Review from February 9th 2019: While the service here was good, the food was mediocre. We had ordered the calamari appetizer and enjoyed a portion of it... then found a bug. Of course we reported this to the waitress and she took it off our bill and apologized. While I understand these things happen and it didn't ruin our experience at Divani, it was upsetting to be spending such a large amount on a meal to have that happen. Luckily, however, my boyfriend's lasagna and my duck were very good and fairly large portions compared to some other restaurants in the area. The atmosphere was very unique and enjoyable. While I did not try any myself, there was a large selection of specialized drinks that looked delightful. Overall, it was a good experience minus the bug mishap and I would possibly go again. read more

Loved our waiter, I believe he is also the bar tender. Super friendly and had great recommendations. We just came for dessert and drinks. We had the bomb. It was good! The cake was a little dry, but then presentation and the rest of it made up for that. read more

I have been going here for years for the occasional drink but never really thought to order food, and now that I have tasted the food, it's why I come. Starting with the drinks, divani is a great place to just come and hang out by the bar. It is a little dark but that's the motif. The cocktail and liquor menu is extensive and the bartenders are very helpful and friendly. Drink prices are moderate to slightly high for a place in GR, but you can find a good 8-10 cocktail or glass of wine. The food options are edgy and exciting. I love going to a restaurant and not being able to choose because everything sounds awesome! We finally decided on the hummus to start and it was awesome. Served with perfectly grilled pita it was fun to eat and full of flavor. For my entree I had the Korean ribs with cornbread and some slaw. The meat itself had an incredible flavor and was fun to eat. The corn bread almost had a fried texture and was just awesome to eat and mixed well with the dish. The slaw I thought was kind of gross- it smelled to strong of dairy and had a very unpleasant taste. Luckily I also ordered the lobster bisque which was one of the best soups I have had in a while and the flavors were so strong and fun I forgot about the slaw. My wife had a salad which she really enjoyed and our guests all seemed to like their meals quite a bit as well. For desert we ordered the creme brûlée to split and it was sweet and tasty- I believe it was a white chocolate flavor. The dish was pretty small but it actually made it look more appetizing. Our guests tried to order the Irish coffee but the restaurant was out of whipped cream which was a slight bummer. The service was great at the beginning and got progressively worse. 30 minutes after ordering the waiter came back to clarify our orders and it turned out he only remembered 2 of our 4 orders., read more

See all

This is Grand Rapids best kept secret! We passed over noisy, trendy beer places for this beautiful, intimate restaurant. Love the good and ambience. Everything is fresh and made on site. Don't think you could get a bad meal here. A great place to have a meeting also in the other side of restaurant, in the back. Projector screen and meet and greet area. A nice area/room in the restaurant too for a small party. On my list to return! read more

Divani - Spaghetti squash salad! Saffron vinaigrette. Love it - Wine Bars Near Me - Grand Rapids, Michigan

I had called and made reservations here for our 1 year anniversary. I asked if there was a more secluded spot they could seat us at, and she told me that they had a window seat that they would try to reserve for us. When we arrived, we were sat in the middle of the restaurant near a large table of women talking loudly and rearranging their chairs which ended up blocking us in. It was odd that we weren't seated at the window, since the restaurant was practically empty. I would have asked to move but another couple was sat there. Not a huge fan of the service, although everyone was nice enough, just kind of clueless. I ordered a salad as a starter, and it was huge, like meal size. I would have appreciated if the server had warned me that it was that big. We were also told that since there was a wedding party in the adjacent room, our food may take longer to be prepared. We were fine with that, but halfway through our salads she brought out our food! Obviously, we were out celebrating our anniversary, and not wanting to rush our meal. She just said 'oh sorry, your food came out early'. For the price and atmosphere, I was really disappointed. Last thing, the food was just ok. Cornish Hens were rubbery, filet was dry. Super spicy rice and veggies (and I'm not a spice wimp!) that was not described as such on the menu. Most of my food went to waste. Molly: thanks for responding. I'm not sure if you've ever had to complain about your food at a restaurant before, but it totally changes the mood and feel of the dining experience. It was a special night, and even though I wasn't enjoying the service or my meal, I didn't want to complain about something that could not have been fixed after the fact. read more

