cover image: Kalako Pizza
Find a Favorite New Restaurant in Kalamazoo
We are lucky to live in Kalamazoo, which has many culinary masterpieces nearby.
While we LOVE our restaurants (5,700+ votes for the best restaurants in Kalamazoo support that notion), we never settle for good enough when it comes to our food.
And neither do our local restaurant owners: they continue to innovate and open new dining spots for Southwest Michigan to enjoy.
We polled our readers and found the best new places* to eat in our area.
*Note: To qualify as nominees on our 2025 ballot, a “new” Kalamazoo restaurant must have opened in 2024 or early 2025.
In this article
Mattawan Mechanical Services
Your Comfort Crew Since ’92
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Mattawan Mechanical Services delivers top-notch customer service and workmanship to home and building owners for heating and cooling services.
Although they are HVAC experts and not restauranteurs, this Comfort Crew takes pride in supporting fellow locally-owned businesses since 1992. 
Where Are the Best New Restaurants in Kalamazoo?
Here are the top 5 new restaurants that opened in 2024 or early 2025 in SWMI:
1 – Kalako Pizza
2 – Tavern 32
3 – Lee’s Burgers & Malts
4 – Simply Sweet Desserts
5 – Ayasofya Turkish Restaurant
Directory: New Restaurants in SWMI
Discover the newest additions to Kalamazoo’s restaurant scene:
Kalako Pizza
Opening in December 2024, Kalako Pizza delivers Chicago style pizza to Portage.
The location also offers traditional style pies, sandwiches, salads and appetizers.
Build your custom creation, or try one of their fun features, including Chef Kody's favorite (pictured): fresh Italian sausage, mushrooms, Calabrian chilis (Hot), fresh basil, red sauce and extra virgin olive oil.
The location also offers traditional style pies, sandwiches, salads and appetizers.
Build your custom creation, or try one of their fun features, including Chef Kody's favorite (pictured): fresh Italian sausage, mushrooms, Calabrian chilis (Hot), fresh basil, red sauce and extra virgin olive oil.
Where to Find Kalako Pizza
Find Kalako just north of Osterhout, on Portage Road (next door to Great Skate).
Find Kalako just north of Osterhout, on Portage Road (next door to Great Skate).
Tavern 32
North Eleven moved from Gull Road to Richland, with this rebrand to Tavern 32.
Find burgers, gourmet sandwiches, wraps, salads and chef's specials.
Find burgers, gourmet sandwiches, wraps, salads and chef's specials.
Where to Find Tavern 32
Visit Tavern 32 on North 32nd Street in Richland, next door to Pure Mex.
Visit Tavern 32 on North 32nd Street in Richland, next door to Pure Mex.
Lee's Burgers & Malts
Beyond the obvious selections of burgers and malts, Lee's also brings chicken sandwiches, fried fish, wraps, wings and sides to Portage.
And if you're looking for a deal on a cheeseburger, be sure to stop by during Happy Hour: from 2 PM to 4:30 on Monday through Thursday, cheeseburgers are only $3.99.
And if you're looking for a deal on a cheeseburger, be sure to stop by during Happy Hour: from 2 PM to 4:30 on Monday through Thursday, cheeseburgers are only $3.99.
Where to Find Lee's Burgers & Malts
Find Lee's at 5234 Portage Road, near the airport (next door to Portage Pizza King).
Find Lee's at 5234 Portage Road, near the airport (next door to Portage Pizza King).
Simply Sweet Desserts
After selling sweets at Meijer, Horrock's and SpartanNash stores, Simply Sweet Desserts opened their own retail location on Gull Road in 2025.
Offering a wide selection of cheesecakes, cake, pies and pudding, they likely have flavors to satisfy all tastebuds.
Offering a wide selection of cheesecakes, cake, pies and pudding, they likely have flavors to satisfy all tastebuds.
Where to Find Simply Sweet Desserts
Simply Sweet Desserts is located at 5032 Gull Road, near Kazoopy's.
Simply Sweet Desserts is located at 5032 Gull Road, near Kazoopy's.
Ayasofya Turkish Restaurant
This authentic Turkish restaurant is "heavy on pastries, cheese, and meat" per the owners' website.
Owned by a former engineer and her WMU professor husband, the couple ensures that all food here is made from scratch in-house with one exception: desserts.
The desserts are imported directly from Turkey including a variety of baklava and cake.
Owned by a former engineer and her WMU professor husband, the couple ensures that all food here is made from scratch in-house with one exception: desserts.
The desserts are imported directly from Turkey including a variety of baklava and cake.
Where to Find Ayasofya Turkish Restaurant
Ayasofya still keeps Bruno's old pizza ovens busy at 1528 West Michigan Avenue in Kalamazoo.
Ayasofya still keeps Bruno's old pizza ovens busy at 1528 West Michigan Avenue in Kalamazoo.
