This Refurbished 1896 Bank Is Now A Beloved Family Restaurant In South Haven Michigan
Pushing through the brass-trimmed doors of Clementine’s feels like stumbling into a high-stakes heist where the only loot is world-class comfort food. Housed in a grand former bank, the atmosphere vibrates with a “beach-town-on-payday” energy; a mix of shimmering tin ceilings, polished wood glows, and the rhythmic clatter of heavy ceramic plates.
The air is a rich, salty-sweet smog of hand-battered onion rings and fresh Great Lakes perch hitting the fryer. You’ll hear the high-ceilinged echoes of families passing those legendary golden-brown onion rings like rare currency across a cheerful teller window.
Experience the soul of South Haven at Clementine’s, the premier historic bank-turned-eatery famous for its towering onion rings and authentic lakeside dining.
It’s a space that leans into Midwest comforts with the swagger of a place that’s been the town’s heartbeat for generations. To snag a stool without the wait, these ten field-tested tips will help you bank a perfect meal in this lakeside classic.
Start With The Onion Ring Stack
At first glance, the Onion Ring Stack looks like a golden lighthouse tower, a crunchy beacon you can spot from across the dining room. The batter stays light and crisp without turning into armor, so the onions inside remain sweet, tender, and cleanly cooked.
You will likely hear the crunch before you even taste it, and that sound sets the mood for everything that follows.
History threads through this choice because regulars have turned the stack into a mandatory ritual. The bank-turned-restaurant setting adds ceremony, with a tin ceiling glinting while a server balances the towering platter.
Split the basket with the whole table, because the rings are deceptively filling and your entrées deserve room to speak.
Order Lake Perch When You Want Michigan On A Plate
The Lake Perch arrives lightly golden and flaky, and the first forkful parts with a gentle sigh. Breaded and seasoned but never overworked, the preparation respects the fish and the Great Lake it came from.
A quick squeeze of lemon wakes everything up, and it stays bright without shouting over the delicate flavor.
Clementine’s built a reputation on Great Lakes staples, and the perch remains a quiet cornerstone of the menu. Eating fresh fish inside these historic walls makes the meal feel ceremonial, like a nod to the town’s maritime past.
Request creamy coleslaw and house tartar sauce, then alternate bites to keep the flavor rhythm steady and balanced.
French Onion Soup For Tin-Ceiling Weather
When the outside air tastes like lake mist and sweater season finally wins, French onion soup becomes the logical choice. The crock lands bubbling and fragrant, topped with cheese that pulls into small, salty ribbons as you lift your spoon.
Browned at the edges, that cheese seals the broth like a warm quilt, and the first break-through releases deep onion sweetness and sturdy toast.
This soup suits the old-bank setting, echoing an era when a warm bowl of nourishment felt like real currency. Reviews mention it often because it steadies a table fast, and it quiets hungry chatter without any drama.
Let it rest for a minute before diving in, so the heat eases and the salt and sweetness settle into a tongue-safe balance.
Clem’s O-Ring Burger Is About Contrast
With the first bite of Clem’s O-Ring Burger, the namesake onion ring shatters, followed quickly by the savory juice of the patty while the bun rallies to keep everything in order.
It’s a study in texture where the elements trade places in a tidy back-and-forth that never results in a soggy mess.
The fresh toppings are crisp and vibrant, proving they are a core part of the flavor profile rather than just a decorative afterthought.
South Haven families order this burger like a secret handshake, a nod to the house’s famous ring legacy. Surrounded by the building’s old vault lines and polished millwork, even a casual burger feels elevated to a classic form.
If you want to stay nimble for a walk down to the pier afterward, choose the fruit side; if you’ve already cleared your afternoon schedule for a nap, the fries are the only way to go.
Double Eagle Salad When You Crave Scale
Forks sink into the Double Eagle Salad, a dish that reads more like an architectural plan than a simple side, it is layered, sturdy, and impressively tall.
