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Arlington Tavern Reviews List

Arlington Tavern

Arlington Tavern brings the traditional tavern experience to modern day, in a contemporary atmosphere.

Chef Ron True serves his hand-crafted, farm fresh take on American Tavern classics, using the best local ingredients he can get his hands on.

Cozy tables set amongst red leather booths, exposed brick walls and a buzzing open kitchen set the scene for modern comfort cuisine at its best. Patio seating allows guests to enjoy dinner and drinks outside all year long.

Signature dishes include AT Fried Chicken, Lamb Shank, Crispy Pork Belly, AT Burger made with Rancho San Julian Beef and crowd-favorite Mac & Cheese.
See more Arlington Tavern details
36 Current Reviews
Summary of Diner Ratings & Reviews
Overall 
3.8 / 5
(Very Good) 3.8 / 5
(36 Reviews)
Open Ratings Snapshot
Rating Breakdown 36 reviews
5 stars
(11)
4 stars
(16)
3 stars
(3)
2 stars
(2)
1 star
(4)
Food 
4.1 / 5
(Outstanding) 4.1 / 5
Service 
3.7 / 5
(Very Good) 3.7 / 5
Ambiance 
3.6 / 5
(Very Good) 3.6 / 5
Noise Level
2.2 / 3
Energetic
Filter Reviews By:
Diners classify this restaurant as:
  • fit for foodies(24)
  • neighborhood gem(14)
  • special occasion(11)
  • good for groups(10)
  • notable wine list(7)
  • romantic(6)
Arlington Tavern Reviews List
Review 1 for Arlington Tavern
Overall rating 
5 / 5
(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Unique and Accomodating

Customer Avatar
OpenTable Diner
Dined on 5/25/2013
Food 
5 / 5
(Outstanding) 5 / 5
Service 
5 / 5
(Outstanding) 5 / 5
Ambiance 
4 / 5
(Very Good) 4 / 5
Noise Level
Quiet
Quiet
"We had reservations at 5 and our party of 11 each said the restaurant was the best! Our favorite appetizers were the tuna tartar and the Truffle Mac and Cheese, and each of us were busy sharing bites of our dinners. My fried chicken was incredible, the short ribs special were fork tender, the fish, fresh and done to each persons liking, and then the desserts also (we shared 4 among us) were delicious and beautifully presented. My fav was the lemon cake, but the Verne brûlée was the best I've had. Will definanately come back!"
Dined on 5/25/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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Review 2 for Arlington Tavern
Overall rating 
4 / 5
(Very Good) 4 / 5

Good Spot

Customer Avatar
OpenTable Diner
Dined on 5/18/2013
Food 
5 / 5
(Outstanding) 5 / 5
Service 
3 / 5
(Good) 3 / 5
Ambiance 
4 / 5
(Very Good) 4 / 5
Noise Level
Energetic
Energetic
"We had dinner here on a Saturday night, service was slow, they seemed short-handed but everyone was very nice and friendly. Our group tried the mac and cheese, pork belly, hamburger, the fish entree and a salad, all were excellent. The menu is not very big which I liked but if you are a vegetarian, you may not find something to your liking, check out the menu before you go. They had a nice selection and range of prices for wines by the glass. The ambiance is exactly as the name implies, like a tavern. The prices are a bit high but the food is worth it."
Dined on 5/18/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, notable wine list
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Review 3 for Arlington Tavern
Overall rating 
5 / 5
(Outstanding) 5 / 5

I hosted my husband's surprise

Food 
5 / 5
(Outstanding) 5 / 5
Service 
5 / 5
(Outstanding) 5 / 5
Ambiance 
5 / 5
(Outstanding) 5 / 5
Noise Level
Energetic
Energetic
"I hosted my husband's surprise birthday party there this past Saturday. The food and wines were amazing. I can't thank Allison enough. She was wonderful in attending to all the small details even though they had a full house. They were extremely accommodating. All the guests had an enjoyable experience."
Dined on 04/27/2013
 2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, late-night find, special occasion
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Review 4 for Arlington Tavern
Overall rating 
5 / 5
(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Excellent food, service and

