Silva – A Grand Rapids Gem Full of Flavor and Fun
For a recent work dinner, I had the chance to check out Silva in Grand Rapids — and wow, what a memorable night! Silva blends eclectic vibes, delicious food, and great drinks into a space that feels as lively and welcoming as it is unique.
I started the night with the Black Coffee in Bed cocktail. If you're an espresso martini fan, you'll love this — it’s a touch sweeter than your usual espresso martini but still packed with rich, bold coffee flavor. A perfect way to kick things off.
Black Coffee in Bed
To snack on, we ordered the Serendipity Trio Dip: a seriously delicious trio of mushroom dip, green curry hummus, and caramelized onion dip. Each one had its own vibe, but the caramelized onion dip? Absolute standout. I could’ve eaten it by the spoonful. They serve the dips with flatbread, and although ours was a little overcooked, it still worked well as the perfect scoop vehicle.
Serendipity Trio
We also had to try the mozzarella sticks — and trust me, these aren’t your standard freezer-aisle sticks. They’re enormous, perfectly fried, and totally satisfying.
For my main, I went with the Dry Aged Burger, stacked on a cornmeal tavern bun with onion jam and Muenster cheese. The burger itself was cooked to absolute perfection — juicy, flavorful, with that incredible umami-rich punch that only a great dry-aged patty can deliver. My only tiny critique? The onion jam, while tasty, was a little heavy-handed and overpowered the meat a bit. I'd still order it again, just maybe ask for "light on the jam."
Beyond the food, Silva brings the fun with extras like a bocce ball court — yes, seriously — and the service was incredibly friendly and attentive all night. The entire atmosphere is eclectic and energetic without feeling chaotic — just the right amount of buzz to make you want to stay and hang out.
Final Thoughts:
If you’re looking for a place in Grand Rapids that nails the food and the fun, Silva should definitely be on your list. I’ll absolutely be back — probably with a whole crew next time so I can eat and play a few rounds of bocce.
