Is there anything better than an outdoor dining table on a sunny day with a lake breeze? Check out our town-by-town guide to eating outside in the Benzie, Manistee and Cadillac region.
Arcadia Outdoor Dining
ARCADIA ICE HOUSE
An old-fashioned ice cream and soda shop with nostalgic décor.
BOWEN’S CREEK
Enjoy your favorite craft coffee, beignets and sweet or savory crêpes on our patio.
THE DINING ROOM AT ARCADIA BLUFFS
This award-winning golf course has several dining options, ranging from casual to fine. The dining room and its deck offer spectacular views of Lake Michigan, especially at sunset.
KETCH 22 FOOD TRUCK
Fresh American cuisine with a creative culinary twist (get the cheese curds).
Bear Lake Outdoor Dining
GRILLE 44
Casual family-friendly restaurant with burgers, sandwiches and a broasted chicken dinner.
LAKESIDE CAFÉ
Serving American faves and breakfast all day.
Benzonia & Beulah Outdoor Dining
COLD CREEK RESTAURANT
Live music and classics like perch, planked whitefish, pizza and burgers.
THE EATERY AT UP NORTH FIELDS
Fresh comfort food and outdoor seating among the flowers that you can cut for yourself.
FIVE SHORES BREWING
Craft brewery with appetizers to share and pressed sandwiches, plus a spacious beer garden.
JODI’S TANGLED ANTLER
Serving a wide variety of food and drinks with a great outdoor patio for the warmer seasons.
L’CHAYIM DELICATESSEN
NY-style deli offering sandwiches and bagels.
LUCKY DOG BAR & GRILLE
With a 17-tap drink lineup and a diverse bar-style menu, Lucky Dog serves up your late-night favorites all day long.
MARY’S ASIAN CUISINE
Asian fast-food offerings and plenty of outdoor seating.
ROADHOUSE MEXICAN BAR & GRILL
A local favorite for Mexican-inspired cuisine (tacos, quesadillas and freshly made chips and guac) with quaint outdoor seating.
ST. AMBROSE CELLARS
Wood-fired pizza, burgers and more. Draft and still meads as well as hand-crafted beer and wine. Outdoor picnic tables.
URSA MAJOR BISTRO & COFFEE SHOP
Breakfast all day, espresso drinks, plus burgers and sandwiches.

Cadillac Outdoor Dining
13TH STREET MARKET & RESTAURANT
A flower-filled outdoor dining area pairs well with from-scratch dishes and baked goods.
AFTER 26 DEPOT
Casual eatery dedicated to employing adults with developmental disabilities and cognitive impairment.
BLUE HERON CAFÉ
Housemade daytime fare, bakery treats & a large open-air seating area are the draws at this charming outpost.
BURKE’S WATERFRONT
Laidback hangout with a big deck overlooking a forested lake serving traditional American fare.
CADILLAC GRILL
Sitting at the top of the Eldorado Golf Course with panoramic views and a full-length deck.
CHERYL’S LANDING AND MARINA
Enjoy baked goods and fresh meals on this patio at the edge of Lake Cadillac.
CHICO’S TACO HOUSE
Cute little yellow house with an equally cute patio and delish enchiladas, tostadas, chimichangas and much more.
CLAM LAKE BEER CO.
Choose from 40 craft beers on tap, wood-fired pizzas, grilled Angus burgers.
COYOTE CROSSING RESORT
Full bar and restaurant with Northwoods décor. Live music on a new outdoor stage.
LAKESIDE CHARLIES
A fine deck on Lake Mitchell. The hunt club–style restaurant features burgers, fish and wild game.
MI MEZCAL MEXICAN GRILL
Mexican favorites with lovely outdoor dining under umbrellas.
MR. FOISIE’S PASTIES
Enjoy pasties, pies, apple dumplings and cinnamon rolls at one of the picnic tables on the lawn.
PRIMOS BBQ
Located inside Willow Market & Meats. Order Texas-style pit BBQ and sit on the patio.
RAVEN SOCIAL
A hip spot for BBQ plates, burgers, soon-to- be-famous poutine and live entertainment.
ROASTED CAFÉ
Contemporary cafe serving espresso drinks, cocktails, beer, and wine. Outdoor seating.
THE TRUCK STOP
Specializing in smoked brisket and pork. Live music, volleyball court, patio seating, full bar.
WILDFLOUR BAKERY
A fusion of Boba tea, pastries and Italian flavors from around the world.

