Cafe review only .. We went in for lunch today. It was still pretty crowded, but our server was still nice, prompt and attentive, so there was no problem whatsoever at the service department. We ordered the Thai coconut milk soup, grilled stuffed banana peppers and the spinach and sweet potato salad. The soup had a sweet note to it, but it was still very lovely. The stuffed pepper was spicy, garlicky, and full of flavor. The salad was very fresh and they gave us lots of bacon, which was very nice. Overall, it was a very pleasant meal.
(4)
Shelly M.
This was a great find while in Akron on business. I wasn't expecting much from a cafe on the upper level of a grocery store but the food was excellent with many healthy options. The stuffed avocado with the coconut "bacon" was amazing! The Moscow Mule was mixed perfectly. I noticed that they have live music on weekends!
(4)
J B.
I have a lot of food allergies. I have a very limited amount of places I will/can go out to eat safely. The restaurant at Mustard Seed is always so accommodating! I went out to eat for the first time in many months last night and my food was delicious and the staff was so friendly! Their grocery section is also amazing - I can always find Namaste Food and Enjoy Life products there. The meat and fish selection is great! I can always find more unique game like bison, elk and lamb. Love the place! (I also get 6% cash back wish my blue cash preferred card there which is awesome because I only recently found out Mustard Seed was included in the list of grocery stores that apply!)
(5)
Tiffany G.
Mustard seed has always been a long time favorite of mine. I can't lie I did neglect mustard seed when earth fare came into town and they just recently remodeled which made shopping there a little bit of a challenge but I always find myself coming back to Mustard seed. The prices are cheaper then earth fare and with the new remodel are carrying more items which is great. I am a sucker for their vegan baked goods they are hands down the BEST!! Also, they are the only grocer (I have found) that has potato salad without mayo (I HATE mayo). It honestly makes me break out into a happy dance when they have it!!! They also have umbrellas outside the exit so if it begins to rain while your in the store you can use them to take the groceries to your car without getting soaked :)
(5)
Anne S.
I ordered a 12" carrot cake here for a retirement party and even though the cake was delicious, I was embarrassed when unveiled at the party because the spelling was 2nd grade. "Congrats on your Retierment."
(2)
Shaina N.
Mustard Seed is my heaven on earth. I began doing research on the types of chemicals/metals/toxins that are implemented into our foods, drinks and tap water. The results were disturbing. So I set out to find an affordable, family owned organic market to do my grocery shopping at. I have been shopping at Mustard Seed for almost six months now and I refuse to shop for food anywhere else. It's amazing how when you start eating healthier and organically, you feel so much better, cleaner, and more energetic. Anyway, Mustard Seed provides organic fruits, vegetables, meats, drinks, and a wide variety of everything that you need in a grocery store. From organic ramen-like noodles to organic cereals to soy milks and juices, tofu and tofu-substituted ''meats'', their own deli and freshly prepared meals, to everything in between. Another lovely perk is their LARGE selection of wines, including a natural beer section. Very nice! Aside from food and drinks, they have natural home cleaning supplies, detergents, toilet paper, paper towels, to a vast range of beauty supplies, from lotions, shampoos, washes, toothpastes, organic makeup to kids grooming supplies as well. They also provide a rather large selection of supplements, from vitamins to homeopathic remedies to body detoxes. You really can find everything here! And the best part?! It's all very affordable. Of course you have to pay a little more for organic/gluten-free food, but it's worth it when it comes to taking better care of yourself and your family. I'm a college student so if I can afford shopping here, then anyone could :-). The one thing that I adore this place for above everything else is their two reverse osmosis water dispensers that you can fill up water at in gallons and even larger containers [that they also sell] instead of drinking tap water and buying the expensive reverse osmosis tank for your home. This was a god-send for me because tap water always made me sick, and now I know that I'm drinking pure water with no fluoride or metals. They even recently let customers fill up their water containers for FREE for a whole month! Now that's what I'm talkin' about! So like I said, this place truly is heaven on earth for me. They have absolutely everything and then some. What's not to love about that?!
(5)
Joseph D.
This is a health food grocery that also has a large restaurant upstairs. They have added a gluten free menu that is pretty good. The portions are huge and the staff is nice.
(3)
Linda J.
Terrific market, with everything a natural foods consumer could want and more. I often find yummy things I've never seen in San Francisco. Wonderful restaurant with wholesome, delicious, simple food. Bonus: I once saw Dennis Kucinich there. Truly an oasis.
(5)
Jeff S.
Great place for Sunday brunch
(5)
Josh W.
When looking to explore vegan, vegetarian and organic items, this is the place. I'm not 100% vegan or vegetarian, but I'm exploring my options. I love the food and seek it out from mustard seed. If you have a special dietary need, or just want to support a local business Mustard Seed is it. They also have a fine selection of craft and import beers, a large amount of wines, organic butcher, seafood and a fantastic bakery.
(4)
Moses S.
I came here with my wife and some folks over the weekend and I absolutely loved all the vegan and vegetarian options at the Cafe. I had the tempeh reuben and it was really good. I also had the white bean soup which was also very tasty. Based on food alone, this was clearly a 5 star tasting experience. Unfortunately, it appears that we had either a new or absent minded waiter that forgot to bring out our food or perhaps the kitchen was SUPER backed up. We were sat down and didn't get a waiter to come over until about 10-15 mins after sitting. Then another 10-15 mins for the waiter to come back with water and take our order. Finally, it was another 45 mins before we got our food. it was quite ridiculous. Maybe it was the waiter, maybe it was the kitchen, but that really soured my experience. Clearly if i'm up in this area again, i will return and give them another shot, but this time was disappointing.
(3)
Victor A.
We didn't anticipate finding many healthy food alternatives so Mustard Seed was a nice discovery. Great lunch - healthy and affordable. their fresh juices and smoothies are a must. and when you're done eating, you can shop for healthy food to take home (or back to your hotel)
(4)
Morgan B.
This place is pretty pricy for me, but since I moved over closer to this area, it's just too far of a drive for me to get to my preferred grocery store, Trader Joe's, every week. Instead I split my grocery shopping into two parts- the stuff I prioritize buying natural/organic, and the stuff I don't- simply because I can't afford to purchase everything here. That being said, I do find myself coming here weekly now, and so far I'm enjoying it. The things I like buying here most are meat, produce, bread, and ready made stuff (they have a great selection of items made in-house such as granola, energy bites, salsa, hummus, desserts, etc). The people working at the meat counter are always really nice and helpful- they are always willing to set aside a cut of meat if I ask, or go out of their way to cut me a custom piece. The people at the checkout are usually quite unfriendly in my experience though- for a high end grocery, they really should have staff that treats their guests with cordiality. That would be the only reason I give this review 4/5 stars. Other than that, I do enjoy coming here, and would recommend to others in the area that aren't close to a Whole Foods, but are looking for something similar. I've eaten at the cafe a while ago as well, and from what I remember it was pretty good. Definitely a good choice for vegetarians or those that have specific dietary concerns.
(4)
Kaitlin K.
I don't care what anyone says negatively about Mustard Seed - if you're vegan, it's like a magical kingdom in there...
(5)
J R.
Good if not great store. I'm mostly reviewing the eatery. Green curry was good but could have used more spice. Truffle mac & cheese tasty, but it was lukewarm and could have used some more texture (bread crumbs?). I like the fact that they have live music.
(4)
X O.
We love all their vegan options! Their menu is clearly color coded to specify vegan and vegan option items included Daiya non-dairy cheese, Gardein mock chicken and beef, tofu and tempeh. They even have vegan milkshakes and desserts!
(4)
Michael D.
The market looks good... This review is for the cafe. It's clean and the menu has some good healthy options. Maybe I was wrong getting the Tuna and Green Drink, both were just decent. The pickle was very delicious and fresh. Next time I am in town I will be sure to focus on cold pressed juice places vs just a juice place.
(3)
Tom B.
Very nice cafe! Ingenious concept of serving food and the servers tell you what to buy to make at home from the grocery market below. Got hooked on Matcha Tea shakes. Severs exceptionally knowledgable and trained on menu items. They even take pride in serving only filtered water! Everything that is served in the cafe and sold in the market is organic and fresh. Prices reasonable. Friendly staff. Has a neighborhood market vibe. Highly recommended.
(4)
Quinton F.
Meh... With TJs and Whole Foods what's the point? I don't think there are any of those competitors in the area, so okay. Looks like they are expanding, and they need to IMO. Limited selection versus the competitors I mentioned. That said, you can find the basics of most categories and they feature a good amount of non-GMOs.
(3)
Sharon M.
Love this place. Refined selection of quality products. A bit pricey, but if you're used to buying special natural food store things, you should be able to find it here.
(4)
Laura M.
