A lunch break is a great opportunity to explore the culinary scene in downtown Grand Rapids – especially because so many lunch options are located within a casual stroll of our convention center.
We’ve compiled a list of eateries located a half mile or less from the intersection of Monroe Avenue and Lyon Street, at the south end of DeVos Place Convention Center – so you can easily walk to them, enjoy your meal and get back to the convention floor before afternoon sessions begin. Many of these are also located along FREE bus routes – look for the pink DASH Shuttle – and can be accessed via rideshare services.
If you're pressed for time, consider one of the "Fast" options below; otherwise, "Sit and Talk" locations give you the opportunity to relax over a more leisurely meal. Nearly every restaurant on the list offers to-go service if you want to bring your food back to the convention center or your hotel, or enjoy it in one of our outdoor gathering spaces – like Rosa Parks Circle, just a three-minute walk from DeVos Place. Many restaurants allow/encourage you to order in advance to beat the lunch rush. Check their website for menus.
Grand Rapids was named a Top 20 U.S. Foodie City in 2021 – and the #1 most affordable of them all – so delicious is always on the menu, whether at an elegant fine dining establishment or a drop-in-anytime coffeehouse. Bon Appetit!
Restaurant hours and menus can change without notice, so it’s always a good idea to confirm via phone or social media before you visit.
Fast
Barrio Tacos
Midwest chain restaurant offers signature build-your-own tacos and tasty cocktails in a hip, casual space. Daily.
Biggby Coffee
Michigan-based coffeehouse chain offers “bragels,” muffins, and grab-and-go items along with an extensive collection of coffee and tea drinks. Daily.
Burger King
The Home of the Whopper offers a bevy of burgers, chicken sandwiches, fries, onion rings, shakes, and ice cream. Daily.
Located in the popular Bridge Street Entertainment District, Condado Tacos is a favorite for tacos, dips, and drinks.
Photo by Colin McGuire
Condado Tacos
Build-your-own-tacos are the big draw here, along with delicious dips and drinks. Daily.
Elsa's Frozen Yogurt
Treat yourself to artisanal frozen yogurt, gelato, sorbet, and custard plus your choice of toppings. Located in the Studio Park entertainment complex. Daily during the spring and summer.
Express Café
Fast-paced counter-style lunch restaurant offers a creative selection of sandwiches, wraps, salads and soups. Mon-Fri.
Fratelli’s Pizza
Specializing in pizza and sandwiches, with a smattering of pasta, salads and apps. Daily.
Garden District
Enjoy a taste of New Orleans in Grand Rapids via Cajun and Creole dishes like etouffee, jambalaya, muffuletta, po boys and more, along with a full bar. Mon-Sat.
HAS HEART Coffee Shop
Veteran-owned and oriented cafe serves local MadCap coffee, Rishi tea, hot chocolate, frozen chocolate and a few baked goods. Daily.
Jimmy John’s
Counter-service chain specializes in sub and club sandwiches plus signature potato chips. Daily.
Kilwin’s Chocolates & Ice Cream
Ice cream plus made-in-store chocolates, fudge, caramel corn, and other treats. Daily.
Lantern Coffee Bar and Lounge
Traditional espressos, brewed coffees, tea, cocoa, and local baked goods. Daily.
Sugar Bar Sips and Sweets
Handcrafted pastries, creamy gelato, rich chocolate bars, creamy gelato and refreshing canned mocktails provide a quick mid-day pick-me-up. Daily.
Local Mocha
Fair and direct trade organic coffees plus smoothies, frozen drinks, breakfast items and lunch sandwiches. Daily.
The Kitchen Counter by Wolfgang Puck
Celebrity chef eatery in the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel serves fresh baked goods and made-to-order breakfast and lunch items. Daily.
Madcap Coffee
Award-winning coffee shop offers a range of specialty drinks as well as pastries from a variety of local vendors – perfect for a quick and light breakfast. Daily.
Mosby’s Popcorn
Gourmet popcorn shop offers 60+ flavors and counting, all made in-house. Tue-Sat.
