooth but it certainly got my attention and my friends too as he immediately noticed something was wrong. Rightly they didn't charge us for the salad BUT seriously they should have comped meal entirely. As stated, the entree was delish but not great enough to forget the staple incident..will not be in a hurry to go back. OH and they don't even serve bread with the entrees any longer which is ridiculous.

I truly love the pizza here, but there is rarely a day in the week that you can just walk in and sit down. Most of the time there is a long wait list and being that there are several places that are good to eat in the area, it's hard to wait sometimes.

Ordered off the menu and had a great meal on NYE. The service and the wine were delicious. They don't take reservations so we got there early and had a great meal.

I wasn't a fan of risotto until I ate at Taverna. The rating is strictly for the food. The host is often rude, and the wait is often long. But if you can tolerate those two discomforts, you'll be served excellent risotto.

Happened upon this restaurant while furniture shopping in the Knox area. I loved it. Nothing better that a light angle hair and shrimp pasta and $2 mimosa. I could have sat here all afternoon. Nice patio, trendy inside, friendly staff. I will be back for brunch!

I had the chicken dish with the skin on and bone in. It was wonderfully prepared and very tasty; the pickled lemon slices and the lemon sauce that it came with was the best. The service was great by the hostess and as well as our waiter. Great evening with family!

We ate at Taverna in Highland Park / Dallas this past November while visiting family. The food and service were excellent.

Taverna recently opened in this Knox Street Location next door to a sister (French Bistro). I've been twice since they opened. Patio dining and chalkboard menus. Good food. But servers are so slammed with pushing crowds they can't give you the attention you deserve. Plus the soles of my shoes stuck to the cement floors on both visits which would indicate the need for a clean and better MOP.

If you are in the knox henderson area and are looking for Italian place, probably this is the place to go. The prices are Slightly above the average, the food is good, not the best. The service is ok. WE struggles with the wifi code for a while. I have been to their Austin location and I would much prefer that once, everyone is friendlier there and the food somehow tastes little better there. Their pizzas are good, salads are good too. Portions are smaller - which is good, but you can always ask your server. They have happy hours and their mimosas are good. Parking may be a bit of a struggle due to area, but valet is available.

I love taverna so much. The food is excellend and really well priced! Lots of gluten free options including pasta and pizza. Service is always pretty good. Great date spot or dinner with friends.

Went for dinner when in Dallas on a business trip. Service was good. Restaurant was very busy on a Wednesday night. All of us (four of us) had salad, pizza & chianti and enjoyed our meals. I had a Ceasar salad & the Salsiccia pizza and would recommend.

We´ve got an outside table and it was really nice. Well served portions. We´ve asked for a bruschetta and it was delicious.

We we were here for brunch. One daughter declared the eggs benidict were perfect. The picky daughter ordered the pizza, yes for brunch. One taste and I was hooked, we will definitly be back another time for pizza. Chilly day but they had the curtains down on the patio and it was quite pleasant. The only tiny issue was that they have beer and wine, (mimosas), but no hard liquor so no bloody marys.

Great new location, more open space, outside dining, much nicer than former space. They also have gluten free menu selections. We tried the Gluten Free Focaccia it was probably the best Gluten Free Focaccia we ever tasted in a restaurant. The house salad was just ok. The waiter was attentive, good service and did well offering alternative suggestions when they ran out of the fish we wanted to order at 6:30pm...I can see running out at maybe 8pm but 6:30pm at the start of the evening and that fish was the special so we were really disappointed, that is the reason rating it a very good and not excellent because of the salad and they did not have what we wanted as our secondi!

I've lived in the Uptown area of Dallas for over 8 years and the one place I continue to crave on a Saturday morning is Taverna. If the $2 mimosas and bellinis doesn't get you in the door, at least the atmosphere and people watching will! You always have the option of breakfast or lunch, neither of which you can go wrong! Everything from the Eggs Al Forno to the pizza or risotto - get your carb fix and cure a hangover here while enjoying the nice breezy outdoor patio! Feeling fancy? This place is for you too! It never ceases to amaze me how "put together" the Dallas scene can be on a Saturday morning for brunch!

Group of 10 met up for our monthly Italian dinner. Server was great. He was attentive and great job. All of our food was really great. All enjoyed. Great Branzino with veggies. Pastas all good. Brick Chicken great also.

