Love coming here! One of my favorite restaurants in Vienna. Very lively happy hour especially on a Friday night. Busy brunch too. Great food, drinks, service, and pleasant decor inside. They also have outdoor patio dining with a fire pit. read more

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Great service but was misled with text message sent to me yesterday about an "Oyster Roast" happening today. Was excited and went but found out the bartender explained she didn't know what that was and they have raw oysters today, 2/21! Service is good but get your marketing and misinformation straight. You're too good for this. read more

Bear Branch Tavern - Raw oysters - New American Near Me - Vienna, Virginia

My husband and I have enjoyed Branch Tavern for a date night and saw how family friendly it was. We decided to take our kiddos there this evening. Our server, Joe, could NOT have been more friendly or accommodating. The food was just as good as we remembered and everyone enjoyed their dishes. If you enjoy raw oysters this is definitely your spot, so fresh! read more

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Fantastic lively little spot in Vienna for dinner. This is quite a popular spot especially during/after happy hour and without a reservation a party of 2 wait was 20 minutes. They have both indoor and outdoor seating as well as bar seating. Inside is a little loud there are a lot of people talking in here and multiple screens for watching sports. We got the french dip sandwich and the tavern burger, both two items I saw people talking a lot about from Yelp and was not disappointed. The french dip is worth trying as many have mentioned the toasted bread is amazing. I also like that all the spreads/sauces are put on the side. The tavern burger is decently sized and cooked perfectly. Burger toppings are generous and my toppings kept falling out of my burger. The fries are also awesome, nothing special but crisp. They have a lot of drinks to choose from and their cocktails are pretty unique. The "walking liability" has watermelon and vodka and I was told some of their drinks are special in house recipes. I would definitely come back again to try the other items on the menu. read more

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Bland, overpriced food. Got the crispy fried chicken sandwich and was disappointed. No seasoning or flavor, bad customer service with long wait times. read more

This was our first visit, but like Arnold Schwarzenegger, we'll be back! The food was delicious! Order the crab dip. Service was top-notch...server was friendly and helpful. AND they had outdoor seating and a great indoor ambiance! I had their cheesesteak and it was VERY good (and I'm from Philly so I know about cheesesteaks). Go here and bring people! They'll think highly of you and might even pick up the check! read more

Bear Branch Tavern - Delicious Cheesesteak! - New American Near Me - Vienna, Virginia

Love this place! I cannot believe they never showed up on my search list before. 1. Location: Vienna. convenient spot to meet people. A bit hard to find in the beginning with the door being behind the building although the sign is in the front. 2. Parking: huge lot with lots of spots 3. Food: very delicious 4. Drinks: lots of good options ranging with alcohol to non-alcoholic. 5. Service: excellent. most welcome I've felt. 6. Ambience: fancy and chill at the same time. Big bar area with people drinking at 11 AM! But not in a bad way. Nice big hall to have a large group meals. Excellent for dates, catch ups even business meals. Very versatile space. I will be coming here a lot! now that I know it. read more

Bear Branch Tavern - Bear Branch Tavern: inside - New American Near Me - Vienna, Virginia

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I met a friend here at about 4pm on a Tuesday. Lots of parking and lots of seating. There's a small patio as well as 2 seating areas that seem to have distinct vibes. You enter the building through the back and the first seating area is more like a casual sit down restaurant. Past the kitchen to the back (which is the section facing Maple Ave.), and it's more of a bar and grill. Our server was friendly and attentive. A lone guitarist was setting up and began playing and singing around 5:45. We were told this was a new feature for every first Tuesday of the month. There is a raw bar menu but I'm not into that. If you are, it's probably worth sampling. I had the Bear Branch Torta. It's described as: buttermilk fried chicken, pork carnitas, sliced ham, chef's pimento cheese, fresh arugula, and roasted red peppers on a rustic telera roll. It was great! I expected it to be a salt bomb but it was not. It does have a fair bit of grease. But with that trifecta of meats, that should be expected. The carnitas, in particular, were very good, with crispified edges. What I really enjoyed is that, as a side option, you can choose the elotes. I think it was a whole ear of corn, cut in two, with cheese and seasoning. I would get this every time instead of fries. I also had a Peroni on draft to wash it all down. If you need a happy hour-ish meet-up place for a few of your buds on a weekday, this is a great place to do it. read more

