Wow. What a pleasure. We were weary travelers and so glad we discovered this place. The back story is amazing. The BLT salad was amazing. The vegetable bisque was amazing. They gave us complementary fried okra. I haven't had okra that wasn't sliced. The breading was awesome. Service was spot on. I will look forward to our next visit. read more

This was only my second time to On The Square, and it was just as good as my first! Our table was ready when we got there (had reservations) and our waitress was super friendly and attentive. We decided on the calamari to start, and it did not disappoint! It was topped with a wasabi crema with a duck sauce on the bottom to help balance the spiciness. Yum! For my entrée, I had a meaty white fish (the name was unusual and now escapes me) served with fried Brussels sprouts and sweet potato hash. So flavorful! My mom had the Amberjack with Asian slaw which was a little too spicy for her taste, but I thought it was incredible. My dad had the seafood trio which was nicely presented but unfortunately, not enough to share :( My boyfriend opted for the ribeye (basic) which he was not over-the-moon about but food also does not excite him quite the way it does me :/ In conclusion, even though Raleigh (and now Durham) have amazing restaurants, OTS is worth the drive to quaint, little ol' Tarboro for a quick escape from the hustle and bustle of the city for a nice, relaxing evening where the food, service, and atmosphere is not to disappoint! read more

A must do for anyone who likes a true chef experience. Lunch is good but the dinner menu is the real gem We are lucky in Eastern North Carolina to have a restaurant like this. ---with any drive to get to. We live in Rocky Mount and love to dine in Tarboro at On The Square. The food display is as fabulous as the food it's self. read more

Long review: An unexpected surprise in a little southern town (one of the oldest in NC within walking distance of the beautiful Town Common) Its an interesting and pleasant mix ~ the small town quaintness juxtaposed with a sophisticated menu usually found in larger cities and fancier (a.k.a. expensive) restaurants. You'll want to visit fequently as the menu changes weekly, always offering something amazing. There are a variety of choices, literally something for everyone. You must leave room for dessert, and definitely try the bread pudding. This restaurant is also a wine store - very reasonable and something for all price ranges. Questions about wine? ~ just as Inez Ribustello, one of the co-owners (along with her husband, the chef). She is seriously an expert, can help you find anything you need, and is a genuinely sweet, friendly person. Short review: Fantastic food. Nice atmosphere. Reasonable prices. read more

My favorite restaurant. Dinner there is a great experience. Lunch is OK, but when the Chef Owner is there for dinner, leading the parade, dinner becomes an outstanding feast. Very well served and the location in such a small town is still a wonder. Chef Owner I understand moved from NY ---. Forget about lunch he needs to rest from dinner work the day before. You will need reservations for dinner. I have friends who drive over 2 hours - after I invited them to dinner- just to flavor new dishes. Wine selections are outstanding. read more

Although the lunch my husband and I ordered on the way back from the OBX was perfectly satisfactory, I feel compelled to give it only 2 stars. Hers's why- when I walked in to pick up my take out order dressed in a T shirt, shorts and sneakers, I was given a serious stink eye by the woman behind the register, as well as the table of Tarrboro's finest sitting in the back. Although I too hail from a small town and understand how strangers are often scrutinized, this establishment may want to take a second look at the environment it has created. Welcoming traveling yelpers who are picking up lunch may be a wise business decision. The unsweetened tea was quite tasty, by the way. read more

As someone who travels to Rocky Mount a fair amount, I've always complained about the lack of good food options. Then I made the 20-minute drive to Tarboro, and discovered this gem. Good beers, good wines, dinners that change weekly - a friendly chef - all is right here. Also I do highly recommend before or afterwards taking a little walk around Tarboro - it really is a nice little town. read more

I was on my way home from a business trip in January, and on the shuttle to the park and ride sat next to a US Airways pilot who recommended this place to me. My wife and I have been out twice, and it's been on the money both times. Tarboro isn't exactly a destination town - it sits off US 64 east of Rocky Mount on the way to the Outer Banks, and it's no different from many small Eastern NC towns that have seen better days - but On the Square provides one with a reason to stop. The menu is seasonal and changes weekly based on what tickles the owners' fancy, I guess. There's never a bad choice to be had here, though. read more

