best places to eat in petoskey

Petoskey’s culinary scene keeps improving. Each year, the number of great places to eat seem to multiply. From fine dining to down home comfort food and everything in between, Petoskey has some fantastic restaurants. There are so many fabulous options, it can be hard to decide where you want to go to dine with your friends and family. Petoskey is one of the most popular tourist destinations in northern Michigan, a place that draws visitors from all over the world. Petoskey also offers many excellent restaurants to satisfy the appetites of locals and tourists alike. The following are reviews of some of Petoskey’s best restaurants. Find out more by reading on!

With so many different places to eat in Petoskey, it can be hard to figure out where to start. That’s why we’ve put together this list of the best restaurants in town. Whether you’re looking for a quick bite or a place to enjoy a nice meal with friends, these restaurants will not disappoint!

1. The Harbor House: This is the perfect spot for lunch or dinner. Located right on the water, The Harbor House has incredible views and an array of delicious seafood dishes, as well as burgers and sandwiches if you’re looking for something less fancy.
2. [restaurant name]: Not only does this restaurant have an amazing view of Lake Michigan from its outdoor patio area, but it also serves up some of the best pizza around! If you’re looking for something sweet after your meal, try their famous cinnamon roll—you won’t regret it!
3. [restaurant name]: If you’re feeling like something more traditional than pizza or seafood but still want something delicious, head over to [restaurant name]. They have everything from pasta dishes to burgers and salads—but their tacos are definitely worth trying!

Petoskey is a quaint town that sits on the shores of Lake Michigan. It’s a great place to eat, but if you’re not sure where to start, we’ve got you covered with our list of the best places to eat in Petoskey:

1. The Smoke Shack – this BBQ joint boasts some of the best smoked meats and sides in all of Michigan.
2. The Crab Shack – it doesn’t matter if it’s crab season or not—you can always get fresh, local seafood at this restaurant.
3. The Wharf – if you like seafood and don’t mind paying a bit more for it, this is the place for you! Their oyster bar has delicious offerings and their wine selection is pretty decent too!
4. House of Manna – this restaurant serves up some pretty delicious traditional American fare with an emphasis on comfort foods like macaroni & cheese and meatloaf!

top restaurants in petoskey

Aamchi Mumbai Indian Cuisine

This Indian restaurant in the D&W shopping plaza on 31 North opened just a few months before the pandemic struck and has had a steady stream of fans since. While Bhim and Yavraj Basel — the father-son team behind the restaurant — continue to keep the indoor dining room closed, that doesn’t stop in-the-know locals from calling in their orders for chicken tikka masala, garlic naan, and the tandoori mixed grill. A huge section of the menu is dedicated to vegetarian entrees, perfect for planning the next veggie korma picnic.

1911 Restaurant

Those looking to step back in time — to an era when summer residents arrived by lake steamer and rail — should head to historic Bay View. While many visitors whiz past this historic neighborhood assuming that it’s private, The Terrace Inn and 1911 Restaurant are open to the public. Locals know to grab a seat on the porch, a glass of Michigan wine from the restaurant’s vast selection, and place an order of the parmesan crusted planked whitefish.

Palette Bistro

Looking for a view of the Bay? Palette Bistro is the place to be. Summertime guests love the seafood paella — studded with mussels, shrimp, scallops, and house-made chorizo — which goes especially well with any of the wines from the Spanish section of the restaurant’s Old World wine list. Palette Bistro offers both indoor and outdoor seating, and is especially lauded for its happy hour — when the Mediterranean-inspired restaurant offers $5 cocktails and glasses of wine and specials on small plates.

Beards Brewery

Pizza and beer is a pretty classic pairing. Even better? Scratch made pizza, house brewed beer, and a view of Little Traverse Bay. The wild mushroom pie at this locally loved brewery is loaded with marinated mushrooms, caramelized onions, fresh mozzarella, and a garlic cream sauce and is especially good with their Deez Nutz brown ale. Not drinking? Beard’s recently got in on the non-alcoholic game by launching Michigan Hop Water, a carbonated hopped tea. The brewery offers indoor seating, but their open-air bar with views of Lake Michigan is optimal.

unique eats in petoskey

Chandler’s

Over the past 20-plus years, Chandler’s has become a Petoskey institution. Located behind the historic Symons General Store, owner Chandler Symons and his team serve some of the best special occasion plates in town. Think oysters on the half shell or seared Hudson Valley foie gras to start, followed by, when in season, north Atlantic halibut with fresh favas, artichokes, arugula, and saba. Don’t skip dessert, especially Chandler’s spiffed up version of a hummer — the kahlua, rum, and ice cream cocktail that originated in Detroit. The restaurant is currently offering indoor seating in the main dining room and the wine cellar, as well as a seasonal patio in the alley between the two.

Jose’s Authentic Mexican Restaurant

Craving Mexican food? Make a beeline for Jose’s. Together with his sister and wife, José Lopez (originally from León, Mexico) has been turning out made-to-order guacamole, pork tamales, chile rellenos, and flan since late 2005. Bonus: José himself greets customers and takes orders with what’s gotta be the biggest smile in northern Michigan hospitality. Jose’s Authentic Mexican is currently offering takeout and indoor dining, but they do not have a liquor license.

Thai Orchid

For more than 14 years, the Vangyi family — Hmong Americans originally from Laos — have been sharing their love of spicy food from Southeast Asia with Petoskey residents. While the pad Thai and other noodle dishes are their best-selling menu items, regulars know to try the Tom Yum soup, cucumber salad, or fish curry. During the summer months, don’t miss the iced Thai tea or coffee. At press time, Thai Orchid remained committed to takeout only.

Tap 30 Pourhouse

Named for the number of beers offered on draft, this tap house on the north side of Mitchell Street is a must-visit for the serious suds lover. Run by the same sommelier who operates Pour Kitchen and Bar next door, the selections include a few imported gems (the Schöfferhofer grapefruit radler and the Duvel single-fermentaed golden were recently on tap) but focus primarily on pours from the Great Lakes state. Bellying up to their bar is a good way to taste beers, ciders, or hard seltzers that are either not being canned or bottled or are otherwise from beyond this section of northern Michigan. Get over there and taste the Alpena-made Austin Brothers Nytro Murkus Double IPA before the keg is kicked. Tap 30 also offers a full pub menu, indoors or out.

Pour Kitchen & Bar

Ask avid home cooks where they like to eat on their night off and Pour is a common answer. Maine lobster tail served with celery root soubise, Iberico chorizo, and an almond gremolata with sumac, Michigan rabbit loin with king trumpet mushrooms, fiddleheads, a morel cream, and pickled mustard seeds, are just a few of the specialities to have come from the scratch kitchen of chef Colin Campbell. Be sure to pair these and other beautiful menu items with wines from sommelier Todd Chinnock’s well-curated list. Chinnock lists some 55 selections by the glass or half glass, including some harder-to-land allocations that he has worked hard to bring to northern Michigan.