Meadowlark Restaurant

Hidden gem! Great seasonal menu and high quality ingredients. Great presentation and flavor profile of every dish was on point. Highly recommend the Sablefish and Scallops. Basque Cheescake was unique. They offer a lot of gluten free options and are very accommodating!

First time here and the service and food was Top Notch. Bacon-Mustard Ham & Gouda Grilled Cheese, Georgia Reuben, Crisp Garlic Frites, Buttermilk Chocolate Cake, Burnt Basque Cheesecake, Homemade Butterscotch Pudding 🤤🤤🤤 #Meadowlark #BelatedBirthdayDinner

My tastebuds haven’t been this impressed in quite some time. The food was absolutely incredible. I ordered the sablefish with remoulade and jambalaya. The desert is all made from scratch and it is a joyfully delicious experience. 5 star food, service and atmosphere

My husband and I have been dining at Meadowlark for many years, usually sitting at the bar for a more intimate date night. The bar tenders have always done what they could to make our dining experience relaxing and enjoyable. We had a very different experience last night. We arrived at 7:45, 45 minutes before the kitchen closed. The bar tenders seemed more concerned about getting out the door at 8:30 than making sure our dining experience was relaxed and enjoyable. She approached us and sighed heavily giving the vibe she was disappointed we were there. She then asked if we knew what we wanted to order so she could "get the order in the kitchen." The food was delicious, as always, but the feel was tense and hurried. We left very disappointed, Meadowlark has always been a favorite. We walked out the door at 8:20, feeling like we were overstaying our welcome. Hopefully it was just an off night for the bar staff.

+ Service + Atmosphere + Portions We went here for my birthday and had a pleasant time. Our server was very friendly. He was knowledgeable about the menu, answered all our questions, and had amazing recommendations. The food sizes were perfect. The steak was so tender, the fries were perfectly cooked with the right amount of salt. We had no leftovers, every thing was delicious. 10/10

I loved the flight of beers, got the opportunity to taste 3 different craft beers. The vegan dish was delicious. Great atmosphere and design. Loved the kids paintings on the walls.

Menu All Over the Place, Disappointing Food We tried this restaurant with an open mind, but the experience was underwhelming. The menu felt all over the place ranging from hummus to white bolognese to shrimp and grits and lacked a clear identity. The food was honestly meh. About half of the appetizers were disappointing, and the salads in particular missed the mark, either completely bland or excessively drenched in sauce, with no balance whatsoever. Nothing we tried stood out or justified the hype. The drink menu seemed more promising than the food, but while we didn’t mind paying higher prices, the quality simply wasn’t worth what we paid. The service was friendly and prompt, which was one of the few positives. Other than that, there’s not much to talk about. Overall, not a place we’d recommend.

A good local place and was busier on a Friday evening. Make sure to have a reservation. The staff and service was good and attentive. My favorite item is the Crabbier crab spaghetti. The crab meet was decent and the portion size was good. The soft shell crab was decent and the salad was ok(little under seasoned). The blueberry pie was tart and had good sweetness but the crust was a tad bit undercooked. The ice cream was soft and light. Overall a good place.

We are new to the area and have not found a favorite upscale restaurant until this evening. Meadowlark has an inventive menu and is reasonably priced for the quality of food. It was a birthday celebration and there were four of us and a baby. I made reservations and asked for a high chair. The table was set up when we arrived. The food was outstanding. The puttanesca fettuccine was perfectly prepared with shrimp, garlic, capers and the tomato sauce. Nicely spicy without being too hot. My Puerto Rican pork was also excellent with the adobo, garlic and citrus flavors. Super tender. Served with the traditional black beans and rice. The strip steak was cooked medium rare, tender and flavorful. Extra points for the chef serving a dish he had at the Girl and the Goat in Chicago. Our service was excellent, attentive and very friendly. The restaurant was crowded for a Tuesday night, reflecting the quality of the food. I highly recommend Meadowlark. We will certainly be back.

