Wander West Michigan

West Michigan Beach Side Restaurants

Did you know there are restaurants in west Michigan where you can eat with your toes in the sand? There are several great beach side restaurant options from Muskegon to Holland and even in Grand Rapids! These restaurants provide that great beach town feel, all while providing excellent food. Plus, they’re perfect places to bring the kiddos to enjoy playing in the sand and a great meal.

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The Deck – Muskegon

Located right on the sand at Pere Marquette Beach in Muskegon, The Deck features beers and barbecue complete with amazing views of Lake Michigan. This is a really fun beach side restaurant! Visitors can choose to sit on the various decks, which are elevated above the sand, or in the lounge area right on the sand. In the lounge area, you can also enjoy a variety of live music almost daily throughout the summer. Find the schedule of entertainment by clicking here!

Try some of The Decks signature drinks like The Deck’s Famous Bloody Mary which features George’s Old Bay Seasoned Bloody Mary Mix, giant smoked Michigan turkey leg, green olive, garlic dill pickle spear, and PBR can! Then there’s the refreshing Cucumber Mint Spritzer, which has pearl cucumber vodka, Owen’s Mint Cucumber Lime Mix, and soda water. They also have a variety of wine, beer, seltzers, and non-alcoholic drinks to choose from!

The Deck features excellent smoked meats, everything from pork to brisket, and more! Make sure to try the Dirty South Nachos, which features sweet potato waffle fries, pulled pork, shredded cheddar, mango-pineapple salsa, barbecue, and honey mustard. They also offer a variety of mac and cheese options, everything from Pulled Pork Mac n’ Cheese to Nashville Chicken Mac n’ Cheese!

Notos at the Bil-Mar – Grand Haven

Located just south of Grand Haven State ParkNoto’s at the Bil-Mar offers visitors amazing Italian cuisine with unobstructed views of Lake Michigan. You can dine inside, on the deck, or within the beachside lounge where you can sink your toes in the sand while enjoying a nice slice of wood fired pizza. Noto’s also has another location in Grand Rapids that has been family-owned since 1982.

Noto’s at the Bil-Mar offers a variety of menu options that are sure to please any visitor. From wood fired pizzas to elegant pasta dishes, there is something for everyone. Make sure to try the Bistecca Alla Siciliana, which is a 10 ounce ribeye, Sicilian bread crumb encrusted, served with roasted potatoes, ammoglio sauce, and chef’s vegetables. Another great option is the Italian Beef sandwich which has slow-roasted shaved prime rib, au jus giardiniera, and roasted peppers on an Italian sub roll and served with fries. Noto’s also has a large selection of wine and beer!

Sandy Point Beach House – West Olive

Sandy Point Beach House, located just south of Grand Haven in West Olive, features new American cuisine with a beach house twist. Not quite on the beach—but we’ll count it! This is a fantastic restaurant, with a beachy feel, that is perfect for putting your toes in the sand. They offer a great dinner menu and brunch is served daily from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Check out their menu by clicking here! Sandy Point Beach House also has a Whiskey Club which has special offers and member-only events throughout the year. Find more information by clicking here.

Sandy Point Beach House features steaks, seafood, and more! Try the duck breast, which is served with cornbread stuffing, fingerling potatoes, parsnip puree, and a dark cherry compote. Another to try is the amazing Seafood Diablo which has scallops, jumbo shrimp, mussels, and clams in a spicy red sauce with linguine.

The Score – Grand Rapids

Located on Northland Drive in Grand Rapids, The Score has a fun sports bar feel, mixed with a beachy vibe. You can enjoy food and drinks inside and play some fun arcade-style games! Customers can also sit outside on the patio with their feet in the sand. With over 128 beers on tap and 70+ televisions, there is always fun to be had. Plus, what other place can you see palm trees in West Michigan? There is also a fun children’s play area and full-sized volleyball courts. The Score also offers live entertainment almost every night of the summer! See the full entertainment schedule by clicking here.

The Score has a massive menu with lots of fun options, perfect for anyone in the family. Try some of their boneless or traditional wings—there are tons of options! Their menu also features burgers, sandwiches, pizza and smokehouse combos, kids’ meals, and desserts.

