Real Estate Blog

I’ve lived in Grand Rapids my whole life. It has been very interesting to live in a place it experiences growth and get to benefit from all of the exciting new things that come with a growing city. One of the major things that has changed over the years is the food and dining options available. In recent years, it has felt like new restaurants and food joints are popping up all over the place. This is wonderful because it gives folks lots of choices, but if you’re new to the city, scrolling through Yelp can get old in the quest for finding the best food in town. I have tried many of the restaurants in Grand Rapids, and I wanted to share what my favorite places are to have a sit-down dining experience.

MDRD

MDRD is one of the more expensive places to grab a bite to eat or a cocktail to drink in Grand Rapids, but it’s always worth it. Located at the top of the Amway Grand Plaza, this restaurant boasts amazing almost 360 views of the city. MDRD is a Spanish-style restaurant that has a wide variety of menu items, from tapas to interesting entrees and unique desserts. If you drink alcohol, their cocktails are some of the best in town. Something that makes a restaurant stand out to me is if the service is good, the food is good, and the vibe of the restaurant is good. MDRD ticks all of these boxes and is my favorite place to go to celebrate special occasions.

Menu favorites: patatas bravas,  vieiras al ajillo, paella de langosta, pollo a la mostaza

To find out more information or make a reservation, click here

Linear

I often refer to Linear as a “hidden gem”. Although weekends are always very busy, not many people seem to know about this restaurant located just north of downtown right on the river. I may sound biased because I actually work as a server here a few days a week, but I am continually impressed by the food and drinks at Linear (and the service always seems to be top-notch as well). Located right on the Grand River, during the warmer months, guests have the option to sit on one of two patios. The cuisine is referred to as “modern American”. The kitchen does a wonderful job of putting unique and flavorful twists on classics. The cocktails are delicious and affordable. The inside dining area is full of live plants and large windows. The dinner food is what they are known for, but the lunch menu and brunch menu have many tasty options as well.

Menu Favorites: Wagyu flank steak, herb focaccia loaf, diver scallops, smoked brisket skillet, chicken and waffle

You can find out more information or make a reservation by clicking here

Gojo Ethiopian Cuisine

Any food that you don’t use utensils to eat always tastes better in my opinion, and Gojo Ethiopian Cuisine is no exception. Located conveniently in the Eastown neighborhood, this authentic Ethiopian restaurant never disappoints. I have only recently tried Ethiopian food, and I am kicking myself for not trying it sooner. The unique dishes are packed full of unique and exciting flavors. The owners are always so kind and eager to explain dishes people may not know much about. This is a place not many people seem to know about, which i would love to change so I have more friends to share a platter of delicious Ethiopian food with.

Menu favorites: family combo (Full servings of Siga watt, Doro watt, Tibs, and all vegetable dishes. Served with Ethiopian salad and three injera), Ethiopian tea

Click here to learn more and check out the full menu

Graydon’s Crossing

The first time I tried Graydon’s crossing I went with my dad, as he was on the hunt to find the best onion rings in town. After trying many different places, he concluded that Graydon’s Crossing were the best. I have since concluded that Graydon’s does more than just make amazing onion rings, and many of their other menu items are arguably the best I can find in the city. Graydon’s Crossing is another somewhat hidden gem that never seems to have too long of a wait, and the service is almost always top-notch. I love the cozy pub feel of the inside of the restaurant, and they have a great patio to enjoy during their warmer months. Their dinner options are amazing, but their brunch menu is where they really shine. I also love their cocktails, and appreciate the happy hour and daily special deals they have.

Menu favorites: kale caesar, truffle mac n cheese, vegetarian naanwhich, copyright sandwich (ask for a side of chorizo gravy)

To find out more information, click here

Donkey Taqueria

Who doesn’t love tacos and margaritas? I know I do, and Donkey remains my faovrite spot for this type of cuisine. Located on Wealthy Street, Donkey is close to a lot of other Grand Rapids gems. I love Donkey because the service is always fast, the food is always good, and the vibes are always on point. Whether you’re letting the tequila from the margarita warm you up as you cozy up in the restaurant during a cold winter day, or using margaritas as a cool refreshment on a hot summer day on the patio, the dining experience at Donkey is always worth writing home about. Beware though, during the weekends there is often a long wait, and they unfortunately don’t take reservations.

Menu favorites: chips and guacamole, flautas de pollo, Taco De Bruselas

To learn more and check out their menu, click here