Best dining room and patio site on the east hillside, moderate food, and usually disappointing service. Desperately want to love this place, and it is a good neighborhood mainstay, but if you're looking for a good night out head to Zeitgeist, Lake Ave, or Hoops. read more

Stopped in for a quick sandwich before the dinner rush on a Saturday. There was so much on the menu that looked good, but I saw the Lake Superior whitefish and just had to try it, along with a side salad. The salad was big enough to share with my sister, blue cheese dressing was divine. The whitefish was lightly floured and fried until light golden, served on smashed baby reds with a butter lemon sauce. Delicious. My sister had the meat loaf sandwich. She loved it. Service was very good, prompt and friendly. We will be back. Second visit was not as good. The whitefish was overdone, a bit greasy and had no piccata sauce. The server was indifferent and a bit snotty. She said the sauce was there, it had "sunk in" to the fish. All I saw was some grease on the plate. I couldn't taste the invisible sauce. After posting a review, a manager emailed and promised gift certificates so we could give it another try. That was three weeks ago. The certificate is as invisible as the piccata sauce. read more

Lukewarm nachos, fish tacos were lacking enough fish and the pot pies were removed from the fall menu. This is the first mediocre experience I have had from Tarvern on the Hill since it opened. I hope it was just an isolated, but it left me questioning on when I will be back. read more

Rolled in during happy hour and I wasn't too hungry, so I got the honey bbq pork sliders (3 sliders for $6). The BF ordered the Velvet Elvis burger which had peanut butter, a fried egg and pepper jack. The sliders were just okay, nothing i'd order again for $6. I got to try some of the burger and that was good. Yes, for those skeptics out there, the peanut butter meshed well with the beef, egg and pepper jack--the peanut butter tasted a little like a thai peanut sauce for chicken satay. The real stars of the night were the drinks we ordered. We had just biked from Duluth to Two Harbors and had our fill of beer at the Castle Danger Brewery, so weren't really looking to drink anymore. Instead the BF ordered the Life Water and I got the Lavender lemonade. Both of which were fantastic and $1 off for their happy hour special. We sat in the main dining room, which was full and seemed to be louder than the bar area (due to all the conversations going on at the same time). The restaurant was clean, modern looking and something we'd definitely come back to for drinks and to try the neapolitan-style pizzas. read more

Arrived Saturday night 8:30. Waited 20+ minutes. No one waited on us or even acknowledged that we were there, so we left.

Awesome patio, lots of great and unique food choices very well prepared and beautiful to look at.

We liked the atmosphere but the food was just not good. Walleye fingers had a high breading to fish content and were overdone. Plus not enough dipping sauce. Shroom burger overdone (ordered with some pink but there was none) had to drown in ketchup in order to eat. read more

We got here at 1215 and are leaving now at 1:26. It only took us 15 min to eat. My one child got her salad WITH HER MEAL. Not coming back.

Had some great happy hour wine and beers with a friend! Thanks to Kasey for the great service.

Went here last night for dinner. Walked in, one of the Floor Mngrs greeted us (pretty sure that was his position based on attire and presence) as the hostess was on the phone with a customer. He asked where we'd like to sit and I told him we'd never been there before...he took us on a quick tour of the restaurant which I thought was outstanding! We settled on the dining room that is connected with the outdoor deck which unfortunately was closed since it was pouring rain out. Shortly after being seated, our server, Maddy, came to our table, starting out with, "I understand this is your first time here....". EXCELLENT that the server was informed of such a thing! Great management showing right there...so...I mentioned to her that we'd gone to Black Woods Bar & Grill the night prior and she cut in and said, "Oh, that's one of our sister restaurants!" I was stunned...and I informed her that our experience was HORRIBLE there. I told her the issues...she promised we'd have nothing like that experience...and boy, she was right! Number one - EXCELLENT SERVER! If you go to TOTH, ask to sit in Maddy's section!!!! Secondly, we weren't disappointed in a thing. For an appetizer - the fried avocado was fantastic! I try to eat - in eggs, dinner dishes I make, etc, - a whole avocado each day due to its healthy properties. I never knew it could be fried but being fried, its a way in which to eat it as a treat as opposed to a healthy option. No matter, really tasty! The BF ordered the Honey BBQ pulled pork sandwich - really good!! I ordered the Sassy Red Pepper Pesto Bowl. I didn't detect much of a pesto flavor but it definitely had a good bite from the red pepper. Nice, creamy sauce...very good meal!!! Everything came HOT and on HEATED PLATES!!! Very important!!! We've got TOTH at the top of our list in the Duluth area along with Zeitgeist Arts Café, Duluth Grill, Pizza Luce (for breakfast) and New Scenic Café (Two Harbors)!!!! THANK YOU TO ALL at TOTH for making our dining experience last night a great one and erasing our horrible experience at Black Woods Bar & Grill the night prior!!!!!!!!! And thank you again, to MADDY!!!! YOU ROCK!!! read more

