Merchant

4.2

1570 Reviews

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Make a reservation

2 people

Dec 29, 2024

7:00 PM

Booked 20 times today

Experiences are available.

Lively
Charming
Great for creative cocktails

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
Paulie Bolland
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

45 Wisconsin Restaurants to Connect In For Mother's Day

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!
Merchant's Nightmare Before Christmas!💀🎄
Dec 3, 2024 - Dec 31, 2024
Let us bring you the spookiest holiday experience in Madison! Debuting this year in 2024, Merchant is putting on its first annual holiday pop-up series, Merchant’s Nightmare Before Christmas! An experience offered to all reservations who book with us from December 3rd until NYE, it’s filled with eerie decorations and specialty cocktails served in ‘Nightmare Before Christmas’-themed cocktail mugs! Join us for this spooky twist in celebrating the holidays, we’ll scare you there😎
Winter Restaurant Week at Merchant 2025!
$30.00 per person
Jan 19, 2025 - Jan 24, 2025
Join us for Winter Restaurant Week 2025! Once again, Merchant will be offering a 3-course dinner menu showcasing options from our standard dinner menu, plus adding some fun new additions in celebration of Restaurant Week! Not interested in Restaurant Week? No problem! We'll have our full dinner menu available as well :) Additionally, we'll be opening up for dinner service on Monday, January 20th specifically for Restaurant Week! We can't wait to host you!

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
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

Hand-Cut French Fries$8.00
with black pepper mayonnaise (v, vg*)
Fried Cheese Curds$10.50
buttermilk-battered and fried. Served with ranch and hot honey (v)
House Marinated Olives$12.00
served warm with citrus oil, marcona almonds (vg)
Chile-Pimento Cheese Deviled Eggs$10.00
creamed hook’s 1 year cheddar, guajillo, red peppers, bacon bits, smoked paprika (v*, gf)
Fried Chicken Wings$11.50
choose: mild or spicy choose dipping sauce: buttermilk ranch, hot honey, citrus remoulade
Cheese, Charcuterie & House Pickles$32.00
rotating selection served with fruit preserves, honey, toasted nuts, Potter’s crackers, with house pickles, cornichons, whole grain mustard (v*, gf*)

SOUP & SALADS

Chopped Salad$14.00
Chopped Salad romaine, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, bell peppers, red onion, cornbread croutons, red wine vinaigrette, sarvecchio parmesan (v, gf upon request) $14 add bacon $4 | add crispy chicken $6
Cauliflower Cobb Salad$16.00
crispy fried cauliflower florets, chopped romaine, cherry tomato, avocado dressing, celery, hard boiled eggs, moody blue cheese (v, vg*, df*) $16 add bacon $4 | add crispy chicken $6
Spicy Corn Bisque with Mussels$16.00
spicy corn bisque with steamed Prince Edward Island mussels (gf) $16 also available without mussels (v) $8

SANDWICHES

served with housemade, warm potato chips (substitute a petite salad $2)

The Merchant Burger$16.50
double patty from fox heritage farms*, brioche bun, Hook's 1 year cheddar, black pepper mayonnaise, dill pickles $16.50 (served medium) add bacon $4 | add an egg $2
Braised Collard Melt$16.00
braised collard greens, Vitruvian Farms oyster mushrooms, celeriac slaw, remoulade, swiss cheese, sourdough toast (v, gf*) $15

COMFORTING CLASSICS

served with braised collards with bacon (substitute spinach or green beans $2)

Baked Creamy Macaroni & Cheese $23.00
Hook’s 5-Year cheddar, velveeta, Sarvecchio parmesan, black pepper, Zapp's Potato Chip Voodoo gratin (v) $23 add bacon $4
Parmesan-Crusted Shrimp Cakes$26.00
three large shrimp cakes, panko, spicy pickled relish, scallions, tabasco, creole seasoning $26
Broiled Whitefish$26.00
Wild-caught Lake Superior whitefish, cornichon tartar sauce, marble rye bread, braised red cabbage, potato salad with giardiniera aioli & scallions. Make it fried on Fridays for Fish Fry!
Steak Sandwich - Limited Availability$18.00
Top sirloin, hoagie roll, horseradish-garlic aioli, giardiniera, arugula, and french onion fondue. Served with potato chips

MAINS

served with french fries (substitute creamy turnips or cornbread $2)

