Bell's Eccentric Cafe

Our Totally 80’s Tribute band, The 1985 had an absolute BLAST playing at Bell’s! The venue is SPOTLESS with SO much attention to detail. Sound was fantastic, plus the staff was very friendly and helpful. And of course there is the BEER! SO great!

Great atmosphere. Large selection of quality beer. Staff was very attentive and friendly. There is plenty of seating. Nice selection of food choices as well.

Bell’s Eccentric Cafe delivers on both exceptional beer and great vibes. With a diverse selection of brews and a welcoming atmosphere, definitely give it a visit. Looking forward to trying their food offerings next time we’re in Kalamazoo.

Wow, what an amazing meal. You must try the Cherry bomb burger. The chef definitely knew what he was talking about when he put all the amazing flavors together and this dish. The side salad was delicious and I top it off of the pickle. So amazing! We also had a half slammer rims. They appeared to be a little old, we're tasty but were lacking. We are Rib lovers, but we'll definitely skip these next time. Try their beer flights; the Expedition stout was phenomenal!

I've loved Bell's beer for years now and definitely needed to stop in on our road trip. It was a treat to have some beers that I haven't seen in the stores.

Beautiful inside. If you don’t go for the beer go for the atmosphere. The beer was good though and they had a lot of options. The perogies were to die for. I could’ve eaten 2 orders. 10/10 will be going back. I drove from IL to visit & would drive again. Everyone was very nice too. It’s a family place so I’d recommend going even if you don’t drink.

Burger: got a cheeseburger with pickled and garlic mayo. Burger was pretty good, better than what you get at most sit-down restaurants. Though the garlic mayo was amazing, tasted like it was actually made with garlic. Would highly recommend it. Seasoned fries: Typically I don’t like sugar on my food unless it is for desert. But this is the exception. Though it has a sugary taste they combo’d it perfectly with some good spices. Both the sweet and spicy flavors support each other and just taste amazing. I’d say they come close to beating Hop Cat’s fries. Overall very pleased with the food, left nothing on my plate; would definitely order it again.

The beers were amazing. I had the cherry bomb burger and it was about one of the spiciest things I have even eaten but it was full of flavor as well. The poutine was not as good as we hoped. The environment and atmosphere were amazing. Kaylee was our server and she took great care of us. From out of town but like visiting the area so we will be back.

I'm surprised I've never written a review for Bell's as I've been there several times over the years. Nate and I were in town for the weekend recently and we actually went to Bell's twice in two days. The first visit we shared a couple of flights and a snack, and then we did the brewery tour the next day. It seems that Bell's is pretty much always busy but it's a big space, and they have a nice outdoor beer garden for warmer months. We found a table right away and ordered their two options of flights. One featured sours and darker beers, and one was more of their mainstays. It was nice to be able to try some options this way, but I prefer being able to build my own flight. Not sure if that's an option here, but it was pretty busy so we just went with it. The menu has lots of tasty options! We went with the popcorn (brown butter, garlic, salt, and pepper) and a featured item, the brat. That came with fries or a salad which was nice - we went with the salad. I always love options. The beers were all tasty and I think you can find something for everyone there. The food was really good! I LOVED the popcorn. It's one of my favorite snacks and theirs is delicious. The brat was fine, it definitely needed a bit of a char on a flat top/grill. The next day we arrived for the tour right on time but the group had already started. That's okay as we caught up with them quickly. You can reserve online ahead of time but our group was only four people. (I'd still make a reservation. The tour is free.) The tour guide was knowledgeable and funny, and you get three beer samples throughout the tour. There's a store where you can get to-go beer and lots of merch - it has its own Yelp page! Bell's is a great stop for any beer lover.

This is our second time coming to Bell's Eccentric Cafe. It was a Saturday afternoon and we expected a crowd. Luckily there was not a wait for a table. We ordered at the bar and we were buzzed with the pager when our food was ready. It took a little while for the food but luckily they have superior beer choices to pass the time away. Once we got the food, we realized that it was all pretty lukewarm and fries were cold. Bummer since the food took a while. I tried the Pierogi plate. It was pretty good. The sauerkraut tasted fresh, as well as the pierogis. The sausage was just okay and it did not taste like anything special. My kid got the grilled cheese and he loved it. My husband got the Falafel burger. He said it was pretty tasty but would have been better if it was hot. And the fries were yummy despite being cold. Overall, it was an okay dinner but you just can't beat the beer. We will come back again next time we are in town. Hopefully, the food will be a little better next time.

