I have been here twice. The first time I was pleased to imbibe from the pitcher of sangria This time I was more like a late 19th century progressive and chose to forego alcohol But the endless joy that comes with the small tapas plates to share remains beyond compare. Every course was sheer delight and amounts to a culinary adventure every time Service was friendly and impeccable. In the mood to examine creativity in dishes? This is your place! read more

One of my favorite Spanish tapas restaurants. One early October Saturday we happened upon a late afternoon meal at San Chez- (probably this reviewers 5th time before review) We straddled the lunch: breakfast menu and the dinner menu. It was so good I really forgot to take pictures. We had potatoes, meatballs, calamari, chorizo, shrimp, empanadas, Brussels/ mushrooms and beets. We ate all the things. Everything was amazing in different ways. Had a fabulous meal. Service was good and we were happy customers in this mid day meal before a show downtown. It's a great place and casual trendy vibe that is also just a welcoming place. Always solid. read more

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Wow. Cooper was our waiter and suggested some amazing dishes to share. Our party of four shared at least 12 different small plates. All were great. We will be back. Was a little loud but that was all fine considering the cool atmosphere and vibe here. Just come and enjoy yourself. read more

We enjoy stopping here whenever we are in Grand Rapids. I always feel a little unsure what and how much to order when eating tapas (small plates). Seems like the general rule of thumb here is 2 - 3 items per person. We order 4 items for both of us and it seemed to be enough. We ordered the following: CROQUETAS potato & smoked cheddar croquettes, garlic aioli, arbol honey 14.75 GAMBAS ASADAS AL FUEGO spicy-fire roasted shrimp, banana mustard cream, white rice 18.50 QUESO CON HIERBAS herbed goat cheese, pesto, piquillo peppers, grilled bread 13.25 PATATAS BRAVAS seasoned fried potatoes, garlic aioli, smoked tomato sauce 11.25 Everything was delicious and we had no regrets. The only complaint that we had was they allowed solicitors to come to our table to sell candy bars. They came in off the street and some of the employees purchased candy from them. If they were outside I would not have minded but, we were catching up and trying to enjoy a nice meal. We will a little disappointed because it appears the manager may have been one of the people who purchased a candy bar. read more

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Another excellent breakfast at San Chez! We had a last minute trip to Grand Rapids and were happy to get a table for breakfast. I love their pecan cinnamon roll, so we ordered one for the table and shared it. They also have excellent coffee! Just a simple cup of black coffee, but it's done right. I got the shrimp and grits with an over medium egg and absolutely loved it! The etouffee was rich with a little spice and absolutely delicious. The grits were perfectly creamy and reminded me of the south. My only complaint is I wish there were a little more grits. Our waitress was great and kept our coffee cups full and as the meal progressed, the restaurant filled up and it got a little noisy, but but not to the point that we couldn't carry on a conversation. I love this place and always try to grab a meal when I'm in town. I highly recommend San Chez! read more

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Both brunch and dinner tapas are great here! This inside is super festive and colorful, Spanish themed. They have an upstairs and down. It does get busy, I've gone a few times and had to wait a while for my food, but it's busy because it's good. The Breakfast Sandwich is always an easy go to if you don't know what to get. The garlic aioli is the best. The breakfast empanadas were pretty good, I'd recommend getting it with gravy. The side potatoes are the best, they are a must have here read more

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Won't be returning anytime soon. We went on a late Sunday afternoon. Not too many people in the restaurant but the restaurant was full of servers, bartenders and just staff in general. Visited by a server who quickly dropped off water and said will be back didn't ask if we wanted any other drinks. When she came back 15 mins later we just ordered everything at once a blackened shrimp po boy and the chicken salad, Diet Coke and club soda . From the time we sat down till at least 20 mins later food was sitting in the window which is visible for everyone to see, finished ready to go out to a table just sitting there. Finally the food went to the table next to us and I don't understand why it sat for so long when there was 4 servers rolling silverware and side work. Their food had to have been extremely dried out and they could see it was just sitting there as well. And no other food went to the window so I don't believe the excuse of wait for another meal can be used. When our food came out we asked for an extra side of dressing and sauce that was on the sandwich. When you have a blackened anything that doesn't mean burnt to a crisp it means seasoning. The shrimp were extremely overcooked and a giant bread roll with 4, quarter size shrimp for I believe 19$. Pretty pathetic. I did tell the server and she was unsure what to do. We got our extra sauces after we were finished. The did give a discount on the shrimp po boy. We paid we with $100 bill the server came back set the checkbook down and said we broke your bill down so you can leave what you want. Very strange as she never even took the amount of the meal out of the 100$. It came off rude. With the amount of employees at the restaurant at the time it with minimal occupants it should have been seamless great service. read more

