What makes Grand Rapids such a unique dining destination?

It begins with the land. Rich soil, abundant fresh water and the climate-moderating effect of Lake Michigan make this one of the world's finest growing regions. As a result, Grand Rapids is surrounded by hundreds of family farms that harvest everything from apples and asparagus to strawberries and sweet corn. Many local restaurateurs have been purchasing fresh produce from these farms for years, making Grand Rapids an early model for the sustainable, farm-to-table movement now sweeping the nation.

You can purchase just-picked fruits and vegetables directly from area farms, too - and see first-hand the farming methods that ensure top-quality ingredients for Grand Rapids restaurants. Scroll to the bottom of this page for information. 

Some local restaurants have brought the farm-to-table concept even closer to home. six.one.six, a fine-dining establishment located in downtown's JW Marriott Grand Rapids hotel, grows its own arugula, spinach, raspberries, elderberries, English peas, French breakfast radishes, thyme, lavender, rosemary, basil and more in a "Chef's Garden" at the hotel. The Winchester, a casual neighborhood hangout just east of downtown, maintains an urban garden of herbs and greens across the street from its building.

West Michigan's agricultural bounty ensures that restaurant guests can savor fresh, flavorful ingredients throughout the year - even in winter, when root vegetables take center stage. Of course, the quality of the food must be matched by quality of the preparation to create a truly memorable meal. Here, too, Grand Rapids excels.

The Secchia Institute for Culinary Education at Grand Rapids Community College is one of the nation's most respected culinary schools. In addition to rigorous classroom instruction, the School provides real-world training at Heritage Restaurant. Staffed by students and supervised by chef/instructors, Heritage serves up five-star dining at two-star prices. It's an essential rite of passage for the 60-70 students who graduate from the Secchia Institute each year.

Students come to Secchia from around the country and around the world, and many choose to stay in Grand Rapids once they've earned their diplomas. "There's not a restaurant in town that doesn't have one of our grads or students on staff," says Chef/Professor Angus Campbell.

Secchia also provides hands-on workshops for anyone who wants to learn to cook or upgrade their cooking skills. The school's GRCCC Cooks program is just one of many cooking classes and events open to the general public all year long.

As a culinary capital, Grand Rapids has found the need to create it's own sandwich. Or at least Nicole Infante, a contestant from 5x5 realized it with her Grandwich entry. She proposed that a panel of local food experts and local celebrities judge entries into a summer-long competition to create a sandwich that will be synonymous with Grand Rapids. Participating restaurants would present their sandwich creation and rely on patrons to vote for the best one. It was such a great idea, that the competition took place this summer. The competition is complete and the results are in - check out their website for the winner.

The result of all of this is an astonishing display of culinary craft and creativity in eateries of all sizes and stripes, from humble diners to haute cuisine restaurants, from brewpubs to bakeries, from ethnic restaurants to ice cream shops. Here are a few of our favorites:

Farm to Fork

Most independent Grand Rapids restaurants rely on local farms for at least some of their food ingredients - produce, dairy, meat and more. Here are just a few places where you'll taste the freshness in every bite. 

Bistro Bella Vita. Every dish is prepared from scratch to your order, with the freshest, highest quality ingredients available. In-season, you can find chemical-free produce purchased daily from local farmers.

Brewery Vivant. This gorgeous brewery and 120-seat taproom blurs the line between tavern and tabernacle. Wonderful pairings of craft brews and French countryside-inspired foods made with simple, local ingredients.

Electric Cheetah. Imaginative, affordable, fresh-from-the-farm cuisine served in a comfortable atmosphere befitting one of the city's hippest neighborhoods.

The Green Well. This gastro pub features a creative, ever-changing menu using a global range of eclectic flavors prepared with ingredients from local farmers. Lots of local craft beers and wines, too.

Lubbers Family Farm
In collaboration with local restaurants, Lubbers Farm is hosting Farm to Fork dinners right on their farm. You will be served a 5 to 7 course meal accompanied by the stories behind the food from the chafs and the farmers.This year they are also offering different food and cooking classes for the public to take.

Marie Catrib's. Lebanese-born Marie whips up Mediterranean-inspired cuisine using as much locally grown and raised food as possible. Authentic, economical, friendly and fun!

One Trick Pony. Downtown grill and taproom with a "chef-driven kitchen" that serves up homemade soups, pastas, pizzas, sandwiches, salads, entrées and daily specials. Housed in the oldest continuously occupied building in GR.

