Best short ribs I’ve ever had in my life. I’ve never had a more tender piece of meat. We had the feature appetizer, kale Cesar salad, and my husband got the fish and chips and everything was incredible! Such a fun and different atmosphere with the grocery store underneath. You would never expect it to be such a classy and beautiful restaurant above but the atmosphere, food and drinks were all absolutely wonderful! We will definitely be back.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Salads, Braised Birkshire Pork Short Ribs, Crispy Polenta Tots
Carenda Howard
Please bring back the chicken, peas and mashed potatoes that were on the menu before the close. The way they grill the chicken now makes it taste burnt, too much scoring, it's on the kids menu, kids don't like burnt. I believe the previous chicken was roasted, it was our go to, please, please please, bring it back. I liked this place because I could get elevated food that I like, and they had dishes on the kids menu that wasn't pizza or chicken tenders, it was a real, nutritious meal.
Miranda Garside
Great food, great atmosphere. So happy they have reopened. Neighborhood
Best cocktails, food and service! I have been there probably a dozen times and have never had any complaints about anything. Odd location but it works and it works well! Enter through Sawall's and look for the staircase (or elevator) to dining heaven! Tell hostess Sammy and server Drew we said hello! I do recommend making reservations.
Dan R.
A hidden gem in Kalamazoo! As someone who is up on the food scene (at least I thought so) I was surprised I never knew this place existed until this week. Made reservations for Valentine's Day after failing to get in anywhere else. The food was nothing short of fantastic. Large portions and simple yet sophisticated flavors. (The burrata is a MUST try! Order it with the flat bread) The restaurant itself is cozy and elegant and offers unique views of the store below! Seating is comfortable and sturdy. Service is attentive, knowledgeable and very very friendly. This has instantly become my new favorite in town.
Nate Timmons
The long awaited return is over and we couldn’t have been more pleased with our drinks and dinner!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Ruby Skrojo
Shockingly expensive for dining in a grocery store. Drinks are overpriced, food costs so much I couldn't afford to be disappointed. I've been to some nice places in town but I felt like this place was trying to hard to make money. $30 for two average cocktails is absurd. $24 for Burata? Server was extra friendly and knowledgeable. We try to tip well whenever we go out but cost of menu items limited our decision making in regards to tip. It's a very nice place don't get me wrong but i don't think it was for me. Might give it another shot.Kid-friendliness: Not a place to bring the kids, but I appreciated that. Definitely a more upscale vibe.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 5
Greg F.
Great food and drinks. Friendly staff. Excellent service. Nice ambiance except for overlooking the grocery store. That's a bit of a downside, but otherwise first-rate.
Brittany R.
We are SO EXCITED that y'all are back open. This was the best meal and service that we have had in Kalamazoo since pre-Covid. Absolutely incredible. Our server was attentive and personable. The food was beyond delicious. There is a a HUGE mocktail menu which makes me so happy. 100/10! If you aren't already calling to make a reservation while reading this idk what you are doing!
Madeline H.
So, so happy to see 36 open again! Shared an excellent meal with family overlooking the iconic Sawall aisles. We ordered burrata for the table, and I personally ordered the aglio e olio with grilled chicken. Both were delicious! Please check this place out, a solid dinner spot in Kzoo.
Had a superb first meal at Cafe 36 this weekend. Had heard of it, but never been. It was eVerything we hoped for. Food was superb: from our appetizer (roasted cauliflower in a chili pepper sauce), to the entrees: beef stroganoff for my companion, (a creamy, delicious take on an old favorite comfort food), and the whitefish special for me (superbly cooked, tender, with a crispy sear, on a bed of corn and mushroom; a bright dish, with a hint of lemon in the sauce; really, really good.) Cocktails were very good, and the desserts were perfect. Really nice meal, and delighted by the intimate restaurant. In short, an impressive meal all around: our first visit, but it won't be the last.
