The District Eatery Tap & Barrel

The District Eatery Tap & Barrel in Sanford is an excellent spot if you're looking for a great atmosphere to enjoy some drinks. The drink prices are quite reasonable, making it a perfect place to relax and hang out with friends. The ambiance is super nice, with a cozy and modern vibe that makes you want to stay for a while. The food menu looks spectacular, with dishes that appear absolutely delicious, though the prices are on the higher side. I haven't tried the food yet, but I definitely plan to return to see if the flavors match the presentation. The service was excellent, especially the bartender who served us...she was very kind and attentive. Overall, it's a highly recommended spot if you're in the area and want to enjoy some good drinks in a great atmosphere.

The atmosphere is very simple, but the food and service are fantastic. The Nawlins Snapper dish is full of flavor (not spicy), good portion size and you should definitely try it. The shrimp and pasta dish was also excellent! The cream sauce on the pasta was not heavy, it was light and flavorful. The creme brulee was good, nothing special. Depending on the time of year, you may need to get a reservation.... better safe than sorry.

Hands down THE best restaurant of this type of food any place around. Outstanding, consistent quality. All served in a timely manner. No wonder it’s packed and turning people away. A true gem!!!

This is THE best restaurant in Sanford. Absolute can’t miss spot. Fantastic cuisine that has flavor and soul. Great atmosphere and perfect for a step above casual dining.

We had a fantastic dinner at The District in Sanford! I had the pork chop, and it was perfectly cooked to a beautiful medium— tender, juicy, and full of flavor. My wife had the rock shrimp and loved every bite. We sat at the bar, and the bartender was super attentive and friendly, really added to the great experience. Brad the owner came out to see how everything was tasting, which really gave our experience a personal touch. The atmosphere was relaxed but upscale, and the service was top-notch. We’ll definitely be back — highly recommend!

We held a private party here and had a very positive experience. Owner Brad and his staff went the extra mile to serve our needs. We were using his newly-constructed private party room. It was somewhat plain in decor, which he had told us in advance, and I had to create my own ambiance, which was a bit difficult because I was not in the same city. However, the staff were most kind and helpful as I put up decor, letting me into the facility when it was closed. The food was excellent. There were a couple of items on our buffet which were too salty, but otherwise the Eatery measured up to the superb cuisine we had sampled beforehand. I would definitely recommend holding a private event at The Eatery, and would also recommend dining there at any time, as the menu is delicious and the staff is top-notch.

Brad and staff did a phenomenal job with our wedding reception. All of our guests highly complimented the food and service. The reserved area is spacious, yet intimate and the service was unbelievable. Thank you all so much for the most fabulous, memorable reception!

Food and service are both absolutely first rate. Everything was delicious and presentation was spot on.I would think most of the time atmosphere would also be 5 star however the night we were there Sanford was having a golfing pub crawl that included the place next door. Not awful at all but was a distraction.

Everything was spot on! Started with a Sanford Smash and a Loggerhead Spicy Paloma and Mussels. For the main we did a Sesame Crusted Ahi Tuna and Seabass and Crawfish. Desert was crème brûlée. Portions were large and everything was amazing. Would definitely go back if we get back to town. Natalie was our server and did a phenomenal job. Nice little spot, clean and well laid out.

Plans didn't work out so we ended up here instead, I've always wanted to try it so this was the perfect opportunity. I ordered the fish Nawlins style, which comes prepared with a creamy sauce, fish and crawfish on top of a grit cake. The sauce and spices were perfect together, and the grit cake was the best I've ever had. Also had a Margarita which was also very delicious. This place is great for any occasion, date, hanging with friends or just dining alone. The service was really good and was happy we could get in without reservations on a Saturday.

A very cute location for a date night or even a larger group. Reservations can be made which I would recommend especially for larger parties and weekend dinner. Our server was extremely patient with our large group. I had the Filet and it was absolutely incredible. My husband had the short ribs but he didn't think it was filling enough. Most of our party enjoyed their meals and I would definitely return!

