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 27 restaurants

Pizza

Greco's Pizza

★ 4.7(1,088)· $

The Pesto Portofino is the specialty order to know, and the garlic cheese bread gets its own fan club. Two pizzas and pepperoni rolls run about $35 with leftovers to spare. Takeout and third-party delivery both work, though calling ahead gets you more flexibility on the menu.

American

Papa Chops Eatery

★ 4.7(687)· $$

Papa Chops is a fully dedicated gluten-free kitchen on 28th St, which means coeliacs and gluten-allergic diners get the whole menu. The mozzarella sticks come up in multiple reviews, described as huge, and the Nashville chicken sandwich and olive burger both earn repeat mentions. Portions run large and the room is clean and spacious.

Japanese

Tokyo Grill & Sushi

★ 4.6(1,112)· $$

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.

American

Coney Island

★ 4.6(630)· $$

The double cheeseburger at $5.89 is the kind of deal that makes you question why you ever go anywhere else. Quarter-pound patties, properly seasoned, on buns reviewers describe as looking "like something out of a commercial." The chili dogs and 40-piece wings pull their weight too, and the fries come out hot and crispy every time.

Japanese

Umi Sushi&Grill

★ 4.7(643)· $$

The zen box and salmon poke bowl are regulars on tables here, and the house-made yum yum sauce is the kind of detail that separates a real kitchen from a shortcut one. Lunch specials draw a steady crowd for the value, and the sushi is consistently cited for fresh fish. Service is quick on most visits, though the kitchen can fall behind on busy nights.

Brewery

Broad Leaf Brewery + Spirits, featuring Pickleball Social

★ 4.7(494)· $$

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.

Italian

Peppino's Sports Grille & Pizzeria

★ 4.4(2,072)· $

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.

Chinese

China Max Express

★ 4.4(151)· $

The orange chicken here has a following, and a three-combo platter with a large drink runs around $16. China Max moved from Rivertown Mall to its own spot on Division, and the regulars followed. Four or five booths to sit at, portions are generous, and the kung pao chicken and crab rangoon come up repeatedly from longtime fans.

Mexican

Cabaña Tres Amigos

★ 4.3(2,067)· $

Juan's Special from the lunch menu is the move: grilled chicken with onions and mushrooms in a cheesy cream sauce, all in for $10.99. Complimentary chips and salsa come with, and the margaritas and El Diablo cocktail get repeat mentions. Enchiladas in red sauce and oversized burritos round out a menu that keeps people coming back week after week.

Seafood

Fat Man's Fish Fry

★ 4.3(1,273)· $$

Ocean perch and gizzards are the long-running draws at this Division Avenue fish fry, a spot regulars have been coming back to for over 50 years. The menu runs wide, walleye and cod among the headliners, and prices stay reasonable. Recent reviews are split on consistency, so your mileage may vary depending on the day.

Italian

Monelli's Italian Grill & Sports Bar

★ 4.5(2,995)· $$

The bang bang shrimp and spinach artichoke dip with pita chips come up repeatedly, and the fettuccine alfredo has at least one committed regular. Dining room and bar are separated by a wall, with the dining room running dim. Service gets uneven reviews, and the takeout option has its own fans.

American

Mr. Burger

★ 4.5(1,520)· $

Mr. Burger in Kentwood has been a Grand Rapids staple long enough that regulars remember eating here as kids. The burgers are on the smaller side, with cheese that melts just right, and the prices stay reasonable enough that it draws a lunch crowd from nearby workplaces. The lobby looks straight out of the 80s. Clean, but not updated.

Chinese

First Wok Chinese Restaurant

★ 4.2(1,277)· $

The fried rice comes out with a proper smoky char, and the egg drop soup runs thick with vegetables and shrimp. Portions are generous and the hand-breaded items are a recurring draw. Takeout is available and reviewers note orders are accurate and packaged well, though the refund policy has frustrated at least one customer.

Italian

Florentine Sports Lounge

★ 4.2(1,142)· $

The pizza has kept regulars coming back for decades, and the 9-inch two-topping on the Munchy Menu (everyday 3-6pm and 9pm to close) at $8 is the value play. The Coach's Choice Burger, seasoned with Montreal Steak Seasoning, is a legit alternate order. A private dining room handles parties up to 50-60 people without breaking a sweat.

