I love the atmosphere, menu, vibe. I visited with my best friend & we're both in the same industry. It's hard to go out & be the patrons. I loved it. I'm planning a second date here on Saturday. I love getting ideas & enjoying myself. Thank you! read more

After visiting Kent State University we needed a place to relax and have a snack. We found "The River Merchant" 5 minutes from campus on the Cuyahoga River. It is easy to find, easy to park, spacious with plenty of seating and an outdoor deck overlooking the river. We were seated promptly and greeted by a very nice young lady by the name of Lorelei (quite a wonderful name). She was effective, efficient, pleasant, and made our experience that much better. At the entrance was a surprisingly well stocked wine cellar with some very good names. I was looking forward to a nice glass of wine for lunch. Unfortunately, the table selection only included a very few obscure names by the glass, so that option was out. The menu included all the standard burgers, flatbreads, and odds and ends one would expect. The food was good and we had a nice lunch. We finished with a nice cup of coffee and a pleasant smile from Lorelei. I very much enjoyed our excursion to Kent State University and "The River Merchant". I would recommend both. read more

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We were seated quickly and had a wonderful and very attentive server. The food was fresh and delicious. The Southwest salad had these amazing tiny sweetie peppers I'm obsessed with. Yum!! Delightful and eclectic wine selection in an upscale casual atmosphere. Looking forward to coming back to try more from the menu. (Would love to try the pirogies). We enjoyed our experience very much. read more

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The leaves are changing colors but patio season isn't over yet! The River Merchant in Kent is one of our favorite spots! Make sure to check out the Wine Market selections! Excellent service, delicious bites and strong drinks! Additional parking in the lot next door! We will definitely be back! Bent Tree Express made with Bent Tree Coffee Scarpetta Szechuan Short Rib Salmon Beurre Blanc Ricotta Pistachio Cake read more

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What a nice surprise hiding in plain sight. The salmon and service were truly amazing, keep up the great creative work! read more

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I can't believe my husband and I haven't been here until recently! The River Merchant was recommended to us after asking where we should go for a date night. You have the option of sitting inside or outside. We sat inside since the wait was shorter, but we'll definitely sit outside next time because the view of the water is beautiful. I ordered a Shirley Temple for my drink, and then we ordered the marinated olives to start, and they were surprisingly delicious. I didn't expect anything special since it was literally just a bowl of olives, but they were super flavorful and fresh. For our entrées, I ordered the salmon beurre blanc, and my husband ordered the pesto gnocchi. My food was SO good. Not only was the salmon cooked perfectly, but the sides it came with were also delicious. My husband really enjoyed his food as well! We ended the night with the banana cheesecake, and just like everything else, it was wonderful. Our bill was pretty high after everything was said and done, so we won't be coming here regularly, but we'll definitely come back for the occasional date night or special occasion. read more

This has got to be my favorite new place the French Onion Soup has got to be some of the best I've ever had with the Marble Room being the best. read more

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Stopped in at happy hour after some Christmas shopping in the area. It was relatively quiet so we sat at the bar. Excellent drink selection and the bartender was knowledgeable and helpful when it came to drink suggestions. (Worth noting they weren't overly chatty which is also nice when you're trying to talk with your party. I appreciate a bartender who can match your vibe.) The flatbread we snacked on was delicious and we were already making plans to come back and try more of the menu before we left! Bonus! They had some unique and special wine and beer in their to-go area that we brought home with us. read more

The River Merchant - Mushroom Flatbread - New American Near Me - Kent, Ohio

Okay, this place is in an awesome location, plenty of parking if you can read or navigate, and you can buy beer or whine while you pick up your take out order. Place is clean and new, bathrooms are conveniently located and clean. Can only imagine in the nice weather the outside seating. I ordered and took my family to get a Live Christmas tree, worked out perfectly, my only complaint, is I get home and check out my "4cheese baked Mack and cheese dish for $22 and I'm like huh, I have never been here an I order takeout for $122 and think man I can't wait to come back here sit at the bar and eat, so I come in service is prompt, and orderly, nice sitting or waiting room, anyways I don't know why I didn't check all my to-go-dishes, but the Mac-N-cheese, man I was sooo upset, like who pays for a $22 Mac and cheese dish and you get this... like it's on the menu for a reason... this is my only gripe... love Kent, love this restaurant and its efforts, but this missed its mark.... Really could have put this place in the ball park... like before you get to Kent, or when you leave... I still considered this more of a "I'll check out again, just because it was take out and I know what I have left once I leave the vicinity north, but you could really be a Gem! read more

