Taverna Menu

  • Starters
  • Soups & Salads
  • Main
  • Brick Oven Pizza (Neapolitan Style)
  • Sides

Healthy Meal suggestions for Taverna

  • Starters
  • Soups & Salads
  • Main
  • Brick Oven Pizza (Neapolitan Style)
  • Sides
  • Nicole J.

    Stopped by Taverna for an app and a glass of wine, and very glad we did! The inside of the restaurant is beautiful - very clean and polished. We sat at the bar and were greeted promptly by a very friendly bartender, who was quick to give us some recommendations. Honestly, everything on the menu sounded superb. It was tough to decide what to snack on, but we were definitely happy we ended up with the Gambas Al Ajillo. If you like spicy, and you like shrimp, I highly recommend. Make sure to save some of your bread to soak up the sauce - you will not be disappointed. Overall, we had a really great experience here and would definitely come back!

    (4)
  • Namir S.

    Nice vibe/atmosphere for dinner/drinks, but there are some obnoxiously loud people at the bar sometimes. Food is good enough, but didn't blow me away

    (3)
  • Vanessa T.

    Cruising around looking for some brunch/ lunch......hum....how about Taverna I haven't been in awhile......stopped in at 1:30ish on a Sunday and had no problem getting a table. Whoa they changed things in here! Expanded to include the spot next door now too, and it looks even nicer then I remembered!! Rustic upscale is how I would describe it, very nice! Now to the food- we started with some drinks cause nothing wrong with some day drinking, especially with these fancy craft cocktails ;) Dillion's Cup- a gin drink with flavors of cucumber and ginger....refreshing, a more savory drink, not very sweet. Grapefruit Paloma- oh loved this one...tequila based with grapefruit flavor, like a really yummy margarita 3 egg omelet- you got to pick your fillings and hubby got , bacon, mushrooms, and tomato...served with lightly tossed greens....very good he loved it and inhaled it Egg and Gouda BLT- open faced BLT sandwich with a sunny side up egg....I'm not crazy about egg yolk so I kinda just scraped the yolk off and happily ate away, it was so good, every component of this sandwich was great, bacon crispy(a must!), fresh tomatoes, light smear of aioli, nice bread We left stuffed and satisfied, we will come back to try some dinner!

    (4)
  • Ivy Z.

    This review is for brunch at Taverna. My friend and I ordered the poached eggs and the breakfast hash to split, and although the food was pretty good, I was a little let down on the flavors. The hash barely had any peppers or onions: it was more of a dry, fingerling potato bed with some sausage (which also lacked flavor) and a sunny side up egg. I felt like I could have made this dish at home...and maybe even with more flavor. The poached eggs were a lot better. The prosciutto and truffle added to flavor depths but again, I wasn't blown away. Hollandaise sauce was nice and creamy. Service was slow, but not bad. I would be willing to try lunch at Taverna before making my final judgement.

    (3)
  • CJ S.

    Taverna is a perfect place to relax and have lunch with friends and catch up. I love the ambiance. The salads are wonderful, then I can indulge in dessert and not feel terribly guilty. Also the pizzas are amazing, I love the salmon also! I have loved everything so far that I have tried! This is a favorite meeting place for my friends!

    (5)
  • Ashley O.

    This review is for brunch at Taverna. I ordered the Taverna Hash and it was okay. I've had a decent amount of breakfast skillets so I thought I knew what to expect. Two sunny side up eggs on top, fingerling potatoes and onions and peppers and Italian sausage. There didn't seem to be a lot of onions and peppers, and there were more potatoes than anything. It all tasted good, but I imagined it to be a little different. Sort of disappointed. My husband ordered the brunch special which was poached eggs and chorizo and prosciutto, which was awesome. Their Bloody Mary is great as well. Service was slow, but not bad. Our waitress was very down to earth and knowledgeable.

    (3)
  • Morgan H.

    This first time I visited Taverna it was only to grab a quick drink with a friend. I wanted to go back and try out more though after that one visit. I stopped in after a movie the other night and was sold on the Salmon Tartar appetizer special as soon as the bartender mentioned it. It was amazingly delicious! I would definitely order that again. We also opted for the Meatball appetizer off the regular nightly menu and they were good as well but the Salmon stole the show! I can't wait to go back and try more of what they have to offer!

    (4)
  • Tom Y.

    Not impressed. Food was bland and expensive. Our server was personable, but the crew was uncoordinated. Our server cleared the table after starters, including our silverwear, the crew brought out the mains; we all sat there awkwardly, looking at our food with no way to taste it. And while I'm bitching . . . They serve half and full portions of pasta. The full portion is way too big; a pound of flour and dough. The half is far too tiny, six pieces on a rectangular plate. There are many better places in San Marco.

    (2)
  • Stewart P.

    I really wanted to love Taverna and tried to pump myself up for another business dinner with good food at a place I've never been to before. I read some of the reviews and felt that some of the people I trust on here just weren't digging it too much but wanted to let the experience speak for itself. I also prepped myself by checking out the menu online (which read fairly generic and boring but certainly not dreadful looking). First of all, I love the San Marco area and Taverna did a great job of creating an ambiance that fits well with the area. The distressed wood on the walls is absolutely fantastic and gave the place a very cool vibe. Like many other awesome restaurants like this, however, my group was taken into a back cubby hole that felt nothing like the rest of the restaurant. It was dark, boring and freezing cold (we asked for the temperature to be adjusted several times but it never got any better). Things started off pretty good despite the fact that our server was not at all friendly or helpful. They brought out some very nice cheese plates and margherita pizzas to munch on while everyone mingled. I love me some creamy cheese and happily gobbled up everything they brought. It would have been nice if they labeled the plates or gave us some indication of what we were getting so that we could remember for any later visit but the server didn't even know for sure what they were. However, the selection was very nice and the cheese was high quality. The pizza was also one of the better ones I've had in a while from an upscale restaurant. Once again, our food orders came from a limited menu, almost all the items of which are not even on the regular menu (seems a bit of an odd choice for a business). I chose the tomato bisque as my starter and a short rib for my entree with some chocolate dessert to end it all off. Lets start off with the good.... the bisque was delectable! It was presented well and had a glorious texture and flavor. I could have eaten more of that alone and been more satisfied with my dinner than I ended up. The entree was a total fail. Once again, what they offered as choices were not things you could get on their regular menu (which was very disappointing). The option that I went for (as well as the majority of the people in my party) was a Short Rib. Now, I'm by no means an expert in short ribs but I'm pretty sure I know what they are. What we got were NOT short ribs. We got a small pot-roast, and I HATE pot-roast. It wasn't even a good pot-roast. It was one of the fattiest pieces of meat I've ever had in my life (literally half of my portion was a glob of fat). It was nestled in a plate of veggies in a pea puree which was quite frankly kind of gross (although to be fair, one person in my party later told me they kind of liked the peas... but still hated the short rib). After this disappointing meal I was hoping to escape quickly so I asked for my dessert to go which normally should signal to the server that I want to leave. Instead, she gave literally everyone else at the table (almost 20 people) their desserts and brought mine after almost everyone was done (despite me asking again if I was going to get it anytime soon). I was hoping that once I got it home the dessert would at least be good so that my wife could enjoy it since she didn't get to come to the dinner. Unfortunately neither me or my wife liked the dessert either. Besides the fact that it was kind of boring, the flavor was kind of funky and although I generally enjoy the taste of fruit and chocolate together the citrus did not hit the cocoa right in this combination. So, would I go back? Probably not unless someone else was paying and I got to choose my own food off the regular menu. Even that is questionable because for a restaurant of this price range I expect so much more. The only reason I'd give them another chance possibly is due to the appetizers.... and the fact that one of my colleagues ordered some shrimp off the normal menu and they were some of the best shrimp I've ever had. Was it enough? We'll see.

    (2)
  • Linda B.

    This is s very nice but a bit on the hoity toidy end for my taste. The service was very quick. The food is very pretty we went for a late brunch after church. I had the egg crepe with one of my favorite cheeses gruyere. The egg the cheese and the spinach and mushroom together were a classy combination of yumminess. The salad of dressed greens along side of it was a bit much. I would have preferred to have had crepes vs crepe with greens. We shared a prosciutto scone which came with the most amazing raspberry preserves which was the perfect compliment to the smoky hint flavor of the prosciutto in the the scone. I would definitely return to this one in the future, but a little more than causally dressed.

    (4)
  • Jack B.

    Saturday afternoon brunch, wow, where do I start? We arrived outside and it was about 60 and we were the only ones outside with our 2 dogs. That was fine by us, there were heaters if needed, but we did not. So we enjoyed Saturday afternoon brunch. Wow. We had beignets, which were a nice treat after we just returned from New Orleans a couple of weeks ago. Nice and tasty! We then had some eggs over easy with some bacon and even our dogs loved the bacon. Wife had some nice cheese and toast points as well as some nice bubbles. We had a great time relaxing and enjoying our Saturday afternoon. So did our dogs, as they were treated to ice cold water in a dog bowl as well as treats. So Taverna is not only dog friendly on the patio, they are DOG READY, so bring your dogs with you for the outside patio! Yay!

    (5)
  • Jay S.

    Last night was the night we decided to visit this place. I had their special, NY Strip with fingerling potato and asparagus that was sautéed with bacon. It was a good cut of meat and cooked to perfection. My roomie had kale salad with steak, my jr and Mr Chin had pizza, my Shay had scallops and her partner, lamb meat ball. Overall ambience, 5, it was a bit humid, the fan was were I was sitting wasn't working to its full power but the staff made sure our shar pei's had cold water. Food, for the price a 3, creativity a 4, taste 5. Staff, we brought our dogs since it was recommend this place was dog friendly. Indeed was! Staff was a 4. Location, thank god for GPs. We plan to return when the weather is cooler.

    (4)
  • Eryn M.

    My friend I went to Taverna for Sunday brunch. My only complaint, which isn't really a complaint at all, is that the servings were too big. Ha! I ordered a make-your-own breakfast pizza with bacon, mushrooms and fresh mozzarella. It completely filled a 10-inch+ dinner plate. Being a breakfast pizza, it had scrambled eggs and was on a nice, crispy crust. It was eight slices, so there was plenty to take home. And it was only $12. I paired it with a refreshing mimosa. My friend ordered the hash, which I really wouldn't consider hash at all but it too was delicious. It consisted of fingerling potatoes, onions, peppers and sausage and was served with bread. The service was wonderful, and we were able to sit outside and enjoy the day. It was July 4 weekend, but it wasn't very crowded. The value was really good. If I did it again, I'd probably split the pizza and double up on mimosas! :)

    (5)
  • Meg H.

    I so wanted to like LOOOOVE this place. I guess for me, as a yelper I really take in the entire experience when I go somewhere. When we first walked in- the hostess was just lackluster. Fine but not GREAAAAAT she wasn't super excited to see us. Especially when we told her we didn't have a reservation on a sunday night. So we ended up sitting at the bar, which was fine. The bartender was sweet and attentive. Food Wise- My Fiances salmon was delish. VERY GOOD My Marguerita pizza was .... dough, a couple spoonfuls of tomatoes, and basil leaves. If there was cheese on it I didn't notice it, so it was just kind of lackluster. I hoped for more- it was fine. but just fine. I dunno, I just wasn't overly in love with this place. The location was good. For 3 people for over 100 bucks, it was just fine.