On The Square, as it seems from most conversations I've had with local folks, is the only good restaurant in Tarboro. Perhaps they mean it is the only fine dining experience. Or maybe it's the only restaurant worth noting in Tarboro. My lunch here was very reasonably priced. My companion's lunch - turkey & cranberry sandwich - seemed satisfactory, while my cobb salad was also acceptable.... ....Except for the lettuce. The lettuce was not the visually appealing mesclun salad I expected from the owners (who were originally NYC based). It was iceberg lettuce. Colorless. Lifeless. All in all, a disappointment in comparison to the rest of the ingredients in the platter. The method of ordering at the counter for lunch must be extremely annoying to those seated in the front who have to feel like they're being watched or listened to while customers wait on line. A crowd starts to gather in the front, and it really just feels weird, and unprofessional. I understand this is how they are able to cater to the business lunch rush, but the owners should try again at devising a workable method. Lastly, I was not pleased to see that a table of 6 was ready to put on a business lunch meeting with files, handouts, funny pens and presentation material. Business lunches are supposed to be discreet. Ones requiring private dining rooms, should, well, book a private dining room, or order lunch at their own firm's conference room. I do recommend this restaurant, and I hope my next visit guarantees a 4 star review. Reservations recommended. read more

Have dined here many times over the years and have always had good food and service. Last night was no different. The 3-star rating is because of a sanitation grade rating of only 90. Not sure what is going on to cause such a low rating for this type of restaurant, but we will have to think twice before going again until we know steps have been taken to correct whatever led to this rating. read more

This is our maybe fourth visit and it never disappoints. We live in San Francisco and are just as happy in On the Square as Chez Panisse in Berkeley based on the fresh ingredients and the friendly service. We were a party of six with two kids and the kids plates were a treat. Filet on one and pork tenderloin on the other with onion rings and corn mashed potatoes. Yummy. For the adults, several had Pan Sautéed Grouper with succotash bread pudding and grilled watermelon. Fish was cooked perfectly and had a nice tasty crunch. The bread pudding with corn and Lima beans was great and the grilled watermelon offered a nice cool contrast. M had the veal scallopinie on orzo and shared some with me. Great taste with just the right flavor of capers. But wait - that's more. You probably have never heard about the Parade of Desserts, but we could not decide so we just invented it. We had the following: carrot cake, strawberry shortcake, blueberry clobber, molten chocolate cake, and fried peach pie. We cut all into 6 pieces and the plates paraded around the table so all could share. All were great, but the carrot cake was really special and light and airy. Great way to finish our meal On the Square is a great reason to visit NC and Tarboro read more

Went and had a great time with another couple. The food was good but not great - especially for the $$$. Everything needed salt/seasoning - just overall bland and disappointing b/c I have heard such great things. Maybe it just didn't live up to the hype. The waitstaff was not really that nice either. I don't know that I would go back especially since we made a special trip from Washington. Matter of fact the best thing about the meal was the salad and the company. read more

I went here from suggestions friends gave me and I wasn't disappointed! For lunch it's self-serve. Meaning you order your food at the counter and they bring it to you when it's ready. I had the roast beef sandwich, which I'm not exaggerating, it's by far the best roast beef sandwich I've EVER had. The lunch menu was full of sandwiches, salads, and some pasta dishes. I asked to see the dinner menu, but the lady who helped me said they changed the menu every other week and it wasn't prepared yet. Even though I didn't see it I was still impressed to know they changed up the menu often. The prices were reasonable and everyone was helpful and courteous. I recommended this little gem if you're in the area! read more

Excellent restaurant! I've been going here for years and always receive great service and excellent food. My favorite go-to is the Turkey Bacon Melt. I also enjoy their tomato bisque. Give them a try and you will not be disappointed. read more

This is not the quality of cuisine you'd expect to find in a small town in Eastern North Carolina. Their menu changes weekly, focusing on fresh ingredients, with suggested wine pairings. The duo who runs the place is a married couple - he's the chef, she's the sommelier. Their wine list is extensive, and reasonably priced. As for the pricing, it's about half of what you'd expect to pay for meals like this in a large city. The fact that we saw a lot of people from Chapel Hill and Raleigh says much about the appeal of On the Square. read more

We were really looking forward to trying this place, had heard really good things. Staff were very new. Menu was not fitting for Tarboro nor were the prices. Service was subpar at best. Drinks took over ten minutes and were watered down. Dinner was ok but not all that the hype had in store. It's a good venue for Tarboro but we were very disappointed. read more

If you're ever here, definitely try to meet and talk to Inez, the owner (and one of the best sommeliers in the US!). She will suggest the perfect wine to complement your meal, and she has a very interesting personal story to share. The food here is always delicious, and the wine selection is simply outstanding. read more

On the Square - On the Square storefront - Beer, Wine & Spirits Near Me - Tarboro, North Carolina

