Enable JavaScript to run this app.
Skip to main content
OpenTable logo
  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. Grand Rapids / Western Michigan
  4. Grand Rapids
  5. Grand Rapids
Mertens Prime, Grand Rapids, MI

Mertens Prime

4.0
4
1286 Reviews
$31 to $50
French
Top Tags:
Mertens Prime, named a Top 10 restaurant by Grand Rapids Magazine for 2 consecutive years, is a French brasserie and steakhouse set in a historic 1914-built former hotel lobby and dining room that preserves and celebrates Grand Rapids' past. We offer a variety of French classics along with an impressive French-touched steak menu, including Chateaubriand. The Mertens cocktail list is an exact replica of the drinks and menu design from the New Hotel Mertens bar, circa 1939, and includes the same 50 cocktails served in 1939 that are as relevant today as they were 80 years ago. Mertens also operates a Cafe adjacent to Prime. Cafe Mertens offers warm beignets & poutine every day and does not offer table service. The restaurant's rooftop cocktail lounge, Mertens Rooftop, is open seasonally and it is *not* possible to make a reservation for the Rooftop via Mertens Prime.

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 10 times today

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Cuisines
    French, Steakhouse, Steak
  • Hours of operation
    Dinner Mon–Thu 5:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 4:00 pm–10:00 pm Sun 4:00 pm–9:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (616) 551-1713
  • Website
    http://mertensprime.com/
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Executive chef
    Anthony Tangorra
  • Private party facilities
    We offer a private room that has all of the turn-of-the-century charm as our main dining room. The rooftop is also available for private events. See mertensprime.com for details, including complete event guides with menu and pricing options.
  • Private party contact
    our Private Event Coordinator: (616) 551-1713
  • Location
    35 Oakes St SW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
  • Neighborhood
    Grand Rapids
  • Cross street
    Oakes St SW, between Ionia Ave and Commerce Ave
  • Parking details
    Mertens Prime diners receive 100% 2-hours credit parking validation for either the Weston or Cherry city parking garages. A loading zone is located directly in front of the restaurant. Street parking is free on Saturday and Sunday and after 6PM on weekdays.
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Delivery, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Happy Hour, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Featured in

What 1,286 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.0
4 based on recent ratings
  • 4.1Food
  • 4.3Service
  • 4.4Ambience
  • 3.7Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

  • Grand Rapids / Western Michigan

    Great for fine wines

  • Grand Rapids

    Great for fine wines

1,286 Reviews

  1. OpenTable Diner

    Grand Rapids

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined 2 days ago

    overall2food1service4ambience1
    Our waitress Tiffany was fantastic. However, the overall quality needs serious attention.

    Is this helpful?

  2. RAYJ

    Chicago

    18 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    18 reviews

    Dined 2 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Once again the food and services was excellent great place to enjoyed great food and Atmosphere.

    Is this helpful?

  3. Mary

    Jacksonville

    43 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    43 reviews

    Dined 2 days ago

    overall4food3service5ambience3
    The herb roasted chicken was a really disappointing dish. It was served almost bland. We sought out this restaurant because of their chicken. The fries were served cold and under salted. The service was 5 star! The meal a 3 star!

    Is this helpful?

  4. TodW

    Grand Rapids

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined 2 days ago

    overall4food4service5ambience5
    Nice place. Steaks were very good. Desserts are the best!

    Is this helpful?

  5. OpenTable Diner

    Nashville

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 7, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Had a business dinner here. Everything was great!

    Is this helpful?

  6. CourtneyM

    Grand Rapids

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on September 5, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Mertens Prime is the best fine dining restaurant in Grand Rapids. The food, service, and ambience exceed expectations every time. My husband and I celebrated our wedding anniversary there and were thoroughly impressed as always. We love the lamb tagine, and their selection of classic cocktails is delightful. Only suggestion I have would be for an update on the dessert menu. While the experience of tableside desserts is fun, I don’t think the list is as elevated as the entree menu.

    Is this helpful?

