We are currently in the Grand Rapids, MI area for the next few days and have had the opportunity to eat at some fantastic vegan or vegan friendly restaurants. Whether you are a vega, are not a vegan but love the food, or hate anything vegan related- if you are in the Grand Rapids area, try these restaurants. There is a pretty high chance you will like something from at least one of these places, if not all of them.
Bartertown Diner
This restaurant is the only one on the list that is 100% vegan. It is also 100% amazingly delicious! Bartertown is all about local and only buys from local, organic small farms that treat the farm workers fairly. This makes the food incredibly fresh since the ingredients are delivered fresh daily, but it also makes everything taste better. Everything is also way more satisfying since your body will become full from fewer whole foods compared to processed.
Bartertown is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The prices are super economical and the servings are huge. Menus change from season to season and depending on availability, so anytime you go, you are bound to have something new. I would also highly recommend trying some of their desserts. All desserts are fantastic and vegan. Seriously, I never knew vegan could taste so good.
The Village Baker
The hubs and I came across this place after taking our scuba refresher course in Spring Lake Michigan. Needless to say we were hungry and wanted a hearty breakfast. I was quite surprised with all of the vegan options this place had, especially considering that is is a bakery. The vegan asparagus soup and baked fritata with vegan cheese were incredible. Next time we go, I am getting the baked french toast, no question.
One of the coolest things about The Village Baker is the people who work there. The entire staff is super nice and crazy into their food. The hubs was taking some pictures of the restaurant and the owner came by, saw what he was doing, and gave him an impromptu tour of the entire restaurant- kitchen and all. We were able to learn all about the place and the baker who trained in traditional bread baking in Germany. He takes his bread serious and has a special oven for traditional baking as well. If you, like me, love your breads, go here. You will definitely not regret dining here or taking one of there pretzels as a post meal snack.
The Corner Bar
If you are ever in Grand Rapids Michigan, I would completely recommend taking a 20-minute drive north to the town of Rockford. This town is situated on a gorgeous dam and is one of the most picturesque places I have ever been. The Corner Bar, located in the heart of downtown Rockford, has plenty of food and some pretty fantastic veggie hotdogs as well. There are about 20 different hotdog options and all of them can be ordered vegetarian. Hotdogs can be ordered in the dining room, on the outdoor patio, or at the to-go window at the corner.
After eating here, you can walk across the street to Rocky's for some good, old fashioned ice cream, soft serve, and Dole Whip. Yep, I just created the best afternoon ever!