CōV Wayzata Review: The Best Lake View in Downtown Wayzata

The short version: CōV has the best spot of the downtown Wayzata restaurants, right on Lake Street at the back of the lake, with a big summer patio looking straight out at Lake Minnetonka. The food is mostly seafood and it’s decent, not the point: the sashimi is better than I expected, the rolls are just alright, and the lunch steak frites is the best steak deal in town. You go for the setting, which is bright, white and beachy, a little fancier than the other spots but not stuffy. Get a reservation in summer.

I’ve been to CōV twice: once in October 2019, inside, and again in June 2026, my first time on the patio, when I had the steak, the rolls and the sashimi. I’ve also had the steak frites at lunch. I paid for everything myself, and nothing was comped.

Pros

• The best lake view in downtown Wayzata, and a big patio in summer
• On the lakefront, so you can walk the lake and the pier after
• The lunch steak frites: $49 for 10 oz, the best steak deal in town
• Surprisingly good sashimi
• Special enough for a date or a birthday, but kids are welcome
• Valet

Cons

• The hardest parking of the Wayzata restaurants
• The rolls are just alright
• Service can be a little slow, and not always that friendly
• Can feel overly packed, especially in summer

Getting there

CōV is on Lake Street in downtown Wayzata, at the back of the lake, in probably the best spot of the bunch. The lakefront path runs right past it, so it makes for a beautiful walk, and you can follow the water all the way to 6Smith. From Hotel Landing, it’s a short walk.

Parking is the hardest of the Wayzata restaurants, but usually not too bad. Worst case, you park a few blocks away and walk five minutes. There’s also valet.

The setting: 8 out of 10

The setting is the real reason to go. It’s on the lake and in the middle of downtown, so you can walk around the lake and out to the pier right after. In summer, everyone wants the patio, because it has the best lake view of any restaurant in town.

The vibe is affluent beach town: bright white, the kind of place you’d see in California, Florida or on the East Coast. It’s a step more upscale than the other restaurants in Wayzata, but not stuffy, and it stays lively, especially outdoors in summer. The occasional exotic car parked out front adds to it.

Inside is large, and so is the patio, with lots of places to sit, including couches. Two small things. There’s a train crossing next to the patio, but I’ve never actually seen a train go by. And at busy times it can feel a little overly packed, much like 6Smith.

The food: 7 out of 10

The menu is mostly seafood, which fits a lakefront restaurant, with a raw bar and a sushi section.

Sashimi: 7.5 out of 10. Actually pretty good, and ironically fresher than the sushi at Sakana or Sushi Fix, the two sushi places in town. They also give you a good amount of ginger, which is nice. I’m not sure it’s always on the menu.

Sushi rolls: 6 out of 10. We had the rainbow roll and the Philly roll, with smoked salmon and cream cheese. Just alright.

Steak: 7.5 out of 10. Pretty good, though some parts were a little over-charred for my taste. It came with grilled asparagus, which was very crisp and tasty, and I say that as someone who doesn’t really like vegetables.

Steak frites (lunch): not pictured. $49 for a 10 oz steak, which is a far better deal than the steak frites at Belle & Grey ($50 for a smaller cut) or at 6Smith (also smaller).

Salmon salad: 7 out of 10. From the 2019 visit, so I’m not sure it’s still on the menu, but it was pretty good, with a good amount of glaze rather than too much. The photo shows the inside of the restaurant.

The whole place has a healthy feel, and it’s a good pick if that’s what you want. Overall, though, the food isn’t as good as at 6Smith. You go for the setting.

Service: 6.5 out of 10

Sometimes a little slow, and not always super friendly. Never bad, but it’s not what you’re there for.

What it cost

The June lunch, with the steak, the rolls and the sashimi, came to about $60 a person, all in with tax and tip. Sushi runs around $6 a piece, the rainbow roll is $31, and the lunch steak frites is $49. On the menu, the tuna poke is $34, the hamachi crudo is $23 and oysters are $5 each.

Value: 7.5 out of 10

The sushi is a little more than at Sakana and Sushi Fix, where it’s around $5 a piece, but the setting is much better, so it’s a decent value. The lunch steak frites is the best steak deal in town. Add the lake view and the location, and the fact that it feels the most special of the Wayzata restaurants, and I’d call it the best value of the bunch.

Vs. the other Wayzata restaurants

• 6Smith: both on the water, and you can walk between them. CōV has the better setting; everything else is better at 6Smith, and personally I like 6Smith more.
• Belle & Grey: the calm, cozy one for working or a quiet lunch. CōV is where you’d go for an occasion, and its steak frites is the better deal.
• Sakana and Sushi Fix: better rolls and cheaper, but CōV’s sashimi is better, and the setting isn’t close.
• RH Rooftop: the closest comparison. Both have a beautiful, upscale setting, and I can imagine people choosing between the two for a special occasion.

Who it’s for

Visitors from out of town, dates, families and special occasions. Kids go there often, more than at Belle & Grey or 6Smith.

Tips if you go

• Get a reservation, especially in summer. Reservations are on OpenTable.
• Ask for the patio in summer.
• Get the steak frites at lunch: $49 for 10 oz.
• Order the sashimi over the rolls.
• Use the valet if the street parking is full, or park a few blocks out and walk.
• Walk the lakefront and the pier after, or along the water to 6Smith.
• Happy hour is Friday 3 to 6 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., in the bar area only.

Verdict: 7.5 out of 10

An excellent setting, the best of the Wayzata bunch: on the lake, bright and beachy, and a little more special than the rest. Decent value, with good sashimi and a very good lunch steak deal. For food and service, there are better options in town, starting with 6Smith. Go for the patio in summer, and book ahead.

FAQ

Where is CōV in Wayzata?

At 700 Lake Street East, on the lakefront in downtown Wayzata, Minnesota, a short walk from Hotel Landing and from 6Smith.

Does CōV have parking?

Street parking, which is the hardest of the Wayzata restaurants, plus valet. Worst case, you walk five minutes.

How much does CōV cost?

About $60 a person, all in, for a lunch of steak, rolls and sashimi. Sushi is around $6 a piece, and the lunch steak frites is $49.

What should I order at CōV?

The sashimi, and the steak frites at lunch, which is $49 for 10 oz.

Does CōV take reservations?

Yes, through OpenTable. Get one, especially for the patio in summer.

CōV or 6Smith?

Both are on the lake. CōV is prettier and better for an occasion; 6Smith has better food, is livelier and faster, and is cheaper during Restaurant Week.