17 Great Waterfront Restaurants in Northern Michigan

Where to dine and drink when being on the water matters most

by Stacey Brugeman Updated Jun 17, 2024, 3:11pm EDT

Supper at the Mill sits along the banks of Crystal River in Glen Arbor. Supper/Lindsey Makuwatsine

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Supper at the Mill sits along the banks of Crystal River in Glen Arbor. | Supper/Lindsey Makuwatsine
by Stacey Brugeman Updated Jun 17, 2024, 3:11pm EDT

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Fitzgerald’s Restaurant

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5033 Front St, Eagle River, MI 49950 (906) 337-0666 (906) 337-0666 Visit Website,

Harbor Haus Restaurant

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77 Brockway Ave, Copper Harbor, MI 49918 (906) 289-4502 (906) 289-4502 Visit Website,

The Glenwood

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4604 Main St, Onekama, MI 49675 (231) 889-3734 (231) 889-3734 Visit Website,

Rocks Landing

1577 Crystal Dr, Frankfort, MI 49635 (231) 399-0158 (231) 399-0158 Visit Website

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Blu

5705 South Lake Street, Glen Arbor, Michigan 49636 (231) 334-2530 (231) 334-2530 Visit Website

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Supper at the Mill

5440 West Harbor Highway, Glen Arbor, Michigan 49636 231-835-2069 231-835-2069 Visit Website,

The Riverside Inn

302 E River St, Leland, MI 49654 (231) 256-9971 (231) 256-9971 Visit Website,

Artisan Restaurant Traverse City

Traverse City diners know to nab a reservation for special occasions such as Mothers Day or graduation at Artisan restaurant. But did you know this white tablecloth dining room is also home to one of the most scenic waterside patios along the Fresh Coast? Overlooking Grand Traverse Bay, The Patio at Artisan offers a more informal menu (think: cheeseburgers or bratwurst), the same craft cocktails that are available inside, and — Wednesdays to Saturdays — a live DJ.

615 E Front St, Traverse City, MI 49686 (231) 421-2150 (231) 421-2150 Visit Website

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Boathouse Restaurant

14039 Peninsula Dr, Traverse City, MI 49686 (231) 223-4030 (231) 223-4030 Visit Website

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Cafe Santé

1 Water St, Boyne City, MI 49712 (231) 582-8800 (231) 582-8800 Visit Website

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Stafford’s Pier Restaurant

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102 E Bay St, Harbor Springs, MI 49740 (231) 526-6201 (231) 526-6201 Visit Website,

Barrel Back Restaurant

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4069 M-75, Walloon Lake, MI 49796 (231) 535-6000 (231) 535-6000 Visit Website,

Douglas Lake Bar & Steakhouse

11001 Douglas Lake Rd, Pellston, MI 49769 (231) 539-8588 (231) 539-8588 Visit Website

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Carriage House

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Anyone celebrating a milestone on Mackinac Island knows about Grand Hotel. But don’t overlook Carriage House restaurant at the Hotel Iroquois, located within inches of Lake Huron and the island’s ferry harbor. Book a table on the patio for brunch or dinner, walk through the property’s meticulously manicured Victorian-style flower gardens, and dine on smoked whitefish cakes while overlooking the historic Round Island lighthouse. Don’t skip dessert. In a region where tourists are known as “fudgies,” it’s fitting that Carriage House restaurant’s ice cream puff pastry with hot fudge is a guest favorite.

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7485 Main St, Mackinac Island, MI 49757 (906) 847-3321 (906) 847-3321 Visit Website

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Hack-Ma-Tack Inn

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8131 Beebe Rd, Cheboygan, MI 49721 (231) 625-2919 (231) 625-2919 Visit Website,

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Les Cheneaux Culinary School

186 S Pickford Ave, Hessel, MI 49745 (906) 484-4800 (906) 484-4800 Visit Website

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Clyde’s Drive-In

1425 Riverside Dr, Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783 (906) 632-2581 (906) 632-2581 Visit Website,