Oysters, sabayon, caviar, chives - heavenly. NYE 2025. Please keep on your menu (or at Fair Haven Oyster)! read more

I really don't want to write this review. I've been here twice in the last 4 months. I'm allergic to seafood and fish and it seems as if so many entrees, including a steak dish, contain seafood. Overall, the food was fine, a bit pretentious but fine. The dining room was so loud esp when the bartenders were shaking drinks as if they were starring with Tom Hanks in "cocktail" We had the pea salad which was very fibrous and chewy (a 10 second Blanche wouldn't hurt) and the burger was tasty but served with frozen French fries, and way too much of them. Considering the style of menu, frozen fries don't belong on the menu. The fish was overcooked and dry. Overall, it's an inconsistent experience. Dinner for 3 was $200 with 1 shared app, 2 burgers and the fish course plus 3 drinks. read more

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I was on Holiday and my son and daughter in law have been meaning to take me here. We did a walk in (we got lucky) I suggest reservations. We had a time limit to eat (due to a reservation at the table) inside or on the heated patio. It was cold so we ate inside. Our waiter Brendan was cool, knowledgeable and attentive. I ordered a burger, fries (came with it) I don't like fries I opted for a salad. My daughter in law got octopus and a pasta dish. My son a steak in chili butter sauce .Everything was delicious and the presentation was lovely. My son's only vice was the steak pre cut (it was new on menu) He preferred to cut himself. The ambience was low level lighting and relaxed. I had a delicious meal and a pleasant experience. I'd patronize this place again. Oh we had dessert too. They had tiramisu, we shared a lemon tart it was delish read more

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Tavern on State is an absolute gem. From the moment we walked in, the atmosphere was lovely, but the food and drinks truly stole the show. The roasted beets were a revelation--perfectly prepared and so delicious that I'd honestly eat them every single day if I lived closer. The cocktail program is equally impressive; every drink was a standout, showing real craft and balance. What made the night even better was the service. Our server was incredibly charming, attentive, and perfectly "on it" throughout the entire meal. We live out of state, and I'm dreaming of traveling back to CT to visit Tavern On State. read more

Tavern On State - American Near Me - New Haven, Connecticut

What a hidden gem! I had never heard of this place until checking Reddit for the best restaurants in CT for my birthday. It's totally my vibe - a menu that changes, small 'nyc' vibes and great drinks so I made reservations. Everything we had was great especially the beef tartare, octopus and the pomegranate tart. They were the type of dishes you do not want to end! I'm hoping they stick around or come back! The beef tartare had a Caesar type sauce and malt vinegar chips... WOW! I mean who wouldn't love that? The only dish that 'fell short' was the half chicken.. It was good but just a little one note for me. I think because everything else was so good it stuck out.. Overall though we had a fantastic time and great drinks! Solid 9/10!! read more

Tavern On State - American Near Me - New Haven, Connecticut

I like the ambiance a lot. They have friendly staff with good food recommendations. I've been there twice now and would say it's a great special occasion place and/or catching up over dinner with a friend place. They rotate their menu which is also great. Highly recommend. read more

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I have been here a few times for happy hour and each time the smash burger never fails. 10/10 recommend the burger here. read more

Tavern On State - Happy hour smash burger, fries, and cosmo - American Near Me - New Haven, Connecticut

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When you forget to book an anniversary dinner until the day of (oops), but somehow snag a same-day reservation for an outdoor table? Call it love... or luck... or a post-graduation Tuesday in New Haven. We landed in the charming garden space, tucked in a cozy little alleyway that felt just hidden enough. No heaters in sight, but also no regrets. Inside looked a bit more like a moody rave for foodies -- dark, lively, and tight on elbow room. I guess we did need that reservation! Menus were QR-code only -- not my favorite (my phone was like, girl, put me down) but hey, trees were saved, so I'll allow it. Our server was delightful, and there were a few food runners popping by like friendly dinner party guests. Now, let's get to the goods: Snap Pea Salad: Absolute star. Bright, nutty, lemony, herby -- like if a garden went to culinary school. I'd come back just for this. Green Garlic Panisse: Turns out... panisse is not for me. Texture was giving savory Play-Doh. But that's a me thing. Onward! Grilled Octopus: Best meat dish of the night. Tender, not rubbery, and deeply flavorful. As octopus connoisseurs (pretentiousness clocked) we were impressed Roasted Chicken: It was... fine. Juicy enough, but for $38 I wanted to feel spiritually transformed. Or at least a little impressed. Tiramisu: My husband's fave. Creamy, and oh so chocolatey on top. I got two bites before the fork came out swinging. Overall, a lovely date night with some big wins and a few "meh" moments. We'll be back for the burger (had on first visit, what they're known for, slapped), and the garden patio. read more

