We visited Hayward House Bistro for brunch on FSU Parents Weekend, September 2025. That Sunday morning the wait list was in effect before the restaurant even opened. I managed to secure a nice table with not even a 25 minute wait thanks to a very courteous and professional manager (thank you, Steve!). At the table, everything was clean, shiny and the server was prompt despite a very busy morning. The crowd, obviously, seemed to be mostly college students and parents. I'm pretty sure during the week it's the Capitol Hill crowd. The food was tasty and really hit the spot. Coffees fresh brewed all around, of course. We started with the Breakfast Poutine for appetizer which was hearty and all enjoyed. For entrees, two Southern Benedict, the Waffle Flight, scrambled eggs and bacon. All the food was cooked to order, presented nicely and the taste exceeded expectations. Also, kudos to our Server, Jose. We'll likely visit again and enjoyed the meal. The ambience, flavors and service professionals were great. I should also mention parking in this area can be challenging so take that into consideration. Do make a reservation or arrive early! read more

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We chose Hayward House to celebrate our son's graduation from Florida State University and made a 2:15 pm lunch reservation for 6 people because the ceremony was at 7 pm. We drove to Tallahassee that day, but unfortunately got caught in heavy traffic due to President Trump speaking in Sumter County near The Villages. As Soon as we realized we would not make our reservation, we called the restaurant to explain the unavoidable circumstances and asked if there was any way to move our reservation to another time that day. Initially, we were told no, so we canceled the reservation. Shortly afterwards, the restaurant called back and informed us we would be charged a cancellation fee of $ 150 - $ 25.00 per person. I completely understand having a cancellation policy, however, charging $ 25 per person for a lunch reservation during unavoidable traffic circumstances felt excessive and unreasonable, especially after we proactively called ahead. What was even more disappointing was the complete lack of flexibility or compassion during an important family milestone. I explained repeatedly that we were desperately trying not to miss our son's graduation celebration and were even worried about missing the ceremony itself because we were stuck in traffic. I asked about every possible alternative- a later dinner reservation, appetizers only, or even moving reservation to another day. Ever request was denied except for a 4 pm slot, which still was not realistic given the traffic situation. What upset me the most was not just the fee itself, but the unwillingness to work with us. A more customer focused approach could have been allowing the $ 150 to be applied toward a future visit. Because of this experience, my family will NEVER dine at Hayward House, and I would NOT recommend it to other FSU families celebrating special occasions. read more

Don't come here if you have a big party. We had two tables of ten. I must start this with each table had its own server. One of the tables had a nice experience. Our table was not great. After waiting forever to get drinks the waiter auctioned off the drinks (which is always a sign of bad service) he had just taken orders for. He served a margarita to a non-drinker telling him it was a mocktail he ordered. We ordered appetizers, which were good. Unfortunately they got cold while we waited for small plate. We asked for other servers in the area for them twice. They never showed up, so we had to eat them with our hands. This would be fine if the shrimp wasn't $44 dollars and not great when eaten cold. We had actually walk into the restaurant to get drink refills. We were there to celebrate and spend money, but we couldn't get service. Flagging down other servers to get another glass of wine or beer is not ideal. When it was time for entres they were not sent out at the same time and were again auctioned off. "Who had the scallops?" Funny thing is I had the scallops and they were stone cold. While waiting for the rest of the food to show up to the table they got even colder. After ten minutes I just ate. After three quarters of the table was served and finished their plates the waiter showed up and 3 people on the table had not been served. They rushed out the three missing dishes after a manager was notified. The craziest thing that happened all evening was when the check was dropping and they added a 22% gratuity. They did take off a couple items. It was hard to tell with a $1500 tab. I have worked in the service industry and am usually sympathetic to servers and restaurants as I have been on the other side of the house. But this experience was too poor to excuse. That being said the other table said they had a great experience. Maybe it was an off night for our server. read more

