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The Merchant Tavern, St. John's, NL

The Merchant Tavern

4.7 (1995)
CAN$31 to CAN$50
Bistro
291 Water Street, St. John's, NL A1C 5C2

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 28 times today

About this restaurant

  • Good for special occasions
  • Hot spot
  • 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 Mon–Thu, Sun 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
  • Neighborhood
    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

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Menu

View menu on restaurant's website

What 1,995 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

4.7
4.7 based on recent ratings
  • 4.7Food
  • 4.6Service
  • 4.6Ambience
  • 4.4Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

  • Atlantic Canada

    Hot spot

  • Atlantic Canada

    Most Booked

  • Newfoundland and Labrador

    Best Overall

  • Newfoundland and Labrador

    Best Food

  • Newfoundland and Labrador

    Best Service

  • Newfoundland and Labrador

    Best Ambiance

  • Newfoundland and Labrador

    Best Value

  • Newfoundland and Labrador

    Good for business meals

  • Newfoundland and Labrador

    Good for groups

  • Newfoundland and Labrador

    Great for creative cocktails

  • Newfoundland and Labrador

    Hot spot

  • Newfoundland and Labrador

    Neighborhood gem

  • 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 "great vibe," featuring "delicious food" and "superb service." Diners rave about the scallop ceviche, snow crab, and the Chef's Tasting Menu. While some noted slow service, many praise the "fantastic atmosphere" and the "friendly staff." It's an ideal spot for a "lively" evening with "amazing meals."
1,995 Reviews

  1. Sandy

    Atlantic Canada1 review

    5.0

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Always great vibe ….. great menu; beautiful bar… super service as always.

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  2. Sandy

    Toronto / Ontario3 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great service and good. Music was a little loud I would come back to this restaurant

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  3. Sebastien VIP

    South Carolina8 reviews

    3.0

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 2
    We were at a table in the middle of traffic when a number of 4tops were available. The waitress or staff never filled our wine glasses once even after serving food and noticing glasses were empty & the ringing of the bell approach when dishes are ready works for a dinner but really not ideal nor appreciated when expecting a restaurant experience. This was much better last time I was here a few years ago ….. unfortunately not a great service or ambiance experience but the cod was delicious (beef tartare had too many items within that you can no longer taste the beef - good but back to basics might be better)

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  4. Michele VIP

    New York City52 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great place, with handcrafted cocktails. It’s got a nice vibe, very friendly and welcoming. A noise level is a nice buzz, but not too loud. The food and service were both amazing! I highly recommend getting the rhubarb crème brûlée. Very unusual and delicious dessert. We had dinner one evening while we were in town and went back twice for cocktails and dessert. Highly recommend giving it a try.

    Is this helpful?

  5. Steeve

    Unspecified1 review

    5.0

    Dined on July 3, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Great meals, great ambiance, great service, great place. A great restaurant. I strongly recommend!

    Is this helpful?

  6. Michelle

    Unspecified1 review

    5.0

    Dined on June 28, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Always delicious food, great service and a great night out!

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  7. Norma Jean VIP

    Atlantic Canada5 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on June 27, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We ordered the five course chefs tasting menu. The food was excellent and a good portion size for a tasting menu. Highly recommend this restaurant.

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  8. Debbie

    Montreal / Quebec1 review

    5.0

    Dined on June 26, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    I ate at the bar this evening and everything was spectacular, food, service and ambience…I had the scallop crudo and crab which I highly recommend.

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  9. MimiY

    Toronto / Ontario2 reviews

    3.0

    Dined on June 22, 2025

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 3
    Expected food to be better prepared and served. Came very highly recommended by multiple sources. Server was not well trained.

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  10. Gary

    Atlantic Canada4 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on June 20, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 3
    Great food. Good service. A bit loud but energetic.

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

The Merchant Tavern is rated 4.7 stars by 1995 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 PM
Booked 28 times today
Google Map for The Merchant Tavern

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

Additional information

  • Cross street
    Beck's Cove
  • Neighborhood
    St. John's
  • Hours of operation
    Dinner Mon–Thu, Sun 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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