The Tavern at Zaca Creek

Perhaps one of the best restaurants I have ever been to. The food, service and atmosphere were amazing. Everything was on point and very well executed. The food told a story with every bite there was an explosion of flavor. Highly recommend this place. We stayed at the resort and had dinner at the Tavern. Best getaway we’ve had in years. The location is quiet and majestic. Away from the city life.

This is an exceptionally high quality restaurant! Jeff was very professional, knowledgeable and kind taking his time to explain about the details of each food and matching the right wine with it. He recommended a wine that was excellent and we all enjoyed it. The food was very delicious. Service was excellent! Highly recommend this restaurant to anyone who loves authentic food, excellent service and a professional caring manager.

For a dinner date, we selected this restaurant and brought our daughter along. She was thrilled with her meal. We were impressed by the delicious food and satisfying drinks. The atmosphere was lovely, and our waiter provided exceptional service. Upon learning it was our first visit, he offered valuable recommendations for popular menu items to try.

Menu was great, though mine had a food stain on it when it arrived. Everything was cooked perfectly, I had the miso cod and it was delicious! Had the apple dessert, which was a mini apple pie with pink lady apples that had been soaked in red wine. I didn’t detect any flavor or color change from the red wine, and it arrived barely warm, I would have liked it to be hotter. Overall, very good!

Really enjoyed our time there. It had a speakeasy feel to the place, very romantic,quiet and cozy. Steven, the owner and our bartender was very nice and made some very tasty and pleasing drinks. The Barbocoa sliders were very tender and delicious 😋. The apple pie Ala mode was to die for and they gave us a complimentary chocolate mousse with fresh fruit, which was not overly rich.

An amazing, intimate space with farm fresh, excellent food. The chef here is top tier - food was flavored perfectly. My husband and I came here for my birthday weekend, and couldn't have asked for a better restaurant experience. Every staff member was extraordinarily kind, accommodating & friendly. When we come back to the area, this will be our go to spot!

Pricey but we'll worth the experience, great food, and tasty drinks. The fresh scones they give for free are warm delicious.

A fantastic experience all around. The food was delicious, the service was exceptional, and the espresso martinis were amazing. We were here for our anniversary, and they kindly offered us a welcome sparkling wine on the house, which was a lovely gesture. Big shoutout to our server Marta.

My wife and I dined inside, very cozy and intimate environment. Food and cocktails were great as well. Highly recommend.

We had such a fantastic experience and will definatly be back. The resturant is warm and inviting, the staff is friendly and attentive. The drinks are beautiful and delicious. We ordered the Miso Black Cod, the New York Steak, the Tavern Burger and French onion soup. EVERY single thing was delightful. Prepared perfectly, chefs kiss. Grass fed beef and locally sourced ingredients make for a delightful experience. Thank you for the perfect night out. We walked around the beautiful grounds and really enjoyed our time there. Check them out or you're missing out.

I'm going to update my review a few years later. This restaurant went through a makeover and a menu refresh. The menu seems a lot more limited but I'd much rather have a few great choices verses a bunch of mediocre choices. Over the weekend, we went for dinner and sat on the patio. Weather and ambiance were great. We started with a round of cocktails -- the blueberry bourbon smash was tasty. They bring you fresh carmalized onion scones to start which were super flaky and buttery. As a starter, we ordered the chimichurri shrimp and the steak tar tar special. The shrimp were average, probably wouldn't order them again. However, the steak tar tar was phenomenal. As a main, we ordered the filet mignon and the steak frites. Both steaks were cooked perfectly medium rare and were super tender. The peppercorn sauce on the steak frites dish is a nice add. Overall, this will make it's way into our normal rotation.

We didn't make any reservations since we visited on Super Bowl Sunday. Inside seating was full, there is a big TV inside so everyone was busy watching the game. Outside seating was very comfortable and inviting, almost all the tables have their own individual table top heating. I should note that it is an enclosed patio. Decent wine menu is available (including local favorites) for you to choose from and enhance your dining experience. Don't fall for the caviar fries , save your money or order another appetizer, there isn't enough caviar in the ranch dipping sauce to even taste anything. Food was good, (we all ordered steaks) anything less would have been disappointing since pricing is on the high side, that goes for the wine prices too. Servers are all friendly and attentive.