We had an excellent experience at Tavern on the Hill! We were able to sit outside and enjoy their gorgeous patio. I ordered the new lobster melt on the feature page-- it is ABSOLUTELY TO DIE FOR. Our service was excellent and the staff was cheery and competent. I recommend the Tavern to anyone living in Duluth or just visiting! read more

We came up to visit my 84 year old Mom and decided on Tavern on the Hill for our first lunch. It's was a great experience from beginning to end. My Mom's in a wheelchair and there were no problems navigating her or out and the table they choose was perfect. Everything we had was delicious but I need to mention the cheese curds! They were the best we've ever had (3 natives and a Phoenix husband that loved them!). The chef also went out of his way to make the coconut shrimp for my Mom even though, being 1pm, they weren't served until dinner. The soups, tomato bisque and tavern cheese and beer, were flavorful and hearty. We shared all the items we ordered. The server was patient with our many requests. The bartender we consulted about drinks was right on the money with her suggestions. Great meal and experience. Stop by soon! read more

A most excellent adventure!!! Perfect presentation and the food was delicious. Haile was our wonderful waitress. If there was a sixth star I'd give it. Well done!!!! I'll be back. From your new friend from San Diego... Mary. Thank you. See you tomorrow. read more

We went there for the first time this week and LOVED it!! The menu is great, there's a wide variety of drinks, and the bar atmosphere is fun and welcoming. Try one of their homemade moonshine. This is a much needed change that Duluth needed. read more

During our trip to Duluth, my husband and I went here for dinner on our anniversary. Our waitress, Danielle, was very helpful with beer and food choices. We had the cheese curds w/ special tavern sauce (so good, but the cook in back told us the recipe is a secret). My husband had the Tavern Burger,, while I had the Velvet Elvis. We very much enjoyed the food and service. Thank you for a great night! read more

This is the kind of place where you could come back endlessly and always try something different. The food was very good, the service, although a little on the slow side, was very good. read more

Tremendous ambiance, staff, location. Went during lunch rush, very busy yet prompt service. Had Hella-peño burger, was as good as any in area. Looking to get there for dinner soon. read more

I'd like to give it five stars because the food and the atmosphere were absolutely phenomenal, but the service had some problems. The servers were incredibly warm and welcoming but with it being the first weekend they still have a few kinks to work out in their system. They were out of several dishes, the food took a very long time to get to us, and some of the orders were wrong. However, our server was very nice and apologetic, and even gave us a free pizza while we waited. Once we got the food it was absolutely incredible. The meat lovers pizza is some of the best pizza I've ever had and the pulled pork sandwich was the best pork I've ever tasted. I had the S'more desert which was also ridiculously delicious. The entire menu is huge and quite diverse and very reasonably priced. You can get a good lunch for around $10 and a good dinner for around $15. I'm looking forward to this place figuring out how to work out the kinks in their system because once they get their service figured out, it will be one of the best restaurants in Duluth. read more

Nice atmosphere but don't waste your time. Over cooked mushy noodles. Over salted food. Slow service. And how does a restaurant run out of rice? It comes in 50# bags plus there's a grocery store like 3 blocks away. Clearly a restaurant in need of better management and a cook that tastes their own food. I'm sure the place will stay busy due to the proximity to the college (at least for awhile) but word will spread fast that the place is lousy. I'd wait about 6 months for there to be turnover in staff and time for the criticisms to be taken seriously. read more

I have eaten here probably ten times since it opened and loved it every time, only have done lunch never dinner or bar but have been pleased every time with food and service. Also very refreshing to have a restaurant in duluth that can cook a real medium rare burger. read more

I've been to The Tavern on the Hill several times and have not been disappointed! The food is incredible, service efficient and friendly, and atmosphere modern, inviting, and conducive to visits with friends, families and coworkers. Their extensive menu offerings have something for every taste and event, I always order the Sriracha Nachos. It is a definite Duluth must do! read more

Wanted to try someplace new and fun! This was the place! Sat outside and enjoyed the sunshine. The waitress was wonderful. Food was excellent, from the seared tuna appetizer, to the entrees. The drinks were great too! Would definitely go again and recommend it to friends and family! read more

I come here because the location is awesome. The food is ok. It's never incredible, its never terrible. my favorite thing is the meatloaf sandwich with mashed cauliflower or a pizza. Get the s'more skillet every time to leave super satisfied. read more

This place is pretty amazing, and it has historic ties as well: it sits on the site of my wife's former junior high school. (maybe she would have gotten better grades?) Anyway, they have an awesome menu with signature drinks and craft beers, all at great prices, especially during the "late menu" offering. On top of all that, with great service, they have amazing art created by a Duluth artist that almost wore out my camera battery. You can find Chili's or Outback or other franchises anywhere, but there is only one place to find Tavern on the Hill! read more

