Outdoor seating
Yes
Claras on the River in Battle Creek
Categories
Location on the map
Battle Creek, Calhoun County, Michigan, US
Service options
Kerbside pickup
Yes
No-contact delivery
Yes
Delivery
Yes
Takeaway
Yes
Dine-in
Yes
Health and safety
Staff wear masks
Yes
Staff get temperature checks
Yes
Staff required to disinfect surfaces between visits
Yes
Highlights
Fireplace
Yes
Great coffee
Yes
Great dessert
Yes
Great tea selection
Yes
Live music
Yes
Popular for
Breakfast
Yes
Lunch
Yes
Dinner
Yes
Solo dining
Yes
Accessibility
Wheelchair-accessible car park
Yes
Wheelchair-accessible entrance
Yes
Wheelchair-accessible seating
Yes
Wheelchair-accessible toilet
Yes
Offerings
Alcohol
Yes
Beer
Yes
Cocktails
Yes
Coffee
Yes
Comfort food
Yes
Healthy options
Yes
Kids' menu
Yes
Small plates
Yes
Vegetarian options
Yes
Wine
Yes
Dining options
Breakfast
Yes
Lunch
Yes
Dinner
Yes
Dessert
Yes
Seating
Yes
Amenities
Bar on site
Yes
Good for kids
Yes
High chairs
Yes
Toilets
Yes
Wi-Fi
Yes
Atmosphere
Casual
Yes
Cosy
Yes
Historic
Yes
Romantic
Yes
Crowd
Family friendly
Yes
Groups
Yes
Tourists
Yes
Planning
Dinner reservations recommended
Yes
Accepts reservations
Yes
Payments
Debit cards
Yes
Phone: +1 269-963-0966
Site: http://www.claras.com/
Site: http://www.claras.com/
Opening hours
- Monday:Closed
- Tuesday:11AM–10PM
- Wednesday:11AM–10PM
- Thursday:11AM–10PM
- Friday:11AM–10PM
- Saturday:11AM–10PM
- Sunday:10AM–2PM
Comments (199)
The food choices are amazing! Nicely presented entrees, excellent portions. I had the small chicken cherry and candied walnut salad—it was pretty big! You MUST try the Caramel Apple pie in the crock—perfect and large enough for two people.
Nice atmosphere. The staff was friendly. I got the Michigan cherry and chicken salad with candid walnuts. It was good. It was a little heavy on the dressing. It can with a yeast roll and that was pretty good. My husband got the Mongolia beef bowl. He said Its as good and had a little kick to it. Our children got the kids hot dog and Mac and cheese. The Mac and cheese cake with fresh fruit.
Dont miss dinning in this beautiful piece of Battle Creek History. An old train depot on the river. Indoor and outdoor dining. Huge selection on their menu. I have never had a dish I did not like. Drink menu will also not disappoint with a large selection of wine, beer, and cocktails. They also host live music on the patio throughout the summer, brunch on the weekends and holidays. They are also have private dining for parties and a banquet area for larger gatherings.
Cute location decent but slow service great selection and good food decent prices
Great atmosphere! Friendly, fun service and fantastic food!! Very scenic too! I had the lasagna and it was so good. The salad was very fresh, nothing was wilted or old. Great experience all the way around!
Their brunch buffet was amazing. I loved all the options for the made to order omelets, waffle bar had apples, cherries, strawberries, butter, syrup, whipped cream and I believe chocolate a couple lunch options, tasty breads, cream puffs, as well as mini eclairs everything tasted great. Customer service was on point and very friendly from the moment we came in with the hostess, waitress, workers on the buffet lane, omelet and waffle chef. I definitely would recommend
Happy accident we landed here. We were actually looking for parking for a neighboring restaurant and stumbled on this place. Very nice inside, but we sat on the patio. Nice scenery outside. The artichoke dip was probably the best Ive had, and theyve got the good ranch. And for a fancier restaurant the prices werent bad. Two entrees, appetizer, desert, and two liquor drinks was like 65 bucks. Also our waitress was attentive and prompt.
Good food, very large menu. We ate outside because it was beautiful out. I had the tuna burger and it was just how I like them
9 of my family members when to Claras for Easter. There was way to many people there and the buffet was out of a lot of food. Claras is usually good but not so good on a holiday. Not my choice of restaurant.It would have been much better if the waiters waited on tables.
I ordered the chipotle chicken pasta and let me tell you, it was good! The food was so delicious and the service was so very kind and friendly.
Huge and varied menu. Beautiful decor. Excellent service from host to waitstaff. I honestly expected to pay a lot more for the quality of food and hospitality. This place is the trifecta of good food, good people, and good prices.
Very disappointed with the service and food. I got a calzone that was okay but the worst Ive ever had. My date got a pork chop and baked potato. Okay but a little dry. When they brought the meal there was no cheese for the potato. Odd, but Im from Texas and maybe its not a thing here. We asked for cheese immediately and again after she finished her pork chop. It only came after we finished the meal. I dont think that they deserve a second chance.
My daughter made reservations for Easter Sunday two weeks in advance for 16 and were told 1:30. We arrive 15 minutes before 1:30 with 13, three of our party could not come. We were finally seated at around 2:30. The buffet was more than 50 percent empty. We were told we could go there again they were restocking but when we approached there were 30 people ahead. Not much of a chance we would get any more than the first trip. We were told those who took the buffet would only have to pay half. Not worth it.
This place is really cool on the inside. Its an old train station and it is mostly intact as it was when it was in use. There is original oak paneling throughout. The food was great and the waitstaff was friendly and attentive. Kids thought it was amazing!!
I have eaten at this restaurant for YEARS off and on. Something has changed and they are definitely not anywhere near the restaurant it used to be. Food was obviously made in far spread out batches. Two of my kids meals had sat in the warming window for at least a half hour. The quality of the food just isnt anywhere near what it used to be. The manager made it right with us but unfortunately I dont think we will be back.
Love this place! A former train station, this cute restaurant has plenty of seating inside and out on the creek. Was really impressed by the restaurant, and its very reasonable prices. I was especially blown away by the French onion soup! Some of the best Ive ever had!
