As someone who is German, my bar for authentic German food is set pretty high and The Woods delivered beyond expectations. The atmosphere truly feels like a classic German dining experience, and the food was not only authentic but exceeded what I hoped for. I left highly impressed and will absolutely be back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Chad
We visited The Woods recently and left feeling very disappointed. For a place charging over $100 per person, we expected much more. The drinks were decent, but that was about the only highlight. Online information suggested it wasn’t a formal spot, yet when we arrived, it turned out to be suit-and-tie. On top of that, our server treated us poorly, which really dampened the experience. The whole atmosphere was confusing—is this supposed to be a cozy hunting lodge or a high-end fine dining restaurant? It didn’t feel like it knew what it wanted to be.
Appetizers • Escargot en Croûte – This was actually very good. The puff pastry was light and flaky, and the garlic-parsley cream sauce was flavorful without being overpowering. Probably the best bite we had all night. • Cured & Cultured Board – For the price, this was underwhelming. A very small selection of meats and cheeses that looked like they had been sitting out too long. Nothing about it felt special or worth $21. • Bavarian Soft Pretzel – Dry and chewy, lacking the soft texture you’d expect. The mustards were fine, but overall this felt like a bar snack rather than something from a high-end menu.
Entrées • 28-Day Dry Aged Strip Steak – This was the best dish of the night. Cooked perfectly and full of flavor, with the demi-glace tying everything together. Easily the one entrée worth ordering. • Chermoula Spiced Whitefish – Overcooked and bland. The accompaniments didn’t add anything, and it was honestly disappointing for a Michigan fish dish. • Spiced Honey Duck Breast – Dry and tough, with an unbalanced sweetness. The natural jus couldn’t bring it together. • Cider Brined Heritage Berkshire Pork Chop – Another huge letdown. The meat was dry and stringy, and the cherry compote just made it overly sweet without depth.
Overall, the experience wasn’t worth the price. Between the awkward atmosphere, poor service, and mostly lackluster food, it’s not a place we’d return to.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 2
Service: 1
Catherine Jehle
Very unique setting and worth the trip and reservation. Food was not worth the price and kinda underwhelming. Service was good but feels very rushed and not as attentive as a first time diner would have liked. Lots of kids and dressy casual attire.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 3
Alyssa Hicks
Delicious food and wonderful service!
Peter Binnion
This is a wonderful place to dine but the rather verbose maitre’d, Neil, pretty much dismissed us as we entered and ignored our presence while he had a chat with the driver of the horse-driven carriage (with no passengers). Upon returning to the reservation desk he seemed to have difficulty finding our reservation. Thanks to the intervention of the lady in charge of the waitstaff she remembered us and arranged a table for us so all was not lost. Not a great start to the dining experience but the remainder of the evening went well and the food was excellent.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Morgan Difatta
Super friendly staff and amazing food.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Mike American
My wife and I had a romantic dinner at The Woods Restaurant. Our food was unbelievable, my Delmontico steak was cooked to perfection, and my wife's filet was one of the best she ever had. Pianist in the background along with wonderful atmosphere. We will definitely be returning!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Sarah M
Good food and good service. The taxi service when leaving was a very long wait, and then rude and disorganized when they showed up after a half hour wait. We were among three couples who ended just walking back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 4
Shea Vanklompenberg
The food was amazing. I got the goulash and a side of mashed potatoes and gravy. The mashed potatoes had truffle on top and was my favorite! So good! The only thing that felt off was the wait staff seemed stand offish and over worked. They didn’t spend much time at your table to be able to ask for something.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 2
Corey Soyka
Very happy they can accommodate gluten free needs.
If I could give this place a 20/10, I absolutely would. From start to finish, our experience was nothing short of exceptional. The food was outstanding, the ambiance was beautiful and inviting, and the service truly elevated the entire evening. Our server, Karim, was incredibly attentive, friendly, and knowledgeable! He made us feel genuinely welcomed and taken care of. It’s rare to find a place that delivers on every level, but this one literally exceeded all expectations. Highly recommend to anyone looking for a memorable dining experience. 🙂
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Dave Bohl
I had a great experience six or so years ago. Not in July of 2025.
On being seated four things were immediately disappointing. A paper table cloth for a meal for two that would end up being $500+? Second, our table was rammed in so tightly that staff couldn’t pass without turning sideways and constantly shaking our table. Third, the table had one of those annoying wobbles from uneven legs. Finally, the piano was dreadfully out of tune…I mean comically bad. The keyboardist and I had a good laugh over it.
PRO’s? The carriage ride there. The ambiance of the dining room. The pretzel rolls, potato salad and wagyu striploin were great.
CON’s? Our server Robert was hopefully just having a bad night; he didn’t want to be there. The king crab dish was cold. The Apple strudel seemed days old; cutting it took real work.
