Food, Wine & Beer in Northern Michigan
Leelanau County is home to a nationally-recognized variety of culinary experiences, many of which use locally sourced ingredients to create unique flavors that will keep you coming back for more. The area’s wineries and breweries allow you to sample a wide range of tastes, often working with local restaurants to create unforgettable food and drink pairings. Whether you like to expand your horizons or stick with what you know, each meal is as delicious as the last. Bon appetite!
Local Eats
Art’s Tavern
Homemade breakfast, lunch, and dinner for the past 80 years. Cash and personal checks only.
Bay Bread Company
Amazing bread, sandwiches, cookies, treats, and espresso drinks. Just one block from the beach with a view of West Bay.
Blu
Fine dining in Glen Arbor with a menu that changes daily and an extensive selection of wines.
Blue Heron Café & Bakery
Fresh baked goods and healthy breakfast and lunch foods. Donuts, muffins, cookies, sourdough breads, gluten-free items.
Boone Docks
Indoor or outdoor patio dining, with live entertainment during the summer. A favorite amongst families.
Boone’s Long Lake Inn
Legendary steaks, seafood, and prime rib. Rustic décor provides casual and comfortable atmosphere. Great service, high quality food, and big portions.
Brady’s Bar
Deliciously-cooked American dishes.
The Cove
Experience the historic Fishtown for yourself at The Cove. Outdoor decks and waterfront dining let you look out on the many shops and boutiques on the boardwalks. Great seafood and chowder. Serving lunch and dinner.
Cherry Republic
200 unique cherry products and a café that features sandwiches, baked goods, ice cream, and beverages.
Dick’s Pour House
Homemade pie, soups, salads, sandwiches, pizza, and dinners. Nightly specials including Friday fish fry and Saturday prime rib and steamed shrimp.
Good Harbor Grill
Award-winning soups, salads, and sandwiches prepared with fresh and locally grown foods. Delicious seafood and hand-cut steak for dinner. Also serving beer, wine, and cocktails.
Grand Traverse Pie Company
Award-winning pies, including famous cherry crumb pie, the signature pie for the National Cherry Festival. Also serving pot pies, quiches, sandwiches, soups, salads, and Higher Grounds Fair Trade coffee. 2 locations (W Front St and N Park St).
Green House Café
8 daily homemade soups, full breakfast menu, and “big-as-your-head” muffins.
Joe’s Friendly Tavern
Known for great tasting burgers and a friendly atmosphere, Joe’s has been a local favorite for years. Located in the heart of downtown Empire.
Little Bohemia Pub & Grill
Best burger in Northern Michigan. Traverse City’s best cherry bread pudding. House recipes using fresh ingredients. Live music, outdoor dining, free parking.
The Manor on Glen Lake
4 course dinners with a full bar and wide selection of wines. Indoor and outdoor dining options overlooking Sleeping Bear Dunes and Little Glen Lake. Champagne brunch Sundays from 10am-2pm.
Mode’s Bum Steer
Tender meats, fresh seafood, poultry dishes.
OPA! Coney & Grill
Voted best Greek restaurant. Catering and patio seating.
Randy’s Diner
All you can eat specials and a variety of soups and salads.
Red Ginger
Voted TC’s Hippest Happy Hour, Hottest Restaurant, and Best Service. Serving modern Asian cuisine: sushi, fresh seafood (flown in daily), curries, and traditional creations. Private event space and catering available. Happy hour 3pm-5pm. Dinner begins at 5pm.
Riverfront Pizza
Located along the Crystal River on the outskirts of downtown Glen Arbor, Riverfront is a great place to grab a slice. They offer pizzas, salads, and sandwiches that always hit the spot. Outdoor dining only.
Silver Swan
High quality and affordable foods, as well as gifts from around the world. Daily specials, many dishes made from “old world” recipes.
Slabtown Café & Burgers
Homemade and hand-pattied burgers and fresh-cut fried every day.
Sleder’s Tavern
131 years of family tradition in the center of TC’s historic Slabtown. Burgers, steaks, fish, and Mexican. Lunch and dinner 7 days a week.
Trattoria Funistrada
Casual setting with elegant taste using as many local ingredients as possible.
Tratoria Stella
Local ingredients, homemade pasta, fresh bread and cheeses, extensive wine list (200+ selections).
