Brunch
Brunch is easily my favorite part of the weekend, so I visit these places frequently. Hands down, my husband and I go to Real Food on Eastern the most because the food is fantastic. They don’t have a liquor license so no mimosas or bloody marys, but the food is so good it’s worth it. We go at least every other week.
Matchbox Diner & Drinks (has mimosas)
Matchbox is a cute diner with modern decor that has good, trendy food and drinks. Their food is good and their drinks are great.
Anna’s House
Anna’s house is a local chain that has consistently great food at every location. They offer options for every diet choice/need you have including having many precautions for gluten-free.
Real Food Cafe
As I said above, I love this place. If you go on Saturday or Sunday after 9am, there will be a wait of at least 30 minutes. I think the food is so good it is worth it. I have never seen something come out that doesn’t look great. They don’t have trendy items on the menu, but just offer great breakfast/lunch food at a great price.
LittleBird (has mimosas)
I went to LittleBird on my birthday for brunch and they were so sweet about it. Everyone who works here is the nicest every though customers were antsy because of the long wait.
The Westsider Cafe
Located on the West Side of GR, this cafe is on par with Real Food, and if we lived closer to the West Side this would be our go-to place. They have a local diner feel with great food and great service.
Lunch/Dinner
Hancock GR
Hancock is a new restaurant in Eastown that has fantastic fried chicken, and fun specialty drinks. They have an outdoor patio that is almost as big as the restaurant itself.
Donkey Taqueria
Donkey is where you want to go for tacos and margs any day of they week. They have an outdoor patio and a bar with fantastic drinks. My favorite taco is the Al Pastor and I always get the guac with chips. If I’m in the mood for something sweet, their churros are a great dessert.
Taqueria San Jose
Taqueria San Jose is not in the best part of town, but they have the best tacos in town. They are cheap, authentic tacos that are consistently rated the best in Grand Rapids. They have mostly outdoor seating; there are indoor tables but the only people that sit in them are waiting for to-go orders. I always get the steak tacos with cilantro & onions. Their gauc is my favorite that I’ve ever had – they make it with diced tomatoes.
Brewery Vivant
Brewery Vivant is a LEED certified microbrewery in East Hills that is in an old church building (used for funerals). They have Belgium-inspired foods and many great beers to choose from.
Things to do
Walk around Reeds Lake
It’s about a 4 mile walk around Reeds Lake, although most of the time you won’t be able to see the lake. The path goes around the neighborhood where there are private estates on the lake, but it is a great walk anyways. EGR has many people out walking/running/biking this path so you’ll enjoy the community feeling.
Shop in East Hills
There are many shops in East Hills area (Cherry St & Fountain) and Eastown area (Wealthy St & Eastern) that have home goods, clothes, resale, and antiques.
Festivals and Fairs
There are many festivals and fairs that go on in Grand Rapids and it’s surrounding areas. Grand Rapids Kids keeps up to date on most of the events on their calendar, but the ones I’m most looking forward to are the county fairs (we go to the demo derby events), Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival and “Rock, Roar & Pour” at the John Ball Zoo.
Whitecaps Baseball Game
Whitecaps are a Minor League Baseball team with reasonable ticket prices and fun promotions most days of the week.
Holland or Grand Haven
Holland and Grand Haven state parks are about a 30 minute drive from downtown Grand Rapids and well worth the trip. Each town has cute shopping districts and fantastic well-cared-for beaches.