Birch Lodge
This classic neighborhood bar in downtown’s Medical Mile neighborhood serves great bar food and affordable drinks in a down-to-earth atmosphere with tons of character (and lots of TV screens for sports fans). It’s probably not the first place you’d expect to find a trendy drink like the espresso martini, but as “The Birch” itself put it in a Facebook post promoting its version of the drink, “Yep, we can be fancy … but not pricey.”
Try one during Friday’s Perch at the Birch (featuring all-you-can-eat lake perch) or Sunday’s Church at the Birch (brunch with free tacos). Or any day of the week, for that matter – Birch Lodge is open daily from 11am-2am at 732 Michigan St NE.
The Chop House
This plush steakhouse in downtown Grand Rapids invites guests to experience “consummately satisfying fine dining” with perfectly prepared prime beef (and pork, poultry, seafood and shellfish), decadent desserts, impeccable service and spirited cocktails.
While it tends toward the classics, The Chop House isn’t afraid to get creative – witness the pumpkin espresso martini it served last fall, made with spiced rum, Kahlua, crème de cacao dark, pumpkin puree and espresso. Open 5-10pm Mon-Thu, 5-11pm Sat and 4-9pm Sun. 190 Monroe Ave NW.
House of Wine
Don’t let the name fool you, House of Wine serves up some delicious cocktails along with a its vast selection of wines. (It also offers beer, spirits and nonalcoholic beverages in addition to amazing build-your-own charcuterie boards.) Its espresso martini is a sumptuous delight, and you can get it – and other martinis – for half off on Thursdays from 5-8.
House of Wine is open from 3-10pm Tue-Thu, 11:30am-11pm Fri-Sat and noon-9pm Sun. 53 Monroe Center St NW.
JW Marriott Grand Rapids
This downtown hotel offers three venues for enjoying your espresso martini: Margaux, a chic French-style bistro; the Lounge at Margaux, a more casual and contemporary space; and JDek at Margaux, a year-round patio with domes in the winter and open-air seating overlooking the Grand River in the summer. Whatever your seating choice, you’re bound to love the smooth blend of locally distilled Eastern Kille vodka, amaro Averna, espresso and demerara that does into the hotel’s espresso martini.
Margaux is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner; JDek for lunch and dinner; and the Lounge for dinner. 235 Louis St NW.
Linear
A modern American restaurant located in the North Monroe neighborhood of downtown Grand Rapids, Linear knows its way around a martini (and all sorts of other handcrafted cocktails) and will happily whip up its espresso version for you. Enjoy it in the airy interior space or on the patio overlooking the Grand River.
Linear is open for lunch and dinner Tue-Fri and dinner on Sat and serves a Sat and Sun brunch from 10am-2pm. 1001 Monroe Ave NW.
MDRD
MDRD (pronounced “Madrid”) is an award-winning Spanish restaurant on the 27th floor of the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel. The eatery promises “lavish libations” – and its espresso martini more than lives up to that pledge. It’s made with house-infused blood orange Tito’s vodka, Lustau Rojo Vermut (from Spain), Licor 43 Spanish liqueur and house-brewed chilled espresso, then finished with a dehydrated blood orange and a trail of ground coffee beans. It’s a drink worthy of the view, which is arguably the best in the city, and the cuisine, which is, in a word, divine.
MDRD is open 4:30-10pm Tue-Thu and 4:30-11pm Fri-Sat. 187 Monroe Ave NW.
MeXo
This restaurant and tequila/mezcal bar brings a modern touch to the classic pre-Hispanic food of Mexico. Ask for the “Mexpresso Tini” – made with mezcal, tequila, nixta (a Mexican liqueur), mole bitters (inspired by the Mexican sauce), fee foam, cream and espresso, it’s unlike any other espresso martini on this list. It’s a bold flavor pairs deliciously with any of MeXo’s authentically creative dishes.
Open 11am-9pm Tue-Thu, 11am-10pm Fri-Sat and 10am-3pm for Sunday brunch. 118 Fulton St E.
San Chez
Serving Grand Rapids a blend of authentic European, Mediterranean and Latin American cuisine since 1992, San Chez offers a wide range of cocktails, mocktails, cervezas, sangria and more to accompany its tapas dishes. Its espresso martini is made with two locally distilled spirits: New Holland’s Lake Life vodka and Eastern Kille’s coffee liqueur, plus frangelico, tuaca, Kahlua, espresso and creme de cacao. A decaf version is available.
San Chez also serves a carajillo, a Mexican/Latin American version of the espresso martini, made with just espresso and licor 43 for a lighter, sweeter, more aromatic sip. 38 Fulton St W.
Social Misfits
Social Misfits is known for its eclectic, innovative menu of from-scratch waffles, coffees and cocktails, and its espresso martini is no exception. It’s made with just three ingredients – toasted coconut vodka, espresso and saline – but it packs a powerful punch and is a great way to get going any time of day.
Housed within downtown’s Residence Inn by Marriott, Social Misfits is open from 9am-10pm Mon-Thu, 9am-11pm Fri-Sat and 9am-4pm Sun. 43 Fulton St W.
