The Best Places to Eat, Drink, Stay and Go when visiting The Goei Center- Grand Rapids, MI

Grand Rapids, MI, is a vibrant city, home to an abundance of local coffee shops, breweries, restaurants, hotels, and other attractions, each with their own unique story to share. In the heart of it all lies one of West Michigan’s most authentic and premier event venues– The Goei Center! 

Furniture factory turned wedding and event venue, this historic building houses two separate, modern-industrial venue spaces called The Kindel Room and The Goei Center.  Each venue space has its own charming aesthetic, perfect to host a variety of events from weddings, proms, and holiday parties to fundraisers, workshops, and corporate events

But what of the surrounding area of The Goei Center? The West Side community and surrounding area is the perfect compliment to such a great venue! Several of Grand Rapids’ best businesses are just minutes away within walking distance of The Goei Center. Pretty convenient, right?!

Below you will find The Goei Center’s guide on best places to eat, drink, stay and go when visiting Grand Rapids. Check them out and let us know what you think!


Coffee

    • 4 minute drive

    • 1.2 miles from The Goei Center

    Head over to Eden Café to grab a coffee with some beautiful latte art or be bold and try one of their cereal lattes!

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    • 6 minute drive

    • 1.4 Miles away from The Goei Center

    Great place to sip your coffee and hang out in their lounge area!

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    • 8 minute drive

    • 1.4 miles from The Goei Center

    In the heart of downtown Grand Rapids, this is the first of several Madcap locations opened in 2008.

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    • 7 minute drive

    • 1.4 miles from The Goei Center

    Family owned coffee shop + art gallery- grab a cup of joe and browse some local art!

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    • 5 minute drive

    • 1.6 miles from The Goei Center

    Christian based coffee shop featuring tasty coffee, tea, pastries, bagels, spreads, + soups

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    • 2 minute drive

    • 0.4 miles from The Goei Center

    Open 24/7 this is the perfect spot to grab some coffee anytime you need!

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Breakfast/Brunch

    • 11 minute drive

    • 4.1 miles from The Goei Center

    The perfect spot for breakfast or brunch with dishes made from ingredients sourced from local West Michigan Farms!

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    • 5 minute drive

    • 1.1 miles from The Goei Center

    Morning Belle’s light and airy environment partnered with its delicious menu is an amazing spot for breakfast + brunch! And don’t snooze on their breakfast cocktails (;

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    • 5 minute drive

    • 1.3 miles from The Goei Center

    Great coffee, breakfast + lunch from a company that gives back to its community, donating 1% of its profits every quarter to neighborhood efforts + organizations.

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    • 4 minute drive

    • 0.9 miles from The Goei Center

    Rise Authentic Baking Co. is an entirely gluten free, vegan, and soy free bakery, free from all artificial flavors and colors. They also house Squibb Coffee so you can grab all your sweet treats + coffee in one stop!

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    • 13 minute drive

    • 3.2 miles from The Goei Center

    Serving excellent breakfast and brunch for over 45 years!

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Lunch

    • 5 minute drive

    • 1.2 miles from The Goei Center

    Coastal style cuisine, hand crafted cocktails and live music in the summer months!

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    • 5 minute drive

    • 1.1 miles from The Goei Center

    Delicious, modern French + Italian cuisine, plus great happy hour deals every Monday-Friday from 3pm-5pm!

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    • 5 minute drive

    • 1.1 miles from The Goei Center

    Vibrant space with deliciously unique tacos, nachos + drinks! This is a great location for a quick lunch as their service is very efficient.

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    • 9 minute drive

    • 2.1 miles from The Goei Center

    One of The Goei Center’s amazing approved caterers providing yummy + authentic Mexican food and the finest tequila.

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    • 4 minute drive

    • 1.1 miles from The Goei Center

    Another one of The Goei Center’s approved caterers serving excellent authentic Mexican cuisine just minutes away from our venue!