Alibi
This American eatery, which opened in 2024, is open seven days a week and serves breakfast, lunch and dinner in Portage.
For those seeking adult beverages, the wine list is pretty extensive; they also offer bottled beer, cider, cocktails and mocktails. Bar food menu is available from 3PM to close, offering fun options like wagyu meatballs and crispy tofu.
For those seeking adult beverages, the wine list is pretty extensive; they also offer bottled beer, cider, cocktails and mocktails. Bar food menu is available from 3PM to close, offering fun options like wagyu meatballs and crispy tofu.
Where to Find Alibi
Alibi is located in Portage near Shaver and Centre Avenue, in Lodo's old spot. The same strip mall also includes Y'OPA and Bab el Salam.
Alibi is located in Portage near Shaver and Centre Avenue, in Lodo's old spot. The same strip mall also includes Y'OPA and Bab el Salam.
Cozy Egg Cafe
As its name implies, Cozy Egg Cafe serves multiple egg dishes at this breakfast and lunch stop in Mattawan. This "cozy" restaurant has limited seating, but it is worth the wait.
Grab a spot on the patio when the weather permits; online ordering for carryout is also available.
Grab a spot on the patio when the weather permits; online ordering for carryout is also available.
Where to Find Cozy Egg Cafe
Cozy Egg Cafe took over Nonla's previous spot in Mattawan, at 24050 Front Avenue.
Cozy Egg Cafe took over Nonla's previous spot in Mattawan, at 24050 Front Avenue.
Cravings Corners
As a second location for Cravings on Kilgore, Cravings Corners brings ramen, boba and other delicious Asian fare to Texas Township.
Dine inside or order online for easy pickup.
Dine inside or order online for easy pickup.
Where to Find Cravings Corners
The "corners" in Cravings Corners is due to it Texas Corners location. Find the shop on Vineyard Parkway, off West Q between 10th and 8th Streets (behind Biggby Coffee).
The "corners" in Cravings Corners is due to it Texas Corners location. Find the shop on Vineyard Parkway, off West Q between 10th and 8th Streets (behind Biggby Coffee).
Dessert First
If you see a fancy cake in a magazine or website and want it replicated, Dessert First is the shop you call.
With custom designed cakes and cupcakes, this dessert shop in downtown Kalamazoo makes all styles and flavors, from Elmo to decadent cakes for weddings and other special occasions.
And if you're looking to elevate your own decorating game, be sure to follow them on Facebook for decorating classes.
With custom designed cakes and cupcakes, this dessert shop in downtown Kalamazoo makes all styles and flavors, from Elmo to decadent cakes for weddings and other special occasions.
And if you're looking to elevate your own decorating game, be sure to follow them on Facebook for decorating classes.
Where to Find Dessert First
Grab Dessert First on Eleanor Street, next door to the Hilton Garden Inn.
Grab Dessert First on Eleanor Street, next door to the Hilton Garden Inn.
Joe Shmoe's Bar & Grill
Taking over the old Fricano's location, Joe Shmoe's serves up pizza, burgers, wings and Italian American entrees.
Be sure to try the award-winning gumbo.
Be sure to try the award-winning gumbo.
Where to Find Joe Shmoe's Bar & Grill
Located in Alamo just north of Kalamazoo, find Joe Shmoe's at 7454 North 6th Street.
Located in Alamo just north of Kalamazoo, find Joe Shmoe's at 7454 North 6th Street.
Mark's Diner
Mark's Diner is a warm and welcoming, family-friendly restaurant in Portage specializing in your favorite breakfast and lunch dishes.
If you're an early bird, breakfast is served starting at 6 AM on weekdays (7 AM on weekends).
Kids have their own menu here, with French toast sticks and pancakes as breakfast options. Lunch entrees include hamburgers, grilled cheese and chicken tenders.
If you're an early bird, breakfast is served starting at 6 AM on weekdays (7 AM on weekends).
Kids have their own menu here, with French toast sticks and pancakes as breakfast options. Lunch entrees include hamburgers, grilled cheese and chicken tenders.
Where to Find Mark's Diner
Mark's is located in the Romence Plaza where it's predecessor, Michelle's, was located in Portage.
Mark's is located in the Romence Plaza where it's predecessor, Michelle's, was located in Portage.
Nanny's Family Restaurant
Grab breakfast and lunch at Nanny's Family Restaurant in Mattawan.
Open since May of 2024, this spot also offers great patio seating outside.
Open since May of 2024, this spot also offers great patio seating outside.
Where to Find Nanny's Family Restaurant
Find Nanny's at 25441 Red Arrow Highway in Mattawan, in the former Michelle's location.
Find Nanny's at 25441 Red Arrow Highway in Mattawan, in the former Michelle's location.
Tell us: What is your favorite new dining spot in Kalamazoo?
Leave us a comment with your fave new spot to grab breakfast, lunch or dinner in SW Michigan.
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