We had a 5 pm reservation and arrived early at 4:15. They gladly accommodated our early arrival. We ate at Hayward House for my daughter's birthday. We started with the bread/butter and Burrata and peaches. Both were delicious. We ordered steak, bronzino, double smash burger. We had fries and hot honey brussels as sides. They decorated a dessert for my daughter's birthday. We loved the vibe and Loren gave us outstanding service. She was friendly and made sure everything was perfect. read more

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had such a great experience here! The service was excellent from start to finish. We started with the fried artichokes and buffalo shrimp, both were delicious, especially the shrimp with that perfect kick of flavor. I ordered the French dip for my main, and it was honestly the best I've ever had. The bread had the perfect crunch on the outside while staying super soft inside, and the au jus was packed with flavor. Everything was fresh, flavorful, and cooked perfectly. I'll definitely be coming back! read more

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TLDR: My husband and I live in Atlanta, we have hundreds of incredible food choices every day. Hayward House has officially leveled up the Tally food scene. Don't sleep on this one. 5-star service, food, atmosphere, menu, AND drinks. My husband and I stumbled upon Hayward House last night in Tallahassee, and let me tell you, it's the kind of spot that turns a casual evening into a full blown love affair with flavor. That said, it would absolutely be just as perfect for a solo traveler looking to savor a meal at the bar. From the moment you step in, the vibe hits you like a warm Southern hug: cozy yet buzzing, with that perfect eclectic edge that makes it ideal for everything from a romantic dinner to nursing a craft cocktail alone. No pretension, just pure, inviting energy that screams "pull up a stool and stay awhile." We kicked things off with their bread with whipped feta and honey--OMG, an absolute game changer. The bread was warm and crusty, but that whipped feta, creamy with a perfect tangy zing, drizzled with honey for a touch of sweetness? It was a flavor explosion that had us fighting over the last bite. The menu itself is a masterful nod to Southern traditions with an eclectic twist, offering everything from shareable platters for groups to thoughtful small plates perfect for solo diners mixing and matching. Every bite feels curated, not cookie cutter. My husband went for the burger and it was a masterpiece. The bun was perfectly grilled, toasty on the outside yet fluffy and soft inside, hugging a juicy, perfectly cooked patty. And the fries? Perfectly crispy, golden, and seasoned just right--impossible to stop eating. I opted for the Cobb salad, and it was straight-up excellent. Crisp, fresh greens, perfectly cooked bacon with just the right smoky crunch, all tossed in a ridiculously good tangy vinaigrette that tied it together like a bow. It's the kind of salad that makes you forget you're eating healthy. The real showstopper, though? Those homemade sauces. They're the secret weapon that turns "good" into "unforgettable." The house wing sauce, smoked with local onions and Lord only knows what else, is a firecracker that dances on your tongue without the regret. This sauce turned me into a wing lover. They should bottle this magic and sell it. The food quality? Outstanding doesn't even cover it. Fresh, seasonal ingredients shine through in every dish, tender proteins that melt like butter, veggies roasted to caramelized perfection, and portions that leave you satisfied but not stuffed (unless you go ham on the family style sides, which you absolutely should). It's the kind of meal that makes you close your eyes and savor, then immediately plot your return. Whether you're sharing plates with your partner, rallying the crew for a group feast, or treating yourself as a solo traveler, Hayward House delivers on every level. Five stars aren't enough, this place deserves a constellation. Run, don't walk, Tallahassee's food scene just leveled up, and we're already craving round two! read more

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Nothing special really, ambience is pub meets sports bar and high end steakhouse. Service is fine, can't really complain there. Broccolini arrived somewhat lukewarm, the rest of the food was OK. Kind of expensive for what it is. Not a whole lot to say that would set this place apart, no need to go back. read more

Lukentook great care of us after long travel day. Really tasty French onion soup on a chilly Tallahassee night. Smash burgers and we were out of there in 47 minutes. 56.00 before tip no liquor. Luke was super friendly efficient and he smiled. read more

