Keith's Guidebook
Family restaurants (reasonably priced)
Their wings are amazing. While not a salad guy I will get the chef/cob salad it is out of this world.
Mackinaw Brewing Company
161 E Front StHamburgers will blow you away. Bubba burger with tots. Ask for an extra side of bubba sauce to dip the tots in.
Bubbas Bar & Grill LLC
6225 Washington AveHamburgers will blow you away. Bubba burger with tots. Ask for an extra side of bubba sauce to dip the tots in.
Made to order sandwiches. Very good salad bar. Not many tables. This is more of a grab and go place. Of your having a picnic you can go next door to Burrits for a bottle of wine.
11 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
The Chef's In
519 W Front StMade to order sandwiches. Very good salad bar. Not many tables. This is more of a grab and go place. Of your having a picnic you can go next door to Burrits for a bottle of wine.
Good non chain Mexican food restaurants. They also have a location at the mall. Don’t get the pitcher of margaritas unless you have a driver. Sure it’s a great deal, just not a good idea. Fajita burrito is my favorite dish.
12 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Agave Mexican Grill
851 South Garfield AvenueGood non chain Mexican food restaurants. They also have a location at the mall. Don’t get the pitcher of margaritas unless you have a driver. Sure it’s a great deal, just not a good idea. Fajita burrito is my favorite dish.
They have two locations (other one is in the mall). Good non chain Mexican food. My favorite dish is the fajita burrito. Don’t get the pitcher of margarita unless you have a driver. Sure it’s a great deal, it just isn’t a good idea.
12 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Agave Mexican Grill
851 South Garfield AvenueThey have two locations (other one is in the mall). Good non chain Mexican food. My favorite dish is the fajita burrito. Don’t get the pitcher of margarita unless you have a driver. Sure it’s a great deal, it just isn’t a good idea.
50s dinner. It’s a dinner the food is what you’d expect.
Make sure you get a milkshake with real fruit added. While I usually stay away from cherries because this town over does them, not here!! Get the cherry milk shake with cherries added!!
21 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Don's Drive-In
2030 US-3150s dinner. It’s a dinner the food is what you’d expect.
Make sure you get a milkshake with real fruit added. While I usually stay away from cherries because this town over does them, not here!! Get the cherry milk shake with cherries added!!
Bars
Cheap drinks, good bar food, and pool tables. It gets busy but throw your money on the table or ask if they want to play doubles and offer to pay for the games $1 a game. I spend more in the jukebox and pool table than I do on drinks and food.
14 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Brady's Bar
401 S Union StCheap drinks, good bar food, and pool tables. It gets busy but throw your money on the table or ask if they want to play doubles and offer to pay for the games $1 a game. I spend more in the jukebox and pool table than I do on drinks and food.
Go to this place for happy hour!!! I think it’s 4-7. Half off drinks and super cool atmosphere. Like four mixed drinks for $20. If they have live music you likely won’t get a seat but worth trying. White pizza is good.
60 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
The Parlor TC
205 Lake AveGo to this place for happy hour!!! I think it’s 4-7. Half off drinks and super cool atmosphere. Like four mixed drinks for $20. If they have live music you likely won’t get a seat but worth trying. White pizza is good.
Pro tip: even if the store is closed, they will let you access the humidor from the cigar bar! Best old fashion you will ever have (worth going just for that)
6 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Nolan's Tobacconist
336 E Front StPro tip: even if the store is closed, they will let you access the humidor from the cigar bar! Best old fashion you will ever have (worth going just for that)
Roof top bar has amazing views! Just walk in hotel and head to the elevators on right hand side. Go to top floor. Views and drinks are great. Food is not my favorite.
43 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Hotel Indigo Traverse City
263 W Grandview PkwyRoof top bar has amazing views! Just walk in hotel and head to the elevators on right hand side. Go to top floor. Views and drinks are great. Food is not my favorite.
Go in the hotel and head to the elevators. Go to the top floor and turn to your right. Amazing views from 12th story inside bar. Very limited seating 20-30 people total. If you can get a seat, it is worth it!
6 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Beacon Lounge
300 E State StGo in the hotel and head to the elevators. Go to the top floor and turn to your right. Amazing views from 12th story inside bar. Very limited seating 20-30 people total. If you can get a seat, it is worth it!
Dancing
Locally know as a lgbtq+ bar. It’s chill and fun. One of the few places you can go and dance.
SideTraxx Dance Bar
520 Franklin StLol there is a loca ordinance that all bachelorette parties must go here. On the weekend it will have a live band. Usually packed and loud! It can be fun if that’s what you’re looking for. There usually is a small cover.
27 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Kilkennys Irish Public House
400 W Front StLol there is a loca ordinance that all bachelorette parties must go here. On the weekend it will have a live band. Usually packed and loud! It can be fun if that’s what you’re looking for. There usually is a small cover.