Delved into the beers of Bells once again. Steve and I had two different IPA's on this occasion and both of them were pretty good and solid. Bells is a macro brewery and while the flavors of the beers definitely reflect that they are in all actuality not all that bad to drink. One of the IPA's was I believe a flagship of the brewery. It's called Two Hearted IPA. This was one that wasn't too overwhelming and still had the characteristics that come with an IPA. Flavors to look for with Two Hearted are hoppy, floral and sweet. The IPA is light bodied which we can appreciate and smooth in body. The other beer that we had, also an IPA was the Change of Heart Experimental IPA #1- Cold IPA. Quite a title and I do love a Cold IPA. This one look for flavor notes of piney, dry hops, hoppy, sweet and clean. Nice second experience trying out these beers at the Cafe location!

I try to come here once a year for some of the best beer made in Michigan, but the food was not good. the beer is great, and there is always a good selection. You can stand at the bar and sample away with little tastes. After figuring out what beer to start with at the bar, we walked to a table to order some food. We had the nachos topped with pork, Reuben fries and a chickpea patty burger. The nachos looked good but as we dug into them, they were kind of a let down. They appeared to be just topped with cooked meat and toppings and served up. What a you end up with is cold nachos. I think thy should put cheese in them and then baked till they are nice and hot. And speaking of cold, our fries were cold too. I should have sent them back but didn't. They should be made with fresh cooked fries, then baked with the toppings to melt the cheese. The concept was good though. Maybe the oven was down that day. We also had the chickpea burger which was very good for a non meat burger that my cousin wanted to try. the whole restaurant was cold, we sat in a couple places, I recommend turning up the heat a bit. I will be back for the beer which is always a hit, but not the food which was a miss.

I've been to Bell's several times in the past but hadn't yet been able to enjoy a show there. However, this past summer my husband and I caught that The Baseball Project was there and, being huge R.E.M. nerds, we obviously had to go. The venue isn't huge and we got there quite a bit before the show started so we were able to be in the front of the stage. It was a bit surreal seeing all the amps and gear that I had only previously ever seen set up in huge arenas right in front of me in this smallish club in Kalamazoo. The space is lovely and felt cozy and warm with all the exposed brick and wood details. There's a bar in the back for concert goers and the stage space is blocked off from the rest of the bar and restaurant so there wasn't a lot of outside noise from people just hanging out at the bar or grabbing a bite to eat. The show started and it was wonderful. The crowd was great, the band sounded amazing, and we just had the best time. After the show the band also stayed to sign so we were able to exchange pleasantries and get our vinyl autographed (thought I was far too intimidated to say much more than a squeaked out "thank you!"). Everyone we encountered here, from bartenders, staff, security (my husband was given an OK by the band to photograph the show), and even the band themselves were very friendly. The phrase "good vibes" gets thrown around a lot but this place truly has "good vibes." My only wish was that they kept the kitchen open after the show. Because we got their early, dinner wasn't in the cards and I would have loved to stay and enjoy a meal after.

Bell's is always a great time. The people are friendly and helpful, the beers are great, and the food is good. I love the chill vibe here, it's warm and cozy. The list of beers has a good variety, it's winter so it's a little too heavy on the malty stuff (red/amber, stout/porter vibes) for my liking, but I was able to find enough options for my flight. I've had all the regular line beers but found enough collabs and the first friday release which was also delicious to need the flight! I would love to see something simple like chicken fingers on the menu - I'm a chicken only person so I got the only chicken sandwich I saw on the menu. Not a fan of onions or the sauce it came with, but the staff was happy to help me with subbing to their house bbq sauce. The chicken was a bit overcooked and though but the flavor was good and their house made pickles were tasty, too! I try and get to Bell's during any visit to Kalamazoo!

