We were starving when we got to Syracuse after our two hour drive from Buffalo so we decided to go straight to Dark Horse Tavern rather than checking into the hotel. We pulled into a small parking lot and this place is nothing to look at from the outside. Once you step inside, it is absolutely lovely! It has a nice darkness to it in a classy way rather than a divey way that bars often have.

Awesome food and great service. Like Arnold, I'll be back. Only thing this place is missing is a larger tap selection but it's a minor complaint. And it needs to be bigger! Great wings and burger. The best service.

Food & service were stellar, though a bit pricey. The place is tight (small).

Excellent atmosphere, fantastic food, and attentive service. The waiter had a great personality, and it was an overall great experience. Food was made in good time, and a good drink selection as well.

Had reached out on a Facebook page about a local joint near Trader Joe's and we got lots of suggestions for this restaurant and I'm so glad we tried it out! It is a small place but extremely cozy inside and you can tell that it is a local place where the bartender knows your name and your favorite drink after a few visits.

Each time I've eaten here the food and service were really great. I love how their menu changes with the seasons... last summer had me raving about their asparagus! Besides the not-to-be-missed Friday haddock special, the sandwiches are my favorite entrees. Last night l had the lemon cake which was sweet, light and refreshing. No matter who your server is, any staff walking by with a water pitcher will fill your glass... everyone there plays on the same team and it shows.

I cannot say enough good about this place. We stopped on our way home from Niagara Falls and were so happy we did. The service was outstanding but not hovering. The food was all positively delicious and came out quickly. The selection of beverages was wonderful. The staff did a great job engaging our daughter as well as us (always a plus). The next time we are in the area, this is on our 'must stop' list. The service and food were far better than what we experienced at another establishment in Niagara Falls that cost 3x as much. Wonderful.

Not the largest selection of wine and beer but they always have something unique on tap. Similar with the food it's not the widest selection but it's all really good and there are always good specials. Price osnpreis reasonable. I prefer eating here more for lunch because it's a smaller place and tends to get crowded at night. Overall a great place for food and drinks. Would recommend!

First time there yesterday, Saturday February 16th... First impression was "little small" came through the back door, felt a little out of place.... Waited 20 minutes or so in front of front door no seats were at bar. But bartender was great, took our name and once seated the wait staff was outstanding. Great teamwork. Great menu. Delicious food, can't wait to go back. This place was a complete home run. Would not change a thing.

Friendly professional staff. Takes care of your every dining need in a timely fashion. One of the most comfortable dining experiences in CNY/Syracuse. Locally owned business that genuinely cares about their customers. Loyal staff, loyal customers, can’t go wrong with the menu. The wings are phenomenal and drink selection is superb. Great dining for any experience.

A MUST VISIT SPOT! All of their food is excellent. If your lucky enough to visit while the slab bacon is on the menu. Get it. Seriously. Don't even think about it. Just get it. The service at the dark horse is what you'd expect from a gourmet restaurant. Friendly and extremely knowledgeable servers and bartenders. It's a popular pub so it can get busy. Usually the wait isn't long at all and well worth it (no reservations). You can't go wrong with anything on the menu. Don't be afraid to pick your servers brain if you need help deciding, they will help you find what you want. Being a smaller place if busy it can get loud (no big deal) but I've been there a ton of times when it was busy and quiet (sound wise). This is a great spot to go for a special occasion or a casual occasion. Great spot to go for a quick pint or to try some new cocktails. Not convinced yet. Go here if you want to eat gourmet level food and not pay gourmet level prices.

We came to NY visiting family & had a date night away from the kids. We went to the Dark Horse and were very pleased with the service, food and atmosphere. Cody is a really great bartender & his people skills are excellent. Made us feel like he actually cared about our experience. It was great. Would definitely recommend.

Great place. Amazing food. The service is also fantastic. It was my first time here this evening and I will absolutely be back.

