I come from a SMALL town with NO variety in restaurant options. It’s either drive 20 minutes to Applebee’s or 40 to Olive Garden. Moving to East Lansing was such a fun food experience. I didn’t know there were so many types of foods that I had never even heard of before. (lil secret- I never tried Thai food until I was 21 p.s. I am currently 21). I dove right into Yelp to find out all the details about the local food hot spots. So whether you’re looking for a good coffee shop to study, a breakfast to cure your hangover, or a restaurant to take your visiting parents, I gotchu. I can’t say I am an expert in the slightest but I am someone that has an opinion and will easily share it with you.
Check out my East Lansing Yelp Collection
Coffee Shops
There are two locations. The first is in REO town. There is less seating but easier parking. The newer location is right off Grand River and more student friendly as you can walk from campus and there is a plethora of seating. It’s a pretty normal coffee shop but I suggest trying one of their coffee cocktails for a nice change-up from your regular order!
Maybe it is just me but this bakery is ALWAYS freezing. I seriously will sit in there and wear my big winter coat the whole time. The main star of the show here are their baked goods, especially the donuts. Mitten Raised is a bit off campus and a bit hidden, located near Punk Taco on Grand River
Strange Matter also has two locations. The newest is on Michigan Ave and has really easy parking, but beware it is ALWAYS busy so finding a seat is about 50/50. But if you do manage, their drinks are great and they have a rotating menu of donuts (even vegan ones). The other location is in downtown Lansing and quite a bit smaller. You also have to pay for parking during the week…
Bloom Coffee Roasters
I really don’t think Bloom is open anymore but I had a life changing vanilla agave latte here once so I thought I would brag a little
This one is a HIKE from East Lansing, being on Creyts Rd in Lansing. There is a TON of seating so at least you don’t have to worry about that. The drinks aren’t to crazy, but not bad. Bonus: sometimes the food truck Bangos pops by so you can get some good grub while studying.
This one recently changed owners. Previously it was a coffee shop that served bubble waffles (Google bubble waffle and you’ll be drooling in seconds). The new owner kept it a coffee shop yet focuses more on their kombucha. The parking is across the road but really easy and I’ve never had an issue finding a seat!
Okay let me start this with yes, it is a bookstore in the mall. Buuuuuut it has a cafe! And not just pastries and coffee. It’s got the whole ~Panera vibes~ going on. The drinks are cheap, there’s food, and the parking is easy. What more could you need?
I first tried Foster Coffee in Owosso and it is delicious. It’s a classic nice (more instagram-y) coffee shop. I do tend to have wifi issues as it is in a cement building (oops), a difficult time finding a open seat, and parking sucks. If you can get past all those obstacles, the drinks are great! (but pricy)
Chapelure has a location in Hannah Plaza, near Hubbard hall, and one in Eastwood Town center. There is always enough seating and parking. The drink menu is large and delicious, but the main star of the show here are the pastries and cakes. They are absolutely gorgeous. If you have a need for a cake I highly recommend picking one up from Chapelure
This is not the most ideal study or even simple coffee date location. It is very small and very dark. I am not a fan. It is more of a place you would pick up a drink and continue on your day
BIG FAN. Yes, it is a chain coffee shop but ah well. It is so cozy with a fireplace and indoor and outdoor seating. They also are located in a prime location on Grand River across from north neighborhood, making it easy to get a coffee before class or study in class gaps. (Pro tip: Wednesdays are $2.50 latte days. My go-to order is a medium nonfat latte with three shots. It’s only $2.50!!) They also have a punch card system so it makes spending money on coffee a little better:)
I work at Starbucks- how could I not put this on my list? There are an OVERABUNDANCE of Starbucks locations in the area. Sorry but you’ll have to find which and when works best for you.
Casual Dining
This place has the most amazing unique pizzas. It even has Guy Fieri’s stamp of approval!
A modern taco shop, if you will. The margs are great and they are always having a limited edition taco to try.
Cheap and massive margs. End of story.
So I never knew what Panchero’s was. It’s just a chipotle-like chain.
My friend from Taiwan swears by this place. It is authentic, yet if you still aren’t up for it they have the good ole reliable, orange chicken.
A chain with subpar food. They do have an option where you select how many people you are feeding and the meal comes out family style on a grill. This is pretty fun, but not the tastiest.
A sit in Thai restaurant. If you like thai definitely come here. If you don’t, still come here.
A cozy (not so) little restaurant with food that reminds you of home. They even offer a soup flight to try 4 different kinds.
Your stoical sushi restaurant with a twist. THEY HAVE SUSHI BURRITOS!!
This place always looks closed from the outside but it’s likely they’re actually open. If you’ve never tried Ethiopian food before now is your chance. Your meal comes with a spongey bread that you use to scoop your meal into your mouth. I recommend asking for half bread and half rice with some silverware. I wasn’t the biggest fan of the bread.
Great! They have a cheap a$$ lunch special and you can get a veggie bento box for around $7 (I love me a good bento box).
