Is there anything better than a table in the sunshine and lake breeze? Check out our town-by-town restaurant guide to eating outside in Leelanau County, from Northport to Leland and Glen Arbor, and everywhere in between.
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Empire Outdoor Dining
EMPIRE VILLAGE INN
A family-friendly place for pizza, local beers and sandwiches. Outside dining on the deck.
JOE’S FRIENDLY TAVERN
This iconic tavern has its new outdoor seating area ready for summer.
SHIPWRECK CAFE
Delish fresh-made sandwiches, plus wood-fired pizza some nights. Outdoor tables in the front yard.
Photo by Tim Hussey
Shipwreck Cafe in Empire.
Outdoor Dining Spots in Glen Arbor
ART’S TAVERN
Hammer a burger and the best tater tots on the planet on the buzzing patio. Cash or check only.
BEAR PAW PIZZA & MARKET
Take your pizza and sammies to the street-side picnic tables.
BLU
Intimate and fabulous Blu on Sleeping Bear Bay is reservation-only inside. Day-of (no advance) reservations for beachside patio.
BOONEDOCKS
Live music and elevated bar food on a spacious deck.
CHERRY PUBLIC HOUSE
Full lunch and dinner menu with a subtle cherry theme; wine and craft beer.
GOOD HARBOR GRILL
Breakfast, lunch and dinner served on the inti- mate street-side patio.
THE HOMESTEAD
Everyone’s invited for burgers, pizza and more at Whisker’s. Guests of the resort can make reservations for exquisite lakeside dining at Cafe Manitou.
INN & TRAIL GOURMET
To-go sandwiches, salads, charcuterie and more in a lovely garden setting.
LEELANAU COFFEE ROASTING CO.
Wide array of coffees (freshly roasted beans!), teas and baked goods. Outdoor patio seating.
THE MILL
Grab-and-go sandwiches, pastries and coffee served up at this freshly renovated historic property.
WESTERN AVENUE GRILL
Burgers, flatbreads, fish, spacious outdoor seating on the downtown patio.
Photo by Taylor Brown
BLU in Glen Arbor.
Outdoor Dining in Lake Leelanau
THE CAPITAL DOG
Hot dogs, slow-roasted pork and ice cream. Beautiful terraced eating area.
FIDDLEHEADS
Farm-to-table café serving mimosas and bloody marys made with local spirits.
NITTOLO’S SEAFOOD & PIZZA
Florencia street pizza, fresh seafood and beautiful patio seating under the pergola.
PEDALING BEANS COFFEEHOUSE
Great coffee, smoothies, pastries.
Photo by Dave Weidner
Nittolo’s in Lake Leelanau.
Leland Outdoor Dining
BLUEBIRD RESTAURANT & TAVERN
A Leland icon. Classic menu and a beautiful riverside patio.
BOGEY’S AT THE LELAND LODGE
Steaks to nachos served on the patio overlooking the Leland Country Club golf course.
BREAKFAST BISTRO / LEELANAU COFFEE ROASTING CO.
Signature roasted coffee, extensive breakfast menu, attractive outdoor seating areas.
THE COVE & RICK’S CAFE
This Leelanau must-visit features steaks, whitefish, burgers and outdoor seating along the Leland Dam.
THE RIVERSIDE INN
Farm-to-table fine dining served inside and on a deck overlooking Leland River.
TRISH’S DISHES
To-die-for omelettes, panini and burritos. Order at the counter and eat on sidewalk or side yard tables.
VILLAGE CHEESE SHANTY
Order up one of Fishtown’s famous pretzel-bread sandwiches, grab a nearby picnic table or bench and chow down. Cash only.
Photo by Dave Weidner
Village Cheese Shanty in Leland’s Fishtown.
Outdoor Dining in Maple City
BROOMSTACK KITCHEN & TAPHOUSE
Kicked-up bar food served outside on a spacious lawn.
LA BECASSE RESTAURANT
French country cuisine and a celebrated wine list. Gracious outdoor seating.
LITTLE TRAVERSE INN GASTRO PUB
Linger over elevated pub food under strings of lights in the front yard.
MARKET 22
Deep-dish pizza, sandwiches, soup and salad off of M-22 with an outdoor tent.
Photo by Angela Brown
Little Traverse Inn in Maple City.
Northport Outdoor Dining Spots
AROUND THE CORNER FOOD AND FUN
Casual outdoor dining with comfort food and family-friendly activities.
GARAGE BAR-B-Q
BBQ and bar with an intimate outdoor patio.
NEW BOHEMIAN CAFÉ
Neighborhood café with breakfast, pastries, hearty sandwiches and massive cookies.
NORTHPORT PUB & GRILLE
Seasonal food and drink menu, and yes: billiards tables!
THE TRIBUNE ICE CREAM & EATERY
Ice cream parlor and eatery serving fresh, from-scratch food.
Photo by Dave Weidner
New Bohemian Café in Northport.
Suttons Bay Outdoor Dining Spots
45TH PARALLEL CAFÉ
Classic breakfast dishes plus a robust sandwich and salad menu. Sit outside under colorful umbrellas.
BAY BURRITO CO.
Tex-Mex street food (even breakfast burritos!) with picnic tables overlooking the beach and marina.
BOONE’S PRIME TIME PUB
This pub known for its rustic charm and fab burgers boasts a new patio with a view of Suttons Bay.
CORKY’S WINE BAR & BEACH BISTRO AT THE VINEYARD INN
Lively waterfront restaurant with creative fare. Dine under the flower-bedecked pergola.
HANG ON EXPRESS
Enjoy Chinese and Thai foods in comfortable booths or under the awning outside.
BISTRO POLARIS AT BLACK STAR FARMS
Salad, pizza and sandwiches paired with a glass of wine produced from the Black Star Farms vineyards that surround you.
HOP LOT BREWING CO.
Eat, drink and be merry in a large, tree-filled beer garden.
MARTHA’S LEELANAU TABLE
Farm-to-table restaurant with rotating menu.
MUNDOS NORTH
Comfortable inside and outside spaces to share life over amazing coffee and baked goods.
NORTH COUNTRY GRILL & PUB
Spacious outdoor seating and a walk-up bar serving grill favorites like burgers and prime rib.
PREMONITIONS PIZZA & ARCADE
Order up sandwiches, pizza and salads and head for the patio.
ROMAN WHEEL PIZZA & SUBS
Dine on pizza, subs and chicken in this cozy restaurant, or enjoy your meal out on the deck.
STREETSIDE GRILLE
As its name implies, guests enjoy street-side dining—or sit just inside the open garage-style doors and feel the breeze.
V.I. GRILL
Breakfast specials and bar classics like burgers and fried-fish dinners.
WREN
Euro-style patio in front of this innovative bistro.
Photo by Thomas Hodges
Hop Lot in Suttons Bay.
Omena Outdoor Dining & Near Traverse City
OMENA
KNOT JUST A BAR
Hearty burgers, seafood, pasta, salads and tables overlooking sweet Omena Bay.
TRAVERSE CITY
FARM CLUB
Farm, brewery, market and restaurant where outdoor seating abounds.
Photo by Shea Haddad Summer
Knot Just a Bar in Omena.