best places to eat in kalamazoo

Table of Contents

Looking for the Best Places to Eat in Kalamazoo? Kalamazoo, Michigan has so many delicious eateries that you might be a little overwhelmed by the choices. What should you eat? We’ve all heard that Kalamazoo has a lot of great places to eat. Whether you’re looking for burgers, pizza, Indian food, or vegan tacos, this list has it all.

Kalamazoo is a beautiful, inspiring city with an amazing food scene. From the best places to eat in Kalamazoo, to the best restaurants in Kalamazoo, there’s something for everyone. Here are some of our favorite spots:

The Vine: This wine bar is one of our favorites because they offer outdoor seating and a laid-back atmosphere. They also have a great selection of wines, so it’s the perfect place to bring friends or family!
The Old Dog Tavern: Looking for a pub with character? Look no further than The Old Dog Tavern! This local favorite has been around since 1894, and offers great drinks and food at reasonable prices.

Kalamazoo is a city full of great food, and there are a lot of places to choose from. Whether you’re craving pizza or sushi, there’s something for everyone. Here are some of the best places to eat in Kalamazoo:

-The Rabbit Hole: This restaurant is known for its burger, which has been named one of the best burgers in Michigan. It also serves other delicious foods like milkshakes and fries.

-Finz Seafood Restaurant & Oyster Bar: This restaurant serves seafood and steak dishes as well as specialty drinks like cocktails made with champagne and beer.

-Papa John’s Pizza: Papa John’s Pizza serves pizza by the slice or whole pie, with options including cheese, veggie toppings or pepperoni.

-Moriarty’s Pub & Grill: Moriarty’s Pub & Grill offers traditional pub fare such as burgers and sandwiches along with more unique options like chicken wings and fish tacos.

romantic restaurants in kalamazoo

1. Crow’s Nest

A favorite amongst locals especially families during weekends, the Crow’s Nest is a cozy place that is perfect for a weekend brunch. Serving almost all the delectable goodies, you can gorge on comfort recipes like pancakes, burgers, omelets, and French toast too, to name a few. Not only do they have excellent meat options, but also an elaborate menu for vegetarians too! The ambiance is bright, energetic, and cozy, but it is the service that will make your experience here special. The staff is smart, friendly, and ensure prompt service. If you are traveling with kids, a visit here is a must, as they have some dishes that children love!

2. Food Dance

Lauded for its excellent flavors, Food Dance is famous for the locally sourced organic produce that it uses. Simply put, it serves American food at its best! The atmosphere of the restaurant also does justice, as the friendly staff is quick to serve, the ambiance is nice and homely, and the music will simply force you to tap your feet. Perfect for a large group, but not bad for a couple either, you will find it crowded, especially during the weekends. Another thing that stands out about this restaurant is that it also has a number of vegetarian as well as vegan options. So, if you are looking for a cozy, artsy place to have a fresh delectable meal, this is the place to go!

3. Bell’s Eccentric Cafe

One of the most exciting restaurants in Kalamazoo, Bell’s Eccentric Cafe is one of the best places to visit at night. With excellent beers on tap, bar food that will keep you yearning for more, and music that will make every non-dancer tap the foot! With the residents proud about this happening bar in their neighborhood, it is common for tourists to come here after an eventful day of exploring to usually relax and have a couple of drinks with friends. Since all the beer that is served here is crafted in house, you will find them all to be exceptional, to say the least. Be sure to drop by for a drink and dinner here, during your visit!

4. Shawarma King

A modest, simple looking restaurant that serves exceptional food, Shawarma King is charming, to say the least! One often steps into the restaurant to find it a little too simple, but when it comes to its service, and mainly the food, the restaurant will surpass all of your expectations! Smiling, friendly staff is prompt in service and will recommend only the best. While here, be sure to order for a smoothie as they make it especially creamy, and a Lebanese salad that is served with hummus! This is also one of the best restaurants in Kalamazoo that is well worth the value, as it is easy on the pocket, serves a good amount of portion, and the most delectable Lebanese food.

