
These Closed Grand Rapids Restaurants Deserve a Comeback in 2025
It always seems like we don’t always truly appreciate our favorite restaurants until they're gone.
One day, these forgotten spots were just there—the familiar places that you’ve driven past at least a hundred times. Maybe the spot you always meant to check out, or the restaurant you assumed would be around forever. Then suddenly, a "Closed" sign goes up, and social media is flooded with people saying, “No way! I loved that place!”—even if they hadn't been in years. What a BUMMER.
Grand Rapids has seen its fair share of beloved restaurants disappear, from long-standing family diners to unique Grand Rapids spots that brought something special to the city’s food scene. Whatever it was, it’s gone now—and we’re left wishing we’d shown up just a little more often.
But every once in a while, we get a great victory when a restaurant or chain returns, much like the new resurrected Hot ’N Now locations that will be opening in Alpena and Wayland soon. Our cries and complaints were heard, and now what seemed like a distant memory is going to be a staple again in the area.
I took an unofficial poll of people in Grand Rapids, seeing what people really miss from our food scene and wish would return. Maybe if we all make enough noise, we could see some of our favorites return to West Michigan. I'm sure we may have missed a few along the way. Let me know below in the comments if you think any others should have made this list:
Restaurants that Grand Rapids Desperately Wants To Return in 2025
Gallery Credit: Laura Hardy
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