Guidebook for Grand Rapids
Food Scene
Some of my favorite spots around town...most are within walking distance of my home!
Terra is a locally sourced farm-to-table restaurant hyping the values of "artisan, authentic, seasonal, and healthful." Unfortunately, these have all become misappropriated buzz words in today's contemporary culinary scene, through no fault of Terra's -- they walk the talk with a menu ranging from buffalo cauliflower and red beet & white bean hummus to seared duck breast and maple-glazed pork belly, plus hand-crafted pastas, wood-fired pizzas, and daily butcher specials from an in-house butcher.
46 locals recommend
Terra GR Restaurant
1429 Lake Dr SETerra is a locally sourced farm-to-table restaurant hyping the values of "artisan, authentic, seasonal, and healthful." Unfortunately, these have all become misappropriated buzz words in today's contemporary culinary scene, through no fault of Terra's -- they walk the talk with a menu ranging from buffalo cauliflower and red beet & white bean hummus to seared duck breast and maple-glazed pork belly, plus hand-crafted pastas, wood-fired pizzas, and daily butcher specials from an in-house butcher.
Grove offers "earth-to-table" dining, utilizing responsibly sourced products from local, family, and sustainable farms and businesses. And all of that is all well and good, but what about the food? How about house-made sweet potato gnocchi with duck leg confit, or barramundi with pork belly lardons, or roasted lamb leg with green chili-braised collard greens and burnt raisin hot sauce with a fried duck egg? It's sophisticated-rustic Chicago dining at "is this even for real?" Western Michigan prices, which is yet another reason to love Grand Rapids.
29 locals recommend
Grove
919 Cherry St SEGrove offers "earth-to-table" dining, utilizing responsibly sourced products from local, family, and sustainable farms and businesses. And all of that is all well and good, but what about the food? How about house-made sweet potato gnocchi with duck leg confit, or barramundi with pork belly lardons, or roasted lamb leg with green chili-braised collard greens and burnt raisin hot sauce with a fried duck egg? It's sophisticated-rustic Chicago dining at "is this even for real?" Western Michigan prices, which is yet another reason to love Grand Rapids.
Owned by the same group behind Grove, Green Well is an eco-friendly gastropub serving elevated bistro food with plenty of vegetarian and vegan options (such is the case with pretty much every restaurant in Grand Rapids) and a bit of an international flair: lamb vindaloo, Korean-braised beef & noodles, Brazilian black bean stew, Cherry Street posole, quinoa falafel wrap. Or just get down on a Michigan sausage and cured meat plate with German potato salad. It also has a respectable beer list highlighting Michigan brews -- also standard issue at most GR restaurants -- and some choice international and Belgian beers.
104 locals recommend
The Green Well
924 Cherry Street SoutheastOwned by the same group behind Grove, Green Well is an eco-friendly gastropub serving elevated bistro food with plenty of vegetarian and vegan options (such is the case with pretty much every restaurant in Grand Rapids) and a bit of an international flair: lamb vindaloo, Korean-braised beef & noodles, Brazilian black bean stew, Cherry Street posole, quinoa falafel wrap. Or just get down on a Michigan sausage and cured meat plate with German potato salad. It also has a respectable beer list highlighting Michigan brews -- also standard issue at most GR restaurants -- and some choice international and Belgian beers.
Maru Sushi & Grill
927 Cherry St SESushi
Yesterdog has been a town fixture in East Grand Rapids since 1976, but the place looks even older than its impressive run suggests. Spanning the entire length between two blocks, its appearance depends on which end you enter: One side resembles an Old West saloon, the other a Fifties diner with hot dogs grilling visible through the window. The grill entrance has the feel of a to-go place like a pizzeria, the other end offers tons of seating stretching through two long rooms – though every seat is often taken, and you still order at the counter.
41 locals recommend
Yesterdog
1505 Wealthy St SEYesterdog has been a town fixture in East Grand Rapids since 1976, but the place looks even older than its impressive run suggests. Spanning the entire length between two blocks, its appearance depends on which end you enter: One side resembles an Old West saloon, the other a Fifties diner with hot dogs grilling visible through the window. The grill entrance has the feel of a to-go place like a pizzeria, the other end offers tons of seating stretching through two long rooms – though every seat is often taken, and you still order at the counter.
The 3,500-square-foot restaurant, 547 Cherry St SE, is located in the basement of Oakwood Manor Apartments, and has seating for 78 people. It has space for an additional 25 on an outdoor patio that will be open in warmer months.