The cafe was great! I got the kale salad with beets and peppers to start -- delish. Followed by the bison stuffed peppers which were in a honey sriracha cream that was simply to die for. It was all I could do not to lick the plate (apparently that's unbecoming?) I finished off with the loaded truffle fries (bacon, scallions, parmesan cream!), which were a little salty, but overall really good as well. I highly recommend :)
(5)
Megan S.
I am reviewing this place based off of a couple experiences I had. The first one was I had my bridal shower here. We had them make wraps and I have to say for just wraps and chips and some deserts, they were fantastic. Everything tasted just so fresh. The staff was super friendly and accommodating during my special event here and everyone just had a blast. We also ate lunch here, testing the food before we decided to have the shower here. To be honest this was about a year ago so I don't remember what my any of us had, but I do remember it was delicious. I have bought a few things in the market area and it has all been fresh and delicious. I know my cousin shops here on a regular basis and loves it. I really wish I lived closer, although I wouldn't do all my shopping here because it does get a little pricey.
(5)
Lori W.
Our collegiate volleyball team was in town for a weekend game, and we used Mustard Seed Market as one of the meal vendors.... they were AMAZING... from the first phone call I made, down to the last meal delivered, everything was perfect. Thank you Mustard Seed Market for feeding our athletes your healthy prepared foods, and giving them all something to smile about! Carol and Phyllis were so incredibly helpful. We will DEFINITELY be using this restaurant for our future trips to Akron!
(5)
Aaron S.
There are many healthy options in the restaurant here, including for vegans, in a unique setting. Some restaurant staff were quite rude.
We were in Ohio visiting family for Christmas and they all said that we MUST go to Mustard Seed for dinner. Probably the best decision during the whole trip! I had the salmon dish and it was out of this world AMAZING!! We also ordered a side of the truffle fries-YUM. My sis in law got the vegan chocolate torte I believe it was? She gave me a bite and I could've died happy at that point. Next time we are in town from AZ we will definitely be back!:)
(5)
Kim K.
We were so rushed when we arrived that I think I need to go back & give it another try. My daughter is vegan so there were tons of great options for her. I ordered the spinach & artichoke dip, which was very good; however, the crustinis were so hard that it made it difficult to eat. Had their been tortilla chips, I would have eaten the rest. I also ordered Cafe Goulardi. I didn't care for it & wouldn't order it again. My daughter ordered the Risotto Cakes and loved them! The interior is ok. It is clean, but I would think for such a hip market, that they could trend it up a little. Seems a little boring for me. I am a designer so I have it in me to think like that! Would go again for sure.
(4)
Sarah K.
We were passing through town, and I was looking to buy some local mead from Crafted Artisan Meadery. The meadery website said that Mustard Seed carried their product. Upon walking in, I was reminded of Whole Foods Market. Coming from a small town with no organic grocery store, I decided to browse the aisles and look at products I'd never seen before. There was a good selection of all sorts of groceries, beer, and wine. However, when I tried to find the mead - they only had 2 bottles of local mead, and they were difficult to spot. I ended up getting the Blue Honey Melomel. Next time I am in town, I'd like to re-visit Mustard Seed Market, shop around, and try the food in their cafe.
(4)
Jessica O.
Pretty cool that you can grab a bottle of wine you like from the market to drink at the cafe. The menu has something for everyone and there was live music while we were there. I think even my taco bell loving boyfriend would not hate it!
(5)
Cynthia F.
Why can't there be a place like this where I live?! Cafe is surprisingly upscale, considering it is in a supermarket. Comfortable padded chairs; upstairs, nice view if seated along the railing overlooking the market. Excellent, helpful waitress. Strawberry smoothie was tasty but smaller and not as outrageously good as the one at Aladdin's in Oberlin. The butternut squash bisque with cashew cream was perfect. The lunch entree of maple pecan-encrusted Black Pearl salmon with beets, root vegetables and brussel sprouts was served in an abundance of tasty creamy sauce. The salmon was cooked to perfection--crisp on the outside; moist on the inside. Portion size was adequate, not huge.
(4)
Cori N.
Not bad, not great. Could be much, much better! But for this area, it's doing pretty fine.
(3)
Brooke B.
I'm impressed with the changes they've made to the cafe! Awesome menu, and they have a creative drink menu also! Their salads are all delicious, along with their homemade dressings. Everything tastes fresh. They have a ton to offer to vegans also. The Thai carrot soup is really Tasty also. Definitely one of my favorite restaurants in Fairlawn.
(5)
Samantha F.
Mustard Seed what are you doing? Mom and I stopped here on our way back from visiting my Uncle in Akron. I love to stop here and eat at the cafe. I've always had a great experience and tried some delicious food. This time...not to much. We were starving so we ordered the Black Bean Quinoa Nachos. What came out was a plate of tortilla chips thrown around w/ some "nacho" cheese that had NO flavor, cooked quinoa, approximately 10 black beans, and a few scallions. It was not good at all. We didn't want to even eat it it was so bad. I ordered a salad and was disappointed. Personally, if a salad is good, you don't need the dressing to provide the flavor. Again...no flavor. I had to put the oil on the salad just to plow through it. Mom ordered a burger, which was a.ok. Our waitress while nice, never checked on us after the food and we had to flag down another waitress at the end to see if she could find ours for the check. I'm not sure if there is a new chef or what, but I thought the menu looked parred down and well, the food was just flavor-less. I may give it another try, but I'm so disappointed in this last visit I'll certainly give it another thought before I do.
(2)
Soly Z.
I really like the cafe upstairs - they have so many healthy, delicious choices. The Sunday brunch is especially amazing. The store downstairs offers lots of healthy options. I didn't really notice any organic meats, although many were labeled as "natural" and I did see some grass fed beef, I was disappointed that there weren't more organic options in the butcher section. As expected with a high end, health food market, the prices are higher than the regular chain store. However, I can see myself purchasing things here every couple of weeks, since the produce selection is so fresh and plentiful.
(4)
Erin S.
Today while out on a shopping excursion I was plagued with the familiar grumblings from my stomach telling me it was time to put down the hangers and pick up a fork and eat. I knew Mustard Seed had a cafe up top, but had never been there, so I decided to stop in with my friend and give it a try. My general feelings towards it border on dissatisfaction and maybe a little bit of bitterness. I ordered the Salmon wrap, expecting from the poetic description provided to be bursting with flavorful greens, seasoned to perfection, yadda yadda yadda. I ordered the redskin potatoes as a side dish. What came out was laughable. A rinky dink tiny wrap that hadn't even been warmed up, with barely anything in it, and some potatoes that as opposed to "roasted", had just obviously been sitting under a heat lamp for WAY too long. The outside tasted akin to chewing on a tupperware container, totally rubbery and flavorless. I thought it was impossible to screw up a potato, they are in essence perfect things, but the mustard seed proved me wrong. I think a piece of my tooth may still be in that hipster chic ramekin they served the tatties in. All in all, completely unimpressed, for anyone with dietary needs, it is a place that can satisfy your needs, but probably not your hunger. I'll be going elsewhere next time I'm in Fairlawn.
(2)
Nicole H.
A vegetarian dining dream. Not for the faint of heart, I took my brother who is not vegetarian or heath nut, he eats a typical american diet and he thought many items were weird (ie tempeh, tofu, carrot juice, inability to order a coke). Restaurant is casual and sits on a balcony on the 2nd floor overlooking the grocery store, request a balcony seat if you make reservations.
(5)
Ashley K.
Visit the cafe upstairs for brunch!! Fabulous, tasty, and worth the price. Wish they had bulk herbs on hand. Going here since highschool. Parking is insane tho!!
(4)
Adam E.
I feel like this place is really hit or miss for us. We went for the Easter Sunday brunch a few years back and we still talk about how good it was. But the last time we went it was one of those "misses". I got the breakfast burrito from the specials menu and it so completely lacked flavor that I had to drown it in hot sauce. I've had that experience a few other times, but we'll certainly keep coming back.
(3)
Fred F.
Great food, the kitchen takes time (well worth it), and staff is very friendly.
(4)
Alyssa W.
LOVE this market, LOVE the cafe.
(5)
Kent S.
Coming from a community with as little diversity as Akron, it's nice to have a place as large as this for natural foods. The Mustard Seed is my favorite source of freshly made, vegan baked goods. The cookies are delectable and it brings a tear to my eye when they run out of snuggles. My only complaint is that there is a lack of focus on locally crafted products. As an avid traveller, I love seeing what every town has to offer for unique treats. None of the employees I approached knew of any items, other than maple syrup, that were made in Ohio. Upon my own search, I found plenty. Lovers of specialty food items who pass through Akron should definitely stop by and see what Mustard Seed has to offer.
(5)
Ryan M.
A great place to get organic and wholesome food!
(5)
Patrick B.
