by Olivia Fellows and Lissa Edwards | Jun 7, 2022 | Counties, Food & Drink, Towns
Dining outside on a beautiful day with a stunning view is a vacation in itself. Here’s your go-to list for outdoor dining in the Charlevoix and Chain of Lakes region from Bellaire to Gaylord for your perfect mini getaway!
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BLUEWATER BISTRO & PIZZERIA 11921 S.E. Torch Lake Dr. | 231.331.6262 Pizza, pasta, seafood and more with a fab patio.
TORCH LAKE BEER CO. 9149 Helena Rd. | 231.331.6214 Burgers, Mexican and pizza and patio. Located across from the Torch Lake boat launch.
CIRCLE M BAR & RESTAURANT 26300 Old Church Crest Rd. | 231.448.2513 Historic island landmark now family-friendly restaurant serving burgers, seafood, steaks. Small patio.
DALWHINNIE BAKERY & DELI 38240 Michigan Ave. | 231.448.2736 Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner since 1997, plus pastries, doughnuts and espresso. Handful of picnic tables outdoors.
BEAVER ISLAND LODGE AND SUNSET RESTAURANT 38210 Beaver Lodge Dr. | 231.448.2396 French cuisine and regional specialties in a casually elegant setting. Patio seating with sunset views.
SHAMROCK BAR & RESTAURANT 26245 Main St. | 231.448.2278 The island’s oldest pub. Patio with Paradise Bay views. Regular live entertainment.
WHISKEY POINT BREWING CO. 38230 Michigan Ave. | 231.448.2112 Craft beer, wine and snacks with sidewalk seating and a terrific view of Paradise Bay.
CORNER BISTRO 102 N. Bridge St. | 231.409.7088 True bistro fare and patio.
DOCKSIDE TORCH LAKE 6340 Old Torch Lake Dr. | 231.377.7777 Pull your boat up (or not!), grab a seat on their Torch Lake-side deck and tuck into classic Mexican and American tavern fare.
HELLO VINO 122 N. Bridge St. | 231.350.7138 Inventive food pairings with a wide-ranging wine list. Outdoor seating.
LUNCH BOX 106 E. Cayuga St. | 231.533.6678 Great breakfasts, legendary sandwiches. Sidewalk tables.
M88 MORNING GRIND 614 E. Cayuga St. | 231.350.7011 Great local coffee shop with baked goods (quiche!) and a charming covered patio.
SARDUCCI’S CREEKSIDE 5692 Shanty Creek Rd. | 231.533.7080 Authentic Italian, great ribs and outdoor seating.
SHORT’S BREWING COMPANY 121 N. Bridge St. | 231.498.2300 Famous for its craft beer, Short’s serves kicked-up bar food—eat outside or in.
TERRAIN 213 N. Bridge St. | 231.350.7301 Carefully crafted farm-to-table dining with outdoor seating.
THE PELICAN’S NEST 5085 Shanty Creek Rd. | 231.533.9000 Sport’s bar with great food. Outdoor seating and a sand pit for kids.
THE SHANTY BAR & GRILL 5820 Shanty Creek Rd. | 231.533.7025 Elevated tavern food and outdoor seating.
TOONIES FISH & STEAKHOUSE 216 N. Bridge St. | 231.533.8513 Breakfast, lunch and dinner menus that offer something for everyone. Outdoor seating.
THE BLUE PELICAN INN & RESTAURANT 2535 Main St. | 231.544.2583 A something-for-everyone menu and a lively tiki bar.
TORCH LAKE CAFÉ 4990 US-31 | 231.599.1111 Pizzas to full dinners, great live music and plenty of patio space.
TOUCH OF CLASS CAFE & BAKERY 2379 S. Main St. | 231.544.2400 Breakfasts and lunches that range from fish fry to burgers and soup. Sidewalk tables.
BRIDGE STREET TAPROOM 202 Bridge St. | 231.437.3466 Take a seat overlooking Round Lake and order from 32 beer taps and an American bistro-style menu.
ESPERANCE 12853 US-31 N. | 231.237.9300 Dinners Tuesday thru Saturday on the patio, weather permitting. Purveyor of fine food and wine.
GREY GABLES RESTAURANT & CATERING 308 Belvedere Ave. | 231.547.9261 Gracious old house-turned restaurant with views of Round Lake and lovely outdoor seating area.
PIGS EATIN’ RIBS 1418 Bridge St. | 231.547.7447 The street-side patio at this award-winning BBQ-joint gives you plenty of elbow room to dig in.
STAFFORD’S WEATHERVANE RESTAURANT 106 Pine River Ln. | 231.547.4311 Located on the Round Lake Channel, this iconic restaurant has incredible views of passing boats.
THE ARGONNE HOUSE 11929 Boyne City Rd. | 231.547.9331 Make a reservation for the large patio and dine on seafood, steaks and wood-fired pizzas served up with a Lake Charlevoix view.
THE CANTINA – TACOS & TEQUILA 101 Van Pelt Place | 231.437.3612 Authentic Mexican with a large outdoor eating space tucked just off the downtown.
THE LANDING 10231 Ferry Rd. | 231.547.9036 Dock your boat at this relaxed Lake Charlevoix restaurant and take a table on the spacious deck for lunch or dinner.
THE VILLAGER PUB 427 Bridge St. | 231.547.6925 ’50s-themed tavern/comfort food dining with sidewalk seating area.
