nice bar area
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Mertens Prime & Rooftop

4.6
·491k reviews·,

Step back in time at Mertens Prime, a retro-chic brasserie in a restored 1914 hotel, serving French classics and cocktails.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Wed/Fri 18-21h

Blue hour photography, calmer galleries

CrowdLow
nice bar area

Mertens Prime & Rooftop

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Step back in time at Mertens Prime, a retro-chic brasserie in a restored 1914 hotel, serving French classics and cocktails.

4.6
(491k reviews)

"Dine in a beautifully restored 1914 hotel, blending vintage charm with retro-chic decor for a unique atmosphere."

TIP

Reserve Ahead

Book well in advance, especially for special occasions, to secure your dining experience.

Cheese Course Delight

Start your meal with the rotating cheese selection, perhaps paired with figs for a delightful appetizer.

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Quick Facts

Open·Closes 10PM

Cuisine

French Steakhouse

Price

$$$

Phone

(616) 449-1948

Address

35 Oakes St SW Fifth Floor, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA

Insta-Factor

High

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Historic Ambiance

Historic Ambiance

Dine in a beautifully restored 1914 hotel, blending vintage charm with retro-chic decor for a unique atmosphere.

Rooftop Views & Vibes

Rooftop Views & Vibes

Enjoy city skyline views from the chic rooftop bar, perfect for refreshing drinks and appetizers.

TikTok
Classic French Cuisine

Classic French Cuisine

Experience traditional French dishes and old-school cocktails in a historic setting.

French & French Fusion Restaurants in Grand Rapids MI
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Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

Rooftop vibes >>>> So many choices, where are you going!? #grandrapids #westmichigan #rooftop #thingstodoingrandrapids
@smallegan
123 likes • 5.2K views

Reserve Ahead

Book well in advance, especially for special occasions, to secure your dining experience.

Cheese Course Delight

Start your meal with the rotating cheese selection, perhaps paired with figs for a delightful appetizer.

#mertens #mertensprime #mertenscafe #grandrapids #michigan #comewithme #food #foodtok #foodie
@sidnimikayla
3 likes • 212 views
spending the day in downtown grand rapids 🥰 #grandrapids #michigan #rooftopbar
@monica.bdo
40 likes • 616 views

Explore Unique Drinks

Don't miss the absinthe service for a unique and adventurous spirit tasting.

Rooftop Seating

Visit during pleasant weather to enjoy the amazing views from the rooftop bar overlooking downtown.

Tips

from all over the internet

Reserve Ahead

Book well in advance, especially for special occasions, to secure your dining experience.

Cheese Course Delight

Start your meal with the rotating cheese selection, perhaps paired with figs for a delightful appetizer.

Explore Unique Drinks

Don't miss the absinthe service for a unique and adventurous spirit tasting.

Rooftop Seating

Visit during pleasant weather to enjoy the amazing views from the rooftop bar overlooking downtown.

What Travellers Say

4.6
(491k reviews)

Reviews Summary

Mertens Prime offers a unique dining experience with its historic ambiance and French-inspired cuisine. While many praise the delicious cocktails and beautiful setting, some diners have noted inconsistencies in food quality and service, with a few expressing disappointment with the overall value for the price. The rooftop bar is a popular spot for drinks and views.

"Great experience, we enjoyed the food and atmosphere and will be back, I really enjoyed the table side Carmel Apple and shrimp cocktail was delicious. Everything was great."

Alexa Marouf

"We made a reservation for new years, because previous year the experience was fantastic. This year was very different. The service was good, and the cocktails were delicious. However, the main dishes were undercooked, and uninspired. $67 for a room temp ribeye is outrageous… two years ago it came out on a ripping hot plate. My wife and two of our friends ordered chicken - all three plates came out bright pink - clearly unsafe to eat. It is a below average food experience. Unfortunately the manager didn’t seem to think it was enough of a concern to stop by our table and instead sent the hostess to argue with us about the experience. For the price there are better options."

Ryan Kannegieter

"Did a birthday happy hour here. The food was delicious. The steak was cooked just right. The best part of the meal was my espresso martinis. So freaking good. The service was awesome and incredibly kind. We definitely will be back"

Colleen Roberts

What People Like

Historic and retro-chic atmosphere
Delicious cocktails and espresso martinis
Beautiful rooftop views

What People Dislike

Inconsistent food quality
Service issues
High price point for perceived value

Frequently Asked Questions

Mertens Prime offers classic French cuisine with a steakhouse focus, along with old-school cocktails.