Food 
5 / 5
(Outstanding) 5 / 5
Service 
5 / 5
(Outstanding) 5 / 5
Ambiance 
5 / 5
(Outstanding) 5 / 5
Noise Level
Moderate
Moderate
"Excellent food, service and ambiance. When the Victoria Theatre opens right next door this restaurant will be a perfect pre-show dinner spot. We've eaten at this restaurant twice now and each time every dish was outstanding for innovation, quality and taste."
Dined on 04/25/2013
 2007
Special Features: fit for foodies, romantic
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Review 5 for Arlington Tavern
Overall rating 
4 / 5
(Very Good) 4 / 5

Happy Again

Food 
4 / 5
(Very Good) 4 / 5
Service 
4 / 5
(Very Good) 4 / 5
Ambiance 
3 / 5
(Good) 3 / 5
Noise Level
Moderate
Moderate
"Consistent, very well prepared food. Simple menu, but with plenty of choices that will please. Very fresh (local?) ingredients. A favorite in Santa Barbara. Pleasant staff."
Dined on 04/05/2013
 2005
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
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Review 6 for Arlington Tavern
Overall rating 
5 / 5
(Outstanding) 5 / 5

A Delightful Meal

Food 
5 / 5
(Outstanding) 5 / 5
Service 
5 / 5
(Outstanding) 5 / 5
Ambiance 
5 / 5
(Outstanding) 5 / 5
Noise Level
Moderate
Moderate
"We've been there 3 times, and each time has been fabulous. I ordered the filet mignon, which was prepared perfectly and it was served with au gratin potato and asparagus. My husband had the fish special - sea bass with roasted roots & vegetables. He decided to also get side of mashed potato. Wonderful! Our daughter always opts for the Mac & Cheese and she said it is the best in town. The rolls are a pull-apart style, and flavored with Rosemary. So wonderful! They serve it with butter, but I think olive oil may make a better choice. Wine list is great. The Sunstone Merlot is one of our favorites! Well done Arlington Tavern!"
Dined on 03/30/2013
 2006
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
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Review 7 for Arlington Tavern
Overall rating 
4 / 5
(Very Good) 4 / 5

Lovely quiet spot in SB

Food 
4 / 5
(Very Good) 4 / 5
Service 
5 / 5
(Outstanding) 5 / 5
Ambiance 
4 / 5
(Very Good) 4 / 5
Noise Level
Quiet
Quiet
"Nice ambiance, good food right off State Street. Very attentive service. Enjoyed everything."
Dined on 03/27/2013
 2006
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem
0points
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Review 8 for Arlington Tavern
Overall rating 
5 / 5
(Outstanding) 5 / 5

This was my second time being

Food 
5 / 5
(Outstanding) 5 / 5
Service 
4 / 5
(Very Good) 4 / 5
Ambiance 
5 / 5
(Outstanding) 5 / 5
"This was my second time being here, and it has been fantastic both times around. The restaurant really knows what they are doing and all the ingredients are fresh and super tasty.
The asparagus with poached egg appetizer is to die for. The Burger is also super tasty. Last but not least the peanut butter and jelly cheesecake is like a little slice of heaven. I am counting down until I get to go back for more!"
Dined on 03/23/2013
 2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
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Review 9 for Arlington Tavern
Overall rating 
3 / 5
(Good) 3 / 5

We've been before and loved

Food 
4 / 5
(Very Good) 4 / 5
Service 
3 / 5
(Good) 3 / 5
Ambiance 
2 / 5
(Fair) 2 / 5
Noise Level
Energetic
Energetic
"We've been before and loved the food. We asked for a quiet table and they did give us a table in the back but then but a table for 10 right next to us. So noise was VERY loud. We also were celebrating a special occasion and this was indeed annoying when we had asked for a quiet table. The 10 top also affected service. The food was very good as before."
Dined on 03/16/2013
 2012
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
0points
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Review 10 for Arlington Tavern
Overall rating 
5 / 5
(Outstanding) 5 / 5

the food was excellent, we

Food 
5 / 5
(Outstanding) 5 / 5
Service 
5 / 5
(Outstanding) 5 / 5
Ambiance 
4 / 5
(Very Good) 4 / 5
Noise Level
Energetic
Energetic
"the food was excellent, we all enjoyed every bite. Our waitress was professional and still at a level of fun. We received plenty of attention."
Dined on 03/16/2013
 2009
Special Features: fit for foodies, special occasion
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Review 11 for Arlington Tavern
Overall rating 
4 / 5
(Very Good) 4 / 5