The River Merchant - $22 Mac-n-cheese dish, 4 cheese baked. - New American Near Me - Kent, Ohio

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Upscale dining in Kent. Walks the line between fine dining and casual. Ambiance wise, definitely a gastropub. Restaurant and bathroom are clean. Outdoor seating is available but I didn't try it. Foodwise menu is quite small and on the pricier side but the food is worth it! I had the pork chop and it came with potatoes and Brussels sports. Pork chop was cooked nicely to a medium well and for $28, definitely has good value. Only wish is that they would have a complimentary bread service as the appetizers are overpriced and you are better off just ordering a main course only. Would recommend for a nice dinner place without having too travel too far outside Kent. read more

The River Merchant - Pork chop with assorted vegetables - New American Near Me - Kent, Ohio

The River Merchant never disappoints. It is a great place to grab an easy dinner with friends or family. Or, even if you just want to grab a casual drink. The vibe is very welcoming and casual. Their menu consists of a wide variety of meals so that there is an option for everyone. They have appetizers, pasta, sandwiches, soups, salads, flatbreads, burgers, and more. I personally love their salads. They are the best size and taste so fresh and delicious. I also love their four cheese mac. It is the ultimate comfort food. The service is usually pretty good. Only one time, a bartender was a little rude, but other than that, I have no complaints about their service overall. The servers are also very knowledgeable about their menu offerings and pretty friendly. The River Merchant is a popular spot to eat out in Kent for a reason. If you haven't tried it yet, you need to. read more

The food is delicious! We always make a reservation just in case because they do get busy. We have never had a bad experience here and truly enjoy eating her! read more

Love it here, food is amazing but every time we came here we got the maple bacon brussels sprouts and they took them off the menu. So disappointed. :( read more

I ordered the broiled Salmon Beurre Blanc which was nicely cooked, but even with as much lemon as I could squeeze out, it had very little flavor. The broccolini was so tough it was hard to cut with a regular table knife, and even the floret was so tough it was hard to chew. The creamy slaw had little flavor either. I asked if they had any bread and was told a roll would be $3.00, so I didn't get it. I ate all of the salmon and left both the broccolini and slaw and declined a take home box, but the server said nothing about my being unhappy with my meal. With tip, my meal was $41.00. We had a nice table with a view of the trees, but that certainly didn't make up for a lousy meal. read more

Menu and mixed drinks are exceptional. Been there multiple times and they have never disappointed.

I am constantly in search of places that give off the popular gastropub vibe that never really came to the Akron/Kent area. The Merchant hits it out of the park. Great bites of food, creative menu, super friendly and well trained staff, well crafted cocktails and a general welcoming environment. Highlights as of 6/15/25: Zucchini blossoms - stuffed with cheese and lightly fried. Served with marinara and just a great starter The forager - mushroom flatbread with caramelized onions goat cheese and a super good garlic sauce The soups. Mushroom bisque is amazing and the French onion soup is better than anywhere around If they have fish when you go, get it. They bread their own fish and it's perfect Grab a cocktail, seriously. Their bartenders are very talented mixologists. Give this place a try, and this time of year, sit by the river on their awesome patio. read more

Love this place!!! The steak is for sure my favorite item on the menu. Staff is super friendly and the environment is very clean. Anytime family comes to kent I suggest this place! read more

This restaurant used to be my favorite spot in Kent, but sadly, it has declined significantly. The food quality has gone downhill, and their frequent closures are frustrating. My favorite dishes, a sandwich and tacos, used to feature brisket, but a server told me they removed it from the menu due to rising prices. I wish they would just charge more to keep it available. Another downside is the lack of online reservations and closure notifications. I've visited three times over the years, only to find they were closed for private events during regular business hours. On my most recent visit, I checked the online menu and called ahead to confirm they were open. I was excited to try the short ribs, but what I received was not short ribs. It was one of the toughest, gamiest pieces of beef I've ever had. I left more than half of it on the plate because it was so bad. It seemed like they were serving chuck or rump roast instead. Service is generally good, although it varies between the hostesses and servers. They have a nice back patio that's open sometimes and good parking in the overflow lot. I've been told by others that they liked their dishes, so you might have a better experience based on what you order. read more

good good and service lively nice location was here for Parents Weekend at Kent State read more

