It’s always a good morning with local breakfasts and brews! From delectable donuts to beautiful brunches, start your day in Northern Michigan the right way by visiting one of the 2022 Red Hot Best winners for bakery, coffee shop and breakfast spot across all seven regions.
Take a Red Hot Best Road Trip! Grab the June issue with ALL the Red Hot Best winners and take the list with you as you make your way across Northern Michigan this summer. Find out what makes each winner RED HOT BEST! Available for a limited time only, grab your RHB issue here.
Best of the Above the Bridge Region
Bakery: The Jampot, Eagle Harbor
The Jampot’s delicious baked goods and homemade preserves make the long trek to Eagle Harbor well worth it. Fans rave about the brownies and fruit bars, and because you won’t want to miss the farm-fresh flavors, they recommend buying a jar (or a box!) of jams to take home. When you visit, take in the view of Jacob’s Falls nearby as you enjoy your goodies.
Coffee Shop: Lucky Bean Coffeehouse, Mackinac Island
With house brews and creative original lattes, Lucky Bean Coffeehouse has the perfect pick-me-up for anyone who visits Mackinac Island. Its downtown location makes it easily accessible for those hopping off the early morning ferries, and the selection of baked goods offers sweet and savory options for a light breakfast. However, the cafe does get busy, so expect a wait upon arrival. It’s worth it!
Breakfast Spot: The Chuckwagon, Mackinac Island
A beloved diner for over 60 years, The Chuckwagon earns its appeal from its no-fuss atmosphere and home-cooked food. Stop in for breakfast or lunch during your adventures on Mackinac Island, or, because the teeny restaurant fills up fast, order your meal to-go and enjoy the views outside. The hash browns, crispy and fresh off the griddle, are a fan-favorite on the menu, so make sure to try them on your next trip.
View the full list of the Above the Bridge Red Hot Best winners to find the best breweries, events and more.
Best of the Benzie & Leelanau Region
Bakery: 9 Bean Rows, Suttons Bay
Also a beautiful farmstead, 9 Bean Rows offers the best bread and exquisite European pastries including brioche, eclairs and more. Take your baked goods to the outdoor seating and enjoy a beautiful Northern Michigan morning. Fans are particularly fond of the croissants, which are available in a variety of unique sweet and savory flavors.
Coffee Shop: Mundos Roasting & Co., Suttons Bay
A local chain, Mundos’ location in Suttons Bay has great coffee and breakfast to kick off your day! The house specialty syrups offer a unique twist to traditional beverages, and the modern, sleek atmosphere carries over into the beautifully plated food. Fans recommend Instagram-worthy avocado toast and waffles piled high with fresh fruit and whipped cream.
Breakfast Spot: 45th Parallel Cafe, Suttons Bay
Resting halfway between the equator and the North Pole, 45th Parallel Cafe’s menu is certainly full of flavor! Old-fashioned oats and other sweet options with locally grown cherries are favorite items, and the homemade bread that comes as a side to many dishes is particularly praised by guests. Dine outside and take in the views of quaint Suttons Bay as you enjoy a delicious breakfast or lunch.
Fresh baked goods from 9 Bean Rows in Suttons Bay.
View the full list of the Benzie & Leelanau Red Hot Best winners to find the best breweries, events and more.
Best of the Cadillac, Manistee & Ludington Region
Bakery: The Daily BakeHouse, Manistee
If you’re yearning for fantastic breads and cookies in the Manistee area, look no further than The Daily Bakehouse. Its cinnamon bread and freshly baked cookies, which are available in a variety of yummy flavors, earn high remarks, and service with a smile is guaranteed. Pick up your pastries and sit outside on a bright morning to enjoy the views of the nearby Manistee River.
Coffee Shop: Red Rooster Coffee & Community, Ludington
A cozy cafe in Downtown Ludington, Red Rooster delivers great coffee in a comfortable atmosphere. Seasonal syrups make traditional drinks special, and the rotation of daily sweet treats ensures something new (and delicious!) each time you visit. For coffee drinkers, this is a must-try in Ludington. Your first sip certainly won’t be your last!
Breakfast Spot: M-22 Grill, Onekama
Make a pit stop at the M-22 Grill for a delicious breakfast and friendly small-town service. The walls, decked out in road signs and other automobile paraphernalia, are a quirky backdrop to can’t-beat classic breakfast flavors that will please the whole family. Fans recommend John’s Favorite, a home-cooked twist on loaded hash browns that will fill you up for a day of fun on the lake.
Photo by Red Rooster
A cup of coffee from Red Rooster Coffee & Community in Ludington.
View the full list of the Cadillac, Manistee and Ludington Red Hot Best winners to find the best breweries, events and more.
Best of Charlevoix & The Chain of Lakes Region
Bakery: The Flour Pot, Elk Rapids
A quaint bakery in small-town Elk Rapids, The Flour Pot is a hidden gem. While their entire menu of baked goods delights visitors from all over, the freshly baked donuts and cutely decorated cookies are top sellers. Because The Flour Pot is so popular, they frequently sell out before closing in the summer months, so arrive early or order a box the night before to ensure you get all your favorites!
