Pamela Jacobs

Had dinner at Taverna and the service and food were amazing. Showed up for dinner around 7:30 ish, during the rush, the restaurant was busy, but we were seated right away and our server, Andrew, took good care of us. He was very attentive, gave us great recommendations and made our experience a great one. Will definitely be back next time I’m in Austin.

Connor Binkley

I had the pleasure of dining at this cozy taverna recently, and I must say, the experience was made all the more special by our wonderful server, Victoria. From the moment we sat down, she greeted us with a warm smile and a genuine enthusiasm that set the tone for the entire meal. Victoria was incredibly attentive throughout the evening, making sure our drinks were always full, and checking in at just the right times. She was knowledgeable about the menu and gave great recommendations when we asked for suggestions. Her recommendations were spot on, and we ended up trying a couple of dishes that we might not have otherwise, both of which were absolutely delicious. What stood out the most, though, was Victoria’s personal touch. She made us feel like we were the only table in the restaurant, even though it was quite busy. Her friendly demeanor and excellent service made the evening feel relaxed and enjoyable. It’s clear she takes pride in her work, and it really enhanced the overall experience. If you're lucky enough to have Victoria as your server, you're in for a treat! Her hospitality truly elevated our visit, and I’ll definitely be returning—hopefully to be served by her again.

Victor Diaz

When the late night desert craving shines its light on the cloudy night sky, it is Taverna’s logo that pierces the crisp fresh air. WOW did this Tiramisu change my life. There are truly no words to express how amazing it was. Mini coffee beans that in every other bite had the perfect crunch. The layered flavoring so perfectly stacked of cream and cake blew me away. This is world class, tiramisu hands-down. To the pastry chef who designed and brought this masterpiece to life, I thank you, for this dessert will live rent free in my mind till the end of my days.

Jordan White

If you go be sure to ask for Andrew! Great service! Had brunch at Taverna for the first time and it was excellent. The staff was very accommodating, setting me up on the patio with space to work as well. The meatballs were flavorful with a tasty sauce and plenty of bread. I had just finished a 6 mile bike ride and Andrew’s service was outstanding — attentive without needing to ask. Great food, thoughtful service, and competitive pricing for downtown. Will be back.

Neomi Perez

Absolutely in love with this restaurant. Margherita was flavorful, not too heavy. Also had the Paglia e Fieno. The truffle oil with cream sauce mixed with the mushrooms gave a nice earthy flavor. Chicken cooked to perfection. The portion was filling. I also recommend the Improved Aperol Spritz. I'll definitely visit again.

+11

Ana Maria Fernandez

As an Italian, I usually avoid eating pasta outside my house because it’s always the American style – huge plates, heavy sauces that aren’t really Italian, etc. But that day I was starving, and we randomly walked into this restaurant. Alfredo was our server, and the first thing I loved was that he was Italian! The food was really good: authentic. The carpaccio was amazing, and the focaccia was freshly made and delicious. Only thing? The limoncello should totally be on the house

+3

Dennis Jasinski

I am in Austin attending a conference. Our group came to Taverna upon the recommendation of an associate. It was quite a nice experience. The host and wait staff were very accommodating and very friendly. While not overly crowded, we were seated promptly at a very nice window seat. The kitchen area is exposed to the patrons. The menu overall had plenty of great choices making my meal choice decision a little difficult. We had a few appetizers and the main course. Overall, everyone’s meal was nicely presented and prepared with care. No complaints here. Our waiter was very polite and offered great suggestions for meal choices. They did not disappoint.

+1

Cate Johnston

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Taverna (downtown), and it was an experience worth sharing! Located downtown in a beautiful area perfect for a walk, this restaurant is surrounded by Second Street Business and Mexican Arte Museum. The lively yet charming atmosphere of the area makes it an ideal spot for romantic evenings, casual hangouts, exploring the city, etc. After dining, a stroll through the scenic streets adds to the experience. From the moment we walked in, We were warmly greeted by Lucia, the hostess, whose friendly and welcoming demeanor set the tone for a great evening. She made sure we were comfortably seated and even gave us a few recommendations. Our server, Chema, was equally fantastic—attentive, knowledgeable, and always ready with a smile. He made excellent suggestions and ensured our dining experience was seamless. The ambiance inside was elegant, while remaining casual and relaxing, making it perfect for date nights or solo dining. The staff was incredibly [friendly/attentive/professional, ensuring a warm and welcoming experience. Now, let’s talk about the food! We ordered Tagliatelle Alla Bolognese, Paglia E Fieno and Lasagna, and they were absolutely delicious and well thought out flavors. The portion sizes were generous, and the presentation was beautiful. The highlight of the meal was Taverna Focacaccia, which I highly recommend. Don’t skip dessert— the perfect ending to a great meal. Final Thoughts: Overall, Taverna is a must-visit for “foodies”. Its downtown location, combined with excellent food and a great atmosphere, makes it a perfect spot to enjoy both a meal and a leisurely walk afterward. Would I recommend it? Absolutely!

