Tulip Time might be an opportunity to take photos, shop ’til you drop and take part in various parades and celebrations — but it’s also a great time to try the authentic, wacky and delicious food Holland has to offer.
For that reason, we’ve compiled a list of 10 must-visit restaurants for Tulip Time 2026, from breakfast to ice cream to Dutch and Mexican cuisine. Of note, hours are listed according to Google. They are often extended during Tulip Time.
Without further ado, our recommendations include:
Windmill Restaurant
Address: 28 W. Eighth St.
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 6 a.m. The fair-priced fare includes all-day breakfast and lunch items, with homemade bread, cinnamon rolls, breakfast platters, hamburgers and fries.
The Wooden Shoe Restaurant
Address: 441 US-31 in Holland
Hours: 6 a.m.-2 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays, 7 a.m.-2 p.m. Sundays
The Wooden Shoe has catered to early-risers with tasty omelets and hearty breakfast combos for over 50 years. At lunchtime, the restaurant offers fresh salads, soups, burgers, sandwiches and wraps. The Wooden Shoe is best known for pigs-in-a-blanket and enormous, homemade cinnamon rolls.
Bowerman’s on Eighth
Address: 2 E. Eighth St. in Holland
Hours: 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays-Thursdays, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays, 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays and 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Sundays
This relatively new restaurant serves all things blueberry, an expansion of Bowerman’s Blueberries in Park Township. You can visit for baked goods and gift items, or place an order for dine-in. Offerings include pancakes, a farmer’s breakfast, potato cakes, grilled cheese, blueberry barbecue pulled pork, waffle fries, macaroni and cheese, and more.
Russ’ Restaurant
Address: 361 E. Eighth St. and 210 N. River Ave. and 1060 Lincoln Ave.
Hours: 6:30 a.m.-9 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays
Russ’ has three locations in Holland, and more throughout West Michigan. The brand launched in the 1930s when J. Russel “Russ” Bouws purchased a tiny restaurant on the bend of Chicago Drive. Today, the eatery is known for family-friendly dining, serving breakfast, lunch, dinner and homemade desserts — including apple dumplings and coconut cream pies.
Culture Cheese Shop’s Grilled Cheese Bistro
Address: 211 S River Ave.
Hours: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays
This delectable bistro’s menu includes a wide variety of cheeses, add-ons, soups and breads (including gluten-free), add-ons. When you’re done with lunch, be sure to visit the attached store for take-home goodies.
DeBoer Bakkerij
Address: 360 Douglas Ave.
Hours: 7 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays
DeBoer offers authentic Dutch fare on Douglas Avenue, in addition to breakfast dishes and fresh-baked breads, pastries, donuts and desserts. DeBoer also has a southside location at 380 W. 16th St. that specializes in hand-dipped double-fried chicken.
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
Boatwerks is the best way to eat on the waterfront in downtown Holland. The upscale menu includes crab macaroni and cheese, garlic and herb grilled chicken, shrimp linguine and a variety of tasty desserts.
Mi Favorita Grocery
Address: 408 Columbia Ave. in Holland
Hours: 7 a.m.-8 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.
Captain Sundae
Address: 365 Douglas Ave. in Holland Township
Hours: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays and 1-10 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 area. The building on Douglas Avenue is the original, with plenty of outdoor seating and a miniature golf course to explore.
New Holland Brewing Co.
Address: 66 E. Eighth St. in Holland
Hours: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays and 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 downtown pub’s menu includes famous pizza pinwheels, specialty pizzas, salads, sandwiches and — of course — signature cocktails, spirits and craft beer.
— Contact reporter Austin Metz at ametz@hollandsentinel.com.
This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: We recommend trying these 10 restaurants during Tulip Time 2026
Reporting by Austin Metz, Holland Sentinel / The Holland Sentinel
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