Mercury Cafe

2199 California St, Denver CO 80205
$ American

The Mercury Cafe is Denver's legendary arts bar, serving organic Colorado cuisine for omnivores, veterinarians, and vegans, complemented by local organic wine, bear, spirits. The chef's are proud to serve food grown by Colorado's organic farmers. Expect quite live music in the dining rooms and unique cultural events. The Mercury Cafe has 50 solar panels, 2 little wind turbines, and two living walls for natural summer cooling. Striving to live in balance with mother earth while nurturing community is our purpose.

Reservations

Business Info

  • Address: 2199 California St, Denver CO 80205
  • Cross Street: 22nd Street
  • Cuisine: American | Desserts | Sunday Brunch | Vegan | Vegetarian |
  • Cost: | Very Inexpensive
  • Category: Casual Dining
  • Star Rating:
  • Reservations: Available
  • Dress Code: Casual
  • Meals Served: Brunch | Dinner |
  • Parking: Street | Private Lot |
  • Payment Options: PayPal |
  • Corkage Fee: N/A
  • Phone: (303) 294-9258
  • Features: Sunday Brunch, Live Entertainment, Organic Ingredients, Takeout Available, Wheelchair Access, Healthy Options, Farm-to-table,
  • Occasion: Child Friendly, Romantic Dining, Dining Alone, Business Dining, Meet for a Drink, People Watching, Quiet Conversation, Special Occasion, Vegetarian, Date Night,

Photos

Business Hours

Reservations Available
Monday
Dinner - Restaurant
Tuesday
Dinner - Restaurant
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Dinner - Restaurant 5 p.m. - 11:45 p.m.
Brunch - Restaurant 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
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Customer Reviews & Ratings

4.83 out of 5 stars based on 384 votes

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Nov 02, 2021
Chris M.
I always enjoy going to the Mercury Cafe... great food... great atmosphere... great staff...

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Nov 02, 2021
Cody O.
We had a really wonderful dinner! Service was awesome, food was great and people were wonderful. Looking forward to coming back soon with our group

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Apr 06, 2021
Susan K.
great food and service. We really enjoyed ourselves!!

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Mar 30, 2021
Steven B.
Grisha Nisnevich's wonderful guitar solos contributed wonderfully to the very Bohemian atmosphere and ambiance of the Mercury Cafe Brunch last Sunday. The Staff is very friendly and attentive and the food was delicious. The Merc is like an oasis in the city for a place to sit and eat and drink with a friend that is inviting and so comfortable you hardly even think about being in the heart of a big city. Marilyn came by and spoke with us and she is so much like family, what a joy.

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Mar 30, 2021
Donna H.
We had such a great evening! Food and service was superb. Poetry readings were fun. Ambience was awesome!

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Mar 04, 2021
Linda M.
I've loved the Mercury Cafe for years. The experience, especially during a pandemic, was really special. I'll return again soon. Food, ambiance, service, entertainment, all top-notch!

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Feb 22, 2021
Jason D.
We had a great time. Excellent service, wonderful food!

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Feb 15, 2021
Gordon R.
A perfect night out.

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Nov 11, 2020
Linda L.
Service and food were great. Very careful about distance between folks at tables!!!!

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Nov 11, 2020
Ronnie C.
Nothing needs to change. Its a great place.

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Nov 10, 2020
Nathan W.
I love the Mercury Cafe!

Overall: 10/10
Food: 7/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Nov 03, 2020
Margot Z.
Great music and ambiance! Loved Cymber Lilly Quinn's Harp music.

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Nov 02, 2020
Tiffiny W.
The Merc by far has the best brunch in town, with no wait. Plus the food is authentic, most restaurant food gives me stomach aches which makes me really wonder what is in it. I never get that after eating at the Merc!

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 8/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Oct 14, 2020
Cathy H.
We love the Mercury Cafe! Thank you for continuing to be there for us! We all really liked our food, a little mix-up on who was our server, no big deal.

Overall: 10/10
Food: 7/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Oct 12, 2020
Sharona H.
Wonderful vibe. Friendly people. Great place! Lighting a little dark... Hard to see my food. My salad, while delicious, needed a bigger plate to be able to dig for goodies. Kind of hard to eat on a table whose flaps were not level. Small things to improve a great place.

