Vander Mill Grand Rapids

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.

My wife and I had a great time at Vander Mill on Friday for their "Friday Date Nights" charcuterie + 2 flights for $25 special. Delicious food and drinks, and a great atmosphere! On the night we went, they also had cornhole, ping pong, and jenga set up the production floor for guests to play.

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!

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 😅

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

Stopped here to enjoy some ciders. Started off with a flight to try out a few ones we had interest in. Through a tasting of those 4 selected a full size honeycrisp to enjoy. Atmosphere is great, neat spot to see the operations, good space, and opportunities to enjoy yourself. Service was a bit disappointing on this visit. Slow and when we wanted to order food we had to wait and ultimately ask someone to take our order. We only ordered the loaded fries which should be pretty easy and quick, but took forever. When they did show up, fries were barely warm. Thinking they were forgotten. We had gone back and forth about ordering entrees and with that experience decided to pay our bill and go somewhere else. Plenty of parking and bathrooms were good. Ciders were nice, just wish the service and food had been better.

Yes, they do have drinks other than cider. But, you have to go here for their cider. I’m town for hockey and this was a great spot to stop. Large open inside and a fantastic outdoor space, including a fire pit. Super friendly staff, each and everyone of them! Menu is great too. Not overly heavy like some “breweries”, nice selection and the best named kids menu I have ever seen 😂 Speaking of kids, extremely family friendly. Little ones seemed to love outdoor area and never interfered with other guests. Everyone co-existed…a rarity these days. Just a great overall vibe in there. We enjoyed a perfect Friday evening.

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.

Been wanting to try this place for a few years. Finally got to try it on a Saturday afternoon around 3PM. Pulled into the parking lot and wondered if they were even open. Walked in and just a couple people at the bar. Thinking this may not be good. Luckily we were wrong. Service greeted us right away and was very friendly. Started with the pretzel bites and cheese dip. The dip was amazing. Even had some left over and dipped our fries in it. Got the olive burger and BBQ Bacon burger. Both were very good and not dry. Definitely will be back.

Second time coming to Vander Mill and I was stoked because one I got one of my friends obsessed with totally roasted (she's doesn't drink beer) and I could finally bring her to a brewery where she would enjoy more than 1-2 options there! We got there around 4:30 and were promptly sat out on the patio with our pups. Our server was awesome and the playlist going did not disappoint, Spotify - Hot Pink, and it was giving! One friend is NA, and she throughly enjoyed the sparkling Honeycrisp - even brought some back home to Chicago! I went with the smash burger, which was fantastic! Sturdy bun, crispy burger edges, and as requested extra pickles. For my flight I went with, Vandy, Honeycrisp, blueberry, and totally roasted. I love them all, and ended up getting a pint of Honeycrisp to finish off the meal. All that for about $29+tip. Can't wait to come back to my fav cider spot in GR.

I went here recently to meet up with a friend who can't have gluten. We like to find places that have plenty of gluten free menu options for her. I hadn't been in a few years and was looking forward to trying them out again. It was a nice day, so we decided to sit outside. They have a really cute outdoor area. We were out there by ourselves, probably since we were there at a weird late lunch time. Our server was quick and attentive though, which was nice. We both ordered flights of ciders and food. I was happy to see that there are a few beers on the menu in addition to ciders, so I tried 2 ciders and 2 beers. The IPA was pretty good, and definitely my favorite of the 4. I ordered the watermelon feta salad to eat, and there really isn't a better combo for a refreshing summer lunch! The watermelon didn't have a lot of flavor, but it was pretty early in the season, so I'm not surprised. It was still good. My friend didn't really love any of the 4 ciders she tried, but she ordered the gluten free macaroni and cheese and has been raving about it ever since! I hope they're doing well. It was pretty empty the whole time we were there, but its such a great space and a really easy to get to location from a lot of different parts of town. I'm going to need to remember to suggest it when I'm meeting up with people so I can try out more of the menu. And I'm sure I'll be back soon with my friend so she can get the macaroni and cheese again!

I actually came here only because I discovered that I love their Totally Roasted cider and wanted to see what else they have! When I got there, there were two parking lots on the left side for general parking, and there was a totally separate parking lot up near the door for handicap accessibility. I sat at the bar and ordered a flight so I could give a couple things a try. The first flight was not my favorite so I ended up getting a second, but definitely ask for samples before you order to avoid this mistake! They have a lot of different flavor profiles which was really nice. I still like the totally roasted the best, but it was great to try other stuff! They also had a nice little Happy Hour menu for small bites and $ off drinks. Their full menu is really good too! I like the different seating that's available too. There were larger tables, high tops, the bar, and a nice outdoor section that would have been nice if the weather was warmer. 10/10 you have to try the totally roasted!

