On the Square is a charming American restaurant in Tarboro, NC, where seasonal cooking, warm hospitality, and a thoughtfully curated dining experience come together in a setting that feels both intimate and memorable.
Known for its ever-changing menu of fresh, seasonal cuisine, this inviting bistro brings a sense of occasion to every visit, whether you are stopping in for brunch, enjoying a relaxed lunch, settling in for dinner, or planning a special evening out.
Guests also appreciate the carefully selected wine list and standout beverage offerings, including great beer, cocktails, coffee, tea, and dessert pairings, along with local specialties that showcase the character and flavor of the area.
With a strong reputation built on quality and consistency, On the Square has earned an impressive 4.50 out of 5 rating from 347 reviews, reflecting the trust and satisfaction of its guests.
The restaurant is designed to suit a wide range of dining preferences, from solo dining and casual meals to romantic dinners and refined gatherings. It offers dine-in, takeaway, delivery, and on-site services, along with catering and counter service for added convenience.
The menu balances comfort food with healthy options, small plates, spirits, beer, cocktails, and alcohol selections, making it easy to find something appealing for any appetite or occasion. Fast service, a great wine list, and a welcoming bar on site further enhance the experience, giving guests plenty of reasons to return again and again.
Accessibility and comfort are also thoughtfully prioritized, with a wheelchair-accessible car park, entrance, seating, and toilet available to make every guest feel welcome. The atmosphere is described as casual, cozy, historic, romantic, trendy, and upmarket, creating a space that works just as well for an everyday meal as it does for a celebration.
Reservations are accepted and dinner reservations are recommended, helping guests plan ahead with ease. Conveniently located at 115 E St James St, Tarboro, NC 27886, On the Square accepts credit cards, debit cards, and NFC mobile payments, making it simple to enjoy a polished American dining experience with confidence, comfort, and ease.
Popular Items
Frequently ordered and highly recommended items at On the Square
Our Story
Welcome to a place where great food meets warm hospitality. We believe dining is more than just a meal - it's an experience to be savored and shared.
Our kitchen is dedicated to creating dishes that bring people together, using recipes that honor tradition while embracing innovation.
Photos
A glimpse of our restaurant experience
Food & Drinks
Hear from our valued guests
First time visiting and I will be returning it was a very nice atmosphere and my food plus desert was awesome.
The calamari is outstanding and so are the shrimp and grits. Would recommend!
This is by far the best restaurant in eastern NC!!! Chloe provided fantastic customer service, was genuinely friendly and made great recommendations. Caitlin made some of the best drinks I ever had, everything was fresh, and had a unique flavor. Our food was so good, probably one of the best burgers I’ve had in a long time. Y’all ask for the bread, the butter alone is worth it! Overall, this was a fantastic meal in a really great atmosphere.
Clearly one of the finest restaurants in town with a great wine selection. The place with filled with both locals and people from out of town. Very high quality food.
An absolute gem among a sea of fast food restaurants and diners. EVERY part of the experience was superb......from their specialty drinks to the appetizer to the main course allllllll the way to dessert! Do yourself a favor.......and get on over there!!!
I’m NEVER disappointed when I go here! Everything I’ve had is top notch! This little restaurant is the best kept secret in Tarboro, NC.
Stopped at On the Square on the spur of the moment while traveling. I chose it purely due to pictures of the ribeye on Google maps. I was not disappointed. The ribeye was cooked to a perfect medium-rare. The green beans were excellently prepared. And the baked brie was truly spectacular with its cranberry sauce. Being the barbarian that I am, I of course didn't get any of the staff's names, but there is one truly beautiful black lady who has a disposition to match her looks. She treated us very well. Then there was the young gentleman that waited on us. He was tall and dark-haired. He was very friendly and professional. Also, there is another staff member, Carli, who is both efficient and friendly. This whole staff are top-notch. I cannot recommend this restaurant high enough.
Great Food at Fantastic Prices. Highly recommend !!! Had the Cobb Salad, Hot Beef Sandwich and BLT. All were well presented and absolutely delicious 😋
I had the asparagus risotto and it was wonderful. If that had been my last meal I would have died happy.
The lunch and dinner menus are totally different, and I'm reviewing the lunch experience. We really enjoyed our brunch. We drove from Greenville just to try it and we'll definitely be back again! The only downside is that the tables weren't clean after the clients left so that gives a bad aspect to the presentation of the restaurant.
Common questions about On the Square
On the Square is located at 115 E St James St, Tarboro, NC 27886, United States, Tarboro, NC, United States.
You can reach On the Square by calling +1 252-823-8268.
On the Square has a rating of 4.5 out of 5 based on 347 customer reviews.
On the Square features the following accessibility: Wheelchair-accessible car park, Wheelchair-accessible entrance, Wheelchair-accessible seating, Wheelchair-accessible toilet.
On the Square features the following service options: Delivery, On-site services, Takeaway, Dine-in.
On the Square features the following highlights: Fast service, Great beer selection, Great cocktails, Great coffee, Great dessert, Great tea selection, Great wine list, Serves local specialty.
On the Square features the following popular for: Lunch, Dinner, Solo dining.
On the Square features the following offerings: Alcohol, Beer, Cocktails, Coffee, Comfort food, Healthy options, Small plates, Spirits, Wine.
On the Square features the following dining options: Brunch, Lunch, Dinner, Catering, Counter service, Dessert, Seating, Table service.
On the Square features the following amenities: Bar on site, Restroom.
On the Square features the following atmosphere: Casual, Cozy, Historic, Romantic, Trendy, Upmarket.
On the Square features the following crowd: Groups, Tourists.
On the Square features the following planning: Dinner reservations recommended, Accepts reservations.
On the Square features the following payments: Credit cards, Debit cards, NFC mobile payments.
On the Square features the following children: High chairs.
On the Square features the following parking: Free parking lot, Free street parking, Plenty of parking.
Business Features
We look forward to welcoming you. Make a reservation or stop by - walk-ins welcome!
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