Your ultimate outdoor dining guide for the Grand Traverse region including Traverse City, Old Mission Peninsula, Acme & Williamsburg. Grab a few friends and head out to these Up North patios, decks and porches for some of the region’s best food and drink all summer long.
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Outdoor Dining in Downtown Traverse City
7 MONKS TAPROOM
128 S. UNION ST. | 231.421.8410
Incredible burgers, fish tacos and an extensive beer list. Seasonal sidewalk patio.
AMICAL
229 E. FRONT ST. | 231.941.8888
Friendly French bistro with a bay view, fireplace and street patio.
ARTISAN
615 E. FRONT ST. | 231.421.2150
Casual fine dining with waterfront views, a patio and a Great Lakes-inspired menu.
BAHIA
127 S. UNION ST. | 231.421.3669
Spanish-Latin fusion tapas. A street-side garage door opens up for an indoor-outdoor experience.
BARRIO
305 W. FRONT ST. | 231.421.1855
Signature and build-your-own tacos; tequila and whiskey.
BAY BREAD COMPANY
601 RANDOLPH ST. | 231.922.8022
Artisan breads, sandwiches, salads, soups and an espresso bar. Several outdoor tables.
BENEDICT
237 LAKE AVE. | 231.421.1000
Seasonal breakfast and lunch options with a fab patio.
BLUE TRACTOR BARBEQUE
423 S. UNION ST. | 231.922.9515
An Old Town favorite with a patio. Also check out The Shed beer garden and food truck.
BRADY’S BAR
401 S. UNION ST. | 231.946.8153
Neighborhood tavern known for its happy hour, wings and pizza offerings.
BREW
108 E. FRONT ST. | 231.946.2739
An espresso lounge and café that also happens to offer microbrews and spirits.
COUSIN JENNY’S CORNISH PASTIES
129 S. UNION ST. | 231.941.7821
Homemade pasties, soup and sandwiches at a British-themed café with sidewalk seats.
CREPES & CO.
329 E. STATE ST. | 231.950.9221
Sweet and savory crepes served up inside State Street Market (patio seating out front).
ESPRESSO BAY
202 E. FRONT ST. | 231.715.1856
Hand-roasted coffee, specialty tea, smoothies and gelato.
FIREFLY
310 CASS ST. | 231.932.1310
A dazzling small-plate menu, sushi, steaks and burgs at a sophisticated hotspot on the river.
FOLGARELLI’S MARKET & WINE SHOP
424 W. FRONT ST. | 231.941.7651
Deli sandwiches, entrées, home-baked goods,
wine and fresh-roasted coffee to go. Some patio seating.
FRENCHIES FAMOUS
619 RANDOLPH ST. | 231.944.1228
Superb hot sandwiches and espresso drinks.
GRAND TRAVERSE PIE CO.
525 W. FRONT ST. | 231.922.7437
Exceptional cream and fruit pies, coffee, baked goods, pot pies and quiche. Covered sidewalk patio.
GREEN HOUSE CAFE
115 E. FRONT ST. | 231.929.7687
A long list of fresh sandwiches, inventive soups and salads. Street-side patio.
HEXENBELLE
144 HALL ST., STE. 107 | 231.486.6128
Global comfort foods, baked goods and espresso. Inside Warehouse MKT with additional patio seating.
H&L SOCIAL AT HOTEL INDIGO
263 W. GRANDVIEW PKWY. | 231.932.0500
Rooftop deck overlooking Grand Traverse Bay with bar and full food menu. Open to hotel guests and public.
J&S HAMBURG DOWNTOWN
302 W. FRONT ST. | 231.947.5500
A family-friendly, retro diner that’s been flipping fresh burgers since 1938.
LIL BO
540 W. FRONT ST. | 231.421.3100
Burgers, baskets, po’ boys and a late-night menu. Classic neighborhood bar with small outdoor patio.
LITTLE FLEET
448 E. FRONT ST. | 231.943.1116
Outdoor lot with food trucks and an indoor bar.
