Holland, Michigan sits at the crossroads of traditional Europe and modern Michigan. Stop and smell the tulips during the annual Tulip Festival in May, where you can enjoy over six million tulips in full bloom.
If you can’t visit in May, you can still participate in other Dutch-themed activities throughout the year, like watching the manufacture of wooden shoes and Delftware, touring an authentic Dutch windmill, dining at a windmill restaurant or visiting two museums to learn about Dutch history and culture.
And after learning about Holland, Europe, you should definitely take the time to learn about the best restaurants in Holland, Michigan.
Holland is one of the “Prettiest Towns in America,” named by Forbes. Holland is a beautiful setting for a summer beach day on Lake Michigan, leading to climbing the dunes or viewing Big Red, Michigan’s most photographed lighthouse.
Take in Michigan’s fall foliage along South Shore Drive or, in December, visit the Kerstmarkt, Holland’s answer to a European, outdoor Christmas market.
Any time of the year, you’ll enjoy the wide variety of food the town has to offer, everything from traditional Dutch fare to an all-American steakhouse in the restaurants of Holland. In the Netherlands, you’ll often hear the phrase, “You’re not much if you’re not Dutch.” The restaurants of Holland, Michigan will prove that saying wrong.
Let’s check out the best places to eat in Holland, MI!
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My Top 3 Picks of The Best Holland Restaurants
| Restaurant | Top Pick | Our Rating |
| DeBoer Bakkerij Restaurant | Opa’s Corned Beef Hash | 5/5 |
| Electric Hero Holland | The Old Inglourious Sandwich | 5/5 |
| Margarita’s | Steak Fajitas | 5/5 |
11 Best Restaurants in Holland Michigan
DeBoer Bakkerij Restaurant
360 Douglas Avenue // +1 616-396-2253
Holland, Michigan, offers tons of Dutch culinary specialties, and DeBoer Bakkerij Restaurant is one of the restaurants that offers some of the most authentic Holland dishes!
For some authentic Dutch cuisine, visit deBoer Bakkerij Restaurant, a family-run bakery for four generations that also added breakfast and lunch service in 2008. This is one of the best local restaurants; a homey eatery with high ceilings and big windows make for a light and airy unique atmosphere. Perfect for family gatherings!
For breakfast, the Opa’s corned beef hash is my personal favorite. The chef grills tender pieces of corned beef mixed with fresh chunks of potatoes. They top it with two eggs any way you want them. Serving it with your choice of house-made toast finishes the dish. Also, they have homemade pies, which I’m sure you will enjoy as much as I did!
The beef croquettes, a staple in the Netherlands, come seasoned with a standard blend of Dutch spices, combined with a Dutch seasoned béchamel. After cooling, they’re rolled into a three-inch stick, breaded, and then deep-fried. Croquettes come with Dutch mustard for dipping. In this Holland restaurant, you’ll see why croquettes are so popular.
Scratch-made soups prepared from fresh ingredients rotate seasonally. The Dutch pea soup is on the menu year-round. Pair it with the pigs in a blanket for a traditional Dutch lunch.
On the menu and in the bakery, blueberry and almond cranberry scones will lure you in, along with those tempting sticky buns. Accompany those pastries with coffee that they roast in-house, and you’ll have some of the best Dutch fare this side of the pond.
And remember, if you take your spouse or significant other to this unique Holland restaurant, you don’t even have to go “Dutch treat.”
If you want to experience an authentic trip to Holland, visit DeBoer Bakkerij Restaurant!
Pro Tips:
- Buy some house-made bread or apple pies from their bakery to enjoy a bit of Holland at home.
- They only serve breakfast on Saturday and Sunday; lunch or dinner service is not available.
Anna’s House – Holland
12450 Felch Street // +1 616–294-1692
The retro 1950s diner décor, updated for the new century, is fresh and clean, with lots of white and retro teal blue in a contemporary shade. A 1950s console TV, topped with a living room lamp, greats you in the lobby.