Tavern On State - grilled octopus with chili butter, crispy fingerlings & pickled peppers $21 - American Near Me - New Haven, Connecticut

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The ambiance is cute and quant. The food is delish and well seasoned and prepared. The drinks are AMAZING. They make my favorite craft cocktail I've ever had. This place is a staple for me when I'm in New Haven. read more

Tavern On State - Fish - American Near Me - New Haven, Connecticut

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I love coming here and sitting at the bar. The dimly lit restaurant sets the whole vibe. The bartenders are highly skilled and full of recommendations and knowledge about the menu. The food is always top notch as well as the cocktails. As always, I'll be back! read more

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Worst experience of my life dining in restaurants, we had a reservation and asked to dine at the bar. From the moment we sat down the bartender had an attitude. Not "hello" but "did they give you a menu when they sat you, did you check it with the host". I went to order a second drink and as the bartender was walking by I said "excuse me". She said "what" with rudest expression then said "can I help you very rudely". I order another drink from her, when she drop the drink of she proceeded to lecture me " don't yo at me my name is Andrea". I have been working in the hospitality industry for 20 years and I would never talk like that to a guest. Me and my wife were at our max of how much hostility we could take halfway into our appetizer. We asked to cancel our main and give us the check. She then printed the check with the full amount and demanded us to pay. We asked another server to get the manager, and the bartender the proceeded to walk into the back to have a conversation with the manger before we even talked to her. The comped our food and our drinks but still charge us for the half eaten appetizer. read more

You're going to have to look up some words on the Tavern on State menu. Like the "Chioggia" in "Chioggia Beets". And the yuzu in "Yuzu Yogurt". I recognized the fresh mint in this dish. And the pistachios. And olive oil. I've heard of red currants and grains of paradise. I could not pick either out of a jailhouse suspect lineup. And I'm pretty good with produce since I cook and worked in a grocery store when I was young. This is a medium long way of saying that Tavern on State does not dumb things down for diners. They're giving you a bold mix of colors, flavors, shapes and textures and arranging them in an artful way. Oh by the way. Hey there! I'm Jason. This was my first visit to Tavern on State. A stylish, dim-lighted, small restaurant on one of the best food streets in New Haven. Yep. State Street. I've known of Tavern on State's culinary reputation for years. People who know food are high on Tavern. I haven't been able to visit because Tavern is only open for dinner and I typically explore New Haven traveling from Hartford County in the morning and daytime. A rare evening meet up in New Haven with friends finally allowed me to visit Tavern for a small bite before my primary dinner elsewhere. My Chioggia Beet dish was very good. The beets were more mild than some varieties. Fresh mint and pistachios are always winners in my book. The yogurt was thick, mildly acidic and smooth, and a nice counterpoint to the beets. My only comment is that the semi-circular presentation of these ingredients on a white plate left a lot of negative space in the presentation. The arrangement of ingredients was cool, but there was a large section of white flowing from the yogurt in the plate's center. Would this same arrangement have looked better on some sort of black or non-white plate with a matte finish? In any event, I enjoyed my food, the friendly and efficient service and the chill atmosphere. I will be back for a fuller experience. That burger looked pretty tasty as it zoomed by me. 4.5 Stars read more

Tavern On State - Chioggia beets and yuzu yogurt etc. - American Near Me - New Haven, Connecticut

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Haven't been here for a while, but my friend was in the mood for a good burger, and I said, let's go to Tavern. It did not disappoint! This is the first time I've ever sat outside instead of the main room, though it was enclosed, and we were under heat lamps so it was comfortable. But the best thing about the night was our server, Emily. And that's saying a lot, because I really like their burger and fries. She was terrific, from recommending the wine to talking to us about the menu. Her energy was happy & upbeat. She elevated what was already a good experience so I took a selfie with her. Emily is the pretty brunette with the cool looking bangs. I would definitely come here for their burgers, and if you're lucky enough to get Emily, well, you're having a 5 star night. read more

Tavern On State - Server Emily & me - American Near Me - New Haven, Connecticut

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A gem in the middle of State street. Limited menu, so look before you go - but amazing food. If you're lucky, you'll be served by Dan who was attentive, funny, and sweet. Highly recommend! read more

