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Scotch Plains Tavern, Essex, CT

Scotch Plains Tavern

4.3
4.3
703 Reviews
$30 and under
Pub

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 p.m.
  • Great for creative cocktails
  • Great for outdoor dining
  • Charming
If you’re looking for an authentic tavern cuisine and rustic ambiance, Scotch Plains Tavern is the place to be. Located minutes from Essex Steam Train, Rt. 9, and I-95, guests can kick back with a drink and some wings in our newly renovated upstairs bar, redesigned in a modern vintage industrial style while maintaining the original bar from Oliver’s Tavern. The bar, retrofitted for additional space, was originally built in 1913 for a bar in Chicago where Al Capone is rumored to have regularly tipped a glass.

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Pub, Sports Bar
  • Hours of Operation
    Mon–Thu, Sun 11:30 am–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 11:30 am–11:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (860) 662-4032
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Executive Chef
    Eric Beach
  • Neighbourhood
    Essex
  • Parking details
    None
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Delivery, Entertainment, Full Bar, Happy Hour, Indoor Fireplace, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 703 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.3
4.3 based on recent ratings
  • 4.3Food
  • 4.6Service
  • 4.3Ambience
  • 4.3Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • Middlesex

    Good for groups

  • Middlesex

    Healthy

  • Middlesex

    Hot spot

  • Middlesex

    Neighbourhood gem

  • Middlesex

    Great for outdoor dining

  • Middlesex

    Lively

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Scotch Plains Tavern offers a "wonderful atmosphere" with both indoor and patio dining. Guests praise the "excellent service" and "outstanding" food, noting dishes like Tavern Burgers and beignets. The live music adds a lively touch, although it can sometimes be "way too loud." Overall, a "great experience" and a must-visit spot!

703 Reviews
  1. Joseph

    New York City

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on November 14, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Food and staff are Great! Will not disappoint...

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  2. Carolyn

    Atlantic City

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on September 28, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Scotch plains tavern was a great dinner experience . Service was very good , and food was delicious . Loved the ambiance inside . Would have loved to sit outside and enjoy the fire pits , but it was raining.

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  3. Joanne

    New York City

    8 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on September 14, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Lovely way to dine by fireplace as summer comes to an end.

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  4. JohnE

    New York City

    83 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    83 reviews

    Dined on September 7, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great meal and outstanding band, Le Mixx! Dance floor packed!

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  5. Michele

    Greater Boston

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on August 30, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Our server was outstanding!! Beautiful venue, friendly staff, excellent food and cocktails! We keep going back and this is why! Wonderful every time!!

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  6. Mitch

    Greater Boston

    19 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    19 reviews

    Dined on August 24, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We have passed the restaurant so many times driving past it and finally decided to give it a try. We were pleasantly surprised. The ambience city at the fire pit was fantastic. Our waiter, Lenny was the hit of the night. he didn’t stop running all night, was so attentive and really made what was a casual dinner into a real experience. Not to mention, food was terrific. We look forward to returning.

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  7. Carol

    New York City

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on August 24, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Really fun place in a beautiful setting. Reception was very friendly, explained seating options and was very accommodating. Wait staff really hustles! Kitchen is a bit slow; don't go if you're in a hurry. Entertainment options are good. Ate indoor on 1st floor this time as we wanted to hear the band who was on the 2nd floor. 2nd floor seemed too loud. Have eaten outdoors in the past and that's really nice. 4 of us split Fig, honey Flatbread and chicken wings as appetizers and all were happy. Main meals were fish tacos, the Poke bowl under apps, Fish and Chips and a Breaded Chicken dish. Everyone was happy with their meals but it did seem there should have been a saucec with the poke bowl which was not brought to the table. Dessert was beignets and a strawberry cheesecake...again everyone was happy. This is a place worth giving your business too.

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  8. Carol

    Greater Boston

    29 reviews

    4.0

    29 reviews

    Dined on August 17, 2024

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We ate outside. It was a fantastic environment. A gas fire pit and Adirondack chairs. We had a couple appetizers - coconut shrimp (good but a little over cooked) and dumplings (theses were excellent. Our meals were also good - ahi Tuna poke bowls and Caesar salad with Chicken. Fun meal Our waiter was also excellent and attentive.

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  9. Derrick

    New York City

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 10, 2024

    1. Overall 1
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 3
    Food was good. Service was terrible, we waited over 30mn for our appetizer (chips and dip), and the another 40mn for our food. We were not given napkins or silverware and when we asked the hostess for napkins and silverware we were give plastic ( out water could not be found). Every other customer had cloth napkins and regular silverware. We also ordered a meal to go that we ordered when we put in our order. The waiter forgot to put it in So we had to wait even longer after we asked for the bill. When we asked why this was taking so long his answer was because they were short-staffed, but we were one of three parties in the dining room. The food was good, but I would not go back because of the terrible service, and the fact that we were the only customers eating with plastic silverware! Also the bathroom was disgusting!

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  10. Derrick

    Greater Boston

    4 reviews

    4.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on August 6, 2024

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    Great decor. Food was fresh and tasty Nice outdoor dining area weather permitting

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FAQs

Scotch Plains Tavern offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (860) 662-4032.

Scotch Plains Tavern is rated 4.3 stars by 703 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 p.m.

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for Scotch Plains Tavern

124 Westbrook Road, Essex, CT 06426

Additional information

  • Neighbourhood
    Essex
  • Hours of Operation
    Mon–Thu, Sun 11:30 am–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 11:30 am–11:00 pm
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Pub, Sports Bar
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    None
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive Chef
    Eric Beach
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Delivery, Entertainment, Full Bar, Happy Hour, Indoor Fireplace, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine
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