Fresh Views: Scenic Michigan Restaurants

Dine in These Waterfront Gems

Watching the sun set over Lake Superior is a moment of bliss that you won’t forget. Match that with an exceptional meal at Fitzgerald’s Hotel and Restaurant, an Eagle River retreat in the Keweenaw Peninsula designed to bring you closer to Michigan’s natural beauty. After a day on the lake, bring your appetite to the locally inspired restaurant where you’ll find real smokehouse barbecue, Great Lakes seafood, and a selection of craft beer, whiskey and Michigan-made wine. 

Naturally, Harbor Haus in Copper Harbor comes with clear views of the harbor expanding onto Lake Superior. Cozy up in this German-Austrian–style restaurant in the Keweenaw Peninsula that takes inspiration from the old land and infuses it with modern Michigan flavors. 

Deliciously casual, Epoufette Bayview Inn celebrates the best of the Upper Peninsula with pristine views of the bay along Lake Michigan. Crispy fried whitefish, savory pasties and a lunchtime salad bar make this scenic spot a popular stop among road trippers. 

With a long legacy in Grand Rapids, Rose’s On Reeds Lake offers waterfront dining any time of year. Dine on a fusion of Mediterranean and American flavors with views of the tranquil water in West Michigan. The summer view is dotted with sailboats, while the winter view consists of ice skaters and fish shanties. On chilly nights, heat lamps and a roaring fireplace keep diners toasty even in the wide sunroom. 

The Scottish links course of Arcadia Bluffs Golf Club has been named among the best in America, in part for the stunning Lake Michigan vistas. The Dining Room, open to the public, boasts maybe the most dramatic lake view on the state's west coast with fine dining and live bagpiper music at dusk. The wine inventory is another star, with hundreds of bottles displayed in temperature-controlled cases.

The iconic Au Sable River flows past the windows of Gates Au Sable Lodge restaurant in Grayling. The trout on the menu comes fresh from these waters fly fishermen consider holy. This Northern Michigan restaurant that reviewers consistently say “feels like home” is a local secret, but it's also small enough that reservations for dinner are a good idea. Plan an overnight stay to take fly fishing lessons and spend time on the water.

The vista from The Lakeview restaurant at Shanty Creek Resort in Bellaire makes for one of Northern Michigan’s best colorful views. In the fall, dinner can be paired with chairlift rides offering yet another perspective of the forest and lake. 

The sky meets the shoreline at Blush Rooftop Terrace, situated at the top of Alexandra Inn in Traverse City. Enjoy live music in the summertime and golden sunsets sparkling over Lake Michigan.

Feel at Ease in the Outdoors 

On the 160-acre Black Star Farms Sutton Bay, Bistro Polaris is a sought-after scenic spot on the Leelanau Peninsula Wine Trail. Share an artisanal cheese board with Michigan-made wines, feast on locally harvested salads and wood-fired pizzas, and reserve your spot for special themed dinners like paella nights. 

The 16-story tower at Grand Traverse Resort and Spa is more than a local landmark; at the very top is Aerie Restaurant & Lounge, boasting what is arguably the best 360-degree sunset view through floor-to-ceiling windows. The Northern Michigan resort itself makes for a perfect gateway with an on-site there’s a spa, three championship golf courses, a beach club, multiple pools and a string of farm markets.

At The Highlands in Harbor Springs, summertime is all about lush patio dining and gazing out at hillside views from the Main Dining Room. During winter weekends, catch a lift to the top of North Peak for an exclusive Aonach Mor Moonlight Dinner. Here, cozy fires burn in the surrounding snow and candles light up the room on the white linen–decked tables. Even in the dark, you can experience the illuminated ski runs, distant valley towns and the lights of the Mackinac Bridge. 

Cozy is the hallmark of The English Inn’s Restaurant and Pub where you can warm yourself by a crackling fire while gazing over what feels like the grounds of your private castle estate. The 15-acre property was developed just 30 minutes from Lansing for auto baron Irving Jacob Reuter and his wife Janet, and the view still includes their pergola, swimming pool and gazebo. After a formal meal upstairs, retire to the English pub for a nightcap on the lower level.

Set within Southwest Michigan’s wine country, Tabor Hill Winery and Restaurant is a lovely stop along the Lake Michigan Shore Wine Trail. Sit outdoors for views of the vineyard as you dine on cuisine that shines a spotlight on local ingredients. Michigan wines, craft beers and spirits each pair with harvest-inspired dishes. 

Peak City Dining

Since 1929, exceptional seafood has taken center stage at Joe Muer Seafood, and its location at the Detroit Renaissance Center offers some of the best views in the city. From fresh-shucked East and West Coast oysters to rich Boston clam chowder to whole Maine lobster, every bite is as beautiful as the riverfront views. 

Perched sky-high on Detroit’s Metropolitan Building, The Monarch Club is surrounded by the twinkle of city lights. Sip cocktails on the expansive rooftop bar and gather around a firepit or indoor banquette for shareable bites. 

At the top of the Amway Grand Plaza, MDRD presents lavish Spanish cuisine along with sweeping city and Grand River views. Look out over Grand Rapids as you nibble on a variety of tapas and satisfying entrees paired with sophisticated cocktails and wine. 

History surrounds you at Gandy Dancer in Ann Arbor, set in a beautifully restored 1886 Michigan Central Depot. This architectural landmark is an elegant standout specializing in freshly caught seafood, juicy steaks and delicate pastas. 

The list of must-visit places is too long to capture in one place. What’s your favorite restaurant with a view in Michigan?