6 Must-Try Lansing Restaurants | Where to Eat in Lansing, Michigan

Lansing is the name of Michigan’s state capital. Regardless of whether your goal is to visit another capital on your list, catch a game at Michigan State University, or learn about the city’s rich automotive history, you’ll find some great places to eat as you make your way through Lansing Restaurants.

Restaurants in Lansing offer a wide variety of cuisines, ranging from world-class barbecue to authentic Mediterranean cuisine and everything in between, making it possible to find something that will appeal to every member of your group.

And who knows, maybe you’ll end up finding your all-time favorite restaurant right here!

Check out this local’s guide to my favorite places to find and eat delicious food in Lansing, Michigan, but we don’t recommend reading this when you have an empty stomach!

You don’t feel like going out to a restaurant tonight, do you? Simply click this link to have Grubhub get you delicious food delivered straight from the greatest restaurants in town to your front door.

Visiting other cities in Michigan? Check out our foodie guides to the following cities:

• 7 Best Restaurants & Things To Do In Ludington
• 5 Must Try-Restaurants In Holland Michigan & 10 Fun Things To Do In Holland MI
• 11 Must-Try Upper Peninsula Restaurants & Bars
• 7 Best Traverse City Restaurants
• 15 Michigan Dishes You Must-Try
• 10 Must-Try Grand Rapids Restaurants MI
• Best Mexican Food In Holland MI
• Best Sushi In Holland MI
• Best Thai Food In Holland MI

Top 6 Best Lansing Restaurants

Best Lansing Restaurants for Pizza

The Cosmos

1200 North Larch // +1-517-897-3563

The restaurant Cosmos, which can be found in the Old Town district of Lansing, is a fusion of science fiction and otherworldly pizza pie. The delicious pizzas at Cosmos are baked in an oven that is fueled by wood, which produces a crust that is both thin and crispy, with charred and slightly smoky edges. When it is removed from the oven, a coating of olive oil is applied around the edge so that it remains delicious and moist. Your tongue and taste buds are going to really like it.

The tables are topped with images from early science fiction comic books, and the walls are decorated with murals inspired by science fiction comic books, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of an old-school science fiction comic book from the 1960s.

The space-themed décor is enhanced by the addition of starburst chandeliers.

The menu at Cosmos is limited to appetizers, salads, and pizza, all of which are prepared to an exceptionally high standard. The restaurant does not attempt to serve all possible foods. Everything at Cosmos, from the dough to the sauce to the mozzarella and ricotta and even the duck sausage, is made in-house. Indeed, they never run out of fresh culinary options to choose from.

The stuffed corn fritters with a cream cheese filling are one of my favorite appetizers. These fritters are crisp on the outside and soft on the inside, making them the perfect combination. They are served with jalapeño aioli, and tomato jam is spread on top of each one.

The Trust Us is a mysterious taste that can be found on both the pizza and the dessert donuts that are sold at Cosmos. It is not for those who struggle with trusting others. When you order the Trust Us dish, put your faith in the chef to prepare something out of the ordinary for you. The item that will be brought to your table will remain a secret until it gets there. Because Trust us is updated every day, you will never know what to expect from it.

I was brave enough to try the “Trust Us,” and I’m happy to report that it lived up to my expectations. The chorizo, red onions, mozzarella cheese, and roasted tomatoes were all cooked in the oven that was fueled by wood. After that, they added some shredded lettuce and jalapeno aioli to the pizza, which made it taste like a taco to me.

The DDD Duck Sausage Pizza was originally dubbed the “Trust Us” pizza when it was first introduced. After it was featured on the Food Network show “Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives,” it gained such a large following that the restaurant decided to include it on their standard menu.

Pro Tip:

• Tell your server about any dietary restrictions you have when you order the Trust Us pizza, and they will advise you as to whether or not you should choose another option, but they won’t tell you what that option is. That’s a big part of the excitement!

