Five Best Seafood Restaurants in St Ignace

Be wary of seafood the further you travel from the ocean! A unique exception to this standard lies in the small town of Saint Ignace, nestled around Moran Bay, where the Great Lakes Huron and Michigan meet. Whether making the Truck Stop an unusual choice for New Years Eve or romancing that special someone with a Planked Whitefish supper at the Driftwood, you won't be disappointed. The fish is lifted daily and expertly prepared at venues like Timmy Lee's Pub. For a special treat, don't forget the all-you-can-eat Fish Fry specials at the local VFW Outpost and the quaint little Moose Lodge out in St. Ignace Township. People come from all over the world for the scenery and atmosphere on Mackinac Island, but many folks also return for the great fish found in our restaurants.

St. Ignace is a convenient stop after crossing the Mackinac Bridge into Upper Michigan. Head west on US2 at the second exit to find the St Ignace Truck Stop Restaurant on the left, just after exiting I-75. Just last week, we enjoyed an outstanding whitefish dinner on New Years Eve with some friends and business partners from out-of-town. We were all in the mood for fresh fish; unfortunately, all the local venues pushed prime rib and other specials for about $20-$25 per person. Honestly, I was somewhat shocked at the great meal we enjoyed! The waitress was cute and personable, tables clean and cozy. Most impressive was the whitefish, expertly prepared and consumed with relish.

Continuing west on Highway US2, continue on another mile past Burger King on the right hand side and stop at Timmy Lee's Pub! If you want my first choice overall, this is the place to be. My favorite bartender Bobby Lee is wonderful, waitress Tammy can't be beat. Just ask Roseville Joe, who drives up from the Detroit area just to stop for their whitefish. I'm a huge fan of the appetizer whitefish bites; however, their planked whitefish and fish fry are equally incredible. Timmy Lee took the former St Ignace area landmark Miller's Camp and converted it into a great place to stop. Sports Bar, watering hole, or dining venue, this is the place to be in Mackinac County.

For a bit more upscale digs, when trying to impress that special someone, I recommend The Driftwood in downtown St Ignace. The atmosphere in the dining room is intimate, the wait staff attentive, and the Planked Whitefish can't be beat! Ask for a table near the fireplace and enjoy. If you're interested in a bit more casual atmosphere, just head into the adjacent Sports Bar. The food is stellar, bands on good weekends, and I've never been disappointed by the chef or the Driftwood's delightful menu.

You'll find an awesome Friday Night fish fry at both the VFW outpost, near the airport on Business Loop I-75 or the Moose Lodge in St Ignace Township on Mackinac Trail, both located just north of the City of St Ignace. Whitefish is the area specialty, but there's also perch and shrimp baskets. The Ladies of the Moose and VFW equivalent provide an array of side dishes. As an added note, if you keep heading down the trail to the Kewadin Shores Casino on Friday or Saturday night, check out their buffet. They have a good deal with fresh crab and various entrée items on the menu. I recommend you carefully check out the buffet before ordering, ensuring quality and freshness. The price can't be beat; however, the quality is erratic.

Enjoy your summer or winter dining experience and make St Ignace, Michigan your first stop!