Article is sponsored by Journeyman Distillery in Three Oaks
West Michigan offers lots of foodie fun. You’ll find everything from fresh baked pies to slow roasted bbq, craft brews to French cuisine, and everything in between. Whether dining in or ordering to-go, here are some places to tempt your taste buds!
South West Michigan Region
River Saint Joe in Buchanan is a farm-to-table establishment. Taking inspiration from the vegetables grown on their 180-acre farm, their menu uses farm-fresh produce and organic ingredients to create a picnic-inspired experience at their indoor/outdoor taproom and beer garden. With a dish for every taste bud, they’ve got something for everyone! Pair it with a River Saint Joe organic beer or one of their “farm fizzes” sodas with seasonal flavors.
Saugatuck/Douglas offers a surprisingly sophisticated and inspired culinary experience sure to please any palate. Burger lovers won’t want to miss out on the famous Butler Burger from The Butler restaurant—part of the quintessential Saugatuck experience. Another must-visit restaurant is Salt of the Earth, a rustic American eatery and bakery that fully leverages the bounty of local farms and orchards to create sumptuous entrees, wood oven-fired pizzas, and legendary artisan bread. And the very best way to sample all the goodness available at Crane’s Pie Pantry Restaurant & Winery is to indulge in their one-of-a-kind Pie Flight featuring four of their delectable pies made with only the best fruit from Michigan. For other can’t miss culinary spots, click here!
Lulu Cadieux is a magical place housed in a restored 100-year-old former fruit market located in Saugatuck. Surrounded by beautiful gardens and sculptures, you may imagine yourself transported to a charming French farm. You will want to immediately explore their light-filled kitchen and chef’s garden, where they offer Cooking Classes taught by their French chef. Hands-on classes are designed for small groups (2-8 people). Soufflés, chicken cordon bleu, paella, and fish en papillote are just some of the dishes to choose from. Check out their website to schedule your private class.
Kalamazoo boasts a variety of worldly flavors when it comes to dining so that you can try a bit of everything! Here’s a list of some of their favorite hidden gem restaurants.
New Park Gastropub brings a creative and exciting new cuisine to downtown South Haven. They have the largest outdoor patio and is only a few minutes walk to the beaches. Craft cocktails, smoked meats, boozy Sunday brunches, house sauces and 20 beer taps makes New Park Gastropub a must see when in South Haven!
Bay Pointe Bar & Grille in Shelbyville is an award-winning farm-to-table restaurant. Aptly named for its lakefront location with panoramic island and garden views, Bay Pointe’s Executive Chef impresses guests with house-made locally-sourced cuisine to satisfy the most seasoned palate. Bay Pointe Bar & Grille is a true culinary gem that will delight your senses with a fresh, seasonal menu, extensive wine selection, handcrafted cocktails, and exceptional personalized service.
Visit Allegan Event on Sundays to enjoy the BBQ Beer Garden, featuring live music on the patio and weekly barbecue specials such as pulled pork & chicken sandwiches, brisket, beans, mac ‘n cheese, coleslaw, and other tasty treats! Enjoy drink specials such as our Bomb Pop, available as both a mocktail and cocktail and other refreshing drink specials and adult beverages.
Home to many locally owned and operated diners, restaurants, and pubs, Coldwater Country is the place to grab a delicious quick breakfast, a destination restaurant, or a gourmet dinner. Visit their website for their top picks for places to eat!
The Classic Roast Prime Rib has been a staple at Schuler’s Restaurant in Marshall for years. Prime rib is a large roast that is difficult to prepare well, and most people don’t do it at home anymore. For its prime rib, Schuler’s selects the best possible meat. Schuler’s uses special seasonings and slow-roasts to control the quality. The “end cut” of the roast, which is popular with some guests, is available if the timing is right!
