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Meet me at the Goose - on the Deck! - The Wild Goose Tavern at the Chatham Wayside Inn, Chatham, MA

The Wild Goose Tavern at the Chatham Wayside Inn

3.8
3.8
198 Reviews
$31 to $50
American
*We do not take lunch reservations and only accept a limited number of dinner reservations during our summer months, which allows us to take numerous walk-ins.*
**If there is no availability left on OpenTable, this does not mean we are full for the entire evening. It means our LIMITED reservations are full and we kindly ask that you come and visit us as a walk-in**

Known around town as 'The Goose,' the Wild Goose Tavern has naturally become one of Chatham's most popular restaurants. Offering the largest and only outdoor dining on Main Street, makes for a perfect spot to experience the charming seaside village.
Our menu features locally sourced seafood, salads, sandwiches, hearty entrees like our Sea of Love and Steak dish, creative vegetarian and gluten free options and so much more. Our location, atmosphere and menu is the perfect combination for a memorable dining experience! Come join us for lunch or dinner!

Make a reservation

2 people

7:00 PM


Booked 14 times today

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Cuisines
    American, Contemporary American, Seafood
  • Hours of operation
    Mon–Thu, Sun 11:30 am–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 11:30 am–9:30 pm Breakfast Daily 7:30 am–10:30 am
  • Phone number
    (508) 945-5590
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Owned/operated by
    Asian and Pacific Islander, Black/African American, Women
  • Private party facilities
    The Chatham Wayside Inn and Wild Goose Tavern offer a charming and versatile location for small weddings, rehearsal dinners, milestone celebrations, and corporate meetings. Our staff’s warm hospitality, distinctive attention to detail, and personal service–combined with the wonderful food–ensures that your celebration is truly a memorable experience. To inquire about a private event, please visit our website: https://www.waysideinn.com/meetings-events/
  • Neighborhood
    Chatham
  • Parking details
    The Wild Goose Tavern does not have parking on-site. Street parking and public parking lots are available nearby.
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Indoor Fireplace, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 198 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

3.8
3.8 based on recent ratings
  • 3.7Food
  • 3.9Service
  • 3.8Ambience
  • 3.4Value

NoiseModerate

198 Reviews
  1. DeborahM

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined 6 days ago

    overall3food3service4ambience3
    Good location. Food nothing special. Friendly server.

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  2. MichaelK

    New York Area

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined 7 days ago

    overall4food4service5ambience5
    Great servers, Gable was excellent, thoughtful and kind

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  3. ElliottJ

    Greater Boston

    15 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    15 reviews

    Dined on September 15, 2023

    overall3food4service5ambience2
    Food and service were very good, but the acoustics are horrible. The dining room was extremely noisy.

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  4. SuzanneP

    New York Area

    7 reviews

    4.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on September 12, 2023

    overall4food4service4ambience4
    We had reservations, which are highly recommended, so we were seated right away. It is a very nice place and the service was pretty good although we did have to wait a while for our check and our waitress forgot the butter we requested. The menu could use a few more non-seafood options, but we did find options we liked and were enjoyable. The dessert of the fflourless chocolate cake with vanilla icecream was pure heaven! Over all we would recommend this restaurant and definitely return ourselves.

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  5. CherylS

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 4, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The cioppino and salmon dishes were fantastic. Service was very fast. We made reservations for 5pm to beat the dinner crowd.

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  6. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 3, 2023

    overall2food2service1ambience4
    Food was mediocre and overpriced. Service was slow and inattentive. Also had the worst cup of coffee of our lives here. Beautiful hotel and nice seating area, but not worth it.

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  7. JaneW

    Greater Boston

    3 reviews

    2.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on September 3, 2023

    overall2food3service4ambience2
    Very busy night. Our waiter was great and attentive. The rest of experience was subpar for Wayside Inn. Felt more like a chain budget hotel.

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  8. ReginaB

    Greater Boston

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 2, 2023

    overall3food3service3ambience1
    Very disappointed…not what it used to be under the former owner!

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  9. OpenTable Diner

    Greater Boston

    19 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    19 reviews

    Dined on August 30, 2023

    overall3food4service3ambience3
    The check in was quite slow. Our server Greg was very helpful but the food could be better

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  10. OpenTable Diner

    Philadelphia

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on August 25, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Absolutely wonderful! Great food. Great service. Definitely will be back.

