When the temperatures drop and the snow starts to swirl, West Michigan transforms into a winter wonderland—one best enjoyed from the warmth of heated igloos or domes. These cozy, glowing bubbles of comfort offer the perfect setting for sipping cider, sharing a meal, or even indulging in ice cream while surrounded by frosty scenery.
If you’re looking to add some variety to your life in 2025, one of the easiest ways is checking out a new restaurant or bar. While we’ve seen some beloved eateries and watering holes close in recent times for a variety of reasons, we’ve also seen plenty of excellent spots open up over the past year—with more on the way.
I was sitting at a tall table at Foxtail Coffee in Ada Village having tea with a young woman who could have been any recent college graduate.
Located on the northwest corner of Lincoln Park on Bridge Street’s further West “business side” is a Grand Rapids’ Euro-dining staple, refreshed and reopened: The Sovengard.
What’s better than good? Good Good Good. This new natural wine and flower shop opened doors in Creston recently after roughly two years of preparation.
When Pennapa (Mimi) Wichian and her husband, Eakkasak (Eak) Kaosa-ard, departed Bangkok, Thailand in December of 2023 to come to the U.S., they left behind vibrant streets, night markets, and family—and also weather that rarely gets below 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
A round-up of the new restaurants and other businesses in Grand Rapids and across West Michigan, as well as closings and other changes. To start, Crafted Copper opened doors in Kalamazoo at 229 E. Michigan Ave. This new bar has a wide array of cocktails, along with a tap wall and duckpin bowling. The cocktails span from classics like a Boulivardier to “Duckpond Group Cocktails” intended for 4 guests and more.
Times have changed, and here in self-proclaimed Beer City, nowhere is this more evident than craft beer. It’s not that the industry has collapsed and beer is dead, but breweries have become much more than simply a place to grab a pint of IPA. The ones that last have largely become community centers, offering a place to come and eat food, hear music, participate in events, even enjoy some pickleball or bowling.
In 2024, breweries are much more than just a place to drink beer. In fact, a portion of the brewery clientele these days don’t even touch the stuff. They’re visiting for great food, gorgeous patios, fun games, hopping events, and even cocktails. We still love craft beer in West Michigan, don’t get us wrong, but that alone is no longer enough to get most people off the couch, so the offerings keep expanding.
West Michigan is full of diverse cuisines from around the globe, and you can bring those flavors home to your own kitchen thanks to international markets of all kinds.
