I had noticed Licari's moved into the old Red Hot Inn space but didn't realize their Fuller/Knapp located had closed. I'm glad I got to visit the new(er) spot recently! The space is cozy and pretty large, with what looked to be a private area with a birthday party going on towards the back. Our server was really friendly and patient as we explored the menu, which features Sicilian items like pizza, pasta, and several starters. We wanted to try some appetizers so we ordered the cozze di mare (mussels) with white sauce, rotoli (eggplant rolls filled with Prosciutto di Parma, house-made tomato sauce and provolone cheese, baked then topped with basil), and a Caesar salad. The mussels and eggplant dish came out first and were delicious. I personally loved the eggplant rotoli the most - the eggplant was tender, the sauce was savory, and it was stuffed with cheese and prosciutto... yum! I would get this as a meal with a side of garlic bread for dipping. The mussels were nicely cooked and the sauce was subtle. The salad was crisp and fresh and I liked the different toppings (fresh tomatoes and sun dried tomatoes). The Caesar salad only comes in the large size, but it was good to share with the group. For dinner we shared a couple of pizzas - the bocce and a margherita. The freshly grated cheese over top was perfection - don't skip this! I loved all the toppings on the bocce (basically a version of a supreme pizza) but the pepperoni was my favorite with how crispy it got. The crust was missing a bit of flavor for me, but it was cooked well and not soggy. We were too stuffed for dessert but I'd come back for their cannoli or rotating cheesecake flavors! I want to try their pasta next also. read more

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I took my husband to Licari's for a Valentines dinner! What a great choice! We had the house Cabernet and ricotta balls for an appetizer. The wine was delicious very smooth with good body. The ricotta balls in red sauce melt in your mouth! Yum We ordered garlic bread for the main dish and it too was delicious crusty and perfectly cooked. My husband said it needed a little more garlic flavor but I loved it. He had spaghetti and meatballs and said it was the best he hahad in Grand Rapids! He is a tough critic so this is a real compliment. I had the Ricotta Salsicca for the main dish and it was fantastic! Seasoned perfectly. The sauce and cheese were amazing We had the cannoli's for desert! Delicious crispy with yummy filling! April was our waitress and she was on top of everything! She made recommendations and was pleasant and personable. We had been to the other location many times but the new location is gorgeous! Modern and spacious with a great parking lot! We will be back no doubt but thanks for a great Valentine's Day! read more

We love Licari's! This has become our weekly hangout on Friday nights! Great drinks, food and atmosphere. James, Noelle, Savannah and Bree are fantastic servers and bartenders! They take great care of customers! Delicious GF pizza crust and alcohol-free cocktails too. read more

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Great spot for a quick dinner. Our order of personalized pizza, salad & pasta arrived in record time allowing us to make it in time to the theatre. I can not remember the waitress's name but she was fantastic and very witty read more

This review is for delivery only. I have had previous problems with delivery from Licaris. They just aren't consistently checking the orders before they go out. So they miss things, and you either don't get things in your order or don't get it made correctly. I guess that makes me not so smart to try them again at this point. I get the occasional missed topping on a pizza or something, but we were out an entire entree, and it was a whole salmon fillet on top of pasta. That's a reeeeeeelly hard thing to miss. The food is great, so dine in where you can send it back if it's wrong. Use delivery at your own risk. read more

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I'm a big fan of this place. The new location is more expansive with significantly better parking. The service remains quite good and I find that even new staff members are very friendly and attentive. I haven't had anything bad here, but the sandwiches are great and the pizza is top-notch. I maintain that it's the best pizza in town. I visited with the family again today and everything was fantastic. I got "The Leo", which is a breaded chicken sandwich with bacon, provolone and vinaigrette while my kids got pizza. It is not cheap, but I always walk out happy and feeling I got my money's worth. read more

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Yummy. Not the best thin crust pizza I've had but solid. (Chicago's Spacca Napoli is on another planet, good) but I'll definitely be coming back here to try the fungi, pazzo, and verde. Calamari was good, nothing to rave about. Portions were good for 2. Bruschetta is a classic and didn't disappoint. Presentation was nice. My husband randomly wanted a passion fruit margarita and by our amazement they could make it!! Kudos for that! read more