  7. Tamara

    Grand Rapids

    6 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on September 3, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Excellent food, excellent service, such a cool and unique dining experience! Will definitely return.

    Is this helpful?

  8. OpenTable Diner

    Grand Rapids

    14 reviews

    vip
    2.0

    14 reviews

    Dined on August 26, 2023

    overall2food2service2ambience3
    We gave this restaurant another chance 18 months after the worse dining experience ever, needless to say to was slightly better but still horrible. We got sat at 6:34pm and didn’t receive our cocktails until 7:10pm. Our waiter was clueless. The highlight was the knowledgeable gentleman who brought us the cheese cart, but other than that it was another wasted night out on this restaurant. Quite honestly Applebees is better and I hate Applebees, but next to Mertens Prime, Applebees would be a 5 star dining experience.

    Is this helpful?

  9. OpenTable Diner

    Grand Rapids

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 26, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Wonderful experience for my parents and I. We loved the food and the service was excellent!! Highly recommend visiting Mertens Prime if you want a show. The craft cocktails and Belgian beer is one of a kind and the French cuisine takes you right to France. Spectacular place that shows a lot of history as well through the food and drinks to the building itself. Will definitely be back soon.

    Is this helpful?

  10. TaMa

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 25, 2023

    overall3food2service4ambience4
    I like Mertens but I feel like it’s a hit or miss with the mains. The salmon was fine but was something we could have made at home. The pasta had good flavor but was too oily. Did not feel it was worth the price. I chose no for the recommendation only because there was no maybe. I feel like I would only recommend it for specific dishes dues to the hit or miss quality of the meals.

    Is this helpful?

  11. Kimiko

    Detroit

    15 reviews

    5.0

    15 reviews

    Dined on August 25, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    This is a wonderful restaurant for a special occasion or a nice night out. A beautiful building, a fantastic wine and cocktail list, and a varied menu. Our server, Asher, was attentive and knowledgeable and waited on us with a smile and great suggestions. It’s definitely pricey, but you get your money’s worth!

    Is this helpful?

  12. CowgirlFoodie

    Wilmington

    40 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    40 reviews

    Dined on August 18, 2023

    overall5food5service4ambience5
    I wish I could have sampled everything on the menu, but I guess I’ll have to come back! Don’t skip the poutine! Any kind is delicious. And the drinks are phenomenal!!

    Is this helpful?

  13. Steph

    Austin

    39 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    39 reviews

    Dined on August 12, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Merten's Prime was exactly the dining experience we've been looking for in Grand Rapids. The old-timey decor (and cocktail menu) transport you back in time. The menu is firmly rooted in history, but has been edited and is presented in an upscale, modern way. We got several first courses. The Rolling Cheese Tray is such a fun way to start the meal. The Warm Salmon Rillettes and Eggs Mayonnaise were standout. The Paris poutine was good, but not a start dish to us. The steaks looked absolutely devine, and were exactly the cut and cook we requested. As a pescatarian I'm always a little nervous at a steak-focused restaurant, but I was thrilled with the Ratatouille Stuffed Pepper. After our meal we were escorted to the elevator to see the sunset on the rooftop cocktail bar. We weren't able to squeeze into a table, but the sunset view was a great last look.

    Is this helpful?

  14. GarrettM

    Grand Rapids

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 7, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    First time here and it was a great one. Ambiance was great, food was fast to come out after we ordered, and the food was fantastic. We ended the night on the rooftop and that was a great experience as well. Service was great at the beginning but dropped off a bit as they got busier. I wouldn't let that deter you from visiting.

    Is this helpful?

  15. Gina

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 5, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Amazing experience all around - phenomenal food, great vibe, and exceptional service. We’ll be back!

    Is this helpful?

  16. MTRN1221

    San Francisco

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on July 28, 2023

    overall4food4service4ambience4
    Good- wish there had been more people for a cozier feel.

    Is this helpful?

  17. AlterCudlip

    Wilmington

    4 reviews

    1.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on July 26, 2023

    overall1food1service1ambience2
    Then a service as terrible, took 25 Minutes and 3 times asking to get a glass of wine! French food was poor steaks ok. Don’t ask for cold Vichyssoise soup ! It’s hot and like massed potatoes. Only one server for whole restaurant. Not a good night only a Wednesday?

