Taffer's Tavern Alpharetta — Restaurant in Alpharetta

We decided to visit after the restaurant Up on the Roof closed early on us. We drove an hour to be here so we are not familiar with the area. Funny thing, I used the watch Bar Rescue. Had no idea this was one til we were standing by Jon Taffer's picture at the host table. Cool! We were celebrating my daughter's birthday. We decided to eat curb side. Very nice. Very minimal traffic as well. However the heater was out by our table, it was definitely needed. And The chairs were a bit uncomfortable too.

The Pork Belly Skewers were fabulous! So was the Buffalo chicken flatbread! Perfect combination of chicken blue cheese and buffalo sauce! And it wasn't drowned in buffalo sauce either, can't stand when places do that. We had the southwest and tavern burger. They both came across dry and had minimal toppings, couldn't taste the sauce at all on the tavern burger. Lobster Mac n cheese was good but extremely to small. It needed to have more noodles to be a fulfilling meal. Especially for the price. The tomato bisque was good but also small. The garlic bread that came with it was over toasted, small and hard. Soup wasn't big enough for a meal either, more so like an add on. We also had the Parmesan Truffle flatbread, although I know it could be good, it was to dry. It needed something with some moisture. Maybe a balsamic sauce drizzle. We also tried the Taffer's favorite cocktails sampler, the presentation was very nice. But ultimately we weren't fans of the drinks. Under the ocean, whatever the name was, had the coolest presentation though. Our server was remarkable!. Very attentive. An ease to talk to. Genuinely curious of how we were enjoying the meal.

So over all the presentation was remarkable! Things come out on cutting board. Soup had it's own special dish. Drinks look beautiful! The place is nice and welcoming. Cool environment. But for the food... some of the food standards are off. And portion size. The soup should be a meal on its own. Or have a meal size and a side size.

We did enjoyed our experience...

We really wanted to love this place—but unfortunately, it missed the mark.

We had no idea it was one of Jon Taffer’s concepts when we arrived, but the massive painting behind the host stand quickly gave it away. To be fair, the décor and atmosphere are excellent—the vibe is modern, inviting, and well-designed. Our party of six was seated in a spacious booth, and we were excited to try the menu.

However, the service started off on a rocky note. It took about 12 minutes before anyone greeted us, and when our server did arrive, he simply said hello and left to get water. Another staff member eventually brought the waters and asked if anyone had been by, which made it clear communication was off. It was another 8 minutes before our server returned to take drink orders. Service continued to be slow and disjointed throughout the meal.

We ordered the chicken tenders appetizer, a Cobb salad, truffle flatbread, two of the Taffer’s burgers, and a plain burger. The drinks were okay overall, but my wife’s cocktail flight was almost undrinkable—far too sweet and overpowering, despite a heavy pour of alcohol.

Unfortunately, the food didn’t live up to expectations—especially given the high standards often emphasized on Taffer’s show. The burgers tasted like frozen patties, all three were overcooked despite ordering medium, and the chicken tenders seemed processed and pre-packaged. The salad and flatbread were decent, though the flatbread was overwhelmed by truffle oil (my wife didn’t mind, but it may not be for everyone). I had ordered onion rings with my burger, but they were overcooked to the point of being inedible.

With a bill of $160 before tip, it was a pricey dinner for food that felt more like bar basics than elevated dining. While the space is great and the ambiance is definitely a highlight, the food and service didn’t reflect the level of quality we expected.

In short, we’d return for the vibe—but...

I came to Taffer’s Tavern fully prepared to channel my inner Bar Rescue critic—and instead, I got rescued from skepticism and served pure excellence. The cocktails? Flawless. The Campfire Old Fashioned? Crafted right in front of us—flames, smoke, and all. Our server turned the table into a bourbon stage, lighting the wood chips while pouring the cocktail into a smoke-filled glass. Watching the smoke swirl around the perfectly clear ice as the aroma hit the air? That’s not just a drink—that’s theater. If you’ve got the video, post it. It’s guaranteed to turn heads. Mic. Drop. And the Smoked Old Fashioned in a glass decanter filled with a cloud of smoke? That’s not a drink—that’s a moment. Perfectly chilled with crystal-clear ice, it was as smooth as Jon Taffer’s one-liners.

Bonus points for the bourbon lovers: Taffer’s Tavern isn’t playing around. Their flight menu is a whiskey drinker’s dream. From Stagg Jr. and Blanton’s in the Barrel King’s flight to a full Pappy Van Winkle lineup (yes, even the 15 year), the options are elite. We didn’t splurge for the Pappy flight this time, but knowing it’s there earns instant credibility. Whether you’re a rye fan, a Buffalo Trace devotee, or just want to try something rare, their “by the glass” list is worth asking about. This isn’t just a tavern—it’s a bourbon bar with swagger.

We started with bacon-wrapped jalapeños and the deviled eggs, both packed with flavor and plated beautifully. The star of the show was the Short Rib, fall-apart tender over crisp green beans and creamy potatoes—no need to yell “Shut it down!” here. Service was on point, atmosphere was upscale but relaxed, and the whiskey chandelier overhead just confirmed this isn’t your average bar—it’s a destination.

I walked in expecting to nitpick like a bar consultant and left feeling like I’d been served by Taffer himself. Bravo to the Alpharetta...