Outdoor seating
Yes
The Merchant Tavern in Akron
Categories
Location on the map
Akron, Summit County, Ohio, US
Service options
Drive-through
Yes
Takeaway
Yes
Dine-in
Yes
Delivery
No
Health and safety
Staff required to disinfect surfaces between visits
Yes
Popular for
Lunch
Yes
Dinner
Yes
Solo dining
Yes
Accessibility
Wheelchair-accessible car park
Yes
Wheelchair-accessible entrance
Yes
Wheelchair-accessible seating
Yes
Wheelchair-accessible toilet
Yes
Offerings
Alcohol
Yes
Beer
Yes
Cocktails
Yes
Coffee
Yes
Comfort food
Yes
Happy-hour drinks
Yes
Happy-hour food
Yes
Late-night food
Yes
Quick bite
Yes
Small plates
Yes
Spirits
Yes
Wine
Yes
Dining options
Lunch
Yes
Dinner
Yes
Dessert
Yes
Seating
Yes
Amenities
Bar on site
Yes
High chairs
Yes
Toilets
Yes
Wi-Fi
Yes
Atmosphere
Casual
Yes
Cosy
Yes
Crowd
Groups
Yes
Tourists
Yes
Planning
Dinner reservations recommended
Yes
Accepts reservations
Yes
Payments
Debit cards
Yes
Credit cards
Yes
Phone: +1 330-865-9510
Site: http://www.themerchanttavern.com/
Site: http://www.themerchanttavern.com/
Opening hours
- Monday:Closed
- Tuesday:4–11PM
- Wednesday:4–11PM
- Thursday:4–11PM
- Friday:4PM–12AM
- Saturday:12PM–12AM
- Sunday:4–9PM
Comments (199)
Situated just outside of Cuyahoga Valley National Park, the MT is a great restaurant offering good food and cocktails in a relaxed setting with a great patio. I had the Hell Fire Burger with the ghost pepper aoili on the side (its hot but good) and a side of the goat cheese mac (excellent). Wife had the chicken philly with a side of fresh vegetables and she commented on how hot everything came out. Copycat cocktail was solid as well. Great vibe!
The food and bar are excellent. The atmosphere is nice. I am tired of being told...after having a reservation that I am on the clock. The hostesses could not be more rude. The speed of their kitchen and servers have something to do with the amount of time it takes to get through a meal. I only come back for the food and the great servers. I almost walk out every time I am told I need to be out by a certain time.
Salmon salad was fantastic kinda thought the salmon was on the tiny side but it was delish. Angel cage was AMAZING. house made videos was really great. Nice bartender and staff. Thank you
This place was absolutely AMAZING!!! Our waiter Emma was FANTASTIC!!! She was the best server we have ever had!!! Very friendly, knowledgeable and prompt! Great service by her and the food was OUTSTANDING!!! We go out to eat a lot and can 500% say this place was by far the best food and service we have had in a long time!!! Highly recommend it!!! You’re truly missing out if you don’t go and experience it for yourself!!!
I have visited at least 6 times over the last 4 years. The restaurant consistently has been good if not great. The specials rotate frequently and are generally great. Beer features are exclusively local and always well curated. Cant miss on dinner here in my opinion.
The experience in the beginning was very good, however, after ordering a cocktail that tasted horrible, I really tried to not send it back, by ordering additional ingredients to add to the cocktail. However, this did not remedy the horrible flavor, and I had asked if I could send it back and get different drink. The waitress acted funny about the situation, but did not mention that there was a ”no return policy” for my drink, nor did she mention that I would be charged for both cocktails at the end of my meal. After receiving my check, I realized both were on the bill and questioned why. I was THEN told that it was their “policy” and that I would have to pay for both. I asked to speak with a manager who approached the situation in a hostile manner from the get-go with his demeanor and attitude. He refused to credit me for my first drink that tasted horrible, and it said “if you order it you buy it“ I tried to explain that if there was an issue with a food item, would they not take it back to the kitchen and try to remedy the situation? And why would it be not the same way for drinks? Especially if I did not drink any of it. He again stated it was their “policy“. I then questioned why the server did not mention it to me upon my ordering a new cocktail. He then stated “why should she?“ I thought the situation was handled very inappropriately, unprofessionally, and just overall in a very rude, dismissive, manner for a nine dollar cocktail. I told the manager, that I’m very sorry but I would not be tipping my server because of the situation that he refused to remedy, and he replied “that’s OK I’ll pay for her tip“. I was in the service industry for over 10 years through college, and I had never been in a situation where we did not try to please the customer, especially for an untouched cocktail that tasted horrible. I was very disappointed in this experience, especially after I had independently dropped $65 by myself on one check, and I had five other guests that had also spent a lot of money there as well.
Good service, nice atmosphere, and excellent food. The only downside is that its a little pricey. First time in a long time that Ive gone out for a steak and didnt have to send it back. As I said, excellent food. They dont have a kids menu but they actually accommodated my sons bu making an off-menu grilled cheese. Honestly, I stole a bite. Never had a better grilled cheese sandwich lol. Everything, from the appetizers to the main course, was cooked to perfection. Will definitely return.
The service was terrific!!! I had the Maple Salmon, I believe thats the name of the dish. I ordered it without the glaze. They KNOW how to season that salmon!!! Deliciousness!!!! And you get two fillets. Cooked to perfection, melted in my mouth. The veggie mix is good but the cajun grits is DELICIOUSNESS and my favorite. Thats all I get now every time. My first time there and wont be my last!!!Edit: I think by now Ive been there about 7 times since May. Enjoy!! 😁
Sauerkraut balls are really good. But unfortunately the meatloaf is beyond repair. Entirely way to much seasoning, and whatever seasoning they’re using is overpowering. It’s meatloaf, how do you screw that up? I could only eat half, and it had nothing to do with the size of the entree, it just wasn’t very good. Great atmosphere inside however.
Whats not to love! Great service, great food and youll enjoy your night out with friends. And theres always something fresh on the menu.
