The Local's Guide to Top Restaurants in East Lansing, MI

East Lansing, MI, is known as the home of Michigan State University. It's a bustling metropolitan city with a cozy small-town vibe. What you might not realize at first glance is that it also has an amazing restaurant scene. No matter what kind of cuisine you're craving, you will find a great selection of top restaurants in East Lansing, from delicious local barbecue to food from around the world.

Join us on a foodie tour of East Lansing to discover the awesome landscape of restaurants that you'll enjoy when you move to our tree-lined city.

Barbecue and Steak

If you love smoked meats and perfectly grilled steaks, you've come to the right place. East Lansing has some great barbecue spots and a few fine steakhouses to choose from.

Meat BBQ

There's no question what you'll get at Meat BBQ on Turner Rd. This casual bar and grill serves amazing slow-smoked barbecue classics and inventive handmade side dishes. You will absolutely love the rich flavors and juicy ribs, brisket, and roast chicken with every meal. The vibe is also incredibly cool, and the building is located in an old brick building that gives a historic feel.

Bowdie's Chophouse

For a more refined place to enjoy a giant slab of meat, head to Bowdie's Chophouse on E Michigan Ave, our favorite local steakhouse. The exterior may appear casual inside; every plate is a work of art, and meat is their medium. From gorgeous stakes cooked to perfection to exquisitely grilled salmon and artfully delicious sides, you'll love every bite. Don't forget the giant slice of cake for dessert.

American and Homestyle

For home cooking that fulfills your need for comfort food, look for cozy diners and bright, friendly lunch spots. We have several great classic American-style restaurants with raving reviews.

Soup Spoon Cafe

For homestyle cooking in big, big portions (at a great price), you'll adore the Soup Spoon Cafe on E Michigan Ave. The vibe is super bright and cozy. While you wouldn't expect it, there's also an excellent bar.

Everything on the menu is familiar, comforting, and beautifully crafted by the kitchen wizards in the back. You will definitely wind up taking some home and enjoying every bite of leftovers the next day.

Sparty's Coney Island

Craving classic American cuisine? Need a place where you can get blueberry pancakes, burgers, and chili dogs all on the same menu? You've found it at Sparty's Coney Island on N Clipper Street. It's the best hometown breakfast spot in town, but locals are equally enthusiastic about the lunch and dinner options, too.

Japanese and Korean Cuisine

There are two great places in East Lansing for excellent Japanese cuisine, depending on what style you're craving.

Bento Kitchen Cravings

Also found on N Clipper St is Bento Kitchen Cravings, named after the classic Japanese lunch box. In reality, it's an interesting blend of several types of cuisine, including Japanese, Korean, and Mexican (yes, really). They have a wide range of amazingly authentic casual dining dishes from the far side of the world, including rice bowls, Bibimbap, ramen, and soju smoothies. There's also more than a little fusion (like the K-Mex burrito.)

Zhen Ramen & Grill

Zhen Ramen & Grill on Hagadorn Rd is one of the highest-rated restaurants in town. As you might guess, they specialize in authentic ramen with a wide range of ingredients and flavor profiles. The menu also includes other delicious authentic Japanese appetizers like sesame balls, wontons, and onigiri and entrees like clay pot rice, congee, and spicy fish stew.

French Cuisine - EnVie

Looking for that refined European flavor of French cuisine? You'll find it at the trendy EnVie cafe on Washington Square. This popular modern French bistro has a trendy rotating menu and "bespoke" cocktails. In addition to a beautiful dining room, they also have fun grab-and-go lunch options. The menu is creative, the plates are each a work of art, and the cuisine is Euro-trendy with classic French flair.

Mexican Street Food - El Oasis

No restaurant list is complete without a great Mexican restaurant. Ours is El Oasis on E Michigan Ave, a unique venue that serves Mexican street food from a lunch window. Don't let the casual setting fool you. The food is amazing. El Oasis has over a thousand glowing reviews, and the food they serve is always hot, fresh, and spectacularly delicious. Despite its lunch truck origins, it's definitely the best Mexican restaurant in town. Plus, some of the tables are swingsets!