Western Avenue Grill
Fresh seafood, natural beef, and delicious pasta complimented by daily creative chef specials and an extensive wine list. Voted best restaurant in Leelanau County. Outdoor patio dining during summer.
Farm to Fork
Aerie at Grand Traverse Resort & Spa
Premium casual dining experience on the 16th floor of the Tower. Restaurant and lounge incorporate the natural beauty of the surrounding area and showcases breaktaking views of Grand Traverse Bay. Serving a variety of Michigan micro brews. Sunday brunch from 10am-4pm.
The Boathouse Restaurant
Sunset dining on Bowers Harbor inside the window-lined dining room, with deck dining also available. Seafood, kobe beef, lamb, duck, and vegetarian fare. Award-winning wine list.
The Cook’s House
Menu comprised entirely of local foods. Food is simple, celebrating singular, intense flavors. Serving lunch and dinner.
Mission Table
Formerly known as the historic Bowers Harbor Inn. Farm to fork menu changes daily. Award-winning signature beers and wines distilled on site. Great views of West Grand Traverse Bay.
Spanglish
Bringing the flavors of the Pacific coast of North America to Michigan, the nation’s 3rd coast.
9 Bean Rows Restaurant
Locally grown and season ingredients make for a menu that is constantly changing. Full bar featuring some of the best local breweries, distilleries, and wineries. Craft cocktails and hand-selected collection of liquors.
Heart & Vine Restaurant
Cozy restaurant with wine & spirits bar. Fresh foods from local sources dictate the ever-changing menu offerings.
Wineries
45 North
Located in the heart of Leelanau County. Family-owned and very well decorated.
2 Lads Winery
Michigan’s first winery designed with ultra-modern architecture. Opened in 2008.
Aurora Cellars
47-acre estate offering wine tasting, by the glass service on the patio, and food options with locally-sourced ingredients. Opened July 2014.
Bel Lago Vineyards & Winery
Extensive wine list with all sorts of flavors and aromas made from family-grown grapes.
Black Star Farms Old Mission
Tasting room boasts a full round bar constructed with nine oak wine barrels, a cozy fireplace, and wine on display. Just a short drive along scenic M-37.
Black Star Farms Winery & Spirits
Sits just south of Suttons Bay on scenic M-22. Wide selection of wines and spirits.
Blustone Vineyards
Contemporary, light-filled tasting room that sits amidst the vines with panoramic views of the estate. Opened in summer 2012.
Boathouse Vineyards
Located off M-204 along the beautiful Lake Leelanau Narrows. Gold medal-winning 2010 Dry Riesling and 2010 Pinot Grigio.
Bonobo Winery
Delicious wine and expertly crafted small plates in an inviting atmosphere.
Boskydel Vineyards
Specializing in dry and semi-dry table wines. All grapes used are grown on the property. Credit cards not accepted.
Bowers Harbor Vineyards
Family-owned vineyard overlooking Grand Traverse Bay on Old Mission Peninsula. Indoor and outdoor tasting available.
Brengman Brothers
Brys Estate Vineyard & Winery
Enjoy award-winning wines in the elegant tasting room or on the “Upper Deck” overlooking the vineyard. Private tasting and tours available.
Chateau Chantal
Gourmet breakfast, wine tasting, cellar tours, and gorgeous views of the bay and vineyard.
Chateau de Leelanau
Located at the corner of M-22 and Hilltop Rd.
Chateau Fontaine
Located on the west side of Lake Leelanau.
Chateau Grand Traverse
Spectacular water views and a selection of award-winning wines.
Cherry Republic
200 unique cherry products and a café that features sandwiches, baked goods, ice cream, and beverages.
Ciccone Vineyard
Wine tasting, private tours by appointment, and rental of vineyards for weddings and other special events.
Good Harbor Vineyards
4th vineyard established on the Leelanau Peninsula back in 1980. Owned and operated by the Simpson family for generations, going back to before they grew grapes.
Good Neighbor Organic Winery
Offering organic wines and hard ciders.
Hawthorne Vineyards
Long and winding private drive drowns out surrounding traffic and other disruptions, allowing you to take in the beautiful views of the West and East Bays.
Laurentide Winery
Seven different wines that can be enjoyed along with the view on the outdoor patio.
Leelanau Wine Cellars
Hillside winery overlooking West Bay.
L. Mawby Vineyards
Taste world-class wines and enjoy the scenery.
