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Food - Ideal Tavern, Southington, CT

Ideal Tavern

4.6 (736)
$30 and under
Contemporary American
142 Center Street, Southington, CT 06489

Make a booking

A photo of Ideal Tavern restaurant

Ideal Tavern

4.6
$30 and under
Contemporary American
Southington

Make a booking

2 people
7:00 pm
Booked 21 times today

About this restaurant

  • Neighbourhood gem
  • Great for happy hour
  • Good for groups
Experience the perfect blend of rustic charm and modern culinary innovation at Ideal Tavern. Located in the heart of Southington, we are a premier gastropub dedicated to serving elevated New American classics, curated craft cocktails, and a rotating selection of exceptional beers.

The vision of veteran restaurateur Phil Parise—who is also the driving force behind local favorites Van’s and Echo Craft Kitchen—Ideal Tavern is built on a foundation of high-quality ingredients and a welcoming, high-energy atmosphere.

Our menu features the signature award-winning wings by Phil Parise, a local staple recognized for their bold flavors and perfect execution. For those seeking a mid-week highlight, our Taco Tuesday has become a legendary event, consistently nearly sold out every week with creative, chef-driven features.

Whether you're looking for a cozy dinner in our charming dining room or a vibrant night at the bar, Ideal Tavern offers an unforgettable neighborhood experience.

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Contemporary American, Cocktail Bar
  • Hours of Operation
    Mon–Thu 4:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri 4:00 pm–10:00 pm Sat 11:30 am–10:00 pm Lunch Sat, Sun 11:30 am–3:00 pm Dinner Sun 3:00 pm–8:00 pm
  • Contact
    (860) 863-5444
  • Website
    https://www.idealtavern.com/
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • 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.
  • Location
    142 Center Street, Southington, CT 06489
  • Area
    Southington
  • 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, Takeaway, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Concierge
AI Beta

Our AI assistant, Concierge, is here to answer your questions about this restaurant.

Menu

This menu from Ideal Tavern.

Smalls&Shares

  • Crispy Brussels SproutsUSD 12.00

    Cubed Bacon, Caramelized Apple, Honey Maple Glaze, Parmesan

    • Cauliflower PopcornUSD 16.00

      Tempura Batter, Sweet Thai Chili Sauce

      • Ideal NachosUSD 16.00

        Black Beans, Cheddar, Jalapeños, Pico de Gallo, Avocado Crema, Red Onion Add: chicken 6, Short Rib 8

        • Fried CalamariUSD 15.00

          Crispy Calamari with Cherry Peppers & Marinara

          • MusselsUSD 15.00

            P.E.I Mussels, Italian Chorizo, Cannellini Beans, White Wine Sauce, Tuscan Bread

            • Roasted Pork BellyUSD 16.00

              Vietnamese BBQ, Smashed Cucumber Salad, Sweet Soy

              • Ricotta MeatballsUSD 12.00

                Beef and Pork Meatballs, with Marinara & Ricotta

                • Eggplant StackUSD 16.00

                  Panko Crusted Eggplant, Fresh Tomatoes, Fresh Mozzarella, Basil, EVOO

                  • Mad Mac USD 18.00

                    Rigatoni, Spicy Cheese Blend, Seasoned Bread Crumbs

                    Greens

                    • Mixed Greens

                      Pomegranate arils, apple, goat cheese, candied pecans, maple ginger vinaigrette

                      • HalfUSD 9.00
                      • FullUSD 14.00

                    • Caesar

                      romaine, parmesan, crouton, shaved radish, caesar vinaigrette

                      • HalfUSD 9.00
                      • FullUSD 14.00

                    Greens Addition*

                    To Any Salad Add:

