Whether you are visiting for springtime tulips, summer beach days, or Dutch-themed attractions, you are likely wondering where to find the best restaurants in Holland, Michigan.
As a Michigander who has visited Holland numerous times over the years, I’ve rounded up the best Holland restaurants, pubs, breweries, bakeries, and even a local ice cream spot that earned a former president’s (and this foodie’s) approval.
Also, if you want more ideas of things to do and places to eat in West Michigan, check out my Holland Tulip Time guide and posts about Grand Rapids and Saugatuck.
Disclosure: Some meals featured in this post were comped or discounted, but, as always, all opinions are my own. Additionally, this dining guide to Holland, Michigan, includes affiliate links. When you click on one of these links and make a purchase or reservation, I may earn a small commission.
Why Visit Holland, Michigan?
Holland is a lakefront destination along the shores of Lake Macatawa settled by Dutch immigrants. Here, the relaxed “lake life” vibes seen in Pure Michigan ads meet Old World charm.
You can immerse yourself in the city’s Dutch heritage on a trip to Holland. Start your day by touring De Zwaan, the working windmill at Windmill Island Gardens. Then, learn how to klompen dance and make a stoopwafel cookie at Nelis’ Dutch Village, shop for blue-and-white delftware at De Klomp Wooden Shoe & Delft Factory, or view Dutch art at the Holland Museum.
Of course, one of the best times to visit Holland and see its Dutch roots on display is during the annual Tulip Time festival when 5 million tulips bloom!
Beyond the springtime tulips, Holland charms visitors with its waterfront location marked by Big Red, the most photographed of Michigan’s 129 lighthouses, and its downtown’s year-round shopping and dining.
You can also travel from Holland to nearby lakeshore towns — South Haven, Douglas, Saugatuck, Grand Haven, and Muskegon — or visit wineries and tasting rooms in the Fennville and Lake Michigan Shore appellations.
RELATED: Where to Eat in Saugatuck
How to Get to Holland, Michigan
Holland is less than a three-hour drive from Chicago and Detroit, making weekend getaways from either Midwest city convenient.
It’s also less than 30 miles, or about 35-40 minutes by car, from Grand Rapids, making it a favorite day trip destination among local Grand Rapidians and visitors of Michigan’s second largest city.
In addition to driving, you can also reach Holland by Amtrak train from Chicago on the Pere Marquette route between Grand Rapids and Chicago.
Also, Holland is about a 45-minute drive from the Muskegon ferry terminal, where the high-speed Lake Express Ferry arrives from Milwaukee.
Other cities within a 6-hour road trip from Holland include Indianapolis (3.5 hours), Cleveland (5 hours), Cincinnati (5.25 hours), Columbus (5.5 hours), and Louisville (6 hours).
Visiting Holland from further away? The closest major airport is Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRR) in Grand Rapids. The drive from the Grand Rapids airport to Holland takes about 40 minutes, so I recommend renting a car at the airport.
Where to Stay in Holland, Michigan
Teerman Lofts — For a unique stay in downtown Holland, consider booking a suite with a full kitchen above Teerman’s department store.
Tulyp, Tapestry Collection by Hilton — This eco-friendly boutique hotel is in the heart of Holland’s downtown restaurants, brewpubs, and boutique shops. Conveniently, Koffie Cafe and 1847 Lounge offer on-site dining from breakfast through dinner.
Courtyard by Marriott Holland Downtown — For Marriott Bonvoy members, earn or use your points when you stay at this downtown Holland hotel. Amenities include an indoor/outdoor pool and hot tub, a fitness center, and the on-site Big E’s Sports Grill open for lunch and dinner.
Cottonwood Inn — Couples may enjoy the cozy suites at this charming bed and breakfast. You can soak in a claw-foot tub, sit together on the porch, or take in panoramic views of the woods from your room.
Explore the map below for available accommodations!
Top Local Places to Eat in Holland, Michigan
From breakfast through dessert, you’ll find diverse dining options in Holland. You can taste the city’s Dutch heritage, sample other global cuisines, pair casual pub fare with a locally brewed beer, sip a craft cocktail at an upscale restaurant, or indulge in a sweet treat. In this post, I share my favorite places to eat in Holland!
Best Breakfast in Holland: deBoer Bakkerij & Dutch Bros Restaurant
Craving a hearty and “eggscellent” breakfast dish, buttermilk pancakes, or a taste of the Netherlands? Then, deBoer Bakkerij & Dutch Bros. Restaurant’s North Side eatery is the place to be!
