With free Traverse City Film Festival parking in two strategically located lots and a fleet of seven free, comfortable shuttles (that’s two more than previous years), it’s entirely possible to leave your car for the day. And that doesn’t mean just to get to a movie. Go ahead and shuttle to restaurants and bars, as well as to movie venues. Bonus: volunteers known as the Answer Squad are aboard most shuttle rides to help direct you to the transfer stations nearest to where you are headed.

Here’s a list of many of the restaurants accessible from the shuttle routes.

BLD: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
$: Entrées under $10
$$: Entrées $10–20

Scalawags

AMICAL: Friendly French bistro with a bay view, fireplace and street patio. Prix fixe menu from 4–5:30pm. Sunday brunch. LD • BAR • $$-$$$ • 229 E. Front St., 231.941.8888

BISTRO FOU FOU: Chef Guillaume Hazaël-Massieux brings his country French cooking downtown. LD • $$-$$$ • 118 Cass St., 231.421.6583

BLUE HERON 2: Local ingredients used in homemade bread and soup and other from-scratch dishes. BL • $ • 408 Union St., 231.778.2583

BLUE TRACTOR COOK SHOP: An Old Town favorite with from-scratch farmer food. Be sure to check out The Shed next door. The comfy burger bar boasts a list of over 25 Michigan-crafted beers. LD • BAR • $-$$ • 423 Union St., 231.922.9515

BREW CAFÉ AND BAR: Hip spot for a drink and light meal. BLD • $ • 108 E. Front St., 231.946.2739

BUBBA’S: Happening Front Street spot with battered mahi and chips, burgers, chimis, salads, tacos. BLD • BAR • $ • 428 E. Front St., 231.995.0570

CHEZ PERES AND PATISSERIE AMIE: French bakery and bistro. BAR • LD • $-$$$ • 237 Lake Ave., 231.922.9645

THE COOKS’ HOUSE: A sweet little dollhouse of a spot, home to sustainable local cuisine with a French sensibility. LD • $$-$$$ • 115 Wellington St., 231.946.8700

GAIJIN: Japanese eatery serving legit ramen, bao buns and craft sakés. LD • BAR • $$ • 136 E. Front St., 231.421.5466

THE DISH CAFE: Salads, quesadillas, enormous wraps, sandwiches and smoothies. LD • $ • 108 S. Union St., 231.932.2233

FIREFLY: A dazzling small-plate menu, sushi, steaks and burgs at a sophisticated hot spot on the river. BL • $-$$ • 310 S. Cass St., 231.932.1310

FOLGARELLI’S MARKET & WINE SHOP: Lunch & dinner (eat here or to go). LD • BAR • $-$$ • 424 W. Front St., 231.941.7651

Folgarelli’s Market

THE FRANKLIN: Hip new downtown eatery featuring flatbread, salads, lamb and beef burgers, bistro dinners. LD • BAR • $-$$ • 160 E. Front St., 231.943.2727

GEORGINA’S: Asian and Latin taqueria. LD • $ • 236 E. Front St., 231.943.1555

THE GREEN HOUSE CAFÉ: Sandwiches, soups and salads. BL • $ • 115 E. Front St., 231.929.7687

GRAND TRAVERSE PIE CO.: Exceptional cream and fruit pies, coffee, baked goods, pot pies, chicken salad and quiche. BL • $ • 525 W. Front St. and 101 N. Park St., 231.922.7437

HARVEST: Local foods, hip spot, quality ingredients, fusion flavors. LD • $ • 127 S. Union St., 231.486.6037

LITTLE FLEET: A bar/food truck compound that rocks. LD • BAR • $ • 448 E. Front St., 231.943.1116

MACKINAW BREWING CO.: Nautical-themed brewpub offers great house-smoked meats, several styles of beers, tasty char-burgers, fish and ribs. LD • BAR • $$ • 161 E. Front St., 231.933.1100

MAMA LU’S: Fresh tortillas with a mix of traditional and modern ingredients at this hip, fun taqueria and bar. LD • BAR • $$ • 149 E. Front St., 231.943.2793

