
Stella's Lounge
A retro-futuristic lounge serving up award-winning stuffed burgers, a vast whiskey selection, and classic arcade games.

Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Blue hour photography, calmer galleries

Stella's Lounge

Highlights
Must-see attractions
A retro-futuristic lounge serving up award-winning stuffed burgers, a vast whiskey selection, and classic arcade games.
"This place is my top recommendation for those looking for some spice and good drinks."
Visit during off-peak hours
To avoid crowds and enjoy a more relaxed experience, consider visiting during less busy times.
Don't skip the wings!
Try the half-and-half sweet chili and buffalo wings for a truly flavorful and satisfying treat.

Quick Facts
Cuisine
American
Price
Mid-range
Phone
(616) 742-4444
Address
53 Commerce Ave SW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Award-Winning Stuffed Burgers
Savor legendary half-pound burgers stuffed with cheese and unique toppings, hailed as the best in America.

80s Nostalgia & Arcade Fun
Immerse yourself in a vibrant 80s atmosphere with graffiti art and classic arcade games, many at just 25 cents.

Vegan-Friendly Comfort Food
Enjoy delicious vegan options like loaded nachos and avocado nuggets, proving comfort food can be plant-based.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Visit during off-peak hours
To avoid crowds and enjoy a more relaxed experience, consider visiting during less busy times.
Don't skip the wings!
Try the half-and-half sweet chili and buffalo wings for a truly flavorful and satisfying treat.
Embrace the vegan options
Explore their vegan-friendly comfort food, including nachos piled high with vegan meat and avocado nuggets.
Thursday Burger Night Special
Enjoy $5 off signature burgers on Thursday nights with the purchase of a drink.
Tips
from all over the internet
Visit during off-peak hours
To avoid crowds and enjoy a more relaxed experience, consider visiting during less busy times.
Don't skip the wings!
Try the half-and-half sweet chili and buffalo wings for a truly flavorful and satisfying treat.
Embrace the vegan options
Explore their vegan-friendly comfort food, including nachos piled high with vegan meat and avocado nuggets.
Thursday Burger Night Special
Enjoy $5 off signature burgers on Thursday nights with the purchase of a drink.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Diners rave about Stella's Lounge for its unique 80s atmosphere, fun arcade games, and impressive selection of whiskeys. The award-winning stuffed burgers are a highlight, with many praising the creative toppings and generous portions. While the food is generally well-received, some patrons mention that service can be slow during peak times and occasionally issues with order accuracy arise. However, the overall vibe and the availability of vegan options contribute to a memorable dining experience for many.
"Late night on a Tuesday and this place hit the spot while everything was amazing! The atmosphere, food, drinks, music were all “Stellar”! Once we saw the fried bologna sandwich…we had to get it and it did not disappoint! The pickle chips and toasted Texas toast took the sandwich to another level!!!! Highly recommend this place!"
ken swain
"The atmosphere is awesome, the style of the place is cool. The service was great! Loved the waitress. The food was not the greatest. Not full on flavors and basically stuff I can make at home. Now if your vegan or vegetarian you may really like this place. Lots of options."
Kymmie Loveless
"It's a weird dark campy bar with awesome food and super inappropriate bathroom wall decor. Food service was a little slow but it's worth the wait. Staff was friendly and having fun. Worth the visit"
Nicky B
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
Stella's Lounge is famous for its award-winning stuffed burgers, 80s-themed atmosphere with arcade games, and an extensive whiskey selection.
Yes, Stella's Lounge offers a variety of vegan-friendly comfort food options, including nachos and avocado nuggets.
Absolutely! Stella's Lounge features classic arcade games, many of which are priced at only 25 cents.
They offer Thursday Burger Nights with a $5 discount on signature burgers when you purchase a drink. There are often other specials throughout the week.
Parking can be difficult in the downtown area, and some diners have noted challenges finding a spot.
The atmosphere is described as a fun, eclectic, and campy 80s vibe with graffiti walls and classic arcade games.
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GQ Magazine has declared Stella’s burgers as the best in the United States, and the restarant is an unmissable stop if you’re in the area. The walls are decorated with colourful murals and the laid-back bar atmosphere (their motto is ‘strong drinks, cheap beer, loud music’) belies the serious culinary talent on offer. The burgers themselves are huge, and stuffed with cheese, accompanied with onion rings and salad.
Best Burgers in Grand Rapids