Bear Branch Tavern - New American Near Me - Vienna, Virginia

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Came here for a work lunch. Got the Philly Cheesesteak and it was really good! Came on a Saturday and it was pretty packed but the service was great at the bar. Want to try this place again for a date night! read more

Bear Branch Tavern - Philly cheesesteak - New American Near Me - Vienna, Virginia

Food gets 5 stars.. servers get 5 stars plus! So why did I only award 3 stars... it's way way too loud in here. Decibel reading on my phone between 83 and 90 averaging 86! Yes it's a full house but no sound dampening and the brick just amplifies it all... sorry but unpleasant overall. This is in what I'd consider their main or first room as you walk in. Will I be back? Maybe but only if I can figure what might be an off time! If sound not an issue for you than great! read more

Bear Branch Tavern - Tuesday night $1 oysters.... Amazing... started eating before I zapped a pic! - New American Near Me - Vienna, Virginia

A great place. Fun laid back atmosphere, great food and wonderful service! Megan our server is so fun and friendly! We now ask to sit in her section when we visit. Had the crab legs last time we went and they were so good I got 2 orders. Food is freshly prepared and comes out quick and hot! My go to place when having dinner with friends and family! read more

Came with the wife on the way to a concert at Wolftrap. Place is neat, open, but smallish and squared away, kinda modern nautical look. Not much on the walls, large semi circular bar in the center of the room that opens to the outside for additional bar seating. The design of the place, place, the tv noise, and the guests made the place louder than I expected. Seated ourselves. Manger brought menus and handed us off to the waiter, he was pretty soft spoken given the environment and had to repeat himself a lot. Ordered loaded nachos with chicken. Food arrived pretty quickly and was good. Don't know if I will come back but it wasn't bad. read more

Sat on the patio...rained a little but stayed dry! Food was great...ahi nachos (YUMMMM!!), calamari was crispy, and crab stuff salmon was a perfect light dinner with the best fresh veggies. Excellent and will be back. read more

I went here to meet friends for the holidays and while I didn't try the food, the service was great and the righteous was always really prompt refilling everybody's drinks. It's a cool atmosphere and a good place to go to hang out and watch a game and see some friends. read more

I enjoyed brunch here with friends this morning! We came by at 1pm and had a brief five minute wait before getting our table for four. The staff were nice and gave us time to order and eat. I enjoyed the diverse options on the menu and ordered the shakshuka. It was fresh and light and it was prepared well. My friends got a salad, falafel dish, and salmon Benedict, and they were all pretty and good! It was really loud in this location, meaning that sometimes we had to yell to each other across the table. By the end of the meal, though, it had gotten a lot quieter and we could enjoy conversation easily. read more

Bear Branch Tavern - Shakshuka - New American Near Me - Vienna, Virginia

Service: our waiter was attentive and made sure we were ok during the entire meal. We forgot to say separate bills and he nicely did it for us without hesitation. Food: the ahi tuna nachos were good. My friend had the crab cake sandwich which she enjoyed. The French dip was kinda of bland for my taste. It's looks delicious but the wasn't much flavor with the beef. The fries were great and crispy. Ambiance: we were seated in the back of the restaurant which I never knew existed. It got really busy after 6:30pm. My friend said she likes the front area better to people watch. Note: they do have oyster specials on Tuesday. read more

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This place is very middle-of-the-road. A place where yuppies and suburban moms love to hang out. Personally, I find it a smidge expensive for the dishes you get but it is nicely located and the restaurant has a good ambiance to it. I had an old-fashioned here but I only had one because it wasn't that good. read more

Bear Branch Tavern offers a spirited experience that's well worth the search for parking. After circling the lot three times, my persistence paid off with a delightful visit. Fully adorned for the Christmas season, the festive atmosphere, enhanced by appearances from Mr. and Mrs. Claus, made the experience all the more special. Taking a seat at the bar, I was immediately impressed by the excellent service and warmth of the staff. I decided on the Elder's Exit cocktail, a refreshing choice that paired perfectly with the Philly Cheesesteak I ordered. Though some might quibble over its authenticity due to the inclusion of roasted peppers and onions, the delectable combination offered flavors that transcended the debate. The balance of well-seared meat and cheese was exceptionally satisfying and undoubtedly memorable. I look forward to returning in warmer weather to enjoy their fantastic patio, especially since it's dog-friendly--perfect for bringing my pup along for the next visit. read more

