23 Best Cafes in Kalamazoo

“At Plaza Cafe and Market, guests can expect an exceptional dining experience. The restaurant serves outstanding food, including the popular charcuterie and tomahawk ribeye, known as the Cut for 2. The staff is consistently friendly, helpful, and attentive, making every visit a memorable one. The atmosphere is quiet and pleasant, with a great selection of drinks. While the service may be deliberate and slow-paced, the overall experience is top-notch, making it an ideal spot for special occasions and repeat visits.“

“The Grazing Table Kalamazoo is a charming breakfast and lunch spot in downtown Kalamazoo. Guests are greeted warmly and can seat themselves, grab a menu, and order/pay at their convenience. The restaurant offers a variety of dishes, including Nashville Hot Chicken and Waffles, Three Cheese Mac with sausage, and a Michigan Apple + Brie salad. Desserts, such as lavender cookies and strawberry white chocolate bars, are also a highlight. With excellent service, immaculate presentation, and a clean atmosphere, this spot is a must-visit for a delicious meal.“

“Fourth Coast Cafe and Bakery is a relaxed spot with friendly service, known for its delicious food and great coffee. Popular menu items include churros, brownies, and vegan zucchini bread. The atmosphere is cozy, and while parking can be a challenge, it's worth the effort for the tasty offerings. Although there's a staircase to reach the restaurant, accommodations can be made in the bakery downstairs. Prices are reasonable, and the baristas make excellent drinks, such as the iced peppermint mocha. Despite occasionally long wait times due to limited staff, customers find the experience enjoyable and satisfying.“

“Poor Richards Cafe is a laid-back, old-school restaurant with a vintage atmosphere. The staff is friendly and quick, with a great sense of humor. The food is delicious and affordable, with dishes like biscuits and gravy and cheese curds being highly recommended. It's a warm and welcoming spot for breakfast, perfect for both locals and visitors in Kalamazoo.“

“Summer Thyme Café is a cozy restaurant with a friendly waitstaff and reasonable prices. The menu offers a variety of options, including salads, sandwiches, and main courses such as French dip, pot roast, and meatloaf. Their pot roast and meatloaf are particularly noteworthy. The café also offers delicious desserts, including coconut cream pie and carrot cake. Summer Thyme Café is a great spot for celebrations, as they cater and provide warm and tasty meals. It might be closing at the end of October, which would be a significant loss to the community.“

“Totally Brewed Cafe in downtown Kalamazoo offers a vibrant atmosphere with seating overlooking Bronson Park. The mushroom soup is incredible, and they have a variety of food options like veggies and dip, fruit and yogurt, baked goods, and excellent coffee. The friendly staff provides bubbly service and a great selection of lunch soups and sandwiches. With new ownership since November 2023, the cafe now serves homemade soups and deli salads, as well as items from local businesses like Renzema's Bakery and Coffee Rescue. Stop by to experience the fresh, high-quality food and welcoming atmosphere for yourself!“

“Nina's Cafe offers a unique and delightful dining experience. The menu features a variety of breakfast options, including the shrimp and cream cheese omelet, buffalo chicken hash, and customizable omelets and skillets. Customers praise the exceptional quality, generous portions, and reasonable prices, making it a local favorite. The friendly staff and cozy atmosphere contribute to an overall great experience.“

“Factory Coffee - Downtown is a popular coffee shop, known for its high-quality espresso and homemade syrups. The drink menu is priced around $7 for a 16oz iced latte, with no upcharge for alternative milks. The food menu offers bagels and pastries. The Frank street location is also well-regarded. However, the seating is limited and the interior is described as bland and sterile. The coffee shop also sells locally made products. The coffee beans, particularly those from Central and South America, are highly praised for their rich, creamy, and sweet taste, with no bitterness.“

“Caffè Casa is a welcoming restaurant with a friendly staff and a cozy atmosphere, making it a great place to work or relax. The menu offers a variety of options, including a Dark Roast coffee, raspberry croissants, hot chocolate, and a Turtle hot chocolate. For those with dietary restrictions, non-milk options are available. The restaurant also features jazz music, WiFi, and artwork, creating an enjoyable ambiance. Specialty drinks, such as the Peach Mango smoothie, and pastries like the guava-cheese turnover, are highly recommended. However, customers have reported instances of food being served cold.“

“Water Street Coffee Joint (Downtown) is a cozy and cute spot that offers a wide variety of breakfast and lunch items, including heated and cold options, as well as a pastry case with sweet treats. The staff is well-informed, friendly, and helpful. The restaurant serves delicious food, including the vegan black bean and sweet potato burrito, and amazing coffee drinks like the Sleeping Bear Mocha and Mocha Del Sol. Despite limited seating, there is outdoor seating available in warmer months. The atmosphere is clean and comfortable, making it a great spot to grab something to go or sit and enjoy a meal.“

