Review The Cove House Inn - Isle of Portland

Mike Barber (Mr&MrsSqueaky)

Well what a surprise. We had booked for Sunday lunch and it’s just the Beef Brisket roast they have on the menu but the specials board had other choices and Fish and Chips. We had one roast and one fish and chips. My roast was stand out “good” full of flavour with melting meat and crispy roast potatoes on a delicious savoury bed including carrots. It came with a rich gravy to compliment the crunchy Yorkshire pudding and a dish of delicious broccoli/cauliflower cheese. The fish came with a crispy crunchy batter and the chips were equally as good, crispy but soft in the middle with a creamy pea side and tartare sauce. My wife described the Fish and Chips as amongst the best she had ever eaten, praise indeed!

Perry does Vanlife

Lovely location, we had a burger cooked to perfection, chips & a salad garnish. Very relaxed atmosphere, staff attentive & efficient. Good choice of beers & lagers to enjoy. If you're in Portland, visit them, you can also sit on the sea wall & enjoy the view.

Lily R

So lovely we had to go back for more !! We were staying nearby and this quickly became our favourite place to eat. The food is exceptional and the staff are super friendly and helpful. Would recommend 100% !

Suzanne Humphris-Groce

That's the best food I've eaten out in a long time. Amazing, cooked to order, not rushed, wonderful service. Highly recommend - although booking is advised as they weren't accepting walk in's.

Paul Adams

Lovely pub, went here as quiddles cafe was fully booked, have to say food was excellent and better value , lovely beer, very friendly staff. Had crab salad, which was excellent.

Avg_Joe_CAL_UK _21

The food was surprisingly good. I say that, because the location is right on the beach and sometimes food quality suffers. The staff were very accommodating, especially since we didn't have a reservation. There's not much seating inside, but plenty of picnic tables outside, with a front row seat to see the waves. Make a reservation or you WILL be waiting. The fish and chips were really good, so was the shrimp and linguine. Highly recommend for both the food and the view.

Jac D

Had a lovely meal. I had the brisket burger. It was quite possibly the best burger I've ever had! All the staff were friendly and polite. It was very busy and they were all working non stop but all were smiling and had " time" for you. Locals eat there,always a good sign.

Sarah Middleditch

Descended upon the place on a Friday afternoon with two other families and zero reservations. Staff were lovely and friendly. Beer and wine were great (so I heard) and food was really, really good. Had good options for the vegetarians in our group, as well as the kids, and the kid vegetarians. Is directly on Chesil beach, which of course prompted the kids to jump into the sea at the first opportunity - in October. Dog friendly in the bar area; not allowed in the restaurant itself. In these tight times, we felt like it was really reasonably priced for the sheer number of us. Maybe we're too used to London prices? Regardless, a late lunch well spent. Thank you!

Richard Tilden

Very windy day and a long walk had beer and bowl of chips... book early if you want a proper lunch ...

Steve Jacombs

Excellent food, service, atmosphere and dog-friendly.

Charles Barbour

We had Sunday lunch. The beef brisket melts in the mouth. The gravy is a revelation! Staff have lovely friendly disposition and always have time for you. We immediately booked to eat there again this week. Highly recommended

Cecil Wood

This is the place you must visit. The beer was good, i.e., Doom Bar real ale and Guinness if you like that. They have a strong seafood menu with some alternatives. Had some chips for nibbles with family. They were cooked perfectly. I would dine there next time I'm in the area. Great customer service, comfortable and welcoming atmosphere. One star left for when I taste a full meal another day. 😋

Matthew Allen

Lovely local pub and crowd. Beautiful views and sunsets overlooking Chesil Beach.

Alex Themistocleous

Lovely pub, great atmosphere, gets quite busy definitely worth booking. The staff seem really nice the food is good too. We had some calamari, sandwiches and whitebait. We all really enjoyed them. The pub is right on the sea front. On a sunny day there is no better pub to sit out side on one of their benches and drink a nice cold beer.