Stopped by Bell's Eccentric Cafe for a drink and a bite as we passed through Kalamazoo. The cafe has bar, dining, and outdoor seating. Please note that servers only staff the dining portion of the cafe. The popcorn was the perfect small bite to nibble on as we waiting for mains. The menu offers straight forward options as well as market priced summer specials. My BLT was delicious; the bacon was thick cut but still got crispy as requested, the bread was fresh, mayo not slighted. I get my blt's without tomato and it did slightly make the ratio of ingredients off as I had a lot more lettuce then bacon. The smash burger was cooked well, brioche bun was a great touch, and loved the sauces. Our only negative comment was that the fries were too salty for our liking.

The food was delicious! We ordered the wings, the smash burger, and the Italian sandwich. Only thing that could have been better was the pasta salad- it was a bit bland for our taste. The general store is a cute stop and had a great selection of beers. Merchandise was well priced. We'll definitely be back next time we are coming through town!

Well, it's Bell's so if you're looking at this you probably already are very familiar with the beer. If you're not, It's arguable some of the best beer in the world... not a typo... so climb out of the hole you've been living in and give it a shot. Two hearted or Oberon would be a good place to start. For those who know the beer and have made the pilgrimage to Kzoo to check out the home of Bell's - my favorite thing about Bell's is the beer garden, specifically going to a concert in the beer garden. Put it on your bucket list if you haven't done it. It's a very cool vibe that maxes out around 1000 people and is just everything. Now for the food - it's solid, worth making the trip for. Make sure to try their butter salt n pepper popcorn!

We stopped in on Father's Day which also coincided with a Juneteenth concert. We were pleased to find a few table options large enough for our group of 6 even though it was crowded. The service was very prompt, and our food was great! The fries were perfection, and we really enjoyed the whitefish dip! You can't beat a Bell's beer, and we found the cafe to be great too!

Bells beer puts it over the top food and service are ok. Did the tour at the brewery which was exceptional. Get the chili lime rub on the wings different and delicious

Went to Michigan for a weekend and had to stop at my fav brewery! The food was awesome though! I had some birria tacos and they did not disappoint. The place is really big and cozy and service was great! Definitely recommend for anyone going to Kzoo and having some beers, look no further for food as well!

I loved the atmosphere here. I got a prickly pear Serrano Oberon which was soooo good. I also got the seasonal perogies I believe it was sundried tomato artichoke Monterey Jack and habaneros. It came with sauerkraut and a sausage with sour cream dill sauce. I loved it all. We got the chili and the wings. I didn't think the chili looked very good, but it was super flavorful, although I wish it had toppings. The wings were good but it was disappointing we weren't allowed to get all flats

Great beer, great food....and oh yeah, GREAT BEER! I'm not from the area, but usually stop in here while passing through for a yearly trip in the Kzoo area. It's a large area (open space near the bar, plenty of seating in various locations). I usually arrive with a large group, so we're seated in the open space area by the bar. Most times, you walk up to the bar to order your beer and food. They'll bring the food out to you when its ready so you don't have to wait. In other cases we've been waited on as well but it just depends on how busy things are. As you can imagine for a brewery like this, they have a large selection of their own beer that they rotate through from time to time. Just because one is out of stock on a given day, doesn't mean that it'll be out permanently. The bar food they offer pairs nicely with their beers too. My favorite, which is currently a Special entree, is the chicken parm sandwich. It. Is. Massive. I took 6 bites into just the chicken before I hit bread, no joke! I've had burgers and other appetizers too. Fantastic service here, even on it's busiest of nights. Definitely make Bell's a stop within your evening for good food and drink.

Service is conducted at the bar by friendly servers. Don't be shy, ask for a taste before you buy. Good choices are eclectic. Anything from deviled eggs to burgers. Open and clean environment. Love the stained glass windows!

Loved my visit to the Eccentric Cafe for a self-made beer brunch of their bfast poutine & a flight. The poutine was delectable, and the beers did not disappoint! The space is fun, funky, with a historical kitschy feel. Staff was friendly and informative; beers were well curated and the food menu had a nice variety. Even had a cold brew to go that was fantastic! If you're not stopping here then what are you even doing in Kalamazoo? Beers Had: Double Two Hearted Ale 11% The Oracle IIPA 10% Java Stout 7.5% Sweet Potato Stout 7% Anniversary Cherry Stout Reserve 9%

