We decided a bar and light food would be great - had a huge lunch & have been driving all day. The Tavern did not disappoint. Our bartender clarified that when we said "dry" that didn't mean we wanted more vermouth! I think he was so focused on that he forgot that we wanted twists, not olives. We shared nachos and a chop salad and it was just right. The bar was kinda noisy, but comfy.

Great service and atmosphere. Restaurant was clean and well decorated. Service was fast and attentive with good drinks--triple H and handcrafted cocktails were delicious! I had the green power bowl with chicken (a generous portion) which was delicious and my husband had the ideal tavern burger which he said was delicious, especially with the addition of the truffle aioli mayo! Great restaurant in a cute and quaint strip of the downtown.

We've loved everything we've tried here! Fries are different from the norm and delish!

Nice spot for a casual date night or hang out with new friends. The Brussels sprouts, calamari, and drinks are the best features, in my opinion. Service has always been consistently friendly and personable when I've gone. A great spot with an elevated pub fare menu.

Good experience here!! Our server was so funny and attentive. The burger was decent, but we were more impressed at our crispy brussel sprouts appetizer. The mac and cheese was good. They also have a large drink selection and the interior is a cozy bar vibe! Would come again for drinks and food! 4/5

If you're in Southington and haven't visited Ideal Tavern yet, you're truly missing out on an exceptional experience. Emily and Harrison, who have taken over management, have done a phenomenal job coaching and leading the team. Since they stepped in, the service and atmosphere have elevated to a whole new level. The staff is absolutely amazing--Mike, Derek, Carter, and the entire crew work together seamlessly to ensure every guest feels welcome and taken care of. The attention to detail, the energy, and the genuine passion for what they do make Ideal Tavern a standout spot in town. Whether you're stopping by for a drink or a full meal, you'll leave impressed by the quality of the food, the service, and the vibe. Hats off to Emily and Harrison for creating something special--don't wait any longer to see it for yourself!

The food was delicious. My burger cooked the way I requested, medium well. Cauliflower app was very good. The waitstaff was attentive and did a good job.

I've been here about 4-5 times over the past 4 years. I may go with more of a 3.5 but will round up to a 4. Our very first dining experience was about 4 years ago. We had the most amazing meal. Subsequent visits have never been up to the same standard. I hate inconsistent restaurants and Ideal unfortunately fits this category. Some meals are good, some are mediocre. A friend and I met here last week for dinner. We started with a Tuscan shrimp with white beans - garlicky and delicious. I had wanted the tavern chicken - I accidentally called it 'Tuscan chicken' while pointing at the 'tavern chicken' and ended up with the Toscana pasta which was not at all what I wanted. Since I was dining with a friend - I wasn't interested in sending it back so are it. It was fine but not what I had my heart set on so that was sad. The waitress was apologetic. I suppose it was my mistake and just a misunderstanding but it was still disappointing. My friend got the beef rib entree and ate it all. I did have a delicious grapefruit cocktail that I really enjoyed. It was a bit pricey for what we got. It's right in town so I always end up back there but it'd be nice if they were more consistent so I didn't have to wonder what I was going to get each time there.