It's been a minute since we visited this local restaurant and we only live 5 minutes away! Service was great and the food + ciders were amazing! We're coming back with friends!

One sunny and warm March afternoon, Nate and I decided we wanted to check out a happy hour hopefully on a patio somewhere. We ended up at Vander Mill, with its large outdoor seating area and huge parking lot. It was pretty empty when we arrived, so we ordered at the bar. We got the cider cheese and an order of wings with dry rub, as well as a couple of flights of cider. The food menu is very different from when they first opened - it's much more of a basic "brewery" food menu now, with wings, burgers, fries, sandwiches, and a couple salads/soups. Definitely not as inventive as their original menus but I'm sure it was a little too different for some people. If you like a good brewpub meal, you'll probably be happy. If you're looking for fried smelt or something more unique, you won't find that at Vander Mill anymore. The cider cheese came with a huge amount of soft pretzel bites - you could share between four people. The pretzels were warm and soft, super tasty. The cheese was fine, just not very flavorful. The wings were super crispy. I think they were a little overcooked but the dry rub was tasty. It was sort of weird that you only get five wings in an order, but oh well, we shared. The ranch was great; we dipped the extra pretzels in it. It was fun to try some new things in our flights, but none of the ciders really wowed me. I noticed they are doing more funky ciders than I remember in the past, more of a Virtue Cider vibe with heirloom and wild varietals. We noticed there's a stage set up outside, so I'm interested in hopefully checking out some live music later this spring and summer! Definitely a nice spot off the beaten path for a couple drinks and some snacks. I'm a bit sad they've moved away from some more unique food offerings, just because it seems like every place does the same type of menu these days - but it's totally understandable. I'll be back.

This is a fun place! It smells like apples when you walk in! They have a lot of room here, and it really wasn't that busy while I was here. You can see into their warehouse, and walk out onto a balcony in there. Down below the are tables and chairs, and a small bar, but I'm not sure when that's in use. Maybe private events. They have a lot of different ciders available on tap. They also have a few beers available. I didn't realize how many options they had! We chose to do flights so that we could try as many as possible. We also ordered a salad and a side of fries, both of which were very delicious!! Most of the cider was good, the beer was just okay. The service was okay. But this was a fun atmosphere here. And it's nice to have a place to go to besides a brewery! It's also not downtown which is nice, and bonus- they have their own parking lot (which is huge).

We had a really nice time here! They have a huge variety of ciders and the bartenders are happy to give you samples before you commit to anything (great for me as I'm super indecisive). Favorites were their lemongrass (I don't see this listed online so perhaps it's super small batch?), apple raspberry, raspberry zero and both the blu-ish and blue gold (dry and sweet blueberry ciders, respectively). The flights were super reasonably priced! The best part about Vander Mill though was the small seating area in the actual cidermaking facility. There were only about 3-4 tables out there so we had the whole space to ourselves. It smelled deliciously apple-y and was a great place to take pictures with our ciders! Highly recommend this place for cider lovers and even cider skeptics thanks to the large variety and friendly bartenders.

We were frequent visitors to Vander Mill pre-pandemic enjoying both their cider and food. Post- pandemic we decided to bring out of town guests; the cider was still great but the food quality and selection had seriously declined and was embarrassing poor. This past year we heard they had a new menu and decided to check it out; we were pleasantly surprised by their new menu! The great food is back (we like the burger and apple salad); our kids love the butter noodles and non-alcoholic cider. We can't wait to enjoy some live music on their patio this Summer! If you haven't been in a while, you should check them out again.

Came and ordered cider flights and food. After sitting well over an hour and a half we were told they no longer had the food we ordered available.

This was the first time we visited Vander Mill, and we'll be coming back. It's quite spacious inside and outside with a nice outdoor "patio" with tables. My kids loved the fries and chicken tenders. My husband got the burger, and I had the pulled pork sandwich. The sandwich isn't covered in BBQ sauce, which is good...but I did need to ask for more. The fries were delicious and well seasoned. Service was great! As for the cider, we enjoyed a flight and was surprised at all the varieties. I like a drier ciders with the brut and the loving cup as my faves. Staff said they usually have live music outdoors with the small stage off to the side, but with the holiday weekend there wasn't any. Good to know for the future, because we'll definitely be back. Kid friendly and a nice setting that you wouldn't notice if you just drove by.

1st stop on our cider tour. We really enjoyed just about everything we tasted. Our server was super nice and helpful. We ordered some pimento cheese and the ham & donuts. Both were very good. Walked out with 12 packs of Vandy and Honeycrisp (my absolute favorite cider), plus a growler of Brut and a large can of Bourbon Aged Totally Roasted. We really enjoyed our visit. Can't wait to go back.

