Enable JavaScript to run this app.
Skip to main content
OpenTable logo
Interior - Taverna Rustic Italian - Newark, Newark, DE

Taverna Rustic Italian - Newark

4.8 (1042)
$30 and under
Italian
121 E. Main Street, Newark, DE 19711

Make a reservation

A photo of Taverna Rustic Italian - Newark restaurant

Taverna Rustic Italian - Newark

4.8
$30 and under
Italian
Newark

Make a reservation

2 people
10:00 PM
Booked 42 times today

About this restaurant

  • Good for special occasions
  • Good for groups
  • Neighborhood gem
With the opening of Taverna, Platinum Dining Group brings to life its highly anticipated version of the “neighborhood gathering place.” Rustic and simple in conception but well crafted and high minded in execution, Taverna brings to Newark a casual sophistication that sees reclaimed wood and exposed brick on the wall. Polished marble rest atop the overstretched bar which boasts eighteen draft beers and the state’s first ever “tapped wine” system. A seemingly humble menu is carefully considered with homemade pastas, coal-fired pizzas, and daily “features” that will bring a smile to the most discerning grandmother’s face.

**A NOTE FROM THE RESTAURANT**
Reservations are not required. We welcome walk-ins.
Please contact us directly at 302-444-4334 , if desired reservation time is unavailable or the party size is larger than 6.

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Italian, Mediterranean
  • Hours of operation
    Brunch Sun 11:00 am–3:00 pm Lunch Mon–Sat 11:30 am–3:00 pm Dinner Mon–Sat 3:00 pm–10:00 pm Sun 3:00 pm–9:00 pm
  • Phone number
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Executive chef
    Christa Carlton
  • Neighborhood
    Newark
  • Cross street
    Center Street
  • Parking details
    Guest parking is available on the street with meters. Municipal lots are located within walking distance. Their entrances are accessible from Center Street.
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Concierge
AI Beta

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

Reviews

OpenTable reviews from verified diners

Reviews from people who have dined at Taverna Rustic Italian - Newark.

4.8

4.8
(1042)
  • 4.6Food
  • 4.8Service
  • 4.6Ambience
  • 4.5Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

  • Delaware

    Best Overall

  • Delaware

    Best Service

  • Delaware

    Best Ambiance

  • Delaware

    Good for groups

  • Delaware

    Italian

  • Delaware

    Most Booked

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Taverna Rustic Italian in Newark consistently impresses with its "excellent food," "fantastic service," and "inviting atmosphere." Regulars appreciate the "authentic" Italian flavors and generous portions. The restaurant is highly recommended for special occasions and family outings, offering a "gem of a dining experience" with reasonable pricing and attentive staff.
1,042 Reviews
  1. Jerry

    Las Vegas14 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 4 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    This restaurant is always amazing and everything about it is so good. Would recommend for anyone to go and eat there.

    Is this helpful?

  2. Christina

    Philadelphia63 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on October 24, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Excellent food !!! As always. Our favorite Italian restaurant by far. Excellent service. Love the atmosphere- lively and authentic. Will be back. Thank you !

    Is this helpful?

  3. Brian

    San Francisco7 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on October 24, 2026

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    My wife and I visited last night dinner. She ordered a pasta dish in a butternut squash sauce while I had the gemelli with braised pork. Both dishes were excellent and came in large portions, so we were able to take some leftovers home. We were disappointed by our favorite appetizer: the whipped ricotta. The portion of ricotta looked to be smaller than on previous visits while the price has increased. In addition, instead of a balsamic glaze on the ricotta, it appeared that some sort of light dusting was used, and it wasn't as flavorful as we have come to expect. The real disappointment was the wine. My wife ordered a rosé while I ordered a red (I cannot remember their names) and both were well below what we've come to expect in quality. The rosé in particular tasted like cheap box wine, and neither of us finished our glasses. Again, the food was great and our server was fantastic, but because of the other two things I mentioned, we were left feeling underwhelmed with the overall experience.

    Is this helpful?

  4. Barry Gold

    Philadelphia16 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on October 24, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great wait service, great food. Look forward to next visit.

    Is this helpful?

  5. Debra Gold

    Baltimore14 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on October 22, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    First time visiting. We were delighted by the atmosphere, the food, and the service. Interesting execution of the gnocchi norma- crispy eggplant, tender gnocchi, and delicious sauce. The wine by the glass choices were good- enjoyed the valpolicella. The pizza had delicious sauce and cheese. IMO it could have had more garlic and spice- but I like a lot of garlic. Also I like a little crispier crust, but my companions thought it was just right level of doneness. We’ll be back !

