Dining is a huge part of any place’s culture, and West Michigan is no exception.
While we may not have Kalamazoo-style pizza or Grand Rapids Dogs, we do have olive burgers, wet burritos and windmill cookies (not to mention some of the best Detroit-style pizza and Chicago dogs to be found outside of their hometowns).
Perhaps more importantly, what we have are passionate people working nonstop to up the food game in town. If you look at the list of best restaurants in each city, you’ll see innovative spots like Café Mamo turning whatever amazing seasonal ingredients local farms give them into the menu for the week. You’ll see Unicorn Tavern getting wacky with the aesthetic while making seriously good Belgian-inspired cuisine. You’ll see The Southerner doing a fairly simple menu of fried chicken and Southern specialties right, with deep Appalachian roots transplanted to Michigan soil.
And the scene keeps growing. The top new restaurant this year is Sweet Racks & Smokin’ Butts BBQ, a longtime local food truck that recently settled down with a brick and mortar location in Grandville. Come for the name, stay for the outrageously tender meat and generous sides.
Funnily enough, the two finalists following close behind the barbecue joint are both vegan spots. People love Go Vegan GR’s burgers, Philly cheesesteaks, sloppy joe’s and more, which let you enjoy all the flavor of your favorites without the meat or dairy. Its convenient location in the Downtown Market certainly doesn’t hurt.
Then, FIKA is an ambitious effort from the folks behind Rise Authentic Baking: an entirely vegan AND gluten-free restaurant, market and coffee shop. Located in Creston, this spot has quickly become a neighborhood favorite thanks to breakfast and lunch food that feels and tastes fresh, alongside quality coffee in a bright and playful atmosphere.
STAFF PICKS
Hot Dogs: Yesterdog
Here’s the thing about nostalgia: you can’t manufacture it. Either it happens or it doesn’t. For me, it happens every time my family walks into the place. Our orders vary—I like the cheddar dogs, while my wife is an ultra dog girl—but all of us love the place, the kids included. — John Kissane
Coffee Shop: Qawah House
I first learned about Qawah House when I was visiting the Arab American National Museum in Dearborn a few years ago. They’ve been expanding in Michigan and beyond for several years and made their Grand Rapids debut in 2025. Specializing in Yemeni coffee, beverages, and pastries… okay, they had me at pastries… they serve up flavors you can’t get anywhere else nearby. Give me a Sana’ani Coffee and a slice of sabaya and I will not be mad about anything for days. They’re off E. Beltline in Knapp’s Corner, FYI. — Allison Kay Bannister
