Waterfront Dining in Grand Rapids

Wherever you go in Grand Rapids, you’re never more than six miles away from a river or lake – and you’re never far away from a restaurant on a river or lake, either. Grand Rapidians love a meal with a view of the water, especially if they can sit waterside during outdoor-dining weather.

We asked our social media followers to share their favorite local restaurants on the water, and we got recommendations for eateries on six different lakes, two rivers – including the Grand River that flows through downtown GR – and a channel that flows into majestic Lake Michigan. Whether you dine inside or out at these destinations, you’ll enjoy spectacular views to go along with delicious food and drink. 

Rose's

Gorgeous Reeds Lake in East Grand Rapids is the setting for Rose’s, which was originally established in 1901 and is the last remaining landmark of an era when the lake was dotted with theatre pavilions, rollers coasters, hotels, big docks for excursion boats, and Rose’s Bathing Beach and Swimming School. Today, a much more tranquil Reeds Lake is surrounded by public parks, trails, fishing docks and scenic overlooks.

The most scenic vantage point of all might be Rose’s, where the patio and four-season deck offers fantastic views of Waterfront Park, the Grand Rapids Yacht Club and Rose’s private marina. Enjoy a beer, cocktail or glass of wine while you soak up the sun’s rays and peruse a menu that fuses Mediterranean, Italian and American cuisines. Rose’s is in East Grand Rapids, just steps away from that city’s charming downtown shopping district.

Blue Water

The aptly named Blue Water restaurant sits on sapphire-blue Versluis Lake, about 20 minutes northeast of downtown GR. Both the outdoor patio and the restaurant’s giant walls of glass offer clear views of the water and Versluis Park, which includes beach and swimming areas, a fishing pier, non-motorized watercraft access and a paved walking trail.

Blue Water’s culinary forte is “Down to Earth” dining – traditional American cuisine prepared fusing simple and wholesome ingredients, including fresh produce from its waterside garden. Don’t miss its Sunday brunch and build-your-own Bloody Mary bar.

Linear Restaurant

Situated on the Grand River in downtown Grand Rapids, Linear is a cool, industrial-style eatery specializing in seasonal American cuisine and craft cocktails. Enjoy your meal on the dog-friendly patio in warm-weather months or ask for an inside seat overlooking the river anytime. In addition to tranquil views of the river, you can watch the parade of people and pets strolling the Grand River Edges Trail that runs in loops on the east and west banks of the river, connected by pedestrian bridges.

The Score Restaurant & Sports Bar

For a rollicking good time, head to The Score in northeast Grand Rapids. It’s just a few hundred yards from Blue Water, but it sits on a private lake that feels more like Florida than Michigan. The outdoor space includes a beach sand dining area, palm trees, three full-sized beach volleyball courts and live entertainment seven days a week throughout the summer. There’s a full-service beach bar and a 40-ft. sailboat configured for additional outdoor seating.

Views of the lake from inside the restaurant are limited, but you’re likely to be distracted by the 70+ televisions airing the hottest sporting events, anyway. Indoors and out, you can enjoy a vast selection of fresh-from-scratch dishes plus more than 100 craft beers on tap, creative cocktails and more.

Margaux

A classic French bistro experience meets the sophistication and luxury of the JW Marriott brand at Margaux on downtown GR’s Grand River. The signature restaurant of JW Marriott Grand Rapids, Margaux features a scenic view of the river through floor-to-ceiling windows and on a year-round outdoor patio – jdek at Margaux – which is outfitted with heated dining domes during cold-weather months.

Serving breakfast, lunch, dinner and weekend brunch, Margaux delivers distinctive dishes, impeccable service and an inspiring atmosphere – perfect for both special occasions and everyday dining.