Monday night date night was fun. We were able to get in quickly which is unusual for that spot. The food was good but not spectacular whereas it is usually wonderful. Service was great - friendly server who was attentive to our needs. Will go back. We love the atmosphere! Super cute; gem of a spot.

Have been to both at dinner, but not for awhile. Kind of left me cold, too many people, to rushed. Food was always good though. anyway, sat on the patio for lunch yesterday and had a great experience. Excellent lunch choices, great service, and i remember just how good the food is here.

I went here with a friend a few weeks back and had their Calamari and Shrimp appetizer which came with a spicy sauce instead of the tired old marinara that you get everywhere so we were off to refreshing start. I skipped the specials because they were seafood and went straight for the Pan seared slice tenderloin with roasted potatoes. I suppose it doesn't sound very Italian but I was less concerned with authenticity and more about flavor which turned out to be great. I had some of there tiramisu which I normally don't eat so I have no idea how to rate it...it wasn't bad but I don't want to sound like a beer drinker rating a bottle of wine. Good food all in all, you won't be disappointed.

I live in Dallas area with so many options.. had high expectations for taverna… Uber eats my order,, paid for expedited delivery… got my order on time.. but lasagna literally was cold… tasted worse than chef boy r de,,,,disappointing. Almost no meat ,,, just mostly sauce 😣

We love this place, lunch or dinner. One of Lombardy's good restaurants.

I enjoy the patio very much, but would probably come here for appetizers and drinks rather than Italian-American food. For that I would go down the street to Villa O, Vincenzo, the chef there, is excellent. I came here two different times recently, and while the first time the food was outstanding, most recently it was quite subpar. My seafood pasta was very salty. While the chef did remake it and I ate it, it was mostly not to waste it. The service was outstanding though. I also think that while expanding the place was a good business move, the charm of prior location was certainly lost.

Decided to visit this place to celebrate an anniversary recently. The service was top-notch from the moment you step into the building. The dishes seem to be well executed and creatively prepared, but lack on taste and authentic flavor. By no means was this a bad choice, but I was expecting more out of my experience at Taverna. It seems like it is the Chili's for the rich people of UP and HP. Very casual atmosphere, even for dinner, not a dressy, formal place at all. It is small, so get there early, or make reservations, or... you are not missing anything if you go elsewhere, too.

I took my wife here for pizza on a Saturday night. The place was crazy busy and loud but the pizza came out quick and was good.

I went in here thinking it was the same Lombardy family from NYC that churn out such awesome pizzas. Well, I was wrong. Taverna is not related to the NYC Lombardy family, but the pizza I ad was equally good. It is rare to find a Bianca (white) pizza, and I when I see one on the menu, I know I am in an authentic place. I have never been let down by any pizza place that serves Bianca pizza. Make that your criteria, even if you don't order it. The place is packed, and on a Thurs night, it was overflowing while almost all other neighboring places were struggling to fill up. It has the true Italian tavern ambience, with warm, friendly service to match. Pastas did not look very appealing (except the pumpkin stuffed boat pasta). Stick with the appetizers and the pizza. Wine selection was good. Prices are a tad on the higher side, but well worth it. Without trying any other pizza in Dallas, I am almost certain this is the best!

Ate here on a Monday afternoon so it was not busy at all. Food, Wine, & dessert were all excellent. The only negative were that the menu stated that bread was served with 2 of the 3 entrees that we ordered. We were almost finished with our meal when we realized that we have not been served the bread. Our server was no where to be seen despite the restaurant being almost empty. Finally flagged down someone else and asked for the bread and when it arrived it was delicious. The menu has a lot of seafood and vegetarian options - would have preferred more with meat or chicken.

Visited this wee spot with family and met friends there First time for us all and will be back again Amazingly presented and tasting food, could not fault at all Staff exceptional too Loved this spot

