Mother nature is certainly making up for lost time with the weather we have been having lately. Forecast shows that we will be enjoying this for some time to come.
So get out there and enjoy this beautiful weather with the best outdoor eating spaces our city has to offer.
Taqueria San Jose -1338 Division Ave S
Nestled in the heart of the southside. Offers authentic Mexican cuisine.
Sundance Grill - 151 Ottawa Ave NW
Right smack in the middle of downtown’s Center City.
Donkey Taqueria - 665 Wealthy St SE
Nestled in the Wealthy St Business district. Offers Authentic Mexican cuisine.
Creston Brewery - 1504 Plainfield Ave NE
Hard to go wrong with beer and an eclectic food menu.
Parsley Mediterranean Grill - 80 Ottawa Ave NW
An outdoor seating area with one of the best views of the city. Right across from the GRAM and Madcap Coffee.
Palace of India - 138 Fulton St E
Located right on Fulton Street. If you find yourself sweating from the spice, just grab a table outside and blend in with the rest of the city making their way through this heat.
Marie Catrib’s - 1001-1003 Lake Dr SE
Still offering some of the best deli meals in East Hills, or better known as the Center of the Universe.
The Old Goat - 2434 Eastern Ave SE
Located in the growing Alger Heights district.
Iron - 25 Ottawa Ave SW
Right in the middle of the Arena district. Offering contemporary takes on comfort food.
Slows BBQ - 435 Ionia Ave SW
Located in the Downtown Market.
Social Kitchen & Bar - 435 Ionia Ave SW
Located in the Downtown Market.
Terra GR - 1429 Lake Dr SE
A locally sourced farm to table restaurant nestled in East Hills.
Founder’s Brewery - 235 Grandville Ave SW
If you are reading this and you have not had a meal and drink on Founder’s outdoor seating, you are missing out on more than just a good time. You are missing a rite of passage for any Grand Rapidian.
If you have reached the bottom of this list and are currently scoffing, please join us in the comments section and share your favorite outdoor seating restaurants, food trucks, or secret summer bbq pop-ups across the city.
Happy Hunting!
Ken Miguel-Cipriano is Rapid Growth’s innovation and jobs editor. To reach Ken, you can email [email protected] or follow him on Twitter and Instagram.
Enjoy this story?
Sign up for free solutions-based reporting in your inbox each week.