The Congress Tavern
62 Orange St, Providence, RI, 02903
The Congress Tavern Menu
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Address :
62 Orange St
Providence, RI, 02903 - Phone (401) 455-0032
- Website https://www.thecongresstavern.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :12:00 pm - 1:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner, Late Night
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : No
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
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Robyn H.
We stumbled upon Congress because it was close to our hotel and it had a nice Yelp Review. Our waiter was very friendly and explained some local items that were new to us. The specialty cocktails were a hit with the table along withe Crispin blackberry cider! Everything that was ordered came out exactly as ordered. The Rhode Island Clam Bake gave us the NE seafood feast we were seeking. Lobster, clams, mussels, cod, and sausage cooked in buttery sauce cooked In corn husks with a side of fingerling potatoes and corn. The lobster nachos had lobster piled on and the chips tasted like they were made in house. Melted cheese, fresh tomatoes, onions, and the perfect amount of jalapeños. Our friends that ordered burgers seemed happy with their choices. There were no complaints and our waiter stopped by several times to check up on us to verify we were all happy campers! Food photos have been posted. I will definitely return to Congress when I'm back in the area and highly suggest that you do as well!
(5)Linda M.
I'm surprised at the reviews. Maybe there isn't anything in the area to compare to but I found this to be just ok. Really just ok. We went there for lunch. Service was good. We stated with some wings. They were good. I enjoyed the sauce. The entrees were disappointing though. The steak sandwich was smaller than expected and a bit on the meager side. The lamb burger was dry. The chips were not memorable and the fruits a bit oily. All in all I was sorry I chose to go here during my brief time in RI. The food just wasn't great.
(3)N T.
This place is amazing!!!! I am up here on business and stumbled into this place. I was here on a Monday afternoon and decided to have lunch. I had the fish tacos, which were amazing. My friend had the salmon and it to was wonderful. Jeff was behind the bar and helped us make our decisions. It turns out he is also one of the chefs and was going to be cooking on Wednesday. So, we obviously decided to come back then. Oh my god! Wednesday was amazing. Jeff was in the kitchen and he was amazing. I had the Cioppino Stew, which is shrimp, scallops, little necks, mussels, white wine with San Marzano tomatoes and garlic toast. This is the bomb! I could eat it everyday. Seriously. If you decide to go there, ask for Jeff and tell him The Pilots sent you. Enjoy!
(5)Richie S.
While it is a constant battle deciding between coming here or going to G-Pub across the street for lunch I have to say that this place usually wins. The fact of the matter is that not only is the service here great but the food is always fantastic. I can't say the same about the place across the street, sorry. The two best things that I highly recommend trying here are the burgers and the best of all is the shrimp po' boy. Hope you enjoy!
(5)Shannon B.
A solid, local bar with good, slightly upscale ambiance, a decent selection of local beers on tap, and personable, knowledgeable staff. I had a chicken Caesar salad, which was decent but unremarkable. My friend had the fish and chips, which she enjoyed. Overall, the food didn't impress me, but the service and atmosphere were both pleasant enough for me to give Congress another visit...and maybe try something more adventurous than rabbit food.
(3)Eric M.
At a friends request to try this restaurant out ,my partner and I decided to do just that on Saturday evening of July 11. I must say... We were completely blown away! The atmosphere is phenomenal, the restaurant staff is excellent and the food was great. We had a margarita pizza and tried several different craft beers and all were absolutely reasonably priced!! The bar staff was excellent as well ,our bartender that night was great! Her name was DJ!!! I highly highly recommend this restaurant to anybody. It was perfect in every way and we plan on returning there next weekend !!! Thank you to everyone that works at the Congress!! Oh what a great experience we had...
(5)Amelia S.
Really enjoyed this place! We went for some cocktails on a Saturday evening- it was busy but not too busy. There were drunk idiots watching football games which didn't impress me. I had a glass of wine and a beer, both of which were good and reasonably priced. Service was great....not sure what was up with the heat but we all had winter coats on and asked for the heat to be turned up. It got better after that. Just an overall fun bar, nothing crazy and super lowkey.
(4)Jennifer E.
The Congress Tavern hasn't done much to really wow me. That is, other then having an amazing Tuna burger and house made chips. That "burger" is worth the extra star for when the service is lagging, or they forget the chili sauce on my chips. Seared yellow fin tuna, mango salsa, and their perfectly seasoned chips with onion dip are what keeps me coming back. My husband has enjoyed both their steak sandwich and some of their burgers but I just keep coming back to the tuna. So good. The beer selection is ok but I never feel like they have anything that jumps out at me. I usually will grab a Yuengling or Dogfishhead 60 minute. We've had hit or miss service but it's always pretty friendly. We'll definitely be back as the food is pretty good and I like the atmosphere, despite the gaggle of yuppies that tend to congregate here around happy hour.
(4)Chelsea F.
I've been here a few times and each time everything has been great! The drinks are always strong and service is always great. The last time I went, the bartender made us a lemony concoction and it was delicious. We also had the chips with french onion dip and they were to die for! The Congress Tavern has a very laid back atmosphere and is somewhere I will definitely return.
(5)Samantha V.
ok ok ok, this little gem around the corner from my job is one of my new favs! not only did i get a spectacular drink, the burger i had was also excellent. for fall they had a great pumpkin drink with, get this, pumpkin whiskey! it was phenomenal and STRONGGG, just one was enough! i followed my drink with a rodeo style burger, it had bacon, onion strings and bbq sauce. they served it with homemade chips with a homemade onion dip, that was the best part of it al, those chips and dip! our waitress was attentive, helpful and overall it was a great time. great ambiance and pub feel. I will definitely be back!