Great service with fantastic bartenders. Super accommodating and friendly staff while also offering lots of great ciders and food, my friends LOVE the dessert options especially! It's tucked out of the way a bit so you never feel like it's too busy but definitely a nice, clean environment.

I've been reviewing for awhile and I feel like I have no direction when I write. The next few reviews I'm going to implement a strategic system that helps understand my review before even reading the full details. If you follow me or read my reviews please feel free to reply with anything you like or dislike. Any ideas to make it better would be surely appreciated. SERVICE: 5 FOOD QUALITY: 5 DRINK QUALITY: 5 ORDER TIME: 5 AESTHETICS: 5 NOISE LEVEL: 5 MENU SELECTION: 5 OVERALL EXPERIENCE: 5 This cidery is a hidden jewel less than a block away from me. Upon entering we were wowed with the aesthetics. They had an amazing outdoor patio and a cool look of the distillers on the inside with plenty of seating. Their overall review is lower than it should be and if you actually read them it's usually due to service. Our service wound up being spectacular, but I can see how they could have trouble getting employees in its location so far from downtown. My significant other and I decided this will be our go to spot when we don't want to deal with the hustle and bustle of the city. Plenty of parking which is the opposite of the city. Our food was delicious and the drinks were even better. The chicken was very tender and juicy and the linguine looked absolutely amazing and smelt even better. I'm very picky when it comes to what I consider good fries and these fries were perfection. Great seasoning, perfect crispiness on the outside and still soft on the inside. The drinks, kind of, took me by surprise. I don't like cider because it's usually too sweet for me but after drinking real quality cider I was taken back. They had a strong wine taste but great hints of fruits. My favorite was the apple raspberry rose but they were all delicious. Apple raspberry rose Blueberry bramble (gin cocktail) 5 star! Brut zero Ginger peach Oaked bon chretien Totally roasted Spring linguine Fried Nashville hot chicken sandwich

Great cider! The atmosphere is fun with an open floor pan. We have not tasted the food yet but the cider was tasty.

Came here on two separate occasions - once to just drink and have an appetizer and once for dinner and both times have been very solid. Vander Mill has the most accessible and largest parking lot of any restaurant in Grand Rapids. I'd be shocked if you came here and didn't get a parking spot. They also have a very cool restaurant set up - both indoors and outdoors. Plenty of seating in both areas and the indoor seating area overlooks their cider production which is also pretty cool. It's not in the heart of downtown and actually tucked away in a quiet area right before heading the bustling city, but it's a really cool spot and a hidden gem if you haven't heard about it already! As far as the food goes, I've had their pretzel bites and their cheese curds - both super tasty and reasonably portioned appetizers! The pretzel bites come with cheese and mustard and little cocktail sticks to poke into the small pretzel balls whereas the cheese curds are simply mini-mozzarella sticks that come with a chipotle aioli that is so good! As far as dinner food goes - I've only had their Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich and it was very solid. It's got a tiny bit of kick and it comes with their fries which are on-par with the rest fo the food they have here. They don't have the most extensive menu, but they have options for people of all diets along and make sure to make their simple menu items very well. As for their cider - we also go for the flights. It's the best way to try various different flavors and helps the decision-making process at their mini-store a lot easier when we pick and choose a four-pack to take home. Totally Roasted and the VM Cider are their classics - sold in most Meijer stores as well! When you're here, try something that's taproom exclusive or not sold in stores! It varies here and there and recommendations will also vary based on what you like - whether you're a rosé type of person or a dry citrus cider kind of guy or a fruity cider kind of girl, they've got something for everyone! You fill out a flight form and they'll bring out your hand-picked ciders out on a big paddle and it's fun to try all the different kinds!

Vander Mill ⁣ ⁣ The Vander Mill is located on Ball Ave in GR. They also have another location in Spring Lake. They've been open since 2006, and have grown ever since! ⁣ ⁣ All of Vander Mill cider is made with Michigan apples. There are never any preservatives and it is never pasteurized. They only use fresh juice for their ciders, and you guys...you can taste the difference of a #vandermillcider. ⁣ ⁣ Along with their cider is Vander Mill's superstar menu. Everything is farm-to-table. Including baking their own bread! ⁣ ⁣ For those always wondering about parking - they have a huge lot! ⁣ ⁣