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Great new location and great design but same old menu. Food was below average. I'd pay more if the sause was fresh. The food is salty and speaking of salty the service was like Rosie O'Donnell was my waitress. The service was terrible. When I go out to eat I want to have a happy waitress or waiter helping me choose the food and make recommendation. I felt like I was trying to cheer up the server. It was ok food but I can't go back. read more

Licari's Sicilian Pizza Kitchen - Pizza is overpriced in my opinion. The small restraunt is nicely designed and located but the food as you can see is average - Italian Near Me - Grand Rapids, Michigan

Uccello's is better pizza. We didn't try the Sicilian, based on other people's reviews here, but we tried the Capone and the Polpetta. The location is nice enough if you want to have a date night. Clean, modern, new building just off the Beltline. But I can't imagine ever wanting a pizza from this place. If I wanted either style of pizza we tried, I'd go to Uccello's. It's better. A lot better. If I wanted some other artisanal take, or a local flavor, there are tons of other options, also cheaper and better. How about Horrocks? Particular comments on the pizzas: The Polpetta was slightly sweet (must have been the sauce?), whereas the Capone was salty and savory, no sweetness to the sauce. The crusts were nothing special. The Polpetta looks like a stuffed pizza, but the top and bottom crust layers weren't connected. Again, Uccello's does this much better all the way around. Presentation, amount of filling (food), formation of the pizza itself, flavor. The price is the only thing comparable, but given the much better experience with Uccello's, Licari's still loses on this point. I know the pictures of the pizzas are really tempting, but I recommend passing on this place. I doubt we'll ever be back. read more

Absolutely amazing. I've never been to a restaurant with such amazing staff. The food is definitely amazing but the staff makes it so much better. Gluten free pizza and pasta is delicious. Very nice place! read more

Ordered a large double pepperoni and banana peppers. Hardly any banana peppers also got the same pizza from Red's at Thousand Oaks golf course. The two on the left and the photo with the larger crust or the two pieces on the right are from Licari's. Which would you choose? read more

We dine at Licari's occasionally. I have no complaints about the food or service. The reason I don't get excited about Licari's is superficial but it is reality: the lighting and ambiance is unpleasant, cold, harsh. The new location is functional but there is no coziness or warmth, which is sad for a pizza/Italian kitchen. Last night we could not wait to get out of there- we skipped a glass of wine and dessert. Daylight hours are much better bc you get natural light. Evening is awful w interrogation lighting and reflective windows that look like one-way mirrors. Avoid for date night or special occasion where the ambiance and vibe is important. read more

I must admit I have a "love/don't like" (hate is too strong a word) relationship with Licari's. When they first opened in their original location, we went often and really enjoyed our meals until we noticed a steady decline just after COVID. After a few substandard experiences, we basically stopped coming and haven't been there in a while. When a friend suggested having dinner there, I was lucky he told me there was a new location otherwise I would have gone to the original one. The new location is easily double the size and spacious. Parking is fantastic compared to the old location where you often walked a block or two having to park in the nearby neighborhood. We were hopeful we were at the "Licari's of many years ago" but found that not much has changed. At least the good service remained. Food for our party was mostly poorly prepared, one dish served barely warm, pizzas seemed to have quite a bit of area of outer circumference uncovered-no cheese or sauce near outer crust. Baked pasta dish pretty much overcooked. Simple requests taken care of during previous visits ignored-told chef won't do it. Restaurant was empty when we arrived and packed with a wait when we left. I am happy to see that as I like to support and see local restaurants supported but I probably wouldn't come back. I pretty much equate this experience to having dinner at a "tourist trap" where the restaurant stays busy no matter what. read more

Licari's has always been a favorite of mine! Both locations give top notch service and serve up amazing authentic cuisine! The new Leonard location is cozy, decorated very nicely, has great parking, and it's in a very convenient location! Both the standard menu and kids menu have options for everyone. They also have an allergen friendly menu upon request! I'm celiac and dairy free and can always find something new to try! If you're looking for a rental space or catering, be sure to check them out! We've hosted a few events here and it's always great. read more