Bar Divani has just switched its menu over with a new Chef team at the helm and I must say I am a fan. With any switch-over it can take time for the kitchen teams to be able to gel properly and create real consistency in their dishes but my girlfriend and I decided to stop in and try things. I'm glad we did! We tried about six of the new dishes. Each dish was tasty and a very American Rustic feel with European roots. The Pulled Pork Won-tons were our amuse and hit home with the flavors. Asian presentation but deeply American South flavor. The pork was tender and delicious with the sauce just bright enough to keep the dish balanced. The two starters we tried were the Duck Pierogis and the Quinoa Salad. While the pierogi is normally accepted to be a bland Polish hot pocket, these were stuffed with duck confit and balanced with a bright and exciting chutney. The Quinoa was light and delicious, the salad was so refreshing. For our mains we tried two dishes. The Nicoise Stuffed Pasta was ingenuitive and playful with the French classic salad, reimagined and served as an entrée. The Duck 2 Ways was definitely our favorite. A seared duck breast is served alongside a confit duck leg, breaded in panko and deep fried. Served over rice and kale the dish was simply delicious. We also had the chocolate mousse for dessert but I did not get the photo . It was rich and decadent, dark chocolate and port wine each interplaying with the fresh diced strawberries. Very good way to end a delicious meal. In general I am very happy with how the kitchen is performing now. I won't lie about how questionable the past year and a half have been but their future can be very bright if they continue along the path they've begun now. I look forward to the menu improving as they continue to grow and will return often. read more

See all

I went to Bar Divani's for the first time ever this past weekend for a Bachelorette party dinner. CLASSY! The place is so cozy, dim lights, gorgeous wine racks surrounding our seating area, and a massive wine list! All things I enjoy. I am originally from Traverse City and we have some VERY good restaurants here. Bar Divani's reminded me of dining in TC. Classy, original, fancy, but not too pricey. Perfect! I had the "number one" martini which tasted exactly like a Margarita- fabulous, and only $6 during happy hour!! I had two. I then had the Curry Chicken Salad Wrap for dinner....it was only $8.99. Very well priced for the experience you get here. Service was great also. Very kind wait staff, very professional. Gratuity was included which made things easy after you've had a couple drinks :) The only downfall was our table was by the door, and we froze every time people came inside. Due to popularity (and rightfully so) this happened A LOT. I will be going back here!!! read more

Divani - Bar Divani's - Wine Bars Near Me - Grand Rapids, Michigan

Food and service was outstanding. The restaurant and bathroom were clean Everyone was very respectful. We are looking forward to our new visit. read more

I stopped in on a Friday night around 6 for a drink with my boyfriend before I had a dinner reservation with a friend. We sat at the bar and the bartender introduced himself, which I liked. He asked what flavor profiles we were looking for and I told him I wanted a cocktail that was refreshing and "not too sweet." To which he curtly replied, "cocktails aren't supposed to be sweet." Okay then. He made me a cocktail that he "won an award for", with tequila, cucumber and watermelon. It was pretty good. I was just not impressed with the way the bartender spoke to me. I appreciate being able to learn about craft cocktails, but it came off in the wrong tone. After our drinks, my friend and I sat down for dinner. It was restaurant week, so we did three courses for $28. Our server was- interesting to say the least. He kept making semi inappropriate comments that made us feel slightly uncomfortable. For example. My friend commented that she wasn't sure what she wanted. He said, "oh, I'll tell you what you want." Okaaaay. We were able to enjoy our meals but I was definitely turned off by the server's attention to us. We both ordered lamb chops for an appetizer. They were delicious. Perfectly cooked (rare), they came with pickled red cabbage and a sweet coulis. I could have eaten two more servings! For my entree, I got fried chicken and waffles. The flavors were amazing! The chicken was Panko crusted and it reminded me of Japanese katsu. The waffles were very good and there was a sauce on them. Together the components reminded me of chicken pot pie (in terms of flavor). My friend had the pork tenderloin which was a huge portion but not super flavorful. For dessert I had white chocolate creme brûlée which was so good! My friend had a cherry turnover which she enjoyed. Overall, I was very happy with the food. I would definitely go back for that. The service left a bad taste in my mouth though. The bartenders attitude and the inappropriate comments from our server made me feel uncomfortable. I would hope and assume that that's not typical of the staff at Divani. read more