MAMA LU’S TACO SHOP
149 E. FRONT ST. | 231.943.2793
Fresh tortillas with a mix of traditional and modern ingredients at this hip taqueria with a sidewalk patio.
MILK & HONEY
240 E. FRONT ST. | 231.944.1036
Famous for its homemade ice cream, this café also has an awesome deli and coffee bar.
MILLIE AND PEPPER CRÊPERIE & GENERAL STORE
120 S. UNION ST. | 231.421.9499
Crêpes, smoothies, specialty teas and espresso. A small handful of sidewalk tables.
MINERVAS
300 E. STATE ST. | 231.946.5093
In the historic Park Place Hotel with a patio. Italian-American menu.
MORSELS
321 E. FRONT ST. | 231.421.1353
Sip coffee and munch on bite-sized baked goods while looking out over West Bay.
Photo by Dave Weidner
NORTH PEAK BREWING CO.
400 W. FRONT ST. | 231.941.7325
Wood-fired pizzas, seafood, sandwiches, craft beer. Large outdoor patio often has live music.
PAESANO’S PIZZA
447 E. FRONT ST. | 231.941.5740
It’s the cheesy Italian favorite with a gourmet twist. Small riverside deck out back.
PANGEA’S PIZZA
135 E. FRONT ST. | 231.946.9800
Craft pies, creative toppings. Large rooftop deck and bar seats 130-plus, overlooking Front Street and the bay.
PARK STREET CAFE
113 PARK ST. | 231.421.1747
Wide variety of sandwiches and to go options with a sidewalk patio.
THE PARLOR
205 LAKE AVE. | 231.753.3131
Reminiscent of the prohibition era. Features craft cocktails and artisan tapas-style food.
PETOSKEY PRETZEL CO.
102 S. UNION ST. | 231.252.2414
Sweet and savory pretzels with more than a dozen dipping sauces.
RARE BIRD BREWPUB
229 LAKE AVE. | 231.943.2053
The likes of pork belly sliders, oysters on the half shell and great burgers served up alongside great beer.
TAPROOT CIDER HOUSE
300 E. FRONT ST. | 231.943.2500
Brick oven pizza, fresh salads, inventive entrees, large selection of local beverages, sidewalk patio.
THE GOOD BOWL
328 E. FRONT ST. | 231.252.2662
Vietnamese eatery serving pho, rice bowls, dumplings and more.
THE TOWNE PLAZA
203 CASS ST. | 231.929.0900
Eclectic American cuisine, extensive outdoor seating and a casual atmosphere.
THIRSTY FISH SPORTS GRILLE
221 E. STATE ST. | 231.252.4157
A sports bar and neighborhood hangout with a large outdoor patio and live music.
WORKSHOP BREWING COMPANY
221 GARLAND ST. | 231.421.8977
Craft beer and good eats from Archie’s food truck on-site.
ZEST PLANT-BASED KITCHEN
439 E. FRONT ST. | 231.421.3141
Avocado toast, smoothies, acai bowls and more.
Old Mission Peninsula Outdoor Dining
BOATHOUSE RESTAURANT
14039 PENINSULA DR. | 231.223.4030
Casually elegant with great steaks, seafood, large local wine selection, beautiful deck, bay view.
JOLLY PUMPKIN
13512 PENINSULA DR. | 231.223.4333
Wood-fired steaks, fresh fish and artisan pizzas along with fresh ales.
MISSION TABLE
13512 PENINSULA DR. | 231.223.4222
Farm-to-table restaurant serving seasonal, locally-sourced fare and craft cocktails.
PENINSULA GRILL
14091 CENTER RD. | 231.223.7200
Roadhouse with cozy fireplace, patio, wings, burgers and regional fare.
Photo by Peninsula Grill
East Side Outdoor Dining | Acme & Williamsburg
DON’S DRIVE-IN
2030 US-31 N. | 231.938.1860
A ’50s-style diner and drive-in with booths, picnic tables, burgers, shakes, nostalgic jukebox.
