Set between cherry orchards and shimmering Lake Michigan, Traverse City is the Midwest’s destination for food lovers—where four seasons define the menu and farm-to-table isn’t a trend, but a way of life.
The Cook’s House
A tiny, chef-owned gem, The Cook’s House epitomizes hyper-local, sustainable eating.
Menus change daily and feature Lake Superior whitefish, spring morels, summer sweet corn, heritage pork, and house-baked bread.
Dinner is an intimate, two-hour event; each course is lovingly described by knowledgeable staff, and the wine pairings highlight Michigan’s best vineyards.
Reservations are essential and this is where food lovers mark anniversaries.
Boathouse Restaurant
On Old Mission Peninsula, Boathouse brings waterfront elegance to Traverse City dining: giant windows frame the bay, servers float soundlessly among tables, and a parade of fresh seafood, local duck, strip steak, and seasonal vegetables arrive from kitchen to white linen.
Sunday brunch is a local ritual, with Eggs Benedict, crab cakes, and mimosas best enjoyed on the outdoor patio.
Poppycocks
Downtown, Poppycocks is the city’s eclectic “everyone’s favorite”—creative, healthy, and fun.
Meals might include chicken pot pie with truffle, beef bourguignon, or salmon tatare, alongside crunchy salads and house made desserts.
Jazz bands play live, the wine list is a mix of local and international, and brunch is a cheerful affair of cinnamon swirl French toast and cherry mimosas.
Bubba’s
For hangover burgers, classic American breakfasts, and late-night munchies, Bubba’s never disappoints.
The menu runs from breakfast burritos and scratch pancakes to fifty different burger combos—with fried egg, cherry BBQ sauce, smoked whitefish, or classic slabs of bacon.
Local beer on tap, fast and friendly service, and a lively downtown crowd keep the energy upbeat.
Trattoria Stella
Located in a historic, sprawling former state hospital, Stella’s is Traverse City’s Italian spiritual heart: housemade pasta, charcuterie, rich Bolognese, and wood-roasted meats.
The wine list is immense and the kitchen offers nightly chef’s specials using whatever was just delivered by Leelanau farmers.
It’s enchanting in winter, bustling in summer, and a favorite for weddings and milestone celebrations.
Get the All-American Travel Secrets!
Don't miss out on America's hidden gems!
