Enjoy our guide to dining options in Glen Arbor, Empire, and the rest of Leelanau County.
Casual fine dining located in scenic downtown Glen Arbor best describes the Western Avenue Grill, whose rustic building decor gives a comfortable feeling to all that visit this location. Enjoy cocktails, lunch or dinner on the outdoor patio. The Western Avenue Grill offers an extensive wine list and daily creative specials.
The Foothills is a year-round motel and cafe on the east side of Big Glen Lake with eight clean and comfortable rooms. The Foothills Cafe, voted best breakfast in Leelanau County, serves breakfast and lunch from 7 a.m. until 3 p.m. daily.
Trattoria Funistrada was started in 2000 by owners Tom & Holly Reay, after they located the perfect property for an Italian Restaurant in Burdickville. The building Funistrada resides in has an almost 100 year history of food service.
Take in the view of Little Glen Lake while enjoying dinner at the Manor on Glen Lake. The fine dining restaurant, located on M-22 just west of the Narrows, was originally a summer hotel that was restored to an Old World look.
La Becasse serves authentic French country fare in Burdickville in Leelanau County. The restaurant is a mere 30-minute scenic drive west of Traverse City, situated between Glen Arbor, Empire and Maple City.
Northern Michigan burger aficionados weren’t surprised at all when Joe’s Friendly Tavern in Empire (Frank Lerchen is actually the owner, but old names die hard in these parts) won TV 7&4’s award for the best burger around. Lerchen told the local television station: “The burgers are the best, absolutely — no questions asked.”
Grocers Daughter is a cozy and delicious, family-owned, artisan chocolate shop in Empire. Grocer’s Daughter sources most of its craft chocolate from Ecuador and oversees the entire value chain of chocolate from cacao farmer to consumer.
Steve and Jennifer Nowicki opened Shipwreck Cafe in June of 2017. They wanted to bring a new, alternative dining choice to Empire, the Gateway to the Sleeping Bear Dunes. Together with their daughters, Hannah (18) and Rebecca (15), they are proud of the reputation they are building of delicious food, in a friendly family atmosphere.
Located on Front Street in downtown Empire, Tiffany’s Café serves premium Michigan-made Ashby’s ice cream, freshly made waffle cones, Sanders hot fudge cream puff sundaes and the ever-popular homemade stroopwafels. The perfect snacks to complement summer days and beach fun.
Great spot for pizza, beer, dinner, games (and sometimes live music) just steps from downtown Empire, Lake Michigan and the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. 14 craft beers on tap. Delicious pizza to go. Dinner features.