
Butcher's Union
438 Bridge St NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504
About Butcher's Union - steak house in Grand Rapids, Michigan
Modern gastropub with a meat-heavy menu of globally inspired fare, 100+ whiskeys & draft beer.
Customer Review Summary
Butcher's Union in Grand Rapids offers a fantastic dining experience with friendly, attentive staff who accommodate food allergies well. The atmosphere is cool and inviting, although it can get loud during peak times. The food is top-notch, featuring unique and delicious dishes at reasonable prices, alongside a vast and changing beer selection. Standout menu items include the pappardelle, burgers, wagyu steak, and signature appetizers like the peppercorn bacon. Sunday brunch is also highly praised, especially dishes like Crab Eggs Benedict and hearty portions. While service is generally excellent, some customers have experienced pressure to leave quickly during busy times. Overall, Butcher's Union is highly recommended for its great food, vibrant atmosphere, and attentive staff, making it an ideal spot for special occasions. Reservations are advised due to its popularity.
Key Features
Service options
- Outdoor seating
- Takeout
- Dine-in
Highlights
- Fast service
- Great beer selection
- Great cocktails
- Great dessert
- Great wine list
Popular for
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Solo dining
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
- Wheelchair accessible seating
Offerings
- Alcohol
- Beer
- Cocktails
- Coffee
- Comfort food
- Happy hour drinks
- Happy hour food
- Hard liquor
- Late-night food
- Small plates
- Wine
Dining options
- Brunch
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Dessert
- Seating
Amenities
- Restroom
Atmosphere
- Casual
- Cozy
- Trendy
- Upscale
Crowd
- College students
- Groups
- Tourists
Planning
- Dinner reservations recommended
- Accepts reservations
- Usually a wait
Payments
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Good for kids
- Has changing table(s)
- High chairs
- Kids' menu
Parking
- Free street parking
- Paid parking lot
- Paid street parking
Customer Reviews
Rating Distribution
Randy P
recently had the pleasure of dining at Butcher's Union in Grand Rapids, and I can't say enough about how wonderful the experience was. The staff here truly go above and beyond—they’re incredibly friendly, attentive, and accommodating, especially when it comes to managing food allergies. It's refreshing to see a restaurant that takes such care with their guests' needs. The atmosphere is equally impressive, with a cool and inviting vibe that makes you want to linger. While it does get a little loud and busy during peak times, it still feels like the perfect place to enjoy a great meal and carry on a conversation with friends or family. As for the food, it’s absolutely top-notch. The menu features unique dishes at a fantastic price point, making it a spot you’ll want to return to often. Their beer selection is vast, constantly changing, and always worth exploring. Drinks are just as impressive—whether you’re a cocktail enthusiast or prefer something more classic, they’ve got you covered. My personal favorites? The pappardelle is a standout dish with rich, satisfying flavors, and the burger is nothing short of perfection. If you're in Grand Rapids and looking for a spot that combines excellent food, a great vibe, and an outstanding staff, Butcher's Union should be at the top of your list
David Bouwkamp
We went for dinner on a Thursday around 5 pm. Most of the options on the menu are a bit beyond our everyday restaurant budget, but there are some happy hour specials that offer more affordable options. Service was on point--courteous and fast, and our burgers were tasty. We appreciated the upscale, urban appearance of the dining area, but it's loud and this made it hard to relax. You can hear loud people around you but have trouble hearing the person right next to you.
Zlatan Hrnic
What a great experience overall. Restaurant vibes were lovely, service was excellent and the food and drinks were delicious 👌 we sat at the bar for quick service and our bartender Rocky was awesome. She made great recommendations and the drinks she mixed were delicious. Definitely will be back to try more of the menu
Frank Chanthala
The food here is phenomenal. We ordered the wagyu steak, meat loaf and whipped feta. The wagyu steak was pricey but definitely worth it's price. It came with baked(I think) and browned cauliflower and potatoes. The steak was melt in your mouth amazing and the sides complimented it well. The meatloaf sat on a nice amount of mashed potatoes and gravy. There wasn't any ketchup like most meatloaves have on them but the flavor does not miss 👌 I highly recommend this place for nice evening out or date night.
Betsy Mauk
Brunch on a Sunday was delicious. It turned out to be exactly what we were looking for. I had the Crab Eggs Benedict. My husband had the hash. Both were great! Service was excellent!
Aria M.
Had burgers here in August & they tasted great & were perfectly cooked. There are no words to use to describe how delicious that peppercorn bacon app is!! Just get it!! Service was great. Came last week for brunch. Started with that Peppercorn Bacon <3 Had the Monte Cristo w/ potatoes & the Cheddar Strata. Both were amazing & HUGE portions. The potatoes were crispy perfection. Mimosas were very good. Both times I visited I was there right when they opened so I had no issues with wait times. I had been forewarned by others that the place fills up quickly. They do take reservations now up to 4 weeks in advance so that's a plus. I will say our brunch server was not bad, he just acted like he wanted us to leave within 45 minutes - (place was not full so it wan't like they needed the table) It was a weird vibe. We ordered an app, we ordered main dishes, we each had 2 drinks. But he kept wanting to box up our food & finally just brought boxes & set them on the table. We told him we didn't need anything else just yet but that we were going to order another drink when we finished the ones we had. (they were still half full) He walked away then came right back & put the bill on the table..........Then stood & stared at us from about 2 feet away. So, we hurried up & finished our drinks & I paid the bill. I left him a $20 tip on an $80 check & we left & went to Blue Dog Tavern for that other drink. Not taking any stars off but owners/managers should address that with staff (or post you have to eat & leave within a certain timeframe) Lucy's has that on their website that you only get 90 minutes for brunch & that is why we did not go there.
Chris Zadorozny
Butcher’s Union is our go-to restaurant in Grand Rapids to celebrate a big life event. You always feel taken care of by the staff and then the food is incredible. We had crispy Brussel sprouts that had a great pop of flavor with the maple glaze. We each had a steak, a NY Strip and a Sirloin. Each were very tender and cooked to our desired temperature. The sauce and potatoes on each were crispy and fluffy and the flavors came together to create a perfect dish. Really can’t recommend this place enough. I’d also say they take reservations now and that is incredibly helpful.
Napissara Boonpraman
The steak was fantastic, and the pasta was also very good. The location is excellent—right in downtown Grand Rapids, with convenient parking lots nearby. I was seated at a small bar table, which was a bit cramped, but overall, it was a great experience. Need reservation!
Location
Contact Information
Hours of Operation
Price Range
More Steakhouses in Grand Rapids

Leo's Seafood Restaurant & Bar
60 Ottawa Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Seafood is artfully presented in a dining room that boasts soaring ceilings & romantic lighting.

The Chop House Grand Rapids
190 Monroe Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Plush chophouse with elegant gas lamps offering premium beef & wines, plus dessert.

Ruth's Chris Steak House
Amway Grand Plaza Hotel, 187 Monroe Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Outpost of upmarket steakhouse chain known for sizzling, butter-topped beef in an elegant setting

MDRD
187 Monroe Ave NW 27th Floor, Grand Rapids, MI 49503