Mackinac Island Restaurants

Mighty Mac is more or less a local McDonald's/Burger King type of place. The food is good, service is really fast, and the menu is fairly varied (burgers, fish sandwiches, fries, hot dogs, and breakfast sandwiches make up the bulk of it). It's not an upscale place, but it gets the job done and they are located on the water, so you can sit and view the harbor.

Favorite Dish: Sandwiches are all good, curly fries and Macaroni & cheese fries are supposedly really great. Loaded hot dogs and breakfast sandwiches have gotten rave reviews from friends.

The Irish Pub is a great place for laid-back fun. They have oodles of paraphanilia involving the Irish, and there is often live entertainment. This is quite possibly my favorite restaurant on the island, just because of its lively atmosphere and the friendly wait staff. It's even one of the few restaurants open during the winter, and the people there are as cheery in December as they are in July.

Favorite Dish: The Potato Soup in a Sourdough Breadbowl-- their potato soup is amazing (in true Irish fashion) and the breadbowl is just an added bonus. I've been eating this for years and it hasn't gotten old; in fact, it may have gotten better.

The Gate House has moderately good food, but their menu is pretty limited and the food is overpriced. This restaurant is owned by the Grand Hotel, so the menu is also fairly interesting and includes some unique items, but there's really nothing special about this place besides its location. It is located near the Grand Hotel and has a great outdoor dining area.

Favorite Dish: Turkey Burger and Calamari were both pretty good.

This is the place to go if you're feeling peckish and want something quick and relatively cheap. It's located on the Arnold Dock, a little bit off the main strip and right on the water, where you can watch the ducks paddle around. It's an outdoor, awning-covered patio with a window where you order and pick up food, which includes sandwiches, wraps, fries, personal pizzas, Italian Ices, frozen lemonade and the like. It's laid-back and a good spot for lunch.

NOTE: Park your bikes on the street, not on the docks next to the restaurant. They will likely be impounded if you leave them on the docks (due to the hazards posed to work horses).

Favorite Dish: Most of the sandwiches are good, and I know people who swear by the frozen drinks. It's essentially 'normal' food, with no funny spices or other surprises, so anything you like elsewhere is a safe bet.

J.L. Beanery is a fantastic place to start your morning, grab a bite to eat, or get an iced drink when the afternoon heat sets in. It is right next to the marina underneath the large yellow Bay View Inn, and it has wide windows that showcase the harbor. It has Wi-Fi connection, and you can sit inside or out as long as you like. Starbucks unfortunately recently came to the island, but its familiarity is no match for the unique experience you will get at the original Mackinac Island coffeehouse. Please support local businesses!

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This fine restaurant is located at the base of the Grand Hotel. Outside dining is wonderful for people watching - and horse watching. Many weddings take place across the street at St. Anne's and the road carries the fine buggies up to the Grand Hotel, which means that you will see the best of the best for attire and grandeur.

Favorite Dish: I enjoy the hummus plate - light, yet filling and flavorful. I am a lover of soups, as well, and their clam chowder holds its' own.

They present dishes that are on the upside of what you would expect for this resort. The dishes looked good and were well presented. I think they may be too much on the high end for the crowd.

Favorite Dish: Just plain old hamburger was fine with me.

Mackinac Island is remarkably free of the kind of chains that have "leveled" most sections of America, from Key West to Fairbanks. Until now, that is. Starbucks has landed here - in a storefront operation on Main Street. Well, why not? At least they don't sell fudge - not yet, anyway.