I wanted this place to be so much more. Staying at a lakehouse on a lake just north and looking for a nice dinner out. Our server was good, but the back of house couldnt get the steaks right :(
Incredible menu. Great service and an excellent setting and decor
Apparently they only do breakfast on Sunday. And they only serve Pepsi products which did not please my son and wife. A very nice beer selection on tap. Very extensive menu and the food was excellent. Wait staff was very friendly and efficient.
My wife and i went here for our anniversary. Our appetizer,stuffed portobello caps,was horrible just pieces of mushroom and crab stuff covered in cheese. Our old refrigerated salad came after our over cooked poorly assembled entree. The manager was very nice and gave us a voucher for a free dinner for two. Fast forward to Valentines day. My wife and i decided we would give them another chance. We figured burgers would be safe. Man was I wrong. Our burgers had been pre cooked and re heated as they were really dry the lettuce tomato and onions had been pre cut some days before as they too were dry. The condiments came in packets like out of a vending machine. The owner came over and tried to explain but you could tell he has lost his passion for the restaurant business. Oh and the decor is dusty and unkept. The place was basically empty on Valentines day dinner rush.
The beauty of this historic building is outstanding. From the stained glass, massive fireplace & authentic structures throughout it is a pleasure to sit and enjoy a consistently Delicious meal from an expansive menu Every time. The charm of this restaurant never fades and the food is reasonably priced with a healthy portion size. I recommend it for all ages!
I have been to Claras three times. I have never been disappointed on any occasion. They have such an extensive variety its hard to choose from. I have enjoyed whatever I have ordered from the establishment. Im going to return lots willing.
First time ever here. Parking was easy, food was hot and ready when promised. Love their takeout containers, no food was soggy from moisture. The marsala bella was my dinner and it was absolutely phenomenal!! It was perfectly cooked and that grilled mushroom on top was absolutely delicious!! I do wish there was one more ranch included with the onion rings as you do get a generous portion but I brought some home to use ranch here. Dogs and husband shared his burger and they all loved it too, asked for well done and it was cooked perfectly as well! The Claras chips he got I tried and I will definitely get myself some next time. He also loved the mozzarella bites, breading was unique. I wasnt sure Id like the house salad because the ingredients sounded odd together but it was actually a very good salad, finished every last bite. My order takeout and I was absolutely impressed with it all, will be back!
Started off HORRIBLE, but ended PEACEFULLY. We had reserved a private room for a pre-wedding event. Arrived on time and was told the room was not available and that the party that was in there was expected to stay 2 hours but it looked more like they would be there 3 hours. My finacee was almost in tears. We had just walked in to view the room a few hours prior to the event. She was so happy and expecting a wonderful night. I am only giving a 5-star review because the owner was very accomodating and even covered the entire bill for a party of seven. He went out of his way to make the best out of a bad situation. I only wish when people book a private room that the time is SET IN STONE so that the next party behind them is not forced to adapt to their overstay. Thanks again Ross for covering our bill, it was not expected and very much appreciated! God bless, Frank
Outstanding meal with great ambience and superior service! Kelly S was probably the best server I have had anywhere! Very timely consistently helpful and always smiling. This is an old train station. Into a restaurant and they did a marvelous beautiful. Food was reasonably priced and outstanding through and through every dish was great.
This was once one of my favorite spots in Battle Creek, since the Clara in Lansing closed. Now, I wont return. Their seater and waitstaff have really negative energy that makes you feel unwelcome. I can no longer recommend...
Food is delicious! Menu is extensive and the ambiance perfect. Indoor and outdoor seating. Staff is friendly, historic building fabulous.
Atmosphere: we sat outside and it was gorgeous to watch the sky darken and have the outside lights illuminate the patio. Very beautiful. For the few moments I was inside, it was clean looking. Bathroom looks like old style and the stall door has stained glass!Price: Not too bad, I guess. It said $$ but it seemed on the higher end of the $$ scale.Food: I got a regular cheeseburger with everything on it and added a side of the soup of the day, which was lobster bisque. Id have never known it was a seafood bisque if I wasnt told, didnt have much lobster taste to it. The burger was normal, nothing amazing. I will say I was slightly disappointed I wasnt asked how I wanted it done, as I eat mine medium rare. I was given a grey burger that was cooked done. Blah.Menu: way too long. It was so dumb to have so many options. It was like 14 pages! That needs a condensing for sure.Service: phenomenal. Our waitress was perfect! She didnt come by too little or too often, it was just right every time. She refilled drinks with good timing and was knowledgeable of the extensive menu. I wish I remembered her name.Overall: would def come back! I would like to sit inside this time to get that experience as well.
Outstanding food & service! Get an icecream drink to share before your meal. Get an entree as house salad is excellent & big), comes with warm fresh bun. We had Chicken Cordon Blue Monary & Blue Bacon Sirloin Steak (mashed pot w/mushroom gravy excellent choice.) Definitely has covid 19 guidelines at highest thought ( entry door contact less as you wave to enter, bathroom doors have arm hooks to enter individual salt & peppers wrapped in napkin w/ silverware. Wait staff attentive. Linear Trail (bike) goes right by here. Great experience!
Clara’s is rich with Battle Creek history and We support the business because it’s a landmark. The food is alright. You get what you pay for. It’s a good place to have a business meal (lunch) for a reasonable price.
Great food and service. The ahi runs was medium and what I expected. The broccoli was cooked to perfection. Never had an empty coffee cup.
Great atmosphere. Great service. Incredible array of offerings. Delicious lasagna. Great place to meet a friend and chat for hours. Lovely outside patio.
Always a wonderful experience. Very large menu and many gluten free items perfect for a multi generational family dinner.
Great spot for a wonderful dining experience! They forgot a small element in my friends meal, immediately replaced it, and gave a discount! Very happy with the food and service, 5 stars!
Overall a good experience. A few mishaps as we were seated by the host person without menus and upon arriving at the table the same host picked trash off the floor and without washing her hands replaced a fork that had fallen on the floor as we were getting into the booth. Not the worst, but something I would expect a restaurant with this reputation to have staff that are aware of. After deciding to opt for the sunday brunch we had placed the menus we had commandeered onto another table as they were not taken from us when our order was complete.The brunch options themselves were good. Usual items: hash browns, biscuits and gravy, sausage links, bacon, pancakes were all good. Omelet bar was also good and stocked with typical options. Salad bar options were a welcome surprise on a brunch line. Fresh cut melon was nice.Always a plus is clean restrooms and they were found here. Parking was also plentiful.Recommended with hopes for more attention to detail perhaps on our next visit.
