Merchant

4.2

1560 Reviews

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Make a booking

2 people

11 Dec 2024

23:00

Booked 42 times today

Experiences are available.

Lively
Charming
Neighbourhood gem

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
Area
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
Gluten-free Options, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Vegan

Featured in

45 Wisconsin Restaurants to Connect In For Mother's Day

Experiences

Merchant's Nightmare Before Christmas!💀🎄
3 Dec 2024 - 31 Dec 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😎
Date Night at Merchant! Prixe Fixe $60 for 2
US$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!
Winter Restaurant Week at Merchant 2025!
US$30.00 per person
19 Jan 2025 - 24 Jan 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! Please be advised that we will not have our standard menu available during Restaurant Week, but in the chance you're not interested in the 3-coursed experience, you may order any of the items from our Restaurant Week menu as à la carte! 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 - 15:00 - 16:00,Sat - 15:00 - 16:00
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 - 16:00 - 22:00
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 FriesUS$8.00
with black pepper mayonnaise (v, vg*)
Fried Cheese CurdsUS$10.50
buttermilk-battered and fried. Served with ranch and hot honey (v)
House Marinated OlivesUS$12.00
served warm with citrus oil, marcona almonds (vg)
Chile-Pimento Cheese Deviled EggsUS$10.00
creamed hook’s 1 year cheddar, guajillo, red peppers, bacon bits, smoked paprika (v*, gf)
Fried Chicken WingsUS$11.50
choose: mild or spicy choose dipping sauce: buttermilk ranch, hot honey, citrus remoulade
Cheese, Charcuterie & House PicklesUS$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 SaladUS$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 SaladUS$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 MusselsUS$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 BurgerUS$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 MeltUS$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 US$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 CakesUS$26.00
three large shrimp cakes, panko, spicy pickled relish, scallions, tabasco, creole seasoning $26
Broiled WhitefishUS$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 AvailabilityUS$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 CutletUS$25.00
oven braised collard greens, house-pickled okra, and red-eye gravy $25
Vegan Mushroom ÉtoufféeUS$26.00
stewed Vitruvian Farms oyster mushrooms, red beans, haricot verts, spinach, steamed rice (vg) $26
Crispy Fried Chicken PlatterUS$26.00
crispy chicken thighs, braised collard greens, celeriac slaw $26
Steak Au PoivreUS$36.00
spinach, brined green-peppercorn sauce boudran (gf) $36

SIDES FOR THE TABLE

Warm Homemade CornbreadUS$6.00
crystal hot sauce-roasted garlic butter with chow chow relish (v)
Macaroni & CheeseUS$8.00
Creamy Buttermilk Mashed TurnipsUS$8.00
Sautéed SpinachUS$8.00
French Green BeansUS$6.00
with shallot
Braised Bacon-Collard GreensUS$8.00

DESSERT

Flourless Chocolate BrownieUS$11.00
vanilla ice cream, fresh berries, flake salt (v, gf) $11
Banana Cream PieUS$12.00
graham cracker-pecan crust, chocolate shavings, freeze dried banana $12 (v)
Warm BeignetsUS$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 & CheeseUS$7.00
Single Patty Burger (w/cheese $7)US$6.00
Crispy Chicken Strips with ranchUS$6.00
Side of Green BeansUS$3.00
Side of French FriesUS$2.00
Side of Seasonal FruitUS$4.00
(v)

FRIDAY SPECIAL

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

What 1,560 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

4.2Food
4.2Service
4.4Ambience
4Value

Noise • Moderate

Diners' Choice Awards

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.

