Near a Landmark

Best Restaurants Near DeVos Place Convention Center

DeVos Place sits at the heart of downtown Grand Rapids, drawing a steady stream of convention-goers, trade show attendees, and performance-hall audiences throughout the year. Whether you're squeezing in a quick lunch between conference sessions, winding down after a full day on the show floor, or looking for a proper dinner before a show at the adjacent DeVos Performance Hall, the surrounding blocks deliver well above the typical convention-district average.

All 17 restaurants

American

The Chop House Grand Rapids

★ 4.7(1,725)

Downtown steakhouse where the steaks arrive rarer than most kitchens dare, and the staff flags it upfront. Reviewers single out the garlic mashed potatoes, the French onion soup, and a shared New York steak the kitchen splits onto two plates without being asked. The dark dining room and tablet menus skew it toward anniversaries and special occasions.

Japanese

ATO SUSHI Korean & Japanese Cuisine

★ 4.7(1,089)· $$

The spicy tuna appetizer gets called out by name, and the dry-erase menus where you mark your own order are a genuinely clever touch. ATO runs a tight room on Monroe Ave, so expect crowds on Friday nights and around Valentine's Day. Specialty sushi rolls and sashimi are the move, and the hot honey tea is worth ordering.

Japanese

Sushi Yama

★ 4.7(557)· $

Sushi Yama sits in the basement of McKay Tower downtown, small and quiet in a way that makes the sushi feel deliberate. The Pacific Roll with salmon, tuna, and avocado gets regular praise, and the lunch special with pink lemonade is a repeat order for regulars. Order at the counter, grab a seat, and don't bring a crowd.

American

Roam by San Chez

★ 4.6(1,065)· $$

The jian bing and crab Rangoon dip show up in multiple reviews for good reason. Roam runs a rotating menu of global street food, from Singapore curry and anticucho skewers to kati rolls and elephant's ear, so the menu you tried last visit probably isn't the one you'll find next time. Ask your server what's new or being tested from the kitchen.

Other

MDRD

★ 4.6(624)· $$$

On the 27th floor of downtown Grand Rapids, MDRD runs a Spanish-leaning small-plates menu with dishes like Pulpo (octopus), Patatas Bravas, and Wagyu. The cocktail program is a consistent standout, and the lemon mousse draws repeat mentions. Pay extra for a window table; the view is the room's best argument, and the corner seats near the hostess stand get heavy foot traffic.

Seafood

Real Seafood Company Grand Rapids

★ 4.5(619)

The caramel apple bread pudding and a smoked old fashioned make a strong case for a special-occasion dinner here. Multiple reviewers came for anniversaries and date nights, and the prix fixe during Restaurant Week drew praise for standouts like the spicy salmon bites and Seoul flounder. Pasta dishes run large enough to share, and prices lean upscale.

American

Tupelo Honey Southern Kitchen & Bar

★ 4.4(2,508)· $$

The fried green tomatoes with goat cheese grits are a reliable opener, and the "Biscuits for a Cause" with blueberry jam draw repeat mentions across reviews. Weekday lunch runs a half-sandwich-and-side deal for $12.95 through 3pm. The poblano chicken soup is worth a second cup.

American

The Kitchen by Wolfgang Puck

★ 4.4(988)· $$

The shrimp and scallop Pad Thai noodles show up in multiple reviews as the standout order. The room runs elegant and modern, lively enough to feel like an occasion without getting loud. Cocktails land consistently, and the kitchen handles mistakes without drama.

Sandwiches

Sundance Grill

★ 4.3(2,411)· $$

The stuffed bell pepper with cilantro-lime rice and roasted red pepper crema is the kind of dish that makes Restaurant Week worth the early Friday alarm. Connected to the Home2Suites in downtown, Sundance Grill runs a wide menu from breakfast quesadillas and Mex bowls to mahi mahi tacos, with generous portions across the board. The kids' menu is substantial, and the kitchen has been known to bend the breakfast cutoff.

American

Z's Bar & Restaurant

★ 4.3(2,372)· $$

A downtown sports bar near Van Andel Arena, Z's draws pre-game crowds and late-night pizza seekers alike. The Margherita pizza has fans showing up past 1AM, and the ribs get consistent praise when they land right. Reviewers are split on consistency, with burgers and wings drawing complaints about quality relative to price.

American

Margaux

★ 4.4(678)· $$$

The duck confit keeps coming up for good reason. Reviewers note the skin is properly rendered and the portions run generous, and the bone-in lamb legs are substantial enough to share. Evening jazz and outdoor igloo domes make Margaux a clear pick for special occasions.

Italian

Uccello's - Downtown

★ 4.3(1,397)

The pickle pizza gets mentioned by name and keeps people coming back. Portions run generous here, and the outdoor patio has a bar when it's operating. A short walk from DeVos Performance Hall makes this a natural pre-show stop downtown.

American

Jdek at Margaux

★ 4.1(56)· $$$

The domed igloos on the deck are the draw here, and the kitchen earns its keep inside them. Multiple reviewers singled out the wild boar ragu and beef tartare, and the oyster appetizer shows up across reviews as a reliable opener. Cocktails run pricey but are well-constructed, and the outdoor setup comes with speakers and lighting.

Thai

Angel's Thai Cafe

★ 4(461)· $$

The Peanut Curry Noodles, with wide noodles and a rich peanut curry sauce, are the reason regulars keep coming back. Pad Prik and drunken noodles also show up across reviews, and the kitchen will customize orders on request. Call ahead to skip the wait for made-to-order food.

Brewery

Atwater Brewery in GR

★ 4.1(574)

The Vanilla Java Porter with Hazelnut has its own fan club, and the apple sauerkraut pierogies and giant pretzel hold their own on the food side. Happy hour runs early enough to catch at 6pm. Staff know the beer list cold and will steer you right.

Italian

Allora

★ 4.1(152)· $$$$

The squid ink pasta and Linguine Al Nero Di Mare show up repeatedly across reviews, and the Delizia Di Limone, a lemon cream sphere on a sugar cookie base, is the dessert people keep mentioning. Formerly Reserve Wine and Food, this coastal Italian room runs on the pricier side (dinner for two with tip near $300 is common) and the $10 bread service has drawn some eye-rolls. The ribeye gets outsized praise for a place that leads with Italian.

Mexican

Cinco De Mayo

★ 3.9(1,177)· $

The fajita with piña packs chicken, steak, chorizo, peppers, onions, and pineapple into a massive plate with beans and rice on the side. Margaritas are the drink of choice here, from piña colada margs to full flights. The Monroe Center patio is worth grabbing on a warm night.

The Dispatch

What just opened in Grand Rapids, in your inbox.

A monthly scene report: the new openings, the closings, and what's coming next. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

On this page

Best Restaurants Near DeVos Place Convention Center is an editorial roundup of 17 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 Restaurants Near DeVos Place Convention Center?

Top picks on this list are The Chop House Grand Rapids, ATO SUSHI Korean & Japanese Cuisine, and Sushi Yama. The full ranking weighs review quality, popularity, and how actively diners are talking about each restaurant.

How many restaurants are on this list?

17 restaurants meet the criteria for Best Restaurants Near DeVos Place Convention Center.

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.