Fried Breaded Pork Cutlet$25.00
oven braised collard greens, house-pickled okra, and red-eye gravy $25
Vegan Mushroom Étouffée$26.00
stewed Vitruvian Farms oyster mushrooms, red beans, haricot verts, spinach, steamed rice (vg) $26
Crispy Fried Chicken Platter$26.00
crispy chicken thighs, braised collard greens, celeriac slaw $26
Steak Au Poivre$36.00
spinach, brined green-peppercorn sauce boudran (gf) $36

SIDES FOR THE TABLE

Warm Homemade Cornbread$6.00
crystal hot sauce-roasted garlic butter with chow chow relish (v)
Macaroni & Cheese$8.00
Creamy Buttermilk Mashed Turnips$8.00
Sautéed Spinach$8.00
French Green Beans$6.00
with shallot
Braised Bacon-Collard Greens$8.00

DESSERT

Flourless Chocolate Brownie$11.00
vanilla ice cream, fresh berries, flake salt (v, gf) $11
Banana Cream Pie$12.00
graham cracker-pecan crust, chocolate shavings, freeze dried banana $12 (v)
Warm Beignets$11.00
three fried doughnuts served warm with powdered sugar, served with a cherries jubilee dipping sauce $11 (v)

FOR THE KIDDOS

add milk or juice $2

Small Mac & Cheese$7.00
Single Patty Burger (w/cheese $7)$6.00
Crispy Chicken Strips with ranch$6.00
Side of Green Beans$3.00
Side of French Fries$2.00
Side of Seasonal Fruit$4.00
(v)

FRIDAY SPECIAL

Friday Fish Fry *available only on Fridays!$26.00
wild-caught Lake Superior whitefish, cornichon tartar sauce, fries, black pepper mayonnaise, celeriac slaw with pickled sweet peppers $26

What 1,570 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

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

4.2

4.2 based on recent ratings

4.1Food
4.1Service
4.4Ambience
3.9Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

Madison
Most Booked

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

Merchant offers a vibrant downtown dining experience with standout dishes like the "farmers market omelet" and unique drinks like the "lemon and herb gin&tonic." While some find the menu pricey for portion sizes, many praise the "great service" and "delicious food." Ideal for brunch, happy hour, or group gatherings.

1,570 Reviews

C
Catie
Milwaukee
3 reviews
3.0
3 reviews
Dined 3 days ago
1. Overall 3
2. Food 3
3. Service 2
4. Ambience 5
It just took forever. We only ordered entrees and were there over three hours. I think maybe they forgot to put our order in? My friend normally orders dessert and specifically didn’t last night because we had already been there for so long.
Is this helpful?
M
Michele
New York City
3 reviews
3.0
3 reviews
Dined 4 days ago
1. Overall 3
2. Food 3
3. Service 2
4. Ambience 2
I really wanted to like this. The bar manager was great, although he was swamped. Our server didn’t seem to know what was going on. We are really patient people but I am not sure I’d go back anytime soon. Drinks were good. Service was not. Food was just ok. I’d probably go back for drinks at the bar only. No fault of the staff at all but there was a large table seated by us which had a really loud, really rude woman who demanded stuff be taken off of her bill. It was gross of her and it just added to the experience being off.
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d
denia88
Chicago
5 reviews
3.0
5 reviews
Dined 7 days ago
1. Overall 3
2. Food 4
3. Service 2
4. Ambience 5
This is a small place so I thought the service would be better. Really cool looking on the inside and good good. Price for a glass of orange juice for a kid at $6...pass.
Is this helpful?
B
Barbara
Milwaukee
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on December 21, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We enjoyed the food and the service was excellent!
Is this helpful?
B
Betsy
Greater Boston
1 review
2.0
1 review
Dined on December 20, 2024
1. Overall 2
2. Food 2
3. Service 2
4. Ambience 2
I’ve enjoyed eating here and have also enjoyed drinks at the bar. I was excited to go back and it was very disappointing. The cheese curds (normally awesome) were not good. I ordered the chopped salad which was meager. The glass of wine was MAYBE 4 ounces. Not going back—cost definitely doesn’t equal the value!
Is this helpful?
K
Kellie
Milwaukee
12 reviews
3.0
12 reviews
Dined on December 17, 2024
1. Overall 3
2. Food 1
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Merchant was very cute and decorated for Nightmare Before Christmas with drinks to go with the theme. Service was attentive and prompt without being overly attentive. We had issues with the level of salt in all of the dishes. The cheese curds, oyster mushroom melt sandwich and the accompanying fries were so salty that I couldn’t eat it. The shrimp cakes were fine but the collards that went with it were also so salty that my friend couldn’t eat them. I wish it wasn’t so because we would have given Merchant a 5.
Is this helpful?
J
Janet
Milwaukee
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on December 14, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Wonderful brunch menu that had a fun play on the movie, Nightmare before Christmas. Drinks were tasty and in cute glasses/cups. Food came out hot and flavourful. Will return. 😁
MerchantResponded on December 16, 2024
Thank you so much for your review, Janet! We're absolutely thrilled you love the theme of our holiday pop-up this year and enjoyed your holiday cocktails and your food! We're so excited for you to return and hope it's very soon :) Cheers!
Is this helpful?
K
Kaitlyn
London
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on December 14, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We really enjoyed the Nightmare Before Christmas popup. The ambiance was delightful and the themed drinks were delicious! Our meal was also fantastic.
MerchantResponded on December 16, 2024
Thank you so much for your review, Kaitlyn! We're so glad to hear you loved our themed holiday pop-up and enjoyed both your holiday drinks and your food! We really hope you'll join us again and we hope it's very soon :) We're very much looking forward to it! Cheers!
Is this helpful?
J
Jeff
Chicago
1 review
1.0
1 review
Dined on December 13, 2024
1. Overall 1
2. Food 3
3. Service 1
4. Ambience 3
We had a billing issue that was not corrected very easily or very professionally. This soured the entire dining experience.
Is this helpful?
M
Maya
Milwaukee
3 reviews
4.0
3 reviews
Dined on December 13, 2024
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 2
4. Ambience 3
Food was great really enjoyed it! Service was a bit slow and not great - was offered a refill on our drinks and never received it. But overall nice place!
MerchantResponded on December 16, 2024
Thanks for your review, Maya! We're so happy to hear you enjoyed your food during your recent visit with us. However, we're disappointed to hear you weren't impressed with your service and our team dropped the ball in following through on an offered refill. We will certainly be discussing this internally as a team and appreciate you outlining where we can improve. We take all feedback seriously and appreciate your comments! We hope you'll consider giving us another shot soon so we can try and make up for our mistakes :) Cheers!
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FAQs