The Mustard Seed is a great natural foods store in Fairlawn. There is also a location in Solon. The place has a emphasis on natural foods, but there is definantly a gourmet twist to it. They have all sorts of produce, pre-made food, natural food, gourmet food, and more. There is a cafe upstairs which I have yet to try. The past few times I've been here, there has been live music in the cafe. One complaint I have about the store is that it feel really cramped when it's crowded, and it doesn't take much to create that feeling. The store could certainly use a bigger space. Overall, if you're looking for natural food in the Akron area, stop at the Mustard Seed in Fairlawn to get your fix.
Best organic market in the Akron area, hands down. I had been here a few times before I started eating healthy -- didn't think too much of it. Then I started an organic diet, and I was blown away by the selection, service, and the FREE SAMPLES. Vegan cheeses, organic milk, and even hummus containers are all here. I found the prices to be better than those at Earth Fare and Krieger's. If you think "health food" is just vegan junk, then you are mistaken. This place even has its own butcher and bakery. Of course, the animals are raised on organic diets and the grains are not processed, but it's high-quality, high-end stuff that is sold here. There is also a cafe upstairs if you just want to try a snack or two and try some Fair Trade coffee. I can't tell you how the cafe is. If you are wondering why Whole Foods or Trader Joe's hasn't ventured down into Akron, look no further: Mustard Seed has Akron by the balls, and we love it.
(4)
Amy H.
Natural food stores are my happy place. I love the way they smell, the brightness of their produce, their laid back personality, and their aisles of interesting food choices. Being from the west coast, I am used to seeing a variety of natural food stores around. In NE Ohio, that variety is lacking. Mustard Seed was like a beautiful oasis for me and my hubby during our first week in Medina. We were in Montrose setting up our bank account at Huntington and, there it was.. Mustard Seed Market & Cafe.. shining like a beacon. Fast forward eight months, I've shopped at Mustard Seed and dined in their upstairs cafe dozens of times. The only menu items I don't recommend are the nachos and sushi. Everything else is divine, even the gluten-free options! My friend Anna and I like to come here and drink a shot of wheatgrass before every meal. Oh, and I love the deli options and tasting station filled with hummus and tapenade, the cheese samples over by the meat counter, and the overall cheerfulness of the employees, even if the store seems a little cramped. Thank you, Mustard Seed! You have made our move to Ohio that much better.
(4)
Nick K.
We love the Sunday brunch at the Mustard Seed Cafe. You'll find my wife, son and I at the front of the line at 10:30 fiending for that creme brule french toast. The prepared foods section is another likely stop. Healthy and savory foods to save you from another boring lunch are waiting for you there! Wine, beer, cheese, seafood and meat selections are better than most in the area as well. These folks are really doing it right!
(4)
Adam R.
This place is heaven and you always leave feeling great. Start out with a shot of wheat grass or if your new to that sort of thing order a grass hopper. Split some quinoa nachos and marvel at the creaminess of the vegan nacho cheese. Then order the risotto cakes or tempeh ruben. Something for everyone, and you dont have to feel gross when leaving!
(5)
Stacy R.
My family & I were in town for a DCI show and stayed at a hotel around the corner from the cafe. After doing a quick google search for GF options for myself & son the Mustard Seed Cafe popped up so I convinced the rest family to try it out. We were all a little hesitant because the location is a grocery store on the 1st floor, with restaurant seating upstairs. The menu items are made from "real whole foods" and were beautifully labeled for those with food allergies & dietary preferences. Most all of the menu can be modified to suit your needs. I've never seen so many GF vegetarian & vegan options! Everyone in my family LOVED the food. We ordered the turkey sausage flat bread, BBQ chicken flat bread, bison burger, hickory tofu wrap, BLT sandwich, sweet potato fries with a delicious dip, and a soup that had sausage, pasta, & black eyed peas in it. We didn't get a chance to order dessert because we were short on time but we hope to visit again the next time we are in the area. This was our best meal of the entire weekend!
(5)
Steve H.
We waited 45 minutes after we ordered before our food arrived. The waitress did not check up on us very much nor apologize for the wait. We ordered two bison burgers and a tuna melt. The burgers were not seasoned and the cheese was not melted on the tuna melt. For an upscale, healthy grocery store, the fruit salad that came with the tuna melt was not that great. I doubt we will go back.
(2)
Alicia B.
This market is becoming the only place I will shop - which is entirely inconvenient because it is in Fairlawn and I am in Tremont. It's so worth it, though. The meat department is the best I've found. Grass-fed lamb patties - yes, please! Grass-fed (almost) everything - why, certainly! The quality is great and the prices are, as well. I also really enjoy the bulk foods section and the pre-packaged trail mixes, dried fruits, dips and spreads. Maybe I'm just used to nuts from a can, but the ones from the bulk section here really are, like, infinitely better and worth paying extra. We've always found anything that we were looking for - one of our harder to find items is unsweetened flavored soy milk. No problem at Mustard Seed. It's not a huge store but it seems they know the right things to stock. Everyone who works there is very helpful and the lines at the checkouts are never long. Again, I drive 40 minutes to shop here so if you are looking for a natural foods store in the area, it's definitely worth a try.
(5)
Michael G.
When I was younger I used to eat anything and everything. However, for the past year or so I've been eating healthy and I've found a way to still enjoy the food. Mustard seed allows you to choose healthy and stay healthy as everything they sell is free of chemicals and inorganic materials. I love their meat selection, and the seafood selection is superior. They even have a large selection of vegan foods for those who do not enjoy meat or any animal products. If you can't eat wheat products they also have a large selection of gluten free products. If you happen to come slightly hungry they always have samples or for a bigger appetite try the cafe upstairs. I reccomend a bison burger or the black pearl salmon. They are absolutely excellent choices and actually quite healthy. If either don't sound appealing you can't go wrong with anything else on the menu.
(5)
Michelle P.
I was hoping to find a healthy, fresh cafe, but it came at the cost of flavor. We went for dinner. I had the miso soup which was bland and overloaded with green onions. The vegetables (carrots, onions, kale) in the soup were fresh and crunchy, but the broth was tasteless, bland, brown-colored water. Then I ordered the AVOCADO salad; what a disappointing mess. First, there were only 3 tiny pieces of avocado in a salad named after that very ingredient. The pieces were pathetic slimy, messy chunks, not even nice slices. Then the agave dressing was bland and oily. I was completely disappointed. On a good note, the ingredients were fresh. The teriyaki bowl was a salty super sweet sloppy dish. The salmon was cooked well, not dry, and it was seasoned although a little too salty. I couldn't finish the rice because it was drenched in the overly salty sweet sauce. Overall, very disappointing. I thought about going to the brunch, but not after the dinner I had. I don't want to pay $16 for a brunch that might be like their lack-luster dinner. As for the bakery, I decided to try the cupcakes. Lousy! Dry & lacking flavor. The frosting was the best part & that was even mediocre. The peanut butter chocolate pie was okay; the chocolate was lacking in a deep dark cocoa taste, & the peanut butter filling was at least creamy, but it was more sugary than peanut butter flavor. Definitely, not going to be getting anymore of the bakery items. I'm sticking with Earth Fare, they have an amazing bakery!
(2)
Jenny L.
They brought back some old menu items so I now love the place again. Thanks to the chef for bringing back the items that made the place popular!
(5)
Brittany L.
I wish we had a store like this in Indianapolis. Spacious, informative (recipes and helpful into on making dietary changes), wide selection of organic and vegetarian foods that is approachable. They also sell quick meals, like frozen stuff. It would be great if we could all prepare fresh, local food, all the time...but let's face it...life gets in the way. I appreciate that they sell frozen and boxed meals too. Prices seemed a bit high on many items, but certain things are marked down with "seed savings"...for example the wine I bought. It had been $19 but was on sale for $13. I didn't venture into the cafe so I didn't feel comfortable giving a 4-star rating. From what I saw though, a great spot for healthful and conscientious food shopping in the Akron/Canton area.
(3)
SJ M.
When I used to live in Portland, OR, (where grocery stores like this are the norm rather than the exception) and come visit my family in Fairlawn, this place was an oasis. Now I live in NYC & have a kid and I see how crazy expensive it is! Usually the prices in OH are so much cheaper than NYC. Not the case here! Still, great products, stuff I can't get in the "natural" section of the Giant Eagle, so I go. Next trip I'll check out that Earth Fare place that seems to be kicking Mustard Seeds rump. Oh and what's with eccentric rich people wearing heinously ugly pj's to go grocery shopping?! I was in line behind a woman wearing a pink fleece pants & top with black poodles on it. Another wacko dude was wearing his bathrobe! And a lot of blanket-like coats. So wrong. NEWSFLASH: A) you look horrible, B) this is not how the elite health-food consumers on the west coast & NYC dress, if you're trying to emulate them. But I guess you're still dumpy Ohioans who can't really rock designer yoga pants, so you're doing your best.
(3)
Jennifer C.