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Oct 05, 2020
Kaitlyn B.
Amazing experience overall. Great atmosphere, staff, food, service, tarot card readings, music!

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Sep 25, 2020
Margaret W.
This place is an institution and a huge point of Denver culture! Definitely worth a stop

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Sep 15, 2020
LaVon L.
My husband and I love eating at the Merc because the staff is extremely friendly and the food is exquisite. As we pair back from eating at restaurants this coming winter due to Covid, we plan to go regularly to the Merc. Thanks for doing such a fabulous job.

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Sep 14, 2020
Frances S.
We had to wait quite a while for food to come to the table, but when it did, it was excellent! I had the Monroe eggplant special and the eggplant was so tender. Hoping I can learn how to get eggplant to become this tender!

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Sep 07, 2020
Gloria K.
Lovely and delicious food, the ambiance was amazing, as was the service. Loved the experience and look forward to going back soon.

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Sep 07, 2020
Louis K.
The Mercury is like a home away from home, except that the Mercury is clean and there's food.

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Sep 07, 2020
Jonathan K.
Incredibly relaxed and groovy atmosphere. Great ambiance provided by the talented Liam Broderick Trio. Seems like a perfect venue for creative people in the Denver area, looking forward to more.

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Sep 07, 2020
Ted T.
A great eclectic place!! A national treasure!!

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Sep 07, 2020
Christine S.
The staff were all very kind and helpful, including helping me by lifting my bike on and off the storage hooks. The food (Tom's Enchilada's) was delicious and plentiful. The storytelling experience was beautiful and inspiring. Long live Mercury Cafe!!!

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Sep 01, 2020
Breann C.
The Mercury Cafe is a Denver treasure. Everything was great! Creative menu, organic and locally sourced food, awesome ambiance. In case you don't know it, they are a cash/check only establishment so plan accordingly or use the in house ATM.

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Aug 30, 2020
Julia R.
Great food, amazing energy and passion from the staff — an overall wonderful experience. Venmo also made payment really easy for us, and wrapped up a very pleasant evening.

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 9/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Aug 24, 2020
T.J. T.
This was my first visit to The Merc since the Covid - related closure began easing ... The Mercury continues to provide great food at a quality - appropriate price. Staff were also as helpful and friendly as ever. Social distancing measures are in effect but not obtrusively and definitely didn't decrease the pleasure of the dinner ! I will continue to enjoy The Merc !

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Aug 24, 2020
Daniel G.
The good is so high quality--organic, local, tasty--but I also love the people there. Our waiter was so friendly, patient. This is definitely my favorite restaurant in Denver. It is so unique, wacky, etc.

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Aug 23, 2020
Roz H.
The Mercury Cafe is always a special treat . I brought a young friend who had never been there before . She was ,naturally, blown away.

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Jul 13, 2020
Sheri F.
Delicious organic food!

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Jun 29, 2020
jon l.
always an excellent experience.

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Jun 13, 2020
Jennifer J.
Love the Mercury, been going for years.

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Jun 09, 2020
Josephine R.
My favorite was hearing live music again and eating somewhere other than my front porch, dining room , or the front seat of the car. The food was imaginative and good. The colors were pretty on the plate. I could hear other people laughing Hooray!

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Jun 08, 2020
Jan K.
I love the organic locally sourced prepared in-house food and handcrafted bread and deserts. The sugar free and gluten free options. Flavors are perfected. I also love the feeling of being welcome and appreciated. Soft soothing live music during dinner hours is delightful, too.

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 9/10
Jun 01, 2020
danny d.
Mercury Cafe's food is consistently Excellent. The Mercury Cafe is my favorite restaurant to take my out of town visitors. Their staff are professional and welcoming. The ambiance is unparalleled. Beautiful interior design is relaxing and allows for conversation without having to shout or ask others to repeat what they said.

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Jun 01, 2020
Terry K.
We love the food, whole grains, natural, fresh and delicious. They make us feel like family, Marilyn, Aimee, Trinity, Jeff and Megan are great folks and good cooks. I just hope more people discover the warmth and love that they contribute to the dining scene in downtown Denver.

Overall: 10/10
Food: 8/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 9/10
May 31, 2020
Kate O.
Visiting the Merc is always a delight. Dinner there after the dining space re-opened was no exception. Kind waitstaff, a delicious menu, and live jazz music made for a fun and special night out.