San Chez Bistro - Burnt Blackened Shrimp Roll - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Grand Rapids, Michigan

We went out for Valentine's Day dinner with my wife and daughter - and it was absolutely phenomenal as always. A peaceful ambiance with some fun energetic music was just the right atmosphere for us. And our server Brett is simply the best. Attentive, friendly, and hilarious. We always know we are in for a good night when he's taking care of us. The drinks were delightful. We had NA sangria, red wine sangria, and a London fog for our drinks and they were delicious. The London Fog even had a fresh sprig of lavender to brighten it up. The food was a hit. We enjoyed lots of dishing including delicious empanadas, flavorful patatas bravas, the special with wagyu steak, and more! It was a memorable experience and we look forward to returning for more to come! read more

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This was my first time at San Chez, and it definitely won't be the last! I did some research beforehand of the menu and what to expect, but the server was great at explaining how everything worked! Besides a few menu items, everything is a tapa (little bites) and served family style. We put in everything all at once, and it came out as it was ready. It was all 10/10 and honestly very filling! I was nervous about the portions, but for 2 people, 3 tapas was perfect! The parking is a bit harder though. There is street parking and a few ramps around, but no dedicated lot. The entrance is also inside a shared door which is a bit confusing. There were enough labels to figure it out easily though. Comfy atmosphere, cute decor, and great food! read more

San Chez Bistro - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Grand Rapids, Michigan

We made our reservation for a group of six as we were meeting clients and they suggested to try this location. It's a beautiful building with lots of wood and decor that makes you feel like you've traveled somewhere far away from Grand Rapids for a tapas adventure. We were seated promptly, and our server was attentive, although I do believe overloaded with tables. It was surprisingly busy for a Wednesday night they said, and we had to ask for several things a couple of times. This isn't a big deal as we all understand being busy. It almost seems like we tried the whole menu, but some of the standouts were the charcuterie (jamon y queso), the empanadas, and the goat cheese (queso con herbias). The patatas bravas were a big hit with our group. Our least favorite dishes were the carne paella and the albondigas. We did not try any of the seafood options, but some were very intriguing. We had a non seafood lover at the table. All of our drinks were delicious, aside from a couple of mistakes with getting the wrong ones. Overall, it was a great visit and I would return if in the area. read more

We had a nice evening at San Chez for anniversary! We tried a total of three dishes, the steak, tuna, and the duck, which was a special for the month. All three we're done well and the cooks were very nice. It definitely doesn't scream authentic Spanish food, but we were still happy with the flavors. The ambience is more casual. We also enjoyed the large drink menu with fun cocktails! Parking was a little hectic downtown, they don't offer any specific spots or have a lot for the restaurant. I didn't blow me away, but it was a very nice meal with lots of fun different options. It was about $20 per plate so it can add up fast with the small tapas style dining. read more

San Chez Bistro - Aceitunas - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Grand Rapids, Michigan