(5)Andria T.
We stopped by a while back with some friends from out of town, and we all had a good meals and good drinks, which make the night a success in my book. First off, the actual space is very cute. It's gastropub-esque, but with a bit of a British pub vibe. It was pretty quiet when we were in there, but I suspect that this place might get a wee bit loud when it's full. I'm not 100% sure. We were tucked back in a cozy corner booth, which was the perfect place for conversation and pints. Service was excellent. I don't remember our server's name, but she was attentive, friendly, funny and nice. Honestly, she was great. We never had to wait to order drinks, and we never had to feel like if a glass was 3/4 empty, that person would be sitting and waiting for a refill forever. She was pretty much perfect. The food is where the one star comes off. The menu isn't super vegetarian friendly, and I didn't want to get a salad, so I went with fish and chips. It would have been nice to have a veggie burger option, or some kind of lighter meatless fare, cause I went away feeling a little gross. But the fish and chips were tasty--not amazing, but just fine. My dining companions got burgers and were happy. The beer selection is really the most impressive thing about this place. I was actually overwhelmed by all of the tasty sounding options, so if you're some one who love a beer, like I do, this is the place for you. Since I've only been there once, I don't know how often they rotate the taps, but there seem to be enough of them that you'd never get bored. Overall, I would certainly go back, though maybe for drinks and snacks rather than a meal. If you're a big burger fan though, I think this is the place for you. Also, I'm a bit curious about the lobster nachos...
(4)Kelly S.
I love Congress Tavern! It's just the right size for small groups, has a great beer, wine, and specialty beverage selection. Every time I've been here, the service has been outstanding. The wait staff are quick, friendly, and on their game. The food is generally good. Every once in awhile, it seems that a cook is off their game; last time I was there, my steak and cheese was fabulous, but my friends' tuna burgers weren't as good as they had been on previous visits- they were disappointed since it had been so good before. The chips and dip are always yummy. The atmosphere is great- music isn't too loud, great variety of tunes, friendly people. Decent amount of seating; bathrooms are a one person at a time deal. Unfortunately there's only one TV, which is a bummer if there's more than one game on that people want to watch. Love this place- almost hate to rate it on here to have more people discover it!
(4)Liz M.
Popped into here on a whim and sat at the bar. It's a pretty cozy place. First look is that it's a great place to have some bar food and a drink. Then you see the menu and it's not just usually bar fare but some more upscale options too. They have a great beer menu with some local favorites. I asked the bartender to recommend one and it was yummy. The menu had some different options but since I hadn't been there before I went with a burger. I think a burger is a good barometer of a place. I had the western one. It had big fat onion rings and thick cut bacon. Oh yeah and it was huge. I have a big appetite and i could not finish it. I had the in house made chips. They were fresh and had a onion dipping sauce. Since I wasn't kissing anyone I had seconds. I' want more so I will definetly be back.
(5)Lizz W.
This was a lot nicer than I was expecting. Came in for my usual, Stoli Vanilla & lime juice martini. Ended up eating because their menu looked so good. The pork belly (yes, I ate pork belly) was amazinggg with apples and figs and some grilled bread. Loved it! They had a lot of cool menu items and I'll definitely be back to try more. I will also say, they had a great selection of beers and ciders. The inside is cute, quaint. I could see a casual business luncheon on weekday or night out on weekends. Definitely a nice place.
(4)Lisa O.
Headed here for lunch today since I was already Downcity and it has high reviews. They open at noon for lunch and get quite busy by 12:30pm. So if you have a larger group or in a hurry, get there closer to noon. The setting is very tavern-ish (i.e. dark walls and panels). There is plenty of seating and not right on top of the next table, which is a bit refreshing. My waitress/bartender was nice and attentive. The menu is more limited than I would have though from the reviews. If you are looking for a very meat-based meal ranging from $10-25, this is not a bad place to go. However, big chunks of meat and fries/chips are not my forte. I settled with one of their burgers. It was good but nothing special. They also serve desserts by Pastiche. Overall, a little pricey for what it is and decent food.
(3)Bill L.
What a rescue! After waiting 35 minutes for a lobster bisque at McCormicks, I bounced & yelped out the Congress. Great food. Great beer selection. Super friendly staff.
(5)Scott V.
my wife and I tried the congress tavern last night after seeing all the good reviews, and I would agree its a good place. its located on a small little street and I never relized it was there. we had a couple of apps at the bar, we started with the lobster nachos which was surprisingly good, plenty of lobster for the price and a nice salsa. then we had the grilled pizza also very good. loved the sauce on the pizza very fresh. the place is small and fun nice place for couples.
(4)Katie B.
I came here one night with my boyfriend, after having picked him up from the Amtrak station on a Friday night. He was in the mood for a burger and beer, and I wanted something with a good atmosphere. On the night we went a pretty mixed crowd, but laid back non-the-less.. It was a little darker and louder than I had anticipated, but then again it was 9:30 at night on a Friday. What was I expecting? We were seated pretty quickly, and our waitress was great. It was crowded, but she was totally attentive. We both ordered drinks and burgers. My mixed drink was good, but I was a little disappointed in my burger. My boyfriend, however, loved his - and mine when he tried. As a side I got the homemade potato chips with their French Onion Dip - amazing. I devoured them. Overall, I wasn't dissatisfied with my meal. We'll come back. It was a great place for a drink and a meal.
(4)Brian G.
Very friendly service, nice atmosphere and the food is great. I had the polpetta, (a humongous meatball) and the fish tacos. Was delicious! Next time I'm in Providence I will definitely be back to try more items on their menu.
