I was so disappointed in this restaurant. I had dined here several times and the food and service had always been excellent. We dined at 5:30pm on June 29, 2025. We were so hopeful that this would be the same quality we had experienced in the past as we had chosen this restaurant for our sister's retirement celebration. There were only three people in our party. She had never been to this restaurant and we wanted it to be special, it was not! We all three chose the sea bass which was one of the special entrees that evening. It was served lukewarm and was supposed to be topped with grilled shrimp, I found two very tiny grilled shrimp on my entree, my other diners did not have any shrimp. It was covered in a thick sauce that was lukewarm. None of our food was hot, my sister's baked potato was lukewarm and did not melt the butter. It looked and tasted like it was cooked hours ago. The green beans were also cold. The corn pudding and grilled asparagus were good but that certainly did not make up for this lack luster meal at $52.00 per entree that was supposed to be one of their evening features. The crème brûlée was good, the chocolate bread pudding and strawberry shortcake were ok but nothing special. The service was good, my reason for two stars overall. The food arrived fast, perhaps a little too fast??? I did not speak of the quality of the food to our server or manager, at this point I just wanted to finish. The price of $226.00 for the quality of this meal was a total disappointment. I will not be returning to this restaurant after this experience. I have always enjoyed dining here for the food and the Kentucky experience and history.
Blair
Sat on the patio after an afternoon storm. Increased our party size same day as reservation and was lucky enough to be able to do so. Love the patio and the food was great as always.
Janey
Always enjoy going to Merrick Inn and another fabulous time with friends! The server Sandy was so attentive to our needs. She is such a great person. Definitely will be back
Joe
We lived th e bar room. It was more quiet than the rest of the restaurant until it filled up, and we appreciate that. The food was excellent and the service was great! Thanks!
Otis Rickman
Great venue. Had a dinner meeting here. Was a little nervous driving up the hill and seeekng the apartments. But what a gem of venue. Great outdoor bar. Meeting rooms. Great staff. Bourbon collection and valet.
Alice A Ingram
We were guests for dinner at what used to be our favorite restaurant in Lexington. Our server was the worst ever-maybe it was his first night as a server, but a child could have been more attentive and observant. I made the mistake of ordering a cheeseburger which was dry and tasteless- a poor choice for me. It would have helped if the French fries I ordered had come with the burger which they didn’t. Our server finally brought them after our host asked, but we were ready to leave at that point. Makes me sad since The Merrick Inn has been such a favorite for so many years. I don’t know who owns it now, but it is a failure. We have great memories of delicious food, great service and such good times with friends there over the years, but we won’t be going there again
Taylor Adams
Food here is always amazing. We did a bourbon pairing that was spectacular. Can't wait to go again!
Randy Stubblefield
Great staff and really good food!!
Brooke Cloud
We had a work dinner party of 10, and we were sat in a private room upstairs of the restaurant. Our waiter Ryan was absolutely perfect. He was welcoming accommodating, and professional. We loved him! The food was great until we all got dessert to-go. A lot of us got the strawberry pound cake, but when we went home to eat it, it was not appetizing at all. We were all pretty disappointed with the dessert. But all in all, we had a great time, and would definitely go again.
Andrew King
We have loved this place for years. Always consistent and great staff.
I’m so sad—Merrick Inn has really gone downhill. I took my uncles there last weekend, and the service was honestly shocking. We sat for over 30 minutes before anyone took our order. During that time, I watched our server meticulously set an entire (empty) table for six—water glasses, plates, cutlery—while we were clearly trying to get his attention. He ended up seating just two people there and then had to remove four settings. If we hadn’t been so hungry, it would’ve been comical.
Eventually, I had to get up and ask another server for help. She was very apologetic and got our server to finally return. Unfortunately, the comedy of errors continued—he kept clearing plates we were still using. At one point, he tried to take my partner’s salad three times while he was still eating it.
Every time I visit go back to visit Kentucky, I used to make a point of coming here—but I think this will be the last time. It’s just not the same. The service has really gone downhill.
Jodie Whitaker
We went to Merrick Inn for Mothers Day. Great food, service and atmosphere. Sandy was our server and she was amazing! We had 12 people in our party and she was so attentive and very personable. Will definitely request her next time. Merrick Inn is a must if you are in the Lexington area.
Maria
Go to the Merrick Inn all the time, but this is the first time for brunch. It was absolutely delicious. Generous portions and definitely worth the money. Will be back!
mike
One of the greatest southern food experiences I've ever had. Fried chicken was second to none!!! Atmosphere was great and we had a really fun time. Everyone found something they wanted and loved. Huge portions. Like being at Sunday dinner at grandmas!! Definitely come
Jason
Merrick Inn is one of our absolute favorite places! Food is delicious, the atmosphere is wonderful and the service is always top notch.