GQ Magazine once hailed the Stella Burger as the best burger in all of America – and many local burger lovers agree. Stella’s Lounge uses 100% Black Angus Beef to make its half-pound burgers and complements the perfectly grilled patties with a delectable combination of ingredients, inside and out. (The Stella Burger is stuffed with blue cheese and bacon, and topped with blue cheese sauce, lettuce, tomato, onion, pickle and an onion ring.) All burgers – including the veggie options – are served with your choice of fries at this downtown restaurant.
15 Must Visit Vegan Restaurants in Grand Rapids 2025
53 Commerce Ave SW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503Stella’s is a mix of 80’s nostalgia meets vegan-friendly comfort food, minus the tracksuits. While you enjoy nachos piled high with vegan meat, beans, Daiya cheese, and vegan ranch you can catch up on episodes of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles or head over to the arcade to battle it out with a game of Mortal Kombat. While the nachos are seriously satisfying, be sure not to skip an order of avocado nuggets — chunks of creamy avocado beer-battered for an epic crispy meets creamy bite.
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I think of two things right away when I hear Grand Rapids Michigan, the first is KBS at Founders Brewing Company and second the famous Stella’s stuffed hamburgers that got named the best burgers in America in 2012 by GQ!. Stella’s had to wait until the last day because I know how much I like a great hamburger. I had to accept the fact there are other restaurants and that I would have been back there every day instead of trying new places.
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Stella’s Lounge is everything you love about your local bar without the typical frozen-to-fried food. Frequented by locals and visitors alike, Stella’s Lounge offers an impressive selection of food from snacks like cheddar jalapeno poppers and beer-battered avocados to salads, wraps, and tacos. The lounge is also proudly home to their award-winning giant stuffed burgers, which were named the Best in America by GQ in 2012.
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Stella’s Lounge is known for its retro arcade games, ginormous stuffed burgers, massive collection of whiskeys, and—perhaps unexpectedly considering the rest of the list—yummy vegan and vegetarian dishes. Locals with dietary restrictions rave about this funky spot on Yelp, claiming it’s the perfect place to get vegan bar food at night. Most of the non-vegan or vegetarian menu items can easily be swapped out, too.
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Graffitied walls & an ’80s arcade set the tone for this bar with 200 whiskeys & a pub-grub menu. Don’t forget to try their brunch on Sundays from 11 am-5 pm. Must try dish: Stella Blue- Stuffed with blue cheese and bacon (best burger in the nation winner by GQ) If you’re looking for something different, try the Hippie Stuffed- House made black bean & lentil burger stuffed with tempeh bacon & pesto.
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Stella's Lounge in Grand Rapids boasts award-winning burgers, a huge selection of whiskeys, retro arcade games, and vegetarian specialties. The retro arcade games and TVs featuring classic shows transport guests to a nostalgic era of entertainment. Don't forget to plan your visit on Thursday Burger Nights, where you can enjoy a $5 discount on their signature sandwiches with the purchase of a drink.
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One of the most exciting things about this location—besides the outdoor seating—is the Thursday night burger specials!. Every Thursday when you purchase a drink, you get $5 off one of their famous burgers—and, if case you haven’t heard, they’re sensational!. They also have many more specials throughout the week, making them a great destination for budget-friendly food seekers.
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Located in the heart of downtown Grand Rapids, Stella’s Lounge is a popular spot for both drinks and food. The bar’s menu features creative takes on classic pub fare, such as the “Notorious P.I.G.” burger topped with pulled pork, bacon, and cheddar cheese, or the “Poutine on the Ritz” loaded with fries, cheese curds, and gravy. Vegetarian and vegan options are also available.
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It’s like a pub underground (but really above ground) bar with 80s vintage arcade games (that only cost $.25!), rock music playing, a mural on their patio, and they compost or recycle over 90% of their waste. Plus, they have fabulous vegan items. I had the potato buffalo wings – I’ve never had wings made out of potatoes and damn, I’ve been missing out.
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The vibe is definitely different from any other restaurant in the city as you are presented with a more alternative vibe. They’re known for their stuffed burgers, whiskeys, 80’s arcade game collection, and graffitied walls!. The food is amazing and spending your night at Stella’s is sure to be memorable!
