Taverna Mercatto

This place hits all the right notes. The wine list is well-curated — we enjoyed a bold red that paired beautifully with their wood-fired pizza and house-made pasta. The pizza had that perfect crispy-chewy crust, while the pasta was rich, comforting, and full of flavor. Cozy vibes, great service, and authentic Italian taste. A must-visit for a satisfying night out.

I recently visited Taverna Mercatto with a friend, and it was a wonderful experience. The restaurant is in a great location near Union Station—just a quick three-minute walk, which was very convenient. The space itself is beautifully decorated, with a cozy yet elegant atmosphere that I immediately loved. The staff were very welcoming, and for drinks we tried the peach mocktail, which was light, refreshing, and the perfect start to our meal. For the main course, I had the Pollo Alla Diavola, and it was absolutely mouth-watering. The spicy chicken paired perfectly with the creamy fregola, pancetta, and kale—every bite was full of flavor. I finished the entire plate and would highly recommend this dish. My friend also ordered the Pollo Alla Diavola and enjoyed it just as much. To finish off, we shared the lemon tart for dessert, which was the perfect balance of sweet and tangy—so delicious and refreshing. Overall, I would highly recommend Taverna Mercatto for its convenient location, warm service, beautiful setting, and exceptional food.

Nice atmosphere, food is really nice. Note to others, make reservation on a busy day if you want a table. We didn't have one, but they were able to accommodate us at the bar. We like sitting at the bar so it worked out for us

We loved the entire meal, pasta was delicious and the wine from NOTL, was a great choice. Our server Sara was attentive and gave great recommendations but not very warm or personable. Beautiful decor and interesting “church” theme. Recommend Taverna Mercatto

We recently dined here and had a pleasant overall experience. We started with the calamari appetizer—it was crispy, well-seasoned, and absolutely delicious. For our main courses, we ordered the steak and a pasta dish. The steak was cooked perfectly and full of flavor. However, the pasta menu was a bit limited, especially for those who prefer chicken as a protein option. For our toddler, we ordered the oven-cooked pizza, which he really enjoyed. That said, the kids' menu was quite limited, and the overall atmosphere feels more geared toward date nights or adult gatherings rather than family dining.

Taverna Mercatto – A Little Slice of Italy in the Heart of the City We visited Taverna Mercatto based on a recommendation from my cousin, and I’m so glad we did. I was hosting my cousins visiting from the Philippines, and wanted to treat them to a taste of Italy—and this place delivered on all fronts. The food was absolutely amazing. Every dish was rich with flavor and beautifully presented. You can tell they use quality ingredients and really care about the craft. From the pasta to the mains, everything hit the mark. The service was just as impressive. The staff were warm, attentive, and made us feel welcome without being overbearing. They answered all our questions and offered great suggestions with a smile. It felt like they genuinely wanted us to enjoy our experience. And the space itself is gorgeous. It has a cozy, stylish vibe with just the right lighting and atmosphere for a relaxing meal. Whether you’re catching up with family or out for a date night, it sets the perfect tone. Highly recommend Taverna Mercatto if you’re looking for a memorable Italian meal in a beautiful setting. We left full and happy—and my cousin from the Philippines was blown away. Definitely worth the visit.

I loved the vibes and the overall atmosphere at Taverna Mercatto — really cozy and stylish, perfect for a nice evening out. A big shoutout to Sarita who truly made our night special! She was super friendly, attentive, and added a warm touch to the whole experience. That said, the food didn’t quite live up to the ambiance. I tried the mushroom ravioli and the egg yolk pasta, and unfortunately, both were very underwhelming — lacking in flavor and creativity. The appetizers were okay, and I’ll give them credit for the generous portions, but overall, the dishes really needed more seasoning and depth. If you’re going for the vibe and service, it’s worth a visit. But if you’re a foodie looking for bold Italian flavors, it might not hit the mark.

My friend and I stumbled upon this restaurant after a long day at the car show hosted by Metro Convention Centre. It was cold, we were hungry, and this restaurant appeared to solve our problems. From the moment we walked in, we were well taken care of. The food? Familiar yet refreshingly unique, the restaurant offered a personal twist on classic dishes that left us pleasantly surprised. We enjoyed the experience so much that we decided to return the following year, hoping to make it our post car show tradition. The same spot was available, and the waitress even let us sit there again, a small gesture that meant a lot. However the second visit did take an unexpected turn. While ordering, we politely declined the drinks menu and that's when things shifted. The warm service suddenly turned cold. The waitress who had been friendly just moments before, now seemed irritated, as if our presence had become inconvenient for her. Things escalated when we asked for a simple dessert modification due to an allergy. Rather than a calm explanation, we got a sharp "absolutely not," which felt unnecessarily harsh and dismissive, it even caught the attention of people nearby. I should've asked for the bill right then and there but we just ordered something else. I rarely leave negative feedback, but this experience was jarring. The contrast in service between our first and second visits was like day and night. It's unfortunate because the food and ambience still hold promise but the service can truly make or break a meal. This time, it broke it. Would I return? Hard to say. The tradition was nice while it lasted.