Something like a five. A limited menu and long outdated website pricing hue my review though everything was entirely enjoyable. Hospitality was attentive enough. Seafood chowder was sort of closer kin to corn chowder but that's semantics. Burger was solid and cooked correctly to order, even with carryover, which is becoming something of an art these days. AAA+++ for that. Chop was fat and delicious. Curious Romaine wedge was nice. Enjoyed that. Libations were reasonable enough, thank you. And dessert, creme brulee was nice. Didn't have that "crack" but was wholly delicious just the same. Easy four something or other. Elevated dining.

Sanford-I called a few weeks ago and spoke with one of the owners, Ann. Very personable and accommodating for our party of ten. This upscale eatery has a very cool vibe. Our waitress, Katie, was amazing! Helping with menu suggestions and keeping the drinks flowing. ALL TEN of us absolutely loved our food! Hard to do when you've got so many different tastes. Entrees were...Short ribs-tender & seasoned perfectly. Bourbon Pork chop-as big as your head and tender as all get out! Mussels with ciabatta-I'm still dreaming about the cream sauce. Steak-one of the most tender steaks we've ever had. You could cut it with a butter knife. 1/2 Chicken-very flavorful and moist. All agreed that this place knocked it outta the park!!! Thanks for a great foodie experience! We WILL be back. I didn't get a picture of the salad, but they loved it too!!

Sate night in Sanford! The food was delicious. A friend had recommended The District and it was all he said! I had the beer salad w candied pecans plus the braised short ribs which were off the bone and tender, the risotto which was creamy and delicious and the mixed veggies which were varied and cooked perfectly. All gluten free. My hubby had the shrimp and grits. I wanted to get it but the grits are out in fryer so not gluten free. He loved it. The Sanford Smash mocktail was delicious too. Great service and friendly faces. There was a big party in the bar and they kept up with both fine. Will definitely be back!!

We scheduled a rehearsal dinner in their private room for a party of 33. Bradford, the owner, was great to work with. He was very responsive through the planning stage, and accommodating when we had a few last minute changes come up. Highly recommend as the food was amazing and very fairl

It has been a couple of years since we have been here. My husband and I went for a nice date night dinner and once again....exceeded expectations! We made reservations as the restaurant itself is small and does not have a large amount. Of seating. We were immediately greeted and ordered our drinks. I had The District, which is there version of the Old Fashioned. It was smooth and delicious. For dinner we both ordered the Short Ribs with veggies and mushroom risotto. This dish is a must have. We will definitely return in the near future.

I absolutely loved the food here at The District! My wife and I both got the short rib for our entree and it melted in your mouth. The drinks are top notch as well. The service there was fantastic as well, very friendly and personable and another good reason for a return trip. I also like the fact that it's a small restaurant and everything is very cozy and relaxing. We didn't even have to wait long for our food and I appreciate that. I definitely recommend this restaurant if you're in the Sanford area but they are definitely worth the drive to enjoy the food there.

This is always a go to for date night. I do recommend getting a reservation. I've tried pretty much everything on the menu and you cannot go wrong with anything. The service is always excellent and the food is always amazing. It's a very quaint little restaurant in downtown Sanford. It is a staple when it comes to the elegance and historical venues of downtown Sanford. You cannot go wrong with any choice on any day. But I do recommend getting a reservation.

Everything is pre prepared. Food seems to have been left uncovered and wilting in fridge. Plastic fitted table clothes covered by glass gavr me a 1970s Deja vu. Wobbly wine glasses were given to me for a 150 buck wine. Wedge was wilted with a film on the dressing. Burrata had a 1/4 inch hard shell with the creamy stuff minimal. Tomatoes were wilted and you could see they were cut the night before. Steak was ok but came out with so much brown sauce cause I could barely find it. Yes, I said asked three times to out the au pouvi sauce on the side. Service was fair to good but he did not know anything. Had to go back and ask. He tried. Not his fault. Probably not be back. Maybe. Place was empty.

