Diners' Choice: Best Value restaurants in Northern Michigan

OpenTable

Updated June 05, 2025

Looking for the best value restaurants in Northern Michigan? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Great Lakes Culinary Institute

4.8

4.8 (127)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Traverse City

About the restaurant

At Lobdell's, a Teaching Restaurant, you'll enjoy food prepared and served by Great Lakes Culinary Institute students and beautiful bayside views. Lunch is served regularly during fall and spring, while bakery and coffee service is provided in summer. Special events throughout the year include farm to table and world cuisine dinners, as well as cocktail and charcuterie events.

Top review

Don

Dined on Apr 23, 2025

Unfortunately my wife and I were only able to make two reservations this quarter and we had to cancel one because of a funeral. We always enjoy our lunches at Lobdell’s. The food is always outstanding and a good value. Merrill is always a great server and she is pleasant to talk to. My wife had a Thai chopped salad I believe, and the “grown up” grilled cheese. I had the gumbo and pastrami sandwich. Everything was delicious.

NOMAD.

4.8

4.8 (468)

$31 to $50

American

Petoskey

About the restaurant

About NOMAD.
Located on the waterfront in Bay Harbor, NOMAD. offers a vibrant atmosphere that pairs well with its sharable plates, evolving wine list, and house cocktails.

Our menu was artfully crafted through the senses of a NOMAD, with flavors and influences from across the world.

Recently opened in Spring 2022, our mission is to continuously evolve while always maintaining exceptional quality and creativity.

Please note if booking outside dining, restaurant can't hold inside tables if inclement weather occurs. Thank you for your understanding.

Top review

JulieVIP

Dined 4 days ago

Wonderful channel side location with great tapas style. Shrimp bao was wonderful along with the shrimp cocktail and asparagus!!!!

Walloon Lake Inn

4.9

4.9 (1430)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Walloon Lake

About the restaurant

Walloon Lake Inn is a unique upscale restaurant, which was totally renovated in 2014. It is a popular destination for people seeking a distinctive dining experience with a reputation of fantastic food, lovely atmosphere and superb service.

Top review

TamiVIP

Dined 3 days ago

Excellent meal and service, thank you for a wonderful evening.

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4.9

4.9 (207)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Midland

About the restaurant

Our luxurious dining pods have arrived and are available for dinner 7 nights a week and for lunch on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Accommodating up to six guests, our 4 luxurious pods feature the amazing cuisine of Café Zinc, and come equipped with heaters, dimmable lighting, Bluetooth speakers, and an incredible atmosphere to enjoy with family and friends!!

While there is no charge to rent the Dining Pods during regular hours of operation, we do require a minimum spend on food and beverage of the following per reservation (excluding tax and service charge). If unable to meet the required minimum, the difference will be made up via miscellaneous charge.

Lunch: No Minimum Spend (90 minute seating limit)

Dinner: $150 minimum spend (120 minute seating limit)

For more information about our dining pods please head over to the H Hotel website below!
www.thehhotel.com/restaurants-in-midland-mi/winter-pod-dining

Top review

ErnestVIP

Dined on Apr 5, 2025

The food at cafe zinc is consistently great these days. First time in pods but it’s about as good of a date spot as possible in mid Michigan. Heater, speakers for music, privacy; it’s excellent. Wouldn’t change a thing. Screams special occasion so might not do it very often but left an impression.

Mimi & Pipi's Casa Italiana

4.9

4.9 (111)

$31 to $50

Italian

Grayling

About the restaurant

A tavola non s'invecchia: At the table one does not grow old. At Mimi and Pipi's the rich traditions of Italy come alive. Enjoy a one of a kind dining experience marked by exquisite wine offerings and fine Italian cuisine—the shared dream of Christine and Matt LaFontaine to create an authentic destination in Grayling. Mimi and Pipi's is proud to offer a comprehensive carryout experience complete with its own exclusive entrance for easier, faster ordering.