    (3)
  • Mark B.

    I have been driving by this place since they opened. I have even seen them at big festivals like One Spark that just went down. I know the Chef/Owner Sam Efron is also part of the famed Legend Series. Today we needed some food and Taverna came to mind. It's Sunday brunch and 1:30 so your choices are getting slim. I go there and the place is nice and I really like the old driftwood siding on the walls n soffits. We got seated at a very small table for two. I wish they would just throw this kind of table out. I mean you get menus and a glass of water and you can hardly find room for our phones. Being good Yeepers we need our phones on any given moment. the brunch menu is fairly small but it did offer a few good choices. We went with prosciutto scone with a fresh raspberry jam that was by far the star of the meal. I ordered the Taverna house hash with house made breakfast sausage that was more like a spicy Italian. If there is one thing I know it's sausage. It was also quite tasty as a dish. The potatoes were fried up just right and the veg was cooked properly. Tender but not over done. Some places can't seem to find that happy mid point. The veg is either raw or cooked slap to death. The wife who also ate some had the egg crepe. This thing was packed full of spinach, mushrooms, some egg, and maybe some gruyere. She said she could taste it but not me. The crepe was also cooked a while back. It was dried out and crispy on the edges. They also served a salad that covered half the plate. The dressing was just off. Neither of us liked it. In all a fancy place that I was happy I have tried but next time it might be over the river for us.

    (3)
  • Erit S.

    Went on a saturday night, so that might explain the slow-ish service. App was good - ordered a pizza. Entrees sounded great and looked great, but both dishes were cold. My lamb shank was fridge-cold near the bone and my wife's pasta was cool by the time it hit the table.

    (3)
  • Brandon K.

    Very good meals. We had the kale salad and the ribeye. Our little man had a pepperoni pizza. We recommend them all. Service was very nice. All around good experience for us.

    (4)
  • Little B.

    Pros: Interior design, service, noise level, location and the feeling that you're among chic people yet never crowded. Cons: $20 fettuccini (just noodles) is extravagant, and the hummus in my salmon dish overpowered the scent and taste of the fish. It's hard to out-smell a salmon! Ha.

    (3)
  • Crystal G.

    I've been to Taverna a few times now and I have yet to be disappointed. They have pretty good HH specials until 7 and their food is amazing. Some of my favorite are the scallops and beet risotto, osso bucco, and the shrimp appetizer is delicious! I also love one of their Italian reds, the Ognissole 'Primitiva Di Manduria'. I usually sit at the bar on my visits and the service is always great. I definitely recommend stopping in if you're in San Marco!

    (5)
  • Staci C.

    This was my first time visiting Taverna and I doubt I'll be back. I was a fairly regular patron of Cafe Carmon (the previous restaurant in that location) but I no longer work in San Marco so I was very much looking forward to lunch at Taverna. While the food is very good and the Moscow Mule is top notch, the front of house is lacking. EXCEPTION: Our waiter (Troyce?) was very attentive and pleasant. But all four people in our party arrived separately and were either ignored or barely greeted by the hostess. Another waitress made an attempt at helping me but was pretty dismissive and cool as well. Basically, there are PLENTY of amazing restaurants in Jacksonville now. You don't have to settle for too-cool-for-school staff. My advice, hit up Moxie or Bistro Aix.

    (3)
  • Morgan C.

    I went on a double date here the other night and it was a lot of fun. The place is rustic chic and was very impressive when you walked in. We all got some really great drinks! I got the pasta and was not disappointed. You could tell it was a homemade dish and was simply divine. Everyone else at the table enjoyed great seafood dishes and could not stop raving about how much they loved their dish. The food came at a reasonable time and was nice and hot. It is the perfect place for a date. We truly enjoyed it and will be going back!

    (4)
  • Win R.

    Impressive ambiance and menu. We had Sunday brunch for two and the egg combinations with Serrano ham and small potatoes fingers was a standout.. Missing one star only because of no butter and skimpy jam portion.

    (4)
  • Courtney D.

    Hungry? Go elsewhere... Your entree will suffice as an appetizer at best. Feeling good about yourself? Head on over to Taverna where they can educate you on just how classless you really are. If you're looking for three-dollar, herbed, soft-cheese ravioli-units, a passive aggressive waiter, and constant judgement from your fellow diners, this is the place for you. They've mastered the sterile textured beige look complete with classy, rustic vibes - crustic vibes. The waiter was underwhelmed by our lack of wine/salumi selection, and by our single course menu choices- followed later by evident disdain at our pass at dessert and request for the check. Could it be that the waiter picked up on our level of discomfort? Could he see the solemn look of the "meal-gone-wrong" on our faces? Did he even care?... A glimmer of hope! But alas, no! How could he concern himself with the emotions of two such simple creatures. (Enter bus-girl stage left) "Can I take these plates from you?" "Yes, thank you" As I reached to assist this girl in effective dish stacking, I was quickly chastised for the way in which I approached the stack. "I've got it" was her admonishing reply. "My sincere apologies, your highness." First time in my life I wasn't even classy enough to help clear the dishes. Icing on the cake (that we didn't order) Ol' Chinstrap brought us our check in a way we simple folk could really understand; A waffle-house-esque printed bill, in no book, but with a cordial thank you note to encourage our rapid departure, despite it taking an exorbitant amount of time to be delivered. (Patrons depart through nearest door, eager to seek actual dinner. Chinstrap contemplates upper-middle class political issues over a robust Bordeaux) End scene.

    (1)
  • Ashley D.

    After living in the San Marco area for a couple of years, my husband and I finally stopped into Taverna for lunch rather than walking past it. What an experience! The atmosphere is airy and elegant but relaxed at the same time. I ordered one of the day's specials which was a salmon sandwich with bacon and avacado. I asked for mayo and honey mustard after it arrived, and even that simple request was honored in a way I couldn't have anticipated. I had to wait a little bit for them to come out, but it's because rather than generic honey mustard from a bottle, they made it fresh. The salmon was beautifully cooked and not the last bit dry. It was so good I had to hold myself back from inhaling it. We will absolutely be repeat customers.

    (5)
  • Joel C.

    We love the atmosphere, service, and food of this San Marco restaurant. We tried the pizza of the day yesterday - Steak, ricotta, feta cheese, with grilled peppers, need I say more? Wow!!! The handmade crust tasted so crunchy and flakey, YUM! No place in Jax can touch their pizza. Did I mention I'm not a big pizza fan? We also recommend their burger, soups, and homemade mint chocolate chip ice cream sandwiches. Only recommendation would be to upgrade their gift card process, should be included with you POS system. Would highly recommend for North Florida foodies!

    (5)
  • Anna H.

    Great meal at Taverna in San Marco last night. Seven of us ventured out in search of new dishes. This was my first visit and it was a good first impression. Décor is minimalist which I enjoy so 1 point there. Our table was ready 2 points. Two others were there at the bar so we had our usual libations and then moved to the table while we waited for the stragglers. Randi our waitperson for the night was right there with water, asking about additional drinks, were we going to wait for the others. We now have jumped to 5 points. Finally we were ready....Special Starter of the night Gnocchi with Duck Confit, who in their right mind would turn that down. We ordered 2 of those, Sauteed Calamari, Meat Balls and Herbed Ricotta. Bad news only 1 Duck Confit was available so we took something else. I was not a pretty sight to see 6 people dive into another person dish, but we did it anyway. For me this was the star dish of the night. I suggested this be put on the menu as a Main. Gnocchi was light and buttery with just a hint of brown around the edges and the Duck! OMG melt in you mouth smoothness. Meatballs were quite good, moist and well seasoned, Calamari (my dish since Iost the toss for the Duck) was flavorful but the Calamari was in the pan about a minute too long and was rubbery. Then on to the Main; I had already decided on the Scallops with Butternut Squash Risotto, I saw this on someones table when I arrived and it appealed, Sweet Potato and Goat Cheese Anglonotti, Zuppa Di Pesce and Hanger Steak. As good friends do we were all stabbing and grabbing at each others food. My scallops were perfect not so much the Risotto; under cooked and under seasoned it was a little disappointing. The Hangar Steak was melt in your mouth delish and the Zuppa zesty and full of treasures. BTW did I mention Randi and her assistant were running their legs off keeping us in drinks. Sweet Potato dish was tasty and it's owner was pleased. There was also a side of Sauteed Spinach that was perfect. So we then took the next logical step and moved to Desserts plus more drinks. 2 Chocolate Gelatos, Butterscotch Budino, Choclste Pave and several Grand Mariniers. What can I say we like to eat and drink well. We did both at Taverna and will put it on our short list of return to places.

    (4)
  • Ron E.

    First time here for brunch. Why did I wait so long?! I thought lunch was good. Breakfast was even better. Had the pastry basket to start off. The poached pear muffins are light and full of flavor. Add a touch of the blueberry compote and Ohmahgooodness! I can almost taste them again. Ordered the poached eggs for the main course. Doesnt sound exciting but the eggs sit on top of serrano ham, fingerling potatoes, finely sliced grilled sweet onions, and hollandaise sauce. All of the flavors were very delicate and not one ingredient overpowered any other. I stole a few bites of the lemon ricotta pancakes for a kind of like a dessert. Lets just say the positive reviews will remain positive. I wish I knew how to make these. Guess I just gotta come back again. Let this be the last review you read and drive down to San Marco for Sunday Brunch. Dogs are welcome here so bring them too.

    (5)
  • Christopher M.

    It's very hard to find a restaurant with over 3 stars on Yelp! that isn't a fast food chain in Jacksonville. The service was good, and it located in a cute little downtown area, very reminiscent of Dunedin. The food was very bland and mediocre. I got the meatball sub, and I wasn't impressed at all, I've had better meatball subs at Subway. My girlfriend had a turkey and Brie sandwich, the Brie wasn't melted. And the side "salad" was just some lettuce with a splash of oil on it. It was WAY over priced for two sandwiches, a beer, and 2 mimosas the check came to just under $50!

    (2)
  • Frank W.

    Delicious food! I really enjoyed the kale Caesar salad, the excellent scallop truffle risotto and the budino dessert. The only regret I have is that I did not order the large portion on the scallop risotto and two budinos.

    (5)
  • Tee P.

    Great place, friendly service, awesome bartender (my wife is very picky with her drinks). One of the best steak in town for the price. Most definitely be back.

    (4)
  • Allie A.

    What was going on here last night? It makes me sad to write this but last night was just off. I'll preface by saying I've eaten here for both lunch and dinner in the past... and it has been an enjoyable experience. But this review is for last night. Met up with some friends for happy hour. About 7 or so local beers on tap for HH price $3, so that was great. We all ordered an app and planned on sharing just a bit, but this was going to really be my dinner. My man ordered the asparagus with poached egg, friend ordered all of the cheeses and I ordered the calamari. All looked fantastic. One bite of the calamari was all it took to completely kill my appetite. It was rubbery (but I've had rubbery calamari that was edible before).... but it tasted SOOOOO FISHY. The tomatoes and olives in the mix ended up with the same awful flavor. Our server was pretty disengaged... even despite our good happy hour mood. I had a bit of cheese but was so disappointed in my appetizer pick. I wanted them to take it off our table, but a brave man decided to muster down a few bites. There was over half the app left when I told him to take it away. Now, I didn't say anything about it. Everyone else was having a decent time, we were catching up and sitting outside and the weather was nice. So that is a little on me, I suppose? So, after a few frosty beverages, I walk inside to the ladies room.... and the entire, gorgeous dining room reeked like a fish market at 3 pm or one of the older grocery stores near the seafood. My boyfriend actually made a quip about it to our server, but was dismissed. So as I sat there, trying to fill up on beer, sad and hungry... my boyfriend orders a steak to go. I did not want to. So we parted ways, and I went home, disappointed and hungry. I know this hasn't been my experience with Taverna in the past, and hopefully it won't be the next, but it's going to take a long while before I decide to venture back.

