Is there anything better than an outdoor dining table in the sunshine and lake breeze? Check out our town-by-town guide to eating outside in the Benzie, Manistee & Cadillac region.

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Outdoor Dining in Lake Ann

THE RED DOOR COFFEE HOUSE
19631 Maple St. | 231.640.0005
Coffee shop with breakfast sandwiches, mighty fine baked goods and a charming street-side patio.

THE STONE OVEN
6551 First St. | 231.275.8520
Darn good mac ‘n’ cheese, pizza and a robust sandwich menu. Place a to-go order and take it next door to Lake Ann Brewing.

Photo by Mae Stier

Honor Outdoor Dining

THE CHERRY HUT
211 N. Michigan Ave. | 231.882.4431
A beloved institution since 1922. Enjoy a slice of cherry pie and ice cream out on the patio.

The Cherry Hut in Beulah

Photo by Nick Hearn

THE MANITOU
4349 N. Scenic Hwy. | 231.882.4761
Nestled in the woods with a log cabin setting, this upscale-casual eatery serves everything from steaks and seafood to sandwiches.

Outdoor Dining in Beulah

URSA MAJOR BISTRO & COFFEE SHOP
245 S. Benzie Blvd. | 231.383.4250
Breakfast all day, espresso drinks, plus burgers and sandwiches and comfortable outdoor seating.

LUCKY DOG BAR & TAVERN
223 S. Benzie Blvd. | 231.383.4499
With a 17-tap drink lineup and a diverse bar-style menu, Lucky Dog serves up your late-night favorites all day long.

COLD CREEK RESTAURANT
185 S. Benzie Blvd. | 231.335.1247
Great live music and classics like perch, planked whitefish, pizza and burgers. Beautiful view of downtown.

L’CHAYIM DELICATESSEN
274 S. Benzie Blvd. | 231.882.5221
NY-style deli offering sandwiches and handmade bagels using only organic and local ingredients.

FIVE SHORES BREWING
163 S. Benzie Blvd. | 231.383.4400
Craft brewery with appetizers to share, pressed sandwiches and brats, plus a spacious beer garden and rotating food trucks.

Photo by Jesse Green

Benzonia Outdoor Dining

ROADHOUSE MEXICAN BAR & GRILL
1058 Benzie Hwy. | 231.882.9631
A local favorite for delicious Mexican- inspired cuisine (tacos, quesadillas and freshly made chips and guacamole) with quaint outdoor seating.

Frankfort Outdoor Dining Spots

THE FUSION
300 Main St. | 231.352.4114
Fine dining that pairs traditional Asian-inspired dishes and innovative small plates. Waterfront views of Betsie Lake.

STORMCLOUD BREWING COMPANY
303 Main St. | 231.352.0118
Belgian-inspired ales pair well with inventive, smart bistro fare. Patio seating right downtown.

Stormcloud Brewing Company outdoor dining

Photo by Mae Stier

BIRCH AND MAPLE
727 Main St. | 231.399.0399
From-scratch cuisine prepared with an emphasis on locally sourced ingredients. Friendly folks and fab craft cocktails.

ROCK’S LANDING
1577 Crystal Dr. | 231.399.0158
Rock’s Landing captures the heart of Benzie County with its stone fireplace, location on the shores of Crystal Lake and its casual atmosphere blended with fine dining.

VILLA MARINE BAR & GRILL
228 Main St. | 231.352.5450
Take in the views from a beautiful deck overlooking the harbor of Betsie Bay, or belly up to the full-service bar for one of their famous cocktails or a local brew.

Outdoor Dining in Elberta

CABBAGE SHED
198 Frankfort Ave. | 231.352.9843
Back porch overlooking Betsie Bay. Fish ’n’ chips, buttermilk chicken, burgers and fish tacos. Live music and a huge selection of Irish whiskeys.

TJ's Pub in Manistee

Photo by Mae Stier

MAYFAIR TAVERN
515 Frankfort Ave. | 231.352.9136
A local favorite since 1933. Sit outdoors with a hand-pressed burger and a cold craft beer.