This is a great restaurant that makes quality food. They make many items gluten free and could easily cater to my party. The number of servers and staff was quite cool especially because we were there on a weekend. It was at a time I would have considered slower but there were still plenty of staff and we were served very rapidly.
Best food and hors doeuvre in town. Atmosphere and employees are above the rest. The owner has a great menu and great knowledge of the train station they are operating out of as well as the local history of Michigan.
Brunch was absolutely fantastic. Great selection of food super friendly staff. Our waitress was awesome we try from Lansing to Battle Creek just to go there!
Beautiful restaurant with great food and even better prices. The menu is huge and covers anything you could want for lunch or dinner, and includes good vegetarian options. The Cajun chicken sandwich was one of the best chicken sandwiches Ive had. This place has the class and quality of a restaurant that would charge you a lot more.I will be coming back next time Im in town.
Just not the same. Last three visits have been so disappointing. Ordered two chicken strip baskets and a fish basket. All the food was burnt and overcooked again. Not sure if its new staff or what? But over the past 6 months the quality of the food has just not been the same. Arbys couldve done better. Still left a 12$ tip on 48$ to go order for daycare quality food. So disappointing to see such a great staple in Battle Creek fall to such poor quality. Hopefully the Griffin does better, so sad. And hopefully Claras can get their standards back up.
Things are rough and it shows. Cobb Sala d was thrown together and meh...The hostess indifferent. The burrito had obviously been sitting too long and had to be nuked and was also meh. Server was great but was doubling as the bartender so he was over stretched and our glasses were empty longer then he would have wanted. So disappointed because Claras has been a go to classy place for so long
My food was delicious (Yellowfin Tuna), place is nice, service was little slow from my point of view, I recommend this place of course
We went at 4 pm. Not really busy. One of the servers continuously messed with her hair at the hostess station & while setting up a table for a reservation. Yuck! Ordered clam chowder for my granddaughter, wasnt even warm! Our server seemed not to care what was going on. She checked with us after we were done! Over priced for the service!! Never again.
Had a nice steak, decent salad , and a few good appetizers. Drinks were ok. The wait staff was friendly and did a nice job. Overall it was a good experience.
We always love Claras. Huge food and drink menu. A little on the pricey side. The decor gives you much to look at and the fireplace is nice! Great for date night, a group get together or anything in between.
We had spinach crab dip and fish tacos, bj other were delicious. Good service. Inside the old train depot is gorgeous! Beautiful place to have lunch outside.
1st time visitor, good food, good service, cool decorations, will be back next time in town.
Too expensive for the amount of food they had, but lovely staff and beautiful scenery
The service was good but I didnt enjoy the food. The french fries were barely room temperature and the turkey rubin lacked the flavor I was expecting.
Food was good. Staff not so much. Overheard hostesses gossiping about customers and it was nothing nice. Wont be back for a while.
Was pretty excited to go here to eat the place looked beautiful I love old buildings like that would have been my first time there and was very disappointed went it and waited for a while for The hostess then she said give me a few minutes to clean a table there was a big group by where she was going to sit us and the kids were screaming (I get it they are kids but it was very loud) so we asked if we could be seated somewhere else well the hostess was kind of rude about it and said no in a snotty way so when we asked why there was a bunch of other seats open she then got even more rude and snotty and said because I can only sit you there so I said ok well thanks we will go somewhere else
Really interesting place, with great food. So many things on the menu would be standout stars anywhere else. Go for a stroll on the riverfront afterwards!
I come here whenever I’m in Battle Creek! Lots of great food (their menu is like a book!), great atmosphere, great patio, and live music in the summer.
Good service. Nice atmosphere. Food was really good. Side salad with roll was my favorite
Food was good, menu so good it took longer to choose than to eat. Very fair prices and pleasant atmosphere. I Would definitely recommend to friends.
Great atmosphere, very good food, prices are decent. A well-stocked menu and really good coffee. It used to be the train depot.
Good by Battle Creek standards. Incredibly overhyped. The expansive menu gives you the jack of all trades, master of none experience - They have everything from seafood, pizza, burritos, etc. but fail to deliver on anything particularly noteworthy. The staff is rather cold, and the waitress had to redo our check 3 times before getting the correct order on there. I will give points for the drinks, as they were mixed well and rather inexpensive. Overall a good restaurant for those looking for a somewhat fancier Golden Corral
Diverse menu and the food is good. Service was excellent this visit.
Very nice lunchWaitress very attentiveSalmon dish wasnt very large and not much flavor
Food was great!!! Love the old building and Decor.
Good in the restraunt but dont get take-out. The food will not be of the same quality.
Great service! Lovely place to have lunch w/ my family.
The spinach dip was very bland (you need to add some acidity to make it pop). They served us broken up crumbs instead of chips with the spinach dip, and the chip crumbs were way too greasy. Our Caesar salads were swimming in dressing. They were so over dressed we couldnt finish them. Our entrees were good. My wife enjoyed her pasta, and my steak was really good. Overall, the menu seems pretty dated, and we were not overly impressed with our experience as a whole.
Excellent food. Good service. The menu is on their web page as well which is located in the info section. Will be returning.
We traveled here to try this place out. Looks unique, and antique. Elisa was our server, and she did a great job.
The food was delicious, the portions are generous and the prices are reasonable. I had a seasonal drink, witches brew, which was cinnamon schnapps and hot cider and it was so yummy! So glad we checked this place out!
FANTABULOUS LIVE MUSIC ON THE PATIO.... WED, THUR, FRIDAYS 6-10p... Bad weather? Then it becomes indoor entertainment! NO COVER CHARGE! :-) great food & bevies, too! Excellent flowers ALL around. These were taken at the front entrance in their antique train baggage cart! :-)
Had lunch with 2 friends, our server Karen S. was very nice and checked on us often. Food was delicious.
Good food with an enormous variety. Great atmosphere eat inside or outside in a pleasant setting. One bad mark curbside service transferred me 2x then hung up on me though, lady seemed indifferent when I showed up. My family goes here a lot though and normally we have a good experience.
