Talk Desserty To Me is a tasty tour of sweet treats around town, from columnist Allison Kay Bannister. I’ve always had a bit of a fondness for sweets, dating back to childhood when I would ride my bike across several subdivisions to get a specific kind of black licorice.

Dining is a huge part of any place’s culture, and West Michigan is no exception. We have passionate people working nonstop to up the food game in town. 

That’s right, it’s time to eat and drink in the sun. After so many frosty months, many of the restaurants and bars in West Michigan are bursting out onto the sidewalk, into back patios, and across wide open decks.

A round-up of the new restaurants and other businesses in Grand Rapids and across West Michigan, as well as closings, relocations and other changes.

Here at Revue, we believe West Michigan’s dining and drinking scene punches well above its weight. We have incredibly driven, passionate and innovative people creating a stellar constellation of experiences across the region—Scandinavian cuisine, tapas, wild breweries, vegan coffee shops, dive bars. It’s almost too much to process, and you might find yourself revisiting the same list every time you think about going out.

In any city, there are eateries that become big names through word of mouth, marketing and familiarity. And then are the hidden gems.

Nothing cures a case of the winter blues like a piping hot, steamy bowl of soup.

Another year down, and despite economic challenges, West Michigan’s local scene is looking as strong as ever.

In 2025, people go to breweries not just for the beer (and sometimes not at all for the beer), but for the food, the games, the patios, the events, the music, and even the family-friendly atmospheres. And the same goes for cideries, making use of Michigan’s natural beauty and many apple orchards to provide a similar yet different experience.

If you’ve ever wished happy hour could last a little longer—like, all the way down the street—West Michigan has you covered.