Must-try

The Cheesecake Factory is planning to open its first West Michigan location.

Lauded by weekend warriors everywhere, brunch has become more than just a meal. It’s an experience, an ordeal, an event. It’s not a stumble-out-of-bed kind of meal - no, here in Grand Rapids, it’s an Instagram occasion and a foodie sensation.

Wow! What a year. 2018 feels like it lasted about 10 years—so long that you probably forgot that the Winter Olympics, the hottest debate (was it Yanny or Laurel?) and IHOB (likely the dumbest call for attention ever) were all JUST THIS YEAR.

Whether it’s the buzz of creative conversations or the actual buzz from the caffeine, I always feel more productive at a coffee shop. Since Grand Rapid experiences nine months of colder weather, it’s a true java hotspot; there’s nothing better than a steaming cup of craft coffee on a crisp fall day, amirite?

From the North Quarter to Heartside, we scoured Grand Rapids’ 10 neighborhoods for the best happy hours around. Regardless of where you work or live, there’s always somewhere to score cheap drinks and tasty bites.

Thanksgiving: Just the word makes your mouth water. It’s the Super Bowl for foodies - a full day of feasting and football, surrounded by family and friends. We can’t wait to dig into herb-roasted, thick-carved turkey and mountains of mashed potatoes overflowing with rivers of gravy. But we aren’t looking forward to all the work that it takes to pull the meal together.

If you’re looking for a convenient way get your hands on local produce while supporting local farmers, try out Grand Rapids' Community-Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs or produce delivery services.

Put down the white bread and the uninspired donut. If you’re craving bread or sweets, there’s no better place than locally owned craft bakeries.

In the April print issue of Grand Rapids Magazine, we ran a piece on places to satisfy your late-night munchies, like Lucky Luciano’s Pizza, Menna’s Joint and Yesterdog. But with so many late-night options in town we couldn’t include them all in the piece. Instead, we’ve added a few more of our favorites below for the next time you’re cruising for food after 10 p.m.

Studio Park has named a group of restaurants and retailers that will call the development in downtown Grand Rapids home.

One of Chicago’s top chefs is bringing her culinary talents to West Michigan via a new café — and adjacent shop and event space.

Meet the new kids on the block. Grand Rapids has a blossoming culinary scene that continues to grow year over year. Increasingly, we’re seeing chefs take tasting expeditions to the regions their menu highlights, from the Basque Region of Spain to America’s low country coastline.

After receiving a new hip, Damion Parker began thinking about making a career change. A security police officer for 13 years, Parker said he began considering that “carrying a gun, wearing a bulletproof vest, and being in potentially violent situations daily needed to change.”

A new restaurant is serving up Asian cuisine with a modern flair on the West Side.

A Harvard Business Review article late last year highlighted a shocking discovery. Ninety percent of people don't like to cook.

Pack the perfect picnic — with a little help.

Enjoy dinner by the river in the North Monroe neighborhood. Linear opened Wednesday night at the new Rivers Edge apartment complex, at 1001 Monroe Ave.

The former Pal’s Diner has been renamed Dan’s Diner and will reopen before the end of the month.

A wine and restaurant company is opening its first West Michigan location.

A restaurant is bringing the heat of Nashville to Grand Rapids.