Based on a lifetime of summers spent ‘Up North’ near Petoskey, Michigan, this is my guide to the current best restaurants in the Little Traverse Bay region. The Little Traverse Bay towns of Petoskey, Boyne City, Harbor Springs, and beyond feature an abundance of Northern Michigan restaurant choices offering fresh food for various tastes and budgets.
Stafford‘s
My personal favorite restaurants in the Petoskey and Northern Michigan area are any of the four fabulous Stafford’s eateries in the region. Stafford’s restaurants offer delicious classic waterfront fine dining or casual dining options in Petoskey, Charlevoix, and Harbor Springs. Fresh ingredients are the key to the consistently fine quality food from Stafford’s restaurants. Lunch is always a good value at a Stafford’s restaurant in Northern Michigan.
The Perry Hotel
A staple in Petoskey’s gaslight district is the historic Perry Hotel. The kitchen at Perry Hotel serves both the casual Noggin Room bar and grille downstairs and the white table cloth H.O. Rose Dining Room upstairs with a view of the sunset into Little Traverse Bay. In the summers meals are served outdoors in the Rose Garden Veranda. The wood planked whitefish is popular at either restaurant. The Noggin Room offers free popcorn, live music, happy hour, and a fun, casual atmosphere with prices to match. My personal Perry favorite is the Depot Salad, with wonderful Michigan dried cherries in the chicken salad.
Pier Restaurant
Harbor Springs has just one restaurant located on the waterfront with a close-up view of the yachts; Stafford’s Pier Restaurant. Dudley’s Deck is the outside area of the Pier open in the summertime. The Pointer Room at the Pier overlooks the harbor and is pricey, but offers consistently high quality food and service. The Harbor Springs restaurant’s bar area is known as the Chart Room which is more casual and less expensive, offering nightly dinner specials.
The Weathervane
Stafford’s The Weathervane in Charlevoix features a waterfront view of the drawbridge and the Pine River Channel, a busy waterway connecting Lake Charlevoix to Lake Michigan. Diners can eat in The Weathervane’s comfortable, large windowed dining room or on Jeff’s Deck in the summertime. The Weathervane serves lunch and dinner year round and offers seasonal specials throughout the year such as Bavarian selections in the fall or Irish entrees in March.
Bay View Inn
The Bay View Inn, a traditional and elegant bed and breakfast, is the most romantic of the Stafford’s establishments. The Roselawn Dining Room offers plentiful buffets year round. The famous Sunday Brunch is my personal favorite with a wide variety of fresh food offered from eggs benedict to baked goods, from fresh fish to chilled blueberry soup, and Stafford Smith himself carving and serving fresh ham to many loyal customers. Bay View Inn is situated two miles north of downtown Petoskey on the shores of Little Traverse Bay.
Red Mesa Grill
Boyne City’s most happening restaurant is the popular Latin American eatery, Red Mesa Grill. Its popularity can often result in waiting for a table. Patrons can wait on red benches outside or at the long bar sipping margaritas, called “the Best Margaritas in the North” or other spirits. The authentic tasting Latin American food has influences from Argentina and Costa Rica and is worth the wait. For those looking to escape the bar area and potentially crowded inside, ask to sit out back on the small, private covered deck overlooking Boyne River. Red Mesa Grill is located in the heart of downtown Boyne City, at 117 Water Street. The Northern Michigan restaurant has a second location in Traverse City.
Monte Bianco
In an old stone building at 2911 Boyne City Road just past Young State Park, Monte Bianco is a gem of an Italian restaurant. The Boyne City restaurant owners are from San Francisco as apparent from the art on their walls and the contemporary flair to their menu. The menu does include classic Italian favorites such as their tasty Minestrone soup and Veal Parmesan. The table clothes are white and it’s a little pricey with everything ala carte, but the distinctive flavors, and fine quality is consistent. Walleye is the most popular Monte Bianco special, but any pasta entree is delicious with my personal favorite being the tortellini.
Walloon Lake Inn
Chef and owner David Beier offers distinctive food at the fine dining Bed and Breakfast near the foot of Walloon Lake. Exquisite food with an emphasis on sauces is offered to patrons arriving by boat or car. Current entrees include braised Oregon lamb shanks, bouillaisse, Rainbow Trout Hemingway, Veal du Jour, and more. Walloon Lake Inn is located on Winsor Street, just off M-75 near Walloon Lake Village, and is open year round. Walloon Lake Inn is another white tablecloth, premium restaurant, with high quality food and waterfront view well worth the price.
Latitude
The Village at Bay Harbor sits along the shores of Little Traverse Bay, off M-31, between Petoskey and Charlevoix. Bay Harbor is an upscale community featuring a marina, luxury hotel, restaurants, shops, and more. Latitude is a contemporary restaurant choice overlooking the marina and the water, within Bay Harbor. Diners view fabulous Lake Michigan and Harbor Lake sunsets from inside their two story restaurant or from the outside patio with a fireplace. The menu is multicultural and diverse with seasonal changes. Selections range from unique pizzas to lobster rolls to Szechwan calamari. Latitude’s funky, contemporary atmosphere matches the high quality, well-presented food which stands out amongst traditional Northern Michigan restaurants.
Scalawags Whitefish and Chips
The best value for fresh, wild Great Lakes whitefish in the Petoskey area is the fast casual Michigan restaurant chain Scalawags Whitefish and Chips. Whitefish, perch, shrimp and walleye are fried, but cooked with all trans fat-free oils and accompanied by delicious sides including hush puppies, French fries, or coleslaw. The atmosphere is low key with wood booths and tables accompanying a nautical theme. Scalawags is located in the Clock Tower Plaza strip mall, just north of Petoskey on the way to Harbor Springs, at 2266 M-119.
