10 restaurants you must visit in Holland during Tulip Time

Cassandra Lybrink, The Holland Sentinel
Updated ·4 min read

HOLLAND — As the countdown continues to Tulip Time, The Sentinel has compiled a list of the best restaurants to frequent during Holland's biggest celebration of the year.

Hours are listed according to Google, but are often extended during the festival.

This teeny-tiny restaurant on Eighth Street often has a line down the block as early as 6 a.m.
This teeny-tiny restaurant on Eighth Street often has a line down the block as early as 6 a.m.

For breakfast: Windmill Restaurant

Address: 28 W. Eighth St., downtown Holland

Hours: 5 a.m.-2 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays, 7 a.m.-2 p.m. Sundays

This teeny-tiny restaurant on Eighth Street often has a line down the block as early as 7 a.m. The fair-priced fare includes all-day breakfast and lunch items, with home-baked bread, cinnamon rolls, breakfast platters, hamburgers and fries. Windmill has a long history downtown, serving up its first dishes under the name in the 1960s.

For over 50 years, The Wooden Shoe Restaurant has catered to early-risers with tasty omelets and hearty breakfast combos.
For over 50 years, The Wooden Shoe Restaurant has catered to early-risers with tasty omelets and hearty breakfast combos.

For cinnamon rolls: The Wooden Shoe Restaurant

Address: 441 U.S.-31 in Holland

Hours: 6 a.m.-2 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays, 7 a.m.-2 p.m. Sundays

For over 50 years, The Wooden Shoe Restaurant has catered to early-risers with tasty omelets and hearty breakfast combos. For lunch, the restaurant offers fresh salads, soups, burgers, sandwiches and wraps. The Wooden Shoe is best known for its pigs-in-a-blanket and enormous, homemade cinnamon rolls.

Russ' started in Holland in the 1930s when J. Russel “Russ” Bouws purchased a tiny restaurant on the bend of Chicago Drive.
Russ' started in Holland in the 1930s when J. Russel “Russ” Bouws purchased a tiny restaurant on the bend of Chicago Drive.

For family-friendly: Russ' Restaurant

Address: 361 E. Eighth St. in Holland

Hours: 6:30 a.m.-9 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays

Russ' actually has three Holland locations, and more throughout West Michigan. The brand started in Holland in the 1930s when J. Russel “Russ” Bouws purchased a tiny restaurant on the bend of Chicago Drive. Today, the restaurant is known for its family-friendly atmosphere, serving breakfast, lunch, dinner and homemade desserts, including apple dumplings and coconut cream pies.

During the festival, DeBoer offers authentic Dutch fare at its northside location on Douglas Avenue.
During the festival, DeBoer offers authentic Dutch fare at its northside location on Douglas Avenue.

For authentic Dutch goods: DeBoer Bakkerij

Address: 360 Douglas Ave. in Holland Township

Hours: 7 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays

During the festival, DeBoer offers authentic Dutch fare at its northside location on Douglas Avenue, in addition to its usual breakfast dishes and fresh-baked breads, pastries, donuts and desserts. DeBoer also has a southside location at 380 W. 16th St. with hand-dipped double-fried chicken.

Where to shop: Five must-see specialty shops in downtown Holland during festival

Where to get photos: Where to get the best photos during the Tulip Time Festival

Newly redesigned, Boatwerks is the best way to eat on the waterfront in downtown Holland.
Newly redesigned, Boatwerks is the best way to eat on the waterfront in downtown Holland.

For date night: Boatwerks Waterfront Restaurant

Address: 216 Van Raalte Ave. in Holland

Hours: 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Sundays

Newly redesigned, Boatwerks is the best way to eat on the waterfront in downtown Holland. The upscale menu includes crab mac and cheese, garlic and herb grilled chicken, shrimp linguine and a variety of tasty desserts.

James Street Inn offers a unique, woodsy atmosphere with breakfast skillets and specials served daily both inside and on the restaurant's new patio.
James Street Inn offers a unique, woodsy atmosphere with breakfast skillets and specials served daily both inside and on the restaurant's new patio.

For the atmosphere: James Street Inn

Address: 255 James St. in Holland Township

Hours: 6 a.m.-9 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays

This Holland staple offers a unique, woodsy atmosphere with breakfast skillets and specials served daily both inside and on the restaurant's new patio. Dinner entrees include steak, ribs, fish and a white cheddar mac and cheese.

The Biscuit provides a ready-made opportunity to visit the Washington Square neighborhood.
The Biscuit provides a ready-made opportunity to visit the Washington Square neighborhood.

For great coffee: The Biscuit

Address: 450 Washington Ave. in Holland

Hours: 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Wednesdays-Sundays

Holland is chock-full of great breakfast options, and one of them — The Biscuit  — provides a ready-made opportunity to visit the Washington Square neighborhood. The eatery serves unique scrambles, biscuits and gravy, breakfast tacos and grain and veggie bowls.

Mi Favorita Grocery carries groceries, but also serves up tacos, enchiladas, burritos, quesadillas and tortas.
Mi Favorita Grocery carries groceries, but also serves up tacos, enchiladas, burritos, quesadillas and tortas.

For Mexican fare: Mi Favorita Grocery

Address: 408 Columbia Ave. in Holland

Hours: 8 a.m.-9 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays, 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Sundays

It's hard to visit Holland without trying some of the region's impressive Mexican fare. Mi Favorita Grocery carries groceries, but also serves up tacos, enchiladas, burritos, quesadillas and tortas. The small family business is often hailed as the most authentic place to get Mexican food in the area.

Some of the most elaborate, hit-the-spot desserts in Holland are found at Captain Sundae.
Some of the most elaborate, hit-the-spot desserts in Holland are found at Captain Sundae.

For dessert: Captain Sundae

Address: 365 Douglas Ave. in Holland Township

Hours: 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays, 1-9:30 p.m. Sundays

Some of the most elaborate, hit-the-spot desserts in Holland are found at Captain Sundae, which has three locations in the region. The location on Douglas Avenue is the original, with plenty of outdoor seating and a miniature golf course to explore. The shop is located conveniently down the road from Holland State Park.

Holland is home to an array of impressive breweries, but New Holland is something of an icon.
Holland is home to an array of impressive breweries, but New Holland is something of an icon.

For drinks: New Holland Brewing

Address: 66 E. Eighth St. in Holland

Hours: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Tuesdays-Thursdays, 11 a.m.-10:30 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sundays

Holland is home to an array of impressive breweries, but New Holland is something of an icon. The menu of New Holland's downtown pub includes its famous pizza pinwheels, specialty pizzas, salads, sandwiches and — of course — signature cocktails, spirits and craft beer.

— Contact editor Cassandra Lybrink at clybrink@hollandsentinel.com. Follow her on Twitter @CassLybrink.

This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: 10 restaurants you must visit in Holland during Tulip Time