We sat outside on a beautiful August day and enjoyed the scenery near a small river. The service was friendly and professional. I had a mushroom flatbread and Brussel sprouts appetizer and a nice glass of wine. They also have wine you can buy retail inside with a corkage fee. Everything was delicious and we really enjoyed our lunch. read more

I can't go on enough about the deliciousness of my dinner!!! My husband and I hadn't been here since they changed their menu, and boy were we pleasantly surprised. The picture of my dinner was taken halfway through the meal since I lost control and forgot to snap a picture . I also had sliders which were a special and topped with egg salad and some pickle situation. This special was an odd combo but surprisingly delicious! Our server was very attentive and helpful regarding food recommendations. And our favorite part about coming here is the view of the river from their quaint patio. Don't get me wrong...the inside is super modern and stylish but you can't beat the patio. And an added bonus is the establishment has wine for purchase in a little store-like section. We can't wait to return! read more

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Love the short ribs, tortellini, salads. Apps are good. Good drinks too. Always a good meal and service.

Everything is always delicious the service is great and people are attentive. Everytime I come here everyone is great the place is always busy and that's what I like they always get to you even if it's busy! Which is great the ambiance is nice even if it's loud but that's what you can expect from such a busy place and they have gluten free options which I love as per usual! read more

I recommend - I'd give 3 on the food and 5 on the wine selection (especially the retail market). I give 5 on the atmosphere and service. On food: seemed like there were a lot of msg-type flavors - the dishes were well designed, honestly you could just cook that stuff from scratch for probably as much or less and have a much better dish. read more

The River Merchant - Chicken Florentine - was ok - New American Near Me - Kent, Ohio

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Dinner was delicious. Had the mushroom bisque and the chicken paprikash. Also dessert was great.

Great place to visit. The parking is a bit of a bear, they also didn't take appointments, so we waited 45 minutes to be seated. Luckily we found a bar-top. Place has a lot to offer and even more during the warmer weather. Can't wait to go back during the warmer weather. Shrimp tempura was good, could be more-meaty but great quality, Nashville chicken was good, just didn't see what makes it "special". Overall, good experience, good service and food. We'll be back when it warms up. See you all there! read more

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Food and service are great. The menu hadn't changed for quite awhile but that's my only complaint. Great place to sit on the deck by the creek. read more

Our experience here was quite positive. Our waiter was attentive and pleasant, and we noticed he was versatile around the restaurant. I had the charred peach cocktail which I really enjoyed, but I would try another drink next time. I will say the restaurant is a little pricier, yet still enjoyable. We started with the classic margherita flatbread which is great for sharing or a small meal if you're not hungry for a large dinner. Our table enjoyed the salmon, chicken alfredo pasta, prime rib cheesesteak, and the chicken sandwich. Everything was cooked well, and their fries had an excellent seasoning to them which is fairly rare. I would love to go back to try another entree and drink, but I can't say I recommend going on a football game day since it can get loud in the fairly smaller dining area. Overall, it was a positive experience and I recommend it. read more

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Amazing amazing amazing. My friend said that we were going to the best patio in the Cleveland area and she was right. The service was spot on, accommodating, attentive but not intrusive. The food was delicious - so many good choices. I would've been happy with everything on the menu. I can't wait to go back. read more

The River Merchant - New American Near Me - Kent, Ohio

Second time coming back for the orzo and had a lovely broccoli cheddar soup while I was at it. Really like the vibe of this place and good standing food. Great beverages and attentive staff. Only criticism is that because I sat at the bar, the service was a bit slow and this time the orzo needed some salt and pepper. I ended up eating all of it prior to someone asking how it was or if I needed anything. Maybe I could have waited but it was hot, and good enough. I'll be back. Keep up the good beer and food! read more

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Son and daughter in law took us for our 50 Anniversary. Food was delicious, great atmosphere, we will be back soon.