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    • 10 minute drive

    • 2.5 miles from The Goei Center

    Not only is The Electric Cheetah known for its tasty cuisine, but also for its many flavors of in-house root beer! If you’re ever on Wealthy St. it’s a must try!

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    • 12 minute drive

    • 2.7 miles from The Goei Center

    If you’re looking for delicious soul food, this is the spot for you! Did we mention Forty Acres is on The Goei Center’s approved catering list?

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    • 11 minute drive

    • 3 miles from The Goei Center

    No need to travel all the way to Tennessee, because Hancock has the best Nashville Hot Chicken right here in Grand Rapids, MI! Yummy food and a great atmosphere inside and out for an enjoyable lunch.

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    • 7 minute drive

    • 1.3 miles from The Goei Center

    Grab lunch at Roam and feel as though you’re traveling the world without even leaving Grand Rapids. Roam offers dishes originating from Peru, Japan, Indonesia, Mexico, and so many others including several fusion dishes as well.

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    • 5 minute drive

    • 1.2 miles from The Goei Center

    San Chez Bistro offers a blend of authentic European, Mediterranean, and Latin American cuisine in a fun, laid-back, and artful atmosphere.

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    • 11 minute drive

    • 2.7 miles from The Goei Center

    Uncle Cheetah’s features 12 different high-quality, from-scratch soups every day, along with gourmet sandwiches & salads. The perfect meal to warm you from the inside out and leave you with a smile on your face!

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    • 7 minute drive

    • 3.6 miles from The Goei Center

    In the heart of The West Side, Westside Social is an amazing spot to grab a beer, enjoy the patio fireplace, or dine out with your family.

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BrewPubs

    • 5 minute drive

    • 1.1 miles from The Goei Center

    Ranked as one of the top breweries in the world for the last five years, Founders Brewing is one you can’t miss when visiting Grand Rapids! We even serve some of their most popular beers for events at The Goei Center.

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    • 2 minute drive

    • 0.4 miles from The Goei Center

    This little pub + grill is a great spot to stop for classic pub food, craft beers, and nightly entertainment! They offer Karaoke every Thursday, Friday + Saturday night!

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    • 12 minute drive

    • 3.3 miles from The Goei Center

    Harmony Brewing is serving up tasty appetizers, pizza, beers and so much more! Be sure to check out their events calendar if you love trivia, euchre or vinyl!

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    • 6 minute drive

    • 1.2 miles from The Goei Center

    Great local brews, burgers, and of course you don’t want to skip their famous cosmik fries!

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    • 5 minute drive

    • 1.2 miles from The Goei Center

    Featuring a beautiful indoor and outdoor beer garden, three separate bars, and a wood-fired oven, we highly recommend grabbing a bite here!

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    • 5 minute drive

    • 1.1 miles from The Goei Center

    Stop in for some great pub classics as well as some dishes with an Irish twist!

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    • 6 minute drive

    • 1.3 miles from The Goei Center

    Stella’s Lounge is known for award-winning, giant stuffed burgers, 250+ whiskeys, retro arcade games, and vegan/vegetarian specialties.

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    • 8 minute drive

    • 2.1 miles from The Goei Center

    The Mitten Brewing Co. is a vintage baseball-themed microbrewery that expertly pairs handcrafted beers with gourmet pizzas.

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Dinner

    • 5 minute drive

    • 1.1 miles from The Goei Center

    Gorgeous indoor + outdoor seating options with delicious food + craft cocktails. They also offer an impressive Whiskey menu for any Whiskey lovers out there!

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    • 6 minute drive

    • 1.2 miles from The Goei Center

    Leo’s is the premier dining destination for exquisite seafood, classic cuisine, decadent desserts, and a world-class wine list.

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    • 5 minute drive

    • 1.2 miles from The Goei Center

    Sophisticated French cuisine in a bistro setting right in The JW Marriott Hotel!

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    • 5 minute drive

    • 1.3 miles from The Goei Center

    A go-to for a fresh twist on classic American staples. Be sure to check out their awesome weekly specials!