This restaurant used to be one of my favorites. Not anymore. We sat down asked for specials and was told only In the bar area. Only to find out from a different server that they will offer it in the main dining room . Strike one !!! We split the wedge salad it was great ! Came out perfectly the way we request ! Dinner was order and arrived not as requested. I ordered my fillet au poivre ( which is list listed on this site as $28 and is $44) medium well + and it was clearly BURNT on the outside and medium inside. Twice I was checked on , and both servers refused to acknowledge the fact that it was burnt on the outside until I said "I can't eat this corner it's charcoal ". STRIKE 2 . She took my meat into the kitchen to speak to the chef . She circled back And asked if she could get me another drink or dessert ( I Was hungry because the piece of meat was only maybe 4-5 oz if that . Needless to say I Wasn't given an option for a recook. She returns to the table to Ask me if she can interest me in dessert ( I thought this was make up for my meal , nope STRIKE 3 ) the bread pudding was added to my check . I think I will think again before visiting this restaurant for a $44 steak when there are plenty oF other place to go. When I asked if there was anything they could do I said maybe just charge me half price for what I did eat and she came back and said chef suggested a 25% discount .

Food and service were both outstanding! Perfect spot to celebrate a special occasion!

The food and service are always great. The make an amazing old fashioned. Also, the pork chop is PERFECT!

Had the ribs-fabulous taste, tender, rich gravy - simply great. Terry, server, was engaging, prompt and fun. Companion had super thick pork chop that he enjoyed tremendously. Reservation? Yes, was seated immediately. Noise abated by 8, so next visit will be later than 7:15. Definitely would return!

Very good first experience at yet another lovely culinary experience here in Sanford. The District is an attractive and comfortable restaurant and bar with delicious cocktails and quality ingredient entrees. I highly recommend the Spiked Blueberry Lemonade - one of the best cocktails I've had in years. My filet was good, but, to date, I've never had a filet mignon snag the title from my favorite OG cantina on Colonial (IYKYK). Would I return? Yes - likely for the Braised Short Rib with mushroom risotto. My server, Katie, was lovely and, worth the mention, the water here is excellent! If the water is good at a restaurant I'm always happy because that's what they cook with - so BONUS.

Good food, decent + service and we just enjoy coming here. Happy hour makes for a good value too.

Still my favorite spot in Sanford. Great food and service. I highly recommend the District. Food is always fresh and on point.

The atmosphere was amazing. The food was amazing. The service was great. It is in a beautiful part of Fernanbina beach.

Four of us decided to try the District Eatery after escaping the Halloween hordes and met up In Sanford last night. After watching the Halloween revelers and having drinks , we waited til 8:15 to go for dinner. Sadly, we learned as we reached The District that they close at 9:00 pm. However , they kindly welcomed us to enter and all I can say is WOW! I ordered the steak au poivre which was tender and sauced with a wine reduction. One friend ordered the crusted trout with orzo salad and green beans. Another ordered the"special" which was the roasted Sea bass with crawfish in a rich cream sauce. Hubby ordered the Ahi tuna steak seared and left not one speck on his plate. All four of us concurred these were the finest , perfectly prepared, dinners we have had in a long, long time in Any restaurant! The ambiance is quiet and comfy. The staff was so very accommodating despite of our late arrival and made us feel unhurried as we dined. We have decided to make the trip to Sanford- from Orlando- just to dine again at the District and I hope it's not a very long wait. Par Excellence and it shows! BRAVO!

Would gladly eat here again. it's got all that homemade, farm to table, locally sourced stuff everyone seems to love; myself included. Service was excellent, I'll start off with that. They were very patient with us as it was our first time and we were kinda undecided even though the menu literally only has a few choices. Don't get me wrong though, I like that they have a limited menu, it says to me that it was thought out well and that these dishes have been crafted in accordance to what is seasonally available. I ended up getting the ahi tuna app and a salad which was simple, yet super delicious. I'm still thinking about it. Good quality ingredients really do make all the difference in the world. Place has a nice ambiance, we were saying that it would be great if they did live jazz; it's got that kinda feel to it. Great dining option if you're in Sanford.