Great food, service, and environment. I was extremely impressed with the quality of the food that came to us and the speed at which it did. The place isn't that large but the cooks were busy with fast turnover for in seat guests and what looked like a lot of carry out orders. The food did not suffer one bit though and was far above the quality I expected of a tavern. We had shared and appetizer, entrée, and dessert and they even went so far as to put our shared entrée onto two separate plates which was unexpected and quite nice. I will definitely return! I had no idea this gem existed

My wife and I had an absolutely great time at the Dark Horse. The waitstaff was welcoming and super helpful and just really made us feel comfortable. The food was excellent. Atmosphere was laid back and relaxed. Its great to find a place like this. I had almost given up on eating out. Its amazing to me how many restaurants are absolutely terrible. I almost don't want to write this review and keep this place a secret...

This is a great restaurant. If you are looking for 50 dinner items to pick from, then go down the road to your local chain restaurant. The DH menu might be a little limited but the food is excellent. Great service as well. It is in our top 3 restaurants in Syracuse

Great prices, great service. The menu is delicious and the staff super friendly. Love coming here. Don't bring a big party. You can get away with a group of four, no bigger, but this is perfect for date night.

The lady and I had our monthly date night at this lovely Tavern. 10/10 all around. Immediately told the family about this place. This is edited because upon going through the reviews, I realized they got my order wrong. The food was so good that I didn't even notice. Congrats.

When it was suggested that my wife and I try the Dark Horse Tavern several years ago, I balked at the idea because I thought it was just a tiny bar. However, it was exactly as I was told - friendly with fantastic homemade food! The way the staff all interact with each other and with the customers is amazing and the food is even better. Their homemade desserts are some of the best you'll ever eat at a restaurant!

The food was excellent. Nice sized portions. Service was top notch, knowledgeable, and friendly staff.

This is my new favorite place everything from service to food was great.

Great little local spot.. the waiter (Brian) was great.

Service was really good, very friendly staff. Small intimate space, nice atmosphere. The menu is small but French onion soup was delicious. Burger cooked perfectly My son loved the wings. Great dessert selection as well

Did a take out order for the short rib Mac and cheese. The sandwich was outstanding, and all of the staff were very nice. Also, very efficient. My food was ready in 10 minutes. I definitely recommend checking out the Dark Horse!

I treated a few friends to dinner, and they have lived in Syracuse for years but never went to the Dark horse. It was fantastic! They were so happy and now they have a new favorite place!

Always a good menu and well prepared. Great place to go with best buddies or intimate partners. Small enough to be cozy, with friendly staff and patrons. Whether you're there for food or drink you will enjoy the atmosphere.

I went in because I had read a local review that mentioned pot roast poutine. I'm something of a poutine connoisseur, and the dish did not disappoint. It's listed as an appetizer but the portion is enough for a meal. The service was great; the staff is friendly, informative and attentive. The space is small and obviously popular, so it's kinda loud and crowded, but the lighting and decor are very nice. We didn't have to wait for a seat, but if we had arrived a half hour later, we would have had to. Overall I was very impressed with the Dark Horse Tavern and will definitely be back!

Stopped in solo for lunch after an appointment and so glad I did! I had "The Dip" with a side caesar and it was delicious! The fresh Italian bread with the dipping oil was great as well! My server Brandon was top notch! I am looking forward to going back!

Excellent food, excellent service, awesome gluten free choices. This was quite possibly the best restaurant meal we have had in years. Thank you to the amazing wait staff & to the skilled kitchen staff for a meal we'll remember for a very long time!

Been here for lunch a few different times. The French dip sandwich is awesome! The salad was good as well, and the last time I went I got the fish tacos. I love going here for lunch when in the area. The place is small and often busy but I wouldn't consider any of those a negative. Prices aren't too bad considering how good the food is! Parking is tight for a pick up truck

I always have a great experience here. Bartenders and wait staff are always friendly and polite, constantly checking on you no matter how busy it seems to get. It's a popular local place, so it can get busy, and in spite of that they always take care of you. Daily specials are varied and consistently well cooked by a small kitchen that probably doesn't get enough credit. Always recommend this spot to people looking for a local place to eat.

Great neighborhood gem. Upscale menu and a varied drinks list.