Licari's Sicilian Pizza Kitchen - Ricotta Salsiccia with gluten free penne - Italian Near Me - Grand Rapids, Michigan

Food was great, pasta felt homemade and made with care, pizza was a little greasy but was better than most take out pizzas, me and my wife had a bartender serve us and although very busy making drinks still took great care of us! Cocktails are very good but don't be afraid to ask for drink recommendations because they know what's best! The restaurant is very chilly but offers a warm presence with a modern atmosphere. read more

Licari's Sicilian Pizza Kitchen - Capone pizza - Italian Near Me - Grand Rapids, Michigan

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Very busy. good menu. Marguerita pizza was ok... skimpy on the basil and no distinct flavor. Disappointed!

This is a fabulous Italian restaurant! The outside looks like it might be a fast food place. Don't be fooled! It is where you can find excellent food made with fresh ingredients. The service is great. The prices are reasonable. When I take visitors to Meijer Gardens, I often take them to Licari's. They are always equally impressed. read more

Went last night around 9pm. I asked the hostess if I could sit at the bar and order something to go she handed me a menu and said someone would be with me in a minute. I wanted to order a drink and something to go. Was never approached by a server or bar tender. After ten minutes I just got up and left. Restaurant was not busy at all. Horrible service. read more

Leaving this review because I live on the East Coast now. After trying highly ranked pizza places like Sally's Apizza and Frank Pepe's in New Haven, I am happy to say that I'm dumbfounded people wait in a three hour line for that pizza when you can get a better slice in little old Grand Rapids, MI. I get that there are different kinds of pizza, yada yada, but when it comes to delicious crust, hearty toppings, and interesting flavor combinations, Licari's has it made. Their cocktails and other dishes are fabulous, too! All I can say is--no need to travel far for a great slice. Support this local gem! read more

when i tried this place 2 years ago - it wasn't amazing but i thought it was good pizza. since then, it has gone completely downhill. bruschetta was great but the positives for food end there.. the pizza was like cardboard with cheese. the dough was dry and flavorless. what happened here? bad dough day? salad was also flavorless. mounds of jarred roasted bell pepper but the flavors did not go together. should have just leaned heavy on the pine nuts, olive oil, and lemon. that's all that it needs - not a mound of oily peppers. the salad had no character. kale wasn't massaged enough either. i'm sad to say that i left hungry from this place. service was good with all the water refills. read more

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We did take out. I ordered pizza and it was ok. I wouldn't order it again. I like NY style pizza and the crust was crunchy and dry. The kids liked their spaghetti. The portion sizes are small and it's pricey. The full entree salad was small for the $16 cost and it appeared like a side salad. It's nice inside the restaurant. Maybe it's better when you sit down instead of do take out. read more

What went well, everything!! Megan was on top of everything, very attentive and attuned to our group. I had the gf Pearo Roso which had the perfect amount of heat and flavor. Another guest ordered it no -gf and loved it. Another guest ordered the pasta a la chef and loved the combination of flavors. The Licari's chips and dip are a must! read more

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I really wanted to like this place the Rice Balls were good but I'm fairly certain they gave me raw panella and that's after waiting 45 min. The next day I realized I left my credit card there i called to make sure before driving over and was told by the hostess they had no cards. On a whim since I was leaving town (was in GR for work) I decided to stop just in case. When I walked in the door the server I had saw me and said "oh you left your card yesterday let me go get a manager to get it for you" just not a great experience. read more

We were never contacted by a manager although they promised to get back to us the very next Tuesday. This was a pick up takeout pizza. We got 6 miles away before we opened it to eat it. I'm rather surprised you didn't offer something as an a free pie? We have not been back since I don't trust it. Should we? read more

Everything about this place is great! Best pizza in Grand Rapids! My wife and I love the Michelangelo

No ranch and no seltzers, I know it's a Sicilian place but just know that when you head in + bread that is not a breadstick!

VERY good pizza. Picked it up after seeing rated high in the state. It didn't disappoint.