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  11. WarrenF

    New York Area

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 24, 2023

    overall3food3service3ambience3
    Understaffed - food was uninspiring. Had to ask for water.

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  12. OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    13 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    13 reviews

    Dined on August 24, 2023

    overall4food4service5ambience3
    We visit Wild Goose at least once on our visits to Cape Cod. Food is always solid. Lobster rolls are very buttery…a family favorite!

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  13. ThoughtforFood

    New York Area

    14 reviews

    3.0

    14 reviews

    Dined on August 22, 2023

    overall3food4service2ambience3
    A nice place for outdoor dining on Main St. in Chatham. The food was quite good but the service is lacking probably due to staff shortage.

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  14. DissatisfiedCustomer

    Chicago

    2 reviews

    2.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on August 22, 2023

    overall2food2service4ambience3
    We have eaten at the Wild Goose many times over the years. This time, we were very disappointed. The menu was boring and the food was mediocre at best. There are much better restaurants in Chatham. Must be new owners.

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  15. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 22, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Beautiful day to sit outside

    Is this helpful?

  16. OpenTable Diner

    Greater Boston

    1 review

    vip
    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 20, 2023

    overall1food2service1ambience2
    Made an online reservation, was able to sit early which was great! Service was poor. Took over an hour after placing our order to get entrees, didn’t even order an appetizer. So upset didn’t order desserts.

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  17. CaptainSource

    Naples

    297 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    297 reviews

    Dined on August 19, 2023

    overall3food4service1ambience4
    Drink order and food order taken promptly. Drinks and salad came quickly. Had to wait 40 minutes for entree and they weren’t that busy. Good food, although a little plain.

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  18. GFeats

    Chicago

    2 reviews

    2.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on August 17, 2023

    overall2food2service2ambience4
    Very slow service. Had a reservation at 8 PM and didn’t receive our entrees until 9:40. Then, a dish came out cooked with bacon that was not labeled on the menu. We would have sent it back, as the party member who ordered it does not eat pork, but didn’t want to wait another hour for a replacement. Food was otherwise average. Overall a long and disappointing experience. Would not return.

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  19. DavidH

    Greater Boston

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 16, 2023

    overall2food2service2ambience2
    The wait was long (they appeared to be way understaffed) and the food, once it arrived, was only mediocre.

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  20. OpenTable Diner

    Greater Boston

    2 reviews

    vip
    2.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on August 16, 2023

    overall2food3service1ambience3
    Our food was good however we experienced terrible service. Never got the lobster bisque that we ordered and our waitress never came back once to check on how we were doing. Had to flag someone down for a side of grated cheese and pepper

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  21. OpenTable Diner

    Greater Boston

    11 reviews

    4.0

    11 reviews

    Dined on August 14, 2023

    overall4food5service3ambience4
    The food was fresh and tasty.,Service was a little bit slow.

    Is this helpful?

  22. OpenTable Diner

    Central Coast

    3 reviews

    3.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on August 8, 2023

    overall3food3service4ambience3
    I thought the restaurant was similar to a diner experience. Nothing exceptional. We had a bowl of clam chowder, the Cape Codder salad & 2 dinners. My husband had fish chips & I had fried clams. It was all ok, nothing amazing, but not a bad value for your money.

    Is this helpful?

  23. KayT

    Houston

    9 reviews

    vip
    1.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on August 7, 2023

    overall1food1service3ambience1
    I try to keep reviews constructive and will start by saying our server did her very best. However we were seated on the back patio which was very noisy with lots of kids despite booking a later dinner time to try and avoid families with toddlers. We ordered a dish that pretty obviously had a hair on the food. This was returned and it was plain that the hair had been removed and the side of the plate was wiped - no replating or remaking of the dish. This dish was a filet steak, supposedly cooked medium rare. However it was raw and cold inside. The cooked part of the meat was about 2mm thick and the rest looked like it did in the butchers shop. We normally eat rare or medium rare steaks but this one was literally mooing….. Our server removed the dish from our table and our check, she was professional and felt bad about this, but we would not recommend this restaurant and will not return.