Last night we visited TonS for an impromptu dinner. The dining room was most inviting. We were gracious greeted and welcomed back, seated promptly and met by our server. We ordered an appetizer to share and then waited for what felt was an eternity. The tables seated after us ate and left by the time our meals arrived, it would appear to me our server forgot to inform the kitchen to fire up our meals once we finished the appetizer. No apology was offered when I enquired about our meals. The burrata was excellent as was the pork Milanese and roasted chicken. While still eating my meal, knife and fork in hand and a mouthful of pork the server was trying to take our dessert order, I found this more irritating than the 30 wait for our meals. I don't like being rushed. The dining room was not full so I couldn't understand the rush. The strawberry shortcake was good not as good as the main meals, however rarely are desserts. For the food a 5 for the Service 3. read more

Tavern On State - Pork Cutlet and Roasted Chicken - American Near Me - New Haven, Connecticut

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Fantastic night at Tavern on State. Ambiance, service, other diners seated nearby, oh, yeah, and the food! We had celery salad, grilled octopus and gnudi (think gnocchi) to start. The grilled octopus was amazing with a fantastic sauce!!! Main course was coq au vin and the famous burger. Lived up to billing. Had cava and beer to start and glasses of red with main courses. read more

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everything about tavern on state was PERFECT. the service was so lovely and hospitable. the decor was very dimly lit and cozy. for starters we split the grilled octopus with potatoes and i was stunned at how delicious it was. then for dinner we got grilled mackerel and the ricotta stuffed gnudi with lobster which was the special (in the picture included). absolutely yummy. drinks were cute and tasty and the tiramisu was to die for. absolutely recommend for dates or night out eats!!! read more

Tavern On State - grilled mackerel and ricotta gnudi with lobster - American Near Me - New Haven, Connecticut

Came here on a dinner date, we both ordered the exact same thing - the Caesar salad and the burger medium rare. The Caesar was delicious. I LOVE that they add real anchovies. Many restaurants do not and anchovies really make a caesar imo. Now the burger...burgers are my favorite food so I was really excited to try this hyped one. But I'm sad to say I was a disappointed in it. It was cooked a perfect medium rare but the patty itself lacked seasoning. The bun was also cold. Not so cold that I felt the need to return it (or else I would've) but def cold. It was obvious the bun was not warmed, which was surprising considering the price point of the burger. Since it was our first time here, I do not know if the bun is usually served cool or if that was a mistake. Also, there was such a small amount of the cheddar fondue that is supposed to come on the burger that I almost forgot about it. It wasn't a bad burger don't get me wrong, but it was a disappointment. I would return but I would either order something else or I would ask for extra of the cheddar fondue and ask that my bun be warmed (don't feel like I should have to ask for that but ok). Oh, the drinks were really good! I ordered the outsiders cove and loved it so much I ordered another. Service at the bar was great. read more

As always, friendly staff and great ambiance. I have gone a handful of times since and the food has been exceptional. Definitely worth the visit. Happy hour is also a can't miss! read more

Tavern On State - Margarita and a Martini - American Near Me - New Haven, Connecticut

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This was amazing! I loved the food. It was so fresh. Especially the fish options. I loved the flavors of all of the sauces. Every plate had great sauces and a great mix of textures. The cocktail I had was fine but not as impressive as the food. The service and ambiance were both great. The interior of the restaurant feels really cool and cozy. The outdoor seating is pleasant too. I really liked our waitress (she was fun). I also appreciated how they had a few seats for walk-ins. read more

Tavern On State - Mackerel - American Near Me - New Haven, Connecticut

Food/ Drinks: 10/10 I can't say the entrees are worh it, although it's plated nicely. But their lavender ice cream and shortbread dessert and cocktails were amazing! Service: 10/10 Our bartender was suoer friendly and attentive! Ambiance: 10/10 It's a dim and intimate setting, perfect for a date night! read more

Tavern On State - Lavender Short Bread Ice Cream - American Near Me - New Haven, Connecticut