“Rykse & Co. is a highly acclaimed restaurant that offers a delightful dining experience. The food is consistently fresh and absolutely amazing, earning the establishment a 10/10 rating from customers. The menu features popular dishes such as the Farmers Market Bowl and BLT, which are thoroughly enjoyed by diners. Additionally, the restaurant's cinnamon rolls are praised for their moist and soft texture, as well as their generous size. Rykse & Co. also boasts great service and a welcoming ambiance, making it a beloved family-owned business to support.“

“Healthy food friendly staff and clean spacious environment great prices too“

“BIGGBY COFFEE is a welcoming establishment known for its friendly service. The staff, such as Haley, are attentive and can recommend drinks based on customer preferences. They may even provide trivia for customers to enjoy. The food and coffee have received praise, with some considering it the best. One customer was so impressed, they deemed it even better than Starbucks.“

“BIGGBY COFFEE is a friendly and efficient drive-thru experience. Orders are taken with a smile and attention to detail. Coffee is a highlight, with options like cold-brew and chai lattes. Food, including vegan options like the vegan breakfast sandwich and vegan sausage breakfast sammy, is also well-regarded. Some drinks, like the chai latte, can be inconsistent, but overall, BIGGBY COFFEE offers a delicious and welcoming experience.“

“I don’t like doing one stars anymore. If someone has that bad of a opinion nobody forced you to go here . A lot of people crying over prices. Again nobody made you buy here . But on the other hand everything I ate wasn’t very fresh. To eat the French toast you need a cup of water to dip it in . Way to hard . I got hash here and was like rocks . The slushes are the best . But nice little snack area. Only thing two employees was talking and I walked up stood there for 30 seconds and they still didn’t say anything. So I said excuse me . Still nothing. So I walked away . They then tried to help me and I said nvm pay attention to your customers. With all this I still give a 5 star. Because it helps a manager talk to these people to fix the issues. If you complain about the price and give a one star , just seems crazy . Also with COVID I think they should clean the tables. Couldn’t find one clean table and they just stood there for most part“

“The Skillet is a highly regarded restaurant that offers outstanding food and exceptional service. The staff is friendly and attentive, ensuring a pleasant dining experience for all customers. The menu features a variety of delectable options, including tasty omelets, flavorful hash, and crispy hashbrowns. The restaurant is also known for its wheelchair accessibility, making it a welcoming establishment for all. Reviewers consistently praise the Skillet for its clean and inviting atmosphere, as well as the consistent quality of its meals.“

“BIGGBY COFFEE is a coffee chain that offers a variety of food, drinks, tea, and coffee. The West Main location provides a warm and welcoming atmosphere with friendly employees who are happy to answer questions and make recommendations. The location has seating areas with wifi for customers to use their laptops. While the drinks are generally well-received, there was a negative experience with a staff member regarding the seasonal turkey sandwich. However, the food and service at this location are consistently good.“

“Panera Bread offers a varied menu with delectable options such as salads, the Broccoli Cheese soup, and sandwiches like the Turkey Bacon and Chicken Chipotle Avocado Melt. The restaurant provides a welcoming atmosphere suitable for groups or couples, and is generally clean and well-stocked, though availability of specific items may vary. Overall, Panera Bread is a reliable choice when seeking a quick, tasty meal.“

“Water Street Coffee Joint offers excellent coffee and good food in general, with a variety of options including sandwiches and bakery items. While service can be slow at times, the friendly and helpful staff make up for it. Prices may be higher than expected, but the relaxing atmosphere and quick service are a plus.“

“BIGGBY COFFEE is a beloved coffee shop with great coffee and friendly service. Some customers wish for more drive-through locations and faster service. Despite occasional delays, the staff's positive energy and excellent skills shine through, making for a pleasant experience. Using the Bigby App can help cut down wait times. The baristas are praised for their exceptional service and uplifting attitude, creating a welcoming atmosphere for customers to enjoy their drinks and start their day off right.“

“A great take-out option! I'm always greeted with a smile at this location. They are knowledgeable about drink/food options. Even though I am a customer who can not have caffeine, there is always a wide variety of decaf options for me to choose from. Also, all food items I've had here have been very tasty. Thanks!“

“BIGGBY COFFEE is a popular coffee shop known for its wide variety of drinks and dietary options. The reviews highlight the establishment's strengths and areas for improvement. While the drinks are generally well-received, with customers praising the quality of the coffee beans and the availability of different milk and non-dairy options, the service can be slow at times, with one customer waiting 50 minutes to receive their order. The staff is described as polite, but there are concerns about the training on the point-of-sale system. Overall, BIGGBY COFFEE offers a decent coffee experience, though the service could be more efficient.“

“Water Street Coffee Joint (Harrison) offers friendly service and a quick in-and-out experience. Known for their unique ice cream flavors like purple sweet potato and horchata, they also serve handmade syrups. Customers praise the breakfast sandwiches and coffees, with some opting for specialty drinks like cappuccinos with extra shots of espresso. Despite occasional mix-ups with orders, the service remains top-notch. A go-to spot for a treat that rivals even the coffee in Rome.“