Don & Denise's Guidebook
Restaurant
Lucky Dog Bar and Grille
223 S Benzie BlvdTry the home made root beer.
Good food and great list of draft beers. Recommend Perch as sandwich or dinner. Get the Duchess Potatoes too. Pizza is also well received.
9 locals recommend
Cold Creek Inn
185 S Benzie BlvdGood food and great list of draft beers. Recommend Perch as sandwich or dinner. Get the Duchess Potatoes too. Pizza is also well received.
Great bar food at a reasonable cost. A local favorite and all the offerings are good.
28 locals recommend
Dinghy's Restaurant & Bar
415 Main StGreat bar food at a reasonable cost. A local favorite and all the offerings are good.
Farm Fresh with chef prepared dishes. Nice porch or eat inside. A boutique bar with all the adult offerings.
23 locals recommend
Birch & Maple
727 Main StFarm Fresh with chef prepared dishes. Nice porch or eat inside. A boutique bar with all the adult offerings.
Must have Cherry Pie. Get it a la mode. My kids favorite place on their visits. I recommend the Fresh daily prepared open face turkey sandwich with mash potatoes and gravy.
27 locals recommend
The Cherry Hut
211 N Michigan AveMust have Cherry Pie. Get it a la mode. My kids favorite place on their visits. I recommend the Fresh daily prepared open face turkey sandwich with mash potatoes and gravy.
Right on the shores of Crystal Lake but don’t let the view fool you...the food is second to none. It’s small and reservations are a must. Farm to table, Chef prepared and Menü always changing. It’s small plates but enough.
13 locals recommend
Rocks Landing
1577 Crystal DrRight on the shores of Crystal Lake but don’t let the view fool you...the food is second to none. It’s small and reservations are a must. Farm to table, Chef prepared and Menü always changing. It’s small plates but enough.
Best pizza around. Several location so be sure the location you are calling (I recently made that mistake when picking up an order for someone). On my kids kids hit list. Take it home and enjoy it on the beach.
8 locals recommend
A. Papano's Pizza BEULAH
7803 Crystal DrBest pizza around. Several location so be sure the location you are calling (I recently made that mistake when picking up an order for someone). On my kids kids hit list. Take it home and enjoy it on the beach.
Old fashioned in your car service with the famous root beer floats. Food is decent and it is a fun family experience of days gone by.
10 locals recommend
A&W Restaurant
21 Lake StOld fashioned in your car service with the famous root beer floats. Food is decent and it is a fun family experience of days gone by.
If you are craving Asian food it is the best that you will fine in Northern Michigan. The views over the Betsy Bay are an added feature.
33 locals recommend
The Fusion
300 Main StIf you are craving Asian food it is the best that you will fine in Northern Michigan. The views over the Betsy Bay are an added feature.
Mayfair Tavern
515 Frankfort AveNice outdoor patio area and good food, fun people.
Brewery
If you like beer this microbrewery is the best. Don’t neglect to order the food though as it is highly recommended. Fun atmosphere with outdoor dining in the middle of town. In winter months they even have curling. Order the “Rainmaker”
99 locals recommend
Stormcloud Brewing Company
303 Main StIf you like beer this microbrewery is the best. Don’t neglect to order the food though as it is highly recommended. Fun atmosphere with outdoor dining in the middle of town. In winter months they even have curling. Order the “Rainmaker”
Distillary
Best maple syrup ever (take a bottle home). If you like Bourbon, I love the Maple Bourbon. Denise’s favorite is the Willie Coyote Jalapeño Gin drink. Great pizza. Games for kids. It’s in the middle of nowhere but worth the dirty car.
Iron Fish Distillery
14234 Dzuibanek RdMeadery
Fun and tasty meads but they also have beer and wine. Mix and match Great barn and atmosphere with games for kids. Buy a growler to take back.
St. Ambrose Cellars
841 S Pioneer RdRecreation
Are you a golfer or Skier? 36 holes and both downhill and cross country trails. Crystal Mountain has the best that Northern Michigan offers. Great food, bars, pool and recreational activities for all. Beautiful grounds that is second to none.
Crystal Mountain
National Park
Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes is a gorgeous national park with unprecedented hiking. Beautiful views of Lake Michigan. Be careful though as the hikes are not for the unprepared. If you are not in shape take the Heritage Drive to take it in. Glen Arbor and Leelanau Fishtown are worth the visit. Recommend Arts Tavern for food but take cash.
Sleeping Bear Dunes
Grocery/deli
Doesn’t look like much but our favorite for sandwiches and cheap, good wine.
It doesn’t look like much, but the place has the best sandwiches and is a good spot to buy cheap, good wine. We recommend getting the “Judy”.
13 locals recommend
East Shore Market
276 S Benzie BlvdIt doesn’t look like much, but the place has the best sandwiches and is a good spot to buy cheap, good wine. We recommend getting the “Judy”.