    1 person found this helpful

  24. OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on August 7, 2023

    overall5food5service3ambience4
    Easily the BEST lobster roll & calamari I’ve ever had. Food is perfect. Dined in back patio, nice live music next door, very kind and hospitable wait staff. Only downside is that we had a wobbly table & dropped some of our silverware!

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  25. HappyCustomer

    Exclusive

    3 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on August 6, 2023

    overall4food5service4ambience4
    Great spot! The food was delicious and we will surely be back on our next trip to the cape!

    Is this helpful?

  26. CassLuna21

    Greater Boston

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on August 6, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Excellent service, food and ambiance!!! Can’t wait to come back again!

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  27. OpenTable Diner

    West Palm Beach

    7 reviews

    3.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on August 1, 2023

    overall3food2service3ambience4
    We had a nice table outside. Very good for people watching. Our waitress was. Very nice and the service was good, but not overly attentive. Drinks and appetizers were fine. I ordered swordfish and returned it after a single bite. It wasn’t fresh smelling or tasting and therefore inedible. Worst meal I’ve had on the Cape.

    1 person found this helpful

  28. OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on August 1, 2023

    overall5food5service4ambience5
    Amazing dinner!! We had the best time sitting on the patio- the food was delicious!

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  29. OpenTable Diner

    Greater Boston

    3 reviews

    3.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on July 28, 2023

    overall3food3service3ambience4
    Location in town and outdoor seating was nice. The food, beverages and service were all good, none outstanding but a fine overall experience.

    1 person found this helpful

  30. JohnD

    New York Area

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on July 27, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    All good. Lorna was great and very pleasant. Table outside was very nice

    1 person found this helpful

  31. OpenTable Diner

    Greater Boston

    1 review

    vip
    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on July 21, 2023

    overall2food2service2ambience5
    Dining outside on a huge farmer’s porch in downtown Chatham on a beautiful summer night is 2nd to none. That is where the positivity of The Wild Goose Tavern stops. The service is slow and lackluster. Be prepared to ask for everything but the check, they bring that immediately. We were seated for our 8 PM reservation right at 8 PM which was good. The waitress showed up at about 807 and asked us if we were ready to order. We have course had to slow her down since we weren’t even given drinks yet. I had an espresso martini which was fair. We then ordered the calamari and 2 cups of chowder. I will give the chowder a B minus. I like a thick broth. This was a more milky based chowder which was thin, but lacked robust taste for sure the calamari was also fair. Some parts were almost soggy not very crispy. My girlfriend got the lobster roll,cold , which she said was amazing. I got the cheeseburger. The cheeseburger was supposed to come with bacon, lettuce, tomato, onion, and some sort of avocado spread. I asked for it without the avocado spread. Apparently that also meant that it didn’t come with bacon or lettuce. I ordered the burger, medium. The burger came rare, undercooked, and barely warm, let alone hot. Since there wasn’t any bacon on it, I scraped off the cheese and essentially my dinner consisted of a grilled cheese sandwich on nice grilled brioche bun. By the time the waitress came back to see if the meal was ok, my girl friend was halfway done with her meal. I complained about the burger. I was not offered another burger. I was not offered anything else to eat. The manager never came over. The waitress, took the burger off of the meal and handed us our check. We were not asked if we wanted dessert. We were essentially shown the door. If you like ambience and people watching, you can go to this place, just BYOF, bring your own food.

    1 person found this helpful

  32. EatOutAlot

    Los Angeles

    33 reviews

    vip
    1.0

    33 reviews

    Dined on July 20, 2023

    overall1food1service4ambience2
    Food didn’t have any of the flavors described on menu and the filet mignon was tough (inedible) and overpriced. Server was attentive but never asked about our dishes. I feel that she was overwhelmed with customers. Last night in Chatham where most meals in other restaurants were amazing. This restaurant is definitely off our list.

    Is this helpful?

  33. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on July 17, 2023

    overall1food1service2ambience1
    Worst meal in a very long time. Waited 45 minutes for a tuna nicoise salad that was a bowl of undercooked potatoes, green beans, four gape tomatoes, and tuna with a pile of ginger. Unedible. Do yourself a favor eat anywhere else

    Is this helpful?

  34. OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on July 14, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great server, outdoor seating, awesome cocktails, and phenomenal food. What else can you ask for?

    Is this helpful?