Pizza

PigSkins & Pints

★ 4.2(833)· $

The house special pizza gets strong reviews, with regulars calling the crust and sauce some of the best in Michigan. There's also a drive-thru window, karaoke nights, and wings on the menu. Service has been hit-or-miss in recent reviews, with attentiveness varying quite a bit depending on the night.

Other

Tokyo Buffet & Grill

★ 4.2(795)· $$

The hibachi grill, sushi bar, and five ice cream flavors at the end make this Wyoming buffet a lot to work through in one sitting. Reviewers consistently flag the food as hot and fresh, which is the thing buffets usually blow. Sundays fill up fast, so get there at open.

Seafood

Great White Fish Chicken

★ 4.2(676)· $

Perch, whiting, and shrimp are the draws at this Kalamazoo Ave fish-and-chicken spot, with regulars treating it as a ritual stop on every visit to Grand Rapids. The gizzards have a loyal following, though reviews are split on execution. Hush puppies get consistent praise: crispy outside, soft and hot inside.

Cafe

Bambu Dessert Drinks

★ 4.5(208)

The Coconut Mocha Blended Coffee draws repeat customers to this Vietnamese dessert drink shop on Division. Chè specialties like che 3 mau and che dac biet round out a menu that goes well beyond bubble tea. Two large drinks with tip still runs less than a name-brand coffee shop.

American

Wings & Waves

★ 4.6(98)

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.

Breakfast

New Beginnings Restaurant

★ 4.4(990)· $

The corned beef hash gets high marks, and the full menu runs all day, so a patty melt at 9 AM is a real option. Seat yourself and settle in. Reviews are split on execution, with some diners raving and others finding the hashbrowns underseasoned and the biscuits and gravy short on flavor.

American

Tommy Brann's Steakhouse & Grille

★ 4.1(2,364)· $$

The Monday night 6oz sirloin special at $10.99 is the kind of deal that feels almost wrong. Plates arrive sizzling (literally), and the yeast rolls with cinnamon butter are enough of a draw on their own. The Sunday breakfast bar and a track record with large private parties round out a dependable Division Avenue institution.

Mexican

El Rancherito

★ 4.6(53)· $

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.

Breakfast

Russ' Restaurant

★ 4.3(1,550)· $

Fried pickles showed up on an 8-year-old's plate for the first time thanks to staff who printed out ingredient lists for a kid with food allergies. That kind of attention is the draw here. Prices stay budget-friendly, and the kitchen handles a 10-plus-person lunch without skipping a beat.

Chinese

China City

★ 4.3(326)· $

The egg roll here got one reviewer thinking about it for weeks, and the sweet and sour soup is a standout that's hard to find done well elsewhere. The filled buns are worth asking about even though they're not on the menu. Lunch portions are generous and delivery runs hot and fast.

American

The Candied Yam Delightful Southern Cuisine (44th Street)

★ 4.2(785)· $$

The Soulfood wrap with extra yams and the smothered pork chop keep getting mentioned for good reason. The meatloaf is the tender, saucy kind that tastes like someone's mom made it, and the banana pudding lands on the right side of sweet. Portions are generous and the prices hold up.

Seafood

New York Fried Chicken

★ 3.8(152)

New York Fried Chicken on 44th St SE is a neighborhood spot where the fried chicken and shrimp are the main draws, along with Mac N Cheese bites that get called out by name. Quality can swing depending on the hour, with multiple reviewers noting that late-night orders have come out overcooked with burnt crust. Delivery is available but has drawn mixed results.

Indian

Karki Restaurant & Bar

★ 3.8(162)· $$

Karki runs a long menu of Nepali and Indian dishes, and the jhol momo (dumplings in broth) is what keeps regulars coming back. The lamb biriyani and lamb curry drew praise from multiple reviewers, and the vegetarian selection runs deep. Online ordering has had some hiccups, including items running out mid-order, so calling ahead is worth it.

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Best Casual Restaurants in Kentwood, Grand Rapids is an editorial roundup of 27 Grand Rapids restaurants. The average diner rating across this list is 4.4 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 Greco's Pizza, Papa Chops Eatery, and Tokyo Grill & Sushi. The full ranking weighs review quality, popularity, and how actively diners are talking about each restaurant.

How many restaurants are on this list?

27 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.