Although the food was very

Food 
4 / 5
(Very Good) 4 / 5
Service 
3 / 5
(Good) 3 / 5
Ambiance 
3 / 5
(Good) 3 / 5
Noise Level
Energetic
Energetic
"Although the food was very good, the service was a little spotty at time and the restaurant was very noisy. Hard to hear and talk to the people you are with. We will go back because we enjoyed the food."
Dined on 03/15/2013
 2004
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, good for groups, hot spot
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Review 12 for Arlington Tavern
Overall rating 
5 / 5
(Outstanding) 5 / 5

I had been wanting to dine

Food 
5 / 5
(Outstanding) 5 / 5
Service 
5 / 5
(Outstanding) 5 / 5
Ambiance 
4 / 5
(Very Good) 4 / 5
Noise Level
Moderate
Moderate
"I had been wanting to dine at Arlington Tavern since I tasted their Boulibaisse at a competition. We were a party of five and we all tried different things from their menu, from beef, fish to tofu. Each was savory and did not disappoint. This place will definitely figure into a regular restaurant for me, whether with friends or alone where I can sit at the bar."
Dined on 03/03/2013
 2012
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, good for groups, romantic, special occasion
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Review 13 for Arlington Tavern
Overall rating 
1 / 5
(Poor) 1 / 5

Way too expensive for what

Food 
3 / 5
(Good) 3 / 5
Service 
2 / 5
(Fair) 2 / 5
Ambiance 
4 / 5
(Very Good) 4 / 5
Noise Level
Moderate
Moderate
"Way too expensive for what you get. Very small pours of wine -- I almost returned the glass because it was more like a taste, not a glass of wine. I will not return."
Dined on 03/01/2013
 2006
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Review 14 for Arlington Tavern
Overall rating 
1 / 5
(Poor) 1 / 5

We sat at our table for 20

Food 
1 / 5
(Poor) 1 / 5
Service 
1 / 5
(Poor) 1 / 5
Ambiance 
1 / 5
(Poor) 1 / 5
Noise Level
Moderate
Moderate
"We sat at our table for 20 plus mins and nobody helped us. Got up and left, worst service I've ever experienced."
Dined on 03/01/2013
 2007
0points
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Review 15 for Arlington Tavern
Overall rating 
4 / 5
(Very Good) 4 / 5

My husband and I love to explore

Food 
4 / 5
(Very Good) 4 / 5
Service 
4 / 5
(Very Good) 4 / 5
Ambiance 
4 / 5
(Very Good) 4 / 5
Noise Level
Energetic
Energetic
"My husband and I love to explore new foods and Arlington tavern gave us that. The atmosphere was lovely as well. Bone marrow was one of the food we got to try and loved it. We will definitely tell our friends to check it out!!"
Dined on 02/22/2013
 2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion
0points
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Review 16 for Arlington Tavern
Overall rating 
1 / 5
(Poor) 1 / 5

Manager needs to police the place.

Food 
2 / 5
(Fair) 2 / 5
Service 
2 / 5
(Fair) 2 / 5
Ambiance 
1 / 5
(Poor) 1 / 5
Noise Level
Moderate
Moderate
"It was ok but there was a couple next to us at a two top screaming at each other and being terrible for our first two courses until I yelled at them to stop ruining VALENTINES DAY! management never did a thing. The Pork belly was over cooked. Cool looking place and I'll be going back to check it out again when it's not a weird holiday. Maybe to check out the bar menu."
Dined on 02/14/2013
 2010
Special Features: good for groups, hot spot
0points
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Review 17 for Arlington Tavern
Overall rating 
3 / 5
(Good) 3 / 5