We have stopped in once before to have drinks but this was our first time stopping in for dinner. We came for a late dinner on a Thursday night and the place was pretty empty. Being empty, the service was just average. The food arrived quickly but we seemed to sit around a lot while waiting for someone to check on us again. My dad ordered the short rib but the waitress came back a minute later to tell him they were all out of it. Once our food arrived, they gave us a practically empty bottle of ketchup so once we used what we could, we asked for another. She brought another practically empty bottle, which was somewhat comical. The Cuban Reuben was tasty and I enjoyed the flavors it had. The chipotle sauce with the slaw tied the sandwich together for me. The pork was a little tough but nothing to truly complain about. My mom had the fish and chips and she said the fish was probably the toughest/chewiest she's ever had. She still ate it all and said the fried batter saved the dish (obviously!). The fries here are great though. My dad's dish came with the Parmesan seasoned fries that were fantastic. Perfect balance of thin and crispy fries. Overall, the ambience and atmosphere of this place are perfect. The location is definitely strange and I still always wish this was downtown. The service and food seemed average on this visit.

The business fired all their employees via MASS EMAIL, days prior to Christmas blaming another employees medical leave as strain for the business' failing. I would probably suggest a financial planner/advisor "next time" (but we all know there isnt going to be a next time)

I love ciders. Not all the time, but it's nice to have a local place in the area with a variety of ciders. We've been here several times for both brunch and dinner and enjoy some of their menu. The inside is actually very industrial, open and airy. But it's just kind of boring. Maybe I'm used to how the other breweries are in the area, but the set up and table sizes are a bit odd. Let's talk about food now.. We really enjoy the cheese curds. Actually, it's the only item that we've ordered every time. The main meal items are a bit on the expensive side. I ordered the chicken wrapped in prosciutto with a some kind of sauce. I ordered double veggies instead of potatoes. The chicken was very dry and there was barely any sauce, which made the dryness worse. The item that is lacking most is the service. Every time we've been there, the servers are more interested in congregating at the bar with the others, than actually checking in on the table or asking about refills, etc. Here are two examples, I was recently there for a girls night, and our check was brought without even asking if we needed anything else. The weekend prior to that, I literally had to flag down our server for another drink.

I came here for a friend's birthday and I was really excited when I saw the cute exterior and layout, however I was really disappointed with both my drink and the food! I ordered a half ceaser salad which was brown in color and tasted more like a balsamic vinaigrette. The warm pretzel was dry and oily somehow at the same time... with a terrible cheese dipping sauce that tastes like the cheese that comes from those crackers with the red stick you ate in grade school. My friends ordered the beans and rice which was flavorless and they wouldn't order it again. The cider sangria was very average as well, but better than the food! Definitely disappointed!

I was super excited when I found out that Vander Mill has a Grand Rapids location, because I was in town for a "beercation" with my boyfriend (aka Bells and Founders) and I wanted some hard cider. I knew they had the Spring Lake location (though I've never visited) but GR was much more convenient. The whole place is very nice, aesthetically, and looks new. It looked like they do tours, too, which would be fun. The Totally Roasted is my favorite, and I've tried a few of the other flavors, so we did a flight of five, and tried ones we had never drank before. I liked 4 of the 5, the barrel aged ginger peach was a little too gingery for me. My friends got the ham and donut dish and it's definitely hipster (see the pics others posted on here) but they enjoyed it. I'd like to come back here for a meal or brunch sometime with some cider, they just started a brunch menu this weekend apparently.

Every time I go, it's a pleasant experience. The food is a treat, and the cider is lovely! I'm picky but I like almost everything they have. If cider isn't your thing, they have other things to choose from that are not cider, but honestly? Unless you absolutely hate cider, try at least a few before you dismiss them. The staff is attentive and friendly, and they never makes me feel like it's an inconvenience to wait on me.

I love hard cider. I'm incredibly lucky to live in Michigan, where apples are aplenty and so are the cideries that craft delicious adult beverages out of them. Vander Mill makes some of the best ciders in the state. I actually visited two of their locations while on vacation: this one in Grand Rapids and their flagship taphouse in Spring Lake. While both locations have friendly service and a great selection of ciders, I preferred the GR location a bit more. This is a brand new facility that houses their cider productions, along with a bar and restaurant with a patio. We sat at the bar and chatted with the bartender throughout the night. She was very knowledgeable not only about Vander Mill, but other breweries in Grand Rapids and beyond. She suggested we visit Greyline Brewing, which we did after our visit, and we loved that place as well. She encouraged us to check out the mezzanine behind the bar where we could see where the magic happens. You're even allowed to enjoy your food and drinks out there. It's a huge space with room to expand. They have a great selection of their hard ciders and a couple beers on tap. No liquor, though. They have a full food menu but we weren't too hungry. It seemed like a lot of people come here to eat, though. I felt welcomed here. I loved the drinks, the service, the ambiance. Everything about our visit was perfect.

