The best restaurants in Traverse City
48 restaurants we’ve checked and stand behind — with the story on each one. Not a ranking; a record.
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Pinned in Traverse City today
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Two pinned places a day in Traverse City — $10 here, $25 adds the newsletter. List your business →Paid placements are always marked.
Taproot Cider House
RestaurantsTaproot Cider House keeps it as Traverse City as it gets with a seasonally changing, scratch-made menu sourced with intention using local,…
Taproot Cider House
RestaurantsDon's Drive in
RestaurantsThis week, swing by Don's Drive In for authentic 50’s-style comfort that never lets you down. Think hand-dipped milkshakes, the Big D…
Don's Drive in
RestaurantsThe Flying Noodle - Italian Pasta House
RestaurantsRelaxed restaurant doling out pasta, pizza & salads in a contemporary, brick-lined space.
The Flying Noodle - Italian Pasta House
RestaurantsFuji Sushi Steak House
RestaurantsFestive chefs cooking meals on teppanyaki grills & sushi are the draw at this Japanese restaurant.
Fuji Sushi Steak House
RestaurantsPaesano's Pizza
RestaurantsFamily-run, laid-back pizzeria serving standard & deep-dish pies, subs, salads & breadsticks.
Paesano's Pizza
RestaurantsAsian Buffet
RestaurantsStandard strip-mall option for all-you-can-eat Pan-Asian chow, plus a hibachi section & salad bar.
Asian Buffet
RestaurantsHarrington's By The Bay
RestaurantsSeafood & steaks in an airy, rustic venue with nautical decor, a stone fireplace & a bay view.
Harrington's By The Bay
RestaurantsTrattoria Stella
RestaurantsItalian fare with a farm-to-table philosophy plus a curated wine list in old-world environs.
Trattoria Stella
RestaurantsMode's Bum Steer
RestaurantsSnug steakhouse showcasing prime rib, seafood & barbecue in a down-home, informal environment.
Mode's Bum Steer
Restaurantsamical
RestaurantsAcclaimed space for European fare offers seasonal & themed menus amid bright, bistro-style decor.
amical
RestaurantsThe Cottage
RestaurantsRelaxed eatery serving breakfast & American comfort food in old-school surroundings.
The Cottage
RestaurantsWest End Tavern
RestaurantsComfort food such as burgers, pizza, and seafood served in a relaxed space with scenic views of Grand Traverse Bay.
West End Tavern
RestaurantsRaduno
RestaurantsEasygoing local deli & café featuring house made pasta, salads, sausages, pâtés & coffee drinks.
Raduno
RestaurantsSteves Smokin BBQ
RestaurantsTender and juicy slow-cooked meats such as ribs, chicken and brisket, plus pizza.
Steves Smokin BBQ
RestaurantsBoathouse Restaurant
RestaurantsWindow-lined locale with cottage decor & bay views serves eclectic fare & produce from owner's farm.
Boathouse Restaurant
RestaurantsSorellina
RestaurantsPetite, trendy eatery offering typical Italian fare such as pasta, seafood & meat dishes, plus wine.
Sorellina
RestaurantsGlendale Burger Shop
RestaurantsWarmly decorated eatery dishing up handcrafted burgers, sandwiches, fries, chicken nuggets and milkshakes.
Glendale Burger Shop
Restaurants7 Monks Taproom
RestaurantsCozy, woodsy tavern with refined American pub grub, 46 beers on tap & kegs of wine.
7 Monks Taproom
RestaurantsApache Trout Grill
RestaurantsKnown for seafood & ribs, this cozy spot offers a chic hunting lodge feel & bayside patio dining.
Apache Trout Grill
RestaurantsThe Cooks’ House
RestaurantsPetite, chef-owned destination for sustainable fare in an understated space, plus cooking classes.
The Cooks’ House
RestaurantsHungry Howie's Pizza
RestaurantsBasic, counter-serve pizzeria chain popular for its flavored crusts, such as sesame & garlic herb.
Hungry Howie's Pizza
RestaurantsBubba's
RestaurantsBar/eatery known for unique burgers & diverse beer options plus daily happy hour on food & drinks.
Bubba's
RestaurantsThat'sa Pizza: N. Long Lake Rd
RestaurantsLocal chain serving pizza, grilled sandwiches, wings & fruit smoothies in a relaxed space.
