West Michigan’s food scene is home to some of the best restaurants in the Midwest.
You may not realize it, because Michelin isn’t sending their critics our way, but that’s fine—here at Revue, we pride ourselves in having great taste and keeping in touch with what the general public loves as well. We eat out frequently, we try all the new spots, and we’re frequently approached for recommendations on where to dine.
So, we decided to toss humility aside and be the tastemakers you rely on us to be. After putting our heads together, discussing our many experiences across local restaurants, and factoring in community consensus, we came up with our list of the 10 best restaurants in West Michigan.
It might not be your list personally, but that’s fine! If you feel strongly, feel free to write in—or better yet, just go enjoy a superior meal at your favorite own restaurant in defiance of us. Goodness knows they could use it right now.
Butcher’s Union
438 Bridge St. NW, Grand Rapids
butchersuniongr.com
Ever since they opened in 2016, Butcher’s Union has been in the conversation for best restaurant in Grand Rapids. For years, the waitlist would be hours long nearly every night, thanks to a consistently delicious menu that puts meat in the spotlight. Here, you can get a top-notch steak meal with flavorsome sides (like garlic green beans and the iconic “highly jacked potato gratin”) for a delightfully modest price, or you can spring for the humble fried chicken sandwich. It feels like a restaurant from a much bigger city, thanks to the fantastic food, excellent cocktails and welcoming metropolitan vibe.
Grove
919 Cherry St. SE, Grand Rapids
groverestaurant.com
For years, Grove has been known as the place to go for a premium dining experience. Their menu is built around and inspired by fresh ingredients, elevated to something truly special and always beautiful. Whether it’s lamp chops or grilled octopus or fried mushrooms, they treat food—and you, the diner—with a great deal of respect. The service and renovated interior contribute to an impeccable atmosphere as well. Plus, the menu changes frequently due to the seasonality, which means you always have a good reason to stop back in.
Café Mamo
1601 Plainfield Ave. NE, Grand Rapids
cafemamo.com
You won’t find a menu on Café Mamo’s website, because you don’t need one. All you need to know is: get the rolls and butter. This staple dish epitomizes what Mamo does so well, which is making just a few ingredients shine by using the best out there and treating them with love and care. They change their menu constantly, working directly with passionate local farmers to get the highest quality meats and veggies they can. If you want to experience a fresh, juicy, late-summer tomato given its rightful time to shine, this tiny restaurant is the place to be.
Živio
724 Wealthy St. SE, Grand Rapids
ziviogr.com
Thanks to the influence of Damir Duratovic, Zivio puts its own Bosnian spin on Mediterranean cuisine—offering a variety of luscious gyros on lepinja, a soft and fluffy Balkan flatbread, for instance. You’ll also find shawarma, cevapi, beef stroganoff and a whole lot more. Plus, it's one of the few places you can get an adult beverage with your gyro. It’s a consistent local recommendation thanks to stellar service, flavor-packed food and great drinks, all at a very reasonable price.
MDRD
187 Monroe Ave. NW 27th Floor, Grand Rapids
amwaygrand.com
MDRD opened with fanfare and to great acclaim, aiming to be the premium restaurant the luxurious Amway Grand Plaza hotel deserves. They achieved just that, and years later, it’s still a hotspot for locals and visitors alike. This “lavishly Spanish” eatery has tons of unforgettable tapas alongside high-end entrees and creative deserts, all sitting 27 floors up and overlooking Grand Rapids. When you want to treat yourself, impress a date or just have a great meal, you head to MDRD.
Black Napkin
966 E. Fulton St., Grand Rapids
blacknapkingr.com
Black Napkin is not just our favorite burger in West Michigan, it might be our favorite… anywhere. This tiny takeout joint is so small, you’ll regularly see a long line down the sidewalk even in the dead of winter, often accompanied by people driving by and yelling, “Is it worth it?!” Which is always met with a resounding, “Yes!” The thin and crispy smash burgers, the juicy fried chicken sandos, the dusted French fries, the housemade sodas, the various dipping sauces—all of them are exquisite in their own way.
Quarantino’s
1444 Lake Dr. SE, Grand Rapids
quarantinosgr.com
Does Grand Rapids do Detroit-style pizza better than Detroit? Thanks to Quarantino’s, this is a question we’re forced to reckon with. What started as a pop-up to get through the pandemic—if you couldn’t tell by the name—has turned into a popular sit-down eatery. Their pizza is deeply craveable, with a crispy yet fluffy crust that isn’t too greasy, thoughtful toppings and a robust sauce over it all. You absolutely have to get the kale Caesar salad too, which comes with potato chips as croutons. Plus: A rare abundance of vegan and gluten-free pizzas.
Principle
230 S. Kalamazoo Mall, Kalamazoo
principlekzoo.com
With a curated menu not beholden to any one cuisine, Principle is a New American restaurant founded in, well, strong principles. The team here is focused on bringing together quality local ingredients, an innovative cocktail program, and next-level service—they deliver in spades. Their food is refined, elevated and all-around delicious. Their cocktails are easily some of the best in West Michigan, at a fantastically low price. And the atmosphere is refined but welcoming, perfect for any occasion.
The Southerner
880 Holland St., Saugatuck
thesouthernermi.com
Ask just about anyone in West Michigan where to eat near the lakeshore, and The Southerner will come up. The vibes are immaculate, with a cozy four-season sunroom style dining room snuggled up to the Kalamazoo River. It perfectly fits the restaurant’s Appalachian roots, serving up heartwarming Southern food. The star of the show is fried chicken with scrumptious sides, like flaky biscuits and homemade bread & butter pickles, but the poor boys and seafood get top billing as well. You’ll feel right at home here—if you can get a table.
The Unicorn Tavern
415 S. Beechtree St., Grand Haven
theunicorntavern.com
The Unicorn Tavern is truly one-of-a-kind, with a Belgian-inspired menu that is eclectic and unique, yet approachable and crowd-pleasing. The friendly service and casual atmosphere help with the crowd pleasing, but most of all, people love the bold food that’s bursting with flavor. It’s the kind of place that leaves an impression—the kind of place that makes you want to come back again, and again, and again, and…
Plus Six More (Because We Can)
KCM | 209 Diamond Ave. SE, Grand Rapids
If your little take-out joint in GR gets featured in the New York Times for one of the Best Dishes of 2023, you’re doing something right. Try the Hire Katsu Curry.
Chez Olga | 1441 Wealthy St. SE, Grand Rapids
Locals know there’s nothing like this Caribbean and Creole restaurant, thanks to the authentic, rich, mouthwatering cooking of owner Olga Benoit.
Basalt | 1450 Wealthy St. SE, Grand Rapids
Basalt is Tex-Mex for the modern age, serving up nothing but bangers—tacos, burritos, brunch, horchata, all loaded with bold flavor.
Terra | 1429 Lake Dr. SE, Grand Rapids
Serving phenomenal pasta and pizza for years now, Terra has remained a GR staple for good reason, and their excellent happy hour doesn’t hurt.
The Sovengard | 1232 Bridge St. NW, Grand Rapids
Where else would the New Nordic movement join forces with Midwest farm-to-table? It’s Scandinavian-inspired cuisine, with a Michigan twist.
One Stop Coney | 154 E. Fulton St., Grand Rapids
One Stop takes hot dogs to a whole new level, alongside burgers and melts. Go there. Try them. You will become a One Stop evangelist, just like us.
