22 Best Traverse City Restaurants To Try

The Midwest isn’t always the first place we think of for quality cuisine. However, one small Michigan hamlet, set just below the Grand Traverse Bay, has been slowly rising to foodie fame. If you have come here searching for the best Traverse City restaurants, you’re in luck because there are plenty of them.

It’s become a tourist hotspot recently for its small-town charm and natural wonders, but its dining destinations often get top billing. Traverse City is full of fantastic flavors ranging from tacos to a good old fashion Michigan brewery. Here are our favorite Traverse City restaurants to try!

---

The Best Traverse City Restaurants

---

Farm Club

• Price: $$
• Cuisine: Farm to Table
• Address: 10051 Lake Leelanau Dr
• Website: See Menu

Farm Club is a celebration of local land, honest Traverse City food, and community and easily one of the best Traverse City restaurants. The space is in a renovated barn with modern minimalist decor inspired by Scandinavian style.

It’s more than just an eatery as it wears many hats including farm, brewery, bakery, and marketplace. There’s plenty of outdoor space to appreciate the lush landscape. 

The menu features whatever fresh produce is available, cooking up healthy and hearty plates that sound way more simple than they are. If you order a meal called Sausage, you will find a pasture-raised pork sausage on freshly baked bread with field greens, carefully caramelized sweet peppers and onions, parmesan, and handmade spicy pepper relish in front of you.  

---

Mama Lu’s

• Price: $
• Cuisine: Tacos
• Address: 149 E Front St (GPS)
• Website: See Menu

As far as we’re concerned every hour is taco time, and there’s no better place to celebrate than at Mama Lu’s. The Steak Tacos are delectable and the Panza Tacos, made with braised pork belly, spiced apple butter, pomegranate salad, and pistachio crunch, are a real surprise showstopper. 

The atmosphere is cozy and colorful, just right for making us want to order one of their mouthwatering margarita flavors. There can be quite the wait here but it’s always worth your while to patiently persist. Word to the wise, be sure to always get the pineapple habanero sauce on top, you won’t regret it. 

---

Slabtown Burgers

• Price: $
• Cuisine: Burgers
• Address: 826 W Front St (GPS)
• Website: See Menu

Serving up the best burgers in Traverse City is Slabtown Burgers. Here you can find homemade, hand pattied burgers made every day. Here you can have an affordable meal that you’ll be raving about while in Traverse City.

You’ll also find skin-on fries, homemade soups, Wraps, Salads, hot dogs and chicken sandwiches. They offer gluten free and low carb buns as well as veggie burgers starting at just $5.50!

---

Wren

• Price: $$$
• Cuisine: Rustic bistro fare
• Address: 303 N St Joseph St
• Website: See Menu

Set in an old firehouse just outside of the city, Wren offers a menu designed entirely around sustainably sourced local ingredients. The result is creative fares that are always changing, even throughout the course of a day. Each plate is picture perfect, always Insta-worthy and almost too good to eat. The ambiance is rustic and simple. 

You’ll find handmade pastas with rare ingredients like ramps or lilacs. Whether you order the Cassoulet or the Walleye, it’s sure to be something special. It’s a superb space to save room for something sweet, especially if it’s the pot de butterscotch creme, where the pot is a reused jar for a bit of added kitsch.​​

---

Fire Fly Restaurant

• Price: $$
• Cuisine: Sushi and Fusion
• Address: 310 N Cass St
• Website: See Menu

Fire Fly is an eclectic eatery tucked away in Traverse City. Known for good food and good times, they tend to cook to the beat of their own drum. They have plenty of creative cocktails and craft beers on deck to help enhance their already enjoyable atmosphere with a modern and clean aesthetic. 

A bit of everything for everyone, you’ll find burgers, steaks, stir frys, and sushi dominating the menu here. They have some of the best rolls in the city, such as the Soy Chino. It’s Chinese and American inspired, and it’s always fun to get a few small plates to share here. 