HOPSCOTCH BRICK OVEN & TAPROOM
2032 US-31 | 231.252.4718
Brick oven pizzas, small plates, extensive whiskey list and a large outdoor area with games and fire pits.
MCGEE’S 72
4341 M-72, WILLIAMSBURG | 231.421.8800
Gourmet burgers, fries, pizza and other sophisticated bar food. Covered patio.
RAD.ISH STREET FOOD
3593 BUNKER HILL RD., WILLIAMSBURG
Vegan Mexican and bar fusion food served inside Stone Hound Brewing Co. Outdoor patio.
RED MESA GRILL
1544 US-31 | 231.938.2773
Colorful spot with a fireplace, flights of tequila and Latin American cuisine.
REFLECT BISTRO AT CAMBRIA SUITES
255 MUNSON AVE. | 231.778.9000
Eclectic food and drinks at all times of the day.
SMOKE & PORTER PUBLIC HOUSE
1752 US-31 | 231.642.5020
American smoke-house where farm-to-table and whole beast butchery meets the fire pits.
Photo by Dave Weidner
Related Read: More from outdoor dining! Outdoor Dining in Northern Michigan: Restaurants To Eat Outside.
West Side Outdoor Dining | Grand Travers Commons & Slabtown
APACHE TROUT GRILL
13671 S. WEST BAY SHORE DR. | 231.947.7079
Rough-hewn eatery affords a great bay view along with ribs, steak, pasta and salad.
FARM CLUB
10051 LAKE LEELANAU DR. | 231.252.3079
A farm, market, restaurant and brewery with a large, family-friendly lawn.
HARRINGTON’S BY THE BAY
13890 S. WEST BAY SHORE DR. | 231.421.9393
Seafood, steaks, burgers, sandwiches—with a bay view.
JACOB’S FARM
7100 M-72 | 231.632.6293
A 40-acre farm with a kitchen, bar and lots of activities.
PEPENERO
700 COTTAGEVIEW DR., STE. 100 | 231.929.1960
From-scratch southern Italian cuisine with a charming patio.
SLABTOWN BURGERS
826 W. FRONT ST. | 231.932.1760
Some of the best darn burgers and fries in Traverse City.
SPANGLISH
1333 YELLOW DR. | 231.943.1453
Authentic Mexican fare to go at the Village at Grand Traverse Commons. Picnic tables on the patio and additional seating at The Common’s piazza.
Photo by Spanglish
S2S SUGAR 2 SALT
1371 GRAY DR. | 231.492.4616
Locally sourced and seasonally driven breakfast items and pastries.
WEST END TAVERN
12719 S. WEST BAY SHORE DR. | 231.943.2922
Craft cocktails and elevated pub fare served up beside West Bay. Large deck with a bar.
South Side Outdoor Dining | Eight Street & South
BOONE’S LONG LAKE INN
7208 SECOR RD. | 231.946.3991
Steaks, prime rib, seafood and a very big deck.
COMMON GOOD BAKERY
537 W. FOURTEENTH ST. | 231.933.8002
Pastries, bread, croissants, breakfasts, soups, sandwiches. A few sidewalk tables.
MULLIGAN’S PUB & GRILL
2430 W. CROWN DR. | 231.932.2166
Stuffed burgers and flatbread pizzas. Located at the Crown Golf Club.
OAKWOOD PROPER BURGERS
1108 E. EIGHTH ST. | 231.253.1513
Classic American burgers, but elevated. Hand-cut fries and hand-spun milkshakes.
ROBBY’S MEXICAN & SPANISH CUISINE
1796 S. GARFIELD AVE. | 231.252.3700
Traditional Mexican food, large drink menu and a beautiful covered patio with a waterfall.
THE FILLING STATION MICROBREWERY
642 RAILROAD PL. | 231.946.8168
Thin-crusted wood-fired pizzas and flavorful house brews in a renovated train depot with a large patio.
Photo by Taylor Brown