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Butcher's Union

4.6 (1.5k reviews)
Closed 4:00 pm - 11:00 PM
Updated 2 months ago

Butcher's Union Photos

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BUTCHER'S UNION ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Loud
Casual
Trendy
Good for groups

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Recommended Reviews - Butcher's Union

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Sara M.

Butcher's Union will always be one of my favorite go-to's. They consistently have amazing food and great service. Now that they take reservations online and not just in person, it's so much easier to get a seat! Every time family or friends visit in town this is our first stop. The decor and ambiance is top tier and I wish there were more like it in GR! I highly recommend for a date night or nicer dinner out since it is a nicer place and the prices reflect that somewhat. My favorites are the whipped feta, wagyu sirloin, and the Daisy Du cocktail. For dessert, the bourbon apple crisp and chocolate mouse cake are incredible. But you truly can't go wrong with anything on the menu!

Spicy bloody
Tiffany S.

Hype is REAL around Butcher's Union. Came here to visit a friend who just moved into the area! The ambience is very vibey - reminds me of a big city spot specifically DC for whatever reason, ha. I felt like had to try THE burger (BU butcher's beef blend, cheddar, caramelized onions, spicy pickles, creamy aioli, griddled brioche). This ate like a fancy Big Mac - and I mean that in the most complimentary way. So tasty! I, of course, had to add the hand cut fries. These were done VERY well. Also, they had a very SOLID spicy bloody mary. So why only 4 stars then? Welp, best burger in the state still goes to Ricewood (Friday & Saturday only!) - that smoked brisket burger is dang good. I'd come back to BU to try other items and enjoy their patio. Reservations can be made on OpenTable.

Milk braised pork shoulder on bed of polenta, with fresh roasted carrots, chipolinni onions and crisp diced apple in au jus.
Carly R.

Butchers Union was our first stop in Michigan right off the plane for dinner. We had read in many places and been told that Butchers Union was the best restaurant in Grand Rapids. When we arrived we were able to find parking but it was a little tricky and cost $5 not too bad. It was crowded and there was no indoor seating for an hour, but they were able to seat us immediately out front of the restaurant which was fine. It was a super hot day for them, but coming in from TX it wasn't that bad at all. Interesting experience sitting out front watching everyone go about their business in this busy area. Only drawbacks were occasional exhaust from some vehicles. Our waitress was really kind, and knowledgeable. We ordered the milk braised pork shoulder over polenta and the ribeye steak. Both items were great. Both dinners were comparable to what and how we would have made them ourselves at home, that's a great thing. Often times we are disappointed with steaks especially even in fine establishments, but Butcher's did the steak justice. The pork could have used more flavor, it was lacking some seasoning especially since it is such a thick piece of meat. It needed more aggressive salt and seasoning. It was cooked and treated well, as it was very tender, and all the accompaniments on the plate paired well with the meat. The polenta was very creamy and delicious with great flavor. The surprise pop of crunch and slight sweetness from tiny diced apple was nice, along with the roasted carrots and onion. Overall, we really enjoyed our dinners, the service, and just wished we could have or would have made a reservation to sit either inside or in their courtyard instead of the front sidewalk.

Andrea M.

This came as a recommendation and we decided to wait for a table. The drinks were delicious and I appreciated the creative way that my Old Fashioned was served. The food was good, two of us ordered the Waygu tenderloin, medium rare; it was blue when it came out. I had ordered a second drink but never received it. The dishes were simple but good.

Old fashioned- chili spicy
Amanda F.

Wow this place was busy. Luckily I had a friend who is a regular, save me a seat at the bar. Bartenders were busy but never too busy to check on us. They made some fancy craft cocktails. What a show! I had a few cocktails and my friends had dinner- they both ordered the steak and Brussels. Ha. It looked good. The cocktail menu has some staples and also has some seasonal/ rotating options. They have happy hour from 4-6, I just missed it. Happy hour is deals on food and drink. Service was great. We sat, drank, ate and chatted for a couple hours. I should come back for happy hour and dinner. Bathrooms are clean. Parking is a pain. No valet. Street parking with meters or lot metered parking is about all there is. The nearby construction doesn't help either. So if you're going there, leave a little early to ensure you have time to find parking and walk. Parking

Lemon meringue
David F.

After many years of wanting to come, it took this restaurant making the Yelp top 100 list to finally get me to come make a reservation for my wife's birthday. It was everything we hoped for and more. With stellar service, starting with a warm greeting and an invitation to dine in the heated patio courtyard (which I highly recommend - even in the middle of one of the coldest winters on record it was delightfully comfortable). And then a customized hand written Birthday card, we felt right at home. To start off, we got the Brussels sprouts and French fries - and both were divine. The sprouts were crispy, salty and had that hint of sweet maple with cubes of delicious bacon mixed in. The fries were salty, crunchy, and covered with a perfectly cooked egg while paired with two of the most delightful sauce choices I've ever had. Our main course ended up being the chopped salad with chicken and steak added and they were the perfect size while getting to experience a rather generous portion of the best steak I think I have ever had. It truly melted in my mouth... And then not only did we order a lemon meringue for dessert, but we were given a complimentary cup of chocolate mousse with a birthday candle! The combination of the food, service, and ambiance created a truly unforgettable experience.