Very classy place. I recommend you make a reservation. They ask as you walk in if you have one. String lights to set the mood and a cute patio. Food presentation was lovely and my favorite was the lobsters beignets and second place was the bacon wrapped scallops. My friends steak was just ok and my burger was nothing special. It way super soggy which grossed me out honestly. Maybe they can modify it somehow so it's not that way. They server was very nice but noticed that the restaurants vibe didn't match the servers. The servers were dressed veeery casual. I hate to say it but maybe even a little sloppy. Overall, It was a cool experience but prob won't be back.

This place has been on my radar for a couple years now. Was finally able to stop in. As it turned out, during "restaurant week", Took advantage of the 3 course special offering. The lamb slider main course was cooked to perfection, left me thinking that I don't eat lamb nearly as often as I should. The real star of the evening though, was the za 'atar carrots on the appetizer menu. The apple pie dessert deserves mention as well. The crust was absolute perfection. And some sort of salt they sprinkled on top of the ice cream brought a flavor "pop" that really set the dish apart

This was just ok. Nothing special in my opinion. First off, the restaurant is in a very dark area. There isn't much in the way of lighted signage so if you've never been there, it isn't exactly obvious as to where the restaurant is. We were seated promptly. They had a big party they were tending to so service was a little lacking. Drinks were good. We ordered a salad that was simple but good. We also ordered the rib eye steak and the lobster Mac and cheese. Steak was cooked to our liking however it came to us slightly warm and under seasoned. The lobster Mac and cheese is little to be desired. It almost as if they made a Mac and cheese and just decided to throw lobster meat in it. Just didn't taste cohesive. We skipped dessert. Just didn't grab us. In any case, I'm glad I tried it but I won't be itching to come back anytime soon.

We really enjoyed our visit, especially being our first. There are several wonderful places to enjoy for delicious food and cocktails in the Santa Ynez area. We have our favorites, now are adding the Tavern to them. We were in the area because we have memberships in a few wineries nearby. We wanted to explore a new spot for late lunch/early dinner. It was great! We enjoyed a few cocktails in the happy hour. Also tried Beet and Duck versions of Carpaccio. There was an excellent grilled octopus too. We sat at the bar and the bartenders were very attentive only outdone by their skill of creating superb drinks. Music played while we were there was our style so if you are looking for delicious food and drinks off the beaten path while listening to some soulful music from the 60s, 70s, and 80s you'll be in for a treat.

Loved this place!! Service was great -5/5 Ambiance -5/5 Food- 5/5 Got the smoked duck carpaccio and it was delicious , a bit salty but the greens helped break it up Filet mignon was cooked perfectly (rare) Bummed I forgot to take photos. I was enjoying being in the moment I guess

My family and I love eating here ! We visit multiple times a month here. The cocktails are awesome and I'm in love with the filet mignon!! The service is quick and top notch! The ambiance is relaxed and cozy !

The Tavern is our go-to in the Valley. Fantastic drinks, ambience, food and service and always welcoming for the entire family, even our toddler. Also the perfect place to host an event--had our baby shower here and it was awesome.

10 out of 10! From the menu selections and the affordable happy hour, they really try to offer something for everyone and it shows. Great hospitality, grounds are stunning, and an atmosphere that can be either quiet and realxing or social and festive on any given day. Hands down, this place is a hidden gem.

Stephen and Ethan were beyond amazing and so extremely kind during our stay. Ethan showed us to our room and even gave us a mini flashlight while walking the grounds at night, such a nice touch! Ambiance of the tavern, the gorgeous rooms and exceptional service is why we will keep coming back.

It was an excellent meal. We loved our dinner and the staff. My only complaint is the large TV screen which was too loud. No one was watching it and with such a great place to relax, the TV really took away from the ambiance. I ordered the Miso Black Cod which was delicious! Great way to start our anniversary trip.