(4)Bob B.
This is a great part of downtown. So many places to go and congress tavern is a great place. Nice atmosphere, good service, and pretty good food. We had chicken nachos that were tasty.
(4)Ben W.
Best burger I've had in Providence! Try the alcoholic root beer if it's still available... Excellent service, reasonable prices, and a perfect downtown atmosphere.
(5)Denny S.
Good beer selection... Close to the hotel that I was staying at Pretty good food, my go to: burgers (any kind, they're all good.), calamari, thin crust pizza.
(4)Paul W.
What a nice down city spot for a drink and a snack. Smallish place - nice service and a very decent Bloody Mary!! View of street is a great spot to watch the fashion show that seemed to be going on a the G-Pub across the street.
(3)David P.
I was looking for a casual place to go out to in Providence. Came across this restaurant and decided to give it a try. I was very pleased that I had allowed myself to venture outside my comfort zone. (Persimmons, Nicks on Broadway, Chez Pascal) The beer selection was great and the cocktail menu was better than average. The food was wonderful and the service was incredible. this is not fine dining it's pub food and well done! Definitely going back!
(4)Xiao Z.
Really fun time, but oh my gosh, some of the worst bar food I've ever had. Normally, I don't eat bar food. Nothing personal guys, my standards for bar cuisine has never been sky high as well. So, when I ordered the eggplant sandwich and the chicken nachos, I was horrified by what I tasted. The 1cm frozen eggplant tasted like it was tossed into a batter of oil, over-fried with inches of old batter and tossed together on a dry piece of bread with two pieces of tomato, cheese and some mint leaves? Even though I was so hungry, I could not hide my absolute horror when I realized what I had digested. The nachos, if you would believe were even worse! The chicken, if it could be called that, was tasteless, dry, and felt like rubber. The entire dish was as if someone took chips, smothered it with industrial cheese flakes and chicken-imitation protein chunks and nuked it in the microwave. Absolutely atrocious. So, why the 3 stars? Well, if you're not here for the food, the drink selection and ambiance was really quite nice. They played music that was very sing-alonable, and the bartenders were incredibly nice and the drinks were very reasonably priced. The tap was also quite unique and a lot more darker, hoppy beers, which I enjoyed. In summary, if you're here for drinks and to hang out after a long day, this place can be fun, but if you're remotely hungry, I'd strongly recommend eating beforehand or sneaking in a granola bar. Food: 1 star Price: 3 stars Beer: 3 stars
(3)Clay S.
shot over for a quick lunch and we'll meh. Order burger and chips. Asked for burger med. rare, it came out well done. Chips were fine, but nothing great. Fine for a quick in and out and probably better if drinks are involved, but there are better places in Providence.
(3)Gloria F.
Omg! Fish & chips delish, waitstaff very good / that said noise level is beyond deafening! Would go again but not on a Saturday nite at 6-
(3)Ryan J.
The only thing holding this place back from a great bar is the bathroom situation. One person at a time. Fix that and its great.
(3)Amy D.
Service, food, beer-- all really great! They have an interesting menu that I appreciated and the location and atmosphere are really nice. Not too swanky and not too casual! I would definitely go back!
(5)Vick T.
Yo, get out of town. one: the current autumn drink menu is OUT OF BOUNDS. The bourbon drink and the cider onn too - bon drinkatite. two: the app? SHUT THE FRONT DOOR lobster pasta? I literally felt like I cheated on my s/o because it was so g**d***, indulgent. Oh lord, so good. Mmm...give me a blanket and a fireplace, I'm in heaven. Just gotta work through this autumn cocktail menu now... 10/10 will eat again
(5)Chris S.
OK - I've been here a couple of times. The food is good. The drink/beer selection is very good. They are not good under stress. Service on busy nights leaves something to be desired. I would come here during the week and stay away on Fri and Sat nights.
(3)Amy L.
I have only ever been here for drinks but I am never disappointed. The bartenders are always prompt and informative. The ambience is nice, laid back, always has a good vibe.
(4)Cherai D.
My husband and I went here on a whim a long time ago and we've been back almost every week. The food is delicious and consistent, the staff is amazing and the place just runs like a well oiled machine. When you walk in, it's like hanging out with friends. I usually get the orange st. burger which is delicious and I'll try whatever is on the seasonal drinks. It's a fun, relaxed place that's perfect for a chill date night.
(4)Beezer C.
I must say the chips were really good. REALLY good. I mean I took most of them home because there was so much, I put them in the fridge, and packed them for lunch for the next two days and they were still crunchy! (Should I be scared?) So that was fantastic. I also really liked the pork belly crostini, but that's because I LOVE charred meat. For me the pork belly was perfectly cooked. My boyfriend though was unhappy that the pork belly was served as tiny strips rather than whole rectangular pieces. The rest of it was nothing to write home about. Fish tacos were bland. Cocktails were not very good. Given the quality of food at other places with the same price point, I don't think we're coming back here.
(3)Mitch C.
Jeff the Chef handled our food allergy with great care on the first of our 2 night trip to Providence. The food was great. So much so, we ate there again the second night. Lobster nachos were fun. All our main dishes were great. The first night was quiet and the waiter spent a lot of time discussing our food allergy concerns. The second night was hopping, but Jeff the Chef came out to say hi and assure us all would be safe. Both guys were very friendly and welcoming.
(5)Phil P.
A great Gastro pub. I spent a week in Providence trying out various restaurants. This one was so good, I went back twice. The seafood stew is fantastic. Even their salads are amazing, and you really can only do so much with a salad. My coworkers all loved their dishes as well. The staff is attentive and friendly. The place has a great vibe.