This review is specifically for the production tour. I enjoy visiting VanderMill as an eating and drinking spot, but the tour really sets VanderMill apart from so many other options around town. We had a small group of 3 for our tour. I'm not sure if it was typical to get a private tour, but it definitely was fun. Over a year ago, I attended a professional event at VanderMill, and both times I enjoyed learning about the production process, as well as a little bit of background on how the business got its start. The biggest thing I notice about VanderMill is the authenticity. Everyone is very sincere and believes in what the company is doing and the quality of their product. That says a lot. The company is doing a lot right in terms of culture and it shows. Between the samples and pint included with the tour, and some other extra tastes that we enjoyed in addition to the tour inclusions, we were able to try a large percentage of the ciders on the menu. There really is something for everyone here.

I love VanderMill, it's one of my fave go-to dining establishments in GR and I've never been disappointed there. They have a nice rustic open space inside and outside and it feels very "Michigan" especially during the fall season. They can accommodate small or large parties no matter what the season and have a big free parking lot. Good comfort food and drink choices and a great spot for brunch. The service is always friendly and professional too which is very important when going out to eat. Now I am a parent, I especially appreciate how kid-friendly they are with high chairs and good changing facilities in the restrooms. I was fortunate to do a tour of their cider production through a KDL event and enjoyed learning about the process of making cider and how the owners created the business, the fancy machines involved and of course sampling different ciders! They have a huge space for hosting parties too. Supporting local business is key to a thriving economy and community so locals and visitors be sure to stop by VanderMill for a drink and or a bite!

Dined out on the beautiful patio on a gorgeous late summer night. No better place in Grand Rapids. Dog-friendly patio and fireplace, great food and drinks. A+ ambiance and service.

Wow!! What an amazing tour!! Brad did an amazingly great job educating us about cider! We had book a party of 4 brought 2 more They welcomed the other 2. Brad was very knowledgeable!! Very friendly and personable! Would recommend the tour! Especially if you love cider. After the tour we have apps with jake who was our server!! Definitely an establishment that should be checked out!!

I used to love this place but they won't expand their menu back to normal offerings. It's really frustrating because not everyone likes burgers. It's long past the peak of Covid but it feels like this place never went back to normal. I still order their ciders which are amazing to go but the food offerings is super disappointing and I think discourages people from coming. All my favorite things are permanently off the menu. Maybe only come if you like burgers?

I feel like Vander Mill could be SO good. The food definitely sounded good - there were some interesting menu items. Everything just tasted a bit bland. I had the chilaquiles and it didn't have much flavor. I also tried the food of our whole table (of course) and it was the same. I just wanted some spice. It's a really cool atmosphere though! The potential will definitely keep me coming back. My husband said the cider is fantastic. I'm not a cider kind of girl but they certainly had a lot of variety!

Awesome food and cider! Highly recommend for dinner or brunch on the weekend. Also has a great outdoor area with a firepit to enjoy in the warmer months. Lovely view of the sunsetting too! As for the food, the burger is always delish. It is served with a housemade pimento cheese on it. A salad in place of the fries makes for a healthy alternative. I really enjoy the hash and salmon as well.

We dined at Vander Mill tonight for the first time by an impromptu invite from our neighbors. "Good food and kid friendly patio" is how they sold it. And boy did they deliver! It's in an unassuming location but very near our house, so that's a personal bonus. I ordered the butternut squash special and they were happy to make it a special order (I'm currently doing whole 30 and they were very accommodating) and I was blown away by the flavor and beauty of the dish. I told the server and he said they are adding it as a permanent menu item next week. So so good. My husband got smelt and fries and he too liked his meal. Super odd menu item (smelt) but nostalgic for him as its a dish he always ate with his grandfather. Our girls ran around the patio (plenty of room without bothering other customers) and the staff was excellent. Update: dined there for brunch this past weekend with a group of 5 ladies on Saturday at 11a. Food was fantastic. Service was horrible. We waited to be sat (with a reservations) and waited 15 mins for someone to bring water and take drink order. Waited over an hour from time of being sat to when food finally came. They were very busy and understaffed. Get bad for the server.

This is the single worst service you get at a GR brewery/location. We waited 30 minutes FOR A BEVERAGE. Literally we were drinking water for 30 minutes on a Thursday at 6:00pm. Then it took a good took 30+ minutes for our food. There are too many great breweries and tap houses in this city to ever come back here. Paul: my husband left a comment card. (Hand written). We have now left.

