Diners' Choice: Innovative restaurants in Northern Michigan / Upper Peninsula

OpenTable

Updated June 05, 2025

Looking for the best restaurants that are fit for foodies in Northern Michigan / Upper Peninsula? 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!

Spring & Porter

4.9

4.9 (696)

$31 to $50

Global, International

Petoskey

About the restaurant

Spring & Porter features modern, globally-inspired cuisine in a refined yet welcoming environment. Chef Tommy Kaszubowski has created a menu for everyone and, when paired with our impressive wine collection, creates an experience you won't want to forget. From the selection of seasonal ingredients; and our emphasis on local purveyors to the thoughtfully crafted cocktail menu, Spring & Porter is humbled to have you as our guest.

Top review

BethBVIP

Dined 6 days ago

Incredible food, incredible service. Highly recommend this restaurant!

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Popular dish

Beef Tenderloin Fillet

Popular dish

Beef Tenderloin Tartare

Popular dish

Bolognese

Mimi & Pipi's Casa Italiana

4.9

4.9 (110)

$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

Antonio

Dined 5 days ago

Excellent food and service. Highly recommend them !!

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 6 days ago

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

The Dining Room at Arcadia Bluffs

4.8

4.8 (381)

$31 to $50

American

Frankfort

About the restaurant

The Dining Room at Arcadia Bluffs offers full service dining to the public, and our guests. The spectacular views of Lake Michigan and sunsets from The Dining Room and deck make it the most dramatic dining experience on the shore.

The Lakeview Bar offers a more casual dining experience. It includes a bar with multiple flat screens to catch up on the latest leaderboard updates, indoor dining and a uncovered porch with panoramic views of Lake Michigan. Seating for an additional 30 is available in the Lakeview Dining Room, including a private space for that special occasion—all of course with spectacular views of Lake Michigan and Arcadia Bluffs.

The Sunroom offers additional seating with stunning views of Lake Michigan. It is also available as private space that can be sectioned off into two spaces that accommodate up to 45 on each side or opened up to host 90 guests. The Sunroom also has an outdoor glass walled terrace with seating available for use with private events.

Top review

Art

Dined 4 days ago

Everything was great. the food, the views. Raul did an amazing job.

Aster

4.8

4.8 (313)

$30 and under

American

Midland

About the restaurant

Welcome to a dining experience that’s as unique as you are. Our restaurant is more than a place to eat—it’s a journey into culinary artistry. Every dish is a story told through hand-selected, locally sourced ingredients, crafted with a creative twist that transforms tradition into something truly extraordinary. Step into an ambiance where modern elegance meets a warm, inviting atmosphere, setting the stage for unforgettable moments. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply exploring new tastes, every reservation opens the door to exceptional service, innovative flavors, and a community of food lovers. Discover your next favorite culinary destination—your table awaits.

Top review

Michele

Dined 3 days ago

Food was delicious and out service was great! Good value for quality food.

Artisan - Traverse City

4.8

4.8 (1302)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Traverse City

About the restaurant

Artisan Waterfront Restaurant & Tavern offers a unique and innovative dining experience with magnificent views of Lake Michigan. Our Great Lakes-inspired, New American cuisine has an emphasis on farm-fresh fare from local and regional farms, celebrating the theme of craftsmanship and sustainability.
With booking a table in Artisan please advise your table will be reserved for 2 hours starting at the time of your reservation.
PLEASE NOTE THAT OUTSIDE TABLES ARE RESERVED UPON REQUEST BUT CANNOT BE GUARANTEED.
If you have requested a table outdoors, please be advised that in the case of inclement weather, we will do our best to accommodate your party inside at the same reservation time, however we cannot guarantee a table inside at the same exact time and may need to adjust the reservation time accordingly.

Top review

Theo

Dined 4 days ago

Great people great food! Farm to table! Very good meal and nice peeps.

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4.8

4.8 (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.

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 2 days ago

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

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.

NoBo Riverside

4.7

4.7 (37)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Traverse City

About the restaurant

Perched above the historic Boardman River in the heart of Traverse City, NOBO Riverside offers a distinctive culinary journey where Northern Michigan's natural splendor meets contemporary dining excellence.

Our riverside sanctuary transforms locally-sourced ingredients into memorable culinary experiences through thoughtful preparation and artistic presentation. Each seasonal menu tells the story of Northern Michigan's seasonal rhythms, connecting guests to place through every carefully crafted dish.

We believe the world's truly great restaurants don't chase fashions—they capture moments. Each dish tells the story of its origins: the season's harvest, the region's bounty, the landscape visible just beyond your table.

Top review

IVIP

Dined 4 days ago

Just because the restaurant is not on the main street in downtown Traverse City does not mean one should give it a miss. Au contraire, the place is a hidden gem. Airy, clean and modern decor, high ceilings and choices for indoor/outdoor seating. Food was delicious. We had the soup, marinated beets -highly recommend one tries it - , the lamb shank special - melt in your mouth and accompanied by roasted carrots and mashed celeriac , so absolutely delicious flavors that go together very well- and the perch. For desert we had the banana pudding. Service was outstanding and the young lady taking care of us was very attentive, and pleasant and checked to make sure the food was to our liking . I can gladly and highly recommend this restaurant and will book it again next time we are in town.

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