Steak and Eggs Different name in the menu.
Julie E.

Kudos to our server, I wish I had gotten her name. I really hoped she watched Landman, regardless trying to share how personable she was. I ordered off of the brunch menu, A chorizo hash and my friend ordered the steak and eggs. I ordered the brioche and she ordered a biscuit. This is where I go from 4 to 5 stars, my toast was served cold and hard. I didn't want to complain, the server checked back on us she was nice and I didn't want to say anything. If my brioche bread had been hot and steamy I would have enjoyed the meal much more. The ambiance is cool. The booth was leather and I felt like if I saw Frank, Sammy and Dean sitting next to me that would have fit. I utterly enjoyed 95% of my experience. My friends meal looked spectacular! I was also spying on other peoples plates as I journed to the bathroom. I saw many dishes that looked delish!

Corned Beef Hash $17.75
Spencer C.

Corned beef was cooked perfectly! So tender! However, a lot of the oil from the meat seeped into my potatoes and kind of ruined the crispy potatoes but still a great dish!

Salmon
Mirna I.

Came here on a Sunday night with a group of six, and they were able to see us after the 15 minute wait without a reservation despite it being pretty busy. The food overall, I think we all agreed was impeccable. The only complaint I heard was that we wish there were burrata and focaccia. I personally had the pork shoulder and essentially licked my plate. We also got drinks, which were all fantastic, including the nonalcoholic ones. (" Summer days" was exceptionally sour). Besides a couple seating issues with some condensation on the pipes that kept dripping on the table, everyone had an awesome time with great service at chill vibes.

Steak and eggs
Katy C.

Butcher's Union is consistently rated as one of the top restaurants in Grand Rapids by visitors and locals alike. It had been awhile since I'd visited, so I decided to make a reservation for my birthday brunch. Reservations are easy to make online and I didn't have any issues getting my preferred time slot the day before. Once we arrived, our booth was ready and I was delighted to see a happy birthday card at the table (of course I told them on OpenTable it was my birthday)! It was so sweet and cute. The full brunch menu is served every Sunday from 10 am until 3 pm (with a limited brunch menu available on Saturday). Brunch entrees here lean more savory than sweet, which is my preference. They have brunch cocktails so I got a Hugo spritz (not on the menu but they were happy to make them). Love the option of a sangria carafe if you have a group! I ordered the wagyu steak and eggs, and Nate got the biscuits and gravy. Our friends got the cheeseburger and corned beef hash. I love BU's steak and eggs - it's always cooked perfectly and seasoned well. I had some bites of my friend's corned beef hash, which was good, but the whole plate oddly wet, I wasn't sure what that was about. Everyone seemed to enjoy their food! We ordered a dessert (the blueberry crisp) to share, and they also brought me a complimentary chocolate panna cotta which was decadent and delicious! Butcher's Union is definitely a great place for a celebratory meal, happy hour, or date night. I've been several times for all of the above and have always had a great experience. The back patio is my favorite!

Prohibition Old Fashioned
Amanda V.

One of my favorite restaurants downtown. Butchers has a great pub vibe, but not too noisy. They have a great selection of bourbons. Food is delicious with large portions. Staff were friendly and we had prompt service. They get busy due prime hours so I'd recommend making a reservation. Definitely worth a stop!

Brussels
Zoe S.

We were lucky to get a last-minute reservation at Butcher's Union on a packed Sunday night, and it was absolutely worth it! We ordered the shrimp and burrata, Brussels sprouts, meatballs, and the smoked ribeye sandwich to share. Everything tasted great, but the meatballs and the ribeye sandwich were the standouts for me. Fantastic food and atmosphere. Highly recommend!

Drinks
Tammy D.

Butcher's union has been on my list to try and I finally got in on a weekday evening. My friend and I got seated right away, but even then the place was filled with people! It must be a town favorite! The ambiance was cool with low lights, a full bar and tables both inside and outside in their back patio! If it was a little warmer when I went, I would've loved to sit outside! I will say since they get so busy, they have tables right in between the bar and the kitchen where I was and it was a lot of touching elbows and backs with how the tables were arranged. I didn't mind it and was able to move my seat to the side out of the way, but something to note. I got the chicken and gnocchi because my friend recommended it and it was a delicious saucy plate! It was packed with flavor and the portion size was big so I have leftovers! My friend got a ribeye burger which also looked delicious. We of course got drinks and I love the variety they have including wine, beer, cocktails and non-alcohol. I heard their menu items change from time to time so I'm interested in coming back to try something new! The only reason why I didn't give 5 stars was because it's a little pricey but this would be a great place for celebrations!

Sangria pitcher

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2 days ago

The food here is always amazing and never disappoints. Always a great ambience to grab a seat at the bar and have a drink!