Nice little gem. Very good ambiance for lunch. Scallops & greens salad tasted very good...would have been even better with a few more scallops. :P read more

This place has become our absolute favorite restaurant in Eastern NC. The food is extremely consistent, and by consistent I mean incredibly good. The petit filet is the best steak I have ever had in NC (and I am super picky, being from Kansas City and all). I dream about that petit filet mignon at on the square! The calamari is also to die for, as is the tuna appetizers. If they have any sort of seafood chowder, order it or you are definitely missing out. Which brings me to the wine... Amazing wine selection. Top 2 (with Chef and the Farmer) in Eastern NC. Extremely reasonable prices, we always find a bottle we like when we go. And their selections by the glass are always inventive. I cannot say enough good things about On the Square. read more

This is a superb restaurant with an outstanding wine selection. It's upscale but trying to be laid back about it. The restaurant was full of people. I recommend buying wine in their wine shop too, since you can get good recommendations. After I dinner, I asked the sommelier if she would like to sell me a bottle and she just lit up in the nicest way: "I would love to sell you some wine!" Here's what impressed me: she spoke not just in some crass business manner: it was immediately clear she really loves wine. That's the difference at a place like this - you can tell there is something sincere below the surface. Wonderful. The food was well prepared and nicely presented. The most memorable for me was the "Duet of Duck" that we enjoyed with a bottle of Koehler-Ruprecht 2007 pinot noir. Wow. read more

Delicious food, gracious staff, just off the highway. This restaurant is an absolute GEM!!!

Came for lunch at around 12:08, did have to wait in line, but it moved pretty quick. Got the Hog Head Hot Dog and fries, all tastes authentic, well worth the $4.50 and the 20 minute wait. Great for when you only have an hour to eat. One star off for no wait staff. read more

Incredible food and the most reasonable mark-up on wine I've ever seen.

Excellent food and service! The grilled romaine salad was amazing as was the clam chowder! Sea bass was one of the best fish I've had in the area however my mom ordered the jambalaya and it was mediocre at best. Molten lava cake with ice cream was incredible and my mom loved her cosmo! (Sangria was ok). It's a must try! Expect to spend $100 plus for food and drinks . read more

This place is a gem! Lovely staff and delicious food. They really go above and beyond on presentation as well. Recommend sitting at the bar and chatting with the bartenders. They were great to chat with and had wonderful food and drink suggestions. read more

A-MAZING !!! Went there with my friends from about 45 minutes away....Let me tell you....the drive was worth it. The food, the service and the atmosphere was 5 stars ! read more

Great find in charming downtown Tarboro. Excellent tomato soup, great pork tenderloin sandwich. A lot of character.

We were on our way to Elizabeth City and had the great fortune to find On The Square restaurant on yelp. It was amazing. I had the chicken scaloppine and my husband had the strip steak. It was so delicious. Served hot and fresh. The atmosphere was quaint and the service was superior! read more

We were visiting friends in Tarboro and we went here for lunch. Nice place, staff is very friendly and most important the food was delicious. It was full for lunch but we didn't have a long wait for our food to come out. If ever in the area a must try, might be the only nice place! read more

Second time here - dinner the first time and lunch today. The food is delicious, and it is a very fun little spot. A must for those stopping through town. I had scallop salad and my colleague had the fried oyster sandwich. My only complaint is too much iceberg lettuce in my salad, otherwise all was good! read more

We drove to Tarboro last night after furniture-shopping in Zebulon thinking we'd check this little town out, visit Tarboro Brewing Co, and have dinner. The staff and beer at Tarboro Brewing couldn't be nicer and we highly recommend it! We had called and gotten a reservation for 3 for 8:00 at On the Square. We arrived early at 7:25, hoping they could move up our reservation if tables were available. There were 4 open tables when we arrived. We stood around awkwardly after checking in with the hostess for about 5 minutes before moving to the bar. No one made eye contact with us or even asked for a drink order for 15 minutes after arrival! The restaurant was filled with locals - the staff was very friendly to those who came in whom they obviously knew while completely ignoring us standing there. A strange, clannish environment. This with an empty bar and open tables in the restaurant in this tiny town! After 20 minutes, realizing they were not going to seat us at one of the open tables, we left hungry, disappointed, and angry and headed home to Raleigh. Food and cocktails looked just okay, not notable. There are better options elsewhere. Outsiders beware - you are not welcome at this restaurant in Tarboro! read more

