UPDATE: Village Tavern was bought by new owners last year. For a while, things remained the same, but they have gone downhill recently reportedly under new management.
For a long time, they had the same servers, but recently some have left and apparently it is because of the new management. In their place, they have brought in younger, less experienced servers who really aren't skilled in working high end restaurants who are clearly trying but don't have the finesse of the more experienced servers, and either by virtue of that lack of finesse or because of pressures from management, left us feeling very rushed on a recent visit. Additionally, while the menu has remained pretty much the same, prices have gotten higher and food preparation has been subpar. I got crabcakes recently and the slaw was just forgotten about, the plate presentation was poor, and the crabcakes undercooked. My husband said his burger was also not quite as good as before. The nail on making this a 3* experience for me is suddenly the pours on the drinks are far weaker. They used to make a mean drink at the tavern.
The Tavern used to be our go to for guests, and its literally right down the street for us. I hope they are able to work out the kinks and perhaps be a little less obviously margin-focused because it used to be the best place in the bunks.
---------- We live in the area and Village Tavern is our absolute go-to for taking guests out to dinner. Food, drinks, service, experience all 5 stars. Save room for dessert also. Theirs are top notch!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 3
Recommended dishes: Spinach Salad, Spaghetti and Meatballs, Buffalo Cauliflower, Pecan Crusted Haddock Fillet, Crab Cakes Inside, Chowder Special, Dark Chocolate Torte with Almond Crust and Raspberry Coulis
Deb Towle
We have been coming to Village Tavern for 10+ years always having a great experience. Heard there were new owners and I want to assure folks the food is still the culinary perfection it’s always been. Our server was polite, friendly and with good humor. I was able to make reservations for my party of six and yes we were informed we would need to vacate after two hours for other diners but this was only if there was another party waiting for the table. Last night no one was waiting for our table so we were able to stay past the two hours. To me and my party of six, our experience was the same as always. Complete delight and satisfaction. Oh, and don’t skip dessert. It is sinfully delicious!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Marc
Dined here often. One of our favorite local places. Brought some friends this evening who had not been here before and something was off. They must have overbooked or something. A few months ago when we were seated they told us we had the table until a specific time and that there was a reservation for it. It was more than enough time for us to have dinner and dessert but I thought it odd to give someone a time limit when you seat them. This time the hosted came over to the table shortly after we paid the bill and were wrapping up our conversation and said “is everything ok?” Which confused us then she went on to say (with no apology) that she had a reservation for the table so we needed to clear it up for that. I think there is a more tactful way to approach this situation. I could see the foyer and there was nobody waiting for a table (I’m always mindful of that). Coming into off season I’m not sure if this will be one we frequent as much as we have in the past. Service was excellent as always. But the food and tact of the hostess left room for improvement. I’m giving a higher rating because of all the good experiences we have had there. Every restaurant has an off night.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Patrick Daniels
This is our local go to for a night out . Food always tastes great and the service is prompt . Highly recommend if you are in Kennebunk .
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
CRYSTAL GREGOIRE
Great place always packed I was hoping new owners would change the menu some . Been same for years . But I guess if something works why mess with it 😄
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Don Curley
All good.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Michael S
Go to place for our dining out!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Ruth Ann Workman
One of the only places I have encountered multiple customers on their way out of the restaurant raving about how good the food was and they highly recommend going in.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
S Scotto
Great food with excellent friendly service.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
ashlee moses
10/10 experience. Amazing food, service and ambience!
Food was very good at this resteraunt. However I was dissapointed that my duo filet mignon was $40 and deserts were $12 when the menu on their website sight showed $34 and $10. Other items were higher priced in the reateraunt as well.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Kirsten Vorobyov
Went there last night with a party of 5. The food took 1.5 hours to arrive with no explanation and when it finally did 4/5 of the dishes were completely cold. Plates were hot but food was cold. Waiter was nice, returned it but it must have been microwaved because it went from being cold to warm and chewy. Pork cheek was inedible and the meatball dish was now with hard ( warmer), very bland sauce and linguine. Waiter didn’t quite explain but finally told us there was a big problem in the kitchen. These things happen but we should have been told and compensated. It was disappointing and confusing after reading such good reviews from a while back. One reviewer said that it had been sold? Maybe that explains the low quality Sorry Village Tavern, we won’t be back
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 3
Kleiman
The appetizers came out quickly and hot. Then the disaster…Waited 1.5 hours to bring out our mains( linguine and meatballs, pork cheek, salmon special and seafood. No explanation. When it finally came ALL of our food was cold. Plates were hot, food was cold. We told the waiter and he brought them back saying that something was going on in the kitchen. When he returned with the warmed up food , though, it went from being cold to warm and rubbery and tough. With the exception of the salmon the food was really mediocre tasting. Very disappointing and confusing. because the reviews I read were so good. I know things can go occasionally wrong in kitchens but we should have been told or compensated. Would not go back
Norm Arcand
Always 5 star
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Danna Yarzin
Varied menu and tasty food. Really enjoyed the crab cakes. Brussel sprouts were burnt to a crisp and the bread was definitely not sourdough as the menu stated. Overall solid option for casual dining, including with kids. And good value for money
UPDATE: Village Tavern was bought by new owners last year. For a while, things remained the same, but they have gone downhill recently reportedly under new management.