Great atmosphere and great service! Make sure to try the French onion soup. ❤️

What an unexpected pleasure this place is. Just looking for a beer and a bite, we found this friendly little spot. I had the short rib grilled cheese and RI chowder. The chowder was a seafood chowder, not clam, and was a little peppery, but tasty. The short rib was delicious, buttery grilled bread, slow roasted fall off the bone meat was very good. My wife had the French onion soup. The broth was rich and flavorful. Julia would be proud. The service was quick and friendly. I'd definitely go back if I was in the area again!

Excellent food! Small venue. Good service!

Stopped in on a business trip for a bite to eat, it was recommended by our hotel and it did not disappoint. Busy place even for a Tuesday so a wait is possible. The food was delicious we had a Tavern burger and the Shrimp scampi with artichoke hearts, both were some of the best meals we had in recent memory. The draft list was decent so no complaints there either. I would go back again should I have the chance.

Let's start with the atmosphere here. Beautiful lighting and non wobbly tables....great start. It's intimate....not small, but intimate. The service is.....pretty, pretty, pret-ty good. Seriously tho - tag team waitstaff is smart too the guest is never ledt looking for their waiter or waitress. And the food .... it is some of the best damn food in the greater Syracuse area. Best wings I've had in a few years folks and the specials are always changing and if you don't try it here, I can't be your friend and don't read my reviews anymore. Run. Don't walk to TDH Tavern. Had to wheel me out last time....damn!

We were traveling and staying at the Holiday Inn Express nearby. This place was recommended to us and we thought it was wonderful. Not just bar food. Great beer selection (I like IPAs). We would go back next time we are in town. Parking is a little tight.

First time here and find the place tight. Has a nice small menu to choose from. Bar is full of wine, spirits and beers on tap. There is a special menu besides the main. Recommend Reuben Eggrolls if available. The vibe of the place can seem a little rushed because of how small the place is. Never the less the food and the stuff are great at what they do. Doesnt seen like your waiting for to long because there just doing something right here. Also check there hours.

This place is incredibly efficient. The staff are super attentive. The food is not typical bar food. Upscale menu, good prices. I’ll go back anytime

You will genuinely be surprised by the quality of the service here, food is amazing too, 5 stars

Absolutely delicious! Service was fantastic even though they were packed from end to end! If your in the area, eat here!

Great food at a very decent price. Beer also good. But what stands out is the staff, all very professional (and good looking, which is only a plus). Also thanks to their regular Tim who gave me good tips on what to do in the area that evening (camping so didn't feel like staying in my tent all afternoon and evening). I really had a good time despite the rainy day, thank you all :)

Four of us went for a birthday lunch today 7/2024 and WOW , amazing food and service. There is nothing negative to say of this gem of a place. Our waitress and waiter were so attentive. Truly wish there were more places like Dark Horse Tavern around this area. Please don't stop with the great food and service. Oh, the food purchased: short rib grilled cheese, RB dip , haddock fried lunch, and a HUGE plate of poutine. All were excellent portions and took what was left home. Even bought a raspberry /chocolate cheesecake home for my husband. We will certainly be back.

Get there early. It is small, but the food is delicious!

Terrific little restaurant. Great ambiance and very friendly service. The food is so good! I had the short rib grilled cheese and we shared the pot roast poutine. My wife had the fried haddock. All of it was terrific and has me thinking about when I can go back for more.

A hidden gem in Dewitt. Short rib grilled cheese is to die for.

A fun little tavern nestled into a plaza in DeWitt. It's been awhile since I've been, but the service and staff are excellent. The food was superb, avoid all those silly chain restaurants and come here and enjoy some real food and staff.

The ambiance was lively and inviting, with a great mix of patrons enjoying the food and drinks. I had the grilled chicken sandwich, and it was perfectly cooked with just the right amount of seasoning. The service was quick, and the staff was friendly and attentive. It’s a great spot for a casual night out with friends or family, and I’ll definitely be back!

Ira Lieman

Great local haunt with a lot of beer options and good burgers. Also short rib grilled cheese!