One Stop Coney Shop
Family-run venue turns out burgers, regional-style hot dogs & fresh-cut fries. Daily.
PaLatté Coffee & Art
Enjoy classic coffee beverages and pastries in a cozy space covered in a rotating selection of art from local creators. Daily.
Panera Bread
The downtown location of this chain restaurant offers a varied menu of sandwiches, salads, soups, pizza, bowls, and more. Mon-Fri.
Parsley Mediterranean Grille
“Fast, healthy and affordable” Middle Eastern dishes include made-from scratch hummus, baba ghanouj, fattoush, shawarma, and more. Daily.
Pochis Colombian Café
Authentic South American selections include empanadas, arepas, aguapanela and hot chocolate. Thurs-Sun.
Poke Poke
“Sushi Unrolled” is the concept at this chain restaurant – build your own bowl from an array of tropical ingredients or choose a flavor-balanced signature bowl. Daily.
Poke Toki
The home of Korean, Japanese and Hawaiian-style poke bowls, including build-your-own-bowl options. Mon-Sat.
REV Road to Revitalize
Luxury juice bar offers delicious salads and acai bowls in addition to healthy juices and smoothies. Mon-Sat.
Ski’s Sub Shop
Serving downtown since 1977, Ski’s offers hand-crafted subs with your choice of toppings, prepared on locally baked bread. Mon-Fri.
Starbucks Café at JW Marriott
All the coffee drinks, hot and cold lunch items, and sweets you expect from the world’s largest coffeehouse company, inside the JW Marriott Hotel. Daily.
Starbucks Café at Amway Grand Plaza
All the coffee drinks, hot and cold lunch items, and sweets you expect from the world’s largest coffeehouse company, inside the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel. Daily.
Sunny Boba Tea
A small sandwich menu complements the array of boba smoothies and milk teas at this cheerful counter-service eatery. Wed-Sun.
Sushi Yama
Casual counter-service eatery in McKay Tower features an extensive menu of maki and nigiri sushi plus an assortment of lunch combos. Mon-Sat.
Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea
The only GR location of this Michigan-based chain restaurant offers coffee, tea, and shakes, plus pastries and light eats. Daily.
Sweet Yo’s
Premium self-service frozen yogurt shop offers a huge selection of fresh toppings for a quick, easy and luscious after-dinner treat. Daily.
Terra Bagels
Handmade bagels boiled and baked fresh daily plus teas and specialty drinks that pair deliciously with bagels and bagel sandwiches. Daily.
Two Beards Deli
A sandwich lover’s dream, with nearly 100 choices ranging from a classic Reuben to vegan paninis, as well as salads and soups. Daily.
Sit and Talk
Angel’s Thai Café
Features an extensive menu of authentic Thai fare including your choice of stir fry options. Tue-Sun.
ATO Sushi
Traditional Korean + Japanese restaurant offers fresh sushi, delicious bentos, and other authentic dishes. Mon-Sat.
Atwater Brewery
The GR location of a Detroit-based brewery serves a variety of shareables, salads, and handhelds to go along with its signature beers. Daily.
Big E's Sports Grill
Causal restaurant on the ground floor of the Embassy Suites Grand Rapids Downtown hotel offers an array of burgers, sandwiches, salads and more. Daily.
The Bistro
Restaurant inside the Downtown Courtyard by Marriott offers a selection of bistro classics, greens + grains, bites + boards, and social snacks. Mon-Sun.
Bistro Bella Vita
Frequent winner of local dining awards serves up modern French and Italian cuisine, made from scratch with as many sustainably sourced ingredients as possible. Mon-Fri.
Brick & Porter
Local pub serves creative burgers plus a selection of entrees, sandwiches, salads, soups, craft beer, and specialty drinks. Daily.
Bridge Street Bar
Grand Rapids meets Detroit at this sports bar, which serves burgers, hot dogs and sammies plus beer, cocktails and shots. Daily.
Broad Leaf Brewery + Spirits - Westside
Rotating guest chefs create a diverse array of dishes to go along with Broad Leaf’s handcrafted beer, spirits, cocktails and decadent milkshakes. Sat-Sun.