Wonderful restaurant! I love going here. The old train station has been beautifully preserved. I was here on a chilly day and they had the fireplace going which added to the atmosphere. The food is excellent. I have been here several times and have always had delicious food. Average prices for the dining experience you receive. My server was delightful.
We were in today for lunch. The restaurant was very busy and our waitress Karen S. had outside inside several tables. That girl was working her behind off. We appreciated her so much. She apologized for our wait but not her fault and we didnt care at all. She is wonderful, kept everything filled and checked back several times. She is the BEST! Thank you Karen The food was great also!
Would be 5 stars if the hot food had been hot and not lukewarm. Beautiful place and good service.
Amazing place! Amazing food! My favorite place in Battle Creek. Cant be beat!
The serving staff were very friendly and attentive to our meals. Several items in menu to pick from. Nice atmosphere quilted ceilings and stained glass sets you back in time while enjoying a lovely house salad and perch.
I used to really love this place... The food has taken a huge decline lately. I understand things are hard with Covid but that can not be the excuse anymore. I order the Salmon, it was fishy, dry and just fell apart into tiny pieces. I also ordered the zucchini which did not come out with my meal the reason I was told because it was not ready yet...Its zucchini, probably frozen and just needed to be steamed. My husband ordered the pork chops, they were dry and flat like pancakes... Needless to say I wont be going back for a while.
Such a beautiful place to enjoy a great meal,,live entertainment & friendly staff.
I would have given this place a five star on my first visit. The food was great, the mixed drinks I had were awesome. Then the second time I went, I ordered the same thing, and it all not only tasted bad but my order was wrong. I went a third time and it tasted good again, ordered the same thing. I really want to like this place, but if the order is a mixed bag ... Next time I come here if its good again Ill bump it up to a four star, if not Ill go to a two star.
When in town. Go here. Had the Calazone. Jayla was a awesome host and the food and service were Great.
We had the lake perch basket and got onion rings instead of the fries! Excellent fish,great portions,& the onion rings were some of the best!Amanda was our server and she did a fabulous job!
Picked it because the name is significant. Its in an old RR station by the Kalamazoo river. 3 person jaz band, it was great music, good food, great service. Little pricey but its vacation! Amazing variety of food, served hot. We enjoyed sitting on the large patio with shade, and the coolness of the river.
It was our 2 yr wedding anniversary!! Got the seafood Nachos..delish again!! N a seafood croissant my hubby got salmon..only part I didnt like is we sat in a booth in the bar area by the window..the bus people were cleaning up n very loud right by us..the dishes ect ...but I luv it there..n great food!!
Good was delicious and the service was super friendly and spot on! Ross has done and continues to do a great job with the place!!!
Definitely a little cold out last night, but the staff were quite friendly and the tostada pizza is now one of my favorite dishes!
Sunday brunch is from 10-2 and well worth every penny. Having a fresh made omelet crafted in front of you is a very unique experience which makes Clara’s such a special place on Sundays. Their Buffett has a fantastic variety as well. Waffles with fresh fruit topping and homemade style whipped creme just tops off the goodness.
They have a great Michigan Cherry chicken salad and they have done a great deal to make sure that it is a safe place to eat. Outdoor dining is wonderful and I highly recommend the whole experience.
Cave in as a group of 15. We waited about an hour for our food. Other then that it was good.
The last time visited 5/7/21 I was not impressed at all. Especially for being a upper class restaurant and $35 steak dinners. Way overpriced for a not so classy quality of food. The French onion soup was $5.99 a bowl and you would expect properly made and broiled to perfection to brown the cheese on top, but it seemed like it was just microwaved to melt the cheese or left under the warning light. I’ve had better at the Coney Island restaurant. We had a larger group and we were treated like a virus. They had plastic petitions in between our tables, but the rest of the restaurant at the booths was not any petitions. We asked for the back larger room which was empty and would have been away from any other customers, but instead they set us towards the middle like a window display. Service was good but for the prices of the food I could’ve gotten better elsewhere for half the price.
The staff here was be on pleasant!!! Any question we had they were more then happy to provide with answers... The food however was not the best the lasagna was 85% cheese. Now I love cheese and even for me it was a bit much the chicken alfredo was dry and the chicken was more burnt then not.. The broccoli and cheese soap was by far the best part of dinner.
Was pretty good food other than my mashed potatoes were definitely instant and that is pretty capt for the price. And if they werent they sure tasted like it. And the mushroom gravy had 2 tiny mushrooms and wasnt very much gravy. Other than that was yummy
Absolutely wonderful!!!! This place is so cool. Food was delish! Huge portions. The owners came over and explained the history of the building. Very nice staff. The ambiance is incredible. Definitely will be back! They also had a huge brunch buffet with a little of everything
Great food and service. Ill definitely go back!
Whats not to love about this restaurant located in the old Battle Creek train depot. Our kids love it from when they were much younger and one of them asked to have her 30-something b-day lunch here and we were not disappointed. Our salads and grilled salmon were delicious and our server attentive but was happy to let us dawdle 😊
Very big menu, steak and beef dishes prepared well, the baseball cut was good and the seasoning was very nice.
Visited Claras for a late dinner and they were happy to seat us. We ordered a steak, which was fantastic with a side salad, baked potato and their fresh rolls! Amazing food, very unique place to check out, will definitely go back if in the area. Thank
Quaint decor. Dividers for covid protection. Nice staff. I had steak and hawaiian chicken. Chicken was very moist but thinly cut, steak was dry and tad over cooked, but okay. Husband got black Bleu burger with fries. I liked that they used ciabatta bun, burger was appropriately cooked. Husband loved his burger. Caesar salad had onions on it?! Not my thing buy husband didnt mind. Tasty bread. Tasty tortilla chips that come with spinach dip.Overall a pleasant experience with decent food.
Excellent food, atmosphere was great decor was beautiful, service terrific.
Not the worst, not the best. We made reservations for 6pm. Arrived our table was not ready.(small thing) ordered. Our first course come out quickly and was very good. Waited about 20 mins then dinner came out. They had forgotten our soup and salad. Which was brought after I said something. Steak was ok comparable to apple bees or Brauns. Salmon was excellent on the other hand. Mashed potatoes tasted instant and gravy was horrible. Staff was friendly but seemed short staffed so we tipped well :) Unfortunately we wont be making the 30 min trip back anytime soon, nothing special thats for sure
Great place! Lots of room! Great service! I would like to visit when its warmer.