    (2)
  • Gracie S.

    I love lunch spots like these. I got the Nicoise Salad and added salmon on top. Devine. I also brought my dog along and sat outside. The brought copper a dog bowl and he was content as can be. My boyfriend got the burger and raved about it. The shopping center is great to walk around before/after too.

    (5)
  • Michela W.

    We went to Taverna for Valentine's day. It was of course a busy evening and a little louder than usual. The best part of our experience that evening were the drinks. My husband and a Moscow Mule and i had a Sidecar. Both were prepared well. The meal was nice, I ordered pork shank with creamy plolenta. It was very flavorful, however I felt it was too rich with the polenta. I've been to Taverna for lunch too and have enjoyed it as well. I look forward to having an evening there again, too.

    (3)
  • Henry H.

    The Patatas Braves is really good with the sauce on the side that was provided. The Scallops smaller portion entree was decent. The roasted chicken entree was good. I would say the service at the restaurant was excellent. I would have to say it was on my top 10 greatest service I've received at a restaurant. The waitress was amazing! She went above and beyond to provide the best service she could.

    (5)
  • Clay P.

    Not bad - not great either. Trendy type place and menu but not at all pretentious. friendly service, lunch came out pretty quick, plates looked nice, caprese was OK would have benefited bit of seasoning/ salt, mozzarella was highlight of whole meal. sandwich was spin on a Cuban but was somewhat oily /greasy from mortadella but tasted pretty good.

    (3)
  • Rebecca B.

    Went there for dinner with a party of about 20. The food, cocktails, and service were absolutely fantastic. I had the Caldo Gallego- a chickpea soup, the short ribs and the lemon panna cotta.The caldo and the short ribs are definitely something I'd go back for and their old Fashioneds with Rittenhouse Rye are superb. The staff was extremely professional and pleasant even though we were a disorganized and slightly rambunctious group. Every winter we plan the same dinner and this was by far the best group meal I've experienced.

    (5)
  • Lauren R.

    I want to preface my Yelp with a disclaimer. I do not Yelp often. HOWEVER, when I do, I vow to either "go big or go home". This is a BIG ONE. My boyfriend and I were visiting family and friends down in Jacksonville over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. We were hungry New Yorkers with appetites and palates that expect to be wined, dined and dazzled. We researched the San Marco area to check out the scene. And...all roads lead to Taverna San Marco. Our party of 6 were all together the evening before for Thanksgiving. We didn't think we could handle any more food. However, Taverna turned that all around for us the moment we walked in. The space had a cool, relaxing esthetic. It was sort of laid back but had a Chelsea/Tribeca chic thing going on at the same time. The hostess greeted us and we were sat promptly. As we made it to the table, we noticed that all the servers and staff were all pleasant and attentive....and they weren't even our servers. Typically, when my boyfriend and I dine out back home, we feel like we are spies eavesdropping on the intimate details of a nearby table's conversation. At Taverna, we sat in the upper part of the dining area to the left of the bar. We had a great view of the place...AND we only heard conversations that were going on around OUR table. We had a lot of different tastes to satisfy and Taverna delivered...and then some. Many of us shared two helpings of the Sautéed Calamari. It was refreshing and a perfect introduction to what else was coming our way. We read so many great things about the pizza so we all tried two; the Fungi and the Soppressata. Now, since I am a New Yorker, I pride myself on the difference between pizza, fancy pizza and then PIZZA. These two choices were in a whole other category of PIZZA. The Soppressata with the egg in the middle...who would thought of that? Taverna definitely showed us that being "out of the box" is the only way to be "in the box". For main meals, we dined on the Salmon with the White Beans and Kale (heavenly), the Snapper special (and it was so flavorful...it deserved it's own spotlight as a "special"). I highly recommend the Herbed Ricotta, Butternut Squash Ravioli. It somehow combines an Italian dish that wanted to be part of Thanksgiving. Really. It was out of this world. Also, my boyfriend expanded his veggie comfort zone and tried Broccolini...and wanted to make certain we can get it up in NYC. Everything was served timely and the wait staff couldn't be more accommodating. It was like they knew what we needed and they were always 3 steps ahead of us. Then things started to get really REAL. We read about Taverna's desserts, particularly their Gelotas. We had a medley of desserts that offered Gelota in many flavors. The Vanilla and Chocolate basically was heaven on a spoon; not too creamy and not too thick. The Apple Empanada was basically wiped clean as the plate hit the table. We also shared a dessert special that offered up the Raspberry Gelota on a shortbread cookie, a Pumpkin Cookie that was like mini Whoopi Pie but it was Pumpkin and conveniently could sit in your mouth. This dish also included a mini Pecan Pie that had the power of a full size one. I need to note that we brought our own wine. And by the looks of their wine menu/selection, Taverna is in the big leagues. HOWEVER, I highly recommend the Dillon's Cup. It's like a Pimm's Cup that wanted to explore new horizons. The combination of the Dillon's Gin, Pimm's, fresh ginger and a cucumber slice really flirted with your taste buds. I read it was also named after the owners' son Dillon. I love when restaurants not only infuse tasty libations with unique flavors but they infuse their lives and stories within the menu as well. We are certain Taverna impresses all the die hard/big league "foodies" hipsters", "gourmands", "chow hounds" and "gastonauts". However, Taverna impressed us because they do all that fancy stuff with style and grace yet at the same time, you feel like you just had the best home cooked meal tailored especially for you. Come to NYC, Taverna...we know that you will turn heads....and appetites!

    (5)
  • Gary F.

    Went to Taverna for the first time in over a year. Four of us went on a Saturday night to celebrate my wife's bday. We had a 7:30 reservation and were seated as soon as we arrived. our wait person brought us all a glass of champagne so they did remember the birthday without me reminding them. We ordered the house made Beretta which is a cream infused Mozzarella with prosciutto and heirloom caramelized scallops with truffle risotto...outstanding. The scallops were perfectly done and the truffle risotto was creamy and rich without being gooey. One person ordered the chorizo, mussels and clams in a chorizo broth. Great presentation and great flavors. Unfortunately my wife (the birthday girl) ordered the homemade ravioli which were severely underdone and lacked flavor. So overall we would go back again and would recommend to our friends.

    (4)
  • Ricardo S.

    Absolutely great food! Had dinner there and the service was incredible. The waiter was prompt and in tune. The decor was calming and modern. The snapper was soft with flavors captured in it. Great choice for dinner

    (5)
  • Jerry T.

    Went here for happy hour, good drinks, good food, atmosphere is alright. If you're in San Marco, it's a good spot to stop by, but there are better dinner places in Jacksonville in my opinion.

    (4)
  • Ashley M.

    Been to this place twice and it does not disappoint!! It was one of the first places i ate when I moved to Jacksonville. Ive had a few appetizers, entrees, and deserts; they were all to die for. Not to mention the decor and service is also outstanding. The truffle fries, gnocchi, and cheese platter stands out in my mind as must haves. Definitely go in her and spend your money, it is so worth it and not high priced for what you get.

    (5)
  • Jen C.

    Still delish. Came in for my birthday and mentioned it on my reservation; I was disappointed none of the staff seemed to be aware. Alas, dinner was wonderful. We started with a charcuterie plate and the Moscow Mule. Both were wonderful. For dinner I had the scallops in fettuccine, and husband had the short ribs. His short ribs were a tad under temperature but the flavor was great. My scallops were wonderful. We had the mint chocolate chip sandwiches again for desert, and they were great.

    (5)
  • Andrew T.

    This is the best italian I've had in Florida. The pizza took me back to Roma. The pasta was amazing. The salad was simply wow. The wine... So so. Could be much better. In any case a home run. Will return soon.

    (5)
  • Maya C.

    Came here right at dinnertime with a group of ladies, which was the perfect time to go because parking was still available relatively close by and the restaurant was pretty quiet. I've been wanting to try this place out for a while because of the Marinated Calamari. I'm a sucker for good Calamari. Loved the atmosphere and the decor. In looking at the menu online I already knew what I was going to get. For a drink I had the Iced Tea Italiano, which in my opinion was more alcohol and less tea. I may be too used to having my alcohol and tea balanced, I don't know. I wasn't impressed but I drank it anyway. For an appetizer I had, you guessed it, Marinated Calamari. The pictures of it looked good, but the taste was just meh. They tasted a little chewy for me and that was probably because it was cooked whereas I'm used to eating it raw. The Grilled Hangar Steak entree was awesome! I've never had hangar steak before and I think now that it will be the only cut of beef I will eat hahaha. Yes, it was that good. After eating all this I wasn't sure if I wanted dessert but I figured I'd go walking later on in the evening and I ordered the Lemon Cream Torte. That was delish and it hit the spot. So in all my first experience was a good one and I'll definitely be back.

    (4)
  • Katie B.

    Moved to Jax two months ago and this is the best food I've had yet. Loved the atmosphere too! We have been to many restaurants looking for something local that has a good atmosphere and hadnt found anything until this place. When I found this place I can't express to you how happy I got!! I come from an area where local restaurants are plentiful! So one of the hardest things about moving to Jax has been the lack of local restaurants combined with a good atmosphere. Cheese plate is a must! We only ordered one cheese but it comes with little bread pieces, honey, apricot, figs, and nuts...ALL of it was amazing!! They also have options for vegans and vegetarians. They have a plate on their menu that says they will creat something specially for you in the kitchen! I thought that was really neat.

    (4)
  • Claire L.

    We went here for a birthday dinner. Our table of 9 was sat outside. Beautiful restaurant and decor. Waitress seemed short and not friendly. I got the house made fettuccini with chicken. Portion was huge, easily two servings. Price was bit high in my opinion. The dish was great though. Very fresh ingredients and simple flavors. Overall, good experience but not sure I'll be rushing back.

    (3)
  • Brittany O.

    Brunch is worth going for. I got an omelet with an arugula salad for $9! The omelet covered the entire plate and was very filling. I go every Sunday:)

    (5)
  • N N.

    Taverna is my favorite Italian restaurant hands down! From decor to amazing authentic cooking, a must eat.

    (5)
  • Caron S.

    Have eaten here 2-3 other times for dinner and remember it being good, but that said it's been awhile. (at least a year) Six of us sat outside. We ordered the cheese plate, hummus and meatball appetizers to share. The cheese plate is nice - complete with crisp crostini, honey, pecans. mini pickles and dijon mustard, mini pearled onions. Wish there had been some sort of fruit, like granny smith apple slices, or apricots. The hummus was okay at best and the pita chips seemed both stale and tasteless. Thumbs down. Monday evenings are pizza (any of the three on the menu, or the pizza of the day, which are up to $17 or $18 regularly) and a pint of local Intuition beer (Jon Boat, I-10 or People's Pale) for $12. Nice little deal. The pizzas are fairly large for one person -- hello, leftovers! I had the soppressata pizza with fried egg on top and it was okay. It didn't have much flavor. The crust was crisp, and the pizza itself was okay but it didn't wow me. I also had a few bites of the margherita and it too wasn't bad but it just was not memorable. For dessert we had the mini mint chocolate chip ice cream sandwiches (three for $10) and single scoops of the gelato. I had the strawberry balsamic which was delicious and topped with a crunchy little cookie. Our server was attentive. All in all an okay experience.