Mustard Seed serves it's function. Do I prefer to go straight to my butcher/fish monger/baker/chocolatier? Of course, but given the size of Akron and the general lack of these things (I do have a butcher in Barberton, but their hours don't always coincide with my needs), I make exceptions and come to Mustard Seed. Really. It's the best you can do in Akron given that there is no real market place (akin to West Side Market, Pike's Place, or Greenmarket). Fresh produce (most local when possible), generally very clean store, and great service. Seems to be a very down-to-earth place without the usual snobbery that goes along with organic/free-range places. Bit of advice though, do NOT ask for veal in from the butcher. You will get a dirty look and chastised like a child. Veal is the same as lamb. It just happens to come from a cow instead of a sheep. And 99% of places can't afford to carry crated or milk veal because the stuff is so far beyond the average consumer's budget, it would go bad long before it sold. Anyways. Decent wine selection, and if you don't find what you're looking for, the buyer there will be happy to get what you need. She is just wonderful.
(3)
Bryan V.
I am reviewing primarily for the food / wine shopping rather than the cafe. The organic and specialty food selection is good for Akron, but the prices are substantially higher than other options for the foods that I generally purchase at a specialty market (cheese, fresh vegetables, and bulk grains). I find these high prices interesting as much of the food can be sourced locally, yet I have seen lower prices on some items in NYC. There are a number of exceptions to this pricing and there are several items that are nearly impossible to find elsewhere in Akron. I tend to shop elsewhere now and then go to Mustard Seed to pick up only a small portion of my 'supplies'.
(3)
Andrea F.
Mustard Seed Market and Cafe is one of my favorite places to shop and to eat lunch or pick up carry out. It has a wide variety of options for vegetarians, vegans and your every day carnivore/omnivore. You can show up in jeans, as the market is right below, or you can come straight from work in a dressier outfit and not feel out of place. Lunch time service is very, very slow and the severs are not attentive. I think it might be a complacent attitude, because even when I have gone to pick up food well after the lunch rush and the cafe is empty, you can be ignored and the service is paifully slow. That being said, the food is phenomenal, healthy and inventive. Sitting in the cafe with the view overlooking the market/store is always fun. It is a great place to meet a friend for lunch if you do not have any place to be. I recommend the the matcha lattes (rice milk and agave nectar) and the hazelnut and soy milkshakes.
(4)
Erin B.
i've been coming here for over 20 years. their selection of healthy foods is excellent, and its a great clean environment with nice big aisles. its more pricy than trader joes or some of the co-ops you might find downtown, but its very convenient and the staff is wonderful.
(4)
Bliss H.
Gluten Free?...ask for the Menu in the Resturant. Yes! they even serve Gluten Free Beer.
(4)
Krystal D.
Definitely the best natural foods store in the area. Unfortunately, the prices are a bit steep for my liking. If only we had a Trader Joe's in Akron! They have a HUGE bulk goods selection- the best I have seen anywhere. All types of nuts, grains, beans, coffees, spices....if you're looking for it, I'm sure they have it. I love the meat department. They offer a handful of grass-fed beef options, but on a more exciting note they sell rarities like buffalo and ostrich. I'm also impressed by the number of nitrite-free bacon and sausage options. Those are hard to find. The quality of their meat is really fantastic. They carry boundless specialty items, so if you're looking to eat healthy or have special dietary needs, this is your place. Ever since I cut out all processed foods from my diet, I've had a hard time finding quality foods to eat...but I can easily fill an entire grocery cart at Mustard Seed.
(4)
Steven S.
Simply put I love this place! Great selection of healthy and organic foods and a pretty good wine selection too. I would shop here exclusively if I lived closer. I haven't been to their cafe yet but I have picked up a bunch of their prepared foods for lunch/dinner and all have been good and reasonably priced.
(5)
Daniel B.
Not bad. Good variety but nothing out of the ordinary. Fairly priced for the location. Worth a visit. Over a market that has a nice variety of trendy foods.
(3)
Katharine S.
My family has done "special foods" shopping at the Mustard Seed (both the Solon and Montrose locations) since I was a kiddo, so I have many dear memories of taking plural samples of their salsas, hummus, and tomato and basil bruschetta and sneaking a single piece of chocolate-covered deliciousness from the bulk bins section... oh wait, I did that on my most recent visit today, too! I went to the Mustard Seed immediately after shopping at the new Earth Fare five minutes down the street (by which I was COMPLETELY blown away) and was curious to see how well the Mustard Seed would be able to hold its own in comparison. Here goes: 1) The parking lot is smaller and more difficult to park in than Earth Fare because the shopping plaza is more dense than Earth Fare's. 2) The Mustard Seed is located in a smaller space than Earth Fare, so the aisles feel more cramped and there is not as much space for the nutritional supplements and vitamins, make-up, and floral sections. 3) The bakery at the Mustard Seed is EVEN SMALLER and less well-stocked than Earth Fare's in terms of cakes and desserts. Its pastry section looks equally yummy, though, even though it is smaller. 4) The Mustard Seed has more flour/grain bulk items and less dried fruit/candy/chocolate-covered nuts than Earth Fare's. 5) The beer and wine selection is much smaller. While Earth Fare had four (!!!) moscatos under $10 which I have not yet tried, the Mustard Seed only had one, and it was one that is available at regular grocery stores. But the Mustard Seed did have three varieties of port in the just-under-$20 range that I was pleased to see, whereas Earth Fare only had two ports. The Mustard Seed also had fridge-packs of Stella in cans, which Earth Fare did not. Mmmmm.... 6) The check-out lanes at the Mustard Seed were faster than those at Earth Fare. I've never tried the full-service restaurant at the Montrose location, but a dear friend of mine in undergrad swore by their Sunday brunch buffet. Also, the Solon location is much bigger in size and is thus more comparable to Earth Fare in terms of aesthetics of the shopping experience. So even though Earth Fare has currently stolen my heart, the Mustard Seed is still a fabulous store. I love that it is an Ohio-based natural and organic supermarket and that they've been in business since 1981. If you're in the Montrose/Fairlawn area, I highly recommend stopping at both stores.
(4)
Amanda F.
For starters you should know two things about me, 1) I'm a vegetarian, and 2) I'm gluten intolerant. What does this mean for me? Grocery shopping is an adventure all it's self. Normally, I have to go to at least two different stores to get everything I'm looking for. HOWEVER! The Mustard Seed was a FANTASTIC market with everything I needed right under one roof. Not only were the employees terrific and knowledgeable they made me feel welcome as I shopped (an emotion I don't normally associate with grocery shopping) but there was a huge selection of natural foods in a market type atmosphere. For fellow gluten free eaters, they not only half an aisle dedicated to gluten free products but another aisle of frozen treats as well. There were also some gluten free products, such as bread crumbs, that I had never seen in other stores. If delicious natural foods was not enough the day I happened to be shopping there were several people with vegetable themed hats. As I was checking out I inquired to the curious apparel choice to the cashier. The cashier smiled and explained that occasionally the store has customer appreciation days. That day if a customer wore a vegetable themed hat they received 20% off their purchase. She told me to keep an eye on the website for other special days!
(5)
David D.
The cafe is tucked away upstairs. Shopped at Mustard Seed several times before I realized there was a cafe. They have a very good selection of Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten Free, etc. Great service and great tasting food. I would recommend taking the whole family.
(4)
Michelle G.
Absolutely one of my favorite places. Staff always friendly and helpful. Great selection, samples all the time. Cafe is amazing !
(5)
jeff D.
My wife and I discovered this place quite by accident, The Mustard Seed Market. A very good accident at that! We loved the organic grocery store and bulk organic spices and seeds etc. On the second level there is the Mustard Seed Cafe. We had the tomato risotto, it was great, enough for us to share. We split a burger with swiss and mushrooms. Very good. Will definitely visit again when in Akron.
(4)
karen k.
Great brunch with a lot of vegetarian choices but also a lot of choices for carnivores! Be sure to try the French toast. It is the best any where.
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : No Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : No Dogs Allowed : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Mon P.
Cafe review only .. We went in for lunch today. It was still pretty crowded, but our server was still nice, prompt and attentive, so there was no problem whatsoever at the service department. We ordered the Thai coconut milk soup, grilled stuffed banana peppers and the spinach and sweet potato salad. The soup had a sweet note to it, but it was still very lovely. The stuffed pepper was spicy, garlicky, and full of flavor. The salad was very fresh and they gave us lots of bacon, which was very nice. Overall, it was a very pleasant meal.
(4)Shelly M.
This was a great find while in Akron on business. I wasn't expecting much from a cafe on the upper level of a grocery store but the food was excellent with many healthy options. The stuffed avocado with the coconut "bacon" was amazing! The Moscow Mule was mixed perfectly. I noticed that they have live music on weekends!
(4)J B.