I have lived by Licari's for years and unfortunately never actually come by. However, I finally got the time to go and am so happy I did! My friend and I came for happy hour and it was slower and quiet, which was actually a nice surprise. Though we ended up staying for a couple round of drinks, apps and dinner and the place ended up getting much busier! I even had a fail, spilled my wine all over my lap and broke a glass, and the servers cleaned it up so quickly, plus brought me warm water to help clean up my mess. Such great service! I tried the pizza, which I absolutely enjoyed - love the pepperoni that curls up and pools a little grease (I know, it's the BEST). I can't wait to come back and try something else. The whole menu looked amazing. read more

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My wife and I just had lunch at this great dining spot today. The pizza is excellent with a nice chewy crust and premium toppings! We took home some desserts and they are also very good.we tried the fresh baked cookies YUM ! The service is excellent, att but not annoying. She also was very knowledgeable and helpful. The room is very clean and comfortable. Although a little on the pricey side , the cost is not off putting considering the overall quality of the experience. read more

We got take out which I realize is usually not as good as in person. The pizza was good but not great, we loved the salad and the calamari was fishy so we did not end up eating it. Big bummer since it was 18$. read more

Food is phenomenal my recommendation pasta candela and penne gambereti Service: friendly and quick Ambience very casual open space read more

Licari's Sicilian Pizza Kitchen - Pasta candela - Italian Near Me - Grand Rapids, Michigan

A nice cozy atmosphere. This place is not very large, but it presents itself well. The person I was with and I both had the Spaghetti with Meat Sauce and Meatballs ($17). It was excellent. The sauce was very meaty with lots of flavor and just a slight sweetness to it. The pasta was thick and had a good snap to it. I also got some garlic bread that was very good. The person I was with also super enjoyed her meal. The service was excellent and attentive. Overall a 5 star review. I would definitely go back! read more

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Wonder tiramisu with the khakua rum sponge cake bottom and made fresh locally. Wonderful experience dining in this Italian Sicilian kitchen. read more

Licari's Sicilian Pizza Kitchen - Tiramisu - Italian Near Me - Grand Rapids, Michigan

Had dinner here with a party of 8 this evening. Food and service from Breanna was fantastic. Thanks for a wonderful dining experience!

Cool spot in the NE area of town. Full bar with beer and wine. Menu featuring pizza, pasta, and salad. I started with the house salad which was terrific. I then had a margherita pizza. It wasn't as crisp as I had hoped but it was still very good. The sauce is excellent and they put a ton of fresh basil on it. Simon was a great server and very attentive. I'd definitely go back! read more

First time here. Incredible eggplant parm app. Good salads. Very creative pizza loaded with ingredients. Very personable waitress. Very good value. Will come back read more

Food was excellent as always. Beer selection we requested were both out. But we didn't come here for the beer. Michelangelo pizza hit the spot. Pesto Rosso also delicious! 3:30 was the perfect time to go because they were waiting in line when we left. read more

Picked up a Margherita pizza from here. Looks amazing. Texture was alright - a bit chewy for my taste. But there just wasn't much flavor at all. It had a subtle little hint of cheese but that was it. No sauce or seasonings came through. And even though the pizza had only been sitting for about 10 minutes (it was still hot), it felt like it was old and had been sitting for hours. Just a very unpleasant experience overall. read more

Licari's Sicilian Pizza Kitchen - Margherita pizza - Italian Near Me - Grand Rapids, Michigan

1. Food was good. Enjoy the pizza and breadsticks 2. I ordered takeout and it didn't take long 3. The venue is nice and small. The people insides seem to be enjoying themselves. It's a nice place. Bonus: wine store next door read more

Licari's Sicilian Pizza Kitchen - Pepperoni pizza - Italian Near Me - Grand Rapids, Michigan

We stopped in for a late supper on a Tuesday. The service started out a bit slow, but improved from there. We shared everything- calamari (exceptional marinara), the garlic bread and the baked pasta dish. We finished with splitting the cannoli. Hands down, everything was just excellent.....and we are typically fairly critical! We just love this place- have had wonderful wine here too in the past. Nice work!! read more