This Valentine’s Day, all you need is love – Grand Rapids restaurants, attractions and hotels will take care of the rest. Surprise your sweetheart with a romantic date. Celebrate the bonds of family and friendship. Pamper yourself with a favorite indulgence. However you choose to spend Valentine’s Day, Grand Rapids makes it easy.

Valentine’s Day is Friday, Feb. 14, and it’s bound to be a busy one at local restaurants, flower shops and hotels. You may want to consider celebrating on Saturday or Sunday, or even earlier in the week, to beat the crowds. Here are some ideas for making the occasion special.

Valentine's Day Dinner

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Group of people dining at MDRD on top of the Amway Grand Plaza at sunset.

MDRD’s four-course dinner is the perfect way to toast to love this Valentine’s weekend.

Photo by Brian Kelly for Experience GR

We asked our social media followers to tell us where to have a V-Day dinner, and it was obvious they had romance on their minds:

Amore Trattoria Italiana

Award-winning celebrity chef Jenna Arcidiacono cooks with love at this Italian restaurant in Comstock Park, 15 minutes from downtown GR. Amore Trattoria Italiana has been voted Best Chef, Best Service, Best Fine Dining and Best Italian Restaurant in local polls, so it’s a great choice for a memorable experience.

Mangiamo

A Restaurant of the Year finalist in the 2025 West Michigan Food & Beverage Awards, Mangiamo is an elegant Italian eatery in a historic mansion in Uptown GR. Enjoy elevated Italian flavors and handcrafted cocktails in candlelit dining rooms at tables set with gold flatware and crystal glassware. Roaring fireplaces add to the romantic ambiance.

MDRD

Set on the 27th floor of the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel, MDRD is the city’s only AAA 4-Diamond restaurant. It embodies modern Spanish cuisine through tantalizing shareables, expressive entrées, lavish libations and decadent desserts. MDRD offers a four-course prix-fixe dinner menu on Feb. 14 & 15.

Gin Gin’s

If you haven’t yet been to Gin Gin’s in the Bridge Street Entertainment District, Valentine’s Day is a perfect time to give it a try. Opened this past summer, the swanky eatery features a diverse menu of American classics, including premium steaks, fresh seafood and handmade pasta, plus vintage martinis and handcrafted cocktails.

Café Mamo

Warm and cozy is the vibe at Café Mamo, where the menu of classic Midwestern dishes changes weekly based on ingredients available from local farmers. Along with its soul-satisfying food comes an amazing selection of wine, beer, cocktails and mocktails. Seating is limited to about 30 people, so make reservations ASAP.

Bistro Bella Vita

This longtime downtown favorite continues to impress with modern French and Italian cuisine served in a casual yet refined atmosphere. Bistro Bella Vita features West Michigan’s largest martini bar along with handcrafted cocktails and a curated collection of Old and New World wines.

Max’s South Seas Hideaway

Take a trip to a Polynesian island for Valentine’s Day, without leaving Grand Rapids. Max’s is an immersive two-story dining and drinking experience where everything from the food to the tropical cocktails, décor, artwork and music are designed to transport guests to a distant paradise.

Butcher’s Union

Yelp reviewers named Butcher’s Union the most romantic restaurant in Michigan in 2023, and we’re not about to argue. The meat-focused menu, warm ambiance and impeccable service at this Bridge Street Entertainment District destination are just as impressive as the selection of 100+ whiskeys.

Grove

A perennial “Best Restaurant” winner in local polls, Grove serves an ever-evolving menu of farm-to-table fare and sources sustainable wines to captivate the senses and deliver an unforgettable experience. Located in Uptown GR.

San Chez Bistro

A downtown fixture since 1990, San Chez presents a blend of European, Mediterranean and Latin American cuisine (and drinks) in a laid-back, artful atmosphere. Their tapas menu is filled with dishes appropriate for sharing – ideal for V-day.

Scholar

Housed in a 133-year-old downtown building, Scholar offers classic American dishes in an upscale-but-never-stuffy environment. The interior is meticulously designed to feel both luxurious and cozy, with plush booths, romantic lighting and a 100+-year-old Brunswick bar.  

The Sovengard

A must-visit in Grand Rapids, The Sovengard offers New Nordic dishes crafted from seasonal, locally-sourced ingredients. Enjoy a cozy, rustic atmosphere and a menu that highlights the best of farm-to-table fare, all of which pair perfectly with a variety of cocktails and wines. 

There are more than 1,000 additional restaurants in town. Browse them by cuisine, location and amenities to find just the right one for your Valentine’s Day date.

Valentine's Day Cocktails

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Raise a toast to love at these cocktail lounges recommended by our social media followers:

Lumber Baron Bar

Located in the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel, the Lumber Baron Bar offers the warmth and charm of a historic speakeasy, complete with fireplace, leather club chairs and a large selection of premium cocktails. The décor was inspired by the homes of lumber barons who built lavish mansions in the late 1800s.

Nightwatch Lounge

This luxury cocktail lounge emphasizes innovative takes on classic cocktails, in a posh atmosphere that features original Dutch Impressionist and Naturalist artwork, plush Italian furniture and dynamic lighting. The Nightwatch is hidden behind a non-descript door in downtown GR’s Plaza Towers.

Sidebar GR

Sidebar exudes a speakeasy vibe thanks to its secretive downtown GR location, ornate cocktails, lack of windows and old-world decor. Signature cocktails are devised and handcrafted by Sidebar’s staff of talented mixologists, and an extensive list of spirits are available for “neat pour.”

Drip Drop Cocktail Room

A late-night cocktail destination in the Bridge Street Entertainment District, Drip Drop serves up classic cocktails with a modern twist, utilizing everything from fresh herbs and fruit to flavorful spices and island-inspired ingredients. A small-plate food menu complements the drink offering.

