The Merchant Tavern

Name: The Merchant Tavern
Address: 291 Water Street, St. John's, NL, Canada, A1C 5C2
Telephone: (709) 722-5050
Price range: CAN$31 to CAN$50
Rating: 4.5

4.5

1759 Reviews

CAN$31 to CAN$50

Bistro

Top tags:

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.

Make a reservation

Party Size

2 people

DateTime

Dec 6, 2023

7:00 p.m.

Booked 29 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Elegant
Price
CAN$31 to CAN$50
Cuisines
Bistro, Seafood, Contemporary Canadian
Hours of Operation
Brunch Sat 11:00 am–2:00 pm Lunch Tue–Sat 11:30 am–2:00 pm Dinner Mon–Sat 5:00 pm–9:00 pm
Phone number
(709) 722-5050
Website
http://www.themerchanttavern.ca/
Payment Options
AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
Dress Code
Casual Dress
Executive Chef
Jeremy Charles
Private party facilities
Weddings, large scale corporate functions, private parties.Please email booking@themerchanttavern.ca for inquiries and current pricing.
Private party contact
Steve Doussis : (709) 722-5050

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, Cafe, Chef's Table, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Private Room, Takeout, Vegan, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 1,759 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

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

4.5

4.5 based on recent ratings

4.6Food
4.5Service
4.5Ambience
4.2Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

Atlantic Canada
Good for business meals
Atlantic Canada
Good for business meals
Atlantic Canada
Great for creative cocktails
Atlantic Canada
Hot spot
Atlantic Canada
Lively
Atlantic Canada
Most Booked
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
Good for business meals
Newfoundland and Labrador
Gluten-free-friendly
Newfoundland and Labrador
Great for creative cocktails
Newfoundland and Labrador
Healthy
Newfoundland and Labrador
Hot spot
Newfoundland and Labrador
Neighbourhood gem
Newfoundland and Labrador
Good for special occasions
Newfoundland and Labrador
Lively
Newfoundland and Labrador
Most Booked

