Michigan’s Best Waffles Are in Grand Rapids

Whether piled high with whipped cream and fruit or smothered in spicy honey and served with fried chicken, waffles are always a treat.

Get our free mobile app

Not many people I know keep a waffle iron at home, so if you want one that’s not straight out of the freezer, you usually have to go out for it—to a restaurant or even a hotel breakfast bar. (Remember those? Back when complimentary breakfasts with make-your-own waffle stations were a thing? Those places always got extra points from me on vacation!)

And speaking of winning points, one Michigan spot is getting some serious love for its waffles. In honor of National Waffle Week (Sept. 7–13), Lovefood.com went on a mission to find the best waffle in every state.

Their top pick for Michigan? Social Misfits in downtown Grand Rapids.

This place is as quirky as its name suggests. With a motto on the wall that reads “Stay Weird,” it delivers on that promise—especially when it comes to the menu. Social Misfits opened on Ionia Ave. in 2021 and has been serving up creative waffle dishes, along with craft coffee and cocktails, ever since.

READ MORE: Michigan's Best Brunch Joint is in Grand Rapids

The batter alone is an adventure: choose from buttermilk, cheddar, parsley, garlic parmesan, “everything” seasoning—even ramen! Sweet tooth calling? Try the Love Me Tender with brûléed banana, bacon, peanut butter ganache, and maple syrup. Or the Ol’ Blue Eyes—blueberry compote, lemon curd, whipped ricotta, and graham cracker crumble. There’s even a S’mores waffle that sounds like pure campfire nostalgia.

👇BELOW: MORE THAN 35 NEW RESTAURANTS HAVE OPENED IN WEST MICHIGNA THIS YEAR👇

More of a savory person? Go for the Yasuke, a ramen waffle topped with a soft-cooked egg, scallions, furikake, sriracha aioli, and soy sauce syrup. Or the Teen Spirit—a cheddar waffle loaded with four-cheese cream sauce, cavatappi pasta, a parmesan crisp, and chives.

UP NEXT: This Grand Rapids BBQ Joint is Crowned Best in the State

And it’s not just waffles. They’ve got sandwiches, salads, plenty of cocktails and coffee drinks, and a dessert lineup that’s hard to ignore—think Maple Ice Cream Sundae, Strawberry Shortcake, or a Banana Fluffy to finish.

Unfortunately, not all of the owners’ ventures have stuck around. Another Grand Rapids restaurant of theirs, which specialized in Detroit-style pizza, closed earlier this year. On the upside, they’re still keeping busy with two coffee shops operating in Ann Arbor.