We went in with a group of 15. They were 100 percent willing to accommodate. Of course, we were split between 2 tables, but they kept us close. Food is outstanding! Staff was great! Yes there was a bit of a wait for the food, once again we were a group of 15. No complaints from our big group!
Great place to bring your family or friends. During the summer there is live jazz music on the patio several nights per week. Generous portions, massive menu, and reasonable prices make this a must see when in Battle Creek.
Such a nice outside dining area. Great staff and the place is outstanding. Their food is scrumptious. Close enough u can walk to see the river.Definitely will be back.
Claras has a diverse menu with options for everyone. The environment is great, especially with the option to enjoy your meal on the riverside patio. Its a staple in downtown Battle Creek and a great restaurant to go to for any occasion.
Was there for lunch, large choice of tasty items...service was excellent and we were well taken care of. Pricing was very reasonable with very adequate servings! We will be back!
We had a delicious lunch in this beautiful old building today. What a nice place to have good food (including appetizers!) served by a very capable and friendly server surrounded by amazing surroundings of antiques, stained glass and hanging lamps. Love this place!
Went for a family dinner, staff was nice food was excellent good atmosphere. good time had by all.
Lovely decor and great menu.Something for most everyone from ribs to vegetarian fare with lots of yummy gluten free options. The rubens are apparently a favorite. My turkey Ruben was made just the way I wanted it and it came with a choice of sides.The bathrooms were scrupulously clean.Service was pleasant, and the river views were pretty.I had a great meal!
Waited to long to be served had to ask for a server,drinks took way to long to get.Expensive for what we had and for poor service!
Was seated 15 minutes later waitress took our drink orders 15 minutes after that drinks came dinner was ordered. 3 hamburgers 1 salmon dinner food arrived 1 hour later hamburgers burnt no onion for any no lettuce for one, cold fries and a salmon dinner that wouldn’t fill a six year old. Service was bad food Sucked.
We went for lunch today. Service was nice and friendly. The food was terrible! I got the 2 porkchops, way over cooked and rough. My husband got the Salmon bowl which 1. Salmon over cooked 2. Looked unappetizing. The prices are way too expensive for the quality of food you get.
Brown gravy tasted burnt. We r elderly and was seated very far in the back withlow lighting and my husband couldnt read menu. The elderly group across from us couldnt see menu and slso complained about how far back they were seated
Great place for a leisurely lunch with friends and catch up on life. Wonderful cocktails and great service! The food was delicious, well prepared and plated. I’ll definitely be back after that great experience!!
Was a bad experience. Lack of organization. A large selection on the menu but appered to be prepared frozen items. Most item looked over cooked at too hot a heat. Some food over cooked like hamburger patty. Not very appealing to the eye or the taste buds. Poor portion size for the $ It has been a long time since I was there last and was the last time i will choose to eat (not dine) there
Had brunch buffet. Wish there was a non buffet option as I dont eat enough to make the price worth it. Food was good, service was great.
Old train station, good food, good service. Fall in and enjoy!
First time ever trying Claras.There is plenty of parking, more than could fill the restaurant. You can park in the library lot, or their lot.The staff greated us kindly, and were very pleasant. Our waitress, Pam, was very knowledgeable about the menu...and its a huge menu. She offered us some great choices. She was attentive, but not smothering.We had there house salad with their house made ranch. It was a touch salty, but tasted good. The garlic butter roll that came with it was warm and delicious.Our main dishes were delicious, our only complaint was that the salmon in the salmon bowl was a little cold. We didnt raise an issue because it tasted good still.The serving sizes were medium, and the prices reasonable. I ordered my steak medium and it was on the more rare side of medium. Not a big deal to me, but more of an fyi for anyone who prefers a more well-done steak.The interior was clean, and had a unique charm.We didnt try dessert, or any adult beverages so I cant comment on those options. Neither of us used the restroom either, buy I would assume their cleanliness matched the rest of the place.All in all, I would eat here again and recommend it to others.
It was a cold day, we stopped by after skiing and asked if they could turn on the fireplace we were sitting in front of. I asked several times and rather than give an answer they just said the manager may not feel the need for it. The food was good and the atmosphere also unique but the staff lack of attention to our request was not appreciated.
Great service, wonderful meal, reasonably priced! Beautiful decor and ambience!
Food was amazing, plentiful and exceeded my expectations. It was a bit busy inside consideirng it being a Sunday night but the customer service was prompt and extraordinary. Next time I visit Battle Creek, this will be one of my stops! Very impressed.
Super cool atmosphere. Breakfast buffet on Sunday is really good
What a beautiful building! The food was great as well! We had the brunch buffet and I enjoyed everything on my plate - especially the mini waffles! Great service!
Wow, so amazing! I placed a pick up order for the chicken fajita wrap with onion rings and a Claras salad. The order was taken easily over the phone and ready quickly. There was a great pick-up location to park. Through the window I could see all of the staff wearing masks, and wearing them correctly. They were also cleaning and sanitizing. The food was given in tamper resistent packaging. So much respect for that, especially after seeing so many of the other restaurants in town being lax in that area.Anyway, when I got home my order was all perfect, and so good! The salad was delicious with crisp, fresh greens and the toppings were just right. The onion rings were even better with a batter that was the perfect balance of crunchy and soft. The wrap was even better yet - to die for! One of the best meals Ive had in a very long time on fact. Highly recommend!!
My husband and I were recently at an event near Battle Creek and made a reservation to have dinner at Clara’s. Imagine our disappointment when we were told by a very snarky hostess that we had made no such reservation and that there would be a fairly long wait. This young lady was not sympathetic in any way and basically waved us away. Needless to say, we won’t trust the reservation process at Clara’s and will not return anytime soon. Very disappointing!
Im from out of town, but Claras on the River is my new favorite restaurant. The beautiful scenery and awesome food made my day. The menu has a large variety of delicious food and the staff are the friendliest around. Even though I live 6 hours away I have a feeling I will be returning Im the near future.
