Spring has once again arrived in West Michigan. Temperature changes are the only constant–except for the rain that pours for days at a time, often sending thoughts of cozy cups of coffee to people’s minds.
To the luck of any Grand Rapids fan, visiting or local, the city is teeming with cafes and coffee shops. With choices overflowing as much as the rain, shops that bring spring to the mind may be any coffee-lover’s first choice.
Roots Brew Shop is a top contender, with greenery and leafy plants almost bursting from the seams–peaking through windows, greeting cafe-goers, and resting on tables. The seating at Roots is broad, with every chair feeling like it could have been found in an antique store or romantic garden. Single tables line gathering ones for students and families alike.
The overpowering smell of espresso complements ordering at Roots–from drip coffee to original flavored lattes, plus an on-tap menu of root beer, kombucha, and nitro cold brew. The food menu at Roots harmonizes with the rainy weather, serving rotating soups alongside warm bagels and pastries.
Not far away, along the rushing streets of Grand Rapids, is another cafe with many names–“the Garden of Good Vibes”, the originator of coffee flights in Grand Rapids–Eden Cafe, established in 2022.
With dark green walls setting the scenery behind rows of plants that, like Roots Brew Shop, are the centerpiece of the cafe. Simple wooden tables and chairs fill the coffee shop with the signature “Eden Cafe” neon sign glowing purple in the background.
In addition to the springtime feels Eden Cafe brings to Grand Rapids’ west side, the cafe is known for its creative drink recipes. Coffee flights–a unique combination of three ready to sip–offer a bit more fun when visiting Eden Cafe. Staple coffee drinks are available, from an americano to a flat white, but dynamic latte recipes set the cafe apart. The s’mores latte, with mocha and brown sugar flavors, and the Cereal latte that uses customizable cereal-infused milk are a few fan favorites.
The Eden Cafe is an active coffee shop, consistently hosting community-based events like “The Garden Session”, a recurring meeting for local entrepreneurs and community members, and community nights, designed to share homemade dishes and drinks with other Grand Rapids locals. The cafe regularly posts on its blog, “Stories from the Garden”, sharing new recipes and event news.
The Best Blooming Cafes
As spring settles into West Michigan, Roots Brew Shop and Eden Cafe offer simple, comfortable places to slow down, for an afternoon of solitude or with friends. Whether you’re stopping in for something warm or trying a new drink, both cafes make it easy to enjoy a rainy afternoon in Grand Rapids.
Brews on the Lakeshore 
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