I found so many must-try restaurants in Traverse City it was difficult to limit my list. So, I selected those from a variety of price points from super casual to fine dining.
I chose these 13 restaurants to try in Traverse City because they highlight something iconic about the local food scene and are some of the best restaurants in Traverse City.
Don’t be fooled by the counter-style service. Oakwood Proper Burgers serves gourmet burgers here, even if you order at the counter.
Open in 1882, Sleder’s Family Tavern is Michigan’s longest continuously operating tavern. Kiss the moose for luck!
I enjoyed the Spanglish fried rice, a dish composed of Spanish rice, red bell pepper, poblano peppers, sweet corn, onion, and whole beans topped with feta, cilantro, and chopped onion.
On their standard dinner menu, try one of their preparations of whitefish, a northern Michigan favorite. They have the Smoked Whitefish Pâté as an appetizer.
The Aerie salad started with organic field greens and continued with cucumbers, pickled red onion, and Gorgonzola cheese. Then, they added candied pecans for crunch and dressed with a cherry vinaigrette made from Traverse City tart cherries.