1,759 Reviews

OT
OpenTable Diner
Atlantic Canada
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined 4 days ago
overall5food5service4ambience4
The food was excellent. We ordered the pork medallion and carbonara. It was both prepared perfectly. Service was fine. Overall very good.
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TB
TaylorB
Atlantic Canada
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on November 26, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience4
Absolutely fantastic food and beautiful restaurant, it was a bit loud for our liking but other than that it was amazing.
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AS
AshleeS
Atlantic Canada
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on November 26, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Always our favourite place when we visit the city!
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AH
AndrewH
Chicago
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on November 25, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great food, great value great service. The tasting menu was exceptional. Would recommend for sure
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S
Steve
Atlantic Canada
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on November 24, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience4
Excellent food. Amazing staff. Great all around experience.
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J
Jeanphyl
Atlantic Canada
6 reviews
5.0
6 reviews
Dined on November 18, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Very good place to eat and relax. Defiantly would recommend this place to anyone looking to have great food and good atmosphere
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JC
JCameron75
Atlantic Canada
11 reviews
vip
5.0
11 reviews
Dined on November 18, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Amazing brunch. Allan was an attentive server. I changed the number of guests twice and was easily accommodated. My dinner mates were late and the servers were reassuring.
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MC
MontgomeryC
Atlantic Canada
2 reviews
4.0
2 reviews
Dined on November 17, 2023
overall4food4service5ambience5
Great food. Great service. As always. A couple of other types of seafood in the seafood soup would have been nice. Mussels perhaps.
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LS
LorettaS
Toronto
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on November 17, 2023
overall4food4service4ambience4
Our meals were delicious. Hubby's steak was very tender and the Artic Char was very good.
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RH
RidwanulH
1 review
1.0
1 review
Dined on November 16, 2023
overall1food3service1ambience3
When I booked the table I clearly stated that it was my partner’s birthday both in the occasion option and in the comments. But it seemed like the servers weren’t aware of it. We were not asked what we are here for hence we didn’t get a chance to tell it to them again. I was expecting a birthday surprise desert for her but she didn’t get it. Nor did the restaurant do anything to make her feel special. The steak I ordered was suppose to be medium rare but it was a rare steak and not good at all. The cod soup and chicken were good. Didn’t expect such poor service from a restaurant like Merchant
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GL
GeorgiaL
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on November 16, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
It was fantastic. I sat at the bar and was able to sit and comfortably watch the liveliness of the room. The features were delicious. Jack was my server, and he was knowledgeable, the perfect amount of attentive and a lovely being. Thank you!
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S
Sandra
Atlantic Canada
8 reviews
5.0
8 reviews
Dined on November 15, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Merchant Tavern is always one of my favorites. Always reliably top notch. Food and service that is second to none.
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J
Jacquelyn
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on November 14, 2023
overall4food5service5ambience3
Our meals were absolutely delicious. The pork and chicken dishes were some of the best we've eaten. Our server was so friendly! Can't remember his name but you're lucky to have him. We'll be back!
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VH
VirginiaH
Atlantic Canada
2 reviews
3.0
2 reviews
Dined on November 13, 2023
overall3food3service4ambience4
Food was not exceptional. Was expecting higher level .Expensive for what we received and not much variety. Seriously over rated.
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JO
JONP
Atlantic Canada
19 reviews
vip
5.0
19 reviews
Dined on November 10, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Excellent overall. Great food (wild sea bass, scallops) and wine pairing choices were fantastic. Sommelier is extremely knowledgeable and her pairing recommendations on target.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on November 10, 2023
overall5food5service4ambience5
Delicious chicken sandwich, burger, and fries. We will be back!
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MM
MarkM
Manitoba
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on November 9, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Had a great meal and a great Italian wine. Service at the bar was great. Very knowledgeable and good conversation
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HG
HazelG
Atlantic Canada
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on November 4, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
We're so glad that brunch is back at the Merchant Tavern! I had the fish cakes, served with tartar sauce, sunny side eggs and an autumn salad with oranges and fennel - all delicious. My husband had the Turkish eggs - he polished his dish off and said it was very good. The cappuccinos are always great and large and the service was excellent. We were too full for dessert but ordered the chocolate zucchini cake to go. For the price, it was a small serving and somewhat underwhelming. We're regulars at the Merchant and this brunch was very satisfying.
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E
Elizabeth
Atlantic Canada
2 reviews
1.0
2 reviews
Dined on November 3, 2023
overall1food1service1ambience2
Ordered apps and mains, everything came out at one time. The table wasn’t even big enough to hold the food by the time I ate my apps my mains were cold. Left hungry!
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Orlando
1 review
3.0
1 review
Dined on November 3, 2023
overall3food2service5ambience4
Salads was mainly iceberg and the fries were soggy.
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EW
EmilyW
Atlantic Canada
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on October 21, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
A fantastic culinary experience overall. Would highly recommend to anyone
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a
amin
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on October 21, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Excellent Chiefs Wine pairing!! , Excellent Steak n Frites!! Great overall 👍🏾
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CS
CaroleS
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on October 20, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
The food and service at the Merchant Tavern was excellent. It was my first visit, but certainly not my last!
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LP
LeeP
Atlantic Canada
3 reviews
4.0
3 reviews
Dined on October 19, 2023
overall4food5service3ambience5
Everything was excellent as always. A go to whenever I'm in St. John's.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Montreal
9 reviews
3.0
9 reviews
Dined on October 19, 2023
overall3food3service4ambience4
Nice atmosphere, good wine, great service.. food is upscale tavern. Think we were expecting more of a fine dining experience. Not sure if I would put it in Canada’s TOP ⭐️ …although a must when in NFL.
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JH
JoanneH
Manitoba
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on October 19, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Amazing experience, I did the Chef’s Tasting Menu, it was fabulous; worth the cost. Alex (server) and Jack (sommelier) were outstanding. Chef, take a bow. Thank you for giving me such a memorable experience. Joanne
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A
Anom
Atlantic Canada
2 reviews
4.0
2 reviews
Dined on October 16, 2023
overall4food4service3ambience4
Food was great but service wasn't as good as it should be for a high end restaurant, our dessert was forgotten about.
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RR
RayR
Atlantic Canada
4 reviews
4.0
4 reviews
Dined on October 13, 2023
overall4food4service4ambience3
Friday night was very busy. But great service and the food was perfect. Little noisey, as everyone was having a good time. I prefer the high top or bar seating. Top five restaurant in the city
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SS
SusanS
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on October 13, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great food and service, wine recommendations great as well.
Is this helpful?
SE
StephanieE
Atlantic Canada
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on October 12, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
The food was absolutely delicious! Our server didn't check in often which was a bonus for us as we hate when servers are constantly interrupting while we're eating. The only complaint we had was that the water was warm, as someone who enjoys ice cold water we were both disappointed that the water was room temp. Overall though it was a great experience & we will most definitely be back!
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d
daves
Montreal
4 reviews
3.0
4 reviews
Dined on October 10, 2023
overall3food4service4ambience4
Merchant really needs to change up their menu up. Ithas been too long with the same choices
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JR
JeanetteR
Atlantic Canada
3 reviews
3.0
3 reviews
Dined on October 10, 2023
overall3food3service3ambience3
This was my second visit to Merchant Tavern. I had the same thing both times -- rib stead and frites. Last time (adout 8 years ago) it was the best steak I'd ever had. Last night, it was tasty, but quality of meat was definitely much lower. A little disappointed.
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ES
EmilyS
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on October 9, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Really great place! The vibe was cute, the food was amazing and the service was super friendly!
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RB
RayB
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on October 5, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience3
Enjoyed the evening out at the Merchant for my wifes birthday. Food was excellent (Arctic char and Ribeye Steak and shrip tacos). Our server was excellent as well. There seemed to be mixed reviews but our total experience was excellent.
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MM
MaureenM
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on October 5, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Food was fantastic , server was great , very attentive
Is this helpful?
J
Jeff
Toronto
8 reviews
5.0
8 reviews
Dined on October 3, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
The food and service were great. It is noisy, but it's an active buzz.
Is this helpful?
GG
GoldenGrrl
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on October 2, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Was recommended to this place by a family member who is local to the area. Enjoyed a memorable evening with my partner, and a very good friend of us both who had come in from a cruise. The service provided by Andrew was excellent as well as the rest of the staff who came by to check on us during our visit. Will definitely recommend to others to pay a visit.
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m
melaniec
Montreal
1 review
3.0
1 review
Dined on September 30, 2023
overall3food3service4ambience3
Average restaurant. Was expecting a lot more. Open kitchen where fish tartares are prepared over and over throughout the evening in the same bowl. Good service but no wow effect.
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I
Iart
1 review
3.0
1 review
Dined on September 30, 2023
overall3food4service5ambience2
Fantastique service by our waitress. Staff seems unfamiliar with natiral wine.
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DH
DebbieH
Atlantic Canada
35 reviews
vip
2.0
35 reviews
Dined on September 30, 2023
overall2food1service4ambience4
Not sure what all the fascination is with this restaurant but we were so underwhelmed and disappointed. We had curry mussels as an appetizer which had lovely spice and flavour. Then it went downhill from there. Hubby had the duck and it was rubbery, and barely warm. Terrible for duck venue. The side of veggies was nice. For my main I had the Carbonara and was terribly disappointed. The pasta tasted like it came out of a box, bland and lifeless and the guanciale(cured pork) was beyond flavourless. Come on guys, if your going to charge exorbitant prices, ya damn well better make sure it tastes half decent. Our neighbours who dined with us had the rib eye which was decent with a side of frites but the scallop pasta dish was again bland beyond bland. Nonetheless the aura is nice in the restaurant but not worth a revisit.
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Safety precautions