    Is this helpful?

  18. Bisque

    Chicago

    10 reviews

    4.0

    10 reviews

    Dined on July 21, 2023

    overall4food5service5ambience3
    The food and service were what one would expect for this price level, but ambiance was not. The interior is not pleasant, and while we were seated at a roomy table, we watched a succession of poor souls who were shown to a tiny table even though many larger and unreserved tables were empty. One woman successfully requested a table like ours, another couple simply walked out, while the youngest couple shown to the table simply accepted it. There was no room for them to even review the overlarge, heavy menus. Sorry to say that even with the lovely food, we would not go back.

    Is this helpful?

  19. Ravenous1

    Cincinnati

    68 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    68 reviews

    Dined on July 12, 2023

    overall5food4service5ambience5
    What a Grand Rapids Jewel! Authentic French cuisine and lovely retro cocktails expertly prepared. Try the marrow bones appetizer. Duck a l'orange is perfectly prepared, with that nice crispy duck skin. Mushroom ragout gives you all the lovely mushrooms and perfectly al dente pasta. Would have liked some dessert wines, but overall a very lovely spot.

    Mertens PrimeResponded on July 16, 2023

    Thank you so much for the kind words!

    Is this helpful?

  20. OpenTable Diner

    Grand Rapids

    2 reviews

    2.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on July 10, 2023

    overall2food2service2ambience5
    Pricey for the quality of food. Drinks were amazing but not very impressed with the food

    Is this helpful?

  21. Anonymous

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on July 8, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Excellent food and service. The rooftop for a drink afterward is spectacular. The Grand Rapids history and ambiance is also very interesting.

    Is this helpful?

  22. SusanZ

    Chicago

    7 reviews

    2.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on June 27, 2023

    overall2food4service1ambience3
    Great location to Van Andel. Great food. Service was beyond lackluster. One bartender for the. Bar and dining room. Bartender also waiting on tables. Waited 20 minutes for our first drink 30 minutes for the second. Ate dinner with no drink. Side came after we were finished with our main meal and we refused it at that point. Very disappointing as this could be a great place.

    Is this helpful?

  23. IamJeremy

    Grand Rapids

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 25, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    A recent visit to Mertens, celebrating our 6th anniversary, was a remarkable culinary experience. We arrived early at 4:30, the lone diners in the restaurant, and were rewarded with an intimate, personal atmosphere. Our server, Tiffany, expertly blended professionalism with friendliness, creating an ambiance akin to dining at a friend's. We savored a variety of dishes - a rich French Onion soup, a refreshing salad, a decadently succulent Duck à l'Orange, and a beautifully seared salmon, all superbly seasoned and delicious. The finale was a shared dessert, coupled with coffee and tea, rounding off an unhurried, two-hour gastronomic journey. In an era where meals are often rushed, Mertens stands out. Its unhurried pace, far from being a flaw, is a nod to a time where dining was a leisurely affair. The careful attention to timing between dishes ensured each course arrived just when we were ready, a testament to their commitment to an enjoyable dining experience. The charm of Mertens is not confined to its plates; the stunning architecture of the building itself contributes to the overall experience. In summary, Mertens provided an unforgettable anniversary dinner. It's a place where time, taste, and hospitality intertwine to create a truly unique dining experience. We eagerly look forward to our next visit. Thanks for the wonderful experience! P.s. the building is beautiful.

    Is this helpful?

  24. BeckyJ

    Grand Rapids

    1 review

    vip
    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 24, 2023

    overall3food2service5ambience5
    Flavor of the dishes my husband and I ordered did match measure up to the price tag. Beet salad had an unpleasant bitterness. Lamb in the tagine was tender but the sauce was flat. Pearl couscous was a little pasty and under seasoned. Other dishes we ordered were decent but not delicious. By contrast, our service was delightfully perfect. We were highly attended to by a polite and gracious team who worked in unison like a well-oiled machine. The cocktail list is massive and the drinks we selected were expertly crafted, beautifully presented, and spot on for flavor.