I took WAY too long to finally check this place out! I was always hesitant to go due to the limited menu, but boy was that a mistake! The food and drinks were fantastic, high quality, and cooked well! The regular menu is a little pricey, but they have a great happy hour! Our cocktails were $2 off during happy hour making them $9 each, pretty standard and were well worth it! They also have entrées on happy hour that are not available on the regular menu. I included the menu in my photos. Prices were great for the flavor and quality! I opted for the red shrimp, chorizo, and grit cake bowl. Shrimp were cooked perfect! My guest had the strip steak. I don't typically go for strip steaks, but tried a bite of hers - it was actually pretty tender and had a good compound butter! I may order it myself next time. Our desserts were the perfect finishing bites! I will add that service was a tad slow. It took a while for our server to greet us and they were not busy. It also took quite a while to get our check after finishing dessert. However, our items came out pretty quick after ordering and everyone was friendly! I'll definitely be back to try more items! TL;DR: Food and drinks are fantastic! Food is high quality. Service was a little slow, but food came quick after ordering. Value of happy hour is a great deal!

Came here for a date night before visiting Sanford Zoo for Asian Lantern Festival. Place has a nice ambiance and vibe, like upscale gastropub. All the food here we had was delicious. Lots of great southern flavors. My wife said the porkchop was one of the best she has had. Drinks were very good as well, I had their version of an old fashioned. Service was also great and we will be coming back for sure!

The food was absolutely out of this world. We started with the shrimp dip which was very rich and easy to split. We then ordered the short ribs, and they were so tender and flavorful. The risotto that accompanied it was just mouth-watering. The only reason I didn't rate it 5 stars is that the service was just disappointing. After ordering and receiving our starter, we weren't checked on again to order our entrees until well after we finished the starter.

Absolutely love the food. I miss the red head bartender and wonder where she ended up. Hopefully doing well.

So we have eaten here 4 times. I will say the chocolate cake gets a 5/5 stars from me. The Crème brûlée was also reported to be very yummy! The cocktails are fantastic, too. That's where it's ends.Last night was probably the last time we visit. Here's why: 1) the menu is smaller. There are probably 6-8 entrees to choose from. The menu hasn't changed in a long time. Don't check the online one - it's not accurate and they said they cannot remove it. My suggestion? Go BACK to the old menu! 2) we actually brought friends with us this time. Nobody was in love with what they ate. The entrees are $30 on avg per person. 3) One got the herbed chicken and said it was "interesting". 4) Another got the filet and said the peppercorns were a bit overpowering and took away from the taste of the filet. 5) my husband had the pork chop and said it was VERY fatty - he had a pile of fat piled up on his plate after he was done. 6) I had the sea bass which I have had twice now because there aren't many other options I'd like. It's served with crawfish and a block of grits (a grit cake). I am not a fan of crawfish. They're ok - just not a favorite. They taste more fishy than the fish. I'd rather have some vegetables with it. The short ribs are good. It's just a smaller plate. It was also colder in the restaurant than it was outside! (Chilly evening.) The server was attentive until it got crowded (understandably). We were in a hurry to get to a scheduled activity, but we were finally able to get the check so we could leave. In the future, I think I'll go to the Jailhouse Restaurant or one of the many places to eat in downtown Sanford.

Had the pistachio crusted trout, very nice. Good drinks. Nice staff. What more can I say?

Great food and drinks and quick service, I would come again! I recommend the trout! Best to make a reservation but if you come early (around 5) you can usually get a seat right away

Great environment. Excellent service! Good food. It didn't disappoint. We were lucky to dine on an evening with relatively few other patrons which made for a calm quiet dinner! I had the tout my buddies had stake. No one had anything to complain about. The serving sizes were ample!

