8 Best Places To Eat In Grand Rapids, Michigan

places to eat in grand rapids, michigan
Susanna
Susanna 
Updated
| 3 min read

Grand Rapids, Michigan is the second largest city in Michigan and the largest city in Western Michigan. It is located on the Grand River and about 50 kilometers (30 miles) west of Lake Michigan. With its proximity to the Grand River, Grand Rapids has the nickname of “River City.” Because of its climate, Grand Rapids is an excellent location for growing apples, peaches, and blueberries. The Grand Rapids area is also home to many family and organic farms that provide fresh food to local restaurants, allowing them to use locally-sustainable ingredients.

In recent decades, there has been a rise in the Hispanic population in the area, which has brought new flavors to Grand Rapids eateries. The city is also welcoming breweries to have a drink at. In fact, in 2012, Grand Rapids won the title, “Beer City USA.” Local breweries to check out include B.O.B.’s Brewery, Hopcat, Hideout, and more. Grand Rapids has restaurants, cafes, and bistros that rival any major cities. The restaurants in this city are about taste, fresh foods, and flavorful food.

1. Electric Cheetah

Dinner at Grand Rapids. (at Electric Cheetah)
Source: Photo by Flickr user wondereye used under CC BY-ND 2.0

Smoked brisket, bacon, fresh jalapeno, cheddar and jalapeno bbq piled on Nantucket Bakery pretzel roll.

Posted by Electric Cheetah on Thursday, 22 June 2017

The Electric Cheetah is all about making food with the best, local produce, put together to make tasty dishes. The Electric Cheetah is known for giant sandwiches, melt-in-your-mouth mac and cheese dishes, and colorful cocktails. The Electric Cheetah was voted as one of the top 10 restaurants in Grand Rapids. The Electric Cheetah serves lunch, dinner, and Sunday Brunch. Open hours and full menus can be seen online.

The Electric Cheetah

Address: 1015 Wealthy St SE, 49506 Grand Rapids, MI

Website: The Electric Cheetah

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2. Marie Catribs

Good Evening Grand Rapids! Tonight we are featuring a Rhubarb BBQ Pulled Chicken Sandwich. Served on our House Made...

Posted by Marie Catrib's of Grand Rapids on Thursday, 10 August 2017

Greetings from the East Hills! Today's lunch special features Michigan grown green beans (first of the season!) and...

Posted by Marie Catrib's of Grand Rapids on Thursday, 20 July 2017

Taste rules in every scrumptious bite at Marie Catribs. The food is so good that it doesn’t just stay in Grand Rapids, it can be shipped across the country. Marie Catribs’ store ships homemade granola, granola bars, and other goodies. When you’re in Grand Rapids, you can stop by Marie Catribs for breakfast, lunch, and dinner Monday through Friday and breakfast and lunch on Saturdays.

Too busy to sit down for lunch? Marie Catribs has a deli/take-out menu. The deli menu has homemade crackers, granola, savory to-go options, and more. The full store/shipping options and menus can be seen online.

Marie Catribs

Address: 1001-1003 Lake Dr SE, 49506 Grand Rapids, MI

Website: Marie Catribs

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3. Stella's Lounge



Stella’s Lounge is a bar with decorated walls and an 80s arcade that serves homemade food. Stella’s Lounge takes pride in their giant stuffed hamburgers, which have won awards. Stella’s Lounge has over 250 whiskeys as well as beer and cocktails. Stella’s Lounge serves brunch on Sundays. Check online for full menus and hours.

Stella's Lounge

Address: 53 Commerce Ave SW, 49503 Grand Rapids, MI

Website: Stella’s Lounge

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4. San Chez Bistro

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Our Pulpo Salteado has been one of our most popular new feature dishes! Braised octopus, fingerling potatoes, smoked...

Posted by San Chez Bistro on Wednesday, 2 August 2017

Hey gluten free people! Have you tried our Torta y Trufas: flourless chocolate cake with semi sweet truffles?

Posted by San Chez Bistro on Tuesday, 9 May 2017

San Chez Bistro opened in 1992. They began slowly and now serve breakfast, lunch, and tapas, which consists of delicious small plates or appetizers. San Chez Bistro serves European and Mediterranean cuisine in a friendly and casual atmosphere. They have a variety of other menus including a special menu for those with food allergies and for children.

San Chez Bistro is open Sunday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. A full menu can be viewed online. San Chez Bistro also offers cooking classes.

San Chez Bistro

Address: 38 Fulton St W, 49503 Grand Rapids, MI

Website: San Chez Bistro

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5. Bistro Bella Vita



Bistro Bella Vita serves Italian and French cuisines. This bistro’s philosophy is to create excellent food from as many sustainably-sourced foods as possible. Bistro Bella Vita’s menu features homemade pasta, brick-oven pizzas, paella, and more.

Bistro Bella Vita offers gluten-free options. Reservations are encouraged. A full list of the hours and the menu can be viewed online.

Bistro Bella Vita

Address: 44 Grandville Ave SW # 100, 49503 Grand Rapids, MI

Website: Bistro Bella Vita

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6. Harmony Brewing Company

If yesterday was May the Fourth does that make today Revenge of the Fifth? If you missed our Star Wars party, you can...

Posted by Harmony Brewing Company on Friday, 5 May 2017

Meet Peat the Forager! Black Squirrel Smoky Porter gravy sauce topped with beer roasted local beef, red peppers, roasted...

Posted by Harmony Brewing Company on Tuesday, 28 February 2017

Harmony Brewing Company is a brew-pub for the east side and west side of Grand Rapids. Their menu has a variety of beers on tap. Harmony Brewpub is known for its wood-fire pizzas.

Harmony Brewing is decorated in a rustic wood setting. The brew-pub hosts live music, art contests, and more. Harmony Brewing Company is open Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. and Saturday from 12 p.m. to midnight.

Harmony Brewing Company

Address: 1551 Lake Dr SE, Grand Rapids,

Website: Harmony Brewing Company

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7. Taqueria San Jose

Today for lunch, a cultural experience for authentic "street tacos" not only in America but about one block from where my mother grew up!

Posted by Dan Terpstra on Monday, 14 October 2013

For an inexpensive place to eat, Taqueria San Jose serves delicious, flavor-intense tacos. Taqueria is a low-key setting and can seem small. The dishes are authentically Mexican and spicy. Taqueria San Jose is considered the best place to get a taco in Grand Rapids. Check online for a list of hours.

Taqueria San Jose

Address: 1338 Division Ave S, 49507 Grand Rapids, MI

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8. Real Food Cafe

Posted by Real Food Cafe on Monday, 28 December 2015

Real Food Cafe is a local, family-owned cafe, committed to serving fresh, quality ingredients. Real Food Cafe is open for breakfast and lunch, and the cafe has a welcoming, relaxing atmosphere. Real Food Cafe is busy mid-week.

Real Food Cafe has great reviews. The food is always good, and the service is superior. Real Food Cafe has two locations in Grand Rapids.

Real Food Cafe

Address: 3514 Plainfield Ave (and 2419 Eastern SE), Grand Rapids, Michigan

Facebook page: Real Food Cafe

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Grand Rapids: A city of delicious

Grand Rapids is a city where the beer is great and the food is delicious. Grand Rapids has some of the best food in western Michigan. Fresh and flavorful food leaves the kitchens of restaurants, bistros, and cafes to happy diners who devour every bite. The best part about this whole picture is that you can be a part of it.

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Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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Susanna Carlson is a freelance writer from Wisconsin. She enjoys traveling, art, reading, and outdoor activities in her free time.

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