Coffee in Grand Rapids and the Lakeshore
The 8 coffee shops that local best-of lists name most often. We read 6 lists from local papers, magazines and food writers, counted who shows up, and link every one.
The list
Madcap Coffee
The GR roaster's downtown flagship since 2008; there is also a Fulton Street cafe and roastery.
Named by USA TODAY 10Best Readers' Choice 2025, Best Independent Coffee Shop nominee (expert panel), as reported by WGRD (Sep 2025) · Revue, Best of the West 2025, Coffee winner · Grand Rapids Magazine, Best of Grand Rapids 2025 readers' survey, Coffee House winner · Revue, 9th Annual Best of the West 2024 readers' poll, Coffee winner and 1 more
Lantern Coffee Bar and Lounge
Split-level Heartside lounge that roasts its own beans; the entrance is around the corner on Oakes.
Named by Revue, Best of the West 2026 readers' poll, Coffee Shop winner · Revue, 9th Annual Best of the West 2024 readers' poll, Coffee finalist · Revue, 8th Annual Best of the West 2023 readers' poll, Coffee finalist
Morning Ritual
Coffee bar known for handcrafted floral and herbal flavored lattes, now downtown in the Warner Building.
Named by Revue, Best of the West 2025, Coffee finalist · Grand Rapids Magazine, Best of Grand Rapids 2025 readers' survey, Coffee House finalist · Revue, 8th Annual Best of the West 2023 readers' poll, Coffee finalist
Chartreuse Sisters
French-inspired bakery on Wealthy with rotating pastries and bright, inventive drinks; open Thursday through Sunday.
Named by Revue, Best of the West 2026 readers' poll, Coffee Shop finalist · Revue, Best of the West 2025, Coffee finalist and staff pick for Bakery
Scorpion Hearts Club
Wealthy Street cafe that sells local art and books by Grand Rapids authors alongside its coffee.
Named by Revue, Best of the West 2026 readers' poll, Coffee Shop finalist · Grand Rapids Magazine, Best of Grand Rapids 2025 readers' survey, Coffee House finalist
Sparrows Coffee
Coffee and tea newsstand on Plainfield Avenue in Creston.
Named by Grand Rapids Magazine, Best of Grand Rapids 2025 readers' survey, Coffee House finalist · Revue, 9th Annual Best of the West 2024 readers' poll, Coffee finalist
Midnight Express Cafe
Late-night cafe near GVSU's downtown campus with bagels, paninis and specialty lattes until 1:00a.
Named by Revue, Best of the West 2025, staff pick for Coffee (Josh Veal)
Squibb Coffee & Wine Bar
Uptown coffee and wine bar on Wealthy serving espresso drinks plus wine, beer, cheese and charcuterie.
Named by Grand Rapids Magazine, Best of Grand Rapids 2025 readers' survey, Coffee House finalist
How this list is ranked
Each place gets a point for every recent local best-of list that names it: readers' choice results, local papers and magazines, food writers. Review-site top tens count half. Newer lists break ties. Nobody can pay to be on it. When reader votes come in, they count too.
Think we missed a place? Tell us which list named it and we'll recount.