Reservation policy: We accept reservations Sunday-Thursday at all hours of the day. We save tables for walk-in parties on Friday and Saturday night. For a party of 6 or more, please call us at 608-259-9799.
We are now taking reservations for New Year's Eve. Space is limited, please call the restaurant to reserve a table at 608-259-9799.
As Merchants, we consider ourselves stewards of great ingredients. We source the freshest and finest local and international products that we can get our hands on, and feature and sell these ingredients in our dining room in order to achieve complete transparency of our operations.
It is our goal to bring you enjoyment through method-driven food, cocktails using only the best liquors and the freshest ingredients, and a place for you to blow off the rigors of a stressful day.
"Stopped by for the special Three Floyds dinner and beer flight. Sat outside on the patio, so the noise was minimal. The few times inside were loud though. The beer flight and explanations were well priced and presented nicely. The food, as always, was spectacular."
Dined on 5/05/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, great for brunch, neighborhood gem, hot spot, special occasion
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"I tried the Merchant Burger and a cup of the pureed gapazcho soup and enjoyed everything immensely. The Merchant Burger has not only a ground beef patty, but also is topped with a grilled brisket and an egg for good measure. Coupled with the zesty soup, it was a real taste extravaganza! The setting is modern and the service congenial. Highly recommended for your Madison power lunch, or just for good, locally-sourced food."
Dined on 5/08/2013
Special Features: great for lunch
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"Great service. It didn't take long at all to get our food. The food and drinks were outstanding. I would definitely recommend Merchant to my friends and family."
Dined on 5/04/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, vibrant bar scene, late-night find, neighborhood gem, hot spot, special occasion
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"Overall pretty good. The Bison was very tough and we would not order that again. The crab rigatoni was very good, but very heavy. The mozzarella panini was excellent. Desserts were huge and the highlight of the dinner. Our table was terrible. It was so close to the bar that the people standing at the bar were literally leaning on our table."
Dined on 04/26/2013
2012
Special Features: hot spot
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"Best place in town for craft cocktails. Food was very good. Can get very noisy if the bar is very active during dinner. Not the place for a quiet conversation. If you don't mind the "energetic" bar scene then you will be fine."
Dined on 04/25/2013
2006
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, good for groups, hot spot
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"Merchant hosted our party of 9. The food was really good and the drinks were better. Excellent atmosphere, though a bit loud at times. There was great energy in the room overall and we had a great time."
Dined on 04/23/2013
2008
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem, hot spot
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"Amazing service, hip location and decor, food was amazing! Bar scene is apparently fabulous, great great great all around."
Dined on 04/20/2013
2013
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, good for groups, great for brunch, kid-friendly, late-night find, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion, great for lunch, hot spot
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"Stopped by after the Farmers Market, good and busy, a few empty seats so it was still okay to walk in. A lot of "bustle" always makes this place fairly noisy. Wait staff were excellent today. Had the burrito and it was excellent, the verde was a nice touch."
Dined on 04/20/2013
2011
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, great for brunch, late-night find, neighborhood gem, special occasion, great for lunch, hot spot
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"I can't say enough about Merchant. We have gone there for special occasions for over 2 years now. The staff and owners remember us every time. It is the be seen place in Madison. Love is outstanding, drinks are creative and well balanced. The dining room is a bit noisy."
Dined on 04/14/2013
2010
Special Features: fit for foodies, late-night find, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion
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"We had the best waitress ever. She made our first visit unforgettable. Her food reccomdations were superb . We will definitely tell our friends and family to go there for fine food and dining."
Dined on 04/13/2013
2013
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, special occasion, hot spot
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"This was a great place for my dad's birthday. There were only three of us. We got there at 5 and soon it was bustling. The one complaint, it's too noisy! Really, they might think of getting some big, thick fabric for the corners or dividing up the space in a creative and interesting way because it's so hard to hear and have a conversation without yelling across the table. That's the one drawback I've seen with this very industrial-type atmosphere. Otherwise, super service, delicious food and gorgeous atmosphere. We all commented on the awesome and brief menu. Chefs should be able to create a menu that's not overwhelming, but will still satisfy different tastes and that was what happened at Merchant!
Thanks, Merchant."