    (3)
  • Hanna H.

    This is a hot spot for weeknight and weekend dinners! I stopped in on a gorgeous evening and got lucky to be seated outside. The specials were a mouthful, they should maybe consider making a separate specials menu, or having a chalkboard or something. I ordered: Drink: Basileus. They don't have a full bar (yet! not until after expansion), so this cocktail was made with prosecco and basil simple sugar. Tasty! App: Ricotta cheese with fig compote and peasant bread app, definitely a must-order. The bread is really good! Soup: Gazpacho, which was perfectly chilled. Could have been a little spicier but it was okay. The little bits of shrimp were a nice touch! Main: Hangar steak with truffle frites, so bomb. The truffle was delicious. I wish the fries were shoe-string instead of steak fries, which would have been more resemblant of steak frites. But it was still yummy! Overall, it was a great experience. The waiter was attentive, funny, friendly, and honest. He was also good at checking in and refilling our waters. I docked off a star because the food was a little mediocre. The menu describes the dishes with fancy buzzwords that make the food seem a little more tasteful and flavorful than it actually is, one of my pet peeves.

    (4)
  • Tamiko B.

    I have eaten at Taverna before, but have never written a review before. This particular visit was just for apps and drinks for my husband and dessert and coffee for me. There were two hostesses standing at the front along with other patrons. After saying the number in our party (2) and a few minutes one of the hostesses grabs 2 menus, but never signals that she is seating us and not the other patrons who were there before us. We trailed behind her and we caught up with her she stops at a table and says enjoy your meal, so our assumption was correct that time. Our server is attentive, but not overly engaging. Despite the lackluster customer service, the food shined. My husband didn't make any comments on his order, but I insisted that he taste the cake that I ordered as it was spectacular. The food and ambiance definitely made up for the average customer service and I would recommend this place for an intimate evening with your sweetie before moving on to your next plans for the night, in our case, hanging out in Riverside.

    (4)
  • M B.

    Great drinks, I recommend the Moscow Mule. Food was so so. The mozzarella balls were a disappointment. Dry, bland, too heavy on the breading/batter. Lots of them must have fallen apart in the fryer because the cheese was missing. It was also uncomfortably hot inside.

    (3)
  • Christine I.

    This is such a delightful spot! Perfect for a date night, splurge night or girls night out! We got their just in time for happy hour, drinks all around! We started with some cheese, fancy right?? Served with almonds, honey and fig spread, it was a creamy and light start to a great meal. My entree was the sweet potato agnolotti. It was perfect for a fall evening! Our ending note was the chocolate lava cake, of course it was amazing! On my way out I noticed they have $12 pizza and beer nights on Mondays! I will def be back for that!

    (4)
  • Suzanne S.

    Went here with my BFF on a Wednesday after work. Our waiter Paul was great, knowledgeable about the wine but not pushy or pretentious. We got a bottle of cabernet, can't remember what it was but was really fabulous. I ordered the shrimp, mussells, clams dish, it was great! And we got the cheese plate with some various meats and cheese, also very good. More than enough for both of us, with plenty of the crunchy crackers and some honey and mustard. My friend got a butterscotch dessert, to die for! I should have written down everything but suffice to say I loved it and will be back and will ask for Paul's table.

    (4)
  • Michael C.

    Went out for a date night with my wife. The hostess at the front counter told us to take any seat outside if we wanted. We did so, and then no one (server or hostess) came over for 8 -10 minutes. We left :(

    (1)
  • Joseph G.

    Been wanting to try this place for a while. We went during late lunch/early dinner time to experience it while not busy. Love the location, design, and front porch-like setup to eat outside. We chose to eat outside. We didn't order any major dishes but the sandwiches on other tables looked super delicious. We ordered the meatball appetizer which was very good, flavorful and just the right amount for 2 people. We ordered two pizza's because the brickoven style looked too good to pass up. We got the margherita and soppressata. Although the margherita was good, the soppressata was excellent. Its salty dry salami and egg in the middle added a lot of good flavor and their san marzano tomato flavor is absolutely amazing. We would easily go there again to try the sandwiches and possibly an entree. Great place in San Marco.

    (5)
  • Joe V.

    Taverna has a prime location on the square in San Marco. The decor is rustic tuscan. Their wine selection resonated with me....My companion selected two cheeses and prociutto that were served with an amazing truffled honey, fig compote, candied almonds, grapes and crustini. We enjoyed tuning flavor combinations to compliment the wine that we were drinking. On to dinner- Pork osso buco was to drool for. Pumpkin crusted sheepshead was exceptional. Taverna is not inexpensive, but the quality food and wines is well worth the cost.

    (5)
  • Diana M.

    We have heard good things about Taverna and finally got a chance to check it out ourselves. We started with the asparagus appetizer which was awesome, I highly recommend it. I had their ravioli which included corn and balsamic vinegar on top which seemed odd but really worked!! They also have an interesting drink menu with lots of unique ones to try!

    (5)
  • Nancy S.

    We were in town for a wedding and made a last minute reservation, on a Friday night for a group of 10. A busy night in San Marco and a very busy night at Taverna. In spite of that, the food was amazing as was the wine. The service was even better.

    (5)
  • Kirk B.

    Great Food, good Wine, staff was very welcoming. Our waitress was very responsive and friendly, I would definitely return next time I am in Jacksonville.

    (5)
  • Beth H.

    Love it here. The corn chowder is amazing and this is a must stop for brunch. The bread basket is divine and the fizzy tangerine mimosas are always the most fun. Best on a nice day when its warm outside to enjoy the patio.

    (5)
  • A B.

    Real, fresh, unique (but not strange) food and excellent service. This was the best restaurant meal we've had in quite some time and our server was delightful, kind, and attentive! (When we first walked in, we were afraid with our jeans and sweaters that we would be underdressed - not so. The restaurant is nicer than the clothing of its customers but if you're wearing something fancy, you'll fit in great, too.)

    (5)
  • Leighton D.

    Went with a couple of friends, in search of a great dining/taps spot, especially after my experience with another restaurant. While not really a taps spot, Taverna does not disappoint at all. A great place to go for an intimate night out. Their menu is "different" but in a good way. I had the 14oz ribeye, which was a special item that night, and was one of the largest 14oz ribeyes I have ever seen. Was done really Great and seasoned to perfection. Served with roasted garlic and potatoes, and this kind of sauteed mushroom and bacon type mix which was AMAZING. Also had one of the cheese appetizers, the Tomato Bisque, Garlic Shrimp, and one of their flat breads. We were all pleased. The greeters were both cheery and assisted us in getting an earlier reservation, but the bar is awesome as well, and Kyle was a great server and bartender. The wood interior all around creates a very upscale experience for the casual diner. There is also an outdoor seating area as well. The biggest tips to give would be: HAVE RESERVATIONS. I think that is the deal breaker on your experience here. You can go on open table to reserve, or call ahead, but we did neither as it was a plan B for a rained out Sun's game. We were waiting only about an hour or so, which isn't bad with a Starbucks next door. They only server beer and wine. So if you are looking for a full bar, this isn't the place for you. Given that there IS no liquor on the menu, it makes this place a very affordable option to others. I would definitely recommend and return again.

    (5)
  • Ruby A.

    Oh how I'd love to dine here every night :) I love the food and the drinks... happy to see that a great restaurant like this moved in after Cafe Carmon closed. Let's see, my favorites are: shrimp risotto, scallops, peasant bread w/ fig spread, gazpacho soup, the Basileus drink during happy hour, and any of the wines they have on their menu :)

    (5)
  • Ellen M.

    Just ate at Taverna for the first time, but it won't be the last. The food was excellent and the service was terrific. We came from another event, dressed casually while many patrons were more elegant, but we were made very comfortable. We sat on the patio, by choice, and loved watching San Marco Square while we dined. The Short Rib was first-rate and the soup and salad also wonderful. I had a terrific glass of Pinot Grigio with a price that didn't knock me dead. I don't like huge quantities of cheap food - I like quality food prepared well and presented beautifully. That's what Taverna does, in a very appealing atmosphere. I won't wait long for my second visit.

    (4)
  • Davida T.

    Dinner at Taverna while visiting my sister and her husband in Jacksonville. Simple rustic room, low lighting and excellent service provided by Tyler. We requested our Manhattans stirred, but they arrived shaken and foamy. Herbed ricotta appetizer delicious, Brussels sprouts not to miss. Unfortunately my medium rare hanger steak arrived all but raw. After it was sent back, a woman delivered it and said "it's more medium now." Taverna, don't insult us by calling ultra rare beef medium! We know medium rare when we see and taste it. Not planning to return any time soon.

    (2)
  • Rick D.

    It has it's pluses, but service has never been a big one. I was asked 4 times at the front door by 3 people if we had reservations. Then waited why the hostess and Manager(?) talked to each other instead of seating us right away. The wife had scallops and they were very good. Appetizer was the Octopus with some type of sauce but to be honest with you the lemon/lime flavor is so strong it over poweres the actual ingredients then I ordered the paella same thing here, in fact I could hardly tell a taste difference over powering with lemon/lime, same flavor across the board. This is one place where I think the chef is becoming complacent and the quality is slipping. Myself I dont know what the draw id but there are so many other finer places with a varietal faire. BB's, Biscotti's 11st Bistro @ beaches etc. I Would challenge the chef to continue to challenge himself. One other thing why would you order pizza here and pay those prices when you can get real pizza at one of the amazing places in Jax (Moon River, Carmines)

    (3)
  • Fred S.

    Beware the Hanger Steak. Last time it was great. This time it was totally different. It did not seem to be marinated, was covered with cilantro and had a red cabbage and tomato sauce. A real disappointment. My wife had the roasted chicken over a cold salad and it was average at best. On another note, they had orrichette pasta, but it was totally changed. I don't know why they do not stick with their great dishes. Once you find something really good, it should stay on the menu.

    (3)
  • Lisa C.

    We made a reservation here for our anniversary. The interior decor of this place is very upscale and modern. The waitress was a middle-late twenties gal who made excellent suggestions as well as explained several items to us. We started with the bruschetta trio six pieces with three different toppings. These were excellent. The balsamic marinated tomatoes were excellent. I also selected a house moscato, which I have to say was probably the smoothest and sweetest moscato I've ever had. It was absolutely wonderful. For dinner we decided on the burger for him and the goat cheese ravioli for myself. We were a little surprised at the size of my entree. The goat cheese was a little different tasting, but the butternut squash was definitely on point. For 24.00 I was hoping for a little more food. And something that had a little more flavor in the raviolis. For desert we opted on a Single scoop of house made mint chocolate chip gelato, with a house made cookie (like an Oreo) which was pretty great. All in all I would come back, but I think I would select a different entre, if you are a large eater I wouldn't recommend the ravioli, however the steak looked phenomenal next to us.

    (2)
  • Laini T.

