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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Restaurants · 48 places · showing the latest additions first

Taproot Cider House keeps it as Traverse City as it gets with a seasonally changing, scratch-made menu sourced with intention using local,…

300 E Front St #104 · ✓ checked Jul 28

Taproot Cider House keeps it as Traverse City as it gets with a seasonally changing, scratch-made menu sourced with intention using local, organic, and humanely raised ingredients. It’s the spot when you want dinner to feel good and taste better... a low-key reset that still feels like a treat.

From the Traverse City newsletter, August 3, 2026

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Don's Drive in

Restaurants

This 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…

2030 US-31 · ✓ checked Jul 28

This 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 half-pound double, footlong coney dogs with Don’s famous chili, plus lighter picks like the turkey burger, veggie burger, or chicken salad.

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Relaxed restaurant doling out pasta, pizza & salads in a contemporary, brick-lined space.

136 E Front St

Relaxed restaurant doling out pasta, pizza & salads in a contemporary, brick-lined space.

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Festive chefs cooking meals on teppanyaki grills & sushi are the draw at this Japanese restaurant.

2576 Crossing Cir

Festive chefs cooking meals on teppanyaki grills & sushi are the draw at this Japanese restaurant.

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Paesano's Pizza

Restaurants

Family-run, laid-back pizzeria serving standard & deep-dish pies, subs, salads & breadsticks.

447 E Front St

Family-run, laid-back pizzeria serving standard & deep-dish pies, subs, salads & breadsticks.

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Asian Buffet

Restaurants

Standard strip-mall option for all-you-can-eat Pan-Asian chow, plus a hibachi section & salad bar.

1146 W South Airport Rd

Standard strip-mall option for all-you-can-eat Pan-Asian chow, plus a hibachi section & salad bar.

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Seafood & steaks in an airy, rustic venue with nautical decor, a stone fireplace & a bay view.

13890 S W Bay Shore Dr

Seafood & steaks in an airy, rustic venue with nautical decor, a stone fireplace & a bay view.

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Trattoria Stella

Restaurants

Italian fare with a farm-to-table philosophy plus a curated wine list in old-world environs.

830 Cottageview Dr

Italian fare with a farm-to-table philosophy plus a curated wine list in old-world environs.

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Mode's Bum Steer

Restaurants

Snug steakhouse showcasing prime rib, seafood & barbecue in a down-home, informal environment.

Parking lot, 125 E State St

Snug steakhouse showcasing prime rib, seafood & barbecue in a down-home, informal environment.

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amical

Restaurants

Acclaimed space for European fare offers seasonal & themed menus amid bright, bistro-style decor.

229 E Front St

Acclaimed space for European fare offers seasonal & themed menus amid bright, bistro-style decor.

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The Cottage

Restaurants

Relaxed eatery serving breakfast & American comfort food in old-school surroundings.

472 Munson Ave

Relaxed eatery serving breakfast & American comfort food in old-school surroundings.

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West End Tavern

Restaurants

Comfort food such as burgers, pizza, and seafood served in a relaxed space with scenic views of Grand Traverse Bay.

12719 S W Bay Shore Dr

Comfort food such as burgers, pizza, and seafood served in a relaxed space with scenic views of Grand Traverse Bay.

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Raduno

Restaurants

Easygoing local deli & café featuring house made pasta, salads, sausages, pâtés & coffee drinks.

545 E Eighth St

Easygoing local deli & café featuring house made pasta, salads, sausages, pâtés & coffee drinks.

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Tender and juicy slow-cooked meats such as ribs, chicken and brisket, plus pizza.

831 S Garfield Ave

Tender and juicy slow-cooked meats such as ribs, chicken and brisket, plus pizza.

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Window-lined locale with cottage decor & bay views serves eclectic fare & produce from owner's farm.

14039 Peninsula Dr

Window-lined locale with cottage decor & bay views serves eclectic fare & produce from owner's farm.