We had not planned to go to Tavera for dinner that night, it was a last minute change of plans, but we are glad we did. My wife had one of her sudden and immense pregnant cravings that happened to be Carpaccio, so I started looking for places that had that on the menu. Taverna has pretty decent prices, at least a little less than most of the other places we had looked at before her craving hit. Its not cheap by any means, at least to us, but the food was definitely worth it. The atmosphere was pretty romantic sitting in the area by the sidewalk with the plastic wall separating us. The light was dim, there was a candle on the table, and there was soft music playing in the background. THEN, the birthday celebrations, 3 that night, started and the lights went out, some sort of sparkler was lit on a cake, and waiters sang something in Italian very loudly. Not really a complaint, just an observation. The waitress situation was kind of weird... After telling me that they don't have liquor and me turning down a beer, she didn't really if I wanted anything else. My wife ordered a water while I looked at the menu at their other selections and the waitress just walked away. The bottle of water my wife ordered was big enough for the both of us so I just had that. Then after my wife ordered her entrée, the waitress asked if I wanted to order an entrée as well. Not what entrée would I like, but if I even wanted to order one at all. That may sound the same but it was not. I'm not really a salad guy but I'm trying to get my leafy greens in so I decided to get a Caesar salad. My wife got here Caesar salad with shrimp. The salads were delicious and the shrimp was cooked perfectly. I had the Veal Saltimbocca, which was freaking awesome. My wife had her carpaccio and then ordered the Tagliata Di Manzo which was a 7 oz. seared beef tenderloin. I had one of the end pieces that was cooked all the way through since I like my steak well done and she likes here medium. That tenderloin was done right because even the well done pieces was plump and juicy with steak flavor and none the bloody taste that the pink seems to offer. We did not have dessert since I had planned to go somewhere else afterwards when the waitress informed me that they do not have liquor, only beer and wine. Which gets me to the my personal negatives. The first one is they only have valet parking for the restaurant that is 5$ plus tip. I don't really care to valet park since I'm an adult and know how to park my own car, but that's all they have. The second is, as mentioned in the title, they do not have liquor. I don't go to restaurants for their alcohol and really only drink when we have a nice night out without the kids. So I wasn't really missing it, but its one of those things that you're used to or look forward to every now and then as a treat. I didn't want to rate the restaurant 4 stars due to the parking and no liquor because overall, the food was amazing and we had a great time. We will definitely have to go back.

I enjoyed everything about this lunch. Loved the 'look' of the place and its charm. I enjoyed attentive service and very good food. (We ordered gluten free since that is what my husband eats - I can only imagine how good the pizza and/or pasta is off the 'regular' menu). I would love to come again and hope to visit the Fort Worth location in the near future.

LOVE their flat bread - it is the best in town! Have been here several times and the food is always consistently good as well as the service.

We joined one other couple for a mid-week dinner, surprised to find that we absolutely needed a reservation (which was honored on time) because the place was hopping busy. On a blustery evening, there was no outside dining possibility, and thus the atmosphere inside was more noisy and sometimes hard to hear others in conversation. Service was quite good. Specials were all explained well (and also appear on chalk boards above the dining area). We opted to start with bruschetta, a generous portion for 4 persons. The diced tomatoes were tasty enough but I thought the bread was a tad over-toasted. Really needed a knife on them. My spouse and I split two entrees. The Paglia E Fieno (white and green spaghetti noodles in a truffle Alfredo cream sauce) was quite tasty, but I found the noodles to be a bit overcooked. Not exactly al dente. Chicken pieces were tender, however. We also really enjoyed the sole special, delicious and perfectly cooked fish. One of our friends ordered Eggplant Parmesan and didn't particularly like it. I did not get a taste of it. The other person ordered Tagliolini Scampi and seemed to enjoy it very much. Wine by the glass choices are good, but pricey, even for Uptown. We opted to skip dessert.

We ate there on a Monday night when it was not crowded and enjoyed sitting at a table outside. I had the Homemade Fiocchi Al Gorgonzola and ate it all. It did not seem heavy at the time and I enjoyed it very much, but it is very rich and I'm not used to high fat food and my stomach was queesy in the middle of the night. If you are not accustomed to high fat food, it may be better to choose one of their lighter offerings. We split three desserts. They were all good, but not memorable.

The Italian food is always great, but in the heat of Dallas weather, their misting system and fans make it possible to dine outside. We go there often as it does not disappoint.

This unique boutique restaurant in Highland Park was a nice surprise. We visited for a team dinner after a tournament. It was a little more expensive than I would have liked for a team dinner, but the food was excellent. The eggplant parmigiana was fantastic! They do not have a kids menu nor is it easy to have them split the bill, but for date night or a small family meal, it's great. Nice change from the chain restaurants. Definitely give it a try!

Very quaint place to dine. The service was superb. We were taking our time, and never once did we feel rushed. The roasted veggies were perfect. Arugula salad was good as was the shrimp scampi. Next time, pizza and risotto!

First step... Read the Specials! They've got some seriously tasty contenders that pop up on the specials from time to time including risottos, fishes, and meats. I have yet to have a bad meal here and the wine pairings are spot on.