My husband and I drove here from DesMoines and decided to have dinner at the Tavern. It was difficult to find a parking spot and when we did the hostess told us it would be a 20 minute wait but it was well beyond 20 minutes and after watching people fail to find a walk in seat in the bar they were sat ahead of us. This didn't only happen once but many times when we waited for our seat. We will never know how good or bad this restaurant is for lack of maturity on the managers part. read more

menu is way to big, ordered bacon burger, quesadilla and a sushi roll. first off who the hell uses long grain rice for sushi? it was bad. bacon burger was ok the flavor was there but the burger was put together like poop. they cut a roma tomato crosswise and expect it to cover the whole burger, they also gave you pickles that at first appearance look like rotten cucumbers because they use slices that have black stuff all over them. the fries were cold and greasy and sparse. The quesadilla was horrible all i could taste was dill and the chicken was dry. The only thing good was our server. i hope that they figure it out because it has a lot of potential. read more

Our server, Amanda, only came to our table a handful of times. Took us over a half an hour to place our order. We didn't get our drinks until we were sitting there an hour and a half, and that was after tracking her down and reminding her. We sat there longer and longer, and our order of wings never came. Larger tables that came after us were getting served and leaving before us. Eventually the kitchen started giving us food (onion rings) because they felt bad. Our waitress finally comes over and tells us that the kitchen has run out of wings and we didn't have to pay for our drinks. I don't think I will be going back. read more

Wow! Way interesting to read all these comments. Don't know when it opened and so, perhaps there were some "bad" experiences during a learning curve. But Monday 12 01/2014 was an outstanding (actually the highlight of our trip to Duluth) experience. I will admit that a few weeks ago we were also in Duluth and told by our daughter that the Tavern on the Hill was the place for us to try...But we didn't because my wife had read a review stating that the service was slow, the food was "so, so", that it was pricey and way over rated. This go, I said we need to give it a shot. Good friends and acquaintances of both our daughter and ourselves have all said it was a great place with great people and great food. They were RIGHT! Both I and my wife can not say enough GOOD. The staff we encountered were very friendly, pleasant, helpful, efficient and engaged. The service was fast, the food was served hot and over the top excellent. To top that off our wait staff was extremely knowalable and attentive. I will go there again in a heartbeat. Hopefully it will be another great experience! Realizing that we can all have a bad day (this can happen with an entire restaurant too), I'll put my money on another "WOW, this is wonderful" taste treat at the Tavern on the Hill. This may sound stuffy, but I love to eat. I love to cook and I'm a damn good cook. With that said, I find it hard to be able to go out and have a meal that meets my standards. To add additional credibility (again, sorry if this sounds stuffy): I have cooked and have loved to cook for almost 60 years. It is a passion of mine! My wife has been in food service for well over 40 years and together we are always looking for that "I really love this!" It doesn't happen all that often. Honestly! Our experience at The Tavern on the Hill well exceeded both our expectations! That isn't something that comes easy. To close, about all I can say is that I wish "this place" was in my town! This place is a MUST DO if you're hungry for some good eats and you're in the neighborhood. read more

Impressed with their customer service! We ordered curb side pick up today and after getting home noticed one item was wrong. Which should not happen but...We called and were given great customer service. We were apologized to for their mistake, asked for our address and within less than a half hour they delivered the correct ( and upgraded) item to our door along with a hand written apology letter and coupons! read more

I enjoyed my first experience at Tavern on the Hill. I sat in the bar area with some friends, and we had some burgers and drinks before a Bulldogs football game, in which we were able to walk right across the street to go see them play after our excellent meal. Great atmosphere for college students and families alike. Good music and hospitality. This is my new favorite place near campus. I have been there a couple of times since and every time it has been busy, so to get a table for dinner, go early. read more

My spouse and I have eaten at this place several times and really like it a lot. However, we'd like to warn those with Celiac to be careful. We took our Celiac daughter who was visiting us, to this restaurant, because they have some gluten-free dishes. She was extremely careful when ordering her food and the server was a very caring and super careful guy. But, she ended up in a great deal of pain very soon after taking a few bites of her food. Her Gluten-Free food had been made with soy sauce that had gluten in it. read more

Recently wnet back after I had an issue with a very over cooked burger. The Manager and his Hostess were sympathetic and listened. We went back, and I had the Cippino. Very well made, lots of flavor. Been here four times, and every time the wait staff was professional and service oriented. read more

This restaurant is trying way too hard. Based on the menu descriptions, we were expecting something totally different than what was presented. My "blackened" chicken was nothing more than a naked chicken breast--barely even seasoned, much less blackened. My son's "panini" was literally two slices of white bread with maybe a slice of american cheese in between. I don't even think the bread was buttered, and it had certainly not been pressed in a panini press. He's three, so he didn't really care, but why not call a spade a spade? This was a plain ol' grilled cheese sandwich, so why are they calling it a panini? Like I said, they are trying way too hard. My father-in-law's juicy lucy was NOT juicy in any way. There was barely any cheese inside his burger, whatsoever. More like a small, pasty smear. The only entree that got good reviews was the Velvet Elvis, which my husband liked enough to order again the second time we visited. I don't think we'll be back. read more