We were literally accosted by the bartender Andrea. My husband very politely said "excuse me" to ask her for a drink and she verbatim said with hostility "ANDREA my name is ANDREA if you need anything" as if we would have known her name without her telling us. She then came back around and told us she "does not like to be yelled at, and not to 'yo' her". He never once said "yo" to her or raised his voice even remotely. Usually I would leave race out of the conversation but the level of overt hostility specifically directed towards my polite and soft spoken husband (a black man) suggests that there was a level of racism present. I am horrified by this level mistreatment and misdirected hatred (yes it was clearly that) in a hospitality situation. We immediately asked for the check because it was clearly a hostile situation, and then we spoke with the manager. The manager responded as one would expect, and was apologetic. The situation was so extreme that we asked for the email of the owner and will be reaching out to them. An apology is not enough in a situation like this, serious harm was done to a very undeserving individual. I don't care how good their food is, avoid supporting individuals and establishments who promote latent racism. read more

Porgy was delicious, as was beef. Service was great. Sat out side in the "lounge". Seats could use some cushions read more

Amazing experience from the service to the food and drinks! Best restaurant we have been to in New Haven read more

Tavern On State - Flat iron steak with forbidden rice - American Near Me - New Haven, Connecticut

Three and a half stars! Had a nice girls night here a few weeks ago, lovely cozy ambiance, especially for a date, lovely server and we definitely didn't feel rushed. I picked the burger which is something I rarely eat, and it was really good, but mainly because the things I'd chosen ahead of time from the website were old menu items and replaced by something very different nutritionally and flavor profile, so I ended up choosing a replacement that really wasn't me. Water choices were still, sparkling and tap - be aware that still will cost you $22 for 3 people. As much as the burger! Food was definitely on the pricey side, even for New Haven and with so many places to eat, I know we can do better! read more

Awesome restaurant on State St. Be sure to make a reservation - it gets busy! It's also small on the inside so better for smaller parties. The menu has some classics like your burgers, but also some inventive, tasty dishes. Their drinks are also awesome! Lots of inventive items with your classic drinks as well. Next time I go, I'd love to sit at the bar to see the bar staff work their magic. Would definitely recommend, especially for a date! read more

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Small but mighty! I had one of the best burgers that I've had in a long time. Definitely make reservations otherwise you probably are going to get a table. It looks like there are 6 to 8 bar seats and 6 regular tables on the floor. Fancy-smanchy cocktails Low lights but a lot of volume from other patrons...maybe because of the smallness or the acoustics of the space. Friendly staff that can tell you about the cuts of meat and their associated butcher. read more

I've been to Tavern many times before and it never disappoints. I drove from West Hartford just to eat there. I went specifically for the chicken Milanese which unfortunately is no longer on the menu but their other options were 10/10. I made a reservation and they were able to seat us in the alleyway patio which has the best ambiance. My friend and I ordered the same mocktail Dear Darla which was so good and not too sweet. For appetizers, we ordered the tomato salad and octopus. The octopus was cooked PERFECTLY and the sauce was to die for. That was my favorite dish of the night. For entrees, we split the steak which had a great sauce as well however was very chewy. We also ordered the half chicken which had crispy skin and moist chicken. The sauces tonight were completely on point. For dessert, we ordered the cantaloupe sorbet which is a must and the olive oil cake which was also good but the sorbet takes the win here. The service is always good and the quality of food and ingredients is well worth it. read more

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Tavern on state -food was okay not outstanding. There is a trend of not offering anything extra. No bread,no vegtables,no starch. If you order an entree , do not expect to get anything else. The price of entrees on this limited menu was very expensive. The server was mechanical and did not lead me to a warm comfy feeling. read more

Closest thing to fine dining in New Haven, Tavern on State is putting out unique and tasty food. With such a frequently changing menu not all the dishes work. Such is the price of always innovating. The desserts are phenomenal. Cocktail program is also stellar. I've visited multiple times and will continue to visit when I can. read more

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This was our first time at Tavern after having it on my list of restaurants I've wanted to try for a super long time! I was not disappointed!! Everything was so delicious. Cocktails were vibey and perfection. So many options to try. We got so many different plates- beef tartare with chips was a huge hit and the pickles in it took it to another level! We also had the blood sausage, which I typically would not order but I highly recommend giving it a try. It was insanely delicious and flavorful. My husband got the chicken for his main and that was seasoned perfectly. I tried the gnudi which was incredible. My one regret is that we didn't save room for desert but we'll have to come back soon!! read more

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Had some pretty incredible food here recently. Strawberries & snap peas, roasted mushrooms, scallops, and octopus were all perfection. Firing on all cylinders! read more