Fast Casual Lansing Restaurants

Zaytoon Mediterranean

940 Elmwood Road // +1517-203-5728

Olive is the name of the restaurant at Zaytoon, which serves cuisine from the Mediterranean with an emphasis on the Middle East and Greece and an American twist. “Fast Food – Cooked Slow,” as the name suggests, is a more nutritious alternative to traditional fast food. The venue features counter service, which contributes to the laid-back vibe; the attentive servers bring your selections to the table and check in with you at regular intervals.

They emphasize cooking from scratch with fresh ingredients from Michigan, which are never frozen in any of their dishes. For example, making hummus is a slow process that takes three days. First, the chickpeas are soaked, then they are boiled, and finally, after they have cooled overnight, they are transformed into silky-smooth hummus that is served with pita. Order the spicy version if you want something with a bit more kick. The hummus is served with round rolls with a puffy interior.

The garlic-flavored chicken shawarma at Zaytoon is hands down the restaurant’s most ordered item. Sam, the owner and chef of the restaurant, is the only person who is privy to the recipe for the top-secret marinade. Sam mentioned this in one of our discussions, saying, “I should probably write it down, just in case.” You can have the chicken shawarma as a wrap or as part of a plate of meat and sides. The meal includes hummus, rice, and your choice of either a soup or a salad on the side. One of the most popular condiments is a homemade garlic sauce. To put it more succinctly, they serve delicious food.

Pro Tip:

• Gluten is not used in the preparation of many of the dishes on the menu, including the chicken shawarma, kabobs, eggplant, and cauliflower. In order to create a tabbouleh that is free of gluten, the chef at Zaytoon substituted quinoa for the bulger (wheat) that was originally in the recipe.

Best Lansing Restaurants for Date Night

The English Inn

677 South Michigan Road, Eaton Rapids (7 miles south of Lansing) // +1-515-663-2500

The English Inn, which can be found on the banks of the Grand River approximately seven miles south of Lansing and is included on the State Register of Historic Places in Michigan, is such a lovely place. A stroll through the immaculately tended gardens and winding paths that wind through the property, which spans 16 acres, is the ideal way to wind down after dinner.

Irving J. Reuter, who was serving as the General Manager of Oldsmobile Corporation at the time, and his wife commissioned the construction of the historic inn in 1927. The history of the building is preserved in part thanks to the original tiling on the white ceiling, stained-glass windows, and a roaring fireplace. They also have a very nice outdoor seating area in private greenhouses, which allows you to enjoy an outdoor dining experience while maintaining some social distance from other diners.

Escargots, baked brie, and French onion soup are some of the signature dishes of the French cuisine served here. Pistachios are sprinkled on top of the vegan preparation known as the fig galette, which features mission figs that have been baked in puff pastry. The mild sweetness of the figs was given some dimension by the addition of pickled red onions.

The Chateaubriand for two consists of a sixteen-ounce center-cut beef tenderloin, which is carved at your table by the server. As sides, you will receive a tomato Florentine and a mushroom cap duxelle. The meal is complemented by the vegetable of the day and a mountain of whipped potatoes that have been ruffled.

The live piano music that is played softly in the background during dinner at what has been voted one of the most romantic inns in the United States contributes to the romantic atmosphere. When you come to the English Inn to celebrate an anniversary, your server will bring you a scrolled lithograph of the English Inn that is wrapped in a red ribbon as a memento of the occasion. Unquestionably regarded as one of the top restaurants in Lansing. They really do provide a high-quality service, and I very much appreciated the attentiveness of the staff members.

Pro Tip:

• You are welcome to browse about the Inn at your leisure. According to the open-door policy, you are free to investigate the overnight room whenever the door to the space is unlocked.
• It is highly recommended that you eat in their outside area since you will not be disappointed.

Best Lansing Restaurants for Comfort Food

Soup Spoon Café

1419 E. Michigan Avenue// +1-517-316-2377

The Soup Spoon Café is a fantastic eatery that places an emphasis on soup as well as its complements, namely sandwiches and salads. In spite of this, there is a wide selection of mouthwatering pasta dishes, game, and seafood options, which positions this establishment among the top seafood restaurants in the area.