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Stella’s Lounge: Located downtown Grand Rapids, Stella’s is a must visit bar and restaurant. They even have a ton of vegan friendly options!. Their patio is covered and adorned with string lights and awesome artwork, so it’s the perfect spot to enjoy the warm weather and unwind after a long day.
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Stella’s Lounge is by far one of the coolest eateries in Grand Rapids. Arcade machines line the entrance walls, TVs play all of the shows you grew up on, and the bar regularly hosts open-mic and karaoke nights. Stella’s is consistently voted as having one of the best burgers in Grand Rapids.
Night out in Grand Rapids
From giant, stuffed burgers to its equally giant list of whiskies, Stella’s keeps visitors happy in a variety of ways. Enjoy the vintage arcade games and TVs featuring classic shows, and don’t miss Thursday Burger Nights when the signature sandwiches are $5 off with the purchase of a drink.
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Famous for its giant stuffed burger and over 250 varieties of whiskey, Stella’s Lounge is a one-of-a-kind spot among Downtown Grand Rapids restaurants. Vegan and vegetarian specialties make it a top choice among Grand Rapids restaurants for burger lovers of all dietary preferences.
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Stella’s Lounge, besides my bias of thinking it has a great name, has sweet graffiti all over the place. It’s an explosion of color, AND it has an arcade. It’s non-pretentious bar food, basically, for those of you who don’t want to try something super outside your comfort zone.
Our Guide to Happy Hour in Grand Rapids, MI
Stella's Lounge is a popular spot for whiskey lovers and burger enthusiasts. During happy hour, which runs from 4-7 pm Monday through Friday, you can snag $2 off all drafts and half-priced appetizers. But what sets Stella's apart is its unique and quirky vibe.
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Stella’s Lounge - The retro spot across from the Pyramid Scheme has burgers, wraps, sammys, old-fashioned cocktails and an arcade with classic video games like Tetris, Ms. Pacman and Galaga. In 2012, GQ Magazine named Stella’s burger the best in America.
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For an amazing burger, you can’t do better than Stella’s. This downtown fixture is a Grand Rapids favorite and its massive burgers are second to none. If you visit in the colder months, end the night with an ice skating adventure at Rosa Parks Circle.
Highest-rated Restaurants in Grand Rapids, According to Tripadvisor
- Rating: 4.0 / 5 (337 reviews)- Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.0/5), Value (4.0/5), Atmosphere (4.0/5)- Type of cuisine: American, Bar- Price: $$ - $$$- Address: 53 Commerce Ave SW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503-4124- Read more on Tripadvisor
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You can grab the best burger in Grand Rapids from Stella’s Lounge and challenge your kids to a game in their retro arcade. Or stop at the iconic Yesterdog in Eastown for a gourmet hot dog to make you feel like a kid again.
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They offer whiskey flights with themes such as Michigan-made, Canadian, Rye, Irish—you get the picture. Their burger has also been given the title Best Burger in America by GQ Magazine. Come on—how amazing is that combo?
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With its retro arcade games and award-winning burgers, it’s a spot where you can chill with friends, enjoy a whiskey, and let loose. And when the DJ hits the decks, the whole place jumps to an electric rhythm.
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The graffitied walls draw you in, but the vegan-friendly menu keeps you coming back. Known for their award-winning stuffed burgers, you can’t go to Stella’s Lounge without ordering the Hippea Stuffed.
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The walls are covered in graffiti and there are 80’s arcade games to play. Everything about Stella’s Lounge is fun, including the food. It’s mostly a pub menu serving some killer sandwiches.
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Although not a traditional Grand Rapids Bar location, Stella’s has a special place in my heart for its nostalgic environment cultivated by creative wall art and arcade games.
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Inside their downtown location, there is wide array of coin arcade games. While you wait for your table, you can play a few games and maybe even get a high score.
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Stella’s Lounge is a whiskey and vintage arcade in downtown Grand Rapids that, in 2012, got a shoutout from GQ Magazine for the “Best Burger in America.
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If I lived in Grand Rapids, I could see myself hanging out at Stella’s Lounge a lot. It’s definitely my underground, low-key scene.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit