For Spring Break, I ventured to Grand Rapids, Michigan with my boyfriend. It was a comparatively quick trip. We arrived in the early afternoon on Wednesday and left on Thursday. I had a wonderful time exploring the city with my favorite person, but the highlight of my trip was certainly the food I tried. Here’s a list of the places I ate at and what I ate!
Tupelo Honey: A charming Southern-inspired restaurant in the heart of Downtown Grand Rapids. When you walk in, the warm lighting, potted flowers, and sprawling ivy create an inviting space to dine. We got a seat immediately and our server was incredibly sweet. I ordered a lavender lemonade first. It was tart but strong, and it tasted like summer. You could tell they used fresh lavender for this drink. Next, we ordered fried green tomatoes and french fries. The fried green tomatoes were perfectly breaded and were served with grits and a tomato sauce. This was my first time trying grits, and I am pleased to check it off my food bucket list. The french fries were light and fluffy, yet somehow crispy and lightly seasoned. They were served with a side of ketchup. Without a doubt, these were some of the best french fries I have ever had in my life.
Local Mocha Coffee: We stopped at a small cafe called Local Mocha Coffee after our meal. The business was small and clean; this was a nice spot in downtown to sit and drink coffee. We ordered a small mocha, and the transaction was simple and quick. At first, the cocoa powder on top was overbearing, but after a few sips, the warm chocolatey milk was smooth and delicious. It was a well-done mocha, and I was glad to support a small business.
Downtown Market: Next, we walked to the Grand Rapids Downtown Market. This fun two-story building hosted food vendors and a beautiful greenhouse. We first ate at Tacos El Cuñado, and we ordered two chicken tacos with onions and cilantro and topped them with habanero onions and spicy salsas. The tacos were so flavorful and delicious, and we refreshed ourselves with a fruit punch Jarritos. Next, we stopped at Gaby’s Gourmandise. This vendor specialized in French pastries, and we purchased a madeleine dipped in passionfruit icing. It was so soft and the icing was flavorful. I truly have never had a madeline as delicious as this! Cafe de Miro was next. Specializing in Mediterranean cuisine, we tried a tiramisu and a Turkish coffee. The coffee was strong and delicious, and the tiramisu was so creamy. The cocoa powder on top was a bit overbearing but the mascarpone cream was absolutely tasty. We then went to Rák Thai and ordered coconut and basil fries. It was an interesting flavor combination and we enjoyed the fries with sriracha ketchup while sitting near a gorgeous greenhouse on the second floor. This is definitely a place to visit!
Uccello’s Ristorante: For dinner, we stopped by this Italian restaurant. It was nearing closing, so we just ordered mozzarella sticks and wings with a side of fries. We were disappointed with the small quantity of food and the quality of food. I would recommend checking this restaurant out well before closing time, perhaps the food would be of better quality then.
Brick and Porter: On Thursday, we ate at this small pub for lunch. We ordered two sandwiches with fries. The Bomb.com (my sandwich) was full of chicken and bacon and was absolutely delicious. We also ordered a Chicken Bacon Jammer which had a delicious sauce. I would definitely recommend this restaurant.
Madcap Coffee: Lastly, we settled down at this cute and simple cafe. We ordered a small hot chocolate. It was so warm and comforting, and the atmosphere of this cafe was the same. I would recommend this cafe for a nice place to relax with friends.
If you’re in Grand Rapids, let me know what places you eat at! It’s a beautiful city with lots of adventures around the corner.