Every day, the chef prepares six different soups from scratch. They always offer chowder made with shellfish and French onion soup on the menu. Every day, they prepare a soup that is based on cream, a soup that is based on broth, a vegan soup, and a soup that is based on the season. The problem is that they have over 200 different soup recipes in their collection, so it’s likely that your favorite won’t be available when you return. The solution to this problem is that the next time you come, you will find a new dish that is just as delicious as the previous ones.

The café specializes in sandwiches and offers over 20 different kinds for customers to choose from. Corned beef, pastrami, and roast beef are all available under the Wolfe Meats brand, which is an in-house developed brand of deli meats.

The lamb sliders are among the most delicious sandwiches I’ve ever eaten. If you anticipate a patty made from ground lamb, you will be pleasantly surprised to find bite-sized pieces of braised lamb instead. These bite-sized pieces of braised lamb are drizzled with a Greek yogurt-mint sauce and topped with feta, and they are served on butter-toasted Brioche buns.

Pro Tip:

• Try the soup flight if you are unable to choose between the six different soups that are offered each evening. Choose four different soups to enjoy on your flight, along with some French bread. It’s the ideal dish for a quick dinner and a delightful way to try a variety of different soups.

Zoobie’s Old Town Tavern

1200 N Larch St, Lansing // +15178973563

If you are looking for a place to grab a drink and some great food in a place that has a cool vibe, then Zoobies Old Town Tavern is the place you are looking for. If you are looking for a place to grab a drink and some great food, then you are in the right place.

One of Lansing’s undiscovered treasures, Zoobie’s can be found smack dab in the heart of Old Town, the city’s historic district.

One of the best places to get a craft beer in Lansing is the Zoobie’s Old Town Tavern. You won’t find any beers produced by large brewing corporations here; however, you will discover some fantastic regional classics, such as Grand River Brewery and short’s, in addition to some fantastic imports and rotating beers on tap.

Additionally, they offer some mouthwatering pizzas, such as “The Spaceball,” which is topped with red sauce, meatball, fresh mozzarella, ricotta, sweet onion, and pepperoni. Amazing!

Best Seafood in Lansing

Mitchell’s Fish Market

2975 Preyde Blvd, Lansing // +15174823474

The Mitchell’s Fish Market concept consists of an upscale casual seafood restaurant that offers the seafood that is currently available on the market that is at its freshest.

The dining experience at this restaurant is truly remarkable, and it takes place in a warm and welcoming setting that honors the pleasure of enjoying a delicious meal with loved ones and good friends.

A raw bar, an open kitchen, a fish case that showcases the day’s catch, and a customized cutting room that offers a variety of preparation methods for seafood, such as grilled or broiled, blackened, cooked Shang Hai style, or cooked to your liking, are some of the features that can be found at Mitchell’s Lansing.

At Mitchell’s, guests can also choose from a menu that is free of gluten. Get ready to indulge in the delectable seafood found in this area! They also offer takeout, which enables you to enjoy your favorite seafood regardless of where you are.

Best BBQ in Lansing

Meat. Southern BBQ and Carnivore Cuisine

1224 Turner Street // +1-517-580-4400

The scent of the barbecue is really strong. Meat Restaurant, which can be found in the Old Town neighborhood of Lansing, is indeed all about the meat. They offer beef brisket (lean or fatty), pork ribs, turkey, wings, pulled pork, and Texas hot links, all of which are dry-rubbed and slow-smoked with cedar for up to 18 hours.

Because I think the Cherry Bomb Sauce on the Trailer Park Bruschetta is so delicious, I always ask for some on my meat as well. People used to drink it instead of putting it on the table with the rest of the homemade barbecue sauces, but they used to put it there. At this point, it is only supplied upon request. With the exception of the ketchup, all of their sauces are created from scratch.

