Monahan's by the Cove - Charlestown, Rhode Island

Bill L.

From Route 1 it looks like a small ice cream stand but it’s so much more. We have passed it many times over the years without stopping. We were looking for a place to pick up dinner and found it online.

I was surprised to see how big the property is and that there is a second parking lot that you don’t see from the road. There is also a large lawn area with picnic tables and corn hole. There were about eight groups eating in this area.

We took out clams and a lobster roll. Both were about as fresh and well prepared as you could hope. Service was efficient.

George D.

We stopped by monahans by The cove on a Sunday around 12:00 there was no wait. Fast friendly attentive service at this unassuming seafood joint just off the main road. We ordered a lobster roll scallop dinner fried clam bellies and had clam chowder with clam cakes. The chowder was definitely the hit of the meal delicious and full of flavor as well as the cakes that it came with. The fried clam bellies were on the smaller side but we're still good and the scallops were a hit as well. The lobster roll was a tasty treat. All in all we really enjoyed our experience here

Don C.

Hubby and I stopped by on a Friday evening around 5:30. There were a half dozen people already seated in the outdoor picnic area. There is a large tent where you can find a table out of the sun, or you can sit under an umbrella under a large tree, or a lovely secret garden area that is very private where you can dine in a more intimate setting. They have Cornhole and a wide open area where kids can play and families can relax. The service was prompt. You order at the window, they take your name and bring the food to your table when it's ready. Everything is disposable. We both ordered fish and chips. They were very good, with a thin but crispy batter. Hubby enjoyed his clear chowder. I ordered clambakes but only found one small piece of clam in three cakes. They were also heavy and dry, not light and fluffy. I would go again to sample something else on the menu, maybe the lobster roll. Avoid the clamcakes. They also offer ice cream. My husband had a chocolate cone after his meal. He said it was good.

Dawn M. (.

I frequently visit RI beaches and, in doing so, found this great place this summer season.
I have stopped by Monahan's By the Cove many times this past summer, and I've been very pleased every time.
~Staff: Always pleasant, cheerful, and friendly! Once one orders, if the meal is to-go, they'll call the name, and the order can be picked up at the window. If one is dining there, a staff member typically brings the order out to the dining area and calls the name so it can be brought to the table.
~Atmosphere/venue: Nice setup with picnic tables located in a neat, grassy area on the side and rear of the building. Some of the tables are under a large tent, while others are in a tree-shaded area. Each time I'd been there, that area was kept neat and clean. Restrooms have been neat and clean each time I've used them.
When requesting take-out, they package everything nicely for transport.
Now, for the important stuff...
~Food: I've tried four different items here thus far, mainly because they've been so delicious that they have become re-orders for me.
Lobster roll: Their hot lobster roll is sooooo good! There is a generous portion of lobster every time. I've had it multiple times, and they cook the lobster perfectly. It's always been tender and had just the right amount of buttery flavor. It's served on a toasted roll with some greens and a lemon wedge. Squeezing the lemon over it is the perfect accompaniment. I go back for this just about every time.
~Clam Cakes: These are available in sets of 3, 6, or 12. They are nice, small size, so they make a good add-on. They're tasty and crisp on the outside while soft on the inside. I've only ordered these once, and the one time I did, they were tasty but didn't have many pieces of clam in them.
~Swordfish Tacos: These were a special one of the times I'd gone, although I've seen this special posted on other occasions. They were delicious, and the swordfish was cooked perfectly. It was tender and delicious. The basil pesto, Pico de Gallo, and Boom Boom sauce perfectly compliment the swordfish. I'd order these again and again.
~Southern Fried Popcorn Shrimp: This was a special a few different times I'd been there, and I've ordered it more than once. The shrimp are always cooked well, with the shrimp being tender, while the breading is crunchy. The firecracker sauce is served in a side container, so one can control the amount of sauce, but it's soooo yummy, I usually just pour it over to slather all the shrimp.
This is absolutely a place I will continue to go to when I am in the area.

Barry E.

We stopped here about 5 years ago to get clam cakes. They were really, really good.
We decided to take a ride out today, as we finally had some beautiful weather. It's about an hour and 15 minute ride. We decided to get some clam cakes, and I can say we weren't disappointed. We decided to eat dinner. My wife got a hot lobster roll and I had fish and chips, and we each had white chowder. Let's say that lobster roll was FULL of delicious lobster meat. There was no skimping there. As far as the fish and chips... well, I won't be getting them again. I don't know if it was the fish flavor or the coating/batter or the oil. The flavor was very off-putting.
The chowder was fair.
We enjoyed the outdoor seating. The grounds were well.kept and the eating g area was clean

Suzanne S.

Can’t rave enough about my visit to Monahan’s By the Cove yesterday.
Delicious (tho isn’t everything?) tuna tacos.
The service, start to finish, was fast, efficient, pleasant.
Love the seating options — large and smaller tables. And there’s space for the kids to run around on the grass and let off steam while waiting to be served or while the grownups are chatting after eating.

And the you can shoot some hoops. What!? Is there anything they’ve not thought of? Including bringing your order to you at your outdoor table.
Brilliant business model: Figure out how to make for a great customer experience. It's like they asked themselves, what would we want? and didn't let any obstacles stop them.

The icing on the cake: Eco-conscious.
I’d hesitated before adding a water to my order, assuming it would be in a single-use plastic bottle. But no! Compost-friendly! including the paper straw!! In fact, everything was served in compostable.

Thank you Monahan’s! Can’t wait to visit again.

Danny C.

My wife and I were trying to find a great pull-up spot for a lobster roll after a hot beach day, and we stumbled upon this gem! I would highly recommend stopping by for a quick bite and maybe an ice cream, too! We got the stuffed quahogs, cold lobster roll (with plenty of meat!), fries, onion rings, and coleslaw. I can't think of anything negative thing to say about any of it and I'm looking forward to going back to try the lobster reuben!

Amy N.

Monahans exceeded my expectations in terms of taste and quality! I opted for the fish tacos, which were an impeccable fusion of crispiness, savoriness, and a touch of sweetness. The tacos had the ideal crunch, complemented flawlessly by the addition of mango chutney. The chowder was simply outstanding! Its creamy white base was uplifted by a subtle hint of refreshing lemon. I am certain that I will be ordering it again, as it epitomizes the quintessential New England Chowda experience. The fish sandwich brought immense joy to my taste buds! If you're in the mood for a substantial sandwich, this one will unquestionably hit the spot. With its delectable tartar sauce, fresh lettuce, ripe tomato, and crisp onion on a traditional bulkie roll, it truly was a delight. I'm eagerly looking forward to returning for their renowned lobster roll. Monahans serves as the ideal outdoor venue for gathering with friends and family while exploring the beautiful South County, RI. Conveniently situated off of Route 1, it is undoubtedly the go-to lunch, or dinner, destination for the whole family!