I had the opportunity to enjoy a fabulous meal here with colleagues on a business trip. The meal was pre-set and we could choose from chicken, beef or seafood (salmon). Everyone loved what they chose, and I had the beef, which was a delicious cut of beef, sliced and served with mashed potatoes and asparagus. It's hard to serve 30+ people and they did a great job. For dessert they served a flourless chocolate cake that was incredible. It was a wonderful meal, great atmosphere, prompt service! read more

See all

Hmm... What can we say about this place, except that I and my fiancé, Maria loved it and think its one of the best primo bar/ restaurants for serving mixed drinks EVER! Our bartender Arielle, served us on 2018/19 on New Years, and again coincidentally in Mid-Feb 2019 for Dinner as a waitress and we both thought that she was the most awesome Bartender/Waitress EVER! (I might be saying EVER in caps a lot here just so ya know ... :) She was witty, funny and took us through the Cocktail menu with an engaging flourish and fun that was refreshing. She took a great picture of us near the Christmas tree at the front of the place and was very accommodating of her time on a busy night to make our NYE night rememberable. So we can't give thanks enough to her. They have great appetizers and present them with a flair and artistry just as do their strong and creative drinks. The atmosphere is dark and cozy and the seating was comfortable. When Arielle was our waitress later in February she was still great as EVER and remembered us from before we had come just for the drinks. We wholeheartedly recommend this place! read more

Great food, excellent service.love the vibes!!!Decided to go to this place instead of the popular steak house and we are so glad that we made that decision. Everything was perfect from start to finish. We will definitely visit this place again. read more

My boyfriend and I went here last minute when another restaurant had a 2 hour wait and it was such a happy accident. Reservations were easy to make, and when we arrived we were greeted by the owner who was so friendly and warm. The cocktail menu was well thought out and I had a Fuego de Mora which came to the table on fire! For appetizers I tried the crab cake and it was crispy and creamy to die for. For entrees I had the filet and my boyfriend had the divani burger. He is a very picky eater and says it was the best burger he's ever had! My steak was cooked perfectly and the sauce was outstanding. Very warm, friendly fun atmosphere. A little pricey but perfect for a special event like an anniversary/birthday. I can't wait to go back next time I visit Grand Rapids. read more

Excellent food, service & atmosphere. We celebrated our daughter's 19th birthday. They surprised us with free desert. We will definitely will be visiting again. read more

Divani - Wine Bars Near Me - Grand Rapids, Michigan

If you thought This was mostly a bar, think again. We haven't been here much in the past couple years, but that's gonna change. Wow. The food on this trip was fabulous!! First off, the cocktails were perfectly made. As we are self proclaimed Corpse Reviver #2 experts, we had to try that one. "Best ever"! The Bordeaux cherry was a nice twist. Asparagus soup was described as "definitely to write home about!". Caprese salad was as delicious as it was unique. French Onion soup was super rich, flavorful and as indulgent as you crave in a FO soup. Entrees were equally good. Definitely try the house ground brisket burger. Service was great. We will put this place back on our rotation! read more

Cozy restaurant with the best possible service, drinks and food! And if Chef Jeff have one of his seafood dishes as a special there is no better place to be!! read more

This has became a new favorite place for my wife and I. The staff is top notch, the food is outstanding and the atmosphere is perfect!

