The Grand Rapids Food Guide: The best grocery stores of 2025

When it comes to grocery shopping, everyone has their favorites. Some of us insist on the freshest produce, others hunt for money-saving deals. And some folks just like to zip to someplace close, no matter the quality. Whether you’re stocking up for the week, grabbing last-minute dinner ingredients, or shopping mid-snack-attack (which I don’t recommend since the last time I did, I spent $300), the grocery store you choose says a lot about who you are.

We recently asked Grand Rapids residents to vote for the best grocery stores in town. And it became clear to us that Grand Rapids shoppers appreciate a range of grocery experiences—from big-box supercenters to neighborhood markets.

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However, some stores rose to the top of this reader poll, and we can see why. Each has something special to offer, and each holds a place in the hearts (and carts) of those who shop there regularly. 

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4. Forest Hills Foods 

It’s easy to see why people love Forest Hills Foods. This homegrown neighborhood grocer, with locations in Ada and Cascade, is the locally-owned alternative to Whole Foods — but better. Since 1959, Forest Hills Foods has been proudly supporting local growers and local workers. 

Hours of operation at Forest Hills Foods are shopper-friendly: open daily from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. That early opening makes it popular for older folks who prefer to avoid the crowds and for busy parents making runs before school or morning shifts. And the late closing is perfect for shopping without the kids! In between, shoppers often mention their hot bar and salad bar as convenient lunchtime favorites, perfect for 9-5 workers looking for a quick, fresh meal option on-site.

Each season, Forest Hills stocks your favorite Michigan-grown produce. The store highlights local farm partners and carries over 2,000 locally sourced items from Michigan-based dairies, breweries, and bakeries. Reviews praise their local produce, deli meats, and bakery goods. One local wrote that the salad bar “feels like the best in town” and that their bakery cakes and pastries “feel professionally crafted.”

Forest Hills also offers beer, wine, and floral departments, making it more of a one-stop shop. One reviewer called it a “pleasant store you browse at,” and many said they’d choose it when they want quality or are entertaining guests.

Special deals run through a rewards program and printable coupons on their website or app. Another recurring promotion is discounts on “Our Family” brand items, offering an extra 10% off creamers, juices, and staples. Despite the higher-end flare, reviewers repeatedly note that prices remain “surprisingly reasonable” for what the store delivers in quality.

Forest Hills Foods earns its position as a top-four choice by combining a broad gourmet selection with everyday functionality. People go for the experience, the produce, and occasional treats, but feel comfortable shopping there for weeknight dinners, work lunches, or local gifts.

3. Fresh Thyme Market 

Fresh Thyme Market is another market that is trusted by readers who appreciate an upscale vibe without the Whole Foods price tag. Located on Burton Street SE and other area locations, Fresh Thyme presents a bright, warehouse-style interior stocked with fresh produce, bulk items, organic lines, and specialty groceries. You’ll also find an abundant vegan and gluten-free section.

Store hours across Grand Rapids: open daily from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., perfect for early shoppers or late errands. Fresh Thyme’s weekday breakfast crowd often happens under a sign lit by overhead bulbs, with lines forming for grab-and-go breakfasts like oat bowls, breakfast burritos, or smoothies.

Fresh Thyme pulls customers in with weekly sales on produce and wellness brands, plus a loyalty app that sends personalized coupons and flash deals. Those sales sometimes draw even Meijer shoppers, according to Reddit users who say Fresh Thyme can beat Meijer on select organic or specialty items like vegan cheeses or bulk spices.

Fresh Thyme’s aesthetic and selection aim for consistency and polish—hanging signs, clean shelving, a clear organization that helps shoppers see specialty labels and banner deals easily.

Despite perception of higher pricing, multiple readers noted Fresh Thyme’s value on prepared grab-and-go items or bulk spices. “If I’m in a rush and want produce or a substitute milk or snack that’s not in Meijer’s stock, this is where I turn,” wrote one shopper. 