Rockwell/Republic. Fresh, locally farmed ingredients and from-scratch cooking, plus incredible sushi and martinis galore in a convenient downtown location.

San Chez. Named one of America's Top 50 Hispanic restaurants, this "tapas bistro" features the food and fun of Spain by way of the finest local ingredients. In the heart of downtown.

The Winchester.  An everybody-knows-your-name neighborhood hangout offering a nicely eclectic menu emphasizing local ingredients. The rehabbed building is easy on the eyes, the food prices are easy on your wallet.

Arts & Eats: A backroads tour of art, food, and farms. Drive the countryside and see artists creating in their studios. During this tour you can visit working farms that grow the food we eat and the fiber we wear. Along the way you can stop to eat at restaurants that serve locally grown food. Hop on this tour October 15 and 16.

Family Farm Markets & Tours

You can purchase fresh-picked produce - or pick your own - at many of the farms that supply local restaurants. A number of them also offer tours, hayrides and fun family activities. Here are just a few: 

Blok Orchard. Blueberries, apples, peaches, nectarines, melons, plus many vegetables. 

Bob Alt Farms. U-pick and just-picked strawberries in June; just-picked raspberries in July.

Schwallier's Country Basket. U-pick apples and pumpkins plus fresh cider, fresh donuts, jams, jellies, honey and a petting zoo.

Ed Dunneback & Girl's Farm. Apples, strawberries (u-pick and just-picked), asparagus, sweet cherries, apple cider, caramel apples, donuts, pumpkins, squash, tomatoes, Indian corn, recipes, play area, and more.

Fruit Ridge Farm Market. Apples, blueberries, cherries, pumpkins, raspberries and a gift shop.

Goodfellow's for tart cherries in and nearby Klenk Orchards for sweet cherries, both in late June-early July.

Hungry Village Tours. Experience extraordinary culinary adventures exploring the lakeshore's plate with two different culinary tours including sampling and a lunch option.

Krupp Farms. Raspberries, strawberries and pre-picked produce, plus a snack and refreshment stand, picnic area and petting zoo.

Robinette's Apple Haus. Cherries, peaches, pumpkins, apples, apple cider, bakery and lunch counter, ice cream, horse-drawn hayrides, gift barn, winery and tasting room, and more. Tours by appointment.

Sandy Bottom Berries. Blueberries, red and black currants, gooseberries, and red and black raspberries.

Sietsema Orchards & Cider Mill. Apples, apple cider, pumpkins, hayrides and tours.

Steffens Orchard Market. Apples, blueberries, cherries, pumpkins, raspberries, a gift shop and more.

Vertical Paradise Farms. Sweet corn, pumpkins, tomatoes, lettuce and fresh eggs.

Many farms also participate in numerous farm markets throughout our community. One of the biggest is the Fulton Street Farmer's Market, just five minutes from downtown GR. Discover the newest farm market, Wealthy Street Farmer's Market opening on May 19, 2011. 

Craft Beer

Craft breweries are booming in Grand Rapids. You can raise a pint of fresh, local beer in a variety of diverse environments around town. Here are some of the best!  

The B.O.B. Downtown's Big Old Building houses several restaurants, including B.O.B.'s Brewery. Join the Mug Club!

Brewery Vivant. Inspired by the small farmhouse breweries that dot the countryside in Southern Belgium and Northern France.

Founders Brewing Company. Named the world's #4 brewery by RateBeer.com, it's home to two of BeerAdvocate's Top 10 Beers.

Grand Rapids Brewing Co. A local brewing company offers six different craft beers along with a brewing company mug club that offers perks.

Hideout Brewing. The look and feel of a Prohibition-era local brewery, with an outdoor beer garden.

HopCat. Named 3rd Best Beer Bar in the world by BeerAdvocate, it specializes in Michigan brews.

Michigan Beer Cellar.  Discover this microbrewery, small winery, and artisan distillery located in Sparta, MI - just a short drive from Grand Rapids.

Schmohz Brewery. A friendly, everybody-knows-your-name microbrewery near the airport and 28th Street shopping corridor.

Take a short drive to the lakeshore or south of Grand Rapids to find plenty of other craft breweries to lift you spirits. Read the full story here.

Wine Favorites

Wines from near and far are featured at the area's best bars and wineries, paired with delicious meals or enjoyed on their own merit. Don't be surprised if you fall in love with a local vintage! 

Bar Divani. Premier downtown wine bar features an extensive wine list plus award-winning cuisine in a posh atmosphere.

