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✔️Dinner ✔️Dine in
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Fine dining venue offering reservation-only, themed tasting menu dinners with wine pairings.
Hours
| Friday | 5:30–8 PM |
| Saturday | 5:30–8 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday | 5:30–8 PM |
| Wednesday | 5:30–8 PM |
| Thursday | 5:30–8 PM |
Address and Contact Information
Address: 1148 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94103
Website: http://www.merchantroots.com/
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Merchant Roots
Merchant Roots is a boutique fine-dining restaurant. Our menus are … San Francisco, CA 94103. Merchant Roots. 1365 Fillmore Street,. San Francisco …
Merchant Roots – San Francisco – a MICHELIN Guide Restaurant
… Merchant Roots. 1148 Mission St., San Francisco, CA, 94103, USA. $$$$ · Creative. Notes. Visited. Save. Favorite. Reserve a table. Book. Merchant Roots.
Merchant Roots (@merchantroots) · San Francisco, CA – Instagram
23K followers · 497 posts · San Francisco’s most intimate dining experience. Always changing, always thematic – Michelin Guide Recommended 2024 –
Reviews
Vinícius Lepca
Big fan of their concept. I’ve been twice by now, and became a big fan. You’re getting more than just a meal, you’ll move around between different areas of the restaurant, you’ll interact with your food in new and unusual ways, everything is very creative. The food itself is delicious and very worth the investment. You can clearly tell everyone there deeply cares about what they do.
Between Color Theory and Feast of the Moss Woods, I’d say I enjoyed the former a bit better, but both were excellent
… moreBetween Color Theory and Feast of the Moss Woods, I’d say I enjoyed the former a bit better, but both were excellent
Alex Lazovsky
“Feast of Moss Woods” — An Enchanted Culinary Odyssey at Merchant Roots
Last night, I didn’t just have dinner — I went on an expedition.
Merchant Roots in San Francisco is unlike any other restaurant: part fine dining, part immersive art installation, part theater of imagination. Every few months, Chef Ryan Shelton and his team completely reinvent the space and the menu around a story-driven theme. Their current creation, Feast of Moss Woods, is nothing short of magical — a deep, sensory exploration of the mysterious world of mushrooms.
From the moment you arrive, you’re transported into an enchanted forest. The entire table is transformed into a lush, moss-covered landscape dotted with lanterns, tree bark, and tiny red-doored cottages. You’re handed a map and a compass to navigate a 16-plus-course tasting journey — where dishes are found rather than served. Some are hidden in mossy boxes, revealed only when you discover and press a secret button. Others are nestled into the forest itself, waiting to be unearthed.
Each dish was breathtakingly imaginative and delicious — from the Black Truffle “Pop Tart” and Tempura Maitake with House-Cured Duck Prosciutto, to the Savory Chanterelle French Toast and whimsical desserts inspired by woodland fairies. Every plate told a story, each bite layered with creativity, balance, and harmony.
We had the pleasure of meeting Chef Ryan Shelton in person — and what a privilege that was. He personally came to our table to explain the inspiration and story behind several dishes, sharing how the theme emerged from his fascination with nature, decay, rebirth, and the intelligence of fungi. His passion and artistry shine through every detail — from the design of the space to the last delicate garnish.
Merchant Roots is far more than a restaurant — it’s a living art form. Every element, from the décor to the wine pairings, from the textures to the pacing, is choreographed into a seamless narrative. Dining here feels like stepping inside a dream — one built from imagination, craftsmanship, and pure culinary brilliance.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A truly unforgettable experience where food, storytelling, and art become one.
… moreLast night, I didn’t just have dinner — I went on an expedition.
Merchant Roots in San Francisco is unlike any other restaurant: part fine dining, part immersive art installation, part theater of imagination. Every few months, Chef Ryan Shelton and his team completely reinvent the space and the menu around a story-driven theme. Their current creation, Feast of Moss Woods, is nothing short of magical — a deep, sensory exploration of the mysterious world of mushrooms.
