Sample Scrumptious Servings at the Best Local Restaurants in Holland Michigan

Whether your trip to Holland, Michigan is going to center around Windmill Island Gardens or you plan to spend most of your time climbing the nearby sand dunes, you are likely going to work up an appetite. Fortunately, Holland is home to many locally-owned restaurants that offer you an opportunity to soak up both the flavor and culture of this West Michigan community.

These are some of the best local restaurants in Holland Michigan to try if you’re looking for a “restaurant near me in Holland Michigan”…

Enjoy a Taste of History at Boatwerks Waterfront Restaurant

Boatwerks Waterfront Restaurant, located on the beautiful Lake Macatawa, is one of the best local restaurants in Holland Michigan, and offers Holland’s only waterfront dining experience.

Boatwerks serves New American fare, provides excellent service, and offers stunning waterfront views from its outdoor patio and lounge, as well as elevated dining room seating. Fresh seafood and premium meats are featured on the Holland Michigan restaurant’s menu, with an emphasis on fresh preparations and quality produce. 

Boatwerks’ rich history on the lake inspired its design, which is reminiscent of the historic boat building factories that once lined Lake Macatawa’s shores. The exposed beams and brick design of the building harken back to the historic boat-building factories that once lined the shores of Lake Macatawa. The walls of the restaurant are covered with historic photos of Lakes Michigan and Macatawa, as well as historic Holland, Michigan.

The indoor dining room and Runabout Lounge offer picturesque views of Lake Macatawa on three sides, or diners can enjoy outdoor seating and unbeatable views from the outdoor patio and bar during the warmer months while feasting on delicious food.

Feast on Flavor at Waverly Stone Gastropub

For a dining experience that showcases the future of Holland while simultaneously highlighting the beauty of the city’s past, look no further than Waverly Stone Gastropub. Not only is this intimate eatery located in a historic downtown building on 8th Street, but it also was named after the stone that graces its facade.

Waverly stone played an integral role in the development of Holland in the 19th and 20th centuries, but it was quickly forgotten by many locals over the year. This local stone originated from a nearby quarry, and it was used in the foundation and facades of many buildings in the area. The owners of this restaurant wanted to pay tribute to the history of the region while building a business that would catapult Holland into the 21st century.

Waverly Stone Gastropub was established in 2018, and it is run by a father-and-son team who created the menu together. It’s an old-fashioned family business, as other family members work as the operations manager and marketing director.

When diners visit this restaurant, they will be greeted with an atmosphere that feels both nostalgic and contemporary at the same time. Its menu is an eclectic mix of cuisine, ensuring that everyone will find something delicious to enjoy.

Visit Russ’ Restaurants in Holland to Enjoy an Authentic Experience

In the 1950s, when everyone seemed to crave a hamburger, French fries, and rock-and-roll music, Russ’ Restaurant had long been on the scene in the quaint lakeside town of Holland, Michigan. While other burger joints faded away with the decade, Russ’ Restaurant remained a mainstay for the people in this community. 

Today, visitors and locals in Holland can dine at one of three locations in Holland, and if they venture further outside the city, they will find additional locations in Grand Rapids and throughout Northern Michigan. 

While the experience has changed a bit since Russ’ Restaurant was founded in Holland, you can still count on homestyle American food that everyone in the family will love. For more than 87 years, this local chain of restaurants has been serving up meals that not only fill the belly but also the soul.

Spice Up Your Holland Vacation with a Meal From Taqueria Vallarta

Holland is one of those Michigan communities where you can enjoy the quintessential Up North experience. There are cottages, miles of beaches and panoramic sunsets each evening, yet, this is a Midwest community that is full of culture and flavor as well.

For example, if you are searching for authentic Mexican food while you are staying in Holland, then you can head downtown where you will find the Taqueria Vallarta on 8th Street. 

Taqueria Vallarta is a locally-owned Mexican restaurant, and the owners established this business with the hopes of bringing the taste of Mexico to the people of this community. Some of its most popular dishes include the burrito jalisco, the carne asada, and the grilled shrimp meal. Of course, no meal at this restaurant would be complete without a plate of homemade flan. 

Not only does this restaurant provide the people of Holland with a bright and lively place to enjoy a delicious and authentic meal, but it also supports the community. This restaurant is known for partnering with local schools and charitable organizations in order to help build up Holland and make it a better place for everyone to enjoy.

Indulge in the Finer Things in Life at Seventy-Six

Whether you are looking for an upscale dining experience after a day spent on the water or you are celebrating a romantic occasion in the heart of Holland, you will quickly fall in love with Seventy-Six.

This downtown Holland restaurant strives to provide all people in Holland with an opportunity for a high-end dining experience in an atmosphere that still feels welcoming and approachable. 

