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

OpenTable

Updated July 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants that have the most vibrant bar scenes 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 (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!

Discover more

Popular dish

Beef Tenderloin Tartare

Popular dish

Beef Tenderloin Fillet

Popular dish

Bolognese

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.

Bennethum's Northern Inn

4.8

4.8 (2207)

$31 to $50

American

Gaylord

About the restaurant

HERE AT BENNETHUM'S, WARM HOSPITALITY IS AT THE HEART OF EVERYTHING WE DO. BECAUSE WE ARE FAMILY-OWNED AND OPERATED, WE PERSONALIZE YOUR VISITS AND ATTEND TO ANY SPECIAL REQUESTS. THE COZY ATMOSPHERE IS RUSTIC YET REFINED. THE FOOD AND DRINK OFFERINGS ARE DIVERSE AND HIGH-QUALITY.

Top review

DebraVIP

Dined 2 days ago

Always a wonderful dining experience. The whitefish, perch and walleye were excellent! Great cocktails and perfect wines?

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!

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 on Jun 28, 2025

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

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

Elizabeth's Chop House

4.7

4.7 (805)

$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 7 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 (218)

$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

Katherine

Dined 3 days ago

Wonderful 4th of July lunch! Our sever was amazing and the food was fresh and great!

NoBo Riverside

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.

Barrel Back Restaurant

4.6

4.6 (15)

$30 and under

American

Walloon Lake

About the restaurant

Barrel Back is located next to Hotel Walloon and is open for lunch and dinner seven days a week. The restaurant is named after “Barrel Back” boats commonly found on inland lakes in the 1920s, 30s, and 40s. The outside of the restaurant is surrounded by glass garage doors, which can be opened up on a beautiful Northern Michigan day. In the cooler months, you can enjoy the crackling fireplace located in the center of the dining room. The restaurant offers an expansive bar that features over 23 beers on tap and a patio for guests wishing to dine outdoors.
Similar to the atmosphere, the food at Barrel Back is unmatched by other restaurants in the area. The wood-fired rotisserie smoker, oven and grill creates an intoxicating aroma of smoked chicken, brisket and wood-fired pizzas throughout the Village and gives the food a one of a kind flavor.

Top review

Morgan

Dined 3 days ago

Everything was amazing. Our waiter Phil was very attentive and made our experience even better. Will always recommend barrel back.

Explore Diners' Choice best of Northern Michigan / Upper Peninsula

Explore more Diners' Choice lists

American