Enjoy a casual fine dining café at Four Roses Cafe in Plainwell. The menu changes daily and will be determined by what is available in local markets each day. Four Roses Café strives to use local farmers and vendors whenever possible and emphasizes fresh, sustainable products. Four Roses supports Michigan breweries, distilleries, and wineries with 12 rotating taps that are all Michigan craft beers, as well as featuring local wines, and ciders.
Visit Journeyman Distillery in Three Rivers for lunch or dinner! Come munch on some delicious, locally sourced food and enjoy one of their signature cocktails. They focus on the details in all their food and drinks, and are sure the difference won’t be lost on you. Be sure to try their bourbon mash pizza for Journeyman Distillery’s spin on an old favorite.
Brewed on the fresh coast of Lake Michigan, Silver Harbor Brewing Company is proud to call the mitten home. Serving award winning beer throughout Michigan and in their St Joseph taproom. Learn more about their brews here.
Find more delicious options in Southern West Michigan
Central West Michigan Region
Understanding the impact of terpenes on our taste palates allows us to appreciate the depth and complexity of cannabis consumption on a whole new level. From pungent, skunky strains to fruity and floral varieties, the terpene composition offers a world of exploration and personalization. Stop into IndiGrow today to learn more about terpenes!
A once-popular tavern and bowling alley, Stix Bar and Parks Lanes in Ludington, is a hotspot for adult patrons seeking a night out for dinner, drinks, and live music this summer. Another great spot to check out when you are in Ludington is Jamesport Brewing Co, a brewpub that specializes in crafting their own beer onsite. Enjoy a view of Ludington’s harbor, including the arrival and departure of the SS Badger carferry on their deck or portside garden seating, while sipping on one of their specialty brews.
From a casual bite at the Grand Coney to waterfront dining at Snug Harbor, the Grand Haven area is filled with a variety of your favorite cuisines. Local dining in the Grand Haven area is a thriving community that offers classic favorites like the Village Baker’s Bavarian delicacies or Turk’s Tavern’s classic American dishes, as well as experimental gems like Paisley Pig Gastropub’s Crispy Duck & Waffles or the Toasted Pickle, Get Pickled Grilled Cheese. Any palette will be satisfied dining in Grand Haven!
Hudsonville Winery and Pike 51 in Hudsonville are known for their delicious wines and brews, but they also have a food menu full of wraps, salads, burgers, and south of the border flavors.
Located on the Westside of Grand Rapids Harmony Brewing Company at Harmony Hall has crafted a menu and atmosphere with German beer hall influences. Brewing small batches of well-balanced beer, their food menu features options like house made sausages, a variety of sandwiches, and multiple choices of loaded fries.
The Sovengard Biergarten & Kitchen offers a true farm-to-table dining experience in three unique dining spaces in Grand Rapids. Their menus feature creative, seasonally changing chef-driven cuisine that’s accessible to all and indicative of the seasons and incredible abundance of Michigan produce and products.
Hearthstone Bistro is “A hidden gem” amongst the hustle and bustle of downtown Muskegon. A perfect spot to celebrate with your loved ones or enjoy a romantic date night. Experience the dimly lit indoor ambience or take advantage of their beautiful outdoor garden terrace seating in the summer months. They offer an exquisite menu to satisfy any inner foodie. Check out their menu here.
Interested in more tasty eats in Central Michigan? Check out these delectable foodie restaurants.
North West Michigan & Upper Peninsula Region
The Tea Room, at Fort Mackinac, features perhaps the best dining view in Michigan, overlooking Mackinac Island, the Straits of Mackinac, and the Mackinac Bridge. Try the Smoked Chicken Sandwich or Quinoa, Corn & Avocado Salad, or indulge with a delicious milkshake.
Maybe you’re feeling a planked whitefish from the Terrace Inn’s 1911 Restaurant? Or how about your pick of cuisine from The Back Lot beer garden in downtown Petoskey – fish & chips, wood fired pizza, a lamb cheeseburger street taco, gourmet grilled cheese, or even a Mediterranean gyro! Foodie delights hide around every corner! For more food & drink options in the Petoskey area click here.
