Best Traverse City MI Restaurants & Taverns

If you are looking for great food and a unique dining experience while in northwestern Michigan, visit one of signature restaurants of downtown TC.

Traverse City, Michigan is a nexus of tourism, the Fudgie* darling of the northeastern shore of Lake Michigan. With a climate ideal for producing bumper crops of cherries, the first week of July is devoted to the week-long Cherry Festival. But Traverse City's new "It" crop is hip and alcoholic. This northern microclimate also happens to be ideal for the production of grapes, and there are numerous wineries in the TC area, several with tasting rooms that are bustling during the autumn color tour season.

Beyond Cherry Festival and spectacular appellations, Traverse City offers a variety of attractions for vacationers, such as beautiful freshwater beaches, upscale golf courses, nearby ski resorts and pristine wilderness. TC's historic downtown is the home of many specialty shops, two microbreweries, pubs galore and restaurants to suit any taste. Here's the lowdown on some of the signature restaurants in downtown Traverse City.

Amical

229 E. Front Street; 231-941-8888; Reservations accepted; Lunch, dinner, Sunday brunch; Alcohol served

Amical is an atmosphere-rich bistro with a revolving menu that often features fresh locally-grown produce. Their Cookbook Dinner Series runs November through May, with a featured week-long ethnic menu. An eclectic wine list and award-winning desserts round out this exceptional dining experience.

Blue Tractor Cook Shop

423 S. Union St; 231-922-9515; Lunch and dinner; Alcohol served

Located in Traverse City's Olde Towne district, the establishment now known as the Blue Tractor Cook Shop has, but for the bleak days of prohibition, been a local watering trough throughout its entire history, and is the oldest restaurant in Traverse City. The Blue Tractor prides itself on serving good ole homemade comfort food using ingredients from local growers and producers.

The restaurant itself is a bit overstaged, with overportrayal of its theme detracting from the historical feel that an establishment this old has earned. It has the atmosphere of a restaurant chain. However, the service and food are excellent, especially the burgers.

Cousin Jenny's

129 S. Union; 231-941-7821; Breakfast and lunch

Both in name and fare, this modern cafeteria is steeped tradition. Cousin Jenny's cafeteria-style restaurant is best known for its signature dish, the pasty, a Cornish favorite brought to the region by immigrant ore miners. Pasties are the original To-Go meal. Beef stew surrounded by a sturdy pastry crust, pasties were a hearty meal that was easy for the miners to carry and eat. For the early riser, Cousin Jenny's offers 'bobbies,' pasties of eggs, meat, hash browns and cheese, as a morning meal.

Patisserie Amie

439 East Front Street; 231-922-9645; Breakfast and lunch

This lovely little French patisserie, located along the bank of the Boardman River, beckons visitors with its striped canopy promising "Croissant, Café, Chocolate." The Patisserie offers a wide variety of delectables including omelets, crepes, waffles, croissants and freshly baked artisan breads, as well as specialty coffeehouse drinks, sandwiches, soups and chocolate desserts.

Poppycock's

128 E Front St; 231-941-7632; Lunch and dinner; Alcohol served

The hip haunt Poppycock's provides fresh seafood, salads, pastas, steak, sandwiches and many inventive entrees. Everything is made in-house, including their award-winning desserts. The restaurant offers an excellent selection of wines by the glass, and has a full bar with an extensive martini list. On Friday and Saturday evenings, live jazz/blues can be part of your fare.

Sleder's Tavern

717 Randolph Street; 231-947-9213; Lunch and dinner; Alcohol served

Established in 1882, Sleder's Family Tavern is one of Michigan's oldest continuously-operated taverns. Even during prohibition, the owner managed to keep his doors open for loyal customers, serving "root beer" in tea cups.

The Sleder's of today is steeped in old-time ambiance, with the original 21-foot mahogany and cherry bar a focal point of the tavern. Walls are adorned with memorabilia documenting the area's rich history, while numerous hunting trophies and stuffed animals keep and eye on the diners.

To learn more about Traverse City area attractions, see the Traverse City website and the Suite101.com articles on the restaurants and wineries of Old Mission Peninsula.

* Fudgie: A tourist. Term of endearment (and sometimes frustration) used by Northern Michiganders to refer to vacationers. Originated as a name for sightseers visiting Mackinac Island, a vacation hot spot well known for its delicious fudge.