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I ordered pick up food today for my kid. When I got home I open food and saw tiny piece of salmon like someone ate it!! I usually go bear branch many times. Never have this experience. Might not going back again. read more

Bear Branch Tavern - Kid salmon - New American Near Me - Vienna, Virginia

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Came here for the second time, and realized I never wrote a review--a shame. I had come here for a quiet lunch by the bar (with drinks of course). Now I thought I'd test out a family dinner and see what the kids think. We were seated quickly on a Sunday night. Excellent. Kids hate waiting. We got a booth, yay, and service was quick. Kids were amused by the menu names. They ordered the most basic kids things off the menu, but I have to say the Mac and cheese was prolly the best kids Mac and cheese I've ever tried! And we've had a lot of those. The fruit was a nice touch though melons and pineapples? Guess who ate those lol I ordered cider and their burger and upgraded to truffle fries--totally worth the upgrade. Was especially pleased with the amount of fries I got with this burger. It was more than enough for me. Almost made me wish it came with a tiny bit of greens. Overall would return and probably will. read more

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This place is delightful! The food was absolutely delicious. But a warning to you if you get the pretzel and you see the mustard be careful. There is enough horseradish to harm a small rodent. Just saying. But anyway, the staff was super kind and we asked if they could but rugby on and they did it. It was a very well decorated place. It was also very clean. I have been here three times now and each time has been awesome. Please go. read more

Came here a couple of times, highly recommend if you're a raw oyster/ clams lover. They have a pretty good deal on oysters for happy hours as well, but trust that there's gonna be a line. I got a ribeye this time as well & it was amazing. Super juicy and soft, the veggies were crunchy, just to die for. my server, Andrea, made the experience even better with her attentive service and great recommendations. She made sure everything came out perfectly and checked in just the right amount. read more

Bear Branch Tavern - 16 oz ribeye, It definitely did not come like this, i was so hungry i forgot to take a pic - New American Near Me - Vienna, Virginia

It was a slow Thursday afternoon at the restaurant. Most of the wait staff were standing around talking with each other. One team member saw them being useless and suggested that if they had time to lean, they had time to clean. They laughed at him and went on standing around and talking with each other. Orders were taken, food was either not as ordered or was underwhelming. The place gives off the feeling that it's on the downside. That it will continue to slide downward until it closes. Will not return. I mean, I'd hate to interrupt the employees ongoing conversations. read more

Rear bar area. Rear bar area, street-facing bar area, and a large patio w/pit out back. A great spot with excellent service, friendly staff/management (Ash/Addy/Jamie) and most importantly grub!!! Open 'til 0200 everyday. read more

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TUESDAY SPECIALS!!! Oysters for a $1 a piece! Good oysters too - definitely worth it! We came here because our first choice for dinner was closed and I was prepared to be disappointed because I was just really looking forward to fish and chips But seriously... I was blown away! Great deals on the seafood and despite being busy, a really upbeat, welcoming and helpful staff! There were four of us and none of us were disappointed in our food. I had a fantastic Mahi Mahi sandwich (my only complaint is that it was super messy - don't plan on being dainty with this one ), really good elote, and the consensus from the table was that the French Dip was one of the best they've ever had! Fries were also the right balance of crispy and salty and the cocktails were well crafted - we really enjoyed the Vienna Fog! Just good, chill vibes and some outside seating that was packed on such a gorgeous summer night - so be prepared to wait if you want patio dining - otherwise inside is pretty spacious! read more

We've always had very good meals here. Today I took two out of town friends and the food was just okay. My daughter had heard the same thing recently. Has something changed? read more

