Great vibe, love the outdoor seating Soup (chowder but not really a chowder) was not good, server did not ask how the food was and I left it uneaten. Entree was ok but fairly basic Not really the standard for this venue. Would. come back for drinks not meal.
Maryellen
Love The Merchant & have eaten there before but gave 3 stars on food/ service because they were out of 3 main dishes and their menu is not very big and also out of all white wine. Also our waiter did not ask us we wanted any dessert and just brought the bill.
Johnathon
Good drinks, food was a bit disappointing. Our server was cold and not attentive. Overall all for drinks and ambience I recommend it. If you are going to have dinner skip it.
Sara
It took 45 minutes for us to get our food and didn't get any explanation for that. I got a burger that had no side on it, just a greasy burger on a plate after waiting so long. Won't return
Sean
There was not many people and it took over an hour for our food to arrive. Our server was probably one of the worst I've ever had. He never checked on us or let us know when he was off shift and also didn't give an update on delays or cleared anything. The management was great in taking our feedback so we would be willing to come back
Larry
Experience was less than we expected. We had a 5:30 reservation - plenty of time to get to Overture for 7:30 performance of Wicked, we thought. Our order got lost - food arrived about 7:00 - we rushed through it to race to Overture, barely making it. My shrimp cakes were only average and not a good value. Can't speak for the other three in my group, but no one raved about their meal. All-in-all, a disappointing dining experience.
Neal Silbert
Food quality seriously declined at Merchant. I’ve always thought of it as a fun casual place in Madison, WI for brunch or casual dinner with friends. Food took way too long and was pretty bland and uninteresting. Drinks not cheap either. We probably won’t be coming back unless there are serious changes. Staff is always nice, professional and polite.
Beth
Out server was really really slow/ I think he forgot about us. Overpriced food that took way too long. Food was quite good but not amazing for that price. Also we were seated next to the entrance and hostess stand which made the noise level too high. Will yet again but not a great experience!!!
Josh Kirk
Had a great birthday dinner here recently; the staff at Merchant were able to accommodate a last-minute add-on which was really nice. We had a lovely, friendly server and when things got slow in the kitchen, they took care of us by comping the appetizers and even dessert! The food and cocktails were fantastic, and the atmosphere is great. Highly recommend if you're downtown!
Kay Leane
Great food! I had the burger and a salad. Good bourbon selection. Helpful and attentive staff.
Friendly staff, plenty of outdoor seating. The menu is pretty limited and not great for those with common dietary restrictions.
Mya Andrews
I have been a Merchant patron for the past 10 years. I've always thought highly of the food and enjoyed the experience. I just recently came for Brunch and had the Breakfast Platter. I was severely dissapointed with the quality and taste of the food. I had to dump maybe a TBSP of salt on everything to give it some sort of flavor. After waiting an hour for 2 basic breakfast items with a somewhat empty restaurant, it was a shock. My expectations have plummeted to the depths of unseasonaed hell.
TrinatronMon
I visited Merchant in Madison today with some friends, and overall, the experience just didn’t live up to expectations. The servers were somewhat friendly, but not very attentive. We were ready to order right away, but it took a while before anyone checked on us. Drinks took a long time to come out, and the food was even slower—despite all of us ordering pretty basic brunch items.
When the food finally arrived, it was a letdown. Eggs were undercooked and runny, bacon looked borderline raw in spots, and the potatoes tasted old, bland, and totally unseasoned. It all seemed rushed and thrown together, which made no sense given how long we had waited.
Portion sizes were small, and nothing on the plate had flavor. The atmosphere was decent—cool decor and a nice bar setup—but that only goes so far.
Honestly, I would’ve rather had brunch at IHOP... and that’s saying something.
Nicole H
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A Madison Must: Brunch at Merchant
Merchant delivers the kind of brunch experience that makes you want to cancel the rest of your plans just to linger a little longer.
From the moment I walked into this stylish, effortlessly welcoming space in the heart of Madison, I could tell I was in for something special. The atmosphere strikes a rare balance—chic yet relaxed, modern but warm. Upbeat music pulses gently through the space, giving the restaurant an energy that’s both lively and laid-back. It creates exactly the kind of fun, convivial vibe you want for a weekend brunch or really any meal.
The menu is a thoughtful and inspired blend of classic comfort and fresh creativity. As a vegetarian, I was thrilled to find more than just the usual token options—every meatless dish was well-crafted, flavorful, and satisfying in its own right. It’s clear that the kitchen gives as much attention to their vegetarian offerings as anything else on the menu.