    My husband and I decided to go to San Marco with my parents and wander around to find somewhere to eat. Taverna looked like a good option, as it seemed to be buzzing with people. I had seen it on Yelp previously and knew it had good reviews, so we decided to go. I was taken aback by the rudeness of the hostess when we arrived - having dined at some particularly snooty restaurants in different cities, the last thing I was expecting at a cute little restaurant in Jacksonville was attitude from the hostess. After debating whether we even wanted to stay, we decided to give it a shot - fortunately the service from our waitress more than made up for this minor setback. To start, we had the bruschette and the calamari. We are calamari lovers, and this calamari was AMAZING. It was sauteed, not fried, which we always prefer, and was absolutely delicious. The bruschette was also very interesting - not your average tomatoes, basil and olive oil, it included three different styles with interesting ingredients like fig compote and blue cheese. My husband loves figs, and he devoured that one - I wasn't a huge fan of any, but they were nice to try. For dinner, my mom and I both ordered the fettucine with shrimp, which was tasty, but not amazing. My dad got a burger, which looked good. My husband got the pizza of the day, which included duck confit and ricotta cheese and he raved about it. For dessert, we had a cookie plate, the chocolate pave, and the gelato. There was one cookie that was delicious (a homemade oreo type), and that was all I can vouch for. Everyone else loved the dark chocolate gelato and the pave. They have a bunch of local beers which my husband enjoyed, and an interesting wine menu. Overall, worth a shot if you are looking for a fun evening with some unique menu options.

    (3)
  • Paula G.

    Absolutely amazing!!! Fresh, beautifully prepared and expertly served. Well worth every penny.

    (5)
  • Johnny U.

    This was my second time to Taverna and once again it didn't disappoint. Started with the cheese plate which was an amazing beginning to a great experience. From there we just grazed and shared a lot of dishes. Every dish was outstanding the house made Pappardelle pasta with pork was unreal and spiced to perfection. We also had beautifully prepared scallops and quite possibly the most amazing ribeye I've ever had ( and I've had many) it absolutely melted in our mouths. We paired that with a bottle of JL Chave Mon Coeur cotes-du-rhone and an amazing time was had by all. Our server Troce ( and my apologies to him if I misspelled his name) was professional and extremely knowledgable and ensured that we had a great evening. I live in Maui and I'm in the industry and this place is a home run. If I lived in Jacksonville I'd be there every nite. Thanks to all the staff

    (5)
  • Josh J.

    San Francisco is full of restaurants similar to Taverna, but you'll end up waiting outside for an hour and a half before you can get in. Seriously, as a Jax native transplanted to the West Coast, you don't know how good you have it out there. Taverna's Sopressata Pizza is something you must try. A perfectly crispy crust with just a bit of char sets the first-class bedding for some artfully-selected toppings. The sauce, made from San Marzano tomatoes makes all the difference. It's light and fresh, and doesn't overpower everything as pizza sauces can often do. The house-made mozzarella is also a winner in this regard, adding just the right amount of creaminess without the salt of the store-bought variety. Just when you think it's gone all caprese on you, the fatty, salty Sopressata reminds you this is still a meat pizza. The real star of the show is the fried egg. Admittedly, before trying it, egg was not something I'd have been interested in putting on a pizza, but when that yolk breaks, you will be fighting over who gets to sop up the last bits with their slice. It absolutely ties everything together and elevates the whole thing well beyond most artisan pizzas. This is a pie that Bay Area foodies would be singing paeans about, and at 17 dollars, it would line hipsters around the block here several times over. For the experience, quality of ingredients, and taste, it's well worth it at regular price, but if they still do the 10 dollar pizzas during lunch on Fridays, it's the steal of the century.

    (5)
  • Mattias L.

    Hipster place with pretty bland food. We ordered the prosciutto and home-made mozzarella as an appetizer. Now I know that mozzarella is not supposed to be very flavorful, but I at least want it to have *some* flavor. This had none. My entree was a pasta with bolognese sauce, where again the chef seemed to be terrified of adding spices to the dish. Maybe they have to cater to the older generation that can't handle the spiciness, but I was definitely disappointed.

    (3)
  • Kurt R.

    I wish that I could give this place a better rating, but I just can't bring myself to do it. I have had OK stuff there and I've had just plain out not good food. I do have to say that their gruyere BLT is tasty. Everything else is mediocre. They have a pile of wood next to their pizza oven which looks promising, but it's just for show. The oven burns gas!! :( The restaurant looks nice and the staff are friendly and attentive. The food on the other hand, just doesn't do it for me.

    (3)
  • Lisa N.

    Five star food experience! The service was meh. Came here on a weeknight while visiting from out of town to meet friends who are locals. We spent close to 2.5 hours chatting, drinking a bottle of wine, eating, and laughing. It probably would have been less if the service would have been on top of things. Oh well. We started with a cheese and charcuterie plate. The plate was served with truffle honey. Shut up. Amazing. I don't remember anything else. That honey tasted good with everything. For dinner I had the Caesar Salad with Chicken. A boring choice and don't think my friends didn't tell me that. Ha, joke's on them! I tried all of their dinners and still had an incredible Caesar salad. We asked for bread when our meals came out and it was amazing. Even full we all ate the delicious bread. Two of my friend's ordered the night's specials. One a T-bone steak (which was delicious but a little on the fatty side) and the other an assorted seafood dish (delicious!). My other friend ordered the pasta with a tomato cream sauce (he added protein). The pasta was great too. Very fresh and flavorful without being too heavy. Next we moved on to dessert. My friends, wisely, left this decision up to me. I, of course, chose three options. Carrot cake (good but not incredible), molten chocolate cake with vanilla gelato (Ah-mazing), and the mini double chocolate chip cookie sandwiches. The cookie sandwiches were filled with a mint chip gelato. This is no fake, green, mint flavoring. The gelato was flavored with fresh mint! It was like eating a fresh mint leaf with your ice cream, chocolate and cookies. Surprisingly delicious and I don't even like mint! Overall, amazing. Don't hesitate to go to Taverna if you're in Jax. Just hope you get a better server.

    (4)
  • Tira K.

    We've been to Tavera four times because of the location and atmosphere. The service is great! I've enjoyed everything I've ordered and so have the people with whom I've dined. With ONE exception. The lamb meatballs entree was not very good. I LOVE their brunch and half chicken entree.

    (4)
  • David F.

    I had the Salmon, ordered it medium well, which was delicious. Also ordered the Patatas Bravas as a small plate starter, and that was great. For dessert, split the mint mint chocolate chip cookies, which were 3 ice cream sandwiches with mint chocolate chip ice cream. Very very tasty! Service was excellent am the decor inside is subtle and clean.

    (5)
  • Alex H.

    Got a recommendation to stop at Taverna for dinner in the San Marcos area from the new liquor store up the street Grape and Grain. I'm glad they sent me down this way. It was a bit slow, but it's eating out on a Tuesday night. The decor was warm and inviting, with plenty of seats at the bar for drinks and dinner. I sat down and was warmly greeted by Josh. He provided a few recommendations for entrees and wine, both of which were spot on. There seemed to be a special on wine from 5-7 during happy hour. My $7 was actually only $5. The Fungi pizza was delicious, piping hot and crispy when removed from their wood-fired pizza oven. It was covered with truffle and mushrooms and fontina cheese. The mushrooms gave a woodsy taste that worked well with the fontina cheese and slightly darkened crust. I wish I could have sampled more of the menu, but for a delicious pizza and glass of wine, it was exactly what I wanted for a quick meal on the road.

    (4)
  • Justin T.

    My boyfriend and I brought our best friend to Jacksonville for a day trip, and we chose Taverna for dinner. My sister and a couple friends met up with us here. Walking in, I was pleasantly surprised by the simple, modern decor of the place. I thought it was lovely. The hostess warmly greeted us and took us to our table immediately. When our server came, however, she seemed to lack one vital necessity in the service industry -- enthusiasm. No matter, we were excited at the prospect of the night and quickly asked for a wine menu. When I found a wine that I liked, the server told me that they were out of bottles and only had two glasses left. Disappointed, I found another wine and settled for that. At one point, my sister requested to try a wine, and the waitress seemed as if it were a problem that she try something. When we finally ordered dinner (it seemed like we waited an eternity for the server to return to take our orders), the food was very good. My boyfriend and I split a plate of the calamari and risotto. We both had the skirt steak for our main dishes. The steak was well-prepared and the food very good. By the end of the night, we had waited a very long time for many things and asked for many things that the place was out of. If I returned, the restaurant would need to be better stocked up on wines and provide a server who cared about her customers.

    (3)
  • Charles S.

    Had the pleasure of dining here a few weeks back for the first time. The ambience quite modern with a rustic flare. I decided to order something simple to get an idea of the chef's inspirations. I went with the half chicken. It was the most well cooked/presented chicken I have ever had in my life. Completely erased the image of "simple baked chicken" and was one of the prettier dishes I had ever had the pleasure of eating. Not to mention, the incredible muscles and French lamb my date ordered which were equally as delicious and well executed. This place is one of the better spots in Jax to take a date. Highly recommend.

    (5)
  • Anne-Marie B.

    There is nothing I didn't absolutely love about this experience. Saturday brunch begins at 10:30, and we were a little early. The hostess sat us at a table anyway and made sure we were comfortable while explaining service would not be starting for another 15 minutes or so, but that she would be happy to bring us water and menus in the mean time. We sat outside and enjoyed some fantastic people-watching in the middle of San Marco Square (if you've ever been to this area, you can obviously appreciate the wide range of interesting people who pass through), and our server came a few minutes later. She was delightful. Then came...the pastry basket. I can't even...there's just no....it was just....there are no words. Amazing. Muffins, banana/pumpkin bread and one sweet and one savory scone. Perfection. The tangerine jam that came with it was the proverbial cherry on top. The bacon that came with my over-medium eggs was cooked perfectly (not too thick, not too thin, just the right amount of crispy and not covered in grease), and the 'peasant bread' that came with it was the perfect dipping accessory for my yolk. Ladies and gentlemen, make it a point to try this brunch. It will change your life.

    (5)
  • Nikki V.

    I really want to give this 3.5 stars. I've been here twice, once for brunch and once for lunch. Both times the food was fantastic and pretty reasonably priced. When I went for brunch, they were very accommodating to my friend who was with her one-year-old daughter, providing a high chair and crayons. Our waiter was very attentive and the food came out at a nice pace (all three of us ordered appetizers). The second time, for lunch, was a very different experience. In Taverna's defense, we had a party of eight and arrived right at noon. However, the restaurant was only about half full and there seemed to be plenty of staff milling around. Our server took our orders and it was about 35 minutes before we saw any food. She was very good about keeping our water glasses full, but provided no update on the status of our food. It seemed that our food and everyone else in the restaurant's food all came out at the same time, so its very possible that there was something errant in the kitchen. It would've been appreciated if that had been communicated, or if she had at least brought out bread. I would still eat here again, just not for lunch. Everyone at the table enjoyed their food, but we had to have it boxed up almost immediately since we had to go back to the office. I would recommend this place for their brunch or when you have unlimited time to eat.

    (3)
  • Ashley B.

    OUTSTANDING! I am a visitor from Atlanta, and a road warrior. When I travel I look for new and interesting offerings in the cities I visit. I would offer Taverna up in ANY city. Even the LA crowd would be impressed! We started with the roasted garlic hummus. The texture was perfection. I thoroughly enjoyed the pairing of the house-made rosemary lavish chips. While considering our dinner options, the server brought the days cheese and charcuterie options. As a cheese lover, I thought I had died and gone to heaven! I was very tempted by the 5 for $20 option, but decided I should eat something more than just meat and cheese for dinner. We settled on the Humboldt Fog by Cypress Grove. The waiter recommended the chorizo which was a perfect pairing. It was served on a platter with fig jam, roasted and candied nuts, grain mustard, miniature pickles and toasted bread rounds. There are no words. We decided to keep with the tapas theme and ordered the Caprese with the house-made mozzarella (DEAR GOD THE FLAVORS!), the Gambas al Ajillo (Prawns in a chili and garlic sauce) and the Patatas Bravas (fried fingerling potatoes with paprika and aioli). Again, every last offering had a distinct, incredible flavor. I have eaten tapas, at many different locations. And, I have eaten with others and sampled many different dishes in the same evening. But, I have NEVER, EVER experienced such consistency. Every dish that was suggested, offered, selected and brought forward was a gift to the taste buds. It was a pleasure to the senses. The final gift was the Lemon and Vanilla Bean Panna Cotta with Strawberry Coulis. It was served with fresh strawberries and blueberries as well as house-made rosemary shortbread. I don't normally care for custard texture in desserts. Yet, I found myself wanting just one more bite! The food, the service, the ambiance, are all outstanding. We will be making a trip to Jax for an overnight fun trip including dinner at Taverna!

    (5)
  • Caitlin F.

    When a friend suggested we eat at Taverna, immediately I had images of giant flaming candles and dank cellars, a goth hackling "welcome to Taverna" as you enter. I was pleasantly surprised this urban rustic gem in San Marco was quite the opposite. We went with a group, which made it easy to taste their appetizers and have a bite of everyone's entree. With that said, you absolutely have to start with the cheese and charcuterie and olives. It complimented every dish ordered. I devoured the house made Fetuccini, which I highly recommend.. The pasta was tender, and the sauce was rich and smooth with a little bite. All the fish dishes were fresh and cooked to delicate, flaky, buttery perfection. We were told to come back for the hanger steak. Also heard they have a cheap brunch, and "their mimosas are the best in town."

    (5)
  • Nancy S.

    Second time for dinner. First experience was great however second not good at all. Bread was frozen, steak was tough, my companion did not enjoy the lamb belly. Service was terrible. Sat for at least 15 minutes before we saw our waiter. After ordering appetizer waiter asked if we wanted one. Took almost an hour for food to come out. Won't go back any time soon

    (2)
  • Ryan D.

    Great place for a romantic dinner. Nice ambience, great decor, and good selections. Place only serves wine & beer, but that's ok, I am a wine drinker. Food was amazing! I highly recommend their caldo gallego soup, baby lettuce salad (Not iceberg lettuce either, and it is topped with champagne vinaigrette dressing), and their skirt steak a la plancha. Overall, great place with great service!

    (5)
  • Elizabeth S.

    Excellent food! Fresh and in season! Diverse menu and great wine choices. The additional room is perfectly warm for a toasty winter evening and the outdoor seating is great for spring and summer. Watch the wait staff -- they clear place setting too quickly---lingering over great food with beautiful wine is what this restaurant is about.

    (4)
  • Sandy B.

    I have dined at some of the best restaurants in the US from NY city to San Fran and I have to say that Taverna ranks with the best. I have dined here at least twice a month since they opened and I have to say that they put Jacksonville on the culinary map for a place that respects the food and who offer dishes that are both creative and simple in preparation but over the top in flavor and quality. Its says a lot that using the finest ingredients from meats to olive oils to fish and freshly made pasta put Taverna at the top of the dining scene in Jacksonville. The new menu with paella with pasta was delicious. The hanger steak, pasta carbonara, and the Fungi Pizza are first class. The wine list and service round out the total experience. They put a lot of attention on the list and I have found some great offerings only found here. The service is top notch and the team of Sam and Kiley, Rachel and Brian and the entire wait staff make it a real pleasure to dine with them. It has been 5 years and it only gets better on each visit from food to service to total experience. Must eats: Fungi Pizza, Baked Chicken, ORECCHIETTE(when offered) Steak special(when offered), and the Paella with pasta.

    (5)
  • Tonya C.

    I'll start by saying the food was really good, tasty. And the decor/ambiance was nice, very cool. Went here with my hubby for date night, and we had reservations (which I think is important here, they got really busy really fast at prime dinner time - which is when we were leaving). So back to the food, really good - but portions were very small. And expensive. For such small portions, too expensive (we were still hungry afterwards! Went for dessert elsewhere). Although good in flavor. Service was so-so - I think our waiter was new or something, we kept having to ask for refills on water and our adult beverages were empty most of the time. For one appetizer, two adult beverages for my hubby and one wine for me, and two dinners, the tab came to over $120. Not including tip. So this place, while offering quality farm to table food, was too expensive to be a regular for us. We'll probably be back, but not often!

    (3)
  • Troy C.

    Not so great all the way around. The soup i had tasted out of a can. The salad was drenched in dressing. It took forever to come out. The staff, although nice, was not attentive at all. it took 2 waitress and the manager to finally refill my diet coke. no kidding. The manger did apologize so i commend him for that and also took care of the tab. I was not looking for a handout and wanted to pay. I appreciated the gesture. Sometimes restaurants are just off. This may just be an isolated case, but it was my experience. I really separated the service from the food and they were both sub par. oh...and one thing that really bothers me....I hate when the hostess wants to seat everyone together in a group when there are really nice tables and locations throughout. They just want to round you up like cattle and shove us all in an area. They had such nice seats near the front , where I first walked in, but they tried to put us all the way in the back with the rest of the "herd". God forbid the waiters/waitress walk a few more feet. Please stop doing that. It's cheesy and real annoying. Of course i sat where i wanted in the end:)

    (2)
  • Isay J.

    Food was great albeit a little on the moderate price range. My friend was complaining about his plate size pizza being $15. I had the squash pumpkin soup and pesto sandwich. I would say this place would be a good date place, modern decor with hipster feeling crowd and staff. Sevice was prompt. Cute shopping on the main drag so you an digest afterwards.

    (4)
  • Jackie V.

    This is by far the Best restaurant in San Marco. The food,service and ambience were a 10. We were personally greeted by owners and the food came out for the 14 in our party, hot and all at once. Definitely will go back. JACKIE

    (5)
  • Aaron M.

    On of the better places for brunch.. slower service.. outdoor seating is nice and you feel like one of the in-crowd... Granted nothing is open nearby on sunday though.

    (5)
  • Willy C.

    1st visit early Feb 2014 & we liked it a lot. Bright, attentive waitress & management. Cheese appetizer plate was creative & very tasty. Pasta dishes were terrific. We'll be back.

    (4)
  • Lenny S.

    Ultra modern decor is a little intimidating but the staff is very welcoming. Great place for a business lunch. Liked the salad but found the add on's a bit pricy.

    (4)
  • Kathy C.

    Sorry to say, I didn't really get Taverna. My sister picked this restaurant to celebrate her birthday. The experience in general was mediocre at best. There were 8 of us in the party and we made a reservation for an early dinner. So when we walked in to the restaurant, it was nice and quiet. The decor was really nice. The food... eh... not so great. Since there were 8 of us, we were able to sample a variety of items on their tapas and regular entree menu. Thinking back, we enjoyed the Patatas Bravas (fried potatoes) the most. But you don't want to spend $$ and walk out thinking, geez, I enjoy the side dish the most.... We ordered a variety of tapas including the garlic hummus, sauteed mussles and clams, house-made mozzarella and proscuitto di parma, and ricotta cheese. None were "bad" per se, but none I enjoyed much either. The entrees were disappointing to me, unfortunately. Soppressata, fried egg pizza - After reading the positive reviews here, I really really looked forward to this pizza. Maybe that's the problem... too mucn anticipation. I just didn't "get" it. The pizza crust was really good. The soppressata was good, but was layered so much that the pizza as a whole, tasted really salty to me. Paella - Again, was really looking forward to trying the paella here. What came was alot of overcooked, soft/wet rice with seafood... with a lot of salt. Orecchiette Pasta - A family portion at $26, you get a bowl of pasta with sausage in a tomatoe based broth. Again, the theme is salty and soggy. I consider this the biggest rip off for a bowl of pasta. Overall, I was disappointed with the food. But, the dining experience was not bad at all. The servers were knowledgeable and friendly. The atmosphere really nice. But for this type of dining and what they want to charge, I expected the food to be great as well. Walking out of the restaurant, I just wanted to go home and drink me a gallon of water.....

    (3)
  • Kat V.

    Wow - what a great find in Jacksonvillle San Marco area. Had the wine special - bottle of Scalia Deneto for $25 with the charcuterie ham/cheese plate-delicious! Entrees: homemade fettuccine with shrimp in a light cream w/tomato sauce - abundant shrimp. I had the appetizer sized plate of scallops over a vegetable risotto-so flavorful w/ a touch of lemon & 3 large scallops grilled perfectly! A delightful dining experience - very cool atmosphere - highly recommend.

    (5)
  • David F.

    A nice upscale casual atmosphere with a splendid menu. Slightly overpriced for the portions but quality is top notch. Was a bit loud for good conversation which could be helped by adding echo reducing materials. Overall, worth a visit.

    (3)
  • Julie G.

    We are just moving to the area and stopped in for a late-Sunday-night dinner upon arriving in town. The service was amazing and the atmosphere modern and comfortable. Our waitress was so friendly and helpful--brought me two samples of wine to decide between and I ended up absolutely loving the one. We ordered a cheese plate, which was a great selection of delicious samples with honey, toasts, nuts, and of course fig. We also shared a Soppressata pizza--what a fantastic blend of flavors! Not that we needed it, but this was a definite sign that we made the right choice to move!

    (5)
  • Laura K.

    Excellent service, comfortable ambience, and great food with a good variety. It's solid choice. I will definitely come back!

    (4)
  • Hilary L.

    The best thing about Taverna is that you can have whatever kind of night you want. A great meal to celebrate something special with a large group? A decadent date night with your inamorata? Wine and appetizer before moving on for the night? Beer and the best pizza going with few friends? They've got it all. Speaking of pizza, you MUST have the sopressata. Like MUST. Egg on pizza might sound weird, but Italians have been doing it for, oh, years now and they are right. Salty and sweet, with a crispy crust its a good deal for two or completely stuffing for one at $14. As far as entrees, they tend to change a bit, as what is fresh and in season changes so does their menu. They only had it once when I was there, but they do an amazing Seared Ahi. A bonus is that many of the entrees are available in small portions-great for mixing and matching. Partly because we live right around the corner, we first went to Taverna when they had their "soft opening" a week or so before their "grand opening". Taverna took over the spot that Cafe Carmon once held for as long as I can remember and we had been desperately hoping that something great was going fill its place. Success! Taverna did just that. The atmosphere is somewhat rustic, but modern at the same time. Lots of weathered wood and clean lines. They use slanted mirrors above the bar that really opens the place up visually [it is actually a fairly long and narrow building]. And make sure to sit outside if weather permits. It's glorious. We've been back many times and I can safely say that its a great addition to Jacksonville as a whole.

    (5)
  • Claudia M.