The loved crack fries got changed to cosmic fries. They’re overrated anyways.
Another chain, but hey, sometimes you just want decent.
Delicious tapas with a rotating menu. You order about 3-5 things depending on your hunger. Most things are about $3/4 dollars and all amazing. Sometimes they even have some scary wacky protein options.
This place is quite an experience. The menu consists strictly of pictures and names. There are no descriptions. Oh yeah it’s also on the ceiling. The decor is a collection of anything and everything scattered around. They even have a couple toilets as seats.
This little restaurant is a bit of a hidden gem. It is in a good location on M.A.C. Ave but not too busy. You can go there and warm up with a HUGE bowl or ramen.
This is the taco Tuesday top destination. Endless chips and salsa. Gigantic margaritas. Burritos the size of a baby (one even has french fries in it ugh).
Just your everyday mediterranean restaurant. It feels a bit more like a diner and is very cheap.
Yes, it is a chain but keep in mind this is still East Lansing. There are only so many places you can eat. They do accept Spartan Cash if you have any of that left from freshman year!
The only thing good about this place is the guacamole.
The service here is oh so kind. They have big portions and its all delicious. Try the pistachio baklava!
The menu here can be a bit overwhelming, but they have both authentic food and more ‘americanized’ food.
Brewery/Bars
This is a newer place. It is pretty big but has minimal parking. They have a distillery right inside and often times has live music. There’s something on the (drink) menu for everyone here.
It seems a bit sketchy from the outside but it’s completely fine. I love the pizza and sweet potato fries.
One of the most popular breweries in the Lansing area. It is massive with a back room that can hold parties, has life-sized Jenga, and the occasional live band. They have great food and drinks. They even have an outdoor fireplace you can eat next to!
Just your average brewery. Ain’t nothing wrong with that.
I’ve only been here once because the service was absolutely horrible. The food on the other hand was really good. They have an unexpectedly diverse menu so everyone will find something (even sushi!).
Your classic scummy bar. I LOVE IT. It is the sort of place that townies would regular. It serves the classic ‘bar food’ but also has a vegetarian burger option! Plus everything here is crazy cheap and they have Uncle John’s hard apple cider! Come here with your friends to watch a basketball game. You can eat and drink the whole time and not have to take out another loan.
Your average fried food. They have karaoke nights that are fun too.
Really good and hearty! I’ve been here a few times and I’ve always been pleased with my food and service! Plus it is right in Eastwood so parking is a breeze.
I wouldn’t go here. There’s a huge menu but every time I’ve been here the food and service have been subpar.
Eh, just a bar located right on Grand River. I would wait for a nice day to eat outside because the inside is a bit dirty.
Can’t go wrong here. Good food, good drinks, and good parking.
Fast Casual
I have never heard anything bad about No Thai. Be careful if your sensitive to spice because it gets hot real quick. If you’re like me and think even too much pepper makes a dish too spicy definitely stick to ‘none’ or ‘weak sauce’.
Disgusting. Avoid at all costs.
You can tell the owner is very passionate about his food and business but it just doesn’t hit for me.
This is every resident in East Lansings go-to for mediterranean food.
This is a brand spankin’ new restaurant. You place your order at the counter then they’ll bring it out to you. The menu is massive and the portions are generous.
This is another chain but I had never heard about it before moving here. It has the whole ‘you-pick-two’ combo like Panera but they have a lot more options. One is even a loaded baked potato. This gives the vibe of ‘the Panera your dad would like’.
If you don’t have to eat here, I wouldn’t.
Don’t come here. It’s overpriced food that sits out all day.
Don’t discount grocery stores for good food! They have specialty pizzas, sushi, great sandwiches, a soup and salad bar, and fresh pastries.
This is the CUTEST little shop right on Grand River. You can get premade sandwiches and salads, a rotating soup menu, a coffee bar and so much more. They even offer a huge selection of other seasonal fruits and vegetables. It’s a great place to pick up a couple forgotten groceries and get a snack on your way home from class.
This place is not too popular. Their menu is very limited and their main item is this french toast-bread-dessert-like toast. It’s more of a ‘try it once and you’re good’ type of place.
Jose’s Cuban Sandwich and Deli
Let me start with Jose’s less of a deli and more of a gas station. In an unfavorable of Lansing. It seems sketchy. You walk into the gas station and order your food and will likely take it home to eat or enjoy it in your car at a nearby park with your friends like I do. It’s SOOOO cheap and REALLY good. Definitely try it at least once but I wouldn’t go alone. Or at night.
Oh Conrad’s. This is the ‘post night out drunk food’ you NEED. It’s greasy and most wraps have tater tots in them AKA perfection. I recommend the Number One with some Mac Bites. Conrad’s is so popular there are 3 locations. Tip your delivery driver well because they’re putting up with a lot of drunk people.
A little shop tucked away on Michigan Ave. They have authentic food and even have a grocery section if you want to try an make anything at home! I recommend trying this place at one point or another.