Little Traverse Historical Society’s annual Corn Roast Picnic takes place Friday, August 18th from 5-8:30 p.m. at the museum grounds on Petoskey’s waterfront. Brats, roasted corn, salads, desserts, beer and wine are available.
The new Bistro Polaris at Black Star Farms near Suttons Bay is steeped in Mediterranean-inspired cuisine! Don’t miss the Salad Nicoise with seared tuna, or a wood-fired Neapolitan style pizza with the freshest of toppings! End with Palazzolo’s Gelato and a Serius Raspberry dessert wine for the ultimate ending.
The Hotel Iroquois on Michigan’s breathtaking Mackinac Island is a treasured family getaway. Their Carriage House restaurant delights guests with waterfront views and classic American cuisine made with the freshest seasonal ingredients. Another great spot to check out is the Pink Pony inside of the Chippewa Hotel. Serving a wide variety of cocktails and is famous for its whitefish dip and burger. Relaxed, low-key, and offering stellar views of the lake, it’s a great place to cool your heels after an afternoon spent discovering this charming island.
At Bonobo Winery’s Summer Dinner Series, experience a four-course paired wine dinner, all presented amidst views of the vineyard and the majestic West Grand Traverse Bay. The Summer Dinner Series takes place every Wednesday evening in August. Make sure to make your reservation here.
Sugar Daddy Bakery and Cafe’ inside the ticket office at Famous Soo Locks Boat Tours offers a plethora of meal and snack options for everyone, and gluten-free options are also available! Once you have your snacks, take a trip on the boat for an unforgettable tour through the Soo Locks.
After traveling miles of Lake Superior coast, rocketing down rugged, calorie-burning hills, hiking to roaring waterfalls, or skiing down twisty slopes, you are bound to get hungry. Grab a hearty pasty like miners ate deep underground during the peak of the copper mining boom, or make a reservation for a fine-dining experience on the shores of Lake Superior. From Lake Superior whitefish to local breweries with good grub, the Keweenaw is full of can’t-miss dining experiences.
Stop into Cadillac for lunch or dinner by the lake! From Dockside Inn to Cheryl’s Landing, they have several Lakes Cadillac & Mitchell waterfront dining options. Are you in the mood for a delicious breakfast? Dine at the After 26 Depot Cafe for classic favorites like Chicken & Waffles or a Build your Own Omelet. For more great Cadillac dining options, click here.
Marquette has some fantastic local dining options for visitors to savor. Established initially as a candy shop in 1896, Donckers is now a fun, family-friendly restaurant with delicious breakfast, lunch, and dinner options and sweets galore. With almost four decades of serving, The Portside Inn is a casual pub-style eatery with a maritime vibe, offering a delightful combination of seafood, burgers, and salads. For fried fish, craft beer, and other classic American dishes, look no further than the historic and local favorite, the Vierling. The local cocktail lounge and pizza parlor, Vangos, takes pride in crafting their dough and sauce from scratch, ensuring that only the finest ingredients are used for their Greek delicacies.
From family-friendly and casual to fine dining, Shanty Creek Resort in Bellaire has what you crave. With stunning sunsets, award-winning steaks, pasta, and homemade desserts, The Lakeview Restaurant offers simple, local, social dining. Looking for something more casual? Conveniently located in the Great Room of The Lakeview Hotel lobby, the CoffeeBAR proudly serves Starbucks coffees, including espresso, cappuccino, Frappuccino, and many other hot and cold beverages—fresh house-made breakfast sandwiches, pastries, and lunch items round out the menu.
It’s peak local produce time in northern Michigan, and that is what Terrain Restaurant in Bellaire specializes in featuring! They incorporate apricots, nectarines, and peaches along with fresh local melons, and all the vegetables that are starting to pop into their homemade ice creams, salads, sauces, entrees, as well as their craft cocktails.
Check out this great list of mouth-watering places to try in North West Michigan and Upper Peninsula.
