I love coffee shops, so I always get excited when I can try a new to me spot, like The Borough. I…read moredon't get to Allendale very often (maybe twice a year) so when I was heading to Grand Valley's campus for an event recently, I made sure to allow extra time to stop by. The parking lot in front is pretty small, and there is only one access point, so if you go past it, you'll have to turn around near the apartments behind it. Don't drive on the sidewalk... I didn't, mostly because there is a sign that says, "This is a sidewalk" which made me laugh. (Truly that should be an entrance into the parking lot!) The space is very bright and airy with cute decor and space to get some work or studying done. I was greeted right away when I walked in and I had a tough time deciding what to order. I wasn't hungry, but I love that they have a full on food menu - including salads, burgers(!!!), bagels, toasts, paninis, pastries, etc. Plus all the regular coffee items, boba, smoothies, and teas. I went with one of the seasonal specials, the banana bread matcha. It didn't take too long to come out and it was very tasty - not really what I was expecting, but I liked it. It reminded me of a very green banana (which is how I prefer bananas), it wasn't super sweet but also not super matcha-y. They are expanding their space, so I am interested in coming back to see what that looks like and to order more delicious drinks and try the food!

We tried The Borough for the first time with the family. This restaurant/ cafe is off of 48th…read morenestled amongst the GVSU apartments. The vibe is welcoming. We appreciated the kid friendly array of games and etch-a-sketch for entertainment. The menu is fun, but you need to search for prices. We ordered fries, a plain smashburger, a panini, and two sodas for around $31. Tipping is optional and the space is bright, playing dream pop tunes and filled with young 20 somethings. The food was good enough. My panini was well grilled, but the tomatoes would have been next level had they been marinated in balsamic vinegar. Winter is tough to find tasty tomatoes so I don't fault them on it... however the tomatoes were the let down of the Turkey PT 3 panini. The smashburger was sufficient. My husband said it tasted on par with Burger King (not sure if that's a compliment or a diss because we love BK). He was disappointed with the fries because earlier pictures portrayed them as hand cut and these were definitely from frozen. Either way, we cleaned our plates. If we come back, I'd be curious to try their breakfast. The açaí bowls look delicious along with the lox bagel and Seoul sunrise. They also have boba drinks, smoothies, coffees, and teas. Glad to have something with chill vibes in the neighborhood, but I definitely feel like the oldest person in the establishment. perhaps I contributed to the aging hipster vibe. We'll be back someday in the morning

did you know that morning ritual has breakfast sandwiches?…read more all of which are default vegan (option for dairy cheese available) 1. bacon, egg, and cheese 2. sausage, egg, and cheese 3. egg and cheese all sandwiches come on an english muffin with richie sauce which is some sort of spicy mayo. they still sell nantucket goodies too like bagels, vegan croissants, and the vegan pb chocolate rice crispy treats. i personally like the new location, though of course i miss the character of the old building. the photo booth is fun and i enjoy perusing the various local products and art they sell/display.

I wish I had dug down a little deeper in the reviews before committing to visiting. Was looking for…read morea nice afternoon coffee pick-me-up and was met with a Debbie downer of a drink. The coffee itself tasted very flat and almost stale and the cold foam was not creamy or foamy at all. The cashier/barista was not friendly. I tried giving Morning Ritual a chance despite the morbid decor, but sadly I will not be back.

Every time I am in here the atmosphere is perfect. Everything I could want from a coffee shop:…read morecalm, slow and swanky. The decor and music choices are perfect, they lend to a good start on any day. The coffee itself is actually fantastic. So much so that everywhere I go in the city I can't quite find anything to match. So I'm really thankful for that. The baristas are skilled and kind. The service is excellent.

Stopped in the other day for a quick visit with family…read more Coming from Metro Detroit, this is one of the best coffee shops I've ever tried! Great service, friendly staff. The inside of the building is spruced up nicely, enjoyed the artwork. Will be back again. :)

Sometimes you just need a place to escape the hotel room, crack open the laptop, and get some work…read moredone. That's exactly what brought me to Midnight Express Cafe in Grand Rapids. Apparently this is a favorite among the local college crowd, and I can see why. The space is big, bright, and inviting. There were groups of friends playing card games, plenty of people working on laptops, and an atmosphere that somehow felt both fun and relaxing. The vibe check? Passed with flying colors. It wasn't perfect, though. If you're planning on working for a few hours, be prepared to hunt for actual working power outlets because they're surprisingly scarce. My chai latte also left a lot to be desired. It wasn't bad, just forgettable. Then came the açaí bowl. Organic açaí blended with blueberries, mango, blue agave, and coconut milk, then topped with granola, coconut flakes, chocolate chips, honey, strawberries, blueberries, and peanut butter. Oh... my... goodness. I was not prepared for what arrived at the table. Every ingredient tasted incredibly fresh. The fruit was vibrant, the granola had amazing texture, and every bite felt like the perfect balance of sweet, creamy, and refreshing. It wasn't just delicious--it was one of those dishes that makes you stop what you're doing because your full attention suddenly belongs to the food. Here's what makes that statement carry some weight: I live in an area of South Florida surrounded by a huge Brazilian community. I have no fewer than six dedicated açaí shops within eight minutes of my house. I've had a lot of açaí bowls over the years. Without question, Midnight Express Cafe serves the best açaí bowl I've ever had. I never expected to find my favorite açaí bowl in Grand Rapids, Michigan, but here we are. Sometimes the biggest surprises happen in the places you least expect them.

