Simonton Lake Guidebook
Food scene
This is our favorite local restaurant and brewery! They have excellent sushi, BBQ, prime rib, burgers and brew their own beer. Menu has something for everyone!
Our personal favorites are anything off the sushi list (get a boat!) and the Cam Burger with chips. David likes the Sandbar Blonde beer and I'm a fan of whatever cocktail special they're running.
8 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Chubby Trout
3421 Plaza CtThis is our favorite local restaurant and brewery! They have excellent sushi, BBQ, prime rib, burgers and brew their own beer. Menu has something for everyone!
Our personal favorites are anything off the sushi list (get a boat!) and the Cam Burger with chips. David likes the Sandbar Blonde beer and I'm a fan of whatever cocktail special they're running.
The pub burger with velveeta is one of the best burgers you'll ever eat - in our opinions! Great burgers and right on the lake. Ask to sit on the patio for a lake view.
9 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Flippin Cow
51330 State Rte 19The pub burger with velveeta is one of the best burgers you'll ever eat - in our opinions! Great burgers and right on the lake. Ask to sit on the patio for a lake view.
If you're visiting during the warmer months when the Drive-in is open, it's a must-eat location. Homemade root beer and all the classic drive-in foods you can think of. Picnic tables around back if you don't want to eat in your car.
Our personal favorites to order are the pizza burger or the olive burger with a blended root beer float. The sugar-free root beer is also super good if you're avoiding sugar.
Simonton Lake Drive-In
3724 Cassopolis StIf you're visiting during the warmer months when the Drive-in is open, it's a must-eat location. Homemade root beer and all the classic drive-in foods you can think of. Picnic tables around back if you don't want to eat in your car.
Our personal favorites to order are the pizza burger or the olive burger with a blended root beer float. The sugar-free root beer is also super good if you're avoiding sugar.
If you're in the mood for a local coffee house, this is a few minutes drive from the lake but totally worth it. Great coffee drinks and desserts in a cool downtown location.
6 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
The Electric Brew
113 E Lexington AveIf you're in the mood for a local coffee house, this is a few minutes drive from the lake but totally worth it. Great coffee drinks and desserts in a cool downtown location.
Same owner as Flippin' Cow and Chubby Trout, this is a new BBQ restaurants in the Elkhart area. Go check it out, everything is going to be delicious! They have a great tequila selection and cocktails. The Birra Tacos are my favorite. My hubby likes all the BBQ!
Smokin Fattys BBQ
3241 Interchange DriveSame owner as Flippin' Cow and Chubby Trout, this is a new BBQ restaurants in the Elkhart area. Go check it out, everything is going to be delicious! They have a great tequila selection and cocktails. The Birra Tacos are my favorite. My hubby likes all the BBQ!
The best high-end dining experience in the area. This is downtown Elkhart and reservations are recommended. The filet mignon and creme brulee are some of our favorites but we love everything they serve. Cocktails are all made from scratch - no store bough mixers! And the wine list is tops.
Artisan
505 S Main StThe best high-end dining experience in the area. This is downtown Elkhart and reservations are recommended. The filet mignon and creme brulee are some of our favorites but we love everything they serve. Cocktails are all made from scratch - no store bough mixers! And the wine list is tops.
Bit of a drive away, but worth it if you're looking for some tasty Amish food. The grounds are really beautiful to walk around (look for the covered bridge trail) during warmer months. You can also take a buggy ride and shop at one of their many shopping options.
There is a menu side or family style side. Our personal favorite is the buffet option, so you can get a taste of everything. Then walk to the bakery for some take-home treats because you'll probably be too full from the fantastic dinner! Our favorite desserts at The Essenhaus are the chocolate whoopie pie, red raspberry cream pie or the butterscotch pie.
43 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Das Dutchman Essenhaus
240 US-20Bit of a drive away, but worth it if you're looking for some tasty Amish food. The grounds are really beautiful to walk around (look for the covered bridge trail) during warmer months. You can also take a buggy ride and shop at one of their many shopping options.
There is a menu side or family style side. Our personal favorite is the buffet option, so you can get a taste of everything. Then walk to the bakery for some take-home treats because you'll probably be too full from the fantastic dinner! Our favorite desserts at The Essenhaus are the chocolate whoopie pie, red raspberry cream pie or the butterscotch pie.
