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  2. United States
  3. New York / Tri-State Area
  4. Connecticut
  5. Southington / Plantsville

Ideal Tavern

4.3
4.3
621 Reviews
$30 and under
Contemporary American
Ideal Tavern is a Gastropub serving modernized, New American classic cuisine, craft cocktails and select beers in a charming, rustic atmosphere!

Make a reservation

2 people

7:00 PM


Booked 17 times today

Additional information

  • Dining style

    Casual Dining

  • Cuisines

    Contemporary American

  • Hours of operation

    Tue, Wed 4:00 pm–11:00 pm Fri 4:00 pm–1:00 am Sat 11:30 am–1:00 am Sun 11:00 am–10:00 pm Lunch Sat, Sun 11:30 am–3:00 pm Dinner Tue–Thu 4:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 4:00 pm–10:00 pm Sun 3:00 pm–8:00 pm

  • Phone number

    (860) 863-5444

  • Payment options

    AMEX, Discover, MasterCard, Visa

  • Dress code

    Casual Dress

  • Owned/operated by

    Veteran

  • Executive chef

    George Giotsas

  • Catering

    With a top notch local celebrity chef we offer a one of kind catering experience that is one hundred percent customizable to your needs.

  • Private party facilities

    Our indoor and outdoor spaces are available for private events. All menus are customizable to the individual parties needs and wants. Please contact us during business hours for more detailed information.

  • Neighborhood

    Southington / Plantsville

  • Cross street

    Center Street and North Liberty Street in Southington CT.

  • Parking details

    Parking lot to the rear of the building.

  • Additional

    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Chef's Table, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Delivery, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Indoor Fireplace, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Popular dishes

What 621 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.3
4.3 based on recent ratings
  • 4.2Food
  • 4.4Service
  • 4.3Ambience
  • 4.2Value

NoiseModerate

Sort by

  1. ShelleyD

    New York Area

    6 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    6 reviews

    Dined 2 days ago

    overall4food5service5ambience4
    The food was delicious! I had the short ribs; the others had the pork chop special, chicken katsu and salmon and they were all very tasty! My family all raved about their food. We have been coming to the Ideal Tavern since they opened years ago and i feel as if they have amped up the quality and tastiness of their food. We will definitely be coming back especially now that Zingarellas and Fratellis (our goto restaurants in town) have closed.
  2. MelissaS

    New York Area

    4 reviews

    2.0

    4 reviews

    Dined 2 days ago

    overall2food2service1ambience2
    Restaurant was not very full but service was incredibly slow. Server was very nice but drinks came out well after the appetizer. All food took a very long time to come out. The food was subpar and the menu was very pared down from previous visits. Will not go back. Very sad because I always enjoyed it there.
  3. CristinaG

    New York Area

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on May 20, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great Place everything was perfect . The service was on point. the food was incredible and the ambiance was awesome
  4. OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    25 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    25 reviews

    Dined on May 14, 2023

    overall4food4service4ambience4
    Another great lunch at ideal! Always great food and great service!
  5. OpenTable Diner

    Hawaii

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 14, 2023

    overall4food5service4ambience5
    Went there for the Mother’s Day Brunch. Had the Crème Brûlée French toast with berries, their Breakfast Bowl, and the Eggs Benedict. Had a couple of the cocktails. Everything tasted great. Some drinks were shaken enough to have a foam on top of the drink. Service was good, but could be a little more timely. Would definitely go here again.
  6. RichB

    New York Area

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on May 14, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Every time visit Ideal tavern we have a great meal, great drinks and an attentive wait staff. Very happy such a great place is in town.
  7. OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    2 reviews

    2.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on April 29, 2023

    overall2food1service5ambience5
    I left and a couple hours after was so sick from the food.
  8. KarenG

    New York Area

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on April 27, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Excellent. Salmon was delicious!!! Our waitress crystal was outstanding. Friendly and very good!! My girlfriend had the nachos. They were absolutely delicious Drinks were amazing too. Thank you!!
  9. Glynis

    Detroit

    9 reviews

    vip
    2.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on April 26, 2023

    overall2food2service4ambience4
    This used to be a favorite go to spot for comfort food and cocktails. Sadly that is no longer case. The staff is very friendly but the ever changing menu and staff has lessened the quality of the experience (food and drinks) over the past few months. This may be our last visit.
  10. ThomasG

    New York Area

    28 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    28 reviews

    Dined on April 8, 2023

    overall4food5service4ambience4
    Always a quality meal and experience. Thank you!!!
  11. LoriT