We drove in to see the Mustard Plug concert, AGAIN, but came early because we wanted to eat their food that everyone raves about. If you follow them on social media they post so many delicious looking creations that look delicious. All the tables are first come, first serve and you seat yourself. Sadly, I hated this concept because we stood around looking for a table, and once we finally got a table we were sitting in other peoples trash. You order your food/drink at the bar and you get a pager for when your food is ready. The bartenders were very friendly, but looked overwhelmed with the large lines. I ordered the poutine, and fried chicken sandwich. I absolutely loved the fries and sandwich. Wasn't a fan of the poutine though. The gravy tasted burnt. I wound up not eating the poutine because of it. The beer is always good, and everything I've ever had here is pure quality. This time I went with a pomegranate vanilla sour. Tasty tasty tasty! Overall, This place is a wonderful experience. Live music, phenomenal beer, and good food. I built up this idea of the best food on earth which I think hindered my food experience. Food was still good aside from the poutine. Wish this place was closer to Grand Rapids so I could go more often, but it's definitely worth the trip. A change to the seating arrangement would easily make this a 5 star review for me.

The best brew in town, Great menu for snacks, sandwiches or meal and soups are delish, with and lots of choices. Eclectic environment and interesting artwork. A fun Music BACKROOM and fantastic garden with open stage for the best summer entertainment.

Bell's Brewery is at the top of my list for Michigan craft beers. We always make it a point to stop here when we travel to the west side of the state. We stopped in for lunch and had their smash patty burgers and fries which were awesome. The menu isn't extensive but above average for bar food. Beers were awesome as usual. The sweet potato spice red ale was in season so I went with that. My wife had a flight of beers which included mango habanero Oberon which had a good kick. We stopped in the general store to get beers for our Chicago trip. The staff is welcoming and knowledgeable. They have general store releases and build your own six picks which gives you the chance to trialtheir different beers. I highly recommend stopping in at Bell's if you are in the Kalamazoo area. Cheers!

I'm thrilled we hosted a small board dinner here - it did not disappoint. The space is super cool! We kicked off with some apps - pimento cheese and a charcuterie board - both were perfectly on point. I stuck with a pint of Lager of the Lakes - easy to drink. Of course I had to try a burger - especially when it's a smashburger - I upped the fries adding the bell's seasoning to them. Now since we had a large group, we splurged and got the mac and cheese which was korean short rib inspired - it was mouthwatering. The staff are super friendly and great! I hope to make it back!

Bell's is a staple of Kalamazoo! They have a huge selection of beers and usually at least 1 cider and 1 mead. Their beverages are excellent. Another thing I really love is that almost all of the products they serve their food/beverages in are either compostable, recyclable or reusable! Their smash burgers are delicious! Their meat alternative of a chickpea patty is different but equally delicious. Their fries are delectable thin and fried just right! Also, as an alternative to the fries, their salad is surprisingly tasty

What a great local spot. My cousin's family took us here twice for drinks and it was such a fun place to visit. I love the bar area, especially the huge chalkboard list of current beer offerings. The outdoor space is cute and had a good amount of seating options. The staff we talked to and that served us were fantastic. The beer itself was definitely the star and we ended up trying about a half dozen different kinds, all of which were delicious and refreshing! I am bummed though because we never ended up eating anything here! The menu looked amazing and had some really good creations I rarely see at restaurants, let alone a brewery. I cannot wait to come back here and try the food and even more beer!

The beer was fine, but the food was underwhelming. I ordered the Pub Dip ($15), as the menu description sounded interesting. What arrived was rather sad looking. The bun was soggy and fell apart quickly. The sliced beef was scarce and minimally topped with an unmemorable sauce -- was there cheese at all? The au jus was beige and nearly flavorless. The french fries were thin McDonalds-style, but soggy. I'm happy to say the pickle spear was fine. All in all, I could have made a much better version of the Pub Dip from the deli counter at any supermarket. The server was pleasant and quick with my beer orders, but had to come back with napkins and ketchup, but no fork or salt & pepper. When in town, I'll return for a beer, but will eat elsewhere.

I love when we get to visit Kalamazoo because that means we get to visit all our favorites there and the Eccentric Cafe is one of our first stops! We love grabbing lunch here after a day of skiing. Their menu is large enough that even picky eaters will find something there and their beer menu of course never disappoints. They always have the most recent season brew that Bells has put out on tap. Their deviled eggs were good but they could have had more flavor to them. Calling this place a cafe feels a little wrong since it is much larger than our everyday cafe. The exposed brick and industrial vibes make this a fun place to check out. Grab a beer and a burger and enjoy your visit! CHEERS!

