5 Cafes with Outdoor Seating in Downtown, Kalamazoo MI
Updated 29 September 2026 · 7 cafes in Downtown, Kalamazoo MI considered · Ranked from Google ratings
This list rounds up five places in the Downtown Kalamazoo area that Google lists with outdoor seating, for anyone who wants a coffee, lunch or dinner outside. Seven businesses qualified, and the order is based on Google ratings weighted by review count. Each entry covers what the place serves, when it is open and what reviewers tend to mention, so you can pick one that fits the time of day and the kind of meal you want.
#1
Factory Coffee - Frank Street
★ 4.8 (373 Google reviews)Coffee shop$1–10 per person
Representative photo, not of this business.
Factory Coffee on E Frank St is a women-owned coffee shop set in a repurposed factory, open 7 am to 6 pm on weekdays. Reviewers describe a relaxed, modern space that works for a few hours on a laptop, and many mention excellent lattes and bags of beans to take home. One regular felt service had slipped lately. Google lists live music, vegan options and wheelchair access throughout.
Best for: Lattes and remote work
- Address
- 213 E Frank St, Kalamazoo, MI 49007, United States
- Hours
- Fri 7 am–6 pm; Mon 7 am–6 pm; Sat 8 am–6 pm; Sun 8 am–6 pm; Thu 7 am–6 pm; Tue 7 am–6 pm; Wed 7 am–6 pm
#2
Caffè Casa
★ 4.7 (278 Google reviews)Coffee shop$10–20 per person
Representative photo, not of this business.
Caffè Casa is a women-owned coffee shop on the Kalamazoo Mall, open from 7:30 am to 4 pm and closed Sundays. It serves breakfast, brunch and lunch, with vegan and healthy options. Reviewers mention excellent lattes, a turkey croissant and a cozy, natural feel, and one family noted staff happily poured milk for their kids. Another found the espresso bold and slightly burnt tasting.
Best for: A family coffee stop
- Address
- 128 S Kalamazoo Mall, Kalamazoo, MI 49007, United States
- Hours
- Fri 7:30 am–4 pm; Mon 7:30 am–4 pm; Sat 7:30 am–4 pm; Sun Closed; Thu 7:30 am–4 pm; Tue 7:30 am–4 pm; Wed 7:30 am–4 pm
#3
Water Street Coffee Joint (Downtown)
★ 4.6 (625 Google reviews)Restaurant$10–20 per person
Representative photo, not of this business.
Water Street Coffee Joint on E Water St opens early, at 6:30 am on weekdays, and stays open until 7 pm every day. Beyond coffee it offers small plates, beer, breakfast and lunch. Reviewers mention an iced salted caramel latte, a Mexican mocha and breakfast sandwiches, plus a tea area with open samples for smelling and shelves of local goods and merchandise. One cyclist used it as a midway stop.
Best for: Early coffee and local goods
- Address
- 315 E Water St, Kalamazoo, MI 49007, United States
- Hours
- Fri 6:30 am–7 pm; Mon 6:30 am–7 pm; Sat 7 am–7 pm; Sun 7:30 am–7 pm; Thu 6:30 am–7 pm; Tue 6:30 am–7 pm; Wed 6:30 am–7 pm
#4
Café '36
★ 4.7 (168 Google reviews)American restaurant$30–70 per person
Representative photo, not of this business.
Café '36 on Oakland Dr is an American restaurant open for dinner only, Wednesday to Saturday from 5 to 9 pm. Google highlights great cocktails, a strong wine list and dessert, along with outdoor seating. Reviewers mention steak frites, mushroom risotto, lamb ribs and vodka fettuccine, and describe attentive service. One diner found the room a little cramped at first, and it has been chosen for anniversary dinners.
Best for: A sit-down dinner date
- Address
- 2965 Oakland Dr, Kalamazoo, MI 49008, United States
- Hours
- Fri 5–9 pm; Mon Closed; Sat 5–9 pm; Sun Closed; Thu 5–9 pm; Tue Closed; Wed 5–9 pm
#5
The Grazing Table Kalamazoo
★ 4.6 (197 Google reviews)Cafe$10–20 per person
Representative photo, not of this business.
The Grazing Table on E South St is a cafe open 11 am to 3 pm, Tuesday to Saturday. Reviewers mention an apple, brie and candied walnut salad, cream of broccoli soup, sandwiches, three cheese mac and a lavender mocktail. One couple ordered a large spread for a wedding cocktail hour and said allergies were handled well. A reviewer found the dining room plain but liked the music.
Best for: Lunch and catering spreads
- Address
- 123 E South St, Kalamazoo, MI 49007, United States
- Hours
- Fri 11 am–3 pm; Mon Closed; Sat 11 am–3 pm; Sun Closed; Thu 11 am–3 pm; Tue 11 am–3 pm; Wed 11 am–3 pm
How we made this list
We looked at 7 cafes in Downtown, Kalamazoo MI with a Google rating of 4.0 or higher and at least 20 reviews, then listed on Google as “Outdoor seating”, then by rating. A rating from thousands of reviews counts for more than the same rating from a handful, so a new place with a few perfect scores does not jump the queue. Ratings and hours are from public Google listings on 29 September 2026 and can change. Nobody paid to be on this list.
Tips before you go
- Café '36 takes reservations, useful on weekend evenings.
- For an early start, Water Street Coffee Joint (Downtown) opens at 6:30 am.
- Hours and prices come from Google listings and change, so check the listing before a long trip.
Frequently asked questions
Which is the highest-rated cafe on this list?
Factory Coffee - Frank Street ranks first, with a Google rating of 4.8 from 373 reviews. Caffè Casa is second at 4.7 from 278 reviews.
Which cafes in Downtown, Kalamazoo MI are open late?
None of these stays open past midnight. The latest to close is Café '36, at 9 pm.
How much does it cost at these cafes?
Google lists these price ranges per person: Factory Coffee - Frank Street $1–10; Caffè Casa $10–20; Water Street Coffee Joint (Downtown) $10–20; Café '36 $30–70; The Grazing Table Kalamazoo $10–20.
Which of these have free parking?
Google lists free parking for Factory Coffee - Frank Street, Caffè Casa, Water Street Coffee Joint (Downtown), Café '36 and The Grazing Table Kalamazoo.
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