Shantel's Kitchen and Cocktails — Restaurant in Covington

Shantel’s Kitchen and Cocktails – Where Flavor Becomes an Experience

At Shantel’s Kitchen and Cocktails, food isn’t just served—it’s performed, savored, and celebrated. We came as a group of six, and from the first sip to the final spoonful, every single one of us was spellbound. This place doesn’t play about flavor, finesse, or satisfaction. Every bite felt like a love song, and every sip was pure poetry.

Appetizers: The crab cakes were crispy gold on the outside, sweet and lush inside—flawlessly seasoned with a little coastal kick. The fried green tomatoes snapped between the teeth with that tangy twang, made divine with a velvety remoulade. The jerk lamb was a bold, smoky marvel—tender, juicy, and layered in complex heat. And the okra chips? Light, crisp, dangerously addictive. The kind of snack you don't want to share, but can't stop passing around because everyone needs to taste it.

Entrées: Then came the royal spread of entrées—and honey, it was a culinary crescendo.

Catfish and spaghetti: Southern soul meets church picnic nostalgia—flaky catfish, perfectly seasoned, with rich spaghetti that hits every savory note.

Short rib and potatoes: Fall-apart tender, with buttery mashed potatoes that feel like a warm embrace.

Crab and shrimp pasta: Creamy, garlicky, indulgent—like silk on the tongue.

BBQ salmon and succotash: Smoky, sweet, and vibrant, with the succotash bringing that summertime garden freshness.

Fried chicken and fixings: Stop. It. This was fried perfection—crispy skin, juicy center, and seasoned so well it could make you cry. Paired with soul-soaked fixings that would make your ancestors proud.

Drinks: Let’s talk cocktails and mocktails—because Shantel’s pours with purpose.

The Long Island Iced Tea was dangerously smooth—you’ll sip, then suddenly be laughing harder and loving louder.

The Sweet Southern Sunset (mocktail) was pure golden hour in a glass—sweet, citrusy, and refreshing enough to make you forget it’s alcohol-free.

The Lemon Drop? Tart, bright, and flirty—just the right amount of sugar on the rim and sass in the sip.

The Shantel Melon Margarita? Whewww. Cool, crisp, and juicy with a splash of southern heat—an absolute must-have.

Desserts: We didn’t want dessert. We needed it.

The bread pudding came out warm, soaked in caramel, and utterly luscious—like holiday comfort reimagined.

The peach cobbler was heaven in a dish. Syrupy peaches under a buttery, flaky crust—it didn’t just taste good, it felt personal.

Final Verdict: Shantel’s Kitchen and Cocktails is the kind of place that feeds you spiritually. It's southern comfort meets upscale indulgence, with every dish telling a story, every cocktail crafted with love, and every moment worth remembering. It was scrumptious, orgasmic, absolutely beautiful in taste and design. From the ambiance to the last crumb—we were in bliss.

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I really wanted to love this place because a restaurant like this is much needed in our community. However, my experience left me feeling that the pricing and overall value didn’t quite align. Covington is a smaller area, not a major city like Atlanta, and the average household income here is lower. When new restaurants and businesses come into a community like this, pricing should reflect the local economy so families can actually support them long term.

Our bill for just myself and my two children came to $126, and that included an automatic 18 percent service fee. While our server was excellent, attentive, kind, and definitely deserving of a tip, the added fee felt excessive considering the overall experience.

The ambiance was nice, and the greeters were very friendly, which helped create a warm first impression. The appearance of the restaurant fit the area, which I can appreciate. They clearly didn’t feel the need to overdo the décor or try to mimic a big city experience. It’s a small city, and I’m sure cost saving was part of the design decision. But that same practical thinking wasn’t reflected in the menu pricing, which seems out of touch with what most consumers in the area would consider reasonable.

As for the food, we started with the honey hot wings and butter cornbread. The wings were cooked perfectly but drenched in sauce, which overpowered the flavor and made them messy to eat. Still tasty, just a bit too much. The cornbread tasted like Jiffy mix and was slightly undercooked, but it paired okay with my a la carte selections.

I had the mac and cheese, which was good, kale with turkey, also good, and Brussels sprouts that were unfortunately burnt rather than charred. My kids had the lobster and shrimp pasta. They liked it, but I found it under seasoned and was surprised the shrimp tails were left on, which made it harder to enjoy.

One detail I appreciated was the water. It tasted very clean, which is important to me as someone who primarily drinks water.

At 52 years old, and with plenty of dining experience, I believe that if you’re going to charge elevated prices, the food, service, and overall experience need to meet that standard. This restaurant has potential, but I hope the owners consider adjusting their pricing and refining their approach so it better matches the community they’re serving. The support is here, but only if the value...

From the moment I walked into Shantel’s , I knew it was going to be more than just a meal,it was going to be an experience. The atmosphere strikes the perfect balance between warm and inviting, yet elevated and refined. Soft lighting, tasteful décor, and thoughtfully curated music set the tone for a truly enjoyable dining experience.

The service was nothing short of impeccable. Our server Yay was attentive without being intrusive, knowledgeable about the menu, and genuinely enthusiastic about making recommendations. Every question we had from drinks to dessert options was answered with confidence and care.

Now, the food. Absolutely phenomenal. We started with the crab cakes , which was presented beautifully and tasted even better than it looked. The flavors were layered and intentional, each bite better than the last. For the main course, I ordered the short rib and potatoes, which was cooked to perfection…the seasoning was bold yet balanced, the textures were flawless, and it was plated like a work of art. My guest ordered the oxtails and rice with a side of mac, and we couldn’t resist sharing bites because each dish deserved to be experienced.

What impressed me most was the attention to detail. Every garnish, every drizzle of sauce, every element on the plate had a purpose. You can tell the Mike the chef pours both passion and precision into every dish. To finish, the peach cobbler was the perfect finals, light yet decadent, and absolutely unforgettable.

Overall, Shantel’s delivers on every level of ambiance, service, and most importantly, unforgettable food. It’s rare to find a place where everything comes together so seamlessly. I would recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for a dining experience that feels special from start to finish. This is not just a meal it’s a memory worth savoring and i will be...