Grand Rapids Lunch Guide to 10 Must-Try Local Spots

Welcome Home West Michigan January 2, 2023
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Burger and waffle fries in a checked-paper-lined tray on an outdoor picnic table.

Our Top 10 Lunch Spots in Grand Rapids

So we’ve talked about our favorite brunch spots (click here to see what they are!), but let’s talk about lunch now! We’ve composed a list of 10 local businesses around GR we believe make for a great lunchtime stop!

1. Basalt

Restaurant seating area with bright blue tables and chairs beside a wood-paneled mural wall.

Basalt modern Tex-Mex restaurant storefront with a projecting sign and colorful window graphics.

Golden-browned stuffed sandwich with creamy filling, held upright in a metal stand.

Basalt is located on Wealthy St and has a uniquely crafted menu of modern Tex-Mex. Be sure to check out their specials when you visit; they never fail to tickle the taste buds! Find everything from breakfast tacos, sandwiches, sweets, and more on their menu.

Visit their website!

2. Uncle Cheetah's Soup Shop

Uncle Cheetah’s Soup Shop storefront with striped awnings and its menu painted on the window.

Creamy frozen dessert in a compostable cup held before a colorful mural.

Uncle Cheetah’s Soup storefront window with illuminated lettering and bakery racks inside.

Craving soup for lunch? We can assure you you can’t go wrong with Uncle Cheetah’s Soup Shop! They offer different house-made soups every day, and their soups are probably the best we’ve EVER had!

Visit their website!

3. Two Beards Deli

Bowl of creamy, herb-speckled food with chunky pieces beside a fork on a napkin.

Two Beards Deli & Catering

A deli sandwich with lettuce and meat beside a Two Beards Deli & Catering cup.

Two Beards offers a sandwich selection that will seriously blow your mind! They have fresh and ready ingredients, vegan options, and more! Not to mention, they are located in the heart of downtown GR, which is a plus!

4. Downtown Market

kLove’s Ice Cream sign in Grand Rapids, Michigan, hanging beneath exposed ventilation ducts.

Covered outdoor walkway with timber beams, string lights, and brick paving

RAK Thai Food and Bubble Tea counter with a wooden sign and chalkboard menus.

Yup. The Downtown Market is the PRIME lunch spot. If you are getting lunch with a group of people (or even just one person), The Downtown Market is the perfect spot because there are so many different kinds of food to choose from! and! Most of the vendors in the market are locally owned GR businesses that will quickly become some of your favorites!

Visit their website!

5. The Old Goat

The Old Goat restaurant counter beneath a painted sign and hanging lights.

Fruit crumble topped with whipped cream on a restaurant table.

The Old Goat restaurant menu showing salads and sandwich selections on a wooden table.

The Old Goat definitely passes the vibe check! Between the lengthy menu with endless options, the piano inside, and the interior setup, we can assure you The Old Goat makes for a fantastic brunch spot to meet up with your favorite people over a meal!

Visit their website!

6. The Toasted Pickle

Stacked grilled ham and cheese sandwiches with pickles and crispy filling, topped with a pickle spear.

The Toasted Pickle’s bright green storefront with its sandwich sign and service window.

Toasted sandwich with sliced meat and melted cheese held in front of a downtown storefront.

The Toasted Pickle is a fan favorite all over West Michigan, and they recently opened a location in Rockford! The grilled cheese and tomato soup combo is a popular menu pick, along with their boba lemonades (+ they come with little Hawaiian umbrellas, how cute!)

Visit their website!

7. Field and Fire

Casual restaurant interior with exposed brick, tall windows, and diners seated at a table.

Foamy hot drink and decorated macarons beside a NOTEWORTHY notebook on a dark table.

Field & Fire Café storefront in a red-brick building, with a sidewalk chalkboard and two pedestrians.

Field and Fire is a great spot for your next lunch date! Located in Belknap Lookout is this FIRE (haha get it..) lunch spot. Get a delicious sandwich, soup, or salad and afterward take a walk at Sixth Street Bridge Park!

Visit their website!

8. Yesterdog

Yesterdog storefront with a gray awning and red-and-cream tiled facade.

Two Yesterdog hot dogs, one topped with chili and cheese and the other with relish and chopped onions.

Brick building mural advertising historic air travel, with a biplane and a Yesterday on Wealthy sign.

Welcome to one of the most famous Grand Rapids local businesses. Since 1976, Yesterdog has been blessing the Grand Rapids community with out-of-this-world signature hot dogs. You haven’t experienced Grand Rapids if you haven’t experienced Yesterdog!

Visit their website!

9. Hancock

Hancock restaurant exterior with red signage, outdoor picnic tables, and umbrellas.

Lunch basket with waffle fries, fried chicken, a sandwich, and dipping sauces.

Red tiled “YOU LOOK GOOD” lettering above a bathroom sink.

Are you ready to have the best chicken ever? If the answer is yes, then make your way to Hancock, cause that is exactly what you’ll get! Hancock is located on Wealthy Street and is so cute and trendy. Their chicken tenders, wings, sandwiches, and more make for such a good lunch, and you can enjoy the deliciousness either inside or outside with their outdoor seating!

Visit their website!

10. Blue Dog Tavern

Cheeseburger with orange sauce, lettuce, and a pickle on a red plate.

Blue Dog Tavern at a sunny street corner, with its hanging sign and blue flag.

Restaurant bar with ornate arches, a television, beer taps, and an illuminated bubble column.

Alright, you guys, if you haven’t been to Blue Dog Tavern, you have to visit them. Enjoy a meal and drinks with friends in a fun atmosphere! Blue Dog Tavern is definitely one of the West Side’s pride and joys!

Visit their website!

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