Best short ribs I’ve ever had in my life. I’ve never had a more tender piece of meat. We had the feature appetizer, kale Cesar salad, and my husband got the fish and chips and everything was incredible! Such a fun and different atmosphere with the grocery store underneath. You would never expect it to be such a classy and beautiful restaurant above but the atmosphere, food and drinks were all absolutely wonderful! We will definitely be back.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Salads, Braised Birkshire Pork Short Ribs, Crispy Polenta Tots
Please bring back the chicken, peas and mashed potatoes that were on the menu before the close. The way they grill the chicken now makes it taste burnt, too much scoring, it's on the kids menu, kids don't like burnt. I believe the previous chicken was roasted, it was our go to, please, please please, bring it back. I liked this place because I could get elevated food that I like, and they had dishes on the kids menu that wasn't pizza or chicken tenders, it was a real, nutritious meal.
Great food, great atmosphere. So happy they have reopened. Neighborhood
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Salads, Lava Cake, Fried Cauliflower, Pizza
Best cocktails, food and service! I have been there probably a dozen times and have never had any complaints about anything. Odd location but it works and it works well! Enter through Sawall's and look for the staircase (or elevator) to dining heaven! Tell hostess Sammy and server Drew we said hello! I do recommend making reservations.
A hidden gem in Kalamazoo! As someone who is up on the food scene (at least I thought so) I was surprised I never knew this place existed until this week. Made reservations for Valentine's Day after failing to get in anywhere else. The food was nothing short of fantastic. Large portions and simple yet sophisticated flavors. (The burrata is a MUST try! Order it with the flat bread) The restaurant itself is cozy and elegant and offers unique views of the store below! Seating is comfortable and sturdy. Service is attentive, knowledgeable and very very friendly. This has instantly become my new favorite in town.
The long awaited return is over and we couldn’t have been more pleased with our drinks and dinner!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Shockingly expensive for dining in a grocery store. Drinks are overpriced, food costs so much I couldn't afford to be disappointed. I've been to some nice places in town but I felt like this place was trying to hard to make money. $30 for two average cocktails is absurd. $24 for Burata? Server was extra friendly and knowledgeable. We try to tip well whenever we go out but cost of menu items limited our decision making in regards to tip. It's a very nice place don't get me wrong but i don't think it was for me. Might give it another shot.Kid-friendliness: Not a place to bring the kids, but I appreciated that. Definitely a more upscale vibe.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 5
Great food and drinks. Friendly staff. Excellent service. Nice ambiance except for overlooking the grocery store. That's a bit of a downside, but otherwise first-rate.
We are SO EXCITED that y'all are back open. This was the best meal and service that we have had in Kalamazoo since pre-Covid. Absolutely incredible. Our server was attentive and personable. The food was beyond delicious. There is a a HUGE mocktail menu which makes me so happy. 100/10! If you aren't already calling to make a reservation while reading this idk what you are doing!
So, so happy to see 36 open again! Shared an excellent meal with family overlooking the iconic Sawall aisles. We ordered burrata for the table, and I personally ordered the aglio e olio with grilled chicken. Both were delicious! Please check this place out, a solid dinner spot in Kzoo.
Restaurantji Recommends
Looks good
Please reopen!!!!
Sweet Potato friiiiies!!! WOW
Had a superb first meal at Cafe 36 this weekend. Had heard of it, but never been. It was eVerything we hoped for. Food was superb: from our appetizer (roasted cauliflower in a chili pepper sauce), to the entrees: beef stroganoff for my companion, (a creamy, delicious take on an old favorite comfort food), and the whitefish special for me (superbly cooked, tender, with a crispy sear, on a bed of corn and mushroom; a bright dish, with a hint of lemon in the sauce; really, really good.) Cocktails were very good, and the desserts were perfect. Really nice meal, and delighted by the intimate restaurant. In short, an impressive meal all around: our first visit, but it won't be the last.
Great food and atmosphere! A great find