Location: Suttons Bay
Top Restaurants in Suttons Bay
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Suttons Bay Food Guide: 10 Must-Eat Restaurants & Street Food Stalls in Suttons Bay
Suttons Bay is a village in Leelanau County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 618 at the 2010 census. The village was incorporated in 1898 and is located within Suttons Bay Township.
Things to do in Suttons Bay
1. Hop Lot Brewing Company
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 173 reviews
Reviewed By Teena_J - Livonia, Michigan
What an awesome place! Whoever came up with the idea to have igloos is very creative. It was fun stopping by. The beer wasn't great, but we enjoyed the hard cider. The food was excellent (I had the pulled pork tacos, really good). Would definitely recommend checking out even if just for the novelty of it.
2. Little Bee's Italian Ice
Overall Ratings
5 based on 71 reviews
Gelato, Sorbet and Italian Ice are made with all natural, local fruit (when available). These small batch creations are made in house daily and feature fresh fruit flavors as well as dairy free options. Also serving Higher Grounds Coffee (Hot, iced, Decaf, try adding Gelato) Natural Sodas & Floats.
Reviewed By businessgirl24 - Adrian, Michigan
Went here with a friend for a mid-afternoon snack (also a snack to help absorb some of the wine from the tastings). I ordered a small size ($4) of the gelato and had the Double Chocolate and Salted Caramel flavors. My friend also ordered a small and had the Pistachio and Pumpkin flavors. They offer three different sizes for the Gelato: Mini ($3), Small ($4), and Regular ($5). Everything was absolutely divine! In fact, I am craving it and wish that I didn't live so far away. I also had a latte and it was freshly made and had a very nice flavor to it. Also appreciate that they offer soy and almond milk substitutes for lattes. I will definitely be visiting the next time that I am in the area. They also offer sorbets and everything is homemade by the owners, so fantastic! Did I also mention that the service here is amazing? They are super helpful and genuine.
3. Chimoski Bakery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 19 reviews
Reviewed By Michelle F - Saint Charles, Illinois
Yes, we bought a cherry pie, and yes, it is delicious. I was hoping to pop in and get some bread, but like too many other bakeries I visit, the emphasis is on sweet treats. I would have loved to buy a nice loaf of bread to serve with soup, but at least my husband was happy with his pie and his cookies!
4. Bayside Coffee and Tea
Overall Ratings
3 based on 10 reviews
Reviewed By Lock-Man65 - Indianapolis, Indiana
We needed a little pick-me-up while walking around Suttons Bay so we stopped in at Bayside Coffee & Tea. I'm very glad we did. The staff was very helpful in explaining all of our coffee and tea options (there are many) and the drinks were outstanding. The store looks to be brand new and is nicely laid out. It has a nice, fresh feel and was an enjoyable break from the 90 degree temperature outside.
5. Martha's Leelanau Table
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 397 reviews
Martha's leelanau Table is a European Style bistro serving breakfast, lunch and dinner in a unique century old farmhouse in a small town on the Leelanau Peninsula in the little finger of the lower peninsula of Michigan. We specialize in local food and wine from the family run wineries and farms in Leelanau County and the surrounding areas of Northern Michigan.
Reviewed By John H - South Bend, Indiana
Outstanding food -- a food-to-table style approach -- staff is delightful -- outside adult beverages a great option when weather is good
6. Grandma Lin's Ice Cream Parlor
Overall Ratings
5 based on 20 reviews
Reviewed By Rick N - Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Grandma Lin's has great ice cream. The portions are good and the place is clean. The folks behind the counter were some of the nicest people we encountered on our vacation. Nice variety of flavors!
7. 9 Bean Rows Bakery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 11 reviews
A bakery and farm market on M204 just outside of Suttons Bay specializing in artisan breads and European pastries.
Reviewed By Michigancritter - Michigan
Great bread, chocolate chip cookies the size of your head, and great croissant. Other farm good available there, too. Worth the stop!!
8. 9 Bean Rows Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 167 reviews
A farm-to-table restaurant in beautiful downtown Suttons Bay, MI. Locally-sourced food (much of it from our own farm) and a full bar.
Reviewed By travelinggirl02 - ann arbor, mi
What happened? I think this is the question we all want to know.
For one, their former chef, whom I believe set the previous tone, the tone that brought people in and brought people back, has left and opened a new place in TC.
At one time, this was our go to, our place we would visit every time we were in the Traverse area, the place we recommended to friends from downstate. The place we talked about long after our meal was over.
We visited twice recently: once for dinner in July, once for breakfast first week of August. The experience was similar both times.
First, for dinner in July, we were seated rather hastily out back even though we had a reservation. We didn't have a server, however, and were left twiddling our thumbs, watching others receive each course of their meals. Finally, we asked and the server (not ours) said, well, I guess I'll take your drink order. It was a start so we ordered drinks.
Eventually, and by eventually, I mean quite some time later, our drinks arrived. They were tasty. Back in the day, 9 Beans had this weird habit of serving drinks that had a soapy aftertaste. I sent many margaritas back asking for them to rinse the glass fully before preparing the drinks. It was such an issue, I wrote the owner a message, to which she replied that they would work on it. The servers on each occasion told me we weren't the only ones who had complained of this... And, it wasn't just the margaritas, it was any cocktail.
