Laurie’s Guidebook
The BEST of TC's notorious FOOD SCENE
Fantastic breakfast, lunch, brunch and morning drinks in the historic Grand Traverse Commons! Reservations recommended, book online.
31 locals recommend
Red Spire Brunch House
Main EntranceFantastic breakfast, lunch, brunch and morning drinks in the historic Grand Traverse Commons! Reservations recommended, book online.
Another gem in the Grand Traverse Commons. Delicious tacos, tostadas, salsas.
51 locals recommend
Spanglish
1333 Yellow DrAnother gem in the Grand Traverse Commons. Delicious tacos, tostadas, salsas.
Your diner style breakfast. Also serves cocktails, whether at breakfast, lunch or dinner!
The Original Flap Jack Shack
3980 US-31Your diner style breakfast. Also serves cocktails, whether at breakfast, lunch or dinner!
Grab a gobbler and some fresh fruit salad to go. Their chicken salad is amazing. Fill up your cooler for a day out!
21 locals recommend
Mary's Kitchen Port
539 W Front StGrab a gobbler and some fresh fruit salad to go. Their chicken salad is amazing. Fill up your cooler for a day out!
Warm, griddled sandwiches and soups. Try the veggie sandwich but add turkey!
11 locals recommend
The Chef's In
519 W Front StWarm, griddled sandwiches and soups. Try the veggie sandwich but add turkey!
European inspired food. Great brunch. I prefer it for breakfast and lunch. The olive twists, tomato bisque, the quiche, the coffee and desserts are top knotch! The seating is a little "cozy" but the food and outstanding service can't be beat.
86 locals recommend
amical
229 E Front StEuropean inspired food. Great brunch. I prefer it for breakfast and lunch. The olive twists, tomato bisque, the quiche, the coffee and desserts are top knotch! The seating is a little "cozy" but the food and outstanding service can't be beat.
A Traverse City tradition and long time favorite! This place is family owned and is always creative with their menu and craft cocktails. Fresh ingredients and inspired ideas. Cool art and mellow vibe. Local's love it here. They hand make their pasta as well. Try the tomato spinach swiss soup...you'll go back for more!
72 locals recommend
Poppycocks
128 E Front StA Traverse City tradition and long time favorite! This place is family owned and is always creative with their menu and craft cocktails. Fresh ingredients and inspired ideas. Cool art and mellow vibe. Local's love it here. They hand make their pasta as well. Try the tomato spinach swiss soup...you'll go back for more!
Downtown shopping and need fuel? Brew offers coffee, and alcohol! Get a Twitchy Russian....A white Russian with a shot of espresso. Yes, it is a coffee shop and bar. Bring your laptop and join the locals at work!
61 locals recommend
Brew
108 E Front StDowntown shopping and need fuel? Brew offers coffee, and alcohol! Get a Twitchy Russian....A white Russian with a shot of espresso. Yes, it is a coffee shop and bar. Bring your laptop and join the locals at work!
The street corn here is so good. These are pricier tacos, but they are paying for some serious real estate in the heart of Traverse City. Again, don't miss the street corn! Guac is pretty amazing too.
62 locals recommend
Mama Lu's - A Modern Day Taco Shop
149 E Front StThe street corn here is so good. These are pricier tacos, but they are paying for some serious real estate in the heart of Traverse City. Again, don't miss the street corn! Guac is pretty amazing too.
GRRRRREAT bar food. Totally cool dive-y scene. Classic rock, trivia. and signed photos of d -ist celebrities who have visited.
33 locals recommend
U & I Lounge
214 E Front StGRRRRREAT bar food. Totally cool dive-y scene. Classic rock, trivia. and signed photos of d -ist celebrities who have visited.
Ah-mazing asian fusion. Upscale, metro scene. Professional staff, gorgeous, delicious food.
143 locals recommend
Red Ginger
237 E Front StAh-mazing asian fusion. Upscale, metro scene. Professional staff, gorgeous, delicious food.
Vietnamese food at it's freshest and finest. If they have the potstickers, splurge. They offer a limited craft cocktail selection. The Good Bowl donates $1 from each bowl to the charity of your choice on the World, National, or Local level. Beautiful!
31 locals recommend
The Good Bowl
328 E Front StVietnamese food at it's freshest and finest. If they have the potstickers, splurge. They offer a limited craft cocktail selection. The Good Bowl donates $1 from each bowl to the charity of your choice on the World, National, or Local level. Beautiful!
