Had a great experience visiting friends I haven’t seen in a long time. This was the place to do it. The food was so good and being on the lake was beautiful.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
CHRISTINE GREEN
Very nice way to spend New Year's Eve!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Shrimp Lenny App, Salad
ConnieF
Loved introducing our friends, who live in Bay City, to this place... They loved it and we alway love it.. We will see you again when you open up in the spring. Thank you for the outstanding food and service❤️
Filz
Our 13th year dining for New Year's Eve. It's never a disappointment; our usual server, Sue, always provides 10/10 service. Meal selections were from a fixed menu, with several choices from all 4 courses. In our party of 8, everything was sampled from the menu. Judging from the clean plates from each course, everything was delicious. Ambience is extraordinary. Seated by the fireplace, with subdued lighting, and live music, they'll be finding us here for the next 13 years. 
Dave Crowley
Excellent food, really worth the drive. Awesome service too!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
DianeL
May I suggest that you buy salad greens from Harvest Thyme in Cheboygan or greens from Bear Creek? Dark, leafy greens with flavor rather than a plate full of iceberg lettuce ribs. My friend's chowder was too salty. Everyone was happy with their fish. I ordered the pork chop. Who eats 16 oz. portion meat in a sitting anymore, if ever?! It was seasoned well and the mustard leek sauce complemented it well as did the Brussels sprouts and garlic mashers. Again, try the carrots from Harvest Thyme and you will taste the difference- the sweetness, rather than tasting like something stored in a musty warehouse. (Same goes for shredded carrots on salad). My dessert was chocolate cake- nothing special. Our server was pleasant enough but was also waiting on a party of 28 people. I tipped her $40 on $214.85 though I don't feel she deserved that but I know servers when seated with 4 “women of a certain age,” three of whom were drinking coffee, have a tendency to assume they are not going to make good money on that table so do triage of sorts and assign that table lower priority. I asked for a glass of wine to accompany my entree and she wasn't able to get it to me, probably because of the large party. Very personable busser, a freshman in U-M's nursing school. I paid for my undergraduate degree at U-M hostessing and waiting tables for nine years at the Gandy Dancer in Ann Arbor. Starting at the age of 16 working summers at the Hotel Athenaeum in Chautauqua, NY, (Bay View is an offshoot of the “Chautauqua Movement”); I worked as an assistant to the pastry chef. Yes, you're probably rolling your eyes at my bona fides but I loved waiting tables! I enjoyed turning people on to good food and drink! You could do better. I was given a $200 gift certificate so no skin off my nose. I prefer to go to the New York restaurant, Teddy Griffin's Roadhouse and Barrelback. Not to worry I'm not on FaceBook, won't write a disparaging review on Yelp.
Our first time to DLB and it was a great experience. My wife and had Steak Au Poivre and Seafood Pasta that were both excellent. We are already talking about when we can go back because we enjoyed our dinning experience so much. Highly recommend the DLB if you are in the area.
JohnB
What struck me first upon our arrival was the smell of delicious food before we even entered the restaurant. Once inside we were greeted by the beautiful holiday ambience of the DLB, and a friendly hostess. The service was prompt and our waitress was wonderful. Nice wine list, and an extensive menu, the food was great, we all loved our dinners. Special place, we have never been disappointed with the DLB. Happy Holidays!
JamesJ
The Douglas Lake Bar takes you back to a time when it meant something to have excellent food served by a very accommodating staff in a warm and cozy atmosphere. Hats off to BILL and his entire staff! Thanks for a memorable experience! We'll definitely be back.