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5 months ago

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25 days ago

One of my favorite restaurants in the GR area. Great ambiance and upscale menu! I love their scallops.

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Butcher's Union Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - Butcher's Union

Is there a kids dinner menu?

Hi Heather, thank you for reaching out! We do have a children’s menu. If you have any further questions, we highly suggest calling Butcher’s Union directly or visit our website for more information! We hope we have the opportunity to serve you soon!

Can they handle a group of 45 for a rehearsal dinner?

Unfortunately we’re unable to accommodate private parties. We apologize!

Are they open for outdoor sweating? I don't see any hours listed.

Unfortunately we do not have heated outdoor seating, and are closed due to the current Governor’s orders. We hope to be open soon!

Do they take Reservations?

According to the website it’s first come first served.

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A funky spot to stop while downtown, this quickly became a place we'd love to add to our regular…read morerotation for a night out. Everyone was friendly, service was quick and efficient without feeling rushed, and the vibes were fantastic! We opted for nachos to start. Honestly, would've ordered a second batch instead of a burger if I had the chance, but we had already put in for burgers. Now, the burgers were also amazing, so you really can't go wrong. The chronic fries are DELICIOUS, with a perfect hint of heat to make them more unique. Prices were pretty good for serving size. We can't wait to make our way back (& hopefully that's soon!)

My initial experience was frustrating. I ordered through Uber Eats and only received about half of…read moremy order. After contacting the restaurant, I was told the missing items would be remade and ready in about 20 minutes. It ultimately took closer to 45 minutes, and I had to drive to the restaurant myself to pick up food that should have arrived correctly the first time. That said, what changed my opinion was how the team handled the situation afterward. The General Manager personally came out, apologized sincerely, gave me her card, and told me to contact her directly so she could make things right. She took ownership of the mistake rather than making excuses, which I genuinely appreciated. Nobody likes dealing with a missing order, and there is definitely room for improvement in their Uber Eats process. However, mistakes happen in every business. What matters is how a company responds when things go wrong, and Stella's showed they care about their customers and reputation. Not a perfect experience, but the recovery effort and customer service earned back a lot of goodwill. We'll give them another chance.

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Sadly, I went to The Knickerbocker wearing jeans and not my baggy trousers. New Holland's place is…read moreright on Bridge Street, so it's right in the heart of things. For drinks, I had the Dragon's Milk S'mores on tap and the S'moregasm cocktail. For such similar drinks they were wildly different. At 11% ABV the beer was quite strong and I really didn't taste the "s'more" flavor. Meanwhile, the cocktail was super sweet as expected. New Holland has a solid line of beers so you can't really go wrong, but I don't think the S'more flavors worked on tap. Everybody debates whether pineapple should be on pizza but how about mustard?! So I had to try the seasonal Chicken Cordon Bleu pizza and it was delicious! It had cut up fried chicken, ham, and different types of cheese along with scallions and of course mustard. Somehow, they made this work! Service was also great despite the crowds but my only real negative was that they sneak a credit card charge onto the bill and hide the notice at the bottom of the menu. That doesn't fee transparent when businesses do that but otherwise, we enjoyed our time at The Knickerbocker.

Ordered buffalo wings and double cheese burger…read more Start with the wings. Buffalo flavor was standard. 0 crisp on the wings, on top of that the chicken itself seemed to be lower quality. I could see after having a few beers these might have seemed good, but sober they were not it. Double cheese burger was smaller then I anticipated. Beef was well seasoned and had a good taste. Bun was generic. My real issue was the veggie on it. My lettuce had brown/black tips. My tomato was soggy. The pickles had no crunch to it, they were tough to bite through. Fries that came with the burger were also not my favorite. Thickness between wedge fried and steak fries, rough chopped every piece was different size so how could you cook them all consistently. No crisp to the fries, fairly greasy too. I wont be back.

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Amazing dragon to greet you
Amazing dragon to greet you
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Flanagan's Irish Pub

Flanagan's Irish Pub

2.6
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Flanagan's Irish Pub
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We had an amazing dinner at Mertens Prime this past Saturday and were honestly surprised by how…read morecalm it was when we arrived around 5:15 PM--only a few other tables were seated, which made the experience feel even more special. We ordered the Hand-Cut Filet for Two and it did not disappoint. The 20oz steak was sliced tableside and cooked perfectly--tender, flavorful, and exactly how a steak should be. We paired it with the red wine steak sauce, which took everything to the next level. For sides, we chose the garlic mashed potatoes (a must) and the glazed Brussels sprouts. Both were incredibly delicious and complemented the steak so well. I also started with an espresso martini, and wow--it was one of the best I've had in a long time. Smooth, well-balanced, and dangerously easy to drink. We were seated in one of their cozy half-circle booths, which made the evening feel intimate and comfortable. Our server was friendly, attentive, and paced the meal perfectly. Between the quality of the food, the drinks, and the overall atmosphere, this was a fantastic dining experience. I'll absolutely be back for another steak dinner--and that espresso martini!

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Medium Philly Poutine!
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Butcher's Union - tradamerican - Updated July 2026

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