If you are visiting Northern Michigan for the first time, you'll want to try a pastie. Cornish heritage miners brought this food with them. Cornish wives, "Jennys" fill a savory pastry with meats and/or vegetables. Old school miners used to heat them up with the candles on their mining helmets.
8 locals recommend
Cousin Jenny's Cornish Pasties
222 S Union StIf you are visiting Northern Michigan for the first time, you'll want to try a pastie. Cornish heritage miners brought this food with them. Cornish wives, "Jennys" fill a savory pastry with meats and/or vegetables. Old school miners used to heat them up with the candles on their mining helmets.
At the Grand Traverse Commons, this is an absolutely gorgeous space, in the former State Hospital kitchen where the Italian food is absolutley amazing and artful. This is a special occasion restaurant as it is a bit more pricey, but so worth the splurge.
60 locals recommend
PepeNero
700 Cottageview DrAt the Grand Traverse Commons, this is an absolutely gorgeous space, in the former State Hospital kitchen where the Italian food is absolutley amazing and artful. This is a special occasion restaurant as it is a bit more pricey, but so worth the splurge.
Go here for amazing happy hour deals. This is also an amazing steak and seafood place.
23 locals recommend
Harrington's By The Bay
13890 S W Bay Shore DrGo here for amazing happy hour deals. This is also an amazing steak and seafood place.
Thai Kitchen
1133 W South Airport RdYummy Thai.
Boone's Long Lake Inn
7208 Secor RdRidiculously huge steaks. AMERICAN steak house.
Yummy fresh food and award winning beer! VERY cool scene and German biergarten style seating. Fun music and activities!
103 locals recommend
Rare Bird Brewpub
229 Lake AveYummy fresh food and award winning beer! VERY cool scene and German biergarten style seating. Fun music and activities!
Holy Moly! Detroit Pizza is having it's moment and it isn't done better than at Charles and Reid! Dan and Kristin are awesome folks too! Don't be a square, unless your a pizza!
6 locals recommend
Charles & Reid Detroit Pizza
113 East State StreetHoly Moly! Detroit Pizza is having it's moment and it isn't done better than at Charles and Reid! Dan and Kristin are awesome folks too! Don't be a square, unless your a pizza!
Super yummy and affordable homemade pasta. Casual, downtown.
7 locals recommend
The Flying Noodle - Italian Pasta House
136 E Front StSuper yummy and affordable homemade pasta. Casual, downtown.
Millie and Pepper Creperie & General Store
120 S Union StDEEEEEELICIOUS crepes! Cute shop too!
The absolute premier market in town. Meats, cheeses, dips, wines, spreads, salads, deli, select groceries, sauces, etc. Fill your cooler.
34 locals recommend
Burritt's Fresh Markets
509 W Front StThe absolute premier market in town. Meats, cheeses, dips, wines, spreads, salads, deli, select groceries, sauces, etc. Fill your cooler.
Our natural foods co-op. Great deli and grocery items. Beer and wine. Fill your cooler for the beach!
13 locals recommend
Oryana West
3587 Marketplace CirOur natural foods co-op. Great deli and grocery items. Beer and wine. Fill your cooler for the beach!
Cool scene in a former depot. Often live music. Friendly staff. Good pizza.
106 locals recommend
The Filling Station Microbrewery
642 Railroad PlCool scene in a former depot. Often live music. Friendly staff. Good pizza.
This is a special occassion favorite. Delicious, interesting food in an intimate, fresh setting.
67 locals recommend
The Cook's House
115 Wellington StThis is a special occassion favorite. Delicious, interesting food in an intimate, fresh setting.
Common Good Bakery
537 W Fourteenth StDelicious breads and baked goods. Yummy sandwiches.
Sweet Treats
Need something sweet?
Handcrafted chocolates, candies, popcorn, ice cream. It all started in this location...hundreds of stores worldwide now! I love the fancy caramel apples and the pretzel sticks!
6 locals recommend
Kilwins Chocolates
129 E Front StHandcrafted chocolates, candies, popcorn, ice cream. It all started in this location...hundreds of stores worldwide now! I love the fancy caramel apples and the pretzel sticks!
Look over the dairy farm as you eat their nationally recognized ice cream with lots of flavors daily. Prepare for a line though!
86 locals recommend
Moomers Homemade Ice Cream
7263 N Long Lake RdLook over the dairy farm as you eat their nationally recognized ice cream with lots of flavors daily. Prepare for a line though!
Pies, turnovers, muffins so good they're shipped around the country!
