The Governors' Pub & Restaurant — Restaurant in Bellefonte

Hoping to enjoy a quiet evening outside of State College, I took my girlfriend on the fifteen minute ride to Bellefonte. We weren't exactly sure what we were in the mood for, so we drove across the small town a few times and ultimately decided "The Governor's Pub" looked like a great choice. Upon entering we were impressed by the comfortable atmosphere and modern decor of the restaurant. The menu was small, however it did offer a few promising options...or so we thought. We opted for a spinach and artichoke dip as our appetizer, along with a spinach and tomato cheese ravioli and the "la Bellfonte chicken" for our entrees. It took about 10 minutes to get our drinks (water), and our appetizer followed shortly there after. The dip itself was okay, but the "toasted" baguette it was served on was luke warm at best, and reminded me of bread that had been sitting on the counter for a few days. There was nothing "toasty" about it....just room temperature, stale bread. It is a sad day when I would rather at dish at a place like TGI Friday's where it is half the price, and twice as delicious.

Disappointed with the appetizer, we had higher hopes for our entrees. Both dishes were relatively simple (raviolli takes about ten minutes to cook, and my Bellefonte chicken was simply described as chicken served over linguini in a roasted red pepper cream sauce). You would expect these things to take maybe twenty five minutes (tops) to prepare. Well over forty minutes later we noticed the table next to us (who had sat down over fifteen minutes after us) were being served their entrees, home-made chicken pot pie, or some variety there of. We hadn't even been served our salads or bread, which were supposed to be included with the meal. Upon asking our waitress if the salad was coming she simply responded "Oh, we were out of lettuce and it just came in....I'll go get it for you." We were eating at 8:00pm...what kind of supplier delivers at 8:00 at night? It was quite obvious we were being lied to, especially when the table next to us had been promptly served salads after ordering. It is important to note that there may have been maybe 10 people in the restaurant when we were dining...so there was no excuse for such poor service.

Nearly forty five minutes after sitting down, the salads were finally delivered. They were minuscule at best, and the bread was cold and soggy. It almost seemed as if it was frozen and just reheated in a microwave, but continuing with the theme of failing to provide a quality eating experience, the chefs of The Governor's Pub did not warm the bread nearly long enough.

Well over an hour after sitting down, our meal finally arrived....and I could only describe it as horrendous. I would have rather ventured to the Olive Garden...or simply ate a TV dinner from Walmart. Honest, it was that bad. My girlfriend's ravioli was over cooked, and had absolutely zero taste. My Bellefonte chicken was drowning in sauce, which was more runny than a leaky faucet. So much for a cream based sauce....or a cute dinner with my girlfriend.

It is safe to say we neglected to try dessert, and got out of the "pub" as soon as possible.

Avoid at all costs, you will be surely...

Governor's Pub in Bellefonte offers a charming setting just steps away from Spring Creek and the old rail station park.

Upon arrival, the staff greeted us warmly, setting a welcoming tone for our dining experience. The decor strikes a balance between American craft and modern styles, featuring intriguing wall hangings that add character to the ambiance.

The margarita we ordered was crafted with fresh lime juice, providing a refreshing start to our meal. The menu, while simple, caters to both carnivores and vegetarians alike, showcasing the tavern's commitment to accommodating diverse dietary preferences.

For our main courses, we opted for the homemade falafel sandwich, which boasted a crispy texture and was complemented perfectly by the red pepper hummus. Additionally, the portabella and artichoke sandwich, topped with fried onions and mozzarella cheese, offered a delightful burst of flavors.

The homemade side of fries, served with malt vinegar, was a delicious accompaniment, alongside the flavorful homemade coleslaw and pickles.

To top off our dining experience, we indulged in the homemade coconut cream pie, which was simply divine and left us craving more. Overall, Governor's Tavern delivers not only delectable dishes but also a cozy atmosphere, making it a must-visit spot in Bellefonte for both locals and...

The restaurant came recommended but we left extremely disappointed.

Upon arriving it took ten minutes to be seated, with only one other table in the entire establishment taken by customers, the two waitresses on staff had to count their tips on the bar before they could seat us. It seemed like only after I told our party that we should go somewhere else were we seated.

My party thought the waitress had an attitude, I didn't notice. The meal was good but we were left to ourselves and were never checked on once our food was out. There was a couple in the other room about five feet away from us and we saw them being checked on often. Locals I presume?

Our waters went dry, everyone had an alcoholic beverage and wanted more. We would have easily ordered more from the bar and even dessert, we were planning on enjoying our stay awhile longer but decided to move elsewhere when we just couldn't get any follow up service. Our dishes even piled up on the tables, never to be removed.

We would have easily doubled our bill with dessert and drinks, the food was good and it's a cool hangout spot, but the inattentiveness of the wait staff let us run dry and we continued our night in one of the other spots around town who acted like they wanted...