Tom Sinclair

Came here for lunch and it was a great experience. The location is incredible, right in the coast with sea views for most tables. Beers were well kept, food was delicious and came promptly and the staff were fantastically helpful and positive.

andy blakeney

First time visit, can only sum up by saying brilliant. Our drinks and food host Emma was fantastic, certainly made me laugh especially when I was compared to her dad. Food was lovely. Great atmosphere, stunning views.Will be back

Ian Atkinson

Great food and super service. We’d booked a table outside but the weather turned suddenly (being Portland) making eating outside quite uncomfortable. Although there were no tables inside we were told we could cancel or wait until one of the tables in the bar became free, which was great! As you’d expect in the circumstances, the restaurant and bar were really busy but the staff remained friendly and organised. The food was delicious. Definitely one to visit if you’re in the area, sunshine or rain.

Alan Cribb

I’d already booked and was glad I had as the place was very busy. All the staff were very friendly despite being clearly rushed off their feet. The Manageress Maz was excellent, keeping us informed about the time our meal would arrive, but when it did, it was definitely worth the wait.. my steak was cooked to perfection ( maybe a few more of the big chips?) my partner had the sea bass and was blown away by the combination of bargee and fish. We will definitely be back to this cracking little pub, great food, nice atmosphere and amazing staff … Maz thank you for finding my glasses 🤓

carol vickerage

We found this pub on the spur of the moment on a visit to Portland. Fabulous location....staff accommodated us immediately with 2 dogs in tow despite being fully booked for lunch and very busy. All the staff were friendly, chatty and just totally brilliant. Food was delicious and vety interesting. Great value all round. Loved it!!

Jan Slate

I have never eaten here except for the odd packet of crisps but the ambience of the place is like walking back in time into a true alehouse pub. Always have Adnams Broadside on and guest beers too. It's tiny so not much sitting room but it's so close to Chesil Beach that you are drawn outside to wonder at It! Great place great beer.

Tracey Griffiths

The food was absolutely delicious! Good portion sizes. Very friendly staff and there was a great atmosphere, I highly recommend Cove House Inn ��

Graham Hickman

Fantastic little place that's an almost hidden gem on Portland. Very well kept beer, excellent food and one of the best panoramic sea views from a restaurant that you're likely to see.

Jb BJ Zola

singular location ..Portland Bill behind and the out to the horizon.brilliant sweep of Chesil Beach shingle out to the horizon. Top congenial manager made us welcome & found a late lunch table. Concise but tasty fresh food menu

Graham Wimble

Great beer, lovely food, fantastic staff all with one of the best views in Dorset

Lynn Rowley

Wow what an amazing pub/restaurant. We hadn't booked a table but the manager was so obliging and he gave us a lovely sea view table. The food was just superb. Lovely pub and a very warm welcome will definitely return x

Simon Withers

Came across this lovely cafe spending a weekend in Portland. Friendly staff and a great place to watch the sunset. Highly recommended.

Kimberley Hall

Love this place! Wonderful views, nice food great atmosphere highly recommend The Cove House �

Sally Walker-Yakut

The food was absolutely delicious as usual with great Service. Really nice atmosphere with fantastic views of Chesil Beach. Thank you to all the hardworking Staff. Highly recommend a visit if you're in the area.

Juliet Marsh

A fabulous cosy place with amazing views. Very friendly staff and yummy scrummy food. Thank you :)

Shelley Bond

Tasty crab sandwich salad and a side of chips. Lovely food. Beautiful views. Good pint.

Aidan Fisher

The best sited pub in Dorset - right on Chesil beach, tucked in to a corner of Portland. Fantastic views and good food.

Danny Spink

Great food and friendly staff. Will 100% return. Had a meal with wife and Mother in law. View is nice as well

Lesley-Anne Hornbogen

Great atmosphere but the food was well below what I expected which was disappointing. I ordered crab linguine which was tasteless and lacking in crab!

Martyn Rogers

Hadn't booked but they manage too squeeze us in before another booking turned up,as long as we vacated the table when they arrived.Glad we decided to take up the offer,ate a superb rump steak.Then left the table and had our pudding at the bar,superb food brilliant atmosphere with folk music being played I will return definitely recommend ��

Stephen Boucher

Quirky pub, great view. Always excellent service from Jordan, Roscoe, etc

Pauline Duncan

Fab place to go wonderful location and lush food the sunsets are amazing !