    Is this helpful?

  25. ClareD

    Grand Rapids

    1 review

    vip
    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 22, 2023

    overall4food4service5ambience5
    My sons steak was great as was our pork belly appetizer and cheese cake. My duck was fatty and not tender. Our server was great. Great ambiance.

    Is this helpful?

  26. MarshallC

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 18, 2023

    overall2food3service3ambience2
    Building was great and the thought of going to a rooftop bar was great, that is where the greatness ended. The place was not even at half capacity and it took almost 40 minutes just to get a drink. Glass bottles of water were left open, sitting in bowls water, (ice at one point), very unsanitary. The atmosphere was very boring and it just had an overall feel of quiet and lonely. I have been to the rooftop bars here a couple times and it is ok, and definitely the only thing great about this place. My group was so ready to leave before the food finally got to us, we are as fast as we could and skipped going up the the roof. 5 star prices for 2-3 star food and service. Side note, one of the open water bottles had tipped over in the bowl, why???, because the ice had melted and nothing was holding it in place. The water in the bowl was now mixing with the water in the bottle, (because they weren't capped). I watched the main manager take the bottle out of the bowl, you could tell he was thinking about the situation, then still decided to pour 2 glasses of water for the people across from us.

    Is this helpful?

  27. MichelleK

    Detroit

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on June 17, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Was an awesome experience. Service and food was great. Bonus got to watch the sunset on the roof

    Is this helpful?

  28. OpenTable Diner

    Sydney

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 13, 2023

    overall2food3service3ambience1
    The bar area was very full and noisy and made the dining experience very poor

    Is this helpful?

  29. Rondalaw

    Toronto

    7 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on June 12, 2023

    overall3food3service5ambience5
    Food was good not great. Taste of the Vodka beets were so strong overpowered by the vodka, not very enjoyable. Other dishes ok not fabulous. Great ambience and service.

    Is this helpful?

  30. Nicky

    Grand Rapids

    10 reviews

    3.0

    10 reviews

    Dined on June 3, 2023

    overall3food3service4ambience3
    Our server was fantastic! Bar service was slow. Boise poutine was not good-very bland soggy French fries. Ratatouille stuffed pepper was delicious. Salad was listed as arugula, but it was spinach. Lattes were delicious.

    Is this helpful?

  31. SueA

    Chicago

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 3, 2023

    overall1food5service5ambience5
    We picked Merten"s to celebrate our 45th wedding anniversary which was noted in the reservation. Our bill for 4 was $700 with an additional $70 bill for sparkling wine on rooftop before our dinner. I believe Merten"s should have acknowledged our special day in some way. Many restaurants offer a dessert, but Merten"s did absolutely nothing. How thoughtless and inconsiderate!

    Is this helpful?

  32. GerritR

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 2, 2023

    overall3food2service5ambience5
    Service was amazing, everyone was helping one another, all servers were very personable, friendly, and attentive. Drinks were fantastic. Without getting into details of every dish; the food just wasn’t worth the price tag.

    Is this helpful?

  33. Madeleine

    Grand Rapids

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 27, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Liz, our server was amazing! Knowledgeable about all items on the menu including wine selections. Excellent all around!!

    Is this helpful?

  34. EmilyL

    Chicago

    4 reviews

    2.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on May 26, 2023

    overall2food2service5ambience2
    It was very expensive and not very good. But the staff were wonderful.

    Is this helpful?

  35. JennaB

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 20, 2023

    overall4food5service4ambience3
    Food was great!! I was disappointed that we couldn’t use the rooftop. This is the second time that I’ve tried going here with the intent of using the rooftop after dinner. Both times, the restaurant didn’t email till the day of telling me there was a private event, and the rooftop would be unavailable. More notice would be nice. It feels like they don’t want you to know till the day of so you can’t make other plans. Overall the dining experience that I had was great! The food was all delicious and had great flavor.

    Is this helpful?