Fun Fact: This restaurant was inspired by a couple who is still deeply in love after nearly 40 years together. In fact, the name of the restaurant hails from the year that their relationship began — 1976.

The restaurant owner and chef has created a modern American menu filled with specialty dishes that are sure to inspire, but the chef’s ability to pair those meals with the most excellent bottle of wine is what truly sets this restaurant apart from the rest. A dining experience at Seventy-Six is one that your taste buds won’t soon forget.

Start Your Day of Exploring Holland Off Right at The Biscuit

Before you begin checking off each item on your full vacation itinerary in Holland, you will want to make sure that you nourish your body and soul. Start your day off right by grabbing breakfast at The Biscuit, one of the most popular local diners in Holland. 

The Biscuit can be found in Washington Square in Holland, and its menu is full of classic breakfast dishes — each featuring its own creative twist. This family-owned-and-operated restaurant prides itself on the fact that every meal is made from scratch with fresh, local ingredients. This often means that the menu changes frequently, allowing regular patrons to try something different every time that they visit The Biscuit.

On the menu, you will find meals named after the owners’ daughters, including the Eggs Harper Rose or the Lily’s Chicken-Apple Hash. The eclectic take on some of the most comforting, down-home breakfast meals makes this one of the most popular restaurants in Holland Michigan.

While reservations are not available, you can put your name and number in so that you can grab a table when one becomes available.

Head Downtown for Breakfast or Lunch at The Windmill Restaurant

For a classic Holland experience, consider having your morning or mid-day meal at The Windmill Restaurant. This downtown Holland restaurant was once known as Hoffman’s, but when it was purchased by the town mayor in the 1960s, its name was changed to The Windmill Restaurant. The name, which pays homage to the most iconic attraction in town, stuck around, and today, this restaurant is a favorite among locals and tourists alike.

The Windmill Restaurant is a casual diner that serves up breakfast and lunch, and many of its meals are based on old family recipes. Even the toast stands out at this restaurant because all of the bread that is served at The Windmill Restaurant is homemade.

Perhaps the most famous menu item at this restaurant is the Windmill Hashbrown Omelette, a unique creation that has become a staple not only in Holland but also across all of western Michigan. Of course, you can’t forget to add a batch of cinnamon rolls to your order — there’s nowhere else in the city where you can secure such tasty treats.

Soak Up the Waterfront Views at Playa Tacos + Tequilas

Ottawa Beach Inn, as Hollanders have known it since 1972, is no more. The restaurant closed in early 2022 for an extensive renovation and was reopened as Playa Tacos + Tequilas, specializing in Mexican street food, later that summer.

The open-air restaurant has a large patio with 38 tables in addition to the 14 tables inside. More than 200 tequilas and Mezcals, as well as other spirits, are displayed on the shelves above and behind Playa’s expanded bar.

Not your average Mexican restaurant,  Playa serves a unique blend of traditional and modern Mexican street food and cocktails and is the place to go if you want fresh food, great margaritas, and a friendly atmosphere.

Delight in a Fresh Sushi Roll at Mizu Sushi

When you are in Holland and you are in the mood for ethnic cuisine in a sophisticated, modern environment, then you need to head straight downtown to Mizu Sushi. This restaurant is known as the premier sushi spot in the city, and regular patrons know that the owner of the restaurant can often be found behind the sushi bar, creating many of the fresh rolls himself. 

This restaurant has an extensive sushi menu that features both nigiri and maki sushi rolls, but it also has a full menu that includes Asian entrees for those who do not want to dine on raw seafood.

With an atmosphere that is both elegant and relaxed, this dining locale is the perfect spot for your Holland business meeting, your girl’s night on the town, or your romantic meal after a day spent exploring the city. It’s just another example of how this city perfectly blends its cosmopolitan lifestyle with its approachable Midwestern flair.

Additional Local Holland Michigan Restaurants to Enjoy

No matter what type of meal you are craving or which dining experience you are searching for, you will find that these Holland Michigan restaurants can satiate any desire that you have.

From down-to-earth diners with a welcoming appeal to fine dining experiences with a touch of pizazz, this West Michigan town with a Dutch twist has every type of restaurant imaginable.

Here are some more local restaurants in Holland Michigan and nearby towns to try…

More to Explore in Holland Michigan

Whether you plan a day trip or a romantic weekend getaway, the best Holland Michigan restaurants are just the tip of the great things to do in Holland Michigan. Be sure to include time to visit one of the best Holland Michigan breweries or wineries near Holland Michigan, and perhaps reserve a night or two at one of these boutique hotels in Holland Michigan to extend your getaway.