    Las Vegas

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on April 2, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    we tried 3 appetizers wings, cauliflower and truffle fries all were delicious. Caesar salad was very fresh, all 4 entrees were delicious! burgers were so big we didn't finish them! fun cocktail menu. Server was great, we were in no rush and his timing was perfect! Will definitely visit here again!
  12. StephanieP

    New York Area

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on March 21, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Delicious fresh food, menu is different than one on Open Table, great service
  13. MICHAELV

    New York Area

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 11, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience3
    Pretty good food, went with my date and the tables for two were fairly close to the other tables, fairly loud atmosphere but not too bad. Would definitely go back, food wasn’t too pricey and was good, service was great.
  14. KathleenA

    New York Area

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 4, 2023

    overall5food4service5ambience5
    meal that I had, "Sunday Bolonese" was damn good. Our server J, was friendly and courteous. Overall 4 - 5 stars.
  15. OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    10 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    10 reviews

    Dined on January 14, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Ideal Tavern does not disappoint. Gives a different style of menu than ghe others in the area. And such great service by Laura last night, thanks!
  16. OpenTable Diner

    New England

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 14, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    The food was incredible and our waitress was super friendly and very attentive.
  17. BrianR

    New York Area

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on January 14, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Sure the food was good, but the staff was even better.
  18. OpenTable Diner

    New England

    3 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on January 14, 2023

    overall5food5service4ambience5
    Always a great choice!
  19. OpenTable Diner

    Bristol

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 31, 2022

    overall4food5service5ambience4
    Food and Service was very good, had reservations and was seated at the tables on the bar side - was extremely loud most of the time
  20. OpenTable Diner

    New England

    11 reviews

    4.0

    11 reviews

    Dined on December 31, 2022

    overall4food4service4ambience4
    Our server was great and efficient, food was good although not as hot as we like, the menu changes here frequently so a few of our favorites are gone which i think happened during the week as i had checked the menu when booking a reservation. Overall great experience, food was good and our server was really nice.
  21. MarissaS

    New York Area

    8 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on December 28, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Excellent service excellent food excellent restaurant. A very enjoyable evening
  22. RebG

    New York Area

    16 reviews

    vip
    1.0

    16 reviews

    Dined on December 17, 2022

    overall1food5service1ambience2
    I’m so disappointed to write this but sadly I don’t see us visiting again. We have been several times with bad service and was hoping it would get better because the food is so good (kudos to the kitchen staff and chef!). After we were seated the hostess actually got our waters for us as the server was busy. He finally came over and took our drink order, after getting drinks we had to call his name to get his attention to put in appetizers. Once they came we were almost done with our drinks. We finished our appetizers and sat with no water, no new drinks, and empty plates for close to 45 minutes not once did our waiter come over to ask if we wanted another round or put in our dinner order. At this point we were done and had to flag down the waiter again for our check. We walked up the street to another restaurant had great service but the food was not good. Ideal Tavern has such great potential but it has always lacked In service. I can understand being short staffed etc but at least keep the drinks coming and acknowledge your customers at the very least.
  23. OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    7 reviews

    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on December 8, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We love dining at Ideal Tavern! The waiter was so friendly and the food is always delicious. I love how they always have different seasonal items on the menu, too.
  24. DiannA

    New York Area

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 4, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We really enjoyed the friendly folks and great atmosphere. Looking forward to heading there again sometime!
  25. JasonC

    New York Area

    11 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    11 reviews

    Dined on December 2, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Delicious, wonderful service, with tasty hand crafted cocktails, and fantastic specials.
  26. Scott

    New England

    40 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    40 reviews

    Dined on December 2, 2022

    overall4food4service5ambience4
    Great place, nice people. The service was attentive, polite, respectful and not overbearing. The food was very good and the portions large enough for taking leftovers home. A very nice place for a quick bite.
  27. tsm22222

    New York Area

    14 reviews

    vip
    2.0

    14 reviews

    Dined on December 2, 2022

    overall2food2service1ambience2
    Sadly the drinks and food here has gone downhill. The bar used to offer amazing drinks and the menu was fun. bartenders seemed to be very good but wow this is no longer the case. Went here Friday night, sat at the bar to be almost completely ignored by the bartender. He was so Rude and seemed annoyed to have to wait on us. He seemed to go out of his way to be as rude and snotty as possible. I’ve never ordered a bottle of wine and had it just dropped in front of me w the glasses for me to unscrew and poor for our party of 3. Probably my last time giving this place a chance.
  28. OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    61 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    61 reviews

    Dined on November 16, 2022

    overall5food3service5ambience5
    Good "bar food". Location is really convenient, service is fantastic, atmosphere is great. Will go back
  29. Bubba

