Neighborhood

Best Restaurants in Oldtown-Heartside Grand Rapids

22 restaurants in Oldtown-Heartside

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One Stop Coney

The bacon-wrapped dog with mac-n-cheese and the Korean corndog in a panko crust are the kind of menu swings that set One Stop Coney apart. The fries come up in nearly every review, and the prices stay low. There's an N64 in the back with GoldenEye loaded up.

Breakfast

San Chez A Tapas Bistro

★ 4.7(3,004)· $$

The fresh salad with red grapes, blue cheese, and honey toasted cashews gets called out by name, and the acorn dish turned heads when the new menu debuted. Two blocks from VanAndel Arena, San Chez is a reliable pre-concert stop. Brunch runs too, with vegetarian biscuits and gravy and veggie-and-eggs plates drawing solid marks.

Sandwiches

Two Beards Deli

★ 4.7(1,704)· $$

The Obi-Wan Kenobi and the Willie Nelson are real menu items here, and that commitment to personality carries into the food. Subs run around $21 and portions are generous enough that the half order leaves most people full. Vegetarians and vegans get a seriously deep menu, not just a token option or two.

American

The Pyramid Scheme

★ 4.6(2,136)· $

Coin-op pinball machines and a back room that holds a crowd make The Pyramid Scheme one of downtown Grand Rapids' best indie music venues. Shows run on time, drinks are reasonably priced, and the sight lines to the stage are close enough to matter. Catch a band here before they graduate to arenas.

Italian

Bistro Bella Vita

★ 4.6(2,101)· $$

The Beef Brisket Bourguignon ($36) is the draw here, slow-braised and saucy in a way that earns comparison to the best pot roast you've had. The brick oven turns out Margherita pizzas that reviewers stack up against Naples. Busy on Tuesday nights, but the patio seats walk-ins when the weather cooperates.

American

Stella's Lounge

★ 4.5(4,829)· $$

The Poor Man's Wings (potato wedges drenched in your sauce of choice) show up at the table in a portion that'll wreck your appetite for the rest of the night. Arcade games and pinball fill the wait on busy Saturday nights, which can run 30-40 minutes. The full menu skews vegan-friendly, and the $10 Haterade cocktail is a solid deal.

American

HopCat

★ 4.5(2,972)· $$

The crack fries (don't call them cosmic) are the move at this well-worn downtown bar, but don't sleep on the Nashville hot chicken sandwich, which actually has flavor beyond the heat. The hangover burger on a biscuit and the pecan crusted salmon show up in multiple reviews as standouts. Big beer menu, cocktail list, and a room that looks lived-in.

American

Max's South Seas Hideaway

★ 4.5(2,021)· $$$

The pu pu platter, crab rangoon, and smoked wings pull consistent praise, but the menu at this downtown tiki bar runs surprisingly wide: drunken noodles, bulgogi beef, sushi rolls, and a bread pudding that reviewers keep coming back to. The Navy Grog and a deep rum list anchor the cocktail side. Reservations are essentially required; this place fills up fast.

Other

Luna - GRAND RAPIDS

★ 4.5(1,527)· $$

Homemade salsas get mentioned in nearly every review at this downtown Mexican spot on Ionia Ave. The chips and guac come in a generous portion, and the margaritas are a reliable order. Gets loud when busy, and the drink program can run inconsistent, but the food holds up.

Other

One Twenty Three Tavern

★ 4.5(652)· $$

The THICC burger and the Tuesday smash burger special (burger plus a brew, around $14-15) are the reasons to make the walk down Ionia. California garlic fries show up in nearly every order. The room runs dark with a mix of booths, bar seats, and tall tables, and the kitchen keeps things moving fast, even late.

Pizza

Two Sons Pizza

★ 4.6(166)

Two Sons does New York slices. Long, foldable, properly leoparded. The meatball and Grand Pepperoni slices come out on flimsy white paper plates, which is exactly right. Garlic rolls are buttery and salty in a way that works. Pinball in the back and plenty of seating round it out.

Japanese

Nagoya Hibachi Sushi & Catering

★ 4.5(337)· $$

All-you-can-eat sushi at $24 a head is the draw at this small downtown spot on Monroe Center. Reviewers consistently flag the salmon, yellowtail, and eel as better quality than most made-to-order places nearby. Note the leftover food charge (up to $2 per piece of sashimi) and the 90-minute time limit before booking a large group.