I had heard a lot of good things about this restaurant. Unfortunately my visit did not live up to the hype. Food was so salty I could not finish my meal and I like salt. I was only given a regular table knife for my steak so had to saw through it while trying to not shake the table hard enough to spill pour water glasses. The waitress was very friendly and asked if we had any questions about the menu. She then either didn't know the answers (what was on the dessert menu) or answered the question incorrectly (what the vegetables were that night). Overall I was pretty disappointed and don't plan on going back. read more

Finest restaurant in Eastern NC. Calimari is outstanding, amazing seafood choices and an atmosphere that I welcome. Personally I am sick of buffets, birthday songs and patrons in sweatpants, none of this here. read more

Best in the area. Great dining experience (food, drinks, locale, etc.). Hint: you can order a half service instead of the big big plate (unless you plan to take some good pasta "to go"). My favorite near Pitt County. read more

Amazing! I love love love this place! The menu changes, but if it has corn or ginger in it, it is awesome! Never lets me down! LOVE the sushi truck too! read more

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Ours was a party of 3, Valentines Day with husband and daughter, service was horrible. When we made the reservation we were not informed our table would be at the door, which is pertinent on a cold wintery night. We were the second table to arrive and almost the last table to be served 1 hour 45 min.wait. We had to remind the waitress several times. The servings were small and disproportionate. We had the filet and the salmon which was mediocre, we could have prepared a much more pleasing entre' at home. We gave the server a twenty, Total Bill 220,00 Just a disappointment. read more

This seems to be two different restaurants and I applaud the owners for that. Lunch- is casual. They cater to the normal working crowd. Open M-F, you order at the counter, self serve drinks, put your number on the table. The food comes out. Good normal lunch fair with sandwiches etc. but look for specials on the chalkboard. Carrot soup was outstanding. Note about the stink eye from the lady taking orders, she is nice, she just looks like she gives everybody the stink eye. Dinner - white table cloth. The menu changes weekly except for a few regulars. Open for dinner Thurs, Fri and Sat night. Reservations are a good idea. The wine selection is nice but not over the top. The owner or staff can suggest some good wines that will fit your budget. From $ to $$$. You might even take home a couple of bottles. Check the website for the dinner menu. I have been told a lot of dish selections are based on what is available locally or can be sourced fresh. Enjoyed some nice pan seared oysters that were outstanding. My wife got the fillet (a menu staple) and it was very good. If you can time it so that shrimp and grits are on the menu, they are just as good as what you can get in Charleston. read more

Without question the restaurant is the best kept secret in North Carolina! Being a lifelong foodie I tend to be ultra critical of restaurants claiming to be fine dinning or presenting there establishment in such a way. On the Square is 100% the real deal. If this restaurant were in a major city reservations would need to be made month's in advance. With a menu that changes weekly offering dishes ranging from down home country favorites with a modern flair to classic french cuisine there is something to please every palate including several unique vegetarian options. It still blows my mind that the best cassoulet west of France is being served in Tarboro, NC. I would even go as far as to say the quality of food being produced by this restaurant is bordering very very closely to a one Michelin star level, and if this restaurant were located anywhere outside of the United States it may already have one or at least be considered. I have only two negative things to say about On the Square the first of which being the decore and ambience of there dinning room. The themes for the front and rear dinning areas not only dont match, but dont seem to have any real theme or continuity which gives a confusing and drab vibe to a restaurant serving such high quality food. The lighting in the front dinning area is far to bright and matched with the old fashion style wood flooring, it almost makes you feel like your eating in a warehouse or on a factory floor. The second and only other complaint I have with this establishment is the gradual shrinking of the portion sizes over the last two years. When we went for the first time 2 years ago the portion sizes were what I would consider just right to even a little on the large side depending on the dish. Since then each time we have gone the portions have grown smaller and smaller. For instance we dined there about a month ago and the portion size I recieved was what I would expect from an early bird special at a retirement community in Florida. I realize there are high costs in producing high quality food and a business cant afford to give away portions, but at a 24-30 dollar a plate price point I expect my plate to be full. read more

Excellent service and outstanding meal. This place is a gem! I had lamb and my husband had seafood jambalaya. Excellent meal, very reasonably priced. Definitely going back. Highly recommend! read more

Very poor service and mediocre food. Bin lettuce salad was really iceberg lettuce. Rib eye steak had grisle amd a large amount of fat. Served with soggy spinach and no bread. There were 4 in our party. 2 were served, then another 2 min. later and the last 2min. later. No apology or comment. All drink refills had to be requested. Another steak was served with frozen thinly cut fries. Looked and tasted like fast food fries, but not as good. I was very disappointed. Very, very poor. read more