Food
It Takes Two to Brunch
Sisters opens in Traverse City
By Anna Faller | May 24, 2025
It was just over four years ago that Jenni Scott—a Traverse City native and longtime veteran of the local restaurant scene—in partnership with her sister Lisa, their parents, and Lisa’s husband, Matt Gaffy, purchased and planned to redevelop the historic downtown pub, Little Bohemia. Together, the team reopened the space under its new identity, Lil Bo’s—a nod to both the pub’s past life and Jenni’s food trucks, Lil Betty’s and Betty’s Hot … Read More >>
Harrington's by the Bay's Wild Caught Salmon
Tastemaker
May 24, 2025
Spring has finally sprung, and you know what that means: time to go fishing! For a truly killer catch, we’re heading to Harrington’s by the Bay in Traverse City, where the vacation-inspired Wild Caught Salmon ($35.50) has just landed on the seasonal menu. A refreshing fusion of warm weather flavors, this dish features an expertly grilled filet of wild-caught salmon (we’re talking tender and flaky with a crispy char), topped with zesty … Read More >>
Farm Club's Golden Russet Cider
Bottoms Up
May 24, 2025
Farm Club, the restaurant-on-a-farm hotspot in Leelanau County, is also a hopping little brewery. But rather than go for the beer on our latest visit, we opted for a glass of the Golden Russet cider (half pour pictured). Made with golden russet and dabinett apples (both delicate, mild-flavored classics for cider-making), this Farm Club creation goes down nice and easy, complementing the menu packed with farm-grown veggies. (Do keep an eye on … Read More >>
Dinner, Shopping, and Side of Local History
Locals Lake Leelanau restaurant and retail now open
By Marla Miller | May 17, 2025
Tony West’s vision for Locals Lake Leelanau came to life one night while he was sitting alone in his pole barn. West used bar napkins and guest checks to write out a business plan for his restaurant concept. The eatery opened May 10 in the old Thunderbird Gift Shop building (formerly home to Northern Latitudes Distillery before their move) at 112 E. Philip St., serving upscale pub-style food in a setting that … Read More >>
The Landing’s Lobster Avocado Toast
Tastemaker
May 17, 2025
Lobster and avocado toast? In this economy?! You bet. The Landing Restaurant in Charlevoix is gearing up for their summer reopening May 21, and we’re headed straight for our favorite pick from the appetizer “Sharing is Caring” side of the menu. This loaded toast is hearty enough to split with a friend (or hold up as its own meal), and at $18.99, won’t break the bank despite its bougie ingredients. The buttery … Read More >>
Wildwood Coffee Co.'s Latte
Bottoms Up
By Anna Faller | May 17, 2025
We get it: morning decisions are hard, especially when it comes to coffee. For our AM fix, find us at Wildwood Coffee Co. in Indian River, where everything from local art to light breakfast and pastries are on the menu. Our first order, though, is the Wildwood Latte. The perfect juncture of jump-start meets daily indulgence, this expertly balanced sip combines an espresso blend from Black Diesel Coffee in Ann Arbor with … Read More >>
The Bake Shoppe's Sourdough
Tastemaker
By Anna Faller | May 10, 2025
Healthy eats meet oven magic at The Bake Shoppe of Traverse City. Tucked into the Garfield Centre complex, this hidden gem has been cranking out cookies, pastries, and other all-natural treats since 2007. While you might head in for something sweet, it’s the racks of freshly baked breads that’ll have you hooked, especially the signature Sourdough. We’re going back to the basics with this delightfully simple sandwich loaf, which gets its characteristic … Read More >>
Dune Bird's Pink Plover Rosé
Bottoms Up
May 10, 2025
If you’ve been watching the Bottoms Up section lately, we’ve featured Rare Bird, Modern Bird, and now Dune Bird. (Spring is birding season!) Dune Bird’s Pink Plover Rosé is a true taste of summer, with notes of strawberry and watermelon that give way to tropical flavors like mango and pineapple. All that fruit comes through thanks to a long cold fermentation. Smooth and sweet, the rosé also acts as the base for … Read More >>
Your 2025 Spring Restaurant Guide: Where to Eat Up North
Seven eateries packed with spring flavors
By Northern Express Staff & Contributors | May 3, 2025
This spring’s restaurant guide will take you around northern Michigan and around the world with Indian, Thai, Italian, and Mexican cuisine, plus a classic American steakhouse. We’ve also found lighter eats for breakfast and lunch focused on allergen-free, locally-sourced, and good-for-you (and the soul) bites from smoothies to salads to sandwiches. Some of these spots are in their first year of operation, while others are celebrating 15 or 50 (!) years in … Read More >>
Northern Michigan’s Most Iconic Eats, 2025 Edition
Legendary dishes to put on your must-eat list
By Craig Manning | May 3, 2025
Since 2018, Northern Express has been scouring the northern Michigan restaurant scene in search of the region’s most iconic dishes. Our Iconic Eats series has spotlighted both obvious staples (the Cherry Crumb Pie from Grand Traverse Pie Company, or the sandwiches from Village Cheese Shanty) and hidden gems (the Chicken Tikka Masala from NJ’s Grocery in Lake Leelanau, or the Petaled Brussel’s Sprouts from Corner Bistro in Bellaire). This year, we inducted … Read More >>
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