Hayward House Bistro - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Tallahassee, Florida

Had a great brunch at Hayward House today. I made a meal of the breakfast poutine. Not something often found in the South, but comfort food if there ever was one! Kudos to Hayward House's Canadian proprietor for exporting a taste of her homeland to Tallahassee! Service was perfect and responsive, as always. Great place in a great town! read more

Hayward House is conveniently located right near the Capitol, City Hall, and other downtown staples where Andrew's used to be. The decor has a modern spin but is still cozy, especially if you snag a velvet-covered booth. My first visit to Hayward was not long after they opened. I eased in with their crab bisque soup (they changed the menu and I no longer see it on there) and a wedge salad. The bisque was perfectly seasoned and had the right amount of creaminess. I have since been back and enjoyed the weather outside in cooler months, as well as indoors to avoid the humidity and stifling heat. Some of my favorites are their chicken wing appetizer (try the dry rub ranch with their house ranch, delicious), wedge salad, poutine, asparagus as a side, and their redfish as a wrap or without if you have a gluten allergy. Hayward's service is fast enough to get you in and out within an hour so you can get back to work expeditiously. read more

Hayward House Bistro - Wedge salad - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Tallahassee, Florida

We visited for Mother's Day and unfortunately it was not a good experience. Our food came out at varied times for our party (like 30 min apart.) We had to flag someone down every time we needed something. No one checked on us (as a party of 7). Totally unacceptable. My mom and sister's meal was cold and undercooked. The chicken on my salad was burnt and chewy. And our kids (who were actually really hungry) had to wait 30 min for chicken fingers after our meals came out (). We were told the cook burnt the first batch and had to re-do them. Who takes 30 min for chicken fingers?! We watched other tables being served fried chicken with no problem. Mother's Day is not the day to have the B team in the kitchen. Every time we visit here, and we've been here about 6 times as a family since they opened, it's just always unpredictable. This mama won't be back. read more

This was my first visit to Hayward House Bistro and I wasn't sure what to expect--but here's how it went...wonderful experience. To begin, if you're new to the area don't stress about not knowing where to park as this restaurant provides complementary valet which was awesome, please remember to tip the valet. My friend and I were a little surprised the restaurant was not packed during the happy hour (3-6pm), but overall pleased with the service. We had the chicken wings which tasted wonderful plain and with chipotle honey sauce. The entrees were cooked to perfection and the drinks are lovely not too overpowering. The restaurant is more upscale if you're looking for a nice place to have dinner dates for couple or friends. Definitely will come back; a new treasure found in Tallahassee. read more

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Had dinner at Hayward House last night and it was very nice! Great ambiance and food! Our server, Hayden was excellent! So nice, professional, and knowledgeable! Ask for him! For apps we tried the whipped feta, the chili croquettes, and the fried artichoke hearts, all were excellent! Then we had the blackened redfish wrap, the eggplant katsu, the chicken paillard, and the herb pesto gnocchi. Everything was so good! The accompanying French fries were so yummy! We ended with th brownie and the strawberry tart, they were both delicious and a perfect ending to a perfect evening! read more

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Went to Hayward House for brunch to celebrate my birthday; have been to this site numerous times with the change of restaurants (always a great site). We were greeted with a smile upon entering. Absolutely love the ambiance; my daughter enjoyed her salad; my sister said her French onion soup was "so-so." Both my sister and daughter enjoyed their mimosas though! LOL! I ordered the chicken and waffles. The waffles were a bit "soggy" (not as crispy as I expected) and were somewhat lukewarm. The chicken tenders tasted rather bland. Not an enjoyable meal for me. I may give this restaurant another try simply because the server was awesome. Hopefully next time I will be more impressed with the food items! read more