Buffalo Wild Wings
National chain restaurant dishes up wings, tenders, and burgers along with an array of sauces and side dishes. Daily.
Burger Theory
Enjoy burgers and other American food at the café inside the Holiday Inn Grand Rapids Downtown. Daily.
Butcher’s Union
Modern gastropub with a meat-heavy menu of globally inspired also offers 100+ whiskeys plus draft beer. Sat-Sun.
Cinco de Mayo
Fresh-made Mexican food – tacos, enchiladas, burritos, fajitas, and much more – grace the menu at this cheerful cantina restaurant. Daily.
CitySen Lounge
Casual lounge at CityFlats Hotel offers a menu of shareables, sandwiches, burgers, soups and salads plus full bar service. Fri-Sat.
Dublin Hall
Traditional pub food, Irish and Mexican beers, and a wide variety of cocktails are in store for you at this casual Irish bar and restaurant. Sat-Mon.
Flanagan’s Irish Pub
Festive watering hole dishes out bar-food standards and traditional Irish cuisine in a casual environment. Full bar service. Tue-Sat.
The Foolery
Serving up scratch-made Detroit-style pizza, salads, and appetizers, this "fine dive" bar is new to Grand Rapids from sister restaurant Social Misfits. Sat.
Fratelli's offers Italian cuisine specializing in pizza and sandwiches.
Photo by Bryan Esler for Experience GR
Fratelli’s Kitchen and Bar
Offering a modern take on classic Sicilian cuisine – including pizzas, pastas, salads, handhelds and sharables. Daily.
Gimme’s Par & Grill
State-of-the-art golf simulators and lots of TVs tuned to sports provide a backdrop to an elevated pub-grub food menu and a vast drink selection.
Grand Woods Lounge
Hunting lodge-themed restaurant offers great “drinks, grub and grooves” – including 84-oz. cocktail “buckets,” upscale comfort food, and live entertainment. Daily.
The Heritage Restaurant
Offering fine dining at affordable prices, it’s staffed by students of the Secchia Institute for Culinary Education under the supervision of chef Professors and Table Service Professors. Tue-Thur. during the school year.
Hong Kong Express
Downtown’s destination for a wide variety of authentic, affordably priced Chinese food includes Cantonese and Szechuan specialties. Daily.
HopCat
Beer bar offers a curated local tap list, award-winning Cosmik Fries, and “food your Mom would make if she loved craft beer.” Daily.
Juice by J
Featuring fresh, cold-pressed juices made with organic ingredients and a new selection of vegan dishes every day. Mon & Wed-Sat.
K-ROK Korean Barbecue & Karaoke
Authentic Korean BBQ, cooked right at the table, plus a variety of appetizers, entrees, and hot pots, and Asian beers and cocktails. Tue-Sun.
Leo’s Coney Island on Tap
Diner offers an expansive menu of American comfort food and Greek specialties, plus breakfast all day, beer, wine, and craft cocktails. Daily.
Leo’s Seafood Restaurant & Bar
Voted GR’s best seafood restaurant for its exquisite seafood dishes, classic cuisine, decadent desserts, world-class wine list and sophisticated setting. Mon-Fri.
The Littlebird
Café-style restaurant features elevated, made-from-scratch breakfast/brunch and dinner dishes. Full bar. Tue-Sun.
Luna
Hip, modern Mexican restaurant serves tacos, quesadillas, tortas, fajitas, and more. Margaritas, mojitos, tequila, mezcal and Mexican beer, too. Mon-Sat.
Margaux is located inside the JW Marriott hotel, just a 6 minute walk from the convention center.
Photo by Courtesy of AHC Hospitality
Margaux
Contemporary French bistro in the JW Marriott Hotel brings the best of classic European cuisine to a modern American audience. The outdoor Jdek offers year-round riverside seating. Daily.
Mertens Rooftop
Enjoy the view and the sandwiches, flatbreads, salads and sharing options at this rooftop lounge. Desserts and drinks, too. Daily from April-October.