Bostwick Lake Inn – Rockford

Situated on Bostwick Lake in Rockford, Bostwick Lake Inn is a restaurant that is full of history. In the 1930’s it was one of the area’s first establishments to get its liquor license and even had slot machines at one point! Today, the lakeside restaurant serves an imaginative take on American fare. Guests can dig their toes into the sand in the beach area located off to the side of the deck—a great place for kids to play while you wait for your food! Be sure to try the crispy brussel sprouts which have a signature blood orange glaze—which the regulars rave about! For your main course try the Potato Chip Sweet Corn Crusted Walleye which is pan-seared and oven-roasted, with house remoulade and served with fresh lemon, asparagus, and whipped Yukon potatoes.  

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Looking for other fun places to eat in West Michigan? Check it out here!

Best Brunch in Grand Rapids

A fantastic combination of breakfast and lunch—brunch—has become a weekend must! What better place to have a perfect brunch experience than in Grand Rapids? There are so many restaurants, cafes, and traditional-style restaurants that are offering delectable selections paired with boozy brunch drinks throughout the city!

With so many cool places serving brunch in this great city, how does one choose? Look no further! In this list, we have narrowed down the best of the best brunch in all of Grand Rapids. Make sure to follow these yummy brunch places on Instagram for the most up-to-date delicious details. Enjoy!

DisclaimerAffiliate links are used which means if you purchase via my link I receive a small commission at no additional cost to you! I only recommend products I use and love!

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Rockwell Republic

Located on Division Avenue downtown Grand Rapids, Rockwell Republic serves up a unique combination of delectable brunch items which includes lots of drink specials, classic breakfast items, and even sushi! Don’t miss their Bloody Mary Bar with all of the fixings.

They also deliver a Mimosa Tray for $32 that includes a full bottle of champagne, three different juice mixers, fresh fruit, french toast sticks, tempura fried waffles, and bourbon maple syrup. 

Find their Brunch menu by here! Brunch hours are Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The Sovengard

The Sovengard, located on the West Side on Bridge Street, serves a unique brunch menu sure to please any brunch food lover. Their menu features yummy sweet treats, new takes on old favorites, and delicious morning cocktails. Make sure to try the Beermosa which features a rotating draft sour beer topped with fresh orange juice! Another must-try is the Porky Pancake which is a dutch baby pancake with crispy pork belly, fresh herbs, and Michigan maple syrup!

Find their Brunch menu by clicking here! Brunch hours are Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Matchbox Diner

Visit the Matchbox Diner in Eastown, for the perfect cozy morning vibe with a side of hot coffee. This lovely little diner is the perfect place to spend a Saturday morning enjoying one of their eight different Bloody Marys or their famous Biscuits N’ Gravy. You can even enjoy some fun board games while you eat!

See their brunch menu by clicking here!

Butcher’s Union

Butcher’s Union, on Bridge Street, is one of the best places in Grand Rapids to get a nice steak and glass of whiskey—and also brunch! They’ve taken their unique cooking style and combined it with all of your brunch favorites. You must try the chilaquiles and shrimp and grits. Plus, no brunch is complete without a Bloody Mary, and the Butchers Union has taken this delicious brunch drink a step further by offering different flavored rims. They include salty, smoky, and spicy!

Brunch hours are Saturdays from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Check out their brunch menu before you go by clicking here!

Brown Butter Crepes

Brown Butter Crepes, although not your traditional brunch food, serves up some amazingly sweet and savory crepes! Make sure to try a few to give you that brunchy feel. The cordon bleu is filled with chicken, ham, swiss, raspberry preserves, béchamel, and the sweet Campfire Crepe is stuffed with peanut butter, graham cracker, marshmallows, chocolate sauce, whipped cream—both are a must-try!

Brunch hours are Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Terra GR

Terra GR uses locally sourced, farm-to-table ingredients in all of their food and, of course, their brunch offerings! One of their most popular brunch items is called the Hair of the Dog Bowl and it includes house-made cheddar biscuits, kale, caramelized onions, scrambled eggs, and sausage gravy. If you prefer something more sweet for brunch, then try their rhubarb french toast complete with a rhubarb compote, rhubarb hibiscus meringue, basil, grapefruit curd, lemon chantilly, and spiced walnuts! They, of course, have a long list of brunch cocktails!