We have a group of friends that go out 1 x month with each couple picking a different restaurant. 5 weeks ago my wife and I chose The Merchant Tavern, though we had never been there before years ago there was a restaurant there called the Wine Merchant which was excellent & a favorite of ours.I happen to LOVE a GOOD BURGER & especially one that is SPICY HOT.The Merchant has a HELL-FIRE BURGER - so naturally I had to get it. The menu informs you that they include every HOT spice, i.e. Jalapeño cheese - Habanero peppers - Ghost pepper aioli. Only pepper missing is REAPER. (Thank you Jesus!)This was a beautiful 1/2lb burger, & I naturally requested Tabasco sauce which I liberally spread on top of the meat, before I tasted it. I had to cut the burger in half; after 1 bite I got an immediate heat radiating throughout my oral cavity - Tongue - cheeks - gums - roof of my mouth & teeth; after 30 sec this became a flameless inferno. I motion for the waitress & asked for a glass of chocolate milk, she returned to apologize saying they had NO MILK @ all only cream, I asked for COLD glass of Cream. (bread can be substituted for milk/cream but I wanted no rough bread scraping the scalded tissues in my mouth. I finished the half, took the other half home for breakfast. Cold it was somewhat easier & less painful.My wife had shrimp & grits which she said was wonderful & from what she shared it was.Do yourself a favor & treat your wife to a perfectly cooked dinner at The Merchant. And if you have a smart___ friend who says no food is too hot for him take him for your entertainment.
Anytime I drive through the valley, this restaurant always catches my eye. So a week ago, my friend and I decided to check it out for a drink and an appetizer. Let me just tell you, this place does not disappoint. The atmosphere was great and it was decorated for Christmas, which made it that much more cozy!I ordered a glass of the duckhorn Cabernet (one of my favorites) and it was perfect. We also each ordered their Bavarian pretzel with cheese and it was so good! I’m not even kidding when I say it’s the best cheese I’ve had anywhere lately. I was so impressed and satisfied with my choices!**Overall the server was wonderful, the food was outstanding and the drinks were just as great! The menu is pricey, but I’d say it’s definitely worth it! I will be back for sure!
Ordered from their special of the day menu. The Thai mussels were a novelty and delicious with cilantro and lime. The halibut was cooked perfectly and still very tender and moist. Waitress was very attentive and was knowledgable about the food and options. Nice covered patio (see photo). Went there on a Sunday around 5 and it was not crowded and the football games showing in the bar did not fill the place with noise. Will go back again after biking or hiking on the tow path.
A great spot to dine in Akron. Great draft beer and bottle list. Great cocktails. Food is amazing. Meal options at several price points. I had the Asian lettuce wraps this time. Ambiance is perfect for lunch or romantic dinner spot. Staff was able to accommodate a larger party there without a problem with a little notice. Attentive and responsive.
I reccomend not eating the bread. The bread is touched by several unclean bare hands, and even dropped on the kitchen floor and still used. The iced tea is also kept for multiple days and not stored properly (loose plastic wrap), which builds bacteria.
Kitchen closes waaaayyy before the bar, so even though it says they close at 10 on Sunday, the kitchen was closing at 9. The team was gracious enough to let us quickly put in our order at 8:55– and for that- I am super grateful. Had the most delicious pork tenderloin salad ever!! Wish I took a pic to share. Poutine is also great here. Loved the outdoor seating. Went back a second time and fell in LOVE with the Thai Mussels— delicious!
Never heard of “reserved” bar seating. Had my pregnant wife and I get up after we sat down at two open seats next to her family.
I try to visit the Merchant as often as possible. Unfortunately, I am on a new diet so I can only go on diet cheat days. The location is great and the interior is clean, has a nice decor and you can usually get a table pretty quickly. The wait staff is always personable and helpful. The food never seems to disappoint. My personal favorite is Mel’s Killer Steak sandwich, delicious! The burgers are great, the fried ravioli is amazing, the wings are always delicious, the flat iron steak is also a favorite. I haven’t had anything here that I didn’t like. The beer selection is top notch and the bartenders are always friendly. Overall, this is the best place to eat when you are in the valley!
Good food, good drinks, good atmosphere, definitely a place you can take a date.
We stopped in for lunch on the last day of our family vacation. Every person in our party thought his/her meal was great. The salads were delicious - the pork and steak in them were cooked to perfection. The sandwiches were also very good. I enjoyed having a nice glass of wine on your patio and my husband liked the beer. Our server (Katy?) was top notch. Thank you for a lovely end to our trip.
Awesome food, atmosphere and the staff is pretty good as well. Only issue with the place is they have a small parking lot, so take your smaller vehicle. Place is great though.
Food was very good. Our waitress efficient and very nice :)
Service was excellent! Sauerkraut balls delicious 😋 salmon was on point. Will return. Nice atmosphere, very noisy.
Rating 5 stars as history dates back to famous Akron landmark the Wine Merchant. Had a good selection of retail wines. Great selection of beer. Unbelievable walleye special. As good a walleye as I have ever had. Two other classic must haves are Mel’s steak sandwich and the angel food cake. Just wish they had more seating.
First time visiting was a great experience, will definitely go back. Got a great deal on a bottle of wine for the Sunday special - $20 off/bottle. Really solid wine selection & very cool that they make their own gin! Had the calamari which was very tasty, as was the apple salad. The person dining with me got the steak sandwich which I got to try along with a couple fries - quite yummy! Katy, our server, was very knowledgeable about the menu. Cant wait to go back, have some more wine, try their gin, and thai mussels!
Meal quality here seems to be a coin flip, Ive had good meals here but the one I had yesterday was terrible.Our server reccommended the non-thai mussels which were bland and gritty. Not a great start.The romaine leaf salad I ordered was a wet mess of whole leaves served with a sad bland wet mess of depression-era egg salad piled on top. I couldnt eat it.I ordered steak with the salad, a $10 add on buys you about 3oz of flat iron steak that the kitchen cant cook to temperature. I ordered rare, the server said that their medium rare was on the rarer side, so I went with that and then the meat came out medium well. I also didnt eat this.I was excited to see a Ramos Gin Fizz on the cocktail menu, its a favorite of mine. I was more excited when I was told it would take 15 minutes to prepare. I was incredibly disappointed when I was given was a flat lumpy mess unceremoniously served up in a slimy pint glass. I also left this on the table.
Everyone in our party was somewhat pleased with their meal. The salad ordered by one came out on huge lettuce leaves with the cheese and bacon crumbled on top. Took her forever to get it all cut up. The waitress advised all burgers are cooked medium but some were very pink inside while others were well done. One had the pork chop and said it was so tender and delicious. Its a nice place and would return as they have a well defined menu.