Lei yeh

This place is A M A Z I N G ! Hands down the best service and French onion soup I’ve ever had. The servers all work the tables together your never without a beverage; food, cocktail, etc. very attentive and professional. They all work together like a well oiled machine. Drinks, appetizers, entrees, coffee and dessert! It’s all coursed out and as such a small establishment they work their behinds off!! Flawless service, food, and atmosphere! 10/10 recommend! The Junk in the Trunk is the best dessert ever!! If available try it ! Or the butterscotch cream pie. It’s so nostalgic! As if your grandmother makes it! Lots of love and support to this establishment! Though parking may be a hassle but it’s well worth the wait! Stop in anytime for great food, drinks and service! Did I mention it’s family owned ?! The best of the best!

Ceme Curley

Just a cozy place with great menu and service. Fresh ideas on the menu using delicious comfort foods...soups, sandwiches.

Elizabeth Carney

The food was sooo good!

Marissa McKenna

We are from PA but were in NY for a visit. We found this little place online and decided to go based on the good reviews. It didn't disappoint. Service was amazing, atmosphere was nice, and food was great.

Brianna Curcio

Writing this review as I’m still at the restaurant because I’m just completely blown away! This place is phenomenal. Everything. Service, food, atmosphere. The staff and owners are so sweet and on their game! Highly recommend!!! Oh and the carrot cake is amazing and ginormous

Kaitlyn

This place is phenomenal. We were in the area and wanted to try something new. Looked up places nearby and this one came up. Right from walking in the door we were greeted with a smile and seated right away. Our waiter promptly came over with menus and water. We also got fresh bread with seasonings and parmesan and oil on the table to go with it. Our appetizer was the poutine which came with roast beef and was so incredibly tender. We also got the dip sandwich and the short rib grilled cheese. Both were amazing and loaded with meat. We could only eat half our sandwich before we were full. Everything came out quickly and our cups were never empty. The service from everyone was the best I've had in a long time and the food was phenomenal. We'll be enjoying our leftovers and definitely be coming back.

Faith Chermak

Really great meal, attentive service and cozy atmosphere!

Katie Kimberly

Tried this place with a friend a few weeks ago. Staff very friendly and attentive, atmosphere relaxing. Amazing old fashioned drinks. Will be coming back.

Gino Geruntino

Stopped at this place on a whim while out in Syracuse for a work trip and I was NOT disappointed. The pot roast poutine was the perfect mix of fries, gravy, meat, and cheese and was a great portion. My coworker's short rib grilled cheese was piled high. Service was awesome and definitely not what I was expecting from a pub. The crew there is attentive and helpful, and made sure we were taken care of the entire time. If you're in the area, definitely stop by!

Janet Lanious

We decided to stop in for a quick late lunch, which turned into a delightful couple hours. This is an AMAZING historical Restaurant in Syracuse/DeWitt area. Superior food, exceptional staff coupled with a traditional ’Cheers’ vibe. Shawn prepared the BEST chocolate martini(s) I have ever had. Brian shared intellectual reflections on human response & Brandon with his quick wit & exceptional imagery made the afternoon a delight. We need to stop here weekly to bring life’s craziness into focus. Love this place. Thank you ❤️.

Misha Bassi

Omg!We were absolutely thrilled to find this hidden gem,food was flavorful and portions were big,also satisfying. Service was amazing and the staff was knowledgeable. Absolutely taking our friends and family to try this place.Highly recommend!!

+3

Thomas Hayduk

I went last night to the Dark Horse Tavern for the first time. I loved it. The atmosphere is small but cozy. My Fiddlehead was nice and frosty. But the food and service were amazing! We ordered the D.H.T. Wings and Poutine fit appetizers. Pasta Bolognese, Short Rib Grilled Cheese for the main course. Everything was fresh and homemade, packed with flavor. The service was right on the spot with their timing and recommendations.

Ken Milligan

Great food and service. The server was very attentive and made good recommendations when questioned about some of the menu options.

Michael Lee

Happened in here while traveling through upstate NY and Wow -what a hidden gem! Very small space with an even smaller kitchen, but the service is excellent and the food is, too. The parking lot is tiny and you will struggle to find a spot, but I promise it's worth the effort. Bartenders were very friendly and made a great Long Island. The seating is tight and so are the walkways, you will be very close to others on a busy night, so if that's not your thing maybe visit on a weekday. The salmon was perfectly prepared and the honey sauce was an excellent complement, not overpowering of the salmon. I'd like to see them in a larger space, but I also fear it might steal away part of their charm.

