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Merchant, Madison, WI

Merchant

4.3
4.3
1585 Reviews
$31 to $50
Contemporary American

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 31 times today
Experiences are available.

About this restaurant

  • Lively
  • Good for special occasions
  • Charming
Merchant is Madison's energetic industrial-chic cafe, craft cocktail bar and late night destination specializing in no-nonsense, affordable fare and drink steeped in old school culture and soul.

Our menu features elevated American classics like shrimp cakes, steaks, burgers, and mac and cheese. As Madison’s first craft cocktail bar, our drink list includes twists on classic cocktails using fresh ingredients and heritage spirits, fresh innovative non-alcoholic drinks, and wines from boutique producers, fresh beers on tap, and heritage beers.

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Contemporary American, Cajun, Cocktail Bar
  • Hours of operation
    Brunch Sat, Sun 9:00 am–2:00 pm Happy Hour Tue–Fri 4:00 pm–6:00 pm Sat, Sun 2:00 pm–6:00 pm Dinner Tue–Thu, Sun 4:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 4:00 pm–10:00 pm Late Night Fri, Sat 10:00 pm–1:00 am
  • Phone number
    (608) 259-9799
  • Website
    http://www.merchantmadison.com/
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Executive chef
    Tony Hargrove
  • Private party facilities
    We have semi-private dining available. Please call (608) 259-9799 to speak to management.
  • Location
    121 S Pinckney St, Madison, WI 53703
  • Neighborhood
    Madison
  • Cross street
    E. Doty Street
  • Parking details
    Streetside and Parking ramp available across the street
  • Public transit
    Downtown bus lines are one block away.
  • Entertainment
    We have Madison's finest DJs late night on Friday and Saturday nights and live bands on Thursdays at 9:30. Please check the entertainment schedule athttp://www.merchantmadison.com/entertainment/
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Delivery, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Kosher, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Vegan, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Featured in

Experiences

  • Date Night at Merchant! Prixe Fixe $60 for 2

    $30.00 per person

    Multiple dates available
    Choice of any snack, starter, and any entree, and a bottle of wine to share. Starting at $60 for two guests!
    Date Night at Merchant! Prixe Fixe $60 for 2 Photo

  • Graduation Weekend at Merchant 2025!

    $10.00 per person

    Prepaid

    May 9, 2025 - May 10, 2025
    Due to such high demand for reservations on graduation weekend, we will be charging a $10 ticket fee per person. This applies to bookings between 2-10pm on both Friday May 9th and Saturday May 10th. This ticket is non-refundable and is simply a fee charged to confirm bookings with us on these dates! In the case of cancellations at any time, this cost will NOT be reimbursed to our guests. All graduation bookings will be programmed for a 2hr dining experience. Every graduate will receive a glass of bubbly from us to celebrate all of their achievements, and all their friends & family of graduates will be offered a sampler of bubbly to cheers them with! We can't wait to host you during graduation weekend!
    Graduation Weekend at Merchant 2025! Photo

  • Merchant Trivia Night Is BACK!

    Multiple dates available
    Merchant has teamed up with America's Pub Quiz to put on Trivia nights every Sunday from 4-6pm! Grab your favorite group of pals and join us for themed events, hilarious questions, drink specials, and a chance to win gift cards! See you there!

Private dining

Offers

  • Everyday Happy Hour!

    Multiple dates available
    Sun - 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM,Sat - 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
    DRINKS: 50% off draft cocktails $3 Lawnmower Beers $6 Boilermakers BOGO House Wine $6 Gin and Tonics $7 Regrets FOOD: $4 Fries $6 Curds $5 Fondue $6 Olives

    Everyday Happy Hour! Photo

  • Friday Fish Fry

    Multiple dates available
    Fri - 4:00 PM - 10:00 PM
    Wild-caught Lake Superior whitefish from Bodin Fisheries, Bayfield, WI, coleslaw, cornichon tartar sauce, rye bread, butter, warm potato salad w/mustard vinaigrette

    Friday Fish Fry Photo

Menu

View menu on restaurant's website

What 1,585 people are saying

Merchant reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.3
4.3 based on recent ratings
  • 4.3Food
  • 4.2Service
  • 4.5Ambience
  • 4.1Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

  • Madison

    Great for brunch

  • Madison

    Innovative

  • Madison

    Lively

  • Madison

    Most Booked

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Merchant is a vibrant downtown restaurant known for its "delicious food and innovative drinks." The atmosphere is "fantastic," making it a perfect spot for "date night" or gatherings. While some service experiences vary, standout dishes like the "cream cheese pimento deviled eggs and cheese curds" keep patrons coming back for "great meals and lively ambiance."

