Top 10 Kalamazoo Restaurants (Fresh Farm to Table, Downtown Kzoo Dining, Hot Breweries, Outdoor Seating For Your Date Tonight)

Top 10 Kalamazoo Restaurants | By Sherry Trautman | Traveling Michigan

Are you looking for the BEST Restaurants in Kzoo?  Perhaps outside seating, romantic, fast food, farm to table or awesome new breweries?  We've got the list!  After living in Kalamazoo for over 15 years, we have the pulse on the best eateries because, well, we like to eat!

+West Michigan farm to table restaurants that we love!


Our Top Favorite Kalamazoo MI Restaurants and Eateries

10 Kalamazoo Restaurants to Try Tonight! (Date Night Worthy!)

The majority of my favorite restaurants and eateries are located in downtown Kalamazoo as I love the atmosphere and flavor of the area.  I haven't included many chain restaurants as I prefer to support local Kzoo businesses. 

If you are looking for chain or fast food restaurants you can find a wide variety near the Crossroads Mall on Westnedge Avenue.  


1. Rustica - Excellent Farm to Table Restaurant in Kalamazoo

Rustica-236 S Kalamazoo Mall, Kalamazoo, MI 49007  Rustica is an amazing quaint restaurant located in the downtown Kalamazoo Mall.  Enjoy rustic European cuisine while savoring a luscious glass of wine.  It's fun to watch the chefs working behind the counter too.

We love to begin our meal with the Artisan Cheese Board which begs you to dip nuts and grilled bread into gooey pots of honey and jam.  The Black Angus Filet Mignon and the Scottish Salmon dishes are favorites of ours.

We are always impressed with the presentation of our meals and the service is great. Rustica is one of my favorite Kalamazoo restaurants to enjoy a delicious dinner after a busy day.


2.  Taco Bob's in Downtown Kalamazoo Mall


Taco Bob’s-300 S Kalamazoo Mall #171, Kalamazoo, MI 49007 (not to be confused with the inside shopping mall, this restaurant is located downtown).

And now for something completely casual.  Taco’s!  This is the local's go-to place for flavorful tacos, salsa and burritos.  Located downtown, Taco Bob's is a laid-back restaurant where you eat outside in the summer

Grab a walking taco and enjoy the evening strolling along the downtown mall window shopping.  


3. Latitude 42 Brewing Company: Awesome Kalamazoo Brewery!

Latitude 42 Brewing Company-7842 Portage Rd, Portage, MI 49002

This craft brewery seriously delivers with their pizzas (LOOK AT IT!), salads, burgers and more! We designed our own pizza and it was awesome! 

Oh, and get the truffle fries! Serious yum! 


4. 600 Kitchen and Bar - Incredible Farm to Table Restaurant in Kalamazoo

The 600 Kitchen and Bar is located within The Foundry at 600 E Michigan Ave, Kalamazoo, MI.  They take pride in sourcing their ingredients from local farmers across Michigan for their farm to table meals.

  • Try their Cajun Bleu Cheese Burgers, Chicken and Biscuits or Grilled Salmon with corn pudding, roasted tomato & shallot. MMMMMM! 

Oh, and vegetarians aren't left out! I love their 600 Ramen with baby bok choy, vegetables, roasted garlic, soft-boiled egg, nori, shitake and radish. Hot dang.

Outside Seating? Oh yeah. Grab a beer and a steak on the outside patio this summer! 

Be sure to put 600 Kitchen and Bar on your Kalamazoo Restaurants to try this summer!


5. Epic Bistro and Central City Tap House

Epic Bistro and Central City Tap House- 359 S. Kalamazoo Mall, Kalamazoo, MI 49007 (not the shopping mall but downtown).These two restaurants are connected in Downtown Kalamazoo and are perfect choices for a classy dinner before the Art Hops

My friends and I enjoy Central City's martini's and casual upbeat atmosphere.  Chris and I love eating at Epic Bistro for a celebratory night out (to clarify, that's any night I'm not cooking). 

We ALWAYS get the wood fired pizzas...they are that good.


6. Kalamazoo Beer Exchange: One of Our Favorite Kalamazoo Restaurants


Kalamazoo Beer Exchange-211 E Water St, Kalamazoo, MI 49007.

A beer exchange is such a cool concept!  It’s exciting to watch prices of beer rise and fall every few minutes depending on the beverage's popularity on the huge beer exchange board.  

Snag a second glass of your favorite brew the second the price falls!  Kalamazoo Beer Exchange has a pretty impressive food menu too.  I love their Grilled Maple Salmon!  

It's one of our favorite Kalamazoo restaurants, so check it out!


7. Central City Tap House

Tacos, wings brisket and salmon are all good choices at the Central City Tap House in Kalamazoo. Of course, their wine and beer list are extensive!  

My friends and I like going there before the Kalamazoo Art Hops that occur the first Friday of every month. 


8. Noodles and Company

Noodles and Company-5363 W Main St, Kalamazoo, MI 49009. 

Ok, ok, I broke my "no chain restaurants" promise (head hanging in shame)...BUT, I would be doing you a disfavor by leaving them out.  Noodles and Company is so freakin' good (and affordable....and you don't tip). Win-win-win.

Chris loves the Buttered Noodles with extra spice or the Pesto Cavatappi. I love the Pasta Fresca for the immense flavors of tomatoes and spinach.  Of course, we always get side dishes of their Tomato Basil Bisque. Their Pot Stickers are yummmy too.  

We hope you enjoy our favorite Kalamazoo Restaurants!  


9. Monelli's Italian Grill & Sports Bar in Portage Michigan

Monelli's restaurant in Portage MI is a great place to grab a few appetizers (try the Beer Cheese Dip and Brew City Fries) and a beer with friends. The atmosphere is relaxed and the food is fantastic!

Oh, and I love the Caprese Salad...so fresh and delicious!


10. Food Dance 

I think it's cool that my former boss's husband painted all the incredible murals in Food Dance Cafe. 

Their salad, sandwiches, vegetarian dishes, burgers and main dishes are prepared fresh.  I always feel like I can order a healthy meal if I wish.  They are open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.


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About the Lead Author | Sherry Trautman

Thanks for stopping by!

Our Words of Wisdom: “Never follow anyone else’s path. Unless you’re in the woods and you’re lost and you see a path, then by all means follow that path.”

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We're Sherry and Chris the founders of one of Michigan's most comprehensive and Top Travel Blogs!

    Sherry Trautman is a seasoned business owner and a multifaceted content creator, deeply entrenched in the world of travel in Michigan. With her extensive background in writing, editing, photography, marketing, website design, web mastering, social media, and publishing, she is the driving force behind the acclaimed Michigan Travel site "Travel-mi.com." A lifelong Michigander, Sherry's journey began in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan led her to St. Joseph during her formative years, and further to Kalamazoo for her higher education. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Design and Fine Art from Western Michigan University. Her career initially blossomed in Battle Creek, where she contributed significantly to aviation, marketing, and the art industry.

    In 2018, Sherry, alongside her husband Chris, embarked on a passionate endeavor with the inception of Travel-MI.com. This venture was not just a business but a full-time commitment to exploring and celebrating the diverse landscapes and communities of Michigan. Together, they tirelessly traverse the state, curating unique experiences, capturing stunning visuals, and weaving engaging narratives that showcase Michigan's rich cultural tapestry and natural beauty. From her early experiences in different Michigander locales to her extensive professional background, Sherry's life and work epitomize a deep-rooted expertise in Michigan travel, making her an authoritative voice in this niche.

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