I have a lot of food allergies. I have a very limited amount of places I will/can go out to eat safely. The restaurant at Mustard Seed is always so accommodating! I went out to eat for the first time in many months last night and my food was delicious and the staff was so friendly! Their grocery section is also amazing - I can always find Namaste Food and Enjoy Life products there. The meat and fish selection is great! I can always find more unique game like bison, elk and lamb. Love the place! (I also get 6% cash back wish my blue cash preferred card there which is awesome because I only recently found out Mustard Seed was included in the list of grocery stores that apply!)
(5)Tiffany G.
Mustard seed has always been a long time favorite of mine. I can't lie I did neglect mustard seed when earth fare came into town and they just recently remodeled which made shopping there a little bit of a challenge but I always find myself coming back to Mustard seed. The prices are cheaper then earth fare and with the new remodel are carrying more items which is great. I am a sucker for their vegan baked goods they are hands down the BEST!! Also, they are the only grocer (I have found) that has potato salad without mayo (I HATE mayo). It honestly makes me break out into a happy dance when they have it!!! They also have umbrellas outside the exit so if it begins to rain while your in the store you can use them to take the groceries to your car without getting soaked :)
(5)Anne S.
I ordered a 12" carrot cake here for a retirement party and even though the cake was delicious, I was embarrassed when unveiled at the party because the spelling was 2nd grade. "Congrats on your Retierment."
(2)Shaina N.
Mustard Seed is my heaven on earth. I began doing research on the types of chemicals/metals/toxins that are implemented into our foods, drinks and tap water. The results were disturbing. So I set out to find an affordable, family owned organic market to do my grocery shopping at. I have been shopping at Mustard Seed for almost six months now and I refuse to shop for food anywhere else. It's amazing how when you start eating healthier and organically, you feel so much better, cleaner, and more energetic. Anyway, Mustard Seed provides organic fruits, vegetables, meats, drinks, and a wide variety of everything that you need in a grocery store. From organic ramen-like noodles to organic cereals to soy milks and juices, tofu and tofu-substituted ''meats'', their own deli and freshly prepared meals, to everything in between. Another lovely perk is their LARGE selection of wines, including a natural beer section. Very nice! Aside from food and drinks, they have natural home cleaning supplies, detergents, toilet paper, paper towels, to a vast range of beauty supplies, from lotions, shampoos, washes, toothpastes, organic makeup to kids grooming supplies as well. They also provide a rather large selection of supplements, from vitamins to homeopathic remedies to body detoxes. You really can find everything here! And the best part?! It's all very affordable. Of course you have to pay a little more for organic/gluten-free food, but it's worth it when it comes to taking better care of yourself and your family. I'm a college student so if I can afford shopping here, then anyone could :-). The one thing that I adore this place for above everything else is their two reverse osmosis water dispensers that you can fill up water at in gallons and even larger containers [that they also sell] instead of drinking tap water and buying the expensive reverse osmosis tank for your home. This was a god-send for me because tap water always made me sick, and now I know that I'm drinking pure water with no fluoride or metals. They even recently let customers fill up their water containers for FREE for a whole month! Now that's what I'm talkin' about! So like I said, this place truly is heaven on earth for me. They have absolutely everything and then some. What's not to love about that?!
(5)Joseph D.
This is a health food grocery that also has a large restaurant upstairs. They have added a gluten free menu that is pretty good. The portions are huge and the staff is nice.
(3)Linda J.
Terrific market, with everything a natural foods consumer could want and more. I often find yummy things I've never seen in San Francisco. Wonderful restaurant with wholesome, delicious, simple food. Bonus: I once saw Dennis Kucinich there. Truly an oasis.
(5)Jeff S.
Great place for Sunday brunch
(5)Josh W.
When looking to explore vegan, vegetarian and organic items, this is the place. I'm not 100% vegan or vegetarian, but I'm exploring my options. I love the food and seek it out from mustard seed. If you have a special dietary need, or just want to support a local business Mustard Seed is it. They also have a fine selection of craft and import beers, a large amount of wines, organic butcher, seafood and a fantastic bakery.
(4)Moses S.
I came here with my wife and some folks over the weekend and I absolutely loved all the vegan and vegetarian options at the Cafe. I had the tempeh reuben and it was really good. I also had the white bean soup which was also very tasty. Based on food alone, this was clearly a 5 star tasting experience. Unfortunately, it appears that we had either a new or absent minded waiter that forgot to bring out our food or perhaps the kitchen was SUPER backed up. We were sat down and didn't get a waiter to come over until about 10-15 mins after sitting. Then another 10-15 mins for the waiter to come back with water and take our order. Finally, it was another 45 mins before we got our food. it was quite ridiculous. Maybe it was the waiter, maybe it was the kitchen, but that really soured my experience. Clearly if i'm up in this area again, i will return and give them another shot, but this time was disappointing.
(3)Victor A.
We didn't anticipate finding many healthy food alternatives so Mustard Seed was a nice discovery. Great lunch - healthy and affordable. their fresh juices and smoothies are a must. and when you're done eating, you can shop for healthy food to take home (or back to your hotel)
(4)Morgan B.
This place is pretty pricy for me, but since I moved over closer to this area, it's just too far of a drive for me to get to my preferred grocery store, Trader Joe's, every week. Instead I split my grocery shopping into two parts- the stuff I prioritize buying natural/organic, and the stuff I don't- simply because I can't afford to purchase everything here. That being said, I do find myself coming here weekly now, and so far I'm enjoying it. The things I like buying here most are meat, produce, bread, and ready made stuff (they have a great selection of items made in-house such as granola, energy bites, salsa, hummus, desserts, etc). The people working at the meat counter are always really nice and helpful- they are always willing to set aside a cut of meat if I ask, or go out of their way to cut me a custom piece. The people at the checkout are usually quite unfriendly in my experience though- for a high end grocery, they really should have staff that treats their guests with cordiality. That would be the only reason I give this review 4/5 stars. Other than that, I do enjoy coming here, and would recommend to others in the area that aren't close to a Whole Foods, but are looking for something similar. I've eaten at the cafe a while ago as well, and from what I remember it was pretty good. Definitely a good choice for vegetarians or those that have specific dietary concerns.
(4)Kaitlin K.
I don't care what anyone says negatively about Mustard Seed - if you're vegan, it's like a magical kingdom in there...
(5)J R.
Good if not great store. I'm mostly reviewing the eatery. Green curry was good but could have used more spice. Truffle mac & cheese tasty, but it was lukewarm and could have used some more texture (bread crumbs?). I like the fact that they have live music.
(4)X O.
We love all their vegan options! Their menu is clearly color coded to specify vegan and vegan option items included Daiya non-dairy cheese, Gardein mock chicken and beef, tofu and tempeh. They even have vegan milkshakes and desserts!
(4)Michael D.
The market looks good... This review is for the cafe. It's clean and the menu has some good healthy options. Maybe I was wrong getting the Tuna and Green Drink, both were just decent. The pickle was very delicious and fresh. Next time I am in town I will be sure to focus on cold pressed juice places vs just a juice place.
(3)Tom B.
Very nice cafe! Ingenious concept of serving food and the servers tell you what to buy to make at home from the grocery market below. Got hooked on Matcha Tea shakes. Severs exceptionally knowledgable and trained on menu items. They even take pride in serving only filtered water! Everything that is served in the cafe and sold in the market is organic and fresh. Prices reasonable. Friendly staff. Has a neighborhood market vibe. Highly recommended.
(4)Quinton F.
Meh... With TJs and Whole Foods what's the point? I don't think there are any of those competitors in the area, so okay. Looks like they are expanding, and they need to IMO. Limited selection versus the competitors I mentioned. That said, you can find the basics of most categories and they feature a good amount of non-GMOs.
(3)Sharon M.
Love this place. Refined selection of quality products. A bit pricey, but if you're used to buying special natural food store things, you should be able to find it here.
(4)Laura M.
The cafe was great! I got the kale salad with beets and peppers to start -- delish. Followed by the bison stuffed peppers which were in a honey sriracha cream that was simply to die for. It was all I could do not to lick the plate (apparently that's unbecoming?) I finished off with the loaded truffle fries (bacon, scallions, parmesan cream!), which were a little salty, but overall really good as well. I highly recommend :)
(5)Megan S.
I am reviewing this place based off of a couple experiences I had. The first one was I had my bridal shower here. We had them make wraps and I have to say for just wraps and chips and some deserts, they were fantastic. Everything tasted just so fresh. The staff was super friendly and accommodating during my special event here and everyone just had a blast. We also ate lunch here, testing the food before we decided to have the shower here. To be honest this was about a year ago so I don't remember what my any of us had, but I do remember it was delicious. I have bought a few things in the market area and it has all been fresh and delicious. I know my cousin shops here on a regular basis and loves it. I really wish I lived closer, although I wouldn't do all my shopping here because it does get a little pricey.
(5)Lori W.