---

Apache Trout Grill

• Price: $$
• Cuisine: Seafood
• Address: 13671 S W Bay Shore Dr
• Website: See Menu

Founded in 1994 out of the former owner’s deep appreciation for the Northern Michigan Outdoors and his love for freshly caught fish from his fly fishing expeditions, Apache is one of the best Traverse City restaurants to try!

The menu features a range of delectable options, including hand-cut choice steaks, fresh seafood, ribs, and more. Each dish is carefully prepared using the finest locally sourced ingredients. Guests can enjoy a romantic dining experience with a wide selection of local wines, or opt for a relaxing time on the patio, sipping ice-cold beers or cocktails while admiring the waterfront view.

With its picturesque location offering breathtaking views of Grand Traverse Bay, the restaurant remains one of the top dining establishments in Traverse City.

---

Trattoria Stella

• Price: $$$
• Cuisine: Farm to Table Italian
• Address: 830 Cottageview Dr
• Website: See Menu

Trattoria Stella is a long-time favorite of Traverse City serving up authentic Italian eats. Visiting here is one of the best things to do in Traverse City in the evening! The underground dining room provides a warmly lit and intimate ambiance of archways and exposed brick. The house made burrata and charcuterie program are delectable ways to begin any meal here. 

For the more adventurous diners there are some delicacies on the menu, such as veal brain and foie gras pate. For mains any of the from scratch pastas are sure to tantalize your taste buds. They offer one of the best ranges of wine varietals in the area, so be sure to pair a glass or bottle with your plate. 

---

The Good Bowl

• Price: $$
• Cuisine: Vietnamese
• Address: 328 E Front St
• Website: See Menu

This traditional and casual Vietnamese restaurant in Traverse City is churning out good bowls in more ways than one. They donate one dollar of every bowl sold to the charity of their choosing! What’s tastier than a steaming bowl of Pho with a side of community support?

Also it’s a relatively cheap eat. Price combined with flavor definitely makes this one of the best restaurants in Traverse City.

There are traditional and modern takes on all the Southeast Asian Classics, from Bahn Mis to Dim Sum. They also offer specialty cocktails like the Don’t You Lychee Me and the Mighty Mekong Mule, as well as local and international beers and wines. There are vegan and gluten free options as well. 

---

The Cooks’ House

• Price: $$
• Cuisine: Fine Dining
• Address: 115 Wellington St
• Website: See Menu

For fine dining in Traverse City, the Cooks’ House is always the best bet. It’s been creating culinary masterpieces for over a decade. Presentation is a plus here and the decor is tasteful without being pretentious, with white linens and large paintings from local artists. 

Many dishes have a decidedly French influence but are always creative takes. The menu is made by honoring fresh and foraged ingredients of the region and making them shine, for a fabulous farm-to-fork experience. Choose from a three course, five course, or seven course tasting menu that include divine dishes such as Gamellie Pasta and Roasted Pork Belly. 

This is one of the more expensive and fancy Traverse City restaurants, best to visit if you are having a romantic weekend evening in Michigan.

---

Oakwood Proper Burgers

• Price: $
• Cuisine: Burgers
• Address: 1108 E Eighth St
• Website: See Menu

Oakwood serves the best burgers in the city. It’s located in a mid-century modern building, and the space is refreshing with a trendy vibe that’s not over the top. The garage door wall that opens up onto the cute patio is an added amenity for all.

There are six mouthwatering meat patty creations to choose from, and even with a small menu it can be super hard to decide.

The La Montana Burger and the Proper Burger are two of the fan favorites, both on Old Mission Bakery buns. They’re all made with sustainable and hormone-free Michigan craft beef straight from Moraine Park Farms.

The garlic parmesan fries are a must and if you have enough room the hand spun milkshakes made with MOOville ice cream are heavenly. 

---

Sugar2Salt

• Price: $$
• Cuisine: Breakfast/Brunch
• Address: 1371 Gray Dr
• Website: See Menu

For the most important meal of the day, Sugar-2-Salt fulfills all our breakfast dreams. The food is seasonally driven and locally sourced. It’s located in the Village in Grand Traverse Commons. They serve up pretty plates and dishes that are always a fun twist on the traditional choices for morning meals. 