And strong loyalty came from shoppers with dietary restrictions: gluten-free, keto, vegan or paleo customers consistently praised the selection. Readers praised their frozen wellness section—full of plant-based burgers, dairy-free ice creams, and gluten-free baking—which is stocked in ways that big box west Michigan stores seldom match.

Fresh Thyme earns third place by offering curated, upscale grocery options in a neighborhood-friendly format and staying open long hours. It’s made it onto many Grand Rapids shopping routines as the place to go when you need specific items.

2. Kingma’s Market 

Kingma’s Market captured second place by offering standout quality in produce, meat, deli, and local goods. Located on Plainfield Avenue NE, Kingma’s has been a Grand Rapids staple for nearly 80 years, operating as a specialty market focused on Michigan-sourced products, unique imports, and an impressive butcher counter. Its neighbors and fans describe it as a hometown gem that blends artisan touches with accessible pricing.

Store hours at Kingma’s are Monday through Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., and Sunday hours from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. It’s not open as early as some grocers or as late, but the hours match well with midweek errands or early weekend breakfast runs.

What draws fans most is the meat department: dry-aged beef, hormone-free cuts, hand-trimmed poultry, locally raised sausages, and both fresh and smoked seafood. Reddit comments consistently mention that Kingma’s meat quality outpaces Meijer’s, with sale prices that occasionally undercut major chains—such as a $2.99 chicken breast deal or affordable chuck roast.

Produce is another highlight. Kingma’s offers daily deliveries from Michigan farms, meaning seasonal vegetables and fruits arrive at peak freshness. Dairy from Country Dairy and craft cheeses sit beside specialty olive bars, charcuterie, and high-end grocery offerings such as imported oils, gourmet condiments, and Michigan-made salsas or preserves. 

Deals include bulk food discounts, seasonal promotions, and occasional SweetDeals offers (like $25 for $50 value certificates). They run a loyalty newsletter and in-store specials flyers that highlight local harvest produce or special bakery items.

Even some Meijer regulars note they make detours to Kingma’s for specialty meats or gifts, while they rely on Meijer for pantry staples. It’s less a quick errand stop, more a thoughtful shopping experience.

1. Meijer

And the reader’s pick for Grand Rapids’ favorite grocery store is good ol’ trusty Meijer. That’s no surprise given its combination of size, low pricing, and sheer convenience. Locally headquartered in Walker, Michigan, Meijer pioneered the modern supercenter grocery-plus-general merchandise model as far back as 1962. Today, it dominates the Midwest with over half of its 259 stores located in Michigan alone.

Store hours for most Grand Rapids Meijer locations are 6:00 a.m. to midnight every day, providing unmatched flexibility. Their typical locations include adjacent Meijer Express fuel stations, and many have coffee shops, pharmacies, and ready-to-eat sections.

Readers highlight Meijer’s mega-sales—especially for weekly ad deals, digital MPerks coupons accessible through their app, and clearance aisles. Pantry essentials, paper goods, and non-perishables often cost less than at other stores, making it the go-to for large families or bulk shoppers.

The produce and meat departments are reliable and have acceptable quality for most needs, even if not as boutique as Kingma’s or as specialized as the boutique grocers. Despite locals shopping elsewhere when they need specific dietary or specialty items, Meijer handles staples beautifully. Its bakery produces fresh bread, cakes, and donuts; the deli offers sliced meats and rotisserie chicken; the seafood aisle carries everything from wild salmon to shrimp.

Meijer also offers pickup and delivery services for groceries and general merchandise if your cart is over $50, making shopping easy for busy families and folks with limited mobility or limited transportation. Seasonal departments rotate: garden center in spring, holiday gifts in winter, plus local produce and beer selections from Michigan breweries.

Meijer stands out as a dependable, comprehensive supermarket that meets all the needs in one cart. Whether you need diapers, driveway salt, organic zucchini, or sushi-grade salmon, Meijer delivers. Its first-place ranking speaks to breadth, availability, and price. Fans mentioned long-standing loyalty, especially for the Knapp Corners or 28th Street locations, calling Meijer “the backbone of Grand Rapids grocery shopping.”

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