MeXo
Enjoy modern takes on traditional Mexican dishes along with creative tequila and mezcal drinks. Tue-Sun.
Morning Belle West Side
Get breakfast, brunch and lunch dishes anytime at the downtown location of this popular local chain, open until 3pm. Daily.
Nagoya Hibachi Steakhouse & Sushi
This destination for fresh Asian cuisine offers a variety of lunch specials during the week. Daily.
New Holland Brewing - The Knickerbocker
Enjoy pizza, sandwiches and other pub favorites – including New Holland’s own beer and spirits – made with artisanal and locally sourced foods. Tue-Sun.
Nonla Burger
Beef and plant-based hamburgers, fries and shakes plus Vietnamese-inspired cuisine. Tue-Sun.
Noodlepig is less than a ten minute walk from DeVos Place.
Photo by Bryan Esler for Experience GR.
Noodlepig
Japanese-fusion ramen dishes, boba teas and cocktails dominate the menu here. Mon-Sun.
One Twenty Three Tavern
Hip, industrial-chic eatery dishes up elevated sandwiches, burgers, and entrees along with craft cocktails. Located at the Studio Park entertainment complex. Daily.
O’Toole’s Public House
Popular Irish pub serves appetizers, burgers, sandwiches, salads and more. Tue-Sat.
Palace of India
A wide variety of classic Indian fare, including many vegetarian selections, is prepared by tandoor (clay oven) and kadhai (wok) at this warm and inviting eatery. Daily.
Pind Indian Cuisine
Choose from an extensive menu of traditional Indian specialties, from Tandoori Chicken and Lamb Biryani to Vegetable Pakora and Amritsari Fish. Daily.
Real Seafood Company
Contemporary, polished eatery menus premium fresh fish and seafood from the waters of New England to the Great Lakes along with the authentic flavors of seasonal and local produce. Mon-Fri.
Roam by San Chez
“Global street eats” menu features casual dishes from around the globe, including handhelds, skewers, veggies, and sweets. Tue-Sat.
San Chez A Tapas Bistro
A blend of European, Mediterranean and Latin American cuisine (and drinks!) in a laid-back, artful atmosphere. Daily
Scholar
Classic early American dishes revived for a modern sensibility and served with first-class hospitality in a historic building. Sat-Sun.
Social House Kitchen and Bar
Casual pub-style restaurant offers New-American pub fare, brunch, happy-hour specials and a seasonal patio. Wed-Sun.
Social Misfits
Restaurant at the Residence Inn by Marriott serves sweet and savory waffles all day long, along with artisan coffees and cocktails. Daily.
Soho Sushi
Asian café offers classic Japanese sushi as well as Chinese and Thai dishes, all prepared to order. Daily.
SpeakEZ Lounge
Prohibition-inspired casual lounge offers an eclectic menu of New American eats plus craft beers and signature cocktails. Daily.
Stella’s Lounge
Home of giant stuffed burgers and elevated takes on bar food, with a number of vegan/vegetarian options. Wed-Sun.
Sundance Grill & Bar
Choose from a menu of American favorites with Southwest flavors – burgers, sandwiches, shared plates, all-day breakfast and a full bar. Daily.
Sushi Yama
This casual counter-service eatery in McKay Tower features an extensive menu of maki and nigiri sushi plus an assortment of dinner combos. Mon-Sat.
Tupelo Honey Southern Kitchen & Bar
Dig into scratch-made Southern favorites – shrimp & grits, fried chicken & buttermilk waffles, fried green tomato sandwiches, luscious libations and more. Daily.
Uccello’s Ristorante
Casual family restaurant offers a vast menu of Italian American eats, including pizza, pasta and risotto, plus an array of local and national beers. Daily.
Z’s Restaurant & Bar
Serving downtown GR since 1982, Z’s offers a variety of burgers, handhelds, pizzas and other bar food. Tue-Sun.
There are many more restaurants to choose from when you widen the circle to one mile from the convention center. Visit our Restaurants page to search eateries by location, cuisine, and other parameters.
