Butter
Midtown-Times Square, New York City
Restaurant in New York City, United States
Book with PearlThe Read
Dress
Smart Casual
Why go
Butter is a practical Midtown pick when convenience and a full sit-down setting matter more than chasing a narrow chef-led format. Lunch is the better first-timer move for a lower-pressure meal; dinner works when it is tied to a broader Midtown evening. Cross-shop Satsuki if sushi is the priority.
About Butter
Butter is a New York City venue with hours that include weekday midday and evening service, Saturday evening service, and closures on Sunday and Monday. The most useful way to plan a visit is around those hours and the smart-casual dress code.
Use Butter when the schedule fits
The schedule is direct: Butter is closed Monday and Sunday; open Tuesday through Friday from 12–2:30 PM and 5–9 PM; and open Saturday from 5–9 PM. That makes it a practical option for a weekday midday visit or evening visit, or for a Saturday evening visit, provided those hours match the plan.
If you are comparing options, keep the choice simple. For another New York City venue, Satsuki may be worth considering alongside Butter, as may VALERIE, LOLITA, Emporium Brasil Restaurant, and Via Brasil. For broader trip planning, use Our full New York City restaurants guide, plus the companion New York City hotels, bars, wineries, and experiences guides.
First-timers should plan around the basics
For a first visit, the key details are simple: Butter is in New York City, observes a smart-casual dress code, has Tuesday through Friday 12–2:30 PM and 5–9 PM hours, has Saturday 5–9 PM hours, and is closed Sunday and Monday. Details such as menu format, signature dishes, price level, dietary accommodations, takeout, delivery, and accolades should be checked directly with the venue before booking.
Quick reference: choose a weekday midday visit if the 12–2:30 PM window works; choose an evening visit Tuesday through Saturday if the 5–9 PM window fits your plans.
Planning details
- Location
- 70 W 45th St, New York, NY 10036
- Reservations
- Book on OpenTable
- Website
- butterrestaurant.com
- Phone
- +16467191364
The take
The Take
The Vibe
Butter sits firmly in Midtown’s occasion-dining fabric, absorbing the rhythms of a block that caters to planned evenings rather than casual drop-ins. The room reads like an address for purpose-driven meals — pre-theatre outings, milestone celebrations and business entertainment — and the service follows suit, calibrating pace rather than rushing through courses. It doesn’t attempt the ritualized formality of multi-course tasting temples; instead it offers a refined, measured experience that feels deliberate and composed. The result is a classic, polished evening spot that privileges intention and timing over spontaneity.
Best For
This is a restaurant for intentionally planned evenings: think pre-theatre dinners, business meals and special celebrations where timing and temperament matter. Guests arrive with reservations and a sense of purpose — whether that’s a curtain time to hit or a professional engagement to accommodate — and the dining room is set up to support that shape. Choose Butter when you want a considered, unhurried dinner that still reads as special without the formality of a long tasting menu. It rewards groups and couples who plan ahead and expect attentive pacing.
Ordering Tips
Book ahead and share any timing constraints when you make the reservation — the staff is described as adept at calibrating pace for theatre schedules and professional evenings. Treat the menu as part of a structured night out: prioritize a few standout plates and allow the kitchen to pace the meal, rather than ordering many small items that could complicate timing. Signature items to consider are the Thick Cut Veal Bacon, Gnocchi Mac & Cheese and Parker Rolls. Avoid relying on walk-ins; reservations are the norm on this Midtown block.
Venue details
Ambiance
Unique atmosphere with high arching ceilings featuring a large nature scape mural, cozy booths for romantic nights, and an inviting bar blending formal and casual vibes.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
Sourcing
Accessibility
At the Table
- Dress Code
- Smart Casual
- Noise Level
- Conversational
- Service Style
- Upscale Casual
- Meal Pacing
- Leisurely
- Capacity
- Medium
Signature Dishes
- Thick Cut Veal Bacon
- Gnocchi Mac & Cheese
- Parker Rolls
Know before you go
Know Before You Go
- Getting there
- 70 W 45th St, New York, NY 10036
Planning details
Location
Recognition and awards
Also consider
Where to look if Butter is not the fit
If the group wants a more defined cuisine choice, go to Satsuki for sushi. If the priority is a social Midtown room rather than a general restaurant booking, compare VALERIE and LOLITA first.
Restaurant context
How Butter compares in New York City
Butter is the utility pick in this set: central, easy to understand, and better for a general Midtown meal than for a tightly defined cuisine brief. Satsuki is the sharper choice when sushi is the point of the booking, because its category is clear before anyone sits down. Choose Butter when the group needs flexibility; choose Satsuki when the meal needs focus.
VALERIE and LOLITA are stronger cross-shops for atmosphere-led plans, especially if drinks or a more social room matter as much as the meal. Butter is the safer call for a mixed group that wants a restaurant-first setup without narrowing the night too early.
Emporium Brasil Restaurant and Via Brasil make more sense when the group wants a specific Brazilian direction. Butter is more neutral by comparison, which helps for client meals, family meals, and pre-theater plans where consensus matters.
Explore New York City
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full Butter guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare Butter
| Venue | Location | Cuisine | Awards |
|---|---|---|---|
| Butter | New York City | , | 2026 Wine Spectator Award of Excellence |
| VALERIE | New York City | , | No published awards |
| LOLITA | New York City | , | No published awards |
| Emporium Brasil Restaurant | New York City | , | No published awards |
| Satsuki | New York City | Sushi | 2023 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Highly Recommended |
| Via Brasil | New York City | , | No published awards |
How Butter New York City compares with similar nearby venues.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Butter good for solo dining?
Butter may work for solo dining if its New York City location, smart-casual dress code, and hours fit your plan. It is open Tuesday through Friday from 12–2:30 PM and 5–9 PM, and Saturday from 5–9 PM. It is closed Sunday and Monday.
Does Butter handle dietary restrictions?
If you have a specific restriction, contact Butter directly before booking or visiting.
Is Butter good for a special occasion?
Butter may fit a special occasion if you want a New York City venue with a smart-casual dress code and hours that match your schedule. For the most accurate details on menus, pricing, private arrangements, or other occasion-specific needs, check directly with the venue.
What are alternatives to Butter in New York City?
Other New York City options to compare with Butter include VALERIE, LOLITA, Via Brasil, Emporium Brasil Restaurant, and Satsuki. Compare current menus, hours, and booking details directly before choosing.
Is a midday or evening visit better at Butter?
Butter is open Tuesday through Friday from 12–2:30 PM and 5–9 PM. It is also open Saturday from 5–9 PM. The better choice depends on which service window fits your schedule.