Cascade Winery. Wine samples, tours, special events and a gift shop, just minutes from downtown GR.

Fenn Valley. Cultivates cold tender European grape varieties that produce great-tasting wines - come for a taste and a tour.

Reserve Wine & Food. Over 100 wines available by the glass and 200 by the bottle, right next door to downtown's Amway Grand Plaza Hotel.

Robinette's Apple Haus & Winery. This family farm sells a variety of Michigan-made wines and its own hard cider.

Happy Hours & Bloody Mary Bars

The economical way to enjoy some adult beverages with friends, in some of GR's coolest hotspots. Note: Prices are subject to change. Please check with the restaurant to confirm specials.  

Bar Divani. Fantastic food and drink specials all night Monday and Tuesday-Saturday from 4-7 pm.

Charley's Crab. Downtown's upscale seafood restaurant features delectable happy-hour food and drink specials.

Founders Brewing Company. Get 50 cents off each pint at this award-wining brewhouse - weekdays, 3-6 pm.

Gilmore Collection. A collection of unique restaurants, many offering $1.99 happy-hour deals on select drinks. Find specials at The B.O.B., bite & Ottawa Tavern, and Mangiamo!

HopCat. Get a burger and Michigan-made beer for just $6 from 4-6 pm, Monday-Friday.

O'Tooles. Irish pub offers a $3 Bloody Mary Bar on Saturdays, 11 am-6 pm Saturdays and Sundays, noon-midnight. 

Rockwell's. Downtown "kitchen and tap" offers $5 food specials from 3-6 pm, Monday-Friday, plus a $3 Bloody Mary bar on weekends.

San Chez Bistro.  Enjoy their delicious sangria and cocktail specials Monday-Friday, 4-6pm.

The Winchester. Head to this friendly neighborhood hangout to make your own Bloody Marys on weekends.  

The WikiBar. Click here to see up-to-date happy hour and drink specials around Grand Rapids.  

Burger Heaven

Our best burger joints feature a mouthwatering array of juicy, tender, packed-with-flavor burgers - including one ranked Michigan's best and another in the running for the world's biggest.  

The Corner Bar. The burgers are great, but it's the hot dogs you‘ll remember - eat 12 or more to join the Hot Dog Hall of Fame!

The Cottage Bar. USA Today named its Cottage Burger "Michigan's Best Burger" in 2010.

Fifth Third Ballpark. This semi-pro baseball stadium made global news with its four-pound, 4,800-calorie Fifth Third Burger.

O'Tooles. This Irish pub offers a variety of gourmet burgers, from a pork-topped Cuban to a "face-meltingly hot" Apocalypse burger.

Ottawa Tavern. Downtown's build-your-own-burger spot offers more than 50 toppings to choose from. 

Breakfast

Start your day off right with a hale and hearty morning meal at one of the city's best breakfast spots. Light eater? Try one of our award-winning coffee shops! 

Brandywine. Two convenient family-owned locations pack ‘em in for breakfasts and brunches.

Cherie Inn. A casual European café serving gracious breakfasts and lunches since 1929.

Omelette Shoppe. Two locations known for making omelettes and baked goods with the freshest ingredients available.

MadCap Coffee. Winner of a national Good Food Award for its Los Lobos Costa Rican coffee. See how this famous coffee shop perfects the art of making a latte here.

San Chez Cafe. The Cafe offers breakfast 7 days a week with fair trade coffees and whole leaf teas.

Wolfgangs. A Grand Rapids institution offering creative takes on diner-style breakfast dishes.

Desserts & Sweets

Indulge your craving for fresh-made ice cream, chocolates, pies, pastries and more. Some of these family businesses date back almost 100 years, so they really know how to satisfy a sweet tooth!  

Jersey Junction. Old-fashioned ice cream parlor in the Gaslight Village shopping district close to Reeds Lake.

Mary Ann's. Gourmet chocolates, candy, coffees and tea in charming Gaslight Village.

Robinette's Apple Haus. Family farm serves delicious home-baked fruit pies, donuts, pastries and other baked goods.

Sweetland. Hand-dipped, hand-packed chocolates and candies delivered with hands-on customer care since 1919.

Van's Pastry Shoppe. Everything is baked fresh daily at this family-owned bakery nestled amidst art and antique stores.

Wealthy Street Bakery. Fresh-baked artisan breads and pastries - plus fresh-made pizzas and lunches - in a walkable shopping district.