Who would have thought about trying Tartare for breakfast? However, served with duck egg yolk, pickled veggies, purple basil pesto, and charred focaccia you can sign us up. The porridge is surprisingly magical, and we highly recommend the spent grain pancakes and chicken and waffles. The ambiance is comfortable and inviting, making it a great space for gathering. 

---

Sleder’s Family Tavern

• Price: $$
• Cuisine: Pub Food
• Address: 717 Randolph St
• Website: See Menu

This eatery has been an institution in the area since it first opened in 1882! It’s the oldest continually operated restaurant in the state (which already makes it one of the best Traverse City restaurants in my book).

It feels like home as soon as you walk in the door. It’s furnished with large wooden booths, a mahogany bar, and some mounted animals adorning the walls. Kissing the moose for luck has become a beloved tradition over the years. 

Over a century of history sits in the pleasantly preserved facade, consistently feeding the hungry masses of Traverse City elevated Midwest comfort foods.

There’s plenty of sandwiches, burgers, fry baskets, and seafood to choose from on the extensive fromage forward menu. Check out the On the Porch concert series for a real old fashioned good time. 

---

 Poppycocks

• Price: $$
• Cuisine: New American
• Address: 128 E Front St
• Website: See Menu

Poppycocks is just the place for upscale new American fares. The super seasonal menu is influenced by Mediterranean flavors and offers many gluten free, vegetarian, and vegan options. Some savory highlights include the Lamb Meatballs, Lentil Dahl Curry, and Seafood Stew. They’ve been operating in Traverse City since 1989 and are often the go-to for a special night out on the town. 

Sometimes they even host live jazz concerts for an extra bit of ambiance. It’s generally an unassuming setting, which makes the Traverse City food stand out even more.

The cocktail program here is perfect, focusing on fresh and unique libations that showcase local fruits and herbs. They also have a list of wines from the region and plenty of craft beers from the city on tap.

---

Charles & Reid Detroit Pizza

• Price: $$
• Cuisine: Pizza
• Address: 113 E State St
• Website: See Menu

Charles & Reid Detroit Pizza creates craft pizza pies with creative toppings for an all around artisan experience. It’s set right downtown, and has been stone firing up this gourmet grub for over 15 years. They make the dough and sauce all in-house, and the toppings are always fresh and fun. 

One of the highlights is their rooftop deck for dining! This outdoor space is stunning for enjoying your meal al fresco. It overlooks all of State Street and has a full bar. You can even soak up some sweeping views of Lake Michigan in parts.

---

Sparks BBQ

• Price: $$
• Cuisine: BBQ
• Address: 201 E Front St
• Website: See Menu

This tiny smokehouse is well worth a visit in Traverse City. Every meat is carefully cooked and hand crafted over wood fired smokers for hours until spectacularly succulent. These authentic eats are some of the best in the state. 

It’s a relaxed local haunt with counter service and a small patio to enjoy. Try their famous BBQ Sundae for a bit of every fixing with your choice of meat. The beef brisket and pulled pork are delicious in sandwich form or as a plate. 

---

Boathouse Restaurant

• Price: $$$$
• Cuisine: Seafood
• Address: 14039 Peninsula Dr
• Website: See Menu

For the most scenic seat in the city, the Boathouse boasts stunning vistas over Grand Traverse Bay, set right on the docks. The atmosphere has a nautical cottage feel and is very cute and cozy, perfect for a nice outdoor fall day in Michigan. The menu is stacked with some of the best seafood around, all fresh and sourced sustainably. 

Indulge in Oysters Rockefeller, Yellowfin Tuna Tartare, or Smoked Whitefish Pate for a meal you won’t soon forget. Don’t fret if fish isn’t your favorite, there are other meats available, like lamb rack or kobe beef. It’s easily one of the best Traverse City restaurants for a dreamy waterfront sunset. 

