13 Must-Try Michigan Restaurants With Outdoor Seating
The golden hour in Michigan settles in with a rhythmic hiss of lakeside grills and the melodic clink of chilled Riesling hitting glass. Be it a shoreline deck or a hidden city courtyard, the air is a heady perfume of charred peach, cedar-planked whitefish, and the crisp, ozone tang of a Great Lakes breeze.
Michigan holds al fresco destinations that are the premier spots for travelers seeking the best waterfront dining, rooftop bars, and scenic outdoor patios.
Whether you’re perched above the bustling Grand River or tucked into a leafy sanctuary in Traverse City, the vibe is effortlessly festive. The sun dips low, the string lights flicker to life, and the food lands with a playful flourish that demands you stay for just one more round. Come for the view, stay for the glow, and always bring a sweater, the lake always gets the last word.
1. The Deck, Muskegon
Waves thump the shore beside The Deck, where picnic tables stretch along Pere Marquette Park and sandals are basically the dress code. The address is 1601 Beach St, Muskegon, MI, and the patio hugs Lake Michigan so closely you catch mist on windy days. Order the brisket tacos or smoked turkey with cherry barbecue sauce, then watch kites rise over the sand while the band checks sound.
The place grew from a seasonal beach shack into a full smokehouse operation, with offsets puffing behind a low fence. You can taste the patience in the ribs, bark dark and sweet. Pro move: stake a table near the stage but not front row, so you keep conversation while the guitars warm up.
Expect a buzzy, family friendly crowd that tilts to sunset lingerers. Fries lean crisp, cocktails lean fruity, and the staff stays nimble even on packed Saturdays. You will leave smelling like smoke and salt, which somehow counts as a souvenir.
2. Boatwerks Waterfront Restaurant, Holland
From the wide patio at Boatwerks, the masts on Lake Macatawa sketch tidy lines against a peach sunset. Find it at 216 Van Raalte Ave, Holland, MI, where the walkway edges the water and servers slip between planters with practiced calm. Start with calamari and a lemony aioli, then chase it with Great Lakes whitefish, butter kissed and flaking clean.
The building nods to Holland’s shipbuilding past, and plaques inside trace photos of factories and hulls. That history gives dinner a quiet ballast, especially when a breeze threads the umbrellas. Tip for timing: golden hour fills fast, so join the waitlist early and ask for a shoreline table.
Portions run generous, cocktails keep to classic, and you will watch boats idle toward the channel like moving postcards. The vibe stays polished but unpretentious, a sweet spot for visiting parents or low drama dates. Save room for key lime pie if the sun still has a little glow left.
3. The Cove, Leland
Up over the dam and the shanties of Fishtown, The Cove perches with a view that feels like a postcard in motion. The address is 111 River St, Leland, MI, where the outdoor deck watches charter boats slide past the falls. Start with the famous Chubby Mary, a Bloody Mary crowned with a smoked chub, then move to whitefish Reuben or a lightly blackened fillet.
This spot dates to the 1960s, when the family behind it settled into the old fish town rhythm. History clings to the cedar shingles and the rushing water below. Tip: if the wind whips in from the channel, ask for a table along the interior rail for just enough shelter.
The deck hums with chatter, gulls heckle from above, and the fry on the fish stays remarkably delicate. You will keep glancing at the river because something always glints. The whole scene makes lunch feel longer, like a small vacation you can eat.
4. Blu, Glen Arbor
At Blu, the horizon runs cobalt to silver, and the plates echo that calm with precise, seasonal detail. Set your map to 5705 S Lake St, Glen Arbor, MI, where the patio faces Sleeping Bear Bay and the windows drink up twilight. Begin with a crudo kissed by citrus and herbs, then a delicate Lake Superior whitefish with beurre blanc and petite vegetables.
Chef Randy Chamberlain has long steered the kitchen toward restraint, letting northern produce speak softly. The history here is steady refinement rather than reinvention. Logistics tip: reservations go early in high season, so secure an outdoor table and arrive just before the sky turns watercolor.
Service moves like a quiet current, and the sound of cutlery is almost the soundtrack. The air smells of pine and lake, and conversation naturally softens. When dessert arrives, often something berry bright, you will swear the colors match the shoreline.
5. Parkshore Lounge, Traverse City
Cherry country announces itself in the cocktails at Parkshore Lounge, where the patio angles toward East Grand Traverse Bay. Navigate to 839 E Front St, Traverse City, MI, and claim a table that catches the breeze off the water. Order a cherry bourbon smash, then a smash burger with melty edges or fish tacos bright with slaw and lime.
The space nods to retro motel cool, updated with plants and unfussy service. There is no rush here, just an easy slip between bar chatter and shoreline gazing. History is modest, but the local loyalty runs deep on weeknights.
If you want shade, arrive before the peak and request an umbrella table. Fries are crisp, portions fair, and you will hear the soft rattle of boards from paddlecraft nearby. It is the sort of patio where conversation wanders, and the bill arrives right when the sky goes coral.
6. Karl’s Cuisine, Winery and Brewery, Sault Ste. Marie
The rooftop at Karl’s Cuisine tilts toward freighters easing through the Soo Locks, a slow motion show with real heft. Head to 447 W Portage Ave, Sault Ste. Marie, MI, and climb for the patio with binocular views.
Try the pasty-inspired pot pie or the whitefish spread, and pair with a house wine or a malty beer flight.
Family run roots shape the menu, which threads Upper Peninsula staples with winery comfort. The building’s vantage makes even a weekday feel like an event. Tip: bring a light layer since the river breeze turns crisp quickly, even in July.