I digress.
A server finally showed up and asked for our order right away. We quickly ordered, even though we had questions. I received the chicken dish which wasn't at all like the description. It was basically rolled, pressed chicken meat in this weird broth. I really don't know what it was, or what part of the chicken it was. It reminded me of thick pieces of lunch meat.
My husband had the bolognese and was satisfied.
Because everything was so chaotic and 2 different servers were involved, our actual server never told us about the specials. We saw this beautiful salad being served next to us and after inquiring, found out it was a quinoa tabbouleh with ricotta cheese. More on the ricotta in the breakfast portion. We ordered it, it was damn tasty. We would have never known had we not seen it served elsewhere.
Dessert was so-so. 9 Bean has a bakery with very bread centric items. They put many of the desserts together with these breads items, like shortcake with fruit, etc. It used to be, though, that they would often make a unique dessert that wasn't just fruit on top of their sweet biscuit. A cheesecake, pannacotta or something more detailed. It appears those days are over.
In August, we stopped in for breakfast on a Thursday morning. Again, hastily seated out front, no server. Our third server was the same terrible server we had at the restaurant for dinner in July. Yikes, it was awful. She is completely scattered, doesn't know any ingredients in the menu items, knows nothing about the specials and just plays dumb.
We cobbled together a breakfast, however, quite disappointed. I ordered the sausage gravy and biscuits. They were loaded with pepper. So much so that the flavor of the sausage was lost because the pepper was so overwhelming it bit you in the mouth with every bite. I asked one of our 3 servers about this and she said, oh yeah, it has a peppery finish. This, my friends, is amateur. A good chef doesn't kill an entree with too much pepper.
The ricotta with granola and fruit was outstanding. So outstanding and reminiscient of the ricotta served on the tabbouleh in July at dinner that we asked about the ricotta and if it was made in house. Since they are so into the farm to table concept, we thought maybe it was made in house or by a nearby farmer where we could purchase it. We asked, but one of the 3 servers didn't know.
We sat for some time waiting to receive our bill, then none of the 3 servers ever came to pick up our credit card, so my husband went inside to cash out. He asked at the bar if the ricotta was made in house. To make a long story short, the answer is no. And, that's cool. But the lie that was given as to where it came from wasn't so cool.
They finally said it came from their distributor in Grand Rapids named R. Hirt. Any good foodie (and Detroit native) knows that R. Hirt is out of Detroit. And, it's no longer in business. R. Hirt was sold within the family and is now called DeVries and it's in Eastern Market, in the exact location as R. Hirt had been for decades. And, by decades, I mean since 1887. Not Grand Rapids. And it's been DeVries since 2012.
Why lie? Turns out the cheese is made in Connecticut and distributed all over the country. The ricotta cheese is fabulous. I don't care that it didn't come from the cows down the street, it was a simple question. The evasiveness was peculiar and off putting.
During the same conversation, my husband mentioned that we had 3 different servers and had no idea they offered fresh juices because no one told us anything about the breakfast menu. It was like going to a diner where you better know what you want and you better order in a jiffy. The difference is, in a diner, we usually get one server, not 3. Ultimately, the dude, who appeared to be a manager, didn't care.
And, that is the overall sentiment we got from 9 Bean Rows Restaurant on 2 recent visits. They don't care.
This was a fine restaurant at one time, a place that called us back again and again with unique menu items, always fresh and appetizing salads, entrees and desserts. But, it has suffered a slow death over the last few years to our recent realization that it is no longer any semblance of what it once was.
It's a shame.
9. V.I. Grill
Overall Ratings
4 based on 322 reviews
The V.I. Grill serves fresh and local American fare in a family friendly atmosphere. Some of our specialties include Fresh Whitefish, Black Angus burgers, natural hand cut fries, fresh salads or unique sandwiches. Don't forget to save room for our local fresh daily desserts including Moomers Ice Cream. Enjoy a outdoor dining around a stone fireplace with a full bar area. Our Tavern is accented with hand scraped Hickory floors and Mahogany back bar with 22 taps, tv's are visible and our dining room includes a two story stone fireplace and specializes in large groups. Next time your in Suttons Bay, experience the history of Leelanau County Est. 1871!
Reviewed By Take-a-Break-Girl - Ann Arbor, Michigan
My sister and I recently traveled here to meet up with my daughter for a wonderful fall weekend! The weather was awesome allowing for leisurely walks through the local towns and time to enjoy the restaurants as we spent time away from stess and work....MoreThank you for your feedback. I’m glad we were part of your nice weekend getaway on the Leelanau Peninsula. Please extend a special thank you to your daughter for recommending the V.I. Grill!
10. Ice Cream Factory
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 7 reviews
Reviewed By Dan0o - Portage, Michigan
If you have ever been to suttons bay, this place is very recognizable. The bright red awning and the long line of people. The ice cream does not set any quality benchmarks, but is well within your expectations while vacationing. Prices are fair (although they keep slowly going up).