Cleaning & sanitising
- Surfaces sanitised between seatings
- Digital, disposable or sanitised menu provided
- Sanitiser or wipes provided for customers
- Contactless payment available

Screening
- Sick staff prohibited in the workplace

FAQs

The Merchant Tavern offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (709) 722-5050.

The Merchant Tavern is rated 4.5 stars by 1759 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a reservation

Party Size

2 people

DateTime

Dec 6, 2023

7:00 p.m.

Booked 29 times today

Order delivery or takeout

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

Additional information

Cross Street
Beck's Cove
Neighbourhood
St. John's
Hours of Operation
Brunch Sat 11:00 am–2:00 pm Lunch Tue–Sat 11:30 am–2:00 pm Dinner Mon–Sat 5:00 pm–9:00 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
Jeremy Charles
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cafe, Chef's Table, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Private Room, Takeout, Vegan, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Website
http://www.themerchanttavern.ca/
Phone number
(709) 722-5050
Private party facilities
Weddings, large scale corporate functions, private parties.Please email booking@themerchanttavern.ca for inquiries and current pricing.
Private party contact
Steve Doussis : (709) 722-5050

The Merchant Tavern

Make a reservation

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

Menu

What 1,759 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Loved For

Safety precautions

Cleaning & sanitising

Screening

FAQs

Does The Merchant Tavern offer delivery through OpenTable or takeout?

How is The Merchant Tavern restaurant rated?

Is The Merchant Tavern currently accepting reservations?

Make a reservation

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information