Nice place, but the dining room was extremely loud. I couldnt hear the person I was with who was sitting across the table from me. The fish and chips was very good and well prepared. Prices are on the higher side of average, but justified by the quality of the food.
The Mediterranean Salmon Salad never disappoints. Been here several times now and theres not been one meal or drink that I could say anything negative about. Consistently good service and quality food.
Please EAT here!!! The food was very good. The fry’s are fresh cut and the truffle burger is to die for. I’ve also had the muscle here and they are very tasty. When I visit again, I will definitely be back
I love this place. Good service. Good drinks. Good food. I love the mussels. The patio is lovely in the evenings. Parking can be tough, theres a lot next door that opens up later.
Went for our first time and was very pleased with both the service and the food!The burger was wonderful! As good as anything I have had anywhere in a long time!!Great service and cant wait to go back.
Food was amazing as always. Bartender was a little off her game but no worries still very satisfied.
Love this place. I think I’d call it elevated bar food. It’s really good food and they have a great beer selection too. Service is always on point too
Excellent service from the time I walked in the door. The host and hostess were professional and friendly. Emma was the best server. Polite. Checked on us and great customer service.
Great dinner! Accepts reservations, amazing happy hour; great appetizers and cocktails and drinks $5-10 open-6:30pm.
Love, love the chicken parmesan! Its perfect every time! I wish it was a permanent item on the menu and not just a special. Delicious!!
Great food! Great drinks that are well made. I have never been disappointed here. A good variety of food options. This is truly been a great place for the past several years. I would recommend to anyone. All ages, all dress codes. You will not be upset.
Amazing food. Atmosphere, and service. Must visit again
A little on the pricey side but you pay for what you get, and let me tell you well worth it. The staff is knowledgeable of the menu and the menu seems to change reasonably. Large array of drinks and the food is incredible. I love getting Bavarian Pretzels and the beer cheese dip is hands down the best Ive ever had. If you want to dine with a date or kick it with the boys THIS is the spot
Great service, menu and prices. Plus they make their own vodka. Food portions large for the price. Friendly guests. Owner very involved and friendly. A must stop for food or drink.
My server was super cool and relatable in terms of our shared love for food. The vibe was nice and chill and the food was just straight incredible. Highly recommend the Thai muscles and goat cheese mac 🤩🥰🤤🤤
We had lunch there today. They had a steady flow of patrons in and out as we are. It was one of the busier restaurants Ive seen since Covid.The sauerkraut balls were great. Mushroom soup was nice. House salad with white french and crumbled blue was a good combination. Burger was well prepared and cooked to temp. It was served with a mountain of house made fries which were nicely crispy and delicious.They were playing blues music over the sound system, which was a nice change here in Akron. Usually its rock and roll.My only complaint was that the server kept removing partially complete dishes while we were still eating. Not to the server, please ask if you can take a plate before grabbing on the way by.
Stopped in on a Saturday afternoon, sat at the bar and had a glass if wine and a few delicious appetizers. Alyssa was an exceptional server, both personable and efficient. We will definitely be returning for a dinner.
First time visit and food and service was fantastic. Had Walleye special entree and it was terrific. My wife had shrimp & grits, be careful tends to be a bit spicy hot. Daughter had salmon burger with bacon 🥓 and loved it. Wait staff was helpful, attentive, and fun - nice to see they were busy on a Saturday night during Covid. Plenty of masks, social distancing, and plex-glass dividers on the bar for those of you concerned about being out. We will return to check out the homemade meatloaf, steak, and salmon entrees. Prices comparable to other restaurants in this type of casual / bar / family restaurant. Entree portions are generous for the $$.
First time ever there. Had reservations for 630 for a party of 2. We were sat right by the server station. When we asked for a different table we were told they were booked for the entire night...but there were several empty tables and those remained empty during our dinner. Food was predictable. Not worth the prices.
Completely rude staff. Dont waste your money.***No one cussed anyone out and no one asked for covid protocols to be broken. We asked for two separate tables to accommodate our 11 person family (not 20 people, not 30 people...11!) and our reservation was REFUSED. We were told that we would mingle which isnt allowed.Why would we ever attempt to return? As a family who has spent 25+ years in the hospitality industry and knows first hand the protocols and precautions that are currently being taken, we would never have asked for special treatment. We just wanted a family dinner which will be had elsewhere. Clearly your rudeness has been complained about by several other people who actually made it to your establishment and witnessed it first hand. At least I saved my money.***
Absolutely awesome dinner. Meatloaf is to die for. Salmon salad is awesome. Our waitress Katie was the best! We will definitely be back..
While sharing the love with distant cousins I savored the Garlic Truffle Burger and a stout Hoppin Frog PB Porter (micro-brewed in Akron). From the hand-made tables from a bowling alley floor to a nearly-finished beautiful brass & copper distiller, the experience was incredible. Skip the franchises and enjoy a local treasure!
Our food was fantastic. Incredible selection of beer to choose from! There were so many starters we would have loved to have tried, but settled on the cheese curds which were delicious. I opted for the steak salad, and the steak itself was delicious. Not a cheap cut as some places will do on a salad. We cant wait to go back to try more options. Our server Abby was great, too!
Food was good. Many unique items on the menu. They make there own Vodka
Not usual, but neither our salmon or sirloin steak was done. However, it was served to us. They did comp the cost of the meat. this is very unusual for this restaurant. Owner will not buy a bottle of Barcardi Limon as requested many times.
Great craft beer selection. I had their burger and it was excellent!9/19 Update: still has great hand picked craft beer selection. Service was great. Burgers have definitely slipped in their quality. Charging for a $15 burger, it should be on point. Soggy burger, soggy fries, poorly constructed and missing toppings, not worth the money. A Burger King burger would beat my burger tonight... Disappointed... Not sure Ill come back.
We totally enjoyed dinner June 5! The management and staff have done a great job creating a safe atmosphere for dining out. Food was delicious as always! It was great to be out and to feel comfortable Enjoying a meal at a favorite restaurant.
We stopped for a late night dinner and drinks. We couldnt say enough. The staff was great, recommendations were spot on. The food was amazing. We will be back!