Ronaeleii
While I have enjoyed many a delicious meal, shared with friends & family for 30 plus years at the Douglas Lake Bar (known locally as the ‘DLB') every time I have been ‘Up North' mostly during the summer months, last night was the first time I was able to share dinner there with my girlfriend who has wanted to go for several year and the first time I have been during their limited Winter Holiday nights before the close from Jan – May. During the summer months, I love sitting on their patio overlooking Douglas Lake. Once again, the DLB lived up to its reputation and we enjoyed a very pleasant evening in front of the real fire, in the casual log cabin building nicely decorated for Christmas. We were greeted by a friendly hostess, who immediately seated us & our server Tonya was friendly & attentive, without being intrusive. Between the two of us, we had their signature ‘Shrimp Lenny' appetizer, Caesar salad, the ‘Lamb Lollipops' appetizer special which turned out to be delicious & very filling (a meal unto itself). I had their Seafood Stew special, which consisted of mussels, shrimp, scallops & whitefish in a savory tomato broth which had a slight kick to it, served with garlic bread...this was outstanding! To top it off, we shared their signature decadent Carrot Cake, which was probably one of the better pieces of Carrot Cake I have ever had & I love good Carrot Cake. The carrot cake selection was a tough choice as there were several really delicious looking and apparently very popular desert options to choose from. In summary, whenever I am in the area & the DLB is open, I always make a point to go as it is a terrific casual, friendly venue, serving delicious food & inventive specials! The DLB is very well supported by the locals, where you are pretty much guaranteed to have a good time with friends, family, and maybe make new friends with people you meet there and of course enjoy an outstanding meal! The DLB never disappoints!
Without a doubt the best meals I've had lately have been from DLB the past few years. Food was exceptionally great. Service was also amazing. Can't wait to come back!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Steak
Brian OHara
Stopped for breakfast. My table was about six feet from the lake. Food was outstanding. Friendly service. Will eat there again.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Eric
We drove 450 mi round trip just to go there for dinner.Amazing unique and fresh food, and they also seem to have kept prices and check compared to everybody else.Service was excellent as was the food. They had a surf and turf special that included a 4 oz filet and we hardly ever order a steak that small simply because they generally don't get cooked the way that we want compared to a larger steak. I brought it up to the waitress she told me not to worry and it was fantastic.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: French Onion Soup, Steak, Steak Au
Brookie Fisher
I had mushroom and truffle ravioli with salmon & my husband had prime rib stroganoff. Both were delicious although maybe just a tad bland. Service was very good even though they were busy. We sat at the bar (which was still nice) because even though we got there at 4:30pm and they were already booked out until 8pm. So make reservations!
Had a great experience visiting friends I haven’t seen in a long time. This was the place to do it. The food was so good and being on the lake was beautiful.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Very nice way to spend New Year's Eve!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Shrimp Lenny App, Salad
Loved introducing our friends, who live in Bay City, to this place... They loved it and we alway love it.. We will see you again when you open up in the spring. Thank you for the outstanding food and service❤️
Our 13th year dining for New Year's Eve. It's never a disappointment; our usual server, Sue, always provides 10/10 service. Meal selections were from a fixed menu, with several choices from all 4 courses. In our party of 8, everything was sampled from the menu. Judging from the clean plates from each course, everything was delicious. Ambience is extraordinary. Seated by the fireplace, with subdued lighting, and live music, they'll be finding us here for the next 13 years. 
Excellent food, really worth the drive. Awesome service too!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
May I suggest that you buy salad greens from Harvest Thyme in Cheboygan or greens from Bear Creek? Dark, leafy greens with flavor rather than a plate full of iceberg lettuce ribs. My friend's chowder was too salty. Everyone was happy with their fish. I ordered the pork chop. Who eats 16 oz. portion meat in a sitting anymore, if ever?! It was seasoned well and the mustard leek sauce complemented it well as did the Brussels sprouts and garlic mashers. Again, try the carrots from Harvest Thyme and you will taste the difference- the sweetness, rather than tasting like something stored in a musty warehouse. (Same goes for shredded carrots on salad). My dessert was chocolate cake- nothing special. Our server was pleasant enough but was also waiting on a party of 28 people. I tipped her $40 on $214.85 though I don't feel she deserved that but I know servers when seated with 4 “women of a certain age,” three of whom were drinking coffee, have a tendency to assume they are not going to make good money on that table so do triage of sorts and assign that table lower priority. I asked for a glass of wine to accompany my entree and she wasn't able to get it to me, probably because of the large party. Very personable busser, a freshman in U-M's nursing school. I paid for my undergraduate degree at U-M hostessing and waiting tables for nine years at the Gandy Dancer in Ann Arbor. Starting at the age of 16 working summers at the Hotel Athenaeum in Chautauqua, NY, (Bay View is an offshoot of the “Chautauqua Movement”); I worked as an assistant to the pastry chef. Yes, you're probably rolling your eyes at my bona fides but I loved waiting tables! I enjoyed turning people on to good food and drink! You could do better. I was given a $200 gift certificate so no skin off my nose. I prefer to go to the New York restaurant, Teddy Griffin's Roadhouse and Barrelback. Not to worry I'm not on FaceBook, won't write a disparaging review on Yelp.