Meadowlark remains one the premier restaurants in the Miami Valley area. We stopped by for dinner this past weekend, and had a very enjoyable experience yet again. The menu has an awesome variety, we were able to try the soup of the day which was a type of asparagus soup. Phenomenal. They also have a large non-alcoholic drink menu with homemade syrups and such and we enjoyed a house made ginger ale and a shirley temple. I got the Lark burger again, and continue to believe it is the best burger in the state and likely beyond. Definitely recommend!

Hosted a group dinner and it went well! The vibe was instantly cheerful--bright, multicolored walls, playful artwork everywhere, and a menu full of whimsical dish names/descriptions that made us smile before we even ordered. Service? Spot on--friendly, attentive, and kept things running smoothly all night. The Crabbier Crab Spaghetti looked promising but could've used a little more flavor punch. And the Warm Banana Fritters sounded like dessert fun in theory... but landed a bit flat. Still, the atmosphere and service was great.

VERY late on finishing up this review, but add my name to the list of BIG fans of this popular "elevated" eatery. Something for just about everyone here, veg. to pescatarian to meat eater. Though it's on the "higher end" side, I appreciate that it didn't feel "stuffy," nor full of itself or pretentious. We made a last minute decision to eat here on a Tuesday evening, and were **lucky** to get a table pretty quickly, as it was pretty busy. Checked out the menu, and I decided to go for the soup of the day, a creamy pea soup with mint (ok, not as FABULOUS as I thought it would be...) and the Vietnamese noodle salad, which was WONDERFUL!! My friends both got fish entrees (walleye and trout) and we shared the roasted red beet appetizer, which was also WONDERFUL... (Beets are my FRIEND!!) Their menu is super creative, changes with the seasons, and will make you want to try one of almost everything. Cocktails are wonderfully creative, my sangria was AWESOME, and your only STRUGGLE here will be trying to narrow down your choice from all the GREAT options!! Not an "every day" place, but I'd come here for a "special occasion" 1000x quicker than any of the fancier, "upper crust," old school "institutions" that seem to survive on their reputations (and sky-high prices) without close to the same ZING of the Meadowlark!!

Gift from niece & nephew to celebrate our 60th anniversary. The 4 of us enjoyed delicious meals and excellent service from Vincent. All this made an excellent celebration. Thanks!

I really loved the food here. I ordered the Georgia ruben. This is a turkey Ruben sandwich with coleslaw. I ordered the garlic fries as my side which were incredibly delicious. My wife totally enjoyed her salmon which was cooked perfectly and nicely seasoned on top of a healthy lettuce mix NOT the cheap iceberg. Also several people ordered the grilled cheese options. I must also say the service was impeccable

Food and service was excellent! It was a very nice atmosphere. It was also affordable!!

A friend invited me to lunch as we were both in the area. Okay I was 25 minutes north but it was far out of my way heading home. The parking lot appeared to be full, but the restaurant was not packed. We were seated as soon as we walked in. Offered drinks, then looked over the menu. I was deciding between the chicken pot pie and the fish sandwich. I went fish which at least for this visit was perfect. I will have to try the pot pie next time. The service was wonderful and our waitress did a great job. I also shared a Boston cream pie with a friend and I will have to say it wasn't my favorite. That isn't to say it wasn't good. It just wasn't my favorite. I am not going to lower my rating because everything else was very tasty and the garlic fries, worth it. The inside is decorated somewhere between food magazine and country inn. But overall a very nice place to enjoy a meal. Stop in if you are in the area.

We had a great time here. We got a few cocktails and they were all high quality. I tried the filet mignon. All of the food was great. The service was nice and friendly! I didn't realize this was a kid friendly restaurant (their kids menu seems neat!) so we will definitely return with our kids!

Ok so we were informed today of this restaurant- well first of all for anyone within 50 miles of this place NEEDS to make it a destination! My wife and I were greeted at the door by the hostess who seated us- great service- our server was Vincent, if I owned a restaurant he would be working there- absolutely impeccable service and with an amazing personality- which nowadays you cannot find. Now the food, garlic chicken and shrimp and grits !!!! Over the top excellent!!! Hats off to the chef. So for all of you looking for a Dayton/Kettering gem , this is it. We will become regulars without a doubt . The restaurant had a very comfortable, cozy and very down to earth feel

We had a very nice dinner here last night. It was my first visit she the server was helpful with suggestions. We started with the Garlic Fries. Hot and delicious. I had the everything salmon. The fish was cooked to a perfect mid rare but the everything topping had a bit of a burnt flavor in the garlic. I think I get the same thing when I have that type of bagel so it's probably just me. I ate every bite. Don't sleep in the veggies and potatoes. Both incredible. We finished off with a freshly brewed cup of coffee and the lemon tiramisu. If there was booze in the cake I didn't taste it but it was incredible. Will go back on my next visit to Dayton.

