Traverse City, MI - Help with Bars/Breweries/Restaurants

Discussion in 'Great Lakes' started by Mitch_Cumstein, Apr 26, 2017.

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  1. Mitch_Cumstein

    Mitch_Cumstein Initiate (0) Apr 17, 2013 Illinois

    I'm planning a trip up to Traverse City, MI in July and was looking for some recommendations on Bars/Breweries/Restaurants in the area that I should visit while I'm there. Anyone have any recommendations? Thanks in advance!
     
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  2. croush

    croush Pooh-Bah (2,407) Mar 20, 2015 Illinois
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Definitely go to 7 Monks in my opinion. There are a handful of breweries in the area, but I haven't had the chance to venture to a ton of them. I've been to Hop Lot, which is OK. I'd say just look up some of them and see what ends up being convenient for you, although I'm sure others will have some more specific recommendations.
     
  3. BeerBeak81

    BeerBeak81 Zealot (698) Oct 10, 2014 New York
    Trader

    Jolly Pumpkin has a tap room/restaurant on the Old Mission Peninsula, at (what used to be?) Bower's Harbor Inn that seems to be overlooked. Lots of great wineries out on the Peninsula too.
     
  4. red94tt

    red94tt Pundit (957) Nov 27, 2008 Michigan
    Trader

  5. ja1022

    ja1022 Zealot (562) Sep 27, 2009 Indiana
    Trader

    I have to get to Short's anytime I'm in that area.
     
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  6. hopfenunmaltz

    hopfenunmaltz Pooh-Bah (2,635) Jun 8, 2005 Michigan
    Pooh-Bah

    Traverse City is a great food town.

    Restaurants? I will go from cheap to $$$.

    Little Fleet has food trucks in the parking lot and in the building there are a lot of taps.

    Patisserie Aime for breakfast.

    Trattoria Stella for a romantic Italian dinner.

    Cooks' House for the tasting menu, if you have deep pockets.

    Bars

    Taproot is one we stop into once a trip. They have beer and cider.

    Breweries

    Friends are saying good things about Earthen Ales which is out in the Grand Traverse Commons.
     
  7. moshea

    moshea Initiate (0) Jul 16, 2007 Michigan

    Can't go wrong in Traverse. Echoing what others have said, Jolly Pumpkin and Shorts should be on your list. Right Brain is quirky and fun.

    Jolly Pumpkin is in a beautiful spot on Old Mission Peninsula.. If you have never been, the scenery on the Peninsula alone is worth it.

    Short's is just under an hour away, but if you are that close, I''d go. They have great pizzas, great prices on sealed crowlers and a great general store
     
  8. Billydoughnuts

    Billydoughnuts Pundit (771) Feb 22, 2015 Michigan

    The Filling Station is a place I go anytime I'm in TC. A pizza and salad is the perfect amount of food for two. They generally have a dozen or so taps IIRC, no guest taps. It's located in an old train depot near Boardman Lake, ample outdoor seating.

    Rare Bird usually has good stuff on tap, not as much as 7 Monks.

    And I love Shorts but bear in mind it's a good 30-40 minute drive from TC but the drive around Torch Lake is a nice one.

    North Peak doesn't get any love, and I agree their beer isn't remarkable, but I've always felt the food is good, a bit pricey but not too bad.
     
  9. croush

    croush Pooh-Bah (2,407) Mar 20, 2015 Illinois
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I agree on Short's, and I think their beer is not that special, so it's a hike for that.

    Good point on North Peak, especially because they're starting their Stormy series this summer.
     
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  10. gratefulbeerhead

    gratefulbeerhead Initiate (0) Dec 7, 2009 Indiana

    Although it's completely in the other direction from Shorts, Lake Ann Brewing is a good place. I'm also a fan of Brewery Terra which is not too far from Right Brain - another fav of mine.
     
  11. Acinonyx

    Acinonyx Initiate (0) Mar 8, 2017 Michigan

    Right Brain has always been a favorite of mine. Last time I was there we tried Rare Bird and liked it a lot.
     
  12. djtothemoney

    djtothemoney Zealot (591) Nov 30, 2015 Ohio

    Mackinaw isn't great, but they have really cheap beer on Tuesdays I think it is.
     
  13. TimH64

    TimH64 Initiate (75) Apr 28, 2017

    North Peak's porter is tasty.
     
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