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This is to go-to special occasion spot for me and my wife. Birthdays, anniversaries, or a weekend brunch. It's a unique spot that's unlike anywhere in Grand Rapids in my opinion. Parking is a lot behind the building if there are spots. Tapas experience is incredible. If the menu looks overwhelming, it's because it is. Here's what we like to order every time we go there in case anyone wants any inspiration. The portions are smaller and meant to split so if you like something, get two. Prices are definitely higher for these smaller plates so it might feel daunting to get two which is why we like to save it for special occasions or try to hit it during happy hour. - queso con hierbas - extra bread if you like carbs - croquetas - we get two of these when it's happy hour - empanadas - any filling is solid - patatas bravas - consistency has changed lately. ask for the two sauces on the side instead of on the patatas) - vieriras y tocino - it's michelin star dining experience without the actual star. ever had scallops, pork belly, and blueberry chutney? yup. - bistec con pimienta - get 2 of these. portions are small Other than that, they do advertise their paella. Either no one has made a good paella in Grand Rapids or I just don't like paella. Here and MDRD are both kind of middle of the road in terms of paella. Brunch and breakfast here is also great. Don't get anything else except for the Breakfast Empañadas and DO NOT skimp on the gravy. I honestly don't know why they charge $2.25 for it. Kind of ruins of the meal if you don't have the gravy. My two cents. read more

San Chez Bistro - Breakfast empanadas - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Grand Rapids, Michigan

Great service and food is delicious as always. I ordered bistec con pimiento and my partner has the duck. Very well prepared and not too chewy. The sauce pairs well Bistec has been my go to at this place and it's worth the money because we always leave full read more

San Chez Bistro - Duck - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Grand Rapids, Michigan

Perfect brunch & dinner spot! The food here is incredible! Everything we've had on the menu is delicious. If you're looking to ordering the paella, order that once you get to your table. Since it does take awhile to come out. Favorite tapas (small plates to share) Croquetas Empanadas Gamba's Al Ajillo (sautéed shrimp in garlic and olive oil) Vierias Y Tocino (seared scallops & pork belly) read more

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Solid 5 stars! Food is super delicious. We ordered several tapas. We love the artichokes, empanadas and broccoli the most. Sangria was pretty tasty too. Lane took care of us. He was super friendly, professional, and attentive. Solid 5 for lane as well. place is pretty spacious. We had a booth by the window. Garage parking. Highly recommend this place. read more

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First time trying San Chez for breakfast! We've been here for dinner several times before. They had a smaller menu, but lots of great options including some of their signature dishes from their dinner menu. The patatas bravas and croquetas were our favorite! read more

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I loved San Chez. It's a nice restaurant located downtown with great staff and even better food. read more

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After all these years, San Chez is still by far the best restaurant in Grand Rapids! The tapas are something dreams are made of! The shrimp are second to none. The service is impeccable! And the ambiance is festive and fun. I absolutely love it here! read more

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I came here on a whim because I was hungry, I've been up since 4am, and was in desperate need of caffeine. When I arrived, I didn't follow their directions on the door, it said go to the door in the left. User error. I was quickly greeted by a gentleman who said I could have a seat anywhere. My server brought me a water and a few menus. They had brunch available and tapas. After looking over the menu, I opted to get a iced oat milk, patatas bravas, and croquetas. The iced latte was strong and delicious. Def what I needed! The patatas bravas came out hot. I loved the flavoring on them and the sauce. The star of the show were the croquetas!! They had a sweet ending to them, but were crisp on the outside, soft and delicate in the inside and the sauce was wonderful. All in all, I would come back. read more

we had such a good time at san chez. the service was great, the food was flavorful, and the space was lively. we were seated upstairs overlooking the dining room and bar which felt cozy and intimate. we started off strong with delicious drinks. the mykota was the perfect balance of sour and sweet. the la mentirita was an upgrade of your classic rum and coke. both of these drinks contain brix soda which is a grand rapids brand made with cane sugar. we came to try the vegan challenge menu but ended up ordering a few items off of the regular menu as well. upon our arrival, we were informed they were out of the shrimp and grits. this was the dish that we were most excited to try but our server was so helpful and knowledgeable of what was vegan from the regular menu. we ordered the tempeh al chilindron (vegan challenge special), the patatas brava without aioli, the broccoli con romesco, the champinones, and the tarta de pina for dessert. the tempeh was served over the best hummus and salsa verde i've ever had. it was so flavorful and truly the star of the meal. the patatas braves were seasoned well and the champinones (mushrooms) were the perfect meaty texture. i would probably skip the broccoli con romesco next time. it just didn't have the wow factor for me that the other dishes did. the night ended perfectly with the tarta de pina. when we saw there was a vegan dessert we were excited. when we read that it was warm pineapple cake, caramel, coconut cherry rum ice cream, and grilled pineapple, we were ecstatic. it was warm, gooey, and the perfect amount of sweet. we'll be back for the shrimp and grits and one day the paella. read more