Our collegiate volleyball team was in town for a weekend game, and we used Mustard Seed Market as one of the meal vendors.... they were AMAZING... from the first phone call I made, down to the last meal delivered, everything was perfect. Thank you Mustard Seed Market for feeding our athletes your healthy prepared foods, and giving them all something to smile about! Carol and Phyllis were so incredibly helpful. We will DEFINITELY be using this restaurant for our future trips to Akron!
(5)Aaron S.
There are many healthy options in the restaurant here, including for vegans, in a unique setting. Some restaurant staff were quite rude.
(3)Teejay B.
Absolutely LOVE the café. It has everything from gluten free to vegan on the menu and if they don't have it, ask and you shall receive! Their grilled cheese special wasn't gluten free but I asked them if I could have it on gluten free bread and they did it no problem. I love a place that doesn't mind bending the rules for a food allergy. Refreshing! The smoothies are healthy and delicious. Raspberry is my FAV! YUM. Now, the only reason I've given this place four stars instead of five is the price. There may be a bigger selection of specialty food here than your run of the mill grocery store, but the prices aren't nearly as good. I can get the same thing at Giant Eagle for a dollar or so less. That being said, Mustard Seed probably has a better brand and something that will taste a little better in their ridiculous selection than other stores. Unfortunately I live about 30min away, so this is a special trip for me. I will make the drive once a month though. That should say something...
(4)Katie S.
We were in Ohio visiting family for Christmas and they all said that we MUST go to Mustard Seed for dinner. Probably the best decision during the whole trip! I had the salmon dish and it was out of this world AMAZING!! We also ordered a side of the truffle fries-YUM. My sis in law got the vegan chocolate torte I believe it was? She gave me a bite and I could've died happy at that point. Next time we are in town from AZ we will definitely be back!:)
(5)Kim K.
We were so rushed when we arrived that I think I need to go back & give it another try. My daughter is vegan so there were tons of great options for her. I ordered the spinach & artichoke dip, which was very good; however, the crustinis were so hard that it made it difficult to eat. Had their been tortilla chips, I would have eaten the rest. I also ordered Cafe Goulardi. I didn't care for it & wouldn't order it again. My daughter ordered the Risotto Cakes and loved them! The interior is ok. It is clean, but I would think for such a hip market, that they could trend it up a little. Seems a little boring for me. I am a designer so I have it in me to think like that! Would go again for sure.
(4)Sarah K.
We were passing through town, and I was looking to buy some local mead from Crafted Artisan Meadery. The meadery website said that Mustard Seed carried their product. Upon walking in, I was reminded of Whole Foods Market. Coming from a small town with no organic grocery store, I decided to browse the aisles and look at products I'd never seen before. There was a good selection of all sorts of groceries, beer, and wine. However, when I tried to find the mead - they only had 2 bottles of local mead, and they were difficult to spot. I ended up getting the Blue Honey Melomel. Next time I am in town, I'd like to re-visit Mustard Seed Market, shop around, and try the food in their cafe.
(4)Jessica O.
Pretty cool that you can grab a bottle of wine you like from the market to drink at the cafe. The menu has something for everyone and there was live music while we were there. I think even my taco bell loving boyfriend would not hate it!
(5)Cynthia F.
Why can't there be a place like this where I live?! Cafe is surprisingly upscale, considering it is in a supermarket. Comfortable padded chairs; upstairs, nice view if seated along the railing overlooking the market. Excellent, helpful waitress. Strawberry smoothie was tasty but smaller and not as outrageously good as the one at Aladdin's in Oberlin. The butternut squash bisque with cashew cream was perfect. The lunch entree of maple pecan-encrusted Black Pearl salmon with beets, root vegetables and brussel sprouts was served in an abundance of tasty creamy sauce. The salmon was cooked to perfection--crisp on the outside; moist on the inside. Portion size was adequate, not huge.
(4)Cori N.
Not bad, not great. Could be much, much better! But for this area, it's doing pretty fine.
(3)Brooke B.
I'm impressed with the changes they've made to the cafe! Awesome menu, and they have a creative drink menu also! Their salads are all delicious, along with their homemade dressings. Everything tastes fresh. They have a ton to offer to vegans also. The Thai carrot soup is really Tasty also. Definitely one of my favorite restaurants in Fairlawn.
(5)Samantha F.
Mustard Seed what are you doing? Mom and I stopped here on our way back from visiting my Uncle in Akron. I love to stop here and eat at the cafe. I've always had a great experience and tried some delicious food. This time...not to much. We were starving so we ordered the Black Bean Quinoa Nachos. What came out was a plate of tortilla chips thrown around w/ some "nacho" cheese that had NO flavor, cooked quinoa, approximately 10 black beans, and a few scallions. It was not good at all. We didn't want to even eat it it was so bad. I ordered a salad and was disappointed. Personally, if a salad is good, you don't need the dressing to provide the flavor. Again...no flavor. I had to put the oil on the salad just to plow through it. Mom ordered a burger, which was a.ok. Our waitress while nice, never checked on us after the food and we had to flag down another waitress at the end to see if she could find ours for the check. I'm not sure if there is a new chef or what, but I thought the menu looked parred down and well, the food was just flavor-less. I may give it another try, but I'm so disappointed in this last visit I'll certainly give it another thought before I do.
(2)Soly Z.
I really like the cafe upstairs - they have so many healthy, delicious choices. The Sunday brunch is especially amazing. The store downstairs offers lots of healthy options. I didn't really notice any organic meats, although many were labeled as "natural" and I did see some grass fed beef, I was disappointed that there weren't more organic options in the butcher section. As expected with a high end, health food market, the prices are higher than the regular chain store. However, I can see myself purchasing things here every couple of weeks, since the produce selection is so fresh and plentiful.
(4)Erin S.
Today while out on a shopping excursion I was plagued with the familiar grumblings from my stomach telling me it was time to put down the hangers and pick up a fork and eat. I knew Mustard Seed had a cafe up top, but had never been there, so I decided to stop in with my friend and give it a try. My general feelings towards it border on dissatisfaction and maybe a little bit of bitterness. I ordered the Salmon wrap, expecting from the poetic description provided to be bursting with flavorful greens, seasoned to perfection, yadda yadda yadda. I ordered the redskin potatoes as a side dish. What came out was laughable. A rinky dink tiny wrap that hadn't even been warmed up, with barely anything in it, and some potatoes that as opposed to "roasted", had just obviously been sitting under a heat lamp for WAY too long. The outside tasted akin to chewing on a tupperware container, totally rubbery and flavorless. I thought it was impossible to screw up a potato, they are in essence perfect things, but the mustard seed proved me wrong. I think a piece of my tooth may still be in that hipster chic ramekin they served the tatties in. All in all, completely unimpressed, for anyone with dietary needs, it is a place that can satisfy your needs, but probably not your hunger. I'll be going elsewhere next time I'm in Fairlawn.
(2)Nicole H.
A vegetarian dining dream. Not for the faint of heart, I took my brother who is not vegetarian or heath nut, he eats a typical american diet and he thought many items were weird (ie tempeh, tofu, carrot juice, inability to order a coke). Restaurant is casual and sits on a balcony on the 2nd floor overlooking the grocery store, request a balcony seat if you make reservations.
(5)Ashley K.
Visit the cafe upstairs for brunch!! Fabulous, tasty, and worth the price. Wish they had bulk herbs on hand. Going here since highschool. Parking is insane tho!!
(4)Adam E.
I feel like this place is really hit or miss for us. We went for the Easter Sunday brunch a few years back and we still talk about how good it was. But the last time we went it was one of those "misses". I got the breakfast burrito from the specials menu and it so completely lacked flavor that I had to drown it in hot sauce. I've had that experience a few other times, but we'll certainly keep coming back.
(3)Fred F.
Great food, the kitchen takes time (well worth it), and staff is very friendly.
(4)Alyssa W.
LOVE this market, LOVE the cafe.
(5)Kent S.
Coming from a community with as little diversity as Akron, it's nice to have a place as large as this for natural foods. The Mustard Seed is my favorite source of freshly made, vegan baked goods. The cookies are delectable and it brings a tear to my eye when they run out of snuggles. My only complaint is that there is a lack of focus on locally crafted products. As an avid traveller, I love seeing what every town has to offer for unique treats. None of the employees I approached knew of any items, other than maple syrup, that were made in Ohio. Upon my own search, I found plenty. Lovers of specialty food items who pass through Akron should definitely stop by and see what Mustard Seed has to offer.
(5)Ryan M.
A great place to get organic and wholesome food!
(5)Patrick B.
