Where to get the finest brunch in Grand Rapids

Picking out a place to eat brunch can help you to step out of your own personal bubble. There’s nothing better than a great brunch to either kick off or cap off the weekend’s activities.

I chose to write this article after enjoying meals on the weekends with friends and family as well as myself. After having finger agony from posting food photos to Facebook stories from dining in the restaurants, I put together this list that finds the culinary destinations to satisfy your need for brunch in Grand Rapids.

The Littlebird

The Littlebird is located on the tree lined brick road on Monroe Center. This restaurant presents skillfully curated and presented brunch menu options including 'French Toast' with Japanese milk bread or the ‘Untraditional Caesar’ with kale and cauliflower plus potato chips.

Even though the space is rather small it doesn’t feel crowded. You have an option of sitting at the bar or sitting at one of the smaller tables along the wall. If you are early enough, you may be able to get a seat at the front window. The ambiance as well as the food make for an unforgettable experience. It's located at 95 Monroe Center St. NW, Grand Rapids, MI.

Wolfgang’s Restaurant

At Wolfgang’s restaurant in Eastown, the menu is a rainbow cavalcade of brunch fare. It includes large portions of definitive brunch items in addition to Wolfgang’s original menu such as an array of benedicts, skillets, omelets, waffles, pancakes, and French toast.  

A great option is the “The Uptown” Tiramisu pancakes layered with mascarpone filling, drenched in coffee. They are topped with whipped cream and dusted with cocoa powder. Or try the “Vander Meer,” a skillet full of hash browns, turkey sausage, asparagus, onion, and Havarti cheese, which is topped with three over easy eggs and hollandaise and served with your choice of toast. The restaurant also has its own brand of Hazelnut and regular coffee.  

Due to the restaurant's popularity there is typically a wait time for a table. If you become impatient while waiting take a stroll through the surrounding neighborhood to check out the boutique shops. It's located at 1530 Wealthy St. SE Grand Rapids, MI.

Anna’s House

The Anna’s House set of restaurants have a classic blue and green interior decor from the American 1950’s and include inventive recipes as well as classic dishes that are still well known and popular. They also have gluten free, dairy free and vegan options on the menu. The restaurant group also partners with local Michigan businesses, sourcing cage free eggs from Vande Bunte Farms and coffee from Rowster Coffee.

Some of the menu items that are slightly out of the box include the ‘Cook’s Sandwich” sausage patty with egg, avocado, green onion, cream cheese and cheddar cheese. The dish is served with guest’s choice of potatoes. Another choice from the House Bowl menu includes the ‘Hippie Hash,' which features slow roasted root vegetables with garlic and ginger served over red skinned potatoes. There are plenty of tempting and delicious options to try. If you get the cinnamon bun, be prepared to share it with two or three people. Anna’s House offers the above experience at six locations in West Michigan including two in Grand Rapids at 2409 East Beltline and 3874 Plainfield Ave. NE.

Cherie Inn

Without weekday pressures, brunch becomes a meal to linger over. Consider a European breakfast, from one of Grand Rapids oldest breakfast restaurants that has been established since 1924. There will be fresh flowers on your table as well as plenty of good, comfortable chatter in the air. Feel free hang around a bit to catch up with your dining companions and get no signals that you are overstaying your welcome.

There’s no finer gift for the weekend the ‘Raspberry White Chocolate Pancakes’ made with fresh raspberries. Or the ‘Crab Cake Benedict,’ two poached eggs atop a blue crab cake on an English muffin covered with hollandaise. There is a also a great selection of sandwiches, salads, freshly made granola and omelets. The creative daily specials are always a good choice. It's located at 969 Cherry St. SE.

The Electric Cheetah

Finally, you can have Sunday brunch at the Electric Cheetah where visitors can now have brunch and a flight of microbrewed craft root beer in an open kitchen environment. All the menu items are distinctly named, including ‘Fried Chicken and Toasty,’ a vanilla battered French toast with peach compote with crispy fried chicken and real maple syrup. But if that doesn’t appeal, try the ‘Electric Cheetah Macaroni and Cheese’, ‘Classic Caesar’ or the ‘Diablo Sandwich.'

The restaurant also offers family friendly options with the ‘Kids Activity Menu’. Other restaurants owned by the company include The Old Goat, Uncle Cheetah's Soup Shop and Auntie Cheetah's Soup Shop. The Electric Cheetah menus let customers taste the vibrant flavors of the menu without emptying your wallet. The Electric Cheetah is located at 1015 Wealthy St SE.

See more brunch photos here.