The greens keep their snap, the proteins are neatly portioned, and the croutons hold their crunch despite the generous dressing. The sheer size of the bowl has earned it a reputation for being a meal that demands to be shared.
There is a deep history in the abundance found here, reflecting a classic Midwest instinct to feed guests generously. Reviewers often call out the portion sizes with a mix of delight and disbelief, and the staff delivers the massive bowls with practiced, casual ease.
To keep things exactly how you like them, request your dressing on the side. This gives you the power to steer the texture from the first forkful all the way to the finish line.
Walleye For A Cleaner Fry
If you find the perch a bit too delicate for your mood, the Walleye eats like a tidy, satisfying story. It is mild and flaky with a clean finish that rewards culinary restraint.
The breading is expertly calibrated, acting as a protective layer for the fish without stealing the headline. A small nudge of lemon helps the natural sweetness of the walleye whisper just a little louder.
Regulars frequently praise this dish alongside the perch, proving that the lake speaks multiple dialects at Clementine’s.
In the context of this old bank building, such straightforward, honest cooking feels historically correct.
To round out the plate, pair your fish with a classic baked potato; it keeps the “fry” element of the meal light and gives you a reason to linger just a bit longer over the conversation.
Olive Burger For A Briny Twist
The salt-bright olives on the Olive Burger cut through the richness of the beef like a fresh lake breeze through a humid August afternoon. The sauce binds the toppings together without flooding the bun, ensuring each bite remains balanced from start to finish.
It is a specific Midwestern quirk that proves its point to skeptics very quickly.
Long-time guests often mention this particular burger with a sense of fond nostalgia, which perfectly suits the historic room’s comfortable, unpretentious confidence.
You aren’t necessarily chasing a modern food trend here, but rather a good, traditional idea executed cleanly. Since it can be a bit messy, don’t be afraid to ask for extra napkins and a knife.
Splitting this burger with a friend is actually a great way to graze through the rest of the extensive menu.
French Dip That Rewards Patience
The roll for the French Dip arrives with a gentle, inviting gloss, cradling roast beef that has been prepared to keep its tenderness. When you dip it into the accompanying jus, the bread soaks up just enough liquid to turn the crust pliant without losing its structural grip.
Each subsequent bite seems to gain momentum as the warm, savory flavors build on one another.
Local regulars call this one of the most dependable orders in the house, and the bank’s calm, high-ceilinged interior makes the meal feel truly timeless.
On the busiest summer nights, the kitchen might take a moment, but your patience is rewarded when the plate arrives exactly as it should be.
For a truly indulgent experience, try pairing the dip with the French Onion Soup to create a cozy, two-texture echo of savory beef and melted cheese.
Chicken Tenders For The Table
Texture is the true “tell” with these Chicken Tenders; a satisfying crackle gives way to juicy, well-seasoned chicken. Because the dips are such a huge part of the draw, it’s best to rotate through the honey mustard and the ranch to keep your palate engaged.
Even those who claim they are “too old” for tenders usually find themselves reaching back into the basket for just one more piece.
While some might note that the size of the pieces can vary slightly in such a busy, long-running kitchen, the basket remains a reliable shareable anchor for any group.
In this roomy landmark, the tenders work equally well as a kid-pleaser or a starter for the adults. To keep the peace with a hungry crowd, order a basket early in the meal and pass the plate around to pace everyone’s appetite before the main event.
Timing The Wait Like A Local
During the height of summer, the lines at Clementine’s form like the lake tides: slow, certain, and entirely predictable. However, the modern text-alert system keeps the process civilized.
Once you drop your name with the host, use the time to wander down Phoenix Street or peek into the local shops, letting the buzz of the town pull you back only when your table is ready.
The opening hours are decidedly family-friendly, stretching from lunch through the early evening on most days. Keep in mind that the historic layout doesn’t easily accommodate very large groups, so it is often smarter to split your party strategically.
To bypass the heaviest crowds, try to arrive just before the lunch rush or immediately after the primary dinner surge. Sliding into a booth without a wait is a local power move that makes the Lake Perch taste even better.