Eating My Way Through Mackinac Island: The Restaurants I Keep Coming Back To
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Tucked between Michigan’s two peninsulas, Mackinac Island is a favorite getaway for both locals and visitors from all over. While most people come for the history, scenic views, and car-free charm, the island’s food scene is also worth talking about.
With around a million visitors each year, there’s no shortage of places to grab a bite. There are so many restaurants, cafés, and sweet shops that we couldn’t possibly cover them all in one go!
So, instead, we’re sharing some of our favorites — whether you’re looking for a cozy spot for morning coffee, a satisfying meal, or a well-earned sweet treat.
Coffee Shops & Cafes
Boxwood Coffeeshop & Cafe at Mission Point Resort
Mission Point Resort is more than just one of the best places to stay on Mackinac Island. It’s also the home of the Boxwood Coffeeshop & Cafe.
The shop makes artful lattes with Lavazza coffee that’s smooth and never bitter. You can pair your drink with a lemon bar or croissant made from scratch. The Mission Point cafe has grab-and-go salads and sandwiches, too.
Watercolor Cafe
Nestled behind the Bay View Bed and Breakfast, the Watercolor Cafe is a coffee shop during the day and an art studio at night.
The artsy eatery specializes in fresh coffee, frappes, lattes, fresh fruit smoothies, and healthy snacks.
You can get bagels and oatmeal for breakfast and soups and salads for lunch. The cafe offers sandwiches and wraps any time of the day. Also available are cinnamon rolls, cookies, and signature Pop Tart-and-pasty hybrids called poppies.
Good Day Cafe
On Main Street, the Good Day Cafe across from the Chippewa Hotel is a great place to stop for a fast meal at any time.
It serves Higher Grounds coffee, specialty sandwiches, and lunch and dinner wraps from May to October.
Moomer’s Ice Cream is a major draw to the casual dining venue, as is the range of baked goods — muffins, scones, bagels, doughnuts, cookies, and cinnamon rolls.
Lucky Bean Coffeehouse
Serving coffee from May through October, Lucky Bean Coffeehouse is located on Market Street. Fresh pastries and drink specials are available every day. The shop sells branded merchandise — apparel, coffee, and mugs — as well.
Best Places for Quick Bites
The Doghouse at Windermere Point
If you’re in the mood for a hot dog, The Doghouse has the best dogs among the many Mackinac Island restaurants. They’re available in several styles — plain, chili, sauerkraut bratwursts, and Polish sausages.
The menu has a variety of other delicious snacks, too — chips, nachos, ice cream bars, soft-serve ice cream, and more. Its location in Mackinac Island State Park makes it a favorite picnic spot.
Feedbag Near Surrey Hills Carriage Museum
Making fresh doughnuts every day, the Feedbag is located near the Surrey Hills Carriage Museum and Gift Shop and is part of the short, scenic horse-drawn carriage ride route. You can enjoy a lunch of Nathan’s Hot Dogs and bratwursts or order popcorn, ice cream, and hot pretzels for a snack.
The Lawn at The Inn at Stonecliffe
On the west side of the island, The Lawn at Stonecliffe offers fast, outdoor dining with great views of Lake Huron in a casual setting. It’s located at The Inn at Stonecliffe, which is one of the best Mackinac Island bed and breakfasts to stay at during your visit.
Cannonball Oasis
A classic spot loved by locals for its fast and tasty foods and snacks, the former Cannonball Drive Inn is located at the historic British Landing.
The old-fashioned shack features a menu of barbecue beef and chicken fillet sandwiches, coconut shrimp and chicken strip baskets, deli wraps, hot dogs, pizza, and more. There’s even candy, cookies, and ice cream for dessert!
Casual Dining
Pink Pony at the Chippewa Hotel
A popular spot for locals and visitors alike, the Pink Pony within the Chippewa Hotel serves food all day.
You can choose between eating in the water-view dining room, waterfront patio, or outdoor upper-deck.
Breakfast features dishes such as eggs Benedict, fresh ground coffee, and fresh fruit. While the lunch and dinner menus feature burgers and sandwiches, dinner also features seafood and other entrees, some of which are gluten-free.
Millie’s on Main
For a Northern Michigan lunch or dinner, check out Millie’s on Main. Since it’s next to Mackinac Island Carriage Tours, it’s the perfect place to eat before you start a horse carriage tour!
The restaurant serves popular Northern Michigan entrees, burgers, sandwiches, and wraps. It has a spectacular selection of craft beers and wines as well.
The Yankee Rebel Tavern
Serving regional American cuisine, The Yankee Rebel Tavern offers a historical-period atmosphere.