34 locals recommend
Grand Traverse Pie Company
525 W Front StPies, turnovers, muffins so good they're shipped around the country!
Traverse City Tradition and iconic figure, a block from the Bay and next to the dog park. What could be better!?! Get a turtle, but with butterscotch instead of caramel. Promise.
9 locals recommend
Dairy Lodge
405 N Division StTraverse City Tradition and iconic figure, a block from the Bay and next to the dog park. What could be better!?! Get a turtle, but with butterscotch instead of caramel. Promise.
This is a fantastic European bistro, but I love to go here for coffee and to pick something from their beautiful dessert case.
86 locals recommend
amical
229 E Front StThis is a fantastic European bistro, but I love to go here for coffee and to pick something from their beautiful dessert case.
Poppycocks
128 E Front StA local tradition! Pick something from their beautiful dessert case!
It's like Subway for donuts! Create your own tasty treat!
13 locals recommend
Peace Love and Little Donuts of Traverse City
441 E Front StIt's like Subway for donuts! Create your own tasty treat!
Bars and Breweries
TC has a great bar scene, lots of live music options and some dance/nightclub options. We run the gamut from cool dive bars, to fantastic, hand crafted cocktails! Something for everyone..
Rare Bird Brewpub
229 Lake AveAward winning beer and cocktails! German style biergarten.
Local food truck lot with an attached bar that excels at craft cocktails. Cool scene, usually music or another cultural event happening. Bring your kids and dog before 9pm.
172 locals recommend
The Little Fleet
448 E Front StLocal food truck lot with an attached bar that excels at craft cocktails. Cool scene, usually music or another cultural event happening. Bring your kids and dog before 9pm.
Our local arcade bar has pinball, skee ball and pool. 130 canned beverage options, outdoor area with food trucks. Super cool.
21 locals recommend
The Coin Slot
346 E Front StOur local arcade bar has pinball, skee ball and pool. 130 canned beverage options, outdoor area with food trucks. Super cool.
Mammoth is a hiiiiigh quality local distillery where you will have your choice of locally distilled liquors that are thoughtfully mixed into amazing hand-crafted cocktails that absolutely do not disappoint! It is also situated in the newer, hip area of town called the warehouse district. Workshop brewery is next door if someone in your group prefers a local beer, or vice versa! This is almost a DO NOT MISS for me. They often have live music in both venues on weekends!
18 locals recommend
Mammoth Distilling
221 Garland StMammoth is a hiiiiigh quality local distillery where you will have your choice of locally distilled liquors that are thoughtfully mixed into amazing hand-crafted cocktails that absolutely do not disappoint! It is also situated in the newer, hip area of town called the warehouse district. Workshop brewery is next door if someone in your group prefers a local beer, or vice versa! This is almost a DO NOT MISS for me. They often have live music in both venues on weekends!
Local LGBTQ+, welcomes everyone. Dance Dance Dance! Sweaty! Stinky! Fun!
20 locals recommend
SideTraxx Dance Bar
520 Franklin StLocal LGBTQ+, welcomes everyone. Dance Dance Dance! Sweaty! Stinky! Fun!
Cool, dive-y bar in the heart of downtown. Features signed photos of d-list celebrities from 30+ years ago. Strong cheap drinks.
33 locals recommend
U & I Lounge
214 E Front StCool, dive-y bar in the heart of downtown. Features signed photos of d-list celebrities from 30+ years ago. Strong cheap drinks.
The Top of the Park has the very best views of West Bay and Traverse City. They make a some serious martinis!
19 locals recommend
Park Place Hotel and Conference Center
300 E State StThe Top of the Park has the very best views of West Bay and Traverse City. They make a some serious martinis!
The Parlor TC
205 Lake AveOld timey bar with top knotch craft cocktails!
A ridiculous number of taps. So many beers and ciders, etc. And, good food.
74 locals recommend
7 Monks Taproom
128 S Union StA ridiculous number of taps. So many beers and ciders, etc. And, good food.
Things to Do
Here are the things we like to do around town. Always check out the local rag, the Northern Express to be up to date on what is happening in town and all of Northern Michigan! There are many golf courses, fishing spots, kayak spots, sooooo many activities! Please ask if you need specific help!
It is a one of our National Parks National Lakeshore! You must spend some time hiking, biking or beaching here!
303 locals recommend
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
9922 W Front StIt is a one of our National Parks National Lakeshore! You must spend some time hiking, biking or beaching here!
