50 Best Cafes in Grand Rapids

“My nephew and I shared a meal here today and our experiences ranged from very good to off the scale great. We tried a Hot Mess breakfast with eggs, potatoes, chorizo,etc; it was perfectly balanced (neither to spicy or bland), super fresh; loved it. We also got a grilled cheese, with pepper jelly. The bread was the best ever (toasted perfectly) and crunchy, and it wasn't to cheesy (some places put too much cheese which makes it messy) with just enough pepper jelly to create an original experience; and one of my favorite sandwiches of my life. The salad was the low point of the meal as it was merely perfect. We also got a chocolate croissant which was great and a pot de creme which was decadent and..can I say perfect again. This is my new favorite place“

“Absolutely love their coffee and tea! It’s a totally different experience and I can’t tell you why. It just works for me!“

“⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I had a wonderful experience at Mahala Coffee. From the moment I arrived, Batsi was exceptionally welcoming—friendly, kind, and very helpful. His attentive service truly made the visit stand out. The atmosphere is inviting and well-suited for both small gatherings and larger groups, offering a comfortable space to relax or connect. Another big plus is the ample parking available, making it convenient for everyone. Overall, Mahala Coffee is a place I highly recommend—for the quality, the environment, and especially the outstanding service from Batsi.“

“Excellent assorted specialty coffees. The flat bread pizza was surprisingly good as well. Staff were all above and beyond in their service. Truly wonderful addition to Grand Rapids and Alger Heights.“

“By far the best coffee place I've ever had in the state of Michigan it's my number one go to they are super friendly their drinks are super creative with good ingredients and they're really good at being creative with the given opportunity“

“had a nice lunch and really enjoyed the Strawberry Napolean pastry!“

“Clean, fresh food! Traditional breakfast items with fresh fruit and veggies!“

“I have ordered from 5 Knives several times for office meetings and every single time they are 100% accurate on the orders! Great food, great prices and even better service! 10/10!“

“The art alone is worth the trip, add to that the lavender honey latte with an extra shot!??!? Yes, please!“

“I really enjoy coming here for my Americano.Great barista ,quiet comfortable atmosphere,good Americanos with fair pricing.“

“Had the Birddog Sandwich today off the new menu. Excellent.“

“Visited your Cafe yesterday and loved it. Very nice and welcoming. I had the best hot chocolate ever.“

“Great food and wait staff. The hostess needs some major training. She does greet you or make you feel welcome. No personality and not one smile.“

“I enjoy Bolt and order it delivery to NC. it is my favorite coffee! I brew it every weekend for my family.“

“I have been to Fruition a few times over the years and this is my go to place for Acai bowls in Grand Rapids. They have high quality ingredients and a variety to choose from. The location is always well maintained. I would highly recommend checking out Fruition and I definitely will be back whenever I visit GR.“

“I love the revamp they've done. They got the new comfy seats that are HEATED! Which is amazing for people like me who don't produce their own body heat. The new aesthetic and decor feels kinda retro in a fun way. Makes me want to go see movies more often. Now I just need Hollywood to stop making sequels so I have something to go see. Thankfully we got Fathom putting my fav old movies back in theaters. Celebration please keep hosting their movies, forever“

“Great atmosphere! I loved my cafe miel and egg skillet, delicious!“

“Love this little hidden gem! The vibes are cozy & the pastries are delicious, not to mention the customer service is great!“

“Cool vibe , artsy , beautiful atmosphere, service and food and coffee are amazing!!!“

“Had an awesome first experience here! The owners were so kind and were excited to give us info about their food (we’re new to Nepalese cuisine). The dumplings and chatpate were so delicious - 10/10. We will definitely be back!“

“this café is in the embassy suites lobby and the service from café staff and the hotel is always so positive! They are always willing to go the extra mile to ensure satisfaction for the guests.

Dietary restrictions: they offer a variety of alternative nondairy milks“

“Very good cafe for lunch on the ground of the Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park. Had an excellent Reuben and my wife enjoyed her salad. Reasonable prices for the quality of food that was received. Also decor was light and airy and all the windows filled the space with natural light.“

“We enjoy the quality and preparation of the food. Today we enjoyed a classic Reuben and an Irish Benedict. Both yummy! The restaurant was almost empty at lunchtime. We were so surprised and talked with two of the waitresses. I hope business picks up soon for you all!“

“Good iced Carmel lattes and amazing breakfast sandwiches and avocado toast! love the atmosphere.“

“The favorite place on campus for many Calvin College students, Johnny's is the best place to get a quick snack or even a full meal when you're sick of dining hall food. It has great study spaces and a community atmosphere as well.“

“I regret not coming here before, we were visiting the garden and decided to eat our lunch there and being a vegetarian family it’s difficult to find options forget about the taste but but surprisingly I had awesome lunch in a very long time.We ordered everything from vegetarian/vegan menu and they were delicious , satisfying even simple jalapeño Mac n cheese tasted good .I am wondering why there are no reviews, our friend ordered tuna sandwich and he liked that tooThanks Balk cafe“