With spacious tables for families and a fireplace for romantic outings, the restaurant has distinctly named burgers and sandwiches on its lunch menu.
The dinner menu adds plates of pasta and other entrees. Special sushi dinners and delectable desserts complete your dining experience.
The Chuckwagon of Mackinac Island
Offering an old-fashioned diner experience, The Chuckwagon of Mackinac Island is a Western-style diner that has been serving patrons since the early 1950s.
It’s the smallest of the Mackinac Island restaurants, but the dishes have big flavor!
You can stop by for breakfast — burritos, French toast, and pancakes — or lunch — burgers, sandwiches, and salads.
The Gate House at the Grand Hotel
One of the restaurant favorites at Mackinac Island’s Grand Hotel, The Gate House is a casual restaurant and bar.
For lunch and dinner, you can expect salads, burgers and sandwiches, ribs and chicken, pastas, fish and chips, and steaks. The Trapper Burger is one of the best, according to Islands magazine. Don’t forget about the desserts!
Keep in mind that there’s a dress code for the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island. During the day, you can dress comfortably as long your attire is appropriate. In the evenings, you must dress as if you’re attending a special event.
Fine Dining
Chianti at Mission Point Resort
Another popular spot at Mission Point Resort, Chianti creates a five-course culinary experience.
Rather than an a la carte menu, the restaurant has a Prix Fixe menu with three options for each of the five courses. The dishes include pasta, veal, beef, and seafood options.
Mission Point’s in-house wine steward can also assist with choosing wines that pair well with your dinner choices.
1852 Grill Room at the Island House Hotel
In the Island House Hotel, the 1852 Grill Room has a first-class a la carte menu and a delicious buffet for breakfast and dinner.
Breakfast features pancakes, omelets, oatmeal, and mimosas. Dinner features crab cakes, seafood, duck and chicken, and steaks and burgers.
In addition, the bar features a list of cocktails, Michigan wines, scotches, and beers. A pianist plays during dinner.
Carriage House at Hotel Iroquois
At Hotel Iroquois, the Carriage House is an award-winning restaurant that serves American cuisine from May until October. The lunch menu includes salads and sandwiches, and the dinner menu includes seafood and steak.
The Carriage House dining room has several satisfying desserts with signature Iroquois hot fudge, an extensive wine list, and a selection of after-dinner drinks. Every night, there’s live piano music.
Grand Hotel Main Dining Room
Offering one of the most picturesque dining experiences of the Mackinac Island restaurants, the Main Dining Room at the Grand Hotel overlooks the longest porch in the world with views of Lake Huron.
It’s open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, which features music played by the Grand Hotel Orchestra.
How much it costs to eat at the Grand Hotel Main Dining Room depends on when you eat. Hotel guests get a discount, and don’t forget to dress accordingly.
Woods Restaurant
On the west side of the island near Stonecliffe, the Grand Hotel’s Woods restaurant provides a fine yet casual dining experience. It’s located in a lavish Tudor mansion, which is surrounded by woods.
The restaurant serves gluten-free and healthy dishes with Bavarian flair — soups, salads, seafood, pastas, and chicken, duck, and steak entrees. It’s one of the only Grand Hotel restaurants that doesn’t have a dress code, but reservations are recommended for dinner.
Sweet Shops
Mackinac Island’s Fudge Shops
If there’s a specific food that Mackinac Island is known for, it’s the legendary Mackinac Island fudge!
People have been flocking to the island just to get fudge for more than a century. These visitors are referred to by locals as “fudgies.”
You won’t have trouble finding this delightful dessert because there are more than 12 fudge shops across the island:
- Joann’s Fudge
- May’s Candy Shop
- Original Murdick’s Fudge
- Murray Hotel Fudge Company
- Ryba’s Fudge
- Sanders Chocolate & Ice Cream Shoppe
Sadie’s Ice Cream Parlor at the Grand Hotel
To satisfy your sweet tooth with a cold treat, go to Sadie’s Ice Cream Parlor. The menu features Hudsonville Ice Cream, and you can order banana splits, sundaes, chocolate-dipped cones, and more. Since it’s located at the Grand Hotel, keep the daytime dress code in mind when you go.
Discover More of Mackinac Island
Great food is just one piece of the Mackinac Island experience. Beyond the incredible restaurants, there’s so much to see and do – whether biking around the island, exploring historic sites, or simply soaking in the stunning views.
No matter what brings you here, Mackinac Island has a way of making every visit unforgettable. So, come for the food, stay for the adventure, and leave with memories that will have you planning your next trip before you even board the ferry home!
I believe Sadie’s now features Guernsey ice cream.