The third roll on our basket was caraway or something. While I didn’t care for the taste, it worked well to prop up the short table leg. Hopefully the rodents mentioned in other reviews don’t find it.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 1
Dr. Moon Tremlett
One of the best on Earth. Like a gift from God. Amazing.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Victoria Estes
A must do experience on the island. Starts and ends with a quiet, relaxing ride through the woods. Stellar service, ambiance, and food. We really recommend the elk rib and the grand pecan ball. Cocktails were among the best we've had anywhere. No place better to celebrate our 10 year anniversary 💖
As someone who is German, my bar for authentic German food is set pretty high and The Woods delivered beyond expectations. The atmosphere truly feels like a classic German dining experience, and the food was not only authentic but exceeded what I hoped for. I left highly impressed and will absolutely be back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We visited The Woods recently and left feeling very disappointed. For a place charging over $100 per person, we expected much more. The drinks were decent, but that was about the only highlight. Online information suggested it wasn’t a formal spot, yet when we arrived, it turned out to be suit-and-tie. On top of that, our server treated us poorly, which really dampened the experience. The whole atmosphere was confusing—is this supposed to be a cozy hunting lodge or a high-end fine dining restaurant? It didn’t feel like it knew what it wanted to be.
Appetizers
• Escargot en Croûte – This was actually very good. The puff pastry was light and flaky, and the garlic-parsley cream sauce was flavorful without being overpowering. Probably the best bite we had all night.
• Cured & Cultured Board – For the price, this was underwhelming. A very small selection of meats and cheeses that looked like they had been sitting out too long. Nothing about it felt special or worth $21.
• Bavarian Soft Pretzel – Dry and chewy, lacking the soft texture you’d expect. The mustards were fine, but overall this felt like a bar snack rather than something from a high-end menu.
Entrées
• 28-Day Dry Aged Strip Steak – This was the best dish of the night. Cooked perfectly and full of flavor, with the demi-glace tying everything together. Easily the one entrée worth ordering.
• Chermoula Spiced Whitefish – Overcooked and bland. The accompaniments didn’t add anything, and it was honestly disappointing for a Michigan fish dish.
• Spiced Honey Duck Breast – Dry and tough, with an unbalanced sweetness. The natural jus couldn’t bring it together.
• Cider Brined Heritage Berkshire Pork Chop – Another huge letdown. The meat was dry and stringy, and the cherry compote just made it overly sweet without depth.
Overall, the experience wasn’t worth the price. Between the awkward atmosphere, poor service, and mostly lackluster food, it’s not a place we’d return to.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 2
Service: 1
Very unique setting and worth the trip and reservation. Food was not worth the price and kinda underwhelming. Service was good but feels very rushed and not as attentive as a first time diner would have liked. Lots of kids and dressy casual attire.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 3
Delicious food and wonderful service!
This is a wonderful place to dine but the rather verbose maitre’d, Neil, pretty much dismissed us as we entered and ignored our presence while he had a chat with the driver of the horse-driven carriage (with no passengers). Upon returning to the reservation desk he seemed to have difficulty finding our reservation. Thanks to the intervention of the lady in charge of the waitstaff she remembered us and arranged a table for us so all was not lost. Not a great start to the dining experience but the remainder of the evening went well and the food was excellent.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Super friendly staff and amazing food.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
My wife and I had a romantic dinner at The Woods Restaurant. Our food was unbelievable, my Delmontico steak was cooked to perfection, and my wife's filet was one of the best she ever had. Pianist in the background along with wonderful atmosphere. We will definitely be returning!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Good food and good service. The taxi service when leaving was a very long wait, and then rude and disorganized when they showed up after a half hour wait. We were among three couples who ended just walking back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 4
The food was amazing. I got the goulash and a side of mashed potatoes and gravy. The mashed potatoes had truffle on top and was my favorite! So good! The only thing that felt off was the wait staff seemed stand offish and over worked. They didn’t spend much time at your table to be able to ask for something.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 2
Very happy they can accommodate gluten free needs.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
If I could give this place a 20/10, I absolutely would.
From start to finish, our experience was nothing short of exceptional. The food was outstanding, the ambiance was beautiful and inviting, and the service truly elevated the entire evening. Our server, Karim, was incredibly attentive, friendly, and knowledgeable! He made us feel genuinely welcomed and taken care of. It’s rare to find a place that delivers on every level, but this one literally exceeded all expectations. Highly recommend to anyone looking for a memorable dining experience. 🙂
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I had a great experience six or so years ago. Not in July of 2025.
On being seated four things were immediately disappointing. A paper table cloth for a meal for two that would end up being $500+? Second, our table was rammed in so tightly that staff couldn’t pass without turning sideways and constantly shaking our table. Third, the table had one of those annoying wobbles from uneven legs. Finally, the piano was dreadfully out of tune…I mean comically bad. The keyboardist and I had a good laugh over it.
PRO’s? The carriage ride there. The ambiance of the dining room. The pretzel rolls, potato salad and wagyu striploin were great.
CON’s? Our server Robert was hopefully just having a bad night; he didn’t want to be there. The king crab dish was cold. The Apple strudel seemed days old; cutting it took real work.
The third roll on our basket was caraway or something. While I didn’t care for the taste, it worked well to prop up the short table leg. Hopefully the rodents mentioned in other reviews don’t find it.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 1
One of the best on Earth. Like a gift from God. Amazing.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
A must do experience on the island. Starts and ends with a quiet, relaxing ride through the woods. Stellar service, ambiance, and food. We really recommend the elk rib and the grand pecan ball. Cocktails were among the best we've had anywhere. No place better to celebrate our 10 year anniversary 💖
Very cool location on Macinac!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 3
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