Don't miss this fantastic, fantastic brunch spot! The food is awesome. Every dish is masterfully executed with very satisfying American portions. There are plenty of tables inside and great parking available. Passed on Carnegie Diner after a hellish attempt at finding parking. Bear Branch is much less loud than CD. It has a great bar-restaurant atmosphere. Spot-on table service and coverage. The eating areas are well broken up with a warm ambiance. They've got St. Patty's day music and decorations set up for a Monday night event. Bonus: If you're lucky, there's a young Alan Ritchson-Jack Reacher look-alike that's hosting tables. Just saying... read more

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Dangerously bad chicken. Should be avoided. My chicken wrap has pieces of bone and cartilage in it. The health department should SHUT THIS PLACE DOWN! Garbage, dangerous food to potentially cause bowl perforation when small pieces of sharp bone are present in food that is served. Vienna health department figure this bs out! read more

Nachos: While I do acknowledge that gluttony is one of the seven deadly sins, this is one massive plate of nachos I would not share. They were good, but the flavor of these nachos was so.. disjointed? Usually when I eat a nacho chip I can taste the harmony of the flavors blending in together. The ingredients in these nachos were unwilling to blend. They were so poised.. stern in their individuality, unwilling to give into each other. Not even in a sense where one ingredient was overpowering the other, they just refused to come together. Man.. it's almost reflective of the state of this country. We all belong together but we're so hellbent on being an individualistic society. All else: I took a short break from reviewing nachos because I've been God awful. Devastated and humiliated by all it takes to be human. Gleefully, I return because I know no other coping mechanism than working overtime, overachieving, and reviewing nachos. I celebrate my worn out comeback at my favorite comfort spot, the one and only Bear Branch. The folks here are so ridiculously and lovingly generous with their portions, but I am inclined to say it's a little TOO much food at times. Their food is yummy for a sunny afternoon, the atmosphere is so refreshing. I adore this place. read more

Bear Branch Tavern - Nachos - New American Near Me - Vienna, Virginia

Went for Tuesday happy hour, had super low expectations for the dollar oysters but they were actually super tasty, not too briny, nice medium size, and not sandy. Definitely would go back again for the deal. The hush puppies were also way better than I expected. I would pass on the clams (both raw and cooked), mussels met expectations. We also got the snow crab legs, which should've been illegal to serve. They were so overcooked, the shell had the texture of soggy cardboard and I could bend it 360 degrees without any of it snapping. The meat was extremely salty and meager, for $12 it was robbery and I deduct an entire star for how offensive that dish was. It was not too crowded given the great happy hour deal, table was too small but ambiance was fine. read more

Bear Branch Tavern - Oysters - New American Near Me - Vienna, Virginia

WARNING: This is the most mom review ever. Coming back with an extra star! Over the past few years Bear Branch Tavern has become one of my family's favorite spots! - Dad loves it because there are TVs everywhere, so no matter what time of day whether it's brunch, lunch, or dinner he can catch a game. - My kids love the buzzy atmosphere and think their salmon and fries is the best kids meal on earth. - I love it because nobody complains when we come here! Plus their menu is super varied so whether I'm feeling a steak salad (theirs is one of the best in town) or a risotto, I know that I can get a quality meal. Service is very friendly and it looks like they are very used to accommodating children. I like the fact that it is close to the library and Whole Foods so you can plan a whole morning in the area and knock a bunch of things off your to-do list. Pro-tip: Almost all of the things on the menu are great EXCEPT their burgers and French onion soup. read more

We're always excited when a restaurant is using canola oil in the fryer! So important when dealing with a soy allergy. I had a very delicious mahi sandwich and chose the tots which were hot and crisp. they kept our waters full and drinks refilled. It's EXTREMELY loud in there on a saturday night but that wasn't unexpected. read more

A staple! A constant in our rotation because you know what you're going to get and you know it's going to be 10/10 every single time. Today was no different! First, the location is right off the W&OD so it's the perfect place to stop mid bike for a scrumptious lunch. We started with their grilled wings, as ALWAYS. You cannot skip those. Maybe my favorite wings of all time...seriously. They are grilled to perfection, they are big, and they are juicy. Served with an amazing green goddess dressing to dip. No note on their wings, ever. We then got a dozen oysters. Also DELICIOUS! Meaty. Fresh. Just yummy. For entrees, I got the Salmon Niçoise salad and my finance got the hatch chile burger. The salad was packed with my favorite veggies, roasted beets, carrots, brussels, topped with a perfectly seared piece of salmon and dressed with a light vinaigrette. Would def order again! The hatch burger was also cooked perfectly, medium rare, as ordered and was extremely packed with flavor! It is a bit heavy, so if make sure you're REALLY hungry if ordered! Side of truffle fries were 10/10 as well. A perfect accompaniment! We love bear branch! If you're in the area and haven't been yet - GO! Oh and it's a great spot for outdoor dining! They have a super cute patio that's perfect for families and dogs! read more