I finally made it here for the brunch!!!! Not that I have been going to other brunches instead, I am just usually away on the weekends in the summer living up Michigan summers near the big lake or camping! I am super happy I was able to make it here yesterday to check out their brunch. I have been hearing great things and all of those people were right - brunch here is da bomb! My friend is a part of their brunch club, which gets you a class and discounts every time you visit. If I am relaying the information correctly the brunch club only costs $10 and you get a drink and the glass, plus all the future discounts with it! For my brunch I picked off of the regular menu even though the two specials looked amazing as well. I ordered the Chilaquiles. I have never had them before. My brunching friend informed me that they can be made a lot different depending on where you go. I say Vandermill did a great job at their version. The corn tortilla chips were broken up and mixed with beans, with a layer of salsa, guac and a poached egg on top surrounded by the Mexican cheese and other toppings. My drink of choice was their coffee, which they get from Rowster. One of my fav places in town! I am not a blood mary person but my friend ordered one and I would say it was pretty unique. It is made with smoked tomatoes and I really enjoyed that flavor profile in the bloody. I definitely may have to order one next time, but not hot for me please! We sat outside on a table with an umbrella. We came at about 12 and it was pretty quiet, not a whole lot of people. Not sure if it is busier earlier in the day or what, but regardless more people need to get down there. It definitely is super delicious and doesn't disappoint in the slightest!

I am a huge fan of hard cider, so naturally one long weekend my fiancé and I decided to go to Michigan and we knew a cidery tour was going to be on our list of things to do! I loved being able to hear how the ciders were made and even getting to sample a few of the ciders on the tour. The tour guide was very knowledgeable about everything and I could really see his passion for what he does! While here I even discovered my new favorite cider which is the Totally roasted, it is delicious! After the tour my fiancé and I hung out outside where they have some picnic tables set up and also a large version of connect 4. This was a great place to hang out and relax! Thank you for a great tour and for introducing me to my new favorite cider!

This place is just around the corner for us, so have come a couple times for dinner and once for breakfast, both were great. As this is a brewery I was surprised but They have real food made by a real chef for dinner, it's not just pub food. It's fresh and healthy-ish. Brunch is more decadent. The ciders are mostly on the dry side!

Lunch on the patio Friday afternoon. They have an extensive cider beer and cocktail menu. I ordered the Apple Raspberry cider with 6.5% ALC. it was perfect for a light lunch drink. Most drinks come in 2-3 sizes. The pictured one was medium. I ordered the summer hash and it was so delicious! With roasted red potatoes, summer squash, corn, mushrooms and a delicious sauce the only thing better was it was topped with an egg! Yummy. My husband ordered the burger. The service was very relaxed and good. It would be a great place to meet with friends!

Arrived on a Saturday evening and this place was packed. There was a 30 minute wait so we sat at the bar to enjoy a hard cider. There were 12 to 15 different ciders to choose from which was a bonus. There was one beer on tap, A house brewed IPA. I noticed a very interesting demographic in the restaurant. I would estimate that over 90% of the crowd was participating in a couples date night. Both young and old. Since this is not a place that you would normally hang out with the fellas, it makes sense to go there with your girl and her friends. The building and grounds were beautifully designed and maintained. The industrial Decor of the building was really cool. I really liked the pallet plank wall behind the bar. It looks like they have somewhat of a rotating menu. This is a really good sign as it encourages local and fresh ingredients in their cuisine. I ordered the handmade gnocchi covered with shaved brussels sprout's and kale. My wife ordered the Caesar salad. My food tasted pretty good. However, my wife said her Caesar salad was a little too unique for her. It had a vinegarette taste to it which is not typical. It was also drenched in dressing and seasoning which looked unappetizing to me. I would come here again. But seriously, only on a date night. My wife is in love with Vander Mills totally roasted cider. I know you can get it at the store, but she loved the experience of getting it at the source.

I want to fall in love with this place. I want to love it. I want to be in a happy relationship with it. But folks, this relationship is on the rocks. And it's because of the cider. Background. I am quite a big fan of cider. I've drunk all different kinds abroad, at cideries in CO, NC, and tried many, many, MANY different kinds. It's one thing I can never talk myself out of buying at the liquor store when I find interesting or new kinds. People, I need help. What you should take away: I know cider. I know this cider is average. I'm sorry. I'M SORRY. I've been there twice. Got a flight. Was unimpressed. Went back, got more. Remained unimpressed. Did not want to take any cider home. You hit the mark with the blue gold. But my cider happiness ends there. BUT. Your ham and donuts situation? Apple cider donuts and prosciutto and apples and cheese from Wisco? Please don't ever take it off the menu. Let everyone eat it and enjoy. Because, well, you do it well. Oh and the fries and aoli--totally yumsauce. I mean yummy. And the sauce was yummy. Nevermind. Byeee.