Cosmos Starburst light fixtures illuminate the space while teapots and toasters adorn open shelved room dividers to achieve an open floor plan. A top view of 15 toasters from the last century is framed to provide a conversation starter.
Anna’s House works with local producers, and a recent change in the menu makes use of only organic eggs. Indicators next to menu items let you know if it is gluten-free, dairy-free, or if a vegan version is available. They have a separate kitchen specifically to prepare meals for those with allergies.
If you’re a chocolate lover, you might even require chocolate for breakfast. I know I do! Anna’s House has an innovative dish to conquer that early morning chocolate craving, the chocolate quinoa breakfast bowl.
Fresh blueberries, strawberries, bananas, and toasted coconut color-block the top of the plate. Cinnamon, real maple syrup, walnuts, and pecans come mixed into the warm chocolatey quinoa. The dish has a distinct chocolate flavor without being overly sweet.
A dark chocolate sauce drizzle tops it all off. Choose from a side of steamed almond, soy, or two-percent milk served in a silver pitcher so that you can pour it over at just the right time in just the right amount.
Anna’s skillet is another favorite. It starts with red-skinned potatoes and cubes of ham. They mix in onions, green peppers, tomatoes, and mushrooms. Gooey melted cheddar cheese holds it all together. Then it is topped with green onion. It comes with two cage-free organic eggs cooked any way you like them. Locally made toast completes the meal.
Whatever you choose, you’re sure to have your taste buds satisfied with the best breakfast in Holland, Michigan at Anna’s House – Holland.
Pro Tips:
- They don’t take reservations on the weekend. They close by 3:00 p.m.
- Anna’s House – Holland only serves breakfast and lunch.
Boatwerks Waterfront Restaurant
216 Van Raalte Avenue // +1 616-396-0600
Its current location is on the shores of Lake Macatawa, West Michigan right down West 8th Street, Boatwerks offers a waterfront outdoor seating area where you can enjoy Michigan’s amazing sunsets over dinner. You can dock your boat on their pier or their deep-water port. It’s easy to envision the Amsterdam canals in this Holland waterfront restaurant.
The restaurant has a casual, boating theme with an industrial-style ceiling and lights. Boat motors hang from the exposed brick walls. Mural-sized historic images of Lake Macatawa, Lake Michigan, and Holland, Michigan decorate the walls.
The restaurant sports exposed beams and brick, like the landmark boat-building factories that stood along the Lake Macatawa shores. The restaurant’s bar top is reminiscent of hand-made wooden boats from a bygone era, with the alternating dark mahogany boards and the light wood inlays. Also, they have super friendly service as well as great food!
You’ll find new American fare, Michigan favorites like the Lake Superior Whitefish served as an appetizer in the form of a dip with fresh vegetables and pita chips, or as an herb and panko-crusted entrée topped with a citrus dill cream sauce. The entrée comes with black rice and a mixture of spring vegetables. The menu also features other Michigan fish, like walleye, perch, and salmon.
The Great Lakes signature salad features Michigan dried cherries. The foundation is baby kale and arugula, topped with candied pecans, Danish blue cheese, and red onion. A house-made red raspberry vinaigrette tops the salad. The chef makes all of their dressings from scratch.
A variety of steaks – ribeye, New York strip, and filet – round out the entrée menu. If you are looking for lighter fare, burgers, pizza, and salad are also featured. In any case, Boatwerks Waterfront Restaurant is the place to go for dining in Holland, Michigan.
Pro Tip: Weather permitting, plan to eat their delicious food on the patio. It’s fun to watch the boating activity on Lake Macatawa.
New Holland Brewing
66 East Eighth Street // +1 616-355-6422
New Holland Brewing is a woody decor brewpub, so I’d be negligent not to mention the Dragon’s Milk, a bourbon barrel-aged stout. Over the years, they’ve offered over twenty versions of the Dragon’s Milk Reserve. My favorite had cherries. On a positive note, a new craft comfort food is always available; however, sadly, your new preferred variety will be gone too soon.
