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

OpenTable

Updated July 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!

Michael's Tavern & Steakhouse

4.9

4.9 (923)

$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

Susie

Dined 2 days ago

Wonderful employees who make sure you have not only a fabulous meal but a fabulous evening.

Les Cheneaux Culinary School

4.9

4.9 (346)

$31 to $50

Farm-to-table

Hessel

About the restaurant

Simplicity is the essence in good taste... In the world around you, and in food.
Experience the almost seamless setting of “up north” blue waters and pure air. Delight in the breathtaking sunsets while sipping finely crafted cocktails. An unforgettable experience in dining, with the freshest of local produce, fish and game, prepared in carefully understated fashion to respect the wonderful specialness of original flavors.

Top review

James

Dined 3 days ago

Fantastic food in a relatively remote area. Highly recommend

Walloon Lake Inn

4.8

4.8 (1434)

$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 7 days ago

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

Discover more

The Dining Room at Arcadia Bluffs

4.8

4.8 (383)

$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

ALLISON T.VIP

Dined 6 days ago

We had a very nice evening dining at Arcadia Bluffs dining room. Our waitress was top notch h and the food was delicious!

Trovato at Hidden River

4.8

4.8 (296)

$31 to $50

Contemporary Italian

Brutus

About the restaurant

Casual fine dining with a contemporary Italian influence. Enjoy cocktails and creative dishes while taking in the beautiful Maple River.

Top review

Ian

Dined 3 days ago

Excellent meal, superb cuisine, seated outside overlooking the Maple River flowing by.

Discover more

Popular dish

Meatballs

NOMAD.

4.8

4.8 (471)

$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

MichaelVIP

Dined 3 days ago

Great food and great service. Excellent cocktails as well.

Artisan - Traverse City

4.7

4.7 (1312)

$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

OpenTable Diner

Dined 6 days ago

Great food, beautiful view, service was great and will definitely be going back

Discover more

4.7

4.7 (38)

$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

Susan

Dined 6 days ago

Yummy cocktails to start. Fish entrees also great. Fun sitting outside on patio.

Round Island Kitchen

4.5

4.5 (271)

$30 and under

American

Mackinac Island

About the restaurant

With our Michigan twist on classic comfort foods, Round Island Kitchen is where families, friends, and couples gather to round out their Mackinac Island experience. When families visit the heart of Mission Point, they leave feeling more connected to the island than before.

Top review

Penny

Dined 2 days ago

Great service. Great food. Loved the whitefish starter and walleye entree.

Weathervane Restaurant

4.2

4.2 (139)

$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

Kelly

Dined 7 days ago

Our waiter was excellent. Food delicious. We loved the bread and French butter

Explore Diners' Choice best of Northern Michigan / Upper Peninsula

Explore more Diners' Choice lists

American