Our first time to DLB and it was a great experience. My wife and had Steak Au Poivre and Seafood Pasta that were both excellent. We are already talking about when we can go back because we enjoyed our dinning experience so much. Highly recommend the DLB if you are in the area.
What struck me first upon our arrival was the smell of delicious food before we even entered the restaurant. Once inside we were greeted by the beautiful holiday ambience of the DLB, and a friendly hostess. The service was prompt and our waitress was wonderful. Nice wine list, and an extensive menu, the food was great, we all loved our dinners. Special place, we have never been disappointed with the DLB. Happy Holidays!
The Douglas Lake Bar takes you back to a time when it meant something to have excellent food served by a very accommodating staff in a warm and cozy atmosphere. Hats off to BILL and his entire staff! Thanks for a memorable experience! We'll definitely be back.
While I have enjoyed many a delicious meal, shared with friends & family for 30 plus years at the Douglas Lake Bar (known locally as the ‘DLB') every time I have been ‘Up North' mostly during the summer months, last night was the first time I was able to share dinner there with my girlfriend who has wanted to go for several year and the first time I have been during their limited Winter Holiday nights before the close from Jan – May. During the summer months, I love sitting on their patio overlooking Douglas Lake. Once again, the DLB lived up to its reputation and we enjoyed a very pleasant evening in front of the real fire, in the casual log cabin building nicely decorated for Christmas. We were greeted by a friendly hostess, who immediately seated us & our server Tonya was friendly & attentive, without being intrusive. Between the two of us, we had their signature ‘Shrimp Lenny' appetizer, Caesar salad, the ‘Lamb Lollipops' appetizer special which turned out to be delicious & very filling (a meal unto itself). I had their Seafood Stew special, which consisted of mussels, shrimp, scallops & whitefish in a savory tomato broth which had a slight kick to it, served with garlic bread...this was outstanding! To top it off, we shared their signature decadent Carrot Cake, which was probably one of the better pieces of Carrot Cake I have ever had & I love good Carrot Cake. The carrot cake selection was a tough choice as there were several really delicious looking and apparently very popular desert options to choose from. In summary, whenever I am in the area & the DLB is open, I always make a point to go as it is a terrific casual, friendly venue, serving delicious food & inventive specials! The DLB is very well supported by the locals, where you are pretty much guaranteed to have a good time with friends, family, and maybe make new friends with people you meet there and of course enjoy an outstanding meal! The DLB never disappoints!
Restaurantji Recommends
Great food, drink, and staff.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Without a doubt the best meals I've had lately have been from DLB the past few years. Food was exceptionally great. Service was also amazing. Can't wait to come back!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Steak
Stopped for breakfast. My table was about six feet from the lake. Food was outstanding. Friendly service. Will eat there again.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We drove 450 mi round trip just to go there for dinner.Amazing unique and fresh food, and they also seem to have kept prices and check compared to everybody else.Service was excellent as was the food. They had a surf and turf special that included a 4 oz filet and we hardly ever order a steak that small simply because they generally don't get cooked the way that we want compared to a larger steak. I brought it up to the waitress she told me not to worry and it was fantastic.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: French Onion Soup, Steak, Steak Au
I had mushroom and truffle ravioli with salmon & my husband had prime rib stroganoff. Both were delicious although maybe just a tad bland. Service was very good even though they were busy. We sat at the bar (which was still nice) because even though we got there at 4:30pm and they were already booked out until 8pm. So make reservations!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5