The Mustard Seed is a great natural foods store in Fairlawn. There is also a location in Solon. The place has a emphasis on natural foods, but there is definantly a gourmet twist to it. They have all sorts of produce, pre-made food, natural food, gourmet food, and more. There is a cafe upstairs which I have yet to try. The past few times I've been here, there has been live music in the cafe. One complaint I have about the store is that it feel really cramped when it's crowded, and it doesn't take much to create that feeling. The store could certainly use a bigger space. Overall, if you're looking for natural food in the Akron area, stop at the Mustard Seed in Fairlawn to get your fix.
(5)Jim C.
Still the king in this area when it comes to clean eating. For those who care about what they put in their bodies, there is no better place than the Mustard Seed. They always have an outstanding produce selection, a deli with numerous delicious vegetarian and vegan dishes for you to take home, a wonderful bakery, and hundreds of vegetarian/vegan and organic options in the market aisles. With all the organic options, its pretty easy to avoid most GMO products when shopping here. I also need to mention the friendliness and helpfulness of the market staff. Additionally, the Café is also wonderful. Service is always prompt and friendly, and I have NEVER received a dish that wasn't wonderfully prepared. Again, vegetarian and vegan options are plentiful. My only complaint would be that they have shortened the menu somewhat from what it was in the past. (Maybe due to cost issues?) But that complaint doesn't detract from how good what they do have to offer is. It seemed (to me) that the Mustard Seed faltered just briefly when Earth Fare opened their doors just on the next block. But they definitely have regained any footing they may have lost, and are back on top! Having lived elsewhere and seen other stores, I can say that Akronites are very lucky to have the Mustard Seed in their backyard.
(5)Zack H.
Best organic market in the Akron area, hands down. I had been here a few times before I started eating healthy -- didn't think too much of it. Then I started an organic diet, and I was blown away by the selection, service, and the FREE SAMPLES. Vegan cheeses, organic milk, and even hummus containers are all here. I found the prices to be better than those at Earth Fare and Krieger's. If you think "health food" is just vegan junk, then you are mistaken. This place even has its own butcher and bakery. Of course, the animals are raised on organic diets and the grains are not processed, but it's high-quality, high-end stuff that is sold here. There is also a cafe upstairs if you just want to try a snack or two and try some Fair Trade coffee. I can't tell you how the cafe is. If you are wondering why Whole Foods or Trader Joe's hasn't ventured down into Akron, look no further: Mustard Seed has Akron by the balls, and we love it.
(4)Amy H.
Natural food stores are my happy place. I love the way they smell, the brightness of their produce, their laid back personality, and their aisles of interesting food choices. Being from the west coast, I am used to seeing a variety of natural food stores around. In NE Ohio, that variety is lacking. Mustard Seed was like a beautiful oasis for me and my hubby during our first week in Medina. We were in Montrose setting up our bank account at Huntington and, there it was.. Mustard Seed Market & Cafe.. shining like a beacon. Fast forward eight months, I've shopped at Mustard Seed and dined in their upstairs cafe dozens of times. The only menu items I don't recommend are the nachos and sushi. Everything else is divine, even the gluten-free options! My friend Anna and I like to come here and drink a shot of wheatgrass before every meal. Oh, and I love the deli options and tasting station filled with hummus and tapenade, the cheese samples over by the meat counter, and the overall cheerfulness of the employees, even if the store seems a little cramped. Thank you, Mustard Seed! You have made our move to Ohio that much better.
(4)Nick K.
We love the Sunday brunch at the Mustard Seed Cafe. You'll find my wife, son and I at the front of the line at 10:30 fiending for that creme brule french toast. The prepared foods section is another likely stop. Healthy and savory foods to save you from another boring lunch are waiting for you there! Wine, beer, cheese, seafood and meat selections are better than most in the area as well. These folks are really doing it right!
(4)Adam R.
This place is heaven and you always leave feeling great. Start out with a shot of wheat grass or if your new to that sort of thing order a grass hopper. Split some quinoa nachos and marvel at the creaminess of the vegan nacho cheese. Then order the risotto cakes or tempeh ruben. Something for everyone, and you dont have to feel gross when leaving!
(5)Stacy R.
My family & I were in town for a DCI show and stayed at a hotel around the corner from the cafe. After doing a quick google search for GF options for myself & son the Mustard Seed Cafe popped up so I convinced the rest family to try it out. We were all a little hesitant because the location is a grocery store on the 1st floor, with restaurant seating upstairs. The menu items are made from "real whole foods" and were beautifully labeled for those with food allergies & dietary preferences. Most all of the menu can be modified to suit your needs. I've never seen so many GF vegetarian & vegan options! Everyone in my family LOVED the food. We ordered the turkey sausage flat bread, BBQ chicken flat bread, bison burger, hickory tofu wrap, BLT sandwich, sweet potato fries with a delicious dip, and a soup that had sausage, pasta, & black eyed peas in it. We didn't get a chance to order dessert because we were short on time but we hope to visit again the next time we are in the area. This was our best meal of the entire weekend!
(5)Steve H.
We waited 45 minutes after we ordered before our food arrived. The waitress did not check up on us very much nor apologize for the wait. We ordered two bison burgers and a tuna melt. The burgers were not seasoned and the cheese was not melted on the tuna melt. For an upscale, healthy grocery store, the fruit salad that came with the tuna melt was not that great. I doubt we will go back.
(2)Alicia B.
This market is becoming the only place I will shop - which is entirely inconvenient because it is in Fairlawn and I am in Tremont. It's so worth it, though. The meat department is the best I've found. Grass-fed lamb patties - yes, please! Grass-fed (almost) everything - why, certainly! The quality is great and the prices are, as well. I also really enjoy the bulk foods section and the pre-packaged trail mixes, dried fruits, dips and spreads. Maybe I'm just used to nuts from a can, but the ones from the bulk section here really are, like, infinitely better and worth paying extra. We've always found anything that we were looking for - one of our harder to find items is unsweetened flavored soy milk. No problem at Mustard Seed. It's not a huge store but it seems they know the right things to stock. Everyone who works there is very helpful and the lines at the checkouts are never long. Again, I drive 40 minutes to shop here so if you are looking for a natural foods store in the area, it's definitely worth a try.
(5)Michael G.
When I was younger I used to eat anything and everything. However, for the past year or so I've been eating healthy and I've found a way to still enjoy the food. Mustard seed allows you to choose healthy and stay healthy as everything they sell is free of chemicals and inorganic materials. I love their meat selection, and the seafood selection is superior. They even have a large selection of vegan foods for those who do not enjoy meat or any animal products. If you can't eat wheat products they also have a large selection of gluten free products. If you happen to come slightly hungry they always have samples or for a bigger appetite try the cafe upstairs. I reccomend a bison burger or the black pearl salmon. They are absolutely excellent choices and actually quite healthy. If either don't sound appealing you can't go wrong with anything else on the menu.
(5)Michelle P.
I was hoping to find a healthy, fresh cafe, but it came at the cost of flavor. We went for dinner. I had the miso soup which was bland and overloaded with green onions. The vegetables (carrots, onions, kale) in the soup were fresh and crunchy, but the broth was tasteless, bland, brown-colored water. Then I ordered the AVOCADO salad; what a disappointing mess. First, there were only 3 tiny pieces of avocado in a salad named after that very ingredient. The pieces were pathetic slimy, messy chunks, not even nice slices. Then the agave dressing was bland and oily. I was completely disappointed. On a good note, the ingredients were fresh. The teriyaki bowl was a salty super sweet sloppy dish. The salmon was cooked well, not dry, and it was seasoned although a little too salty. I couldn't finish the rice because it was drenched in the overly salty sweet sauce. Overall, very disappointing. I thought about going to the brunch, but not after the dinner I had. I don't want to pay $16 for a brunch that might be like their lack-luster dinner. As for the bakery, I decided to try the cupcakes. Lousy! Dry & lacking flavor. The frosting was the best part & that was even mediocre. The peanut butter chocolate pie was okay; the chocolate was lacking in a deep dark cocoa taste, & the peanut butter filling was at least creamy, but it was more sugary than peanut butter flavor. Definitely, not going to be getting anymore of the bakery items. I'm sticking with Earth Fare, they have an amazing bakery!
(2)Jenny L.
They brought back some old menu items so I now love the place again. Thanks to the chef for bringing back the items that made the place popular!
(5)Brittany L.
I wish we had a store like this in Indianapolis. Spacious, informative (recipes and helpful into on making dietary changes), wide selection of organic and vegetarian foods that is approachable. They also sell quick meals, like frozen stuff. It would be great if we could all prepare fresh, local food, all the time...but let's face it...life gets in the way. I appreciate that they sell frozen and boxed meals too. Prices seemed a bit high on many items, but certain things are marked down with "seed savings"...for example the wine I bought. It had been $19 but was on sale for $13. I didn't venture into the cafe so I didn't feel comfortable giving a 4-star rating. From what I saw though, a great spot for healthful and conscientious food shopping in the Akron/Canton area.
(3)SJ M.