Dined on 04/06/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, notable wine list, special occasion, hot spot
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"The food we had on the Tuesday night special was great but arrived already cold. It was pretty clear it had been plated before we ordered and had sat somewhere.
Noise level is through the roof. No a place for a conversation."
Dined on 04/02/2013
2008
Special Features: vibrant bar scene
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"You asked about noise and I did think it is too noisy in your restaurant to enjoy a conversation with someone you haven't seen for a while. I would suggest carpeting or something to help absorb sound from boucing off all the surfaces."
Dined on 04/02/2013
2009
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"This was my first time at the Merchant. I heard a lot about their mixed drinks and they did not disappoint! I had their "Perch at the Merch", which was not overly fried as well as fresh and delicious. They also make their own coleslaw which was some of the best I've had. Our waitress was a true gem as well; she was very helpful with the menu and answered all the questions my Dad had (which can be quite a lot!). The only downside was it was terribly noisy when we were first seated, I think it was because people were hanging around after Happy Hour to watch the March Madness games. But the Merchant staff were apologetic and said that it usually wasn't that noisy at 7pm on a Friday night. An overall good experience, we will be back."
Dined on 03/22/2013
2013
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"I think my only complaint is how close we were to the tables next to us. You really could hear EVERYTHING that was being said by the tables on either side of us, but that's mostly because it's a small place. The food was delicious."
Dined on 03/25/2013
2011
Special Features: special occasion
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"My husband and I went to Merchant for our anniversary - the 25th. The staff was wonderful and the restaurant gave us a free glass of champagne and free dessert for the occasion. Everything was great....the drinks and food were superb and the waitstaff was really attentive. We will definitely go back."
Dined on 03/15/2013
2013
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, good for groups, late-night find, notable wine list, special occasion, great for lunch, hot spot
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"We love Merchant's commitment to local food. The service is fantastic, the food is delicious and we enjoy the industrial decor. We'll keep coming back."
Dined on 03/10/2013
2010
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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"We were favorably impressed with the food and the service. The atmosphere is noisy, however, as there is nothing to baffle the sounds of the bar which is not physically separated from the dining area."
Dined on 03/09/2013
2012
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"Great food, changing menu, great cocktails, knowledgeable staff. My wife and I had a 6:30 reservation on a Saturday and as the restaurant and bar were full, it was a bit noisy. I did appreciate that the TV monitors above the bar were off-if you want to watch a sporting event go to a sports bar."
Dined on 03/02/2013
2010
Special Features: fit for foodies
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"Fabulous food, but it was so loud in there that unless I actually shouted, I couldn't be heard across the table. This kills much of the fun of a good dinner for me (talking with companions)."
Dined on 02/28/2013
2006
Special Features: fit for foodies
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"Yum! Went for the special Distill America brunch. It was amazing. Too bad they don't serve brunch every Sunday! Food was amazingly good, service was pleasant, but slow, although easy to over look given the excellent food. They are open for brunch on Saturdays during the outdoor farmer's market."
Dined on 02/24/2013
2011
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, good for groups, great for brunch, late-night find, great for lunch
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"Really delicious food. It sounds so simple but I am in love with their buttermilk salad and its perfectly-shaved crunchy veggies. The chocolate custard for dessert is just divine. Becoming one of our favorite places to eat in Madison. Just wish they could do something about the cold draft at certain tables when someone opens the door to let Wisconsin's winter in."
Dined on 02/22/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for lunch, hot spot
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"The food and drinks were very good and reasonably priced. The service was very slow. We waited at the bar for several minutes before getting service from the bartenders. Then, when we were seated at our reservation time, we waited for several more minutes before seeing our server. Also, a reservation made a week in advance resulted in us getting the worst table in the house - right near the door. It was 5 degrees outside, so every time the door opened, we got a cold blast of winter air. Not a great experience, but will probably give it another chance because of the food and local sourcing. Just not in the winter time."
Dined on 02/16/2013
2008
Special Features: fit for foodies
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"The drinks were amazing, food was great and good service. I wish I could transport Merchant to Chicago and keep their Madison prices! Excellent meats and cheeses! Cool atmosphere too."
Dined on 02/16/2013
2009
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, hot spot
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"We were at Merchant on "Date Night". The special was described as a "steak" but it was a very fatty pork belly. It was not good!!! The atmosphere was dark and loud. We will not return."