For a long time, they had the same servers, but recently some have left and apparently it is because of the new management. In their place, they have brought in younger, less experienced servers who really aren't skilled in working high end restaurants who are clearly trying but don't have the finesse of the more experienced servers, and either by virtue of that lack of finesse or because of pressures from management, left us feeling very rushed on a recent visit. Additionally, while the menu has remained pretty much the same, prices have gotten higher and food preparation has been subpar. I got crabcakes recently and the slaw was just forgotten about, the plate presentation was poor, and the crabcakes undercooked. My husband said his burger was also not quite as good as before. The nail on making this a 3* experience for me is suddenly the pours on the drinks are far weaker. They used to make a mean drink at the tavern.
The Tavern used to be our go to for guests, and its literally right down the street for us. I hope they are able to work out the kinks and perhaps be a little less obviously margin-focused because it used to be the best place in the bunks.
----------
We live in the area and Village Tavern is our absolute go-to for taking guests out to dinner.
Food, drinks, service, experience all 5 stars. Save
room for dessert also. Theirs are top notch!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 3
Recommended dishes: Spinach Salad, Spaghetti and Meatballs, Buffalo Cauliflower, Pecan Crusted Haddock Fillet, Crab Cakes Inside, Chowder Special, Dark Chocolate Torte with Almond Crust and Raspberry Coulis
We have been coming to Village Tavern for 10+ years always having a great experience. Heard there were new owners and I want to assure folks the food is still the culinary perfection it’s always been. Our server was polite, friendly and with good humor. I was able to make reservations for my party of six and yes we were informed we would need to vacate after two hours for other diners but this was only if there was another party waiting for the table. Last night no one was waiting for our table so we were able to stay past the two hours. To me and my party of six, our experience was the same as always. Complete delight and satisfaction. Oh, and don’t skip dessert. It is sinfully delicious!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Dined here often. One of our favorite local places. Brought some friends this evening who had not been here before and something was off. They must have overbooked or something. A few months ago when we were seated they told us we had the table until a specific time and that there was a reservation for it. It was more than enough time for us to have dinner and dessert but I thought it odd to give someone a time limit when you seat them. This time the hosted came over to the table shortly after we paid the bill and were wrapping up our conversation and said “is everything ok?” Which confused us then she went on to say (with no apology) that she had a reservation for the table so we needed to clear it up for that. I think there is a more tactful way to approach this situation. I could see the foyer and there was nobody waiting for a table (I’m always mindful of that). Coming into off season I’m not sure if this will be one we frequent as much as we have in the past. Service was excellent as always. But the food and tact of the hostess left room for improvement. I’m giving a higher rating because of all the good experiences we have had there. Every restaurant has an off night.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
This is our local go to for a night out . Food always tastes great and the service is prompt . Highly recommend if you are in Kennebunk .
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great place always packed
I was hoping new owners would change the menu some . Been same for years . But I guess if something works why mess with it 😄
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
All good.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Go to place for our dining out!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
One of the only places I have encountered multiple customers on their way out of the restaurant raving about how good the food was and they highly recommend going in.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great food with excellent friendly service.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
10/10 experience. Amazing food, service and ambience!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Food was very good at this resteraunt. However I was dissapointed that my duo filet mignon was $40 and deserts were $12 when the menu on their website sight showed $34 and $10. Other items were higher priced in the reateraunt as well.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Went there last night with a party of 5. The food took 1.5 hours to arrive with no explanation and when it finally did 4/5 of the dishes were completely cold. Plates were hot but food was cold. Waiter was nice, returned it but it must have been microwaved because it went from being cold to warm and chewy. Pork cheek was inedible and the meatball dish was now with hard ( warmer), very bland sauce and linguine. Waiter didn’t quite explain but finally told us there was a big problem in the kitchen. These things happen but we should have been told and compensated. It was disappointing and confusing after reading such good reviews from a while back. One reviewer said that it had been sold? Maybe that explains the low quality
Sorry Village Tavern, we won’t be back
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 3
The appetizers came out quickly and hot. Then the disaster…Waited 1.5 hours to bring out our mains( linguine and meatballs, pork cheek, salmon special and seafood. No explanation. When it finally came ALL of our food was cold. Plates were hot, food was cold. We told the waiter and he brought them back saying that something was going on in the kitchen. When he returned with the warmed up food , though, it went from being cold to warm and rubbery and tough. With the exception of the salmon the food was really mediocre tasting. Very disappointing and confusing. because the reviews I read were so good. I know things can go occasionally wrong in kitchens but we should have been told or compensated. Would not go back
Always 5 star
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Varied menu and tasty food. Really enjoyed the crab cakes. Brussel sprouts were burnt to a crisp and the bread was definitely not sourdough as the menu stated. Overall solid option for casual dining, including with kids. And good value for money
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
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