Thompsonville Outdoor Dining

231 BAR & GRILL
17170 Vonda Rd. | 231.378.0231
Fun spot for live music and a meal. Grab a seat on the patio.

GENO’S SPORTS BAR & GRILL
14848 Thompson Ave. | 231.378.2554
Find burgers, broasted chicken and pizza at this chill neighborhood haunt with a pool table and jukebox.

IRON FISH DISTILLERY
14234 Dzuibanke Rd. | 231.378.3474
A farm-to-flask distillery with gorgeous
cocktails, wood-fired pizzas and lots of lawn/ patio seating.

Ironfish Distillery in Thompsonville

Photo by Courtney Jerome

THISTLE PUB & GRILLE
12500 Crystal Mountain Dr. | 855.995.5146
Located at Crystal Mountain, this eatery’s Rose Garden is a perfect spot for dinner after a day of golf or a ride down the resort’s alpine slide.

Arcadia Outdoor Dining

ARCADIA BLUFFS
14710 NORTHWOOD HWY. | 231.889.3009
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.

ARCADIA ICE HOUSE
17073 Northwood Hwy. | 231.889.4555
An old-fashioned ice cream and soda shop with nostalgic décor and furnishings from the 1900s.

Bear Lake Outdoor Dining

GRILLE 44
12951 Pleasanton Hwy. | 231.864.4000
Casual family-friendly restaurant with burgers, sandwiches and a broasted chicken dinner, plus a patio.

Outdoor Dining in Onekama

THE GLENWOOD
4604 Main St. | 231.889.3734
Casual but elevated menu with dishes like almond-battered shrimp, bleu cheese filet mignon and always homemade desserts.

The Glenwood restaurant

Photo by Angela Brown

M-22 GRILL
5159 Main St. | 231.889.7133
Charming eatery serving breakfast and lunch all day with a small deck out back.

PAPA J’S ICE CREAM & EATERY
4825 Main St. | 231.889.4410
Ice cream, sandwiches, hot dogs, pizza and more, plus watersport rentals and a patio.

Outdoor Dining Spots in Manistee

BIG AL’S PIZZA
221 E. Parkdale Ave. | 231.723.6239
Pizza, submarine sandwiches and Mexican-inspired dishes, too. The deck has a few picnic tables.

BLUE FISH KITCHEN + BAR
312 River St. | 231.887.4188
The riverside deck at this downtown restaurant is a real winner.

THE FILLMORE
318 River St. | 231.887.4121
The burgers are fab, but so is everything else on the menu. Sweet sidewalk patio.

FRICANO’S
440 River St.
Popular Michigan pizza chain with a new riverside location in Manistee. Expansive deck with freighter views.

NORTH CHANNEL BREWING CO.
86 Washington St. | 231.299.1020
Watch the boat action at the drawbridge in this refined but industrial brewery with pub fare.

RIVER STREET STATION
350 River St. | 231.723.8411
Homemade soups, sandwiches, burgers and an all-you-can-eat Friday fish fry. Beautiful ivy-covered deck by the river.

TACO BOUT IT
344 River St. | 231.887.4441
Ultra-fresh tacos on hand-pressed corn tortillas; aguas frescas and burrito plates.

TJ’S PUB
399 River St. | 231.398.9174
Take a step down from the sloped sidewalk for paninis, Mexican cuisine and pizza below the stately Ramsdell Inn or find a spot on the sidewalk patio.

TJ's Pub in Manistee

Photo by Dave Weidner

Ludington Outdoor Dining

BARNHARTS MARINA & RESTAURANT
6006 Barnhart Rd. | 231.843.8246
Caribbean and Southern food served up beside beautiful Hamlin Lake on two waterfront decks. Yes, you can arrive by boat.

BORTELL’S FISHERIES
5510 S. Lakeshore Dr. | 231.843.3337
Seasonal spot for the freshest fish. Sold by the pound or as a dinner basket with fries and slaw. Takeout only; bring cash or check; picnic tables.

THE BLU MOON
125 S. James St. | 231.843.2001
Family-friendly fusion bistro with an in-house sushi kitchen and an open-air deck.

CAFE 106
106 N. Rath Ave. | 231.425.3669
From-scratch breakfast and lunch. Sidewalk tables.

CLUCK BUCKET
88 S. Pere Marquette Hwy. | 231.907.0370
Barbecue meats, famous pit-tatoes, mac ‘n’ cheese. Large outdoor seating area with a pavilion.

