The dining scene in West Michigan has seen an incredible amount of change over the past year.
One of our “Best New Restaurants” was closed by the time winners were announced. Restaurants have returned from the dead. Service staff has played a big game of musical chairs.
In many ways, 2020 was a catalyst, and we’re seeing those changes in effect now. This year’s Best of the West has plenty of upsets, including PIND rocketing to the top of Indian Cuisine after not even being in the top three last year. Tacos El Cuñado rose above Donkey in Mexican cuisine, for the first time in six years. Mokaya is finally recognized as having the best Desserts in town.
As always, the New Restaurant category is fascinating. The owners of the now-shuttered Kingfisher decided to shift their efforts into making Detroit-style pizza at Quarantino’s, and that choice has certainly paid off. In second place above them is Gaia House Café, which made a triumphant return after years of closed doors. They also shot to the top of the Vegan/Vegetarian category, unsurprisingly!
And the number-one new restaurant in town is MDRD (pronounced Madrid). This new Spanish eatery at the top of Amway Grand Plaza is hard to get a seat in, thanks to stunning high-end cuisine and amazing views of the city from 27 stories up. Get your reservations in now!
Some things may never change, however. For instance, Wikiwiki Poke has once again come in third place for Seafood, a fact they love to celebrate. Remember: First is the worst, second is the best, but third is actually secretly the best.
Then you have Stella’s Lounge taking home best Burger once again, HopCat with the best Fries, Hancock leading Fried Chicken, and The Mitten Brewing with best Pizza. For some of these winners, it’s their 6th time in a row wearing the crown. That’s what we call a winning formula.
If you don’t see your favorites on the list, our suggestion is to start spreading the word now so your friends and colleagues can hop on the bandwagon next year! And of course, supporting with your dollars doesn’t hurt either.
BAKERY
Nantucket Baking Company, 1st
615 Lyon St. NE, Grand Rapids
Field & Fire, 2nd
Rise Authentic Baking Co., 3rd
BBQ
Two Scotts Barbecue, 1st
536 Leonard St. NW, Grand Rapids
Slows Bar BQ, 2nd
Daddy Pete's BBQ, 3rd
BREAKFAST
Real Food Cafe, 1st
Multiple locations
Anna's House, 2nd
Wolfgang's Restaurant, 3rd
BRUNCH
SpeakEZ Lounge, 1st
600 Monroe Ave. NW, Grand Rapids
Lucy's, 2nd
Terra, 3rd
BURGERS
Stella's Lounge, 1st
53 Commerce Ave. SW, Grand Rapids
Bridge Street Burger Shack, 2nd
Garage Bar and Grill, 3rd
CHINESE
First Wok, 1st
firstwokgr.com
Gaslight Kitchen, 2nd
Golden Wok, 3rd
COFFEE
Madcap Coffee Company, 1st
madcapcoffee.com
Biggby Coffee, 2nd
Ferris Coffee & Nut Co. (TIE), 3rd
Outside Coffee Co (TIE), 3rd
DESSERTS
Mokaya, 1st
638 Wealthy St. SE, Grand Rapids
Martha's Vineyard, 2nd
Nantucket Baking Company, 3rd
DINER
Matchbox Diner & Drinks, 1st
1345 Lake Dr. SE, Grand Rapids
Real Food Cafe, 2nd
Grand Coney, 3rd
FOOD TRUCK
Patty Matters, 1st
pattymatters.com
Beviamo! Mobile Bar, 2nd
Pizza Parliament, 3rd
FRIED CHICKEN
Hancock, 1st
1157 Wealthy St. SE, Grand Rapids
Cousin's Tasty Chicken, 2nd
Cedar Springs Brewing Company, 3rd
FRIES
HopCat, 1st
hopcat.com
Stella's Lounge, 2nd
Bridge Street Burger Shack, 3rd
HOT DOGS
Yesterdog, 1st
1505 Wealthy St. SE, Grand Rapids
The Corner Bar, 2nd
One Stop Coney, 3rd
ICE CREAM/FROZEN TREATS
Frosty Boy Grand Rapids / Rockford, 1st
frostyboygr.com
Furniture City Creamery, 2nd
Love's Ice Cream, 3rd
INDIAN
Pind Indian Cuisine, 1st
241 W. Fulton St., Grand Rapids
Bombay Cuisine, 2nd
Curry Kitchen, 3rd
ITALIAN
Amore Trattoria Italiana, 1st
5080 Alpine Ave. NW, Comstock Park
Osteria Rossa, 2nd
Licari's Sicilian Pizza Kitchen, 3rd
MEDITERRANEAN
Sheshco Mediterranean Grill, 1st
2121 Celebration Dr. NE, Grand Rapids
Le Kabob, 2nd
Parsley Mediterranean Grille, 3rd
MEXICAN
Tacos El Cuñado, 1st
1024 Bridge St. NW, Grand Rapids
Donkey Taqueria, 2nd
Lindo Mexico Restaurante, 3rd
MOST INNOVATIVE CUISINE
Max's South Seas Hideaway, 1st
58 Ionia Ave. SW, Grand Rapids
Linear Restaurant (TIE), 2nd
The Sovengard (TIE), 2nd
MDRD, 3rd
NEW RESTAURANT
MDRD, 1st
187 Monroe Ave. NW, Grand Rapids
Gaia House Cafe, 2nd
Quarantino's, 3rd
PIZZA
The Mitten Brewing Co., 1st
527 Leonard St. NW, Grand Rapids
Vitale's Pizza, 2nd
Harmony Brewing Company, 3rd
SANDWICH/DELI
Schnitz Deli, 1st
1315 Fulton St., Grand Rapids
Two Beards Deli, 2nd
Cherry Street Deli & Catering, 3rd
SEAFOOD
Leo's, 1st
60 Ottawa Ave. NW, Grand Rapids
Fish Lads, 2nd
Wikiwiki Poke Shop, 3rd
SOUP
Uncle Cheetah's Soup Shop, 1st
1133 Wealthy St. SE, Grand Rapids
The Electric Cheetah, 2nd
Horrock's Market, 3rd
STEAK
The Chop House, 1st
190 Monroe Ave. NW, Grand Rapids
Butcher's Union, 2nd
Bowdie's Chophouse, 3rd
SUSHI
Maru Sushi & Grill, 1st
927 Cherry St. SE, Grand Rapids
Jaku Sushi & Grill, 2nd
Ju Sushi & Lounge, 3rd
THAI
Bangkok Taste Cuisine, 1st
15 Jefferson Ave. SE, Grand Rapids
Lai Thai Kitchen, 2nd
Little Bangkok, 3rd
VEGETARIAN/VEGAN MENU
Gaia House Cafe, 1st
1553 Plainfield Ave. NE, Grand Rapids
Brick Road Pizza Co., 2nd
Stella's Lounge, 3rd
WINE BAR
Reserve Wine & Food, 1st
201 Monroe Ave. NW, Grand Rapids
GRNoir Wine & Jazz, 2nd
House of Wine, 3rd
WINGS
Wing Doozy, 1st
wingdoozy.com
Detroit Wing Company, 2nd
Rockford Brewing Company, 3rd