French & French Fusion Restaurants in Grand Rapids MI

While not explicitly stated, the upscale nature of the restaurant suggests smart casual attire would be appropriate.

Yes, Mertens Prime features a rooftop bar offering city views, ideal for drinks and appetizers.

TikTokOur Favorite Patios & Roof Tops in Grand Rapids

Yes, reservations are highly recommended, especially for special occasions, to ensure a table.

Google Review

Diners often enjoy the rotating cheese selection, filet mignon, and unique offerings like absinthe service.

Information regarding parking is not readily available, but it is located in a downtown area which may have street parking or garages.

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Mertens Prime opened in 2017 in the dining room of the original New Hotel Mertens, which debuted in 1914 and served guests through the 1960s. Mertens Prime incorporates elements of a classic French steakhouse and French quarter style dishes, offering such traditional dishes as Escargot, Steak Frites and Salad, and Chateaubriand. More recently, the restaurant has added dishes from other global cuisines, from Duck a l'Orange to Cajun Shrimp Beignets.

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Looking for a fantastic French restaurant to eat at while you're in the area?. Mertens Prime (formerly New Hotel Mertens Brasserie) has the one of the best food options in Grand Rapids, located in 35 Oakes St SW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503. Contact us at (616) 551-1713 and appreciate a Retro-chic brasserie serving French classics & old-school cocktails in a historic, former lodging that you can only discover in this part of town!

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Cozy up at French-inspired steakhouse Merten’s Prime for a nightcap and tableside bananas foster. Enjoy farm-to-table fine dining at Grove on Cherry street, close to some of the city’s best bars in the East Hills neighborhood. For a suburban splash, head to Rose’s on Reeds Lake in East Grand Rapids, one of the area’s few waterfront restaurants.

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Mertens Prime is a French steakhouse and bistro located in the lobby of the former New Hotel Mertens building in downtown Grand Rapids. The building also has a rooftop bar and a cafe, but the restaurant serves lavish French cuisine and delicious soups like its Traditional French onion soup, a potato and leek soup and a snapping turtle soup.

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Step into Mertens Prime to experience classic French cuisine all nested into a restored 1914 hotel in the heart of downtown Grand Rapids. This place is also home to one of Grand Rapids’ few rooftops where you can enjoy an appetizer or a refreshing drink. You won’t want to miss out on trying poutine and one of their many steak cuts here.

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Located in the Heartside neighborhood, Mertens Prime occupies a beautifully preserved 1914 hotel lobby and features a rooftop space with panoramic city views. It’s set within the historic New Hotel Mertens and offers an elegant French steak experience, making it one of the most distinct Grand Rapids restaurants.

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Our Favorite Patios & Roof Tops in Grand Rapids

Mertens Prime: This French restaurant has a stunning rooftop patio located on the top of the former hotel that was built in 1914. Mertens chic rooftop lounge offers unobstructed views of the Grand Rapids skyline where you can enjoy the fresh air and drinks with friends.

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Mertens has re-opened for events and we are excited about the new menu that we have to offer you. Exact capacities and layouts may fluctuate based on public policy and other factors. Mertens is located in downtown Grand Rapids and occupies

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35 Oakes St SW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503Phone: 616-551-1713 Visit Website. A post shared by Mertens Prime (@mertens.prime). Mertens Prime is a chic French bistro and steakhouse that sits in a historic former hotel in downtown Grand Rapids.

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Favorite restaurants include Bistro Bella Vita, with an inviting Mediterranean menu; Mertens, a brasserie serving up French classics; Maru Sushi; and MDRD (pronounced Madrid), with modern Spanish fare.

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35 Oakes St SWGrand Rapids, MI 49503(616) 551-1713 Visit Website See Menu Open in Google Maps. Mertens Prime is a well-known French restaurant previously known as the New Hotel Mertens Brasserie.

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Made a reservation about a month in advance for Valentine's Day. The woman hostess didn't smile, say hello or even wish us a happy Valentine's Day. She seemed like we were bothering her.

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Reddit - Dive into anything

Since most have covered all the main ones (Grove, Bowdies, and Mertens) what place has the most unique cuisine ?. I feel like the typical fare is steakhouse, seafood, italian.

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