Service was very good. Three of us had different kinds of burgers. They were all over cooked. I mean, not even close. My rare burger was nearly well done. Management did reduce the price of each burger which was a nice gesture and much appreciated. They offered to redo the meals, but we just didnt have time for that. They get 4 stars for that, but because of the kitchen ineptitude, have to give an overall 3. Would give then a second chance, though.
This is one of the best places in Akron! The food is ALWAYS good and the service is amazing. I love all of the bartenders and when I sit in the dining room I always ask for Danielle. The owner is the sweetest and I always see him helping the girls out on the floor (which is rare) 10/10 my favorite place ever!!!!
Have been here twice, last night will be the last time!! In fact ,we left before we ordered last night and went across the street to dine, where they dont give you time limits on your dining there! Never in my life have I gone to dine w family and told that you have 2 hours at thisTableAnd rude as can be, and both times we were told we would be seated in back area as requested, nope, we get there and somehow that had changed! The place was empty?!?! Never be back!!!
One of my fav places food usually made to perfection which is the fish specials!! Their desserts are so so good and the drinks are spot on!The salads especially anything they have with apple is fab! When the weather is nice outside is beautiful but the music selection is a bit odd and loud as heck. But overall come here keep this place busy and in business!!!
Great food, the kitchen got slammed and the food took a long time to get to the table. With the lack of waitstaff and kitchen help because of the pandemic, I would highly rate this restaurant.
The Merchant is fantastic. The cocktails are delicious and inventive. The pizza is amazing on pizza night. I have never been disappointed in anything they serve.Beware, if you order the spicy burger - the very spicy one- no matter how tolerant you are of heat - get the aioli on the side.
The chicken tenders were some of the best Ive had anywhere in the area. They were juicy, meaty, crunchy and just plain delicious. My grandfather who ordered the Sinatra enjoyed it based on how he did very little talking and a whole lot of chowing down. Everyone in our group seemed to be happy with their food and no real issues. I would come back again.
So many great things to say about this place! As a first time visitor the atmosphere is so beautiful. I cant wait to visit in warmer weather to enjoy the beautiful patio area! I tried the Beyond Burger (Plant Based) and it was BEYOND delicious and priced perfectly! Highly recommend trying the seasonal cocktail called the Autumn Pear. One of the best cocktails I ever had. Our server was so welcoming and pleasant and offered great menu and drink recomendations to us as new visitors. Love this place and a must see if you are in the Akron Area! Keep up the great work!
We have been here several times and have never really had an issue. Tonight was a different story. We ordered our cocktails, and they were great. We ordered a bottle of wine to accompany our dinner, it started out great. One of us ordered scallops and they were served over a bed of creamed corn. At the first bite my companion tasted ammonia, and I could smell it lingering around the table. We sent it back, and within minutes, the manager, Tim, came over and proceeded to basically tell us that we were wrong, that they served only the freshest seafood, and that he had the scallops last night and they were fine.If your customer complains and says that the food doesn’t taste good, an appropriate response is to apologize, offer to replace it, or offer to remove it from the bill, You dont just stand over your customer and tell them that they are wrong. We will never go back.
Food was excellent but service was not. So many different sandwich choices with many interesting tastes. Our waitress was awesome but she can refill our water glasses only so many times while waiting for our food to come. My sandwich was good and so was the conversation so I think this place is worth a second look. Ill redo my rating again after my next visit.
Great beer selection and cool place to grab a drink. But Ive eaten here a handful of times and the food has never been very good. Passable if you happen to be hungry while youre there, but not someplace Id purposely go to for food.
Great environment! The bar area is refined. Great selection of local beverages and an impressive cocktail menu. Pizza specials on Wednesday and Thursday. Blues music compliments the creole inspired menu authentic. Great place for a date night if you have a littlepayday bump.
From the greeting to the farewell it was a wonderful experience. Ticket times were on point and service was beyond excellent... Thank you Danielle 😊 we started with the fried ravioli and let me just say yummmy cheesy. We had two burgers and I should have gotten my fries instead of the half salad only because the fries were sooo good. The buns were soft inside with a chewy crust. The burger itself was seasoned perfect on each. Really we couldnt ask for more. The Merchant is a gem in the Valley.
Burger Tuesdays means $5 off any burger on the menu. These are great and not just for the Tuesday price, except mine was well done instead of medium rare. The fries are great, the drinks and bar service also and the ambience too - loads of people at this watering hole unlike most places in Akron. Will repeat.
Was a big deal when it first opened..fun, great food. Very noisy, food just ok now. Parking is still a nightmare. It seems getting a seat in the nicer dining area is next to impossible even though tables remained empty during many of our visits.Been back a few times since I wrote my first review. Food has definitely gotten mediocre.Its just inconsistent. Sometimes the burger, beef is cooked how you ordered it, other times no.The owner/manager is just rude. Seems to be annoyed if customers are unhappy as if its their fault.Since it had a patio I had thought of dining there because of Cova but decided against it because of the last few experiences pre Cova
The menu is pretty big. I have not had a bad meal here. Everything is delicious from the tacos to the burgers. Stop in for pizza night on Wed and Thurs.Ask about the peanut butter and jelly dipping and wing sauce.Cocktails are phenomenal.The staff is friendly.It is not uncommon for the owner to stop by and have a chat with you.
The quality of the food and the service is the best around. I love this place....it reminds me of 1950s Hollywood, the decor and ambiance is perfectly preserved! Its vintage, but very clean and upscale. The service is equally as wonderful. Its always a pleasure to go to the Diamond for a special occasion, birthday, or just for a great steak thats cooked to perfection (rare)!
Loved EVERYTHING we got! They easily accommodated our large party (8 adults, 3 kids, had a high chair waiting for us!). We came on new years eve. Because it was a Monday and they arent usually open Mondays, they had a limited menu. We didnt get to try everything we wanted due to the limitations, and it didnt include most of the options the more selective members in our party would have wanted. Had we known that when we made our reservation, we might have chosen a place with wider options. But for my husband and myself, everything we got was absolutely delicious. The drinks were fantastic and service was perfect! Cant wait to come back on a full menu night!