We got a drip coffee, iced coffee, and two acai bowls. The acai bowls were delicious! The added…read morepeanut butter was the perfect touch. They overall were very filling, I was surprised how full I was after. Definitely recommend. We sat outside bc we brought our dog but the vibes were clearly nice. Definitely caters to the college crowd.

I really liked my experience going! I always pass by this spot going to the Pyramid Scheme and…read moresometimes my run club meets here but I finally got to try them out! There's actually an entire bottom level that you can't see from the outside so if it looks full up front by the register, you still may be able to find a seat downstairs. The vibe is super cute and comfortable. They have a lot of nice spaces to hang out or get work done. The staff was very nice and I like the focus on community.

I wanted to grab a cup of coffee with a coworker and we stumbled upon this adorable little coffee…read moreshop! When you first walk in, you might be a little disappointed by the limited bar seating... but then you realize there's a whole other space downstairs! It feels like a coffee speakeasy which is such a cool vibe. the coffee was delicious! I got an almond milk cappuccino, and it tasted amazing. The beautiful design on top was an added bonus and made it almost too pretty to drink. The only thing I would add - once the coffee is ready that they run or down instead of us having to listen for them to should the coffee order. That would be a nice added touch ! can't wait to stop in again the next time I'm in town!

The atmosphere is great. The location is great. What they have to offer is great: a mix of grocery…read moreand Meijer staples with more higher-end products. However, with the elevated ambiance and prices, (due to a lack of discounts you at a Meijer) one would expect exceptional service. The service isn't bad. It would just make sense for the service and staff to match what you'd expect from a store like Forest Hills Foods or the Ada Market. I would consistently shop here more if I was always greeted wherever I walked into the store and it felt like home.

Just want to comment about the wall of liquor they have near the entrance. Never seen this type of…read moreshelves before in any type of grocery store. Each bottles are shinning under the overhead spotlight and telling you to buy them. This is a boutique Meijer so grocery choices are limited but they have everything you need to make lunch or dinner.

Was walking around the square looking for a coffee place and found Madcap. The space itself is open…read moreand airy, but could use a bit more seating for those wanting to stay and enjoy their coffee. One benefit if you do stay is they use reusable glassware, so definitely more environmentally friendly. I sat at the bar and watched all the drinks being made while I enjoyed my vanilla latte. The coffee was definitely a step up from chains and I would definitely stop in again.

Quite possibly one of the best cafe mochas I've ever had. Just great coffee- with great vibes…read more Bonus points for super friendly staff.

I always love discovering new to me places, and I had seen a few reviews of Moka Roots recently, so…read moreI made plans to meet up with a friend there to catch up. The space is beautiful and spacious, and there were a few other people meeting and working there. The menu is interesting and they specialize in Yemeni coffee and other drinks. I got the Moka Roots latte at the recommendation of the owner, which was delicious with some light warming spices like cardamom. They also sell slices of cake and other goodies - I got a piece of baklava which was perfectly crispy and sweet. There is plenty of parking in the lot, and it's attached to the amazing Super Green Market. They also have an outdoor patio which I'd love to enjoy in the summer. Moka Roots isn't super close to my house, but I'm glad I checked it out and will definitely be back in the future.

Delicious, amazing coffee, and great space to get some work done! Great customer service and…read morerelaxing atmosphere.

Awesome coffee shop! I love that your drinks are made then put in a can, it so fun!…read more The staff was extremely nice and it was a cool place to hang out. The bathroom was clean and there was plenty of seating. Loved it!

Excellent coffee at this beautiful local shop. Stopped here for a to-go order, and enjoyed a quick…read moresit-down at the counter side bar area. High caliber coffee and ingredients. The staff are friendly hand helpful. Nice selection of indoor and outdoor seating. Highly recommend!

Community oriented, welcoming, and warm. The drinks are great and their staff is always friendly! I…read morelove their market and music events!

2026 Update: Over seven years later Littlefoot is rocking it with some of the best coffee in GR…read more Thoroughly enjoyed a fresh brewed cup of their Up-north seasonal blend in the recently added café. Totally looking forward to sipping fresh roasted Acetenago Guatemalan at home. If you haven't ever been here, or if it's been a while, come back and pay them a visit. 2019: There is a new toaster in greater GR (Grandville) that I highly recommend giving a try. The Aricha Ethiopian Yirggacheffe was one of, if not the best, coffee that I've brewed at home. The Ecuadorian Finca Lugmapata was good as well. Both were excellent quality coffees that were roasted to perfection. The coffeegood value and available for purchase online.