Diners' Choice: Neighbourhood gem restaurants in Northern Michigan / Upper Peninsula

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

Looking for the best restaurants that are the best neighbourhood gems in Northern Michigan / Upper Peninsula? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favourite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Boathouse Restaurant

4.9

4.9 (2003)

$50 and over

European

Traverse City

About the restaurant

The cuisine of the Boathouse, created with distinctive flair is refined and contemporary, with an underlying element that echoes the classical French tradition of Escoffier.

The Boathouse experience begins with a drive along the shores of beautiful West Grand Traverse Bay and its sparkling blue waters.

When you dine with us, you get the best of both worlds: We are both locavores and connoisseurs of what the rest of the world has to offer, so you get the freshest, finest ingredients from near and far. Owner Doug Kosch adheres to the "farm to table" concept.

Top review

Shannon

Dined on Dec 7, 2024

Outstanding service. Dinner for two was delicious. Great way to spend an anniversary. Will definitely go back.

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4.8

4.8 (1129)

$31 to $50

Italian

Glen Arbor / Maple City

About the restaurant

Italian-American neighborhood dining in the heart of downtown "Burdickville."

Please visit our website for further information, sample menus & directions. Online reservations are limited, please call if you do not see the availability you want. We look forward to having you as our guest!

*We do not have a children's menu; young children are strongly discouraged. We are a small space ~ limits are in place for larger parties.

Top review

OpenTable DinerVIP

Dined 2 days ago

Food was delicious except for the house salad. The dressing had too much vinegar

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4.8

4.8 (650)

$30 and under

Seafood

Charlevoix

About the restaurant

The Argonne House is a full service family restaurant, where you can walk in a stranger and leave as friends.

We strive to not only provide exceptional food and service, but also offer you a dining experience that will leave you with memories for years to come. While our house specialty is our Famous Shrimp Dinners, we offer a variety of menu items for you to enjoy including Steaks, Seafood and Brick Oven Pizzas.

Top review

Richard

Dined 2 days ago

Great experience as usual . Always a treat to go to my favorite restaurant in this area.

Aster

4.8

4.8 (289)

$30 and under

American

Midland

About the restaurant

Farm to table restaurant based off community, sustainability, and hyper-seasonality.

Top review

Lisa

Dined on Nov 22, 2024

I adore this restaurant. The menu is interesting and eclectic, the ambience is casual but elegant with just a touch of kitsch. The food is always outstanding.

Douglas Lake Bar & Steakhouse

4.8

4.8 (662)

$31 to $50

Steak

Petoskey / Boyne City

About the restaurant

The Douglas Lake Bar & Steakhouse, known to locals as the “DLB”, has a rich history of providing great food and service in a rustic log building overlooking beautiful Douglas Lake. The two giant fieldstone fireplaces offer the perfect dining ambiance during the spring and fall seasons. Summer guests enjoy drinks on the outdoor patio and dining on the lakeside deck or the screened-in porch.

Top review

William

Dined on Dec 12, 2024

Everything was spot on! Food was excellent. Server was excellent!

Spring & Porter

4.8

4.8 (625)

$31 to $50

Global, International

Petoskey

About the restaurant

Spring & Porter features modern, globally-inspired cuisine in a refined yet welcoming environment. Chef Tommy Kaszubowski has created a menu for everyone and, when paired with our impressive wine collection, creates an experience you won't want to forget. From the selection of seasonal ingredients; and our emphasis on local purveyors to the thoughtfully crafted cocktail menu, Spring & Porter is humbled to have you as our guest.

Top review

KellyVIP

Dined 5 days ago

Cocktails, appetizers, salads, and entrees were all top notch. Our server, Heidi, was fabulous! I initially ordered a cocktail that wasn’t to my liking. Absolutely nothing wrong with it, I just made a poor choice. Heidi insisted on replacing it with my favorite drink. Really above and beyond. Can’t wait to return!

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Popular dish

Beef Tenderloin Tartare

Popular dish

Beef Tenderloin Fillet

Popular dish

Bolognese

Chandler's a Restaurant

4.7

4.7 (2227)

$31 to $50

Global, International

Petoskey

About the restaurant

Chandler’s opened it’s doors in December of 1999 behind the historical Symons General Store building. It’s a cozy place with only 50 seats in the main dining room & 10 seats at the bar. When real estate is too tough to find - it’s standing room only! For a change of scenery, guests can enjoy dining in the wine cellar where they are surrounded by the 4,000 bottle collection that serves both the restaurant and Symons General Store. In the warmer months, guests can choose to dine outside, on Chandler’s brick courtyard.

Top review

Bill

Dined on Dec 9, 2024

What a great place!! The food and service were amazing and we loved the cozy ambiance !!!

Mary's Bistro Draught House

4.7

4.7 (315)

$30 and under

American

Mackinac Island

About the restaurant

Put Mary's Bistro Draught House at the top of your list of places to eat on Mackinac Island, and here's why. The aroma of home-style cooking fills the air. We're talking savory chicken pot pie made from scratch and locally sourced whitefish that's oh-so-fresh. And don't get me started on our artisanal pizzas & juicy burgers!

But here's the real kicker – our chicken tendies are legendary. Seriously, they're soaked in buttermilk overnight & seasoned to absolute perfection. You won't find anything like them anywhere else.

Now, let's talk drinks. We've got a whopping selection of 50 craft beers & cocktails on tap. Try our signature draft, the Mackinac Mule. It's a game-changer.

Now, picture chilling on the waterside patio, feeling the island breeze on your face, listening to the waves, watching boats sail into the harbor. Or maybe you're inside, catching a game on the big screen.

Once you've experienced Mary's, you'll be hooked.

Top review

Julie

Dined on Oct 6, 2024

Service was excellent, thanks Mary! The food was hot, delicious, and prepared quickly. Ambiance great. Bar atmosphere on one side and family dinning on the other. Our table over looked the harbor and we could watch the ferries and other boats coming in and out of the island. Price was that of every other restaurant on the island.

The Straits

4.6

4.6 (8)

$50 and over

American

Mackinac Island

About the restaurant

The Straits is the premier fine-dining experience at The Inn at Stonecliffe. Inspired by the Great Lakes and rich in locally sourced ingredients, our signature restaurant balances delectable dishes with bold cocktails and savory desserts – always reflecting that Midwestern charm. Whether you’re inside embracing the warming atmosphere, or on the patio for some al fresco dining with a view, you become part of our fine-dining tradition.

Top review

Julie

Dined on Oct 14, 2024

My first time dining experience at The Straits Restaurant was wonderful! The food, décor & ambiance is elegant, yet fun & unique. As I mentioned to our waiter, concierge & manager, “The Straits is showy, but fun & different. Never a dull time.”

Lakeview Restaurant

4.1

4.1 (195)

$31 to $50

American

Bellaire

About the restaurant

With million-dollar sunset views overlooking Lake Bellaire, The Lakeview experience aims to please. Serving bar and grill fare in the dining room of the Lakeview Hotel. Our bar features 8 rotating beer drafts and craft cocktails.

Top review

Jane

Dined on Oct 27, 2024

A great meal watching the sunset..our server could not have been more attentive..

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