There are still five sauces available to choose from, including the vinegar-based Vin 666, the coffee-based Black Magic, the Buffalo garlic-infused Hot Garlic, the Dijon-spiked Carolina Mustard, and the classic, sweet and tangy tomato-centered Jazzy Q sauce with a mild spice.

Traditional sides with a twist are more than enough to make up for the lack of lettuce and desserts on the menu; these include jalapeno cilantro coleslaw, bacon, blue cheese potato salad, and made-to-order mac and cheese. You won’t miss having lettuce or desserts on the menu at all. Because the entrée is so large, you should save any leftovers for lunch the following day.

Try out their “ultimate carnivore food challenge” if you’re feeling really hungry. If you are able to consume The Boss Logg Meatwich along with one side, the made-to-order mac and cheese, along with two different types of meat, then not only will you receive it for free, but you will also receive a free beer, a t-shirt, and your picture will be hung on the wall! However, you should be aware that consuming the Boss Logg is not an easy task because it has 18 layers, some of which include two burger patties, bacon, pork, brisket, cheddar, American, and Pepper Jack cheese, fries, bacon gravy, hot garlic sauce, jalapenos, and an egg cooked with the sunny side up.

And if it’s your first time visiting this restaurant I’m sure you will be coming for more. Just like I did.

Pro Tips:

• On Mondays, the meat counter is closed. There are times when they are unable to provide any more meat and must close early.
• The best time to go is on Sunday afternoon, about three o’clock in the afternoon. During such period, there is often very little need to wait.

Saddleback BBQ

1147 South Washington // +1-517-306-9002

In this location, the barbeque can be customized. They will post the names of your pitmasters so that you will know who was up all night smoking the meat for you. In addition, a sign will tell you what kind of wood was used for smoking on that particular evening. One of the things that sets Michigan barbecue apart from other styles is the wide variety of woods used. Since Michigan is one of the leading producers of apples and cherries, you’ll find that apple and cherry woods are used quite frequently here.

The brisket tacos are hands down my favorite item on the menu here. The cayenne pepper and brown sugar rub that they use on their briskets gives it its distinctive bark. Corn cakes, which are included in the meal’s standard delivery, are a popular choice for a side dish. The smokey flavor of the meat is countered by the faint sweetness in the sauce. Be sure to wash down their mouth-watering food with a refreshing glass of local artisan craft beer while you’re there.

Pro Tip:

• Saddleback BBQ is closed on Sundays.

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Which of these Lansing restaurants do you most want to try? Let me know in the comment section below!

FAQs

What food is Lansing Michigan known for?

What kind of cuisine does Lansing, Michigan specialize in? Fried white fish, wet burritos, pickled bologna, olive burgers, and savory pies are among the most well-known dishes to come out of the state of Michigan.

What is Lansing Michigan best known for?

Oldsmobile was established in the city of Lansing, which also serves as the state capital of Michigan. The city is bookended by the majestic and historic State Capitol Building and the campus of Michigan State University, both of which are located in the heart of the city. From Old Town to REO Town and beyond, the Grand River and the 20-mile River Trail in Lansing cut through the middle of the downtown area.

What is East Lansing known for?

As a result of the growth of Michigan State University and its faculty, the community of East Lansing developed high educational expectations, and the city quickly became known for the quality of its public education. As news of the superiority of the system disseminated throughout the city, the location became more appealing as a place to raise a family.

Who owns Golden Harvest Lansing?

Vanessa Vicknair
Golden Harvest is still holding strong at number three despite the fact that it has been closed since the beginning of COVID. You have something to look forward to if you’ve been missing their crazy specials, giant portions, and awesome music because the owner, Vanessa Vicknair, has stated that she hopes to re-open the restaurant very soon!

What is a food only found in Michigan?

Michigan’s Unique Foods

• Hot dogs from Coney Island – A Coney is a beef hot dog that is topped with a special chili that does not include any beans, mustard, and raw onions. It is one of the most well-liked foods in the state of Michigan. …
• Deep-dish square pizza, popularized in the 1940s and known as “Detroit-style pizza,” has been a state favorite in Michigan ever since its debut.