Your ultimate outdoor dining guide for the Grand Traverse region including Traverse City, Old Mission Peninsula, Acme, Williamsburg, Fife Lake and Interlochen. 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.
This article was first featured in the 2023 MyNorth Vacation Guide. Learn more about this year's guide, order a digital or print copy, or find a complimentary guide on newsstands across Northern Michigan.
Outdoor Dining in Downtown Traverse City
Incredible burgers, fish tacos and an extensive beer list. Seasonal sidewalk patio.
AMICAL
Friendly French bistro with a bay view, fireplace and street patio.
ARTISAN AT THE DELAMAR
Casual fine dining with waterfront views, a patio and a Great Lakes–inspired menu.
BAHIA
Spanish-Latin fusion tapas. A street-side garage door opens up for an indoor-outdoor experience.
BARRIO
Signature and build-your-own tacos; tequila and whiskey.
BAY BREAD COMPANY
Artisan breads, sandwiches, salads, soups and an espresso bar. Several outdoor tables.
BLUE TRACTOR BARBEQUE
An Old Town favorite with a patio. Also check out The Shed beer garden and food truck.
BRADY’S BAR
Neighborhood tavern known for its happy hour, wings and fried Oreos.
BREW
An espresso lounge and café that also happens to offer microbrews and spirits.
COUSIN JENNY’S CORNISH PASTIES
Homemade pasties, soup and sandwiches at a British-themed café with sidewalk seats.
CRÊPES & CO.
Sweet and savory crêpes served up inside State Street Market (patio seating out front).
THE DISH CAFÉ
Creative salads, quesadillas, enormous wraps, sandwiches and smoothies. Sidewalk seating.
ESPRESSO BAY
Hand-roasted coffee, specialty tea, smoothies, gelato. Small tables to enjoy your treats outside.
FIREFLY
A dazzling small-plate menu, sushi, steaks and burgs at a sophisticated hotspot on the river.
FOLGARELLI’S MARKET & WINE SHOP
Deli sandwiches, snacks, wine and fresh-roasted coffee to-go. Some patio seating.
FRENCHIES FAMOUS
Superb hot sandwiches and espresso drinks.
THE GOOD BOWL
Vietnamese eatery serving pho, rice bowls, dumplings.
GOOD HARBOR COFFEE & BAKERY
Elevated coffee and house-made baked goods. Limited but cozy seating indoors and out.
GRAND TRAVERSE PIE CO.
Exceptional cream and fruit pies, coffee, baked goods, pot pies and quiche. Covered sidewalk patio at original location (525 W. Front St.).
GREEN HOUSE CAFÉ
A long list of fresh sandwiches, inventive soups and salads. Street-side patio.
HEXENBELLE
Global comfort foods, baked goods and espresso. Inside Warehouse MRKT with patio seating.
H&L SOCIAL AT HOTEL INDIGO
Rooftop deck overlooking Grand Traverse Bay with bar and full food menu. Open to hotel guests and public.
J&S HAMBURG DOWNTOWN
A family-friendly, retro diner that’s been flipping burgers since 1938.
Photo by Dave Weidner
Burgers, po’ boys and a comforting late-night menu. Classic neighborhood bar with small patio (image of some delicious dishes above).
THE LITTLE FLEET
Outdoor lot with food trucks and an indoor bar.
MAMA LU’S TACO SHOP
Find a mix of traditional and modern ingredients at this hip taqueria with a sidewalk patio.
MILK & HONEY
Famous for its ice cream, this café also has an awesome deli and coffee bar.
MILLIE & PEPPER
Crêpes, smoothies, specialty teas and espresso inside a general store. Small handful of sidewalk tables.
MINERVAS
In the historic Park Place Hotel with a patio. Italian-American menu.
MORSELS
Sip coffee and munch on bite-sized baked goods while looking out at West Bay.
MUNDOS 305
A community-oriented space with an expansive craft coffee and food menu. Sidewalk tables.
MUNDOS WEST
Nestled next to Kid’s Creek, enjoy your food and specialty coffee inside or creekside.
NORTH PEAK BREWING CO.
Wood-fired pizzas, sandwiches, craft beer. Large trellised outdoor patio often has live music.
THE OMELETTE SHOPPE
Delicious breakfasts and baked goods (massive cinnamon rolls!).
PAESANO’S PIZZA
It’s the cheesy Italian favorite with a gourmet twist. Small riverside deck out back.
PANGEA’S PIZZA
Craft pies, creative toppings. Large rooftop deck and bar seats 130-plus.
PARK STREET CAFÉ
Wide variety of sandwiches and to-go options with a sidewalk patio.
THE PARLOR
Reminiscent of the prohibition era. Features craft cocktails and artisan tapas-style food.
PETOSKEY PRETZEL CO.
Sweet and savory pretzels with more than a dozen dipping sauces.
RARE BIRD BREWPUB
The likes of pork belly sliders, oysters on the half shell and great burgers.
ROUGH PONY
Nostalgic food menu (think cinnamon sugar toast), smoothies and coffee.
TAPROOT CIDER HOUSE
Brick-oven pizza, inventive entrées, large selection of local beverages, sidewalk patio.