“Best coffee shop out there!! 👍“

“Publishing “Penny’s Treehouse Triumph” with Pierre Camy and Chapbook Press was a seamless and rewarding experience. Pierre’s guidance, responsiveness, and professionalism brought our vision to life, and the finished book exceeded our expectations. I highly recommend Chapbook Press to any author looking for both quality and personal support.“

“Welcoming place. Kitschy decore. Great place to meet for business or pleasure. Just get there early to grab a seat.“

“It may be small but it has plenty of places to take a break or get some work done. I love how open it feels and super easy to find something. Great selection of books and drinks or snacks.“

“There is everything to love about this homey, eclectic coffee shop. From the delicious offerings of teas and coffees and even tasty gluten free sweets, there is something for everyone. Also a great place to pick up a gift handmade by a local artisan.“

“Incredible fun for our 3 year-old. Sooooo many different toys. Tasty espresso drinks (and I'm picky). Priced well. Owner is an angel - I thought I'd have to yank my little man out during a really bad tantrum, and she was able to take him aside and calm him.“

“Great service,friendly staff. Very accommodating.“

“First time experience here! Well worth the visit!“

“The Spelt is the best bread I have found since moving here from the east side- Bakeries here are a vast wasteland“

“Love this little hidden gem! The vibes are cozy & the pastries are delicious, not to mention the customer service is great!“

“Went to the Rockford location on opening day and it was great! Paige was our server and super helpful in helping us choose drinks and food. We live 2 blocks away and are super happy about having this dining option downtown!“

“Best coffee the service was great and I really enjoyed the outside sitting“

“The people who work here are amazing the music they play and they try to get to know you ❤️“

“Great staff! Great coffee ☕️! A large Homeless presence which calls for compassion! it's not Biggby problem. etc, etc, etc...“

“Grat community of individuals working hard to bring great taste to the area!! Bravo ?“

“Yo, listen up besties, if you have not parked your gluteus maximus at this absolute S+ tier seating arrangement, you are flopping in life. This ain't just a café, it’s a main character simulator.

First off, let’s talk about the vibes. You sit in their gorgeous, floor-to-ceiling fishbowl window, which means every single person walking by on the street gets to admire you like the Roman statue you were born to be. Am I drinking an overpriced oat milk cortado, or am I an exhibit in the Louvre? No one knows, but everyone is looking. The validation? IMMACULATE.

Like, I was sitting there in my slay era, sipping my little bevy, when some old dude I mentally named Hobo Joe stared for just a hair too long. And you know what? I didn’t mind. I get it, Joe. I’m a spectacle. We are all just players in my Truman Show, and this café understands that.

Now, let’s talk about the coffee. You ever heard of that bougie poop coffee? Yeah, the one where some little Indonesian raccoon-cat eats the beans, digests them (with LOVE), and then poops them out? That’s the coffee here, baby. They brew that. I took a sip, and I transcended. I saw colors that don’t exist yet. My great-great-grandma whispered the stock market tips of 2047 in my ear. This coffee is so artisanal that if you don’t understand it, you’re simply not enlightened enough.

So, in conclusion, if you have an ounce of taste, if you like to serve LOOKS to the public for free, if you want to experience the best fermented raccoon poop beverage of your life, then you need to get your cheeks into this café. 5/5 stars. Would let Hobo Joe stare at me again.“

“The service is quick and friendly. The food and coffee are excellent. However, it seems that as the semester progresses the staff are showing up later and later in the morning. Don't count on the cafe being open at 7:00 am as noted herein.“

“I came in today and got a window seat to enjoy a cup of coffee. This location is so noisy, and the speaker right above me was blaring music at about 74 decibels. I don't think the employees in the back are aware of how loud the sound is when you are sitting underneath the speakers. I am having to leave because the volume was a serious annoyance. I asked twice for them to turn it down, and it's still just as loud: 74 decibels. Hearing loss starts at 75 decibels. Since the pandemic all restaurant have been playing music way too loud. 55-60 decibels is plenty loud enough for background music. Background music should be exactly that, background.“

“AMAZING! The staff are always very friendly 😊“

“Clean, fresh food! Traditional breakfast items with fresh fruit and veggies!“

“Friendly atomsphere good food“

“Great staff! Great coffee ☕️! A large Homeless presence which calls for compassion! it's not Biggby problem. etc, etc, etc...“

“Yesterday, around lunch time- I went to this particular Bigbys for the very first time, but it definitely will not be my last time coming here. I honestly cannot believe how kind the two girls working the drive through were to me. Customer service is a virtue these days and the two young ladies working were amazing and kind. My parents own a business nearby and I shared with them how kind your staff were to me and I think that we all agreed that we will be visiting Cascade Bigbys much more often after yesterday. 5 ⭐️s!“