Location: Traverse City
Top Restaurants in Traverse City
Top Things to do in Traverse City
- 1. Traverse Area Recreation and Transportation Trails
- 2. Bowers Harbor Vineyards
- 3. Front Street
- 4. Brys Estate Vineyard & Winery
- 5. Clinch Park
- 6. Traverse Area District Library
- 7. Chateau Grand Traverse Winery
- 8. The Village at Grand Traverse Commons
- 9. Mission Point Lighthouse
- 10. Grand Traverse Distillery
Where to Eat in Traverse City: The Best Restaurants and Bars
Traverse City, known as a four-season playground, is now celebrated for quality cuisine, wine and culture. Miles of sugar-sand shoreline include the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore with romantic lighthouses and coastal villages. The glacier-sculpted landscape of orchards and vineyards includes 16 golf courses. Swimming, sailing, paddling, hiking and fishing are favorite warm weather activities, while winter turns the region into a playground for skiers, snowmobilers and snowshoers.
Things to do in Traverse City
1. Reflect Bistro Inside Cambria Suites Hotel
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 537 reviews
Bistro style restaurant and lounge serving breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. Happy hour from 4-7 pm seven days a week. Located inside the Cambria hotel & suites on Munson Avenue (US-31).Expanded Craft Beer Selection and Extensive Wine List. Reflect also always carries four Michigan Craft Beers on draft and wines from 7 local wineries, as well as from all over the world. Serving Super Premium Food at a Modest Price is our motto.
Reviewed By fcarr - Boston, Massachusetts
Back in the 1980’s I recall restaurants looking like Reflect Bistro. Unfortunately this restaurant hasn’t changed since.
We were happy with average to good food, a breakfast with plenty of choices. Good omelets ,average potatoes and coffee this would rank with old style breakfast diner food. Prices a bit high for the ambiance but service was very good. Wanted a latte but the machine was broken.
With the many choices in TC it’s hard to recommend Reflect unless you are a hotel guest.
2. The Filling Station
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 529 reviews
Microbrewery on site
Reviewed By Dave C - Harbor Springs, Michigan
Went for a dinner with a friend on a Thursday night. Busy, but not crazy. Staff was very friendly and helpful with explaining some of the beers. A wide variety of pizza and was some of the best flat bread pizza I've ever had.
Will definitely be back and would highly recommend! Great job everyone!
3. Grand Traverse Pie Co.
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 858 reviews
The original Grand Traverse Pie Company location! Our first Pie Shop opened in July of 1996 by company founders, Mike and Denise Busley. The shop is conveniently located on West Front Street in Traverse City, Michigan, just a short walk from downtown and a block from West Grand Traverse Bay. Our open-air design has the kitchen in full view of our customers. There's comfortable seating for those who would like to sit and relax with a slice of pie and a cup of gourmet coffee. We also have great lunch selections, with quiches, soups, pot pie by the slice, salads, sandwiches, and wraps. We serve espresso, smoothies, and a variety of homemade baked goods.
Reviewed By Strayedfar - Naples, Florida
Love Grand Traverse Pie co. We love the pot pies and all the variety of dessert pies. I can never decide which one I want! We come from Fl on an annual winter trip and always have lunch here one day during our visit. This last visit there were 34 in our group and GTPC took care of us without hesitation. I called ahead to warn them of a large party (and to ensure adequate pot pies to feed the hungry mass!) and they had everything under control for us. Set aside the reserved room, ensured our pot pies were ready and not sold to other customers and they gave excellent, exceptional customer service during a lunch rush!
4. Amical
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 981 reviews
Located in the heart of downtown Traverse City overlooking West Grand Traverse Bay, amical has been offering eclectic European cuisine to our dining patrons since 1994. Order from creative and revolving menus, fresh selections prepared in our open kitchen and served in the cozy dining room or on our vibrant street-side patio. Experience the local flavor, dedicated service and consistent reputation that has kept amical a favorite for over 20 years.
Reviewed By KRPINGRMI - Grand Rapids, MI.
