New Caribbean Restaurant and Bakery Opens in Grand Rapids

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A new Caribbean restaurant and bakery called Universal Ruth Restaurant & Bakery has opened in the Boston Square neighborhood of Grand Rapids, Michigan. The restaurant serves a mix of Caribbean dishes like fried chicken, curry chicken, stew chicken, and fried plantains, as well as American staples like mac and cheese and potato salad. The locally and female-owned business is open for extended hours, offering lunch, dinner, and late-night options.

Why it matters

The opening of Universal Ruth Restaurant & Bakery adds to the growing diversity of businesses in Grand Rapids' Boston Square neighborhood, providing residents with a new dining option that features Caribbean cuisine. The extended hours also make it a convenient spot for a wide range of diners.

The details

Universal Ruth Restaurant & Bakery opened last month at 1559 Kalamazoo Ave. SE in the Boston Square neighborhood of Grand Rapids. The restaurant serves a mix of Caribbean classics and American favorites, including fried chicken, curry chicken, stew chicken, chicken wings, fried pork, fried beef, fried plantains, sweet potatoes, corn, spinach, rice and beans, mac and cheese, and potato salad. The restaurant is open for lunch, dinner, and late-night, with hours ranging from 9am to as late as 2:15am on weekends.

• Universal Ruth Restaurant & Bakery opened in January 2026.
• The restaurant is open 7 days a week, with hours ranging from 9am to as late as 2:15am on weekends.