Christine Purpura

This place has such a warm and inviting atmosphere right off the bat. Being from out of town, it was recommended to us as a place to go for lunch and we couldn’t have been happier. The staff was helpful and the food was absolutely fresh and delicious. Their seasonally based menu really hit the spot for us. Nothing says summer like a fresh greens salad with berries on top! The deserts were all so decadent it was hard to decide, but the raspberry-lemon smash cake won out in the end. Definitely go here for great food if you are in the area.

Christy Knowlton

First time here & we LOVED it. The food portions are HUGE. The desserts are to die for. One dessert would easily have fed all 4 of us. Plus they have a fantastic staff. Very attentive, friendly, efficient. We will definitely be back.

Brian was a big help, from taking our inquiring phone call from the road to waiting our table when we arrived. My lady lives a quarter of a mile away, so regulars we will be! Nice plump wings, perfectly cooked, but found the Buffalo sauce w little salty. I still can’t figure that out.

Great French Dips! Me and my boss order this for lunch Frequently. Little pricey but worth it on occasion. Very loud and small place but it’s a pub so it’s expected. Park out back or at Tops.

I love the Dark Horse Tavern and always ordered the steamed clams with garlic/wine/herbs. Hands down the best clams available anywhere and unique to the tavern. On my last visit they were no longer on the menu, replaced with the same plain steamed clams with drawn butter that you can get anywhere, but priced at $1 per clam. Very disappointing. The soup that day was shrimp and corn chowder, and was to die for. Service is excellent here and I hope they'll put the garlic/wine clams back on the menu.

Service was excellent!! The food was good, maybe a little pricey? Benches need some new padding, and the acoustics need help. I could barely hear my waiter, the din was deafening.

Awesome food. Just a little loud. Sitting right next to the bar made it hard to have a conversation with the person I was having dinner with. They need a few more choices for gluten free but overall delicious out standing chicken wings very friendly server.

Good food. Cozy but comfortable. Busy on a Friday night but our group of 5 only had to wait 5 or so minutes to get a table. Service was fine - a bit inexperienced and/or overwhelmed, but didn't detract too much from the experience.

It has its moments, but just too small and loud for my liking. Food and service is good though.

Food is always great. Good portions. Love the lunch soup/sandwich specials...after trying this place on a random pick less than a month ago, have already been here once per week. Service is good and quick.

Food was good, a little overpriced but good.. The space is small and a bit cramped so I don't recommend for more than 4 people at a time. The drinks were average and service as expected. Probably not going to visit again but enjoyed it for the night.

Very busy night with much of the staff rushing around to get orders. The staff were friendly throughout though, and even joked around with us at the table. We were seated right away, but perhaps we were at the head of the dinner rush. We were also rushed out, which was rather unpleasant. The food was pretty good though (we had chicken nachos and the french dip), and the craft beer selection (while limited), had breadth of varieties.

top shelf food in this small pub. great atmosphere and friendly staff. it's one of our regulars. fresh and hot. always great daily specials and a nicely appointed bar. only negative is they aren’t open enough, check hours before going. rock solid and great pub vibe

The food rarely disappoints. Had the short rib grilled cheese and it was tender, tasty, and well seasoned. Son had the fried chicken sandwich and thought it was "better than just good." Have to drop a star because of the service. It's all over the place in VERY tight quarters. This restaurant always has a wait because they have very limited seating. Stood and frustratingly watched a waitress initiate a 10 minute conversation with a couple that was clearly trying to pay and leave while at least 10 people were crammed into the small entrance awaiting to be seated.

Good food with table service. Place I would have enjoyed more in my 20's. Noisy. Absolutely not a place for younger children. Taking teens does make sense. My teen enjoyed the large plate of nachos. I had a burger with asparagus side. The asparagus was well prepared. My wife had fish and my bite was good. For people who eat gluten free, limited options but well marked on the menu.