Check out these Cocktail BarsWine Bars and Dive Bars for even more distinctive drinking establishments.

Drinks

Grand Rapids Cocktail Bars

Thanks to the availability of high-quality craft spirits from local and global sources, the cocktail craze is booming…

photo by Courtesy of Olive's Restaurant & Bar Captured by Amanda Kamppinen

Valentine's Day Hotels and B&Bs

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Make V-Day even more special with an overnight stay at one of these properties touted by our social media followers:

PrairieSide Suites Bed & Breakfast in Grandville has been named the 3rd Best Overall B&B in North America and one of the World’s 10 Most Romantic Inns, so you can be assured of an unforgettable experience. Guests can choose from nine beautifully appointed rooms, each with a fireplace, oversized whirlpool tub, king-size bed, and more.

CityFlatsHotel in downtown GR artfully combines modern comforts, eco-friendly amenities and historic charm. Each of the hotel’s 48 rooms is individually decorated for a truly one-of-a-kind stay. Amenities include an on-site gastropub and salon.

The Leonard at Logan House is a Heritage Hill B&B named one of the Top 10 Romantic Accommodations in Michigan. Each of the 1914-era home’s eight guest rooms is outfitted with a comfortable bed, desk, flat-screen TV and antiques. Downtown GR is just a four-minute drive (or 12-minute walk) away.

Embassy Suites is all-suites hotel offering views of the Grand River and walkable access to 200+ restaurants, shops, cultural attractions and entertainment venues in downtown GR. Guests enjoy an on-site lounge, indoor pool and free continental breakfast.

Here are some ideas for a Romantic Getaway Weekend Itinerary for your stay.

Best Things to Do on Valentine’s Day

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Our social media followers recommended three activities that are as suitable for a fun date as for an outing with family and friends: choose from over 600 games to play at House Rules Board Game Lounge, which has a full bar and kitchen; tackle nine holes of challenging miniature golf (and lots of other games) at Big Mini Putt Club, which also offers food and drink; and head to Great Lakes Glow Golf for glow-in-the dark mini golf, bowling, a video arcade and more.

Other ideas for things to do:

Where to Get Valentine’s Day Flowers

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Flower shops all over Grand Rapids are stocked with fresh roses, floral arrangements, balloons and other mementos for the big day. Local favorites include Ball Park Floral & Gifts, Crescent Floral & Gifts, Eastern Floral and Southside Flower Market

Where to Get Valentine’s Day Chocolates

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MoKAYA Mexican Cocoa for 10 Warm Drinks for Cold Days in Grand Rapids

Make your Valentine’s Day even sweeter with artisan chocolates and one-of-a-kind treats from Mokaya.

Photo by Leigh Ann Cobb Photography

Get sweets for your sweetie at Kilwin’s Chocolates, Love’s Ice Cream and Chocolate, Mokaya and Sweetland Chocolates. You can also check out our Local’s Guide to Finding Sweet Treats to score chocolates, cupcakes, cheesecakes and other goodies.

Valentine’s Day Events

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World of Winter, America’s largest winter festival, always goes all out for Valentine’s Day. This year, Luv’N Lunch offers 2-for-1 skating at Rosa Parks Circle, free roses, food trucks and pop-up performances from noon-1:30pm on Feb. 14. Later that day, Love on Ice repeats the 2-for-1-skating offer along with ice sculpture photo ops, a professional photographer and sweet treats.

On Sunday, Feb. 15, World of Winter presents U Move Me, an exciting outdoor music competition at Ah-Nab-Awen Park, and Sound Bath & Meditation, a peaceful outdoor experience in Calder Plaza.

Take a class with your sweetheart or learn to make food, drink and more for your own V-Day celebration:

The Art, Love and Chocolate Tour at the Grand Rapids Art Museum is an annual crowd-pleaser that explores love, companionship, passion, and dedication depicted in artwork throughout the galleries, followed by a chocolate treat. Feb. 8.

The Royal Rose Regency Ball: Jane Austen and Bridgerton Event at CityFlatsHotel includes danced lessons, opera and ballet performances, live string music and more. Feb. 13.

Enjoy a fabulous Valentine’s Cabaret show at LGBTQIA+ cocktail bar General Wood Shop. Feb. 14.

Attend Love, Wine & Chocolate at Robinette’s Apple Haus & Winery, featuring wine and hard cider tastings, and a chocolate snack bar. Feb. 14.

One for the kids: Kidz Night Out: Valentine’s Day at Bricks & Minifigs lets children choose a DIY LEGO® project to make and keep. Every child wins at least one prize. Feb. 14.

Two for the women: a Galentine’s Dinner and Drinks Party at Fratelli’s Dinner and Drinks Party Feb. 6 and GALentine’s Night Out!, with candle making, a floral bar, champagne and chocolates, at Spruced Studio Feb. 13.

See The Princess Bride, the classic fairy tale adventure movie, on the big screen at Wealthy Theatre Feb. 14.

Take a romantic Valentine’s Luminary Night Hike through the self-guided trails at Blandford Nature Center, Feb. 14.

Make lasting memories at a concert or comedy show:

  • A Night for Lovebirds featuring Chirp & Buddhahand at The Pyramid Scheme, Feb. 14.
  • Country star Tyler Braden at The Intersection, Feb. 14.
  • Rascal Flatts in concert at Van Andel Arena Feb. 15.
  • River City Improv at Midtown GR Feb. 15.
  • GR Symphony Presents Symphony With Soul at DeVos Performance Hall Feb. 15.
  • Genre-blending rock band Goose performs at GLC Live at 20 Monroe from Feb. 13-15.