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    • 7 minute drive

    • 1.3 miles from The Goei Center

    Reserve Wine and Food focuses on serving a seasonally driven menu using sustainably sourced ingredients from local farmers.

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    • 6 minute drive

    • 1.3 miles from The Goei Center

    With a moto of: perfect steak, warm hospitality and good times that never stop rolling, this is by far one of Grand Rapids’ best steakhouses serving quality ingredients and premier cuts of steak.

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    • 11 minute drive

    • 3.1 miles from The Goei Center

    Terra’s menu consists of dishes that are thoughtfully sourced with seasonal and sustainable ingredients from local farmers.

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    • 6 minute drive

    • 1.2 miles from The Goei Center

    An elegant dining experience where you can savor exceptional cuts of USDA prime beef accompanied by only the freshest ingredients.

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pLACES TO STAY

    • 5 minute drive

    • 1.1 miles from The Goei Center

    Offering sleek, modern rooms + suites along with a restaurant, bar, 24 hour fitness center, + free wifi, this is a great option for downtown hotels!

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    • 6 minute drive

    • 1.2 miles from The Goei Center

    The Amway Grand Plaza hotel features several on-site restaurants, a bar, indoor pool, spa + salon along with many other amenities. Truly a grand location to stay downtown when visiting Grand Rapids!

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    • 6 minute drive

    • 1.3 miles from The Goei Center

    The Canopy hotel is very convenient, just minutes away from several great breweries + restaurants. If you stay here, don’t forget to try their rooftop beer garden!

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    • 5 minute drive

    • 1 mile from The Goei Center

    Another great downtown location featuring an on-site restaurant, indoor pool + hot tub, free wifi and 24 hour fitness center!

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    • 8 minute drive

    • 1.9 miles from The Goei Center

    Embassy Suites is perfect for those looking for a downtown hotel with a view of the Grand River. It features complimentary breakfast, fitness center, free wifi, and an indoor pool shaped like Michigan!

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    • 5 minute drive

    • 1 mile from The Goei Center

    The Holiday Inn is the perfect downtown hotel for anyone hosting a wedding or event at The Goei Center + Kindel Room! They have free on-site parking and a shuttle service that can run from 8 am-11:30 pm right to our venues!! They are also pet friendly :)

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    • 7 minute drive

    • 1.4 miles from The Goei Center

    Homewood Suites is within walking distance of several restaurants and attractions, featuring complimentary breakfast and a rooftop bar!

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    • 8 minute drive

    • 1.4 miles from The Goei Center

    The Hyatt Place features modern rooms and suites with lots of natural light and great city views!

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    • 6 minute drive

    • 1.2 miles from The Goei Center

    You can’t go wrong at the JW Marriott as it features several rooms and suites overlooking the gorgeous city of Grand Rapids!

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    • 6 minute drive

    • 1.2 miles from The Goei Center

    Residence Inn has a wonderful selection of rooms featuring fully equipped kitchens, separate living and sleeping areas, 24 hour fitness center, and complimentary breakfast!

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Things to do!

    • 6 minute drive

    • 1.4 miles from The Goei Center

    Pop in to the Studio Park Celebration Cinema to see the latest movies!

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    • 7 minute drive

    • 1.6 miles from The Goei Center

    Can’t agree on what type of food to eat for lunch? No one has to settle at the Downtown Market where they host several vendors offering different cuisines including Mexican, Japanese, Thai and American options. This is also a great spot to get fresh meats, cheeses, ice cream and so much more.

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    • 13 minute drive

    • 6.6. miles from The Goei Center

    One of the world’s best horticultural display gardens and sculpture parks and a must see in Grand Rapids! Their butterfly exhibit and Japanese Garden are two of its most beautiful features.

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    • 3 minute drive

    • 0.8 miles from The Goei Center

    If you’re in the mood for a thrilling activity, head over to Flannel Jax’s Axe Throwing! They offer an exciting selection of cooperative and competitive games.

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    • 20 minute drive

    • 13 miles from The Goei Center

    Do you love bowling? Do you love football? Combine the two together and you get fowling!