Date night or nicer restaurants
Food is good. The restaurant sits above the yacht club. Great place to sit outside and enjoy a meal or drinks. Outdoor seating is limited.
29 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
West End Tavern
12719 S W Bay Shore DrFood is good. The restaurant sits above the yacht club. Great place to sit outside and enjoy a meal or drinks. Outdoor seating is limited.
Red Ginger
237 E Front StSushi!! Best we have. Sake flights are fun.
Almost put this one in category for family. My kids love this restaurant. Good sushi that is cheaper than red ginger. They have hamburgers on the menu as well. Definitely get the hummus and pita. This place is a staple for bachelorette parties visiting tc!!
53 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Firefly Restaurant
310 N Cass StAlmost put this one in category for family. My kids love this restaurant. Good sushi that is cheaper than red ginger. They have hamburgers on the menu as well. Definitely get the hummus and pita. This place is a staple for bachelorette parties visiting tc!!
Love taking the boat up there. Short walk from marina Radio ahead to get a transient slip. Four slips on end left side are up for grabs. If you drive up, it’s still a beautiful ride up the coast.
Boons have five restaurants in the area (long lake is probably the best known). While known for their steaks all the food is good.
33 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Boone's Prime Time Pub
102 N St Joseph StLove taking the boat up there. Short walk from marina Radio ahead to get a transient slip. Four slips on end left side are up for grabs. If you drive up, it’s still a beautiful ride up the coast.
Boons have five restaurants in the area (long lake is probably the best known). While known for their steaks all the food is good.
Good French cuisine. Local tip: get the chicken pot pie. While not on the dinner menu they will make it for you. All of their food is amazing can’t go wrong.
Many nights i will come here to end my night! Coffee and crème brûlée!!
86 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
amical
229 E Front StGood French cuisine. Local tip: get the chicken pot pie. While not on the dinner menu they will make it for you. All of their food is amazing can’t go wrong.
Many nights i will come here to end my night! Coffee and crème brûlée!!
Fun places
Fun creative environment. Amazing custom donuts. I didn’t know I needed bacon or fruity pebbles on my donut but you only live once
13 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Peace Love and Little Donuts of Traverse City
441 E Front StFun creative environment. Amazing custom donuts. I didn’t know I needed bacon or fruity pebbles on my donut but you only live once
Coffee need I say more!!! Though they also have good selection of tea. Also have wine and some liquors. Relaxing vibe and you can hang out.
61 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Brew
108 E Front StCoffee need I say more!!! Though they also have good selection of tea. Also have wine and some liquors. Relaxing vibe and you can hang out.
While technically a restaurant, we like to go here for boba (milk tea with edible beads in it). If you have a teen this might be a unique experience.
31 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
The Good Bowl
328 E Front StWhile technically a restaurant, we like to go here for boba (milk tea with edible beads in it). If you have a teen this might be a unique experience.
It’s a cold stone ice cream shop. Best dairy free ice cream in traverse city!!
18 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Milk & Honey
240 E Front StIt’s a cold stone ice cream shop. Best dairy free ice cream in traverse city!!
Locally made ice cream. It has gained national recognition. Make sure to walk to the trails to the back. There is a look out where you can see the cows.
86 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Moomers Homemade Ice Cream
7263 N Long Lake RdLocally made ice cream. It has gained national recognition. Make sure to walk to the trails to the back. There is a look out where you can see the cows.
Fine dinning
They book out way in advance. Worth a call if you’re looking for a special dinner. Don’t be disappointed if you can’t get in.
67 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
The Cook's House
115 Wellington StThey book out way in advance. Worth a call if you’re looking for a special dinner. Don’t be disappointed if you can’t get in.
Amazing seafood!! For two people having dinner and drinks you can easily hit $150-$200.
54 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Boathouse Restaurant
14039 Peninsula DrAmazing seafood!! For two people having dinner and drinks you can easily hit $150-$200.
Best Italian food in town. Amazing wine list. When they ask if you would like to add fresh truffles, yes you do!!
60 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
PepeNero
700 Cottageview DrBest Italian food in town. Amazing wine list. When they ask if you would like to add fresh truffles, yes you do!!
Sightseeing
One of the few places you can legally have a fire on the beach. Amazing sunsets. On more than one occasion I’ve woken up to the sun rising. Don’t do that! You’re paying good money to stay at my place.
22 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Esch Beach
Esch RoadOne of the few places you can legally have a fire on the beach. Amazing sunsets. On more than one occasion I’ve woken up to the sun rising. Don’t do that! You’re paying good money to stay at my place.
All of the views of sleeping bear without the miles long walk to get there. This will be more of a 15 minute walk to the bluff.
11 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Pyramid Point
All of the views of sleeping bear without the miles long walk to get there. This will be more of a 15 minute walk to the bluff.