They use Dragon’s Milk in several ways at the restaurant. You’ll find it in a beer-lovers cocktail, paired with delicious pub food, or incorporated into a menu item as an ingredient. The bourbon flavor in the beer makes it a good beer for bourbon lovers and red wine lovers will enjoy the bold flavors.
The Cuban sandwich, made with Smoked Michigan pork shoulder, smoked ham, Swiss cheese, chili mustard, and both sweet and spicy pickles is made in-house. The sandwich bread is similar to that of Mexican tortas and reminds you of authentic Mexican food.
Don’t pass by the pesto grilled cheese sandwich with tomato bisque. The sandwich, made from sourdough bread spread with arugula pesto and gooey melted provolone cheese, is an all-American comfort food lunchtime favorite. A thick house-made tomato bisque accompanies it and is perfect for dipping. Also, get some french fries on the side it will top off your meal!
A couple of desserts are worth a mention here – the apple crisp and the Dragon’s Milk brownie. The apple crisp starts with apples from bounty of local farms, Michigan cherries, and oatmeal crumble, topped with a bourbon caramel sauce. The Dragon’s Milk brownie comes with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a Dragon’s Milk chocolate sauce topping it off.
In keeping with the Dutch tradition of fine beers and ales, this Holland, Michigan restaurant will evoke the feelings of relaxing with good food or a drink in the town center.
Pro Tip: Plan to visit when you can take a tour of the brewery. It’s a fun add-on to your dining experience, and maybe it will become your favorite place! Also, make sure you try their exceptional wine if you are a wine-lover.
Crazy Horse Steakhouse & Saloon
2027 North Park Drive // +1 616-395-8393
Diagonal planks of light wood line the walls. This American restaurant has a Western theme, with cowboy murals adding to the saloon vibe.
A diner once wrote his name on a dollar bill and pinned it to the wall, and a tradition began. Today, hundreds of dollar bills decorate the walls. They are collected regularly, so unlike some restaurants where this practice occurs, it’s not overwhelming.
The dollar bills are collected and donated, and to date, local charities have received over $250,000 in donations. Crazy Horse Steak house & Saloon takes pride in giving back to the community.
Known for their chicken corn chowder, the chef flavors it with carrots, celery, corn, and chicken, resulting in a thick, creamy chowder served with yeasty dinner rolls.
In addition to the typical steakhouse sustenance, you’ll find a Mexican wide variety of foods like guacamole and chips or burritos. They serve a tasty ground beef and cheese burrito, wrapped in a flour tortilla covered in burrito sauce and melted cheddar jack cheese, and then topped with cilantro, corn, and black bean salsa.
Tortilla chips, salsa, and sour cream accompany the dish. You may not get the strong Dutch vibe here, but this is one of the best restaurants in Holland, Michigan. Also, they have such friendly service!
Pro Tips:
- On weekends, I strongly suggest reservations.
- Crazy Horse Steakhouse & Saloon closes on Sundays.
Electric Hero Holland
683 Chicago Dr #3001, Holland, MI 49423, United States // +16163963100
Next up, I would like to share this little family-owned sandwich place with the best food and great service. The sandwiches here are huge and stuffed with delicious meats like ham, turkey, roast beef, corned beef, chicken or pork that will get you and leave you stuffed but wanting more. So if you’re looking for a new place to try, try out an Electric Hero Sandwich; promise you’ll come back for a second round!
Their Red Dragon salad with Shredded chicken, tomato, cucumber, red onion, gorgonzola, and poblano avocado ranch dressing on greens is a magnificent mix of flavors.
The Old Inglourious sandwich with pulled pork, chipotle citrus BBQ sauce, provolone, and pineapple on grilled sourdough is my favorite from the hot subs. You can pair your sandwich with a nice salad and a hot bowl of soup for a fair price.