Open at 7 a.m. daily, deBoer Bakkerij & Dutch Bros. Restaurant is a hot spot for breakfast and lunch in Holland.
The menu heavily features savory breakfast dishes, such as the hippy hash made with scrambled eggs, chorizo, Dutch potatoes, Bermuda onions, tomatoes, and a chipotle hollandaise sauce. You’ll also find a variety of eggs benedict dishes, breakfast sandwiches, and omelets.
On the sweet side, the menu offers buttermilk “klompen” pancakes, waffles covered in caramelized bananas or fresh strawberries with whipped cream, and custard-dipped French toast.
For a healthier breakfast, you can opt for an egg-white frittata, avocado toast, steel-cut oatmeal, or a Greek yogurt parfait with granola, seasonal fruit, and a drizzle of agave nectar.
Lunch choices are primarily sandwiches, such as a classic BLT and a three-cheese grilled cheese.
Of course, as the name suggests, deBoer Bakkerij & Dutch Bros. Restaurant is one of the Holland eateries that serve Dutch food. To sample foods from the Netherlands, try “A Taste of the Old Country.”
This Dutch meal includes a beef croquette, saucizenbroodje (Dutch sausage roll), a cup of ham and pea soup, a slice of Dutch Gouda cheese, and freshly baked bread.
You should pair your breakfast (or lunch) with an “endless cup” of house-roasted coffee, or try a cold brew, latte, hot or iced tea, freshly squeezed orange juice, or one of the house-made lemonades.
Of course, you shouldn’t leave before perusing the bakery! You’ll find a variety of freshly baked breads, pastries, coffee cakes, cake and yeast doughnuts, and cookies.
Things to Know Before Dining at deBoer Bakkerij & Dutch Bros. Restaurant
- Location: 360 Douglas Ave, Holland, MI 49424
- Phone: 616-396-2253
- Hours: 7 a.m. – 1 p.m. for the restaurant and 7 a.m. – 2 p.m. for the bakery Tuesday – Saturday, Closed Sunday & Monday
- Parking: Private lot
- Reservations: Not accepted
- Takeout: Available | Order here
- Outdoor Seating: Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
- Gluten-free Options: No
- Vegetarian Options: Yes, but options without eggs or dairy are limited.
- Vegan Options: Limited
Best Restaurants in Downtown Holland
As you walk along downtown’s cobblestone-paver sidewalks, you’ll pass by some of the best restaurants in Holland. Among the 25 eateries in downtown Holland are Seventy-Six and Waverly Stone Gastropub. Pair your mouthwatering meal at either restaurant with a craft cocktail, a Michigan-made beer or hard cider, or a glass of wine!
Seventy-Six
High-end junk food and craft cocktails? Yes, please! The modern American lunch and dinner menus feature elevated comfort foods such as jumbo lump crab rangoons, short-rib grilled cheese with creamy tomato soup, kung pao glazed Scottish salmon, and butterscotch bread pudding.
As you enter the restaurant, your eyes will feast on a visual delight. Exposed brick walls, blue tufted booth seating, wooden tables paired with metal chairs in occasional pops of yellow, and wine bottles displayed behind metal grates accentuate the dining room’s modern, industrial style.
If you enjoy your full-sensory dining experience at the stylish Seventy-Six, you may want to try proprietor Lucas Grill’s other restaurants while visiting Holland.
The 1983 Restaurants group also includes Spanish and Latin tapas restaurant Poquito, the craft cocktail and small bites bar Obstacle No. 1, and Public, an American restaurant specializing in comfort foods, in nearby Zeeland. Please note that Public has been temporarily closed.
Things to Know Before Dining at Seventy-Six
- Location: 52 W 8th St, Holland, MI 49423
- Phone: 616-994-8414
- Hours: 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. Tuesday – Thursday, 11 a.m. – 9:30 p.m. Friday & Saturday, Closed Sunday & Monday
- Parking: Street parking and nearby garage parking in downtown Holland
- Reservations: Accepted | Reserve your table
- Takeout: Available
- Outdoor Seating: Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
- Gluten-free Options: Limited
- Vegetarian Options: Yes
- Vegan Options: No
Waverly Stone Gastropub
The father-son team of chefs Ed and Andrew Westerlund has created a gastropub that truly lives up to the name. On both occasions when I dined at Waverly Stone Gastropub, I found it a food lover’s pub.