I disagree 100 percent that the riggies here taste better than Utica. They simply don’t. The portion size was great, but the chicken was so cut way too small. The sauce just didn’t hit my taste buds the same. The cheese and seasoning on the saucer for bread is just odd. Not bad, just odd. My server never checked in to ask how my food was, but he did have a lot of tables. I probably would return and order something else. Overall, it’s worth checking out. They do seem to get very busy though. Parking can be limited.

Great visit. They don’t take reservations and there’s not a lot of space for waiting. But it worked out because the bartender gave us a heads up to stalk a couple who were signing their bill at the bar and leaving so we could score the bar seats while we waited. Food was good, the servers were attentive. Every worker we interacted with was very nice. We had one issue that the menu said “Roasted brussel sprouts,” but when they came out they were obviously fried. I had ordered that and the French onion soup, which was delicious. I asked the server and he said yes, they’re roasted then flash fried. I believe the menu should reflect this so people know. I was unable to eat them because my gut can’t handle fried foods. I didn’t complain, I just stated that fact and said my son would eat them as leftovers and asked for a box. The server graciously offered a free dessert to make up for it, which was unnecessary but made up for the disappointment of not being able to eat half my dinner. Classy move on their part to offer that for us. Everything coming out of the kitchen looked great. We would definitely go back. Recommend.

N N

Whenever I see chicken riggies on a menu, I usually order it. The Dark Horse version of this regional dish is outstanding, one of the best I've ever had and better than many top rated Italian restaurants in Syracuse, Rome, and Utica. When we arrived with another couple at 5:15 p.m. on a weeknight, we were seated immediately. In this regard, we were lucky to arrive early because they do not take reservations. Within a half hour of our arrival, the dining room and bar filled up and the noise level reached a point where it was nearly impossible for us to converse with our friends. The restaurant really needs some soundproofing tiles on the ceiling. The service was efficient and friendly even though the servers appeared to be assigned too many tables. So, 5 stars for the food and service, and 2.5 stars for the ambience.

Worst experience I've had at this restaurant. It is a go-to for me and my family, but that has changed. Really disappointed. I hope they improve soon.

Richard Thomas

We felt like we were being rushed thru our meal. Servicer where quick to pickup our plates and bring the bill. I know..this can be a good thing in some restaurants but we wanted to enjoy, take our time. Also the food (salads) were so so.

Patrick Greenwell

Good food and service, place needs more space, nicer place than it seems

Food was not as amazing as I’ve heard. Servers were great… however both times I have been here there is never a female working, it’s all men is unsettling, why is that?

I took my son there and we waited forever for service. The waitress was chatting with the bartender and another waitress - the three of them kept getting together to chat and every once in awhile they'd check on the customers. It took a while to get our food, and when they brought it out it was just my son's - the waitress said she had forgotten to put my order in. It came out after my son had finished his meal so I had them box it up for me. No apologies or anything. Definitely won't come here again.

Best restaurant in Dewitt! I've never had a bad meal here. With a constantly rotating selection of innovative specials and a regular menu full of favorites, I'm never worried I will have a boring meal. One star rating is due to the fact they insist you wait around in the non-existent waiting area for your entire party to arrive before they will seat you. This is the only restaurant I've ever been to that has this policy.

Leaving a 1 star because of how extremely dissappinted i was in the steak. Steak was DROWNED in whatever sauce it is they put on it. Steak was extremely soggy and gross to even cut up. Server was cool and the atmosphere was lively. For what I paid with the Steak I would expect better. Mashed potatoes were also very bland.

Sat down , we were first table seated at around 3pm. The waiter seemed nice. Took out orders and returned with drinks. Came back with bread. Then cleared out plates. That's the last we saw of him. We waited. Two tables that came after us had another waiter and they got their food. I told the waitress we were there for an hour and we hadn't even gotten our appetizer. She seemed surprised and asked us to wait. After waiting for five minutes we left. I left enough to cover our drinks. I really can't believe after hearing such great things for so long we had the absolute worst experience at a restaurant ever. I had such high expectations with all I've heard about Dark Horse Tavern. I'm not sure what made our waiter walk out , why nobody seemed to care that we sat there with no appetizer or meals but we will not be back.