                    • Grilled SteakUSD 10.00

                      • Grilled ShrimpUSD 9.00

                        • Buffalo ShrimpUSD 9.00

                          • Blackened ShrimpUSD 9.00

                            • Grilled ChickenUSD 6.00

                              • Crispy ChickenUSD 6.00

                                • Blackened ChickenUSD 6.00

                                  • SalmonUSD 9.00

                                    • Blackened SalmonUSD 9.00

                                      Flatbreads

                                      • Genovese FlatbreadUSD 17.00

                                        Pesto, roasted garlic, tomato, mozzarella, balsamic reduction

                                        • Backyard FlatbreadUSD 18.00

                                          grilled chicken, truffle ricotta, bacon, caramelized onion, hot honey, arugula

                                          • Fall FlatbreadUSD 18.00

                                            parsnip puree, butternut succotash, grilled onion, mozzarella

                                            Handhelds

                                            Offered With a Choice of House Fries or Side Salad. Please ask about additional upgrades

                                            • Impossible BurgerUSD 16.00

                                              Grilled marinated onion, lettuce, tomato, cranberry aioli, smoked gouda

                                              • Ideal Burger*USD 17.00

                                                Sunny egg, bacon, lettuce, tomato, bearnaise aioli

                                                • Nashville Hot ChickenUSD 15.00

                                                  breaded chicken, chili oil, lettuce, pickles, aioli

                                                  • The Classic BurgerUSD 15.00

                                                    Lettuce, tomato, onion, pickle

                                                    • CubanoUSD 16.00

                                                      Crispy pork belly, pulled pork, pickles, cheddar, garlic lime aioli, ciabatta

                                                      • Bourbon BBQ BurgerUSD 17.00

                                                        Fried onion rings, maple bourbon aioli, chipotle BBQ, smoked gouda

                                                        Large Plates

                                                        • Ideal CacciatoreUSD 24.00

                                                          Roasted half chicken, saffron tomato sugo, cubanelle pepper, herbed rice

                                                          • Flat Iron SteakUSD 28.00

                                                            Marinated steak, grilled smoked gouda polenta, roasted broccolini, chimichurri rojo

                                                            • Atlantic SalmonUSD 28.00

                                                              Toasted farro, mushroom blend, parmesan basil butter

                                                              • Braised Short RibUSD 30.00

                                                                Brown sugar braised, parsnip mash, asparagus, frizzled onion

                                                                • CodUSD 25.00

                                                                  Pan seared cod, roasted tomato caponata, potato pancetta vinaigrette, verde

                                                                  • Shrimp RomescoUSD 26.00

                                                                    Spicy garlic shrimp, red pepper cream sauce, kale, parmesan, papperdelle

                                                                    • Mac N CheeseUSD 17.00

                                                                      White cheddar, smoked gouda, fusilli, garlic & herb bread crumbs

                                                                      • Mushroom BologneseUSD 22.00

                                                                        Mushroom blend, tomato cream gnocci

                                                                        • PomodoroUSD 20.00

                                                                          San Marzano tomato, basil, spaghetti, broccolini pesto, crostini

                                                                          Cheese&Charcuterie

                                                                          served with: pickles, mustards, spreads, pretzels choose 4 for 17.00 or choose 6 for 30.00

                                                                          • Meats

                                                                            Prosciutto-di Parma,Soppressata-dry salami, Hot Capicola-spiced cured pork,

                                                                            • Cheeses

                                                                              Daily rotating selection-please call to ask!

                                                                              Last updated: 17 February 2024

                                                                              Powered by OpenTable

                                                                              Reviews

                                                                              OpenTable reviews from verified diners

                                                                              Reviews from people who have dined at Ideal Tavern.

                                                                              4.6

                                                                              4.6
                                                                              (736)
                                                                              • 4.5Food
                                                                              • 4.6Service
                                                                              • 4.5Ambience
                                                                              • 4.4Value

                                                                              Noise • Moderate

                                                                              Loved For

                                                                              • Hartford

                                                                                Neighbourhood gem

                                                                              Review summary

                                                                              AI-generated from verified diner reviews
                                                                              Ideal Tavern impresses with "attentive and efficient" service, a diverse menu featuring standout dishes like the Figgy Piggy sandwich, and a welcoming ambiance. Guests celebrate the "delicious and outstanding" value of the food, with highlights including Chicken Milanese and Braised Short Rib. Ideal for casual dining and special occasions, it's a local favorite.
                                                                              736 Reviews

                                                                              1. Ben Gold

                                                                                Connecticut4 reviews

                                                                                4.0

                                                                                Dined 2 days ago

                                                                                1. Overall 4
                                                                                2. Food 4
                                                                                3. Service 5
                                                                                4. Ambience 5
                                                                                Lovely place with great food, great drinks, and amazing staff

                                                                                Is this helpful?