Perhaps that is because the gastropub’s menu is inspired by Chef Ed Westerlund’s experience traveling to US culinary hubs New York City, Chicago, and Los Angeles while working as a Test Kitchen Chef for Gordon Food Services.
If you only visit Holland occasionally, the menu has likely changed since your last visit. As I write this post in April 2024, the current menu journeys through the Mediterranean with fattoush and tabbouleh salads, gyro pita wraps, and hearty Italian pasta dishes.
However, during my visit in October 2019, I delighted in delicious okonomiyaki, a savory Japanese pancake. On my most recent visit during Tulip Time 2022, I devoured a flavorful chorizo pub burger topped with a fried egg.
Of course, as a gastropub, the full bar offers craft beers on draft, wine, cocktails, and even non-alcoholic and low-alcohol beverages to pair with your meal.
Things to Know Before Dining at Waverly Stone Gastropub
- Location: 20 W 8th St, Holland, MI 49423
- Phone: 616-392-5888
- Hours: 11:30 a.m. – 9 p.m. Monday – Saturday, Closed Sunday
- Parking: Street parking and nearby garage parking in downtown Holland
- Reservations: Accepted | Reserve your table now
- Takeout: Available | Place your order
- Outdoor Seating: Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
- Gluten-free Options: Yes
- Vegetarian Options: Yes
- Vegan Options: Limited
Awesome Holland Breweries for Food and Craft Beer
Holland is home to one of the pioneers of Michigan’s booming craft brewing industry, numerous craft beverage producers, and winery tasting rooms. As for dining, Big Lake Brewing and New Holland Pub on 8th are two of the best local breweries for food and craft beer in downtown Holland.
Big Lake Brewing
If you are visiting Holland with a fellow craft beer drinker and looking for a place to taste a flight of local brews while snacking on shared appetizers, Big Lake Brewing is the place to go.
You can pair your pint or flight with handmade soft pretzels served with beer cheese and beer mustard as I did (and 10/10 recommend), or opt for a truly Michigan appetizer of smoked whitefish dip or a taste of the city’s Dutch heritage with an order of bitterballen.
Beyond the appetizers, Big Lake Brewing’s menu includes salads, pizzas, burgers, and more beer-friendly main dishes like creamy beer mac & cheese and a comforting Dutch stamppot.
In addition to its own beer and cider, Big Lake Brewing offers craft cocktails on draft and wine.
Things to Know Before Dining at Big Lake Brewing
- Location: 13 W 7th St, Holland, MI 49423
- Phone: 616-796-8888
- Hours: 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. Monday – Saturday, Closed Sunday
- Parking: Street parking and nearby garage parking in downtown Holland
- Reservations: Waitlist only | Join the waitlist
- Takeout: Available | Order here
- Outdoor Seating: Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
- Gluten-free Options: No
- Vegetarian Options: Yes
- Vegan Options: No
New Holland Brewpub – New Holland Pub on 8th
New Holland Brewing Company is one of the trailblazers of Michigan’s booming craft brewing and distilling industries. Naturally, while visiting Holland, you should visit the original brewpub, which offers food, beer, spirits, and cocktails menus.
On the food menu, you’ll find a host of snacks and main dishes that pair well with beer. Try the beer-brined chicken wings, elote corn dip, smoked pulled pork sandwich, or exotic mushroom pizza!
The brewpub also has one of the best food menus in Holland for gluten-free dining, offering gluten-free burger buns and pizza crust.
Things to Know Before Dining at New Holland Brewing – Pub on 8th
- Location: 66 E 8th St, Holland, MI 49423
- Phone: 616-355-6422
- Hours: 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. Tuesday – Thursday, 11 a.m. – 10:30 p.m. Friday & Saturday, 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. Sunday, Closed Monday (except during Tulip Time Festival)
- Parking: Street parking and nearby garage parking in downtown Holland
- Reservations: Accepted | Reserve your table
- Takeout: Available | Order online here
- Outdoor Seating: Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
- Gluten-free Options: Yes
- Vegetarian Options: Yes
- Vegan Options: Limited
Travel Tip: You can pick up a free Handcrafted Passport at the Holland Area Visitors Bureau at 78 East 8th Street to collect stamps in the Greater Holland Area’s Handcrafted Passport.