Review is for the food only. It's a Sunday night, and I thought I would give this place a try. Called in and ordered the ham & donuts, hot wing poutine, pot roast, grilled cheese, and 3 pork chops. Sooo disappointed in our dinner tonight. Everything looked beautiful, unfortunately the taste test was a huge let down. The pot roast was dry and the 3 pork chops were still rare/raw. No no no, just NO!!! Fries were good, but after one too many it's just way too salty. Ham and donuts...nothing special in the donuts. But the jam is delicious. I'll give you the one star for that. But everything was a huge let down. I own a business and I would be so embarrassed if this came out of my kitchen. Can't cook? Don't serve food! Not worth the money I spent for tonight's dinner. They should just stick to the cider.

The couple of times I've been to Vander Mill have been a mixed bag. The ciders are great! But the food and service have typically been underwhelming. I visited for a belated birthday dinner recently, and I ordered the turkey pot pie, which sounded like some good, quality comfort food for a cool Fall evening. However, when it arrived at the table, I was confused to see that it was comprised of all of the ingredients of the inside of a pot pie... but instead of being contained inside of a pie crust, they were poured over a large biscuit. It effectively looked like an inside-out pot pie... which isn't an appetizing sight. Presentation aside, it also wasn't incredibly flavorful. If you guys do continue to serve this, might I suggest changing the menu description so people know what they're getting? The description was rather vague--and while it mentioned something about a cheddar biscuit--didn't prepare me for the strange dish in front of me. One other misleading menu description for the night... I tried to order the Nunica Pine, but when I discovered it was gone, my waiter suggested I try the LL Cool Bayes instead, since it's another hoppy cider... but what he failed to mention were the cannabis undertones? Maybe it makes me a prude for not wanting my cider to taste like marijuana, and maybe I should have made the connection sooner, but it would have been nice to have the description more explicitly tell me what to expect in my cider. I ended up trading with a friend who didn't mind the taste as much. These things aside, I love your outdoor space with the fire pit, the majority of your ciders, and I've heard high praise of your brunches... maybe they're better than your dinners?

We heard that Vander Mill was dog friendly while at a cider festival downtown. We called ahead and they said that the patio was technically closed due to cold weather, but we could get drinks out there if we wanted. When we arrived, they were very accommodating and even served us food on the patio, despite it being closed. The drinks were great both in flavor and variety, and the food was amazing. I got the fish and chips and my girlfriend got the spring linguine. The highlights of the meal for me were the homemade tartar sauce and the pickle pile, both of which were very tasty. I would definitely recommend this location to anyone who likes cider, good food, and has dog(s).

As a non-cider fan, this place has great cocktails and food. We literally made our meal with (3) appetizers. The ham & doughnuts are unique and are must to try. The Brussels sprouts are beautifully roasted and the feta dip balanced the drinks!

Vander Mill is a great addition to the craft scene in GR. The building is beautiful and large, reminiscent of Founder's taproom. The décor uses a lot of repurposed Michigan barn wood and old barrels. There are a variety of tables, from low-top to outdoor to bar seating. You can even sit in the fermentation room by request. The biggest draw for me is the prices and size options of on tap cider. The options change often for ciders, but you can consistently count on the more popular Tier 1 and 2 ciders. Most of the drinks are served in 5/8/16 oz. options with price increments around $1.75 for a 5 oz. and upwards of $5 for a pint. I've tried about half the cider menu by now! The nitro Apple Raspberry is sweet with a bite. The Nunica Pine, their other seasonal fall cider, has a sour kick to it. My server Sean brought out a sampler of Loving Cup for me as well, and it is incredible! It's only available in the taproom. The hibiscus flavors add a wonderful component to the cider and would be a great choice for those looking for something less traditional. The food selection is first class, as both locations (GR and Spring Lake) employ a full-time culinary chef. As with the cider, food options change based on season and new menu offerings. Appetizer prices are between $5 and $15 and entrées run all the way up to $30 or $40. If you're looking for a unique, delicious dinner and don't mind paying higher prices, Vander Mill is a great experience!