    New York Area

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on November 5, 2022

    overall5food5service4ambience4
    Very nice meal with a quaint setting, service and food were delightful. Have been there a number of times and it is consistently good!
  30. AlanB

    New York Area

    3 reviews

    3.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on October 29, 2022

    overall3food4service3ambience3
    The beer list was lacking depth. Its heavy on IPAs. They used to have a much more varied selection of stouts and porters. The selection of flatbreads has been cut back to three - there used to be more options. The mains were quite good. I would recommend with the above caveats.
  31. OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on October 28, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great service - great food -awesome drink menu, bartender made myst
  32. OpenTable Diner

    Phoenix

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on October 27, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Excellent food! Great friendly service. Fun place!
  33. MarleneC

    New York Area

    11 reviews

    5.0

    11 reviews

    Dined on October 20, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We had an excellent dinner and the manager felt bad that our dinners came out a little bit later so he gave us a complementary dessert. We really appreciated that! Nice experience
  34. DebraB

    Raleigh

    25 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    25 reviews

    Dined on October 19, 2022

    overall5food4service5ambience5
    The staff was great - from our waitress, to other staff, and the bartender was terrific in working with us to craft exactly what we wanted. He was knowledgeable and friendly and gave great suggestions.
  35. OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    3 reviews

    3.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on October 16, 2022

    overall3food4service3ambience3
    We booked for brunch and was told upon arrival that there was no longer a brunch menu. We were seated and ordered promptly. It took 40 minutes for salad, nachos and a panko chicken dish. We were the only diners inside. There was one other party of 4 outside. We also had to wait and then ask for the check. It would have been nice if we were told short staffing, hey- how about a bread basket, a pickle, drink on the house.. the lack of attention was glaringly obvious. Food was good. Not really worth the trouble though. And it was a special occasion- kinda ruined it. We like this restaurant- this was not a good experience.
  36. Patty

    New York Area

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 30, 2022

    overall5food5service4ambience4
    Nice easy dinner before the festival. We sat on the bar side - less noise
  37. KatN

    New York Area

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 17, 2022

    overall4food5service5ambience4
    Great little appetizers. Variety of cocktail options.
  38. DanaO

    New England

    1 review

    vip
    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 16, 2022

    overall2food1service3ambience3
    We are regulars at ideal and the last two times have not been a good experience. We decided to go and bring another couple. The chicken in the salad was raw- the service was slow- and to make up for it the manager offered free dessert for the table which ended up being tasteless.
  39. Matt

    New York Area

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on August 26, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    As always, delicious food cooked to perfection. Great ambience, great cocktails, and fantastic service!
  40. ChristinaH

    New York Area

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on August 20, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We are repeat customers at this restaurant. The service is always so friendly and the food and drinks are wonderful. It's also nice that there is free parking nearby and on a nice night you can sit outside

Safety precautions

  • Cleaning & sanitizing

    • Surfaces sanitized between seatings
    • Digital, disposable or sanitized menu provided
    • Common areas deep-cleaned daily
    • Sanitizer or wipes provided for customers
  • Screening

    • Sick staff prohibited in the workplace
    • Staff is vaccinated
    • Staff temperature check required

FAQs

Ideal Tavern offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (860) 863-5444.

Ideal Tavern is rated 4.3 stars by 621 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people

7:00 PM


Booked 17 times today
Google Map for Ideal Tavern

142 Center Street, Southington, CT 06489

Additional information

  • Cross street

    Center Street and North Liberty Street in Southington CT.

  • Neighborhood

    Southington / Plantsville

  • Hours of operation

    Tue, Wed 4:00 pm–11:00 pm Fri 4:00 pm–1:00 am Sat 11:30 am–1:00 am Sun 11:00 am–10:00 pm Lunch Sat, Sun 11:30 am–3:00 pm Dinner Tue–Thu 4:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 4:00 pm–10:00 pm Sun 3:00 pm–8:00 pm

  • Cuisines

    Contemporary American

  • Dining style

    Casual Dining

  • Dress code

    Casual Dress

  • Parking details

    Parking lot to the rear of the building.

  • Payment options

    AMEX, Discover, MasterCard, Visa

  • Owned/operated by

    Veteran

  • Executive chef

    George Giotsas

  • Additional

    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Chef's Table, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Delivery, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Indoor Fireplace, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

  • Phone number

    (860) 863-5444

  • Catering

    With a top notch local celebrity chef we offer a one of kind catering experience that is one hundred percent customizable to your needs.

  • Private party facilities

    Our indoor and outdoor spaces are available for private events. All menus are customizable to the individual parties needs and wants. Please contact us during business hours for more detailed information.

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Cookies and Interest-Based Ads
  • Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information
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