The Smyrna Bar & Restaurant: A Hidden Gem in Belding, MI

We ate brunch on 7/6/2024 after riding our bikes to the restaurant. This place never fails to surprise with their imaginative offerings! Food was delicious and always is so fun to eat something that is refined in such an unassuming location! This makes it all the more fun, like you’ve found the best kept secret, while not a secret at all! The crew welcomes you like family. One of my top dining experiences and something I always look forward to! Great job all!

My wife and I had an amazing dinner tonight at Smyrna Bar for their special Valentine's dinner. Multiple small plate specialty items that were unique, delicious and tasty! We met some great patrons here and will definitely be coming back more for the excellent food, friendship and atmosphere!

I hadn't been here in years and my husband had never been, so it was the choice for date night. I wasn't feeling very adventurous, so I just got a burger. It came with homemade potato chips which can be plain or flavored. I got garlic Parmesan and they were phenomenal!! 10/10 recommend and I'm not a huge lover of homemade chips! The burger was very good. They did NOT skimp on the toppings! There were two THICK slices of tomato and onion and plenty of lettuce. It was almost too big to eat. If you order water, they bring a large carafe, so you don't have to ask for refills. Our server was awesome. She saw me looking at one frame of historical photos, so even after they closed, she took her time to make sure I saw all the historical photos and articles that the restaurant has preserved, including a picture of her (great?) grandparents! She also briefed me on some local history; I really enjoyed her. Smyrna has a rich past. I want to go back and explore more another day. When I do, I'll be sure to hit this place again for another great meal with awesome service! ETA: I went back this past Saturday and Smyrna Bar did not disappoint! This time I had an olive burger. It was delicious and cooked perfectly. I got the sweet potato fries on the side and they were also very good. Friend #1 got the Smyrna Fire burger and absolutely loved it. Friend #2 got the pumpkin seed pesto pasta. She said "If we weren't in public, I would lick this dish clean." And "I would totally drive back here to get this again." We got to see Joslyn sing and play guitar. She was phenomenal. The patio vibe is amazing. I can't recommend this place enough. It's worth the drive!

This place is a bit off the beaten path but worth a stop. They occasionally do themed dinner weekends, we happened to pop in on muppets night and frog legs were on the menu (delicious)! The regular menu is a typical pub offering but not ordinary. The staff takes pride in what comes out of the kitchen. Burgers are actually cooked correctly to your preference. The hand cut fries are better than elsewhere and nicely seasoned. If there is a special, I would go that route. The chef puts a lot of time into sourcing local and making everything from scratch. The cocktail list is creative and the tap list will satisfy all tastes.

Always worth the drive to this little slice of heaven. First time we ate here was during the pandemic and have returned many times. Never had a bad meal. We went last night. Yum. My wife had salmon and scallops and I had the Gyro plate. We enjoyed both and finished it off by splitting a piece of the cake. Wow. People are friendly and food is top drawer.

If you're ever in Smyrna, do yourself a favor and stop by The Smyrna Bar—a hidden gem that goes beyond your typical pub fare. This cozy, family-friendly spot serves up some of the best burgers and sandwiches, along with an array of unique weekly specials that keep things exciting. I recently enjoyed their soup flight and grilled cheese special, and I was blown away by the freshness and creativity. The chef is incredibly talented, and the friendly staff makes you feel right at home from the moment you walk in. It's clear that Smyrna and the surrounding area are lucky to have such a fantastic dining establishment. What really sets The Smyrna Bar apart is the unexpected quality of the menu. Everything is homemade, fresh, and well-prepared. The live music indoors and even outdoor seating in the summer make it the perfect spot to relax and enjoy a summer evening. It's absolutely worth the drive from Grand Rapids, Michigan, or even Chicago! I can't wait to come back—this place is an absolute must-visit!

Great burgers, nice place. We will come back for sure!

Thank you to Jen, Marcus, Morgan and crew for a beautiful experience! Weekend menus are amazing, but Lupercalia was indescribable!