Last updated: 2025-05-06
Grand Rapids’ culinary scene boasts an impressive array of upscale dining destinations that transform West Michigan’s restaurant landscape. From downtown’s sophisticated kitchens to Ada’s hidden gems, these establishments showcase innovative cuisine that reflects the region’s diverse culinary talents.
Local chefs craft extraordinary dining experiences using Michigan-sourced ingredients, creating menus that blend contemporary techniques with traditional flavors. Restaurants like Grove, Terra GR, and Margaux at JW Marriott elevate Grand Rapids’ reputation as a serious foodie destination.
Discover Grand Rapids’ most exquisite dining experiences now!
Featured Fine Dining Spots in Grand Rapids
- Grove
- Leo's Seafood Restaurant & Bar
- Scholar
- MeXo
- Margaux at JW Marriott Grand Rapids
- Bistro Bella Vita
- The Heritage Restaurant
- Terra GR
- Gin Gin's
- Rix (Ada)
Bistro Bella Vita
What to Expect
Advanced sommelier-curated wine and craft cocktail program
Description
A sophisticated downtown Grand Rapids restaurant featuring modern French and Italian cuisine. The elegant dining room offers handmade pasta, brick-oven pizzas, and rotisserie-roasted meats paired with an exceptional wine program curated by an Advanced Sommelier. Intimate booths, an energetic bar, and urban patio create a versatile dining atmosphere.
Where: Grand Rapids | More Info: Bistro Bella Vita
Gin Gin's
What to Expect
Moody leather booths with open kitchen design
Description
Gin Gin's offers an upscale dining experience in a reimagined space featuring an open kitchen, moody leather booths, and sapele wood paneling. The restaurant serves premium steaks, fresh seafood, and handmade pasta, complemented by handcrafted martinis and vintage cocktails in a stylish, inviting atmosphere with a whimsical outdoor courtyard.
Where: Grand Rapids | More Info: Gin Gin's
Grove
What to Expect
Seasonally driven tasting menus with local farm-sourced ingredients
Description
Grove offers an intimate fine dining experience in Grand Rapids, featuring thoughtfully sourced Midwestern ingredients and seasonally inspired cuisine. The restaurant's open-concept dining room showcases progressive culinary techniques with carefully curated wine pairings from New World vintages. Signature tasting experiences like 'Tasting for Two' highlight the chef's innovative approach to contemporary American cuisine.
Where: Grand Rapids | More Info: Grove
Leo's Seafood Restaurant & Bar
What to Expect
Floor-to-ceiling windows with expansive downtown Grand Rapids views
Description
Located in downtown Grand Rapids, Leo's Seafood Restaurant & Bar offers an elegant dining experience with floor-to-ceiling windows and a sophisticated atmosphere. The restaurant specializes in fresh seafood, featuring a world-class wine list and carefully crafted cocktails. Guests can enjoy an inviting dining room with a lively bar and lounge area that provides a refined yet approachable culinary destination.
Where: Grand Rapids | More Info: Leo's Seafood Restaurant & Bar
Margaux at JW Marriott Grand Rapids
What to Expect
Riverside French bistro with sophisticated Bordeaux-inspired dining
Description
Margaux offers an elegant French bistro experience nestled within the JW Marriott Grand Rapids. The sophisticated dining room blends modern design with traditional Bordelais cuisine, featuring a select wine list, seafood towers, and seasonal menus that showcase locally sourced ingredients with French-inspired techniques.
Where: Grand Rapids | More Info: Margaux at JW Marriott Grand Rapids
MeXo
What to Expect
Modern interpretation of pre-Hispanic Mexican culinary traditions
Description
A downtown Grand Rapids tequila and mezcal bar featuring Chef Oscar's modern interpretation of pre-Hispanic Mexican cuisine. The intimate restaurant showcases regional dishes crafted with locally sourced ingredients, complemented by an extensive collection of artisanal tequilas and mezcals.
Where: Grand Rapids | More Info: MeXo
Rix (Ada)
What to Expect
Rooftop restaurant with expansive terrace and local flavor fusion
Description
Nestled atop the Ada Hotel, Rix offers a sophisticated rooftop dining experience featuring a stunning terrace and indoor dining room. The restaurant blends local Michigan classics with innovative culinary approaches, presenting an inviting atmosphere with a striking bar and cozy fireplace in the private dining space.
Where: Ada | More Info: Rix
Scholar
What to Expect
140-year-old relocated Brunswick bar from a Chicago hotel pub
Description
Nestled in a reimagined 1880s three-level downtown building, Scholar offers an elegant dining experience celebrating early American cuisine. The restaurant features a 140-year-old hand-crafted Brunswick bar, original hardwood floors, and tin ceilings, creating a sophisticated atmosphere. Chef Taylor Boeschenstein crafts classic Americana dishes complemented by carefully curated cocktails, specialty beers, and an extensive wine list.
Where: Grand Rapids | More Info: Scholar
Terra GR
What to Expect
Hyperlocal seasonal ingredient sourcing from Michigan farms
Description
Terra GR offers an intimate farm-to-table dining experience in Grand Rapids, featuring seasonally crafted dishes sourced from local Michigan farms. The restaurant's candlelit dining room showcases carefully curated menus highlighting sustainable, artisan ingredients with a commitment to genuine hospitality and community-driven culinary storytelling.
Where: Grand Rapids | More Info: Terra GR
The Heritage Restaurant
What to Expect
Student-staffed fine dining restaurant with professional chef supervision
Description
A refined dining experience operated by Grand Rapids Community College's culinary students, The Heritage Restaurant offers world-class service in a professional training environment. Diners are served gourmet meals prepared and presented by emerging culinary professionals under the direct supervision of expert chef professors, creating an innovative educational dining concept.
Where: Grand Rapids | More Info: The Heritage Restaurant
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