(5)Francis F.
Good, but could be so much better. Cool decor, great beer list but the food was hit or miss. We got the fish tacos, which were quite good, but they came with cheap store bought salsa. Really? The pork crostini were tasty but their take on a Cosmo tasted like toilet bowl cleaner (though great mixed with the lemonade I ordered). The waitress was super nice. Also sad that the menu on the yelp picture had tuna tartare and it's been discontinued. Sad face.
(3)Linda A.
Came here for drinks and apps. Love the house made chips and the nachos. My friend had a burger and it looked SO amazing. The beer/wine list is pretty decent too. Location is great for those looking for a happy hour spot in the city. Service was super friendly and attentive.
(4)Stephanie K.
This has a very cool vibe which is why such a high rating. The menu has many interesting selections like lobster nachos and a big selections of burgers and sandwiches. I tried the bison burger. I very funny side note. If I'm at casual dinner place I order my burgers rare due to most cooks over cook their meat lol. I order this burger rare and the cook comes out to ask me if i order rare because most cooks over cook. I laugh and I admit that is true. He says no problem. My burger comes out and guess what.....my way of ordering is the way to go lol. Not only wasn't my burger medium rare but there wasn't a spot of red. When the cook comes out to ask how it was I couldn't let him know he doesn't know how to cook a rare burger never mind medium rare so I spare him and lie lol. My friends chicken bruschetta sandwich was also over cooked but had good flavor. Overall a good spot and I will definitely be back to try the lobster nachos and pastrami sandwich since that might be harder to over cook lol.
(4)Vic N.
First visit and so good to find old Speckled hen on tap and well poured, nice creamy head. Nice selection of beers, multiple IPA's and menu looks interesting. Never seen an Irish salad before, arugula, bacon, egg with lettuce and dressing. Expected a fried egg with Irish bacon on top but not so exciting. All the other food I saw being served looked good especially the thin crust pizza.
(4)Mckenzie G.
My friends have been talking about Congress for months now, but for some reason it's taken me a while to check it out for myself. After I had my first experience there, I was back just the next day for another fun time here. They have a pretty typical draft beer selection with 15 beers on tap, but it looks like the hard-liquor is what they want to be known for. They have this really cool chalkboard of selections with a ladder on the side to get up for changes. This adds not only to the ambiance by also to the feeling of expertise. The first time I went here, I went for a weekday lunch. The place was packed with professionals on their lunch break and it looks like a fair amount of them were regulars. I ended up with the burger, which I have to say is one of the best burgers I've had in Providence. The burger was cooked perfectly and came on a nice buttery bun. While I enjoyed my burger, I was a little saddened that the waitress never offered me the specials of the day because the fish sandwich and the steak and cheese both looked amazing as they came out of the kitchen The next time I was here was for a Saturday night and I was surprised that it wasn't as crowded as I thought it would. I liked the age and feel of the crowd and again the drinks were good.
(4)Dina H.
My boyfriend and I were planning on going to Hanleys Ale House but when we realized it was a cigar bar we quickly walked out and found this place around the corner. It is AWESOME! We got the chips and onion dip, the "stuffies" (stuffed quahog) and salads as our meal. We finished with the tiramisu (one of the best I've had). The waitstaff was so friendly and helpful. We asked about a hotel in the area since we aren't from providence and the waitress showed is a few apps to help us out. After her shift ended the second waiter was so personable and kind. I will absolutely come back here whenever I'm in the area. Great pub with great people and great food!!
(5)A J.
Finally tried this place and it didn't disappoint! Really enjoyed the cocktail and beer menu. The nachos and the crispy shrimp were delicious. I can also honestly say they have the best reuben in Providence! Great atmoshphere and great service combined with delicious bar food make Congress Tavern a must try.
(4)Lucy R.
I completely disagree with some comments below about the food. I thought the menu was diverse, reasonable for downtown especially the siZe of the portions. We ordered the calamari and it came w a tomato pepper rings and balsamic glaze which looked amazing. My friend thought it was slightly too breaded I personally loved it and I guess can ask for less breaking next time but it did not compensate for the taste. He ordered the HUGE bison burger with fries which both were Delish (after I was able to steal a few bites...lol) and cooked to perfection. Now my pizza the pulled pork pizza w apples was probably one of the best specialty pizzas I have tasted in a LONG time and huge! I could only have two slices. In addition to great food, our waitress was very welcoming, attentive and offered wonderful suggestions on what she recommended off the menu down to description which is not usually the case at restaurants. Congress tavern is a true gem with a laid back true gastro pub setting ....I can't wait to go back.
(5)Betsy R.
Old speckled hen on draft!!!! Okay, now that that's out of the way...I love me some Congress Tavern. Everything about it, from its chalkboards to its library ladders to its bartenders' willingness to let me do the cotton-eyed joe at 1am on a Saturday night...is pretty goshdarn solid. It's definitely meeting a need in that neighborhood--it's a cool, trendy bar that never seems to be too crowded, too expensive, or trying too hard. The food is typical pub-quality food, so think of this as a place to grab a sandwich if you skipped dinner. I prefer this downtown bar to a lot of others, and considering I don't venture far from the East Side establishments, that's saying something.
(4)Bob H.
Had the Irish salad and split it with my wife. Excellent salad. Very friendly and attentive waiter ( name escapes me, sorry).
(4)Sarah H.
Traveling through Providence and stopped based on the reviews I saw in yelp. I ordered the tuna burger and it was tasty but was missing the mango that came on it. Overall pretty good.
(3)Holly S.
