Grand Haven, Michigan might be known for its beach, boardwalk, and pier, but this small town on the lakeshore offers more than quaint shops and Lake Michigan views. It also offers plenty of places to eat, from food stands to cozy cafes to casual and fine dining and everything in between.
Hey, you gotta eat, right? So, if you’re in Grand Haven, use this guide to our top Grand Haven food picks. No matter what time of day or what meal you’re craving, we guarantee you won’t leave this place hungry!
Morning Star Cafe is a local favorite and it’s easy to see why. Everything’s freshly made from scratch with local ingredients and all sorts of options, many with a Southwest flair. From Michigan blueberry pancakes to stuffed french toast, scrambles, omelettes, frittatas, and more, there is something for everyone no matter how picky! In fact, we promise you’ll enjoy your breakfast so much, you’ll want to stay for lunch, which they just so happen to also serve.
Of course, you can always stop by any of the coffee shops or bakeries around town for something delicious to kick start your day, or venture outside of downtown for some other yummy options, like the ones found at these small breakfast and beyond shops that satisfy the biggest of appetites:
If it’s lunchtime and your tummy’s rumbling, we’ve got the perfect place for you to try. Toasted Pickle has a full menu of items that are sure to hit the spot. Choose from salads, soups, and gourmet sandwiches like the Green Goddess Grilled Cheese featuring goat cheese, cheddar, avocado, and homemade sweet pesto…mmm, our mouths are watering just thinking about it!
There should be no surprise that everything on the menu is served with a pickle on the side, but what may surprise you is that you can order and eat at the restaurant or you can grab a seat at Oddside brewery down the street, put your Toasted Pickle order in, and they’ll deliver it right to your table!
Want to try some other places during your stay? Here are a few more Grand Haven food favs for lunch:
Hungry but heading to the beach? No problem. Butch’s Beach Burritos has your back! This pass through burrito stand is not far from the shore and serves up your made-to-order food fast. It’s perfect to enjoy on their side patio or on the beach, if you can make it that far without wanting to dig in!
While you’re in town, be sure to check out these other classic on-the-go options, too:
There are so many Grand Haven Restaurants that serve up a delicious dinner, It’s tough to pick just one! Instead, we’ve broken ‘em down by category so you can pick whatever suits your mood.
Looking for a casual place to grab a bite? Head to Paisley Pig Gastropub. As you might expect, they’ve got some mean pulled pork, but that’s just for starters. From artisan pizzas to build-your-own burgers to salads, sharables, soups and more, all have a little twist for some not-so-ordinary fare. Plus, you can wash it all down with some craft beer. What’s not to like about that?
If you’re in a fancy mood, there’s no place like Notos for a fine dining experience and a million dollar view. In a killer location right on the beach, you can order everything from beef tenderloin to chicken francesca to white fish piccata…and the fine dining list goes on! It’s far from stuffy, though. You can also enjoy a wood-fired pizza, or simply sip an after dinner drink outside as you watch the sun set over Lake Michigan.
If you want to get cozy or have a romantic dinner on the patio listening to live music, Porto Bello is a great place for a date night meal, with portions big enough to share! Located in what the locals call “The Old Piano Factory”, Porto Bello offers historic charm along with a wide variety of pastas, classic Italian dishes, seafood, and more. Not far from the channel, it’s even perfect for a post dinner romantic stroll.
Tip-a-Few is known for their giant wet burrito, strong well drinks, and local crowd. Stop in to watch a big game on TV while you enjoy some grub and, you know, tip a few.
As a beach town, Grand Haven has all sorts of outdoor seating options, but for the best views of the channel, you can’t beat sitting on Snug Harbor’s deck. Here, you’ll not only enjoy a delicious menu, but also an awesome view, watching the boats go by and the sun go down. You can even order from their adjacent sushi bar if you like, and if it’s busy, you can wait for your table at an outdoor bar.
Another great outdoor spot is the deck top at K2 where you can not only indulge in a great view but also a cold beer and pizza with a variety of topping options.
Believe it or not, Grand Haven is home to not one, not two, but three authentic Mexican restaurants that could give the best of the best a run for their money!
Arturos has just a few tables but their sign says it all ﹘best tacos in town!
Check out Don Luis if a nice sit down meal is more your style﹘their fresh salsa and margaritas are fantastic.
Taco Jalisco also has great food and ample seating, as well as a little hidden secret﹘around back is a drive through window. How cool is that?
There are lots of delicious pizza places around here, but you’ll find that for years in Grand Haven there has been a long-standing debate over two in particular, and people are quick to tell you which they think is better: Clover Bar or Fricanos. The only way to decide for yourself is to stop by for a pie from each!
JW’s Food & Spirits is a popular Grand Haven restaurant with something for everyone on their menu, including the best white chicken chili there is! If you want to go where the locals go, come to “J-Dubs” and ask the friendly staff what the special is and what’s on draft.
There’s another mainstay in town the locals refer to as just plain “Kirby,” but technically it’s called The Kirby House. On the corner of the main drag (Washington) and Harbor Drive that runs along the channel and shoreline, Kirby is home to not only it’s main restaurant with central bar, live music and covered patio, but also an upper level complete with the K2 deck we mentioned earlier, as well as a grill room for a more upscale option. This place has it all and is always hoppin’!
As Grand Haven residents, we might be a little biased, but we think our town has some of the best food in West Michigan! If you want the best dining options at your doorstep, consider making Grand Haven your home and reach out to BlueWest Properties. We are proud to showcase listings in our community and other desirable lakeshore areas. To learn more about our available properties, give us a call or contact us online today.