Grand Rapids is one of the best places to go out on a date night! With so many things to do including museums, events, outdoor activities and so much more, you really can’t go wrong. But how to pick the best spot to have dinner? Well, we have put together a list to help you with just that! We have selected everything from Spanish to Italian food and everything in between. Check out our list of the Best Date Night Restaurants in Grand Rapids. Enjoy!
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Palio
Palio features authentic Tuscan Italian cuisine including pizza from a gas-fired stone pizza oven. You will enjoy re-invented Italian dishes made with herbs cut from their in-house herb garden. Palio is named after the famous Palio di Siena horse race, and they have incorporated the energy and boldness of the races into everything they do at Palio, making it a great place if you are looking for a fun Italian experience on a date night in Grand Rapids.
MDRD
Located at the top of the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel you will find MDRD which serves modern Spanish cuisine. Enjoy your meal as you look over the Grand River with panoramic views from 27 stories up. Reservations are highly recommended and can be booked here. MDRD is the perfect date night restaurant in downtown Grand Rapids.
Raise a Glass Wine and Beer Tours
Up first on our list of Top Grand Rapids tours is the Raise a Glass Wine tour. We have partnered with Raise a Glass to bring you an exclusive bucket list tour. This tour is sure to make the perfect date night!
This upscale wine tour experience is designed for wine lovers, foodies, or those who are new to both but want to learn more. So whether you’re brand new to wine or you’re a wine connoisseur, we have something special for you! Raise A Glass has partnered with some of the best wine and food venues around to create our own unique experience around wine, food, and culture for our guests.
You’ll receive multiple wine and food pairings at each stop, a friendly food and/or wine guide, and of course our very own designated driver. Our Grand Rapids wine tour is truly an event you don’t want to miss. At Raise A Glass we’ve cultivated deep relationships with all our valued partners and trust the unique experience they’ll provide our guests.
🍷 4 Hour Wine Tour (2 person max)
📆 Multiple dates and times available
📍 Pick up at Pearl Ionia Parking Ramp (28 Pearl St NW, downtown GR)
Three Stops to be selected for Wine Tasting stops include; Forty Pearl, 40 Acres, Bistro Bella Vida, Brass Ring Brewing, GR Noir, and House Of Wine
Chop House
If you are looking for a formal dining experience for date night in Grand Rapids, you will want to head to Chop House. Step inside the elegant urban steakhouse and fine some of the best USDA Prime beef that is wet-aged for 28 days. Talk about tender! Plus check out the premium seafood, and best-rated chicken, pork, and lamb selections. Whatever your preference, you will have a great meal at Chop House.
The Melting Pot
4 Course Fondue- Folded Experience!
If you are looking for an exciting dinner or a new atmosphere, come explore four courses of fondue at The Melting Pot. This experience focuses on taste, smell, texture, and sound, as well as promoting the art of conversation.
Each ticket includes:
– Cheese Fondue accompanied by fresh fruits, vegetables, pieces of bread, and more
– Farm to table salad served with house-made dressings & our signature Garlic & Wine seasoning to take home!
– Fondue Entree; choose 4 proteins of your choice. Choose any signature cooking style for tableside cooking. Comes with fresh vegetables and signature dipping sauces.
– Chocolate Fondue paired with fresh fruits, sweet pastries, and a variety of treats for dipping
– Sparkling toast with dessert, served in a Melting Pot logo glass to take home!
The Melting pot is located right next to Celebration Cinema North and IMAX Movie Theater which makes this a perfect spot to have a Fondue dinner and then see a movie. When guests arrive at this exciting spot, they’ll be welcomed by the space’s vast wine room. There is a sommelier with 15 years of experience close by to help with any selections.
Here you will discover the vast world of fondue, you’ll learn the innate details behind how fondue is made, tasting techniques, and flavor profiles that will be sure to impress your friends & family! No experience is required! All equipment, ingredients, and food will be provided by the Melting Pot.
Butchers Union
Head to Butchers Union downtown Grand Rapids for a diverse selection of fantastic food – which they strive to source locally, the biggest selection of whiskey around, and some unforgettable craft cocktails. Butchers Union is a cozy and inviting restaurant complete with tufted leather booths, making it a must-try intimate choice for date night in Grand Rapids.
Forty Pearl
Forty Pearl is one of the best places to find wine and spirits that are made right here in Michigan. Enjoy some of the finest Michigan wines and spirits paired with delicious food made from locally sourced seasonal ingredients. Whether you are just visiting, or a life-long Michigander, Forty Pearl is a must-try for date night in Grand Rapids.
House of Wine
Visit the House of Wine and try the GR Bucket List All-Inclusive Wine Tasting Experience! Unwind from your day at this centrally located wine bar, just steps away from the heart of Grand Rapids. Here you will indulge in an exclusive wine tasting and charcuterie experience created for you by the GR Bucket List.
House of Wine is a family-owned wine bar and retail shop with over 300 unique wines from all over the world. Enjoy 2 wine flights (4 samples per person), a friendly SA guide, and a hearty sharable charcuterie board (fruit or meat) to snack on while you indulge in the vast world of wine.
Other Info:
This experience lasts about 1.5 hours and costs $40 per person (2 person minimum)
Book this experience today!
Reserve Wine and Food
Looking to enjoy a HUGE selection of wine with your significant other? Reserve Wine and Food is the place to be. Reserve has over 900 wines in their storehouse, so you are sure to find something to please your tastebuds. Pair your wine with a dish from the menu which features farm-to-table fare. We highly recommend the create your own charcuterie for your starter.
Margaux
Margaux is located inside of the JW Marriott in Grand Rapids and gives you the feel and cuisine of a classic French bistro with a sophisticated modern feel. Take a seat inside and have a romantic meal while looking out to the Grand River or step out onto the J-Deck and be right on the river. The J-Deck is available year-round with igloos in the winter!
GRNoir Wine & Jazz
GRNoir, located right in the middle of downtown Grand Rapids, combines the global culture of wine and mixes it together with the American culture of jazz music. They put a value on offering a rich variety of wines including international, Black-owned, and women-made wines.
They offer several tasting options including public tastings that gather guests at a communal table to enjoy a wine tasting experience. The other option is a virtual private tasting which is scheduled in advance and conducted by their Sommelier via Zoom.
Divani
Located on Ionia Street, Divini offers a unique wine tasting experience full of mellow ambiance, exposed brick, and of course, lots and lots of wine. The perfect place to have the perfect date night! In 2018, they received the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence, which means their wine selection is among the best of the best. Not only do they offer amazing wine options but they have a great food menu including Charcuterie board, Filet, Shrimp Bisque and so much more.