Great atmosphere. Both owners took time to come over and introduce theirselves to us and told us the history of their wonderful restaurant. The food was awesome. I would definitely recommend this gem and will be back.
When you see how large the menu is you may think theres no way they can do all of this well, but they just can. The food is absolutely STELLAR. They have a very wide variety of alcoholic mixed drinks making use of coffee and ice cream which all sound incredible. The restaurant and location are also beautiful. Its right on the river and the outdoor seating is incredible. Great service, 10/10, will definitely go again.
The food was good. The service was good. My granddaughter and I were in Battle Creek for a few days and we had lunch and dinner there.
As part of a weekend getaway, we were not familiar with anywhere around Battle Creek other than the casino. We had gotten into a room and were hungry, but nothing familiar popped up nearby for a nice sit down steak dinner other than Claras on the River. Hesitantly, we decided to go since we both had been looking forward to a nice sit down steak dinner. Upon arrival around 7:30 on a Friday evening, we were told the wait time would be about 30-40 minutes. Hungry and getting late, we hesitantly waited for a table. To our surprise and delight, our name was called within a few minutes. The service was very good, staff attentive and knowledgeable. Food was excellent. Prices were very reasonable for the quality and quantity. The dessert (Mile High Chocolate Mouse Pie) was simply amazing! MORE than the two of us could share. This is definitely a place we will come back to in the future... Whether a trip to the casino is included or not!
Stopped for lunch. Ate outside. Good food, good service! Highly recommend.
We had salmon and whitefish. Both were delicious. The bread rolls were awesome. Nice place. Interestingly decorated.
Nice place to visit with a historic feel. Food was amazing. Fries were salted perfectly. Shrimp was delicious. Wife got the alfredo and was surprised to find out that the bread stick was filled with cheese! 😋 Would definitely go back.
Awesome food. If you want a lighter meal, look for bowl type entres. My salmon was excellent.
A classic favourite of locals. The restaurant is welcoming to both formal and non-formal guests. The menu has many diverse options. No picky eater will be left behind. The location and building are superb. I have never had a bad experience in the multiple times I have dined there. I would recommend this restaurant to anyone who wanted good food while experiencing something new.
One of the worst service experiences Ive had in a long time. Was sat and hostess brought our drinks. 25 minutes later no server ever came to our table. A couple is sat at a table next to us and served in 5 minutes. I dont normally get up and leave but there is no way Im giving my money to a restaurant who had multiple servers walk by multiple times with zero service.
An ancient railway passenger station reborn as a fine dining/entertainment establishment.Very clean. Awesome waitstaff. great food!😁Beautiful, how they kept all the old charm of the building. Id go back anytime Im in the area.I rate this place : topnotch
Very cool atmosphere. Lots to look at. Really good food and service!
Great atmosphere! Yummy food. Their chocolate moose pie was incredibly out of this world. I would come back just for that. Maurice, our waiter was fantastic, and fun and took care of us very well!!
The ribs were kind of dry they werent very good and they were expensive. It took my girlfriend out to lunch but other than that they had a great environment and a great server. Four stars because I dont go to a restaurant just because of the food I go because of the environment itself. Other than that theyre quite expensive but I wouldnt recommend the ribs lol. I tried my girlfriends steak and it was very good though.
Great experience. The food was AMAZING despite the large number of options. Although the food was great, the best part by far was the server. Moe - one of the best servers Ive ever had - was polite, personable, and punctual. If you get the option, definitely ask for him.It was an all around great place.
The service was amazing and our server Kelly S. was welcoming, eager to help, energetic and enthusiastic. The food was seriously delicious and very filling. I would highly recommend this restaurant. We will definitely be back.
Helpful, waiter over did, wanted us to agree he knew us. Very busy & not enough help. Food was good, but could/ if he had more time been more on top of asking choices instead of worrying about all his tables.Id rather had choices on a couple of food items & dislike the over calling us bothhoney way over! Last time/month, had a very pleasant AA waiter & his attention was on his duties, More I believe! Very nice & professional & let us enjoy our meal. Food is good.
My favorite restaurant in Battle Creek! Really good selection, relaxed atmosphere, not too expensive but could be depending on meal and drinks, beautiful inside, tasty and you get more food than you expect. Lets face it, outside dinning if you want with good food and a few beers is heaven.
My bestie and I meet there often as its half way between where we both live. We ALWAYS have a great server and wonderful food! Pamela was our server yesterday and she was perfect!! We can always know well leave happy and satisfied. Thanks Claras!!
Excellent service, menu is too large to ensure every item is at the peak of freshness. Perch was terrible but will visit again
Good food. Great location. Lots of history there. Nice staff.
Over-priced buffet not the best. Wont go again
If you plan to visit on Saturday, make reservations. We came at 5:00 pm which is early, but luckily we did have reservations. Otherwise Im not sure how long we would have waited.Food was fairly good, our group ordered a variety of items: pasta, Tex Mex, quiche, salad, soup, desserts. All was pretty good the only exception was a side of fruit, it was either previously frozen or had passed the point of fresh. Service was attentive.
Food was great and the choices abundant. This gives them 5 stars, although NOT being on the river, there is a small stream and a great atmosphere. Staff was great.
Weve been going to Claras once a week since they reopened after the Covid shutdown. Kelly has helped us multiple times and her service and personality will always keep us coming back. The food is always hot and delicious and never disappoints. Highly recommend to anyone looking for a great meal with lots of variety along with excellent customer service.
Claras has delicious food. The atmosphere is the best. Its like a museum. Its a gem in Southern Michigan. I can tell they are going above and beyond when it comes adjusting to the state of the world right now!
My mom and I loved this place. It was a train station and its so amazing to spend time here. ONE OF OUR FAVORITE PLACES TO EAT IN LANSING!
I had a great time eating there. We had a big crowd and Claras did as fine job getting the orders out right and there were no complaints. The food was deliciois. Also, the social distancing was seamless.
WOW! it the aroma around the place made our tummies growl but It is very popular they had a two hour wait time. Too bad we did not have enough time for that but man The place looks great. Beautiful spot too.
A little chilly....but staff and owner make it a warm place. Cant wait to visit when we can go inside.