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

Merchant is rated 4.2 stars by 1570 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a reservation

2 people

Dec 29, 2024

7:00 PM

Booked 20 times today

Experiences are available.

Order delivery or takeout

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
Paulie Bolland
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

45 Wisconsin Restaurants to Connect In For Mother's Day

Merchant

Make a reservation

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

45 Wisconsin Restaurants to Connect In For Mother's Day

Date Night at Merchant! Prixe Fixe $60 for 2

Merchant's Nightmare Before Christmas!💀🎄

Winter Restaurant Week at Merchant 2025!

Everyday Happy Hour!

Friday Fish Fry

SNACKS & SHARING (20% off during happy hour)

Hand-Cut French Fries$8.00

Fried Cheese Curds$10.50

House Marinated Olives$12.00

Chile-Pimento Cheese Deviled Eggs$10.00

Fried Chicken Wings$11.50

Cheese, Charcuterie & House Pickles$32.00

SOUP & SALADS

Chopped Salad$14.00

Cauliflower Cobb Salad$16.00

Spicy Corn Bisque with Mussels$16.00

SANDWICHES

The Merchant Burger$16.50

Braised Collard Melt$16.00

COMFORTING CLASSICS

Baked Creamy Macaroni & Cheese $23.00

Parmesan-Crusted Shrimp Cakes$26.00

Broiled Whitefish$26.00

Steak Sandwich - Limited Availability$18.00

MAINS

Fried Breaded Pork Cutlet$25.00

Vegan Mushroom Étouffée$26.00

Crispy Fried Chicken Platter$26.00

Steak Au Poivre$36.00

SIDES FOR THE TABLE

Warm Homemade Cornbread$6.00

Macaroni & Cheese$8.00

Creamy Buttermilk Mashed Turnips$8.00

Sautéed Spinach$8.00

French Green Beans$6.00

Braised Bacon-Collard Greens$8.00

DESSERT

Flourless Chocolate Brownie$11.00

Banana Cream Pie$12.00

Warm Beignets$11.00

FOR THE KIDDOS

Small Mac & Cheese$7.00

Single Patty Burger (w/cheese $7)$6.00

Crispy Chicken Strips with ranch$6.00

Side of Green Beans$3.00

Side of French Fries$2.00

Side of Seasonal Fruit$4.00

FRIDAY SPECIAL

Friday Fish Fry *available only on Fridays!$26.00

Overall ratings and reviews

Loved For

Review summary

FAQs

Does Merchant offer delivery through OpenTable or takeout?

How is Merchant restaurant rated?

Is Merchant currently accepting reservations?

Make a reservation

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

Featured in

45 Wisconsin Restaurants to Connect In For Mother's Day