My wife and I and another couple went to this restaurant for NYE. We reserved for 8pm and stayed for 2.5 hours. Each of us had something different and we all thought our dinners to be excellent. The desserts were to die for too. Our service was superb and and the wine selection the same. Can’t go wrong at this place.
5. Grand Traverse Pie Co. Downtown
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 161 reviews
The Traverse City Park Street location is located in the heart of downtown on the ground floor of the 101 North Park Building. Occupying a spacious retail space facing Front Street, the Grand Traverse Pie Company offers breakfast, lunch, dinner, desserts, and coffee to the offices downtown, as well as shoppers and tourists on foot. The location has free wireless internet access, restrooms, and a view of downtown Traverse City.
Reviewed By z3r0h3r0
I don't have enough words to say how much I enjoyed eating here!
First I would like to mention how cool it is that when you order pie with your meal, they give you a card so you can come back later to eat it! We utilized this and I was so impressed and pleased with the idea!
We stopped for lunch and we both ordered the chicken pot pie with salads.
This was THE best pot pie I have ever eaten in my life! It was big too! I have to mention the salad because it was also good.
For dessert I had the lakeshore berry pie. Holy moly!
You can't go wrong with this restaurant and you should stop in!
6. Mama Lu's - A Modern Day Taco Shop
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 164 reviews
Mama Lu's is a taco-slinging, modern day taco shop and bar in the heart of Traverse City's downtown neighborhood. Executive Chef John Larson's menu is driven by authentic Mexican street food grounded in a fresh 'made to order' tortilla. The affordable menu is complemented by well-crafted Margaritas and an unpretentious collection of beer, wine & spirits. The intimate 40 seat taco shop draws inspiration from bygone borderland watering holes to create a place where people from all walks of life can converge over cold libations, "hit the spot" cuisine & warm hospitality. A true fixture in the community, the fun & energetic vibes offer a destination for both date nights and family dining alike.
Reviewed By Samantha484 - Menasha, Wisconsin
Homemade chips and tasty salsa were a great starter. The tacos are small, but delicious. We loved the fish, shrimp, pork belly, and beef. The rice and beans were good. For small appetites, one taco and shared sides were plenty. Don't miss the street corn. Served on the cob, the flavors were infused into the corn. It was our absolute favorite thing on the menu! I can't wait to go back and try more.
7. Slabtown Cafe and Burgers
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 446 reviews
Reviewed By ET010203 - Toulouse, France
This is a nice business. Employees are professional and food is good. Cannot say it was perfect because the fries were not really crispy. Anyway it is a nice place. Many families were there and of course the kids love it!
8. The Little Fleet
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 197 reviews
Reviewed By Lori B - Clinton, Ohio
This is an excellent place to visit so that all members of your party can get exactly what type of food they want. My husband had BBQ at Cordwood BBQ which was outstanding and I had pizza at Pleasanton pizza which was excellent too. there is a lovely seating area open air in the middle and a huge bar for drinks inside. It was a great way to end an evening after a full day of seeing sites. It was comfortable, delicious, and I loved being outside and soaking in the last light of day. Its just a short walk into town from there for further shopping and a nice walk along the water as well. Great location. free parking on the street.
9. The Towne Plaza
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 263 reviews
Reviewed By Annette G - Commerce Township, Michigan
Stopped in after it was recommended to us by the ladies at Left Foot Charlie's. They weren't wrong- delicious brunch food. Pancakes with an amazing crispy edge, grilled cheese made with local raclette cheese, omelettes loaded with delicious meats and cheeses. Our waitress was excellent. Patio wasn't open on the day we stopped in but they managed to serve multiple people and turn tables relatively quickly. Lots of fun foods on menu! Check them out!
10. Spanglish
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 155 reviews
Reviewed By kimfht52 - Gaylord, Michigan
happened to be at the commons for an art show, this place was highly recommended. "authentic Mexican " . I was not disappointed, ordered 2 chicken tamales, and a side of rice and beans. 9$. they were delicious, tender and full of flavor. rice and beans were super yummy also. they use reusable plastic baskets to keep unnecessary garbage out of the landfills, which I really appreciate. this area is a hot spot of good food and eats, this one was a standout! will for sure be returning!
