Hello dear
Nestled in the vibrant Mill Street strip of Grass Valley, The Owl Tavern emanates a unique charm reminiscent of an old speakeasy. The inviting atmosphere, adorned with vintage decor, sets the stage for a delightful dining experience. Guests rave about the delectable menu, showcasing hearty dishes like creamy beef stroganoff and tender filet mignon, complemented by standout sides such as garlic mashed potatoes. The tavern also offers creative cocktails and indulgent desserts like Baked Alaska, leaving patrons eager for their next visit. While service may occasionally lag, the inviting vibe and exceptional food make The Owl Tavern a must-try culinary gem.
About
Welcome to The Owl Tavern, an enchanting culinary destination nestled in the heart of Grass Valley, California, at 134 Mill St. This hidden gem seamlessly blends vintage charm with a lively atmosphere, making it a must-visit spot along the vibrant Mill Street strip adorned with unique shops and delightful eateries.
As you step inside, you're greeted by an ambiance reminiscent of an old speakeasy, where warm lighting and tasteful decor invite you to unwind and indulge. The Owl Tavern prides itself on not just its cozy vibe but also on an exquisite menu that reflects a dedication to quality and flavor. Patrons rave about the generous portions and eclectic offerings, celebrating everything from creamy beef stroganoff to expertly cooked ribeye steaks. Each dish resonates with an echo of comfort and culinary sophistication, leaving diners craving more.
The menu showcases a delightful range of options, such as the fan-favorite French onion soup and the chimichurri chicken, which have received high praise for their rich flavors and impeccable preparation. Diners are enamored by the Texas Twinkies and Billy Bleu Bread, with many claiming these appetizers are absolutely unmissable.
One notable aspect of The Owl Tavern is its vibrant cocktail scene, which complements the food offerings splendidly. While some guests have noted occasional service lags, the general consensus is that the experience is robust enough to bring them back for another round of tempting dishes and unique drinks. Desserts like the renowned Baked Alaska and Butterscotch Banana offer a sweet finale to an unforgettable meal, which many have dubbed as among the best they’ve had in months.
Whether you're a local or just passing through, The Owl Tavern promises a dining experience filled with warmth, exceptional tastes, and a lovely atmosphere. Make your way to this culinary refuge—one visit here, and you'll understand why diners are already planning their returns!
For reservations or inquiries, you can reach The Owl Tavern at +1 530-270-0695. Don’t miss out on this culinary delight!
“ The food is legit! I had the best fillet I've had in a very long time. Tender and cooked to the perfect temp. Garlic mashed and boccolini were amazing. My wife's halibut was tasty but didn't wow. Ceasar was fantastic! Inviting decor & vibe here. Service was on point at the bar for pregame, but not at dinner service. We definitely would have spent more $$ on cocktails since they were awesome, but we were never checked in on late in the service.. so we just bailed. Still going back because the cooks and bartenders, but less than avg service seems to be a theme everywhere unfortunately. It was a slow Thurs, so there no excuse there. ”
“ We walked in and we were in love with the vibe and atmosphere. The lighting and ambiance were warm and glowy, and everything felt super clean. I don’t live nearby and accidentally stumbled upon here. We ordered the oysters which were fresh, the French onion soup was ridiculous (!!!!) and the chimmichurri chicken was delish. If I’m ever back in town I’m coming back! We got the special dessert too the baked Alaska was wild in the best way. Texas Twinkies were our fave ”
“ I loved the original Owl of 10+ years ago and was happy a new rendition was opening after a couple other concepts tried and failed in the same space. I followed along on socials during the new owner’s menu development and opening. I was excited by the menu options and looked forward to trying it out. We finally had enough foresight to make reservations and get our chance last Friday night. The place was packed - both the bar side and the restaurant side. I love seeing our local places busy! We were greeted and seated quickly. The two tops are set up along the wall opposite the open kitchen. I normally don’t love that arrangement and will make sure to request a table or booth next time we make reservations. All in all, the seating arrangement ended up being fine. Now, onto the good stuff! We were greeted by our server very quickly and drinks arrived fast. We ordered appetizers and they arrived quickly. We had the Billy Bleu Bread and Texas Twinkies. Oh my! These two dishes are NOT to be missed!!! I fasted all day to be able to eat this meal because I heard how great the food was. I didn’t want to get too full, but couldn’t resist eating all of the appetizers. Just prior to appetizers arriving our dinner order was taken. Just as we were finishing the appetizers, our entrees arrived. I had the Flat Iron Steak with chimichurri sauce and my husband had the French Dip special. Both - DELICIOUS. Since we had already gone “all in” we both ordered desserts. My hub ordered the Baked Alaska special and I ordered the Butterscotch Banana. We both LOVED the Baked Alaska!! The Butterscotch Banana was also good, but I’d go back just for the Baked Alaska. All-in-all, this was the best meal I’ve had in months. The atmosphere and menu feel special but not stuffy. This will be on our rotation and I can’t wait for our next visit! PS - I was so excited to eat when our appetizers arrived that I forgot to take pictures. Believe me, you HAVE to order the Billy Bleu Bread AND the Texas Twinkies!!! ”
“ I stopped here for lunch while on an outreach work trip. The vibe is gorgeous, and all of the staff were friendly. I like a menu that has limited options because I usually feel overwhelmed. Their version of a grilled cheese caught my eye, and overall, there were some interesting flavors but the sandwich wasn't my favorite. The fries were really good, though! If you're looking for a fun place to visit while in town, definitely stop by! ”
“ This place was so much fun. I love the story behind it, the menus are vintage looking and the decor gives you a feel of an old speakeasy. Food, service and cocktails were all top notch and on point ”
“ The Owl Tavern is on Mill St. strip with all the clothing, shoes, candy, kitchen, and bakery shops. I had the creamy beef stroganoff, it was delicious. My husband had the mouth watering ribeye with loaded baked, potato and French fries. Our friend had a salad with mild blue cheese dressing with the baseball, which is a filet mignon. It was seared a little too much, but still good. We topped it off with some Cream Brulee, that was a little thin, but still good. The service was friendly, but slow for our taste. Very good food with big portions, we will be back! ”
“ While visiting friends in Grass Valley, Ca. We decided to have dinner and they recommended we eat at the Owl Tavern and it didn’t disappoint from the time we stepped in the door and were able to get squeezed in right away. The menu was amazing and I can usually pick out a meal fairly easily but I was struggling with 3 different menu items that all sounded amazing! Our amazing waitress Belle informed us of the specials and that’s all it took, I figured everything on the menu is always here to choose for our next visit so I went with the Short ribs over garlic mashed potatoes with broccolini and the wife ordered the other special, Halibut with jasmine rice and asparagus. Both meals were amazing! If your every in the Grass Valley, Ca area this place is a must with plenty of cool shops, movie theater and ice Cream! Make sure to ask for Belle as your server she is Amazing ”
“ Tried to eat here August 19th but they were closed (closed Monday and Tuesday). I really wanted to try their Texas twinkies and wedge salad after picking up my olive oils a couple doors down! I have been coming here for years with many different venues trying to survive. The Owl has always been known for great steaks! Cozy atmosphere and bar seating as well. WILL TRY AGAIN WHEN OPEN! ”