Village Bier Garten Restaurant - Cocoa — Restaurant in Cocoa

TL;DR: Super cool ambiance/atmosphere, beautifully decorated locale, larger than it appears form the street, decent beer selection, great hangout place. Food was sub-par and the service left something to want.

I have been wanting to come here since the time I heard they had opened. And from the moment we walked in from the street, I had a feeling this place was going to exceed my expectations...Well, it did not. Though that's not to say it wasn't a really nice place.

The biergarten is much larger than you would expect from the street, with seating under roof and a 'garden' area to sit on picnic benches if you're just there for the beer. We got there before the dinner rush with most of the seats a the bar taken, several open tables under the roofed section of the place and one larger than normal party having their meal. We sat at one of the under-roof tables and began to take in the ambiance. We had so much time before a waitress actually showed up that we noticed the beautifully decorated locale and read their pithy menu several times over. Once a waitress did show up it was for a quick, 'What'll you have to drink?' and off she was for us to wait again. And wait we did. With the drinks in hand after a while we ordered our food and then, yes, you guessed it - we waited some more for our meals.

My daughter had their tomato appetizer which was stylishly presented and tasted good. My son enjoyed their humongous pretzel, and I order a knackwurst - a spicy version of the bratwurst - which was not spicy at all. Overall, the food was really not special or even very good - I would consider it serviceable. This is another prototypical example of a bar wanting to be a restaurant as well, but not putting their heart in it. You either go all in and serve exceptional or at least special food, or just peel back and serve the run-of-the-mill fare of burgers and fries, and then don't charge an arm-and-a-leg doing so. We decided to share a dessert - their bavarian cheesecake, which I found to be okay, again, nothing noteworthy.

I really, really wanted to love this place. Instead, I walked away a bit dismayed and slightly perplexed. The service was the biggest head-scratcher - we were there when it really wasn't busy and we waited like it was an Oktoberfest evening - strange. Any place can have an off night, and this place is still new, so of course I'll be back again - the ambiance alone will bring me back along with their decent beer selection. Hopefully the service will improve and hopefully with time they'll figure out if they really want to be a restaurant (and I mean really figure it...

Upon arrival, our party of six was immediately immersed in the vibrant atmosphere, with lively music and an energetic crowd. It was FUN! After placing our orders with our waitress, we received service of a round of drinks. However, as time passed, the lack of attention to our table became increasingly evident. Despite our inquiries regarding the long wait for our food, we received repetitive assurances of "5-10 minutes" or "it's coming soon" from the waitress who seemed to be avoiding our table except to pop briefly to offer unfulfilled promises of food delivery. Not once during this waiting period did she inquire if we wanted another round of drinks or to offer any form of apology or explanation for the delay. (correction… there was one time when she told us “there’s nothing I can do about it”) After waiting over an hour, our beer mugs were bone dry and frustration understandably set in. When we confronted the waitress she was not only unhelpful, she showed frustration towards us, her guests and told us the food would be out in another 5 minutes. After waiting these final 5 minutes, with no sign of food, we made a decision to leave. We were even more disappointed when we were presented with a bill that included charges for the meals we never received. Although a supervisor eventually adjusted the bill to reflect only our single round of consumed drinks, this process added unnecessary delay to an already frustrating evening. In the waitress’ defense, she is a young person who has been hired into a role for which she is not mature enough to hold, or adequately prepared or trained. There is a bigger issue here with the management of the restaurant. The lack of competent, service-minded staff and absence of protocols for busy or understaffed periods are glaring. The failure to recognize when a situation calls for a manager to intervene shows their fundamental inability to provide service on busy evenings. The experience was hampered not just by the delay, but by the lack of empathy, professionalism, and basic customer service skills. I do understand the challenges of the restaurant industry, particularly on busy nights. However, the manner in which these challenges are handled is what defines a venue. Regrettably, this venue...

I recently had the most incredible dining experience at the Village Biergarten in Cocoa Village and I simply cannot contain my excitement. From the moment we arrived, my girlfriend and I were greeted with warm smiles and exceptional service that truly made our day.

Our server, whose name I unfortunately did not catch, was an absolute gem. She not only went above and beyond to make us feel welcome but also displayed an impressive level of knowledge about the restaurant's vast selection of beers. Her recommendations were spot on, and we even had the opportunity to sample various brews before making our choices. Needless to say, we were blown away by her expertise and dedication to ensuring we had an unforgettable experience.

Now, let's talk about the food. Oh my, where do I even begin? I decided to order the jagerschnitzel, and it was a decision I will never regret. The moment my plate arrived, I was greeted with a generous portion of beautifully golden schnitzel, tender and juicy on the inside. The flavor was out of this world – a perfect blend of rich and savory notes that transported me straight to Germany. Each bite was a little piece of heaven, accompanied by perfectly cooked sides that enhanced the overall experience.

As if the delicious food and phenomenal service weren't enough, there was one small gesture that truly touched me. My girlfriend insisted on paying for lunch, so when she excused herself to use the restroom, our server discreetly took my card, processed the payment, and handed it back to me without drawing any attention. This thoughtful act exemplified the level of care and attention to detail that sets the Village Biergarten apart.

I can confidently say that the Village Biergarten has secured the top spot in my heart when it comes to German restaurants. The combination of exceptional service, delectable food, and an inviting atmosphere made for an unforgettable experience. I cannot recommend this place highly enough – whether you're a fan of German cuisine or simply looking for an extraordinary dining adventure, the Village Biergarten is an...