Cove Tavern

The atmosphere is quite cozy. Spacious layout, stone fireplace, hardwood floors. Certainly much different than anywhere I’ve been in Williamsburg. The food ended up being a mixed bag.
A group of four of us came here on a Friday night at 7. There was no wait, which was appreciated and our server was prompt and pretty friendly (though not real knowledgeable about the menu). I ordered our table the Fried Green Tomatoes as an appetizer and everyone enjoyed it. The cheesy grits made for a nice texture combination. We were also served a basket of mini cornbread muffins, which were cold, but still pretty tasty.
For entrees, I had the Crab and Avocado Louis salad, which was probably the biggest disappointment. The menu described a «tower of crab…» but it was SO small. The crabmeat and shrimp were ok, but this was not what I would consider a dinner entrée (the menu was deceiving). My friend thought her fried pork chops were disappointing too. The portion in this case was huge, but the delivery was uninspiring and her collards were overcooked. It looked like something you would order at Cracker Barrel.
My friend who had the ribeye said that it was pretty good, but not quite steakhouse quality and he was annoyed that they didn’t have a baked potato to accompany it. The best dish ordered was the Ahi Tuna Wrap. My friend devoured it and said it was one of the better sandwiches he had in a while.
The beer and cocktail selections were both solid.

I live and work about a mile away from The Cove. Tonight I went to dinner with a colleague from out of the state and I was embarrassed at the service we received.
We ordered the fried green tomatoes and the waitress dropped them off and then I had to chase her, looking for small plates so we could share. She never showed up and I ended up having to go to the kitchen and ask for them from the cook. The entrees came in less than 5 minutes after we actually started eating our tomatoes (which were really tasty, to be fair)
I think there were only 2 servers so that could have been part of the problem, but another thing was that she completely over-​poured the water for my friend, making a huge mess on the floor.
The service was atrocious — she was nice, but either was way too short-​staffed or just not the most competent waitress.
Won’t be back to take anyone from out of town as we can put up with the service for decent food, but this is not the place to come if you want a great experience all-​around on a consistent basis.

When numerous reviews said the portions were very large, they were not kidding. The homemade potato chips are also to die for. Some of our party got the ribs and the cabbage. They gave it an A+.
So all in all, it was a great dining experience. Would recommend the Cove Tavern to any visitor to Williamsburg.

Recommended by James at the front desk of our hotel. This somewhat hidden restaurant on the northwest side of Williamsburg is an excellent value.
My wife had the chicken tenders, which were lightly breaded and really good. The plate was filled and a bargain at $ 10.
I had the Cuban sandwich that was a terrific take on the traditional. This was more like what you find in Miami. Huge portion for $ 6.
With drinks and food we came in under $ 20 pp.
Great job.

We were really excited to dine in at this restaurant, until we actually got to experience it.
My boyfriend & I were dining with his family that had traveled from all corners of the country to be together this Memorial Day weekend, a group of about 20 WITH a reservation. A reservation made well in advance, at least a week or so. We get there at six, the place looks very nice, & were seated at our table on the patio. So far, amazing.
They had two servers share our table. The other end my boyfriend & I, his parents, & grandparents were sitting on received our drinks after the other other end. We were missing our bar drinks as the other end of the table had gotten their salads. The server taking our orders didn’t even know what dressing they offered nor did he get what type of dressing for the grandparents. When he returned & was asked what dressings there was he only knew the TWO I had already told him. Couldn’t even mention ranch, blue cheese, or Caesar which most restaurants carry. By the way, still no bar drinks. At this point the other end has their entrees.
We give them time, trying to understand that maybe we just need to be patient. By now 30 – 40 minutes have passed and no bar drinks. I finally get my salad, but the grand parents wait at least another 15 minutes for theirs. At this point we ask to see a manager just to make sure drinks & the rest of the food is on it’s way as the other end is finishing up & it’s almost been an hour.
The «manager» that came to the table stepped to the side with my boyfriends dad as he informed her of what was going on. She coughed up a couple $ 5 off coupons to «please» us.
The server comes back now with an attitude asking for refills but doesn’t know what were drinking? When he was the one that took the orders.
Basically over 2 hours we sent back one of the grand parents crab cakes because it was burnt. A prime rib that was well cooked when ordered medium, as well as 2 other steaks over cooked to well done when ordered rare. they tried to bring a steak with fries THEE times to our table when no one had ordered it. I finally get my steak with rice that was crunchy & undercooked. Horrible.
When we asked for a different manager, Alonzo, they said he was on the line so it took about 30 minutes.
If the main manager was on the line how were there so many things wrong with the food that was being brought? He said there were no more rare steaks. If the server had told us that at the beginning we could have ordered something different. The manager said the server didn’t know the steak special (I guess that includes the dressings as well?) I asked if that was a training issue? He apologized & said his core 5 or so servers were on vacation. (Allowed that on Memorial Day weekend at a tourist spot?) horrible management.
At this point half the table was done eating & half were missing food. We left with my boyfriends parents not even getting their meals. Not happy & hungry. They still made us pay over 200 dollars for horrible service from the server to kitchen to management. How does this place run?

I attended a rehearsal dinner at this place where used their semi-​outdoor area for the dinner. What are gorgeous set up! The bar and the dining area was beautifully decorated.
Those cornbread things they had out for an appetizer were very addicting. Try not to fill up on those because the Flank steak was YUM O delicious! While the food was excellent here, they really didn’t have much for our vegetarian friends here at the table. They had to string 3 appetizers and a salad together for them. And none of the options presented were vegan so that is a real bummer for you hard core vegetarians out there.
You can’t beat the service and the food at this place for a private party. I can’t comment on the prices or the party planning aspect of this place, but I can say that as a guest I was very happy with this place.