5 Underrated Restaurants in Downtown, Lansing MI Worth Trying
Updated 29 September 2026 · 7 restaurants in Downtown, Lansing MI considered · Ranked from Google ratings
This list picks out five restaurants in Downtown Lansing that score well on Google but have fewer reviews than the busiest spots, so they may be easy to overlook. It suits office workers, visitors and anyone planning lunch near Washington Square. Places rated 4.4 or higher with fewer than 400 reviews were considered, then ranked from Google ratings weighted by review count. Many keep daytime hours only, so each entry lists when it is open.
#1
Babe's Corner
★ 4.7 (357 Google reviews)Sandwich shop$10–20 per person
Representative photo, not of this business.
A sandwich shop at 331 S Washington Square with outdoor seating, counter service, delivery and catering. Reviewers mention large hoagies on soft bread, best ordered toasted, strong vegetarian and vegan choices such as a seitan and avocado sub, ice cream, chips and a lobster roll. One reviewer advises finding street parking rather than using the nearby lot. It is open Tuesday to Saturday from late morning to early evening.
Best for: Vegan and vegetarian subs
- Address
- 331 S Washington Square, Lansing, MI 48933, United States
- Hours
- Fri 11 am–6 pm; Mon Closed; Sat 11 am–6 pm; Sun Closed; Thu 11 am–6 pm; Tue 11 am–6 pm; Wed 11 am–6 pm
#2
Bangos
★ 4.7 (174 Google reviews)Restaurant$10–20 per person
Representative photo, not of this business.
Sharing the 331 S Washington Square address, Bangos is a counter-service breakfast and lunch spot with coffee and vegan options. Reviewers mention a breakfast burger, a deluxe burger, bagel sandwiches with vegan sausage, curry breakfast potatoes, a cabbage wrap and doughnuts. One felt a bagel was plain and the prices a little high. It opens in the morning Tuesday to Sunday and closes in the early afternoon.
Best for: Plant-based breakfast
- Address
- 331 S Washington Square, Lansing, MI 48933, United States
- Hours
- Fri 8 am–1 pm; Mon Closed; Sat 8 am–2 pm; Sun 8 am–2 pm; Thu 8 am–1 pm; Tue 8 am–1 pm; Wed 8 am–1 pm
#3
Sultan's Express Lansing
★ 4.6 (347 Google reviews)Middle Eastern restaurant
Representative photo, not of this business.
A Middle Eastern restaurant at 305 S Washington Square that opens only for a short weekday lunch window and closes on weekends. Reviewers mention combo plates with lentil soup, kafta, falafel, stuffed grape leaves, kibbeh and chicken shawarma over rice, and they single out the hummus. They describe fast service and a replacement sandwich made quickly after a wrong order. One notes the room is plain.
Best for: A quick weekday lunch
- Address
- 305 S Washington Square, Lansing, MI 48933, United States
- Hours
- Fri 11 am–2 pm; Mon 11 am–2 pm; Sat Closed; Sun Closed; Thu 11 am–2 pm; Tue 11 am–2 pm; Wed 11 am–2 pm
#4
PetalPop Café
★ 4.6 (292 Google reviews)Restaurant
Representative photo, not of this business.
This cafe at 519 W Ionia St is open every day from early morning to mid-afternoon. Reviewers describe a well-decorated room and point to the shrimp and grits, along with pancakes, and say portions are filling. Most mention friendly service, though one group reported a long wait and a rude server during a birthday lunch. It has wheelchair-accessible parking, entrance, seating and toilet.
Best for: Breakfast and brunch any day
- Address
- 519 W Ionia St, Lansing, MI 48933, United States
- Hours
- daily 7 am–2:30 pm
#5
Sahara Delight
★ 4.6 (165 Google reviews)Restaurant$10–20 per person
Representative photo, not of this business.
Sahara Delight, at 119 S Washington Square, serves halal food with vegan and vegetarian options, delivery and catering, and is open weekdays from mid-morning to late afternoon. Reviewers keep returning to the chicken shawarma, whether as a sandwich or over aromatic rice, and also mention the fries and a tender eggplant plate. They describe good portions, kind staff and very fast service.
Best for: Chicken shawarma at lunch
- Address
- 119 S Washington Square, Lansing, MI 48933, United States
- Hours
- Fri 10 am–4 pm; Mon 10 am–4 pm; Sat Closed; Sun Closed; Thu 10 am–4 pm; Tue 10 am–4 pm; Wed 10 am–4 pm
How we made this list
We looked at 7 restaurants in Downtown, Lansing MI with a Google rating of 4.0 or higher and at least 20 reviews, then rated 4.4 or higher on Google but with fewer than 400 reviews. 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
- For an early start, PetalPop Café opens at 7 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 restaurant on this list?
Babe's Corner ranks first, with a Google rating of 4.7 from 357 reviews. Bangos is second at 4.7 from 174 reviews.
Which restaurants in Downtown, Lansing MI are open late?
None of these stays open past midnight. The latest to close is Babe's Corner, at 6 pm.
How much does it cost at these restaurants?
Google lists these price ranges per person: Babe's Corner $10–20; Bangos $10–20; Sahara Delight $10–20. The others do not list a price range.
Which of these have free parking?
Google lists free parking for Babe's Corner and Bangos.
Run a business in Downtown?
Get a fast website with your hours, menu, location and reviews. If your business is listed here and something is wrong, tell us and we fix it.
Email support@pagenearby.com