Suggestions
Explore the featured selections!
Irish Channel Mussels
Peach Spritz
Seasonal Vegetable
Cajun Fries
About
Garden District
Welcome to Garden District, the vibrant culinary gem nestled in the heart of Grand Rapids, Michigan! Located at 55 Monroe Center St NW, this delightful restaurant breathes life and flavor into the local dining scene with its warm hospitality and unforgettable Cajun and Creole dishes. Owned by the passionate duo Jessica and Raph, Garden District stands out as a beacon for food lovers craving the rich, soulful tastes of Louisiana.
If you're yearning for authentic Southern cuisine, look no further. Garden District features an enticing menu that boasts crowd favorites like the crispy Crawfish Beignets, bursting with flavor and served with a delightful remoulade sauce. Pair these with refreshing beverages like the blackberry lemonade or their distinctive Honey Child cocktail to elevate your dining experience.
One signature dish that has garnered rave reviews is the Shrimp Po'Boy, a true masterpiece packed with flavor, particularly when topped with the house-made Etouffee. Customers rave about the flavors, and once you take a bite, it's easy to understand why. The level of authenticity and the attention to detail in every dish make dining at Garden District feel like a mini-escape to New Orleans.
The ambiance enhances the culinary experience. With its cozy decor and welcoming staff, diners immediately feel at home. As seen in various customer reviews, service at Garden District is not only friendly but also attentive, contributing significantly to the overall enjoyment of the meal. Each visit is marked by the diligence of the staff, from the knowledgeable servers to the attentive owners who make it a point to connect with guests.
The menu is also versatile, catering to various tastes. Whether you're in the mood for jambalaya with a mild kick or the hearty muffuletta sandwich, every plate reflects the rich culinary heritage of the South. And don’t forget to leave room for dessert! Diners have been delighted by specials like pecan pound cake, which rounds off the meal perfectly.
Garden District isn’t just a restaurant; it’s a community hub where flavors meet passion. The enthusiasm of the owners and their commitment to quality ensure that each visit is more than just a meal. It’s an experience waiting to be savored, making it a must-try spot for anyone in Grand Rapids. With exceptional dishes, welcoming service, and that undeniable New Orleans charm, I highly recommend visiting Garden District. You’ll quickly understand why it's become such a beloved addition to our culinary landscape!
People talk
Our Guestbook
“ Garden District is the exact taste that Grand Rapids has been missing. I got the Honey Child, and Strawberry Daiquiri to drink, so flavorful with a great kick! Then as a starter got the Crawfish Beignets. And for my entree the Shrimp Po'Boy (definitely recommend adding the Etouffee). The flavors were immaculate and as mentioned a great addition to the many options of cuisine Grand Rapids has to offer. The hospitality and service was also exceptional. Jessica and Raph (owners) made sure to check in and make sure everything met standards. Ronnie, our server was amazing and such a great addition to the staff! Cannot wait to go back and try more! 10/10 recommend. ”
“ This place was so cute! I got the blackberry lemonade and jambalaya and both were delicious! The jambalaya had a bit of a kick and was really good. Staff were very friendly and knowledgeable about the food. I will definitely be back. I wish they had beignets though. ”
“ Was extremely excited to try The Garden District which soft opened less than a week ago. We don’t have any restaurant like this in Grand Rapids and after visiting New Orleans a year ago we were dying to have some of our favorite dishes we tried while down there. We got the Crawfish Biegnets to start. Nice and Crispy on the outside and full of flavor on the inside with a tiny kick. The remoulade sauce was great as well. My husband and I also decided to split the red beans and rice, muffuletta with Cajun fries and the Yakamein. We had plenty of leftovers to take home. We were stuffed but had to try the pecan pound cake dessert special. Everything was absolutely amazing. The red beans and rice had big pieces of delicious crispy pork belly, the muffuletta was perfectly balanced and the Cajun seasoning on the fries was tasty. The owners were extremely friendly! They also have a full bar and have some very enticing looking cocktails. This place is a must try. I am glad to have a place like this in Grand Rapids finally! ”
“ A friend and I stopped by Garden District for lunch, and although we didn’t have reservations we were able to get right in. The menu had lots of good sounding options, but I settled on one of my favorite sandwiches: a muffaletta. The sandwich itself was filling and full of savory flavor. The fries that came with it were also intensely flavorful. Overall, the meal was great, and our waitress did a great job. I think this restaurant is a great addition to downtown, and I’d like to eat here again. ”
“ The owners were able to accommodate a table for my wife and I on Valentine's Day. The food was fantastic and so were the cocktails. Great vibe in this restaurant. Very thankful for Raphael and Jessica to bring amazing cajun and creole food to Grand Rapids. Highly recommended! ”
“ Cute, quaint spot in downtown Grand Rapids serving up creole/ Cajun options. (GR doesn’t have many options for this type of cuisine.) Smaller but nice atmosphere with a bar and plays New Orleans style jazz to round out the vibes. Party started with the bbq shrimp appetizer which was full of flavor. Then party had the muffuletta and the blackened fish (grouper). Everything was cooked well, lots of great seasoning, and nice size portions. Cajun seasoned, crinkle cut fries are a tasty combo and the corn maque choux that comes with the fish was amazing. [Higher prices to be expected for downtown GR.] Coke products are always a plus, personally. Service was very good; kind and attentive by host/server. Overall, a must try if you are in the area and want to try something different. Note:Vegan rice option was not impressive & wouldn’t recommend. Lacked flavor and was not something party would ever order again. ”
“ We had a lovely lunch at the Garden District. Not too busy at 1 pm on a Saturday. We got passionfruit lemonade (delicious!) and thoroughly enjoyed our blackened fish and jambalaya. The restaurant is small, but has a nice ambience and we had friendly and attentive service. My only small complaint is that the plants near us needed to be watered, but I can see how that’s not a top priority as you’re opening a restaurant. There were other things on the menu that we want to try, so we’ll definitely be back! ”
“ Food was delicious! Very well seasoned and was fresh out the kitchen. Wait staff was very attentive. Got dessert and it was so good. The vibes were great, decor is on theme but trendy and fun. Will definitely visit again! ”