Dined on 02/19/2013
2013
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"The food was awesome! We tried several dishes because we couldn't decide on just one thing. I'm still dreaming about the Patatas Bravas that we shared. The Les Freres Rigatoni was amazing! The large order of mussels is huge and well worth the cost. Don't skip on dessert - the Sea Salt and Caramel Gelato is a huge portion - enough for two people to share - and worth Every.Single.Calorie!
The drinks on the other hand were pretty bad. The Wisconsin Old Fashioned was very disappointing, "God Save the Queen" was pretty bad - could only taste the cream. For 2 people the meal was $100, with $50 being for the drinks.
We will be returning for sure, but just for the food."
Dined on 02/15/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
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"Merchant had a great deal on Tuesday night--"Cheap Date night." 2 entrees a bottle of wine and dessert. It was their entree and wine choice. It was delicious!"
Dined on 02/12/2013
2012
Special Features: fit for foodies
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"Casual atmosphere with a nice urban feel. Some of the dishes were outstandng; others were just mediocre. All in all, I would return to Merchant when next in Madison."
Dined on 02/12/2013
2006
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, neighborhood gem, hot spot
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"Went on a Monday night for an early-ish dinner; perhaps overall experience isn't typical for the rest of the week. Service was adequate, although our server appeared bored throughout. Wasn't told about dinner specials - heard about them when a different server told tables adjoining ours. The place sells itself as being some kind of ultra-creative mixology-type of place, but most of the offerings seems to be prime examples of overthinking. Good wine selection. Food was fine - I ordered a foie gras burger that was tasty, but had a lot going on. Spouse ordered hangar steak, which was good but somewhat overpowered by strong mustard in side potatoes. First time there; no compelling need to return."
Dined on 02/11/2013
2005
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"Great food. In particular, the buttermilk salad was enjoyed by all. Unfortunately, the incredibly loud noise level in the restaurant made it difficult to enjoy the meal. Even my teenage daughter struggled with it."
Dined on 02/08/2013
2011
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"A wonderful find full of creative twists, using all locally or organically grown meats and vegetables. The turnip sweet potato creamy soup of the day was hot and delicious. Its not a big restaurant, but it seems to be a popular place. Loved it!"
Dined on 02/02/2013
2007
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, late-night find, neighborhood gem, great for lunch, hot spot
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"We dined at Merchant for lunch during restaurant week. The options were very extensive and impressive. I ordered the cold meatloaf sandwich which i didn't care for but my friend really enjoyed the ham and brie sandwich. Our salads were light and fresh and the cobbler was delicious. Our server was outstanding. The windows let in too much sun but we were promptly relocated without asking. Overall a good experience. We will definitely return."
Dined on 01/22/2013
2012
Special Features: fit for foodies
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"Loved the Food. We went for Restaurant week. I had the Beet Salad, the Fried Chicken Sandwich and the Bread Pudding for dessert. Loved it all. We had Four people at our table and everyone enjoyed their food too. The Merchant Burger was a hit as was the Cubano."
Dined on 01/24/2013
2011
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, good for groups, great for brunch, late-night find, neighborhood gem, special occasion, scenic view, great for lunch, hot spot
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"Our food overall was good. Roasted beet small plate was very good. Mussels were good. Soup of the day was excellent. Charcuterie plate at $14 was skimpy at best served with two pieces of Mortadella and four pieces of salami. Pork chop was either a very tough piece of pork or was overcooked. The signature drinks were very tasty but be prepared to pay about $9-$11 for a small pour on a ton of ice. We enjoy cooking and are not in need of huge Wisconsin portions, but felt it was a bit lacking for the price. Service was great and ambience is fun. TIP: make sure you have a flashlight app on your phone, because it's darkly lit and very hard to read the menu."
Dined on 01/26/2013
2010
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"A friend and I were there for restaurant week. We had never been to Merchant before. We loved it. The food was incredible. The tables were perfectly spaces, so we didn't feel like we were crammed in the space. Service was exceptional. I have already made a reservation to go back"
Dined on 01/24/2013
2013
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, late-night find, notable wine list
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"Had a great restaurant week experience at Merchant - many wonderful options on the menu, good size portions and wonderful service. I highly recommend them for restaurant week!"
Dined on 01/21/2013
2008
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, hot spot
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