If you like good food you won’t want to miss this list of the best restaurants in Michigan. Here I’ve rounded up the best restaurants to eat at for every occasion from fine dining for a special night out to casual restaurants the whole family will love. Keep reading to discover the best restaurants in Michigan and get ready to enjoy some good food!
Best Restaurants in Michigan for a Special Night Out
1. Blu
Glen Arbor
At Blu they partner with nearby farms to bring you fresh, local food that is expertly prepared in beautiful and tasty dishes. The menu changes frequently based on what is fresh and in season. The dishes are European-inspired with an emphasis on simplicity and flavor. A carefully selected wine list pairs perfectly with the food menu.
For dinner, they offer choices such as risotto, gnocchi, escargot, duck, salmon, lamb, and prime beef tenderloin.
For dessert enjoy treats like dark chocolate mocha cake, creme brulee with tahitian vanilla, and profiteroles with vanilla gelato and dark chocolate sauce. Yum!
The restaurant is located on the shore of Lake Michigan. Take in amazing views of Sleeping Bear Bay and the Manitou Islands as you enjoy your meal.
2. Terrain
Bellaire
Terrain is a farm-to-table restaurant serving fresh, local food that varies with the seasons. The atmosphere is upscale casual and very welcoming. It’s one of the best restaurants in Michigan for celebrating a birthday or other special event where you want something elevated but not too fancy.
You can see where your food comes right on the menu with a list of local farms. There are a number of vegetarian and vegan options like kohlrabi and sunflower seed soup, bean cakes, and house-made ice cream. Meat lovers can choose from selections like duck confit and smoked pork chop.
If you like fish, don’t miss the Whitefish. It’s always delicious and one of the best things on the menu.
3. Butcher’s Union
Grand Rapids
Butcher’s Union is one of the best restaurants in Michigan if you enjoy excellent beef and whiskey. The restaurant offers a large selection of both like wagyu tenderloin or sirloin, ribeye steaks, bacon-wrapped meatloaf, and beef stroganoff. The whiskey menu is huge with plenty of Bourbon, Tennessee Whiskey, Irish Whiskey, Scotch, Canadian Whiskey, and much more.
If you’re in the mood for something else, they offer a large selection of cocktails, beer, wine, and non-alcoholic drinks as well plus sandwiches, salads, seafood, pasta, and chicken.
The restaurant feels old-fashioned and luxurious with dark leather booths, a checkered floor, and dim golden lighting. Outdoor seating is also available.
They don’t offer reservations but you can join the waitlist online. If the waitlist says “closed” it means there isn’t currently a wait. The restaurant is open Tuesday-Saturday and closed Sunday and Monday.
4. The Cook’s House
Traverse City
At The Cook’s House you’ll find fresh, tasty dishes that are made with local, sustainable ingredients. You can order items like walleye, pork belly, and steak a la carte, or if you’re celebrating something special, why not go all out and try the five-course or seven-course dinner menu.
The restaurant is small and intimate with only twenty-six seats. The white linens, local art on the walls, and elevated dishes give the restaurant an upscale feel while the atmosphere remains welcoming. Guests are invited to come as they are, there is no dress code. It’s the perfect place to celebrate while you indulge in some fantastic food.
The restaurant is open Tuesday-Saturday from 5:00 pm to midnight. You can make a reservation by calling the restaurant at (231) 946-8700
Best Restaurants in Michigan on a Budget
5. Polish Village Cafe
Hamtramck
Polish Village Cafe makes tasty Polish food at affordable prices. Choose from a wide selection of pierogis including buffalo chicken, pepperoni pizza, blueberry, and many more. Plus other tasty dishes like stuffed cabbage, schnitzel, and smoked kielbasa.
Pick up and delivery are available. If you’re looking for an easy, affordable, and delicious way to feed a group, Polish Village Cafe is one of the best restaurants in Michigan you’ll want to try. The to-go menu has several options for family-size portions that are perfect for feeding a group.
The restaurant is walk-in only, unless you have a large party of twelve or more. In that case, you’ll need to call a couple of days ahead for a reservation at (313)-874-5726.
6. Windmill Restaurant
Holland
Located in downtown Holland, Windmill Restaurant is one of the best restaurants in Michigan for early risers. The restaurant is open for breakfast and lunch starting at 5:00 am Monday-Saturday and 7:00 am on Sundays.
They offer classic diner favorites like omelets, pancakes, cinnamon rolls, cheeseburgers, sandwiches, and salads all at budget-friendly prices. The portions are large making your money go even further.
The hashbrown omelet is a Windmill Restaurant specialty and popular menu item. The recipe is loosely based on hashbrown casserole and includes your choice of meat combined with eggs, cheese, and onions, all folded inside crispy hashbrowns.
White and whole wheat bread are baked fresh in the restaurant giving a delicious home-cooked flavor to their sandwiches and toast. It’s the perfect place for a budget-friendly breakfast or lunch seven days a week.
7. Green Dot Stables
Detroit
Green Dot Stable in Detroit is open every day for lunch and dinner. It’s one of the best restaurants in Michigan if you like sliders. The restaurant offers a large selection of sliders including classic and unique choices like cheeseburger, Philly cheesesteak, fried bologna, gyro, Korean, and a few plant-based options.
