Welcome to Bear Branch Tavern
Discover the spirited essence of Bear Branch Tavern, a gem in Vienna, VA, offering a vibrant New American experience. Nestled at 133 Maple Ave E, this cocktail bar boasts a diverse menu, including tantalizing late-night options and exquisite brunch delights. From perfectly grilled wings to flavorful falafel pitas, each dish is a culinary masterpiece. The friendly staff ensures top-notch service, creating a welcoming atmosphere that caters to all, including furry friends on the dog-friendly patio. Embrace the charm of their festive decor, relish in signature cocktails like the Elder's Exit, and indulge in delectable offerings like the Philly Cheesesteak and Ahi Tuna Nachos. Bear Branch Tavern is a haven for food enthusiasts seeking a memorable dining experience.
- 133 Maple Ave E Vienna, VA 22180 Hotline: (571) 669-3663
Welcome to Bear Branch Tavern, a vibrant spot in Vienna, VA serving up delicious New American cuisine and craft cocktails. Located at 133 Maple Ave E, this restaurant offers a wide range of amenities, including delivery, takeout, outdoor seating, and free Wi-Fi. Whether you're looking for a casual meal or a night out with friends, Bear Branch Tavern has you covered.
Customer reviews rave about the attentive service and diverse menu options. From ahi tuna nachos to crab cake sandwiches, there's something for everyone's taste buds. The late-night menu is a standout, featuring unique offerings like buffalo fried wings and falafel pita wraps.
On Tuesdays, guests can enjoy oyster specials, adding a touch of excitement to the dining experience. The cozy ambiance, complete with live music and seasonal menus, creates a welcoming atmosphere for diners of all ages.
One reviewer noted the memorable experience of enjoying a Philly Cheesesteak and Elder's Exit cocktail at the bar, while another praised the restaurant for its dog-friendly patio and diverse selection of menu items.
Whether you're looking for a relaxed brunch spot or a lively evening hangout, Bear Branch Tavern offers a spirited experience that's sure to leave a lasting impression. Stop by and discover the culinary delights and warm hospitality that make this establishment a local favorite.

Service: our waiter was attentive and made sure we were ok during the entire meal. We forgot to say separate bills and he nicely did it for us without hesitation. Food: the ahi tuna nachos were good. My friend had the crab cake sandwich which she enjoyed. The French dip was kinda of bland for my taste. It's looks delicious but the wasn't much flavor with the beef. The fries were great and crispy. Ambiance: we were seated in the back of the restaurant which I never knew existed. It got really busy after 6:30pm. My friend said she likes the front area better to people watch. Note: they do have oyster specials on Tuesday.

Absolutely amazed by this place! Went in late on Saturday night for their late night menu and was pleasantly surprised by the many options! I find that most places with late night menus usually resort to lazy options like fries and burgers only but this place had soooo many amazing offerings for their late night options I had to take a peek at their regular menu and am eager to return to try it out. We started off with buffalos fried wings. The wings were filled with mean and were nice and crunchy and not too drowned in sauce. Their blue cheese and ranch on the side were soooo good it seems that they make them in house. My friend got the buffalo chicken wrap that I tried and really enjoyed the flavor. I got the falafel pita that was packed with flavor and different textures. The naan was so crunchy and had great flavor and the actual falafel was super flavorful and crunchy as well. Paired with pickled onions, tomatoes, and tzatziki made for a delicious wrap. We had the elite corn on the side which was grilled and sauced to perfection. We finished off the meal with banana pudding that was arguably one of the best banana puddings I have had in my whole life. I'm excited and eager to return here with my friends. There is a bar and TVs as well as table seating so it fits many different vibes. Despite not trying any of their drinks, looking at the drink selection I would definitely return here to check them out. All of the staff were super friendly and accommodating and the food came out in a timely manner. I have already recommended this establishment to five friends and I was there only 2 days ago!!

We love coming here with our dog to sit outside when the weather is nice. It gets pretty busy, especially around the holidays (e.g., Memorial Day, St Patties, etc.) but the staff are friendly and service is good. They always have seasonal menus which is really fun and food generally does not disappoint. This is our go-to place for a casual night out. My ooooooonly very minor comment is that their oysters are delicious but not cleanly shuck so I tend to find little pieces of shell as I eat. The reason for four stars is just based on the fact that they serve mostly bar food & entrees are great but not exceptional.