    Went here with an interview candidate. This was my second time here. The food was good, a bit overpriced, Talking was difficult as the restaurant was loud.

    (3)
  • Amanda S.

    So yummy. My favorite for brunch. The omelets are great. The coffee is the best I've ever had. I request a bag of beans every time, but they won't :). I've also had dinner there and never been disappointed.

    (5)
  • Kim S.

    I dined at Taverna at around 7:00p on a weeknight. The service was excellent; our server was charming a knowledgeable. We ordered a bottle of wine, a good and moderately priced Tempranillo, and a cheese and charcuterie plate to start. The cheeses were really really excellent, and the prosciutto de parma was also quite good. The accompaniments were spiced walnuts, grainy mustard, fig compote, and a truffled honey that I will almost certainly be making at home soon! We also enjoyed a citrus beet salad with goat cheese and an herbed ricotta with peasant bread and more fig compote. The salad was a little heavy on the citrus, almost bringing out some bitter notes, but paired with the goat cheese it was very tasty. The ricotta, while light and airy, lacked anything I would call "herbed" save for a few chives on top. Not a memorable dish. For the entrees, we had a grey grouper special, prepared with an artichoke barigoule. The broth was very good, and the fish was cooked perfectly. I wish I could have said the same for my seafood paella. The calamari in particular was overdone and very rubbery, and there was grit in two of the clams. The rice at the bottom of the dish did not achieve that iconic "paella crunch", which is one of my favorite parts of the dish! I will say that the seasoning was quite good and the other protein elements of the dish were tasty. Overall, the food was quite good, although next time I will try one of the pizzas, which looked fantastic! Great to see a new restaurant with some fresh ideas in Jacksonville, I will return soon!

    (3)
  • Nathan S.

    Very happy that we finally tried Taverna! The decor is very relaxing. They have used rustic elements in a modern way to make a place that is very clean, but not too modern. The use of a high wall board along their couples seating area also makes for an intimate feel while keeping the space open. The menu is a combination of Italian, Spanish, and other Mediterranean dishes. They have a very nice tapas menu and a very good selection of chesses and meat plates as starters. The wine list was extensive and not overpriced. I started with their spinach salad and my wife had a lettuce salad. They were both very well dressed and not soggy. They both had a lot of flavor and were generous in portion. For our main courses I had the orecchiette (small shell) pasta with sausage and my wife had the house spaghetti special. These are big portions of pasta! We both really enjoyed our dishes. My sauce was spicy but not overpowering. Sometimes you get spice at the sacrifice of taste, but not in this case. The fennel in the sausage and the sweetness of the pine nuts still came though. The rapini (a bitterish broccoli type veg also called "broccoli rab") works really well in the dish, giving it color and flavor that cuts the spiciness of the sausage. The one thing we both noticed was that our pasta were both cooked to past al dente. I prefer my pasta to be cooked to very al dente and my wife likes hers a little past and we both agreed that it was cooked to well past. However the quality of the pasta meant that it wasn't mushy, which would have ruined the dish. This was a very good experience and we would love to go back. Maybe for a tapas lunch.

    (4)
  • Fred B.

    Taverna was really good. A nice blend of Greek, Spanish and mediteranean cuisine. The atmostphere is casual and attractive. Service was very friendly and attentive. Food arrived promptly. The wine list was very good, with some really nice by-the-glass choices. The gnocchi with duck was outstanding, as was the bread pudding. Other small plates ranged from good to very good. I would return in a heartbeat. I haven't found Jacksonville to be the "center of the dining universe", and Taverna was good enough to succeed in any city I visit. Enthusiastically recommended...!

    (4)
  • Barb K.

    Excellent food, Excellent service, great atmosphere! Only open a year, and they are doing it right! The menu offers a great selection, so much it's hard to choose. The tapas menu is my favorite. The selection is different enough to keep you interested but not scare you away! LOVE IT!

    (5)
  • Sam L.

    My wife and I went at lunchtime on a Saturday when it wasn't very busy. The service speed was average, but our waiter wasn't very friendly. I ordered a chicken pesto sandwich that was A-ok, and my wife ordered a soup. The taste of the food was overall average, but didn't justify the price we paid.

    (3)
  • Stephen P.

    Lunch today was great. Had the Cubana sandwich- One of the best Cubans I've had. Nice work!

    (5)
  • Autumn S.

    I visit JAX often for work and always find myself at Orsay so I made a promise to myself I would try another place for dinner this trip. Taverna was a great distraction from my usual spot, and I ended up going through a cheese plate, entree, and dessert and left the restaurant pretty pleased with my selections. The day's cheese options were so yummy and I really appreciated the truffle honey and figs served alongside. The soft, creamy french cheese I choose was so delicious and probably one of the best cheeses I have had in a while(I don't remember the name because I was busy enjoying an awesome port based cocktail and chatting up other bar patrons to help me with entree choices-sorry). My traditional Italian 'doughnuts' were also spot on, although I thought the espresso based chocolate sauce serve alongside was too strong and distracted from the cinnamon sugar coating of the dough balls. The only thing I didn't enjoy all that much was my entree. I ordered scallops atop corn risotto. The scallops were overcooked and the corn risotto they rested on more like an over-buttered corn soup. The dish was good, just seemed cloyingly heavy. All in all, a good experience and I will definitely visit again for the wine list, cheeses, and give the entrees another shot.

    (4)
  • Natalie B.

    We've been back to Taverna a few times, with the most recent visit occurring a few weeks ago. Our experience was just delightful! We arrived a tad early, so we decided to sit at the bar for a pre-dinner drink. I'm glad we did as the bartender was fantastic! He was very knowledgeable and attentive. He let my friend taste a couple different wines before she decided what she would order. Even after we were sat, he sent a sample of a wine we were considering, just to make sure it was what we wanted. He also jotted down the names of the wine and let us know they could be purchased at the Grotto. Service was overall fantastic that evening! Our meal was really terrific. We started with an assortment of charcuterie and cheese, including a spanish sheep's milk (not the manchego), soppresetta, a bleu cheese, and a creme. Delicious, especially paired with the truffled butter and fig compote. For our dinner, the following items were ordered: sopresetta pizza, margarita pizza, rack of lamb (a special of the evening) and the skirt steak. We also ordered a side of patatas bravas, served with garlic aioli, to share. Everyone's food was spot on that evening! The lamb was much better than it was on our first visit. No dessert, as a glass of wine at the Grotto was the next stop that evening! Taverna continues to be a solid choice for a fun night out with friends who enjoy seasonal food and fantastic wines!

    (4)
  • Brad P.

    I was greeted very quickly by the hostess, who assumed I wanted a takeout (nope.). She allowed me time to look over the lunch menu and after about 5 minutes sat me at a table. It took another 7 to 8 minutes for the waitress to stop by and bring water and sounded surprised when I told her I was ready to order. I had the chicken pesto sandwich. The best thing about lunch was the water didn't have a chlorinated taste to it. The salad was tasty, but it was basically spinach with a balsamic vinaigrette. The sandwich was overly greasy and lacked flavor. I don't know if I'll go back, but if I do I'll check out a more elaborate salad and see how they do.

    (2)
  • Peter C.

    Brenda the waitress introduced the menu with the warm eagerness of a camp counselor. The food was wonderful, as was the wine selection. I think I will steal some of their decor idea for my own home. A nice break for a tired traveler, which we were.

    (4)
  • Jorge U.

    Absolutely fantastic for Sunday brunch. Breakfast pizza, steak & eggs, lemon ricotta pancakes ... everything is delicious. I love the tangerine air mimosas. So many places make a mimosa that's half juice and I just feel like I'm getting ripped off. But not here -- a glass of sparkling wine with just a bit of tangerine foam on top can't be beat.. Best mimosa in town. It's also very nice to be able to bring our canine companions and sit outside. The bowl of water for the dogs is a much appreciated touch. When we get up Sunday mornings, we find the dogs standing by the car looking at us hopefully ... they know where they want to go ... they remember the occasional piece of bacon slipped to them by the staff.

    (5)
  • Nikki P.

    Delicious!! enjoyed the food and atmosphere, will definitely return with friends!!

    (4)
  • Jorge L.

    My wife and I visited Taverna again recently and truly enjoyed it as much as ever. The food was fantastic and the ambiance was very nice as usual. We have had several items from the menu and have always been very pleased. This time I had the skirt steak for the main course and it was perfect. Another great experience at Taverna.

    (5)
  • Lauren T.

    Taverna lived up to its reputation as a sure-thing for great food and ambiance. Wonderful date night spot, and easy to get a table about 9pm on a Friday night.

    (4)
  • Heather B.

    We've been to Taverna twice now - both on special occasions. Being vegan, I was skeptical that I would find anything, but the server was extremely knowledgeable and walked me through everything I could have, and there were plenty of choices! This Saturday a group of 5 of us went for Valentines Eve dinner. I was happy to see the place was hopping. :) I made a dinner from the sides; orzo with butternut squash, broccoli rapini with garlic, and roasted smoked paprika fingerling potatoes. As a surprise, they threw in a portion of their sauteed spinach, which was delicious. I'm not one to turn down spinach. The smoked fingerling potatoes were by far the best thing on the plate; they were sizzling hot and had a kick to them that was addictive. For dessert, they have sorbets that just so happen to be accidentally vegan. I had a scoop of the pear and one of the chocolate. Mmmmm. All in all, a fun place for a fancy date night or any time you want to do something a little special!

    (4)
  • Jitan K.

    Decided you use a Groupon for my first trip to Taverna, it was worth it! Started with the sliced spanish ham app. with reminded me of cured ham I had in Spain, that hit the spot. Also sampled the roasted chicken dinner with was GREAT! I would stay away from the Seafood Paella I don't know what it was but it had some really funky taste. A little pricey for me, but hey thats what the Groupons for. Really cool place in San Marco to check out.

    (4)
  • Juston G.

    Good service and great food. Had a ribeye with potatoes. Excellent.

    (4)
  • Bingle W.

    Taverna's kind of, like, you know, those restaurants where you take a date that you want to impress but you don't want to break the bank in case you don't get laid. You know what I mean? It's not too uppity, but it may make you feel slightly inadequate if you don't know that "fingerlings" are a type of potato and "picholines" are olives. Also, the menu's heavy on cheese and wine -- two foodstuffs that walk a fine line of pretentiousness and that can make people become pompous assholes when ordering. The GF and I had Saturday brunch that consisted of a basket of pastries (banana bread, an orange and cranberry scone, a huge chunk of coffee cake, and a prosciutto scone), the Taverna hash, and steak and eggs. While the pastries/breads and hash were all okay, they were vastly outshined by the steak and eggs only because it was served with the best chimichurri sauce I've ever had in my life. I'm talking fresh and bright and citrusy... a sauce that I want to bathe in. The service was attentive and the décor was very... taupe. It kind of reminded me of that episode of Futurama where they invade the Neutral Planet and, after issuing a Beige Alert, the captain says to his subordinate, "If I don't survive, tell my wife I said... 'Hello.'"

    (3)
  • Young C.

