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The Merchant Tavern, St. John's, NL

The Merchant Tavern

4.6 (1971)
CAN$31 to CAN$50
Bistro
291 Water Street, St. John's, NL A1C 5C2

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 p.m.
Booked 30 times today

About this restaurant

  • Good for special occasions
  • Great for fine wines
  • Good for groups
Welcome to The Merchant Tavern,

The Merchant Tavern pays homage to hard-working people who appreciate fine fare and spirits. Using fresh ingredients from local purveyors and some inspiration, we create dishes that will make you feel sated.

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Price
    CAN$31 to CAN$50
  • Cuisines
    Bistro, Seafood, Contemporary Canadian
  • Hours of Operation
    Dinner Tue–Thu 5:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–10:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (709) 722-5050
  • Website
    http://www.themerchanttavern.ca/
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Executive Chef
    Nick Walters
  • Private party facilities
    Weddings, large scale corporate functions, private parties.Please email booking@themerchanttavern.ca for inquiries and current pricing.
  • Location
    291 Water Street, St. John's, NL A1C 5C2
  • Neighbourhood
    St. John's
  • Cross Street
    Beck's Cove
  • Parking details
    Public Parking lot on Harbour Drive
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Chef's Table, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Private Room, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Menu

View menu on restaurant's website

What 1,971 people are saying

The Merchant Tavern 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

4.6
4.6 based on recent ratings
  • 4.7Food
  • 4.6Service
  • 4.6Ambience
  • 4.5Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

  • Atlantic Canada

    Great for fine wines

  • Newfoundland and Labrador

    Best Food

  • Newfoundland and Labrador

    Best Ambience

  • Newfoundland and Labrador

    Best Value

  • Newfoundland and Labrador

    Good for business meals

  • Newfoundland and Labrador

    Great for creative cocktails

  • Newfoundland and Labrador

    Hot spot

  • Newfoundland and Labrador

    Great for fine wines

  • Newfoundland and Labrador

    Good for special occasions

  • Newfoundland and Labrador

    Lively

  • Newfoundland and Labrador

    Most Booked

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
The Merchant Tavern offers a lively atmosphere and "outstanding service." Diners praise its "fantastic food," including standout dishes like snow crab and halibut with leek and butter sauce. The restaurant's "great vibe" and attentive staff enhance the dining experience. However, some find the music volume high, affecting conversation.

1,971 Reviews

  1. lorelei

    Vancouver1 review

    5.0

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Food was delicious, and the service was excellent

    Is this helpful?

  2. Robert VIP

    Atlantic Canada9 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Excellent service and tasty food. Our server was very attentive and the dishes were excellent.

    Is this helpful?

  3. Tina

    Atlantic Canada2 reviews

    4.0

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Steak tasted good but our meals were not hot, lukewarm. Paying $9 for 4 slices of bread with some butter felt quite overpriced when most restaurants will put bread and butter on the table without charging. Overall the ambience snd service was great.

    Is this helpful?

  4. Alan

    Atlantic Canada1 review

    5.0

    Dined on May 14, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 3
    We were met by a friendly staff who looked after all of our needs. The food was outstanding, I had the duck and my partner the stake frits. we loved both. The Parsnip cake was a pleasant end to a delicious meal.

    Is this helpful?

  5. Corie

    Toronto1 review

    5.0

    Dined on May 10, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great vibe at the Merchant Tavern! Staff efficient and interactive. All enjoyed their meals, especially amazing halibut dish with a leek and butter sauce. Will return - again!

    Is this helpful?

  6. Laurie

    Atlantic Canada1 review

    5.0

    Dined on May 9, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Amazing service and the food was fantastic! Highly recommend!!

    Is this helpful?

  7. DAVID

    Exclusive2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on May 8, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Beautiful place, the had you seated and drinks in hand within 5 minutes. The selection of dishes was ample , and served quickly. It was quite busy but it was during the music awards so we were expecting it. Overall great food delicious drinks and we where both happy

    Is this helpful?

  8. Chris

    Orlando1 review

    5.0

    Dined on May 5, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great space, great service, even better food! Highly recommend!

    Is this helpful?

  9. Dana

    Atlantic Canada5 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on May 3, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Service, food and atmosphere is always fantastic! Love this place!

    Is this helpful?

  10. Vanessa

    Ottawa6 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on May 3, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    As always, Merchant was spectacular. We came for the snow crab, and it was to die for! Wine was lovely, staff incredible, just a fantastic evening. Thank you!

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

The Merchant Tavern is rated 4.6 stars by 1971 OpenTable diners.

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

  1. Home
  2. Canada
  3. Atlantic Canada
  4. Newfoundland and Labrador
  5. St. John's

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 p.m.
Booked 30 times today
Google Map for The Merchant Tavern

291 Water Street, St. John's, NL A1C 5C2

Additional information

  • Cross Street
    Beck's Cove
  • Neighbourhood
    St. John's
  • Hours of Operation
    Dinner Tue–Thu 5:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–10:00 pm
  • Price
    CAN$31 to CAN$50
  • Cuisines
    Bistro, Seafood, Contemporary Canadian
  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    Public Parking lot on Harbour Drive
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive Chef
    Nick Walters
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Chef's Table, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Private Room, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine
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