MILK & HONEY: Salads, sandwiches and homemade ice cream all with local ingredients that are natural. Gluten-free options available. LD • BAR • $ • 250 E. Front St., 231.944.1036

MODE’S BUM STEER: Classic steakhouse serves tender, well-aged charbroiled Black Angus steaks, seafood, ribs, soup, sandwiches. LD • BAR • $$ • 125 E. State St., 231.947.9832

OMELETTE SHOPPE: Vast array of omelets, homemade breads and pastries, soup and sandwiches. BLD • $ • 124 Cass and 1209 E. Front St., 231.946.0912 and 231.946.0590

PAESANO’S: Charming spot with cozy booths puts pizza pie on a pedestal. LD • $ • 447 E. Front St., 231.941.5740

PANGEA’S PIZZA PUB: Cozy booths for sharing pies made with golden crusts and a world of inventive toppings (beets, chorizo, cilantro, prosciutto, pecans …) LD • BAR $-$$ • 135 E. Front St., 231.946.9800

PEPENERO: From-scratch southern Italian cuisine. LD • BAR • $$ • 700 Cottageview Dr., Suite 30, 231.929.1960

POPPYCOCK’S: Fresh seafood, pasta, unique sandwiches and salads, including vegetarian specialties and award-winning desserts. LD • BAR • $-$$ • 128. E. Front St., 231.941.7632

RED SPIRE BRUNCH HOUSE: Classic American fare breakfast and lunch all day. BL • $$ • 800 Cottageview Dr., Suite 30, 231.252.4648

RED GINGER: Wrap yourself in fresh-sleek surroundings and the spicy-exotic flavors of Asia. D • BAR • $-$$$ • 237 E. Front St., 231.944.1733

SCALAWAGS WHITEFISH AND CHIPS: A new location for ultra-fresh Great Lakes fish fry. LD • $ • 303 E. State St., 231.933.8700

SEVEN MONKS TAPROOM: Pair any of 46 beers on tap (including European Trappist ales) with your burger, thin crust gourmet pizza, salad or lively sides like sweet potato frites and Scotch egg. LD • BAR • $-$$ • 128 S. Union St., 231.929.4807

SPANGLISH: Authentic, homemade Mexican fare with occasional American accents. BLD • $ • 1333 Yellow Dr., 231.943.1453

SPARKS BBQ: Smoking up the real thing—pulled pork and chicken, brisket, ribs and jerky. Don’t miss the BBQ Sundae. LD • $-$$ • 439 E. Front St., 231.633.7800

SORELLINA: Authentic Italian from Antipasta to pasta. D • BAR • $$-$$$ • 120 S. Park St., 231.421.5912

STATE STREET GRILLE DOWNTOWN: Traverse City sports bar featuring 11 big screens, bang bang shrimp, steaks, lobster mac and cheese, local beer, wine and spirits. LD • $-$$ • 221 E. State St., 231.947.4263

TAPROOT CIDER HOUSE: Brick oven pizza, great salads, inventive entrees paired with hard cider, microbrews, wine and spirits. LD • BAR • $-$$ • 300 E. Front St., 231.943.2500

THE TOWNE PLAZA: Eclectic American cuisine focusing on local ingredients with extensive outdoor seating and a casual atmosphere. BLD • BAR • $-$$$ • 202 E. Cass St., 231.929.0900

TRATTORIA STELLA: Hip locally sourced fare with an Italian accent. LD • BAR • $$-$$$ • 1200 W. 11th St., 231.929.8989

UNION TAP AND GRILL: American pub classics. LD • BAR • $-$$ • 127 Union St., 231.421.1663

WHITE ON RICE: Sushi & ramen served carry out or dine in. Text or call ahead for orders. LD • $-$$ • 510 W. 14th St., 231.633.7423

Click the cover for your FREE insider’s guide to the festival!

[publication mode=”thumb” name=”filmgoer” align=”center” link=”viewnow”]


More Film Fest Fun:

Photo(s) by Taylor Brown