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    The Merchant Tavern

    4.1 (84 reviews)
    Open 5:00 pm - 10:00 PM

    The Merchant Tavern Photos

    Business Info

    THE MERCHANT TAVERN ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Loud
    Good for groups

    Recommended Reviews - The Merchant Tavern

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    Reviews With Photos

    Steak Frites
    Cynthia V.

    We came here on a Tuesday evening without a reservation and sat at the bar (recommend making a reservation, this place is popular!). We ordered some cocktails and appetizers followed by the main and dessert. The nacho appetizer was topped totally with nacho fixings and my main Steak Frites was cooked to the requested temperature and had nice grill flavor. I didn't partake in the dessert, but those ordered by the group looked decadent! Service was friendly and attentive. The inside of the restaurant is very cool - open concept, laid back but sophisticated.

    Beet salad.

    Food and drinks were fantastic. We sat at the bar and had excellent service. The mussels were out of this world. Large place with a great atmosphere. Would definitely eat here again.

    Oysters

    Great atmosphere and staff! Good was awesome, best piece of Cod I've had in a very long time. Super fresh and delicious!

    Chicken Supreme
    Paul M.

    Always quality meals, great service and changing menu. Always busy and a good selection of cocktails and wines.

    Birria nachos
    Elizabeth K.

    Food was awesome and drinks were delicious! Bar was overwhelmed and sent our drinks to 3 different bartenders only to have the first bartender serve them 10 minutes before our food arrived.

    Local hand soap
    Mia M.

    I was disappointed that Raymond's was closed for the season, but The Merchant also had an excellent reputation, which Raymond's supported. I was hopeful that the lunch menu would be impressive, but I was once again disappointed. There was a wedding that night, so no dinner for us. We settled for the squash ricotta cappellacci and moose/pork lasagna. All of the lasagna noodles were stuck together and the ground meat mixture was a bit dry and crumbly, in a not-so-great way. Minimal cheese and seasonings unfortunately. The cappellacci was more complex, with a rich creamy sauce with a hint of complimentary acidity. I was hoping for more squash in the filing, but it seemed to be nothing but ricotta inside with tiny diced squash on top. The Nomel cocktail was on the sweet side for my liking, but I appreciated the limoncello getting to dance with sparkling wine. The rim was delightful, with a hint of spice added to the citrus-infused sugar. The bathroom had me cracking up with this antique picture of a very dissaproving woman looking down on you in the toilet. I appreciated the wild river mint and rosemary soap as well.

    Just ignore being watched while eat.
    Ron W.

    You can find it. Just look for the "M" on the stodgy building. The restaurant is a re-purposed bank and should be the fate of most all the local banks across the United States and Canada. There is a large room with a long bar and lots of 2 and 4 tops. The vault has been turned into an intimate dining room suitable for taking a knee and offering that diamond chip and a promise of forever. There is a secluded glassed in section with a few tables which was the former Loan Officer's office where the automaton smiled sheepishly said no to everything or bared fangs and claws and called your barely overdue note. Now, it is set up for civilized behavior and dining. Shows you what Wells Fargo could have been instead of following the Madoff model. There is a pastry/pasta station next to a huge open kitchen where line cooks assemble gorgeous plates. You know you're in the right spot when you see the Hobart Mixer tucked away in the corner like the showroom Tucker you have covered in the back of your 10 car garage. A good sign this kitchen and you know what's for serious adults. The Staff: Who is totally pleasant and friendly early in the AM without being caffeinated, tranquilized or inebriated? Certainly not bankers. JB had the patience of a Veterinarian and made me a happy puppy. The Vibe: Hardy eaters devouring heroic portions of excellent vittles to better endure the hard life in NFLD which requires an extended pinkie while sipping the Semillion. The Bar: Opens at 11;00 AM. There is something for every taste from those who think a Pinot Noir is a Philippine murder mystery on Netflix to Bill Koch who would cheerfully murder Rudy Kurniawan for sullying his legendary wine collection. I had a magnificent Benjamin Bridge Nova 7 Sparkling Rose Private Cuvee Brut from Nova Scotia not because I sip with pinkie extended but because Brother JB said it was unique and I'd like it. I did indeed. The Food: Be prepared to be sad when you can't order everything. Watching the plates come out of the kitchen is like having runway seats at the Vogue Couture 2018. The Soup 'n Sandwich daily special was a deep well of garden fresh Tomato Soup and baby Basil. This is definitely not what you gagged down at school which put you off Tomatoes until now. This soup was thick, rustic and satisfying. It came with a Grilled Two Cheddar and Mozzarella Cheese Sandwich with Caramelized Onions and Bacon on house baked Brioche bread. This was the perfect day time dalliance (well, one of them anyway) and just enough to top off the tank and yet not make you feel like you were training to take Joey Chestnut's crown. The Fish and Chips rivaled Red Fish, Blue Fish on Victoria Island but without the two hour wait in the sun. The best Fish and Chips anywhere on the Planet is at both ends of Canada and better still, something Trump can't levy a tariff on...yet. Fish and Chips should replace the Maple Leaf on the Nation's Flag and the version here should be a National treasure. The Cod was fresh line caught, surrounded by a batter that was bone jarring crunchy. The fish remained moist, tender and inviting 30 minutes after service (which is more than you can say about most honeymoons). The Merchant Tavern's Fish 'n Chips could make any senseless fish hater beg for more. The Fries were easily the measure of the potato twigs from In 'n Out or perfect potatoes at Petit Trois in LA and these are in the hunt for the Golden Potato Award which I just made up. Finally, I had the Vinegar Pie with Sagamite Crust just because I never knew someone made a pie with Vinegar as the star. (And, no, Sagamite is not some inedible sludge scraped off a rotted tree stump in an Australian swamp. It is hulled Indian Corn.) Think Pecan Pie with no Pecans. Just a hint of Apple Cider Vinegar to keep it honest. (Maybe our politicians should have a tablespoon before they go to work each day). It was topped with Tetley Tea Ice Cream on a bed of Graham Crumbs and the pie's tail end was treated to a ladle of Appleberries. Put a Lady Apple in a small room with a Raspberry, a feather bed and soft music and...voila, an Appleberry. This was absolutely delicious in a sweetly subtle way. The Merchant Tavern is where I'm putting my money as the yield on investment is terrific.

