Montauk Tavern

We were long-time fans of Harrigan’s and were really keen to see what the new owners had done rebranded as Montauk Tavern. We thought Easter Monday would be the perfect opportunity for a relaxing lunch by the water, I tried booking online to make sure we could get a table outside. The booking system didn’t work on my iPad, so I rang and made a reservation over the phone instead. When we arrived, there was no record of our booking, and the staff member I spoke with seemed quite sceptical that I’d even made one. That was disappointing but it didn’t matter. What would once have been packed to capacity on a public holiday was mostly empty. We should have taken that as an omen and left. To give the new owners credit, the physical refresh of the premises is nice. New furniture and colours have really changed the look and feel of the place.Unfortunately, that’s where the positives end. The ‘Interim Menu’ was our next letdown. I follow a gluten-free diet due to medical reasons, so I was pretty disheartened to see only one main meal marked as gluten-free. Previously, there had been plenty of options, but this menu was very limited—salads, one main, or pizzas (which weren’t available anyway because the pizza oven was broken). When I spoke to a staff member, she said about 50% of the menu could actually be made gluten-free. I suggested that they include that on the menuotherwise a persons first experience was one of disappointment and frustration. She said they were “still working on the menu” and would add it later, but if it’s already noted on some dishes, why not all? We ordered the entrée-sized calamari, a side of chips, the GF pork chop, and the “Montauk Boil” seafood special. Altogether the food cost us $123. I asked for the meals to come out together, but that request was obviously missed. The calamari came first after about 20 minutes—very salty, and honestly quite small for an entrée. Then we waited and waited. After nearly 40 minutes (and a visit inside to ask), our mains finally arrived. I was told they were “very busy because it’s a public holiday,” but with less than half the venue full that excuse didn’t hold up. We’ve been here when it was full to the rafters and still received better, quicker service. The “Montauk Boil” was particularly disappointing. My husband and daughter were excited to try it, expecting a hearty mix of seafood, corn, sausage, potatoes, and a delicious sauce with bread to mop it all up. Instead, they got half a bug (overcooked), a few prawns and calamari bits at the bottom of the bowl, two pieces of corn cob, and one lonely potato. No sausage. No sauce. It honestly looked like half the dish had been forgotten. The side of chips was small, barely enough for one person, and not the generous serve we were used to. As for my pork chop—it was dry and chewy, the potatoes were burnt, and the corn was shrivelled and overdone. When the waitress checked on us, I was unusually honest and said it just wasn’t good. Normally I’d just smile and say it was fine, but this time I couldn’t. She apologised and blamed it on "teething problems" as they’d only been open seven weeks. Fair enough for the first week or two, but by seven weeks you’d expect they’d have sorted the basics—like food quality and service timing. There was no offer to rectify things or even any real concern shown. Bar service was another letdown. No cocktails at all—not even a simple Espresso Martini. The tap ginger beer is also gone, now only available in cans. It all felt a bit like cost-cutting or cash-grabbing rather than creating a welcoming experience. In total, for three rounds of drinks (with one non-alcoholic each time), one entrée, two mains, and a side, we paid $246. We don’t mind paying that much for good food and service—but this was neither.This used to be one of our absolute favourite spots on the coast. Great views, atmosphere, food, and service. Sadly, Montauk Tavern missed the mark across the board. Until there’s a serious change—whether in the kitchen, the management, or both—we won’t be back.

Had a lovely lunch here we probably ordered right in peak time as it was a 45 min wait for lunch we sat outside was a beautiful day seen a helicopter land and when food arrived my GF vegetarian burger was great my step dad ordered the fisherman's plate with all fried fish scallops chips mum had the schnitzel and salad she really enjoyed If they could add more vegetatarian and gluten free options is all I would improve