---

Bubba’s

• Price: $$
• Cuisine: Burgers and Beers
• Address: 428 E Front St
• Website: See Menu

Bubba’s is a laidback gem for casual comfort food in Traverse City. They serve breakfast all day, for those times when eggs benedict for dinner is just essential. The Fried Mac and Cheese Bites have become a cult classic over the past couple decades here. 

They provide plenty of options, from salads to sandwiches to burgers to burritos. There are always several beers on tap for every taste preference. It’s a great place to treat yourself to some fun and some really good food. 

---

Amical

• Price: $$$
• Cuisine: Eurofare
• Address: 229 E Front St
• Website: See Menu

For eclectic European eats, Amical is always on point. It has a scenic setting downtown, looking out over the West Grand Traverse Bay. Sit outside to soak up the views or get cozy in the warm and intimate interior with an open kitchen. 

The dishes rotate frequently but you’ll find a few fantastic staples, such as a House Gnocchi and a Duck Confit. On the weekends they host one of the most beautiful brunches in the city. Amical is a delightful bistro for enjoying an elegant bite. 

---

Folgarelli’s Market

• Price: $
• Cuisine: Deli
• Address: 424 W Front St
• Website: See Menu

In every new destination it’s important to know where the best sandwiches are, for an easy lunch, a grab and go option, or even a romantic picnic scenario. This is Falgarelli’s Market for us, which 100% deserves to be on this Traverse City best restaurants list. It’s modeled off of the authentic old world Italian style. 

They have a little bit of everything, from prepared pastas to gourmet meats and cheeses to desserts made fresh daily. Make your own charcuterie board and pair it with the perfect bottle of wine from their vast selection. Of course, ordering from the extensive sandwich menu is always a great call, especially if it’s the Mobster. 

---

Don’s Drive-In

• Price: $
• Cuisine: Drive In
• Address: 2030 US-31
• Website: See Menu

You may not think a diner as one of the best Traverse City restaurants, but don’t let looks deceive you. Don’s Drive-In is a classic carhop serving up the delicious diner plates we all know and love. Dating back to 1958, this iconic American fixture still maintains all the retro charm of its original opening. 

Any meal ordered comes with a heaping side of nostalgia, complete with vinyl red booths, jukeboxes, and neon signs. The real hand dipped milkshakes are masterful. The Coney Dog is a real regional treat, and the Patty Melt is perfection on a plate. 

---

The Little Fleet

• Price: $
• Cuisine: Food Trucks
• Address: 448 E Front St
• Website: See Menu

The Little Fleet is less of a restaurant and more of a collection of food trucks set right downtown in the summer months. It’s a famous fixture, with a hip and happening flair. The outside seating is first come first serve and there’s an impressive indoor bar on-site as well. 

The roster includes Happy’s Taco Shop, Cordwood BBQ, Good on Wheels, Traverse City Pizza Company, Glendale Ave., and the Big Squeeze. It’s a great way to get a real taste of the foodie scene and spirit of Traverse City. 

---

Jolly Pumpkin

• Price: $$
• Cuisine: Bar and Brewery
• Address: 13512 Peninsula Dr
• Website: See Menu

The Jolly Pumpkin may be a Traverse City brewery first, but the elevated pub grub is reason enough to go on its own. The fact that you can wash down these delicious dishes with craft drafts is certainly a bonus. It’s a bit off the beaten path, surrounded by verdant forest.

Exposed beams and a fireplace give the place a cozy tavern feel. The Mac and Cheese as a main is mouthwatering, and the ribs are just as delectable. There are sandwiches, artisan pizzas, and enough scrumptious snacks to make up a meal like truffle fries and nachos. 

---

The AMAZING Traverse City Restaurants Map

---

---

READ MORE MICHIGAN TRAVEL TIPS

Hopefully, this helped you determine which of these Traverse City Restaurants is for you. Here are a few relevant articles for more travel around Michigan.

• Things to do in Frankenmuth
• Things to do in Mackinac Island
• Things to do in Petoskey
• Things to do in Saugatuck
• Things to do in Ludington
• Things to do in Holland
• The Best Waterfalls in Michigan