Simply (Le Bon) Macarons in Grand Rapids

Located in the East Hills neighborhood of Grand Rapids, lies a little piece of France. Le Bon Macaron, which translates to The Best Macaron, is simply that – the best!

The small storefront nestled on Cherry St. is home to the sweetest treats that don’t require a plane ticket or French translation book. As you walk in you are greeted by the aroma of sugar and espresso – something that feels inherently chic. The smell mixed with the overall atmosphere and decor of the cafe melds well to create a luxurious experience. As you step up to the counter, you are greeted by friendly smiles and dozens of flavors of macarons.

Every flavor you could want, from the traditional Chocolate and Vanilla to the more inventive Margarita and Honey Lavender can be found here. My favorite is the bright blue and sprinkle-crusted Marie Antoinette macaron that tastes like cake batter. Yet, for $2.10 a piece, I feel like I could make my way around the flavor lineup and find a new favorite.

In addition to the macarons, you can grab a scone, tea, coffee, or indulge in a sundae.

Why such a big hullabaloo over this bakery in particular? Well, it’s not every day that you see a French macaron shop, and for good reason too. There is an art to macaron baking. The shell has to be delicate and smooth, but have a good crunch, and there needs to be defined, but unbroken “feet.” Then wedged between the two halves of the cookie is a flavorful cream center. While the recipe is simple (powdered sugar, almond flour, egg whites), the execution is easy to mess up. Yet, Le Bon creates perfection every single time.

So, if you are ever in Grand Rapids or in Ann Arbor (yup, they have two locations), I suggest visiting this very special local family business because there is nothing quite like The Best.