    Visiting from out of town, and was pleasantly surprised to find this gem. Sophisticated decor & ambiance. Arrived earlier than reservation, but took us when we accepted the outdoor seating. The heating lamps were more than adequate to keep us warm. Our waitress (around 9pm on 3/7/14, sorry, I forgot her name) was excellent and so thoughtful. Even brought her own jackets for the the two girls who were wearing shorts to cover their legs. The food was freshly prepared and delicious. Our table had the ravioli, fettuccine, salmon, and pizza, along with a basket of fries. There was nothing left. When our waitress heard that one of the dishes would be shared, she had the kitchen split it into two plates beforehand. We went to a couple restaurants in JAX, that were decently reviewed, but seemed outdated in terms of decor and menu, and I would say Taverna is the opposite. It's modern and delicious, and won't disappoint.

    (5)
  • S Y.

    Excellent food, excellent wine, excellent service. Mark took good care of us and didn't bat an eye when my dad accidentally shattered a wine glass or when I ordered a vegetarian risotto off-menu. The chocolate pavé is not to be missed, and grab an outdoor table on the square if you can, even though I love the décor inside.

    (5)
  • Kim C.

    A great place to dine in the San Marco area. We had a salad that was very fresh and crisp. My husband had the skirt steak, which was absolutely superb. I had linguini with clams, which had a bit more oil than I like, but was otherwise very good. The bread was warm and fresh. We each had a glass of the happy hour red wine which was excellent as well.

    (4)
  • Dr P.

    Have had a few good meals but the service is lacking and the manager supports staff bad behavior over the customer. If you want to demand service, then by all means but...... Be forewarned

    (3)
  • Ashlee B.

    This place had awesome food. We were visiting Jacksonville and stumbled across the reviews on Yelp. Everything was great. We had the appetizer special "asparagus la plancha" that was out of this world. Homemade fettucine was delicious as well. Very cool wine and beer list as well.

    (5)
  • Richard U.

    Taverna reminds me a lot of the hip bistro type places in Seattle. Came here for brunch with a buddy of mine. The brunch menu has a selection of eggy dishes with pizza, sandwiches and tapas type treats. Went with the meatball w/ parmigiano-reggiano and grilled peasant bread which was fantastic!! Also got the eggs with fingerling potatoes and chorizo which wasn't as good as it sounded since there was only a hint of chorizo ground up mixed into a tomato sauce over the potatoes. I was hoping for a nice big chorizo flavor but was a bit disappointed. But, the service was good, the meatballs were great and the prices were overall pretty reasonable. Worth checking out if you are in the San Marco area.

    (4)
  • Paul C.

    Decor is nice, service is efficient, very clean and friendly; food portions are too small, but food in general was well presented, and taste good; my only complaint really is that I ordered a glass of wine and the pour was at best 20% of the glass, and cost for lunch was a little pricey. One other experience when I first sat down (which could happen in any restaurant) is with table spacing a little close sitting next to a female version of Foghorn Leghorn for 30 mins (i.e.; loud) was not good either. I will give it another try for dinner.

    (3)
  • Rebecca O.

    Love it! Great location, great food and a wonderful wine list!

    (5)
  • Kathy A.

    We went to Taverna for dessert after having a quiet anniversary dinner at Chew. Taverna was loud and boistrous by comparison (not necessarily a bad thing, but it's important to know). We ordered a glass of prosecco, the chocolate pave and the apple cobbler (a'la mode). The chocolate pave was good, but the cream served with it was a total mismatch (i think it was the ground orange zest in it - it was really not good) - over priced, but the chocolate was rich and delicious... I wouldn't order it again. The apple cobbler was perfect and exactly what I expected (and reasonably priced by comparison). I prefer not to give it a number rating because we only went there for dessert. I'd go back, but for a dinner instead of only a dessert. It seems like the perfect place for a girls night out (but not for a first date, even mid-week). The wait staff was thoughtful and attentive (and informed about the menu). The decor was modern but rustic and it felt very hip (but not too young). I liked it, but it's probably not the go-to place for quiet after dinner drinks and dessert.

    (3)
  • Mary H.

    Glad we tried it again. There was a small glitch and our table was given away to someone, but they were very apologetic and comped us two generous glasses of wine even though we didn't complain. Food and service were excellent and the ambiance is terrific, especially outside. Wines were delicious and not the usual Costco brands. They brought me three to try before buying.

    (5)
  • Laurie D.

    I've been really wanting to try Taverna, since I read about it in the Times Union last fall. I went on a Friday night without reservations(7:15) and was told it would be about a forty-five minute wait. I thought this had to be a good sign, but after the meal I realized it was because a simple meal takes a very long time. I ordered one of the pizzas and my friend ordered a cheese plate. The pizza was very tasty .The wine selection was extensive. I had a delicious rose cava. The staff was super friendly.

    (3)
  • Steve M.

    The missus and I started a very rare date night here this past Saturday. Knowing that the folks behind Taverna helped Orsay get going early on, I was looking forward to a similar experience. Did I get it? Depends on how you define similar. Rosie O'Donnell and Megan Fox are similar on some level, but I think it could be fairly said that there are one or two differences too. And so it goes here. Now, don't get me wrong - Taverna is not the culinary equivalent of an obnoxious 300 pound lesbian (though I'd note that there's apparently a good market for that), but neither is it a super-hot starlet that makes movies about huge robots that turn into cars. We showed up without a reservation and were seated right away. The server was a pleasant chap, but after he took our order he must have had sudden-onset stomach flu or something, because that dude disappeared. Having a 2 year old, we were perfectly happy to sit and talk, but after 30 minutes, I was running out of material (note to self: TiVo the View for emergencies). At that point, two separate manager types came over to apologize for the delay. You see, their pizza oven only has room for 2 pies at a time and they were backed up and very sorry for the delay. I didn't have the heart to point out that, while that restaurant was full by the time we got this explanation, it was empty when we placed our order. Our server's intestinal violence must have been awful since he apparently couldn't put the ticket in after taking our order. Happily, he survived and showed up with a really tasty fontina and duck confit pizza. He said it would be good and it was, but hey - you could serve me duck confit inside Michael Oher's jockstrap and I'd eat it (sidenote: we saw The Blind Side after dinner. Go see it even if you hate football - trust me on this.). Dinner was a mixed bag. The missus had gnocchi, which was outstanding. I had paella, which was just ok. I figured it would be a safe bet - I mean, are you really going to open a restaurant called Taverna, offer paella and not kill it - but it didn't impress as much as hoped. The wait was more than made up for though when the bill came. The pizza and the dessert were on the house, which I thought was above and beyond. Not a sustainable approach, mind you, but definitely appreciated and a sign that their heart is in the right place. All in all, the effort makes Taverna worth another look. You can make up for a lot witha little time and some hard work. Rosie's probably never going to be Megan, but hey, who is?

    (3)
  • Tom N.

    Decided to give Taverna a try being in the neighborhood and seeing a couple of the reviews here. They had been open for a few weeks and looked inviting. The atmosphere was nice, but although we were seated quickly our service overall was below average. There were long gaps between the appetizers and entrees which kind of kill the mood, and our waiter just wasn't very attentive given that the place wasn't really crowded. As for food, they have a mix of tapas dishes and regular entrees. We started with some small plates and really liked the roasted garlic hummus and the home made mozzarella & prosciutto dish wasn't bad. I don't recommend their Caesar salad at all as it was tasteless - and at $12 it was a complete ripoff. Our group shared the Traditional Margherita pizza (ok), goat cheese stuffed ravioli (also ok), and the pan seared Snapper which came in a very delicious sauce (good). You can order some of the dishes in half-orders which is nice. Our group of 3 rang up a $100 bill with a drink each, so have to give it a so-so value rating. I would go back for some tapas and a drink but probably not for dinner.

    (3)
  • Dan J.

    Extremely happy with our decision to come here. We had a scrumptious Sunday brunch and everyone in our party of 4 raved about their choices (a near impossibility when dealing with so many picky eaters). They use top line ingredients and the preparation is spot-on. My poached eggs came with a little shaved black truffle and sat a top a bed of baby new potatoes ( which were slightly crisp on the outside and nice and soft on the inside, exactly the way I like them), Serrano jamon and sauted onions. The hollandaise sauce finished it off perfectly and the grilled Tuscan bread soaked up every last drop. We also shared an order of the lemon-ricotta pancakes, which we set upon like a pack of rabid wolves. Nuff said. Service matched the quality of the food and the restaurant design is elegantly simple yet classy. The only thing that seemed out of place was the price. Only 12 bucks for the most expensive dish. This place is a true bargain. I can't speak about the dinner menu, but, for Sunday brunch this place really stands out as a winner.

    (5)

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Map

Opening Hours

  • Mon :11:00 am - 3:00pm

Specialities

  • Takes Reservations : Yes
    Delivery : No
    Take-out : Yes
    Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
    Good For : Dinner
    Parking : Street
    Bike Parking : Yes
    Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
    Good for Kids : No
    Good for Groups : Yes
    Attire : Casual
    Ambience : Trendy
    Noise Level : Average
    Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
    Outdoor Seating : Yes
    Wi-Fi : No
    Has TV : No
    Waiter Service : Yes
    Caters : Yes

Categories

Italian Cuisine

The immense popularity of Italian cuisine globally isn't unknown. You can find an Italian Pizzeria around every corner of almost every city in the United States. Not to forget that in every house, people enjoy mac and cheese as comfort food. But it would be wrong to believe that Italian food starts with pizza and ends with good pasta as this Mediterranean country has much more to offer other than these two dishes. In Italian Cuisine, there is a high use of fresh tomatoes, all kinds of herbs, great quality of cheese, all types of meat, seafood and fresh handmade pasta. Many find it hard to believe that Italians have been making noodles long back.

Italian and Greek cuisines are always mistaken to be same, but they are poles apart. The primary difference between the two cuisines is the use of cheese in most of the Italian dishes. Italians love to cultivate their own cheese and process them as per their food requirement. It is believed that some cheese is so expensive that cheese producers secure them in lockers.

If you are bored eating the same old pasta or pizza, you can try some of the authentic Italian dishes like Risotto, Polenta, Ribollita, Lasagna, Fiorentina Steak, Bottarga, Ossobuco, Carbonara, Focaccia, Arancini and Supplì. Another item which Italians love to relish every morning is a good cup of Italian Coffee. Once you taste a freshly brewed cup of Italian Coffee, you might not visit Starbucks ever again. Authentic Italian food is made with heart and soul, so go find a restaurant where you can relish Italian cuisine in your city.

Pizza

Pizza is a famous Italian dish savored around the world. The entire credit for the popularity of Pizza in the United States goes to the chain of pizzerias all over the country. While the base and the texture of Pizza remains same across the globe, it's the toppings that differs from country to country. In the United States, you will find the top pizzerias serving pizzas with the toppings of mainly beef, bacon, chicken, ham, and sausage for the non-vegetarians. Other than these famous meat options, Pizzas with veg toppings such as mushrooms, pepperonis, garlic, tomatoes, spinach, etc. are also famous in most restaurants in the United States.

Irrespective of your locality, you will find a variety of different restaurants in your cities offering pizzas of all different types. Pizza is hot favorite among people of all ages in the United States. A large size pizza is enough to feed a family of 3 or 4 at large. Pizza is also the most preferred food whenever a group of friends is hanging out together. Pizza gained popularity in the United States after the American soldiers stationed in Italy returned from World War II.

Over the years, different pizzerias in the United States have developed their own respective regional variations. Pizza gained popularity as the iconic dish in the United States in the second half of the 20th century. Whether you prefer thin or thick crust pizza, you can find a pizza of your preference at the best pizza restaurants in your city.

Taverna

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