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Server was amazing, super kind, I love the ambiance, the chicken sandwich I had last time was amazing and their brunch poutine as well as their regular poutine I would say rival the poutine I've had while in Canada. however this most recent experience was disappointing in terms of food, the horseradish cream was no where to be seen in my French dip except a small dot in the corner of one of my halves, the au jus lacked any substantial flavor and would have benefited from black pepper and maybe some lemon to make it flavorful, it had no onion or meat flavor, only salt, the prime rib was good but I'd recommend a quality control over the meat as over a third of my sandwich was white fat that was inedible and rubbery (part of it can be seen In the photo) read more

I wish service was better I sat for 20 minutes before someone offered me a drink and then for 40 minutes before they asked if I wanted to eat any food. I left before that. She said I needed to check in with the hostess inside but because I had a doggy I didn't go inside. No signage. I eft before I ate bc lack at attention. I'm regret that read more

Very overpriced for what it is. Service was good, but very, very slow. This was Nutcracker and Graduation season; get some more staff in there if that's what you need. The specialty drinks were ok; not worth $15 a piece. Also paid $30 for burnt steak on a dry shaved Brussel sprout salad. Not a great look. My daughter's steak and eggs wasn't much better. For reference, we both ordered our steaks rare. Her scrambled eggs were cold, under-salted, and overall disappointing. The only highlight was the poutine. No notes there. Definitely won't be making the trek downtown for Hayward House again. read more

Being a single traveler, it's nice to have a multi-sided bar as opposed to a straight bar where you are looking at a wall of liquor. Multi-side offers more chances to converse with others in the bar. The food is really good. I ate there twice. Got the Ribeye and the Short Rib Ragu. Both were excellent. The honey Brussel Sprouts were good too. read more

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Amazing spot, best place we've visited the whole weekend here in Tallahassee! Found out about it from a valet worker down the street and showed up as a walk-in party of 4. We definitely got lucky to find a table on a busy Saturday evening, within minutes we were seated drinks in hand and appetizers on the table!! I mean eating 5 minutes after sitting down! Service was impeccable and anything we ordered came out quick! All four of us loved our drinks - I got the honey Old Fashioned and had to double down on it! We mostly stuck to appetizers but they were delicious! The restaurant was clean and a tip on the up scale but still comfortable in a casual way! Would recommend this spot to visitors and locals alike! read more

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Best food I've had! It is a must try, worth a drive! Great service as well. I will be back soon.

I came here for my small 21st birthday dinner celebration and the food was really good. We mainly got small sharables and everything was delicious. The brussels sprouts were fire.The whipped feta and eggplant sandwich too. Our server was really nice and although we got there pretty close to when the kitchen was closing we were able to order anything we wanted. Overall really good and I will be coming back! read more

Hayward House Bistro - Top to bottom: Artichoke, brussels sprouts, eggplant sandwich, whipped feta with bread, chili croquettes, and poutine. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Tallahassee, Florida

Never have I experienced such a dismal evening as the one we spent here last night. We were four of nine customers in the restaurant for the whole night! Our service was absolutely atrocious! Even though there was no one there. The environment was clean and orderly but there were no people!!! Our food was ok but total honesty I had to rush to the bathroom after the first bite of the pork chop dish, yes I did get sick! I don't know if there is a connection but I'm a betting man and the odds are good. This was our second trip after a train wreck first visit a year ago, we should have learned! We wont be back! Somebody please buy these guys out and install a REAL restaurant! read more

Hayward House Bistro is a clean, comfortable place with good food and good service. Nothing felt rushed, and the menu has a nice variety without being confusing. My dish came out fresh and hot, and everything tasted on point. Would definitely go again. read more

We had a great experience for our first time visiting. The appetizers were delicious and we had eggplant katsu, wedge salad and a cheeseburgers. The service was great & love the atmosphere. read more