Now let’s talk about the mocktails. Merchant’s Bees Knees—a non-alcoholic nod to the Prohibition-era classic—was nothing short of delightful. Light, floral, citrusy, and perfectly balanced, it felt festive and refined without the alcohol. My boyfriend got a bloody mary and he was also very happy with it.
But the true standout? The beignets. Hot, fresh, airy, and generously dusted in powdered sugar, they were absolute perfection—crisp on the outside, pillowy on the inside. If you’re even thinking about ordering them, just do it. You won’t regret it.
To top it all off, the service was flawless—warm, attentive, and genuinely enthusiastic. Our server struck that perfect balance of being present without hovering, and every recommendation was spot-on. It’s clear the staff takes pride in what they do, and it elevates the entire experience.
In a city full of dining options, Merchant stands out as a true gem. From the food and drinks to the vibe and hospitality, it hits every note. Whether you’re a Madison local or just visiting for the weekend, this is the kind of place you’ll be talking about long after the last beignet is gone.
Zainab Hameed
Had heard pretty good things about this place - was completely let down. We had an 8 pm reservation, and we had already informed them that we would be getting the Tuesday deal and despite that, they were not prepared at all.
The cornbread was super crumbly and very hard to eat. We asked for the steak to be medium - not only did it take nearly 40 minutes to cook but it was extremely tough and chewy - nowhere near medium.
The actual worst part was that we came in at 7:50 pm, with an 8 pm reservation. The place wasn't busy at all, yet we were served food around 8:50 pm and the funniest bit was that the staff made us feel rushed to leave. They started cleaning all the tables and placing all the seats right next to us on the tables. We had to scarf down our food and take our dessert to go because it was such an uncomfortable experience. We were out of the place by 9:05, after quite literally gobbling the food and leaving. I'm all for adhering to restaurant timings, but then why offer a reservation for 8 pm when you know you can't handle it? Additionally, at least have the respect and decency to not start putting chairs on all of the tables and also making the lights super bright to kick us out when we've had only 10 minutes to eat our food and didn't even get a chance to eat our dessert.
Mid food, with exceptionally bad customer service. Complete waste of money and I feel pretty bummed that I chose The Merchant to celebrate an occasion (which I actually mentioned in the reservation form as well lol). Would not recommend.
Great vibe, love the outdoor seating Soup (chowder but not really a chowder) was not good, server did not ask how the food was and I left it uneaten. Entree was ok but fairly basic Not really the standard for this venue. Would. come back for drinks not meal.
Love The Merchant & have eaten there before but gave 3 stars on food/ service because they were out of 3 main dishes and their menu is not very big and also out of all white wine. Also our waiter did not ask us we wanted any dessert and just brought the bill.
Good drinks, food was a bit disappointing. Our server was cold and not attentive. Overall all for drinks and ambience I recommend it. If you are going to have dinner skip it.
It took 45 minutes for us to get our food and didn't get any explanation for that. I got a burger that had no side on it, just a greasy burger on a plate after waiting so long. Won't return
There was not many people and it took over an hour for our food to arrive. Our server was probably one of the worst I've ever had. He never checked on us or let us know when he was off shift and also didn't give an update on delays or cleared anything. The management was great in taking our feedback so we would be willing to come back
Experience was less than we expected. We had a 5:30 reservation - plenty of time to get to Overture for 7:30 performance of Wicked, we thought. Our order got lost - food arrived about 7:00 - we rushed through it to race to Overture, barely making it. My shrimp cakes were only average and not a good value. Can't speak for the other three in my group, but no one raved about their meal. All-in-all, a disappointing dining experience.
Food quality seriously declined at Merchant. I’ve always thought of it as a fun casual place in Madison, WI for brunch or casual dinner with friends. Food took way too long and was pretty bland and uninteresting. Drinks not cheap either. We probably won’t be coming back unless there are serious changes. Staff is always nice, professional and polite.
Out server was really really slow/ I think he forgot about us. Overpriced food that took way too long. Food was quite good but not amazing for that price. Also we were seated next to the entrance and hostess stand which made the noise level too high. Will yet again but not a great experience!!!
Had a great birthday dinner here recently; the staff at Merchant were able to accommodate a last-minute add-on which was really nice. We had a lovely, friendly server and when things got slow in the kitchen, they took care of us by comping the appetizers and even dessert! The food and cocktails were fantastic, and the atmosphere is great. Highly recommend if you're downtown!
