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Diners' Choice: Best Ambiance restaurants in Grand Rapids / Western Michigan

OpenTable

Updated June 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants with the best ambiance in Grand Rapids / Western Michigan? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

A photo of Leo's restaurant

4.9

4.9 (3882)

$31 to $50

Seafood

Grand Rapids

About the restaurant

Leo’s is the premier dining destination for exquisite seafood, classic cuisine, decadent desserts, and a world-class wine list. Located in the heart of downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan since 2004, Leo’s has stayed committed to always sourcing fresh quality ingredients and delivering an extraordinary experience to each and every guest.

The dining room at Leo’s offers a sense of style and sophistication in an inviting and elegant setting. A distinctive feature of Leo’s is our bar and lounge area that boasts floor to ceiling windows and a lively, more casual environment from which to enjoy our extensive variety of curated wines, carefully crafted cocktails, and local craft beers.

Whether you are having a casual lunch with friends, celebrating a special occasion, having a business meeting, or a large event, Leo's is the best spot in Grand Rapids for elegant dining and superior service.

Top review

G

Guillermina

Dined 6 days ago

My husband and I had a wonderful experience. The food was absolutely delicious. We ordered the shrimp and crab cakes as an appetizer. Large pieces of crab. I ordered the surf and turf. The steak was perfectly made, very tender and juicy. Probably one of the best lobster tails I've had, seasoning was perfect. For dessert we had the chocolate Creme brulee, very tasty and crispy. Our waiter Dan was very helpful with our menu selections. He was great. I would definitely recommend this restaurant.

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A photo of Halibut of a restaurant

A photo of Seafood Panroast of a restaurant

Seafood Panroast

A photo of Seafood Cake Duet of a restaurant

Seafood Cake Duet

A photo of Dabney & Co. - Cocktail Bar and Lounge restaurant

Dabney & Co. - Cocktail Bar and Lounge

4.8

4.8 (26)

$31 to $50

Contemporary Southern

Kalamazoo

About the restaurant

Home of the iconic Mint Julep, Dabney & Co. is where Contemporary Southern cuisine meets the energy of Kalamazoo’s cultural heartbeat. Tucked away downtown, our speakeasy-style cocktail lounge offers bold flavors, award-winning cocktails, and a soulful atmosphere steeped in music history.

Our menu features standout dishes like Black Eyed Pea Hummus, Peach Cobbler Cornbread, and Maple-Drizzled Chicken & Cornbread—each crafted with elevated Southern flair. Sip your way through our celebrated cocktail program, twice named City Cocktail Competition Champion, and featured by NPR, TripAdvisor, and Pure Michigan.

With live music every Friday and curated events throughout the month, Dabney & Co. is more than a place to dine—it’s an experience. Whether you’re here for the food, the music, or the vibe, every night at Dabney tells a story.

Top review

N

Nurah

Dined 5 days ago

The band was more than what I expected. Just really great vibes all around will come back again.

A photo of Brick and Brine restaurant

Brick and Brine

4.8

4.8 (1074)

$31 to $50

American

Kalamazoo

About the restaurant

Brick and Brine is located on the 1st floor of the Radisson Plaza Hotel in Downtown Kalamazoo. Our restaurant is right off of the Kalamazoo Mall past Old Burdick's Bar & Grill.

Inspired by a natural propensity for classic duos, Brick and Brine isn’t just a restaurant. It’s a space of masterful craftsmanship that represents a strong foundation of social connectedness. It’s an intentionally forged experience speaking to both local and visiting guests’ desire for warm conversation, savory dishes, and exceptional service.

Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion, winding down from a long workday, or spending quality time with loved ones, Brick and Brine provides an experience and atmosphere that will uniquely add flavor to your evening.

Join us and immerse yourself at Brick and Brine.

Top review

M

Melanie

Dined on Jun 16, 2025

Another experience at Brick and Brine that did not disappoint. Ericka, our server, was wonderful! The food and drinks were delicious. Roger checked in on us to make sure things were doing well and we even had a complimentary polaroid picture taken. Thank you!

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A photo of Espresso Baked Alaska of a restaurant

Espresso Baked Alaska

A photo of Charcuterie of a restaurant

A photo of Oysters of a restaurant

A photo of Copper Rock Steakhouse - Four Winds Casino Resort restaurant

Copper Rock Steakhouse - Four Winds Casino Resort

4.9

4.9 (2876)

$31 to $50

Steakhouse

New Buffalo

About the restaurant

PERFECTLY AGED STEAKS. AWARD-WINNING WINES.
Delight every sense with an unmatched experience featuring USDA Prime 42-day dry aged steaks, exquisite seafood, decadent desserts and more than 350 wines from our Wine Spectator Award- Winning, 13 years running.

Top review

J

Jerome

Dined 5 days ago

Great dining experience. Excellent food and service.

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A photo of Seafood Tower of a restaurant

A photo of New York Strip of a restaurant

A photo of Bowdies Chophouse - Saugatuck restaurant

Bowdies Chophouse - Saugatuck

4.9

4.9 (2834)

$31 to $50

Steakhouse

Saugatuck

About the restaurant

Welcome to Bowdies Chophouse - Saugatuck, serving 100% U S D A Prime, 28 day dry aged meat! We look forward to serving you soon! We can accommodate parties of 6 or less. Parties of more than 6 will be sat separately, and not all seats are handicap accessible.