  35. dwcsm

    Greater Boston

    10 reviews

    3.0

    10 reviews

    Dined on July 4, 2023

    overall3food3service3ambience3
    Food was very average and it appears they are living off previous reputation.

    Is this helpful?

  36. Dizz

    New York Area

    2 reviews

    1.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on July 3, 2023

    overall1food1service3ambience1
    We have been eating at Wild Goose many nights a summer for 20 years. Last night was our first in a year and it was awful. I had made reservation a month ago for 5 of us. It might have been a change based on new owners and different kitchen staff. The entire dinner experience was bad. The food was terrible - entrees and appetizers. Back patio was terribly loud with bandstand noise for Mondays on Main and then the makeshift outside bar had people all killing about. I wish we’d been inside. When food came, and it was all bad, we almost just left. Instead we ate what we could, paid the $400 bill and left as fast as we could. Our waitress was very nice, obviously doing her best but the kitchen really failed. Over cooked filet at $55 awful. Forgot the burata cheese on the tomato burata salad appetizer (we had to ask for it!). Potatoes accompanying entrees were hard and not cooked correctly. Appetizers came after long waits and at all different times. We never got bread either, used to be a favorite. Maybe they don’t offer it anymore- we did not ask. I had three other tables booked for future nights this summer and have now canceled. Might be ok for just chowder and a salad for lunch but not the $40+ entrees when there are many better choices in town. Please do better.

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  37. OpenTable Diner

    Greater Boston

    2 reviews

    vip
    1.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on July 3, 2023

    overall1food1service1ambience1
    Worst dining experience I’ve ever encountered. From when Anthony the host told us we didn’t have a reservation that they called to confirm with me about. To the hour and half wait when the waiter who is allegedly the manager told us he had no idea how long it would be to bring our meals. 0.0 stars. It’s a shame that a place like this stays in business just because of there location. Because I promise you the service and food quality is NOT a reason for people to come back. Terrible.

    1 person found this helpful

  38. OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    3 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on July 1, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    This was our first time at the Wild Goose Tavern and we cannot wait to go again. The food was delicious, my wife had the cod, my son the burger and I enjoyed the cioppino. We sat on the patio and Paul attended to our needs. A great dinner in Chatham to kick off the summer!

    Is this helpful?

  39. OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    2 reviews

    1.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on July 1, 2023

    overall1food1service2ambience2
    6 meals ordered & no one liked a thing. Over priced for poor quality food.

    1 person found this helpful

  40. MarcM

    Tampa

    9 reviews

    3.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on June 28, 2023

    overall3food3service5ambience4
    Supposedly rated in top 10 restaurants in Chatham. It was okay but not great. We had app of calamari that was very good that had fried jalapeños included. Nice twist. Mains included baked cod, swordfish, lobster Mac. All okay but swordfish over cooked.

    Is this helpful?

Safety precautions

  • Cleaning & sanitizing

    • Surfaces sanitized between seatings
    • Digital, disposable or sanitized menu provided
    • Common areas deep-cleaned daily
    • Sanitizer or wipes provided for customers
  • Screening

    • Sick staff prohibited in the workplace

FAQs

The Wild Goose Tavern at the Chatham Wayside Inn is rated 3.8 stars by 198 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people

7:00 PM


Booked 14 times today
Google Map for The Wild Goose Tavern at the Chatham Wayside Inn

512 Main St, Chatham, MA 02633

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Neighborhood
    Chatham
  • Hours of operation
    Mon–Thu, Sun 11:30 am–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 11:30 am–9:30 pm Breakfast Daily 7:30 am–10:30 am
  • Cuisines
    American, Contemporary American, Seafood
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    The Wild Goose Tavern does not have parking on-site. Street parking and public parking lots are available nearby.
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Owned/operated by
    Asian and Pacific Islander, Black/African American, Women
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Indoor Fireplace, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Phone number
    (508) 945-5590
  • Private party facilities
    The Chatham Wayside Inn and Wild Goose Tavern offer a charming and versatile location for small weddings, rehearsal dinners, milestone celebrations, and corporate meetings. Our staff’s warm hospitality, distinctive attention to detail, and personal service–combined with the wonderful food–ensures that your celebration is truly a memorable experience. To inquire about a private event, please visit our website: https://www.waysideinn.com/meetings-events/
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