The Island Merchant

The bartender is very nice and attentive, Molly.
They have live band on Saturday night. It’s actually country tonight after 10. Very good and relaxing place. I would totally come back to visit next time.

Went this past Friday night. Nice crowd and live music, a little loud. Waitress was nice, service was good. We shared the baked Brie app which was very good. The drinks were good to. The entrees left a lot to be desired. They were out of all the cod dishes. The salmon was just average. The steak tips were nothing special. The braised pork over linguine was way too salty and was more like BBQ pulled pork mixed with spaghetti. Might return for apps, drinks and music, but not for dinner.

The island merchant is a small hole in the wall off Hyannis’s Main Street on Cape Cod. I personally have mixed feelings of the establishment. Every time I’ve gone there, their has been a live band playing. The music is good, the fellow patrons are entertaining, and the drink taste delicious. So why rate 3 stars? 2 words: customer service. I’ve worked in customer service for well over 10 years and know what to say and what tone to use when handling customers. Every time I’ve gone the bartenders either rush me or give me attitude. And I’ve Been told I’m a nice guy so I know I’m not at fault because I’m an extremely patient and considerate person. But once someone is just blatantly rude. «like a certain bartender there» I draw the line. I feel like the employees treat it like a hangout spot that they get paid to chill at than an actual company
If you’re sober and are just looking for a place to dance and meet interesting people, then Island merchant is for you. If you’re looking for a drink and wish employees to treat you with respect then look elsewhere.

So not the great meal I had hoped from reading the reviews. Nothing to write home about. Everything was just lackluster. Thhis was evidenced by th fact that we were one of 2 tables on a Thursday at 7 pm.

The only reason they get more than one star is because the first of the two times I visited, my experience was okay. I went for drinks and stayed for an uneventful 30 minutes.
However, the second time I visited was a disaster. I had just gotten engaged that day and had spent the evening with my fiancé calling friends and family. By the time we got to the restaurant, it was 20 minutes before the kitchen closed. We asked the hostess whether we should even sit down because we didn’t want to inconvenience the kitchen staff. She conferred with someone in the back and then assured us it would be fine to stay.
After 25 minutes at our table, we had not received anything but a menu. No water, no drinks, no waitress. The waitress walked by us repeatedly and did not acknowledge us. She instead spotted some of her friends who were there for drinks and sat with them in a booth to chat. Mind you, their table was right behind ours. We continually tried to get her attention, and my fiancé even went to the bar, but they told us she would be with us shortly. Finally, we realized that we weren’t a priority and headed out to a place that would actually care for our business.
I will not be returning to this restaurant after the lack of professionalism and service I experienced. Glad to say I was so high on life that day that Island Merchant didn’t ruin my night completely.

A nice place to have a leisurely dinner or drinks. There’s a live band that’s quite good – they play mellow tunes so you can still talk decently well. I had the salad special, which was blackened cod on mixed greens with cucumber and tomatoes and balsamic dressing on the side. Fish was well cooked– juicy and decent flavoring– it lacked salt if you are it without dressing but well balanced with dressing. Staff was friendly too.

Great food and drinks! Table of 6 and they handled it well. Loved the blues/​jazz band. Little high priced for smaller portions and table cloths were dirty but I’d go again. Staff was friendly. Desserts weren’t anything special. My dad’s burger ordered «well done» was «very rare». The Cajun salmon was delicious but was missing the pineapple salsa on top and the fish tacos were a big hit. I think if a little more attention were paid to detail then this place would boom. (We used a Groupon for the meal which made the little issues not matter as much)

New chef spinning out homemade guacamole, salsa and delicious delights. Super bar, amazing entertainment. a fun spot all around.

We had a great meal at this cute little island restaurant tonight. Everything was spot on and the service was SO amazing. Tom was our waiter and he treated us like kings.
I ordered the scallops and risotto. Yum! We also got the sirloin tips and they were delicious… one thing though… didn’t taste the jalepeno or cilantro. But it was still amazing! We’ll be back next year for sure!