    Spicy chicken and Waffles
    Brian R.

    Good brunch. Spicy chicken and waffles was pretty amazing. Unfortunately I was not able to try their dinner menu. I will be back.

    Cod Tacos- perfect light, crispy, delicious!!!

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    2 years ago

    Excellent food and drinks.you can't go wrong here. Nice atmosphere. Service is on par with the quality of the food and drinks.

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    3 years ago

    Always a stop when in NL !! Food is always amazing & love the atmosphere. Can be a little noisy but still a must try,

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    Bernard Stanley Gastropub - PB&J burger with kettle chips $22

    Bernard Stanley Gastropub

    4.0(75 reviews)
    0.7 km
    $$

    We thoroughly enjoyed this quaint Gastropub on an unassuming corner of Duckworth street. We…read morehappened to arrive right when they opened at 11am, and we were able to select from their brunch or lunch menu. Hubby and I both ordered from their lunch menu. I had my eye on the PB&J burger that I had seen on Yelp, as peanut butter is my favorite thing ever! This burger did not disappoint. While the combo sounds strange, the flavors were well-balanced with the brie cheese, caramelized onions and bacon. The meat was cooked to a perfect medium and the hamburger bun was soft. I chose the kettle chips for my side, and they tasted house made. Very delicious! The only thing I didn't like about this burger was the price tag = $22. Hubby had the seafood chowder for $17 and it was enough for a full meal. He said the chowder was very flavorful and full of seafood. He was in heaven! We both ordered a Quidi Vidi 1892 amber ale on draft. They only had 7 beers on tap and I wished that they had a medium or dark beer, but this area doesn't seem to be big on that. They do have Guinness in a can, if that's your thing. Service was friendly and the food came out relatively fast. The booths were comfy and the pub reminded me of a cozy neighborhood bar. Definitely worth checking out if you're in the area!

    Every visit back home, I always make a stop at BSG. Everything I've ever ordered here has been…read moresolid and flavorful. The staff is warm and inviting with an incredibly cozy atmosphere.

    Photos
    Bernard Stanley Gastropub - Inside

    Inside

    Bernard Stanley Gastropub - Hungry & Hungover Plate

    Hungry & Hungover Plate

    Bernard Stanley Gastropub - Quidi Vidi 1892 amber ale

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    Quidi Vidi 1892 amber ale

    Fionn MacCool's - Drunken Beer Bread

    Fionn MacCool's

    2.2(11 reviews)
    4.7 km

    Everything needs a make over . Garbage food , no skill in the kitchen food (wings) prepped days in…read moreadvance . Over priced slop

    Wow. I Have enjoyed eating at this restaurant - until today. My friends and I generally go out for…read morelunch. My lunch food is generally small. I worked in the service industry for many years and I Know how important tips are and I , as a rule, tip well. I asked if I could possibly order 2 side dishes and one to share. I was told 'Yes you can but these portions are small' but that's what I wanted .When it came it was exactly what I wanted, small portions. 2 sides for $4.00 each + sharable = Lunch for 20.00 +tax and tip. HAHAHA the joke was on me - My tiny little side orders have now ballooned in price - one was now $8.00 the other $5.50. When I asked the waitress why, she told me the order was upgraded to the higher price - but for no reason- sizes weren't upgraded. Her tip was in my Cup ( 1 cup measure) of $8.00 French Onion Soup and the extra buck fifty on my 'ok' cup of poutine, that I couldn't get cheese curds on.( Not as much as the $6.00 she was gonna get but hey - I had to pay taxes on that !!) As much as I like the ambience at Maccool's, in these times of food being too expensive to buy , this place is living up to that- Fionn's just lost my vote for Great restaurants! Here's how I think the backroom convo went " She thinks she's orderin that little bit?? I'll show her!" Consider me shown and little Miss out a tip - Thanks

    Photos
    Fionn MacCool's - Shrimp Fettuccine

    Shrimp Fettuccine

    Fionn MacCool's - Southern Fish Fry

    Southern Fish Fry

    Fionn MacCool's - Guinness Steak & Mushroom Pie

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    Guinness Steak & Mushroom Pie

    The Merchant Tavern - newcanadian - Updated May 2026

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