Personally, I think this is the best restaurant in Akron. Everything Ive eaten there is delicious, the staff is super friendly, and they have a nice rotating craft beer selection. The friendly casual setting provides for a nice ambiance. The happy hour food deals are great. I highly recommend the Thai mussels, the goat mac & cheese, the salmon salad, and the bread pudding. (Getting hungry just thinking about them!)
Good food at a moderate price, especially considering the quantity of food. Try the Impossible Burger!I got a burger and fries for 9.50 that left me feeling very full, and my girlfriend got the Impossible Burger. Shes a vegetarian and wanted to give it a try, and was very satisfied. I gave it a try and as someone who regularly enjoys beef burgers I was pretty convinced. Definitely worth a try for both vegetarians and omnivores!
Love this place...the food, service, atmosphere. Lots of different draft and craft beers to choose from. They take reservations too!
I had the salmon, it was cooked to perfection and melted in my mouth. Also tried the meatloaf, it was tender and juicy all the way through. Great place to eat with good food. Highly recommend if your in the area..
Third time here and it never disappoints! The food is always good and the service is excellent. The place is cozy and they have great beer selections! And.. they have the Impossible Burger which is the best damn vegan burger ever ❤️ among many other real burgers of course!!
Great place for a date night. Options for dining room or bar seating are great no matter what your feeling. Highly recommend the lettuce wraps. Even though they are an appetizer, I order them as my meal and it is definitely enough food (plus they are one of the best things on the menu). They also have a specials menu that changes to offer a large variety of meals throughout the year. A large beer selection and knowledgeable wait staff will help you find a new beer or drink to try if youre feeling adventurous. 5/5 for sure!
Cant believe we didnt come here earlier! Cozy environment, good beer selection and a burger that was actually cooked medium when we asked for medium! Great service too!
Very disappointing. We went because of the positive reviews but our experience was terrible. Service was slow and most of the food was burnt. Our waitress knew the fries and tenders were way overcooked because she dropped our food off and ran. She only returned with the check, never for refills, to ask if we needed anything else or how the food was.My daughter ate one french fry and threw up in her napkin it was so gross. We left an entire meal untouched. When we told the waitress we didnt want a box because the food was so disappointing, she said she would talk to the manager. She wasnt surprised or apologetic.The manager looked annoyed when she talked to him, took a long time to come over, and was dismissive, combative, and wholly unprofessional. He said our food was cooked as expected. When I asked, Then why dont our fries look anything like the ones at the table next to us? He responded that he doesnt check every order before it leaves the kitchen. Sure, but you can see it now...We paid in full for food that wasnt worth eating or taking home and, somehow, the manager was upset with US!Slow, terrible service, not kid friendly, management is a joke, bathrooms were filthy (yet they just opened for lunch).The only positive is I think the food would have been very good had it not been so overdone. The few things that werent overcooked were good.
First visit 29NOV2019 someone pulled out as we pulled up no problem parking. Brody the server was attentive and busy took a little while for meals but it was very busy. Everyone raved about their meals. A friend had the truffle burger and loved it a few of us had the meatloaf (YUM)! It was a great time and so good.2nd visit 21DEC2019 pulled right into a parking space no problem. A friend and I were both looking forward to ordering the same thing we had before. Thank heavens we were lucky enough to get Brody again (Yay!) Awesome service from Brody (Thank you). We ordered the same dinners truffle burger and meatloaf absolutely awesome again. We also had the Cranberry & White chocolate bread pudding which was phenomenal. Amazing food and awesome service from a cutie patootie what more can you ask for?
Great dinner with the family. Go early if you have kids as the crowd gets older as early evening sets in. The poutine was a crowd favorite and warm pretzel rods ended up as a nice treat on a cold evening for the kids. Will definitely visit again. Good good, Merchant.
Service was excellent, from the hostess to the wait staff. Food was very good as well, parking can be a little tight and reservations are necessary for the weekend
The food was, well, it depended on what it was. We had poutine for an appetizer and it was ok. I got a burger and a side salad for my meal....the salad was eh, just very thinly sliced onions, cucumbers and diced tomatoes with a pile of artisan lettuce on top of them. However, my burger was delicious, cooked the way I ordered it and the toppings were well prepared as well. The service wasnt the greatest, but there was only one server for the entire place, I think she was doing her best.
Excellent food and a great draft beer selection. My cocktail and wine friends also say those are great also. Its a little pricey but they have plenty of specials - pizza and burger nights - so check there social pages, website for those.
I love this place! Great cocktails. Wonderful and interesting range of food options. Wish they were open just a little earlier to be available for late afternoon cocktails and snacks! Love the hush puppies!
Our meal was great, and the draft beer selection is also very good. I had a build your own bacon cheeseburger. The salmon BLT was super. The salmon wasnt over cooked (which is usually the case). Parking is a premium, but we used the valet.
Nice atmosphere, ok food. Waitress was great but disappointed in how long it took us to get our food. We had hungry kiddos and they didn’t offer to bring out their food early. Also came and told us that our children were being too loud. Hello...it’s a bar....And they were hangry because you took so long to feed them! Owner/manager had a poor attitude as soon as we walked in the door.
Our server was terrific. Our fish was under cooked. Food did not live up to reputation. Could have just been a bad night for chef.
Great food! Big drink menu plenty of options. Sat at the bar and never needed anything. Hip atmosphere and the angel food cake for dessert will definitely be ordered again soon!
The food here is goo-ood. Nice draft beer selection. Theres also a nice patio that opens when the weather allows. Parking is a bit of a hassle, especially if you are arriving right smack in the middle of dinner-time. But you can park across the street, just be REAL careful crossing--drivers are NOT looking out for pedestrians.
Best place in town.I Have eaten at about every restaurant in Akron and this one i tried for the 1st time and they have the best burgers I have ever had in Akron .I had the brie Burger with onion rings and my wife had the muscles The burgers had the best buns the nice hard kind that dont fall apart and the muscles were delicious .We had the cheese curds as an appetizer which were awesome .We sat at the bar and the 2 bartenders were the nicest people .The owner Anthony also introduced himself and was very nice And kept a close eye on everything And talk to multiple people To make sure everything was good .The food portions Were crazy large .I looked at a lot of the food coming out of the kitchen being so close to the bar and everything looked awesome .My wife had been there before and she is the one who recommended this place and she was right. this will not be the last time that we Eat here .They have a large menu selection And I want to try 99% of whats on it .I have been dreaming of the Burger ever since I ate it 2 days ago .