Elberta & Frankfort Outdoor Dining
BELLA’S CAFE
Coffeehouse with a cozy, eclectic atmosphere, offering breakfast and lunch, plus live music.
BIRCH & MAPLE
From-scratch brunch (get the chicken and waf- fles) and dinner, friendly folks, fab craft cocktails.
CABBAGE SHED
Back porch overlooking Betsie Bay. Fish ’n’ chips, buttermilk chicken, burgers and fish tacos.
THE COOL SPOT OF FRANKFORT
Quaint ice cream shop with homemade fudge and candies.
DINGHY’S RESTAURANT & BAR
Known for its smoked meats, there are cozy booths or outside tables under the awning.
DOS ARBOLES
Adventurous Mexican cuisine and cocktails served on a gorgeous rooftop deck.
THE FUSION
Traditional Asian-inspired dishes and innovative small plates. Waterfront views of Betsie Lake.
HOTEL FRANKFORT, NAUTICAL GRILL & SPIRITS
Serving everything from home-cooked breakfasts to romantic dinners.
L’CHAYIM DELICATESSEN
New York-style deli with from-scratch breads and bakery goods. Bistro tables on the sidewalk.
THE LIGHTHOUSE CAFÉ
Find your breakfast and lunch faves, then enjoy them on the patio.
MAYFAIR BURGER BAR
Delicious food and cocktails, a nearby park for the kids & dog-friendly outdoor seating, makes this a family-friendly spot.
PERKS OF FRANKFORT
Higher Grounds coffee, Hill Top homemade ice cream and from-scratch baked goods.
ROCK’S LANDING
Fireplace? Check. Waterside dining on Crystal Lake? Check. Casual atmosphere with fine dining? Check.
STORMCLOUD BREWING COMPANY
Belgian-inspired ales pair well with inventive, smart bistro fare. Patio seating right downtown.
VILLA MARINE BAR & GRILL
Take in the views from a beautiful deck overlooking the harbor of Betsie Bay.
VITA BELLA ITALIAN KITCHEN & MARKET
Authentic Neapolitan recipes from the family cookbook, in-house made pastas and seasonal outdoor seating.

Honor Outdoor Dining
THE CHERRY HUT
A beloved institution since 1922. Enjoy a slice of cherry pie and ice cream out on the patio.
THE MANITOU
Nestled in the woods with a log cabin setting, this upscale-casual eatery serves everything from steaks and seafood to sandwiches.
Lake Ann Outdoor Dining
PAPA J’S PIZZA
Great pizza options, fair prices and fast, friendly service.
THE RED DOOR COFFEE HOUSE
Coffeeshop with breakfast sandwiches and mighty fine baked goods.
THE STONE OVEN
Darn good mac and cheese, pizza and a robust sandwich menu. Place a to-go order and take it next door to Lake Ann Brewing.
Ludington Outdoor Dining
BARNHARTS MARINA & RESTAURANT
Caribbean and Southern food served up beside beautiful Hamlin Lake on two waterfront decks.
BORTELL’S FISHERIES
Seasonal spot for the freshest fish. Takeout only; bring cash or check; picnic tables.
BLU MOON
Family-friendly fusion bistro with an in-house sushi kitchen and an open-air deck.
BRUNCH BABES FOOD TRUCK
Loaded tots, truck-made donuts and sliders that prove brunch is the most important meal of the day.
CLUCK BUCKET FOOD TRUCK
Barbecue meats, famous pit-tatoes, mac and cheese. Also find them inside The Port market building.
EL RANCHO
Famous for their homemade salsa, soups and Mexican fare.
JAMESPORT BREWING COMPANY
Housed in a renovated Victorian storefront with a large deck in the back and a beer garden.
KEEPER’S FISH SHACK
Family-owned, walk-up-style restaurant in Legacy Plaza. Outdoor seating only.
LAKESIDE WIENER WAGON & BBQ
A gourmet hot dog food truck with home-smoked pulled pork sandwiches.
LUDINGTON BAY BREWING CO.
The covered patio at this craft brewery (with a full food menu) has a fireplace and two flatscreen TVs so you can catch the game.
LUDINGTON MEAT COMPANY
Your one-stop meat market and culinary destination with plenty of open-air seating.
LUDINGTON PUB
This pub serves cold beer and hot food with a fire pit and dart board outside.
THE SANDBAR
Local hangout offering food, live music, and karaoke, plus beer, wine, and liquor.
STIX
Recently rebuilt from the ground up, now featuring a massive family-friendly beer garden with games, an upstairs patio and the much-loved bowling alley.
TABLE 14
Southern cuisine inspired by Charleston, South Carolina, and a robust wine list.
THE Q SMOKEHOUSE
Superb BBQ and sides. Have a beer on the patio out back or order to-go for a beach picnic.

