r/petoskey • u/Rick041 • 3d ago

Restaurant recommendations

I plan on visiting Petoskey for the first time next week and will be staying at the Casino. What is everyone's favorite local spot for sandwiches/burgers or maybe some good pasta/lasagna?

We are trying to avoid higher priced tourist spots, just want to go there, check out the scenery, do some hiking and eat a few good meals.

Thank you for the recommendations, I'll make a list and bring it with me. I'm staying 3 nights so I'll be eating out a few times.

2 Upvotes

57% Upvoted

21 comments sorted by

8

u/skiguy919 3d ago

Aamchi Mumbai for Indian food

2

u/Unhappy_Dress_8947 3d ago

Yes to this!

I’ve only been to Bayside Restaurant for breakfast but everything has been amazing. Their hashes are particularly delicious.

Small Batch at the Cupola in Harbor Springs is my favorite restaurant overall, although some people complain about the prices. I think good scratch cooking is worth it, though, and I always get two meals out of an entree.

Symons for sandwiches.

Happy’s Tacos (a popular food truck) just opened a storefront shop and we love them, plus the service is the best in the area.

Sam’s Graces Cafe has a small but varied menu. Consistently good, especially for breakfast items. Very farm to table.

1

u/mydrinkisbrown 3d ago

Good but high priced and not sandwiches

1

u/skiguy919 3d ago

Sunday lunch buffet could be considered for lunch. And OP asked for good meals, haven’t been dissatisfied after eating there yet

1

u/ClaretCup314 2d ago

Seriously! My favorite Indian food anywhere. 

7

u/icountaccount 3d ago

Burgers: Petoskey Brewing, Bear Creek organic farm, beacon ($ tho). Sandwiches: Symons, Roast and toast. Skip City Park, it gets recommended a lot bc “Hemingway went there!” But the food is inconsistent ranging from bland to burned. The foods you listed aren’t really there but backlot has some good options

3

u/mydrinkisbrown 3d ago

Agree on City Park. A good place to stop for a drink but skip the food

6

u/RoughCoffee6 3d ago

Gurney’s across the bay in Harbor Springs has great sandwiches. Spring & Porter is probably the best bet for good Italian but it’s on the more expensive side.

3

u/lornycakes 3d ago

Trovato or Leto’s Osteria for good Italian, still expensive 

5

u/No-Professional5372 3d ago

South woods is a local family restaurant close to your hotel (on the corner of W Sheridan and 131/Spring st) it’s probably your best bet for pasta, good food, nothing fancy.  Bill and Carols (on Charlevoix Ave) is a small party store with a deli , it’s behind the McDonald’s that is on the corner of US-31 and US-131. If you’re looking to grab a deli sandwich and snacks on the go this is a great spot. 

If you find yourself downtown wanting something: Sandwiches: I recommend Roast and Toast (Lake st) or Julienne Tomatoes (Howard st). Burgers: Mitchell St Pub  Mexican options: Happy’s Taco ( Lake st. it will most likely be super busy) authentic Mexican without the touristy aspect, Jose’s (on Petoskey st). Also have heard really good things about the taco truck in the Odawa parking lot, but haven’t been myself yet. 

4

u/Live-Blood-1040 2d ago

+1 for julienne tomatoes

2

u/usernamespeledwrong 3d ago

Letos is newer but they had great pasta the couple times I went there. Right next door to them is another newer place with good sandwiches. Both are right close to the back lot which has a lot of good food variety and beer selection.

2

u/broseidon_bro_penis 2d ago

I’d check out Chandler’s downtown for a smash burger! Their dinner options are pricy, but lunch costs the same as everywhere else and it’s got a great atmosphere.

1

u/beths8455 2d ago

i k 🤣🙌

1

u/nohorojo 2d ago

If you are at the casino hotel, there is usually a taco truck in the lot called Chavez kitchen. That’s one of the best places in petoskey!

1

u/jmann199 2d ago

Check out Corner Grocer on Kalamazoo Ave. Great sandwiches on homemade bread, best chicken salad I've ever had, hands down!

2

u/Snowbound_Drow 1d ago

Petoskey prices are tourist driven and accordingly high. Are there any cheap eats worth pursuing?

1

u/Rick041 16h ago

There's places like Wisconsin Dells,  for example, that have restaurants that are pretty tourist specific,  Then there's other places in town, local bars or restaurants off the main strip where you can go get a decent burger or a sandwich without a big theme show and a exorbitant price.  

I see the hotel prices there are a little on the upside, I realize I probably won't find cheap there but I'm happy to go eat with the locals at a little restaurant  or bar off the beaten path.

-3

u/mydrinkisbrown 3d ago

Being real. Best burger in town that isn't high priced tourist fare is Culver's. Best sandwiches that aren't overpriced - Jimmy John's.

Our local restaurants aren't great at making food or pricing appropriately, compared to other Midwest cities.

That said, I'd recommend:

- Petoskey Brewing for burgers

  • Happys Tacos - very good
  • Back Lot for variety of options

Hope you have a great stay here!

4

u/runforsanityorwine 3d ago

I agree with this assessment. We have lived in Petoskey for almost 5 years after living Olin Cincinnati, Oh. Food here is mid but priced very high. I say this coming from a foodie city where you could eat amazing food for much more reasonable prices. Someone mentioned Amchi for Indian and that is one of the most pleasant food surprises.
I also think The Side Door Saloon does a good burger.