This is an excellent place for a great meal. The entrees run around $20, but they are well worth it. The beer and drink selections are both excellent. It does get rather loud in here and the atmosphere is fairly bar-like, but the food and the service are outstanding. I will definitely want to go back here the next time Im in the area.
Food and drinks are good. But the manager here not so much....we had reservations weeks in advance and our final count ended up with 4 extra people and the manger was not happy about it. He separated our group into two different tables across the Reatraunt.you could tell he was very irritated about accommodating 4 more people he said that we would shut down the kitchen. Idk customer service just wasn’t great
Food was amazing, the service was very good. The waiter we had was very funny and friendly. Recommend going here!!😋
Meatloaf was delicious, so was the fried cheese. Main room was noisy, but we were moved with no issue. Great service.
For the last few years of coming here, I can say that Ive never been disappointed. The Merchant has some truly amazing dishes, that you would never expect given its humble location (and prices). Seriously, their menu has some honestly inspired dishes that I would normally expect to pay double their price for in a more upscale restaurant. I love how the Merchant does this while maintaining its down to earth Gastro-pub feel.This is definitely the place to go to experiment a bit and expand your palate in a safe environment. The specials are always well thought out, and the standard dishes manage to introduce you to new expressions of old favorites.Im a particular fan of their take on a wedge salad, using romaine instead of iceburg, and creating a fabulous wedge salad-taco creation (youll have to see it). The Salmon dinner is amazing, as are most of their dishes. Their appetizers are well made and unique, lending to a great tapas style experience.If youre more grounded, and just want something simple with your craft brews, then rest assured, because the merchant has plenty of options for sandwiches, burgers, and other pub fare, with or without the chef-treatment as your mood requires.Check it out, it will be a great evening!
I got the meatloaf a little too spicy but loved the mashed potatoes we will dine there again!
All of the appetizers are wonderful, the dinners are delicious. We love burger night too. Great selection of draft beers and wines. And they know how to make killer cocktails, whether its a classic, or a new style.
The only reason we took away stars was for the staff drinking behind the bar. They were all very nice and the food was delicious!
First impressions of the restaurant are not great. In entering at the bar, the place has a warehouse feel to it (dark and spartan). To the left is a room with a pool table. I was beginning to worry that I had made a mistake picking this restaurant.Service was very good. The entrees are priced on the upper end, but we felt that it was well worth the cost.
The food is really good and the beer selection is pretty good. The atmosphere is laid back and on the casual side. My only real complaint is the parking lot leaves something to be desired, its small and cramped.
Twenty one dollar meatloaf. Seriously? The Valley is *not* NYC.
Friendly staff, great food and Strong drinks!
5 stars for food and service but I felt like our party was finessed. I ask for a side of ranch for my fries and was charged $1. Wasnt told there would be a charge. Ok. But $1 for a small side of ranch? My uncle was also charged for his ranch with his wing appetizer. 🤯 Who does that? Dont wings always come with ranch or blue cheese? The kicker was that my sister asked if she could get onion rings instead of fries and she was charged $5! I dont blame our server. She must not have been trained to inform her customers of these ridiculous up charges. We wont be back.
Fish and chips with the kale slaw is my favorite. I love almost everything there. Good service. Long wait time and low parking so be prepared or get a reservation and prepare to pay for valet.
Great location and atmosphere. Food was delicious and the server was very attentive and checked back frequently. Overall, great experience.
Wait was 1 hour on a Saturday, and took a little longer then average for our food to come out. That said, the food was superb. We got the chicken philly, and the beef stroganoff. I didn’t know a chicken philly could be that good, and the stroganoff was outstanding, homemade dumplings and the steak was cooked perfect.
Food was ok .Overpriced but good.I accidentally parked in what was the owners parking spot.Was asked to move car in the middle of eating .I guess the arrogant putz has a hissy fit when this happens.Pretty sad when a parking spot is more important that a customer is eating an overpriced 16.00 burger.Wont return anytime soon.
It been several years since we dined here so we thought we should make a visit. Nothing ever changes in this old Akron steak house. Made reservations and was very pleased that we were able to bring our own wine for a $10 corkage fee. good menu and we both ordered the basic strip.
My boyfriend and i have been here for drinks before but never for food and man am i glad that we did. we went for happy hour so we got the duck wraps, which were delicious and awesome, you get 6 wraps for $5 which was a great size appetizer, we had 5 beers total (drafts were $1 off each) then we did the burger night. i build my own with fries and he got a speciality with fries- the fries were a huge portion and were delicious btw. and our bill was only $53. the food was delicious and we had great service at the bar. jeanette was so nice and helpful in terms of explaining things on the menu. we will definitely be back, im excited to try other menu items!
First visit here and the food and drinks were very good. Nice selection of appetizers and drinks for happy hours. The lettuce wraps were flavorful, white cosmopolitan delicious and the service was excellent.
Good draft selection. However, the loaded potato chips were not fully fried and were somewhat raw. Unusual for them as every other meal Ive had has been great.
Absolutely love The Merchant Tavern! This is one of the best restaurants in town. Anthony and his staff go above and beyond to create a great experience with incredible food! This is a must visit when in Akron!! We highly recommend!
Great food, and good service. Waitress always seemed to know what I wanted without me saying so. Reasonable prices and a good casual date night location.
Amazing restaurant! Such great tasting food and very nice staff. Be sure to get a specialty soda (Norka sodas)! Theyre made locally in Akron. Its great to see local businesses supporting other local businesses
The food was great, plus delicious cocktails and our waitress was so, so wonderful and attentive! ❤️
This is quickly becoming one of my favorite restaurants. It has upscale food, wide selection of craft beers and all in a casual setting. Service has always been friendly and fast.
The Thai mussels and date prosciutto goat cheese balsamic glaze pizza are my have to have meal here. The walleye on top of corn and baby lima beans was delicious. The goat cheese mac was creamy wonderful.burgs are good but man o man, the pizza on Wed and thurs.love it. All of our waiters and waitresses have been friendly in good.
Excellent food quality and good portions
Very creative kitchen staff. Daily specials rarely disappoint. The bartenders are professional and really know their stuff. The furthest thing from a neighborhood shot and a beer joint.
Great place to stop and eat & for drinks..