This place is so good! Found it based upon the Yelp reviews and walked in after wine-tasting in town. My partner had The Tavern Burger, which he raved about, as well as the steak fries. He said it was one of the best burgers he's ever had. I had the spicy Farfalla - I think this entree was decent, but I'd probably order something else next time. We finished off with apple pie, which was one of the best I've ever had. The apples are soaked in red wine, and I could taste every ingredient in the pie - the apples, the crust, ice cream - every wonderful flavor! The place itself is super cute - they have a lovely patio, but since it was a little chilly, we opted to sit inside which was nice and cozy. The staff were all very helpful and friendly. We will definitely be back the next time we are in Buellton.

Party of 4 reservation for dinner. Birthday celebration for 2. We ordered the Brisket fries, 2 hamburger plates, the French onion soup, and the 13 ounce medium NY Steak. Ethan was our waiter, and he rocks, making our 1st time experience there the best. Food and drinks were great, and the ambiance was perfect on a Monday night. Not many customers noted. Bathrooms are extremely clean as well as the inside and outside dining areas. If in the area, stop by.

The restaurant is in the middle of nowhere in a pitch dark parking lot. I could not read the restaurant name on the building, it was dark everywhere even on the street. When I drove into the parking lot I couldn't see the entrance door so I gave up and drove away on to Highway 246 to another restaurant who also had filet mignon. Too bad, they had such great reviews, I was looking forward to a great evening with them. I was celebrating purchasing a house in Buellton.

What a quaint little get away. I've been to the area a bunch of times but never knew about The Tavern. We stayed in the villas and enjoyed the tavern a few times for cocktails and a great meal. If you are staying in the area give this place a shot. Can't say enough good things. Have a Rye Old Fashioned, you're welcome. :)

Excellent ambiance, terrific service, delicious / high quality eats and special attention to detail! Will be returning time and time again.

SHOUT OUT TO ETHAN!!!!! Seriously the best service I have ever had. Ethan was an awesome server! Also, props to the people that were constantly filling up my water It was phenomenal. I loved the food I got a chimichurri shrimp appetizer that was to die for, a cheeseburger entrée and Crème brûlée with fruit for dessert. All the food was prepared excellently and tasted fresh.

If you want good food and a quiet ambiance, this is it. Servers were friendly and attentive and they have a great selection of drinks.

Whoa! First off the place is beautiful. Cozy, inviting. Staff, a step above the rest. Food is excellent. Not a big menu, which I'm a fan of. Everyone does a burger, and a lot are great, but, I don't know what they did to theirs, never had better. Needless to say we made a res for the next evening before we left. Thanks Ethan and staff.

We walked into an inviting environment with a staff that was equally inviting. We started with cocktails that were beautiful and delicious! There was a decent selection of beers and wines as well. The menu rotates seasonally. I had a lobster roll with a green salad that had farm fresh greens and a beautiful watermelon radish sliced on top. The lobster roll was served in a brioche roll which felt like such an indulgence. My husband had the cod with a miso-Marin sauce. It was heavenly! The waiter let us enjoy our meal and did not rush us at all! I absolutely will be back.

Let me start by saying this is one of those times when you know the planets have aligned for the evening... because everything was was on point The minute you walk-in, your taken away by the beautiful Bar as a center a conversation piece of the restaurant. The table setting ( fork, knife &spoon) the interior, and the AMAZING music playlist! But here is where it the night starts to shine... Ethan ( our waiter) , was embracing, welcoming and extremely pleasant to have for the evening. We started we complimentary scones from the Chef. These were delicious served with maple butter.We had the a Filet Mignon cooked to perfection, Spicy Farfalle ( bow-tie pasta) , which was simply delicious with parmesan cheese , shallots ,Calabrian chiles squash and vegetable broth!!!! also Steakfrittes New York prime 12oz. with French fries which were flat but bubbly and airy at the same time , served with a brandy-peppercorn sauce which elevated the fries.Also we had the Scallops wrapped in bacon which were ok, but you can skip on them . The "French Onion soup" was beyond PHENOMENAL!!! I could EAT this 5 days straight.." definitely one of the BEST French Onion soups I've had till today, compared to Taix on Sunset , Republique on La Brea or Petit Trois on Melrose...this soup was perfectly balanced with Vidalia and regular onions. The sweetness was not overwhelming allowing the the other onions to play the their role and allowing just the right amount of sweetness to complement the broth cheese and bread.. absolutely Brilliant !!! The drinks were wonderful, I had a Penicillin which you don't really see on to many Bar menu's unless they're doing something right... and" TRUST " me , this place is definitely doing ALL things RIGHT! How often do you see a Baked Alaska on a dessert menu ? Well they have it ..! Sticking to something that is pretty much not seen at at all anywhere, it tells you the time and effort they're putting into their menu's to make sure your dining experience will be one to remember. I opted out on the Baked Alaska and decided on the Crème Brûlée instead....which was absolutely delicious. I didn't see vanilla specs, but the right amount was incorporated along with sugar...to make this an outstanding dessert as well . Please make sure to visit here when staying in Solvang ...it's just a 8/minute drive along the Freeway outside on the outskirts. Kudos to Ethan who was our wonderful waiter!!!

