From local diner favorites to gourmet cuisine, Michigan dishes up great food and good fun in a number of eclectic venues. Start with a tube steak served more than a dozen ways at the International Dog House in Jackson, or pull up to a counter for the all-American favorite slathered in special sauce at a Coney Island restaurant---the neighboring American and Lafayette Coney Islands in downtown Detroit started it all.
For good food and handcrafted beer, try Camp 33 at the Tahquamenon Falls Brewery & Pub at Upper Tahquamenon Falls State Park, the Walldorf Brewpub & Bistro in a historic building in Hastings, and Traffic Jam & Snug in Detroit. “TJs” also makes its own cheese, ice cream, breads and desserts in a series of eclectic dining rooms.
You can grill your own prime beef to accompany the house beers at Hereford & Hops in a historic hotel building in Escanaba. Head to the Detroit’s historic Eastern Market’s Roma Café for traditional service and mouth-watering Italian specialties.
A must for a true Pure Michigan dining experience includes the all-you-can-eat, family style chicken dinner at one of America's largest family restaurants. Zehnder’s of Frankenmuth in the Bavarian-themed town of Frankenmuth serves about a million guests per year in ten dining rooms that seat more than 1,500 guests. Across the street there’s more chicken and German fare at the popular Bavarian Inn.
More Great Tastes of Michigan
EVANS STREET STATION
Specialties are prepared in the open kitchen and beautifully presented in Tecumseh’s former firehouse.
FOREST GRILL
A smart Birmingham setting showcases simply prepared foods such as free-range chicken and wild mushrooms.
GRANGE KITCHEN & BAR
Even the shrimp are Michigan grown at this Ann Arbor spot.
SALT OF THE EARTH
Savor flavors of the Fennville region on a rustic American menu.
THE VANCAMP HOUSE
Former firefighter Andy Fabian opens the doors to his classic Port Sanilac farmhouse only on weekends and serves a changing menu dictated by what’s best that week.
MARIE CATRIB’S
Sample world flavors at this lively Grand Rapids gathering spot.
THE FRESH PALATE
A bright spot in Alpena uses homegrown ingredients.
THE COOKS’ HOUSE
An abundance of locally grown and artisanal food inspires this Traverse City cafe.
SWEET WATER CAFÉ
Marquette’s source of comfort food and multicultural cuisine features local bounty.
Michigan local food entices us to travel across our great state and please the taste buds. Visiting quality Michigan wineries, bakeries, restaurants, breweries, farm markets and u-pick farms brings you closer to all that Michigan has to offer. Take time to enjoy the local taste of Pure Michigan cuisine with a Michigan foodie tour.
There's no better way to discover the essence and spirit of a place than through its local foods and wines, and Michigan offers some of the richest food experiences anywhere. Discover Michigan’s love affair with its local foodways in a wonderful culinary masterpiece, Pure Michigan--Eating Fresh and Local in the Great Lakes State. To order a copy, visit the Pure Michigan store.
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