+2

The food is fantastic!! My bartender Pablo was wonderful. I recomend this place to everyone !!

The food is fantastic!! My bartender Pablo was wonderful. I recomend this place to everyone !!

I eat or have drinks here 3 to 4 times a week. The food is consistently good. The service is insane and the hospitality and overall enjoyment never disappoints.

I eat or have drinks here 3 to 4 times a week. The food is consistently good. The service is insane and the hospitality and overall enjoyment never disappoints.

Love this spot! As a local, I bring all my visitors here. Great food, great service, and beautiful views!

Great restaurants to grab some drinks and food at while downtown ATX. Their espresso martinis are great and the service is even better.

Best brunch in ATX! Our waitress was so very nice and recommended great dishes! Also loved the DJ playing the Best house music :)

Best brunch in ATX! Our waitress was so very nice and recommended great dishes! Also loved the DJ playing the Best house music :)

Great spot for Sunday brunch, our waiter Soner was fantastic! The chocolate lava cake was delicious.

He comido 3 veces aquí y la comida siempre ha sido deliciosa! La pasta y la lasagna son mis recomendados, siempre vamos con reserva para ir a la segura, sus precios son muy buenos comparado con su …

Great meal from start to finish, from dirty martini to Chicken Piccatta and creme brulee. Highlight was delightful waiter Matteo, smart, attentive and funny.

Great meal from start to finish, from dirty martini to chicken Piccatta and creme brulee. Highlight was delightful waiter Matteo, smart, attentive and funny.

Great meal from start to finish, from dirty martini to Chicken Piccatta and creme brulee. Highlight was delightful waiter Matteo, smart, attentive and funny.

I have brunch here when I come visit my daughters in Austin. It is always great…today was exceptional! Our server Malaki was personable, prompt, fun and knowledgeable. He supplied outstanding servic…

I have brunch here when I come visit my daughters in Austin. It is always great…today was exceptional! Our server Malaki was personable, prompt, fun and knowledgeable. He supplied outstanding serv…

I have brunch here when I come visit my daughters in Austin. It is always great…today was exceptional! Our server Malaki was personable, prompt, fun and knowledgeable. He supplied outstanding ser…

Our server Victoria was absolutely amazing! From the moment we sat down, she was so friendly, attentive, and welcoming. She went above and beyond to make sure we had everything we needed and always c…

Our server Victoria was absolutely amazing! From the moment we sat down, she was so friendly, attentive, and welcoming. She went above and beyond to make sure we had everything we needed and always…

Great location downtown. The food and service was excellent. We had some wine and drinks and everything was good. The pasta dishes were excellent as well as the mussels.

We enjoyed a nice bottle of wine (Monday is 1/2 price bottled wine) and a delicious dinner of pasta and a pizza. The service, music, food and overall ambiance was excellent. A memorable evening.

We enjoyed a nice bottle of wine (Monday is 1/2 price bottled wine) and a delicious dinner of pasta and a pizza. The service, music, food and overall ambiance was excellent. A memorable evening.

Taverna was very nice! We didn’t have a reservation and it was a busy Friday night, so we were pleasantly surprised that there was no wait. We got seated in the “lounge area” near a projector and dj with very ambient lighting. We didn’t even realize there was a DJ until we were leaving. It’s definitely upscale and a bit pricey, but the food was excellent. The pomodoro pasta was delicious, and the pistachio crème brûlée was one of the best I’ve had! Our service was kind of slow, and the server seemed distracted. Appetizer came out before drinks, entree before the second glass, not marked (silverware) for all the courses. Our server was very sweet and had many tables, so it wasn’t a big deal. It’s a little loud inside and the lounge seating is pretty low/deep. But overall, the ambiance is nice! I would return :)

Nick Speare

Visited during the winter ice storm on/around Jan 25, 2026. Since so many other places in the area were closed due to the storm, we actually ate here twice in the same day, for breakfast/brunch and dinner. Food was great, cocktails were fantastic; however, service was a mixed bag. The hosts/maitre'd's were both unpleasant: the one in the morning started with an unnecessarily gruff "do you have a reservation" (when the place was mostly empty), and the one in the evening seemed annoyed that he had to put his phone down to seat us -- cool, sorry to bother you bro. The morning server acted like he never had an interaction with human beings in his life. The highlight of both trips was the evening server Charles, who was helpful, pleasant, knowledgeable, and gregarious.