  36. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 20, 2023

    overall2food4service3ambience4
    The food was good, the drinks outstanding. Our server was extremely friendly. The issue we had was the pace of service was extremely slow. We don’t mind a slow meal, when it is on pace. We were slow to be greeted at the table. While we were able to get our drink orders promptly, it then was extremely slow to take our food order. By the time we finally were able to give our food order, nearly 45 mins after we were seated, the soup had been sold for the night (we were a 6:30 pm reservation). The meal was good, friendly staff, but we didn’t order dessert or another drink as it was we didn’t get our bill to leave until 9:15pm. Again, we were sat at 6:30pm. Maybe just an off night.

    Is this helpful?

  37. foodiefromtexas

    Houston

    46 reviews

    vip
    2.0

    46 reviews

    Dined on May 20, 2023

    overall2food2service3ambience2
    For a $69 filet I expected it to be cooked correctly, and the dinner was not coursed. Our soup came at the same time as our steaks. The soup was terrible no flavor and it wasn’t even warm. The pasta we ordered was not cooked. It was not a good experience.

    Is this helpful?

  38. Anonymous

    Montreal

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on May 19, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    I have been here many times now and I love taking out of towners to Mertens for the Grand Rapids history. And the food is among the best in the city. Our server was great too.

    Is this helpful?

  39. MarnieM

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 14, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We enjoyed a Saturday evening dinner followed by a Sunday Mother’s Day brunch at Merten’s! What delicious food and wonderful staff. A huge shout out to Sam! She is a terrific waitress who really has great people skills! Thank you for checking back with us on Saturday to find a spot on the rooftop. It really made our night. Loved seeing the remnants of the old staircase and the fuse box from the earlier years. What a treasure! See you again!

    Is this helpful?

  40. EdinChicago

    Chicago

    4 reviews

    4.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on May 13, 2023

    overall4food5service4ambience4
    Very good food, love the story of the hotel. Very echoing so noise level made conversation difficult. Our server was great but pulled in too many directions. I like the continental pace of dining but this was uneven, big gaps between courses. At this price point ($150 per person with appetizers and a moderate priced wine) I was pleased but won’t rush back.

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

Mertens Prime is rated 4 stars by 1286 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 10 times today
Google Map for Mertens Prime

35 Oakes St SW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Additional information

  • Cross street
    Oakes St SW, between Ionia Ave and Commerce Ave
  • Neighborhood
    Grand Rapids
  • Hours of operation
    Dinner Mon–Thu 5:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 4:00 pm–10:00 pm Sun 4:00 pm–9:00 pm
  • Cuisines
    French, Steakhouse, Steak
  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    Mertens Prime diners receive 100% 2-hours credit parking validation for either the Weston or Cherry city parking garages. A loading zone is located directly in front of the restaurant. Street parking is free on Saturday and Sunday and after 6PM on weekdays.
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive chef
    Anthony Tangorra
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Delivery, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Happy Hour, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Website
    http://mertensprime.com/
  • Phone number
    (616) 551-1713
  • Private party facilities
    We offer a private room that has all of the turn-of-the-century charm as our main dining room. The rooftop is also available for private events. See mertensprime.com for details, including complete event guides with menu and pricing options.
  • Private party contact
    our Private Event Coordinator: (616) 551-1713

Featured in

Discover
OpenTable
  • About Us
  • Blog
  • Careers
  • Press
More
Our sites
Businesses
  • Restaurant reservation software
  • Industry insights
  • Hospitality resources
  • Marketing resources
  • Operation resources
  • How to open a restaurant
  • For restaurants
  • For restaurant groups
Join us on
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Cookies and Interest-Based Ads
  • Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information
  • Cookie Preferences
Copyright © 2023 OpenTable, Inc. 1 Montgomery St Ste 500, San Francisco CA 94104 - All rights reserved.
OpenTable is part of Booking Holdings, the world leader in online travel and related services.
Booking Logo
Priceline Logo
KAYAK Logo
Agoda Logo
Rentalcars Logo
OpenTable Logo