    Is this helpful?

  6. Kim

    Philadelphia2 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on October 13, 2026

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    I had the chicken taverna, and the chicken had a freezer-burned taste. It appears it must have been frozen for a while. Other than that, the night was great.

    Is this helpful?

  7. Paul

    Philadelphia13 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on October 12, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great food, atmosphere and service. Have been there several times and will be back.

    Is this helpful?

  8. Philip

    Philadelphia7 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on October 12, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Taverna is one of our go to places for special occasions Birthday, anniversary, whatever. Often, I get the sausage and rigatoni dinner Something has changed with one of my favorites or it might just be the chef last night. The sauce used to have the meat part of the mix. The sausage this time seemed to be added after the fact. It was good, just different. And my wife’s eggplant dinner had fried pieces of eggplant which was strange. We will continue to go there but something is different.

    Is this helpful?

  9. Eric Gold

    Washington DC20 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on October 11, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great food and great service as always. Our go to place in Newark

    Is this helpful?

  10. Dominick

    Philadelphia13 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on October 10, 2026

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 4
    Consistent for the value, good service, GREAT drinks,!

    Is this helpful?

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Italian, Mediterranean
  • Hours of operation
    Brunch Sun 11:00 am–3:00 pm Lunch Mon–Sat 11:30 am–3:00 pm Dinner Mon–Sat 3:00 pm–10:00 pm Sun 3:00 pm–9:00 pm
  • Phone number
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Executive chef
    Christa Carlton
  • Neighborhood
    Newark
  • Cross street
    Center Street
  • Parking details
    Guest parking is available on the street with meters. Municipal lots are located within walking distance. Their entrances are accessible from Center Street.
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

FAQs

Casual dress is the guide, comfortable, everyday attire is appropriate for dining at Taverna Rustic Italian in Newark.

Yes, you can contact Taverna directly at 302-444-4334 (the restaurant lists calling for reservation timing or larger parties), and guests note staff have handled dietary needs and celebration requests attentively.

Taverna Rustic Italian feels warm and rustic yet polished, reclaimed wood, exposed brick and a marble bar with an open kitchen create a cozy, inviting room; the back dining area can feel quieter when you want conversation.

The KSQ Mushroom Agnolotti is a recurring favorite, it's on the current menu and multiple guests single it out for praise.

Yes, Taverna posts daily "features, " and guests have also enjoyed a three‑course Restaurant Week offering (a $40 three‑course menu noted during Restaurant Week).

Yes, families dine here regularly: Taverna offers a kid’s menu with generous portions and provides crayons and activities for children, making it an easy choice for families.

Yes, some guests have chosen to dine outside and report enjoying the experience.

Yes, Taverna pours alcohol: the restaurant advertises 18 draft beers and a tapped‑wine system, and guests note an extensive wine list and classic cocktails like Negroni and Old Fashion.

Yes, Taverna's warm, rustic-chic dining room and long marble bar create a casually romantic setting that guests and visitors praise for anniversary and date-night meals.

Sunday brunch is a standout, brunch runs Sundays from 11:00 am–3:00 pm and guests report enjoying the brunch menu and dishes like french toast and Belgian waffle.

Yes, Taverna Rustic Italian welcomes private parties; for larger groups or if your preferred time is unavailable, contact the restaurant directly at 302-444-4334.

Portions at Taverna are frequently described as generous, many guests say they leave with leftovers and call the servings excellent for the price.

How FAQ content is generated

  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. Philadelphia County
  4. Delaware
  5. Newark

Make a reservation

A photo of Taverna Rustic Italian - Newark restaurant

Taverna Rustic Italian - Newark

4.8
$30 and under
Italian
Newark

Make a reservation

2 people
10:00 PM
Booked 42 times today
Discover
OpenTable
  • About Us
  • Blog
  • Careers
  • Press
More
Businesses
  • Restaurant Management Solutions
  • Restaurant Reservation Software
  • Restaurant Marketing Software
  • Restaurant Event Software
  • OpenTable For Restaurants
  • OpenTable For Restaurant Groups
  • OpenTable Pricing & Plans
Join us on
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Cookies and Interest-Based Ads
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Cookie Preferences
Copyright © 2026 OpenTable, Inc. 425 Market St Ste 1200, San Francisco CA 94105 - All rights reserved.
OpenTable is part of Booking Holdings, the world leader in online travel and related services.
Booking Logo
Priceline Logo
KAYAK Logo
Agoda Logo
OpenTable Logo