Nice bustling spot just outside of Kent near the university. I'd call it classy bar, in that the place has a very clean and updated vibe but there are also a lot of large TVs showing sports. They also have a beautiful and spacious outdoor seating area overlooking the river (alas, the night I went there was a big thunderstorm. The restaurant seems very popular; when my wife and I went on a Saturday night at 6, it was packed and we had a 30-minute wait. We enjoyed our food. My wife got a Thai Salad, which was basically some lettuce with a little broccoli slaw, crispy wonton strips, and peanut/ginger dressing. The flavors were good, but there wasn't much broccoli. I got the Big Kent sandwich, which was brisket with a bunch of garnishes. It was tasty and pretty big though maybe a bit greasy. The side of fries was gigantic and yummy. I also got a side of green beans for some vegetation; they were a little garlicky and quite good. read more

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Dropped my daughter off at college and then looked for some food. Took the family to The River Merchant and we were promptly seated and given menus and water. They also left a bottle of water at the table for us to refill. I really like that concept. As an appetizer, we requested brisket tacos, which were delicious. For dinner, I requested orzo and veggies. My wife requested a flatbread and my son and dad, hamburgers. A short while later, our food was delivered. My orzo disappeared quickly, so it must have been tasty. Yes, indeed it was. My son and dad enjoyed their hamburgers, but they said the fries weren't crispy. They tasted okay to me because they were fresh cut fries. My mom requested a chicken gyro with Nashville Hot Sauce on the side. All of the meals were very tasty. They offered a good selection of beers and wines. I opted for a blackberry Cider Boys because they had it on tap. It was very good. Our server was friendly and attentive. I'd definitely eat here again. read more

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It has been a while since I visited Kent. I lived around the corner from this spot many years ago when I was a student. Wow has it grown up. My college friend visited shortly before and told me about this restaurant. I followed her recommendation and had lunch here. It was even nicer than I expected. The setting is absolutely lovely. I love how Kent is optimizing their river views. I don't remember this area being so nice. River Merchant really captures the scenery in their design, both inside and out. Also I love the relaxed but elegant vibe. About the food. I ordered The cyprus salad and added salmon. The waiter suggested a wine pairing of the Scarpetta pinot griggio. Definitely a winning combination. I was very pleased with the complexity of the salad and the quality of the salmon. Other orders at the table included salad and flatbread pizza. Everything was prepared perfectly. Last but not least I wanted to mention the staff. Our waiter was pleasant, knowledgeable and attentive. Also the staff in the front were just as delightful. We stopped in their little wine store to pick up a present for an upcoming special occasion. Way to go Kent, you have officially become a destination with amazing dining. read more

The River Merchant - Cyprus Salad with salmon was divine - New American Near Me - Kent, Ohio

Our server was very nice. Food was just okay. App was overcooked and fish was just meh. Nothing wrong with it- just tasted more like frozen Aldi fish than a nice restaurant. Drinks were good. I was just expecting so much more after things I read and it was just an average experience. read more

They put their whole budussy into the food. It was so amazing I almost shit myself on the spot. The chicken was amazing, and bird flu free. I will 100% be going back soon. read more

My dish was fine but my guest had something that disagreed with her. Overall it could have been a pleasant experience, and I might give them another try one day. read more

Decided to try this place on my birthday for the first time, and now I'm sitting here waiting on them to remake my wife's chicken paprikash which was cold, and my Salmon, which was undercooked in the middle. I'm giving them one star because they argued with me that the Salmon was done medium, and that I must just want it well done. I asked...."ok...what temperature is Medium VS Well done?". Their response? "I don't know". When I pointed out the USDA guidelines say to cook Salmon to 145 deg to kill Listeria, his response was , and I quote. "I don't know anything about that...it's just the way we do things here". Well ok then. You can do them without us. Our remade food was actually very good....but if you don't know what you're talking about, how about you don't try and lecture me about how the fish should be cooked. read more

Came in for dinner on a Sunday night. It was busy but we only had to wait about 10 minutes for a table. Our server was friendly and attentive, unfortunately I forgot her name, but she did a great job. The food was good, especially the charc board! The pasta was a little lackluster but that's on me for getting the only pasta dish on the menu. Overall it was delicious though and we'd definitely go back next time we're in Kent. read more

Yesterday, there were nine of us at the river merchant for lunch. We had excellent service, great food, and my friends loved the decor. I want to thank everyone there for making us feel welcome! Looking forward to going again soon. read more