Great food! I had the burger and a salad. Good bourbon selection.
Helpful and attentive staff.
Restaurantji Recommends
Friendly staff, plenty of outdoor seating. The menu is pretty limited and not great for those with common dietary restrictions.
I have been a Merchant patron for the past 10 years. I've always thought highly of the food and enjoyed the experience. I just recently came for Brunch and had the Breakfast Platter. I was severely dissapointed with the quality and taste of the food. I had to dump maybe a TBSP of salt on everything to give it some sort of flavor. After waiting an hour for 2 basic breakfast items with a somewhat empty restaurant, it was a shock. My expectations have plummeted to the depths of unseasonaed hell.
I visited Merchant in Madison today with some friends, and overall, the experience just didn’t live up to expectations. The servers were somewhat friendly, but not very attentive. We were ready to order right away, but it took a while before anyone checked on us. Drinks took a long time to come out, and the food was even slower—despite all of us ordering pretty basic brunch items.
When the food finally arrived, it was a letdown. Eggs were undercooked and runny, bacon looked borderline raw in spots, and the potatoes tasted old, bland, and totally unseasoned. It all seemed rushed and thrown together, which made no sense given how long we had waited.
Portion sizes were small, and nothing on the plate had flavor. The atmosphere was decent—cool decor and a nice bar setup—but that only goes so far.
Honestly, I would’ve rather had brunch at IHOP... and that’s saying something.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A Madison Must: Brunch at Merchant
Merchant delivers the kind of brunch experience that makes you want to cancel the rest of your plans just to linger a little longer.
From the moment I walked into this stylish, effortlessly welcoming space in the heart of Madison, I could tell I was in for something special. The atmosphere strikes a rare balance—chic yet relaxed, modern but warm. Upbeat music pulses gently through the space, giving the restaurant an energy that’s both lively and laid-back. It creates exactly the kind of fun, convivial vibe you want for a weekend brunch or really any meal.
The menu is a thoughtful and inspired blend of classic comfort and fresh creativity. As a vegetarian, I was thrilled to find more than just the usual token options—every meatless dish was well-crafted, flavorful, and satisfying in its own right. It’s clear that the kitchen gives as much attention to their vegetarian offerings as anything else on the menu.
Now let’s talk about the mocktails. Merchant’s Bees Knees—a non-alcoholic nod to the Prohibition-era classic—was nothing short of delightful. Light, floral, citrusy, and perfectly balanced, it felt festive and refined without the alcohol. My boyfriend got a bloody mary and he was also very happy with it.
But the true standout? The beignets. Hot, fresh, airy, and generously dusted in powdered sugar, they were absolute perfection—crisp on the outside, pillowy on the inside. If you’re even thinking about ordering them, just do it. You won’t regret it.
To top it all off, the service was flawless—warm, attentive, and genuinely enthusiastic. Our server struck that perfect balance of being present without hovering, and every recommendation was spot-on. It’s clear the staff takes pride in what they do, and it elevates the entire experience.
In a city full of dining options, Merchant stands out as a true gem. From the food and drinks to the vibe and hospitality, it hits every note. Whether you’re a Madison local or just visiting for the weekend, this is the kind of place you’ll be talking about long after the last beignet is gone.
Had heard pretty good things about this place - was completely let down. We had an 8 pm reservation, and we had already informed them that we would be getting the Tuesday deal and despite that, they were not prepared at all.
The cornbread was super crumbly and very hard to eat. We asked for the steak to be medium - not only did it take nearly 40 minutes to cook but it was extremely tough and chewy - nowhere near medium.
The actual worst part was that we came in at 7:50 pm, with an 8 pm reservation. The place wasn't busy at all, yet we were served food around 8:50 pm and the funniest bit was that the staff made us feel rushed to leave. They started cleaning all the tables and placing all the seats right next to us on the tables. We had to scarf down our food and take our dessert to go because it was such an uncomfortable experience. We were out of the place by 9:05, after quite literally gobbling the food and leaving. I'm all for adhering to restaurant timings, but then why offer a reservation for 8 pm when you know you can't handle it? Additionally, at least have the respect and decency to not start putting chairs on all of the tables and also making the lights super bright to kick us out when we've had only 10 minutes to eat our food and didn't even get a chance to eat our dessert.
Mid food, with exceptionally bad customer service. Complete waste of money and I feel pretty bummed that I chose The Merchant to celebrate an occasion (which I actually mentioned in the reservation form as well lol). Would not recommend.
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