Nauti Cat Cruises
615 E Front StTake a booze cruise on west bay! Truly a must do!
This is one of the most unique places in Northern Michigan. A former State Mental Hospital, closed in the 80's sat and deteriorated for about 20 years...until a local visionary and developer saw it's unique beauty and decided to rennovate and reinvent the space. It is now full of bustling shops, restaurants, offices, condominiums and community spaces. You can spend an entire day here. Many of my restaurant recommendations are here!
130 locals recommend
The Village at Grand Traverse Commons
1200 W Eleventh StThis is one of the most unique places in Northern Michigan. A former State Mental Hospital, closed in the 80's sat and deteriorated for about 20 years...until a local visionary and developer saw it's unique beauty and decided to rennovate and reinvent the space. It is now full of bustling shops, restaurants, offices, condominiums and community spaces. You can spend an entire day here. Many of my restaurant recommendations are here!
Our trail that covers TC for bikers, rollerbladers, skaters, walkers, runners. Safe and clean.
25 locals recommend
Tart Trails Inc
148 E Front StOur trail that covers TC for bikers, rollerbladers, skaters, walkers, runners. Safe and clean.
Saturday morning coffee and the freshest fruits, veg, meat and breads the 45th parallel has to offer seasonally. Beautiful morning bay views too!
24 locals recommend
Sara Hardy Farmers Market
Cass StreetSaturday morning coffee and the freshest fruits, veg, meat and breads the 45th parallel has to offer seasonally. Beautiful morning bay views too!
Our city beach! This stretches through downtown to the warehouse district. There is a section for families further east, the marina, the open space great for a picnic or kite flying, then the "volleyball beach" where the younger set tend to tan.
89 locals recommend
Clinch Park
111 E Grandview PkwyOur city beach! This stretches through downtown to the warehouse district. There is a section for families further east, the marina, the open space great for a picnic or kite flying, then the "volleyball beach" where the younger set tend to tan.
Book my Airbnb Experience at the Grand Traverse Commons Natural Area! I will lead you on a hike! Message me for details.
There is an extensive trail system right within our city limits! Enjoy some hiking, walking or biking through the woods, along the creek, over hill and dale!
31 locals recommend
Grand Traverse Commons Natural Area
Red DriveBook my Airbnb Experience at the Grand Traverse Commons Natural Area! I will lead you on a hike! Message me for details.
There is an extensive trail system right within our city limits! Enjoy some hiking, walking or biking through the woods, along the creek, over hill and dale!
Our in town executive course is friendly, convenient and let's you knock out a round in a couple hours.
8 locals recommend
Bay Meadows Family Golf Course
5550 Bay Meadows DrOur in town executive course is friendly, convenient and let's you knock out a round in a couple hours.
This is the MPAA#1 rated movie theater in the United States! Home to the now formerTraverse City Film Festival , this heart of our community hosts over free events per year. If you were lucky enough to be here during the Film Festival (always the last week of July into August) you were a part of history!
105 locals recommend
State Theatre
233 E Front StThis is the MPAA#1 rated movie theater in the United States! Home to the now formerTraverse City Film Festival , this heart of our community hosts over free events per year. If you were lucky enough to be here during the Film Festival (always the last week of July into August) you were a part of history!
Rainy day? Check out our Smithsonian Affiliate museum at Northwestern Michigan College!
30 locals recommend
Dennos Museum Center
Rainy day? Check out our Smithsonian Affiliate museum at Northwestern Michigan College!
Rain or shine this is a great place to stop in! Gorgeous gifts, plants and what-not. You can build your own terrarium! Explore some of the other shops in the "warehouse district"!
10 locals recommend
Darling Botanical Company
144 Hall StRain or shine this is a great place to stop in! Gorgeous gifts, plants and what-not. You can build your own terrarium! Explore some of the other shops in the "warehouse district"!
Traveler advice
Don't miss
Airbnb Experience: Local's Favorites with a Favorite Local
I host an Airbnb Experience Local's Favorites with a Favorite Local. Join me as I take you through downtown Traverse City, sharing what I know about this place, it's people, history and favorite bites and bits from this Local's Favorite spots!!!
Don't miss
Airbnb Experience: Trail Hike In City Limits-Dogs Welcome
Book my Airbnb Experience: Trail Hike In City Limits- Dogs Welcome
Join me as we walk a hidden, in town trail system with bogs, fields, forest and creeks. As we go, I will share with you a little bit about the history of the property which was once a working commune; our local State Asylum for the Insane.