Top review

L

Lauren

Dined on Jun 16, 2025

2nd time at Bowdies-Saugatuck. 10/10 once again. Everyone is so kind and accommodating. They treat you like a true guest and not just like another customer that’s walking in their doors. Wine, cocktail- amazing! Mushrooms, truffle fries and steaks were cooked to perfection! Thanks Bowdies for making our anniversary dinner so special! Almost forgot to mention they served us champagne immediately (on the house) to congratulate us!

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A photo of Cowboy Ribeye of a restaurant

A photo of The Tomahawk of a restaurant

A photo of Brewster’s New Buffalo restaurant

Brewster’s New Buffalo

4.8

4.8 (2279)

$30 and under

Italian

New Buffalo

About the restaurant

A beautiful, locally owned restaurant located in downtown New Buffalo, Michigan; Brewster’s New Buffalo puts a modern twist on traditional Italian fare. Our Chef uses a wide variety of fresh, innovative ingredients to create dishes. Our sommelier and bar manager take pride in curating the finest selection of liquor, beer and wine, including wonderful locally and Michigan made specialties.

We are open for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner every day, all year round! (Closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day)

We look forward to having you as our guests!

Top review

R

Ryan

Dined 2 days ago

Fantastic food, great atmosphere and top notch staff!

A photo of The Post Tavern restaurant

The Post Tavern

4.7

4.7 (133)

$31 to $50

American

Ada

About the restaurant

Now Open in Ada Village—At The Post Tavern in downtown Ada, MI, we're not just a restaurant; we're a welcoming social hub where friends, families, and neighbors come together to create cherished memories over hand-crafted tavern fare and locally brewed craft beers. Our staff exudes warmth and hospitality, ensuring you feel right at home from the moment you walk through our doors. Join us and experience the heart of Ada's social scene, where every visit promises genuine connections and moments of celebration that surpass the ordinary.

Top review

B

Beth

Dined on May 31, 2025

We have dined her twice. Both times have been outstanding

A photo of HopCat - Grand Rapids restaurant

HopCat - Grand Rapids

4.9

4.9 (118)

$30 and under

American

Grand Rapids

About the restaurant

The original HopCat location is located in a historical building downtown Grand Rapids. Steps from Van Andel Arena, GLC Live at 20 Monroe, and the Grand Rapids Art Museum, our restaurant features a dog-friendly outdoor patio, oversized wooden bar, and comfortable seating.

HopCat was founded on the principles of bringing local craft beer a bit closer to the communities we love. We’re known for our award-wining Cosmik fries, which are beer battered, sprinkled with our signature cracked black pepper seasoning, and served with a side of warm cheese sauce. From burgers to tacos, our menu offers a range of delicious options.

We live the craft lifestyle - beer, cocktails, and even craft food made from scratch. With a dedication to local breweries sustainability and community engagement, HopCat offers craft beer and great food in a vibrant atmosphere for an inclusive, unforgettable experience.

No matter who you are or where you come from, you're always welcome in our community.

Top review

J

Janet

Dined 7 days ago

Great drinks and food. Table was ready according to the reservation however we were there on a low-key weekday night. Attentive and personable service. Would go again if we ever happen to return to GR.

A photo of HopCat - East Lansing restaurant

HopCat - East Lansing

4.7

4.7 (52)

$30 and under

American

East Lansing

About the restaurant

Our second ever HopCat location opened back in 2013! Located right outside of Michigan State University's campus and around the corner from the MSU Union, this location features multiple TVs to make sure you’ll have the best seat in the house to catch the Spartans.

HopCat was founded on the principles of bringing local craft beer a bit closer to the communities we love. We’re known for our award-wining Cosmik fries, which are beer battered, sprinkled with our signature cracked black pepper seasoning, and served with a side of warm cheese sauce. From burgers to tacos, our menu offers a range of delicious options.

We live the craft lifestyle - beer, cocktails and even craft food made from scratch. With a dedication to local breweries, sustainability and community engagement, HopCat offers craft beer and great food in a vibrant atmosphere for an inclusive, unforgettable experience.

Top review

M

Maximilian

Dined on May 16, 2025

Amazing as always. Have been coming here since 2016 as a undergrad, and now a graduate. Always brings back good vibes and memories. Servers are kind and helpful.

A photo of Ruth's Chris Steak House - Grand Rapids restaurant

Ruth's Chris Steak House - Grand Rapids

4.8

4.8 (2724)

$50 and over

Steakhouse

Grand Rapids

About the restaurant

Ruth’s Chris Steak House – Right inside the Amway Grand Plaza, Ruth’s Chris Steak House serves only the best steaks, hand-selected from the top 2% of the country’s beef and broiled to perfection at 1,800 degrees so that every last bite stays as hot and delicious as the first. Enjoy the freshest seafood, classic sides and homemade desserts that satisfy any craving. Whether it’s a business meeting or private event, a guys’ night out, or just the girls, we will accommodate your every need in our warm and inviting atmosphere. Scroll down to take virtual tours of our restaurant and private dining rooms!

Top review

A

Aime

Dined on Jun 16, 2025

Really great place to eat for steak! We had a great time!

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A photo of Ribeye of a restaurant

A photo of Tomahawk Ribeye of a restaurant

Tomahawk Ribeye

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