1,585 Reviews

  1. Janet

    Milwaukee4 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Friday fish was good, right amount, along with fries and a funky coleslaw with colored peppers.

    Is this helpful?

  2. leigh

    Greater Boston2 reviews

    4.0

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5
    Great drink, great burger…liked the deviled eggs, did not love!

    Is this helpful?

  3. Charity

    Detroit1 review

    3.0

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    The service was wonderful, the food a little lackluster

    Is this helpful?

  4. OpenTable Diner

    Milwaukee3 reviews

    3.0

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 4
    Food quality was OK. Portions a bit small, but no real issues. Very slow- food arrived more than 40 minutes after ordering. No mention or apology.

    Is this helpful?

  5. Heidi

    Unspecified1 review

    5.0

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Brunch was wonderful. Food and drinks spot on! Definitely will be back.
    MerchantResponded 1 day ago
    Thank you for the review Heidi! We're happy to hear you enjoyed our brunch selection of food & drinks and look forward to having you back in for another fun brunch service. Cheers!

    Is this helpful?

  6. OpenTable Diner

    Chicago3 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on March 2, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Very cool place to eat. Has a super liberal vibe.

    Is this helpful?

  7. Angela and Tom

    Milwaukee1 review

    5.0

    Dined on February 27, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    It was our first time there, and it was incredible. They go above and beyond when it comes to service. The vibe of the restaurant is everything. This is a place that an eclectic group of people can feel really good at. Our server literally made the experience. The drink menu is on another level. I couldn't recommend this place enough.
    MerchantResponded on March 6, 2025
    Thank you so much for the sterling review folks! We very much enjoyed having you at Merchant and are thrilled to hear you enjoyed the whole experience. We look forwards to having y'all back at Merchant for more drinks and fun service!

    Is this helpful?

  8. AllisonS

    Milwaukee1 review

    5.0

    Dined on February 23, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Delicious food! The beignets were amazing. I liked that you could make a reservation for brunch.

    Is this helpful?

  9. Matthew

    Chicago3 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on February 22, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The staff made us feel like vips. Drinks and food were great.

    Is this helpful?

  10. Tommaso

    New York City1 review

    5.0

    Dined on February 21, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Wow—how have I not been to Merchant sooner?! I’m actually mad at myself for missing out on this gem for so long. From the very first bite, I knew I was in for something special. We started with the deviled eggs, which were the perfect way to warm up for the main event—just enough to tease the taste buds without spoiling the appetite. But the real star? The shrimp cakes. Hands down, one of the best things I’ve eaten in Madison! Perfectly crispy on the outside, tender and flavorful on the inside—every bite was next-level delicious. On top of the phenomenal food, the atmosphere was just as impressive. The stylish decor and intimate vibe made for an amazing dinner date, elevating the entire experience. I’m officially hooked. I’ll be coming back again and again to work my way through the menu, and I highly recommend this place to anyone looking for incredible food in Madison. If you haven’t been to Merchant yet—go ASAP. You won’t regret it!

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

Merchant offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (608) 259-9799.

Merchant is rated 4.3 stars by 1585 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 31 times today
Experiences are available.

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for Merchant

121 S Pinckney St, Madison, WI 53703

Additional information

  • Cross street
    E. Doty Street
  • Neighborhood
    Madison
  • Hours of operation
    Brunch Sat, Sun 9:00 am–2:00 pm Happy Hour Tue–Fri 4:00 pm–6:00 pm Sat, Sun 2:00 pm–6:00 pm Dinner Tue–Thu, Sun 4:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 4:00 pm–10:00 pm Late Night Fri, Sat 10:00 pm–1:00 am
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Contemporary American, Cajun, Cocktail Bar
  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    Streetside and Parking ramp available across the street
  • Public transit
    Downtown bus lines are one block away.
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive chef
    Tony Hargrove
  • Entertainment
    We have Madison's finest DJs late night on Friday and Saturday nights and live bands on Thursdays at 9:30. Please check the entertainment schedule athttp://www.merchantmadison.com/entertainment/
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Delivery, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Kosher, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Vegan, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Website
    http://www.merchantmadison.com/
  • Phone number
    (608) 259-9799
  • Private party facilities
    We have semi-private dining available. Please call (608) 259-9799 to speak to management.

Featured in

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