International Cuisine

For flavorful food from the other side of the world, you can explore an incredible range of recipes, spices, and dining styles. We are lucky enough to have a great restaurant that represents Mediterranean, Indian, Thai, and even Ethiopian cuisine to keep your restaurant explorations exciting and delicious.

Woody's Oasis

Woody's Oasis on Trowbridge Rd is the second Oasis in town. This welcoming restaurant serves beautifully balanced and authentic Mediterranean dishes for solo or family-style dining. They also have a fantastic dessert counter where you can take home delicious Mediterranean sweets one at a time or in beautifully arranged trays.

Sindhu Indian Cuisine

For Indian cuisine, head to Sindhu, which is also on Hagadorn Rd. Sinhu has a warm cafe vibe and prioritizes flavor over all else. You will find every dish to be rich and filling with authentic Indian recipes and homemade Naan to mop up the last of the sauce with every bowl and plate.

Taste of Thai

When you're craving Thai food, you absolutely must try the Taste of Thai on E Grand River Ave. Not only is it one of the more beautiful dining rooms in East Lansing, but it's also the perfect place for rice noodles, pad thai, thai curry, gai yang, pad pak, and all your favorite Thai food classics. Plus, you can pick your spice level so everyone in your group can enjoy their meal at just the right intensity.

Althus' Ethiopian Cuisine

Not every city is lucky enough to have an Ethiopian restaurant, but there's a great one here in East Lansing. Check out Altu's Ethiopian Cuisine on E Michigan Ave. If you've never tried Ethiopian before, this is your chance to dive into a whole new world of delicious flavors, textures, and plating styles. Rich in flavor and with portions big enough to share, bring a friend (or several) and discover something new.

Start Your Culinary Adventures from Castle Pointe Apartments

If you're looking for a great apartment in East Lansing where you can start your exploration of the city's best restaurants, you'll find a great home base at Castle Pointe Apartments. We're excited to welcome new residents and will gladly provide all our recommendations for the top restaurants in East Lansing. Whether you're a foodie or just cuisine-curious, you'll love having access to great restaurants with cuisine from around the world.

Testimonials

Move in experience was easy and smooth. Also the castle pointe employees were great. The amenities make the property worth it 100%
- Google Review

I’ve been living at Castle Pointe Apartments for a year, and it has been a wonderful experience. The place is incredibly quiet and has a lovely environment. I especially want to commend the maintenance team—they are incredibly prompt. I submit a request today, and someone is usually here for repairs or inspections the very next day.
- Google Review

So glad to be living at Castle Pointe!
- Google Review

I have lived in this apartment for nearly three years and my experience has been great! The apartment management team is very professional and enthusiastic, always responding and solving any problems in a timely manner. The residential area is quiet and comfortable, the neighbors are friendly, and the environment is well maintained, making people feel very safe and reassuring. Whether it is facilities or services, this is a living choice I highly recommend!
- Google Review

I've been living here for six years. The environment is quiet and clean. Maintenance is done in a proper and fast way. The staff are very friendly and answer the questions correctly. The gym is very useful.
- Google Review

Super easy application process, helpful onsite maintenance staff, great place to live!
- Google Review

This apartment complex is 10/10, nice and ducked off so it feels luxury, the staff are amazing, the amenities are spectacular and not bad with pricing, best apartments in the East Lansing area!
- Google Review

I've been living here for going on 3 years now, and I really have no complaints. This is pretty spectacular considering every other apartment complex I've lived in, has had issues left and right. In fact here, I've had plenty of positive experiences, which feels really uncommon when living in apartments, but not at Castle Pointe, apparently!
- Google Review

I have thoroughly enjoyed my time living with Castle Pointe! The units are well kept and the neighborhood is in good condition and relatively quiet! I highly recommend this community to anyone looking.
- Google Review

Amazing, resort-like community! Maintenance is exceptional, quick and thorough. Well kept grounds.
- Google Review