Cove Tavern — Restaurant in Adelaide

We booked for 6:30, table for two, and arrived just after this time. We entered from the back entrance into a loud, bright and very full dining room, amplified by a low ceiling and lack of screening or other sound absorbers. The bright white and blue decor was a bit confronting and didn’t soothe the senses already overloaded, but we pushed on and headed to the front and found the head of the floor. He confirmed our booking and kindly advised that their staff are new and could we please be patient with them. We found them all to be friendly and capable in the dining room. We ordered within 15-20 mins of arrival and proceeded to catch up while we waited…and waited. I’m not sure what the issue was in the kitchen but after an hour the head of the dining room approached us and apologised for the wait. It was now 8pm and we were getting hungry, but nothing was offered to quell that, ie, bread or a couple of drinks, but we continued to keep our thoughts to ourselves. Another 15-20 mins, and another apology and our meals arrived, while another diner began abusing staff about his wait. I’m 58 and dine out regularly here and OS and this experience was a first for me, in new or old established restaurants. In establishments where you pay at the end of the meal, you have the opportunity to leave, but they try to keep you there by offering bread if the meal is delayed. That’s just hospitality 101. We had already purchased our meal so leaving wasn’t as easy. The menu is pretty basic and I was finding it hard to find anything I liked. A beef schnitty is a go-to when the menu doesn’t appeal…but there isn’t one! Only Chicken or pork? My burrito bowl was ok but lacked adequate guacamole or dressing. The menu was more akin to an English pub menu, which I’m sure will please the large UK contingent at the cove. I enjoy more Asian or vegetarian dishes/flavours. My husband enjoyed his beef & Guinness pie. We would’ve ordered dessert or moved to the bar for a drink, but it was just getting too late to eat, and the brightness of the dining room was getting a bit much for the hour. When you’re approaching 9pm you looking for a dimmer ambiance, rather than a bright and noisy cafeteria.

All in all, it wasn’t a pleasant dining experience. I wish you well - you’re obviously having teething issues but I’d recommend reconsidering the ambience of your dining room, breaking up the space with decorative screens or planters, dimming the lights at night, some old fashioned hospitality when things aren’t going to plan, and introducing a bit more colour to your menu. The entertainment dollar doesn’t go far these days - people hope for a pleasant outing at the end of the week. Maybe reopening should have been delayed to ensure that happened? All the...

I had my daughter's birthday dinner at the Cove Tavern less than 2 weeks ago and I am still raving on about my experience as so are the table of diners that were there that night. I should explain that I eat here about every 8 weeks on average; more if I didn't have a mortgage and bringing up children along the way. OK What do you get? Friendly staff that are more than happy to ensure your night and needs are attended to. For drinks, I always go to the bar; just a few steps away and normally come back with a few extra drinks for the table. Now for the food. I could not find one fault with my Beef and Reef. May I say that I am one very fussy person that normally has to send her steak back as the chief at other places occasionally does not understand medium-rare. It is not that hard but the wonderful chief amazed me yet again and delivered the best steak. My knife glided through the steak and melted in my mouth. I could go on about the seafood, but all I will say is that I now know the secret to his wonderful calamari. For the rest of the table they were in heaven. My sister was absolutely in awe that finally a nine inch pizza overflowed a dinner sized plate and her reaction to the taste experience eating her pizza was incredible. Fine dining is normally her scene yet the look of satisfaction and the words of how excellent it was are still ingrained in me. The table that night had a variety of foods from schnitzel to steak, to fish, fisherman's feast and the list goes on. Would I re-visit? I am back there this weekend. Thank you all at the Cove Tavern for a brilliant and...

We were excited to revisit the Cove tavern as we have been customers for 20+ years & have seen the various changes happen in that time. On walking in it is very impressive and we loved the addition of the fire places especially on a cold winters night. We were shown to our table (35) which was already cosy with customers & by the time we had people each side of us it was uncomfortable and you couldn’t hear anything else but other peoples conversations. I’m sure with the quick turn around of customers on a Tuesday night you could stagger the tables to different sections so we’re all not in one place at the same time. It was so uncomfortable we didn’t finish our meals and honestly, I’m not sure we’d return if this is the way that you are going to offer dining in the future. As for the meal, it came out promptly, it was lovely and hot and great sized portions. The staff were attentive & fantastic as they always have been. I would have spoken with the manager on leaving but the staff were so busy it just wasn’t an option. I’m sorry to report this negative feedback but it really was...