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The Merchant Boston dining room

Our Story

Where Fire Meets Craft

Since 1980, The Merchant Boston has turned simple, seasonal ingredients into unforgettable evenings - wood-fired plates, natural wine, and a room built for lingering.

The Merchant Boston dining room

A Table Built for Lingering

Four Decades by the Fire

What began as a small grill on Franklin Street has grown into one of Boston’s most beloved dining rooms - yet our philosophy has never changed. Cook honestly, source thoughtfully, and treat every guest like family.

Our open kitchen is the heart of the room. Watch flame catch on dry-aged steak, smell rosemary smoke rise from the embers, and settle in for an evening that’s meant to be savored slowly.

An American Brasserie

The brasserie originated in France in the mid-to-late 1800s. The word literally translates to “brewery” - historically a restaurant that brewed its own beer to serve its guests. A brasserie is typically a large, informal restaurant serving food and drink throughout the day.

The Merchant borrows from these ideas. While we don’t brew our own beer, we pour a wide variety on draft, in bottle, and in can. The bar is a major focal point - a convivial atmosphere and top-notch product. Alongside 25+ beers on tap, we offer an approachable, interesting wine list and a serious craft cocktail program, including cocktails and wines on tap.

The menu is designed for a quick bite or a full-course meal, at lunch or dinner - and we serve late into the night for friends and neighbors who need something after a long evening’s work.

The Merchant sits at 60 Franklin St. in Downtown Crossing, on the edge of the Financial District. We’re proud to be part of the neighborhood’s revitalization and strive to be a true go-to. Our name pays homage to the area’s history and to ‘London Harness,’ the previous tenant who traded in this space for nearly 100 years.

A signature cocktail on a Merchant coaster

Farmers & Suppliers We Work With

Wards Berry Farm Sharon, MA

Berries & squash

Atomic Coffee Roasters Peabody, MA

Coffee

Evy’s Tea Boston, MA

Cold-brewed iced tea

Murray’s Chicken Pennsylvania

All-natural chicken

Crystal Valley Farms Indiana

All-natural chicken

Painted Hills Painted Hills, Oregon

All-natural beef

D’Artagnan Union, New Jersey

Meat

A&J King Artisan Bakers Salem, MA

Bread

1980

Serving Since

90+

Seasonal Dishes

250k

Guests Hosted

12

Culinary Awards

What We Believe

Craft in Every Detail

Wood-Fired Craft

Every plate passes over open flame - char, smoke, and patience coax flavor that only fire can give.

Locally Sourced

We partner with New England farms, fishers, and foragers - menus shift with what the season offers.

Natural Wine

A cellar of low-intervention bottles, poured by sommeliers who love a good story as much as a great pairing.

The Merchant Boston kitchen

We don’t chase trends. We chase fire, season, and the kind of meal you’ll still be talking about next week.

Ignacio Lopez

Executive Chef

Bio

Chef Ignacio Lopez

Chef Ignacio Lopez brings a lifelong passion for food, cooking, and serving his guests’ needs. His career is marked by accepting and excelling in culinary positions across markets that range from casual dining to ultra-luxury.

He began cooking professionally at the age of sixteen. After working his way through fine-dining kitchens in San Diego, he landed his first Executive Sous Chef position at the exclusive Fairbanks Ranch Country Club under Executive Chef Francis Perrot. He has cooked alongside other legendary chefs - including Jeff Jackson, Joachim Splichal, Timothy Au, Kerry Neff and Jean-Pierre Dubray - learning many skills, most notably the market-to-table service he still uses in every kitchen he leads.

After working in restaurants and resorts from New Hampshire to Connecticut to California, he made his way back to the East Coast in 2011. He served as Executive Sous Chef and Chef at notable Boston-area restaurants such as Landana, Exchange Street Bistro, Beat Brasserie and Tuscan Kitchen before joining The Merchant.

Directions & Parking

  • Validated parking available at the 33 Arch Street Garage (reserve ahead of time), entrance on Hawley Street.
  • Daytime Parking - 20% discount on the posted rate.
  • Nighttime Parking (Mon–Fri 3:30pm–3:00am, up to 10 hours): $8 with validation.
  • Weekend Parking(all day Saturday & Sunday, up to 10 hours): $8 with validation.

Awards / Press

OpenTable: Diner’s Choice 2025

The Merchant has been voted by OpenTable diners as one of the best - selected from the feedback of guests who booked and dined with us.

Diners’
Choice

The Voice of Downtown Boston

Cool Cocktails & Farm-Fresh Dishes

Escape the city heat with a savory little brasserie in the Financial District, tucked away from the summer rush.

HuffPost Taste

One of Boston’s best raw bars

They say we serve the “freshest oysters on offer.”

Vacation Idea

A Best Romantic Restaurant

Featured as a spot for a romantic evening out - sample new flavors and unwind with a glass of wine.

Thrillist: Best New Bar

Thrillist names The Merchant one of Boston’s best new bars, with a huge selection.

Phantom Gourmet

The Phantom Gourmet goes behind the scenes with our head chef to show how The Merchant consistently puts out amazing food.

Paleo Fondue

The personality and feel of The Merchant strike me as alluring yet welcoming - comfortable, energetic, inspired, and classy.

Improper Bostonian

Best Bar: Downtown Crossing

Strong menu, great cocktails, a huge beer list, and a commerce-friendly atmosphere.

Boston Barhopper

Boston Barhopper shares a glowing write-up of their first visit to The Merchant.

Thrillist: New Restaurants

Thrillist says The Merchant is one of Boston’s best new restaurants.

Zagat

Zagat features The Merchant in a list of 25 new Boston restaurants - and wrote a First Look about us.

Trip Expert

Winner of the 2018 Expert Choice Award from Trip Expert, plus an award for Best in Boston.

CN Traveler

Readers rank Boston among the best cities for foodies - and The Merchant makes the short list.