Coffee Shop: M88 Morning Grind, Bellaire
This cute cafe is sure to start your morning in the Chain of Lakes on a sunny note! With plenty of seating inside and outside, M88 Morning Grind allows guests to enjoy their cup of coffee surrounded by beautiful views of Downtown Bellaire. The menu is full of specialty Michigan-themed drinks and a wide selection of unique syrups to add a sweet twist to traditional brews.
Breakfast Spot: The Local, Elk Rapids
A family-owned restaurant, The Local is a favorite to residents of Elk Rapids and tourists alike. Picnic tables outdoors are great for sunny summer mornings, and many guests compliment the ample servings for reasonable prices. Unique sweets off the griddle are exciting for diners of all ages, and hearty options ensure you are full for all of your adventures on the lake.
Banana bread French toast from The Local in Elk Rapids.
View the full list of the Charlevoix and The Chain of Lakes Red Hot Best winners to find the best breweries, events and more.
Best of the Kalkaska, Gaylord & Grayling Region
-Bakery: Goodale’s Bakery, Grayling
The wide selection of baked goods and made-to-order sandwiches keep locals and visitors coming back for more. From “filled” muffins to dozens of donuts, Goodale’s offers something sweet for everyone, but if you’re in the mood for something heartier, the hot and fresh pasties are raved about by fans. Stop in for small-town quality and friendly, fast service.
Coffee Shop & Breakfast Spot: Moose & Stella’s Cafe, Kalkaska
Moose & Stella’s Cafe is so “doggone good” that it earned first place for both coffee shop and breakfast spot in the Kalkaska, Gaylord and Grayling region! Named after the owners’ dogs, the cafe serves hot and fresh meals that feel home-cooked. The decor is both classy and rustic, topping off the family-owned cafe as a paws-itively perfect representation of Northern Michigan dining.
View the full list of the Kalkaska, Gaylord and Grayling Red Hot Best winners to find the best breweries, events and more.
Best of Petoskey, Harbor Springs & The Straits Region
Bakery: Johan’s Pastry Shop, Petoskey
This simple mom-and-pop bakery serves up extraordinary flavors! The donuts—available in a variety of classic and original flavors—are highly praised by locals and visitors alike, and with coffee cakes, fresh bread, cookies and more, there’s a sweet treat for every visitor. Stop in for a quick sugary fix or for the perfect pie to bring to your backyard barbeques.
Coffee Shop: Roast & Toast, Petoskey
With two locations in the Petoskey area, Roast & Toast brews up a fun time for anyone who stops in! The eccentric and cozy decor adds to the tasty rotation of coffees from around the world, and the house-baked goods are perfect for a quick bite before shopping downtown. Roast & Toast also prides itself on its work to be a sustainable, charitable cafe for the entire community.
Breakfast Spot: J W Filmore’s Family Restaurant, Petoskey
Situated just outside of Downtown Petoskey, J W Filmore’s Family Restaurant offers great, simple food with a gorgeous view of Little Traverse Bay. Items off the griddle earn especially high marks, including crispy hash browns and mouth-watering omelettes. It’s the perfect place to bring the entire family before shopping or visiting the local parks.
Photo by Roast & Toast
Inside of Roast & Toast in Downtown Petoskey.
View the full list of the Petoskey, Harbor Springs and The Straits Red Hot Best winners to find the best breweries, events and more.
Best of Traverse City Breakfast
Bakery: Common Good Bakery
Offering a variety of freshly baked pastries and breakfast sandwiches, Common Good Bakery is a perfect place for a quick bite before shopping in Downtown Traverse City or hitting the beaches. Ranging from melt-in-your-mouth Danishes to scrumptious cookies, the menu is full of items for those with a sweet tooth. Just be sure to get there early to not miss your favorites before they sell out!
Coffee Shop: Mundos Roasting & Co.
A local chain, Mundos has great beverages and breakfasts no matter where you are in Traverse City. The staple menu items like avocado toast and house coffee blends make a great first impression while seasonal items make each return exciting. In a modern atmosphere with beautifully plated food, it is no wonder that Mundos has quickly become a local favorite.
Breakfast Spot: Red Spire Brunch House
Located in the historic Grand Traverse Commons, Red Spire Brunch House offers a sophisticated meal in a one of a kind atmosphere. Homemade cinnamon rolls and red velvet pancakes are decadent and fluffy, and the house omelette — filled with crab, red pepper, scallions and gruyere cheese — is an upscaled version of a classic breakfast. Since it’s frequently busy, make a reservation to avoid long wait times.
Photo by Michael Poehlman
Inside Common Good Bakery in Traverse City.
View the full list of the Traverse City Red Hot Best winners to find the best breweries, events and more.