For a while I didn't think there was any decent Italian food to be found in Dallas until I tried Taverna the other week. Delicious Italian, reasonably priced, lovely atmosphere. Will definitely be returning again!

We have enjoyed several meals here recently and they were all delicious. From the pasta to the fish entree and more. Delicious. Also enjoy the vibe. Classy but unpretentious. Our service both visits; excellent. Looking forward to our return.

One of our favorite places in Dallas! We've been regulars at Taverna for years and while the menu has changed a bit (for the better mostly) since they moved to the new location we almost without exception have a terrific experience. We started going to Taverna for the pizza and it is still one of the best (if you like thin crust) in Dallas. The mezzanote pizza is not on the menu anymore but they will make if you order. Mezzanote pizza is prosciutto, potatoes and two eggs over easy. We first had eggs on pizza in the South of France and while it seems strange for our American preferences it really is quite good. Anyway, Taverna does it perfectly every time. Pasta is all pretty good and the Tagliata di Manzo is outstanding! Substitute arugula for the asparagus and instead of potatoes a small portion of pasta with olive oil & garlic and you've found a wonderful meal. There has been some server turnover in the last year but the good news is there is always someone we know & like. Our kids love the pizza and the focaccia bread with a side of the bruschetta tomatoes. Brunch is amazing but get there early or be prepared to wait.

My friend from out of town and I came here for a quiet and pleasant dinner and we had just that! The atmosphere was wonderful and the staff was even friendlier! We enjoyed a great bottle of wine and delicious pasta which is exactly what we were looking forward to!

I've eaten at Taverna many times over the years. But I was just here again with good friends on a beautiful fall evening, and we sat on the patio. The weather and the wine combined for a perfect night. We had gnocchi, mushroom risotto, and pasta carbonara. All were delicious. The waiters were attentive but not invasive. It really could not have been better.

Love my affogato deserts. While visiting my daughter I had an urge to have one after we had dinner at another restaurant. Popped in at the bar and asked for a dessert menu. Noticed it was not an available choice. So I asked the bartender if they had espresso and ice cream. He said yes and so I asked if he knew how to make an affogato. He said he could do I ordered one. It was the best one I have ever had. They need to add it to the menu! Can’t wait to go back!

What a very special lunch !!!! Waiter made me feel very important. Made excellent recommendations, too. Owner came over several times to make sure everything was perfect. No one was rushed. You looked around at other patrons, and everyone was enjoying themselves and their meals. Enjoyed sitting outside. Yes, the food was great. Cooked perfectly and so tasty. Seafood was fresh and not overcooked.

This is an awesome place to have brunch. I had the eggs bennedict and the french toasts and they were so tasty. Their staff was very friendly and kind. I’ll definitely be coming back every time I visit Dallas.

First visit to this bustling restaurant near main pedestrian trail in a nice area to walk/shop. This is a fairly new location with protected outdoor seating (gets direct sun in the afternoon so may prove to be hot in Dallas summer). Waitstaff was outstanding; food was very good and reasonably priced. They have a popular brunch on Sunday with $2 mimosas. May have to go back to try it! Was not terribly crowded at the time we went--suspect it is really loud when crowded. Would most likely need to use valet parking at busy times-the area in general is short of parking. Overall a good place to go for basic Italian food that tastes homemade.

Great service. Interesting, unique building thats nestled in the heart of the Katy Trail-Knox Henderson triangle. Known for its risotto!

You really have to want to come here to risk your life. Since they moved the valet parking across the street, you have to keep your head on a swivel to avoid the dump trucks and sports cars that want to make you a hood ornament. Still and all, it’s worth the risk. Service is impeccable and food is always excellent. Taverna salad is lightly dressed with an equally light vinaigrette that lets you actually taste good greens. Taverna mussels are among the best in Dallas; however, the addition of Mozzarella bits some time back didn’t add anything in our opinion. Just ask to have them left out. Only regret on this visit is we didn’t take the recommendation for the house Sauvignon Blanc but opted for a California pour (Hall). Truly didn’t add anything to the experience.

