Hayward House Bistro — Restaurant in Tallahassee

A Gem in Tallahassee – The Hayward House is Simply Exceptional!

If you’re anywhere near Tallahassee and haven’t yet experienced The Hayward House, you are truly missing out on one of the city’s finest dining treasures. From the moment you step through the door, you feel the warm, welcoming atmosphere that strikes the perfect balance between Southern charm and contemporary elegance.

At the heart of this American bistro is Ashley Chaney, the brilliant owner and proprietor whose passion for hospitality is evident in every single detail. Ashley has cultivated not just a restaurant, but a community gathering space. Her vision is clear in every plate, every smile from the staff, and every seasonal menu that celebrates the freshest local ingredients, while also thoughtfully nodding to her own upbringing and family.

The menu at Hayward House is balanced. Each includes seasonal selections that rotate regularly, meaning there’s always something new to fall in love with. Yet, the staple dishes, like the comforting poutine, remain all year long! (PS when the she crab soup is on menu…go just for that!)

What truly elevates the experience, though, is the dedicated, hardworking staff. Their attentiveness, warmth, and genuine enthusiasm mirror Ashley’s own passion. You can tell they’re proud to be part of something special—and it shows in the impeccable service.

In short, The Hayward House is more than a meal—it’s an experience. It’s where stories are shared, where new flavors are discovered, and where every visit feels like coming home. Ashley Chaney has built something remarkable here, and Tallahassee is all the richer for it.

Don’t walk—run—to The Hayward House. You’ll be glad you did. And, while you’re there, if you have an idea or recipe for a special, Southern dish, tell Ashley or one of her wonderful managers. You never know, you may just see her riff on it one day. She cares that much about you and this community!

Bravo...

Decor and vibe are great. However, Cobb salad and Harvest bowl were bland and dressing was nonexistent. Asked for dressing and server responded that there was dressing already. My wife and my daughter’s friend showed him that their salad and harvest bowl were bone dry. It took forever to get the dressing and then when bill came, they are charged $0.50 per dressing. We quietly paid it but it felt wrong. The $0.50 was not the issue but when the food was bland with no signs of dressing, it was just insulting to be nickled and dimed especially when we were polite and did not send the food back(we tried to fix the flavor ourselves). Instead of charging $14 for the salad, just up the price to $15 and give the customer the desired dressing.

The short rib pasta was also bland and the meat tasted like it was just boiled in water (no flavor or seasoning). Disappointing as the presentation was appetizing but did not deliver on taste.

The positive: the caesar salad with NY strip and the she crab soup were great. The whipped feta appetizer was also good. Limited but good wine list.

Service started initially great but one hour into the service, the restaurant got busier. From that point our server was spread too thin which caused the delay in getting infamous dressing and another round of wine.

I have mixed feelings as I like the vibe and staff is very nice. I hope this review acts as constructive criticism and I hope I can give Hayward House Bistro five stars the next...

THE CAPITAL CITY HAS A NEW ICON DOWNTOWN!

For those in Downtown, the question of where to go to lunch or dinner has now been put to rest with the opening of the Hayward House Bistro. With its palate of warm greens and alluring bronze, this restaurant is sure to captivate you time and time again. Slip into one of the velvet-backed booths for a work lunch, enjoy an evening on the terrace under the grand magnolia tree, or belly up to the bar and watch the artisan bartenders work their magic with spirits. The details will continue to surprise you, yet each time you walk in, you will feel welcome and at home. As beautiful as the restaurant is on the inside, it is backed by an equally enticing kitchen, producing meals of 5-star quality from Short Rib Ragu to Chargrilled Cauliflower, this now iconic spot has something for everyone for any occasion. Tastefully seasoned and thoughtfully prepared, each plate will pique your interest and tantalize your tastebuds with new and unique parings. The atmosphere was buzzing earlier this week at their opening, and many familiar faces could be seen around the room. This is sure to be a daily occurrence at Hayward House Bistro. It is only fitting that a once iconic restaurant in Downtown has been replaced by another that will no doubt be the go-to for many...