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Came here for brunch recently and everything was perfect! Our server was so friendly and attentive. Love the press pot option for the table. My friend very much enjoyed his bloody mary and the customizable spice level. I ordered the breakfast wrap which is enough for 2 breakfasts and so tasty! We also tried the empanadas tapas and croquetas tapas. The croquetas were out of this world and I'll definitely be back for those alone!! read more

San Chez Bistro - Croquetas tapas - a MUST try!! Potato & smoked cheddar croquettes, garlic aioli, arbol honey - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Grand Rapids, Michigan

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The server gave us great recommendations for charcuterie pairing. And their kalamata olive dirty martini was amazing! read more

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This place is pretty good and has a nice vibe to it (I think it is very pretty at night), but I don't know if I'd say this is my favorite tapas place! Nevertheless, the service was quick and very friendly. Still a good place to try if you haven't gotten around to yet. BUT if you are to try this place, go during Happy Hour! The dishes are quite reasonable for the prices they offer. We got three tapas dishes: Medjooles Rellenos, Patatas Bravas, and Vieras y Tocino. Because of the sweetness of the Medjooles, I'd recommend eating as one of the last dishes. They were good! The dates and the stuffed goat cheese were well baked. Patatas Bravas were good and had a nice crispy exterior texture to it which made it fun to eat, and the Vieras y Tocina was alright. I expected to enjoy the dish more because among the other dishes, this was supposed to be the juiciest and flavorful, but it was just alright. I've had way more juicy pork belly, and this one just didn't hit the spot. Maybe because I've had really amazing fat scallops in my life, I was expecting slightly more with their scallops. But anyway, service was warm and friendly! I did enjoy my time there. read more

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The food here is always delicious. We stop in every time we visit Grand Rapids and they never disappoint. Highly recommend the Quinoa Del Campo, Albondigas, bistec con pimienta, and pollo y chorizo. read more

Came in for brunch the other day! Service was fast, food was great and the dining room atmosphere was perfect for a Sunday morning brunch read more

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So, it's been several months and I am STILL dreaming about this meal. Literally the best I had in town when I was visiting Grand Rapids. A group of colleagues and I decided on this restaurant for our "fancy" dinner out - and we were NOT disappointed. Our server was very attentive and was extremely patient with me asking numerous questions about the menu before deciding on the BISTEC CON PIMIENTA - peppered bistro steak grilled medium-rare over a tortellini in manchego cream sauce. It was HEAVENLY. There were six of us, so we ordered a lot of different tapas and they mostly shared - mine was so delicious, I did not share it at all, LOL. I also got to try few bites of the duck leg (divine!) and the paella (which they are known for apparently). I was so distracted by the delicious food, I forgot to take pictures of most of it, but I'll add the few I have. We left stuffed and happy. If I'm ever in Grand Rapids again for business downtown, I will be visiting this place again! read more

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Was in town for Christkindle market and chose San Chez for brunch, it was SO good! Really nice comfortable vibe, really great food & fast friendly service. The cranberry and rosé mimosa was delicious and I really appreciated they had vegetarian biscuits and gravy. The biscuits were amazing, so crunchy on the outside. Decorated cute for the holidays too and has a window booth to people watch. Definitely will go back! read more

San Chez Bistro - Cranberry & rosé mimosa - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Grand Rapids, Michigan

