Autumn is known for its beautiful change of scenery Up North, bringing vacationers from across the nation on fall color tours. But a lesser-known seasonal perk has foodies excited. As the busy summer season winds down, Northern Michigan restaurants start rolling out fall dining deals and new special events. We’re talking half-off pizza nights, discounts on best-selling products, new menus and more. It’s a delicious time of year.

So, to help you plan the food stops on your Northern Michigan fall color tour, we’re rounding up fall specials from local restaurants, wineries, breweries and shops in Leelanau County, Traverse City, Frankfort and other towns across the north. You’ll want to bookmark this post!

Food markets, wineries, bakeries and restaurants, if you’d like to share your fall dining deal, let us know, and we’ll add it in! Email: csimpson@traversemagazine.com. 


Alliance

New wine pairing dinners. A tasting menu with about 5 courses for 20 guests offered twice a month. One of the nights will feature west coast wines paired with adventurous food, the other event with old world wines and a fine-dining feel to the menu. Starting in November. More information to come on Facebook. 231.642.5545.

A. Papano’s Pizza

This September and October, get A. Papanos’ popular two-topping hand-crafted pizzas; $9.69 for a medium and $11.89 for a large. Locations in Beulah, Frankfort, Interlochen, Kingsley and Thompsonville.

Blue Tractor

Get a special 9” pizza (Greek, Picante Pie, The Cuban, Pesto Pie) or a regular tractor pie served with a pint of Michigan craft beer for $12.95. Offered Monday through Thursday evenings for a limited time. 231.922.9515.

Cafe Santé

Celebrate fall at these upcoming special events:

Harvestfest: September 22 – September 24
Oktoberfest September 29 – October 1
Applefest October 13 – 15

Chateau Chantal

New wine dinner menu offered through October 31. The seven-course wine pairing dinner is prepared fresh daily by chef Reuban Rosales and led by wine educator Mike DuBois. The menu includes acorn squash risotto, salmon en croûte, braised beef and more, expertly paired with Chateau Chantal wine. View the full menu. 231.223.4110.

ELF

Offering a new, cozy fall menu by October 15. Created by Eric Patterson and Jennifer Blakeslee of the Cooks’ House. 231.715.1730.

Hotel Indigo

New fall menu at Hotel Indigo’s WareHouse KiTChen + Cork and H&L Social rooftop bar. Breakfast, lunch, dinner and small plates. Locally sourced and made from scratch.

Mama Lu’s

“Sunday Funday” every Sunday through the fall and winter. $8 chilaquiles (tortilla chips, scrambled eggs, spicy chili sauce, white onion, sour cream, cilantro and lime) and all-day happy hour from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. $4 mimosas, lunazul tequila shots, micheladas. Game day audio, big screen tv, carry-out food and beer.

“Reverse Happy Hour” starts next week (September 19) with drink and food specials from 9 to 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday. New fall menu items include a short ribs taco and a mushroom taco for vegetarians. 231.943.2793.

Plus Mama Lu’s just got their packaging license to sell take-out beer and wine with carryout.

Mission Point Resort

Mission Point Resort is introducing a completely revamped menu October 1 at Chianti. The traditional but fresh Italian menu is focused on quality ingredients and house made items. The wine list will be curated to offer a broad selection of small estate old world wines along with Michigan and California favorites. Dishes to try: house aged, bone-in, prime beef Ribeye steak; house-made pasta; whitefish with Tuscan herb crust, lemon risotto and spicy heirloom tomato sauce.

North Peak Brewing Co.

German food and beer specials from September 19 through October 9. A pint of Oktoberfest brews in a collectible pint glass for $6. Keep the glass and refill it throughout Oktoberfest for just $3. Special food menu items include sauerkraut sausage fritters, grilled maple ale bratwurst, schnitzel pretzel burger and German potato pizza. 231.941.7325.

Rove Estate Vineyard & Winery

“Thursday Happy Hour” from 4 to 7 p.m., 10% off. Outside patio has heaters so you can enjoy a glass outside. Wine of the month is 20% off when purchased through tasting room. September: Sauvignon Blanc; October: Cab Franc/ Merlot blend.

Kicking off at end of September through October is “Fall Family Days.” Family friendly tasting in the vines with activities for kids and a farm tour in a trolly pulled by tractor. 231.421.7001.

Stormcloud Brewing Company

Cloudvitational Beer Dinner kicks off the 3rd annual Frankfort Beer Week, Monday, October 3. Guests enjoy a multi-course meal prepared separately by a prominent Northern Michigan chef who has chosen a specific Stormcloud beer to pair with their dish. Featured chefs include James Bloomfield of Alliance, Randy Chamberlain of Blu, Simon Joseph of Harvest, Mickey Humpula of 9 Bean Rows, Aaron Hagen of Bridge Street Taproom, Guillaume Massieux of La Bécasse, Joe Meyers of Stormcloud Brewing Company, Steve Tebo of Chimney Corners Resort. Cost: $80. MUST purchase tickets in advance. Seating limited. 231.352.0118.

Suttons Bay Ciders

One-year anniversary celebration Saturday, October 1. Two new cider releases, live music, open until 8 p.m.

Suttons Bay Trading Co.

Enjoy a perfectly spiced, home cooked meal. During the fall season, Suttons Bay Trading Co. loves to use Wild Game Seasoning (for venison, duck, any wild game; $6.85), Pumpkin Pie Spice (for pumpkin muffins cookies, butternut squash, sweet potatoes; $6), Mulling Spice (for wine, beer, apple cider, tea, hot buttered rum; $6) and Pickling Spice (for braised meats, stews, beans, rice dishes; $6). 231.271.7423.

That French Place

Beginning September 15, customers can carry out dinners for $15. Order by 2 p.m. and pick up between 4:30 to 6 p.m. Diners can also order a day in advance or for the full week. Weekly menu updated on Facebook. 231.437.6037.

The Little Fleet

4th annual Oktoberfest on Saturday, October 1. Food trucks will be creating Bavarian-inspired menus and Little Fleet will be pouring special Oktoberfest beers inside and outside. Live music throughout the day. Bring any size stein and your first fill is only $3. This will be the last big lot party before the trucks move out on October 17.

Starting in November, LTO (Limited Time Only) season begins. Each month, a food truck inside Little Fleet is transformed into a new restaurant. Chef lineup will be announced in the upcoming weeks. 231.943.1116.

Traverse Bay Farms

50% off bread and butter pickles and cinnamon pickled baby beets; 10% off the national award-winning cherry salsa and bacon salsa. 231.498.2400.

Discover more local eateries and delicious dishes in MyNorth’s Northern Michigan restaurants directory


More Northern Michigan Fall Vacation Ideas

#2016 #Food_&_Drink #Restaurants #Vacation

Photo(s) by Chateau Chantal