We have been here multiple times, and have always had a larger party with children. Each time the food and the service has been phenomenal. We've gotten the braised short rib, sea bass, trout, shrimp fusilli - the cook and the flavors are all so well honed. This is what restaurants should be aspiring to. The servers are so well trained and the hospitality is a cut above. We love it and you will too.

Food is top notch and came out pretty quickly. Friendly bar staff and tasty specialty cocktails.

Just tried The District, we came to Sanford from Miami to see our daughter performing at the theater. Ordered Beef Carpaccio, it was good. Then ordered Braised Short Ribs and Sesame Crusted Tuna. Braised beef with mushroom risotto and vegetables was bland, the whole dish needed a bit more salt. The short beef seemed more pan fried than braised, very disappointing. The risotto definitely needed salt to bring out the mushroom flavors. The sesame crusted tuna was ok, but the couscous salad was definitely not. Really not satisfied with our meal.

Amazing food on a consistent basis especially the wonderful pork chop they have on the menu. The bartenders are skilled, especially at their old-fashioned recipes and the service of the waiters and waitresses are first class.

Food good. Restaurant very nice. Burger excellent. Seafood dish was good. Not thrilled with their wedge salad on romaine, Parmesan crusted trout okay, risotto good. Drinks excellent. Will try again. Very limited menu.

Finally checked out this great place! Well, the menu was larger than the online version. First, the service is excellent and the Servers were friendly! Second, the signature cocktails are creative. The blueberry lemonade cocktail was light and refreshing. Then the Food...wow! Our group had a variety of dishes. I had an artichoke/spinach soup that was delicious along with the beet salad with goat cheese which was a great entree size and also really good! My friend had the mussels and she loved them! The other 2 friends had the wedge salad and the sashimi tuna which they also loved and I really want to try that wedge next time. There are a few outside tables when it is nice outside too

**This review is based on drinks, service, and atmosphere since we haven't eaten there yet. Big five stars for delicious cocktails, a shabby-chic atmosphere with beautiful barn door separator, and a very entertaining and welcoming bartender (Steve). Looking forward to heading back for dinner soon!

I travel to Lake Mary/ Heathrow area often for work and when I do I always seem to end up in the Sanford area a couple of times each trip. Sanford is a nice little town with many shops and restaurants and I am never disappointed when I go except, the wait times at restaurants can be a little long. Me and a coworker were waling the area and found The District Eatery Tap & Barrel sitting off the main strip and was not busy at all. Hesitant on the quality (since it wasn't busy) we looked it up and there were no red flags via the reviews. Since it was so slow we were quickly seated and served. The District Eatery... is a classy little joint with a bar area and high tops, a regular sitting area and some outdoor seats. Be careful with the outdoor seats as some of the table are on a slope and it is not very comfortable eating on a 45 degree slope. I ordered the burrata for an appetizer with red wine. The wines are pretty common. The taps and the cocktails look a little more interesting and were probably a better choice. The burrata was good and I would definitely do it again. For my main I ordered cioppino. I love this soup for not only the ingredients of scallops, mussels, shrimp and crab but it is all drowning in a tomato sauce that I love soaking up with bread. The cioppino was pipping hot and tasted great with one exception...the crab claw. The crab claw tasted like it was past its prime but I didn't notice any other flavor or freshness issues with the rest of the soup. By the time I tried the crab claw I was half finished with my soup so I chalked it up to the claw independently or just me.

My wife and I stopped in for a drink and decided to try the two specials they had. The beef carpaccio appetizer was out of this world, the best we ever had then came the chimichurri rib loin. Mouth watering. Both of us were blown away. Cooked perfectly. We finished off with a creme brulee with black berries which was fantastic. Would definitely eat here again and recommend it for anyone looking for a great dining experience.

Food and service was great. Only wish that they gave bread to table as sauce would have been good to use bread on

Really enjoyed the atmosphere and the drinks were delicious. Unfortunately, the food was average. It lacked the right flavors. I had the shrimp and grits, which was recommended by the bartender, and it is not New Orleans style, shrimp and grits or Lowcountry, shrimp and grits. My wife had the mahi, and it lacked flavor.