I hadnt been to Claras in a number of years since I moved away from BC. Now having been back several times recently and eating at Claras with friends a few times, I really loved the breadsticks that came with the meal and the chicken tortellini with prosciutto was fantastic! Everyone had great meals and no one walked away dissatisfied. I have not eaten in the outdoor area but it looks great!
Came here with friends for my birthday. We got to sit in the tower room. So private, and so much history. Such a perfect spot for an intimate dinner with friends. The food was great, and so was my birthday sunday😊
Great food. My French dip was wonderful. My mom said that her tuna salad was very good. The wait staff was friendly and helpful in explaining the menu items to my elderly mother. The atmosphere here is very nice!
I love this place! Fabulous food and fantastic prices for the quality. We eat here at least once a week. If you’ve never been you’re missing out.
Amazing food have been there three times and love the food
The charm is in the old train station that has neen renovated. The 4 tower clocks have just been updated and actually keep the correct time! Its a golden nugget in downtown. Great outdoor entertainment in the summer. Large varied menu. Food is fair to good.
We showed up at 7:25 on a friday night. We were told 30-45 minute wait. We reluctantly agreed... 7 minutes later we were at our table! Food was very good and prepared perfectly to order. Prices very reasonable. Servers were attentive and well versed on the menu. And you MUST enjoy the Mile High Chocolate Mousse Pie for dessert, or you will be cheating yourself out of an experience for your palate that is sensory overload for the brain! Cant wait to be in Battle Creek again!
Restaurant is an hour drive one way for me. Dont think Ill go back. Restaurant only had customers at five tables so it was not busy (2:00 in the afternoon). The Depot is nicely restored, nice job on the interior decor, very average food. Both of my daughters were servers in their younger days so Im aware of how much servers make. I never tip less that 20%. For the level of service (or lack of) we received, I had a hard time justifying my 20% rule...
Whenever I get visited battle creek, this is the first place that comes to my mind to have food. Good service 4 stars, good food 3.5 stars and nice ambience 4 stars. They have plenty of seating inside, you can be alone or in big groups. If youre planning a gathering of more than 5 people, its better to reserve a table in advance. Plenty of parking outside and no wifi. Youre here to spend quality time and have some good conversations.They have alot of food and drinks options, as a vegetarian I would generally get penne a la vodka, without sausage. It doesnt have much veges but its a good option since the sauce is fresh and always tastes better with fresh parm. I ve tried the mushroom burger before, and first time it was burnt, even though it says smoked, there a difference between smoked and burnt. And dont think they have any other vegetarian options unless you go for some soups or salads. Also tried their chocolate shake, its good, not outstanding... hope you enjoy this place! Have fun!
Wow. Absolutely love this place! Great service... the waitress was so amicable and speedy quick with our food. I sat outside during COVID times and the tables were clean and spread out and the staff was very safe the whole time. Food was also incredibly delicious! Definitely worth checking out! I will be returning next time I visit Battle Creek.
I know a lot of people enjoy this place and the food is....ok but, the service desperately needs help. I am experienced in food and beverage service. To wait to even be greeted at the door is nonsense. Moreover, while sitting at the table. This is during lunch time and as much as I would love an extended lunch, its not in my schedule. Checks should be delivered with food in the event one needs to return to work. Lastly, the silverware....either the dish pit needs attention (perhaps the dish machine needs an adjustment) or the staff in charge of dishes needs more training.
Great historical train station. I would have gave 5 star but my nachos were not a good selection. I will still come back if in area.
The food was great! I would eat the stuffed portabella mushroom every day for the rest of my life. Our waitress was wonderful too. She didnt rush us, everything was accurate and fast and she brought me the extra that they couldnt fit in my martini glass 😁 Wish we lived closer, Id be here all the time!
Had brunch there after my sons dedication. The service for our party of 20+ was amazing. Our server went above and beyond to keep the coffee hot, plates cleared, and assisted with anything and everything. The brunch buffet was incredible and so delicious. Claras helped keep our special day extra special.
Good meal. Service was a bit slow because they were busy. We had a reservation and it was honored on time.
The historic value of the restaurant is worth seeing and its location is superb. The food is classic and quaint with little to complain about. Its simple and executed with care. A great place to meet old friends. Something about being in a train station leads to a feeling of convergence, and often here Ive rekindled relationships, but also had my last supper with others.
The building is a great sight, in a nice park on the river that offers a Great dinning experience, especially when seated out at the casual outdoor seating. The Adult milkshake was phenomenal! I would go back just for that alone. But we came back for breakfast, and the food and the service wasnt nearly as good.
We had a party of 17 people. Food was very good. Service was great and waitstaff was very friendly and accomadating.
Food was very good. Our server was a very nice and attentive. They did a great job with COVID protocols. And a huge bonus at the end of our meal our server informed us that someone had paid for our whole tables bills. :-)
A great place to eat. The staff is attentive and very helpful. The menu is large and has a wide variety of dishes to choose from. They normally have a good selection of Michigan made beers as well. The food is very good and we dine at Claras several times a year.
Excellent, delicious, and pleasing to the palate. Great atmosphere for a b-day meal outing.Thank you Claras on the River staff; well made and well done. Bravo and big ups to you all.
The atmosphere inside is unique. The out door patio with live music is great! They have more food options than you could hope for in one place with very average prices and large portions. Sometimes the wait could be a bit long but overall this is a place to go back to. I would say that the only negative is the rubs are nothing special, bony and fatty. Try the bruschetta, yum. Good mushroom gravy.
Food was excellent as always. Hostess and servers (of the food) were friendly and warm. Waitress only took our order and checked on us once. Meh.
Always great food and service at Claras. However, They always lack follow through with coffee refills. Its always difficult to catch our waitress being we go often on Sundays. But, it BEEN THIS WAY Since the beginning- that is the only reason we have to award the restaurant a four star. Weve never complained and never posted a review.l do think that the owner respects his staff because they are often younger but seem to be always competant with our reservations and familar with the food preparations, and often DO Know what the soup of the day is when asked. So many other places, where there are younger staffers will have to go and check while we are waiting to place an order.Its really helpful if a host or hostess just tells us when we are handed the menus.We do always come here for special occasions and quiet weekday lunches. Its our to go to place all year long!!Today was just as we expected!Keep up the great success of Claras on the River!