Thai

Bangkok Taste Cuisine

★ 4.4(842)· $$

The peanut curry pad thai gets called out by multiple reviewers, and the boat noodle soup uses an in-house broth you can smell from across the table. Prices run $2-3 below typical Thai restaurant rates, and portions are generous. Gluten-free diners have found reliable options here for years, with the drunken noodle a repeat order.

Mexican

MeXo Tequila & Mezcal Bar and Restaurant

★ 4.4(830)· $$

Goat cheese churros and a table-side Palenque Margarita set the tone at this downtown Fulton Street spot. The menu leans ambitious: wild boar with mole, cuitlacoche tamal stacks, and a flourless chocolate torte round out dishes you won't find anywhere nearby. Bigger inside than the street suggests, and priced like downtown GR food worth the price.

Other

Trust Restaurant

★ 4.7(38)

Chef Trimell Hawkins runs a multi-course tasting experience on Division Ave, where handwritten name envelopes hold the evening's menu and the chef personally walks each table through every plate. The lobster and grits and a Wagyu main have drawn serious attention, and the goat cheese and beets preparation converted at least one self-described beet skeptic. The chef's table is the way in.

Brewery

Founders Brewing Co

★ 4.3(2,800)· $

Founders calls itself the Mothership, and the taproom on Cesar Chavez backs that up. The brewery tour takes you on a catwalk above the production floor, with all available beers on tap to sample along the way. The chicken salad, chili, and wings get repeat mentions from the lunch crowd.

Other

Vel Sushi and Pho

★ 4.5(42)

The pho broth is the draw here. Multiple reviewers single out the spicy beef pho specifically, and one self-described pho traveler calls Vel's broth one of the best in the country. Fast-casual setup with a self-order kiosk keeps things moving, and the sushi burritos and summer rolls fill out a menu that punches well above its price point.

Pizza

Cottage Inn Pizza Grand Rapids

★ 4.3(101)

Cottage Inn is a Michigan chain, but this downtown location on Ionia has earned its regulars. Reviewers single out the consistency and fair pricing as reasons to skip the Dominos-and-Pizza-Hut circuit, and the delivery operation runs fast even on bad weather days. Friday dinner rush can stress the staff.

Italian

Peppino's Downtown

★ 4.2(2,434)· $$

The pizza is the reason to come to Peppino's Downtown. Breadsticks and deep-fried pickles round out the bar-food menu, and plenty of TVs make it a reliable game-day stop on Ionia Ave. Big groups should know that service can buckle hard under pressure.

Breakfast

Leo's On Tap

★ 4.2(355)· $

The classic gyro and the buffalo chicken gyro with curly fries are the move for takeout at this downtown Coney Island spot. Breakfast gets overlooked because of the sign, but regulars say it holds up. Lemon rice soup keeps showing up in conversations about what to order.

American

Social House Kitchen and Bar

★ 4(515)· $$

The gigantic pretzel with cinnamon butter is a conversation starter, and the seasonal cocktail specials (February's chocolate covered strawberry martini drew praise) keep regulars cycling back. Downtown on Ottawa, this place shifts gears on weekends into dancing and live music. The Power Bowl with grilled chicken gets repeat mentions, and the crispy fries are worth ordering.

Chinese

Hong Kong Express

★ 4(407)· $

The steamed dumplings at Hong Kong Express have a following, with regulars noting the soft wrapping and well-seasoned filling. Honey chicken and sesame chicken get repeat mentions, and the $8.99 lunch special comes with crab rangoon and fried rice. Portions run large. Call ahead for pickup orders in the evening, as they tend to run behind.

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Oldtown-Heartside is a Grand Rapids neighborhood with 22 listed restaurants. The most common cuisines among Oldtown-Heartside restaurants are American, Other, and Breakfast. Listed restaurants in Oldtown-Heartside have an average diner rating of 4.5 out of 5.

Frequently asked questions

What are the best restaurants in Oldtown-Heartside, Grand Rapids?

Our top editorial picks in Oldtown-Heartside are One Stop Coney, San Chez A Tapas Bistro, and Two Beards Deli. Rankings consider review quality, popularity, and recent diner activity.

How many restaurants are in Oldtown-Heartside?

22 restaurants in Oldtown-Heartside are listed in The Grand Rapids Restaurant Guide.

What types of food are popular in Oldtown-Heartside?

The most common cuisines in Oldtown-Heartside are American, Other, and Breakfast.

What's the average rating of Oldtown-Heartside restaurants?

Listed restaurants in Oldtown-Heartside have an average diner rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars.