Merchant of Matamata

Quiet trade for New Years Day, with pleasant staff, great selection of tap beers, and reasonable ‘pub food’. Nice and casual vibe. Pool table available with big open layout. Next door to arcade gaming and VR shop, so great to entertain the kids whilst you relax with a cold beverage in the beer garden.

It was Sunday evening. Where to go for a meal while visiting the Waharoa area. We chose Merchant of Matamata. We walked in off the street and were allowed to sit where ever we wanted. We tried the Wairere Falls Lager and Chicken Burger, while our friend had the Sunday Steak and egg special with Good George Stoat.

This restaurant was overall very disappointing. We came here sine the place looked great, had a lot of beer taps, had a great menu, but it didt't live up to our expectations. We ordered the crispy pork belly and an the hippie salad. The crispy pork belly was not crispy, and even worse, it was tasteless. The portion was so small i would have to order at least three of them to have walked without wanting to buy some fast food. Definetly not worth the 30$. The hippie salad had some of the same problem, it was super super dry and tasteless. Nothing about it made it special, and super overpriced for a salad thats so simple.nThe staff here where nice, but very unexperienced. Do not take the plate before everyone at the table is done eating, espacially when we are only two. It makes it really uncomfortable for the people still eating.nAnd the worst part of this place by far.nDO NOT PUT ICE CUBES IN MY BEER!!!

We have come here multiple times and each time has been excellent. The atmosphere is beautiful, the service is excellent and the food is delicious. I personally love the tacos or the steak and have an Espresso martini every time.

It looks like this restaurant belongs to the Good George chain. Heaps of tap beers and wish I wasn’t driving though to try some. Due to the Covid restrictions, the service didn’t allow our kids to use the crayons, making a bit hard to keep them quiet and behaved. Food took a little while, it was a bit packed, but came in great style, tasty and well served. Supporting the locals ;