We were here on a Friday night and The Congress was filled with people who had apparently worked hard all week and wanted to unwind before they began their weekend. Black tin ceilings (cool atmosphere) and high top tables plus decent bar food makes this a fun place. You have to try the McKinley Chips, hand cut potato chips served warm with sour cream onion dip. Yum. When we ran out of dip, our waitress replaced it with a full bowl. I'll return just because of that nice gesture. Plus, it is a HUGE portion. The thin crust pizza isn't the greatest but it's good. They were very slow serving is tonight but the waitress kept us updated and brought us a free dessert for the wait. The Washington Apple Martini was good but a bit strong tasting. Then again, I like drinks that don't taste like alcoholic drinks so perhaps I'm not the best judge of cocktails. Great place to stop for a drink and a bite to eat and we were treated well. We'll return.
(4)Leanne G.
I have been here twice, apparently! The second time, I walked in and realized it was a bar a group of friends and I visited a few months ago after Beer Fest (obviously I am not super familiar with the bar scene in Providence)(annnd obviously we were having a really good time). I remembered two things: 1) The chips and dip are amazing 2) The drinks are really good, and really strong. Both things held true the second time around, as well. I learned a few more things this time: 3) Pear salad is tasty and 4) Me, not a big fan of lobster on nachos. It's not Tavern's fault, I don't really like shellfish and cheese in general, at least not in omelets or on pizza, and now not on nachos. Everyone else enjoyed them, so give it a try! Another nice thing: I ordered a drink (forgetting the name, it had Pimms and bitters in it), and the waiter warned me it was very bitter. Rather than discouraging me from trying it, said he'd make it and if it wasn't my thing, he wouldn't charge me, which was a nice offer. Call me crazy, but t I did like it, bitter as it was. Now we know :)
(4)Mark S.
Came in today (Saturday) around 5pm and found exactly what I was looking for. A not crowded bar with good beer that served food. I was psyched that they had Sam Adams Alpine Summer on tap. Prior stop to here only had Sam Summer. Our female bartender was fine, no complaints, but the guy was much more friendly and outgoing. She was texting too much with her back turned to us. I loved the atmosphere, very chill. The librarian ladder thing to write the beer menu up high was a nice touch. Menu was small but good. I was so hungry I just went with a burger. Delicious. Got the orange street something or other. It had bacon on it, thats all you need to know. This probably wouldn't be your destination for an entire night but great place to start or stop midway though your night. I will be back.
(4)Ben S.
Beer list is solid but unremarkable Historic location Food is relatively expensive (or location-based) I dig places with a sense of history, so when I heard this was a spot reopening after a long (75 year) dormant period, I was enthusiastic. It doesn't seem like they've tapped into that history very deliberately though - the vibe is just sort of...neutral. They have such beers as Orval, Duvel, and some Rogues, but craft beer lovers won't really be bowled over. The food menu looks decent if it delivers, but isn't cheap - not only did I not eat, every review seems to say the same thing...no one's here to eat, at least yet. The place's mood feels too determined by the jukebox, rather than the place itself exuding any kind of mood or feel. Still likely a work in progress, getting its footing. A little more time to develop a personality, and we could be in business right here. Time will tell - bring a modicum of patience...
(3)Brian M.
The place was completely dead on a Saturday night around 7. Some take that to be a bad sign, but I'm a big fan of a place where I don't have to wait to eat and bump elbows with the table on the side of me when we finally sit down. We were able to immediately seat ourselves at nearly any table in the place. We chose a window seat overlooking the "scenic" ally. They do have outdoor seating for when the weather cooperates, but while the interior is very nice and inviting, Orange St is not so I think I'd pick eating inside. The service was quick, likely because it was so empty. Our waitress arrived with our beer orders nearly instantly and our meals came out before we were even done with the appetizer. The beer selection is big enough to find something you like, but unadventurous enough where if you try a lot of different craft brews then you're not going to find something new. There's absolutely nothing wrong with being able to order an Allagash White or a Long Trail Pale Ale, but I've always felt that a place with 15 or so beers on tap should be able to offer you something different. That's probably a little beer snobby of me, but I can't help myself. The food was good, but didn't blow us away. Her lobster pasta wasn't bad, but wasn't up to her standards (admittedly high standards since most of the time one of us gets a lobster mac and cheese it's when we're up in Maine). I did like the bison burger, the first bison I've ever tried. The stuffies we got for an app weren't very good though. Good, but not great is the best way I can think of to describe the tavern. We left content, but likely would go in another direction when we're in the city and looking for a pub/tavern.
(3)Justin B.
This is a nice addition to downtown. they hay a large selection of beers on tap and plenty of premium scotch and burbon. But I have not been returning every week for the drinks, the lunch menu has hit a sweet spot. Good food at a good price downtown! There are a selection of custom made sandwiches and burgers, that are all large and delicious. They have a hand cut corn beef ruben that really hits the spot. Lean corn beef that's so tender and piled high with a large side of fries or homemade chips. Everyday at lunch the place is packed, and the service is quick, making this a great place to have a sit down lunch in a reasonable time.
(3)Ashley G.
Not a bad place to grab an after work cocktail. Lots of beer to choose from and the Bartenders are pretty attentive!
(3)Lauren P.
My sister found this place while she was in town visiting. I'm glad when ended up trying it out, otherwise I"d probably never know about this great restaurant! We got the spicy chips as an appetizer and they were fantastic! I got the onion soup and house salad. The soup was good, but was a little sweet, which I wasn't a fan of. The salad was really big and filing. We also tried the seafood stew which was SOOOO GOOD. Plenty of shrimp, scallops, clams and mussels in a tomato white wine sauce. I would definitely come back to try out their other food.