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Admittedly, I've only been here for cocktails and appetizers, (not a full meal) but I've been twice and have things to say. The quality of the food and drinks were great. The cocktails were refreshing and the appetizers delicious. Prices are expensive for Tallahassee, but this place is billing itself as upscale. The indoor ambiance is beautiful, definitely a step up from the predecessor in my opinion. For me, the service has missed the mark. It's not that anyone was necessarily rude to me, but I do feel like everyone I've interacted with here has been curt with me, if not standoffish. The hostesses always give me a once-over and seem shocked that I am in their establishment? The waitresses are curt and seem to lack basic customer service skills. I'm sure they're perfectly nice, but this is Tallahassee, 30 min drive from Georgia. This is the South, and I think people expect southern hospitality if they're going to pay $17 for a drink. Ex. When asked if they have mocktails: "No, we don't do that here." (any bar with basic mixing ingredients can throw together a soda water with grenadine and lime at the very least, and competitors downtown have entire mocktail menus) On another occasion, when asked if it was happy hour: "No, it is not happy hour" and then walked away without saying anything else....not even an indication of when happy hour is or if such a thing even exists. I wish this place the best, so I'm being honest, because I would want to know as a) the business owner and b) a potential guest. I don't think expensive cocktails and standoffish waitstaff are a recipe for success. read more

Terrible service. Ten minutes and no one even acknowleged us. Large parties clog up the kitchen

Overall, I am pleased with my first visit of this new establishment. I came for lunch right at noon and there was a decent crowd. I was shocked at how transformed the place was compared to the more casual feel of its predecessor, Andrew's. The dining space is definitely upgraded and giving "fine-dining." Blake was our server and he was kind and attentive. Now onto the food. I enjoyed the Blackened Redfish Wrap. It's the fish, lettuce and tomatoes and I had aioli on the side. It was simple, yet satisfying. No complaints. All sandwiches come with a side of fries and they were yummy, I just feel my dining partner and I were served the bottom of the fry basket. Lots of little nubs and "burnt ends." My friend had the burger and said it was McDonalds-Esque, expecting a lot more for $15. A colleague who had the chicken sandwich also felt it left a little something to be desired. The speed of the service was quick and the vibe would have me give this place another shot. I would love for it do well Downtown. Here's hoping... read more

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We went to this restaurant after my daughter's graduation from FSU. We are visiting from South Florida and were told this is one of the top places in the city for brunch. The recommendation was right on the money. We first had some drinks at the bar while they cleared our table. We started with the Waffles Flight Superb! We also had a French Onion Soup (average). The Whipped Feta was also a hit. We ordered Huevos Rancheros (Delish) Double Cheeseburger (Good) & Steak Burrito(average) Overall we were happy with the food and Service. Coming from South Florida having free Valet Parking is always a +!!! read more

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The manager was wonderful in squeezing us in for dinner this past weekend which I know was a big ask last minute on graduation weekend. We were a party of six and the meal and service was fabulous! Thank you. read more

We were so excited to try this place as a date night. We were pretty disappointed in the service. Our bread came out burnt and when we brought it to our servers attention he just responded with "oh they must have left it in a little long", then he just walked away! He rarely checked on us to see if we needed anything or additional drinks. It seemed as if we were burdening him when asking for more water. We were seated by an exit to outdoor seating area and the constant in and out of people and servers was very disruptive to our meal. Our entrees were good but not sure if we will return. read more

Went to Hayward House for brunch with friends. I had the she crab soup for an appetizer and the eggplant sandwich with fries. The soup was good, but there was no crab in it, which was disappointing. The sandwich was also OK. It was a little dry like there wasn't enough toppings. When I got extra garlic aïoli to add to the sandwich. It was a lot better. The fries were good but the first set of fries that I got were ice cold. My friends just thought their food was OK. One friend got the waffle flight and it was also cold. My other friend got the chicken wings, which she seemed to enjoy. Overall, I don't think the food was worth the prices. They charged us for refills of our drinks, even the tea and coffee which typically are free. I will say, though that our server Luke was great. He was very attentive and came back often to check on us. He is the reason I bumped the grade up to three stars. The manager also seemed accommodating. read more