Salt And Pepper Pub
11539 E Lakewood Blvd #50, Holland, MI 49424, United States // +16163555501
Homey restaurant with high ceilings and big windows made for a light and unique airy ambiance. It has a friendly atmosphere, perfect for family gatherings, more prominent groups and dinner dates.
The Roasted Pepper & Artichoke Bake is perfect for an appetizer with roasted red and poblano peppers, Boursin, parmesan, feta, spinach, and artichokes baked and served with grilled baguette, pita crisps, and white corn tortilla chips.
The Chicken Gyro with grilled chicken breast, feta cheese, cucumber, red onion and tomato on toasted naan bread with a creamy feta dressing and the Balsamic grilled chicken breast topped with sun-dried tomato pesto, a melted Italian five-cheese blend, drizzled with reduced balsamic and topped with scallions and served with garlic mashed potatoes & fresh steamed veggies are absolutely delicious.
I have probably had the best burger in MI in Salt & Pepper. Delicious, juicy and I didn’t need to add any condiments. I had the sweet potato fries and the beer ale; the fries were cooked to complete perfection with a lovely crunch on the outside and sweet and warm inside.
They have an excellent selection of adult beverages as well!
Windmill Restaurant
28 W 8th St #220, Holland, MI 49423, United States // +16163922726
Small cozy diner for all-day Traditional American breakfasts & lunch with booth or counter seating. The hash brown omelet is probably the best breakfast creation I’ve tasted, and the fried cinnamon roll-up is to die for.
There are tasty mouthwatering hot soups on the menu, such as veggie beef, tomato or chili soup served with homemade fluffy bread.
If you are a fan of sweet breakfast, try out the pie with banana cream. Traditional, crunchy and soft on the inside. Besides that, there is fruit salad, strawberry pancakes and waffles.
The club sandwich is huge and delicious, as well as the burgers. You get enormous portion for the price and still you have leftovers for home.
Because of space limitations, it’s always crowded and sometimes has a long wait.
Margarita’s
495 W 17th St, Holland, MI 49423, United States //+16163943069
Looking for the best homestyle Mexican dishes that will melt your heart? Once you enter the restaurant, you will love the smell and the comfortable, warm ambiance. The food is fantastic, and the service is friendly, too.
For an appetizer, they serve lovely guacamole with homemade tortillas, Queso sip and nachos of your choice. The taco salad with deep-fried tortilla shells filled with meat of your choice, topped with lettuce, tomato, cheddar cheese, guacamole and sour cream, is a refreshing dish to start your meal with.
The steak fajitas were seasoned properly; the corn tortillas cooked perfectly; the rice was some of the best we have ever tried. The tacos were made exactly as we had hoped, flavourful and tasty.
For dessert, do not hesitate to try the fried traditional Mexican ice cream, served in a glass and topped with chocolate syrup.
If you’re looking for the best Mexican restaurant locations in Holland, look no further than Margarita’s!
Mario’s Pizza & Spaghetti House
850 Butternut Dr, Holland, MI 49424, United States // +16163992570
Convincingly the best Italian pizza and Pasta with impurities of some Mexican dishes can be found at Mario’s Pizza & Spaghetti House.
The place is small but clean. The menu is not so extensive, but everything they offer is fresh and homemade.
The thin and crispy pizza is excellent so is the meat lovers’ pizza, which is also fantastic.
From Italian dishes, spaghetti with marinara sauce and meatballs or meat sauce is a unique, overwhelming dish. On the other side, the lasagna is not so big but very cheesy and caloric.
The Wet Burrito with Meat, beans, lettuce, tomato, and onion in a flour shell topped with burrito sauce and covered in melted cheese is simply the best. There is an option to add extra meat and remove the beans, which I think is a great idea.
If you are not so hungry, there is a little bites menu and a kids menu.
