The location and bar are amazing - dock and scene best anywhere, where boats and fun people raft up and enjoy fun people and great drinks and good bands - food is a zero since new owners took over. Been coming here for over a decade and past two seasons they improved the dock and built an outside bar - excellent and solid improvements - but food went from amazing to inedible. Strategy now is to eat before you go - then hang out and drink / listen to music and enjoy the scene. Would be the best if they can figure out the food problem.
MaineGreek
We had no idea that at the end of a quiet road that this place would be slammed with guests listening to the Sunday band and having a great time. Parking along the road was tight since what seems like most of South Bristol was here. Add in several lobster boats tied up and partying too. Thankfully we did have a reservation. Besides a few beverages we went with the shrimp cocktail and pulled pork sandwich. First and foremost you are paying the summer tourist premium here. The shrimp cocktail was $15 and the pulled pork (likely pre-packaged) at $20. Service was okay, but you could tell the staff wanted their shift to end for a much needed day off. Also too several items like the mussels and chowder were all sold out. If you goal is to listen to a band while sitting in a picturesque location and kicking back on a quiet Sunday afternoon, this is the place for you.
Zachary H.
Marina is wonderful. Did not get to eat at restaurant. Problem was when we had to anchor outside harbor, a homeowner came out and harassed us about our anchor light. He said we had to turn out our anchor light off because it went right into his bedroom. Curtains? He called our anchor light " showboat lights". OMG A****** factor 10. Avoid this harbor if you can't get a mooring.
Alex B.
We went here last summer for lunch and loved it. Sadly the food and experience is not the same this summer. Service is not great. The fish does not seem fresh. Meal is overpriced. Next time we would come for a drink and the view but not for the food.
Jeffrey H
I can't believe Coveside is open this summer with all that is going on and how hard it is on the restaurant business. And I for one am very grateful. This restaurant has as great a location as any in Maine, overlooking beautiful Christmas Cove. While many of the dishes are good, this summer the steamed mussels, from Prince Edward Island in Canada may be the best thing on the menu. They are served with a garlic-wine sauce that you absolutely will want to mop up with bread. The beer and wine selection is excellent. Owned by a local entrepreneur, the musical guests picked for the summer-long concert series on Sundays is excellent, so good in fact that you better make reservations well in advance if you expect to eat that day. I will certainly plan part of next summer around a trip to the concert series next summer.
Andria D.
Came for dinner two weekends in a row because the view is so great. Asked for garlic bread with a Caesar salad and was told the chef said no. After telling the waitress how frustrating that was since the salad didn't even come with the bread stated on the menu, the manager agreed to have it made. Our server was clearly uncomfortable asking for the bread because the chef is a bully to the staff! This place isn't cheap. Our bill was over $80 for two adults and two kids. Stop with the excuses for bad service and make the garlic bread.
Richard Johnson
We arrived a bit too early for dinner(or late for lunch) but managed to make a 4:30 reservation and enjoyed a beautiful sunny hour out on the deck with a couple Bigelow Brown Ale!! Enjoyable setting, beautiful views and great food and service!!! A Christmas Cove Icon!!!
Magnus D.
The atmosphere is wonderful, and the Maine coast view spectacular. I'll let the pics speak for the food. Well presented, fresh, and delicious. Our summer hire waitress Emily was great. Professional, friendly, and fast. Before you leave, get your photo taken in the world famous Burgee Bar. Leave your own if you have a spare. The owner is a tremendous lady, as is her mom who raised her. We moored with ease at the Marina. Cheaper docking rates here than anywhere else and a shower too!
Traderjoey
Yes, my wife enjoyed that option! We both ordered the fried combo's and enjoyed them very much. My wife went with corn over fries because of the seasoning and it seemed like the corn was previously frozen or just looked and tasted that way. Not good, but looking beyond that. We also enjoyed the gluten free clam chowder, a nice touch. The views of Christmas cove were wonderful.
Apps and cocktails were fantastic!! Will be back real soon
Paul D
and thoughtful preparation of food - flowers in chowder even. ?able value, but great ambience. Have a drink and an appetizer. Delight in the atmosphere.
Betsy Graves
Wonderful meal, great service and the best view in Maine!
KurtBruder
I took my boys, Aged 14 and 12, here for first steam lobsters. The server allowed them to meet their respective dinners before cooking them. I got their fried scallops (a bit overcooked) and mussels appetizer (the best thing I tried) to share. The boys loved their lobsters, served with fries (good) and slaw (bland and dry). It was a memorable meal, if a little pricey at $120.
Andy R.
This has always been my spot to go to every summer, but this year has been better especially since they now have a children's menu that is fairly affordable. My twins both said that they have the best chicken fingers anywhere! I'm also happy to see that they managed to open in a safe manner for this summer considering that 2020 has been a bit hard on most restaurants. Their Sunday deck parties are the best!