Service is neighborly, and the timing flexes around ship schedules when everyone pauses to watch. You will learn to recognize hull shapes by dessert. The view pairs strangely well with cherry cheesecake, maybe because both are unapologetically Michigan.
7. Elizabeth’s Chop House, Marquette
A hush follows the steaks at Elizabeth’s Chop House, seared dark outside and ruby within, served steps from the water. Set your course for 120 N Front St, Marquette, MI, and ask for a table on the deck when Lake Superior behaves. Start with the lobster bisque or a wedge with real bite, then a bone-in ribeye with a gloss of butter.
The restaurant helped anchor downtown’s finer dining wave in the early 2000s. That history reads in the polished service and the tidy wine list leaning steak friendly. Tip: reserve for sunset Fridays, and mention outdoor seating in the notes.
There is a gentle hush to the patio, interrupted by laughter and the clink of old fashioneds. Vegetables arrive sharp and green, potatoes whipped without fuss. You will walk away warmer than the temperature suggests, which is how good beef works near big cold water.
8. The English Inn, Eaton Rapids
Fountain murmur and garden roses set a measured pace at The English Inn, where dinner feels like a countryside pause. Navigate to 677 S Michigan Rd, Eaton Rapids, MI, and step onto the terrace overlooking the Grand River. Begin with beef Wellington bites or crab stuffed mushrooms, then classic prime rib or a careful salmon with dill.
The estate dates to the 1920s and carries Tudor romance without tipping fussy. History shows in the woodwork and the hush under the trees. Visitor habit: stroll the grounds between courses, which the staff encourages with easy smiles.
Service stays formal but warm, and glasses never dip far. The patio catches gold light before dusk, a flattering companion for desserts like bread pudding. You will speak more softly without noticing, the soundtrack set by water and leaves.
9. Butcher’s Union, Grand Rapids
The sizzle at Butcher’s Union travels from grill to patio in a savory ribbon that stops conversation mid sentence. Point your map to 438 Bridge St NW, Grand Rapids, MI, and angle for an outdoor table that watches the street parade. Order the pork shoulder with ancho glaze or a hanger steak stacked with fries and chimichurri.
Owners shaped the place around whiskey and meat, and the list reads like a field guide to brown spirits. History is short and lively, anchored in the Bridge Street revival. Tip: join the waitlist early on the app, then slide in for a late dinner to dodge the crush.
Plates arrive hot and generous, and cocktails lean boisterous with spice. You will notice the cadence of the block, bikes whirring, laughter ricocheting from brick. It adds a city snap that suits pepper and char.
10. The Green Well, Grand Rapids
There is a porch party spirit to The Green Well, where the patio tucks under trees and the plates zig seasonal. Find it at 924 Cherry St SE, Grand Rapids, MI, in the middle of a walkable strip that makes lingering easy. Start with the Brussels sprouts glazed and crisp, or the ever rotating soup that tends to celebrate farms nearby.
The gastropub helped seed the Cherry Street food scene years back, and it still hums with regulars. Technique shows in the balance of acid and crunch, not just trend chasing. Tip: brunch seats vanish by ten, so set an alarm if you want the patio and a sunny ale.
Servers read the room well, guiding toward sharables and a clever beer pairing. You will taste herbs like someone actually cared, which is rarer than it should be. It is the kind of casual that rewards attention.
11. Parc, Detroit
Parc wraps Campus Martius in glass and glow, then extends the scene onto a patio that feels like front row seats to Detroit. The address is 800 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI, and the park’s energy drifts straight through service. Open with oysters or a wood fired carrot dish, then a ribeye or roasted fish that picks up smoke from the hearth.
The restaurant marked a new era of park dining when it opened, turning a plaza into a dining room. History here is recent and confident. Tip: winter brings igloos, but summer is the sweet spot, especially during concerts when the city hum gets bright.
Expect polished pacing, precise cocktails, and a view that doubles as entertainment. You will catch snippets of skateboards, laughter, and fountain spray. It makes a sophisticated meal feel loose in the best way.
12. La Dolce Vita, Detroit
Slip through the gate at La Dolce Vita and the city falls away into a courtyard with ivy and hush. Set course for 17546 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI, and ask for garden seating when the weather cooperates. Begin with a Negroni and grilled calamari, then a saucy plate of penne alla vodka or veal saltimbocca.
The restaurant has long hosted slow afternoons that stretch into espresso nights, a neighborhood stalwart with old school charm. History announces itself in the framed photos and the soft clink of china. Visitor habit: linger over tiramisu while the lights glow warmer and conversation tilts confessional.
Service lands unhurried, which suits the courtyard’s calm. You will hear leaves flick, not traffic, and the pasta arrives properly salted. It feels like a secret shared, the kind you hope stays just crowded enough to thrive.
13. Bert’s Marketplace, Detroit
Saturday mornings at Bert’s Marketplace taste like smoke and sound like Motown. Aim for 2727 Russell St, Detroit, MI, where the outdoor seating spills into Eastern Market’s heartbeat. Order ribs or chicken from the pit, sides of greens and mac, and let the band set your pace between bites.
The place is part barbecue stand, part music hall, and fully market institution. History lives on the murals and in regulars who can tell you which singers lit up which weekends. Tip: arrive early on market days to claim a table before the crowd surges and the line doubles back.
It is a joyful sprawl, with sauce on fingers and horns threading the air. The smoke rings run true, and the vibe forgives a little chaos. You will leave full, humming, and probably carrying produce you did not plan to buy.