Interesting little establishment, kinda place where you bring the sneaky link since it is so dark that no will know it is you and will certainly not be able to see who you are with(or your food for that matter). The menu is off a qr code which is one reason it gets 4 stars, just give someone a menu and yeah you have to wash it after they finish ordering. I have wanted to try the grilled octopod but after being told the octopus is way smarter than the average Trump supporter I went super basic. I started with their "little gem caesar" it had a little twist with the grana padano shaved all over. It was well dressed and after a thorough mixing and some cutting it was delicious from first bite until finish. For dinner I asked about the lamb burger which is no longer on the menu(also contributing to the four star rating, whoever is in charge you should bring that back, just sayin'). So i went with the tavern burger and fries. Well they did a very good job. I asked for medium rare and that is what I received. I was a little skeptical of the fondue cheddar but the pickles with the lettuce and tomato actually balanced out the richness of the ground meat which most likely prevented valves in my heart from functioning properly during my sleep that night, but hey that's what cardio is for. Now not to overshadow how good the salad and the burger were, but the fries were cooked to perfection. They either changed the oil that day or they actually give a sh!t about how the fries come out.There must be someone with a thermometer checking the oil temp because they were steamed perfectly on the inside and light golden and crisp on the outside. Their mixologists there take their job very very seriously(we used to refer to them as barkeeps but that will most likely get me cancelled). I asked for a titos and soda with fresh lime. She cut the lime in front of me and added extra at my request but then dumped water and not seltzer into my dram on ice, oh well you can't win them all. So this place is well worth the effort to get to especially with the limited schedule of service. I would even say this is worth getting off I-95 and heading up a few miles if you are traveling on the corridor of non stop traffic. read more

Tavern On State - American Near Me - New Haven, Connecticut

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Great for an intimate dinner. With the ambiance of a French bistro, this place makes patrons feel very chic and cosmopolitan. The service is attentive. The cocktails were enticing and unusual. The food selections were interesting and our two meals were deliciously prepared. One can sit at the bar, at tables inside, tables out front, or tables in the covered alleyway. Relatively pricey. read more

Loved it! It was hard to decide what to order so I deferred to the bar tender. He recommended the octopus and the cauliflower and boy was I not disappointed. Cocktail selection is very innovative and I had a lot of fun with it. The ube tart was a strong closer. Five stars. read more

Beautiful ambiance, wonderful staff which is fun and professional. Food to satisfy your taste buds and drinks to delight your soul. You will always love tavern on state for any occasion. read more

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Emily was fantastic! So friendly and so knowledgeable! Split the grilled octopus and tavern burger! Delicious 10/10 recommend for those who enjoy sharing read more

Tavern On State - Grilled octopuswith fingerling potatoes - American Near Me - New Haven, Connecticut

Tavern on state is such a unique spot with fun and delicious dining options. The cocktail menu is always fun and interesting, and they rotate their menus depending on the season. Never disappoints. It is pricier so well suited for a special night out. read more

Ahhh, sweet sweet Tavern on State. Booked a table to avoid a wait. First time for dinner, cocktails are great. Would the food be as lovely as my date? Got a bit of everything you'll see a Noah's ark, but culinary. A land and sea menagerie all well worth the higher fee. The octopus stood out the most, a delectable sauce for dipping toast. Must be charcoal grilled? We asked the host. Somehow just a grill-top roast! The burger needs a mention too I'm still craving it, and so will you. Juicy, meaty, it will imbue a lust for always ordering two. Tavern on State, a wonderful time. An instant new favorite of mine. I just moved here, and what a great sign that my neighborhood has a place so fine. read more

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I want to give Tavern on State five stars. I really do. They make some amazing food. And their menu is seasonal and a little experimental, which I love. You will see things on the rotating menu you won't see anywhere else. Of course, this is a double-edged sword. With experimentation comes failure. Generally, everything I've had as been great. But then you'll have something and its just ok and you're like... damn. That was 23 bucks. I ordered a roasted chicken and this thing came out with a full chicken claw deep fried. Just sitting there on the table, like a reminder that I choked the life out of this chicken (sorry!) myself. Am I a monster? My dish might think so! We got a beet salad and it was SO good. They were like... weird beets? Idk. It was awesome. My other issue here is not necessarily the restaurant's fault but it is a small space and you are kind of on top of each other, NYC-style. Which means if you are here for a romantic date, you're also going to be on a date with the people sitting next to you. Service is excellent. Never had a problem with the waitstaff, always attentive without being overbearing. Pure food-wise, I'd say its probably a 5, but I gave it a 4 based on a bit of weirdness and a few misses and also just being on top of each other. I just don't like people that much. Maybe that's a me problem. read more