MDRD

See downtown’s Grand River from an entirely different perspective at MDRD, located on the 27^th floor of the Amway Grand Plaza, Curio Collection by Hilton hotel. Floor-to-ceiling windows provide panoramic views of the water and the cityscape beyond. Pronounced “Madrid,” this AAA-designated 4-Diamond restaurant serves modern Spanish cuisine that is just as captivating as its scenery. Open for dinner Tuesday-Saturday, with reservations strongly recommended.

Bostwick Lake Inn

A 20-minute drive from Grand Rapids, Bostwick Lake Inn sits aside the tranquil waters of Bostwick Lake, a 220-acre all-sports lake on the outskirts of Rockford. The restaurant’s four-season deck is a favored spot for dining, with the option to enjoy a craft beer or cocktail on the beach during warm-weather months. The food menu is highlighted by farm-fresh fare and imaginative takes on traditional American cuisine. With a legacy dating back to 1910, Bostwick Lake Inn is an enduring local favorite.

Flat River Grill

The scenic Flat River in downtown Lowell is the backdrop for the Flat River Grill, 20 minutes or so from Grand Rapids. Tucked into a historic 1931 building, the restaurant has a four-season patio overlooking the Flat River, a tributary of the Grand River, and the city’s iconic Lowell Showboat entertainment venue. The Flat River Grill specializes in hearty American cuisine with flavors unique to a wood-fired oven and offers a full complement of beverages, adult and otherwise.

Los Portales Mexican Bar & Grill

Just a few hundred feet from the Flat River Grill, Los Portales juts out over the Flat River from the middle of Lowell’s Main Street bridge. You can see the river from two sides of the restaurant interior and on the outdoor terrace. The menu is filled with authentic Mexican favorites, including tacos, burritos, enchiladas, and fajitas, plus south-of-the-border-style chicken, steak and seafood dishes. Los Portales also has a full bar featuring a selection of beer, wine, margaritas and top-shelf tequila.

The Kitchen by Wolfgang Puck

Made-from-scratch comfort fare meets authentic global classics in the kitchen of the world’s first celebrity chef, Wolfgang Puck, who chose downtown GR’s Amway Grand Plaza hotel to debut The Kitchen restaurant brand. Enjoy your meal with a signature cocktail or a glass of wine on the outdoor patio overlooking the Grand River, or at an indoor table with floor-to-ceiling views of the river and Ah-Nab-Awen Park on the opposite bank. The aforementioned Grand River Edges Trail continues along The Kitchen’s outdoor patio.

Boatwerks Waterfront Restaurant

You’ll have to head to Holland, about 30 minutes southwest of Grand Rapids, to enjoy an incredible meal on the covered patio of Boatwerks overlooking sparkling Lake Macatawa. Inside, the bar area features garage doors that open on summer days to bring the outside in. Boatwerks also has room for boaters to tie up while dining. The menu is extensive and varied, featuring a lot of great seafood dishes, and drinks and dessert are not to be missed.

Snug Harbor

Snug Harbor overlooks the channel leading to Lake Michigan in Grand Haven, about 40 minutes northwest of Grand Rapids. With both an upper and lower outdoor patio deck, there is plenty of space to soak up the sun, watch boats pass through the channel and enjoy spectacular sunsets. You can even glimpse the bright red South Pier Inner Lighthouse on Lake Michigan from your waterside seat. Snug Harbor serves lunch, dinner and handcrafted cocktails seven days a week.

Clifford Lake Inn

Originally built in 1881, when Clifford Lake was known as Richard’s Point, the Clifford Lake Inn offers outdoor dining and cocktails on a lakefront deck. The beautiful beachfront view can also be enjoyed from inside the restaurant, along with a menu featuring a variety of steaks, chicken, seafood, sandwiches and more. The second floor Bridal Suite is actually a “secret” speakeasy bar and the restaurant transforms into Sparkie’s Christmas Lounge at year’s end, with over-the-top holiday decorations. Located in the small town of Stanton, about 50 minutes northeast of Grand Rapids

For more fun on the water – fishing, boating, swimming and more – check out these Grand Rapids-area lakes and rivers.