Very good food, but outrageously expensive... We lived in Dayton for 4 years, but surprisingly never made it to Meadowlark. The restaurant is a nice place (very outdated and could use a facelift), with outstanding food and service. Everything we had was outstanding, but the prices are ridiculous... $225 for 3 people. While we loved the food and service, not sure that we'll go back as we could eat at other establishments of equal quality and lesser price.

Meadow lark is My favorite place to go for lunch when shopping in Dayton. Unique menu and I've never had a bad meal there. They make their own pickles, ketchup, salad dressings and sauces. I had the lark burger most recently and it was flavorful and delicious. The homemade pickles and ketchup elevated it beyond an ordinary burger. Better burger than most restaurants. In the past I've also had the Vietnamese salad with tofu. I ate every scrap of it! Wait staff were attentive and the dining space was clean. Highly recommend!

We don't leave very close to the area but met some friends here, great spot to meet. The food was very good, my fish sandwich was delicious and side salad. My husband loved his salmon melt. We ordered the orange cake for dessert, not too sweet, very good! Everything felt homemade.

I wasn't always the biggest fan but I have recently become that. Now I'm the DUKE! Haha I love their sister store Wheat Penny and felt in needed to give these guys another shot. I've mostly been eating lunch here which I think they have some great options. Their garlic parm fries are amazing. Tonight we joined friends for dinner. They had a trout saltimbocca on their special menu and I really enjoyed that. It was flaky and flavorful. The mashed potatoes were also good and nicely seasoned. The mixed vegetables were just ok. A little on the mushy and cold side. It happens. My girlfriend has the ricotta tacos with beans and rice and was very happy with it. We shared a nice bottle of wine. The service is always good here. Luis, the bartender, is great! They have a decent amount of parking. The building is a little rough on the outside. Inside is always nice and clean. I love how they rotate local artist work on the walls and it's for sale.

The atmosphere and service were good but the food was a bit underwhelming. The carbonara was very different from what you would expect but not in a good way.

Such an unimposing cute place. Food was delicious and service was great! Will definitely be back.

Love the service sit at the bar every time amazing food. Especially love the ginger ale and the gluten free options. The steak is a 20/10 amazing also love fries. Honestly couldn't go wrong at this restaurant. Great atmosphere

The food is excellent EVERY TIME. The service is quick, friendly, and knowledgeable. Vincent has been our server multiple times and he is outstanding. I love that the art in the restaurant changes periodically. please Note that Vincent is also an artist, and painted the amazing balloon animal dog behind the bar!

Food was unique and excellent. Service good Comfortable setting, not too loud! Big plus for me personally.

I'll start with the positives- the food is always very good at this restaurant. Otherwise I'd say go somewhere else. Service for dinner was awful. It was so slow and when asked about why it was taking so long we were told it's busy. Our waitress spent 5-10 minutes talking to her friends at a table each time she walked into our area. So in the meantime we had no water and no one asked about our meals when they finally came out. If you have 3 hours to sit for dinner this is the place!

Lovely restaurant! We were treated graciously! The food was outstanding. We are from Texas and my husband said the steak may have been the best he has ever eaten. My nephew chose the walleye and I chose the trout - both dishes were fantastic! We chose to take key lime pie with us for later, and it was scrumptious! We were thankful that we made reservations. We were surprised that the restaurant was absolutely full on a Tuesday evening indicating that it is most popular with the local population. The staff was very kind and attentive! We highly recommend if you are in the Dayton area.

The ambiance comes across as a finer dining establishment but not to uppity. Everyone enjoyed their dinner. A little pricey but you pay for what you get. Very good service too.

