I Ate at the Viral 'Butter Board' Restaurant in NYC. Was It Worth the Hype?

If you've been on TikTok in the past two years, you've seen the butter board. A wooden board slathered with softened butter, topped with honey, flaky salt, herbs, and edible flowers. People dip bread into it. It looks decadent. It looks ridiculous. It looks like something that could only exist in 2024-2025 food culture. Well, the trend has officially hit New York City, and there's a restaurant in the West Village that's made it their signature dish. I went on a humid Tuesday night in June to see if it's actually good or if it's just another Instagram gimmick.

The Restaurant: A Quick Backstory

The place is called Butter and Boards, opened in April by chef Marcus Chen, who previously worked at a Michelin-starred spot in San Francisco. The concept is simple: everything is centered around butter. Not just the butter board, but also butter-basted steaks, butter-poached seafood, and even butter-infused cocktails. It sounds like a heart attack on a plate. But I was curious.

The space is small—maybe 30 seats—with a long wooden bar and an open kitchen. The vibe is cozy but trendy. Lots of exposed brick and warm lighting. The crowd was mostly couples and groups of friends in their late 20s to early 30s, phones out, documenting everything. I was no exception.

The Butter Board Experience

The butter board itself costs $28 and comes with a basket of freshly baked sourdough. The board is a wide, flat piece of wood, and the butter is spread thickly across it. On top: a drizzle of wildflower honey, a sprinkle of Maldon salt, some fresh thyme, and a scattering of edible flowers. It's beautiful. It looks like something you'd see in a magazine.

But how does it taste? Honestly? Better than I expected. The butter is high-quality European-style butter (I asked—it's from a small farm in Vermont). It's rich and creamy, and the honey adds a floral sweetness that balances the salt. The sourdough is tangy with a good crust. It's a simple pleasure. But is it worth $28? That's the question.

I think it depends on your perspective. If you're looking for a shareable appetizer for two or three people, it's fine. The bread is refillable, and the butter is generous. But it's not a meal. It's a gimmick. A delicious gimmick, but a gimmick nonetheless. I couldn't help but feel like I was paying for the experience more than the food.

The Butter-Basted Steak

I also ordered the butter-basted ribeye ($48). It's cooked sous-vide then finished in a cast-iron skillet with butter, garlic, and thyme. The steak was perfectly medium-rare, with a nice crust. The butter added a richness that was almost too much—I had to stop halfway through. It's incredibly decadent. I paired it with the roasted carrots with brown butter and hazelnuts ($14), which were excellent. The carrots were sweet and tender, and the brown butter added a nutty depth.

But here's my honest take: the steak was good, but it wasn't mind-blowing. You can get a similar quality steak at many other restaurants for less money. The butter gimmick is fun, but it doesn't elevate the dish to something extraordinary.

The Butter Cocktail

I had to try the butter-washed old fashioned ($18). Yes, they wash the whiskey with butter. It sounds weird, but the technique actually works—the fat from the butter coats your mouth and smooths out the alcohol burn. The result is a velvety, slightly savory cocktail with a hint of sweetness. I actually really liked it. It's not something I'd order regularly, but it's a fun novelty.

But here's the thing: the cocktail took 10 minutes to make. The bartender was clearly overwhelmed by the number of orders. I saw him making three butter boards at once. The whole experience felt a bit chaotic. The restaurant was clearly not prepared for the viral attention.

The Verdict: Is It Worth It?

I went in skeptical and came out... still skeptical, but also a little impressed. The butter board is not life-changing, but it's a fun, shareable experience that tastes good. The steak is solid. The cocktail is interesting. But the prices are high for what you get. You're paying for the trend, not just the food.

If you're a foodie who loves trying viral dishes, go for it. It's a story to tell. But if you're looking for a genuinely great meal that's worth every dollar, there are better places in NYC. Butter and Boards is fun for a night out, but it's not a destination restaurant. I'm glad I went. I probably won't go back.