Location: Kalamazoo
Top Restaurants in Kalamazoo
Where to Eat in Kalamazoo: The Best Restaurants and Bars
Kalamazoo, Michigan may be most famous for its unique name, but it actually has much more to offer. Home to research oriented Western Michigan University, as well as major industrial and pharmaceutical corporations, Kalamazoo is famous for innovation. The immense Air Zoo features restored historic aircraft, a flight simulator, a 4-D theater and the Michigan Space Science Center, with 17,000-square-feet of exhibits dedicated to everything space related, from Moon Rocks to Russian space suits.
Things to do in Kalamazoo
1. Crow's Nest
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 269 reviews
Reviewed By roger3116 - midland, mi
Stopped in on Saturday morning. Waited 10 minutes for a table. Very small place with people bustling around. Staff was super friendly. Liz our waitress was happy and attentive. Had the Old Stand By breakfast. Eggs meat potatoes bread. Sausage and ham were good. Biscuits tasty. Tried the gravy, it was excellent! Perfect start to our day. Thank you!
2. The Studio Grill
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 132 reviews
"Downtown Kalamazoo next to Michigan News Agency, across the street from court house, a block from Radisson Hotel. Open for breakfast and lunch. Great homemade food and lots of vegan and vegetarian options. Participates in the new "Passport Perks" program for Michigan motorists who show a Recreation Passport on their vehicle registration".
Reviewed By emily174 - Michigan
Everyone is so friendly here, and the food is wonderful and reasonably priced. I’d recommend the blueberry muffin pancakes or any of the omelettes. Burgers are great too for lunch. This is a smaller restaurant featuring local artwork, creating a really unique environment. If there is a wait for seating, you can browse at the Michigan News Agency next door, and someone will come and get you when your table is ready. This is truely our favorites breakfast spot in Kalamazoo!
3. Rustica
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 298 reviews
Reviewed By ZRHGlobetrotter - zurich
My 82-year-old father and I were looking forward to an evening out at this highly rated restaurant. Unfortunately, we apparently arrived early (the clock in Dad's car was 10 minutes fast evidently.) As there was no handicapped parking available outside the restaurant, I pulled up to the curb and let him out. He made his way to the restaurant and went inside. I then drove off to find parking elsewhere. When I returned to the restaurant, I found my father outside the restaurant in frigid temperatures, tightly gripping his walker and struggling to remain standing. He said that a waiter had shown him to a seat, then returned shortly afterwards and told him he had to go back outside and return 10 minutes later when they were open.
After finding my father outside, I asked if he wanted to go elsewhere. He said he was too tired so we went inside. After being seated, I asked the waiter why he kicked my father outside, and he replied that "the kitchen was still setting up." I asked him why my father couldn't wait in a seat inside and he offered no explanation. I find this behavior heartless and am giving this restaurant a very negative review as a result. The food was great, but the rating is based on the deplorable way my disabled father was treated. Note to management: Have a heart for the disabled and teach your staff to at least act as if they care.
4. Bell's Eccentric Cafe
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 639 reviews
Located in beautiful downtown Kalamazoo, Michigan, the Eccentric Cafe, located next to the Bell's General Store, is home to a unique offering of craft beer, live music, entertainment, delicious food and more.Any given time, we have between 20 and 40 different beers on tap. Many are exclusive to the Cafe and are brewed right next door at our original brewery - just look for the yellow tags on the Draft Board when you visit.
Reviewed By Todd C - Crystal Lake, Illinois
We would come back for the beer but wouldn't plan on it for dinner. They have about 20 beers to choose and all the ones we tried were really good. The beer cheese soup was ok and the bahn mi sandwich was very plain. It was as if they forget the vegetables and spices on it.
5. Erbelli's Gourmet Pizza
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 375 reviews
Reviewed By amyjean0202 - Kalamazoo
This was not the first time my family has had Erbelli's however, it was the most disappointing time. We ordered a pizza with bacon on it and the cheese didn't go all the way to the crust. The bezo bread (cheese, pesto, tomato and garlic butter) had very little flavor. We expected the bezo bread to be busting with pesto flavor and it was somewhat bland. Hopefully the disappointing quality we received was just a fluke!
6. Ray Ray's Italian Beef & Sausage
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 105 reviews
Reviewed By murphy222 - chicago,illinois
Ray ray's was amazing. We live in the Chicago area, so we've had our fair share of great food. Ray ray's has their beef, sausage and everything else figured out.
Great flavors...super friendly... prices are right on! Nothing fancy when you pull up, but be prepared for a great lunch/dinner!
7. Bravo! Restaurant & Cafe
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 287 reviews
Fine dining locally owned restaurant. Chef owned. Italian & American cuisine.
Reviewed By gilladj - gilladj
Had dinner here on a Tuesday evening around 8 pm. We were seated quickly. The waiter was friendly and helpful. The food was good but not at a caliber for the price. I had lasagna for $20 and a glass of their cheapest red, blend for $7. My friend got a pizza for 17. That’s a personal pizza for $17. These were at the less expensive end of the menu. Again good food just over priced in my opinion.
So food gets 4 stars value gets 2 stars. Average they a 3 star rating.
8. Kalamazoo Beer Exchange
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 308 reviews
The Kalamazoo Beer Exchange is a two-story multi-tap bar and grill located in the beautifully restored Globe Building in downtown Kalamazoo. Offering 28 rotating draught beers from around the world, The Exchange opens at 6 p.m., where draught beers are priced on real-time sales, like the stock market. Occasional "market crashes" drop beer prices to their all-time low. The food menu features pub fare with a twist, where classic dishes will be made new again.
Reviewed By mrpink000 - Guelph, Canada
Tried this place out the last time we were in the area for business. Lots of selection for beer, lots of food choices and helpful staff. The beer "exchange" idea was interesting, didn't really impact what we ordered though.
9. Food Dance
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 698 reviews
Food Dance is committed to building a thriving and sustainable local food system. We support artisans who practice craft food processes that have been around for generations-growing, raising, preserving, curing, aging, pickling, butchering and more. For Food Dance, it's about the connection with the people and places their food comes from-authentic people and authentic food that's true to its source. Serving breakfast, lunch or dinner-guests are served the freshest menu items in a casual and welcoming atmosphere. We offer private dining space for celebrations or larger groups as well as catering and delivery. We host cooking classes and special dinners throughout the year - aimed to introduce guests to new elements of the culinary and agricultural worlds. Our on-site market offers amazing ingredients sourced from their family of purveyors-from sustainable, humanely raised meats, sausages and artisan cheeses to fresh baked bread, pastries and savory baked goods.
Reviewed By steph_marie28 - Edwardsburg, Michigan
It's been a while since I've been to a restaurant that had as wonderful service as Food Dance. We dined (a party of eight) to celebrate my mother's birthday. Having traveled from all directions, we took our time with our meal, never feeling rushed through hors d'oeuvres, entrees or desert and their staff was amazing and accommodating through our entire dinner. The food was wonderful as well and the atmosphere was perfect for our occasion. Definitely recommend the custom meat and cheese tray as well as their beautiful cakes!
10. Gonzo's Biggdogg Brewing
Overall Ratings
4 based on 164 reviews
Reviewed By David L
I like the beers here, the place is noisy on the inside so makes it hard to talk, the Pizza is very good, I recommend the build your own.