Meadowlark Lots of folks like this restaurant; and lots of folks are not hesitant to point out flaws. In our view the significant flaws outweigh the advantages. The service: Slow and underwhelming. Suggest a training program for servers and a monitoring program. The ambience: - lots of parking; handsome property; Much too Loud Dining: Some interesting and good dining; portions offered at inflated prices. We recall an original location of Meadowlark, and liked this former location. The tariff is inappropriate for the fare.

I don't get the hype of this place. It's basically a glorified Bob Evans meets Cracker Barrel. Catering to the older folks (not meant to be offensive). The decor is boring, the napkins are overused and outdated, and the menu is a bit odd. There are frying pans used as light fixtures and the room we were in was very bright. Some things to note about our meal: Chewy steak - asked for medium but it was closer to rare and we both had a hard time chewing it. It just kept going and going. I stopped eating it after a few bites. Dry risotto balls - this was an appetizer that came with some marinara sauce, but the insides of the risotto balls were very dry and lacked flavor. I'd suggest adding a nice melty cheese to give it some gooey goodness. Asked for Yukon potatoes but got hot mashed potatoes (although our kind server fixed this which is great) Decent cocktails! This was the best part of the meal. I really enjoyed the two cocktails I ordered. I would have gone up and tipped the bartender if I had any cash. Quality ingredients and I could taste the liquor (which is a good thing for me). The service was good, no complaints there. I wouldn't be opposed to going back if a friend or family member chose It, but I won't be actively deciding to go there any time soon.

A good local place and was busier on a Friday evening. Make sure to have a reservation. The staff and service was good and attentive. My favorite item is the Crabbier crab spaghetti. The crab meet was decent and the portion size was good. The soft shell crab was decent and the salad was ok(little under seasoned). The blueberry pie was tart and had good sweetness but the crust was a tad bit undercooked. The ice cream was soft and light. Overall a good place.

Greetings followers from Dayton Ohio! Been many years since my last stop here in Ohio and was not Yelping at the time! Had a couple food stops here in Dayton and this establishment came with strong recommendations from non-Yelpers so made it my purpose to try it out. I liked the layout with a sitting bar, lounge area, two dining areas, one main and the other with and outside view although your not looking at a beach or beautiful sunset. They also have a private party room so the place is swell for groups. They had several specials but opted for the Strip steak. I was looking at the salmon but it's Atlantic that now a days means Farm. They have a nice selection of beer, wine and drinks and decided on a local IPA. The rest of the table shared a bottle of wine. The place was hopping and glad we had reservations. Our food arrived in a reasonable time providing time for drink and conversation. The presentation was nice and dug into the $38 steak. Now the first cut showed a medium rare view but as I found out, that was in the thicker part. In my journey across the the cut, it became more medium well. Across the table my son ordered the same and his cut was medium across. I notified the waiter and he took back only the steak which was nice allowing me to continue eating the mashed potatoes and vegetables that were great. The vegetable medley of red pepper, carrots, cauliflower and broccoli was not over cooked and flavorful, I really enjoyed it. Mashed was also good and asked for and received some sour cream. The waiter returned in record time with a new full dinner of perfectly cooked medium rare, something hard to find in Utah. The steak was smothered in crispy onions and when eaten with the steak enhanced the flavor with its saltiness. The replacement cut was more than I could consume so shared it with other meat eaters and went on to finish the vegetables. Dessert for the table was fried bananas with vanilla ice cream, delicious and reminded me of banana flambé without the liquor that could have been the proverbial "icing on the cake". All in all everyone enjoyed their dinner with 5 of 6 different choices for out party of 6. Our waiter was an interesting character in a nice way and that can make or break a dining experience. Every wall was covered with expensive paintings of flowers and concluded the artist loves flowers and the repetition there of. Bathroom was clean but small. From the crowd I saw, this place is frequently visited by loyal customers which speaks to the quality of all things.

Fantastic experience. To start, there was an extensive cocktail list, which is a plus in my book. We started with an appetizer - fried green tomatoes - excellent. I had the salmon with samosa hash which was very inventive and flavorful. My fiancé had the filet with scallion hollandaise and said it was terrific. We splurged and decided to split the lemon tiramisu, which was delicious as expected. Service was very high quality and attentive. One of the best dining experiences I've had since moving back to Dayton. 10/10 recommend.

Exceeded preconceived expectations. I fully expected meadowlark to fall into a "tries too hard" camp. Couldn't be further from the truth. Everything was perfect execution of simple ingredients. The fried green tomatoes with chow-chow appetizer was one of the best fried green tomatoes I ever had. Fried but not greasy. My partners salmon with samosa hash(everything in a samosa but the wrapper) was Delicious. My filet mignon with scallion hollandaise was perfectly medium rare, the hollandaise not at all oily tasting. The cocktails were excellent. The lemon tiramisu was light and and refreshing and the perfect amount of sweet. Our server Vincent was excellent. Attentive, and enthusiastic about the menu and made perfect recommendations including leading me to choose the filet as it was the seasonal offerings vs the strip steak and steering me to an excellent wine for my meal. One of the top dining experiences I've had in Dayton, while walking in 1 hour to close. Impressive

Ambiance: colorful, bright and inviting. Tables a little close in main dining room but so are most restaurants. Service: Like most places, nowadays, under trained, aloof, filled with attitude. Food: The hype did not live up to the product. Everything was good and I suppose that's the most you can ask for anymore. It was not a meal we'll remember or talk about. While we understand restaurant overhead, pricing, etc. the pricing was way out of step with the food and overall quality of service. IF you're going to charge premium prices I want a premium experience. Finally: The strawberry/rhubarb crisp was the best thing of the night. The cheese Fondue with crusty bread and asparagus was hugely overwhelming. However the top disappointment......there is NEVER a reason you should wait over 1/2 hour for your dinner and if you do....you should be told why by your server. This restaurant could easily do better.

My family had my cousin's graduation dinner at Meadowlark. The space is nice, simple, and clean. They were able to set up a limited a menu that had both a variety and made for a difficult choice. I had the cold Thai noodle salad with grilled steak. This was not Bob Evan's (not such why another reviewer got this impression) all the flavor was on point and the steak was cooked perfectly. Everyone enjoyed their food and was happy. We had great service for our large group, which is definitely not easy.

My family and I have never had a bad experience at Meadowlark. Whether dining in or getting takeout the food is always delicious. The hosts and servers are always friendly, polite, and on top of everything. It's nice to have a good quality restaurant that you don't have to get super dressed up for unlike some in downtown dayton. If you go for a holiday it can be a smidge loud but never to the point it detracts from the experience and great food. I have been coming here since I was a kid and the quality has never slipped. I love that they make an effort to use food that is in season so it's extra fresh. Meadowlark is definitely worth visiting!

Excellent cuisine by this amazing chef! Meadowlark is our go-to favorite "neighborhood" dining establishment.

First visit. Dinner was delicious! Sat at the bar where we were completely entertained by the bartenders who meticulously buzzed about making beautiful cocktails. Menu choices were vast and all homemade, a rare treat today! Dessert topped off an amazing dinner. We'll definitely stop in again when in Dayton.

We had a great lunch today catching up with family. The food was well prepared and the dining room was surprisingly empty. It is Black Friday I guess. I had an amazing grilled Brie and pear compote sandwich which was amazingly good. My wife had the chicken sandwich with preserved lemons she enjoys so much.

Really good food. Incredibly abismal service. Next to nobody around. The server took his time taking our order, and once our food arrived as it stands we've been waiting for at least 10 to 15 minutes with no return check in on. We're ready to go.

They were out of about half of their food, so we decided not to eat there The service was OK they had to go check to see if they had things The inside was clean, and it looked like a place you'd want to eat at if they had food, but they advertised I won't there mostly just because they didn't have what they said they had on the menu

Service was great. I think it's a fun place. My father-in-law ordered the catfish like me and we both thought the grits were bland while the gumbo was overly salty... the grits could have used some butter. My wife said her pork chop was dry. I think this place could be more but they skimped where they shouldn't for what they are trying to be... semi-fine dining. Up the quality and it could be much better. Would I eat here again? Maybe... would I ever crave it, doubtful. Would I take people from out of town here... no.