I enjoyed brunch here with friends this morning! We came by at 1pm and had a brief five minute wait before getting our table for four. The staff were nice and gave us time to order and eat. I enjoyed the diverse options on the menu and ordered the shakshuka. It was fresh and light and it was prepared well. My friends got a salad, falafel dish, and salmon Benedict, and they were all pretty and good! It was really loud in this location, meaning that sometimes we had to yell to each other across the table. By the end of the meal, though, it had gotten a lot quieter and we could enjoy conversation easily.

Bear Branch Tavern offers a spirited experience that's well worth the search for parking. After circling the lot three times, my persistence paid off with a delightful visit. Fully adorned for the Christmas season, the festive atmosphere, enhanced by appearances from Mr. and Mrs. Claus, made the experience all the more special. Taking a seat at the bar, I was immediately impressed by the excellent service and warmth of the staff. I decided on the Elder's Exit cocktail, a refreshing choice that paired perfectly with the Philly Cheesesteak I ordered. Though some might quibble over its authenticity due to the inclusion of roasted peppers and onions, the delectable combination offered flavors that transcended the debate. The balance of well-seared meat and cheese was exceptionally satisfying and undoubtedly memorable. I look forward to returning in warmer weather to enjoy their fantastic patio, especially since it's dog-friendly--perfect for bringing my pup along for the next visit.

TUESDAY SPECIALS!!! Oysters for a $1 a piece! Good oysters too - definitely worth it! We came here because our first choice for dinner was closed and I was prepared to be disappointed because I was just really looking forward to fish and chips But seriously... I was blown away! Great deals on the seafood and despite being busy, a really upbeat, welcoming and helpful staff! There were four of us and none of us were disappointed in our food. I had a fantastic Mahi Mahi sandwich (my only complaint is that it was super messy - don't plan on being dainty with this one ), really good elote, and the consensus from the table was that the French Dip was one of the best they've ever had! Fries were also the right balance of crispy and salty and the cocktails were well crafted - we really enjoyed the Vienna Fog! Just good, chill vibes and some outside seating that was packed on such a gorgeous summer night - so be prepared to wait if you want patio dining - otherwise inside is pretty spacious!

Went for Tuesday happy hour, had super low expectations for the dollar oysters but they were actually super tasty, not too briny, nice medium size, and not sandy. Definitely would go back again for the deal. The hush puppies were also way better than I expected. I would pass on the clams (both raw and cooked), mussels met expectations. We also got the snow crab legs, which should've been illegal to serve. They were so overcooked, the shell had the texture of soggy cardboard and I could bend it 360 degrees without any of it snapping. The meat was extremely salty and meager, for $12 it was robbery and I deduct an entire star for how offensive that dish was. It was not too crowded given the great happy hour deal, table was too small but ambiance was fine.

A staple! A constant in our rotation because you know what you're going to get and you know it's going to be 10/10 every single time. Today was no different! First, the location is right off the W&OD so it's the perfect place to stop mid bike for a scrumptious lunch. We started with their grilled wings, as ALWAYS. You cannot skip those. Maybe my favorite wings of all time...seriously. They are grilled to perfection, they are big, and they are juicy. Served with an amazing green goddess dressing to dip. No note on their wings, ever. We then got a dozen oysters. Also DELICIOUS! Meaty. Fresh. Just yummy. For entrees, I got the Salmon Niçoise salad and my finance got the hatch chile burger. The salad was packed with my favorite veggies, roasted beets, carrots, brussels, topped with a perfectly seared piece of salmon and dressed with a light vinaigrette. Would def order again! The hatch burger was also cooked perfectly, medium rare, as ordered and was extremely packed with flavor! It is a bit heavy, so if make sure you're REALLY hungry if ordered! Side of truffle fries were 10/10 as well. A perfect accompaniment! We love bear branch! If you're in the area and haven't been yet - GO! Oh and it's a great spot for outdoor dining! They have a super cute patio that's perfect for families and dogs!

WARNING: This is the most mom review ever. Coming back with an extra star! Over the past few years Bear Branch Tavern has become one of my family's favorite spots! - Dad loves it because there are TVs everywhere, so no matter what time of day whether it's brunch, lunch, or dinner he can catch a game. - My kids love the buzzy atmosphere and think their salmon and fries is the best kids meal on earth. - I love it because nobody complains when we come here! Plus their menu is super varied so whether I'm feeling a steak salad (theirs is one of the best in town) or a risotto, I know that I can get a quality meal. Service is very friendly and it looks like they are very used to accommodating children. I like the fact that it is close to the library and Whole Foods so you can plan a whole morning in the area and knock a bunch of things off your to-do list. Pro-tip: Almost all of the things on the menu are great EXCEPT their burgers and French onion soup.