Drool-worthy Dessert Spots in Holland, MI
Craving a chocolate chunk cookie, hot fudge sundae, or red velvet cupcake? Head to the Cakabakery on 8th or Captain Sundae to satisfy your sweet tooth!
Cakabakery on 8th
At the Cakabakery of 8th, you’ll find a variety of cupcakes, cookies, cinnamon rolls, cake pops, and more tasty treats.
I don’t think you can go wrong with any choices here, but I highly recommend the chocolate chunk cookie and strawberry champagne cupcake.
The Cakabakery on 8th also bakes gluten-free and vegan treats. While vegan and gluten-free cupcakes and/or other treats are stocked daily, the bakery recommends placing an order in advance.
Things to Know Before Dining at the Cakabakery on 8th
- Location: 82 W 8th St, Holland, MI 49423
- Phone: 616-377-2122
- Hours: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Wednesday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Saturday, Closed Sunday & Monday
- Parking: Street parking and nearby garage parking in downtown Holland
- Takeout: Available | Request custom orders here
- Gluten-free Options: Yes
- Vegetarian Options: Yes
- Vegan Options: Yes
Captain Sundae
This ice cream shop with a pirate-themed putt-putt golf course is a must-visit spot for ice cream lovers of all ages.
All of the ice cream, both soft-serve and scooped hard ice cream varieties, are made locally in Michigan. The soft-serve is 95% fat-free and gluten-free, and it comes in vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, and twist flavors, while the hard ice creams are from Hudsonville Creamery and Ashby’s.
In addition to ice cream by the scoop, you can order a milkshake, malt, old-fashioned soda, or one of 48 sundaes, including the Tommy Turtle.
This “famous” sundae of hot fudge, hot caramel, buttered pecans, whipped cream, and a maraschino cherry on top was served to President George W. Bush on the Today Show.
Things to Know Before Dining at Captain Sundae
- Location: 365 Douglas Ave, Holland, MI 49424
- Phone: 616-396-5938
- Hours: 11 a.m. – 9:30 p.m. Monday – Saturday, 1 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. Sunday (Hours may vary)
- Parking: Private lot
- Takeout: Available
- Vegetarian Options: Yes
- Vegan Options: Yes
More Local Places to Eat & Drink in Holland, Michigan
In this post, I shared some of my favorite places to eat and drink in Holland, but here are some more Holland restaurants, bakeries, distilleries, and other culinary establishments worth checking out.
Breakfast & Coffee
- The Biscuit Café, 450 Washington Ave, Holland, MI 49423
- Lemonjello’s Coffee, 61 9th St, Holland, MI 49423
- Windmill Restaurant, 28 W 8th St #220, Holland, MI 49423
Lunch & Dinner
- Boatwerks Waterfront Restaurant, 216 Van Raalte Ave, Holland, MI 49423
- Butch’s Dry Dock, 44 E 8th St, Holland, MI 49423
- Poquito, 90 W 8th St, Holland, MI 49423
Desserts & Treats
- Crane’s in the City, 11 E 8th St, Holland, MI 49423
- Kilwins Holland, 62 E 8th St, Holland, MI 49423
- Le Bon Macaron, 186 S River Ave, Holland, MI 49423
- Ryke’s Bakery, 660 Chicago Dr, Holland, MI 49423
Drinks
- Coppercraft Distillery, 184 120th Ave, Holland, MI 49424
- Hopland Brewstillery, 977 Butternut Dr #4, Holland, MI 49424
- Obstacle No. 1, 92 W 8th St, Holland, MI 49423
- Tanglewood Winery, 15811 Riley St, Holland, MI 49424
Markets & Gourmet Shops
- Culture Cheese Shop, 211 S River Ave, Holland, MI,
- Fustini’s Oils & Vinegars, 24 E 8th St, Holland, MI 49423
- Holland Farmers Market, Inside the Holland Civic Center during winter and outdoors at 8th Street Marketplace (adjacent to Holland Civic Center Place) in summer
Browse the map below to find where to eat and drink in Holland, Michigan!
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Where would you eat in Holland, Michigan?
Have you been to Holland, Michigan? If you have a favorite restaurant in Holland, please share it with my other readers by commenting below!
If you own, manage, or run the marketing efforts for a restaurant or other culinary establishment in Holland and would like your business or client to be featured in this guide, please contact me via my work with me page.
As always, you can connect with me on Instagram and Facebook to follow along with all my foodie adventures in Michigan and beyond.
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