FOUNDRY BAR & GRILL 101 Main St. | 231.649.0006 Elevated pub eats. Large garage doors open to spacious patio.
LAS MARACAS 113 Main St. | 231.222.2092 Mexican with outdoor seating.
AMERICAN HOUSE WOOD-FIRED PIZZA 151 River St. | 231.264.6062 Gourmet wood-fired pizzas and way more with a covered patio.
CELLAR 152 152 River St. | 231.264.9000 Euro-feeling menu with dining on the back deck and sidewalk.
PEARLS NEW ORLEANS KITCHEN 617 Ames St. | 231.264.0530 New Orleans of the north with a covered patio for dining and a porch for drinks.
RIVERWALK GRILL & TAPROOM 106 Ames St. | 231.264.0377 Craft beer, seafood and grill fare and a waterside deck.
THE LOCAL 145 Ames St. | 231.498.2190 Inventive breakfast and lunch menu with a cheery patio.
GOLD NUGGET BAR & GRILL 6513 Center St. | 231.588.6023 Full lunch and dinner menu. Beer garden with a patio bar and umbrella-covered seating.
ROYAL FARMS 10445 N. US-31 | 231.599.3222 Farm market, winery, baked goods, lunch offerings with patio and covered tent seating.
AH-LOY BAMBOO 200 W. Main St. | 989.732.4160 Order up Thai and Chinese entrées and enjoy on the sidewalk patio.
ALPINE TAVERN & EATERY 202 S. Otsego Ave. | 989.732.5444 Stuffed burgers, craft brews and a fun place to watch the big game. Enclosed patio seating, too.
BENNETHUM’S NORTHERN INN 3917 Old US Highway 27 S. | 989.732.9288 Longtime dining destination with classic steak and seafood, monthly global dishes and region- al-inspired fare. Beautiful patio and backyard seating.
BIG BUCK BREWERY 550 S. Wisconsin Ave. | 989.448.7072 Big brews, big tastes, big stuffed heads on the wall. And a nice patio.
CRAVE 148 W. Main St. | 989.748.4848 A pub with pasta, pizza and a sidewalk patio.
DUCK BLIND GRILLE AT OTSEGO RESORT 696 M-32 East | 989.732.5181 Sandwiches, starters and dinner entrées. Plus a 27-mile view.
EL PATRON GRILL 216 W. Main St. | 989.448.2753 Mexican eatery with a colorful interior and patio out back.
FOOD N STUFF 902 N. Center Ave. | 989.448.2499 Hearty sandwiches, salads, pizzas and breakfast items.
GREYSTONE COFFEE COMPANY 127 W. Main St. | 989.448.8027 A spot for your morning coffee, lunch or an afternoon snack.
MARY’S STEIN HAUS 330 W. Main St. | 989.448.8330 Alpine-inspired German American restaurant with a charming downtown patio.
MICHAYWÉ INN THE WOODS 1535 Opal Lake Rd. | 989.939.8800 Northwoods views and casual dining.
PINE SQUIRREL BAR & GRILL 1600 S. Otsego Ave. | 989.448.2771 Family-friendly dining with a patio, tiki bar and softball field (yep!).
PORTER HAUS 3885 OLD US Highway 27 S. | 989.448.7444 A classic bar and restaurant with steaks and burgers.
SNOWBELT BREWING CO. 132 W. Main St. | 989.448.7077 Downtown hangout with an inventive food menu, craft beer and a sidewalk patio.
THE IRON PIG SMOKEHOUSE 143 W. Main St. | 989.448.2065 BBQ, burgers and comfort food along with a full bar and patio.
THE LOGMARK AT OTSEGO RESORT 696 M-32 East | 989.732.5181 The perfect spot for a nightcap and a game of pool.
THE SPORTS BAR AT TREETOPS RESORT 3962 Wilkinson Rd. | 989.731.8452 Browse the beer list and enjoy a great view of the surrounding hillside.
DEAD BEAR BREWING CO. 2552 South I-75 Business Loop | 989.745.6289 Brewery and restaurant with roomy covered patio.
GATES AU SABLE LODGE 471 S. Stephan Bridge Rd. | 989.348.8462 From-scratch breakfast, lunch and dinner served beside the river.
GRAY ROCK PUB & GRUB 2123 Industrial Dr. | 989.348.5181 Weekend breakfast, pizza, burgers and more pub classics. Outdoor patio.
MICHIGAN BREW 106 E. Michigan Ave. | 989.348.2739 Coffee, cocktails, cider, beer, wine, brunch and lunch. Patio with outdoor seating.
PADDLE HARD BREWING 227 Michigan Ave. | 989.745.6388 Rustic, urban brewpub with pizzas, panini, tacos and a sidewalk patio.
RAY’S BBQ, BREWS & BLUES 204 Ingham St. | 989.348.1515 Barbecue and craft beer on the banks of the Au Sable River.
TINKER’S JUNCTION 6811 W. M-72 | 989.344.1760 Casual dining with live music, full-service bar, volleyball court, corn hole, patio.
WEST SIDE DINER 6301 W. M-72 | 989.344.0710 Homey spot with covered patio.
WIMPY’S 6415 W. M-72 | 989.344.1918 Broasted chicken, burgers, hot dogs, fish and ice cream in a barn-style eatery with a small patio.
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Photo(s) by Tess Crowley