Divani is an awesome spot to grab a cocktail and some great food. We enjoy the more upscale experience that Divani offers. Of course we love all the breweries and pub food, but sometimes it's awesome to enjoy a more formal setting. I would highly recommend this establishment for food, drink and fun. Service was excellent and Molly, the Owner/Manger, does a great job ensuring a spot on experience. Go here, you will not be disappointed!!! read more

Some of the best quality food in Grand Rapids with a nice atmosphere and solid service read more

See all

This is an amazing find nestled in between hop cat and Grand Rapids brewing co...the ambiance is trendy and welcoming. Come to this place all dolled up or in your hockey jersey...they welcome all. The food and cocktails are tasty and there are options for all. I would recommend this place for anyone looking for a fun and relaxing evening. The staff is amazingly friendly and knowledgeable. read more

Divani's "Elevated Room" was the PERFECT venue for a small private party for my wife's 60th birthday celebration. The table was beautifully set, the room warm and cozy (the professional photos are brighter than the room lighting), and the food selections were very nice and deliciously prepared. Wendy at Divani's was a very gracious and thorough planner, with a surprise or two of her own. For any food event of 16 or fewer adults (we had 12), I would highly recommend Divani's, specifically their private Elevated Room. read more

See all

Slow but good. Went here on a Saturday night, got there and it was nearly empty. We were in grand rapids for something else and needed diner and just decided to walk around looking for a place, we were going to go Hopcat up the street but there was at least a 30 minute wait and it was obnoxiously noisy inside besides. So we wander up and see this place, and the menu looked good though we were woefully under dressed, but we were welcomed, everyone was very friendly. The wine I chose was good, I liked their wine menu system on the tablet, I ended up taking a bottle home ( I also liked that it had a cheaper take home price). I thought the prices, in general, looked cheap. There was one steak on the menu, flank steak, and at only $17, and it was one of the cheapest entrees. I don't remember ever seeing a steak as one of the cheapest entrees before, of course flank steak is a less common cut as well. Maybe we don't know because we were from out of town but it seemed more upscale, though it was a small restaurant, so I don't know why another reviewer complained about the price. Like I said, the service was good and friendly and nice. No complaints there. It was a bit of an untraditional hostess, I couldn't tell if she was the hostess or the manager honestly, she was very friendly, but as we ate I watched multiple parties enter, walk as far as the bar, but then quickly leave, without having talked to an employee. If she was off doing something else she might not have noticed them, seemed weird to me. Normal in a bar, abnormal in a restaurant, this is both... Anyways, everyone was nice and friendly to us, so I rank the service well. On to the food. I had the wilted spinach salad and it was excellent,very very good. Perhaps a tad overdressed, but that could have been the liquid being released from the spinach and or the torched brie on top. But it was a unique and delicious salad. My wife and I both had the aforementioned steak. Again, this was the flank steak, and it was excellent. A nice sized portion, very tender, delivered precut on the bias for maximum tenderness, perfectly cooked, in a really really tasty demi glace. It came with sides of gouda au gratin potatoes, brussells sprouts, and pearl onions. The onions were meh, the sprouts had good flavor, but were slightly undercooked (more al dente) to my taste, the potatoes were of course very good (with smoked gouda how could they not be?). All told though it was a $30 steak easy, I felt like it was a steal at $17. We had dessert, flourless chocolate torte with a blueberry sauce, it was good too, but then again, it was chocolate, so it probably had to be eh? Ambiance inside was nice, dim lighting, music you could hear, quiet enough for you to hear the rest of your party. All told, very pleasant. The one caveat was that the kitchen seemed slow. Its a small place, I'm not sure how big the kitchen is, and the food was good, maybe it just takes a little time to put out. I would definitely recommend the place. read more

Bar Divani is an upscale restaurant in the bar district of Grand Rapids. It has a good location and a decent ambiance. Staff is helpful and attentive. That's where the compliments end. Visiting the restaurant this past weekend with a few friends, we came for drinks and a few small plates. My wife and I split a small plate and 7 drinks and left with an $80 tab. With their very limited beer list and stingy drink pours (a well-iced rum and coke goes for $6), this restaurant is priced for a much bigger city. We shared small plates with other couples at our table and were not impressed with any of the food. A small plate of lamb sausage was $15, dried out, and flavorless. The ribs were slightly better, but the quality and portion size were not worth the price the other couple paid. The point of small plates is to get several and try a variety. The prices of these plates made that not an option. Finally the ambiance. The inside of the building is very nice, decorated as a wine cellar which is pertinent for their multiple wine tasting events. However, the few times we've visited, the sports TVs have been the center of attention for the whole room, ruining the wine aficionado atmosphere that they have obviously spent a lot of time trying to cultivate. Ultimately, I would say that the only saving grace of this restaurant is their reputation for wine tasting events. But with other restaurants nearby that offer much larger wine selections with better food and a more affordable menu overall, why go here? read more

