Food & Drinks
Ludington, Michigan
Ludington may surprise you with its many dining options! Whether you’re looking for a place to grab sandwiches for a picnic at the park or beach, casual outdoor dining, a diner atmosphere, or something a little more upscale to celebrate a special event, Ludington doesn’t disappoint!
Lunch & Dinner
- Café 106 - (lunch only) serves specialty, “made from scratch” lunches.
- House of Flavors - For classic American Diner food and ice cream (made right here in Ludington), check out the House of Flavors in Ludington or Manistee.
- Stix Restaurant - Newly renovated restaurant and entertainment venue offers a menu that features a menu curated by world-class chefs, craft cocktails, a beer garden patio & pier, and state-of-the-art bowling lanes.
- Table 14 - Owned & operated by husband and wife team Howard & Laura Iles, this is considered Ludington's dining destination! Chef Howard takes inspiration from all the places he's lived and trained: California, Maryland, South Carolina and Louisiana. Most of the dining focus of Table 14 is Charleston, South Carolina inspired dishes.
- The 10 Spot - located at 5750 W US 10 in Ludington, this location features a group of individually owned and operated food trucks who've created a fun and unique dining experience!
- The Q Smokehouse (seasonal, and open Thursday - Saturday) - A casual southern style BBQ restaurant featuring local and regional products. Order online, carryout or dine in.
- Trail's End Baking Company - (lunch only) Great place for homemade bread, soups, and sandwiches. They also offer a wide assortment of homemade baked treats!
If you're up for a drive (35-60 minutes), may we recommend:
- The Golden Stag - A unique and cozy dining experience situated on River Street in Manistee, just 35 minutes North of Ludington that offers Italian and Mediterranean inspired plates, as well as a robust wine and cocktail list.
- The Glenwood - (open May-September) Located in Onekama, the Glenwood offers a distinctive dining experience where everything is "prepared to your liking". A delicious, lakeside dining experience in a historic building.
- 876 Baldwin - Enjoy from-scratch menu offerings and handmade, top-shelf cocktails in a space with a casual, comfortable vibe. Executive Chef Glenn Forgie expertly sources Michigan's finest produce and meats and complements menu items with a surprisingly deep cellar of fine wines and spirits from the USA and abroad.
To-Go
If you’re heading out to enjoy the beach, trails, or Ludington State Park and want to grab a “to-go” picnic or pizza.
- Cluck Bucket - Check out this Ludington favorite at one of their three locations: Cluck Bucket on The Plaza, the original truck and food stand (located next to Dairy Queen on Pere Marquette Highway), and new to the crew - Ruby - at The 10 Spot. Each location offers chicken and Pit-Tatoes(R) barbecued on their Port-A-Pit(TM) using a secret sauce that packs a delicious flavor profile! Visit their site for a detailed menu. (Food trucks Open May - October)
- Chuck Wagon - for a delicious specialty pizza, breadsticks, and sandwiches that are a favorite among all the locals and return visitors, right along the lakeshore!
- Keeper's Fish Shack - Located in Legacy Park in downtown Ludington, this walk-up restaurant provides a variety of fresh fish and seafood options from both fresh and salty waters! (Open May - September)
- Bortell's Fisheries - this sixth generation, family owned and operated fish market is a favorite among locals and offers take-out only fresh smoked or fried fish. (Open Memorial Day - Labor Day)
Local Breweries & Pubs
Home to several breweries and craft beer festivals, Ludington is no stranger to the craft brew scene. We’ve highlighted a few local breweries, plus a couple of others that are nearby. And yeah, we added a distillery to the list, too…
- Jamesport Brewing Company - Serves a wide range of beers and filling food in a Victorian storefront with warm, rustic surroundings.
- Ludington Bay Brewery - A brewing company whose mission is to consistently provide their patrons with an exceptional beer-drinking experience.
- Sportsmans Irish Pub - An Irish-style bar with a long-running reputation in the community offering thin-crust pies & other grub in a friendly atmosphere.
- The Ludington Pub - American cuisine pub menu sure to satisfy your cravings, and live music on Sundays!
- The Mitten Bar - This funky pub takes its name from the state's shape and offers local beer, wine & spirits, plus food & live music.
- Starving Artist Beer - This small artisan brewery is a production-only brewery, brewing a majority of traditional-style beers with a few of their own specialty beers. Book your tour!
- Big Hart Brewing Co. - Located in Hart, Michigan 22 miles south of Ludington.
- Fetch Brewing Co. - Located in Whitehall, Michigan 43 miles south of Ludington.
- North Channel Brewery - Located in Manistee, Michigan 29 miles North of Ludington.
- Iron Fish Distillery - If you’re headed North, add Thompsonville, MI to your itinerary and book your tour here!
Vineyards & Tasting Rooms
A visit to these vineyards and tasting rooms is a day well spent along the Michigan West Coast – Cheers!
- The Fox Barn Marketplace & Winery - Located in Shelby, Michigan, Fox Barn Winery produces a variety of traditional grape wines as well as fruit wines made from apples, cherries, peaches, pears, plums, and raspberries.
- Love Wines - Located on Washington Avenue in Ludington, Love Wines is a boutique winery that includes a tasting room as well as a gift shop on-site. Specializing in country-style wines with a "bold fruit flare", they also offer a nice selection of traditional wines.
- Oceana Winery & Vineyard - A family-operated vineyard and estate winery located 30 miles south of Ludington in New Era, Michigan, Oceana Winery offers a range from dry reds and whites to sweet and late harvest styles.
- Pere Marquette Winery - The beautiful Huggard Estate at the head of the Buttersville Peninsula, just minutes from the inn, has been farmed by the Morton family for many generations. Their grapes are 100% estate grown from meticulously tended old root stock, providing high-quality, distinctive wines, produced in small quantities.
Coffee & Tea Shops
- HumaniTea - Located downtown at The Port Ludington, this cozy tea shop exists to confront the tragedy of modern-day slavery. All their teas are responsibly sourced, and the hand-crafted gifts available for sale in the shop are either made by survivors or are from collaborators that are a part of trafficking prevention.
- Red Rooster Coffee - A coffee shop serving organic, fair-trade coffee with a place to gather.
- The Book Mark - Serving coffee varieties including lattes, cappuccinos, coffee, and frappe as well as tea. Located in a bookstore, browse and purchase your favorite books, magazines, and newspapers, and then relax in the coffee lounge.
Ice Cream & Sweets
- House of Flavors - This Guinness World Record Holder for Longest Ice Cream Dessert serves homemade ice cream and other American classics, in a retro, 1950s-style diner.
- Krave Frozen Yogurt & Candy Shoppe - Offers 12 flavors of Palazollos frozen yogurt and sorbet with over 50 toppings! Coffee, Bubble Tea, Smoothies, gourmet treats, popcorn & bulk candy are also available.
- Kilwins - This chain features old-fashioned confectionery and sells chocolates, ice cream, handmade sweets & gift baskets.