1,560 Reviews

A
Ale
Milwaukee
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined 4 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Good place to have brunch, wish they have some options with pancakes and waffles
MerchantResponded 2 days ago
Thank you so much for your review, Ale! We're so happy to hear you enjoyed your recent brunch experience with us. And totally noted on potentially adding some pancake or waffle options to our brunch menu! We'll discuss this internally as a team to see if this is something we can offer :) We appreciate you making that note so we can continue to strive to offer our guests the best variety of options! Thanks again for your review, we hope you'll join us again soon!
Is this helpful?
C
Connie
Milwaukee
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined 7 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Fun vibe and fantastic food. This was our first visit to Merchant, but definitely not the last.
MerchantResponded 2 days ago
Thanks you so much for your review, Connie! We're thrilled to hear you love our holiday vibe and enjoyed your food during your very first visit with us! We're so excited for you to return and hope it's very soon! Cheers!
Is this helpful?
A
Angel
Milwaukee
2 reviews
4.0
2 reviews
Dined on 29 November 2024
1. Overall 4
2. Food 3
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 5
The place seemed a little understaffed as our server was managing many tables and took a while to get to us, but the staff were otherwise very friendly. There was a mixup with our table's order which resulted in me getting my meal after quite a wait. Unfortunately the corn bisque with mussels I ordered was very bland and the mussels were very undercooked, so I did not eat much of it. The cornbread and fish fry were fine, but nothing too impressive. I had been to Merchant in the past and thought it was fantastic and was surprised to have not a great experience this time.
Is this helpful?
J
Jason
Minneapolis
2 reviews
2.0
2 reviews
Dined on 27 November 2024
1. Overall 2
2. Food 2
3. Service 2
4. Ambience 4
Disappointed with portion size to cost ratios. Speed of service for food was great, yet we already had finished the apps when our drinks were delivered. Overall it felt like a fast casual at a very high price point. Not likely to go back for food.
MerchantResponded on 3 December 2024
Dear Jason, thanks for your feedback! We're happy to hear your food service speed was on point. However, we're sorry to hear your drinks hit the table after your appetizers and that you found the portion sizes to be too small. Drinks hitting the table after food is unacceptable and we'll be discussing this internally as a team. Thank you for letting us know so we can work to do better. We do, however, actually receive a lot of feedback that we have rather large portions! We'll make sure to keep an eye on other feedback in regards to portion sizes as we move forward. And we hope you'll consider giving us another shot soon!
Is this helpful?
D
Dan
Chicago
3 reviews
vip
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on 24 November 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We had a big group and the service was excellent. Thank you.
MerchantResponded on 3 December 2024
Thank you so very much for your review, Dan! We're so happy to hear you received excellent service from our team :) We hope you'll all join us again very soon! Cheers!
Is this helpful?
J
Jon
Vancouver
6 reviews
vip
3.0
6 reviews
Dined on 23 November 2024
1. Overall 3
2. Food 2
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 3
Has now become more of a bar with a restaurant than the other way around. Food menu is now very limited. Disappointing given where this restaurant has been in the past.
MerchantResponded on 3 December 2024
Dear Jon, thanks for your feedback! We're sorry to hear you found our food menu offerings to be limited. We'll definitely take your comments into consideration and evaluate as we move forward. We hope you'll consider giving us another try in the future! Cheers!
Is this helpful?
J
Julie
Chicago
8 reviews
5.0
8 reviews
Dined on 23 November 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Wonderful food and service. Would like to see more gluten free options on the menu.
Is this helpful?
R
Randy
Milwaukee
17 reviews
vip
5.0
17 reviews
Dined on 23 November 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
From the fun holiday atmosphere and warm hospitality to the delicious, beautifully plated meal everything added to a memorable evening! Can’t wait to return.
MerchantResponded on 3 December 2024
Thank you so much for your review, Randy! We're absolutely thrilled to hear you enjoyed your food, as well as our atmosphere and hospitality! We also can't wait for you to return and hope it's very soon :) Cheers!
Is this helpful?
M
Mark
Austin
5 reviews
vip
3.0
5 reviews
Dined on 17 November 2024
1. Overall 3
2. Food 5
3. Service 2
4. Ambience 2
Good food. Slow kitchen in an empty restaurant. No attention from staff until we complained.
Is this helpful?
P
Paula
Chicago
7 reviews
vip
4.0
7 reviews
Dined on 17 November 2024
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
Second time at Merchant. Again, great food & good friendly service.
MerchantResponded on 18 November 2024
Thank you so much for your review, Paula! We're so happy to hear you enjoyed your food and our team took care of you :) We can't wait for you to visit us again! Cheers!
Is this helpful?

FAQs

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

Merchant is rated 4.2 stars by 1560 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a booking

2 people

11 Dec 2024

23:00

Booked 42 times today

Experiences are available.

Order delivery or takeout

121 S Pinckney St, Madison, WI 53703

Additional information

Cross Street
E. Doty Street
Area
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
Gluten-free Options, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Vegan

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 booking

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

45 Wisconsin Restaurants to Connect In For Mother's Day

Merchant's Nightmare Before Christmas!💀🎄

Date Night at Merchant! Prixe Fixe $60 for 2

Winter Restaurant Week at Merchant 2025!

Everyday Happy Hour!

Friday Fish Fry

SNACKS & SHARING (20% off during happy hour)

Hand-Cut French FriesUS$8.00

Fried Cheese CurdsUS$10.50

House Marinated OlivesUS$12.00

Chile-Pimento Cheese Deviled EggsUS$10.00

Fried Chicken WingsUS$11.50

Cheese, Charcuterie & House PicklesUS$32.00

SOUP & SALADS

Chopped SaladUS$14.00

Cauliflower Cobb SaladUS$16.00

Spicy Corn Bisque with MusselsUS$16.00

SANDWICHES

The Merchant BurgerUS$16.50

Braised Collard MeltUS$16.00

COMFORTING CLASSICS

Baked Creamy Macaroni & Cheese US$23.00

Parmesan-Crusted Shrimp CakesUS$26.00

Broiled WhitefishUS$26.00

Steak Sandwich - Limited AvailabilityUS$18.00

MAINS

Fried Breaded Pork CutletUS$25.00

Vegan Mushroom ÉtoufféeUS$26.00

Crispy Fried Chicken PlatterUS$26.00

Steak Au PoivreUS$36.00

SIDES FOR THE TABLE

Warm Homemade CornbreadUS$6.00

Macaroni & CheeseUS$8.00

Creamy Buttermilk Mashed TurnipsUS$8.00

Sautéed SpinachUS$8.00

French Green BeansUS$6.00

Braised Bacon-Collard GreensUS$8.00

DESSERT

Flourless Chocolate BrownieUS$11.00

Banana Cream PieUS$12.00

Warm BeignetsUS$11.00

FOR THE KIDDOS

Small Mac & CheeseUS$7.00

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

Crispy Chicken Strips with ranchUS$6.00

Side of Green BeansUS$3.00

Side of French FriesUS$2.00

Side of Seasonal FruitUS$4.00

FRIDAY SPECIAL

Friday Fish Fry *available only on Fridays!US$26.00

Overall ratings and reviews

Diners' Choice Awards

Review summary

FAQs

Does Merchant offer delivery through OpenTable or takeout?

How is Merchant restaurant rated?

Is Merchant currently accepting bookings?

Make a booking

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

Featured in

45 Wisconsin Restaurants to Connect In For Mother's Day