Diners' Choice: Hot spot restaurants in Northern Michigan / Upper Peninsula

OpenTable

Updated June 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants that are the best hot spots 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!

Michael's Tavern & Steakhouse

4.9

4.9 (921)

$31 to $50

Steakhouse

Petoskey

About the restaurant

We have thoughtfully renovated a historic 1938 log building to a beautiful rustic chic atmosphere. Executive Chef Michael will take great care to provide our Guests a dining experience like no other. Our menu will offer a selection of ala cart steaks, seafood, salads, and shareables. We also offer an array of craft cocktails, beer, and an extensive wine selection. Michael and Maggie Wilp share a passion for quality food and service, careful attention to details, and are determined to treat every person that walks through the door as a welcome Guest.
4653 S. Straits Highway, Indian River, MI, 49749.

Top review

Kate

Dined on Jun 24, 2025

Well staffed, relaxed atmosphere, expedient service. Well done!

Spring & Porter

4.9

4.9 (697)

$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 on Jun 25, 2025

Incredible food, incredible service. Highly recommend this restaurant!

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Popular dish

Beef Tenderloin Tartare

Popular dish

Beef Tenderloin Fillet

Popular dish

Bolognese

Mimi & Pipi's Casa Italiana

4.9

4.9 (112)

$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 3 days ago

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

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.

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 5 days ago

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

Chandler's a Restaurant

4.7

4.7 (2314)

$31 to $50

Global, International

Petoskey

About the restaurant

Chandler’s opened it’s doors in December of 1999 behind the historical Symons General Store building. It’s a cozy place with only 50 seats in the main dining room & 10 seats at the bar. When real estate is too tough to find - it’s standing room only! For a change of scenery, guests can enjoy dining in the wine cellar where they are surrounded by the 4,000 bottle collection that serves both the restaurant and Symons General Store. In the warmer months, guests can choose to dine outside, on Chandler’s brick courtyard.

Top review

SUSAN WARROW

Dined 4 days ago

Consistently the best restaurant in the region. Impeccable food, charming atmosphere, friendly staff.

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Popular dish

Filet

Popular dish

Beef Tenderloin Tartare

Popular dish

Crème Brûlée

Elizabeth's Chop House

4.7

4.7 (804)

$50 and over

Steakhouse

Marquette

About the restaurant

Our Story… Heritage, Passion, Love…
Since I was 5 years old, I’ve been in a restaurant kitchen. It is my life.
Cooking is my passion. My love is my wife, Elizabeth. Her passion is service.

This restaurant is a culmination of our passions, devotions and love.
We hope you will enjoy our efforts to bring you that same passion
in the finest quality food and the areas finest service.

Relax, sit back and enjoy a delicious dining experience.

Your Hosts,
Tom and Elizabeth Wahlstrom

Top review

KurtVIP

Dined 4 days ago

Tom and his crew had it going on. Food was as good as I’ve ever had. Alecia was my server and as usual she was extraordinary. So happy to have found this place.

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 3 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!!

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 7 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.

Traverse City Whiskey Co. WEEKEND BRUNCH

4.6

4.6 (15)

$30 and under

Bar / Lounge / Bottle Service

Traverse City

About the restaurant

Patisserie Amie Brunch is Back!

Your favorite French brunch spot, Patisserie Amie, is back—now on wheels as Le Metro Food Truck. Join Chef Eric Fritch at The Stillhouse each weekend and enjoy a delicious food truck menu and brunch cocktails.

Saturdays & Sundays | 10 AM - 1 PM

How to Brunch:
Secure Your Reservation & Ordering Time – Book on OpenTable to lock in your spot.
Food Truck Fresh – Meals are made to order, so sip, relax, and enjoy.
Brunch Cocktails – Because brunch without cocktails is just breakfast.

Top review

Brenda

Dined 6 days ago

Hidden gem! Food is amazing! Love the trailer and the drinks are awesome too! Definitely a must if in the Traverse City area. Need reservation reservations so book ahead.

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