Everything was amazing! Our server Ethan was so sweet and personable! He made our experience special! The food is incredible, you really can't go wrong. We sat outside, and although it was warm, we were perfectly comfortable!

This place has great Ambiance the staff is nice the food was delicious from the bread all the way down to the special apple cobbler with I believe Brandy or some other unique flavoring.

1. Food - A solid four. They had a good vegan burger option and heirloom salad starter. Everyone liked their food except the steak that was supposed to be medium looked more like it was medium rare to rare. So so quality. Must have been a fluke Oysters on the half shell were a hit. With the vegan burger, wish they would offer avocado. House made Chips were unique. Though, I should've considered asking for a salad instead - that would be a nice option Everyone loved the bread and butter option. The butter was creamy and seemed to be infused with orange or some citrus Drinks: The cocktails looked amazing. Inventive and beautiful presentation. Our table really enjoyed them as well as the wine and beer selection Ambience : outdoor area was beautiful shaded and green. The indoor area felt like a step into the old world with its lumber and old wood. The high ceilings meant good airflow. Events and lodging: there was a wedding going on but it did not feel crowded. We had a private quiet table around the corner of the patio. They have separate event space The place looks like a magical location for an event and I love the rooms that you can stay in. We got to have a peek at them. Evening lights and landscape make this place charming. Service: The staff were excellent friendly and professional. We will go back I just hope they will get more vegan options please

Amazing location family run. Gorgeous and the food is spectacular. Not what you would normally get from anywhere around

Service: From the moment we entered, the service was spot on. We were taken care of by Ethan, and he was absolutely pleasant and attentive. Atmosphere: It's absolutely beautiful and a mix between rustic and barn like inside. The details are beautiful down to how each table and utensils are presented. Food and drinks: Drinks were average, I expected a little more with the beautiful bar, but it was okay. We started with the strawberry scallop ceviche, and I wasn't a fan. There weren't a lot of flavors. My date and I both ordered steaks, and steaks were great quality and cooked perfectly, but nothing was too special. Sides were good, all the food ingredients were fresh and tasted very nice, just nothing "special". They brought out a lovely creme brulee desert for my dates birthday, which was very good as well. I would return for the ambiance, the service and to try something else and see what happens. Overall, lovely experience!

Great food! Great service! Great vibes! What more can you ask for? We had a great. Time eating here, even the kiddos enjoyed it. Great stop on our vacation

Excellent drinks, food, and service! The restaurant ambiance is beautiful. Great for a date night or any sort of special evening.

Excellent food. Really great service. They even brought ice water for our dogs! 10 of 10 we will be back!

One of the best meals I've had in awhile! Lovely venue with excellent service. Warm scones and maple butter delivered to your table. Starters including the lamb were tasty. The burger and fries were some of the best I've had in awhile. The fries are uniquely cut, crispy, and served with a side of truffle ketchup...umami! Extensive craft beer and wine menu including many local favorites. Gourmet hot sauces if you ask the waiter :) And of course, tasty dessert options as well. Everything was excellent. Overall I can't recommend this place enough!

Our favorite place for happy hour, hands down!! The patio is amazing. Food is out of this world and drinks are delicious!!! Would definitely recommend!!