Bells really doesn't need any more reviews. They make Two Hearted. If you haven't had Two Hearted, try it. If you've tried it, congratulations, you've had the best beer in the country. If you've tried it and don't like it, I Dont trust you as a person.... The food is pretty good too!

The pub at Bells is a really nice, casual space with reliable food and beer. Oberon and Two Hearted are fairly ubiquitous these days so it's nice to be able to try some different things here at the home base. Smash burger is excellent and the price points are hard to beat. It would be nice to sit at the bar area but that's not how they are set up. The space is really big so definitely good for a large crew. I've been stopping here for years when I come for work and I'm sure I'll keep coming.

I had the pleasure of visiting the area for work this week and knew I needed to make a stop at Bells. I started with a flight of beers. I chose mostly lighter beers, including a Saison, and Sour, all of which were tasty. The real star of the show was this summer special Michigan salad. I was pleasantly surprised with how much i loved this simple salad. It is comprised of grilled veggies, Feta, chickpeas, grilled chicken, all topped in a charred onion vinagrette. This salad literally tastes like a Midwest summer in one bite. If you're an onion lover, and enjoy the char grilled taste of summer, this is a must try while it's still available. My only complaint is that I wish they Bottled this dressing to sell, it was so good!

The place has a cool ambiance and it's family friendly. We sat outside and enjoyed the breeze. The wings and burger were great but the fries were too hard and didn't look fresh. Wouldn't order them again.

I have just returned from a trip to K-Zoo. My first stop for lunch? Bell's! It did not disappoint! My favorite seasonal "beverage" was not on tap. I spoke with the server about what was on tap, explaining my preferences. She brought samples of a couple for me to try. I selected a very tasty adult beverage to go with my poutine. My poutine was very good, but not quite what I remember from my prior trip. The amount of bacon on it was less, and there were not as many pieces of cheese curds. It could be my memory was off, but it did not look like the photo. However, it was still very good, and I cleaned my plate. A second IPA was happily drank during the process. When you drive up to this place it does not look like much on the outside. Once you get in you walk into a huge bar area where you can purchase everything (food & beverages) on your own. I turned left and went into the dining area. That is the way to get the local knowledge of what is on tap, from the server. On my way to the airport our team stopped for lunch. I had the bratwurst. One of them with fries came in at a better price than a meal deal at McDonald's! I tried a different IPa in the dining area. When we left I went to the Bell's store (attached, but with an outside entrance) and picked up a 6 pack to put into my suitcase to get it home. It made it, and I am saving it for a special occasion.

Not only does this place have some of Michigan's finest beer, but they have INCREDIBLE food. I came in with pretty low expectations given it was a brewery type place, but I got the fried jalapeño burger and it was to die for. If you're ready to take a hearty meal, this would be my go to suggestion. However, they had so many different variations of food. When I asked the waitress what she suggested, she had a hard time picking, which is my favorite sign. We also asked for flights of all the beers we couldn't get outside the location and they were quick to oblige. Great experience, can't wait to revisit sometime.

I love Bell's - the beer and food are great & the garden shows are amazing. The fries make me sad about life though. Please consider changing them :(

The bartenders were super friendly and patient! I was visiting from out of town and got a flight of the styles i usually like. I had slightly higher hopes for the beer, but that is always subjective - they do have a good selection to choose from. Food was a little more disappointing, the pierogi platter sounded like a good amount of food but unfortunately was not. Everything tasted pretty good but for the price, I would have wanted more food.

We ate outside and I grabbed a flight. It was a walk-up style arrangement (no servers) where you place orders and then pick them up. All of the beers I tried were great. I got the pork tacos, which came with a sauce I drowned them in...all of which had great flavor and I would order them again. The beer cheese soup was also very good and everyone enjoyed the popcorn, which had some seasoning that gave it a lot of flavor. My kids had a burger and hot dog, which were devoured completely. My wife got the fish and chips, which didn't seem to excite or disappoint her. I would stop in again and try a hamburger next time. The only downside is they were out of a few menu items, but we still enjoyed what we had. Also, the entrance to the restaurant is on the side of the building, but there is another entrance to their shop up front (pay attention to where you park).