Brendan Alvarado

Went to Taverna downtown and sat in The Baci Room. Overall it was a really nice Italian dinner spot. The place feels cozy but still a bit upscale, and it’s great if you want something nicer than a quick bite. We started with apps, then split a pasta and an entrée—everything tasted fresh and came out hot. Service was friendly and kept checking on us without being annoying. It’s not a cheap place, but for the vibe and the quality, it felt worth it.

Brad Collard

The food was at its best Tuesday evening. I mistakenly made a reservation for another establishment in the area, but my wife and I always eat at Taverna whenever we go to ACL Moody Theater. So, they seated us and they were full. We enjoyed their Blood Orange Margaritas, Cesar Salad, my wife loves their risotto while I dined on their shrimp scampi. We miscommunicated with our waiter twice, but he was a good guy and made the best out of it. Great food, good service and goid atmosphere.

Jeremiah Dye

Hadn’t been downtown Austin in a while and we found this place a pleasant surprise. The staff were very friendly and nice. Took great care of us. The food was very good with the exception of the hash potatoes. They could have been slightly crispy vs. mushy, but overall we had a great time! The mimosas were $12 a bottle for brunch which I thought was a great price considering we were downtown Austin. Would definitely come back to try lunch/dinner food!

What the hell happened to this place??? Used to be good food and great service. Definitely off their game tonight. \n\nService was fine, and the zucchini chips are always top notch, but both my wife'…

What the hell happened to this place??? Used to be good food and great service. Definitely off their game tonight. \n\nService was fine, and the zucchini chips are always top notch, but both my w…

What the hell happened to this place??? Used to be good food and great service. Definitely off their game tonight. \n\nService was fine, and the zucchini chips are always top notch, but both my wif…

Next level juicy & the fries were to die for - perfectly crispy. The buttered bun set this hamburger apart & when sliced in half, you could immediately tell, this would be one of the best burgers in …

Next level juicy & the fries were to die for - perfectly crispy. The buttered bun set this hamburger apart & when sliced in half, you could immediately tell, this would be one of the best burg…

4.5 Stars\n\nI'm not so sure why the ratings are so low.\n\nThe Happy hour has $6 glasses of wine and is from 4-6. The interior looks so classy (date night worthy) and the outside patio is casual.\…

4.5 Stars\n\nI'm not so sure why the ratings are so low.\n\nThe Happy hour has $6 glasses of wine and is from 4-6. The interior looks so classy (date night worthy) and the outside patio is casual.\…

4.5 Stars\n\nI'm not so sure why the ratings are so low.\n\nThe happy hour has $6 glasses of wine and is from 4-6. The interior looks so classy (date night worthy) and the outside patio is casual.\…

Margherita Pizza and atmosphere is great, but the service from my waiter was horrid. I likely wouldn't comeback just for that reason.

Went to Taverna for brunch with the girls and had such a good time! They had $3 mimosas which were amazing, and the fries were honestly some of the best I've had. I ordered pasta along with the foc…

Went to Taverna for brunch with the girls and had such a good time! They had $3 mimosas which were amazing, and the fries were honestly some of the best I've had. I ordered pasta along with the foc…

I ordered the lasagna from Taverna for takeout, and it was fantastic! Even after taking it home, the flavors were rich, and the pasta was perfectly cooked. You can really taste the quality and care…

Great location and food and service. I had the pasta and it was very good. Service was excellent and location and setup was great!!!

We recently dined at Taverna for Valentine’s Day, and had a mixed experience overall. The service was attentive and professional. Our server was friendly, checked on us regularly, and our food arrived in a reasonable amount of time. The atmosphere downtown on Second Street remains a strong point. We ordered the Tagliolini Agli Scampi and the Gnocchi Di Patate Rustici, both of which were highly recommended by staff. Unfortunately, both dishes fell short of expectations. The scampi portion was small and largely lacked flavor, aside from the two plump shrimp, which were well cooked. The pasta itself needed more depth, seasoning, and balance. The gnocchi was also underwhelming. While well prepared texturally, the overall flavor profile did not stand out. The best item we ordered was the Fritto Misto appetizer. The calamari and shrimp were crisp and satisfying, and it was easily the highlight of the meal. We also ordered raspberry and mango teas. Both were overly sweet, and the portion size was smaller than expected. We diluted them with water to make them drinkable. Surprisingly, we were charged for a refill. Overall, service and ambiance were solid, but the main dishes lacked the flavor and value we anticipated.

