Best Of · By Neighborhood

Best Casual Restaurants in Kentwood, Grand Rapids

Kentwood sits on Grand Rapids' southeast side, a sprawling suburban corridor anchored by 28th Street and home to one of the most ethnically diverse dining scenes in the metro. Unlike the trendier, bar-forward strips of downtown or Eastown, Kentwood's casual spots tend to prioritize value and authenticity — this is where longtime locals fill strip-mall dining rooms that quietly outperform restaurants with far higher profiles.

All 5 restaurants

Brewery

Broad Leaf Brewery + Spirits, featuring Pickleball Social

★ 4.7(474)· $$

The tikka masala French fries with curry dipping sauce are the dish reviewers keep talking about, and the Seoul chicken sandwich runs a close second. The menu lands somewhere between bar food and fusion, with vegan options woven throughout and a cocktail list that includes non-alcoholic picks. Pickleball courts and arcade games fill out the back.

Japanese

Tokyo Grill & Sushi

★ 4.6(1,099)· $$

The hibachi gets name-checked repeatedly, and the shrimp and vegetables come out fresh even in the dead of winter. Sushi rolls cover a wide range, from beginner-friendly options to more creative preparations, and reviewers consistently call the fish fresh. Strip-mall location on Breton with plenty of parking.

Pizza

Peppino's Sports Grille & Pizzeria

★ 4.4(2,053)· $$

The sweet-sauced pizza pulls repeat visits at this Kentwood Italian sports bar, where Hawaiian, pepperoni, and combo pies come out of the kitchen alongside wet burritos and Italian meatballs. Lots of TVs everywhere you look. Happy hour runs on weekdays, with daily menu specials that reviewers say are easy on the wallet.

American

Wings & Waves

★ 4.6(91)

The 6-piece whole wings with garlic butter sauce have people coming back. Everything is cooked to order, so plan for a 12-15 minute wait, but the wings arrive hot and properly sauced. The whitefish sandwich is worth ordering alongside if you want something off the wing menu.

Mexican

El Rancherito

★ 4.6(49)

The al pastor has a reputation as some of the best in the city, and the flautas come out super crunchy and loaded with toppings. Takeout orders get chips and salsa while you wait. Rice and beans are worth ordering.

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Best Casual Restaurants in Kentwood, Grand Rapids is an editorial roundup of 5 Grand Rapids restaurants. The average diner rating across this list is 4.6 out of 5. Restaurants are ranked by editorial review, not by paid placement.

Frequently asked questions

Best Casual Restaurants in Kentwood, Grand Rapids?

Top picks on this list are Broad Leaf Brewery + Spirits, featuring Pickleball Social, Tokyo Grill & Sushi, and Peppino's Sports Grille & Pizzeria. The full ranking weighs review quality, popularity, and how actively diners are talking about each restaurant.

How many restaurants are on this list?

5 restaurants meet the criteria for Best Casual Restaurants in Kentwood, Grand Rapids.

How is this list ranked?

Ranking combines a Bayesian-smoothed review score with an activity multiplier that gives weight to restaurants currently attracting fresh reviews. Paid listings do not affect the order.