You can get a number of sides like fries, mac and cheese, and salads to go with your sliders. The bar has cocktails and beer to enjoy with your meal as well.
The restaurant has a cool, dive bar feel with dark wood, exposed brick, and beams that make it look like a stable. Rich green leather along with the rest of the attractive interior makes the restaurant feel more expensive than it is.
8. After 26 Depot Cafe
Cadillac
After 26 Depot Cafe is one of the best restaurants in Michigan not only for the food and budget-friendly prices but also for its commitment to providing job opportunities for adults with developmental disabilities.
In Michigan, after age 26 adults with developmental disabilities age out of a lot of services. The cafe was founded as a non-profit to provide opportunities for these adults to work as productive and visible members of the community.
Visit the restaurant for affordable, diner favorites like omelets, pancakes, burgers, salads, and sandwiches, and to support the important work of the restaurant.
Best Restaurants in Michigan for Families with Kids
9. The Southerner
Saugatuck
The Southerner is one of the best restaurants in Michigan if you like fried chicken. The restaurant has a casual, homey feel and serves classic southern favorites like shrimp and grits, catfish, mac and cheese, and of course fried chicken. The prices are reasonable and the service is quick making this a great place to take the family.
If you’re feeding a crowd or you just have a large appetite, try the small family-style meal to feed four to eight people, or the large meal to feed eight to twelve.
The restaurant is open Thursday-Sunday for lunch and dinner.
10. Lafayette Coney Island
What kid doesn’t love a good hot dog? At Lafayette Coney Island both kids and adults can get a classic coney hot dog or hamburger with fries or chips.
No one knows the true origins of the coney style hot dog but Michigan likes to claim it. A coney hot dog is an all-beef hot dog served in a soft bun with all-meat chili, mustard, and onion on top. The large number of coney hot dog restaurants in Detroit is a testament to how popular this style of hot dog is in Michigan.
The restaurant is nothing fancy with just a few tables and the menu is limited, but what they do serve is hot, fresh, and delicious making this one of the best restaurants in Michigan for families with kids. Stop in for a quick and affordable dinner then try a doughnut for dessert, you’ll be glad you did!
11. Dinghy’s Restaurant and Bar
Frankfort
Dinghy’s Restaurant and Bar is a family-friendly barbecue restaurant with retro diner and nautical decor. It’s one of the best restaurants in Michigan if you’re looking for good barbecue with a family-friendly atmosphere.
Their meats are smoked fresh every day for the best flavor. Enjoy BBQ favorites like pork ribs, chicken, sausages, and pulled pork, plus sandwiches, salads, sides, and more. The sweet potato fries are fantastic so don’t miss those if you like sweet potatoes.
They are open Tuesday-Saturday for lunch and dinner.
12. Vinsetta Garage
Berkley
Vinsetta Garage is one of the best restaurants in Michigan for classic car lovers. The restaurant is located in an old garage and has some remnants of the former business still visible including several classic cars on display outside.
Eat tasty American food like pizza and burgers, salmon, chicken wings, and salads, plus a kid’s menu for the young ones in your group.
You can make a reservation online at their website or order food for take-out if you don’t want to dine in.
Best Restaurants in Michigan for Couples
13. Giovanni’s ristorante
Detroit
Giovanni’s Ristorante is one of the best restaurants in Michigan if you like Italian food. The restaurant specializes in authentic Italian cuisine using traditional recipes and fresh ingredients. The house-made pastas are delicious and so are the meats, appetizers, and desserts.
Many celebrities have visited Giovanni’s over the years including Frank Sinatra, Celine Dion and George Clooney. Check out the seating chart in the main dining room to see where your favorite celebrity sat while they ate at Giovanni’s.
Reservations are available on Open Table.
14. Amical
Traverse City
With its cozy atmosphere and tasty food, Amical is the perfect place for your next romantic dinner. The restaurant menu includes creative takes on classic European fare with choices like duck confit, shrimp picatta, and lobster tacos.
If you like dessert you’ll definitely want to check out the extensive dessert menu. Outdoor seating on the patio is available when the weather is nice.
You can make a reservation by calling (231)941-8888 or online using Resy.
15. La Becasse
Maple City
Last but not certainly not least on our list of the best restaurants in Michigan is La Becasse, a popular french restaurant near Glen Lake with delicious food and a romantic atmosphere. The restaurant is small and quaint with a quietly luxurious, intimate feel. The food is refined and beautifully plated without being overly fancy.
Enjoy traditional French cuisine like duck, veal, escargot, and mushroom risotto. All of the dishes are made in-house using fresh, local ingredients for superb flavor. The wine list is extensive and includes selections from all over the world.
The restaurant is open for dinner Tuesday-Saturday. Reservations are available on Resy.
Time to Eat at one of the Best Restaurants in Michigan
Are you feeling hungry yet? Whether you want a romantic dinner for two, a place to take the whole family, or somewhere to celebrate your next special occasion, Michigan has no shortage of great restaurants to choose from. Which of the best restaurants in Michigan are you looking forward to trying first?
Expand your Michigan vacation even further by finding fun things to do in Warren City, Michigan. Happy travels!