Always looking for a new, local place to eat whenever I travel, The District Eatery was the choice. It was highly recommended, and I can see why. The quaint restaurant was nestled in downtown Sanford, and it offered outdoor seating in addition to the inside option. My buddy and sat at the bar and watch some football as it was a Monday night. A few beer got the meal started before we added the shrimp dip appetizer, followed by salads, and the entrees. I had the Nawlins Style Sea Bass and Shrimp. It was easily one of my favorite dishes because it combined two of my favorite culinary options: cajun and seafood. My buddy ordered the filet and said it was great, too. We had no room for dessert, but we'll save room for the next time we're in town.

Very good food. Worth every penny. When we went it was not very busy so got seated right away even though we had a reservation. I tried a couple of there specialty drinks and they were top notch as well

Excellent seafood platter for two! Check it out! As always great service as well. Highly recommend.

I was excited to try this place. I love little local places. I really enjoyed the shrimp dip appetizer and would have given more stars if that is where the lunch ended. However it wasn't. I ordered the special steak medallions with asparagus and mashed potatoes. It had mushroom gravy. It was just ok. Nothing special. The steak was a little tough. The sides did not have much seasoning. So I put all my hopes on dessert. The dessert I got was the crème brûlée that tasted like strawberry and oranges. I enjoyed it. The waitress was nice and it was a clean place. So overall I would give it a 2nd chance. But only if I had plenty of time.

Tucked away in a quieter section of Sanford, the District is clean and quiet with a very nice selection of entrees.

Myself & my husband went here and ordered the Filet steak with mashed potatoes and beans, we also ordered the ribs and a wedge salad. Did not take any pictures of food because the steak had a lot of pepper on it so the flavor of the steak was overpowered. The pepper from the steak also overpowered the mashed potatoes. The short ribs was good and a nice portion. We go to restaurants all the time and we have never been told while walking to be seated that we have an hour so hurry up and order your food, we were also told at arrival that we could not make a reservation in yelp but we know we can. In all we give second chances so we will return for a better experience

I am sad to say that I am writing this review 2 hours before our scheduled co-ed bachelor dinner and party tonight because this location totally dropped the ball on us on a special night. I called to reserve about a month ago and to my knowledge had everything set in stone. The policy was told to me, I have a headcount and was told the night prior I'd be called to get a set in stone head count to avoid their 50$ a head no show fee. I never heard from them the night prior so I called them today. They said they had no reservation for us, insinuated the three people that had chatted with them etc to set it up were all liars. I had to stop the conversation with management four times just to ask if we can still come in with getting no clear answer. After 10 minutes of management going in on me about how I was wrong, she finally gave a very hard rude no and told us to not show up. This place was one of my favorite places and I had nothing bad to say prior but this was absolutely unbelievable treatment. Do yourself a favor and spell it out for them if you plan on having a nice celebratory dinner there or choose somewhere else. Luckily, the breezeway welcomed us with open arms last minute to make our night happen. Had to contact 25 people for a last minute change of plans.

Visited over the weekend with a few couples before a show at Tuffy's. Service was friendly but consistently and unapologetically slow, from drink order to check processing. Portion sizes were incredibly generous all around which is actually a pet peeve of mine. We couldn't take leftovers with us due to evening plans and it feels so wasteful to leave it all behind. Share an entree if you're inclined! Food was solid- we each had different entrees and shared a few appetizers and everyone was satisfied with their meal. We also tried some specialty cocktails which were nicely balanced. Overall, worth a try if you aren't in a hurry and want leftovers for three days :)

I got recommended to this spot since it was a "spot for foodies". Honestly, it was subpar on all accounts-service, food and atmosphere. I felt the prices were a bit overpriced for the whole experience. I had the red crab arriabiata - seriously nothing special. But I guess the presentation of food is decent since it still seemed picture worthy.