That'sa Pizza: N. Long Lake Rd
RestaurantsS2S Sugar to Salt
RestaurantsUpscale eatery serving locally-sourced ingredients in inventive dishes, plus cakes and coffee.
S2S Sugar to Salt
RestaurantsThai Kitchen
RestaurantsInformal restaurant in a strip mall offering traditional Thai plates to eat in or take out.
Thai Kitchen
RestaurantsCharles & Reid Detroit Pizza
RestaurantsEasygoing outfit specializing in comfort grub like deep dish slices, plus salad, beer & wine.
Charles & Reid Detroit Pizza
RestaurantsOutback Steakhouse
RestaurantsBoisterous Australian-themed chain serving steaks, seafood & other hearty steakhouse fare.
Outback Steakhouse
RestaurantsSmoke and Porter Public House
RestaurantsStylish American eatery with an expansive, meat-centric menu & craft beer in a pared-down setting.
Smoke and Porter Public House
RestaurantsRed Spire Brunch House
RestaurantsWarm, relaxed restaurant serving up classic & hearty breakfast, brunch & lunch staples.
Red Spire Brunch House
RestaurantsDetroit Wing Company
RestaurantsInformal eatery featuring wings with a choice of sauces like Buffalo, plus chicken sandwiches.
Detroit Wing Company
RestaurantsThe Omelette Shoppe
RestaurantsFolksy local breakfast chain serving omelets, quiches, pancakes & sandwiches, plus baked goods.
The Omelette Shoppe
RestaurantsFirefly Restaurant
RestaurantsEclectic eatery featuring small, shareable plates including creative sushi & fondue plus happy hour.
Firefly Restaurant
RestaurantsSlabtown Burgers
RestaurantsBurger-centric counter serve dishing up handcrafted patties in quaint, colorful digs with a patio.
Slabtown Burgers
RestaurantsRed Ginger
RestaurantsUpscale, chef-owned spot offers small plates of light Pan-Asian cuisine & signature cocktails.
Red Ginger
RestaurantsNittolo's Little Italy
RestaurantsItalian dishes such as pasta, pizza and bruschetta are served at this family-run venue.
Nittolo's Little Italy
RestaurantsReflect Bistro
RestaurantsModern hotel restaurant serving locally sourced American fare & a variety of regional wines.
Reflect Bistro
RestaurantsIt's Just Wings
RestaurantsLively chain eatery offering its signature chicken wings, along with burgers, fajitas, and cocktails.
It's Just Wings
RestaurantsDino's Pizza
RestaurantsSimple, family-owned pizzeria featuring thin & thick-crust pies for dine-in or delivery until 1am.
Dino's Pizza
RestaurantsBrady's Bar
RestaurantsClassic neighborhood bar for American chow from breakfast to pizza, burgers & wings served late.
Brady's Bar
RestaurantsFirebird Pizza
RestaurantsCasual, build-your-own pizza shop with wood-fired ovens, plus a BBQ-based menu, and a brisk pace.
Firebird Pizza
RestaurantsSleder's Family Tavern
RestaurantsLegendary saloon features pub grub & cocktails in a rustic, old-fashioned interior with taxidermy.
Sleder's Family Tavern
RestaurantsCordwood BBQ
RestaurantsWood-smoked brisket, pulled pork, mac ’n’ cheese, and other barbecue dishes served from a seasonal food truck.
Cordwood BBQ
RestaurantsChubby Unicorn
RestaurantsCasual lunch spot with a small menu and outdoor seating, serving chips and sandwiches like the "Umami Bomb".
Chubby Unicorn
RestaurantsSlate
RestaurantsRelaxed choice spotlighting artful plates of traditional Italian fare, plus house-infused vodkas.
Slate
RestaurantsArtisan Restaurant Traverse City
RestaurantsRelaxed eatery and bar in a waterfront hotel, featuring rustic takes on American fare, plus wine, beer, sake and cocktails.
Artisan Restaurant Traverse City
RestaurantsPoppycocks
RestaurantsDinner & drinks destination for New American fare & live jazz paired with a large martini menu.
Poppycocks
RestaurantsThe Little Fleet
RestaurantsFixed collection of food trucks offering an eclectic array of bites, plus a bar & outdoor seating.
The Little Fleet
RestaurantsPepeNero
RestaurantsUpscale restaurant & lounge with swanky decor serving Southern Italian cuisine in a former chapel.
PepeNero
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