Their brunch hours are Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Check out their brunch menu by clicking here!

Lucy’s Cafe

Lucy’s Cafe, located in the Creston Neighborhood, offers great brunch food for any flavor palette. They have a warm, welcoming atmosphere of a cafe mixed with a lively brewery feel. Lucy’s offers a variety of skillets and amazing homemade biscuits! Make sure to try the SY’s Pot Pie or the deviled eggs

Their Brunch hours are Wednesday to Sunday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. They are the only establishment in the city to offer their brunch on weekdays! Check out their brunch menu by clicking here

The SpeakEZ

The SpeakEZ, located near the river just north of 1-96, serves up a delectable brunch menu that can’t be missed! They offer a variety of menu items and yummy morning drinks to match. If you don’t like Bloody Marys, then try their Suffering Bastard which has gin, range juice, lime, vanilla, mint, cucumber, bitters, and egg whites!

If you’re in the mood for something sweet try SpeakEZ’s creme brule french toast. However, if you’re really, really hungry try their breakfast burrito called The Relegation. This epic breakfast plate comes with eggs, two banger sausages, two strips of bacon, a slice of french toast, and American cheese all rolled up into a burrito and drizzled with maple syrup and SEZ Hollandaise—yum!

Check out their brunch menu by clicking here! Brunch hours are Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

San Chez

Located right downtown, San Chez offers tapas Spanish-style food that is simply amazing! They serve fantastic items for brunch, both in American style and Spanish/Cuban style. Try some of their classic dishes like their breakfast empanadas, breakfast hash, or chicken and waffle benedict! Top it off with a Bloody Mary or premium coffee drinks. Pre-Covid they also offered a Bloody Mary Bar and Mimosa Bar—Hopefully, these options will be back soon!

Check out their brunch menu by clicking here! Brunch hours are from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Linear Restaurant

Linear Restaurant, located near the Grand River on Monroe, offers a great package brunch option like no place else in the city. Visitors get to pick two entry options from their menu and a bottle of bubbly for $40. With lots of great menu options like buttermilk and honey waffles and a Latin hash, this is a pretty great deal!

Review their brunch menu by clicking here! Brunch hours are Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The Little Bird

Located on Monroe Center, The Little Bird serves delicious brunch options all day long. This cozy little place has lots of great menu options including unique dishes like Kimchi Hash and Vanilla Chia Overnight Oats! They also have several more traditional breakfast sandwich options.

Check out their brunch menu by clicking here. The biggest bonus of all is that they also serve brunch all day!

Graydon’s Crossing

Graydon’s Crossing has a global pub atmosphere complete with a fun bar area and great patio! Look for the lion mural on the side of the building—very cool! They also serve up a great brunch full of yummy menu items sure to please any brunch goer. Their brunch menu includes classics like Lox and Bagel, plus more “lunchish” items like Bang Bang Shrimp! They also have a full bar so you can pretty much get any breakfast drink you want. We recommend their Blueberry Pancake Shot!

Take a look at their brunch menu by clicking here! Brunch is served on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The Winchester

This quaint and cozy pub, located on Wealthy Street, offers a special brunch menu filled with comfort food favorites. They offer amazing waffles and chicken, complete with a cornbread waffle, fried egg, buttermilk chicken, and maple syrup. They also have Caramel Apple French Toast which has Michigan apples, cinnamon caramel, toasted peanuts, maple, and apple butter.

Check out their brunch menu by clicking here!

Brunch at Home with Nibble and Nosh!

Don’t feel like going out to brunch? Bring brunch to you with Nibble and Nosh’s perfectly created Brunch Boxes—wonderful for a family to enjoy on a Sunday morning! They offer a Sweet Brunch Board, a Build Your Own Parfait Board, and a Bagel Brunch Board. Click this link to order your’s today!

Looking for other places to eat in Grand Rapids? Check out some other cool places here.