Top review

Scott

Dined 2 days ago

Our third time here and as always delicious! Nightly special Frutti del Mare was amazing. Great service. Fun atmosphere.

Trattoria Funistrada

4.9

4.9 (1216)

$31 to $50

Italian

Glen Arbor / Maple City

About the restaurant

Italian-American neighborhood dining in the heart of downtown "Burdickville."

Please visit our website for further information, sample menus & directions. Online reservations are limited, please call if you do not see the availability you want. We look forward to having you as our guest!

*We do not have a children's menu; young children are strongly discouraged. We are a small space ~ limits are in place for larger parties.

Top review

BillVIP

Dined 1 day ago

What an awesome place. Families are having fun and the team is so friendly you can’t help but have a great time.

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Pierson's Grille & Spirits

4.7

4.7 (217)

$30 and under

Dining Bar

Harbor Springs

About the restaurant

Pierson’s Grille & Spirits is an après-ski themed restaurant with a lively and casual atmosphere. Join us for a warm meal with a dose of nostalgia inside or on our heated dog friendly patio. We are open 365 days a year for lunch and dinner with brunch served on weekends. Pierson's is located in the historic Juilleret's building in Downtown Harbor Springs. Pierson's offers sushi, salads, soups, sandwiches, burgers, pizza and an assortment of entree's including our famous Ribs!
Bring the kids and let them be entertained in the game room while you enjoy the game on one of our many TV's

Top review

LindaVIP

Dined 2 days ago

Really enjoyed our meal at Piersons. Variety of options on the menu to please anyone. My whole family loved their meal. Pork tacos were delicious!!

Douglas Lake Bar & Steakhouse

4.9

4.9 (712)

$31 to $50

Steak

Petoskey / Boyne City

About the restaurant

The Douglas Lake Bar & Steakhouse, known to locals as the “DLB”, has a rich history of providing great food and service in a rustic log building overlooking beautiful Douglas Lake. The two giant fieldstone fireplaces offer the perfect dining ambiance during the spring and fall seasons. Summer guests enjoy drinks on the outdoor patio and dining on the lakeside deck or the screened-in porch.

Top review

Jim

Dined 4 days ago

Another great night at DLB. Food was fantastic. Eva did a great job taking care of us. It was nice to see Mike playing out by the patio.

Terrace Inn and 1911 Restaurant

4.6

4.6 (170)

$31 to $50

American

Petoskey

About the restaurant

1911 Restaurant serves a variety of artfully prepared entrees, appetizers, and salads. All items are prepared in-house by our talented culinary team and feature the best fresh local produce. Enjoy your meal in our charming historic dining room, or on the beautiful terrace overlooking a peaceful park with peaks of Little Traverse Bay.

Open for dinner Wednesday through Saturday from 5 pm to 8:30 pm

Join us for happy hour from 4 pm to 5:30 pm
$5 off appetizers
$2 off all cocktails
plus $5 off any bottle of wine

We look forward to serving you!

Top review

Brian

Dined 5 days ago

Annual visit for our quiet Anniversary celebration. Always wonderful memories - and new chef is remarkable!

Prost Wine Bar & Charcuterie - Bay City

4.9

4.9 (98)

$31 to $50

Wine Bar

Bay City

About the restaurant

Prost! is a new refreshing experience located in Uptown Bay City! Offering a wide selection of wine and beer from around the globe, along with perfectly crafted cocktails. Our menu encompasses the European culture from imported charcuterie and cheese, shareable plates, salads, paninis and heartier dishes. We are dedicated to ensuring our guests are given a welcoming experience and bringing something new to the community for all to enjoy!

In the summer, our intimate dining space opens to the wonderful outdoors, leading to a lovely patio experience!

We look forward to seeing you soon!

Top review

CARL

Dined on Jun 25, 2025

Prost is a great place for a special night out. Food is well prepared and service always includes a smile.

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