(4)Bill R.
Excellent place to grab lunch. Was very impressed with the atmosphere, service and food. Will definiteily be back the next time I'm in Providence. I had the lamb burger (excellent) and really enjoyed the potato chips. Friendly staff, good ambience and a small, though varied and interesting, menu.
(4)Becky M.
Note: did not eat at all. Was in for only a drink. Love the space and the chalkboards everywhere. Liquor and beer menu is long enough to have solid options, but not so long that you don't know where to start. Vibe was chill on a Friday night. Since we came from McFaddens, the lower key vibe was perfect. Look forward to going back again.
(4)Jazmin I.
I've eaten at the congress tavern several times already. So I am confident in saying that the food here is always outstanding. It really took me by surprise. It's a pub, I didn't expect much. The food is fresh, the menu is solid. There isn't a great assortment, but there is plenty. I looooooove trying the specials. It allows me to try something new. My favorite item will still be the pizza. Get that as an appetizer! The sauce is great.....the cheese is fresh...the crust is thin an crunchy and the size is abundant. I am especially glad that they FINALLY starting getting desserts. Ironically enough, my least favorite things are the mixed drinks. I've ordered a couple and I don't like them much. Overall, the waitresses are friendly, the prices are more than reasonable and the food is a must. I worry that because it is hidden, it wont do so well. I hope that's not the case. I frequent this place. I say...spread the word..but be selective. The last thing I'd want is for the college crowd to start piling in (though technically i am one of those college kids).
(5)Kel S.
I like the atmosphere here... it's a nice looking place, and the crowd is not like many of the downtown bars with barely legal girls, running around in almost no clothing. It's a little more "mature". However, the bartender was not the most welcoming I've met, though she changed her tune 1/2way through our experience, trying to be more pleasant... The grilled pizza was great.
(3)Lauren B.
Many types of beers. Good basic pub type food. The homemade chips were very good and I dipped them in a chipotle sauce because I like it. They accommodated my 10 yo, NP. This was nice because most of Providence seems to have non-kid friendly eateries.
(4)PJ D.
So I've been here twice now and I really like this place. I feel like there's a Cheers vibe to it that i just can't put my finger on. There's a great selection of decent beer and booze but you can still get a Bud or a Corona for that OneGuy you hang out with who only drinks that stuff. We all know that OneGuy. He's probably got a popped collar and is wearing flip flops with a bottle opener on a Saturday night but you hang out with him anyway. I felt right at home here and from here on out it's going to be my default suggestion when people want to meet for drinks in Providence. There are some great bars in PVD but a lot of them tend to be extreme. The pub type folks won't feel at home at a place like the Red Fez and vice-versa. If you've got a mixed friend group that can be a nightmare. For me, this place is the perfect combination of bar elements. The crowd was not too collegy and not too stodgy. I've had burgers both times and loved 'em. My GF got the chips and I got the fries. Once again I was felled by the demon Food Envy. Moral of the story: go with the chips not the fries. The dudes next to us had stuffies that looked awesome, ima have to try those too. What I really like about the place is the layout. There's something orderly and logical about it that just makes me happy. I went to this place on Saturday after having been to Fatbellies on Wednesday. The contrast made me appreciate the sensible layout, easy to read booze selection (it's written on the walls in large letters) and bathroom of appropriate size. That said I wish bars would go for a 2 or 3 urinal/1 stall layout over the combined stall/urinal layout. Seriously, I get that there are code requirements for handicapped access but you can't need a bathroom that big that can only accommodate one person at a time. That goes for many bars in Providence though so I'm not going to hold it against The Congress. One plus was a notable shortage of FBDRs (Frat Boy Date Rapists). As I get on in years, I grow weary of seeing guys in team hats and pookah shell necklaces out on the prowl. I'm also concerned about sharing a urinal with them. The urinal cake probably doesn't kill crabs and I've heard those things can jump like, 3 feet.
(4)Brett C.
Incredible all around. Great service, very knowledgable and honest with recommendations. Awesome beer and whiskey cocktail menu. I had a sidecar and it was perfect. The menu is simple, sandwiches, salads, burgers, handful of entrees. I had the Rueben, a MUST order real brisket cut thick, served with their he made chips. Awesome atmosphere almost comparable to real prohibition. Check it out!
(5)Jack T.
Great hidden gem. Good selection of beers and whiskey with good looking food (haven't tried yet). Nice relaxed and hidden atmosphere. Good place for secret meetings or business. Popular with a young professional or high end crowd without the snob factor.
(5)Elizabeth M.
Great service! Dave the bartender.. Super friendly. Meatball app was great! Pork belly app is not pork belly was not... It was over cooked pork tenderloin. I will come back and try something else though.
(3)Paul L.
Great place for drinks and a good meal. Service was top notch. The spicy chips are great as well as the lobster pasta. Nice beer selection too.
(4)Will L.
Love this spot. Must try the spicy chips and an orange st burger. Good wings too. Nice pub atmosphere friendly waitstaff and reasonably quick too. I would go here and fill up on chips and beer anyday.
(5)Mark M.
Pretty damn excellent food!... great selection of beers!.... attractive bartenders! 17 craft beers. 16 draught beers. 17 wines-by-the-glass. Distinctive selection of whiskey, bourbon, scotch, tequila. Kitchen is open until 11 p.m. 7 days a week!
(5)Michael G.
Congress Tavern is a great place to get beers after work. The beer selection is plentiful with about a dozen drafts available and many more selection of bottled beer. The food is typical Bar food, but it is of high quality. The bar menus is exactly what you expect and and the food is a pleasant surprise (the fries are good as well). The wait staff and bartenders are prompt and attentive. Bottom Line: Congress is a good option for a happy hour after work.