The food was OK. They were pretty busy when we went. The prices were OK as well. The bathroom was a bit gross. Our server was nice but not you attentive. I dont really feel the need to go back.
I enjoyed a family get together tonight, I ordered the Philly Chicken sandwich which was absolutely delicious. Our server was attentive and friendly. Ill be back!
The Merchant Tavern has been a go-to date night spot for us for a long time, so it made perfect sense for us to host our wedding rehearsal dinner there. Anthony Piscazzi and Jessica Horringer went above and beyond for us! We have thought for a long time that The Merchant has some of the best food in Akron, and the food served at our rehearsal dinner did not disappoint! Everything was excellent and the service was exceptional. Thank you for another wonderful experience!
They Salmon is one of the best. I order the maple on the side. It taste better without the maple.
The food was pretty good but the prices are kind of crazy. Friendly staff, beautiful inside. It does get pretty crowded but overall decent experience.
Went there a while ago. My food was good, but the people that joined me had pretty mediocre food, and then got into an argument with the waitress after she served her raw fish (not sushi was supposed to be cooked.) Main issue I have with the place is the parking lot is impossible to get in and out of. OK place but wouldnt recommend compared to the other restaurants in Akron.
One of the best in the Valley, weve had consistently great food here. Service can be spotty, a little on the slow side at times, but an excellent beer & drink selection to pick from while you wait.
We had the suggested red wine blend from Nappa, aces!!! I then had a portabella mushroom sandwich. Did I write a? I meant THE mushroom sandwich. As in, the best ever!!! The scallop app. was really good too. I and my Italian husband loved our first visit here and will return.
Great atmosphere and friendly staff! The food is delicious! I finally tried the impossible burger and was surprised at how good it was! Now I know what all the fuss was about.
Great place to hang out, food is always excellent. Sometimes service is slightly lacking but honestly its probably because they are so busy which isnt a bad thing. Otherwise 5 stars. Definitely check it out and go to R. Sheas after if you are near the valley.
We finally have a great place to eat and enjoy friends and family. The food is very good and Ive eaten there on several occasions......Its not loud....... service and workers are very friendly......owner is there to meet and greet.....I would highly +++++ recommend.
Superb food, awesome beer and wine selection, covered outdoor patio, family friendly and they do a great job of seating families and non family groups into separate parts of the restaurant. pricey but definitely worth it.
We love this place! Great food, great beer selection and servers weve had have been friendly and knowledgeable about the menu and specials. I highly recommend this place!
Beer, wine and spirits selection is top notch. Jackie Os on tap!? Oh yeah! Happy hour specials are reasonable and delish. Try the poutine. We were here on burger night, which were juicy and on point. Staff is on the ball and friendly.
Great food, inexpensive and served quickly. Brody was our excellent waiter. Near Weathervane Playhouse. Will definitely come again when we are in the area.
Food is awesome, atmosphere is amazing, and they have great drinks! The staff really make you feel like family! Love this place!
Excellent and friendly service. The mussels appetizer was well prepared as was steak salad. Nice atmosphere. $$!
By far the worst bar service in Akron, let alone the most inconsistent food. Ive given this restaurant three chances and what they say is true, fool me three times shame on me. This establishment is at the very least a poor excuse for a sports bar. It fits in very well in the valley scene.First recommendation: Get a bottled beer because the bartenders dont measure pours and the cocktails are inconsistent. You can have the same drink three times in one night and it not taste the same any of them.Second recommendation: dont get a burger unless you prefer them well done. Ive ordered two of them now at medium temperature and being cooked all the way through is not medium... The worst was when I sent the first one back for being overlooked and I was looked at and treated like I had done something wrong....Third recommendation: dont sit anywhere near the end of the bar or the door way to the kitchen. On one occasion I had sat at the end of the bar and could hear the manager or owner, whomever the bald fellow is. Degrading and screaming at the wait staff about how stupid they are and how they cant do their jobs correctly. Terrible to handle anywhere near where a customer is within ear shot.If youre looking for a place to go have a few beers, some sloppy bar food, and catch the game then the merchant tavern may be the place to go, or any brubakers pub or the pub bricco across the street. (They have better prices and more consistent drinks!!)
I didnt like my first time here at all !! The food is super expensive compared to what they offer; we ordered a nacho appetizer for $12 and it wasnt even nachos ! It was simple potato chips with a mediocre topping. Wont come here again!
Excellent food! Great staff and vibe inside. Not too formal and dont let the parking lot fool you, the place is huge inside!
A great place for casual dining! Classy, fantastic food - drink selection. Knowledgeable staff that is always friendly and takes great pride in excellent service.
Attentive staff, playful menu of food & cocktails, large seating areas both indoors and outside. Only down side is the bathroom is incredibly small.
Best food Ive ever had. Friendly staff, very attentive. Best cook in akron!
Fantastic atmosphere, great beer list and unique menu offerings with the choice of inside or patio seating. The Merchant also has great happy hour specials and pool tables.
Food was pretty good as was the service. Parking was slim and half of the lot was for valet only. They were out of half of the beers on their tap list.
One of the best burgers Ive ever had in Akron, the HellFire. They also have hand cut chips with Blu cheese and a balsamic drizzle.
Food was very good and staff was friendly. Everything was clean and nice atmosphere
Not impressed. Soggy fries, lack of flavor in entree. Waiter forgot to give us waters or give us anything to drink. It wasn’t busy inside Th restaurant.
Always great. Don’t listen to the bad reviews. Became friends with the staff actually
Very respectable and laid back atmosphere the owner is a very friendly and so is his staff. If your looking for something other than the trash johnny js type bar and not stuck up like bricco then this is it.
Got the barbeque burger, the rest of the table got the mac & cheese and all of them were great. Will definitely be back, probably when warmer to enjoy the patio!
This is me and my girlfriends favorite place. The staff is always awesome and the food is always incredible!!
My favorite restaurant. Awesome food. Awesime chef. Awesome owner and awesome friendly servers. They make you feel important and at home!
Very good food and our server (Kyle) was great! Lots of choices on the menu. Very fun.
The food is so good. Great beer selection and crafted cocktails. Awesome atmosphere at well. One of Akrons best.
Just stopped by for a beer, great selection of local craft choices. On past visits the food has been great - if you like Walleye its excellent here.
