Diners' Choice: Great for outdoor dining restaurants in Grand Rapids

OpenTable

Updated June 05, 2025

Looking for the best restaurants that are great for outdoor dining in Grand Rapids? 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!

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

Lauren

Dined 7 days ago

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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Coast 236 Restaurant & Bar

4.9

4.9 (1275)

$50 and over

Contemporary American

Saugatuck

About the restaurant

Every coastline brings with it an air of freshness and wonder, an inspiration in every ebb and flow. Coasts can be recognizable and new … predictably unpredictable in a way that can surprise or delight. But no matter the geography, there is a familiarity and a connection. At Coast 236, the rhythm of familiarity and freshness is our inspiration. Sourcing fresh and sustainable ingredients from water and land, we passionately craft approachable coastal inspired cuisine with unexpected details. Coast 236 takes reservations for tables of 1-6 guests only through open table. Sorry, service animals only.

Top review

Kelly

Dined 4 days ago

You cannot go wrong with this restaurant. Fabulous spot for an upgraded experience. I highly recommend.

J. Paul's Dining Room @ The Kirby

4.8

4.8 (564)

$31 to $50

American

Saugatuck

About the restaurant

The Kirby Hotel & J. Paul's Dining Room features a fresh, bright menu with something for everyone's taste and price point. A $15 cancellation fee applies to parties of 6 or more with less than 24 hours' notice.

Carefully crafted cocktails, an array of award-winning wines, and a culinarily modern, yet classical take on food await your evening. Given multiple awards for its outstanding dining and service.

The staff and Chef LaBelle give a friendly and personable approach to your dining experience. Fresh, locally sourced products are used at their prime. The Prime-aged Prime Rib and Duck dishes are signature offerings; there are also always fresh fish and seafood options, as well as vegan and vegetarian options. We cater to all dietary needs.

In the summertime, we offer outdoor seating on our wrap-around porch or our beautifully landscaped back deck overlooking a large pond with a fountain, with often-seen wildlife

Top review

NedVIP

Dined on Jun 13, 2025

We had an excellent experience dining at the Kirby. Imaginative cuisine , excellent drinks , an exceptional wine list , at a fun historic building . We are thrilled that the Kirby is “back” after a dip couple of years ago. We are fans ! Reservations is a huge plus as we do not like to wait for a table ! Keep up the good you are doing !

Cooper's Hawk Winery & Restaurant - Kentwood, MI

4.6

4.6 (3830)

$30 and under

American

Grand Rapids

About the restaurant

Experience the perfect fusion of award-winning wines, Napa-style tasting rooms, and modern casual dining at Cooper's Hawk Winery & Restaurants. Enjoy contemporary American cuisine influenced by international flavors from our scratch kitchen. Each dish is expertly paired with our selection of wines for the best food and wine match. Whether you explore the tasting room for a pre- or post-dinner adventure or join the world's largest wine club, we believe in the power of food and wine to create lasting connections. Dining reservations are highly recommended, but walk-in guests are always welcome on a first-come, first-serve basis. Gluten-free and vegetarian dishes are available.

Top review

Richard

Dined 1 day ago

Food and wine were excellent, we'll definitely be back.

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Popular dish

Ellie's Chicken Piccata

Popular dish

Shrimp and Scallop Risotto

Experience

Brunch & Bubbles | Saturdays & Sundays 10am – 2pm

Sandy Point Beach House - West Olive

4.5

4.5 (1101)

$31 to $50

American

West Olive

About the restaurant

Sandy Point Beach House is a casual fine dining restaurant featuring gourmet burgers and a market driven rotating feature menu. These features will showcase Chefs ingredient focused fusion cuisine that the lake shore knows and loves. Located minutes from Lake Michigan, near Kirk Park and West Michigan bike trails, the beach house atmosphere is best described as modern Chicago loft space meets lake-shore cottage. An easy drive from Holland, Grand Haven or Grand Rapids and just down the road from Camp Blodgett.

Top review

Marilyn

Dined on May 23, 2025

We were there to celebrate my birthday. We sat at a high top in the bar. Tia, the bartender, was always attentive and friendly. The food, 4 different meals, was excellent and presented well. And we ordered 4 different bar drinks which were all tasty and delivered in a timely manner. The restaurant was completely full but we never felt “abandoned” by Tia. We would recommend this restaurant to others.