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My daughter and I chose to have dinner at San Chez bistro because they offered vegan selections. We were visiting Grand Rapids for only two days. We walked into an amazing little place, beautifully decorated and with a good selection on the menu. My daughter selected three vegan dishes and I had the Langosta al Crema and an appetizer. The service was excellent, and the server came back several times to make sure we were OK. Since we were celebrating my birthday, they brought me a piece of cheesecake with a candle on it at no charge. I highly recommend San Chez Bistroif you are in the vicinity . read more

San Chez Bistro - Lobster dish - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Grand Rapids, Michigan

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Where do I even start with San Chez? We ordered takeout, so I can't speak to the dine in vibe. On a trip to MI we were looking for something we could share for a quiet night in the hotel after a long day and San Chez was perfect. Everything we ordered was delicious. The real highlight was the croquettes. I know you're wondering how a friend potato ball can be so memorable, but the seasoning of the croquettes and the dipping sauce was just exceptionally done. We had a side of mushrooms and a steak plate with tortellini that were just so full of flavor. Tres leches was also well done. It was pricey, so be prepared for a little sticker shock when you see your total, but the flavors of each dish made it well worth it and it was such a better experience than another night of non-memorable take out. Bravo, San Chez! read more

We had Mother's Day at San Chez. The service was terrible!! One in our party never received his french toasts. We'd ask the server and she would just say "I'm looking for it". The server never checked on our drinks, etc. so very disappointing. I don't think we'll be back. read more

First let me say our waiter Todd was awesome.. knowledgeable, kind and considerate.. now the food was perfect for my first time and especially on a November Saturday.. will be coming back soon when I am back in town.. Bloody Mary was perfect and the Breakfast Empanadas were the bomb and that gravy I could have eaten like a soup!!! read more

San Chez Bistro - Breakfast Empanadas - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Grand Rapids, Michigan

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Great food and service! Waitress very friendly. Better menu selection than years past

Very cool vibe in an historic building. Derick made great suggestions and knew the menu. Croquetas were my favorite, smoked cheddar and honey. Champions also very good. read more

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This is a great happy hour spot, and a pretty good dinner/special occasion spot overall. We had a reservation for 7pm. Each tapas is 2-3 servings, maybe 4 max if everyone had small bites. Some tapas are worth ordering 2 orders for table. We ordered the stuffed dates and potatoes bravas as double-orders for a table for 7 people. For 2, we shared the bistec and the lamb osso bucco. The quality and ambiance is always good here! read more

San Chez Bistro - Bistec Con Pimienta - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Grand Rapids, Michigan

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Amazing time!! Layne was wonderful and provided amazing service. Food came out fast and the host was incredibly friendly and warm! Great time!! read more

I like tuna fish. Half raw and half done. Good cocktails. Nice Spanish restaurant. People are friendly. Open for lunch too.

This was my first time trying brunch at San Chez (I usually go for the tapas), and I was so impressed. I had the vegetarian biscuits and gravy--comforting, flavorful, and such a rare find as a vegetarian. It's not every day you see a thoughtful, hearty veggie option like that on a brunch menu. Portion size was generous, and the whole vibe was relaxed and welcoming. Can't wait to come back! read more

San Chez Bistro - Vegetarian biscuits and Gravy, and Salmon Benedict - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Grand Rapids, Michigan

This used to be a great place to eat and I loved being able to pick up a to go order to take home. However, they now only do to go orders over DoorDash or Uber eats and they shut the ability to use those apps off on Fridays and Saturdays. Horribly inefficient and in line with a societal shift where customer service is a thing of the past. I definitely won't be back. read more

Best Group Outing in Grand Rapids! We brought 30 people on the MACUL Walking Food Tour and it was a highlight of our trip. The guides were energetic and organized, the food at every stop was fresh and delicious, and the service was top-notch. Handling a group our size with that level of care and professionalism is impressive. If you're looking for a fun, food-filled experience in Grand Rapids -- don't sleep on this tour. Highly recommend!​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ read more

I enjoyed my mimosa at this location. I had a vegetarian biscuits and gravy which was delicious however it was overpriced with just the small plate. The servers were great and came back consistently to make sure our needs were met. I love the inside and it was cool with more than just the main floor. read more

San Chez Bistro - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Grand Rapids, Michigan

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