Baja Grill
777 Washington Ave, Holland, MI 49423, United States // +16165463600
A family-owned eatery where you can build your own burritos & other Mexican chow in airy, vibrant digs. Cozy atmosphere, warm welcome and fast service.
Everything is always fresh, and you can taste the quality of the food. The restaurant itself is usually quiet and slow, but there are a lot of chairs and tables, plus a soda machine. They also have a nice assortment of hot sauces. Unlimited chips are provided for customers who eat there.
For starters, treat yourself to their homemade egg rolls filled with chicken, pepper jack cheese, chili peppers, black beans, spinach, cilantro, and garlic, all rolled in a crispy tortilla. Deep fried to perfection and an absolute pleasure for your taste buds.
You can build your own burrito by choosing the size, type of tortilla, the meat and salads inside and the dressing. Every ingredient is carefully chosen, fresh and flavourful. Highly recommend!
FAQ
- What restaurants are in holland Michigan?
Italian, mexican, sea food and classic American restaurants.
- What are the most popular restaurants in Holland?
Electric Hero Holland and Windmil are one of the most famous restaurants in Holland,MI
- What are the best restaurants in Holland that deliver?
None of this restaurants on the list offer delivery.
Visiting Holland, Michigan? Check out our other Holland foodie guides:
- 7 Best Bars in Holland In Holland
- Best Mexican Food In Holland MI
- 7 Best Mexican Restaurants In Holland
- 5 Must-Try Downtown Holland Restaurants
- The Best Pizza In Holland MI
- Best Sushi In Holland MI
- Best Thai Food In Holland MI
Visiting other cities in Michigan? Check out our foodie guides to the following cities:
- 7 Best Restaurants & Things To Do In Ludington
- 5 Must-Try Restaurants in Chelsea, Michigan
- 7 Must-Try Lansing Restaurants
- 11 Must-Try Upper Peninsula Restaurants & Bars
- 7 Best Traverse City Restaurants
- 15 Michigan Dishes You Must-Try
- 10 Must-Try Grand Rapids Restaurants MI
- 10 Fun Things To Do In Holland MI
- 7 Must-Try Ludington Restaurants
- Best Detroit Burgers
- The 24 Best Restaurants In Detroit Michigan
- The 22 Best Things To Do In Detroit Michigan
Which one of these restaurants in Holland Michigan do you most want to try? Let me know in the comments section below!
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Travel writer and owner of the blog. My work has been featured on Fodors, Eater.com, International Living, and Great Escape Publishing, among many others. My story? Nearly six years ago, I left my job at an Oklahoma City law firm and embarked on a journey around the world. At the time, I thought I would only be gone for 6 months, but the more I traveled, the longer my bucket list became. Flashpacker describes how I travel. Rather than traveling as the normal world wise backpacker and staying in hostel dorms, I prefer a more comfortable experience, and typically stay in private rooms, take Ubers instead of taxis, and now use a suitcase instead of a backpack. Foodie, on the other hand, describes one of the key reasons why I travel. I love to pick a central “base camp” and then explore the surrounding area, really immersing myself in the culture and interacting with the people, and enjoying and exploring the food of an area is an essential part of this experience.
David K
Saturday 5th of November 2022
Thank you for sharing. Very helpful.
Sara Driesenga
Wednesday 1st of June 2022
Your list is a far cry from best of...I've lived here my whole life, you have a very distorted view of what good food is.
Nathan
Thursday 2nd of June 2022
In your opinion, you must mean? As I'm sure you understand best/favorite restaurants are subjective...
Josh
Wednesday 23rd of February 2022
You missed a small restaurant in Washington Square called "Galleria". Hands down the best food in holland. Tell them Josh sent you and he will give you the best food in the state.
ANN Bailey
Wednesday 2nd of June 2021
What restaurants are pet friendly?
rqal
Sunday 17th of October 2021
@ANN Bailey, Hopefully none
Sally Guard
Friday 28th of May 2021
Very informative and impressive. Thank you