Diners' Choice: Great for outdoor dining restaurants in Northern Michigan / Upper Peninsula

OpenTable

Updated June 05, 2025

Looking for the best restaurants that are great for outdoor dining 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!

Walloon Lake Inn

4.9

4.9 (1415)

$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

Julie

Dined 5 days ago

Beautiful setting, wonderful service and a great meal.

Discover more

Michael's Tavern & Steakhouse

4.9

4.9 (917)

$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

Melissa

Dined 4 days ago

Virginia and the whole staff was fantastic! One of our favorite places!!!

Douglas Lake Bar & Steakhouse

4.9

4.9 (705)

$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

Chick

Dined 3 days ago

Excellent perch lightly battered and pan seared, my friend had the ribs which were fall off the bone. Everything was great.

NOMAD.

4.9

4.9 (455)

$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

Jeff

Dined 2 days ago

Great. Great Great. Great Great. Great Great. Great Great. Great

The Dining Room at Arcadia Bluffs

4.8

4.8 (374)

$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

Mandy

Dined 6 days ago

The chef is amazing, very talented! We had amazing service from the moment you walk into the restaurant! The staff is super friendly and nice to chat with!

Artisan - Traverse City

4.8

4.8 (1291)

$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

Rita

Dined 3 days ago

We had a lovely 50th anniversary celebration at Artisan. We were given very special attention. Our wait staff person, Rachel, was fun and very attentive. When we said we loved Creme Brulee as a dessert, out it came, even though it was not on the dessert menu. It was a lovely experience and Artisan's staff was superlative. We left full and happy.

Discover more

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.

Traverse City Whiskey Co. WEEKEND BRUNCH

4.7

4.7 (14)

$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

Craig

Dined 7 days ago

The food was spectacular. It’s menu order and delicious!

Weathervane Restaurant

4.3

4.3 (128)

$31 to $50

American

Charlevoix

About the restaurant

Welcome to Weathervane Restaurant, where you’ll find the best waterfront dining in downtown Charlevoix. Immerse yourself in a culinary journey where attentive service meets the essence of regional cuisine, all while surrounded by breathtaking views of the waterfront.

Choose to dine al fresco on our expansive deck, where you can soak in the refreshing breeze and admire the picturesque parade of boats passing by. Alternatively, embrace the cozy atmosphere indoors, where the focal point is our magnificent stone fireplace.

Top review

TeishaVIP

Dined on Jun 5, 2025

Overall the experience was very nice. It was fun to watch the boats go through the drawbridge and the servers were great. My only comment is that the risotto was flavorless and the lobster roll had very little lobster .

Pier Restaurant

3.9

3.9 (242)

$31 to $50

American

Harbor Springs

About the restaurant

Welcome to the Pier Restaurant, an iconic waterfront dining destination with views of Harbor Spring's yacht basin and Little Traverse Bay. This historic Northern Michigan restaurant provides the perfect backdrop for an unforgettable dining experience. Whether you choose to dine outdoors at the water’s edge or enjoy your meal indoors surrounded by classically designed nautical décor. Our diverse menu features fresh Great Lakes fish, hand cut beef and incorporates locally sourced ingredients. Our extensive wine list and creative cocktail menu will surely enhance your dining experience. Join us for a memorable culinary journey, quite literally on the water.

Top review

AmyVIP

Dined on Jun 12, 2025

Great service, food and view!!! Love Harbor Springs!

Explore Diners' Choice best of Northern Michigan / Upper Peninsula

Explore more Diners' Choice lists

American