Let’s face it: sometimes you don’t just want food. You want an experience — a place that feels like a cross between your favorite neighborhood pub, a retro-arcade hangout, and a culinary tour around the world. That’s the world that The Tavern Collective builds. It’s a modern take on a pub.
Tucked inside a vibrant setting with steampunk touches, eclectic art, good music, and a laid-back spirit that welcomes everyone, Tavern isn’t trying to be fancy — they “strive for uncommon good.” On a recent visit to the Las Colinas location (branded as “Tavern on Meridian”), I found myself circling a table laden with cocktails, shareable plates, hearty mains, and enough variety to keep even the most indecisive diner happy. The atmosphere was casual, the portions generous, and the flavors bold and surprising. This isn’t the bar food you’re used to.
The first thing that hits you at Tavern isn’t the menu — it’s the energy. Music is playing softly, lights are warm, servers move at an easy clip, and glasses clink. Within minutes, a cocktail lands in your hand — cheeky, confident, maybe a little unexpected. That feels like part of the point here. The Tavern Collective isn’t just about filling stomachs. It’s about setting the tone. Dirty Frenchie Martini: Clean, cool, and a bit sharp. Whether you go vodka or gin, the briny blue-cheese olive and vermouth give the Dirty Frenchie an edge, a slow-burn sophistication that goes down smooth. Lucky Heist — A classic margarita, but one that hits all the right chords: bright lime, gentle agave sweetness, and tequila that doesn’t hide. Perfect if you want something straightforward yet spirited. Shiso Crazy — Their take on sangria: red wine, berries, fresh juices. Light, fruity, and easy to sip, especially if you’re planning a longer meal or want something less boozy but still festive. A little on the sweeter side if that’s what you fancy. Puppy Love Martini — On the sweeter side, with Absolut Raspberri, peach schnapps, and pineapple juice — playful, nostalgic, and unexpected. It’s the kind of drink that invites conversation, laughter, and maybe a second one.
Each cocktail feels intentionally built — a little whimsical, a little bold, and totally in step with the Tavern vibe. They’re not designer-pretentious; they’re just fun. And in a place like this, that feels exactly right.
A good pub or tavern meal always starts with something to share. And Tavern on Meridian leans into that in full force. The menu reads like a global appetizer tour with modern sensibilities — and every plate arriving at our table felt like a small celebration.
Nonna’s Meatballs — Comfort meets simplicity. House-made beef meatballs swimming in a rich tomato sauce, topped with Grana Padano and paired with toasted house garlic bread. Soft, with a light crisp along the edges, fragrant, cheesy, and deeply satisfying. This is the kind of plate that feels familiar but also a little luxurious — especially with that rich tomato sauce and warm bread to soak it up. Tavern Calamari & Shrimp — Lightly breaded squid and shrimp, served with a bright nuoc cham sauce, basil, peppers, and a creamy yogurt dip. It balances crispy exterior and tender seafood inside — the kind of starter that teases the palate: a little crunch, a little tang, a little herb. The pineapple-style cut on the calamari is the extra step that sets this dish apart from most in the area.
These dishes set the tone — casual, shareable, generous. Great for kicking off the meal when you don’t quite know what you’re hungry for, but know you’re hungry for something good.
When it was time for mains, the table spread only got richer. The Tavern Collective doesn’t do subtle or timid — it does comforting, bold, and generous. The Tavern Burger — A brioche bun, bacon, cheddar, mushrooms, caramelized onions. It arrives fully loaded, dripping with flavor and loaded with that warm, greasy-pleasure vibe you crave after cocktails and starters. Simple? Maybe. But done right. The richness of bacon and cheese, the sweet-savory caramelized onions — it hits heavy the way a burger should. Cajun Chicken Sandwich — A spicy roasted chicken breast, jalapeño-jack cheese, bacon, tomato, lettuce, tzatziki. The spice and smoky notes lift the sandwich beyond a run-of-the-mill chicken burger — it’s bold without being overbearing, flavorful but balanced. A solid pick if you want something lighter than beef but still with personality. Cashew Butter Chicken — Maybe the wildest curveball on the menu. Tender chicken simmered in a tomato and ginger butter sauce, studded with cashews, served with an eye-catching rice tower and naan. The sauce is creamy, slightly fragrant, mildly spiced — comfort food with swagger. It’s global comfort meeting tavern heart. The Frencheezie Pizza — Detroit-Style cheese pizza with a vibrant tomato sauce, mozzarella, and fresh basil. No pretensions. No gourmet topping overload. Just clean sauce, melty cheese, and that crust — perfect after a round of drinks and starters. Long Hike Pizza — For something a bit different: vegetarian, with roasted mushrooms, garlic, kale, caramelized onions, mozzarella, and miso aioli. Earthy, aromatic, slightly funky in the best way. A good “break from red meat” option that still feels indulgent. The Detroit-style pizza is cooked in a square deep pan, with edges lined with cheese forming a thin crispy facade that appears like ancient ruins when plated.
The range here is part of what makes The Tavern Collective feel like more than a one-trick pub. You’ve got Americana comfort food, global influences, vegetarian-friendly options, sandwiches, pizzas — something for almost any craving.
What makes The Tavern Collective stand out isn’t just what they serve — it’s how they serve it. Their own description nails it: a “modern take on the public house,” where “inventive food meets hip sips in a wild collision of flavors and fun.”
Walking in, you get that vibe immediately: exposed brick, ambient lighting, maybe a mural or two somewhere, music lightly humming, laughter wafting from another table. It feels like a place meant for conversation, for groups, for nights when you don’t know exactly what you want — and that’s the point.
They aim for warmth, inclusivity, and unpredictability. Cocktails that lean cheeky, dishes that swing from comfort to exotic, and enough variety that you can go with friends who have wildly different tastes and still leave everyone happy.
Plus — it’s not trying to be upscale fine dining. There’s no pretension. No fluff. Just good food, good drinks, good times.
Whether you’re there for a casual burger, a bold cocktail, a cozy veggie pizza, or just to hang out and see what catches your eye — it’s easy to walk out full. Easy to walk out happy. And even easier to imagine coming back.