They have good food and great beer. I had the maple garlic wings, which were phenomenal. Only giving 3 stars because they wouldn't fill my (clean) growler from another brewery. I need another growler like another hole in my head. This is the only brewery I've been to in Michigan with this policy

This cafe has the COVID protocols DOWN! I have never felt like such a smooth procedure with the restrictions. I wish you could make reservations though I know it depends on how long people take to eat to know the openings. All the dining (at least the day I went) was all outdoor. I had poutine and it was very yummy! You go up to a tent/bar area to order your food. I love that a lot of the supplies are compostable too. We all really enjoyed our food and had a great time.

Good food! Loved the cherry bomb burger with a Two hearted chaser! Beer garden is great! Beer is exceptional!

On a recent visit home, it dawned on me that I have never reviewed Bell's. WHAT? How is this even possible? Hometown favorite and you just can't go there without having a good time, great service and beer (but honestly, I've never eaten there but I've heard it is good). On a previous visit (January) they had Igloos set up outside for you to chill with friends and enjoy your beer... that was a BLAST! A must try. When I moved to Florida, I was soooo happy to learn that you can get the Beloved Oberon down here year around. It is a seasonal beer in Michigan and Kalamazoo has "Oberon Day" where people take the day off work (or the day after maybe). Its tradition. Right now, with COVID it is a little different, even more so than we are used to down here in Florida because Michigan has more tight rules than we do. So, everyone had to be outside which was fine because it was beautiful out for November in Michigan. They created a beer called Stupid Quadrupid... it is 15%! So if anyone is interested in one... I don't think Ben will getting through those anytime soon, just message me.

I love the outdoor concert venue. it's a very cool place with a lot to offer, their ordering and sectioning of the restaurant is skewed but, can't win 'em all!

Local beer and brewery with fresh beer from the tap and they have seasonal rotations. Their burgers are a lot of variety with classical Lettuce tomatoes and onions to a habanero spiced cherry beef burger, and also contains featured burgers that change over time. They have both sitting inside and a beer garden outside and service is quick. Parking they have a separate lot at the back across the train lines apart from an adjacent lot. Everything here was always perfect and must visit if you are in the area.

First time going to the Cafe. I've heard great things about the place and have always wanted to try it out. I highly recommend to those who have tried to go sometime! The food is great and they have quite a few options for everyone to choose something

This is one of our favorite spots to stop while traveling along 94. The food is great, the beer is great, and they also have a nice kids menu for those who need it . The beer is always outstanding and we love their to go store. Worth the stop if in the area .

Great beer selection and quality! Food is amazing, too! We will be back for sure! Hubby had the habanaro ribs and they were fire and I had the smash burger. Yum!

Wonderful selection of brews and tasty snacks! I saw they have live music sometimes and their outdoor garden/ seating area looked amazing!

Despite Covid regulations the staff makes you feel welcome and offers great, friendly and safe service. Beer- always tasty... come on really they are Bell's brewery you know it's good. We had the Larry's juicy IPA, Best Brown, and the official. All very tasty! Food, falafel and smash burger for today's lunch, tasty no complaints. Bells is consistent- service, beer, food

Thoroughly enjoyed our visit. We've been wanting to stop in for a very long time. This year we went out of our way to make sure! We enjoyed the food and all the beers. I can enthusiastically recommend you stop here. But better yet the main brewery once it reopens for tours.

Food was great but not as hot as we would wish. I loved green beans on my burger but I was a minority. There was no vodka for my non beer drinking friend and also no pork chop!

True creativity in micro brew, solid chef plate menu thats fresh and flavorful, many options for dining experience, weekend music venue and fun creative decor.

Beautiful building very friendly staff. Many options of their beers on draft. Ordered a couple of flights just to try several options. Onion ring appetizer was really good. They offered a special burger of the week which we had to try. Perfect weather for outdoor seating which there is plenty. Great stop for a couple or a group.

I am NOT a beer drinker. But I love coming here for the beer garden and the atmosphere. You can't go wrong at bells!

Quick update: Bell's is adapting to the governor's recommended 2-week hiatus from indoor dining starting today, April 10th. They will be continuing to serve food and beer in their amazing outdoor beer garden. Oberon really was meant to be consumed outside in the sunshine, amiright?