The location and bar are amazing - dock and scene best anywhere, where boats and fun people raft up and enjoy fun people and great drinks and good bands - food is a zero since new owners took over. Been coming here for over a decade and past two seasons they improved the dock and built an outside bar - excellent and solid improvements - but food went from amazing to inedible. Strategy now is to eat before you go - then hang out and drink / listen to music and enjoy the scene. Would be the best if they can figure out the food problem.
We had no idea that at the end of a quiet road that this place would be slammed with guests listening to the Sunday band and having a great time. Parking along the road was tight since what seems like most of South Bristol was here. Add in several lobster boats tied up and partying too. Thankfully we did have a reservation. Besides a few beverages we went with the shrimp cocktail and pulled pork sandwich. First and foremost you are paying the summer tourist premium here. The shrimp cocktail was $15 and the pulled pork (likely pre-packaged) at $20. Service was okay, but you could tell the staff wanted their shift to end for a much needed day off. Also too several items like the mussels and chowder were all sold out. If you goal is to listen to a band while sitting in a picturesque location and kicking back on a quiet Sunday afternoon, this is the place for you.
Marina is wonderful. Did not get to eat at restaurant. Problem was when we had to anchor outside harbor, a homeowner came out and harassed us about our anchor light. He said we had to turn out our anchor light off because it went right into his bedroom. Curtains? He called our anchor light " showboat lights". OMG A****** factor 10. Avoid this harbor if you can't get a mooring.
We went here last summer for lunch and loved it. Sadly the food and experience is not the same this summer. Service is not great. The fish does not seem fresh. Meal is overpriced. Next time we would come for a drink and the view but not for the food.
I can't believe Coveside is open this summer with all that is going on and how hard it is on the restaurant business. And I for one am very grateful. This restaurant has as great a location as any in Maine, overlooking beautiful Christmas Cove. While many of the dishes are good, this summer the steamed mussels, from Prince Edward Island in Canada may be the best thing on the menu. They are served with a garlic-wine sauce that you absolutely will want to mop up with bread. The beer and wine selection is excellent. Owned by a local entrepreneur, the musical guests picked for the summer-long concert series on Sundays is excellent, so good in fact that you better make reservations well in advance if you expect to eat that day. I will certainly plan part of next summer around a trip to the concert series next summer.
Came for dinner two weekends in a row because the view is so great. Asked for garlic bread with a Caesar salad and was told the chef said no. After telling the waitress how frustrating that was since the salad didn't even come with the bread stated on the menu, the manager agreed to have it made. Our server was clearly uncomfortable asking for the bread because the chef is a bully to the staff! This place isn't cheap. Our bill was over $80 for two adults and two kids. Stop with the excuses for bad service and make the garlic bread.
We arrived a bit too early for dinner(or late for lunch) but managed to make a 4:30 reservation and enjoyed a beautiful sunny hour out on the deck with a couple Bigelow Brown Ale!! Enjoyable setting, beautiful views and great food and service!!! A Christmas Cove Icon!!!
The atmosphere is wonderful, and the Maine coast view spectacular. I'll let the pics speak for the food. Well presented, fresh, and delicious. Our summer hire waitress Emily was great. Professional, friendly, and fast. Before you leave, get your photo taken in the world famous Burgee Bar. Leave your own if you have a spare. The owner is a tremendous lady, as is her mom who raised her. We moored with ease at the Marina. Cheaper docking rates here than anywhere else and a shower too!
Yes, my wife enjoyed that option! We both ordered the fried combo's and enjoyed them very much. My wife went with corn over fries because of the seasoning and it seemed like the corn was previously frozen or just looked and tasted that way. Not good, but looking beyond that. We also enjoyed the gluten free clam chowder, a nice touch. The views of Christmas cove were wonderful.
Great Service. Great food. Great prices
Restaurantji Recommends
Apps and cocktails were fantastic!! Will be back real soon
and thoughtful preparation of food - flowers in chowder even. ?able value, but great ambience. Have a drink and an appetizer. Delight in the atmosphere.
Wonderful meal, great service and the best view in Maine!
I took my boys, Aged 14 and 12, here for first steam lobsters. The server allowed them to meet their respective dinners before cooking them. I got their fried scallops (a bit overcooked) and mussels appetizer (the best thing I tried) to share. The boys loved their lobsters, served with fries (good) and slaw (bland and dry). It was a memorable meal, if a little pricey at $120.
This has always been my spot to go to every summer, but this year has been better especially since they now have a children's menu that is fairly affordable. My twins both said that they have the best chicken fingers anywhere! I'm also happy to see that they managed to open in a safe manner for this summer considering that 2020 has been a bit hard on most restaurants. Their Sunday deck parties are the best!