Bay Pointe Bar & Grille

4.3

4.3 (961)

$31 to $50

American

Grand Rapids

About the restaurant

We have all the ingredients necessary to delight your inner foodie. Chef Todd VanWieren has crafted the perfect seasonal menu brimming with locally sourced, sustainable ingredients-all paired with top wines and a seasonal handcrafted cocktail menu! Beautiful Gun Lake provides an incredible year-round atmosphere experience, thanks to the ever-changing seasons of West Michigan. Simple, really-it's just good food, good drink, with a view you can't beat.

**PLEASE NOTE**: during the warmer months, we do not accept reservations for our outdoor seating area, or for our Waterfront Room. They are seated on a first-come, first served basis. A reservation with us does not guarantee we will have a patio table or Waterfront Room table available for you upon arrival. We ask that you keep your party's visit to 2 hours or less when seated on our Patio. Requests will only be honored on a first come-first served basis.

Top review

Holly

Dined 3 days ago

Our waitress Hannah was a complete sweetheart! We had a great time celebrating our friends birthday

Knoop

4.3

4.3 (449)

$30 and under

Cocktail Bar

Grand Rapids

About the restaurant

Our upscale rooftop cocktail lounge serves elevated American cuisine. Savor made from scratch sharables and small bites as well as special craft cocktails served tableside with our personalized flair. Delight in a wide variety of local beer and wine while enjoying stunning views of downtown Grand Rapids.

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Andrea

Dined on Jun 9, 2025

We came in with several reservations with a large group. Immediately, our server, Amanda, did everything she could to make our experience so incredible! She was attentive and was accommodating for several needs of our party. Absolutely recommend!

CBK

4.3

4.3 (651)

$30 and under

American

Wayland

About the restaurant

CBK - Craft Bar Kitchen - is our modern take on traditional pub fare. The menus mix some of the freshest local ingredients while seasonally inspired menus highlight our chef’s culinary expertise. Come join the fun and excitement as we make CBK the ultimate place to meet with friends and family while enjoying your night on the town at Gun Lake Casino.

While here, help yourself to some of the best locally crafted beer at our CBK Beer Wall! Enjoy up to 40 self-serve beers as you sample our vast offerings.

In the summer, enjoy our outdoor patio with fireplace and patio games. In the winter, make your reservations for our heated igloos for you and up to 6 others in our newly added amenity.

For parties larger than 8, please call Guest Relations at (269) 792-7777

Top review

Teri

Dined on Apr 15, 2025

We enjoyed our dinner! we were able to talk, not many people dining. Salads are very large portions! On another note: Our coupon we got from the Grand Rapids Griffins (on the back of the ticket) was expired in 2023, even though we had just been to the Griffins game a few days prior to visiting CBK. Please inform the ticketing agent for the Grand Rapids Griffins to not use expired coupons when printing the game tickets. we didn't notice the date because the printing was extremely small.

Smuggler's at North Shore

4.3

4.3 (205)

$30 and under

American

Newaygo

About the restaurant

Smuggler's at North Shore is a modern & casual dockside eatery featuring a broad, classic American-style menu, with home-made favorites ranging from classic steak & seafood dishes, to pasta, wood-fired pizza, and pub grub. Also, we offer a signature cocktail menu spotlighting all-Michigan-based distillers, a range of draught beer options, a casual-to-fine wine selection, and slushie options.

Top review

Mary

Dined 4 days ago

We loved our visit to Smugglers. Awesome view, food and service. We will be back.

Mertens Prime

3.8

3.8 (1598)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Grand Rapids

About the restaurant

Mertens Prime, located in the historic 1914 New Hotel Mertens lobby in Grand Rapids, offers locally sourced, in-house hand-cut steaks, chops, and unique takes on classics. Scratch made kitchen where we make all the pastas and desserts. We have a large selection for vegan & vegetarian.

Prime features a full-service espresso machine and classic pastries like beignets. Guests can enjoy tableside presentations like filet dinner for two, a weekly curated rolling cheese cart, and bananas fosters and creme brulee.

The kitchen is scratch made and we feature many locally sourced products.

The bar top is one of the largest in Grand Rapids and seats 18 guests along with lounge tables. Our bar features a daily happy hour from 4pm-6pm 7 days a week for both food and beverage! Seasonal mocktails available along with many other non-alcoholic offerings.

Mertens Rooftop offers a full bar and a menu of appetizers. To book a reservation at Mertens Rooftop, select "Outdoor Seating", if available.

Top review

Myonbe

Dined on May 27, 2025

Fine dinning! Refreshing spirits! Nice tasteful bread!

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