From the moment you arrive, you’re transported into an enchanted forest. The entire table is transformed into a lush, moss-covered landscape dotted with lanterns, tree bark, and tiny red-doored cottages. You’re handed a map and a compass to navigate a 16-plus-course tasting journey — where dishes are found rather than served. Some are hidden in mossy boxes, revealed only when you discover and press a secret button. Others are nestled into the forest itself, waiting to be unearthed.
Each dish was breathtakingly imaginative and delicious — from the Black Truffle “Pop Tart” and Tempura Maitake with House-Cured Duck Prosciutto, to the Savory Chanterelle French Toast and whimsical desserts inspired by woodland fairies. Every plate told a story, each bite layered with creativity, balance, and harmony.
We had the pleasure of meeting Chef Ryan Shelton in person — and what a privilege that was. He personally came to our table to explain the inspiration and story behind several dishes, sharing how the theme emerged from his fascination with nature, decay, rebirth, and the intelligence of fungi. His passion and artistry shine through every detail — from the design of the space to the last delicate garnish.
Merchant Roots is far more than a restaurant — it’s a living art form. Every element, from the décor to the wine pairings, from the textures to the pacing, is choreographed into a seamless narrative. Dining here feels like stepping inside a dream — one built from imagination, craftsmanship, and pure culinary brilliance.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A truly unforgettable experience where food, storytelling, and art become one.
Amanda Way
Amazing spot. I had been following their rotating menu for a while and had to come in for their bedtime stories theme. The food was fun and delicious and both the alcohol and n/a parings were spot on and creative. Definitely a place to celebrate a special occasion and have fun!
… moreLaura Dell
We’ve been twice now to Merchant Roots for two different menus, and this has become my new favorite restaurant for a fancy dinner. The food is exceptionally delicious, but the real fun is seeing the creative ways that every dish leans into the theme for the menu. Everyone at the seating eats their courses simultaneously, and we love to watch and speculate about the next course as the team assembles it. One of the other best parts is that everyone on the team is a chef and server, so you can talk to the chefs directly about the meal. Both times we’ve gone have been evenings full of fun, whimsy, and delight, and we can’t wait for our next visit.
… moreMarc Cartright
Just had dinner there, which was “Fairy and Fruits of the Forest” themed (I’m paraphrasing).
It was the most enjoyable eating experience I’ve ever had. There was a good amount of whimsy, everything served was interesting and delicious. It was a rare pleasure to see dishes that were such expressions of art visually as well as gustatory – some of them were presented so well we almost didn’t want to eat them, but when we did, that in itself was a new experience as well.
I know I found flowery, but it was just amazing, and I don’t want to give any spoilers. It’s better to go in a bit ignorant of what’s going to happen. It was expensive, but I also feel like it was worth it. My spouse and I have already started debating how soon is too soon to go back (because going back regularly would literally be a new monthly expense to track).
Still, at the very least it’s a bucket list experience!
… moreIt was the most enjoyable eating experience I’ve ever had. There was a good amount of whimsy, everything served was interesting and delicious. It was a rare pleasure to see dishes that were such expressions of art visually as well as gustatory – some of them were presented so well we almost didn’t want to eat them, but when we did, that in itself was a new experience as well.
I know I found flowery, but it was just amazing, and I don’t want to give any spoilers. It’s better to go in a bit ignorant of what’s going to happen. It was expensive, but I also feel like it was worth it. My spouse and I have already started debating how soon is too soon to go back (because going back regularly would literally be a new monthly expense to track).
Still, at the very least it’s a bucket list experience!
Akash
I don’t usually post reviews, but this was honestly one of the most disappointing tasting menus I’ve experienced, not just in SF but anywhere. A coworker had hyped this place up as one of the best in SF and my expectations were high. I booked this for Valentine’s Day, hoping for something special but if anything, my partner and I ended up bonding over just how underwhelming the food was (she flew in from NYC for this). Throughout the meal, not once did anyone on staff ask how the food was. Dishes were simply served and cleared away and we were guided to the next part of the “experience” which was surprising for a spot that bills itself for good food. I understand the intent behind the “Humpty Dumpty” theme but this particular execution just didn’t land. While I can imagine they’ve pulled off more successful concepts in the past, this menu was almost entirely breakfast-themed, and there’s only so many egg-centric dishes you can serve at dinner before it starts to feel repetitive and uninspired. By the end we were completely over the endless parade of “breakfast takes”. Overall it was a big letdown there was very little creativity, and the lack of engagement from the staff made the whole thing feel flat, would not recommend.
