Principle Food and Drink

Best restaurant in Kzoo, also happens to have the best cocktails. Very veggie friendly, but reasonably priced with proteins as well. Fantastic experience every time. Highly recommend.

We were in from out of town for a concert and wanted a fancier dinner spot. This place was a true gem. We like to share menu items, so we got the confit duck wings, charred broccoli, the ravioli, and the whitefish. Each was its own absolute delight. The ravioli had a locally foraged ramp pesto. When offered the dessert menu, my BF said “if they’re turning out food like this, we have to have dessert”. And he wasn’t wrong. He got the cheesecake, I got the chocolate “pudding”, which was the most decadent ganache-like dessert ever. With cherry coulis, espresso crumbles, and sea salt, it almost brought a tear to my eye. Service was fantastic (sat at the bar). Couldn’t recommend more.

Fantastic experience. They even had a menu that highlighted menu items that contained dairy since I’m lactose intolerant. We had the toast and duck wings for appetizers and they were great. For entree we had the white fish and pork chop. We finished with the chocolate pudding. Perfect portions and great service.

Use to love this place, last couple times not so much. Drive 20 miles to come have dinner, sit down and server tells me we are out of these 2 things. They've got such a tiny menu, how are you going to run out of items?! Do better, I won't be back!

Principle is my husband and I’s favorite restaurant in Kalamazoo for a variety of reasons. We have visited several times over the years with a wonderful experience every time.

The food is delicious and cooked to perfection every time. I know the menu is smaller, but I believe this helps Principle to focus on creating high-quality meals each time. I enjoy getting the market fish with their seasonal spin on it—usually it’s some sort of salmon fish with an in-season vegetable.

The drinks are probably the best part about Principle. The menu is expansive, the bartenders are very knowledgeable and willing to make anything for you, and the drinks are also presented in such a beautiful way with dried fruits, smoked pieces of wood, etc. Even while pregnant, I’ve enjoyed delicious, beautiful mocktails from Principle!

The atmosphere is so dark and moody, and I absolutely love it. It gives a classic, speakeasy-ish vibe. There’s a very small lounge downstairs with intimate seating, and my husband and I have enjoyed sitting down in that area a few times.

We’ve also had superb service each time. I think one thing they could do is provide an additional “elevated experience” for special occasions like anniversaries, birthdays, etc. by providing a more private and nicer experience downstairs (though it’s already excellent as is). They could provide a linen wrapped table downstairs, candles/flowers, and other complimentary items as part of an elevated experience for a fee. I would totally book it!

Make sure you book a reservation as Principle isn’t too large and books up quickly. The wait can be long for walk-ins, especially on the weekends in summer. It is definitely worth the wait though, or at least grab a cocktail if you end up getting dinner somewhere else. This restaurant is a 5/5 every time.

This is such a delicacy in Kalamazoo. You expect to find this in super nice vacation towns. But this is so incredible. From the apps to desserts. Everything is so good

Shoutout to Principle for their commitment to local food and letting their mixologists have influence on the cocktail menu.

Add a beautiful interior and you're cooking with gas. Would give 900 stars if possible.

I loved the vegan mushroom risotto that they created to participate in the Kalamazoo vegan challenge! I would love it if they would keep this on the menu. I would order it every time!

Eccentric. Had drinks. They did have a good hefeweizen on tap.

Atmosphere: 4

Service: 5

The dinner I had here was amazing!!! I recommend the chicken entree! I would eat here again

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

The three of us had 3 different drinks, Brussel sprouts appetizer, 3 different entrees and the peanut butter banana split dessert and EVERYTHING was AMAZING. Service was excellent, decor was intimate but rustic, and atmosphere was super chill. Would highly recommend for a date night or girls night!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Peanut Butter Banana Split

Fantastic place to enjoy a romantic dinner!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Market Fish, White Fish

Excellent food great ambience

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Always a great place to pop in for a cocktail.

Atmosphere: 5

Service: 5

Great drinks, great food, fun experience.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Loved the grilled broccoli w/ spicy mayo

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5