My first time at Taverna introduced an interesting menu. The complimentary focaccia bread was excellent. It went perfectly with my Greek salad with salmon. I was disappointed in the tiny piece of salmon, about 2" square. The salad ingredients were fresh and flavorful. Friend's special pasta of the day looked attractive and was reported as very good. Dessert was a huge disappointment. We ordered a sfogiatelle with a scoop of gelato. This scallop shaped Italian pastry is a favorite of mine, and rarely seen outside of NY/NJ. It still is, because in spite of the accurate menu description of a layered puff pastry filled with orange flavored ricotta cheese, that is not what you get at Taverna. What we were served was a half inch thick square of puff pastry covered with a runny mascarpone that had no orange flavor, topped with another square of puff pastry and a scoop of chocolate gelato. It was $8 and not even close to the real thing. The manager stopped to ask how we liked it, and I was informed they had made a sfogiatelle that was more acceptable to the American palate. Hmmm. They should simply have named it a Napolean and called it a day. So, if you know real Italian food, don't order something traditional and expect to get what they describe. It may be a surprise.

It was about an hour wait, but was a Saturday night so expected. We had a nice spot at the bar and the tender was quick and kept our beverages full. We had a nice corner seating area and the food was excellent. To start we ordered the Antipasi Emiliano (great charcuterie spread with bruschetta, olives and artichoke). For my entree I had the Fettuccine Fruitti de Mare. It was superb! Our server was outstanding and kept our beverages full!!!

Best risotto in Dallas, great service and a fantastic atmosphere. Sunday Brunch is the place to be. The Lombardi family knows how to do things in this industry Congratulations one more time.

Easy to find. Not crowded at 1:30 and comfortable. A/C was good! I found that their cappelletti are actually tortellini in size but tasty. A bit pricey for lunch...And ask for a table that is covered w/ cloth or you might get one that is not as I did.

Our daughter and her boyfriend invited my wife and I out for dinner last Saturday and she chose Taverna on Knox. None of us had been there before and her boyfriend found it online. Since they do not take reservations for parties less than six people we just showed up around 8:00 pm and were luckily seated right away inside. The have a very nice looking front outside dining area and a sort of alleyway along one side with bistro tables as well. Inside was very full, very busy and very loud which all contributed to the vibrant feel of the restaurant like we were looking for that evening. We started with a Caprese salad and a flatbread and both were very good and large enough to share among the four of us. I ordered a risotto with shrimp, my wife ordered a Salmon dish, our daughter ordered a cheese ravioli, and her boyfriend ordered the Carbonara. All were very good indeed and the Carbonara was judged to be just like their favorite restaurant in Rome they frequented when studying abroad a few summers ago. High praise indeed since the boyfriend is very picky when it comes to Carbonara dishes!

My brother wanted to bring his youngest daughter, who had graduated from a local high school, to a nice dinner. He allowed me to select the wine; however, I did not really end up enjoying the selection.It was not as full-bodied as I liked. I was aware of the pricey bottles of wines on the menu and did not want to go over a certain amount. Overall, it was not a restaurant that I would return to but it was good to experience at least once. There are so many other great restaurants in the DFW area to choose from that I prefer. Everyone seemed to like their choices except for one of the specials of the evening, a French Onion Soup. I did not order it because, instead of gruyere cheese, it had provolone on top. That is a very different and heavy taste for onion soup. I also believe they used marsala or some other wine with a very prevalently sweet taste. I could tell by the tasters' face, that it was not a choice she enjoyed. My husband and I shared the crab croquettes. They were OK. The salad, that was on the plate, had a very nice, light dressing. He did enjoy the spaghetti carbonara and said it was excellent. One of the members of the party ordered lasagna and said it was OK. Two of the girls shared a pizza and enjoyed it. I ordered the fresh pepper-crusted tuna with a mango salad with a light dressing. I liked my dish; however, it was not strictly Italian. Dinner was a little over $300 for 7 people.

My wife and I dined at Taverna for our wedding anniversary over this past weekend. My wife had been here before for some work functions, but I had not. We did not have reservations and had no issue getting a table. We were greeted as soon as we arrived and taken to a nice table close to the kitchen. It was nice being able to see the kitchen staff work away on the food. Our server asked us what brought us in, and we explained it was our anniversary. He then took our appetizer order and came back shortly with it. My wife chose the prosciutto wrapped Mahi Mahi and and decided upon the Rissoto with Diver Scallops....I love scallops :-) Neither of us were disappointed! The Mahi Mahi was cooked beautifully and the addition of the prosciutto was very nice. My rissoto was amazing! The scallops were cooked perfectly. We ordered coffee afterwards and our server also brought out a chocolate cake for us to celebrate our anniversary. This was a very nice touch. I would have to say that I was highly impressed with the staff and the food at Taverna. We will most definitely return!

