Whether you’re on a Northern Michigan vacation or you’re a local looking for new good eats, check out these 6 new Northern Michigan restaurants that are opening their doors, from Boyne City to Traverse City.
Northern Table
220 Lake St., Boyne City 231.459.4487
Bright baby heirloom squashes, Berkshire pork bellies, ground bison and baskets of summer mushrooms filter into the kitchen at Boyne City’s Northern Michigan restaurant, Northern Table. Chef Meghan Wruk and her culinary team work quickly to transform their bounty of seasonal produce and proteins from a network of more than 30 small local farmers as they sauté, brine, sear and quick-pickle their way into the creative comfort foods that have made this new eatery an instant success. Fresh grilled lake trout nests in tortillas beside kimchi and kale slaw, bison meatloaf gets bacon-wrapped and painted with a honey mead glaze over crispy sweet potato cakes, and summer vegetables are grilled and layered with housemade ricotta into a vibrant garden lasagna. Northern Table’s mitten-centric menu philosophy translates to the pub program as well, where 15 tap handles pour forth Michigan microbrews. A smattering of Leelanau and Old Mission wines accent the competitively priced wine list.
Smoke & Porter Public House
1752 US-31, Traverse City
Former Lulu’s braintrust Henry and Mindy Bisson bring a hip, industrial aesthetic to their new American smokehouse concept, where locally sourced fauna are seared and slow-cooked over glowing wood coals. Craft brews, contemporary wines and small batch booze aplenty.
Roadhouse 757
757 Petoskey Ave., Charlevoix, 231.437.3801
A fury of loud flavors like the signature McClure’s Spicy Pickle burger or blackened Roadhouse Flatiron Steak with molasses Dijon sauce make the menu hum at Charlevoix’s new north–side beef and burger joint.
Mustang Wendy’s Cask & Cuisine
129 E. Bay St., Harbor Springs, 231.242.4546
Chef Wendy Wagner waves a colorful banner of influence at her new fusionistic Tex-Mex/West Coast eatery. Please your palate morning, noon and night with everything from huevos rancheros to cowgirl kale salad, mole chicken tacos and smoked pheasant risotto.
The Paper Station Bistro
145 E. Main St., Harbor Springs, 231.242.4680
A full service venture from the locally loved Stained Cup Coffee company, Paper Station offers fresh, casual fare, like panko-crusted cheese curds, farm market salads, a Wagyu beef burger with tomato jam and five signature s’mores.
Vintage Chophouse & Wine Bar
3600 Village Harbor Dr., Bay Harbor, 231.439.4051
The Inn at Bay Harbor hosts this swankily appointed, contemporary protein palace serving roasted bone marrow with gremolata or a bone-in ribeye with braised greens and blue cheese gratin. Expertly shaken martinis.