Restaurants near Lake Leelanau

“This restaurant is the best. Everyone has a great attitude, the restaurant is well organized and the food delicious.”

“Great people and delicious iced vanilla latte and iced cafe mocha. Highly recommended.”

“We stopped in for ice cream with friends during our vacation. Delicious ice cream, friendly staff, and a great patio out back. We will be back every year! If you're local, please frequent Capitol Dog! If you're vacationing, be sure to make a stop there!”

“We came for lunch and ordered the smokehouse burger and French dip. Both were very delicious and exceeded my expectations. Everything was very fresh and tasted made from scratch. Even the rolls were very good. I can't wait to eat here again.”

“We had a wonderful visit to Shady Lane Cellars while we were in the Traverse City area. Sitting outside with a glass of wine made for such a relaxing afternoon—the vineyard views are beautiful and the atmosphere is peaceful. Our favorite was the Pinot Gris. It was crisp, refreshing, and the perfect wine to enjoy on a warm day. The staff was friendly and made the tasting experience enjoyable without ever feeling rushed. We’d definitely come back on our next trip!”

“Stopped in on Sunday 3/16. Middle of a snow storm but they were open. Guy was working the bar and was pleasant to talk witymh as I enjoyed a pint. He was informed of the industry and welcoming on a crappy day. I look forward to going again.”

“Friendly staff and exceptional Mexican food at reasonable prices. Always a must stop in TC when hunger hits.”

“We celebrated our anniversary at The Riverside. Every course was excellent. The onion focaccia, rack of lamb and pistachio olive oil cake were our favorites from the fall menu. Excellent service too! Thank you Ginny.”

“Happened to walk in after tasting some of their wine at the Leland Wine and Food Festival. Was very happy we did !! JAN was AMAZING!!! Exactly what we appreciate in our wine hostess!! Her great knowledge, attitude, helpfulness, smile, just a grand slam of a personality!!! Thank you for having such a wonderful staff and an amazing small business for us to enjoy!!”

“I had a sandwich at Lylah’s today, amazing quality and could easily had fed two people. The flavor was incredible. I am happy to say this is one of my most favorite restaurants in Leelanau county. Staff were very friendly, pleasant environment and clean. Give it a try, don’t think you will be disappointed. Great place!”

“Great new spot! Liked it so much we ate there twice this week. Good wine, great food and wonderful service. Our new favorite place in Leelanau.”

“We ❤️ Blue Moon Ice cream Shop!!!! Service with a smile EVERY TIME!!!”

“Came in for dinner and really enjoyed the warm, classic tavern environment. The servers are wonderfully welcoming, and listening to stories from the locals at the bar is easily the best part of being here.

As for the meal, the food was alright—perfectly fine tavern fare, though the prices feel a bit steep for what you get. You're definitely paying a bit of a premium for the location, but the cozy vibe, friendly service, and local charm make it a fun spot to sit down, grab a drink, and catch up.”

“Love all their goodies and the pizza is to die for. Always make a trip there when we are up in the area on vacation.”

“Green Bird is a little slice of Heaven! They even practice sustainable farming via their “flerd“ (flock of chickens and herd of sheep) who rotate through each row of vines. I sat down and immediately signed up for the wine club because I knew this was something I wanted to support! And yes, the server was new this season but very knowledgeable and warm. No high-brow wine snobbery here! P.S. wine and cheese pairings are fantastic.”

“Very good wines. Had a flight of wine. 3 were dry white and one dry red. All were very good, a surprising blend of Pinot Grigio and Chardonnay was very good. Hadn't been there in a while, was glad we revisited. Will not wait as long between visits.”

“This place is so cute! The nicest people work here. We came when they had just closed, and their doors were locked but they saw us and welcomed us in with open arms. Great coffee, highly recommend!!!”

“This is a very special winery. I have been a member for about 20 years. The service is excellent along with award winning wines. It is a very comfortable atmosphere. It is a must stop.”

“Our tacos were incredible. Quite possibly the best I've ever eaten. The owners are friendly, efficient, and have created a great little spot for some amazing food. If you see this on your way, stop in, if you have to drive miles out of your way, stop in. It will be completely worth it!!”

“The waitress Julie, gave us phenomenal service. She was upbeat and so pleasant! The 3 other women that I was with, agree that we all had an unforgettable dining experience. The food was awesome as well! We were fascinated by the drink pictured and all of us kissed the fish for luck, then ate it, too”

“Best baguette sandwiches 😍”

“great food and service, fast and easy.”

“We needed a place to wait out the rain during an up north trip with our two 6 year olds and 7 year old. Walking in, I was a bit nervous, minimal design and white are not always the best for our energetic family. 3 vanilla steamers, 2 good lattes for mommas, and a calm welcoming spot with a deck of old maid and wooden toys is what our family needed. Thank you for creating a space where we could be us, and made us welcome.”

“Party of four had dinner there on July 4, 2025. Food was good, but not as advertised on the menu. The apple salad was small and did not have candied walnuts on it and the nachos had no cheese on them. The 1/2 ribs that my husband ordered were tasty, but we ended up ordering cheesy fries after our meals because we were still hungry. The ribs came with coleslaw and nothing else.The server was friendly and efficient.”

“Amazing service and flavors”

“Truly a special meal. This was BETTER than the photos. Every single thing we ate (baked mozzarella, parfait, salmon Benedict, apple pancake) was so incredibly delicious. Honestly the best meal of the trip. Service was also wonderful. So glad we made the trip out here.”

“Our new favorite spot for doughnuts!”

“We are locals and frequent Hawkin’s Farm Cellars a lot. The service is friendly and the Thai food is exceptional. My husband especially loves the Pad Thai chicken and I am a huge fan of the Green Curry dish. You could literally close your eyes and just point to anything on the menu and never be disappointed!”

“Trish’s Dishes in Leland is absolutely fantastic! The food is fresh, homemade, and full of flavor. You can really tell everything is made with care and quality ingredients. The menu has great variety and every dish I’ve tried has been delicious.

The Turkey Wasabi sandwich is the reason I keep coming back—it’s incredible. The flavors are perfectly balanced and it’s one of the best sandwiches I’ve had.

The service is always friendly and welcoming, and the whole place has that great local feel. If you’re in Leland and looking for amazing food, this spot is a must-try. Highly recommend!”

“⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

What an absolutely wonderful experience at Willow Winery! From the moment we arrived, we were greeted with genuine hospitality, beautiful scenery, and an atmosphere that instantly made us feel relaxed and welcome.

A special shoutout to Tracy, who truly made our visit unforgettable. Her knowledge, warmth, and passion for both the winery and the wines were evident in every interaction. She took the time to explain each selection, answer questions, and make personalized recommendations that were spot-on. Tracy has that rare gift of making every guest feel like a VIP, and her enthusiasm is contagious.

The wines were fantastic, the setting was stunning, and the service was exceptional. Whether you’re a wine enthusiast or simply looking for a beautiful place to spend an afternoon, Willow Winery is an absolute must-visit. Experiences like this are what keep people coming back, and Tracy is a huge part of what makes this winery so special.

We can’t wait to return!”