CROWN & CORK
502 W. Loomis St. | 231.425.3557
Trendy waterfront restaurant and bar with dueling pianos and a deck.

JAMESPORT BREWING COMPANY
410 S. James St. | 231.845.2522
Housed in a renovated Victorian storefront with a large deck in the back and a beer garden. Elevated lunch and dinner entrées like cherry bourbon sirloin.

LUDINGTON BAY BREWING CO.
515 S. James St. | 231.239.6690
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.

STIX
1963 N. Lakeshore Dr. | 231.845.8181
Completely reconstructed and expanded as a two-story, fine dining restaurant. Live music, outdoor rooftop, beer garden with lawn games, covered patio with fireplace, plus a bowling alley.

SUNSET SIDE CONCESSIONS
Stearns Park
Two locations at Stearns Park Beach with a variety of supplies (think sunscreen, sand pails, toys), lemonade, hot dogs, ice cream, snacks and more. The South Beach shop has burgers, sandwiches and deep-fried Oreos.

TABLE 14
130 W. Ludington Ave. | 231.843.6555
Southern cuisine inspired by Charleston, South Carolina, and a robust wine list.

TIMBERS STEAK & SEAFOOD
320 S. James St. | 231.425.9111
Two-story deck overlooks the Lake Michigan marina and SS Badger. A steak at sunset? Heck, yes.

THE Q SMOKEHOUSE
225 S. James St. | 231.425.3933
Superb BBQ and sides. Have a beer on the patio out back or order to-go for a beach picnic.

Cadillac Outdoor Dining Spots

AFTER 26 DEPOT
127 W. Cass St. | 231.468.3526
Casual eatery dedicated to employing adults with developmental disabilities and cognitive impairment.

BURKE’S WATERFRONT
2403 Sunnyside Dr. | 231.775.7555
Laidback hangout with a big deck overlooking a forested lake serving traditional American fare.

CADILLAC GRILL
7839 E. 46 1/2 Rd. | 231.779.3663
Sitting at the top of the Eldorado Golf Course with panoramic views of the golf course and a full-length deck.

CHICO’S TACO HOUSE
5954 E. M-55 | 231.775.7272
Cute little yellow house with an equally cute patio and delish enchiladas, tostadas, chimichangas and much more.

CLAM LAKE BEER CO.
106 S. Mitchell St. | 231.775.6150
Choose from 40 craft beers on tap, wood-fired pizzas, grilled Angus burgers.

Clam Lake Beer Co outdoor dining

Photo by Kelly Rewa

COYOTE CROSSING RESORT
8593 S. 13 Rd. | 231.862.3212
Full bar and restaurant with Northwoods décor set on a beautiful property in the Manistee National Forest. American fare. Live music on a new outdoor stage.

DOCKSIDE INN RESTAURANT
2404 Sunnyside Dr. | 231.775.9322
Overlooking Lake Cadillac with a large deck, premium steaks, pasta, seafood.

HERMANN’S CAFÉ & RESTAURANT
214 N. Mitchell St. | 231.775.9563
Go for the European-inspired menu, wine market and sweet sidewalk patio.

LAKESIDE CHARLIES
301 S. Lake Mitchell Dr. | 231.775.5332
A fine deck on Lake Mitchell. The hunt club–style restaurant features burgers, aged beef, fish and wild game.

MR. FOISIE’S PASTIES
154 Leisure St. | 231.779.9042
Enjoy freshly made pasties, pies, apple dumplings and cinnamon rolls at one of the picnic tables on the lawn.

PRIMOS BBQ
916 S. Mitchell St. | 231.779.1575
Located inside Willow Market & Meats. Order Texas-style pit BBQ and sit on the patio.

RAVEN SOCIAL
119 S. Mitchell St. | 231.444.6396
A hip spot for BBQ plates, burgers, soon-to-be-famous poutine and live entertainment. Garage doors open up to a sidewalk patio area.

THE TRUCK STOP
902 W. 13th St. | 231.884.5752
Specializing in smoked brisket and pork. Live music, volleyball court, backyard/patio seating, full bar.

Photo(s) by Kelly Rewa