Taryn Heng

The food is pretty decent. Unfortunately the service was not great. I would wait at my table for a long time waiting to ask for either the menu/dessert menu or check. My waitress was just sitting on the actual tables for customers chatting with her coworkers.

+4

Celeste Valadez

So the environment is beautiful. The waitress and staff was amazing. Our waitress Diana made us feel special celebrating our anniversary and recommendations. The calamari was good. The gnocchi was good but lacking flavor. Just needing something amd the portion was small for the price. My husband ordered the veal something and it was thinly sliced veal with breadstixks and parmesan. Flavor was good butit was a snack not a meal. I absolutely would not come back after spending $140. We were still hungry lol. Like I said the waitress was amazing and definitely knows how to do her job.

Dont believe the happy hour specials. Even though they advertise site specific Sun-Fri happy hour specials at their Downtown location, when you get there they tell you only Tues-Fri and only at D…

The food was good, the service was good, but the atmosphere is so-so. Very white and lacking personality, not much color. Not a great experience. But location for ACL concerts is great. Wish it…

Justin Ford

I spent the first 26 years of my life in the NJ/NY/Philadelphia side of the country — I know Italian food; good and bad. If there's one thing I've spent the last couple years looking for in Texas, it's the passion and flavor that keeps me flying back a few times a year. It's really tough to find people that "get it" once you start to move West. Unfortunately, Taverna is NOTHING to write home about. We ordered the bruschetta (4/5) Grana Padano Risotto (2/5) Ravioli in a cream sauce (2/5) and eggplant parmesan (2.5/5) along with their seasonal cocktail with glitter (1/5) and an Aperol spritz (3.5/5). This is the type of place you could find back home, 40-50 years deep into business, completely tired and a year from being shut down. The location probably keeps Taverna open, but there's no passion, no flavor, and no one knows what salt is. American-Italian cuisine is about bold, seasonal flavors and simple ingredients cooked to perfection. Walking away with a bill of just over 200 dollars (for two people), I'd recommend throwing a dart at a board full of Italian fast-food chains and going to one of those, instead. If you like to come here, you probably know the ones. I didn't ask, but hardly anything tastes made from scratch, risotto was bland and overdone, ravioli was drowning in lemon (and saltless) and the eggplant parmesan came wrapped in a soggy carpet. Bruschetta was light and punchy, with fresh burrata and herbs, with a delicate crostini and balsamic glaze. Only thing worth ordering. For the asking price, I expect fresh from scratch, well balanced, and seasoned dishes. Waiters and staff were good to us. People come here, I would imagine, because they like the location or don't know real Italian food. If you got banned from every Olive Garden in Austin, Taverna might be your new go to.

I had the absolute worst experience. Our server was very rude, and never checked up on us and took very long when she did come around. Then our food was cold and over priced. Then the server added …

I had the absolute worst experience. Our server was very rude, and never checked up on us and took very long when she did come around. Then our food was cold and over priced. Then the server adde…

No vegan options… server not able to understand dietary needs and confused my request for pasta primavera with gluten free … this is not a restaurant to go to if you are health conscious.

This was my favorite restaurant. I made a reservation for my birthday. We came at 8pm. My husband and best friend went to the table while I went to use the restroom. It was prom. I gave several c…

This was my favorite restaurant. I made a reservation for my birthday. We came at 8pm. My husband and best friend went to the table while I went to use the restroom. It was prom. I gave several c…

Chased Outside and Pressured to Increase Tip – Extremely Uncomfortable Experience at Taverna (2nd Street, Austin) We dined at Taverna on 2nd Street in downtown Austin expecting a pleasant Italian dinner. The restaurant looks nice in a polished, American-style way, and the atmosphere is lively. The food was fine, but not outstanding, and in our opinion the prices were higher than the quality justified. Based on the overall experience, I left a tip of about 10–12%, which reflected what I felt the service and value warranted. As we left the restaurant and walked across the street to meet our Uber, our server ran after us. In front of my friends and family, on the sidewalk, she confronted me about the tip and complained that it was too low. I was put on the spot and felt pressured to increase it immediately. To end the situation and avoid further embarrassment, I doubled the tip to over 20%. I have never experienced anything like this before. Being publicly confronted and pressured to increase a gratuity was humiliating and completely inappropriate. Tipping is meant to reflect the guest’s experience and should never be enforced through public confrontation. Regardless of local tipping norms, chasing guests into the street to demand a higher tip is unacceptable. Because of this incident, I cannot recommend this restaurant. Diners should be aware of this practice before choosing to eat here.