When I used to live in Portland, OR, (where grocery stores like this are the norm rather than the exception) and come visit my family in Fairlawn, this place was an oasis. Now I live in NYC & have a kid and I see how crazy expensive it is! Usually the prices in OH are so much cheaper than NYC. Not the case here! Still, great products, stuff I can't get in the "natural" section of the Giant Eagle, so I go. Next trip I'll check out that Earth Fare place that seems to be kicking Mustard Seeds rump. Oh and what's with eccentric rich people wearing heinously ugly pj's to go grocery shopping?! I was in line behind a woman wearing a pink fleece pants & top with black poodles on it. Another wacko dude was wearing his bathrobe! And a lot of blanket-like coats. So wrong. NEWSFLASH: A) you look horrible, B) this is not how the elite health-food consumers on the west coast & NYC dress, if you're trying to emulate them. But I guess you're still dumpy Ohioans who can't really rock designer yoga pants, so you're doing your best.
(3)Jennifer C.
Mustard Seed serves it's function. Do I prefer to go straight to my butcher/fish monger/baker/chocolatier? Of course, but given the size of Akron and the general lack of these things (I do have a butcher in Barberton, but their hours don't always coincide with my needs), I make exceptions and come to Mustard Seed. Really. It's the best you can do in Akron given that there is no real market place (akin to West Side Market, Pike's Place, or Greenmarket). Fresh produce (most local when possible), generally very clean store, and great service. Seems to be a very down-to-earth place without the usual snobbery that goes along with organic/free-range places. Bit of advice though, do NOT ask for veal in from the butcher. You will get a dirty look and chastised like a child. Veal is the same as lamb. It just happens to come from a cow instead of a sheep. And 99% of places can't afford to carry crated or milk veal because the stuff is so far beyond the average consumer's budget, it would go bad long before it sold. Anyways. Decent wine selection, and if you don't find what you're looking for, the buyer there will be happy to get what you need. She is just wonderful.
(3)Bryan V.
I am reviewing primarily for the food / wine shopping rather than the cafe. The organic and specialty food selection is good for Akron, but the prices are substantially higher than other options for the foods that I generally purchase at a specialty market (cheese, fresh vegetables, and bulk grains). I find these high prices interesting as much of the food can be sourced locally, yet I have seen lower prices on some items in NYC. There are a number of exceptions to this pricing and there are several items that are nearly impossible to find elsewhere in Akron. I tend to shop elsewhere now and then go to Mustard Seed to pick up only a small portion of my 'supplies'.
(3)Andrea F.
Mustard Seed Market and Cafe is one of my favorite places to shop and to eat lunch or pick up carry out. It has a wide variety of options for vegetarians, vegans and your every day carnivore/omnivore. You can show up in jeans, as the market is right below, or you can come straight from work in a dressier outfit and not feel out of place. Lunch time service is very, very slow and the severs are not attentive. I think it might be a complacent attitude, because even when I have gone to pick up food well after the lunch rush and the cafe is empty, you can be ignored and the service is paifully slow. That being said, the food is phenomenal, healthy and inventive. Sitting in the cafe with the view overlooking the market/store is always fun. It is a great place to meet a friend for lunch if you do not have any place to be. I recommend the the matcha lattes (rice milk and agave nectar) and the hazelnut and soy milkshakes.
(4)Erin B.
i've been coming here for over 20 years. their selection of healthy foods is excellent, and its a great clean environment with nice big aisles. its more pricy than trader joes or some of the co-ops you might find downtown, but its very convenient and the staff is wonderful.
(4)Bliss H.
Gluten Free?...ask for the Menu in the Resturant. Yes! they even serve Gluten Free Beer.
(4)Krystal D.
Definitely the best natural foods store in the area. Unfortunately, the prices are a bit steep for my liking. If only we had a Trader Joe's in Akron! They have a HUGE bulk goods selection- the best I have seen anywhere. All types of nuts, grains, beans, coffees, spices....if you're looking for it, I'm sure they have it. I love the meat department. They offer a handful of grass-fed beef options, but on a more exciting note they sell rarities like buffalo and ostrich. I'm also impressed by the number of nitrite-free bacon and sausage options. Those are hard to find. The quality of their meat is really fantastic. They carry boundless specialty items, so if you're looking to eat healthy or have special dietary needs, this is your place. Ever since I cut out all processed foods from my diet, I've had a hard time finding quality foods to eat...but I can easily fill an entire grocery cart at Mustard Seed.
(4)Steven S.
Simply put I love this place! Great selection of healthy and organic foods and a pretty good wine selection too. I would shop here exclusively if I lived closer. I haven't been to their cafe yet but I have picked up a bunch of their prepared foods for lunch/dinner and all have been good and reasonably priced.
(5)Daniel B.
Not bad. Good variety but nothing out of the ordinary. Fairly priced for the location. Worth a visit. Over a market that has a nice variety of trendy foods.
(3)Katharine S.
My family has done "special foods" shopping at the Mustard Seed (both the Solon and Montrose locations) since I was a kiddo, so I have many dear memories of taking plural samples of their salsas, hummus, and tomato and basil bruschetta and sneaking a single piece of chocolate-covered deliciousness from the bulk bins section... oh wait, I did that on my most recent visit today, too! I went to the Mustard Seed immediately after shopping at the new Earth Fare five minutes down the street (by which I was COMPLETELY blown away) and was curious to see how well the Mustard Seed would be able to hold its own in comparison. Here goes: 1) The parking lot is smaller and more difficult to park in than Earth Fare because the shopping plaza is more dense than Earth Fare's. 2) The Mustard Seed is located in a smaller space than Earth Fare, so the aisles feel more cramped and there is not as much space for the nutritional supplements and vitamins, make-up, and floral sections. 3) The bakery at the Mustard Seed is EVEN SMALLER and less well-stocked than Earth Fare's in terms of cakes and desserts. Its pastry section looks equally yummy, though, even though it is smaller. 4) The Mustard Seed has more flour/grain bulk items and less dried fruit/candy/chocolate-covered nuts than Earth Fare's. 5) The beer and wine selection is much smaller. While Earth Fare had four (!!!) moscatos under $10 which I have not yet tried, the Mustard Seed only had one, and it was one that is available at regular grocery stores. But the Mustard Seed did have three varieties of port in the just-under-$20 range that I was pleased to see, whereas Earth Fare only had two ports. The Mustard Seed also had fridge-packs of Stella in cans, which Earth Fare did not. Mmmmm.... 6) The check-out lanes at the Mustard Seed were faster than those at Earth Fare. I've never tried the full-service restaurant at the Montrose location, but a dear friend of mine in undergrad swore by their Sunday brunch buffet. Also, the Solon location is much bigger in size and is thus more comparable to Earth Fare in terms of aesthetics of the shopping experience. So even though Earth Fare has currently stolen my heart, the Mustard Seed is still a fabulous store. I love that it is an Ohio-based natural and organic supermarket and that they've been in business since 1981. If you're in the Montrose/Fairlawn area, I highly recommend stopping at both stores.
(4)Amanda F.
For starters you should know two things about me, 1) I'm a vegetarian, and 2) I'm gluten intolerant. What does this mean for me? Grocery shopping is an adventure all it's self. Normally, I have to go to at least two different stores to get everything I'm looking for. HOWEVER! The Mustard Seed was a FANTASTIC market with everything I needed right under one roof. Not only were the employees terrific and knowledgeable they made me feel welcome as I shopped (an emotion I don't normally associate with grocery shopping) but there was a huge selection of natural foods in a market type atmosphere. For fellow gluten free eaters, they not only half an aisle dedicated to gluten free products but another aisle of frozen treats as well. There were also some gluten free products, such as bread crumbs, that I had never seen in other stores. If delicious natural foods was not enough the day I happened to be shopping there were several people with vegetable themed hats. As I was checking out I inquired to the curious apparel choice to the cashier. The cashier smiled and explained that occasionally the store has customer appreciation days. That day if a customer wore a vegetable themed hat they received 20% off their purchase. She told me to keep an eye on the website for other special days!
(5)David D.
The cafe is tucked away upstairs. Shopped at Mustard Seed several times before I realized there was a cafe. They have a very good selection of Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten Free, etc. Great service and great tasting food. I would recommend taking the whole family.
(4)Michelle G.
Absolutely one of my favorite places. Staff always friendly and helpful. Great selection, samples all the time. Cafe is amazing !
(5)jeff D.
My wife and I discovered this place quite by accident, The Mustard Seed Market. A very good accident at that! We loved the organic grocery store and bulk organic spices and seeds etc. On the second level there is the Mustard Seed Cafe. We had the tomato risotto, it was great, enough for us to share. We split a burger with swiss and mushrooms. Very good. Will definitely visit again when in Akron.
(4)karen k.
Great brunch with a lot of vegetarian choices but also a lot of choices for carnivores! Be sure to try the French toast. It is the best any where.
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