Garden District — Restaurant in Grand Rapids

Garden District has only been open for a little over a month, but it’s already making an impression in downtown Grand Rapids. The atmosphere is intimate and cozy, and I loved seeing Black people supporting a Black-owned business. With great music playing in the background, the vibe was just right for a night out.

Since it’s located downtown and offers a unique cuisine that Grand Rapids doesn’t typically have, the prices were about what I expected. I was initially interested in the blacked fish of the week, so I asked our waitress about it. While I don’t remember exactly what fish it was, I specifically asked if it was “fishy” (since I prefer something as mild as salmon or catfish), and she assured me it wasn’t. I decided to go for it, along with a strawberry daiquiri.

The restaurant was packed, so I expected a bit of a wait, but the food arrived in a reasonable time. However, when I took my first bite, the fish was, in fact fishy and both my corn and white rice were nearly cold, meaning my plate had been sitting for a while before being served. Since I wasn’t enjoying the fish, I sent it back and reordered the fried seafood platter which ended up being a great decision.

The seafood platter came with fried catfish, shrimp and crawfish, though in hindsight, I should’ve swapped the crawfish for another piece of catfish (I’m just not a fan of crawfish; I gave one to my sister who ordered the garden dip). The catfish itself was a solid portion size, fried to perfection with a crispy, well-seasoned crust (I forgot to let the camera eat first on that). Even the coleslaw was good and I usually don’t like coleslaw at most places. My daiquiri was also poured well, striking the perfect balance between alcohol and sweetness, which can be tricky with frozen drinks so I was tipsy.

My only feedback is that the waitstaff should be more familiar with the food or at least ready to recommend alternative options. That small detail can really make or break the dining experience. Despite the initial hiccup with my first order, I’d definitely go back. Garden District brings something fresh and much-needed to Grand Rapids, and I’m excited to see how they continue to grow.

Would I recommend it? Yes. Just be mindful of what you order and don’t be afraid to ask for...

YA YA YUM!!! I went to the Garden District for lunch last week Monday with my friends and I ordered the Sassy Salmon Salad. They ordered Po’ Boys with étouffée and the Red Beans. Everything was wonderful. I couldn’t get this restaurant out of my mind so for my birthday, I returned 4 days later with my family. My family ate, Po’ Boys and the Gumbo. We love Cajun food and this is a true hit for Grand Rapids. The service was great - friendly and attentive. We spoke with the owner and it was really a nice conversation. I appreciate how he actually serves the meals gives a homey, welcoming feel. The classic drinks were amazing and I felt like I was back in NOLA. The crawfish beignets are Amazing. everything was seasoned wonderfully with a Cajun or Creole flair. Recipes erre well curated. Sometimes Cajun food can get a little too salty. This is not the case here - quality ingredients, gently prepared, & balanced. I enjoyed my Red Beans - comfort food with a kick - it reminded me of my favorite, Brazilian dish, Feijoada (the national dish of Brazil). God bless the Garden District! CHEERS TO MANY YEARS OF SUCCESS AND FEEDING...

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...