I was so disappointed in this restaurant. I had dined here several times and the food and service had always been excellent. We dined at 5:30pm on June 29, 2025. We were so hopeful that this would be the same quality we had experienced in the past as we had chosen this restaurant for our sister's retirement celebration. There were only three people in our party. She had never been to this restaurant and we wanted it to be special, it was not! We all three chose the sea bass which was one of the special entrees that evening. It was served lukewarm and was supposed to be topped with grilled shrimp, I found two very tiny grilled shrimp on my entree, my other diners did not have any shrimp. It was covered in a thick sauce that was lukewarm. None of our food was hot, my sister's baked potato was lukewarm and did not melt the butter. It looked and tasted like it was cooked hours ago. The green beans were also cold. The corn pudding and grilled asparagus were good but that certainly did not make up for this lack luster meal at $52.00 per entree that was supposed to be one of their evening features. The crème brûlée was good, the chocolate bread pudding and strawberry shortcake were ok but nothing special. The service was good, my reason for two stars overall. The food arrived fast, perhaps a little too fast??? I did not speak of the quality of the food to our server or manager, at this point I just wanted to finish. The price of $226.00 for the quality of this meal was a total disappointment. I will not be returning to this restaurant after this experience. I have always enjoyed dining here for the food and the Kentucky experience and history.
Sat on the patio after an afternoon storm. Increased our party size same day as reservation and was lucky enough to be able to do so. Love the patio and the food was great as always.
Always enjoy going to Merrick Inn and another fabulous time with friends! The server Sandy was so attentive to our needs. She is such a great person. Definitely will be back
We lived th e bar room. It was more quiet than the rest of the restaurant until it filled up, and we appreciate that. The food was excellent and the service was great! Thanks!
Great venue. Had a dinner meeting here. Was a little nervous driving up the hill and seeekng the apartments. But what a gem of venue. Great outdoor bar. Meeting rooms. Great staff. Bourbon collection and valet.
We were guests for dinner at what used to be our favorite restaurant in Lexington. Our server was the worst ever-maybe it was his first night as a server, but a child could have been more attentive and observant. I made the mistake of ordering a cheeseburger which was dry and tasteless- a poor choice for me. It would have helped if the French fries I ordered had come with the burger which they didn’t. Our server finally brought them after our host asked, but we were ready to leave at that point. Makes me sad since The Merrick Inn has been such a favorite for so many years. I don’t know who owns it now, but it is a failure. We have great memories of delicious food, great service and such good times with friends there over the years, but we won’t be going there again
Food here is always amazing. We did a bourbon pairing that was spectacular. Can't wait to go again!
Great staff and really good food!!
We had a work dinner party of 10, and we were sat in a private room upstairs of the restaurant. Our waiter Ryan was absolutely perfect. He was welcoming accommodating, and professional. We loved him! The food was great until we all got dessert to-go. A lot of us got the strawberry pound cake, but when we went home to eat it, it was not appetizing at all. We were all pretty disappointed with the dessert. But all in all, we had a great time, and would definitely go again.
We have loved this place for years. Always consistent and great staff.
Restaurantji Recommends
I’m so sad—Merrick Inn has really gone downhill. I took my uncles there last weekend, and the service was honestly shocking. We sat for over 30 minutes before anyone took our order. During that time, I watched our server meticulously set an entire (empty) table for six—water glasses, plates, cutlery—while we were clearly trying to get his attention. He ended up seating just two people there and then had to remove four settings. If we hadn’t been so hungry, it would’ve been comical.
Eventually, I had to get up and ask another server for help. She was very apologetic and got our server to finally return. Unfortunately, the comedy of errors continued—he kept clearing plates we were still using. At one point, he tried to take my partner’s salad three times while he was still eating it.
Every time I visit go back to visit Kentucky, I used to make a point of coming here—but I think this will be the last time. It’s just not the same. The service has really gone downhill.
We went to Merrick Inn for Mothers Day. Great food, service and atmosphere.
Sandy was our server and she was amazing! We had 12 people in our party and she was so attentive and very personable. Will definitely request her next time. Merrick Inn is a must if you are in the Lexington area.
Go to the Merrick Inn all the time, but this is the first time for brunch. It was absolutely delicious. Generous portions and definitely worth the money. Will be back!
One of the greatest southern food experiences I've ever had. Fried chicken was second to none!!! Atmosphere was great and we had a really fun time. Everyone found something they wanted and loved. Huge portions. Like being at Sunday dinner at grandmas!! Definitely come
Merrick Inn is one of our absolute favorite places! Food is delicious, the atmosphere is wonderful and the service is always top notch.
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