THE TOWNE PLAZA
Eclectic American cuisine, extensive outdoor seating, casual atmosphere.
THIRSTY FISH SPORTS GRILLE
A sports bar and neighborhood hangout with a large outdoor patio and live music.
THE WORKSHOP BREWING COMPANY
Craft beer and good eats from Pizza Parliament onsite.
ZEST PLANT-BASED KITCHEN
Avocado toast, smoothies, acai bowls.
Old Mission Peninsula Outdoor Dining
Casually elegant with great steaks, seafood, large local wine selection, beautiful deck, bay view.
JOLLY PUMPKIN
Wood-fired steaks, fresh fish and artisan pizzas along with fresh ales.
MISSION TABLE
Farm-to-table restaurant serving seasonal fare and craft cocktails.
PENINSULA GRILL
Roadhouse with cozy fireplace, patio, wings, burgers and regional fare.
Photo by Boathouse Restaurant
East Side Outdoor Dining | Acme & Williamsburg
Same great food and drinks as the Building 50 location, also has outdoor seating.
DON’S DRIVE-IN
A ’50s-style diner and drive-in with booths, picnic tables, burgers, shakes, jukebox.
HOPSCOTCH BRICK OVEN & TAPROOM
Brick oven pizzas, extensive whiskey list and a large outdoor area with games and fire pits.
MCGEE’S 72
Gourmet burgers, fries, pizza and sophisticated bar food. Covered patio.
RED MESA GRILL
Colorful spot with a fireplace, flights of tequila and Latin American cuisine.
REFLECT BISTRO AT CAMBRIA SUITES
Eclectic food and drinks at all times of the day.
SMOKE & PORTER PUBLIC HOUSE
American smokehouse where farm-to-table and whole beast butchery meets the fire pits (image below).
THE GRILLE AT GRAND TRAVERSE RESORT
Lunch and dinner served in the Clubhouse or on large patio overlooking The Bear’s 18th hole.
THIRD COAST BAKERY
Gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free and vegan goodies. Pretty outdoor patio.
Photo by Dave Weidner
West Side Outdoor Dining | Grand Travers Commons & Slabtown
Gorgeous bay view served alongside ribs, steak, pasta and salad.
THE BURROW TC
California-inspired to-go food and alcohol to boaters at Elmwood Township Marina via an underground tunnel, along with a dine-in menu.
CUPPA JOE WESTSIDE
Locally inspired breakfast and lunch; full coffee and tea bar. Bistro tables outside.
FARM CLUB
Farm, market, restaurant and brewery with a large, family-friendly lawn.
HARRINGTON’S BY THE BAY
Seafood, steaks, burgers, sandwiches—with a bay view.
JACOB’S FARM
A 40-acre farm with a kitchen, bar and lots of activities.
ROLLING FARMS CAFÉ
Exceptional breakfast and lunch options with local ingredients. Lovely patio atop Copper Ridge.
PEPENERO
From-scratch southern Italian cuisine with a charming patio.
SLABTOWN BURGERS
Some of the best darn burgers and fries in Traverse City.
SPANGLISH
Mexican fare at The Village at Grand Traverse Commons (photo of the delicious tacos below). Picnic tables on the patio.
S2S SUGAR 2 SALT
Locally sourced and seasonally driven breakfast items and pastries.
WEST END TAVERN
Craft cocktails and elevated pub fare served up beside West Bay. Large deck with a bar.
Photo by Spanglish
South Side Outdoor Dining | Eight Street & South
Steaks, prime rib, seafood and a very big deck.
MULLIGAN’S PUB & GRILL
Stuffed burgers and flatbread pizzas. Located at the Crown Golf Club.
MUNDOS HQ
Tables outside in the summer for enjoying your freshly roasted coffee and baked treats.
OAKWOOD PROPER BURGERS
Classic American burgers, but elevated. Hand-cut fries and hand-spun milkshakes.
PEEGEO’S
Super-friendly staff serves pizza, burgers, beer. There’s live music on the huge deck.
RADUNO
House-made pastas, salads, meats and specialty deli items. Bistro tables for outside diners.
THE FILLING STATION MICROBREWERY
Thin-crust, wood-fired pizzas and craft brews in a renovated train depot with a large patio (image below).
Photo by Taylor Brown
Related Read: Some of our favorite Northern Michigan foodie articles.
Fife Lake Outdoor Restaurants
Family restaurant with American and Mexican dishes. Lake views from indoor booths and spacious outdoor deck.
TWISTED SISTERS DAIRY BAR
Too-many-to-count flavors of soft-serve and hand-dipped ice cream!
Outdoor Restaurants in Interlochen
Serving lunch and dinner year-round, right beside the golf course. Outdoor dining with full bar.
BUD’S
So many food options … and ice cream. Rustic indoor booths and covered patio.
CICERO’S PIZZA
Described by locals as the best pizza with the most welcoming staff.
DILBERT’S
Outstanding American fare and a large outdoor dining area with picnic tables.
HOFBRAU STEAK HOUSE & AMERICAN GRILLE
A varied menu with large draft beer selection. Cabin-like interior; garden seating outside.
OAKY’S TAVERN
Smokehouse entrées; beautiful outdoor patio with its own bar.