Diners' Choice: Lively restaurants in Grand Rapids / Western Michigan

OpenTable

Updated September 05, 2024

Looking for restaurants that have the most vibrant bar scenes 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!

The People's Kitchen

4.8

4.8 (294)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Lansing

About the restaurant

We love making our food from scratch. We could not do it without our local farmers! Fun atmosphere, upscale cuisine, craft cocktails and local artist gallery as decor.

Top review

Karenvip

Dined 2 days ago

Fantastic every time!! The service was great, water glass was never empty, appetizer came out quick and was delicious, and the main dish (scallops) was perfection. Went on a Friday night and walked right in.

The Cottage at Wicks

4.8

4.8 (13)

$30 and under

Bar / Lounge / Bottle Service

Saugatuck

About the restaurant

A Cocktail Bar and Intimate Event Venue based in Saugatuck, MI. The Cottage offers a unique ambiance combining modern amenities with vintage flare.
Indoor and Outdoor Seating Available.
A large outdoor patio that turns into a winter wonderland with our Igloo Rentals.
Fresh Small Bites:
-Charcuterie Board
-Filet Sliders
-Mediterranean Plate
-Garlic Shrimp
-Cobbler of the Season
-And Many More!
Gluten Free and Vegetarian Options available.

Top review

Jim

Dined on Aug 29, 2024

Limited small plates, good drinks, fantastic ambiance. Outdoor patio on a summer night was terrific. Best for couples, small groups for a before-dinner reservation or a small bite and a visit with friends.

The Melting Pot - Grand Rapids

4.7

4.7 (1220)

$31 to $50

Fondue

Grand Rapids

About the restaurant

Welcome to The Melting Pot. We offer a truly unique dining experience created by the art of fondue. Whether you’re celebrating a birthday, anniversary, a long overdue date night, or celebrating with a group, The Melting Pot is perfect for any occasion. Tailor your visit with a four-course dining experience including cheese fondue, salad, entree and chocolate fondue. Or, come by for fondue cheese paired with that perfect glass of wine from our extensive selection. That's not to say we haven't had more than a few stop by to satisfy that chocolate craving after a movie.

Top review

Sara

Dined on Aug 27, 2024

Great spot to celebrate our anniversary! We were able to enjoy our experience and not feel rushed like at other restaurants.

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Experience

Standard Reservation

HopCat - Grand Rapids

4.6

4.6 (79)

$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

Carolvip

Dined 4 days ago

Our waiter was great and he took care of our group of 6!

MDRD

4.6

4.6 (1869)

$50 and over

Spanish

Grand Rapids

About the restaurant

At MDRD, you’re invited to sample modern Spanish cuisine. Melt into the lavish vibe of a dining experience where your every need is anticipated. From fabulous furnishings and sounds of the city to a deluge of exciting flavors—all your senses are engaged. Feel the rhythm of Madrid as you enter the seductive atmosphere of this luxurious top-floor tapería. Get swept up. Experience MDRD.

Top review

Brenda

Dined 3 days ago

MDRD has been one of our favorite spots in GR since it opened. The ambience, service and cuisine are outstanding! Highly recommend. Our server, Layla was attentive, knowledgeable, patient and had great recommendations! and did we mention the views??

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Experience

Experience La Buena Vista

Experience

IIumina La Noche en MDRD

BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse - Lansing

4.6

4.6 (85)

$30 and under

American

Lansing

About the restaurant

Time counts at BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse. Since our humble beginnings back in 1978, we’ve continued to refine our brewhouse experience to make BJ’s a place where you can make the most of any meal. We want BJ’s to be a place where the moment you leave is the moment you plan on coming back. We pride ourselves in our craft and attention to detail. Our guests come here for our award-winning handcrafted beer. They come here for the Southern California twist we’ve put on the Chicago-style deep dish pizza. And they come here for our Pizookies®, our world-renowned dessert. But above all we know people come here to make their good times better. So in many ways we haven’t just crafted a brand, but a mindset. And our guests are the reason for this. And it’s because of them we’re continually striving to make sure every moment they choose to spend with us counts. Welcome to BJ’s, a restaurant with a Brewhouse soul.

Top review

Janet

Dined on Aug 19, 2024

Specials on food and beverages plus a coupon you could take at hostess table and the manager would open for you-it was a free dessert coupon!! Can’t get any better than that!

Brickyard Tavern

4.2

4.2 (83)

$30 and under

American

Grand Rapids

About the restaurant

Our food focus provides a range of options, including outstanding burgers, beer battered COD, exceptional salmon, and a scrumptious NY Strip.

When it comes to our tavern, we serve Craft Beers and Superior Spirits. Join us for this journey seven days a week. We always open at 11AM and we offer extended dinner hours seven days a week, and all day long. FRIDAY AND SATURDAY we focus more on walk-ins. So feel free to stop over.

BUSINESS NOTE: We are located inside the historic Boardwalk Condominiums.

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined on Jul 13, 2024

After the loss of a dear nephew I. Decided that we are going to experience a new restaurant every week. Seeking with our daughter and our new granddaughter. This was the first of our choices for these experiences and it was wonderful

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Kankakee Grille - Four Winds Casino

4.2

4.2 (1145)

$30 and under

American

New Buffalo

About the restaurant

There is no better place in the area to enjoy delicious dining, a large selection of craft beers, specialty, cocktails, and live entertainment. Comfort foods with a modern twist that satisfy every craving: Hearth baked pizzas, soups and salads, hometown favorites, and more. Live entertainment every weekend with the best stage and sound in Michiana.

Top review

Andrea

Dined 6 days ago

Deacon was our server. Very attentive! He never forgot we were there.

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4.1

4.1 (416)

$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.

Top review

Ginger

Dined on Aug 11, 2024

Once we found Knoop we were promptly greeted and seated outside as we requested in our reservation. Beautiful and unique environment. Our waitstaff was fabulous with drink and meal suggestions. Very attentive and we liked that she brought us a carafe of water towards the end of our meal for easy refills as we continued chatting after dinner. They accommodated making mocktails for us. Food arrived hot, delicious and in a timely manner. We visited on a Sunday.

BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse - Grand Rapids Center

3.9

3.9 (50)

$30 and under

American

Coldwater

About the restaurant

Time counts at BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse. Since our humble beginnings back in 1978, we’ve continued to refine our brewhouse experience to make BJ’s a place where you can make the most of any meal. We want BJ’s to be a place where the moment you leave is the moment you plan on coming back.

We pride ourselves in our craft and attention to detail. Our guests come here for our award-winning handcrafted beer. They come here for the Southern California twist we’ve put on the Chicago-style deep dish pizza. And they come here for our Pizookies®, our world-renowned dessert. But above all we know people come here to make their good times better.

So in many ways we haven’t just crafted a brand, but a mindset. And our guests are the reason for this. And it’s because of them we’re continually striving to make sure every moment they choose to spend with us counts.

Welcome to BJ’s, a restaurant with a Brewhouse soul.

Top review

Pete

Dined on Aug 30, 2024

We ate last evening (Friday at 5:00PM), at BJ’s with a friend from out of town. Two ordered the Salmon (one blackened and the other oven roasted). I had the Shrimp Scambi with a side Caesar Salad. We all enjoyed our meals and our service was great. Chris did a great job in waiting on us! Food was served Hot and quick and was delicious. We will be back!

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