Came on a Saturday night. Had a regular margarita, $ 8 lobster bisque and $ 18 fish tacos. Live music band was decent. Margarita was just ok, a little too much ice. Lobster bisque was better but didn’t realize it was vegetarian bisque so had no lobster. Bummer. Fish tacos were very average. Came with three soft corn tortillas and make-​your-​own condiments. Portion of fish was very small too, not enough for three tortillas. Overall, average dinner at a wannabe tiki bar restaurant, bit pricey for what you get, service was friendly though.

I want to give this place 4 stars and really the live music and band that was on when I went was awesome so 4 stars to that.
Food however was more at the 3 level. I had the jalapeño cilantro sirloin tips and was excited when I saw it. The meat was tender but the flavor punch I was anticipating wasn’t there. Not spicy even the least bit and at best was on the slight sweet side. Friend had the ginger salmon and pineapple rice. Salmon was good but rice was lacking the pineapple flavor I was looking for.
Ill go back again when I’m in the area and try their other items.

Was a very surprising find. Must try the scallops and maple bacon and the salmon entrée was very good. Nice tentative server and cozy ambience. Live music was a nice treat.

What a find! We walked into this bar while wandering down Main st in Hyannis. All the other patrons were speaking Portuguese and singing along to the relaxing samba playing of the local Brazilian band. It was the sort of night where you chat with a person at the bar, and then they get up casually to sing the next song. Wonderful music, terrific relaxing ambience. We only ate cake and had drinks at the bar, so no not much comment on food service or quality. We wished there were somewhere equally beachy in Boston.

One word: PATHETIC
Just walked out having left what we assume we owed amid the dirty dishes on our table. I don’t know where to start: terrible service (they admitted to being understaffed but didn’t even tell us til after we waited 20 min to be approached and I flagged someone down), lame food, overpriced.
It was a full hour after our arrival that any food arrived. We ordered the mussels. They never came. We were told they ran out… but only once we asked after being served our entrees, despite the fact we still saw them being served all around us. I ordered the portobello napoleon — looked like something I would have made drunk at 3 am in college. Melted cheese on romaine. It was so awful I was confused mostly. And it was $ 16! My brothers burger was served on a bread plate — small and didn’t even come with fries, a couple leaves of romaine. Mom ordered the crab and mango salad — 95% romaine, almost no crab or mango. Fish tacos were edible.
We called twice earlier today to make a reservation. No answer so we left two voicemails. Called again before we left to make sure they were open and they had no reservation for us.
I’ve been here before several times as I’m local and have had great experiences but this was worse than just not eating dinner at all. We are currently making spaghetti bc we are hungry and angry. I don’t know if it’s a new chef or menu or management but it was all awful.
We never even got a chance to tell the waitress our disappointments. We waited about 20 min after finishing eating, threw some money on the table, and left. Dinner is my favorite meal and I’m so hangry right now.
Don’t go here. Ever. Make yourself spaghetti instead. I wish negative stars was an option. Or like a double thumbs down with a hungry growl.

I have read some reviews and honestly those that gave the place less than 4 stars obviously had a problem or a chip on their shoulder. The staff is very friendly and cater to your every need. The Bartender Molly is always checking on you and she also sings there on Wednesday nights so be sure to go see her. I haven’t tried the food yet but the owner has this «Genius» idea that after 10pm they server $ 2 burgers which by that time food is perfect for those who are out having drinks. Saturday night they also have some great Jazz music. This is definitely a place I would visit over and over again because it’s not too big of an establishment that you are not remembered.

One of the best dinners I’ve had on the Cape in ages. Inventive delights and live entertainment! Can’t go wrong here, so definitely check it out.

