Village Tavern

Village Tavern is an upscale-casual American scratch kitchen and wine bar located at 2000 Griffith Road in the Hanes Mall Boulevard commercial corridor of southwestern Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Founded in Winston-Salem in 1984 before expanding to a zweiten location at Reynolda Village and additional cities across the Southeast, the restaurant is recognized for its expansive scratch-made menu, certified Angus beef steaks, fresh daily seafood, and award-winning wine program. Travelers and locals visit this flagship Griffith Road dining room for business lunches, celebratory dinners, and Sunday brunch in a polished tavern setting with a spacious covered patio.

What to Expect at Village Tavern

The culinary program at Village Tavern centers on scratch cooking, where sauces, dressings, soups, and desserts are prepared fresh in-house each day. The menu spans classic American comfort dishes and contemporary seasonal plates. Starters feature Maryland-style lump crab cakes pan-seared with Dijon mustard sauce, Crispy Baja Spring Rolls filled with chicken, black beans, corn, and jalapeno Jack cheese, and brick-oven flatbreads. Main courses range from hardwood-grilled filets mignon, ribeyes, and prime rib to cedar-plank Atlantic salmon, blackened mahi-mahi fish tacos, and slow-cooked baby back ribs. Half-pound gourmet burgers, main-plate salads, and sandwiches round out the midday and casual evening options.

Inside the Griffith Road location, dark wood paneling, warm lighting, and deep leather booths create a classic tavern aesthetic separated into a lively bar lounge, a main dining room, and a climate-controlled outdoor patio. The beverage list is a major focal point: the cellar stocks dozens of wines by the glass and bottle from California, Oregon, France, Italy, and South America, alongside craft beers from North Carolina breweries and hand-shaken cocktails. Guests with dietary restrictions can request a dedicated gluten-sensitive menu as well as vegetarian adaptations directly from the kitchen.

• Maryland-Style Crab Cakes: Available as a starter or twin-cake dinner entree, made with jumbo lump blue crab meat, minimal filler, and house Dijon mustard sauce.
• Scratch Kitchen Steaks & Prime Rib: Aged Certified Angus Beef cuts including center-cut filet mignon, ribeye, and New York strip, plus slow-roasted prime rib served with au jus.
• Award-Winning Wine Program: An extensive list featuring more than 40 wines by the glass, half-price wine specials on select days, and curated reserve bottles.
• Sunday Brunch Menu: Served every Sunday starting at 10:00 AM, offering Eggs Benedict, Belgian waffles, omelets, French toast, and brunch cocktails such as mimosas and Bloody Marys.
• Dedicated Gluten-Sensitive Menu: A comprehensive selection of gluten-free starters, salads, steaks, seafood, burgers on gluten-free buns, and flourless chocolate cake.

Village Tavern at a Glance

Visiting Tips, Getting There & Nearby Pairings

Because the Griffith Road restaurant draws steady crowds from both the nearby medical campuses and shopping centers, securing a table in advance via Resy is strongly advised for Friday and Saturday evenings as well as Sunday brunch between 11:00 AM and 1:30 PM. Walk-in guests often find immediate seating at the full-service bar or high-top lounge tables during weekday afternoons between 2:00 PM and 5:00 PM. Smart-casual attire fits the room best, though shoppers and travelers in neat casual wear are always welcome.

Located just off Interstate 40 (Exit 189 for Stratford Road / US-158) and Hanes Mall Boulevard, the restaurant has a large, free private surface parking lot directly in front of the building. The entrance, dining rooms, patio, and restrooms are entirely on a single level with step-free access, wide aisles, and designated accessible parking stalls near the front doors. Visitors can easily pair a meal here with retail shopping at Hanes Mall and Thruway Center less than ten minutes away, or take a 12-minute drive east to explore the 18th-century Moravian historic district of Old Salem Museums & Gardens.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the operating hours and best times to visit Village Tavern on Griffith Road?

Village Tavern opens Monday through Thursday from 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM, Friday and Saturday from 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM, and Sunday from 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM. For the quietest dining experience, arrive for a late weekday lunch between 1:30 PM and 4:30 PM or reserve an early dinner table before 5:45 PM.

Do I need a reservation, and what is the average price per person?

Reservations are highly recommended for weekend dinners and Sunday brunch and can be booked online or by calling +1 336-760-8686. The restaurant falls into the moderate-to-upscale $$ price tier, with burgers, salads, and sandwiches averaging $15 to $19 and prime steaks or fresh seafood entrees ranging from $24 to $46 before drinks.

How much time should I budget for a meal at Village Tavern?

Plan to spend 45 to 60 minutes for a weekday business lunch or casual sandwich at the bar. For a multi-course dinner with wine pairings or a relaxed Sunday brunch on the patio, budget 1.5 to 2 hours.

Is Village Tavern wheelchair accessible and suitable for families or dietary needs?

Yes, the restaurant features step-free ground-floor entry, accessible parking spaces right outside the entrance, wide table spacing, and ADA-compliant restrooms. Families are accommodated with high chairs and a dedicated kids’ menu, while guests with celiac disease or food sensitivities can order from an extensive gluten-sensitive menu.

When planning your Winston-Salem travel guide or browsing verified american restaurant in Winston-Salem, pair this stop with standout local spots including Cin Cin Burger Bar, The Old Fourth Street Filling Station, Kimpton Cardinal Hotel, and Hampton Inn Winston-Salem Hanes Mall (0.4 km away).