Upscale
Okay, if you are a college student reading this maybe you just want to come here for a special occasion or to just get drinks and dessert (aka come get the creme brûlée) as it can be a bit pricey. Or ya know, treat yoself.
If you could only have one supper choice in East Lansing come here. From the outside it is very unassuming but once you step in, you’ll get it. To play it safe I would make a reservation, but it’s not always necessary. The foods come tapas style yet are priced as an entree AKA teeny tiny portions and big ole prices. Keep in mind this is a farm-to-table restaurant so you know everything you are consuming is good for you and the community.
It’s fine. I really don’t have much to say about it because I have only been there once. I had a grain bowl. You really can’t be let down or overwhelmed by those so this one is up to you.
This is more or a place for professionals getting a drink after work.
This place doesn’t seem like it should be ‘fancy’ but apparently it is. Overall, it’s good and would eat there again.
I can’t say much about this place as I do not like any type of seafood so I got a sad spinach salad, but everyone else enjoyed their meals.
YESSSS so good the tempura tofu is the bomb.com. Maru is a must.
One of the most ‘instagram-y’ places in East Lansing. The brunch menu is to die for. If I could eat here everyday I would. The dinner menu is new and looks a bit lackluster but that’s just me judging a book by it’s cover.
Breakfast and Diners
The most eccentric breakfast restaurant you will EVER visit. There is basically no parking, it is in the most random location, and you are lucky if you don’t have an hour wait outside (rain or shine). There are about 15 seats total but it is worth it. The place is covered inside and out in the most random items. Even the wait staff are utterly funky. The food? You’ll probably wait another hour and not ever get a drink refill but hey whatever. Pro tip: They don’t accept card so keep that in mind!
A classic diner breakfast. Nothing more, nothing less.
A cute vintage diner that has some exceptional diner food. If you’ve never been try the hippie hash!
Again like the Brunch House, it’s just a little diner. We’ve all been to those. Expect the same.
A new Mexican brunch joint. It’s totally different from your typical brunch spot and totally good.
A good local brunch spot.
It’s a diner with a waiting list. This tiny diner has about 15 seats and is located in REO town. They have a good breakfast but they also have burgers, street tacos, and cereal shakes.
Other
Donuts, donuts, donuts!!! They pretty much just have donuts. They aren’t fancy either. But they’re good, cheap, and get the job done.
Most popular for their rolled ice cream. If you don’t know what that is, you pick different flavors and add-ons. They make the mix then you can watch them pour it on the cold table and scrape it into rolls. It is pretty fun but definitely different than ice cream. Side note: don’t get the açaí bowls.
I am sorry but if you come to East Lansing and not try MSU Dairy Store ice cream you have to come back. This creamy goodness has such a high fat percentage it can only be sold on campus. Pro tip: on Monday’s they offer a grilled cheese+tomato soup for $3!
This is a food truck that doesn’t travel. And they actually have two locations. They aren’t open in the winter so make sure you go there before their season ends! I can’t rave about it enough. It is soooo good! (the only thing is the chips aren’t my favorite, but like who cares).
All I want to talk about is the pizza and milkshake combo. If you and your roommate are wanting some good midnight food and the caf is closed, order the personal pizza+milkshake combo for $6. Yeah I know you just did a double-take.
Skip Menchies and other frozen yogurt places in the area. They have both frozen yogurt and gelato. The owner is super sweet, has a great selection of fresh toppings, and is actually reasonably priced.
This place is always deserted. They pretty much just offer bubble tea because the pastry case is always empty. Avoid.
It’s the local ice cream store that has amazing soft serve for like a $1.
The classic local bakery that you can’t go wrong with. If you are missing your mom’s homage desserts come here for your fix.
The Dirty Deets
These are some chains that I am sure you’ve all been to countless times but I thought I could share some details about these specific locations
I met my roommates here for our first supper together:,) Just here for the mem’s
The Panera in Frandor is a great place to study. You WILL NOT find a parking spot at the Panera on Grand River. The Panera in the BCC definitely gets busy between classes but other than that there’s usually not a line.
Fun fact: GTPie only buys their apples and cherries from Michigan farmers- we LOVE that. The one on Grand River accepts Spartan Cash so going there to study is a great choice!
It is perfectly acceptable to go here after a ‘night out’ in your Pj’s. Don’t worry about it. They also take Spartan Cash.
This specific location is dirty and disgusting. I wouldn’t want to come here because your food may be tainted #realtalk
There’s nothing special about this location except that most people forget it exists because it is in the parking lot of the Meridian Mall. #endlesssoupsaladandbreadsticksforever
Ya’ll I’ve recently found out that not everyone went to Applebee’s in high school for 1/2 priced apps. Yeah that’s a thing. Go here at night get the current $1 drink special and get 1/2 apps. Don’t hate on Applebee’s. All their food is usually ~microwaved~ but hey, it’s cheap and fun.
So Bdub’s is your first thought when trying to think of a restaurant to go to to watch the game but this one can get too busy. Either get here early or order your food to-go.
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