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Sorellina

Restaurants

Petite, trendy eatery offering typical Italian fare such as pasta, seafood & meat dishes, plus wine.

250 E Front St Ste 110 · ✓ checked Aug 5

Petite, trendy eatery offering typical Italian fare such as pasta, seafood & meat dishes, plus wine.

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Warmly decorated eatery dishing up handcrafted burgers, sandwiches, fries, chicken nuggets and milkshakes.

13692 S W Bay Shore Dr

Warmly decorated eatery dishing up handcrafted burgers, sandwiches, fries, chicken nuggets and milkshakes.

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7 Monks Taproom

Restaurants

Cozy, woodsy tavern with refined American pub grub, 46 beers on tap & kegs of wine.

128 S Union St

Cozy, woodsy tavern with refined American pub grub, 46 beers on tap & kegs of wine.

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Known for seafood & ribs, this cozy spot offers a chic hunting lodge feel & bayside patio dining.

13671 S W Bay Shore Dr

Known for seafood & ribs, this cozy spot offers a chic hunting lodge feel & bayside patio dining.

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Petite, chef-owned destination for sustainable fare in an understated space, plus cooking classes.

115 Wellington St

Petite, chef-owned destination for sustainable fare in an understated space, plus cooking classes.

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Basic, counter-serve pizzeria chain popular for its flavored crusts, such as sesame & garlic herb.

1112 E Front St

Basic, counter-serve pizzeria chain popular for its flavored crusts, such as sesame & garlic herb.

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Bubba's

Restaurants

Bar/eatery known for unique burgers & diverse beer options plus daily happy hour on food & drinks.

428 E Front St

Bar/eatery known for unique burgers & diverse beer options plus daily happy hour on food & drinks.

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Local chain serving pizza, grilled sandwiches, wings & fruit smoothies in a relaxed space.

3860 N Long Lake Rd

Local chain serving pizza, grilled sandwiches, wings & fruit smoothies in a relaxed space.

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Upscale eatery serving locally-sourced ingredients in inventive dishes, plus cakes and coffee.

1371 Gray Dr Ste 300

Upscale eatery serving locally-sourced ingredients in inventive dishes, plus cakes and coffee.

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Thai Kitchen

Restaurants

Informal restaurant in a strip mall offering traditional Thai plates to eat in or take out.

1133 W South Airport Rd

Informal restaurant in a strip mall offering traditional Thai plates to eat in or take out.

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Easygoing outfit specializing in comfort grub like deep dish slices, plus salad, beer & wine.

113 E State St

Easygoing outfit specializing in comfort grub like deep dish slices, plus salad, beer & wine.

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Boisterous Australian-themed chain serving steaks, seafood & other hearty steakhouse fare.

3501 Marketplace Cir

Boisterous Australian-themed chain serving steaks, seafood & other hearty steakhouse fare.

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Stylish American eatery with an expansive, meat-centric menu & craft beer in a pared-down setting.

1752 US-31 North

Stylish American eatery with an expansive, meat-centric menu & craft beer in a pared-down setting.

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Warm, relaxed restaurant serving up classic & hearty breakfast, brunch & lunch staples.

800 Cottageview Drive Suite #30 Mercato, Main Entrance

Warm, relaxed restaurant serving up classic & hearty breakfast, brunch & lunch staples.

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Informal eatery featuring wings with a choice of sauces like Buffalo, plus chicken sandwiches.

1201 E Front St

Informal eatery featuring wings with a choice of sauces like Buffalo, plus chicken sandwiches.

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Folksy local breakfast chain serving omelets, quiches, pancakes & sandwiches, plus baked goods.

1209 E Front St

Folksy local breakfast chain serving omelets, quiches, pancakes & sandwiches, plus baked goods.

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Eclectic eatery featuring small, shareable plates including creative sushi & fondue plus happy hour.

310 Cass St

Eclectic eatery featuring small, shareable plates including creative sushi & fondue plus happy hour.

