Mercado Lounge — Restaurant in Harborough

It was quite obviously Mercado at Market Harborough’s lull in customers time - so I reasoned I could have a quiet meal. As soon as I got in the door a waiter fired questions at me. I had been there many times and I explained I would choose my table and order at the bar. I found a table and went to order at the bar. The waiter I had seen was not at the bar. I sat down near the windows. It wasn’t the quietest seat - the bar staff behind were noisy. The choice of table was my mistake.Food arrived relatively quickly. The waiter gave me a knife and fork (for macaroni cheese!) so I asked and got a spoon. Usually your staff are friendly and relaxed. He was talking like a waiter in a 4/5star restaurant. Then - in the huge cavern that is MHMercado - he started noisily cleaning the table right in front of me, flapping cushions around and generally making himself a nuisance. I just wanted a quiet meal. That was the last straw. I left. I mentioned to the 2 staff members behind the bar that he was ‘a bit of a pain’ as I left. There was no-one more surprised when I heard running footsteps behind me. He caught me up and started to challenge my complaint. I told him I didn’t think he should challenge me in this way and that I would put in a complaint anyway. It was very intimidating- particularly as he was tall and I am small, on my own, and twenty years...

My twin daughter's and Boyfriend to one of them are all Vegan and decided we should eat here as they had tried other Cafe Bars from the same chain and thought they were very good.

I could have eaten meat, but decided to be polite and eat Vegan. I had no regrets with my very good choice of a Falafel and Hummus wrap with red cabbage, wild rocket and carrot tapenade and fries. This was very reasonably priced.

However I had a pint of Bath Ales draught Dark Side which was nice, but a bit expensive at £4.05 for a 4% beer.

There is free water, different types (e.g. plain, cucumber, lime, mint etc. ) and also free normal water for dogs who are welcome inside or outside the cafe. They also get free dog treats.

Kids are also well taken care of because there is a area were they can be creative and do colouring, use provided craft materials to make pictures etc. although during our stay there were no takers.

Both sexes in our party commented on how dim the lighting was in our respective rest rooms (toilets).

This was my first experience of this chain. Apparently there is one in my home town of Northampton, so I will be checking it out soon with my wife and our two dogs, because apparently they are all Vegan and Dog Friendly. That's a...

Unfortunately, we had a dreadful experience here. The only reason we gave 2 stars was a) dog friendly and b) table service via app, otherwise we'd never have been served. We were a table of 12 booked in advance for Saturday lunch. Unfortunately, it was mistake after mistake. As a table, the average wait time was about 45 mins to an hour, for one main course. One couple received cold burgers, which were sent back, with another 15 min wait. I personally pulled several clumps of soil and grit out of my sandwich (assuming unwashed salad). The rest of the table received their tapas after everyone else had finished (probably closer to a 1.5 hour wait for them) and another tapas board was placed on the table, then told one of the items was missing as they'd sold out. We got the last calamari, which was so burnt it was fairly inedible.The actual main food was very basic, lots of beige foods, oily / deep fried. As this was for a birthday and organised by me, I was absolutely mortified to have guests complaining, such long waits and mud in my food. It was so embarrassing and ruined the afternoon for some of us. Totally appreciate that Saturday's are busy, but the quality of food and service was utterly appauling. Do...