… moreTu Mai
I came to Merchant Root recently to celebrate a birthday with my friend. The space itself is beautiful and thoughtfully designed, and the staff were friendly and welcoming. From an ambiance standpoint, it’s very Instagram-friendly.
Unfortunately, the experience fell apart once the food arrived. I am honestly perplexed at the good reviews because some dishes were not edible!
We chose the Feast of Moss Wood vegetarian tasting menu, and the dishes were largely subpar and not worth the price. Several courses were extremely bitter to the point of being unpleasant, and one dish was honestly one bite and done. I felt physically uncomfortable eating it.
When we expressed concern that the food was overly bitter and not really edible, the response we received was essentially, “Oh, that’s the marinade of the Impossible meat,” without any real acknowledgment or attempt to address the issue.
This restaurant may work if you’re looking for content for social media. If you’re looking for genuinely good food, especially at this price point, there are many better options.
Not recommended.
… moreUnfortunately, the experience fell apart once the food arrived. I am honestly perplexed at the good reviews because some dishes were not edible!
We chose the Feast of Moss Wood vegetarian tasting menu, and the dishes were largely subpar and not worth the price. Several courses were extremely bitter to the point of being unpleasant, and one dish was honestly one bite and done. I felt physically uncomfortable eating it.
When we expressed concern that the food was overly bitter and not really edible, the response we received was essentially, “Oh, that’s the marinade of the Impossible meat,” without any real acknowledgment or attempt to address the issue.
This restaurant may work if you’re looking for content for social media. If you’re looking for genuinely good food, especially at this price point, there are many better options.
Not recommended.
Sunjay Varma
10/10. Excellent vegetarian fine dining experience. Loved all the dishes and really appreciated the excellent customer service. The dishes seemed small, but my partner and I were so full by the end of the night! Every single dish was something I could eat a whole plate of for a full meal. So excited to go again sometime.
… moreMonica Susilo
I had a reservation for the Mushroom Dinner, booked months ago, but the experience was a major letdown. It started off great with a delicious mushroom soup and crumpets, but then quickly went downhill. Almost every subsequent dish was bad, some were far too salty or intensely bitter—to the point we couldn’t eat most of the food.
The saving grace is the atmosphere and service. The space is beautiful; the tables and unique pottery/plates (reportedly handmade by the team) are incredibly creative and photo-worthy. The servers were friendly and pleasant, though my concern about the bitter food was unfortunately not taken seriously.
If you are looking for great vibes and beautiful artistic craftsmanship but don’t mind bad food, this is the spot. If you are going for the cuisine, temper your expectations.
… moreThe saving grace is the atmosphere and service. The space is beautiful; the tables and unique pottery/plates (reportedly handmade by the team) are incredibly creative and photo-worthy. The servers were friendly and pleasant, though my concern about the bitter food was unfortunately not taken seriously.
If you are looking for great vibes and beautiful artistic craftsmanship but don’t mind bad food, this is the spot. If you are going for the cuisine, temper your expectations.
Paul Wylie
I visited in March 2023 for my birthday. Truly a unique experience. The theme at the time was “The Great Trees” so the dishes were very woodsy-forest themed. The commitment to the theme, not only in regard to the food, but also the restaurant, is beyond impressive and exceeded all expectations. The service and intimate dinning room made it all the more cozy. My only issue was the size of the tasting menu. There were a few dishes that were simply far too large, in my opinion, especially for a 15 course meal. My partner, and even other fellow guests, had to sacrifice eating some items simply because they were getting full. Additionally, the final few dishes were incredibly rich and it was difficult to enjoy them after already eating so much. Other than that, the creativity of every plate was gorgeous. I definitely plan to visit again.
… more