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Slabtown Burgers

Restaurants

Burger-centric counter serve dishing up handcrafted patties in quaint, colorful digs with a patio.

826 W Front St

Burger-centric counter serve dishing up handcrafted patties in quaint, colorful digs with a patio.

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Red Ginger

Restaurants

Upscale, chef-owned spot offers small plates of light Pan-Asian cuisine & signature cocktails.

237 E Front St · ✓ checked Aug 5

Upscale, chef-owned spot offers small plates of light Pan-Asian cuisine & signature cocktails.

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Italian dishes such as pasta, pizza and bruschetta are served at this family-run venue.

155 Garland St #101

Italian dishes such as pasta, pizza and bruschetta are served at this family-run venue.

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Reflect Bistro

Restaurants

Modern hotel restaurant serving locally sourced American fare & a variety of regional wines.

255 Munson Ave US31

Modern hotel restaurant serving locally sourced American fare & a variety of regional wines.

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It's Just Wings

Restaurants

Lively chain eatery offering its signature chicken wings, along with burgers, fajitas, and cocktails.

2670 Crossing Cir

Lively chain eatery offering its signature chicken wings, along with burgers, fajitas, and cocktails.

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Dino's Pizza

Restaurants

Simple, family-owned pizzeria featuring thin & thick-crust pies for dine-in or delivery until 1am.

543 E Eighth St

Simple, family-owned pizzeria featuring thin & thick-crust pies for dine-in or delivery until 1am.

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Brady's Bar

Restaurants

Classic neighborhood bar for American chow from breakfast to pizza, burgers & wings served late.

401 S Union St

Classic neighborhood bar for American chow from breakfast to pizza, burgers & wings served late.

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Firebird Pizza

Restaurants

Casual, build-your-own pizza shop with wood-fired ovens, plus a BBQ-based menu, and a brisk pace.

831 S Garfield Ave

Casual, build-your-own pizza shop with wood-fired ovens, plus a BBQ-based menu, and a brisk pace.

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Legendary saloon features pub grub & cocktails in a rustic, old-fashioned interior with taxidermy.

717 Randolph St

Legendary saloon features pub grub & cocktails in a rustic, old-fashioned interior with taxidermy.

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Cordwood BBQ

Restaurants

Wood-smoked brisket, pulled pork, mac ’n’ cheese, and other barbecue dishes served from a seasonal food truck.

448 E Front St

Wood-smoked brisket, pulled pork, mac ’n’ cheese, and other barbecue dishes served from a seasonal food truck.

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Chubby Unicorn

Restaurants

Casual lunch spot with a small menu and outdoor seating, serving chips and sandwiches like the "Umami Bomb".

439 E Front St

Casual lunch spot with a small menu and outdoor seating, serving chips and sandwiches like the "Umami Bomb".

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Slate

Restaurants

Relaxed choice spotlighting artful plates of traditional Italian fare, plus house-infused vodkas.

250 E Front St

Relaxed choice spotlighting artful plates of traditional Italian fare, plus house-infused vodkas.

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Relaxed eatery and bar in a waterfront hotel, featuring rustic takes on American fare, plus wine, beer, sake and cocktails.

615 E Front St

Relaxed eatery and bar in a waterfront hotel, featuring rustic takes on American fare, plus wine, beer, sake and cocktails.

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Poppycocks

Restaurants

Dinner & drinks destination for New American fare & live jazz paired with a large martini menu.

128 E Front St

Dinner & drinks destination for New American fare & live jazz paired with a large martini menu.

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The Little Fleet

Restaurants

Fixed collection of food trucks offering an eclectic array of bites, plus a bar & outdoor seating.

448 E Front St

Fixed collection of food trucks offering an eclectic array of bites, plus a bar & outdoor seating.

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PepeNero

Restaurants

Upscale restaurant & lounge with swanky decor serving Southern Italian cuisine in a former chapel.

700 Cottageview Dr Ste 100

Upscale restaurant & lounge with swanky decor serving Southern Italian cuisine in a former chapel.

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