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    • 5 minute drive

    • 1 mile from The Goei Center

    For any history buffs out there, you’ll want to pay a visit to the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum

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    • 5 minute drive

    • 1.2 miles from The Goei Center

    Calling all art lovers!! The GRAM’s collection has been cultivated to include a diverse array of paintings, sculptures, drawings, photographs, and a growing collection in the area of design and modern craft that highlight centuries of human creativity.

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    • 7 minute drive

    • 1.4 miles from The Goei Center

    This is the perfect spot to take your curious kids with hands-on exhibits that regularly rotate and change throughout the year!

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    • 4 minute drive

    • 0.9 miles from The Goei Center

    The Grand Rapids Public museum is an immersive educational experience for those of all ages. It features several exhibits, a carousel, a café and a planetarium!

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    • 6 minutes

    • 1.3 miles from The Goei Center

    GR Noir has an exceptional wine menu and lovely live jazz music. It is owned by a husband and wife duo- Shatawn and Nadia Brigham. Shatawn is GR’s only black male to achieve a level II Sommelier Certification!

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    • 6 minute drive

    • 1.6 miles from The Goei Center

    Grab your bestie, a drink and a board game at House Rules Lounge! They have about 600 different board games in their lounge that you can take to your table and play with your friends. Better yet, they offer a full bar!

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    • 4 minute drive

    • 1.1 miles from The Goei Center

    The John Ball Zoo provides care to over 220 species and over 2400 individual animals! The John Ball Zoo also works to inspire the community to be actively engaged in the conservation of wildlife and our natural environment

    They also have an office space in the Goei Center!

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    • 11 minute drive

    • 4.4 miles from The Goei Center

    Millennium Park consists of 1,400 acres of rolling terrain and six miles of frontage on the Grand River. It features several facilities including a six-acre beach and splashpad, boat rental facilities, nearly 18 miles of trails, and other diverse opportunities for recreation and relaxation.

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    • 5 minute drive

    • 1.1 miles from The Goei Center

    In the winter months, this is a popular ice skating rink, but in the summer months you can enjoy live concerts here!

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    • 4 minute drive

    • 0.9 miles from The Goei Center

    Originally constructed in 1892 as a railroad bridge, The Blue Bridge is iconic to the city and is one of the longest truss bridges in Michigan.

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    • 5 minute drive

    • 1 mile from The Goei Center

    This 70,000-square-foot, four-story, red brick building was constructed in 1903 and now houses several eateries, a brewery, piano bar & comedy club. It’s also part of The Gilmore Collective- Gilmore Catering is one of The Goei Center’s amazing approved caterers!

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    • 6 minute drive

    • 1.4 miles from The Goei Center

    Get your sleuthing on at one of the three different escape rooms at The Ruse. Not a fan of being trapped in a room with other people? Try their Outdoor Escape instead and tour 10 locations in GR!

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    • 7 minute drive

    • 1.3 miles from The Goei Center

    West Michigan's premier entertainment destination hosting numerous sports events, family shows, concerts, comedy shows and more each year. Van Andel Arena is also the home to the Grand Rapids Griffins, the AHL hockey team, the Grand Rapids Gold, NBA G League team as well as the Pro Volleyball Federations West Michigan Pro Volleyball, the Grand Rapids Rise.

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    • 12 minute drive

    • 2.7 miles from The Goei Center

    Art + culture come to life at Wealthy Theatre as they host live performances, comedy shows, and of course film screenings!

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    • 7 minute drive

    • 1.3 miles from The Goei Center

    Try your hand at duckpin bowling at Woodrows! What the heck is duckpin bowling you might ask? It’s bowling, but with a smaller ball which has no finger holes and smaller pins attached to strings. Woodrows also features a full bar and allows you to bring your own snacks.

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    • 5 minute drive

    • 1 mile from The Goei Center

    20 Monroe is a contemporary concert hall with around 2600 seats, hosting live music, comedy shows & more.

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