5. Chinn Chinn

One of the best Chinese restaurants in Kalamazoo, Chinn Chinn is a family favorite. While some people prize in having their menu fixed here, the others love to try out all the innovations that this modern bistro has to offer. Packed with traditional Asian flavors, this is a must visit restaurant for all foodies. Be sure to try their Blue cheese wontons and their Mongolian Flatbread while here, as they are super delicious! There are also some gluten-free options available here. If you are in the city even for a short visit, make sure you visit this restaurant at least once!

best restaurants in portage mi

Rustica

Head chef Chris Kidd, a graduate of the culinary institute of America, and his team at Rustica specialize in serving house cured meats, home made cheese and more than 180 different bottles of wine, sourced from all over Europe. The interior works harmoniously with the food to create a truly convivial atmosphere that guests will not forget. Main meals include braised lamb shank with house bacon and confit potato, as well as pan roasted Michigan chicken and smashed seasonal potatoes.

Old Peninsula Brewpub and Restaurant

Sitting in an historic old building near the water’s edge, the Olde Peninsula Brewpub and Restaurant is somewhat of an institution in Kalamazoo. A purveyor of fine craft ales, the Brewpub welcomes guests to a relaxed atmosphere that is suitable for any time of day. In fact, the beers on tap are changed on a regular basis, altering with the whims of the pub owners. Alongside burgers, salads and pizzas, the Brewpub also offers a great selection of bigger dishes. These include fresh caught perch, deep fried and served with chips, as well as the classic pot roast, served with fresh vegetables and cheesy mash potato.

The Kalamazoo Beer Exchange

The Kalamazoo Beer Exchange is a colossal building, covering two floors. The Beer Exchange offers 28 rotating draught beers, sold in the manner of a stock exchange, so prices are dictated entirely by popularity. Throughout the day, beer crashes take place and prices drop to their all time low. The Beer Exchange offers a range of great pub dishes, all of which are created in the open kitchen, where guests can watch their food being prepared. Dishes include home style meatloaf, chicken pot pie, served with a sweet potato crust, and roast mushroom crepes, complete with spinach and a caprese salad.

Crow’s Nest

Perched in a high rise in downtown Kalamazoo, the Crow’s Nest is one of Kalamazoo’s go to restaurants. Open for almost a decade, the Crow’s Nest serves a fine array of food and drink seven days a week. While the restaurant serves food upstairs, the bakery and café downstairs offer a range of brilliant coffee and pastry goods. A popular spot for breakfast, the Crow’s Nest prepares dishes such as the breakfast BLT, steak and eggs, and a breakfast burrito. Other options include amaretto pecan French toast, a classic ceasar salad, and the K’zoo tofu stir fry, which is veggie friendly.

Zooroona

In Arabic, Zooroona literally translates as ‘come visit us’. As the name suggests, it is highly recommended that you give this fantastic Middle Eastern restaurant a try. Founded by the Mandwee brothers after they immigrated to Michigan in the 1980s, the restaurant is now the go to place for cuisine of the Middle East. Starters include dishes such as falafel, baba ghannouj, and dolmeh, which is grape leaves stuffed with rice and vegetables. Mains are a hearty affair, with spiced beef and figs, Lebanese lamb medley with hummus, and spinach and cheese pie all available throughout the day.

Sweetwater’s Donut Mill

Sweetwater’s Donut Mill is open 24 hours, seven days a week baking the finest donuts and muffins imaginable. Sweetwater’s Donut Mill was first founded in 1983 in Kalamazoo, while a second store was opened just three years later. Donut choices include classics such as glazed or sprinkled, as well as more inventive varieties such as the snickers, a homage to everyone’s favourite nutty chocolate bar, and the grasshopper, which is a donut stuffed with mint ice cream and chocolate sauce. They also do muffins for a lighter treat.