Wonderful is the first word that comes to mind. First things first, for every parking spot that every other brewery in town doesn't have, Vandermill has three. There is ample parking, and the outside is landscaped in a way that naturally separates the outside area for different groups of guests. We came in on opening night and it was busy, but you could tell that the entire staff was really trying. Drinks took a little longer than they would normally but considering it was opening night it wasn't a bad wait at all. We had the ginger peach, and the mango citra (oak finish which was great). We then moved onto the nitro Apple raspberry. All were very good without being too sweet. The most impressive thing was the food. Upon looking at the menu it almost feels like you are at a fancy gastro pub. We were delighted that it wasn't sandwiches and beer cheese. There are burgers and fries for the less adventurous but also things like bone in duck and donuts with ham and apple chutney for the more epicurious diners. Our group started with the ham donuts which everyone agreed were amazing. The apple chutney it came with really made it shine. We then had the fried smelt which was ok-- the lemon aioli it came with really tied it together but you have to really like fishy fish to enjoy it. For our entrees we had a variety- our favorite though was the pork schnitzel which comes with an egg on top and a mushroom cream sauce. Rd flavors were hearty, and the pork was brined overnight at least in something that left it moist even after being breaded. On the side we ordered the asparagus which was easily the best we have ever had, it came grilled with some dry cheese (maybe Parmesan) on top. Upon being served our table devoured it like no vegetables have ever been devoured. Also good were the duck, and the ahi tuna. We also ordered the garden mill salad- the dressing had a very fresh taste, everything a salad should be. The only problem with the dish were the croutons, they were almost like stale cornbread but with a bitty texture. For desert we had the brownie and the apple crisp. Again both were amazing without being too sweet. The brownie is topped with a rice pudding type concoction which really cuts the richness of the chocolate in a good way. The prices here were definitely more like brewery vivant than founders but so was the level of food. The outside area also made for a really great area to hang out, which I imagine will end up being a go to place for summer. We will definitely be back!!

This venue is fantastic! I grew up going to the Spring Lake location, and I love the expansion. Menu is fun, food is good, cider is the best. Has a local feel and warm atmosphere. Staff seems nice and attentive, and the owner is wonderful! They have live music every once and a while, and it really suits the space. We recently had a party here, and everyone was very accommodating and welcoming.

Not being a big cider fan I was curious what brunch at a cidery would be like. The place was deserted when our group of six arrived. We were obviously seated right away and given menus. A fun assortment of good brunch offerings including some gluten-free choices, though we had to ask to be sure. They were happy to accommodate and make some tweaks to ensure the GF option for us. I opted for the Cuban style rice and beans with shredded pork. The serving was huge. It said it came with 'eggs' but only arrived with an 'egg' on top. We asked for another egg (three of us ordered the same thing). So that was a bit misleading. But they made and delivered some more eggs. Somthing tells me they always serve it with one egg.... The food was failry devoid of flavor and needed a large dose of hot suace to make it feel like it had any life in it. Aside from that it was well cooked and hearty. Plenty of coffee refills kept me going too. By the time we left it was still mostly empty. I didn't try any ciders and it didn't look like anyone else in the place did either. So I am not sure about this place in general but the brunch was decent and aside from it being a bit drafty it was pleasant.

I absolutely love this place and can't wait to have more enjoyable meals there. So far, I've been for brunch 3 times and lunch once. It's always easy to get a table indoors or out (in the summer, natch). In fact, I wish more people were going because those who aren't are missing out! Service is always good and the atmosphere is comfortable. If you're inside, you can sit right over the steel barrels where the magic of brewing happens! :-) First, brunch. The first time I went, I joined their "Brunch Club." For $10, it got me a slightly larger "cidermosa" or bloody mary and a fun glass to take home. On return visits, I get a discounted drink in said glass. Brunch is only on Sundays, though, but it's still worth it if you go a couple of times. Cidermosas are combos of their ciders + OJ or grapefruit juice -- refreshing and delicious. Their Bloody is good too, made with craft vodka and a slightly smoky, salty homemade mix. Their brunch menu changed slightly from visit to visit and they always have delectable-sounding specials, a couple of which I have tried. Here are a couple of the dishes friends and I have enjoyed: Chilaquiles -- A unique approach, where guac and beans and salsa and eggs are molded into a biscuit shape and surrounded by crunchy tortilla chip crumbles. Baked eggs -- Lighter fare, beautifully presented and cooked just right. Even though I'm not a sweets-for-breakfast person, a smart approach with a friend or SO would be to share one savory dish and one sweet. Win win! I've only been for lunch once but I had the mussels (not on the current menu) and my friends got sandwiches. The quality and the creative preparations were just as good as the brunch. I need to keep Vander Mill in mind for lunch and for dinner! Last but not least, the ciders. I didn't think I liked cider AT ALL but apparently, my head was stuck back in the days of Woodchuck ... Vander Mill has a large variety of flavors, from very dry to semi-sweet, incorporating different flavor profiles and fruits. I did a cider flight once and enjoyed everything I tasted.

Excellent selection of ciders. From dry to sweet anyone could find something to sip on here. My personal favorite was the NITRO Fluff. Choosing five different ciders in a flight is probably the way to go if you aren't sure what you're feeling or if you don't know what kind of cider you prefer! Great place and cool atmosphere. I would like to come back in the summer.