Longview Winery
Variety of award-winning wines including Sparkling Apple Wine and Cherry Wine.
M-22 Glen Arbor
Tasting room featuring wines custom blended for M-22 by Black Star Farms.
Peninsula Cellars
This one-room schoolhouse turned tasting room is owned and operated by the Kroupa family. Numerous award-winning wines and hard ciders.
Raftshol Vineyards
Shady Lane Cellars
Their 1994 Brut won gold medal at the 1998 Michigan State Fair.
Tastes of Black Star Farms
Wine samples by the glass along with appetizers and desserts. Wine and spirits tasting until 5pm, followed by an amazing dinner (by reservation only, Tues-Sat evening).
Verterra Winery
New winery and tasting room in downtown Leland.
Willow Vineyards
Spectacular views of West Grand Traverse Bay and delicious wines.
Breweries
Acoustic Tap Room
Craft beverage tasting room with 9 meads and a rotation of wines and ciders on tap. All beverages are made by Acoustic Mead, hand-crafted from pure water, natural honey, fruit, herbs, and spices.
Big Cat Brewing Company
One of the area’s newest breweries.
Brewery Terra Firma
“Farm to mug” brewery with emphasis on local ingredients all raised on site.
The Filling Station
12 microbrews on tap, wood-fired pizzas, and salads. Located in TC’s Italianate Railroad Station with a view of Boardman Lake.
Jolly Pumpkin Restaurant, Brewery & Distillery
Artisan pizzas, unique sandwiches, house smoked ribs, and fresh local fish. Located on Old Mission Peninsula’s West Bay in a 19th century mansion.
Kilkenny’s Irish Pub
Genuine Irish Public House complete with ales, shepherd’s pie, corned beef, and more Irish favorites. Live entertainment, pool tables, comfortable chairs, and a fireplace make it a great place to be when the sun goes down.
Lake Ann Brewing Company
Mackinaw Brewing Company
Full menu featuring smoked meats, fresh seafood, salads, sandwiches, and micro brewed beers. Outdoor seating overlooking the Boardman River available in the summer season.
Mission Table Tasting Room
$5 tasting fee includes 5 samples in any combination of spirits, wines, and beers.
North Peak Brewing Company
One of the top producers of craft beer in Michigan. Artisan pizzas, steaks, ribs, sandwiches, fresh fish, salads, and soups. Seasonal deck with entertainment. Retail gift shop.
Northport Brewing
Located in the center of Northport, features indoor lounge and bar, covered outdoor patio with a fireplace. All beers are made with as many ingredients from Leelanau County as possible.
Rare Bird Brewery & Taproom
Simple and familiar foods served with flair, locally sourced ingredients when possible.
Right Brain Brewery
Award-winning culinary-inspired beers made with local ingredients and served in a rich atmosphere.
Short’s Brewing Company
20 taps pouring beers and Starcut ciders. Gourmet deli features pizzas, sandwiches, soups, salads, and daily specials. Live music every weekend.
Stormcloud Brewing Company
Inspired by Belgian craftsmanship, made in Michigan.
The Workshop Brewing Company
Fine craft beers and amazing food, served with style and warmth in downtown TC’s warehouse district.
Beer Tours
Kayak, Bike & Brew
A guided brewery tour that begins in the back of Pangea’s Pizza Pub for check in. Bike to Right Brain Brewery, then to The Filling Station Microbrewery. Launch at Hull Park for an urban kayaking tour through downtown TC. Stop at Rare Bird Brewpub, then paddle to Clinch Park Beach. End at Pangea’s Pizza Pub and enjoy a pizza on the patio.
TC Cycle Pub
Two pedal-powered pub crawlers that can handle 8-14 and 4-6 passengers respectively. Bikes are powered by you and driven by a trusted tour guide as you cruise through downtown Traverse City.
Distilleries
Grand Traverse Distillery
Michigan’s oldest “grain to bottle” distillery and certified craft micro distillery. 4 world-class vodkas, a variety of whiskeys, bourbon, 2 botanical gins, silver rum, and dark rum. New location in downtown TC.
Northern Latitudes Distillery
Small batch artisan spirits beside the Narrows of Lake Leelanau. Free tastings, spirits by the bottle, and handcrafted cocktails.
Traverse City Whiskey Company
Michigan’s only distillery specializing in whiskey. Offering samples, artisan cocktails, appetizers, and bottle sales in pre-prohibition era setting.