11 Delicious Charlevoix Restaurants for Every Appetite
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Whether you’re looking for a tasty family meal that’s different from the norm, or you’re visiting the lakes of Northern Michigan, you’ll find numerous Charlevoix restaurants to try out in the area.
As a city of just 2,300 people, you may not think that there are too many restaurants, but within the city and nearby are some outstanding locations. As you look for things to do in Charlevoix, these are some fantastic recommendations for places to enjoy a meal or two.
My Grandmother’s Table
115 Bridge St, Charlevoix, MI 49720
Fun, funky, and full of heart, My Grandmother’s Table is a combination of a coffee bar and bakery with a fabulous cafe. The foods here are locally sourced, which makes them taste that much more enjoyable.
Check out the Israeli French toast or the Tex-Mex breakfast bowl for breakfast. You’ll also find some other fantastic options for meals, including Mexican chili and Italian pasta fagioli soup — there’s even a vegan option.
Other must-haves on the menu include Pakistani beef keema, Russian kotleti, and Japanese tonkatsu — with worldwide options of many more available. Also, the restaurant offers a full children’s menu and some sweet ending options, such as Madagascar vanilla coconut cupcakes.
Stafford’s Weathervane Restaurant
106 Pine River Ln, Charlevoix, MI 49720
From the approach, Stafford’s Weathervane Restaurant is impressive as it sits in a renovated grist mill. There’s always a good reason to visit for cocktails and wine, but it also serves a full dinner menu from Monday through Saturday, with lunch options on Friday and Saturday.
The menu is diverse but made mostly of locally sourced cuisine. Enjoy Great Lakes chowder made from scratch, a fantastic mushroom gouda burger, planked whitefish, or blackened tenderloin mac-n-cheese. The full wine menu makes this a good option for a romantic dinner overlooking the water.
The Villager Pub
427 Bridge St, Charlevoix, MI 49720
A lighthearted, fun location noted for its 1950s kitschy feel, The Villager Pub is noted for its fish fry Fridays. It has served the community for nearly 40 years and, throughout that time, has offered a high-quality menu and a traditional, comfortable bar atmosphere where people get to know each other.
The menu is filled with sandwiches and burgers, including an olive burger and patty melt. For dinner, choose from any of the fish or go South of the Border with options like the wet burrito and soft shell tacos.
Noted for the big lineup of local and national brands of beer, The Villager Pub is a relaxed place to visit when you want good conversation and excellent food.
Scovie’s Gourmet
111 Bridge St, Charlevoix, MI 49720
Are you looking for a fun bistro for gourmet sandwiches? That’s what you’ll find at Scovie’s Gourmet.
Designed to offer the best in home cooking, this location is a welcoming, pleasant place to visit. It has an old-world cafe feel to it, with live music some nights a week and dinner and movie nights a few times a year.
A true, community-first location, the only thing better than the people is the menu — from lots of salad options to deli sandwiches for lunch.
Burgers and wraps are plentiful too, including options like the three alarm burger for those who love spice and the veggie burger burrito for those who want a hearty vegan option. Additionally, it’s hard to turn away from the award-winning Northern Michigan carrot cake or the freshly baked pies.
Grey Gables Restaurant & Catering
308 Belvedere Ave, Charlevoix, MI 49720
Grey Gables Restaurant is noted for its elegant Victorian atmosphere at the Gray Gables Inn. Established in 1936, it has a luxurious vibe, though the meals are much more modern. The wine selection is excellent, too.
Over the years, its menu has grown, but it continues to offer some exceptional options, including GG’s homemade mushroom bisque soup, oven-roasted marinated artichokes, and seared Hawaiian ahi tuna – and that’s all just starters.
There’s even a pizza menu, a sushi menu, and lots of entrée-style salads. And, you can choose options like walleye, whitefish, and a perfectly grilled Delmonico steak.
The Cantina – Tacos & Tequila
101 Van Pelt Pl, Charlevoix, MI 49720
When only Mexican cuisine will do, The Cantina is an excellent choice for its modern Mexican cuisine but is noted for its farm-to-table roots too. The menu honors the classic cooking methods used in Mexico but also incorporates modern twists.
Start with one of the handcrafted cocktails or artisan tequilas. From there, you can easily enjoy a full menu of options, including barbacoa, original baja fish tacos, and carnitas tacos.
Terry’s of Charlevoix
101 Antrim St, Charlevoix, MI 49720
With a small menu that’s packed with locally sourced seafood, Terry’s of Charlevoix makes for a nice romantic spot on a cool summer night. Elegance is the focus here — from the Mussles to the Escargot starters.
Enjoy Long Island duckling, shrimp provencale, or a perfectly prepared filet mignon. Numerous seafood options exist, including perch, walleye, and whitefish. Don’t forget to order one of the Champagnes or sparkling wines to accompany your meal.
Smoke On the Water
103 Park Ave, Charlevoix, MI 49720
Often noted as having the best barbecue in the city, Smoke on the Water is an excellent choice for those who want slow-cooked, smoked meats of all sorts.
From the moment the smokers go on until the minute the made-from-scratch challah drunken French toast is served, there is a lot of flavor to be had here. It’s a BBQ joint that even does breakfast, including the SOW skillet and smoked brisket Benedict.
For lunch, the smoked chicken salad sandwich and Julie’s Reuben are easy options to love. Don’t forget to try the apple slaw as well.
Bridge Street Tap Room
202 Bridge St, Charlevoix, MI 49720
Do you want great craft brews with a waterfront view and the ability to bring your dog with you? Bridge Street Tap Room will not disappoint. It’s a fun bistro that offers crave-worthy pizzas, 32 beers on tap, and options as far-reaching as a baked bruschetta sharable appetizer to build-your-own pizzas.
In addition, you’ll find Ebel’s deluxe brat and Plath’s jumbo dogs — some of the best in the area. For a hearty meal, check out the blackened salmon, Thai curry, or Sekushi tuna bowl. It’s all fresh, vibrant, and packed with flavor.
That French Place
212 Bridge St, Charlevoix, MI 49720
Do you want the best place to get macaroons, crepes, and specialty coffees? Head to That French Place. In the heart of the downtown area, this location is a good place to stop for something sweet in the morning on your way to the waterfront.
Start with good lattes, espressos, and other coffees. The cafe serves organic teas too. Then, choose a gluten-free or sweet crepe with fillings like onion and Swiss, ham and egg, or Nutella. Lots of sweet options exist, including a big assortment of freshly baked pastries like butter croissants.
The friendly team and always-fresh baked bread smell of this location make it a favorite for those who visit each season.
Pigs Eatin’ Ribs
1530 US-31, Charlevoix, MI 49720
The name says it all. This is a real smokehouse with some of the best wings in the region. For a starter, choose from BBQ nachos, smothered fries with pimento cheese, pulled pork tacos, and smoked fish tacos.
Also, the restaurant serves platters that come with numerous meat options, including ribs, smoked chicken, homemade sausage, double-smoked ham, and lots of sides. The housemade sides include waffle fries, blue cheese jalapeno slaw, and grandma’s potato salad.
Check out the floats too, which include options like root beer, orange creamsicle, Boston cooler, and red eye. There’s even a full Piglet’s menu for kids.
Plan to Visit the Best Charlevoix Restaurants
Whether you want a view of the waterfront, a rowdy bar with good wings, or a family-style restaurant noted for its smiling staff, Charlevoix restaurants offer something for just about everyone.
As you check out the things to do in Charlevoix, plan a visit to at least a few of these locally owned and operated restaurants to show them just how important their local cuisine is to you. The city is certainly the type of Michigan destination where you will find exceptional cuisine.