The Best To Eat & Drink
In Traverse City

Eat 
Rare Bird Brewpub $$
229 Lake Ave, Traverse City, MI 49684
A rustic, beer hall-style brew pub with a stellar beer selection. They have their own brews on tap, along with a whole slew of local beers. Don't like beer? No worries; they have margaritas on tap, too! This is a full-service bar with liquor and wine and some of the best food in town. Check out their website to view their live music calendar.

The Towne Plaza $$
203 Cass St, Traverse City, MI 49684
This is a great spot to head for lunch, but really their menus are perfect for every meal. They feature great outdoor seating in the summer and specialize in pork-centered meals.

Modern Bird $$$ 
541 W Front St, Traverse City, MI 49684
One of the newest additions to the Traverse City restaurant scene, Modern Bird is a trendy restaurant on West Front Street offering seasonal grub with a big-city feel. 

The Filling Station $
642 Railroad Pl, Traverse City, MI 49686
Enjoy beer and wood-fired pizza at this family-friendly location. Stationed in an historic railroad depot with views of the Boardman Lake, the restaurant is right next to the TART trail, making it the perfect stop before or after a bike ride through town. 

Round’s $
1033 E Eighth St, Traverse City, MI 49686
This classic diner serves up country-style breakfast and traditional American lunch, and will have you feeling like you took a step back in time. We recommend starting the day here for a perfect greasy spoon breakfast and bottomless coffee. 

Sugar2Salt $$
1371 Gray Dr, Traverse City, MI 49684
This restaurant boasts a seasonal menu, and is the go-to brunch spot in Traverse City. Their risotto is a favorite, especially when paired with a fresh pastry and locally-sourced coffee. 

Pleasanton Bakery $
811 Cottageview Dr, Traverse City, MI 49684
Pleasonton bakery is a classic small-town bakery located in The Commons and serving up wood-fired pizzas, bread, and more. Plan to order a pizza to enjoy on the lawn one evening or take it with you to the beach for a sunset meal. 

Trattoria Stella $$$
1200 W 11th St, Traverse City, MI 4968This restaurant is located in the cellar of the former state hospital, and it features an Italian-based menu with a farm-to-table philosophy. Their menu rotates seasonally, and they offer an extensive wine list.

Taproot Cider House $$
300 E Front St, Traverse City, MI 49684
Taproot brews its own ciders and has other local ciders and beer on tap. They feature a great "Earth-to-table menu" that changes seasonally and are focused on cooking with "GMO-free, organic, local and free-range livestock."

Mama Lus $$
149 E Front St, Traverse City, MI 49684
A Modern Day Taco Shop. Located right on Front Street downtown, this shop might have the best tacos in Traverse City. Be sure to start your meal with their famous Street Corn and enjoy a margarita, especially during happy hour!

Sorrellina $$
250 E Front St, Traverse City MI 49684
An Italian restaurant right in the action of Front Street, they offer a unique flare on classic dishes. We recommend starting with the tasty Sorrellina side salad; you won’t be disappointed. 

Red Spire $$
800 Cottageview Dr #30, Traverse City, MI 49684
This great brunch spot is in the basement of one of the main buildings within the Village at Grand Traverse Commons. They have all the classic breakfast items, as well as a breakfast cocktail menu for a festive feel. 

Poppycocks $$
128 E Front St, Traverse City, MI 49684
Poppycocks serves up American fare that rotates seasonally. Located in the heart of downtown on Front Street, they have an extensive cocktail list that also changes seasonally. Be sure to save room for dessert! This is our go-to restaurant when we have a sweet tooth!

Spanglish $$
1333 Yellow Dr, Traverse City, MI 49684
This small restaurant within the Village at Grand Traverse Commons serves tacos, tamales & other Mexican eats with a northern Michigan twist. They usually sell out of their meats daily, so make sure to order early. It is helpful to call ahead for your order. Service is counter only, with tables on-site to eat.

Bubba’s $$
428 E Front St, Traverse City, MI 49686
This family-friendly restaurant is known for their burgers and is a great place to catch a game on one of their many TVs. They also feature a rotating tap of local beers.

Slabtown Burger $
826 W Front St, Traverse City, MI 49684
Voted as one of the top ten burgers in AMERICA in 2018, Slabtown is a local burger joint just west of downtown. Make your own burger or try one of their amazing combinations. Tip: call ahead to skip the line- 231-932-1760

Frenchies Famous $
619 Randolph St Traverse City, MI 49684
This cozy breakfast and lunch spot is one of the best-kept secrets in Traverse City. With flavorful, from-scratch food served fresh daily, you won’t regret stopping in to start your day. They have limited seating, so be prepared to wait, but trust us, it’s worth it. In the summer, they also offer seating on their patio. 

Drink 
The Parlor $$
205 Lake Ave, Traverse City, MI 49684
This craft cocktail bar is filled with vintage vibes and a cozy atmosphere. They offer gastro-pub-style food and have one of the best happy hours in town.

Low Bar $$
128 S. Union St Traverse City, MI 49684
This basement-level lounge is the perfect hideout while out on the town. Located below 7 Monks and featuring a wide array of craft cocktails, it feels a bit like stepping into another era.

Silver Spruce Brewing Company $
439 E Eighth St, Traverse City, MI 49686
Wild beer and fermented ales and lagers are all brewed in-house at Silver Spruce. Stop in for a beer or try their house-brewed hard cider. They have indoor and outdoor seating, and you can usually find a food truck parked outside. 

The Little Fleet $
448 E Front St, Traverse City, MI 49686
Food trucks and a full bar: what could be better? This spot is hopping in the summer, with an indoor full-service bar and outdoor patio filled with food trucks. They host several events throughout the year, so check their website for more details. They are kid-friendly until 9 pm. In the winter, cozy up at an outdoor firepit or in their heated yurt and enjoy food from their kitchen after 5 pm.

Left Foot Charley $$
806 Red Dr Suite #100, Traverse City, MI 49684
This tasting room is tucked within The Commons in Traverse City, right next to Higher Grounds Coffee. They offer indoor and outdoor seating, with a great selection of reds, whites, and ciders.

Earthen Ales $
1371 Gray Dr #200, Traverse City, MI 49684
Earthen Ales was created from a love of making beer and a desire to share that beer with others. Their brews celebrate places they love, especially northern Michigan. Be sure to stop in for a pint while you’re in town!

7 Monks Taproom $$
128 S Union St, Traverse City, MI 49684
Love beer? This Taproom has 46 Beers on tap, rotating all the time.  They serve a smaller menu of pub grub. Seating is more open than in a typical restaurant, so come and meet some new friends. Kid-friendly.

Traverse City Whiskey Company
201 E 14th Street Traverse City, MI 49684
Stop by their tasting house, which offers full-size drinks. Make sure to try their American Cherry Edition, which has just the right amount of sweetness. They do not offer food, so it’s a great after-dinner stop.

Workshop Brewing Company
221 Garland St Traverse City, MI 49684
Located in the warehouse district in downtown Traverse City, this brewery has a great live music lineup. They also serve tasty bar food and have lots of games to play, and are family-friendly before 9. Check out their neighbors down the hall, Mammoth Distilling for a nightcap. 

Mammoth Distilling
221 Garland St D, Traverse City, MI 49684
This local distillery features spirits created with Rye grown on South Manitou Island. Their tasting room in Traverse City features a cozy vibe with occasional live music and is within walking distance of other downtown bars and restaurants.