Nice romantic place for dinner or to enjoy some drinks. Shelli was our server and was very helpful, cheerful and kind. My wife and I are from out of town and she gave us tips for all kinds of places to see and things to do! Thanks Shelli! read more

My wife and I choose to skip the Valentines chaos and go out the next night. We walked in and I thought the atmosphere was pleasant and relaxing. My next observation was the restaurant was nearly empty (other than the bar & 2 other couples) which I found strange for 6-7pm on a weeknight. My wife and I were crammed into a tiny table where the seats were uncomfortable & we had to keep moving the table for each other so we could get comfortable. Note that we both are very fit/lean people. We looked around and there were a number of open tables were we would have had more space. Our server was really nice & very helpful. I ordered duck expecting a delicious meal. The duck was bland & my wife's meal was bland. We ordered cheesecake only to be disappointed once again. The cheesecake was mushy & 'strange' (not good) tasting. My only positive review is the atmosphere & our server. A lot of $ for such a disappointing experience. read more

My girlfriend and I love going to Bar Divani with the Groupon. A great bottle of wine and the cheese plate for right around the $40 groupon mark makes a great date. The atmosphere is wonderful and the servers never make you feel rushed. The food is amazing and would recommend trying a few of the small plates. The wine selection is excellent and the staff is very knowledgeable. STAY AWAY from the bartender though! He had short dark hair and will make you feel like like an idiot if you are not a wine expert. What a pretentious jerk of a bartender. It's just a couple looking to enjoy a nice night on Ionia St in Grand Rapids, MI not a sommelier on a road trip though vineyards in southern France. read more

This bar/restaurant is great, and really does well to promote dining in Grand Rapids. I went with my sister for a late dinner. We came in on a friday around 11pm and were accommodated quite nicely. Despite the packed crowd of Def Leppard head's with their bleach blonde mullet wigs, headbands and 'Pour Some Sugar' shirts, they found us a non-smoking table. We both started with a glass of wine from a fairly diverse wine list. To my knowledge they didn't have a sommelier but their staff was quite knowledgeable about wine. We opted for their 3 course tasting menus that night featuring a duck stir-fry, a sweet shrimp dish and bone in lamb. Each course was delicious along with the paired wines. Our waiter actually suggested wines off the tasting menu that he felt went better. Definitely a place i'd come back to GR for which in turn i hope influences other restaurateurs in the area. read more

I had been to Bar Divani several years ago for an event, but had never gone there for a meal. So this past week, we decided to check out the menu on a Tuesday night. Arriving for an early dinner, we were promptly greeted and seated. A jazz singer was prepping for the evening and we were delighted to hear that she was going to be entertaining guests during the evening. The service was very attentitive, and the food was excellent. Some of the best peroggies I have ever had. My husband had ribs which were so succulent that they melted off the fork. My chicken dish was also full of flavor. Although we passed on dessert, I am glad that we didn't pass on making a long overdue visit to Bar Divani. read more

I have always loved Divani, Molly runs an amazing establishment. Chef Jeff is phenomenal. The service never disappoints. 11/10 exceeds all expectations. Anneli is one of the most amazing staff members too. Lots of love for this cozy little hidden gem. read more

My girlfriend and I stumbled in to this bar and it was packed but we still managed to find a seat in non-traditional lounge chairs. I only gave this place 4 stars because it was slightly too loud but the people watching was fun. You have all walks of life that roam into this bar. Baseball caps, jerseys, heels, and spagetti straps...they had it all. We opted for a couple of martini's that have no names...I got the #3 and my girl...#16. YUM! They make a nice production of it too with your glasses already filled with the main ingredient so you know you're gonna crawl outa the bar once your finished....and then they shake away and fill your glass with the flava... read more

Divani's elegant atmosphere made relaxing on a Friday night after work a reality. The lighting was dim, the noise a quiet stir of conversations , the music ambient, and the service efficient. $13 crab cakes were crunchy on the outside, fluffy inside, and plated over a tangy variation of guacamole. There were plenty of dishes on the menu for any size appetite. read more

