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 & Cadillac region.

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Arcadia Outdoor Dining

ARCADIA ICE HOUSE
An old-fashioned ice cream and soda shop with nostalgic décor.

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 Spots

BENZONIA
ROADHOUSE MEXICAN BAR & GRILL
A local favorite for Mexican-inspired cuisine (tacos, quesadillas and freshly made chips and guac) with quaint outdoor seating.

BEULAH
COLD CREEK RESTAURANT
Live music and classics like perch, planked whitefish, pizza and burgers.

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.

URSA MAJOR BISTRO & COFFEE SHOP
Breakfast all day, espresso drinks, plus burgers and sandwiches.

Five Shores brewing outdoor seating and dining

Photo by Jesse Green

Five Shores Brewing in Beulah.

Related Read: Five Shores Brewing Thrives with Benzie Community Support.

Outdoor Dining in Cadillac

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.

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.

DOCKSIDE INN RESTAURANT
Overlooking Lake Cadillac with a large deck, premium steaks, pasta, seafood.

HERMANN’S CAFÉ & RESTAURANT
Go for the European-inspired menu, wine market and sweet sidewalk patio.

LAKESIDE CHARLIES
A fine deck on Lake Mitchell. The hunt club–style restaurant features burgers, fish and wild game.

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.

THE TRUCK STOP
Specializing in smoked brisket and pork. Live music, volleyball court, patio seating, full bar.

Image of a beer at a bar.

Grab a beer inside or outside at Clam Lake Beer Co. in Cadillac.

Outdoor Dining in Copemish & Elberta

COPEMISH
BEAR CLAW CAFÉ
Old-fashioned, home-cooked meals at a popular gathering spot. Sunny dining on the patio.

ELBERTA
CABBAGE SHED
Back porch overlooking Betsie Bay. Fish ’n’ chips, buttermilk chicken, burgers and fish tacos.

Frankfort Outdoor Dining

BIRCH & MAPLE
From-scratch brunch (get the chicken and waf- fles) and dinner, friendly folks, fab craft cocktails.

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.

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.

Rooftop deck at Dos Arboles in Frankfort

Photo by Allison Jarrell

Dos Arboles in Frankfort.

Honor Outdoor Dining

THE CHERRY HUT
A beloved institution since 1922. Enjoy a slice of cherry pie and ice cream out on the patio.

JOMO’S ICE CREAM
Mounds of yummy ice cream (and a Doggie Special!), fresh sandwiches and lots of outdoor seating.

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

Rooftop deck at Dos Arboles in Frankfort

Photo by Dave Weidner

The Cherry Hut in Honor.

Outdoor Dining in Lake Ann

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.

Outdoor Dining in Ludington

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.

CROWN & CORK
Trendy waterfront restaurant and bar with dueling pianos and a deck.

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 PUB
This pub serves cold beer and hot food with a fire pit and dart board outside.

SUNSET SIDE CONCESSIONS
Two locations at Stearns Park Beach with a variety of supplies, lemonade, hot dogs, ice cream, snacks and more.

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.

Beer garden at STIX in Ludington

Photo by STIX

The Biergarten at STIX in Ludington.

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.

GOODY’S JUICE & JAVA
Specialty coffee drinks, pastries, lots of outdoor seating.

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.

RIVER STREET STATION
Soups, sandwiches and an all-you-can-eat Friday fish fry. Beautiful ivy-covered deck by the river.

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.

blue fish kitchen + bar, manistee restaurant, outdoor dining, eggs

Photo by Dave Weidner

Blue Fish Kitchen + Bar in Manistee.

Onekama Outdoor Dining

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.

YELLOW DOG CAFÉ
Fresh coffee, pastries, sandwiches in a charming café setting.

blue fish kitchen + bar, manistee restaurant, outdoor dining, eggs

Photo by Allen Taylor

Glenwood Restaurant in Onekama.

Outdoor Dining in Thompsonville

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 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.

blue fish kitchen + bar, manistee restaurant, outdoor dining, eggs

Base Camp at Iron Fish Distillery in Thompsonville.

Photo(s) by Kelly Rewa