I wasn't necessarily impressed with the food but the service was excellent. We did go on a Sunday so I am hoping to give this place another chance during a Friday or Saturday. The tavern was completely empty and apparently they have a limited menu on Sundays and do not have specialty cocktails. The food was a bit overpriced for what it was, but our server was friendly and attentive. The outdoor seating area is beautiful. They also have salsa nights on Mondays, so I am definitely looking forward to attending one of those nights.

Excellent food, exceptional service and great old time ambiance. We'll definitely be back.

Awesome manager!! Great service - we do wish they'd bring back the older, more unique and exotic menu , but that won't stop us from returning

Outstanding service (we were early and hungry--even though they had an event happening, our server was able to get food for us). Food was absolutely top notch: I had salad, their tavern burger, and shared the red wine apple pie with my partner (I also stole some of my partner's fries, they were incredible)--everything was beautiful and perfectly cooked; simple fare perfectly elevated. The music playlist was hugely enjoyable, the ambiance very relaxing and welcoming. Will definitely go back again in the future.

We stopped here on July Fourth weekend and tried the special BBQ plate and some happy hour bites. They should offer bbq year round, it was so good! We were there on a hot day but the patio provided deep shade. Our server was very friendly and provided water for our pup. I'll definitely return to try their regular dinner menu next time I'm in the area.

What an amazing place, we were satisfied and felt like a million dollars when done. We will definitely return. Ryan was our waiter and all his suggestions and descriptions were spot on!

We visited The Tavern today for Sunday Brunch. It's a bit pricey but the service and quality were well worth it. This place just reopened last August after new owners did a lot to reinvest in the location. They are still doing some work on the property but we had a great brunch today. In an area focused on wines, it was great to learn they have an extensive whiskey, scotch and mezcal list to choose from. We hope to make it back for dinner service in a few weeks.

We thoroughly enjoyed our visit. Very attentive and such great service and staff. Cocktails were excellent and beautiful. The Lobster Beignets were amazing. The scallops were huge and delicious. Beautiful restaurant and such an enjoyable evening. Will be back next time we're in the area for sure.

This place was amazing. Food, drinks, service, ambience. Mixologist Stephen was great at his craft. Pick his brain and ask about dealers choice cocktails.

OMG!!! I had the BEST muscles I've had in my entire life. Delicious flavor that make you want to drink the broth. I'm not local, but I've been thinking about this dish since I left. Definitely worth every penny. We also tried the lamb lollipops, amazeballs!! Not dry all and cooked to perfection. I was a lil bummed that they did not have peppermint jelly. The staff were super accommodating and friendly. I'm definitely coming back if I'm ever in the area again.

We loved everything about our dinner! The aperitif was excellent, best scallops we have ever tasted, the lamb dish was tender & flavorful & our creme custard dessert was delicious. Our butternut soup (my favorite soup) was just slightly disappointing as some additional spices would have made it perfect. The wait staff was friendly & attentive. We celebrated our wedding reception in their barn over 30 years ago and were happy to return here after a long absence.

Has easily become my favorite steakhouse in the Santa Ynez Valley. The quality of their All-Wagyu beef cuts is out of this world. Unfamiliar with the cut of steak available? Fret no more as they literally will show you first hand. Upon request the staff will bring forth a steak box with all the cuts available for the day for you to choose from. My favorite, the Rib-Eye! Aside from steak, the appetizers are very flavorful. The drunken mushrooms are a great deal and perfect for sharing with a group of 4. Their oysters are very fresh and if you're feeling extra fancy, the escargot is also delicious. The specialty cocktails here are amazing. You'll want to try all of them trust me. Although maybe not all in one sitting, but trust me, they're very good. Masterfully crafted with care, each cocktail has their own magic.

Great food, fun people, amazing ambiance. Everything we had was delicious. It was so good we went twice during our visit to the area

Omg ... spicy farfalle pasta with shrimp on point !! Hard to get me excited but omg ... 110-%!!!

This restaurant was a great find!! Great and beautiful atmosphere, friendly staff (Thanks Sam!, and delicious food!! Compliments to the Chef!! Highly recommended!! The property surrounding the restaurant is beautiful, not to be missed!