Guidebook for Grand Rapids
Food Scene
The food and service are amazing. Best seat in the house is at the bar, where you can watch some magic happen - the cocktails are as on point as the food. Easily my number one go-to spot for dinner.
29 locals recommend
Grove
919 Cherry St SEThe food and service are amazing. Best seat in the house is at the bar, where you can watch some magic happen - the cocktails are as on point as the food. Easily my number one go-to spot for dinner.
Great food in a laid back atmosphere. Best Happy Hour value
(half off their fabulous salads and $10 pizzas) in town!
46 locals recommend
Terra GR Restaurant
1429 Lake Dr SEGreat food in a laid back atmosphere. Best Happy Hour value
(half off their fabulous salads and $10 pizzas) in town!
Martha's Pizza
208 Union Ave NEGreat thin crust - but no dine in or delivery. Open 'til midnight!
Erb Thai
950 Wealthy St SESolid Thai for dine in or carry out .
I am not a cider fan - so you'll have to ask someone else (or try it yourself!) but the food is great - I like the dinner options but LOVE the brunch!
21 locals recommend
Vander Mill Grand Rapids
505 Ball Ave NEI am not a cider fan - so you'll have to ask someone else (or try it yourself!) but the food is great - I like the dinner options but LOVE the brunch!
Winchester is a great spot for dinner and/or a drink ! Hip, vibrant crowd, great patio in agreeable weather.
104 locals recommend
The Green Well
924 Cherry Street SoutheastWinchester is a great spot for dinner and/or a drink ! Hip, vibrant crowd, great patio in agreeable weather.
The Green Well
924 Cherry Street SoutheastI like this place for lunch - good salads, killer tomato soup!
Amazing soups with a great vegan/veg selection. Be prepared for a bit of a wait at peak times (or most times!) but it's well worth it.
16 locals recommend
Uncle Cheetah's Soup Shop
1133 Wealthy St SEAmazing soups with a great vegan/veg selection. Be prepared for a bit of a wait at peak times (or most times!) but it's well worth it.
Maru Sushi & Grill
927 Cherry St SEGreat sushi in a lively restaurant.
No sign, but hard to miss! Great patio and great food! I love the ensalada with pork.
90 locals recommend
Donkey Taqueria
665 Wealthy St SENo sign, but hard to miss! Great patio and great food! I love the ensalada with pork.
This just opened (as of 12/17) spot features Northern Spain influenced tapas. The exterior is a little odd, but inside is a cool, hip place.
I love a lot of the menu (the clams are to-die-for delicious, as is the tomato bread), and really like their cocktail program. Solid wine list to boot. Although it's a tapas place, I prefer the pintxos (little bites - just a buck during happy hour!) and raciones (large plates) menus.
ZoKo822
822 Ottawa Ave NWThis just opened (as of 12/17) spot features Northern Spain influenced tapas. The exterior is a little odd, but inside is a cool, hip place.
I love a lot of the menu (the clams are to-die-for delicious, as is the tomato bread), and really like their cocktail program. Solid wine list to boot. Although it's a tapas place, I prefer the pintxos (little bites - just a buck during happy hour!) and raciones (large plates) menus.
Shopping
Grab lunch or a glass of wine. Do both ! Any restaurant in the market will deliver to Aperitivo (the wine bar). Check out the new Pho place, or get some oysters from Fish Lads. Don't miss Love's ice cream - it's amazing!
98 locals recommend
Downtown Market Grand Rapids
435 Ionia Ave SWGrab lunch or a glass of wine. Do both ! Any restaurant in the market will deliver to Aperitivo (the wine bar). Check out the new Pho place, or get some oysters from Fish Lads. Don't miss Love's ice cream - it's amazing!
A groovy little wine/cheese/kitchen good shop - too good to pass up!
18 locals recommend
Art of the Table
606 Wealthy St SEA groovy little wine/cheese/kitchen good shop - too good to pass up!
Arts & Culture
See some cool art or catch a movie in a small theater with awesome "real" popcorn.
43 locals recommend
UICA
17 Pearl St NWSee some cool art or catch a movie in a small theater with awesome "real" popcorn.
Walk through beautiful gardens or check out a concert in the summer. Great spot!
200 locals recommend
Frederik Meijer Gardens
1000 E Beltline Ave NEWalk through beautiful gardens or check out a concert in the summer. Great spot!
Richard App Gallery
910 Cherry St SECheck out cool local artists in an intimate setting
Drinks & Nightlife
Belgian style beer and great (if rich) food in an old chapel.
Get the frites!
96 locals recommend
Brewery Vivant
925 Cherry St SEBelgian style beer and great (if rich) food in an old chapel.
Get the frites!
Pickwick Tavern
970 Cherry St SEQuintessential dive bar - nothing fancy here!
If Bridge is getting to gentrified for you, stop in for a reality check. Lively dive bar with interesting people watching.
Anchor
447 Bridge St NWIf Bridge is getting to gentrified for you, stop in for a reality check. Lively dive bar with interesting people watching.
Buffalo Traders Lounge
950 Fulton St EBar with a 70s-chic vibe and awesome cocktails.
With only 18 seats, space is limited, but it has the BEST drinks in GR, hands down!
13 locals recommend
SideBar
80 Ottawa Ave NWWith only 18 seats, space is limited, but it has the BEST drinks in GR, hands down!
The Mitten Brewing Company
527 Leonard St NWGood beer, great pizza, lively crowd.
A great little distillery with wonderful cocktails - my fave is the 'cold fashioned'.
29 locals recommend
Long Road Distillers
537 Leonard St NWA great little distillery with wonderful cocktails - my fave is the 'cold fashioned'.
My favorite gin and tonic ever, as well as many other concoctions, can be had at this distillery. Be warned that there is no food, but grab a drink before you figure out dinner and you won't be sorry!
14 locals recommend
Gray Skies Distillery
7755 Childsdale Avenue NortheastMy favorite gin and tonic ever, as well as many other concoctions, can be had at this distillery. Be warned that there is no food, but grab a drink before you figure out dinner and you won't be sorry!