Nothing special

Food 
3 / 5
(Good) 3 / 5
Service 
4 / 5
(Very Good) 4 / 5
Ambiance 
3 / 5
(Good) 3 / 5
Noise Level
Moderate
Moderate
"The Arlington Tavern is basically average, in terms of food and ambiance . It's a fine spot for a meal, but nothing special."
Dined on 02/17/2013
 2009
Special Features: romantic
0points
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Review 18 for Arlington Tavern
Overall rating 
4 / 5
(Very Good) 4 / 5

An enthusiastic "yes, but . . . "

Food 
4 / 5
(Very Good) 4 / 5
Service 
4 / 5
(Very Good) 4 / 5
Ambiance 
3 / 5
(Good) 3 / 5
Noise Level
Energetic
Energetic
"Great food - esp. the filet - but constrained by the limited menu (and high prices, esp. for small eaters like me!) a/o
Valentine's Day. Wine list needs some more French whites and/or unoaked CA Chardonnays. Even their full menu is too limited, though what they do they do extremely well!
"
Dined on 02/14/2013
 2011
Special Features: neighborhood gem
0points
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Review 19 for Arlington Tavern
Overall rating 
4 / 5
(Very Good) 4 / 5

Pros: The Valentine's Day

Food 
4 / 5
(Very Good) 4 / 5
Service 
4 / 5
(Very Good) 4 / 5
Ambiance 
3 / 5
(Good) 3 / 5
Noise Level
Moderate
Moderate
"Pros: The Valentine's Day menu was delicious and the restaurant decor was charming.
Cons: -The apple tart I ordered for dessert was tasteless and undercooked, which was an unfortunate cap to a delicious meal. -Our server, who was attentive during the first half of our meal, disappeared for the second. -The tables were too close together, which made it difficult to have intimate conversation. -Even though dinner was only for two, we weren't allowed to choose our own tip amount.
Overall, the experience was good, but the cost of the meal wasn't worth it. There are plenty of restaurants that serve food of similar quality for much less."
Dined on 02/14/2013
 2010
Special Features: fit for foodies, special occasion
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Review 20 for Arlington Tavern
Overall rating 
1 / 5
(Poor) 1 / 5

Unable to recommend

Food 
5 / 5
(Outstanding) 5 / 5
Service 
1 / 5
(Poor) 1 / 5
Ambiance 
2 / 5
(Fair) 2 / 5
Noise Level
Moderate
Moderate
"I have never written in to a restaurant before but after dining at Arlington Tavern on Valentine's Day I certainly felt the need. Let me say that the food here is simply amazing. The duck and soup that I had was excellent and my girlfriend very much enjoyed the items she ordered.
The service was not impressive.. The server never asked if could bring us water or bread. Could not make any recommendations. With both the first and second orders he had forgotten who had ordered what. He never asked us how anything was. We ordered the beverage pairing pairing with our meal and he never brought us our final drinks. Instead he made the decision to just take a percentage off the bill without consulting us. We had wanted our drinks. I was embarrasse
"
Dined on 02/14/2013
 2013
-1point
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Review 21 for Arlington Tavern
Overall rating 
5 / 5
(Outstanding) 5 / 5

One of the best overall dining

Food 
5 / 5
(Outstanding) 5 / 5
Service 
5 / 5
(Outstanding) 5 / 5
Ambiance 
5 / 5
(Outstanding) 5 / 5
Noise Level
Moderate
Moderate
"One of the best overall dining experiences ever!"
Dined on 02/16/2013
 2012
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, good for groups, late-night find, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion, great for lunch
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Ratings-Only Reviews for Arlington Tavern
Based on the average of (15) ratings-only reviews
Overall 
3.9 / 5
(Very Good) 3.9 / 5
Food 
4 / 5
(Very Good) 4 / 5
Service 
3.6 / 5
(Very Good) 3.6 / 5
Ambiance 
3.6 / 5
(Very Good) 3.6 / 5
Noise Level
2.2 / 3
Energetic