We really enjoyed this indoor-outdoor restaurant in a tendy part of the Dallas area. The food quality was excellent - not too heavy which often happens with Italian restaurants. The ambiance is vibrant. We reserved a table in advance and although it was busy it looks like you might be able to get in without a reservation during the week. I'm guessing its pretty booked up on weekends. The wine list was good but a bit pricey. Food pricing was reasonable for the quality. Great choice if you are in the area.

The food and service were First Rate, this restaurant is a member of the Lombardi Family. The setting was very nice inside, excellent porch and great patio. The Bruschetta was excellent, the Carpaccio was way above average, the Lemon sole was one of the best I have ever had. They only serve wine, they do not have a full bar. Valet parking is across the street, reservation for 6 or more only.

We tried three of the dinner menu selections at Taverna's this evening and found them all to be good, although not outstanding. My favorite was a ravioli stuffed with shrimp and covered with a basil pesto cream sauce. The lasagna was hearty but not as flavorful as it could have been. We also tried their seafood special for he evening, which was Alaskan halibut served on a risotto with green and white asparagus. Again, it was good good but somewhat disappointing considering the special price of $31. The wine selection was acceptable, but again, not inspiring. We did enjoy the ambience of Taverna. It had a warm, authentic Italian feel. And our waiter was friendly and attentive. Overall, we were glad to have tried Taverna but it didn't make it to our list of favorites.

The focaccia was so perfectly cooked, the clams delectable, a great lasagna with a twist, not a red sauce but a white wine, a solid wine list fairly priced and great service. What really made a difference was the GM coming to the table and making sure everyone was happy. He was genuinely excited that we chose his restaurant and you could tell he loved his job. There are many places on this level but the staff here made the evening fun. Oh, the food is terrific. All dishes were quality and consistent. I will go back.

Taverna is now on Knox with yet an even better patio and open Tuscan feel. You will feel welcome in their new home next to sister restaurant Toulouse. It's a spectacular patio lunch when the weather is nice, and with or without the weather you won't regret eating here. Food was awesome tasty, and service was excellent. The manager, as most of Lombardi.s, is very present and gracious. The kitchen, accommodating to changes, is one of my favorites. The sauces are flavorful, and fresh tasting. You will not regret coming here.

When our favorite uptown Italian cafe was closed briefly to relocate, we stopped at nearby Taverna, one of the Lombardi group of restaurants. We popped in and asked to see a menu then stepped outside to decide whether to stay or drive farther to another of our regular haunts. Feeling adventuresome, we opted for the former. After being seated on the front patio, the manager stopped by to kid us about popping in and out before making our decision. We exchanged pleasantries, sharing that we were just visiting Dallas from our hometown. Following our conversation, our order was taken and within a reasonable amount of time, our pasta and pizza arrived. Tasty, but certainly not anything outstanding. OK so far . . . but it went downhill quickly. My entree was to be accompanied by the "chef's focaccia". Instead, I received what can only be described as totally stale sliced Italian bread in a clunky metal bowl. As I ordered in a bit of a hurry, I was hesitant to speak up immediately thinking perhaps I had misread the menu. Over the course of the meal, I watched as every other table on the patio received the focaccia. I stepped inside briefly and observed the same thing. While in the restaurant, I quietly inquired of our server about the situation -- he seemed totally bewildered that I would want the focaccia and kept insisting that he could box some up for us and "add it to our ticket". Giving up on the issue with him, I headed back to our table only to encounter the Manager on the way out. I mentioned the issue to him and his response was to quiz me to ascertain if I even knew what focaccia was! Finishing with that interaction, he shrugged his shoulders and walked off. No acknowledgement of the issue; no apology. For the remainder of our visit, neither the Manager nor our server came out on the patio. After leaving the restaurant, our experience nagged at me. Arriving home, I decided to fill out the "comment card" we received with our tab and send it directly to the restaurant group's Director of Operations. That was well over a month ago and not even a phone call or email in response. I can only conclude that the management feels that as out-of-towners we are "one time" customers and not worth their time. The fact is that I am a graduate of a nearby university and have many business and personal ties to the area. You can be certain that, because of the non-caring attitudes encountered, Taverna will not be on our list of restaurants to recommend to Dallas diners!

