Vander Mill Grand Rapids

Really good variety of drinks, cute outdoor area with live music

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

I desperately want to like this place, but the service is just pitifully slow, several tables are wobbly/uneven, the game offerings are abysmal & while the food & ciders are good - it's hard to overcome the let downs.

Recently we went here on a Saturday during *CIDER WEEK* & there was ONE server who was also the bartender...? Who staffs one server/bartender on the weekend PLUS a cider specialty time. It took almost 30 minutes for us to receive our first drink after sitting down. The server crapped on the specialty menu & made us feel like we shouldn't pick anything off of it.

Even when we've come here other times - the service is almost always slow & it's pretty regular that someone's order has a mistake. Despite being what you would assume to be a trendy popular cider restaurant - it's usually pretty empty.

Please, I beg you to fix these things & it will drastically improve your turnout. I love cider & want this place to thrive.

Atmosphere: 2

Food: 4

Service: 2

Service was great! Cider and cocktails were great! Food was pretty good, but the menu has been heavily reduced. I thought it was silly that they got rid of the veggie wrap, but they still have wraps and veggies available to make this item - so why not keep it on the menu?
Seems wise to also offer a meatless patty substitute for burgers, an easy thing to keep stocked in the freezer.
I know allergen friendly offerings aren't the main priority for many places, but some very basic options would be helpful 😅

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 4

Service: 5

If whatever was a restaurant it would be here. The charcuterie board was a joke and insanely dissapointing. The ciders were ok, they were different but not that tasty. Burgers were fine but the olive burger tasted almost the same to mr.burger. This place doesnt know what it wants to be, playing music from rap, current country, and 2010s justin bieber. It just reeks of 2 college dropouts with a dream (aka no personality). The server was beyond awkward and despite only having 2 tables couldnt take care of us even close to properly. You can try to be unique but it doesnt work when theres no true love for this industry, you get something like this as a result.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 2

Service: 2

I think this is my favorite smash burger in Grand Rapids. It actually brought me to appreciate them more than ever.

- Classic Smash Burger - $12: “Every Tuesday, burger & pint - $12.” (Facebook) I stopped by and tried their Tuesday special. It is the best deal I’ve seen in Grand Rapids for a burger. It was really good, included more fries than almost any other burger, and includes a pint of beer of your choice. NO ONE beats this deal in Grand Rapids, but it is Tuesday only.

The burger patties are true smash burger style. They were between medium and medium well, thin smashed though just slightly on the thick side, very juicy, caramelized, and just the right amount of seasoning (not too much salt).

As good as the patties are, the cheese was out of this world. For me, the cheese makes or breaks it. It has to be melty, throughout, the right savory flavors, not too much, and not too little. This one hit it out of the park! There are two smaller slices, one on each patty. It is about a quarter pound of meat and that is just the perfect amount. And having it with smash patties, you can keep it throughout the meat very well. I just came to appreciate smash burgers a LOT more.

The toppings were good. I was so overwhelmed by the rest, I honestly didn’t pay much attention, but it was well balanced. The brioche bun was soft and held up well.

Normally, the burger is $15, only comes with chips and no pint. If you need a place for a Tuesday burger, look no further. This is THE place

- Fries (comes with the burger): LOTS of fries. You are not going home hungry. They are battered and fried, slightly thicker crispy outside, full and soft inside (slightly more dense). They were ever so slightly on the darker side, but well within tolerance (and actually my preference).

- Sparkling Cherry Cider (comes with the burger): Non-alcoholic, but counted as the “beer” for the Tuesday special. It was super smooth, but still had a “sparkle” (very slight carbonation). It was full bodied in cherry flavor, and semi-sweet.

My friend was able to sample some of their ciders before settling on his choice.

- Service: Extremely kind, positive, helpful, and accommodating. Our food was served fairly quickly. There were not a lot of people when we visited.

- Atmosphere: Polished and professional. There are high and low tables with matching chairs. There is at least one half booth setup. There is also a bar with bar stools. There is also what they called a mezzanine behind the bar overlooking the mill. They also have outdoor seating. They mentioned when I inquired that they have plenty of options for events.

- Conclusion: This is one of the best lesser known restaurants in West Michigan. They appear to have an awesome cider mill going on and their attention to detail is astounding. I should have made this place a priority a long time ago.

Visited on a Tuesday at 8pm.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Wonderfully nice and attentive bartenders. Food was great and a nice selection of ciders with distinct flavors.

Vander Mill is a hidden gem that offers a perfect blend of comfort, quality, and charm. From the moment you walk in, the warm, rustic ambiance sets the tone for a fantastic dining experience.

The food is outstanding—whether you’re in the mood for hearty comfort dishes or something a bit more refined, their menu does not disappoint. The grilled chicken sandwich was cooked perfectly with great flavor and toppings. Their French fries were cooked with exact amount of crunch. Grilled cheese and burger looked delicious.

A great selection of Hard Ciders. Juicy, dry and flavorful! You can get a flight of just a single glass.

Service is another highlight. The staff is friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable about the menu. Even on a busy night, they ensure that guests feel welcomed and well taken care of.

If you’re looking for a cozy spot with delicious food, a welcoming atmosphere, and top-notch service, Vander Mill is definitely worth a visit. Whether you’re stopping by for a casual dinner or a special occasion, you’ll leave happy and full.

Would definitely recommend and will be coming back soon!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Flight of Ciders, Chicken Sandwich

Great atmosphere with even better food and drinks. Highly recommend!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Shhh, don't tell anyone, but these guys hosted brunch today to celebrate the end of Dry January, and we have decided for them that this should be a regular Saturday thing. The people have spoken!!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Great place to meet up with friends and family.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 4

The sparkling honeycrisp NA cider is AMAZING!

Recommended dishes: Apple Pecan Cobbler

Was very happy to find a cider with cinnamon in it just to get water that taste absolutely horrible false advertising as cider when it's more like sparkling water not worth the 11 dollars for a sixpack if you like real hard cider don't waste your time on this

Ciders were delicious and lots of options , service wonderful and the food was tasty fresh and fairly priced It’s also Dog friendly and we will definitely be back! My chicken salad with pecan dressing was delicious, chicken curry and the tamari rice dish was great too. Ginger cider was amazing !

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Flight of Ciders, Burger, Apple Salad

Great ciders, interesting menu. Good to see this place busy again! Good food and service. Knowledgeable server regarding the addition of cocktails!

Dietary restrictions: Menu is updated and gluten free and vegetarian options are available.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 4

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Apple Salad

Awesome hard cider...locally made...and excellent friendly staff

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5