Divani - Wine Bars Near Me - Grand Rapids, Michigan

Visiting a friend in Grand Rapids and had a hard time deciding where to go for dinner. I forced my friend to make the final decision, and she picked bar Divani! Soooooooo happy she did. They had a small but delicious by the glass wine menu. I ended up ordering the special - it was a Scottish salmon with marble potatoes, shallots, and a garlic puree. The salmon was beyond perfect.... it was crispy in the right places. Loved it and seriously considering coming back again tomorrow before leaving town. May just have the entree boxed up and bring it to thanksgiving dinner. Worth the sh*t I'd get from my family! Thanks for a lovely evening Divani! read more

We came here tonight to celebrate our 3 year anniversary and our recent engagement, we had such an amazing experience dining here! Our server Marcus was wonderful, friendly, and very creative bartender! We loved the service and the food and would recommend many times over! Thank you for this experience! read more

Experienced a wine tasting with a few friends for a bachelorette party. We were greeted promptly and escorted to our table in a semi-private area of the restaurant. Our sommelier explained the 4 wines we were tasting and gave us very generous pours of each. We shared the margarita flat bread, the cheese plate and the humus platter and each person was full from the drinks and treats at the end. Atmosphere is classy and chic with low lighting and ambient music. A great way to start a girls night out! Prices reflect the upscale setting, wine, and food options offered. read more

This is my ultimate favorite place downtown Grand Rapids! It's so cozy and classy, nothing like some of the rowdy college bars nearby. I've been here many times for their happy hour, everyday from 4-7. Had to make a stop here last week when back in town on business. My favorite things: 3 cheese flatbread, spinach artichoke dip, general tszo's chicken (not on the menu this last time, bummer), risotto. Thursday night is great to visit for $5 moscato and even better deals on their happy hour martinis. I regularly crave the 3 cheese flatbread. Every time we've gone we've had great service as well. Can't wait until the next time we're in town so we can stop in again. read more

Last week, we had the luck to spend two evenings at Bar Divani. Both nights we sat at the bar, just to watch Chris craft cocktails. Chris isn't trying to be cool. He just is cool. The two cocktails he designed for the 2015 Grand Cocktail Competition (A Midsummer Night's Shrub and Emerald City Julep) are scrumptious. Our group is usually a challenge as each person prefers a different liquor (rum, vodka, bourbon). His ability to mix, shake, and stir is just spot on. From the Rum Sour to the Strawberry Quick to the Old-Fashioned Sanders Coffee drink. Each made us feel like kids again. read more

Wow! This place has taken a nose dive. We used to go here for our anniversary dinners, and it was an amazing place. After taking a few years off we returned for dinner last night and couldn't believe the decline. Our food was very mediocre, the wine was stale and the restaurant is in need of a major cleaning. Once one of my favorites, this place is now very far from my mind as a possible option. Very sad. read more

Divani - The bar at Bar Divani - Wine Bars Near Me - Grand Rapids, Michigan

I am sorry to report we had a bad experience at Bar Divani this weekend. I had the Risotto and the onions were burnt so bad it over powered the taste of the dish. We were also overcharge for our bottle of wine by $22. The waitress did a great job taking care of us and other issues that happened during the evening. But overall I would not return for the food. I would stop by for a glass of wine. read more

I was just told that I do not know how to order an old fashioned. I was told I should specify if I want a 1990s old fashioned. Unreal. This place is not the same as it used to be. Kudos to the bartender for coming over and apologizing for the misunderstanding about the drink. I originally rated this one star, because of his balls I upped it. Too bad the manager didn't address my concern. read more

Good food but small portions. If you like to not be hungry when you leave, get an appetizer or something with your meal. The food is pretty good and freshly prepared. They have a bar on sight which can get a little loud and annoying at times but overall, the place is quaint. They have lots of different seating including couched and chairs with nice tables. It's quite comfy. The server we had was new but knew the menu well. He was super nice and very helpful with menu suggestions. This place runs groupons often so check it out! read more