Manistee Outdoor Dining
BIG AL’S PIZZA
Pizza, submarine sandwiches and Mexican-inspired dishes, too.
BLUE FISH KITCHEN + BAR
The riverside deck at this downtown restaurant is a real winner.
DINER 31
Cheerful family-owned restaurant with delicious breakfast and lunch.
FRICANO’S MANISTEE RIVER
Popular pizza chain with a riverside location in Manistee. Expansive deck with freighter views.
JAILHOUSE BAR & GRILL
Off the beaten path but worth the drive. Outdoor patio with cornhole games and more.
KNICKERS RESTAURANT & PUB
This golf club restaurant puts a contemporary spin on traditional favorites.
NORTH CHANNEL BREWING CO.
Watch the boat action at the drawbridge in this refined but industrial brewery with pub fare.
THE OUTSIDER
This casual family restaurant has not only a pinball arcade but also lake and river views from the large open patio.
STU’S PUB
New owners, new atmosphere. Drinks, pub food and an outdoor patio.
TACO ’BOUT IT MEXICAN FUSION
Ultra-fresh tacos on hand-pressed corn tortillas, aguas frescas and burrito plates.
TJ’S PUB
Take a step down from the sloped sidewalk for paninis, Mexican cuisine and pizza below the stately Ramsdell Inn.
WANAGAN GRILLE
Fine dining with an unexpected variety. The patio overlooks Manistee National Golf and Resort.

Onekama Outdoor Dining
AMIGOS MEXICAN RESTAURANT
Authentic Mexican dishes to enjoy inside or out on the deck with views of Portage Lake.
BLUE SLIPPER TAVERN
Historic tavern established in the 1880s serving drinks and light appetizers.
THE GLENWOOD
Casual but elevated menu with dishes like almond-battered shrimp, bleu cheese filet mignon and always homemade desserts.
PAPA J’S ICE CREAM & EATERY
Ice cream, sandwiches, hot dogs, pizza; plus, watersport rentals and a patio.
LAKE & LATTE
Fresh coffee, pastries, sandwiches in a charming café setting.
Thompsonville Outdoor Dining
231 BAR & GRILL
Fun spot for live music and a meal. Grab a seat on the patio.
GENO’S SPORTS BAR & GRILL
Find burgers, broasted chicken and pizza at this chill neighborhood haunt with a pool table and jukebox.
IRON FISH DISTILLERY
A farm-to-flask distillery with gorgeous cocktails, wood-fired pizzas and lots of lawn/ patio seating.
THE LAUGHING HORSE SALOON
The largest bar and grill in the area offers daily food and drink specials, games and picnic tables outside.
THE THISTLE
Located at Crystal Mountain, this eatery’s Rose Garden is a fab spot for dinner after a day of golf or a ride down the resort’s alpine slide.
THE WILD TOMATO
The kid-friendly atmosphere makes it a great place for the whole family to take a break and enjoy a meal and drinks at Crystal Mountain.
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