Best donuts and cinnamon rolls you'll probably ever eat. Our personal favorites are any of the bavarian cream filled donuts or the caramel frosted cinnamon rolls. Grab some to take back to the cottage!
Rise'N Roll Bakery
2010 Cassopolis StBest donuts and cinnamon rolls you'll probably ever eat. Our personal favorites are any of the bavarian cream filled donuts or the caramel frosted cinnamon rolls. Grab some to take back to the cottage!
A bit of a drive from the cottage, but Tabor Hill Winery is a favorite of ours. Their weekend brunch is worth the drive. Also a great place to do a little wine tasting! This is a good location to kick-off a tour of Michigan wine country.
150 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Tabor Hill Winery & Restaurant
185 Mt Tabor RdA bit of a drive from the cottage, but Tabor Hill Winery is a favorite of ours. Their weekend brunch is worth the drive. Also a great place to do a little wine tasting! This is a good location to kick-off a tour of Michigan wine country.
Iechyd Da Brewing Company
317 N Main StGreat local brewery and pizza.
Authentic Italian pizza. Thicker style, lots of cheese. Close to the lake. The pizzas are very large and filling. Wonderful salads as well.
Bruno's home of the 24” Pizza Simonton
Authentic Italian pizza. Thicker style, lots of cheese. Close to the lake. The pizzas are very large and filling. Wonderful salads as well.
One of the best Italian restaurants in the area. I believe they're on open table for reservatios. Family owned and run business. If they have seasonal specials, always go with that choice. Their pizzas are fantastic as well.
6 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Antonio's Italian Restaurant
1105 Goshen AveOne of the best Italian restaurants in the area. I believe they're on open table for reservatios. Family owned and run business. If they have seasonal specials, always go with that choice. Their pizzas are fantastic as well.
Kao's
This is downtown Elkhart but WORTH the drive into town! Fantastic Thai food and bubble teas.
If you like Authentic Mexican food, this is the place. Stacey loves the green sauce enchiladas, and David is a big fan of the wet burrito.
El Fogon Restaurante y Taqueria
If you like Authentic Mexican food, this is the place. Stacey loves the green sauce enchiladas, and David is a big fan of the wet burrito.
Sports, dining, shopping, sightseeing - gotta check it out. Go Irish!
173 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
University of Notre Dame
Holy Cross DriveSports, dining, shopping, sightseeing - gotta check it out. Go Irish!
Sightseeing
If you'd like to learn about Elkhart's founding family, go check out the museum and home tour of the Havilah Beardsley House and the Ruthmere Mansion. Very informative and a nice way to spend an hour or two learning some local history.
If you only have time for one, the Havilah Beardsley House is our personal favorite.
Ruthmere-Havilah Beardsley House
102 W Beardsley AveIf you'd like to learn about Elkhart's founding family, go check out the museum and home tour of the Havilah Beardsley House and the Ruthmere Mansion. Very informative and a nice way to spend an hour or two learning some local history.
If you only have time for one, the Havilah Beardsley House is our personal favorite.
Hall of Heroes
1915 Cassopolis StreetUnique museum to see some superhero items!
This is the public access for the lake. If you'd like to launch a paddleboard, boat, etc, this is a good place to do it.
Simonton Lake Public Access
51101-51161 Maple Grove AveThis is the public access for the lake. If you'd like to launch a paddleboard, boat, etc, this is a good place to do it.
This is a really cool dark park for star viewing.
15 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Dr. T.K. Lawless Park
15122 Monkey Run StreetThis is a really cool dark park for star viewing.
820 Antiques
820 N Ward StLove this antique shop. You can spend hours here - my husband and I have!
This is a super cool antique shop with a lot of fun gift items. They also have a coffee shop and cafe that is really tasty. If you're visiting during one of their holiday open houses, you're in for a treat!
Birds Gotta Fly
916 N Michigan StThis is a super cool antique shop with a lot of fun gift items. They also have a coffee shop and cafe that is really tasty. If you're visiting during one of their holiday open houses, you're in for a treat!
Beautiful spot with trails for a walk/jog. Great for kids.
16 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Iziko lezithole zaseWellfield Botanic
1011 N Main StBeautiful spot with trails for a walk/jog. Great for kids.