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

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.

 

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.

 

Definitely worth it to check this thread out, it has a ton of useful TC information:

https://www.beeradvocate.com/commun...rew-recommendations-for-traverse-city.425474/

 

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

 

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.

 

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

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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

 

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

 

North Peak's porter is tasty.