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
May 31, 2020
Roseanna F.
I am so glad I made it to the Mercury Cafe May 28th for the very special reopening and I was super impressed with how the place is accommodating Covid-19 needs and requirements. As for the ambience, food, and service I have never had a bad experience there in 30 years of being a patron. Welcome back Mercury Cafe !!! xoxo

Overall: 9/10
Food: 5/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Dec 07, 2021
Vickie B.
We come for the special ambience at The Mercury Cafe. We don't necessarily expect the best food, but we were disappointed that the bread used for sandwiches was falling apart to the point where we couldn't pick up the sandwich. Instead, we used a knife and fork. The taste was okay, but for sandwiches, the idea is to be able to pick them up to eat. I may have a harder time convincing my husband to come back for a dinner, but we will be back for events.

Overall: 9/10
Food: 7/10
Service: 7/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Oct 20, 2021
Laura H.
I loved the Poetry Jam before the Slam and the Poetry Slam! Will definitely be back. Food and Service are average

Overall: 9/10
Food: 9/10
Service: 9/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Nov 09, 2020
Tom P.
We love the Mercury. We feel right at home there.

Overall: 9/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Jul 19, 2020
Ananda M.
Food was good Although they were out of Pinot Noir, the merlot was very nice and the band who played that night Amazing! Hopefully those musicians will return

Overall: 9/10
Food: 8/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 9/10
Value: 9/10
Jun 15, 2020
Zailyn P.
The food was wonderful! Not first rate, but a close second, and considering it's all organic and locally sourced, it's great value! The service is FIRST RATE! The ambience is very bohemian chic and casual, but very romantic and unique! Only caveat is it's cash only and they don't split tabs, so be prepared!

Overall: 8/10
Food: 7/10
Service: 5/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Jul 26, 2021
Catherine W.
Our server was unkind to my elderly mother who had some confusion over items that were on the menu but were not available. All other staff and we interacted with (and the owner) were lovely and friendly. Always love the food and ambiance at Mercury Cafe and we will return. I just wish the server had been nicer. Thank you.

Overall: 8/10
Food: 7/10
Service: 7/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 7/10
May 09, 2021
Jena S.
The place is delightful! I may just have made a bad choice from the menu, but my food didn’t have much flavor. The service was lackadaisical - we went for several long stretches without our server checking in. The chocolate cake was bitter and dry. I would try again if friends wanted to go, but it likely won’t be my suggestion.

Overall: 8/10
Food: 8/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 9/10
Value: 8/10
Apr 06, 2021
John B.
Our hostess turned into our server and was lovely! Brought my grown up kids in and we had a great time, thanks

Overall: 8/10
Food: 7/10
Service: 9/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 7/10
Feb 28, 2021
Caleigh H.
The food was a little expensive but pretty good! The jazz was fantastic. Loved the whole feel of the place!

Overall: 8/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Feb 17, 2021
Nicklaus H.
It was just colder than a witch’s nipple in the dead of winter.

Overall: 8/10
Food: 8/10
Service: 8/10
Ambience: 8/10
Value: 8/10
Jul 29, 2020
gorodn P.
Had a great Brunch & the food and service were just fine. Live classical music while dining was wonderful also.

Overall: 8/10
Food: 9/10
Service: 6/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Jun 24, 2020
Jann E.
Please bring sticky buns back:)

Overall: 7/10
Food: 7/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 4/10
Dec 06, 2021
Kate B.
Beautiful spot, great to see live performances. But food and drinks are wayyy overpriced and service was very slow. Kind of the standard these days. I would come back for coffee and a pastry but that's it

Overall: 7/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 5/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Aug 23, 2021
STUART K.
They hadn’t a clue there was a reservation

Overall: 7/10
Food: 9/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 8/10
Value: 8/10
Jun 09, 2020
Kristin S.
We just wished for a little, overall background music, piped in from any speakers above. The room was silent, so music would help it feel less like a cafeteria. We didn’t like hearing ourselves eat. The hostess was kind and bubbly, we just would have liked the table and chairs to be more clean. Two of us went over to the cleaner, spayed, and wiped down the table. The hostess explained that because the windows are kept open dust accumulates. We love the overall atmosphere, vibe, food and people.