I have always loved this place. They have the best risotto I have had in Dallas. Their pastas, salads, flatbread, everything is really tasty. I was certain, I wouldn't be able to have much from their menu once I found out I had a Gluten allergy. Not the case- they have GF dough and GF pasta. So I can have a pizza if I want!! Brunch is a little crazy- but if you can get a spot on the patio- do it. One of my favorite to to places. Never disappointed!

My friends and I were having particularly awful days, so we went to Taverna to collectively drown our sorrows. Great wine, friendly waiters, manager, food was excellent. We sat outside, ordered two pizzas along with the wine. Ask the manager for wine recommendations.

I've visited Taverna for both brunch and dinner during the past month. The brunch crowd overflows this restaurant on weekends, and wait times can be particularly frustrating. The way to get around that is by making reservations, the only caveat being that you must have six or more for a reservation. Be careful, though, they won't seat your party of 6+ until every single person is present, and the reservation is only held for a fifteen minute window. That being said, the brunch cuisine is mainstream and dependable at Taverna. Their truffle oil dishes are particularly good. I had the chorizo sausage and manchego cheese omelet, which was solidly "decent". Unfortunately, however, the brunch chaos takes its toll on service. We were lucky to get one refill on our bottomless mimosas and bellinis. Sadly, that's just par for the course at busy brunch restaurants in Dallas. Dinner is where Taverna really shines. The restaurant is quieter and more refined during the evening, and the service is entirely attentive. The wine list is extensive and pricey, but there are several decent bottles in the $35-$50 range. Taverna knows how to do Italian- very, very well. Our table started with the coze al vino "marittima" (mussels sauteed in white wine and garlic), which featured some very rich flavors that are entirely worth the experience. For entree, we each ordered traditional pasta dishes. Everyone was ecstatic at the flavor and depth of their food. This is not the classic, heavy American-style Italian that we all expect when dining out. No, not at all! The fresh, light, seafood-focused cuisine at Taverna is especially refreshing. The lasagna, in particular, completely redefined what I had come to believe was a boring and traditional dish. Instead, it was amazing! The zesty, almost sweet hint of the bolognese sauce combined nicely with the spinach pasta, ham, and parmigiano to create a new and irresistible flavor that left me thinking about it for days. As for dessert, we shared the marble cheesecake and a flourless chocolate cake. They were both very satisfying, if not particularly unique. Overall, I highly recommend Taverna for a unique Italian cuisine that does not disappoint. The food and the experience are well worth the price!

My husband and I happened in here during a trip to Dallas for a wedding. The atmosphere was really great, but we both were very disappointed in the food quality. I ordered the lamb special and according to my husband the lamb had been overcooked 5 times. When I mentioned this to our server he shrugged it off like that was how lamb is always cooked. My husband's risotto special was also disappointing, but was good compared to the lamb. Overall, we spent a lot of money for a very bad food experience.

Enjoyed an amazing brunch here with my family before Christmas! The menu had a great selection, plus the daily specials that were offered. Great mimosas and the beignets were delicious! The staff and service were impeccable! The place is quaint and has a cozy outdoor terrace as well.

What can I say. Best waiter ever. Goes by d name of Scot. He attended to our every need. I haven't had this good of a service at a restaurant ever. And d food was excellent. I had d seafood fettuccini which was very tasty and my wife had the pan seared sea bass which she loved. Definitely one of my best dining experiences. The ambience was nice too. Great place for a romantic dinner or a group of close friends dining together. Don't snooze. Go here to eat. Ask for Scot to be your waiter.

Friendly and superb service. They anticipate your every need but don't hover. No disappointments on the wine by the glass. Fabulous food.... Everything is good. Love the risotto. #1 reason I like: it is an easy, sit back and enjoy a leisurely meal, cozily enjoy your conversation but no need to yell over others kind of place.

I've been dining at Taverna since I moved to Dallas 5 years ago and have not been let down once. They absolutely have the best Carpaccio I have had in Dallas and believe me I try that dish at every restaurant that offers it. Over the years I've gone here for girls night out, birthdays (including my last birthday, which btw they made me feel super special with the brightest fireworks candle ever!), family and date night. Their specials are always spectacular and if you're on a diet you can certainly find non pasta/orzo dishes that will be just as delicious! Reminder: They only serve beer and wine, my strictly vodka drinking polish roommate found this out the hard way ;)

Taverna is where my Italian wife wants to eat her Italian food in Dallas, short of Jimmy's. Needless to say, we enjoy it. Risottos and wine are always favorites.