Highest-rated restaurants in Lansing by diners
Humans are creatures of habit. We tend to stick to our morning routines, rewatch movies we've seen time and time again, and hit up the same tried-and-true restaurants when going out for a meal. In fact, 35% of Americans said they rarely, if ever, try a new restaurant they haven't been to before, and 5% say they never do, according to a survey of more than 2,600 diners from TouchBistro.
But those numbers look quite different when you focus on younger generations—56% of Gen Zers and 47% of millennials in the U.S. say they visit new restaurants once a month or more. When it comes to deciding which new restaurant to try, younger generations are also more likely to rely on online reviews, through sites like Yelp or Google or from social media. The TouchBistro survey found that 71% of Gen Zers and 72% of millennials have opted to try a new restaurant solely because of favorable reviews online.
Some of the best restaurants in your neck of the woods might be those established spots that customers have been visiting for decades, but some may be brand new. More than 10,000 new restaurants opened in 2023, up 5.7% from 2022, according to a report from BentoBox. The states that saw the most new restaurants open up in 2023 were Florida, Texas, California, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania, but new locales are popping up all over the U.S.
To help you determine which spots—both new and long-standing—to try out, Stacker compiled a list of the highest-rated restaurants in Lansing, according to Yelp reviews from diners as of January 2024. Only restaurants with at least 20 reviews were considered. Read on to find some inspiration for the next time you dine out.
Note: The photos in this article are stock images and do not necessarily reflect each restaurant listed.
#28. Saddleback BBQ
- Rating: 4.5/5 (227 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1147 South Washington Ave. Lansing, Michigan
- Categories: Barbeque
- Read more on Yelp
#27. Ruckus Ramen
- Rating: 4.5/5 (70 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 2021 East Michigan Ave. Avenue Cafe Lansing, Michigan
- Categories: Ramen
- Read more on Yelp
#26. Zaytoon Mediterranean
- Rating: 4.5/5 (289 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 940 Elmwood Road Lansing, Michigan
- Categories: Mediterranean, Middle Eastern
- Read more on Yelp
#25. Meat BBQ
- Rating: 4.5/5 (738 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1224 Turner St. Lansing, Michigan
- Categories: Barbeque, Southern
- Read more on Yelp
#24. VEG-N
- Rating: 4.5/5 (52 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 902 East Cesar East Chavez Lansing, Michigan
- Categories: Vegan, Vegetarian, Burgers
- Read more on Yelp
#23. Sushi Moto
- Rating: 4.5/5 (163 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 436 Elmwood Road Lansing, Michigan
- Categories: Japanese, Sushi Bars
- Read more on Yelp
#22. Sidecar Slider Bar - Lansing
- Rating: 4.5/5 (33 reviews)
- Address: 500 East Michigan Ave. Ste 100 Lansing, Michigan
- Categories: Burgers, Hot Dogs, Cocktail Bars
- Read more on Yelp
#21. Noosh Afghan Cuisine
- Rating: 4.5/5 (21 reviews)
- Address: 603 North Waverly Road Lansing, Michigan
- Categories: Afghan, Halal
- Read more on Yelp
#20. Sultans Express
- Rating: 4.5/5 (35 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 305 South Washington Sq Lansing, Michigan
- Categories: Middle Eastern
- Read more on Yelp
#19. Jerusalem Pita and More
- Rating: 4.5/5 (56 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1456 East Michigan Ave. Lansing, Michigan
- Categories: Middle Eastern, Salad, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp
#18. EnVie
- Rating: 4.5/5 (109 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 210 South Washington Sq Lansing, Michigan
- Categories: New American, Wine Bars, Cocktail Bars
- Read more on Yelp
#17. Bento Kitchen Cravings
- Rating: 4.5/5 (66 reviews)
- Address: 310 North Clippert St. Ste 6 Lansing, Michigan
- Categories: Korean, Ramen, Bubble Tea
- Read more on Yelp
#16. Supermercado La Estrellita
- Rating: 4.5/5 (21 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2604 North East St. Lansing, Michigan
- Categories: Grocery, Bakeries, Delis
- Read more on Yelp
#15. La Cocina Cubana
- Rating: 4.5/5 (85 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 123 South Washington Sq Lansing, Michigan
- Categories: Cuban, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp
#14. Good Truckin' Diner
- Rating: 4.5/5 (288 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1107 South Washington Ave. Lansing, Michigan
- Categories: Diners, American
- Read more on Yelp
#13. Taqueria El Chaparrito
- Rating: 4.5/5 (98 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 4832 West Saginaw Hwy Lansing, Michigan
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp
#12. B & I Bar
- Rating: 4.5/5 (20 reviews)
- Address: 5247 Old Lansing Road Lansing, Michigan
- Categories: Bars, Barbeque
- Read more on Yelp
#11. Jose's Cuban Sandwich & Deli
- Rating: 4.5/5 (145 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 401 South Pennsylvania Ave. Lansing, Michigan
- Categories: Cuban, Delis, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp
#10. Batter Up Bistro
- Rating: 4.5/5 (37 reviews)
- Address: 621 East Michigan Ave. Lansing, Michigan
- Categories: Breakfast & Brunch, Venues & Event Spaces, Caterers
- Read more on Yelp
#9. Sleepwalker Spirits and Ale
- Rating: 4.5/5 (25 reviews)
- Address: 1101 South Washington Ave. Lansing, Michigan
- Categories: Breweries, Pizza, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp
#8. El Oasis
- Rating: 4.5/5 (264 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2501 East Michigan Ave. Lansing, Michigan
- Categories: Mexican, Food Trucks
- Read more on Yelp
#7. Iorio Gelato
- Rating: 4.5/5 (33 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 7420 West Saginaw Hwy Lansing, Michigan
- Categories: Gelato, Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt, Cafes
- Read more on Yelp
#6. Mexico 2 Go
- Rating: 4.5/5 (26 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 16995 South US Hwy 27 Lansing, Michigan
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp
#5. Naing Myanmar Family Restaurant
- Rating: 4.5/5 (354 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 3308 South Cedar St. Ste 3 Lansing, Michigan
- Categories: Burmese, Thai, Malaysian
- Read more on Yelp
#4. Bowdie's Chophouse - Lansing
- Rating: 5.0/5 (146 reviews)
- Address: 320 East Michigan Ave. Lansing, Michigan
- Categories: Steakhouses, Cocktail Bars
- Read more on Yelp
#3. Choupli Wood Fired Kabob
- Rating: 5.0/5 (423 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 4411 West Saginaw Hwy Lansing, Michigan
- Categories: Mediterranean, Turkish, Middle Eastern
- Read more on Yelp
#2. King Subs
- Rating: 5.0/5 (36 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2602 North Grand River Ave. Lansing, Michigan
- Categories: Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp
#1. The Ocean Crab
- Rating: 5.0/5 (85 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 727 East Miller Road Lansing, Michigan
- Categories: Cajun/Creole, Bars, Seafood
- Read more on Yelp
This story features data reporting by Karim Noorani, writing by Jaimie Etkin, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 331 metros.