It has a full bar, complete with a selection of wine, craft beer and several specialty cocktails, including a fresh twist on the "Grasshopper" and "Pink Lady." Its menu includes items ranging from burgers and fish to steak and prime rib sliders, as well as a "Shaved Brussel Salad," featuring marcona almond, cherries, manchego cheese and champagne vinaigrette."
11 locals recommend
The Commons
547 Cherry St SEThe 3,500-square-foot restaurant, 547 Cherry St SE, is located in the basement of Oakwood Manor Apartments, and has seating for 78 people. It has space for an additional 25 on an outdoor patio that will be open in warmer months.
It has a full bar, complete with a selection of wine, craft beer and several specialty cocktails, including a fresh twist on the "Grasshopper" and "Pink Lady." Its menu includes items ranging from burgers and fish to steak and prime rib sliders, as well as a "Shaved Brussel Salad," featuring marcona almond, cherries, manchego cheese and champagne vinaigrette."
Wealthy Street Bakery Inc
610 Wealthy St SEMartha's Vineyard Fine Wine & Gourmet Grocery
200 Union Ave NEThe Green Well
924 Cherry Street SoutheastMadcap Coffee Company
98 Monroe Center St NWMatchbox Diner & Drinks | Eastown
1345 Lake Dr SEWolfgang's Restaurant
1530 Wealthy St SEStella's Lounge
53 Commerce Ave SWBest Burger in town!
Fried Chicken and Sparkling Wine...what more could you want?
https://www.hancockgr.com/
15 locals recommend
Hancock
1157 Wealthy Street SoutheastFried Chicken and Sparkling Wine...what more could you want?
https://www.hancockgr.com/
Zivio Modern European Tavern and Grill
724 Wealthy St SEBest Beef Stroganoff in town!
It is a drive or an Uber / Lyft ride from my house, but so worth it.
48 locals recommend
Butcher's Union
438 Bridge St NWIt is a drive or an Uber / Lyft ride from my house, but so worth it.
Drinks & Nightlife
Brewery Vivant is worth seeking out for several reasons. The first: this is one of the better breweries in Michigan. The second: the brewpub is located in a former funeral chapel with the bar in the pulpit. The third: the hearty (and we mean hearty!) Franco-Belgian-inspired pub food suits the oft-frigid Grand Rapids climate and the vaguely monastic atmosphere perfectly.
96 locals recommend
Brewery Vivant
925 Cherry St SEBrewery Vivant is worth seeking out for several reasons. The first: this is one of the better breweries in Michigan. The second: the brewpub is located in a former funeral chapel with the bar in the pulpit. The third: the hearty (and we mean hearty!) Franco-Belgian-inspired pub food suits the oft-frigid Grand Rapids climate and the vaguely monastic atmosphere perfectly.
Serving as home to some of Michigan's best pizza and utilizing locally sourced products, Harmony Brewing Company is also a brewery (hence, "Brewing Company"), so this is basically the quintessential Grand Rapids beer-and-pizza experience.
62 locals recommend
Harmony Brewing Company
1551 Lake Dr SEServing as home to some of Michigan's best pizza and utilizing locally sourced products, Harmony Brewing Company is also a brewery (hence, "Brewing Company"), so this is basically the quintessential Grand Rapids beer-and-pizza experience.
Billy's Lounge
1437 Wealthy St SENew Holland Brewing - The Knickerbocker
417 Bridge St NWFounders Brewing Co
235 Grandville Ave SWParks & Nature
Reeds Lake
Shopping
Breton Village Shopping Center
1814 Breton Rd SERebel
1555 Wealthy St SEDime & Regal
656 Wealthy St SEGaslight Village
Fulton Street Farmers Market
1145 Fulton St EBluedoor: A Home Collective
946 Fulton St ESmitty's Specialty Beverage
1489 Lake Dr SEEssentials
Family Fare Supermarket
1415 Fulton St EEntertainment & Activities
phlōt
1555 Wealthy St SEWax Poetic Candle Bar
1423 Lake Dr SEVan Andel Arena
130 Fulton St W20 Monroe Live
11 Ottawa Ave NWArts & Culture
Grand Rapids Children's Museum
11 Sheldon Ave NEThe Gerald Ford Presidential Museum
303 Pearl St NWDeVos Performance Hall
303 Monroe Ave NWGrand Rapids Public Museum
272 Pearl St NW