Last night we decided to go back to Meadowlark after an extended hiatus. While I still wish their menu would offer more seasonal dishes, our food was executed very well. The garlic frites were very good and garlicky! My husband said his carbonara was outstanding, best in town! My Caesar with grilled chicken was good, a little witty from the heat of the chicken, but tasty. The highlight of the evening was our bartender Mona, pure sunshine!

The meal was good. Ordered the Steak Sandwich, with field greens & creamy balsamic dressing. The steak sandwich was very tender and filling. For dessert you can not go wrong with the chocolate cake.

Very good food, and all of it (even the condiments) is clearly made in-house. My party got a burger, two salads, and some soup. It all hit. This would be 5-star review if the portions weren't so small. Also, for what it's worth, I couldn't tell what this restaurant was trying to be. High end? Humble? American? French? Rustic? Artsy? Hipster (with its specialty drinks)? No idea. Made for a disjointed first few minutes.

Went here for my birthday and I had the risotto and they accommodated me and made it vegan. Great cocktails as well. Zach was our waiter and he was extremely friendly and sociable. Can't wait to go back.

What a cute spot. I'm so glad I found it because it's super easy to miss. We also made a reservation, which is needed as they get super busy. We were early for our reservation but was seated immediately. We were greeted with menus and given suggestions. Our food came out fresh and tasty! The trout was seasoned and perfect. The steak was cooked exactly how I wanted it and the potatoes were the best. The dessert was amazing! We got the bananas with ice cream. Definitely make a reservation and go enjoy a nice dinner!!

Tucked into a small strip mall from another era lies a gem of a restaurant with a fresh menu as well as tasty wine, beer, and cocktail selections. Honestly, I'd like to give 4.5 stars, the food is 5 star but comfort is worth at least half a star deduction - seating is a bit tight and parking a small challenge. Plan extra time and you should be fine. Location: 5531 Far Hills Blvd, Dayton OH Menu: https://www.meadowlarkrestaurant.com/menus/ Parking: a bit sparse and not well marked since this is a popular restaurant in an established (older) location; but additional parking is available if needed in an adjacent lot. Price: Moderate. Budget $15-$20 per person for sandwich or salad with soft drink, $10-$15 cocktail menu and some more elaborate entrees over $25. Decor: Eclectic. Traditional meets Tuscan bistro with a fun artistic vibe. Local artist paintings displayed and available for sale. Comfortable but seating is very tight for good reason - I would rather have less personal space than a longer wait for a table but this is the only reason the review is not 5 stars. Our lunch group of 4 enjoyed the steak sandwich (with fries), grilled chicken with fried lemon sandwich (with green salad), Georgia (turkey) Reuben (1 with fries, 1 with green salad). Everything was really good and only one leftover box. (Portions are on the large side. Bring your appetite, especially if planning on multiple courses). Service is quite good. Attention to ingredients is on point. Take your time reading the menu and don't skip the specials. Great quality breads and homemade catchup are prime examples you will notice. The steak and chicken sandwiches are served on a grilled crusty roll, really elevating the flavor. The Reuben is on high quality (also grilled) rye bread. The dressing on salads tastes freshly made and perfectly dresses the salad. The fries look crisp and perfect. This was my second visit but definitely not my last.

Delicious food! Never had a bad meal here!! Servers are attentive with refilling drinks and checking in. Food came out quickly and as ordered. Love the space with rotating artwork

Food was excellent, the service was good and the ambiance was neutral. I would recommend this restaurant to friends.

I loved this place. New age and old world collide, and that sounds like some weird idiom, but you have to experience it to understand. The food was delicious, and I found the menu to be accommodating to any palate. The waitstaff was friendly, approachable, but not overbearing. And the overall atmosphere was quiet and intimate. I enjoyed the mussels and an amaro after dinner, and I cannot recommend this Meadowlark enough.

Meadowlark is one of the few local places we swear by and take visitors to. I love the drink menu, and there are many great dish options. Good service, cute environment. Check it out!!

Garlic frites are a must. Beet salad is just ok to me but it's really the only way I'll eat beets lol, never had a bad steak or cocktail here. Service has always been good, pretty quiet place, perfect for date night. Been for a few business dinners as well - always enjoy eating here