Man, I’m all about this place. The Island Merchant delivered easily one of the most spectacular meals I’ve had in recent memory. Yeah dude, it was that good.
I have to admit, I didn’t expect too much when I walked in – The Island Merchant isn’t flashy by any stretch of the imagination. It’s quaint, cozy, and seems like a place the older local crowd would frequent. Actually, it’s a pretty cool hangout spot, now that I think about it.
And I can assure you, I certainly didn’t expect my tastebuds to take such a magical journey with the fish tacos I ordered. But DAMN, I’ve never had haddock in a tortilla quite like that. The combination of guacamole, corn, salsa, local FRESH haddock, and that wonderful, intoxicating herb/​spice blend just sent my jaw to the floor. I kid you not, this was really one of the best meals I can remember eating.
To make things even more awesome, the bartender can whip up a killer mojito, if you’re into that kind of thing, and the live music is a perfect accompaniment to the low-​key, laid-​back scene that The Island Merchant is all about. (And hey, keep this on the down-​low, but you can get 20% off if you check in on Unilocal!)
This is Hyannis’ true hidden gem. Check it out on your next Cape adventure, you’re gonna love it.

I’d been to Island Merchant for drinks and music a few times when it frst opened and enjoyed the décor and friendly people at the bar. With my girlfriend’s uncle in town, we decided to give it a shot for dinner.
Five of us went in Island Mechant on a Thursday night around 7:30. The place was nearly empty with only one other table and a lone guy at the bar. That should have been a warning. The service was lousy, the food was mediocre, the prices were Cape Cod high, but in fairness the atmosphere and decore remains comfortable.
It took us over 45 minutes to get three Island Burgers, which all agreed were tasty and large though some didnt appreciate the combo of pineapple and egg on top. The presentation of a bag of potato chips with a $ 13 burger was poor. For $ 13 throw on some fries or a salad, or at least take the chips out of the bag.
The pulled pork tacos were nothing to write home about. The pork was sweet, the guacomole was average, the corn salsa looked like it came out of a can several days ago, the two tiny flour tortillas were unauthentic and too small, and the mound of sour cream was too much.
The griddled peaches and chicken was terrible. It was served with wilted spring mix mixed into the warm mashed potatoes. Yuck!
The brie appetizer was covered in a too sweet fruit compote and the large portion, for $ 13, was paltry for a group of five. When we asked for more bread we were given a half a pita bread cut into four small wedges. When we asked about the food taking so long (45 minutes and we were the only group ordering) we were told the skillet was having a hard time getting the burger well done.
The Island Merchant has clearly seen its best days and is now on the down hill slide.

This place is aight. Great check in offer for 20% off which is always awesome! My ma and I went with the fish tacos and the presentation was amazing with all the ingredients in a nifty separated serving dish so you put together your tacos as you wish. Taste was no bueno. Not the best. The tortillas were not good, the fish was fresh (cod I believe) and sauteed in oil and onions I believe but, there was barely any of it. Overall the tacos were pretty generic and with the fact that there was only enough fish for one solid taco, not three tacos I was definitely disappointed.
My man ordered the pulled pork sandwich — he liked it and it camp with the smallest bag of chips ever, almost like why bother type deal. The place itself is cute, the service was ok. We were the only people really there and I do have to say it took about 45 minutes for our food to come! Which was a wee bit frustrating since we said we were in a hurry.
Regardless, this place is definitely a decent option in Hyannis and I would come again to try something other than the tacos if I had time to spend an hour or two for some dinner and drinks.

Yumm-​o!!!
What an awesome little place :) The type of restaurant that leaves you wanting more. We loved every moment of this place. Last Valentine’s day was our first time at this restaurant, and as we are locals, it is such a nice idea to have a wonderful year-​round go-​to dinner place in Hyannis!
Their food is the perfect blend of cajun and island infused, their drinks are delicious and the atmosphere is great! The live music couldn’t be better, and the price was fine due to the amazing quality of the food.
Only downfall is that they are closed on Tuesdays!