                                                                              2. Joseph

                                                                                New York City8 reviews

                                                                                5.0

                                                                                Dined on 20 October 2026

                                                                                1. Overall 5
                                                                                2. Food 5
                                                                                3. Service 5
                                                                                4. Ambience 5
                                                                                Even though we were late, we were seated where we wanted to be. The waitress was attentive and efficient. The food was very good and reasonably priced.

                                                                                Is this helpful?

                                                                              3. OpenTable Diner Gold

                                                                                New York City2 reviews

                                                                                5.0

                                                                                Dined on 18 October 2026

                                                                                1. Overall 5
                                                                                2. Food 4
                                                                                3. Service 5
                                                                                4. Ambience 4
                                                                                We have thoroughly enjoyed both recent visits and ordered different menu items each time. All were delicious and outstanding values. Personally, I loved the Figgy Piggy grilled bacon, cheeses, and fig preserve sandwich and would have it for breakfast, lunch, and dinner if possible!

                                                                                Is this helpful?

                                                                              4. Amy Gold

                                                                                Greater Boston6 reviews

                                                                                5.0

                                                                                Dined on 16 October 2026

                                                                                1. Overall 5
                                                                                2. Food 5
                                                                                3. Service 5
                                                                                4. Ambience 5
                                                                                EXECELLENT! Food was great, as was the service - wings were just amazing!

                                                                                Is this helpful?

                                                                              5. Shelley Gold

                                                                                New York City11 reviews

                                                                                5.0

                                                                                Dined on 10 October 2026

                                                                                1. Overall 5
                                                                                2. Food 5
                                                                                3. Service 5
                                                                                4. Ambience 5
                                                                                My family had dinner at Ideal Tavern last Sunday. We decided to come back the following Saturday because we were impressed with the food and ambience. In addition, we liked the fact that we could make reservations online which was a plus because we wanted to eat downtown during the Southington Apple Harvest Festival. We had Chicken Milanese, Pork Chop Marsala, and Braised Short Rib and Meatballs; they were all delicious! Drinks were delicious too! We will be back.

                                                                                Is this helpful?

                                                                              6. Lois

                                                                                New York City18 reviews

                                                                                5.0

                                                                                Dined on 4 October 2026

                                                                                1. Overall 5
                                                                                2. Food 5
                                                                                3. Service 5
                                                                                4. Ambience 5
                                                                                The food and service was great! One of my favorite places to eat in Southington!

                                                                                Is this helpful?

                                                                              7. Kathleen

                                                                                New York City2 reviews

                                                                                5.0

                                                                                Dined on 26 September 2026

                                                                                1. Overall 5
                                                                                2. Food 4
                                                                                3. Service 5
                                                                                4. Ambience 4
                                                                                Always a great experience, even if it is super loud. Food was great—service even better. I got the blue crab ravioli and wings, and both were 10/10.

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                                                                              8. Susan

                                                                                Greater Boston7 reviews

                                                                                5.0

                                                                                Dined on 8 September 2026

                                                                                1. Overall 5
                                                                                2. Food 5
                                                                                3. Service 5
                                                                                4. Ambience 5
                                                                                My friend and I were looking for a place with Taco Tuesday specials and outdoor seating since it was such a beautiful day, and we were not disappointed! We ordered the Bang Bang Shrimp, Carne Asada, and Veggie tacos—two of each so we could split and try everything. All three were delicious, and it was hard to pick a favorite! My friend had the Spicy Paloma and really enjoyed it. I started with a Classic Margarita with a salt rim. I have to admit, my first margarita was just so-so, and they were pretty stingy with the salt. But the second margarita more than made up for it—it was fantastic! We’ll definitely be back for Taco Tuesday. And yes, we’ll even happily sit at that little slanted table outside again!

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                                                                              9. Gale

                                                                                Greater Boston13 reviews

                                                                                5.0

                                                                                Dined on 5 September 2026

                                                                                1. Overall 5
                                                                                2. Food 5
                                                                                3. Service 5
                                                                                4. Ambience 5
                                                                                Perfect date night! We both enjoyed our salads and our drinks!