Excellent service , great food with large portions 🙂
We had the brunch the food was pretty good but what was outstanding was the customer service our waitress Amanda was superb she did everything right I am the type of person that good customer service is a must before anything else!
Make sure your not seated where everyone parks for pickup. Alot of people would not or had no idea how to turn off headlights that were clearly shining in the window.
This used to be a favorite of mine and remains a staple when I visit Battle Creek. I feel as though the quality of food has declined some over the years. While I appreciate the wide selection in the menu, I question if it is a case of doing everything ok and nothing fantastic. Still a reliable for lunch, but not the fine dining I recall from 20 years ago. Love the decor and the atmosphere. Dont go if you are in a hurry speed is the one thing not on the menu.
I had an absolute wonderful time! Went there for my wedding reception and the owners were super friendly and made conversation with everyone at our table even my son whos only 5 months old. That waiter didnt seem like he was having a good day until we started messing around with him and he brightened right up. I would recommend this place to anyone whos looking for a family oriented place
Stopped in here on a Saturday night while visiting the area and had an excellent experience! The outside patio was clean, spaced out well, and had a fantastic ambience. The menu was ample and affordable and our food was excellent. The owner, staff, and management have really put time and effort into navigating these strange times with COVID and you can tell they all care about both their staff and clients. Our server, Maurice, was EXCEPTIONAL. He’s the reason I am writing this review. Maurice was timely, professional, friendly, polite, and humble. Each of his tables received personal and welcoming interaction. Maurice was attentive to everyone’s needs and always maintained a professional and friendly demeanor. His personality and service were top notch and we will definitely be returning when we visit in the future. We hope he is still there! He’s both a customer AND managements dream, so I sincerely hope that this review is seen and passed along to him.
Great food, we had really good service! Would recommend trying when you are in the area. Its clean and safe in the area. Enjoy the food!!
Good place to have a seat outside and enjoy some sun.Time constraint so ordered a sandwich but they do have a rather large menu.
I went here the other day (08/21/20) for drinks with one of the girlfriends. The drinks were expensive. They tasted good, but had little to no alcohol in them. My server wasn’t very friendly either. Just a bad experience, probably will never come here again.
We went in as a family, there were four of us and we got seated right away. Didnt have to wait long for our server, who was friendly but not cheesy, and she obviously knew the menu, which is HUGE, and made some knowledgeable suggestions. Our food came out quickly, was hot, and I had the best Rueben I have ever had. The atmosphere is wonderful, and the place is unique, we have a gem here in Battle Creek and we will come back most definitely.Came in for Fathers Day, 6-17-18, the buffet was incredible. Tons of choices, the food was delicious, we were all very happy.
Beautiful setting. The historical train station of Battle Creek. Wonderful food . Great pizza plus many other dishes to choose from. Very quiet and clean atmosphere. Expensive but worth it. Will take large groups. Reservations necessary. Not for children.
Called for a reservation and we were told they could accommodate us at 7:15pm. She asked to place me on hold then 1 minute later came back and said oh you were the table for tonight, yeah we can’t do that. You’ll need to go somewhere else. Looks like I will continue to take my business elsewhere.
Total reviews rating 4.3
199 Reviews for Claras on the River 2023:
Review №1
2022-02-06First time dining in at a restaurant in Battle Creek and the experience was great! This is an old train station turned into a restaurant. Loved the ambience and the service. Our server was super friendly and always smiling! They have a wide selection of food and beverages, with reasonable portion sizes. They have decent number of vegetarian options as well. There is plenty of seating and they even have a fireplace, which was pretty neat. Definitely worth checking out!
Review №2
2022-02-11Looks like pub food. 50.00 bucks including a filet mignon that does not look like 8 ounces. Communication bad as well with hostess who had the manners of a bartender. They literally threw 8-10 fries on top of the sauce for our ribs. Tiny dices of zucchini for a side. No pride in presentation or appreciation. Cuts corners. Won’t be back.
Review №3
2021-12-18Our server, Karen was AWESOME!!! The blacken cajun chicken sandwich and the white fish were TERRIFIC!! the best part was the desseet- deep dish caramel apple pie. Delicious
Review №4
2022-06-22My wife and I went there for lunch today. Max was or server and she was extremely friendly and helpful. She made sure our order was prepared promptly and properly. The food was outstanding. I had the fish basket, my wife had southwestern salad, and bruschetta as an appetizer. All of which exceeded expectations. The prices were fair for the quality of food and service. We have been there several times for Sunday Brunch, it is good but the menu items we had today, are unsurpassed. Strongly Recommend!
Review №5
2022-04-27Everything was great! They have wide selection on their menu, something for everyone. Definitely going back!
Review №6
2021-12-05They have a very wide selection of food. I would recommend the spinach and crab quesadilla and the chicken tortellini with prosciutto in basil cream sauce. Both were fantastic. The quesadilla was flavorful, creamy and had a nice, crispy flour totrilla. I realized Ill need to make it a home, I was that delicious. As for the tortellini dish,, those of you who arent super adventurous, or dont like basil and would be turned off because of the word in the title, should at least give this a try because there is very little basil taste and I promise, the chicken tortellini is worth it.
Review №7
2022-01-18First time eating here, there were 4 of us and we got out under 60 before tip. Our server was awesome! The inside was very cool and the fire place is a super nice touch. Basically if you want a nice environment and good food hit this place up!
Review №8
2022-05-18We love discovering new restaurants. This one was terrific! A menu that wont quit and it all looked so good it was difficult it to choose. I had the fettuccine with roasted veggies and my husband had the best burger hes had in a long time. It was all delicious! It is located in an old train station. I love old buildings like this. And it was full of memorabilia. Service was excellent. We will definitely be back.
Review №9
2022-06-14Place is kool & menu is large so much to choose from. definitely will go back next time I am in Battle Creek.
Review №10
2022-02-02Claras is one of the best restaurants in the Battle Creek area. The drinks here are amazing the staff is lovely to talk with and the food is on point. They have everything from great burgers to pasta veggie meals and a couple of fish dinners. If you are looking for a great burger and shake, they have that as well. I had the Philly burger with the oreo cookie adult milk shake, and man, was it great. I will keep coming back for more until I have tried everything on the menu.