Butterfly Burger in Sedona

Butterfly Burger is Chef Lisa Dahl’s upscale “couture burger lounge” in the Village of Oak Creek, famous for creative gourmet burgers, excellent fries, strong cocktails, and a dark, lounge‑y atmosphere.

Atmosphere and concept

• Located in the same VOC center as some of Dahl’s other concepts, it’s set up as a stylish, modern burger bar with moody lighting, full bar, and a more adult vibe than a typical burger joint.
• It’s positioned as an elevated, sit‑down spot rather than fast casual, with table service, cocktails, wine, and boozy milkshakes.

Food style and standout items

• The menu focuses on half‑pound Creekstone Farms beef burgers with gourmet toppings, plus mahi‑mahi lettuce wraps, salads, yucca fries, tater tots, and desserts like crème brûlée and shakes.
• Signature burgers frequently mentioned include the Gringo Burger (Tillamook white cheddar, remoulade, romaine, crispy onion strings), Waco Kid (bourbon‑caramelized onions, bacon confit, cheddar), and Oui Oui Monsieur patty melt (Gruyère and charred onions on rye).
• Yucca fries have been highlighted in local and national coverage as some of the best fries in Arizona, praised for their crispy exterior and fluffy interior.​

Prices and portions

• Tripadvisor and gluten‑free reviewers report most specialty burgers in the $17–$20 range, which they describe as high but typical for Sedona’s tourist corridor and justified by quality for many diners.
• Portions are generous: burgers are substantial, sides like yucca fries or potato salad are sizable, and shakes are rich enough to share.

Dietary options (including gluten‑free)

• The restaurant offers gluten‑free buns and clearly marked GF items; several gluten‑free guests say staff is knowledgeable and they felt comfortable eating there.​
• A few reviews caution that fries are not always cooked in a dedicated fryer, so extremely sensitive celiac diners sometimes skip fries and go with potato salad or salads instead.​

Service notes and when to go

• Many guests praise the burgers and drinks as “best we had in Sedona,” though a slice of reviews notes that service can be slow or inconsistent at busy times.
• Hours are typically 11:30 a.m.–9 p.m. most days and until 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, making it a solid choice for a later dinner after hikes or sunset.

Butterfly Burger’s prices are on the higher side for burgers: most specialty burgers land around $18–$26 depending on meat and toppings, with sides and shakes extra.

Burger prices

• Core specialty burgers (like Gringo, Waco Kid, Oui Oui Monsieur, Mowee Wowee, Funghi‑style burgers): typically about $17–$20according to recent diner reports and gluten‑free reviews.
• Premium Wagyu burger: listed on the official menu as 8 oz Australian Wagyu, double patty, double cheese, “special Wagyu sauce” on artisan bun for $26.00.​
• Basic or “Nothing Burger”‑style options are a bit lower than the fully loaded signatures but still in the high‑teens range.​

Sides, fries, and extras

• Most burgers include a choice of standard side (potato salad, marinated butter beans, or coleslaw), with yucca fries or tater tots available as separate upgraded sides large enough to share.
• Reviewers note the fries/tots are “premium” and part of why the overall tab feels higher than a typical burger spot.

Drinks, shakes, and overall spend

• Boozy milkshakes made with Madagascar vanilla gelato, plus cocktails, beer, and bourbon, add noticeably to the check; individual prices vary by drink but push most checks into the $30+ per personrange with a burger and side.
• Guests often comment that prices are “high for burgers but normal for Sedona,” especially given the upscale lounge atmosphere and portion size.

For the most accurate numbers when you go, plan on roughly $20 for a signature burger with included side and a total of $30–$40 per person if you add fries to share plus a drink or shake.

The most‑recommended things to order at Butterfly Burger are the signature Butterfly Burger itself, the Gringo and Waco Kid burgers, the Samurai‑style burger, yucca or truffle fries/tots, and a boozy milkshake or dessert.

Must‑try burgers

• Butterfly Burger– Manchego cheese, pepper bacon, guacamole, and chipotle aioli on an artisan bun; introduced as a flagship burger and highlighted as a standout in press coverage.
• Gringo Burger – One of the most popular items on Yelp, with white aged cheddar, Louis remoulade, shredded romaine, and crispy onion strings; frequently praised as a “perfect” classic‑meets‑gourmet burger.
• The Waco Kid – Another top‑ordered burger with white cheddar, Four Roses bourbon–maple caramelized onions, bacon confit, and Dijon sauce; multiple reviewers call it one of the best burgers they’ve ever had.
• Oui Oui Monsieur – Patty‑melt style on grilled caraway rye with Gruyère, charred onions, Dijonnaise, and onion jus for dipping; often mentioned as a favorite repeat order.
• Samurai Supremo / Samurai burger – Maple‑teriyaki profile with charred pineapple and wasabi‑ginger sauce; guests who like sweet‑savory and a little heat call it outstanding.
• Royal Beet Burger or Primo Double‑Double (portobello) – Highly regarded vegetarian options with roasted beet “steak” or marinated portobello, manchego or chèvre, and bold sauces.​

Sides you shouldn’t skip

• Butter Fries – Hand‑cut fries, with an option to add truffle pecorino dust and Dijonnaise; strongly recommended in articles and reviews.
• Truffle parmesan tots – Repeatedly singled out by diners as “11/10,” sometimes described as good enough to be a standalone meal.​
• Street Frites (yucca fries) – Yucca fries smothered in queso fundido, pico de gallo, and cotija; called out as a signature, shareable indulgence.
• Three‑Seed Cilantro Slaw, Quinoa Confetti Salad, and butter beans – Lighter sides that reviewers mention as fresh and flavorful, especially if you skip fries.

Salads, wraps, and lighter picks

• Green Goddess Cobb – Kale‑based Cobb with grilled lemon chicken, bacon, avocado, cheddar, pico de gallo, and chipotle Caesar, topped with crispy onions; featured as a “seductive salad” on the menu.​
• Atun Parfait – Yellowfin tuna poke with avocado, mango‑ginger salsa, Bibb lettuce, and crispy shoestring potatoes; recommended in write‑ups for non‑burger eaters.​
• Mahi‑Mahi lettuce wraps – Popular alternative in reviews for those wanting something lighter than beef, still keeping the bold flavors.

Desserts and shakes

• Boozy milkshakes – Frequently mentioned as excellent, especially for bourbon or dessert‑cocktail fans.
• Bomba dessert – Chocolate and peanut‑butter mousse coated in dark chocolate with dulce de leche drizzle; noted as rich and shareable.​

Chef Lisa Dahl is a self‑taught American chef, restaurateur, cookbook author, and philanthropist who is widely credited with pioneering the modern fine‑dining scene in Sedona, Arizona.

• She is executive chef and owner of the Dahl Restaurant Group, which operates multiple Sedona restaurants, including Dahl & Di Luca Ristorante Italiano, Cucina Rustica, Pisa Lisa (two locations), Mariposa Latin Inspired Grill, and Butterfly Burger.
• Over more than 25 years in Sedona, she has become one of the country’s leading female chefs, known for ingredient‑driven Italian and Latin‑inspired cooking and for her mantra, “When you cook with love, you feed the soul.”