Welcome to Cafe Jazzy Rose
Cafe Jazzy Rose is a jazz-centric restaurant, elixir lounge, and cafe that offers dine-in and to-go services for lunch and dinner. With a menu that showcases a variety of dishes made to celebrate jazz locales, and botanical zero-proof cocktails to enhance your mood, Cafe Jazzy Rose stands out as an inviting and distinctive dining option. Providing exceptional service and a unique ambiance, we aim to be a culinary destination in Grand Rapids.
Head Chef & Co-Owner Ben Kaja
For Chef Ben, a plate is a composition—a rhythmic blend of history, travel, and technique. With an MFA in Poetry and a background as a musician, he approaches the kitchen as he does a jazz set: with soul, improvisation, and mastery.
His 'Greatest Hits' menu is a
culinary map of a 30-year odyssey. From the precision of Tokyo and the coastal brightness of California to the deep, smoky traditions of the American South, Ben fuses world cuisines into a singular, soulful experience. Inspired by the legacy of Anthony Bourdain, José Andrés, and his father’s quote written to Ben in a poem “Dare dreams real”, his mission is simple: a service of genuine kindness. He has created a sanctuary where you can explore the unfamiliar and leave not just satisfied, but genuinely happier than when you arrived.