The pretzels appetizers was good, the pulled pork sauce was runny, and the pretzel bun was hard. The sandwich was impossible to eat like a sandwich, had to knife and fork it, and it tasted bland.
Salmon comes in generous portions, but they really need to add better vegetable options to the menu. The medley slop they always push is no good.
The burgers are so good here that I waited 2 hrs to be seated. It was very busy at dinner time on a Friday night and I didnt have a reservation.
Nice atmosphere, extremely friendly attentive staff.our dishes were prepared as ordered, food was good and pricing are fair
Always a good time. When I lived in Akron I would frequent this establishment. Chill environment, popular in the summertime. Right near a great park, Sand Run.
Such a great hang out. Their pork tenderloin salad is wonderful and they have a great atmosphere for catching up with your friends.
Excellent food & drink - never disappointed. Always sit at the bar. Great service, too!
I got the steak. It was market priced at $37. This was far from a $37 dollar steak. Would advise you just get the burger as everyone else I was with thoroughly enjoyed their burgers.
Food and service were awesome as usual! Favorite burger place in Akron:) try the Galley Boy, its a must along with fried mushrooms and the peanut butter milkshakes!
Great atmosphere.... service and the food was excellent. Happy hour good deals !
Really good drinks and beer selection. Merchant nachos and burgers spot on. Hot tip, get the short ribs if they have them.
Food excellent, Servers excellent, sitting, reservations need alot of improvement !
Great food in our family the muscles as an appetizer is a favorite casual yet special friendly yeah during formative service it respectful this is a a go-to place for us
Great bar and grill, great cocktails and a very interesting menu! Great place to meet up with friends and family!!Love it!!!
Had chicken pasta and hubby had salmon. Both were excellent.
Went there for date night with my fiance loved the food super fast service and kind staff
Excellent food, excellent service. Came here post Covid and was impressed with the sanitation and safety measures that were taken.
Very good food and service tonght. Highly recommend the Maple Bacon BLT Salmon sandwich. Use a knife and fork!
Quite overpriced. Limited options. Not an enjoyable meal. Server was friendly.
Delicious food, great atmosphere, friendly staff and good prices!
Dont order a drink youre unsure of because if you dont like it they wont take it off your bill. The manager wouldnt even talk to us about it.
Amazing cocktails. Superb service. Incredible food. Go eat here. You will NOT be sorry.
Always a crowd pleaser . Food is always top notch, the price will sneak up on you but the food is well worth it
Love the local beer selection and the food is so good!
Great food and very friendly service. Nice late night eats and a good beer list.
Nice vibe and atmosphere. Chicken philly was delicious, the garlic mayo really took it to the next level
Extensive beer, wine & cocktails list with great upscale tavern food. Excellent patio & fantastic waitstaff!
As usual, food was great, crowd was pleasant drinks were flowing.Best place in town.JS
They have new menu items - like seafood - the food was much better this time around - last year when I went the food wasnt all that good
Always a great time at The Merchant. The food is top notch and the alcohol selection is even better. This place has some of the best food Akron has to offer.
Total reviews rating 4.5
199 Reviews for The Merchant Tavern 2023:
Review №1
2022-04-10Wow. Everything was SO good! The cocktails were all awesome. The food.... delicious! I got a side of their Mac and cheese (just....yum. They have a meal portion with chicken, and I bet that is even better!). I also got the Hells Fire burger. I love me some spicy food! If you cant handle heat, get the sauce on the side. Thats where the real heat stems. It was hot for sure, but oh my God... Id get it again and again! We sat at the bar and everyone working behind it was attentive, kind, and had great customer service. Highly recommend this place!
Review №2
2022-04-28We love this place. Everyone is always friendly. The bartenders make quality drinks and the food is delicious. Been here several times for date night and never disappointed! The atmosphere is great and you always feel welcome. Just a good vibe.
Review №3
2022-05-09Menu features burgers to well executed, upscale full dinners such as pork chops or meatloaf. Had the pork tenderloin salad on my last visit. Will definitely get again!
Review №4
2022-05-15What a cool place. Part of the growing trend of crafty, almost New American restaurants, the menu offers fun dishes that will delight your taste buds. Your wallet, on the other hand, may be left writhing in pain, but not if you get appetizers/sides. The poutine made me feel stuffed!
Review №5
2022-01-15Visited for the first time last night. The place is fabulous—excellent food with a high-end feel but a down-to-earth, friendly atmosphere. Even for a busy Friday night we were seated in a timely fashion, and parking was no issue. A great spot for a night out, definitely will be returning soon.
Review №6
2022-04-17Excellent. Everything was high quality. The food was wonderful and filling, the service was sharp and professional, and the atmosphere was delightful. I will definitely be going back.
Review №7
2021-10-16Called ahead for reservations which was a must because this little gem was packed! We were seated right on time for a party of 8. We started with drinks and everyone was happy. I had the Raspberry Lemon in the cocktail section and it was so good, I had 2! Everyone else chose from the beer section. We then had the nachos and pretzel and they were both amazing. Their melted cheese was very tasty!We all ordered something different and all 8 of us were happy with our meals. I ordered the special: pork shank and it was HUGE. It literally fell off the bone and the mashed potatoes and gravy added to the flavor.We cant wait to go back!
Review №8
2022-01-29I had much higher expectations for the Merchant. I have been told so many good things that maybe my expectations were higher. I do feel it deserves another try as maybe we were there on an off night.I like that they are making their own vodka and soon rum. I think that is a really cool concept and unique. The menu is good and has something for almost everyone. The atmosphere is nice and cozy. Our server was great and very attentive and explained the food and drink menus.As I mentioned, maybe it was just an off time, it happens and I get that. I had a burger and was just not impressed. It was a little overdone, my fault for not saying anything, but the flavor of the toppings was just not there. Also my fault for not saying anything when I was there, although, that would not have changed my opinion.I do feel another shot is in the future and will be sure to update the review accordingly.
Review №9
2021-08-22Really great place! Food was awesome, service was incredible, drink selection was massive. The atmosphere once walking in was upscale but chill. Very hipster and had a great vibe. Very comfortable and overall a great experience. Definitely worth a visit.
Review №10
2022-02-22Ive been here twice and both times Ive gone the food has been great. The steak fondue is perfect!