(4)Katherine H.
The Congress Tavern is the perfect place to grab an after dinner drink. The place has a great vibe; the staff is friendly, the beer selection is vast, the cocktails creative, and they have one of the best scotch selections in the city. The bar never gets too crowded so it's nice to go with a group of friends and still be able to hear each other. If you're looking for some fun times, throw some bills in the jukebox--there are endless options. Just an aside for the ladies, the bathroom has to be one of the cleanest bar bathrooms I've ever seen! (There's even an upholstered bench to place your belongings). All in all, the Congress Tavern is a winner! Of note: They also serve food, but I've never eaten there. The menu does look tasty though!
(4)Cee D.
Very good food! Staff is aloof, have been there twice for lunch. Overall nice atmosphere. Get the fresh cut chips!
(3)Amanda M.
I really wanted to fall in love with The Congress, I dig gastro-pubs and that type of feel in a restaurant. Before I describe my experience and why I am giving them 2 stars, let me just say that they have only been up and running for about 3-4 weeks. Apparently when we went they were also training a new chef and it was a Monday night. Anywho, for starters, there is no way anyone would ever just bump into this restaurant. Its tucked away on the sides streets of down city. However, the inside is really nice, small, cozy, dimly lit and very clean. There are only a few tables and when we happened to go (on a Monday night) there were only a few business people chatting around a booth drinking beers. Our waitress, though very nice, just seemed off. Or like she had never really waited tables much before. I cant describe it any other way, but I'm sure you get my jist. We ordered some aps, oysters on the half shell and some kind of salad that had a hard boiled egg and bacon on it. However, what she returned with was a house salad and oysters rockefeller. My boyfriend asked her to take the salad back, but I didn't have the heart to tell her the oysters were wrong also, so we just ate them. For our dinners we ordered a lamb burger for my boyfriend and the yellow-fin tuna for myself. When it was brought out it looked like there was absolutely no effort put into my meal what so ever. The tuna looked like it was cut with a butter knife and it was basically just tossed on a bed of greens. The meal also described a fruit salad that was also served with it. What I received were tiny chopped pieces of apple and thiiiinnnly sliced pineapple, that were over grilled, placed individually along the rim of my plate. Similar to something you would eat when you were in elementary school, minus the caramel dip. No visual appeal at all. The tuna was cooked well, though my boyfriend felt it had a fishy taste. As for the lamb burger, my boyfriend asked for it to come with their spicy chips. It didn't. As for the way it was cooked, it was cooked all the way through. Although, we realized upon him biting into it that the waitress never asked him how he wanted it cooked. Overall the experience wasn't AWFUL, but it definitely wasn't worth the $100 we ended up spending. We will probably give them another shot once they have been open for a bit longer and work out their kinks.
(2)Maura C.
This place is very cool. I went for the first time to the Gansett Cream Ale launch party. The place was hopping! I really like the decor in this bar. The beer menu looked decent, but I didnt get to check out the food menu. I would love to check this place out for an after work happy our. I was happy to see they reopened after being closed for quite some time. I will definitely have to check out the food... they have announced themselves as a gastro-pub. Very intriguing!
(4)James J.
After being told of unacceptable waits at the neighborhood restaurants, we happened on this place, recommended by a parking valet. What luck! We were greeted and seated by a friendly and attentive waitstaff. Drinks came promptly and the bartender absolutely nailed the vodka martini. Three of our party ordered the chiopino and I've gotta say, it was THE BEST I'VE EVER EATEN. Kudos to the chef. Friendly and low-key. A good find.
(4)Kevin C.
More of a 3.5, but I have no choice but to round up to 4. I have only been here once on St. Patty's Day and I have been meaning to write a review for this place. I should note that this review is almost purely based off of their corned beef sandwich. What about the corned beef sandwich? Out of this world! The absolute best corned beef experience of my life. I just ordered it with Swiss cheese and brown mustard. On a normal day this wouldn't be an option on the menu, but I am told you can always order it this way since they always have corned beef in stock for their Reuben. The meat was excellent. Fell apart effortlessly and there was virtually no fat. The rye was incredibly soft and fresh, and the brown mustard (yea I'm gonna talk about mustard) was one solid mustard. Tasted like beer mustards I've had in the past. I asked what the brand was but they were unable to identify apparently. As a craft beer enthusiast, I'll be honest I was a tad disappointed in their selection given that they're branded as a 'gastropub', but I did not dock points for that reason. They definitely have a decent array of styles so there should be at least one beer that will appeal to you. Just nothing terribly rare, unique, or uber interesting. So basically if you enjoy a good corned beef sandwich, I urge you to try one at Congress Tavern.
(4)Kay R.
Stopped in on a Monday evening for drinks (no food). Pros: Absolutely one of the best beer menus we've seen in PVD (why, hello Old Speckled Hen draft... you left the E&O, but nice to bump into you again...). Cool decor - pushed tin and dark wood; enough seating at booths, tables, bar and high tops but with enough open spaces for a crowd. Hostess/waitress was friendly and attentive (granted it was a pretty light crowd) and the bartender was on point. Cons: Parking. Too few people for that buzzy bar vibe (but again, caveats above). So why 3-stars? One time visit for two beers. It is "A-OK", but we will return to reevaluate and try the gastro-pub-food. Supposedly this place is back after 75 years? I love history, but need to understand more of what that means...
(3)Laura S.