Had the French Dip today and wanted to offer a few simple suggestions to improve the sandwich. I plan to try it again in a month to see if the Hayward kitchen makes any adjustments, and I'll update my review accordingly. If the changes are addressed, I'll consider raising my rating to 4 or 5 stars. If not, I may lower it to 2 stars. The flavor was good, but the sourdough was a bit dry. Toasting or grilling it with some butter would have made a big difference. The roast beef was sliced too thick, which made it tougher to eat than it should have been. The au jus was decent but could've used a little more salt to enhance the flavors. On the plus side, the fries were fresh, crispy, and well-seasoned. With a few tweaks, this could be a really solid sandwich. read more

Fairly free service at the bar with drink and food order. The restaurant is open air and inside with a clean and fresh look being eyeshot of the Florida State Legislative Buildings downtown Tallahassee. Now for my thoughts on the food. Again, fairly quick after my order. Unfortunately the blacked redfish wrap was horrible! Looked like scrambled tuna fish, not blackened redfish. It was shown to be two wraps. But got one regular wrap cut into instead of two wraps as advertised on their signage. I will not recommend this for food. Oh, their iced tea was very good too! Yep, go to Harry's next time. read more

Yummy cocktails and delicious salads. Came here the day after opening and had a fantastic time.

Saturday's experience was burned oil. I could see it in the fries and other fried foods. We dined outdoors so I walked in to see if I could confirm my suspitions on the oil. The moment I walked in the door the stench from the old fryer oil hit me pretty hard. If you're going to depend on the fryers to produce, you cannot ignore oil changes/cleanings. Once it burns or sours, may as well shut it down. The service was friendly, a little incomplete but no major issues. A couple of small tasks went forgotten but in light of the greater problems these were in consequential. The food wasn't very good otherwise. They're using an inexpensive chicken breast product that came to the table overcooked, dry and undesirable. I'm not returning. I wouldn't bring family or friends. I will not recommend this establishment. This town has other places that produce better fare within walking distance of this establishment. read more

Had a great experience at Hayward House. They just launched a new menu on Tuesday- I had the eggplant katsu and it did not disappoint! The cocktails were delicious, the ambiance was fantastic, and our server Charlie was the perfect help in choosing what we wanted to order all night. I highly recommend the French Onion Soup, thank you Hayward House we will definitely be back! read more

First time visit today on a Sunday at 1PM. Had reservations but less than 50% full. We had a booth that gave us a great view of the restaurant and the food coming out. Ordered a Bloody Mary and a Negroni Spritz drink. We had the Steak Huevos Rancheros, the Quiche and the Beef Chile Croquettes as an appetizer. The croquettes looked like big hush puppies but contained the chili inside. On reflection, they really were an additional entree so we would pass on those in the future. They tasted good but only order if you want that as an entree. Starters they are not. Food delivery was great but we observed the following: the Quiche was barely warm and the steak bites with the Huevos Rancheros had been sitting as they were barely warm and dry. Restaurant was quick to warm the quiche and reserve. The Huevos Rancheros was good however. Looks like they hustle the food out to the tables but someone needs to ensure it's warm before it leaves the kitchen. Prices were reasonable (about $90 w tip). Service was prompt and our server introduced himself and remained attentive during our meal. We will give the restaurant another visit in the future. Looks to have great promise. Easy four stars if they fix the food temperatures. read more

Incredible food! Old Fashions were legit from Alexis. Got to try a few test menu items and they are off the charts. Tally, you are gonna love the new additions that Ashley and her team are putting together. read more

The food was good. I had the short rib ragu. The pasta was prepared perfectly, while the short rib was just a little tough for short rib. My wife had a steak that had really good flavor. Service was also good. It's a nice atmosphere sitting outside in the fall with temps still in the 80's. This place is better than its 3.5 overall rating. read more

Food & atmosphere were great, super cute. Definitely bringing family when they visit. read more

Hayward House Bistro - Outdoor seating - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Tallahassee, Florida