The story centers around Dolly Gallagher Levi, a New York matchmaker, who is engaged to help pompous Yonkers merchant, Horace Vandergelder find a mate. The matchmaker sets her cap for Vandergelder herself and eventually he acknowledges her. Along the way, Dolly helps two of Vandergelder's clerks, Barnaby Tucker and Cornelius Hackl enjoy a night out at the Harmonia Gardens restaurant with local dressmaker, Irene Malloy, and her assistant Minnie Fay. Dolly's arrival and entrance at the restaurant sets off a rousing reception by the waiters welcoming her back to her once favored haunt with the title song in a show-stopping number. The show ends happily with Dolly and Horace together.