I've been here twice now and really think this place has some great potential. The first time that I went, it was on a Friday evening after work. The place was pretty crowded, the only place to sit was at the bar. We were served right away. They do have a nice selection of beers on tap. A mix of a little bit of everything. We ordered a couple of appetizers that were good - we didn't stick around for dinner. The appetizers were substantial enough that we weren't really that hungry afterwards. The second time I went, it was on a Saturday night. It was empty at first and never really got crowded - which I guess is good although it was a little awkward with so few people in the place. The bar is new and on a side street so maybe people just don't know about the place yet. Generally, the place has a great feel to just hang out with friends. They have a ton of tables. It is a little loud once the place gets crowded. I had trouble hearing my friend sometimes and she was sitting right next to me. The service was great - actually, they had a ton of people working, probably too many people. They spent a great deal of time congregating at the bar speaking to each other. While it didn't affect our service, it was kind of weird that they didn't just do that in the back or something. But like I said, it didn't affect our service or anything. The place has a lot of potential to be a great bar - it'd be awesome if they started a trivia night during the week!
(4)Edward H.
I like this place. Good beers on tap and plenty of room for sit-down meals. The server was very good and patient (both kids were in tow and very grumpy considering it was the dinner time and they were hungry). I had a burger. I was surprised at how good the burger tasted. The only problem was that I ordered it medium rare and it came out basically well done. I didn't say anything because when the kids are around, every extra minute spent at a restaurant establishment is unpredictable and I didn't want to extend our stay any longer than necessary. But, even though it was well done, the burger was very good. I will definitely return here for another meal and to try another tasty burger.
(4)Raul O.
Beers and Pizza after work or during or hell even before if you can deal,...YES this is a great spot! Service A+ Food A- and the beer is cold and fast just like my wife.
(5)Brian R.
This might be one of Providences secrets. Food was great, service excellent and great atmosphere. McKinley chips as an app is a must
(4)Holly K.
Warm, welcoming environment. Good beer selection, decent food. Not a bad place to wind down after a long day.
(3)Jon K.
From the atmosphere & knowledgable staff it's a great place to close out any night in Providence!
(4)Nicole W.
From the outside the congress tavern seemed like a dive. However, once inside the congress tavern was a pleasant atmosphere. Drinks and appetizers were reasonably priced. Great vibe all around.
(5)Mark E.
"this place got the job done" says my traveling companion. Clean looking and modern, a few outside tables, a good jukebox, friendly bartenders, decent prices, give it a whirl
(4)Greg R.
This place is great. The onion soup with bourbon & gruyere was VERY tasty, and for the same price you'd pay at most other places you get a lot more. I had a 'Hawaiian Burger' special, medium rare - cooked perfectly, flavorful and just all-around good. The fresh chips are great, although I might go for fries next time. The vibe is pretty decent - I love the tin ceilings and the purple and green walls. Good beer selection, friendly service, nice decor, good food, central location... What's not to like?
(5)K S.
I've been to Congress on numerous occasions for lunch and drinks, and it's a pretty good spot. There isn't much else going on in the area it is located in, so it's a great option. They have a good beer list, and their food is solid. I don't venture from appetizers, sandwiches, burgers and salads, but I've never been disappointed. Their spicy chips with chipotle dip are yummy and their portions are beyond generous. You can easily make out in the $10 to $15 range for lunch. All in all, a good place to try and a nice addition to the area.
(4)David S.
Recommended by our hotel, and was an easy walk around the block to get there. Service was fantastic! Like at least one other comment mentioned, I was surprised it wasn't busier (in our case, a Wednesday night), but one look around the neighborhood was a sign. Looks like downtown Providence has been struggling, yet working hard to come back...impressive projects there. So, the food. Excellent. Salads were huge. My wife and I could have easily shared one, and I'm not exactly a small guy. My wife had the lamb hamburger, which was either very, very mild, or not lamb. ;-) I had a bite of it, and was very impressed. The "homemade" chips with it were super too. I had the Veal Parmesan, something I had not had for a very long time. (Veal is politically incorrect in the Golden State, and not many places serve it anymore.) It was so good, it tasted like family made it. Tender, cooked correctly, and the pasta and sauce were a great compliment. Highly recommend both dishes and the restaurant.
(5)Christine P.
I have been here a few times for lunch as I work down the street and overall the food is very good. My favorite is the Rueben. They make it with fresh sliced corned beef, not deli meat. My side is always the homemade potato chips. They really are out of this world and have totally been my pregnancy craving (shhh....). I ask for a side of the chipotle dipping sauce with the chips and it adds the perfect amount of spice. Obviously this is a far cry from a healthy lunch but it really is fantastic. I've tried the onion soup once and that was just so-so, I wouldn't order it again. Hopefully they figure out a way to improve that dish because it is a pub staple in my eyes, and easy to execute. They had a grilled tuna sandwich special for a while too and that was excellent. I hope they put that on the menu full time. I haven't tried much else as I can't seem to drag myself away from that Rueben. Atmosphere is great. Love the dark wood and vibe. Service is decent, however they never seem to have enough staff for busy lunches. I definitely would recommend giving it a shot if you're in the area. It's definitely a nice place with solid food offerings.
(4)Glaciala A.
Nice interior feel and decorations, it feels like a local pub. Solid lunch fare and tried both the lamb burger and a pulled pork sandwich. Good prices for the value and fries were tasty. Make sure to make a lunch reservation if you want a table and are with a group, otherwise you may be waiting for a bit. Service was fine. Solid, a-ok.
(3)Jim C.
Met a business associate for a beer after work. The music was so loud and unfitting for this type of establishment It was difficult to have a conversation. The obnoxious juke box on the wall is a mistake. Sounded as though I was in a strp club.
(2)