                                                                                Is this helpful?

                                                                              10. Laura Gold

                                                                                Greater Boston4 reviews

                                                                                3.0

                                                                                Dined on 5 September 2026

                                                                                1. Overall 3
                                                                                2. Food 3
                                                                                3. Service 3
                                                                                4. Ambience 4
                                                                                Very noisy that night. Food was just ok. This place used to be really great but had declined. We decided to give it another try. We ordered the Mac n cheese app which was delicious. The short rib also very good. Chicken Milanese not good. Basically just a piece if dry fried chicken with greens on top. Tasteless. I guess it’s the one dish to avoid other food was good. Drinks were not as fantastic as the used to be but good.

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                                                                              Dining areas

                                                                              Additional information

                                                                              • Dining style
                                                                                Casual Dining
                                                                              • Price
                                                                                $30 and under
                                                                              • Cuisines
                                                                                Contemporary American, Cocktail Bar
                                                                              • Hours of Operation
                                                                                Mon–Thu 4:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri 4:00 pm–10:00 pm Sat 11:30 am–10:00 pm Lunch Sat, Sun 11:30 am–3:00 pm Dinner Sun 3:00 pm–8:00 pm
                                                                              • Contact
                                                                                (860) 863-5444
                                                                              • Website
                                                                                https://www.idealtavern.com/
                                                                              • Payment Options
                                                                                AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
                                                                              • Dress code
                                                                                Casual Dress
                                                                              • 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.
                                                                              • Location
                                                                                142 Center Street, Southington, CT 06489
                                                                              • Area
                                                                                Southington
                                                                              • 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, Takeaway, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

                                                                              FAQs

                                                                              Casual Dress, comfortable, everyday clothing is appropriate; nothing formal is required.

                                                                              Ideal Tavern is a great pick on Wednesday evenings, guests call it a standout night with 1/2-price bottles and a $28 prix-fixe, while Taco Tuesday is lively and often nearly sold out; for a quieter visit, lunch tends to be very calm.

                                                                              Ideal Tavern tends to be busiest at dinner, the house buzzes and can get a bit loud, and Taco Tuesday regularly sells out; by contrast, several guests note that lunch visits have been very quiet.

                                                                              Ideal Tavern mixes farmhouse/industrial charm with a cozy dining room and a lively bar, guests call it welcoming and intimate, with a cozy nook for semi‑private seating, though it can get noisy when busy.

                                                                              Ideal Tavern offers a charming dining room for cozy dinners, a lively bar for drinks, and even cozy nooks with semi-private tables for larger groups.

                                                                              Yes, Ideal Tavern is family-friendly, with a kiddo menu noted by guests and several reviews describing visits with children and family-style dining.

                                                                              Yes, Ideal Tavern is often praised as a nice date-night spot, with a cozy, intimate dining room and guests explicitly calling it 'good for date nite.'

                                                                              Portions tend to be generous, multiple guests describe serving sizes as large and filling, with several reviews specifically noting generous portions during restaurant week.

                                                                              Ideal Tavern's posted hours are: Mon–Thu 4:00 pm–9:00 pm; Fri 4:00 pm–10:00 pm; Sat 11:30 am–10:00 pm; Lunch, Sat, Sun 11:30 am–3:00 pm; Dinner, Sun 3:00 pm–8:00 pm.

                                                                              Ideal Tavern is the vision of veteran restaurateur Phil Parise, the driving force behind local favorites Van’s and Echo Craft Kitchen.

                                                                              How FAQ content is generated

                                                                              1. Home
                                                                              2. United States
                                                                              3. Connecticut
                                                                              4. Hartford
                                                                              5. Southington

                                                                              Make a booking

                                                                              A photo of Ideal Tavern restaurant

                                                                              Ideal Tavern

                                                                              4.6
                                                                              $30 and under
                                                                              Contemporary American
                                                                              Southington

                                                                              Make a booking

                                                                              2 people
                                                                              7:00 pm
                                                                              Booked 21 times today
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