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I had the Crab Stuffed Salmon $32 Chesapeake jumbo lump crab, Israeli couscous tabbouleh, wild mushrooms, spinach, red onion, heirloom tomatoes, roasted red pepper coulis. Challah Bread Pudding $9 Chai spiced creme anglaise, whiskey plumped raisins, candied pecans, fresh challah bread, vanilla ice cream Overall it was great read more

Bear Branch Tavern - Crab stuffed salmon - New American Near Me - Vienna, Virginia

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Very fun vibe, with a bar in the front and another bar in the back that opens to the outside. Patio Dining as well. Family and adult friendly. We have the steak and the French dip, and both are excellent. The fries were especially good. The only miss was the elote corn-way too much sauce. Service from Chris was great. Will come back and try new entrees! read more

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This was a nice lowkey place to get brunch! All the food was really good, but we especially enjoyed the wings. If anything, defintely try out the wings! read more

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Came here for brunch on a Saturday morning around 10:30, plenty of seating available. They said they typically don't get super busy until noon. They won't take reservations for parties under eight; however, there is call ahead seating. Park toward the back; their entrance is in the back. We were sat in the back, but I think the front has a nicer ambiance. We got pretzel bread with beer cheese and tempura cauliflower for the appetizers. I liked the tempura cauliflower but wish there was some sort of sauce or aioli that came with it. Pretzel bread was good as well. For main dishes, we got the chicken fried chicken and chicken and waffles per our waiter's recommendations. My friend liked the waffles but said it was a little bland. My dish was also a little bland and dry. I think next time, I'd like to try something different. It was a bit pricey, but would come back again and try some other dishes. read more

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Great bar and the food is really good as well. Lived there service at the bar and staff were all friendly. Nice interior but a little confusing where you go in and exit. Park in the back of the building that is shared with other businesses. read more

The Bear Branch is quickly becoming one of my favorite spots in Vienna. This was my second visit, and once again, the food and service were outstanding. I had the swordfish, which was cooked perfectly - it was juicy and just right. What really set it apart were the dipping sauces: a fresh pesto, a Russian-style dressing, and a mild green sauce with a hint of cumin that was unbelievably good. I honestly don't know what it was served on--but whatever it was, it elevated the whole dish. My wife had the French dip, which she said was excellent, and the fries that came with it were crisp and just right. Service here deserves a special mention. Our server was super friendly, genuine, and never rushed. She went out of her way to make sure we had a great experience, and her recommendation for the dessert of the night--a blueberry pie--was spot on. It tasted homemade, rich, and perfectly balanced. The drinks menu looks great, but I went with a glass of Chardonnay. My only suggestion for the restaurant would be to expand the wine-by-the-glass options. The California Chardonnay I had was solid, but as someone who knows wine, I'd love to see a broader selection. All in all, The Bear Branch delivers consistency, quality, and warm service. Definitely a gem in Vienna. I highly recommend it, and will be back!! Superb! read more

Really weird location. It's on the ground floor of an office building. You will drive by twice before you realize it, but you're not there yet, you actually need to drive around to the back. An eclectic menu, seems to be trying to have something for everyone. Philly steak and cheese was ok, tasted the mushrooms, but not the peppers and onions. The fries were little over cooked and kind of disappointing. Service was friendly, parking once you figure it out is plentiful, the soundproofing under the tables is a surprise, but the ambience is welcoming. Overall, I didn't really feel there was anything that made this place stand out. It's not really a great place for a date, seems more like a lunch place for professionals. I wish I could give it 3 1/2 because it wasn't bad. It just wasn't great, or really give me that desire to return. read more

Bear Branch Tavern - Philly cheesesteak with fries. - New American Near Me - Vienna, Virginia